URBAN WASTE is shipping now, sorry for delay, this is punk rock by the way!

BE ON THE LOOKOUT, the Urban Waste LP is now shipping, so if you ordered a copy, it should arrive shortly. 

At this time orders are only being accepted via Paypal (it's free to use this service and the only way RSR can and will accept credit card payments because we believe in inefficiency) or money order.  The band will have a limited number of an exclusive UW band version at shows and I do mean a very limited number for sale.

Paypal payments must be sent to rebelsoundrecordsthestore@gmail.com and have URBAN WASTE pre-sale LP in the subject line and please use the correct pricing below.  If you're in the USA, pay the USA price and so on.

LIMIT 1 LP per order, shipped in LP mailer with cardboard reinforcement

Payments in USD (US funds only PLEASE, you can convert on Paypal)


Those local to RSR, can opt not to have record shipped, just let us know if this is your option when you pay.


USA includes shipping  ($10.98 plus $5.00 shipping/handling) $15.98


CANADA/MEXICO includes shipping ($10.98 plus $6.00 shipping/handling) $16.98

EUROPE includes shipping ($10.98 plus $13.00 shipping/handling) $23.98

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND includes shipping ($10.98 plus $16.00 shipping/handling) $26.98

JAPAN includes shipping ($10.98 plus $16.00 shipping/handling) $26.98

MONEY ORDERS payable to REBEL SOUND RECORDS

REBEL SOUND RECORDS
PO BOX 281
DALTON, MA 01227-0281



Thanks for your interest!

Urban Waste debut full-length LP/PRE-SALE BEGINS NOW!!!

Rebel Sound Records is extremely proud to announce the pre-order sale for the first-ever official full-length release from New York's legendary Urban Waste!

We cannot stress time and time again that this is not a repackaging/reissue/new version of their 1982 7" nor is it a live concert recording from the early 1980s.  This yet-as-of-untitled LP will take you back to the early days of NYHC before it crossed over and never really came back.

Produced and recorded by punk rock vet Paul "Ena" Kostabi (Youth Gone Mad, Hammerbrain, Psychotica) at Piermont Studios and performed by original Urban Waste members Kenny Ahrens (vocals), John Dancy (drums), Johnny Waste (guitar) and new recruit Sonny Baron (bass)!

Urban Waste will be performing at the American Hardcore-Second Edition release party/hardcore matinee on October 17 in NYC at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn.  Details to follow soon.

Pre-orders have begun as of Sunday September 12th when this blog is posted.  The pre-order version of this LP will be on color vinyl and limited to only 250 orders.  The remainder of the color versions will go to the band, possibly a couple to distributors. Subsequent copies will be on black vinyl.  There will be no CD version released at this time.


At this time orders are only being accepted via Paypal (it's free to use this service and the only way RSR can and will accept credit card payments because we believe in inefficiency), money order or in person at Rebel Sound Records.  The band will have a limited number of the mailorder version at their NYC show and I do mean a very limited number for sale.

Paypal payments must be sent to rebelsoundrecordsthestore@gmail.com and have URBAN WASTE pre-sale LP in the subject line and please use the correct pricing below.  If you're in the USA, pay the USA price and so on.

LIMIT 1 LP per order, shipped in LP mailer with cardboard reinforcement

Payments in USD (US funds only PLEASE, you can convert on Paypal)


Those local to RSR, can opt not to have record shipped, just let us know if this is your option when you pay.


USA includes shipping  ($10.98 plus $5.00 shipping/handling) $15.98


CANADA/MEXICO includes shipping ($10.98 plus $8.00 shipping/handling) $18.98

EUROPE includes shipping ($10.98 plus $13.00 shipping/handling) $23.98

AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND includes shipping ($10.98 plus $16.00 shipping/handling) $26.98

JAPAN includes shipping ($10.98 plus $16.00 shipping/handling) $26.98

MONEY ORDERS payable to REBEL SOUND RECORDS

REBEL SOUND RECORDS
PO BOX 281
DALTON, MA 01227-0281


LP will be shipped BEFORE Halloween,  after the performance at the Knitting Factory.  All pre-orders will get a confirmation email stating you will in fact be getting the record.

