Calendar

Jul
27
Fri
Organ in Orbit
Jul 27 @ 10:00 pm
Organ in Orbit

. . . tonight TOAD welcomes  Organ in Orbit

Organ In Orbit is a jazz/funk organ trio from Boston, formed originally as a side-project of the Freelance Bishops leader/keyboardist, Jeremy Parker, back in 2004. Jeremy had a dream and a newly customized Hammond A-100, with a high-power Leslie cabinet and subwoofer he designed and built himself. With a smart selection of covers by artists ranging from the Meters to John Scofield,and styles ranging from shuffles to boogaloos to modern funk, the roots of the trio’s musical influence were growing wide and deep. And it certainly didn’t hurt to have a similarly deep bench of musical talent to contribute to this vision. On guitar, local luminaries like Justin Piper, Mike Mele, and Bruce Bartlett would be on call. And on drums, you’d likely see Benny Benson, Pete Maclean, or Steve Langone. After many years of regular gigs at their favorite local venues, the trio has developed a unique chemistry and dynamic musical interaction that truly engages the audience. Fast forward to 2017, and the band lineup has solidified and is working on brand-new original material composed by Jeremy, with a new album release eminent. Things are about to get interesting…

Come hear for yourself why this jazz-funk organ quartet from Boston is Out of THIS World!

 

Jul
28
Sat
Bees Deluxe
Jul 28 @ 7:30 pm

Bees Deluxe is a full-tilt, acid blues/funk/rock collective comprised of Boston-based musicians.

Their unique repertoire includes originals and re-interpreted 60s, 70s, and 80s covers from Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Charles Mingus, B.B. King, Kenny Burrell, Freddie King, Herbie Hancock, Albert King, Etta James, Muddy Waters, The Meters, Little Feat, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, Curtis Mayfield, The Butterfield Blues Band, Derek Trucks, Donny Hathaway, Amy Winehouse, Steely Dan, Etta James, ZZ Top, Robben Ford, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, SoulLive, Derek and the Dominoes, Robert Cray, Edgar Winter, among many others. Taking the road less traveled, they discover and share off-the-beaten songs and instrumentals and fuse them into their own original works. They dare to be risk-takers on stage, digging deep into the vaults of blues/jazz antiquity. The result is an effortless take-no-prisoners-approach that wittingly captures the audience’s hearts.

Image may contain: stripes

LUX
Jul 28 @ 10:00 pm

Hear what venues all over New England already know – LUX is a funky / jazzy / quirky / entertaining / engaging quartet from Newburyport, MA and will be the band that you invite back time & time again – no matter what the season.

Jul
29
Sun
Sunday Spins
Jul 29 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Spins

Bring your vinyls as we get to take turns playing our faves…

LEARN MORE

Ship of the Sun (music of the Grateful Dead)
Jul 29 @ 8:00 pm
Ship of the Sun (music of the Grateful Dead)

Ship of the Sun celebrates the music of the Grateful Dead with a fun, free-wheeling, danceable show that pays tribute to the sounds of rock & roll’s most unique band.

Ship of the Sun came together in 2015 around each member’s love of the songs, spirit, and improvisation adventurousness of the Dead.

 

 

Jul
30
Mon
David Johnston
Jul 30 @ 7:30 pm

Peter Wolf (formerly of the J Geils Band), whose brilliant Midnight Souvenirs—released in 2010—included  David Johnston’s “I Don’t Wanna Know.” This song went on to become the second single from that album, and was performed on the David Letterman Show in June of 2010.

The White Owls
Jul 30 @ 9:00 pm

Just look at the band; Dennis Brennan on harmonica, guitar and vocals. Tim Gearan on guitar and vocals. Steve Sadler on lap steel.  Jim Haggerty on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums.

Check out a clip from one of their shows HERE  – After making it thru Monday, YOU deserve a night out!

Image result for white owls at toad

Jul
31
Tue
Grant Bloom
Jul 31 @ 7:30 pm

Grant Bloom was brought up learning classical piano; wedged between Dallas and Ft. Worth Texas. Much like a kid eating broccoli, he pushed it away, not realizing how beneficial the music was. Some years later, he was baptized into the world of jazz and from this, music began to tug at Grant’s sleeve. After being taught basic guitar chords from his father, and becoming comfortable in his vocal prowess, Grant began to craft songs.

The Blue Ribbons
Jul 31 @ 10:00 pm

The Blue Ribbons was formed by singer/songwriter/keyboardist James Rohr.

They have been building a base of devoted fans with their original and soulful music.

Described as
“Ray Charles and Tom Waits on a pirate ship with Sun Ra and Captain Beefheart,” they combine “upbeat disillusionment and celebratory fatalism with musicianship” – Charan Devereux; Boston Globe.

