Calendar

Jun
3
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jun 3 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

John Powhida International Airport
Jun 3 @ 9:00 pm

John Powhida International Airport is not an actual place as of this writing, but it may be someday. They are one of the most well known and respected bands in Boston.

https://m.facebook.com/100063767011298/

Jun
7
Wed
Fandango
Jun 7 @ 8:00 pm
Fandango

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), 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!

 

Jun
8
Thu
Eric Salt & The Electric City
Jun 8 @ 9:00 pm
Eric Salt & The Electric City

Boston rock band with an eclectic sound. Dylanesque lyrics set to catchy rock guitar. Occasional hints of Stones and Replacements. Eric Salt & The Electric City’s live shows can approach a Springsteen explosion and captivate audiences with their raw power.

Jun
9
Fri
David Johnston
Jun 9 @ 9:00 pm

“More than one music writer around town have referred to Johnston as one of Boston’s best kept secrets of the local music scene…”    

Radio Boston’s Anthony Brooks

David Johnston is a songwriter, bandleader, and street musician based in Cambridge, MA. As veteran Boston Globe reviewer Steve Morse has noted, Johnston’s long-running residency (2003-2007) at Union Square’s former Tir Na Nog—the current Bull McCabe’s (where Johnston also played from 2008-2012)—would draw “the best local musicians to play his gigs… luring such Boston all-stars as [Duke] Levine and bassist Marty Ballou (who are both in [J. Geils’ frontman Peter] Wolf’s touring band), guitarists Chris Rival… Tim Gearan, Steve Sadler, and Steve Mayone, drummer John Sands (who tours with Aimee Mann) and bassist Richard Gates, who has played with Suzanne Vega.” In Morse’s words, these heavy hitters “mesh with Johnston’s loose but highly unique mix of swampy delta blues, subtle jazz, Dylan-steeped folk, and far-out psychedelia.”

Jun
10
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jun 10 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

Sugar Blood Jinx
Jun 10 @ 9:00 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.

Jun
14
Wed
Tim Gearan
Jun 14 @ 8:00 pm
Tim Gearan

A beloved fixture in the Boston music scene for more than 25 years, Tim Gearan has become a bonafide local music hero. His warm, raspy baritone, jaw-dropping guitar skills and wry, poignant songwriting have graced the bars, pubs, and music halls throughout New England, creating a loyal cult-like following.

 

Jun
15
Thu
The Blue Ribbons
Jun 15 @ 9:00 pm
The Blue Ribbons

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.

 

Jun
16
Fri
Mean Black Spider
Jun 16 @ 9:00 pm
Mean Black Spider

Mean Black Spider

Hypnotic Swamp Boogie
Hard shuffles and Dirty Blues.
Nominee for Boston Music Awards for Session Musician of the Year.

Jun
17
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jun 17 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

Stan Martin Band
Jun 17 @ 9:00 pm

Stan Martin is a keeper of the traditional country music flame. He’s a Don Rich/Danny Gatton-schooled Telecaster-loving guitar picker, a virtuoso who is not a showoff. And he’s a skilled writer and musician who is unabashedly, unapologetically country. Martin’s original songs have a moving, sometimes comic, honesty. He retains a romantic toughness, as with some of Waylon Jennings early 1970s tunes written before the outlaw stance became a circus act.” Rick Allen Vintage Guitar

 

Jun
21
Wed
Fandango
Jun 21 @ 8:00 pm
Fandango

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), 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!

 

Jun
22
Thu
The TrueVines
Jun 22 @ 9:00 pm
The TrueVines

New Band featuring Dennis Brennan, Andrew Stern, Jim Heggarty and Chris Anzalone

Jun
23
Fri
Miriam
Jun 23 @ 9:00 pm
Miriam

In 2009, when multi-award-winning singer-songwriters Amy Fairchild and Carla Ryder decided to combine their voices and join forces to start a band, Miriam was born.

Harmony singin’, lead vocal swappin’, ass-kickin’ fun.

Jun
24
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jun 24 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

Organ in Orbit
Jun 24 @ 9:00 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!

 

Jun
28
Wed
Van Gordon Martin
Jun 28 @ 8:00 pm
Van Gordon Martin

At the young age of seven, Van Gordon Martin started his musical journey.

Growing up in Chicago, his first job was polishing and stringing guitars in local music shop the Musicians Network. Van was discovered early on, and mentored by legendary Parliament Funkadelic and Talking Heads keyboardist, Bernie Worrell. This set the tone for his new musical existence.

Van Gordon Martin has been a veteran of the east coast music scene for over a decade, and is a part of Boston based Reggae collective Dub Apocalypse, Moroccan/Jazz/ Electronic group Club D’elf, Hip Hop Legend Big Daddy Kane’s Live band, Paul Wolstencroft of Slightly Stoopid’s Organically Good Trio, The Naya Rockers, and many others. He is also founding member of Spiritual Rez, a project witch he toured with extensively up until 2011.

“My goal is to share my story and love for guitar with the world.  It has been always been the thing that makes me feel connected to the Spirit Realm. Rasta, Reggae, Soul, Jazz, Blues, Roots Music. It speaks the truth. Every artist is part of the building blocks of our social creative consciousness. I feel honored and blessed to share my ideas with anyone that will hear me. With every note we play with honest intention, we tear down a part of the injustices in the world. Love and music are indeed one. Music, it is our highest meditation”

Jun
29
Thu
Baker Thomas Band
Jun 29 @ 8:30 pm
Baker Thomas Band

“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 . . .