Thanks for your interest!

Colin & Lindsay's Pre-Wedding Punk Rock Show RECAP

So, you see the video on the previous post and you can see beer was flowing, beer was being sacrificed for the good of the upcoming ceremony and there was some alcohol abuse (who spilled that beer?)! All in all, it was a blast. The Damaged, Sadplant (from CT, playing their 2nd show the day!) and Dead Radio Rebels blasted the PNA in Adams with a fresh breath of beer drenched punk air! The locals at the bar were once again seemingly confused by the invasion of punk ready fans but I don't think they cared too much as they were still able to enjoy Keno and whatever baseball game they were watching at the bar.

Dead Radio Rebels kicked off the festivities and ripped through a solid punk rock set where the band was in top form. The band has gotten a few shows under their belts since they added Eric as lead vocalist and Colin concentrating on guitar/backing vocals. While this change may have concerned some, the line-up clearly has the chemistry needed to make this work and the more I see them, the more it's obvious this is what the band needed to set themselves apart from The Damaged, Colin's other band. As you can see, Eric and Colin appear to be separated at birth, so it was probably destiny anyway.

Connecticut's Sadplant performed earlier in the day in Rhode Island or somewhere far from Adams and immediately after they finished, hopped in their vehicles and headed to the PNA. You'd never know Wappels, Benny and new drummer Gabe had such a hectic day because after loading onto the stage, they killed it. Pure and simple. It was the best set I'd ever seen them do. Their new drummer, Gabe, is amazing. He's so good in fact that Benny had mentioned to me after the show, he and Wappels had rehearsed with him twice in person earlier in the year and that was it. Aside from playing, Gabe can learn songs on the fly basically after hearing them one time! Benny sends him the songs on CD from CT and he figures them out in MA and then they play. Tonight Sadplant played 4 songs live they'd never played before all thanks to Gabe's ability at being a solid drummer through and through.

Following Sadplant and several beers, Al, Mark, Kevin and Colin took to the stage and The Damaged were ready to close out the night. I made it through most of the set before I had to leave but I'll tell you, it was a great way to celebrate the Colin and Lindsay's upcoming wedding. As they've been doing lately, The Damaged peppered their set with some of their new songs and they stand right up there with the classics. Great stuff guys, can't wait to hear the new album.

It was a good time and be on the lookout for a review of the wedding as soon as I go through the literally hundreds of pictures!

Colin & Lindsay's Pre-Wedding Punk Rock Show

It was a great show, I promise a recap, but it's time for this old geezer to go to sleep. Dead Radio Rebels, Sadplant and The Damaged tore up the PNA in Adams! Drinks were spilled, fun was had, floors were mopped, it was great! Pics up soon!

Michael Hitchcock singing the song that caught John Williams' attention at Tanglewood. According to Joe Wilk's mother, "the gang" had tried to stop Williams for an autograph, but he kept on walking until Michael belted out this tune. Williams stopped in his tracks, turned around and signed the autographs for "the gang"! Good job Michael! My personal favorite part of this clip is Michael asking Shaun Behrent for six cents only to have Joe's father give him what was left in his pockets.

Ethnic Fair 2010

The 2010 Ethnic Fair was a tremendous improvement over the 2009 event. The crowd was substantially larger, due in part to the wonderful weather in the Berkshires and the ease of finding (and getting to) parking. Also noticeable was a greater selection of vendors and food options throughout the Fair. However, it was odd to see some of the stores in the immediate Fair real estate to actually be closed for the afternoon. Rebel Sound Records saw more new faces and it was nice to meet them. Had we been closed it would've been a different story. We were visited by Mayor Ruberto, Bill from the Garden, Joe Wilk's parents, Cruz "Man About Town" Swinson, Jon Plaid, Jess Derby, PRJ, NY Kelley, Shaun of the City, Mr. Hitchcock, the future Mr. & Mrs. Colin Damaged, Jay of Bare Bones/Mudlark/Low Character, Zach McCarthy, Jon "Stop & Shop" Hanson, some dogs drinking out of the complimentary dog water in front of the store, MAC, Allie of the Furiousity, the WTBR on-air maniacs and more people whom I probably forgot.

