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.

“When Mike Hastings isn’t playing at local venues such as Toad, he can often be found busking around Davis and Harvard Square. Next time you’re out, keep an ear out for the sound of guitar and a tambourine, and if you see Mike, stop and listen for a while. You just might leave a little warmer.” – Sound of Boston

Give a listen HERE

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.

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 –

Abbie Barrett, Boston Music Award Winner for Songwriter in 2015,  fronts her band featuring Ed Valauskas (bass), Jack Hamilton (keys), Josh Kiggans (drums), and Mike Oram (guitar).

Paul Robicheau of The Improper wrote that their album, That Shame, showcases her in full rock mode, sometimes evoking the tone and phrasing of the Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde…[Her] craftsmanship extends from the gorgeous vocals of “As I Wanted You” and the soaring crescendos of “Falling” to the catchy ’80s-flavored punch of “Take It in Stride.”

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.

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

We Open at 5pm – not sure what time these guys will be playing yet – but had to put a time in order to get it on the calendar – stay tuned!

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.

“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 . . .

A very cool double bill for TOAD tonight!

The Horse-Eyed Men play roots music with new shoots and leaves! Touring across the country and world in a station wagon, jet plane, and motorcycle side car, their music has shown up everywhere from the beautiful hills of Vermont to Galicia in Spain to the Newport Folk Festival. A combination of storytelling, finger-picking, and a couple of epic rhyming poems thrown in to boot.

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Maggie Carson has been playing banjo and touring with the NYC based old-time Americana band Spirit Family Reunion for many years – playing festivals and farms, bars and barns from Northern Maine to Southern California. She’s now playing original, old-time inspired music with a small rock n’ roll band to back it up.

Check out the facebook event HERE

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.

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.

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!

“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

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

Band interests:  pizza parties, bowling, hand puppets, motorcycle clubs, swiffers, puppies . . .

yeah – that sounds about right for Fandango

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.

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

“I see myself as a career songwriter,” says McNeill. “And I’m very passionate about it.” Yup, there’s that word again … passion. It’s the same thing that Van Morrison has — and it’s what McNeill, who grew up in Derry in Northern Ireland, has cultivated ever since seeing Van perform at age 10 in Derry. “Seeing Van showed me that you can really occupy a song. You don’t just perform it. You live it,” adds Christian.

Jesse Williams prides himself on his musical depth AND breadth! He has performed and recorded internationally, including two Grammy Nominated Albums and six W.C. Handy nominated albums. He has played with
Jimmy Vivino, Bucky Pizzarelli, Susan Tedeschi, Howard Alden, Duke Robillard, Jay McShann, Al Kooper, Jay Giels, John Hammond Jr., Karin Allyson, Harry Allen, Ruth Brown, Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, Johnny A., Maria Muldaur, Johnnie Johnson, Ronnie Earl, Henry Butler, Charles Neville, Julien Kasper, Bruce Katz, and many others. He’s been a member of touring bands with Duke Robillard, Al Kooper, Johnny A, W.C. Handy All Stars, and others. PHEW!

Marco Giovino rounds out the trio…

Hitting the stage tonight is Mike Gent, guitarist & vocalist of The Figgs.

The tried and true band The Figgs,  has a worldwide fan base, a hearty discography,  and celebrates more than 25 years together.   Members (Mike Gent, Pete Donnelly and Pete Hayes) have been playing since the trio was in high school in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

The Figgs tunes are stuffed with Kinks-inspired power and melodies, vibrant harmonies and sonic experimentation ala The Beatles and the The Band, the reach of NRBQ’s eclecticism, and a grit and youthfulness akin to the best rock bands from The Who to the Ramones

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.

“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!

Tonight is the TOAD debut of this great new band out of Brooklyn NY!  Youth Moose is made up of three humans not in any way affiliated with moose or moose culture.  They do not hunt moose. Instead, they are three wild spirits who love to make music. Some people say that Youth Moose sounds like the B52’s, others that they make children’s music for adults. You decide.  One thing for sure:  you’ll love these people, and you’ll love the music they make.

You could make a whole day of it because TOAD opens at 3pm on Sundays for Sunday Spins which is TOAD’s weekly open mic for your vinyl collection.  Every Sunday from 3 to 7 bring your vinyl to TOAD and sign up to play your favorite songs (3 songs per person).

Bring a record, grab a beer, and stick around for Youth Moose!  Keep your strength by having a TOAD burger, too! (All natural beef burger with melted cheddar, pickles, crispy onions, chopped lettuce & special sauce on an onion roll)

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 –

The Boston Globe on The Franc Graham Band:

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

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.” –