Calendar
Tim Mann‘s first public appearance was in 1985 at a high school talent show, playing cover songs by Neil Young and the Grateful Dead. After high school Tim spent several years studying the origins of rock though blues artists like B.B King, Robert Johnson, Freddie King, and Albert King. Combining all these influences Tim wrote his first song at the age of twenty and formed his band a blues trio at the age of twenty one.
More triva! Peter Wolf, 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.
Blue Mondays at TOAD . . . The White Owls will feed your soul . . . If Monday isn’t moving fast enough for you, check out Jim Haggerty’s facebook posts during the day for a much needed laugh . . . like that time back in May when he letus know it was Time for a Liberace Birthday Blowout with THE WHITE OWLS at TOAD . . .
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 withtheir 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.
“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
Baker Thomas Band: “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
“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
Hammydown has made your salad, and scooped the foam onto your cappuccino. She’s scrubbed your splattered walls and vacuumed the dust from beneath your bed on her hands and knees. She’s delivered your pizza. A boss will say time and time again that it doesn’t cost anything extra to give service with a smile. With her quirky, lyric driven garage pop, Hammydown (aka Abbie Morin) digs at the true price that she and so many people like her have to pay. Gritty guitar, and wry humor capture the plight of the millennial slacker – those who button up and drag their way through the work week, try to pursue creative passions, but still just feel like losers. Based in Northampton, Mass, Hammydown is due to release the debut EP ‘Pizzaface’ in July 2017.
Also playing during this early set is OZLO
SPOTTED TIGER – A musical bridge from Willie Nelson to Bob Marley where JJ Cale is the toll collector. Featuring original music by songwriters Laurence Scudder & Erik White . . .
“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!
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.
David Johnston knows what you need at the beginning of the week . . . Blue Monday at TOAD!
Luddy Mussy is colorful, almost cartoonish music made by lunatics. With eccentric takes on genres ranging from blue, modern rock, surf rock & folk, Luddy serves up an original little something for any musical palate.
Fred Griffeth fronts Fandango – Their celebrated selection of Americana music draws a loyal band of pious sisters and reform school brothers! – Truth . . .
“Straddling the line where folk/roots meets rock/blues, Danielle Miraglia has a voice that can go from a raspy come-hither purr to an Etta James-esque powerhouse belt, although she may be best known for her lead thumb — a heavy, thumping strike on her Gibson that’s backdrop percussion in itself.” – Lauren Daley – Boston Globe
Todd Thibaud is a Vermont born, Boston based Singer-Songwriter who’s 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.
For Reals . . . EVERYBODY’S in the BAKER THOMAS BAND!
“Infectious, foot-stomping Americana tunes. Similar to the White Stripes in duo power. Muddy Ruckus delivers a full bodied sound, with nothing but guitar and suitcase drums.” – The Sound
At the core of every Niall Connolly song is the story, one that unfolds a layer with each listen.
“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).
Come share your vinyl! Record lovers unite at Toad on Sunday afternoons – for a day of song sharing, sipping drinks, and chatting about their favorite music. Toad is a cozy neighborhood bar that hosts live bands every night, but at Sunday Spins, the patrons appreciate music in a different format. People bring their vinyl records and sign up for a slot to play two songs at a time.
Saturated in beautiful harmonies and rousing chord progressions alike, the music of King Washington can be described as a throwback to when rock n’ roll was a songwriter’s game and at the same time praised for its modern sensibility and innovation. It has been compared to Grizzly Bear, REM, Bon Iver, The Talking Heads, Radiohead, Mott The Hoople, Kings of Leon, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Fleet Foxes, Muse, and The Beatles.
More on David Johnston: You’re rushing through the city streets, maybe late for an appointment, distracted by your life’s many obligations, and you blow right past a street musician, hard at work. And you stop. And you listen. And you enter the moment and think, ‘Wow, this guy can really play.’
“I saw them the other night at TOAD with a friend visiting from Austin. I’d say Tim Gearan is one of the best guitar players in town.” Sam Kornstein – Something’s Brewing
Back by popular demand after a rip roarin’ set a couple of months ago…Join us for some rock n roll goodness, harmonies and hell raisin’…The Blue Ribbons will tear through your soul right after that.
Friends, we here at The Blue Ribbons Propulsion/Stagnation/Existential Laboratories would like to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all y’all who have been coming out to TOAD on Tuesday nights. It truly is a beautiful thing to be together sharing the moment, even if that moment is loud and confusing sometimes. Thank you for listening, dancing, loving it, hating it, ignoring it…the important part is that we are all agreeing to be together for a few hours being human.
Wednesdays at TOAD – Fandango! – Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
“On The Verge” -Relix Magazine
“Best New Band of the Year” -Home Grown Music Network
“Best Progressive Band” -Mountain Xpress