Please Help Joe Wilk's Parents FIND HIM

Mr. & Mrs. Wilk came by Rebel Sound Records looking for their son Joe. "Please help, we haven't heard from him in months," said Mrs. Wilk. Mr. Wilk agreed, "Maybe if we were in Williamsburg, he'd take our calls. He probably picks up one out of ten times when we call." Wherever Joe is, please help these seemingly nice people.

Why I Do What I Do.....

I really don't know and it's at times like these that I wonder why myself. Okay, enough commiserating, it's not worth it. There is no rhyme or reason to one's behavior. Bury me once, you think you're clever, bury me again and this will be the final time, try it a third time and well if you think I'm that dumb, think again.

Here's Some New & not-so-new Offerings at Rebel Sound Records

USED CASSETTES
(only 1 of each unless noted)

KANSAS Leftoverture $1.99
MOTLEY CRUE $1.99
THE OUTFIELD Diamond Days $1.99
HELLOWEEN Walls of Jericho $1.99
ACE FREHLEY Frehley's Comet $1.99
DOKKEN Back For the Attack $1.99

USED CD's
(only 1 of each unless noted)

REDNEX Sex & Violins CD $4.99
GRATEFUL DEAD Built to Last CD $4.99
GRATEFUL DEAD American Beauty CD $4.99
GRATEFUL DEAD What A Strange Trip It's Been CD (double) $9.99
GRATEFUL DEAD aoxomoxoa CD $4.99
GRATEFUL DEAD Shakedown Street CD $4.99
GRATEFUL DEAD Skeletons From the Closet $4.99
GRATEFUL DEAD In the Dark CD $4.99
DAVID CROSBY If I Could Only Remember My Name CD $4.99
WILLIE NELSON Nite Life-Greatest Hits & Rare Tracks (1959-1971) $4.99
THE TRAGICALLY HIP Trouble at the Hen House CD $4.99
MY MORNING JACKET Evil Urges CD $4.99
THE WARRIORS Beyond the Noise CD $2.99
THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA s/t $2.99
M. WARD (of She and Him) Hold Time CD $4.99
REVEREND HORTON HEAT It's Martini Time CD $4.99
ALAN JACKSON Who I Am CD $2.99
SPACEHOG Resident Alien CD $4.99
BRAD PAISLEY Playlist CD $2.99
IRIS DEMENT My Life CD $4.99
THE LOST PATROL Songs About Running Away CD (ex-Refused) $4.99
STRAY FROM THE PATH Villains CD
THE NOW WTO COMBO Live-From the Battle in Seattle CD $4.99 (Jello Biafra, Krist Novoselic from Nirvana/Sweet 75, Kim Thayil from Soundgarden, Gina Mainwal from Sweet 75)
AMY WINEHOUSE Back to Black CD $4.99
JAMIE O'NEAL Shiver CD $2.99
JIMMY EAT WORLD Futures (double) $6.99
TOBY KEITH Boomtown CD $4.99
10,000 MANIACS Unplugged CD $4.99
PAM TILLIS Homeward Looking Angel $2.99
A GLOBAL THREAT Where the Sun Never Sets CD $4.99
BOBBY SWEET Love on the Border CD $4.99
AMERICAN DISTRESS s/t CD $4.99 (on Tent City/Skwert's label)
HEAD AUTOMATICA Decadence CD $4.99
INTRO5PECT Real Politik! CD $4.99
JOAN OF ARC The Gap CD $3.99
MINDI ABAIR Stars CD $3.99
NORAH JONES Not Too Late CD $4.99
INCENDIO Seduction CD $3.99
JAZZMASTERS (Paul Hardcastle) V CD $4.99
ACOUSTIC ALCHEMY This Way CD $3.99
DAVID BOSWEL I Like That CD $3.99
KYLE WOLVERTON Soul Groove CD $3.99
STEVE WINDWOOD Nine Lives CD $4.99
KENNY G. Rhythm & Romance CD $4.99
TONY BENNETT Sings the Ultimate Songbook CD $4.99 (2 copies)
THE APPLES IN STEREO Look Away +4 CD $2.99
THE APPLES IN STEREO The Discovery of A World Inside the Moone $4.99
THE DISPOSABLE HEROES OF HIPOCRACY Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury CD $4.99
POSTER CHILDREN Flower Power CD $4.99
SPENCER DAVIS Golden Hits CD $4.99
BUSTA RHYMES Extinction Level Event-The Final World Front CD $2.99
THE FORGOTTEN Out of Print CD $4.99
ROB LAURENS The Honey on the Mountain CD $4.99
JUNGLE BROTHERS Straight Out of the Jungle CD $2.99
THE PETER MALIC GROUP feat. NORAH JONES New York City CD $4.99
WAYLON JENNINGS Super Hits CD $4.99
SOUTHERN ROCK Hits CD$4.99 (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Marshall Tucker, Foghat & more) $4.99
ALKALINE TRIO Crimson CD $4.99