Image result for the blue ribbons music

Aug
1
Wed
Fandango
Aug 1 @ 7:00 pm

FANDANGO is as much a spiritual renewal as it is a reinterpretation of some of the best soul, blues, gospel, and Americana music ever written. With a loyal flock of followers (the flock that rock) to their weekly Wednesday night residency at TOAD in Cambridge, FANDANGO fuels frontman Fred Griffeth to lead this congregation into soul and R&B righteousness! For he is like a refiner of fire and he shall purify!

“Ask not for whom the Fandan goes. It goes for thee. On Wednesday donchaknow.” –

Goo w/ special guest: Chelsea Ursin (of Banana)
Aug 1 @ 10:00 pm
Goo w/ special guest:  Chelsea Ursin (of Banana)

Dreamy alt pop. Reminiscent of early flaming lips but much softer and cleaner, this quirky ep leaves me hungry for more tracks. – check them out HERE

check out Banana HERE

 

Aug
2
Thu
Gentle Temper
Aug 2 @ 7:30 pm
Gentle Temper

Gentle Temper is Ryan Meier and Marion Earley, an ocean-folk duo with a blues tide from the bayous of Boston, MA. Marion and Ryan met while attending college in Boston and began writing and playing together in their final year. Their live sound builds on a sturdy foundation of lyrical storytelling & animated harmonies.

“Wistful, harmony-drenched balladeers of the modern condition, these folks may become your new local favorites.” – Aeronaut Allston

Baker Thomas Band
Aug 2 @ 10:00 pm

BAKER THOMAS BAND  “…kind of a musical Robin Hood, robbing freely from the classic roots of American music and bringing it back to the common folks.”  – Billy Beard, Talent buyer/Boston Session drummer.

Image result for baker thomas band

Aug
3
Fri
Field Day
Aug 3 @ 10:00 pm
Field Day

 

Field Day – “Seriously raucous barroom rock that stings with lean power chords and open-hearted lyrics.” – James Reed, Boston Globe

Aug
4
Sat
Niall Connolly
Aug 4 @ 7:30 pm
Niall Connolly

All of it gets woven into a tapestry of words. Then melody. Harmonies added in the studio. Electricity, sincerity, and humor on the stage. At the core of every Niall Connolly song is the story, one that unfolds a layer with each listen.

David Johnston Band
Aug 4 @ 10:00 pm

Peter Wolf (formerly of the J Geils Band), whose brilliant Midnight Souvenirs—released in 2010—included  David Johnston’s “I Don’t Wanna Know.” This song went on to become the second single from that album, and was performed on the David Letterman Show in June of 2010.

Aug
5
Sun
Sunday Spins
Aug 5 @ 3:00 pm

 Sunday Spins!  – Vinyl Lovers Unite! 3-8pm every Sunday!

Sign up on the list and play two songs each turn.

Image result for sunday spins toad

John Powhida International Airport
Aug 5 @ 9:00 pm
John Powhida International Airport

“wont you wear my crown, up around your neck”? John Powhida International Airport wins the Boston 2011 Rock nd Roll Rumble! Hot Dog! 5 yrs after The Rudds took silver JPX takes Gold!!!

Aug
6
Mon
David Johnston
Aug 6 @ 7:30 pm

David Johnston  – if you don’t know him, you have to stop by TOAD for Blue Monday – take a listen HERE where David talks about his influences and plays a bit of music –

Image result for david johnston music

The White Owls
Aug 6 @ 9:00 pm

Just look at the band; Dennis Brennan on harmonica, guitar and vocals. Tim Gearan on guitar and vocals. Steve Sadler on lap steel.  Jim Haggerty on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums.

Check out a clip from one of their shows HERE  – After making it thru Monday, YOU deserve a night out!

The White Owls

Aug
7
Tue
Jenifer Jackson
Aug 7 @ 7:30 pm
Jenifer Jackson

“Her strong melodies, subtle arrangements and pure vocal approach
render her recordings almost instantly classic.”
Time Out! New York

“A definitive record for our time …
Jackson has made a career out of pushing the envelope.”
NY Music Daily

“I want to live in the world where she’s a big star.”
Puremusic

Jenifer Jackson is an American songwriter, singer and guitarist known for crafting intimate, understated pop songs. Critically-acclaimed releases include Slowly BrightThe Outskirts Of A Giant TownBirds, and her most recent effort, Texas Sunrise.

Aug
8
Wed
Fandango
Aug 8 @ 7:00 pm

“I still believe the lessons I learned when I was raised in a Roman Catholic household. Like, it’s harder for a rich man to get into heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” – Michael Moore –

Celebrate Hump Day with Fandango

 

The Nowheremen
Aug 8 @ 10:00 pm
The Nowheremen

Toad welcome back The Nowheremen – Boston’s feistiest Beatles Band!

Founded in a Cambridge coffee shop during a peace rally in 2007, the Nowheremen will have you dancing and singing!

Each Nowhere Man is a powerful singer capable of leading the song or blending in harmony. The quartet remains faithful to the Fab Four’s concept of three guitars up front with cuddly drummer in back.

