Calendar
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.” –
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.
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.
“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 . . .
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!
“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
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.
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 –
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!
Catch a Dinosaur likes to play dreamy music.
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
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.
“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!
The Weisstronauts are a rock band formed in 1999 in Boston, Massachusetts by producer/musician Pete Weiss. The group initially played a combination of vocal-driven power pop, alternative country, and garage rock, with lead vocals shared by three singers. By 2001, however, the band was concentrating on writing and performing eclectic instrumental rock, eventually employing three lead guitarists.
They list their influences as The Ventures, Clarence White, XTC, The Lovin’ Spoonful, Frank Zappa, Leonardo Fibonacci, John Zorn, Nick Lowe, NRBQ, The Who, Red Sovine, Gerry Rafferty, Ennio Morricone, The Beatles, The Kingsmen, The Kinks, Les Paul, Booker T & the MG’s.
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!
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.
Lady Lupine is a Boston based soul and rock band that delivers thrilling performances of original and covered music. Their sound is a unique blend of poignant lyrics, robust rhythms and alluring melodies. Drawing inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder, Hiatus Kaiyote, Erykah Badu and Santigold, Lady Lupine creates an engaging experience while cultivating visceral connections through sound.
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!
Electric Blue Yonder is a collective focused on songwriting and sonic craft with clear influences of 60’s and 70’s psychedelia and folk-rock steeped in the Deep South unrestrained by notions of genre or contemporaneous influence. The result is a freshness and vibe like no other. You’ll have to hear it to believe!
“[Blue Yonder] has carved one of the most distinctive musical identities in the capital city, combining Americana, folk, Ameripolitan, and parlor in a way that’s both haunting and exhilarating, capturing the mood of what critic Greil Marcus once called “that old, weird America.”
— Alabama Book Festival
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 –
Telescope is one of Andrew Stern‘s projects – He came up with the name because the band is designed around the Telecaster guitar.
When the question is posed to guitarists, “If you could have just one guitar, what would it be?”, polls show that an overwhelming number of guitarists reply, “a Telecaster”. I rank as one who would answer exactly the same. The telecaster is a versatile tool which can cover a lot of ground, but more importantly, it changes the way I approach and play the instrument. Inspired by my own teles and by some telecaster playing guitar heroes of mine, I’ve designed a band around the guitar itself, appropriately titled “Telescope”. A mix of originals and covers, it’s a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll and more than a little bit undefined.
Oh – and besides, Andrew . . . the other names should also “sound” familiar:
Andrew Stern: guitar
James Rohr: keys
Greg Loughman: bass
Mike Connors: drums
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.
Soulful Funky Music
“We jam instrumental music bringing positive vibrations. Not hippies, but definitely hip. Our first record is certified triple plutonium and our trajectory is up. Come get down with us.” – Juicy Connotation
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.
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
Love Love, a Boston-based 9 piece alt-Americana band feat. JP’s own singer-songwriters Chris Toppin (Fuzzy) & Jefferson Davis Riordan—“both have serious writing chops” (Boston Herald)— LOVE LOVE’s “songs have a captivating folk storytelling style,” writes Twangville.com; “not your father’s indie-rock,” says The Noise. LOVE LOVE’s newest video of their latest song has been nominated by Jamaica Plain News for JP Neighborhood Anthem.
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.
