Tim Bugbee‘s real life job (manufacturing director in a biopharma company) has nothing to do with music, music has been a central core element all along. He first started writing about music (record reviews and some interviews) with The Big Takeover in the early 90s, and then also contributed to local Boston zine Popwatch. After Popwatch folded, he took a break from the ‘zine game (and not so coincidentally, also during this time he started a family, and lived briefly in Ireland), but recently photography has rekindled this passion, and he is glad to back on board with Jack and the BT staff.
Jeff Tweedy and Wilco hit the beach, bringing 100 songs and plenty of friends and smiles along the way.
Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn strip music to the barest of bones – a skeletal rhythm track and a forceful vocal attack.
Two guys, two guitars, and one small stage in the middle of the room.
Chrissie Hynde and Martin Chambers play through the The Pretenders songbook in front an appreciative Boston crowd.
Franklin and Hartridge bring a mix of brawn and finesse to the fore as they tear through Raise and Mezcal Head in fine fashion.
A pairing of two of the finest songwriters, both in a stripped-down setting.
The Buzzcocks hit town for the first time in six years, with their prodigious songbook of earworms in tow.
Billy Zoom battles cancer to hit the road with X once more.
The heady days of alt.rock return, with Jane’s Addiction headlining a bill that includes Dinosaur Jr. and Living Colour.
The final knockout blow was the title song of The Glowing Man, a thirty minute opus that alternately led to dropped jaws or shut eyes, the audience enrapt as the sonic tsunami washed over them.
A purple glow filled the final day of the festival.
The final chapter of Boston Calling to be held in the brick-lined plaza at City Hall features Sia, Robyn, Sufjan Stevens and a host of others.
The frenetic strumming of The Feelies in full force, married to the upturned lip sneer of Richard Hell and the je ne sais fuck you of Lou Reed.
Gustav Ejstes of Dungen is back in the US after a five year absence, with a new record and a short tour.
Boston Calling’s wildly varying lineup tries to be all things to all people and somehow succeeds.
Royal Headache blows away a sold out Great Scott.
The Pixies had a most triumphant homecoming, Jack Black played Jack Black, and both TV On The Radio and St. Vincent transmitted from an exotic, remote location.
Photos from Day 2 of Boston Calling, featuring My Morning Jacket, Ben Harper and St. Vincent
The Spring edition Boston Calling kicks off with a shimmying set by Beck and a slightly dozy performance by Tame Impala.
Did the Welsh settle America? Find out what Prince Madog and John Evans have been up to.
The very roots of metal, on display in two different forms.
This was in the ‘hood, and you know you’ve got ethnic people; you don’t have “White Riot” on your jacket. They don’t know about The Clash song. You want a white riot? OK!
“When I found out about bass, D Boon’s mom put me on bass – this is the 70’s. This is where you put the retarded friend, it’s like right field in little league. Punk changed a lot of that shit.”
The classic lineup rolls on like an out of control freight train, only on roller coaster rails with insane grip.
Day 3 of Boston Calling, featuring Modest Mouse, Brand New, Tegan and Sara, Phosphorescent, Kurt Vile, Built To Spill and more.
Day 2 of Boston Calling, including sets from Death Cab For Cutie, The Decemberists, Warpaint and more.
Day 1 of the Spring edition of Boston Calling, featuring Jack Johnson, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, and Cass McCombs.
LOUDsoftLOUD discussion with a master of the form, Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai
The Rocket has returned.
WMBR’s Jon Bernhardt rallies some ’90s indie rock heroes for a celebration.
Mark Arm and Steve Turner of Mudhoney talk about growing up grunge, the shitty tour with Blind Melon, and GG Allin’s dick.