NEW CD's
(only 1 of each unless noted)

jazz

GARAGE A TROIS Power Patriot CD $10.98
HUNGRY MARCH BAND Portable Soundtracks for Temporary Utopias CD $14.98 (NYC brass/avant jazz)
JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEY (JFJO) Stay Gold CD $9.98 (played MassMOCA)
JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEY (JFJO) One Day in Brooklyn CD $9.98 (played MassMOCA)
MOODSWING ORCHESTRA s/t CD $9.98 (featuring Ben Perowsky, Glenn Patscha, Markus Miller, Oren Bloedow, Marcus Rojas, Doug Wieselman, Steven Bernstein, Pamelia Kurstin, Jennifer Charles, Miho Hatori, Elyas Khan, Joan Wasser, Bebel Gilberto)
MARCO BENEVENTO Between the Needles and Nightfall CD $10.98 (playing MassMOCA)
MARCO BENEVENTO Me Not Me CD $10.98 (playing MassMOCA)
SURPRISE ME MR. DAVIS That Man Eats Morning For Breakfast CD $9.98

rock

BEWARE! THE OTHER HEAD OF SCIENCE Big American Godzilla Party CD $8.98 (sci-fi party punk from Albany) (2 copies)
GRIZZLY J BERRY The Day of the War on the Moose CD $7.98 (mid-west post-punk)
NO NO ZERO Rough Stuff CD $14.98 (ex-The Exploders from Toronto, grimy garage-punk)
REASON 837 Your Favorite Disaster CD $4.98 (most recent release from local favorites) (3 copies)

7" vinyl
(only 1 of each unless noted)

CARRIE NATIONS s/t 7" (previously unreleased material from this Georgia punk band, also released music on Plan-It-X Records) $5.48 (2 copies)
CUTE LEPERS No Escape b/w Black Market Lepers 00 7" (import, already out of print) $7.98
GO! Your Power Means Nothing 7" EP (10 tracks produced by Don Fury, classic NYHC from 1990 featuring Mike Bullshit, import) $8.48 (2 copies)
PAT TODD & THE RANKOUTSIDERS Don't Worry 'bout Me Baby b/w Idle Time 7" (new release from former lead singer of The Lazy Cowgirls) $5.48 (great psychotic garage/punk) (2 copies)
TAXI Dead Girl b/w Qui est in qui est out, Blue Lights $7.98 (garage/punk from Europe) (import, 3 tracks)
TAXI Who's to Blame b/w Down By Love 7" $5.48 (garage/punk from Europe)

LP's
(only 1 of each unless noted)

