Calendar

May
21
Tue
The Franc Graham Band
May 21 @ 7:30 pm

The Boston Globe on The Franc Graham Band:

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

The Blue Ribbons
May 21 @ 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.

Image result for the blue ribbons music

May
22
Wed
Fandango
May 22 @ 7:00 pm
Fandango

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.” –

Originaire
May 22 @ 10:00 pm
Originaire

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.

May
23
Thu
Samantha Farrell
May 23 @ 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 23 @ 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 . . .

Image result for baker thomas band

May
24
Fri
Willie J. Laws
May 24 @ 10:00 pm
Willie J. Laws

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!

May
25
Sat
Frank Drake
May 25 @ 7:30 pm
Frank Drake

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

 

LUX
May 25 @ 10:00 pm

Hear what venues all over New England already know – LUX is a funky / jazzy / quirky / entertaining / engaging quartet from Newburyport, MA and will be the band that you invite back time & time again – no matter what the season.

May
26
Sun
Sunday Spins
May 26 @ 3:00 pm

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!

 

Image result for sunday spins toad

Ship of the Sun (music of the Grateful Dead)
May 26 @ 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
27
Mon
David Johnston
May 27 @ 7:00 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 27 @ 8:00 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
28
Tue
Catch a Dinosaur
May 28 @ 7:30 pm
Catch a Dinosaur

Catch a Dinosaur likes to play dreamy music.

Honey Talk
May 28 @ 10:00 pm

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

 

May
29
Wed
Fandango
May 29 @ 7:00 pm
Fandango

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

 

yeah – that sounds about right for Fandango

le Prestige
May 29 @ 10:00 pm
le Prestige

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.

May
30
Thu
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones
May 30 @ 7:30 pm
Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones

“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!

Your music isn’t bad….i’m more into rap and hip hop.
The Weisstronauts
May 30 @ 10:00 pm
The Weisstronauts

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.

May
31
Fri
Willie J. Laws
May 31 @ 10:00 pm
Willie J. Laws

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!

Jun
1
Sat
The Library Band
Jun 1 @ 7:30 pm
The Library Band

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
Jun 1 @ 10:00 pm
Lady Lupine

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.

Jun
2
Sun
Sunday Spins
Jun 2 @ 3:00 pm
Sunday Spins

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
Jun 2 @ 9:00 pm
Electric Blue Yonder

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

Jun
3
Mon
The White Owls
Jun 3 @ 8:00 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!

The White Owls

David Johnston & Friends
Jun 3 @ 10:30 pm
David Johnston & Friends

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 –

 

Jun
4
Tue
Telescope
Jun 4 @ 7:30 pm
Telescope

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
Jun 4 @ 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.

Image result for the blue ribbons music

Jun
5
Wed
Fandango
Jun 5 @ 7:00 pm
Fandango

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

Juicy Connotation
Jun 5 @ 10:00 pm
Juicy Connotation

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

Jun
6
Thu
Todd Thibaud (solo)
Jun 6 @ 7:30 pm
Todd Thibaud (solo)

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.

Baker Thomas Band
Jun 6 @ 10:00 pm

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

 

Image result for baker thomas band

Jun
7
Fri
Love Love & Friends
Jun 7 @ 10:00 pm
Love Love & Friends

 

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.

 

 

Jun
8
Sat
Holystone
Jun 8 @ 7:30 pm
Holystone

Holystone is a folk band from Boston . . .  – -give a listen HERE

AS SEEN AT TOAD...