Sometimes a bunch of stuff stacks up and we can’t give it all the attention it deserves. January was a busy month so there’s plenty in here to keep you busy.
- Reggae Pioneer Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals says he’s “Broke and Depressed After Richmond Injury.” We wish him a speedy physical and mental recovery.
- Since we last spoke, our weekly songsmith Alex Stern has released three new songs. If you have an account with Bandcamp, you can click “Follow” on his page and get alerted as soon as the track is posted.
- New England entertainment hub Limelight Magazine is now taking votes for their 7th Annual Reader’s pole. Providence ska band The Copacetics are up for “Live Act of the Year” and Bim Skala Bim is up for Song of the Year for the track “Buses, Boats, Planes, Trains & Taxis” off of Chet’s Last Call. Take a moment and vote!
- Speaking of Bim, vocalist Dan Vitale has posted an unearthed cover of UB40’s Present Arms. Listen on Soundcloud.
- RI Ska Productions have announced their 7th Anniversary Show to be held February 21 at The Parlour in Providence. The show will feature The Copacetics, El Grande, Thaddeus Merritt Trio and more. Join the Facebook event. Congrats!
- Long running podcast and radio show Roots Rock Rebel radio show and podcast has recorded their last show and will continue on as The Rebel Beat. I was a big fan of Roots Rock Rebel Radio and I’m sad to see it go, but I’m excited for what’s to come. I wish Aaron and CKUT all the best!
- The Mighty Mighty Bosstones will perform at the 17th annual Punk Rock Bowling show this May in Las Vegas.
- Bandcamp recently opened up its service to labels. Fat Wreck and Epitaph, among others, have made their catalogs available. This is great news for those trying to avoid iTunes or Amazon, or those who want their tunes in a lossless format. (h/t Dying Scene)
- UK band The Skints have signed with Easy Star Records and will release a new record stateside on March 10.
- Boston ska band (that is, my band) The New Limits released their debut four-song EP “Pressure Up.” More on that to come…
- Big D and the Kids Table backing vocalists The Doped Up Dollies plan to release their own record and fund it with kickstarter. More on that to come…
- Pop Dose has a review of Heather Augustyn’s book “Songbirds: Pioneering Women In Jamaican Music.” Augustyn is a noted ska author and has a great blog of her own.
- The Pressure Drop Soundcast podcast is back! They’ve posted their first episode in over a year on Soundcloud. If you were looking for new music, this DJ’s got something for you.
- Boston’s premier Bob Marley tribute act the Duppy Conquerors will celebrate Marley’s birthday February 6 at Hard Rock Cafe.
And in case you missed them, here were our own most popular posts this January.
- Overlooked in 2014: Sharkanoid Brings the… Sharks?
- Download 100 Free Songs from Paper and Plastick
- Bim Skala Bim Announces New England Winter Tour, Releases Split 7-inch
- REVIEW: The Copacetics’ Debut Album Delivers Nostalgia and Swing
- Deflategate Update: Dicky Barrett Revealed to be the Locker Room Guy
- Alex Stern Promises a New Song Every Week in 2015
- Interview: Coolie Ranx of Pilfers Discusses Music Video For “Next Generation”
I know it’s cold, but don’t forget to goto a show this February. You’ll thank us later.
Photo in header clearing the t by flickr user mararie, CC BY 2.0
Thanks for the mention, Jacob! It was an honor and pleasure doing Roots Rock Rebel for 9 years. Good luck with all your projects!