ALUMINUM KNOT EYE Trunk Lunker LP $11.98 (Roky Erikson meets the Reatards from Wisconsin, high energy madness includes a cover of Alice Cooper's "Is It My Body?") (2 copies)
BAD MACHINE Rip Your Heart LP $11.98 (punk w/monster guitars and riffage, similar to the Didjits, The Hellacopters and The Stooges)
BILL BONDSMEN Swallowed By the World LP $11.98 (raging punk) 2 copies
BLACK FLAG White Minority LP $15.98 (limited import, blistering live set from 1981 in Milwaukee WI, 21 tracks)
THE BLACK JETTS Bleed Me, Love LP $11.98
B-MOVIE RATS/THE HELLBENDERS Distilled split LP $11.98 (punk rock n' roll 6 tracks each) (2 copies)
BRIAN ENO The BBC Sessions LP $16.98 (limited import, silkscreened jacket 8 tracks)
CAT PARTY s/t LP $11.98 (fans of The Wipers, Rik L Rik, Joy Division and Christian Death take note!)
CORY CHASE Waiting On A Remedy LP $11.98 (ex-The Licks, solo guitar and harmonica) (2 copies)
THE CRAWLERS Level the Forest LP $11.98 (limited to 500, first pressing, similar to Poison Idea, Christ On A Crutch, from Portland OR) (2 copies)
THE CRYPTONES Teen Trash Vol. 1 LP $9.98 (import, 15 tracks of primitive rock n' roll from Marseille France)
THE DOUBLE NAUGHT SPYS Teen Trash Vol. 5 LP (import, 16 tracks of primitive rock n' roll from CT)
ESTROGEN HIGHS Tell It to Them LP $11.98 (rock n roll garage from New Haven CT) (2 copies)
F Mess You Up & You Are An E.P. LP $12.98 (limited to 333 copies, color vinyl, reissue of both F releases w/bonus tracks, original sleeve inserts and a ton of attitude, classic Reagan-era hardcore release)
FORBIDDEN TIGERS Magnetic Problems LP $11.98 (garage punk like Gun Club, The Saints, '68 Comeback and Jon Spencer) (2 copies)
GEISHA GIRLS s/t EP $11.98 (out of print color from 2003, ex-Street Trash/current Gestapo Khazi, dark no wave w/elements of The Cure, Joy Division, Mission of Burma and Wire)
GEISHA GIRLS Disappearing Act LP $11.98 (limited clear vinyl, ex-Street Trash/current Gestapo Khazi, dark no wave w/elements of The Cure, Joy Division, Mission of Burma and Wire) (2 copies)
HEARTBEEPS My Bones Are Tattooed LP $11.98 (ex-T.V. Killers similar to The Kids and The Pagans) (2 copies)
THE HELLBENDERS Pop Rock Suicide LP $11.98 (high energy garage/punk from LA)
HIGH BEAMS Hallucination LP $11.98 (punk!) (2 copies)
HUSKER DU Ultracore LP $15.98 (limited import, live set from 1982 in Tuscon AZ, 22 tracks)
JET BOYS Jet Party LP $15.98 (limited import, Japanese punk)
JET BOYS Teenage Thunder Revisited LP $15.98 (limited import, Japanese punk)
KITES/PRURIENT Load Split Series #4 LP $9.98 (high voltage noise and feedback)
THE KNOCKOUT PILLS s/t LP $11.98 (2 copies)
THE LUCKY PUNCH Kick Up A Hullabaloo LP $11.98
THE PLAGUE X Tapes 1976-1981 LP $12.98 (import, early UK punk)
THE PSYCHOVIOLETS Teen Trash Vol. 2 LP $9.98 (import, 10 tracks of primitive rock n' roll from Lawrence KS)
ROCKET REDUCERS s/t 12" $15.98 (import, Canadian punk similar to The Pagans, New Bomb Turks, Teengenerate) (2 copies)
ROCKET REDUCERS s/t LP $11.98 (Canadian punk similar to The Pagans, New Bomb Turks, Teengenerate)
THE SAFETY PINS/HELLBENDER split LP $11.98 (punk! 9 songs total) (2 copies)
