A reminder of a time when rock ‘n’ roll was nothing more than a raw, primal wail, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion came back in 2012 with “Meat and Bone,” the band’s first album in eight years. Formed in 1991 in New York City out of the ashes of Pussy Galore, The Blues Explosion — […]
Bug Jar
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Concert Review: The Bygone Few, JD McPherson
I know it’s lazy to describe a band’s sound with another band — bands as adjectives, I call it — but sometimes it’s a good kick start in the right direction. So when I tell you the new Rochester band The Bygone Few sounds like a Misfit Concrete Blonde, you’ll understand why…and hopefully accept my […]
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Concert Review: The Clockmen and Fox Force 5 at the Bug Jar
‘Twas damp and cool within the Bug Jar’s walls Wednesday night as a damp and hot Clockmen banged on the beautiful crowd like a brass-knuckled Basilio with a body bag. I’ve seen these cats a number of times, and this show’s particularly ragged onslaught was one of the best. Recently the phrase “food-truck rodeo” has […]
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Concert Review: The Slackers, Mikaela Davis, The Smithereens, Big Sandy
UPDATE 5/21/13 to correct the spelling of Pat DiNizio’s name. The Slackers are just so cool. The Bug Jar was like a Frigidaire when these Brooklyn cats rolled through town to rock steady last Thursday night. The band’s groove is punctuated by an understated beat; it hits your hips and feet but never clobbers you […]
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MUSIC FEATURE: Soviet Dolls
Soviet Dolls is a cool cocktail: two parts rocker, one part young lady who makes YouTube videos. It’s a delicious meld of synthetic pop served over organic rocks. But it’s not the aural wrestling match you’d expect. The synthetics are roughed up nicely by the analogue, and the rock is made more accessible by the […]
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MUSIC FEATURE: Kingsley Flood
Sure, it neatly sums up everything with a beard, a flannel shirt, at least one acoustic instrument, and an allegiance to Johnny Cash. But perhaps when you’re done reading this article you can join me in putting the term “Americana” to bed. Are you with me? Kingsley Flood’s Naseem Khuri is — or at least […]
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Concert Review: Trash Wave Fest, All Time Low
So there I was at the Bug Jar Friday night for the first of what I hope will be many Trash Wave Fests, digging on the Clockmen as the band sunk its teeth into some dangerously fast and loud thinking-man’s punk (as I like to call it). This is one mighty trio, softened only by […]
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Living mix tape
“I actually have a pile of records this high that I have yet to listen to,” sighs Keven Atoms. Atoms feels a little anxious about it, the same way you might when there’s homework hanging over your head. It may seem funny, but for Atoms, Queen Knobtweekah, and Jhim — a group of DJs that […]