 

Jun
30
Fri
Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders
Jun 30 @ 9:00 pm
Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders

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!!!!

Jul
1
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jul 1 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

John Powhida International Airport
Jul 1 @ 9:00 pm

John Powhida International Airport is not an actual place as of this writing, but it may be someday. They are one of the most well known and respected bands in Boston.

https://m.facebook.com/100063767011298/

Jul
5
Wed
Becker, Bernfeld and Barry
Jul 5 @ 8:00 pm
Becker, Bernfeld and Barry

A freshly minted trio with a penchant for classics and deep cuts. I hear they play a song about a reptile house

Jul
6
Thu
Baker Thomas Band
Jul 6 @ 8:30 pm
Baker Thomas Band

“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 . . .

 

Jul
7
Fri
Roots Rock Rebels
Jul 7 @ 9:00 pm
Roots Rock Rebels

At its core, the Roots Rock Rebels are Clifford Carraha on keyboard and vocals, Mark Ferranti on bass and Gregg Perry on guitar. They embody reggae music with their virtuosic play and soulful vocals!  They perform some great classic tunes and have a wonderful way of reggae-izing songs from other genres.

Jul
8
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jul 8 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

Sugar Blood Jinx
Jul 8 @ 9:00 pm
Sugar Blood Jinx
  1. 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.

Jul
12
Wed
Fandango
Jul 12 @ 8:00 pm
Fandango

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), 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!

 

Jul
13
Thu
The TrueVines
Jul 13 @ 9:00 pm
The TrueVines

New Band featuring Dennis Brennan, Andrew Stern, Jim Heggarty and Chris Anzalone

Jul
14
Fri
Todd Thibaud Band
Jul 14 @ 9:00 pm
Todd Thibaud Band

Todd Thibaud is a Vermont born, Boston based Singer-Songwriter whose songs are a slice of what life is really like…the pains and pleasures, love lost and life reborn. Using songwriters like Elvis Costello, Neil Finn, Johnny Cash and John Hiatt for inspiration, Thibaud has built a sound that is entirely his own. His music is meshed with elements of Americana, Folk, Country and Roots Pop Rock, making it seem at once familiar and new.

Jul
15
Sat
Saturday Spins
Jul 15 @ 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Saturday Spins

SATURDAY SPINS!

Come share your vinyl!  Record lovers unite at Toad on Saturdays from 5:00 – 7:30 for vinyl sharing, drink sipping, and favorite music chatting.  Bring your own vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.  Live music starts, as always, at 9pm (never a cover).

Charlie Kohlhase’s Explorers Quartet w/ Warren Smith
Jul 15 @ 9:00 pm
Charlie Kohlhase's Explorers Quartet w/ Warren Smith

Saxophonist/ composer/ bandleader Charlie Kohlhase (b. 1956) has been part of Boston’s Jazz scene for over40 years. After studies with Roswell Rudd and Stan Strickland, Kohlhase moved to Boston in 1980. He formed the Charlie Kohlhase Quintet in 1989, a band that performed around New England and toured nationally for a dozen years. Charlie worked with the great Danish woodwind master John Tchicai off and on between 1993 and 2008, making three recordings along the way. He started his Explorers Club band in 2005, which has had a lineup of 5 to 9 players since and also leads the Saxophone Support Group, a woodwind octet that specializes in the music of Julius Hemphill, Steve Lacy and John Tchicai. As a sideman Kohlhase has been a member of Dead Cat Bounce, the Either/ Orchestra, the Makanda Project and the Mandala Octet. Over the years he’s performed with an array of players including Mahmoud Ahmed, Mulatu Astatke, Anthony Braxton, Cab Calloway, Leroy Jenkins, Oliver Lakeand Roswell Rudd.

Warren Smith:

Warren Smith was born in Chicago on May 14, 1934 to a musical family. He has played an astonishing array of music over his 7 decade-plus career. He has performed for composers John Cage, Harry Partch and Igor Stravinsky. He toured with Muhal Richard Abrams, Nat King Cole, Julius Hemphill, Janis Joplin, Sam Rivers, Max Roach’s MBOOM Percussion Ensemble and the Tony Williams Lifetime. Warren has recorded with Gene Ammons, Anthony Braxton, Jaki Byard, Gil Evans, Billy Harper, Makanda Ken McIntyre, Charles Mingus, Charles Tolliver and David S. Ware. As a busy studio musician for many decades he recorded with Count Basie, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Carmen McRae, Van Morrison, Nancy Wilson and Stevie Wonder. Warren played in Broadway pit bands for many years and has made a handful of outstanding recordings with his Composers Workshop Ensemble. Having recently celebrated his 89th Birthday, Mr. Smith continues to be a force in music.

 

 

 

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Jul
19
Wed
Fandango
Jul 19 @ 8:00 pm
Fandango

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), 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!

 

Jul
20
Thu
The Blue Ribbons
Jul 20 @ 9:00 pm
The Blue Ribbons

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.

 

AS SEEN AT TOAD...