THE SAFETY PINS Invite Us to Your Funeral LP $11.98 (snotty punk includes "Kill the Hippies", "Plastic Punks", title cut, "I'm Not Pretty" 13 tracks)
SANITY ASSASSINS Speed of Death LP $12.98 (import, classic New England punk)
TAXI Yu Tolk Tu Mach LP $11.98 (wild garage/punk from Europe) (2 copies)
THE TERMINALS Forget About Never LP $11.98 (wild punk rock n' roll/garage similar to the Oblivions and Demolition Doll Rods)
THROBBIN' URGES s/t LP $11.98 (high energy lo-fi punk similar to the Pagans, Teengenerate, Reatards) (2 copies)
THE UNSEEN The Anger and the Truth LP $8.98 (first release on BYO)
THE UNSEEN Explode LP $8.98 (final release on BYO before moving to Hellcat)
THE UNSEEN Lower Class Crucifixion LP $9.98 (13 tracks on Anti-Flag's label)
U.X.A. Illusions of Grandeur LP $10.98 (hard to find import, reissue of their Posh Boy debut, 10 tracks of classic punk from SF by way of LA)
WATERDOWN Never Kill the Boy on the First Date LP $11.98 (yellow vinyl, import, 2001 release no domestic US vinyl release from this German band combines hardcore, dark-metal and punk, comes with Victory Records poster)
THE WEAKLINGS Rock n' Roll Owes Me LP $11.98 (garage from Portland OR)
WELT Broke Down LP $10.98 (out of print on Dr. Dream Records produced by Stephen Egerton, Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore)
THE W.I.N.K.S Too Hot to Be This Cool LP $12.98 (import from Women in Night Kissing Satan, sleaze garage/punk, 13 tracks)
WKZ Echte Punx LP $12.98 (import reissue from this wild German punk band, originally released on the infamous Rock-o-Rama label)
YOUTH GONE MAD/BUTT TRUMPET split LP $5.98 (new recordings from each band including a rare 4-track recording of Tom Bone and Bianca!)
V/A-400 DAY HEADACHE LP $5.98 (out of print punk comp., Youth Gone Mad, Political Asylum, Blownapart Bastards, All You Can Eat, Pollution Circus, Rights Reserved, Inspector 12, Naked Angels, Animal Farm, 8 Bark, Tonka, Unherd, J Church, Gloo girls, Assfactor 4)
V/A-BRIDGE 9 SUMMER COMPILATION 2009 LP $9.98 (gray vinyl, limited, Strike Anywhere, Death Before Dishonour, Polar Bear Club, Ruiner, Dead Swans, Soul Control, Crime in Stereo, Paint it Black, Have Heart)
V/A-HARDCORE FROM THE EARLY DAYS LP $11.98 (color vinyl, gatefold sleeve, import limited to 500, early New England hardcore punk, Target Cells, White Pigs, Chronic Disorder)
V/A-LET'S GET RID OF LA LP $9.98 (out of print w/zine, punk/garage bands, The Starvations, Radio Vago, The Flash Express, Squab, The Pinkz, Neon King Kong, The Rolling Blackouts, The Checkers, The Orphans, The Alleged Gunmen, The Make-Out Party, The Fuse!, Miracle Chosuki, The Lipstick Pickups, Fast Forward)
V/A-PAERE PUNK LP $18.98 (import, limited edition, Danish punk studio compilation recorded in the late 1970's. Previously unavailable tracks from Lost Kids, Sods, Elektrochok, Slim, Kiche', Brats, Dream Police, No Knox)
V/A-VIVA LA VINYL#4 LP $11.98 (punk/garage bands w/zine Puffball, T.V. Killers, The Hellbenders, Bonecrusher, Snake Charmers, The Geriatrix, Hellride, Streetwalkin' Cheetahs, Valentine Killers, The Vultures, Gee Strings, Nikki Sudden of the Swell Maps, Flash Express, The Dialtones, Cock Spaniels)