Aug
9
Thu
Sugar Blood Jinx
Aug 9 @ 7:30 pm
Sugar Blood Jinx

SUGAR BLOOD JINX

is Eric Waxwood who uses finger-picking and a slide on a National Steel Guitar and sings lead vocals;

Matt Murphy who plays an upright bass and sings background vocals; and

Scott Pittman who plays an old 1920‘s ‘traps’ drum kit and sings background vocals.

Spotted Tiger
Aug 9 @ 10:00 pm
Spotted Tiger

SPOTTED TIGER – A musical bridge from Willie Nelson to Bob Marley where JJ Cale is the toll collector.  Featuring original music by songwriters Laurence Scudder & Erik White . . .

Aug
10
Fri
Bees Deluxe
Aug 10 @ 10:00 pm

Bees Deluxe is a full-tilt, acid blues/funk/rock collective comprised of Boston-based musicians.

Their unique repertoire includes originals and re-interpreted 60s, 70s, and 80s covers from Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul, Charles Mingus, B.B. King, Kenny Burrell, Freddie King, Herbie Hancock, Albert King, Etta James, Muddy Waters, The Meters, Little Feat, Ray Charles, Jimi Hendrix, Roy Buchanan, Curtis Mayfield, The Butterfield Blues Band, Derek Trucks, Donny Hathaway, Amy Winehouse, Steely Dan, Etta James, ZZ Top, Robben Ford, Bonnie Raitt, Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland, SoulLive, Derek and the Dominoes, Robert Cray, Edgar Winter, among many others. Taking the road less traveled, they discover and share off-the-beaten songs and instrumentals and fuse them into their own original works. They dare to be risk-takers on stage, digging deep into the vaults of blues/jazz antiquity. The result is an effortless take-no-prisoners-approach that wittingly captures the audience’s hearts.

Image may contain: stripes

Aug
11
Sat
Rea
Aug 11 @ 7:30 pm
Rea

Rea (Maria White) is a Singer-songwriter, producer from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Rea’s lyrics have been described as honest and witty, her harmonies smart and natural. Her style is unique, yet shows such influences of Norah Jones vocal stylings, Priscilla Ahn’s lyrical and instrumental techniques, the soulful vibe of Emily King, and inspired by vocal and musical genre of Yuna. Rea is a skillful vocalist and guitarist.

Red Tail Hawk
Aug 11 @ 10:00 pm

Red Tail Hawk has opened for National acts such as G-Love, The Brew and Chris Duarte, to name a few. They’ve played major music festival in the region and sold-out shows at The Stone Church in Newmarket, NH and The Press Room in Portsmouth, NH.

Red Tail Hawk

Aug
12
Sun
Sunday Spins
Aug 12 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Spins

Bring your vinyls as we get to take turns playing our faves…

LEARN MORE

John Powhida International Airport
Aug 12 @ 9:00 pm
John Powhida International Airport

John Powhida International Airport won the Boston 2011 Rock and Roll Rumble! Hot Dog! 5 yrs after The Rudds took silver JPX takes Gold!!!

Aug
13
Mon
David Johnston
Aug 13 @ 7:30 pm

Peter Wolf (formerly of the J Geils Band), whose brilliant Midnight Souvenirs—released in 2010—included  David Johnston’s “I Don’t Wanna Know.” This song went on to become the second single from that album, and was performed on the David Letterman Show in June of 2010.

The White Owls
Aug 13 @ 9:00 pm

Just look at the band; Dennis Brennan on harmonica, guitar and vocals. Tim Gearan on guitar and vocals. Steve Sadler on lap steel.  Jim Haggerty on bass and Andy Plaisted on drums.

Check out a clip from one of their shows HERE  – After making it thru Monday, YOU deserve a night out!

Image result for white owls at toad

Aug
14
Tue
Telescope
Aug 14 @ 7:30 pm
Telescope

Telescope is one of Andrew Stern‘s projects –  He came up with the name because the band is designed around the Telecaster guitar.

When the question is posed to guitarists, “If you could have just one guitar, what would it be?”, polls show that an overwhelming number of guitarists reply, “a Telecaster”. I rank as one who would answer exactly the same. The telecaster is a versatile tool which can cover a lot of ground, but more importantly, it changes the way I approach and play the instrument. Inspired by my own teles and by some telecaster playing guitar heroes of mine, I’ve designed a band around the guitar itself, appropriately titled “Telescope”. A mix of originals and covers, it’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll and more than a little bit undefined.

Oh – and besides, Andrew . . . the other names should also “sound” familiar:

Andrew Stern: guitar
James Rohr: keys
Greg Loughman: bass
Mike Connors: drums

 

Greg Adams
Aug 14 @ 10:00 pm
Greg Adams

A graduate of Bentley University,  Greg Adams earned a degree in Management and Environmental Studies. He also pursued an extra-curricular music education outside of the classroom, training under professional artists who studied at the Berklee College of Music. His first gig was a student showcase at a local pub where he channeled stage fright into a passionate performance, and ultimately found his true calling.

AS SEEN AT TOAD...