Calendar
Based in Boston, Massachusetts, Elisa Smith & The Tiny Little Lies are steeped in the Americana roots and vintage country tradition. The inspiration for their outlaw honky-tonk sound is drawn from country greats like Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Tanya Tucker mixed with a dash of modern rock country. Their songs elicit feelings of nostalgia, pride, wanderlust, and good ol’ fashioned boot-stompin’ mischief. The diverse backgrounds of the band fuse together to form a truly American sound. Even though they have only been playing together for a short while, each band member’s connection to history, place, and musical tradition has instantly bound them together.
Bees Deluxe is a full-tilt,
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.
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!
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!
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.
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
“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
le Prestige is an attempt by Boston bassist Chris Forkey to create an instrumental music inspired by the jazz-sample heavy sounds of 90’s hip-hop, electronica and lounge, all performed live with just horns, upright bass, and drums. “Repertoire”, finished in 2012, also features Scott Getchell on trumpet, Kit Buckley on tenor sax, John Glenshaw on drums, and Jim Hobbs on alto sax.
“Josh Buckley has a soft and soothing voice. It’s like Neil Young if he wasn’t so shakey (Neil that is). Gently spilling out his heart for you all. The kind of voice that will hush the Lizard Lounge for 60 minutes of great songs.” Brian Carroll Red Line Roots
Laurence Scudder currently plays with local acts Spotted Tiger, Brothers McCann, Danielle Miraglia & The Glory Junkies, Thank God For Science, The Blue Ribbons, and more. You can find him most nights gigging around Boston.
The Gravel Project returns to Toad for a special Valentine’s Day show for the lovers. We’ll be playing some of our favorite classic rock love songs mixed in with plenty of love songs written by the band . . .
Described by The Boston Globe as “a night of rocking blues and funk jams,” The Gravel Project is the creation of guitarist, composer, and singer Andrew Gravel and brother, Hammond B3 organist and composer, Jordan Gravel.
With a blues rock sound fused with a funk edge, the band has been creating a buzz with their eclectic style and gaining momentum in Boston, New Hampshire, and all over the East Coast. The Gravel Project electrifies crowds with inventive original songs, creative interpretations of well known classics, and high energy group improvisation.
Take a listen HERE, and come feel the love on Valentine’s Day at TOAD!
Django Koenig (moniker name: Django Soulo) is a Vermont-born singer-songwriter that blends acoustic music with Soul. He performs his music from the heart, for the heart. Django is currently touring with his newly released self-titled album, ‘Django Soulo’ as well as his debut album, ‘We Live On‘.
“A man as energetic, whimsical, and charming as his music.” – Big Heavy World
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!
Jill McCracken is a Boston Music Award nominated indie soul songstress whose music is a celebration of feeling. Though Jill’s songs catch the ear as pop tunes, touching heavily on classic soul and Motown influences, a closer listen lets the audience know that these aren’t as simple as ABC, 123; there’s conflict that lies just beneath the surface of the songs, as nodded to by Jill’s sweet and savory lyrics. She shares the stage on Sunday with drummer Kevin Ewer, bassist Miguel Cepeda and guitarist Mike Marguet.
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!
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 –
“Leland Sundries, a band from New York led by Nick Loss-Eaton, is dedicated to storytelling in a way that recalls Woody Guthrie and his Folkways brethren.
[Their] scrappy Americana will get you longing for
empty two-lane highways and kudzu-encased back porches.”
~ The New York Times
more info soon
“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!
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.
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!
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!
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 –
John Powhida International Airport won the Boston 2011 Rock and Roll Rumble! Hot Dog! 5 yrs after The Rudds took silver JPX takes Gold!!!
John Powhida is a singer/songwriter living in Boston. John is a multiple Boston Music Award nominee and his songs have been featured in episodes of My Name is Earl and Men in Trees. He has sung on recordings by The Click Five, Sarah Borges and The Gentlemen. You may have seen him perform with his beloved Boston rock and soul combo The Rudds or even as guitarist with rock n roll icon and author Bebe Buell.
Powhida’s main boogie from here on out will continue to be John Powhida International Airport, a potent 6 piece rock, disco, soul, pop fuzion entertainment unit of the highest original order.
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
City of Four performs an original brand of instrumental music, influenced by jazz, funk, fusion, pop/rock, hip hop, and other genres.
The band has received an “Outstanding Performance” recognition from DownBeat Magazine as a Blues/Pop/Rock group, and some of the band members’ original compositions and tracks have been recognized by national entities, like ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) and MIX Magazine.
The quartet performs throughout the Boston area, and is currently in residence with Classic Harbor Line aboard the Motor Yacht Northern Lights for bi-monthly funk cruises on Boston Harbor.
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.
Founded in 2017, Nautical Term is a progressive rock band that has been described as a mix between Dave Matthews, Screaming Trees, and underwater. New music on the way!
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!
TOAD is thrilled to welcome THREE TIME WINNER of The Blues Audience Newsletter Readers’ Poll for “Most Outstanding Harmonica Player”, CHERYL ARENA!
The harmonica has brought her to many exotic places and afforded her a wealth of wonderful experiences! So whether it’s on a big festival stage fronting her own band, playing an acoustic duo in some cozy little wine bar, singing and playing with a 20 piece orchestra in Dallas TX, touring around Italy, being a side person in someone else’s band, giving harmonica lessons on Skype or teaching at Jon Gindick’s Jam camps, Cheryl’s beloved pocket pal is always close to her side ready for the next musical adventure!
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!
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 –
