Calendar

May
19
Sat
Driftwood Soldier
May 19 @ 10:00 pm
Driftwood Soldier

TOAD is thrilled to welcome back Driftwood Soldier  . . .

Growling and crooning, muttering about lost love, brimstone, and the glorious view from the underside of a rusty world-order, Owen holds the rhythm on mandolin and foot percussion. Bobby takes the opportunity to stretch bass notes into lyrical vines that vibrate somewhere north of your liver and flower unexpectedly at night.

May
20
Sun
Sunday Spins
May 20 @ 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!

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Rich Young
May 20 @ 9:00 pm

Rich Young is a singer/songwriter/ musician from the Cambridge area of the UK. He also writes commercial music for radio, TV & cinema as well as producing other artists. He’s played & recorded with a diverse range of artists including members of Iron Maiden & Bad Company,Eurythmics Dave Stewart, classical violinist,Nigel Kennedy,Dire Straits David Knopfler,and many more.

May
21
Mon
David Johnston
May 21 @ 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 –

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The White Owls
May 21 @ 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

May
22
Tue
5J Barrow
May 22 @ 7:30 pm

Inspiration seeped through the windows of apartment 5J on Barrow Street looking out over the Hudson River in NYC’s Greenwich Village, where singer-songwriters Eryn Murman and Jason Hite soaked up the energy and passion of musicians, painters, poets, and writers who created the Village vibe.  Together, they paid tribute to those creative spirits and named their band 5j Barrow, writing music and lyrics with an Indie-folk sound, sometimes as a duo, and often picking up other musicians to create unique arrangements.

“5j Barrow is the band that makes you stop what you’re doing and stare…Their music is everything I want music to be. Energetic, evocative, unfiltered, and beautiful. In an age of auto tune and quantization, top 10 charts without any real instruments on them, 5j Barrow is the cure…. With dynamics that range from a whisper to a tsunami, their songs tell stories of love, loss, and longing.” (The Street Noise Project, Brad Geyer)

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Chris Hersch & The Moonraiders
May 22 @ 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
23
Wed
Fandango
May 23 @ 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.” –

Rolling Nectar
May 23 @ 10:00 pm
Rolling Nectar

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!

May
24
Thu
Samantha Farrell
May 24 @ 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 24 @ 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 . . .

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May
26
Sat
Connor Storms
May 26 @ 7:30 pm
Connor Storms

Connor Storms = sad boy dad rock = A little boy of a man spiraling into madness to the sounds of upbeat, folk-rock tunes sung strangely.

Stone TOAD
May 26 @ 8:30 pm
Stone TOAD

Stone Toad is a Hard Rock band from the Boston area. They’re popular for playing local restaurants playing cover songs. The band has been performing for almost a year now and, are soon to release their first album. The band does love to play cover songs from some of their favorite bands but, is most interested in writing and performing their own material. Stay tuned as their new album comes out!! 

Old Fox
May 26 @ 10:15 pm
Old Fox

more info soon

The Maxims at 11:15 and Phil Holub at 12:15
May 26 @ 11:15 pm
The Maxims at 11:15 and Phil Holub at 12:15

The Maxims is as brash as it is sly, drifting between foot-stomping blues numbers to cool-headed 60s swagger.” -The Deli Magazine

Check out Phil Holub HERE

 

May
27
Sun
Sunday Spins
May 27 @ 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

Ship of the Sun (music of the Grateful Dead)
May 27 @ 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.

 

 

May
28
Mon
David Johnston
May 28 @ 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
May 28 @ 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

May
29
Tue
Ward Hayden
May 29 @ 7:30 pm
Ward Hayden

Ward Hayden & The Usual Suspects – check out this clip from a recent show at TOAD

The Blue Ribbons
May 29 @ 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.

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May
30
Wed
Fandango
May 30 @ 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

 

Andy Mowatt’s Steely Jam
May 30 @ 10:00 pm

“Consistently stellar” (Price, PA Musician Mag), “Andy Mowatt’s Steely Jam” is a funk-driven powerhouse from Pennsylvania, led by guitarist Andy Mowatt, “an absolute musical genius” (Devoy, Tellus 360) and “jazz-rock flamethrower on guitar” (Campbell, Gigspots). A fusion of New Orleans and Central PA, Mowatt’s “bright arrangements keep things sounding fresh” (PA Musician) and “inspire you to expand your mind and think outside the confines of traditional jazz, soul and funk!” (Robert, Positive Music Reviews). “Confident, to-the-point, and elegant” (Rocha, The Flinging Times), Andy and his group entertain and impress crowds with unique originals and modern twists on classic hits, “and yet, through many influences, each tune retains a sound that is distinctly Mowatt’s” (O’Brien, Fly Magazine).

 

May
31
Thu
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones
May 31 @ 7:30 pm
The Band Members: Melvern Taylor- Ukulele
And the Fabulous Meltones: Matt Murphy -Upright BAss Dave Livingston – Slide Guitar Sir Bob Nash – Drums
Genre: Post-Modern Parlor Music  – give it a listen HERE
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Baker Thomas Band
May 31 @ 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.

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Jun
1
Fri
Moon Boot Lover
Jun 1 @ 10:00 pm

Moon Boot Lover brings an original high energy funk-rock-soul blend, with a dose of body moving dance grooves. Front man Peter Prince has performed and recorded with top talent including Tim Reynolds (Dave Matthews), Derek Trucks (Allman Brothers), and many more – and is widely known for his distinctive voice, mastery of electric and acoustic guitar, and an extensive discography of original songs that have topped many fans ‘all time favorites’ lists.

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Jun
2
Sat
TOAD opening at 1pm today! Clown Shoes Tap Takeover plus music from: Pinto Loco, Jenny & The Gents, Scott Matthew Pittman, and The Farewells
Jun 2 @ 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
TOAD opening at 1pm today!  Clown Shoes Tap Takeover plus music from:  Pinto Loco, Jenny & The Gents, Scott Matthew Pittman, and The Farewells

Nothing like an afternoon at TOAD – today from 1-5, we’ll feature special brews from Clown Shoes as well as plenty of music!

 

Check out the facebook event HERE

Nyota Road
Jun 2 @ 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.

David Johnston Band
Jun 2 @ 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.

Jun
3
Sun
Sunday Spins
Jun 3 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Spins

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

LEARN MORE

Big Ben Hillman – The Professor of Funk
Jun 3 @ 9:00 pm

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

Image may contain: one or more people, text and indoor

Jun
4
Mon
David Johnston
Jun 4 @ 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
Jun 4 @ 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

Jun
5
Tue
Carla Ryder & The Blue Ribbons CD Release – along with an opening set by Susan Cattaneo
Jun 5 @ 7:30 pm
Carla Ryder & The Blue Ribbons CD Release - along with an opening set by Susan Cattaneo

Carla Ryder: Rock n’ roll flapper, garage serenader, folk balladeer, front porch chanteuse, country crooner, lover of language.

With a total of 7 albums under her belt, she has toured extensively and developed a loyal and enthusiastic following. A true storyteller, she writes from the heart and from the gut a lyrical portrait of the human condition. Confessional or observational she passionately blends her experiences with those of others and the world around her. Her sound has been described as rootsy, raw, soulful and soaring. She has crafted a style that is heart wrenching and heart warming all at once. She’ll make you cry one minute and make you dance the next. Her charm, presence and humor exude a connection to the audience so deep that from the crowd, you feel that you know her personally.

Tonight her band will be none other than TOAD faves The Blue Ribbons!

AS SEEN AT TOAD...