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.” –

Over the course of his career, Big Ben Hillman has shared the stage with a host of diverse and well known musicians including hip hop stars Method Man and Ghostface Killa from the Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, Biz Markie, Digable Planets and Mix Master Mike of The Beasty Boys. He has also been seen performing with rock legends Les Claypool and Jimmy Buffet.

Big Ben Hillman is quite the smooth retro funkster…. The production is excellent on all levels, keeping the listener in a comfortable, easy-flowing harmonic place. Ben never falters – his compositions and production show signs of a master at work enjoying his craft. I’m just going to think of Big Ben Hillman as the new Barry White on the opposite end of the vocal spectrum. – T Max, The Noise

Country Folk for city folk. Born and raised outside of Boston, MA. Professional Amateur Musician, Multi-instrumentalist, Songwriter. Lover of cats. Grammatical bandit. I get more done in a bathrobe than most do in a suit.

yeah . . . Marc Pinansky had us at cats, too . . .

give a listen HERE

ET – phone home –   yeah, yeah –

but only after the Baker Thomas Band show . . .  they’re out of this world. . .“A whole bunch of musicians and a whole bunch of instruments, come together to deliver an electrifying show which promises a whole bunch of fun” -Tracey Delfino, Trespass Music

“There is little doubt in my mind that tonight’s profile artist Dan Blakeslee, a singer-songwriter, graphic designer, original artist and performer is probably one of the most gifted all-around artists in New England.” – Ryan’s Smashing Life Blog

TOAD Debut!

Just when you thought it was safe to go out and hear live music, a new taste experience emerges. New Shark Orange is an electric guitar trio armed with reverb and an overdrive pedal. Live music in a maelstrom of modern jazz suffused with sixties rock and Ethiopian harmonies (!).

Love Love, a Boston-based 9 piece alt-Americana band feat. JP’s own singer-songwriters Chris Toppin (Fuzzy) & Jefferson Davis Riordan—“both have serious writing chops” (Boston Herald)— LOVE LOVE’s “songs have a captivating folk storytelling style,” writes Twangville.com; “not your father’s indie-rock,” says The Noise. LOVE LOVE’s newest video of their latest song has been nominated by Jamaica Plain News for JP Neighborhood Anthem.

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

sorta like open mic – sign up to play two songs from your vinyl – we set up a turn table center stage – . . . – once you play your songs you can sign up again –

bring new – old – anything!

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.

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 –

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!

Stash (Short for Stanisław) Wyslouch (Pronounced Why- Slouch)

Guitarist and Singer in The Stash! Band and Molsky’s Mountain Drifters

Stash Wyslouch is a musician based out of the Boston area. A songwriter, composer, guitarist, teacher, music appreciator & nerd, Stash is known for his whacky neo-bluegrass guitar style and inventive compositions and improvisations. He’s released three albums of original music and played on dozens of records as a supporting musician. He currently leads his own band, The Stash Band, that’s been described by the Boston Herald as a “Sonic Kaleidoscopic of Weirdness and Wonder.” Stash plays guitar in Old-Time Appalachian Stringband trio Molsky’s Mountain Drifters and can also be found playing guitar with the Jacob Jolliff Band, Corporate Punk (Sean Trischka) and Tony Trischka’s Early Roman Kings.

Boston-based African style band AIR CONGO play music from the 1960’s-70’s Kinshasa/Brazzaville scene–the music of Docteur Nico, Tabu Ley, Les Bantous De La Capitale, Franco et l’Orch TPOK Jazz, and more!

“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

“Danielle Miraglia is a dynamic and captivating musician; her rich soulful voice and blues guitar mastery resonate in a performance both rare and unforgettable.”
– Paul Patchel, State Street Blues Festival, Media, PA

Her project, Danielle M & The Glory Junkies features the classic rock and blues vibe of The Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin delivered through original tunes both lyrical and danceable.

Texas guitar slinger, songwriter & vocalist Willie J Laws developed his “funky blues” guitar and vocal sound, influenced by Texas Blues and R&B, Tex-Mex Tejano/Conjunto, Louisiana Zydeco, and Country. Fans call him “the Real Deal” and we could not agree more.  Please join us tonight and experience an evening you are not likely to forget!

ET – phone home –   yeah, yeah –

but only after the Baker Thomas Band show . . .  they’re out of this world. . .“A whole bunch of musicians and a whole bunch of instruments, come together to deliver an electrifying show which promises a whole bunch of fun” -Tracey Delfino, Trespass Music

Joe and Matt have been playing and writing music together for a long time. As The Library Band, they combine stellar harmonies and multi-instrumental magic to ensure a pleasant reading experience.

The MoonRaiders are a Western Swing band that combine elements of Jazz, Rock n’ Roll, Country, and Truck Driving music.
Award winning guitarist Chris Hersch (formerly of Girls Guns & Glory) leads this quartet of accomplished musicians, improvising and singing their way through an eclectic set that will please both the dancer and music aficionado.
Drawing on a unique repertoire often overlooked in the American Songbook, The MoonRaiders pivot between Bob Wills, Chuck Berry, Dave Dudley, Commander Cody, and original music, all in one show.
This band’s style is Honky Tonk Trucker Jazz and Rock n’ Roll!!!!

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

sorta like open mic – sign up to play two songs from your vinyl – we set up a turn table center stage – . . . – once you play your songs you can sign up again –

bring new – old – anything!

Country Folk for city folk. Born and raised outside of Boston, MA. Professional Amateur Musician, Multi-instrumentalist, Songwriter. Lover of cats. Grammatical bandit. I get more done in a bathrobe than most do in a suit.

yeah . . . Marc Pinansky had us at cats, too . . .

give a listen HERE

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 –

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!

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 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.

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.” –

Guided by fearless leading men and co-founders Kevin and Jim, this band is doing nothing less than loving wholly while peddling that good ol’ fuzz filled, psychedelic Rock n’ Roll Soul… my friends, Rolling Nectar is here to shed light on the music scene!

“You guys put on a hell of a show, a lot of fun!” – Steve Morse, long time Boston Globe music critic and freelance writier on the Baker Thomas Band . . .

LOS GOUTOS

“A veritable Grand Ole Opry with a modern sense of humor….”   (Music Connection Magazine)

Featuring:

Bruce Bartone
(acoustic and electric guitars; bass guitar, keyboards; backing vocals);

Mike Eigen
(lead and backing vocals, percussion, acoustic guitar, clarinet, ukulele, songwriting);

Shamus Feeney
(bass guitar, acoustic, electric, and resophonic guitars; percussion; lead and backing vocals);

Chris Gleason
(lead and backing vocals, mandolin, tenor banjo, acoustic guitar, percussion, songwriting);

Paul Stewart
(lead and backing vocals, accordion, acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, harmonica, songwriting)

…and whenever possible:

Jakub Trasak
(fiddle)

“Frank Drake is one of the most unique musicians around.  He is refreshingly free of conventions and covers a wide spectrum of folk-pop-and-more styles . . . ” Steve Morse – Boston Globe

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.

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

sorta like open mic – sign up to play two songs from your vinyl – we set up a turn table center stage – . . . – once you play your songs you can sign up again –

bring new – old – anything!