Calendar

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

you CAN judge Fandango by their facebook pics – just sayin’

Air Congo
May 8 @ 10:00 pm
Air Congo

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

 

May
9
Thu
Nyota Road
May 9 @ 7:30 pm
Nyota Road

INSPIRED BY SOUTHERN GOTHIC IMAGERY AND EVERYDAY BEAUTY, NYOTA ROAD IS A HUSBAND AND WIFE ACOUSTIC DUO PERFORMING ORIGINAL SONGS ABOUT FAMILY, RELATIONSHIPS AND HOME.

IT ALL STARTED WHEN….

Greta decided to write a song as a birthday gift for her husband, Mark.  She had always written silly tunes and even a children’s book but never a “serious” song.  From that first tune, came another and another with each song telling stories reminiscent of relationships, family and growing up her hometown of Warrior, Alabama.

We call ourselves Nyota Road named from a road in my hometown.  Growing up I used to play on the river with my friends and take walks along the train trestle.  We would spend hours floating down the river, taking in the world as we knew it at the time.  To get there, we’d go down Nyota Road.  It’s one of my happiest memories.

Baker Thomas Band
May 9 @ 10:00 pm

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

 

Image result for baker thomas band

May
10
Fri
Jack Grace Band
May 10 @ 10:00 pm
Jack Grace Band

With a new CD titled Drinking Songs for Lovers, one might be forgiven for believing that Jack Grace should ease up a little. Songs like “Morning Margaritas,” “Drinkin’ and Gamblin’,” and “You Drank Yourself into a Corner” are certainly convincing evidence that the singer, songwriter and guitarist who has made a career out of following no one’s rules but his own is probably going to keep doing his thing until his liver lays down the law.

May
11
Sat
Cold Chocolate
May 11 @ 7:30 pm
Cold Chocolate

Cold Chocolate is a fresh and exciting Americana band with a unique sound that fuses bluegrass and folk with a dash of funk. With original tunes and technical prowess, this trio from Boston is mesmerizing audiences with guitar, upright bass, percussion, and three-part harmony.

David Johnston Band
May 11 @ 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.

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

“Vinyl record sales are at a 28 year high” – Fortune April 2016  – See/Hear for yourself at Sunday Spins – every Sunday – bring your records and take turns sharing your faves!

Image result for sunday spins toad

Emily & Jake
May 12 @ 8:00 pm
Emily & Jake

Emily and Jake

Formed between Boston and Portland ME, Emily and Jake create gracefully warm music with effortless harmonizing, easy melodicism, and raw honesty. “Beautifully simple and understated” – For the Love of Bands. Emily and Jake spin a harmonic story that nourishes the dark intimate workings of the anxious mind in their first project St. Augustine. Their songs seek sweet simplicity and candor in both melody and lyrics. Their melancholy songwriting juxtaposes the lighthearted arrangement present in their album creating the perfect balance between wistful regret and rosy promise.

May
13
Mon
David Johnston
May 13 @ 7:00 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
May 13 @ 8:00 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

May
14
Tue
Marc Wolfson Pinansky & The Bored of Health (tentative)
May 14 @ 7:30 pm

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 . . .

Marc Pinansky image

give a listen HERE

Honey Talk
May 14 @ 10:00 pm

Honey Talk is a fresh, innovative, and comfortable quartet that performs classic hits and inviting originals making you feel sweeter than honey.

Honey talk is:
Cody Nilsen – Guitar/Vocals
Steve Bunce- Bass/Vocals
Ben Blanchard – Keys/Vocals
Pat “Daddy” Dalton – Drums/Vocals

check out one of their songs HERE

 

May
15
Wed
Fandango
May 15 @ 7:00 pm
Fandango

you CAN judge Fandango by their facebook pics – just sayin’

Long Shadow Sheep
May 15 @ 10:00 pm
Long Shadow Sheep

   Long Shadow Sheep are an independent folk-rock band, hailing from Massachusetts. Following the release of a debut record, titled ‘Violins’, singer/songwriter Brady O’Keefe moved back to his hometown of Franklin, MA, where he would soon form Long Shadow Sheep. The additions of drummer, Matt Zajac as well as bassist, Doug Buckley brought the musical project in a new direction, both sonically and stylistically. Several months later, Nick Sabet was herded to the flock as a lead guitar player to solidify the band’s lineup as it stands today. Blending poetic, grass-roots folk with unapologetic, progressive indie-rock, Long Shadow Sheep’s music is described as soulful, elaborate and always authentic.

May
16
Thu
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones
May 16 @ 7:30 pm
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones

“happy songs for miserable people” – Melvern

check out a fan fave “Sleepy Eyes” – recorded right here at TOAD

Press:

“Your music makes me want to pee. In a good way….”

Melvern Taylor is the Sam Shepard of the Ukulele!

Your music isn’t bad….i’m more into rap and hip hop.
Baker Thomas Band
May 16 @ 10:00 pm

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

 

Image result for baker thomas band

May
18
Sat
The Library Band
May 18 @ 7:30 pm
The Library Band

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.

Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders
May 18 @ 10:00 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!!!!

May
19
Sun
Sunday Spins
May 19 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Spins

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!

 

Eric Salt & The Electric City
May 19 @ 8:00 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.

May
20
Mon
David Johnston
May 20 @ 7:00 pm
David Johnston

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 –

 

The White Owls
May 20 @ 8:00 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

May
21
Tue
The Franc Graham Band
May 21 @ 7:30 pm

The Boston Globe on The Franc Graham Band:

“Immensely Underrated… cool and commanding… an unusually rich blend of singer-songwriter rock…”

The Blue Ribbons
May 21 @ 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

May
22
Wed
Fandango
May 22 @ 7:00 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) 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.” –

Originaire
May 22 @ 10:00 pm
Originaire

Ken Shiles, CiBon, and Valerie Vuolo form the soulful, innovative Atlantic City, New Jersey-based trio: “Originaire“.

Ken and CiBon performed their first show together with no prior face to face contact and no rehearsal. From the moment their voices blended with effortless and seamless perfection for the first time, they knew it was the beginning of something extraordinary.

Keeping in kind with Ken and CiBon’s serendipitous connection, they discovered violinist, Valerie Vuolo in a similarly fateful fashion. While running the sound stage at a singer-songwriter festival for a local venue, Ken was introduced to the musically malleable, genre hopping fiddle player as she shared the stage with multiple acts throughout the course of the event. He invited her to join him for his solo set upon the same stage later that evening (sans CiBon). He later made the introduction to his partner in song, inviting Valerie to join him and CiBon at a performance for a high profile benefit concert a few months later. When the three met backstage before the show and played all together for the first time, an almost chilling synergy occurred when their voices blended with soulful strings as effortlessly as when there were only two.

May
23
Thu
Samantha Farrell
May 23 @ 7:30 pm
Samantha Farrell

Samantha Farrell returns to TOAD!  Did you know that she made a music video in TOAD???  Check it out HERE then stop by tonight for the real deal.

Baker Thomas Band
May 23 @ 10:00 pm

“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 . . .

Image result for baker thomas band

May
24
Fri
Willie J. Laws
May 24 @ 10:00 pm
Willie J. Laws

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!

May
25
Sat
Frank Drake
May 25 @ 7:30 pm
Frank Drake

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

 

LUX
May 25 @ 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.

May
26
Sun
Sunday Spins
May 26 @ 3:00 pm

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!

 

Image result for sunday spins toad

Ship of the Sun (music of the Grateful Dead)
May 26 @ 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.

 

 

AS SEEN AT TOAD...