COLLECTIBLE
(only 1 of each unless noted)

UNEARTH The Stings of Conscience LP $25.00 (out of print, rare, white vinyl on Knife or Death Records)

Almost mid-July 2010

There are many shows this month with a great cross-section of bands. I waiting to get word on a few big shows for the remainder of this year and for something really fun and awesome for 2011. I'll post pictures from the most recent slew of shows and I think I have to finish my Punk Rock Bowling report before I forget it all. There will be some 5th of July Parade pictures too with some commentary as well (of course).

July is going to prove an interesting month, aside from the store not doing so well and show attendance all but non-existent, there are other issue unrelated that are making my brain hang upside down. Hopefully it will be okay because I swear, it's been causing quite a bit of mental duress and I'm bad enough as it is, I don't need any help with that!

New STUFF in Stock!!!!

Rebel Sound Records just got a TON of new stuff! Here's some descriptions and photos!!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pittsfield-MA/Rebel-Sound-Records/57180429460?ref=ts#!/album.php?aid=185373&id=57180429460&ref=mf

I (Heart) Pittsfield! So Fun, Yet, So Strange

Oh Pittsfield, you've gone and done it again! Wait, before I start to criticize you, which is really unnecessary, I will take the more intelligent route and actually think before I type. While compared to the big city of Los Angeles or even the not-so-big cities of Raleigh or Chapel Hill NC or even Northampton, you're lacking in a billion areas. But, believe it or not, the one area you actually excel in is giving the people something to do. This change hasn't happened overnight mind you and while 2010 is very different from 1980, I would say that since you can't go back in time (as much as I'd like to), 2010 is probably the most culturally active Pittsfield has been in decades.

Usually, the major complaint is that "there is nothing to do" and while this was partially true in the dark days of Pittsfield when General Electric was in the business of polluting and employing the general populace. Back then, there was really nothing that interesting to do. There was the Cinema Center, which when you think about it was like the Wal-Mart of movie theaters. It was the last stop before you reached hell. There was Thee Arcade, which was always fun if you wanted to potentially have a run in with some sketchy characters and of course, there was the old standby of cruising down North Street. Don't get me wrong, this was actually a ton of fun. When I sit out here on a night light this, a beautiful summer night, I can't help but to think back to days when hanging out down here was fun! This was the place we had to go on the weekends and I'm from Dalton, which makes it all the funnier. People would start at the car wash and once their rides were all clean, they'd head onto "up street". For the record, the entire strip was called "up street". Sure it was stupid, but it was fun and I'm sure it drove the cops nuts but at least they knew where everyone was. That's not to say it was full of bunch of troublemakers, it wasn't. I'm sure there were relationships started and finished "up street". The only thing on my mind during school on Friday night in the summer was going down to North Street. I couldn't wait to come home and get the hell out of my house. Whether it was to see a movie, go to a game (which was an excuse to get out of the house) or simply do nothing but drive around listening to music at ridiculously high volumes and screaming at passing cars like a moron, the major goal was to leave!

For years from what I am to understand, North Street went down the toilet and in all reality, most of Pittsfield went with it. Jobs moved and people followed. It was sad because after living many places in my life, I have come to really love this place. Sure, going away is good too and everyone should at least once but I felt that for some reason, this is where I belong.

What is truly strange about the progress of time and the mass exodus from Pittsfield is that in 2010 there are more entertainment options for everyone and not just the tourists or second homeowners. Those options are still here too, but for the locals, there literally are tons of things to do right in town regardless of what you are interested in. The key challenge is to price it within the locals' hourly waged budget. That ain't easy my friend.

There's at least four distinct scenes within happening on North Street and all are growing rapidly. We now have an active gallery scene, a growing food scene (except we're lacking a real Thai food restaurant and have at least 4 pizza shops within walking distance from each other), a growing music scene and a growing theater scene. This is not including the Beacon Cinema or the retailers (there are many new ones too)!

Yet, with all of these new options on North Street, every one of these thriving ventures is struggling somewhat with the reality of there being a lot less people in Pittsfield willing to come downtown to do anything or to spend money because it's much harder to come by expendable income when you're working your second job at 11pm. This is a problem. Also, North Street still can't shake the reputation it had during the late 1990's when people thought of it as a place to get mugged or buy crack. It looked ugly and there needed to be a change. There was and still is a change happening currently and it's awesome to see.

I've heard it from parents who, were probably cruising this same street when they were teenagers with not a care in the world, drop their kids off to a show here only to hear them mutter "Stay here, don't go outside at all!" Now, okay, sure, if this were say 2am and three doe-eyed teenagers were walking down any street in any city, something might happen criminal in nature, but I hardly think that would happen around 30 other kids here to see some bands. I found that statement to be somewhat funny, but pretty insulting at the same time. People who smoke go outside or they just go out to get some air or hang out for a little bit while still being at the show. I've never known any walk-by mugging to take place or a drive-by shooting either, but I think these people are under the impression Rebel Sound Records is a dark dismal joint similar to Thee Arcade from their youth. Well, it's not but this isn't about that how we're not Thee Arcade or how we're an alcohol-free venue. Yet, the protective power parent monitored things from the car and when more people did show up, he came in and grabbed the kids, forever embarrassing them and making himself look like Mr. Ass quite frankly.

If there was a point, it would be that while downtown Pittsfield faded away from our minds as a safe destination throughout the 1990's, it's actually becoming safe place once again and there's life back down here! People actually choose to live here, which is mind-boggling, yet they do it and still do it at this moment. I'm not going to mention everything by name, because I'll forgot some I'm sure, but on the entire street in summer its pretty cool to be able to walk around and see live music (cover bands, underground bands on tour and jazz groups to name a few), catch a theatrical production Off-Broadway caliber or even experimental productions, live comedy or even take a casual drumming class outside! I mean, really, this downtown corridor has completely done a 180 and quite impressive.

Now, the bad part, there always has to be one right? The bad part is the competition any of these ventures has with the internet (hello Facebook), video games, partying or television. The competition existed to some extent back in the pre-internet dark ages, but not to level of 2010. I couldn't think of anything I rather do than not sit at home and be around my family. I wanted to get the hell out of Dodge! Why anyone sits at home and thinks that's cool and something to do is completely illogical! Okay, sure hanging out on Facebook or My Space (so '07) or playing video games or watching television is completely awesome, but when you're not in school for almost 3 months, how is that awesome for 10-12 hours a day? I hate to say it, but that sucks. For years, the excuse was there's nothing to do. There are many things to do now, in your lifetime and yet what's chosen over doing something truly social is very strange.

Okay, so the Berkshire Mall somehow became the safe babysitter for the modern day power parents, but come on, are you that brainwashed against rebelling? Wandering aimlessly in the mall (not shopping) but going to Spencer's and Hot Topic has replaced imagination and that's pathetic. I remember the day of growing up (yes, I still remember) and had I opted to stay at home rather than do something fun, I would've probably jumped in front of a bus. At best, there is no rain in the mall and you can get some coffee, but for the most part, the mall is a complete joke. When it first opened (or attempted to, there was a time when Pittsfield fought the mall opening like we were fighting a way) there were literally tons of cool stores all over the place. It was pretty incredible. There were stores that sold actually records, two bookstores, eventually a solid comic book store, a flavored popcorn store, gourmet ice cream, Sbarro's....take my word for it, it was pretty cool in that respect. How many people were using the mall as a hangout? Zero. The mall was uncool and it still is. Instead of hanging out with a bunch of friends who all looked weird to the commoners, if any one of my friends showed up at the mall with even so much as a Ramones shirt or Chuck Taylor's, we'd get hassled by any number of idiots that hung out there. Okay, so we get it, you conquered the mall, big deal. Everyone looks like the poster child for Hot Topic. Cool.

So, where are all the kids downtown? Where are all the people downtown? I would've killed for a place and town this cool when I grew up!

It's hard to believe 1.6 Band were only around from 1989-1993 and only played regionally for the most part, yet the band has continued to be huge influence on many bands for over 15 years without even realizing it at the time. Their unique style is virtually unclassifiable yet not so intimidating that they alienated their audience and were only accessible to the few in their immediate circle. They've been compared to the mighty Minutemen for obvious reasons and were contemporaries of so many important east coast bands that you could almost say their influence is better known than the band itself. Underground punk and hardcore had just survived a very ugly period in the mid-1980's with many key and influential bands trying to break on college radio or just alienating their audiences with extremely terrible albums with equally lousy production. While it was down for the count, it certainly wasn't out. Instead of forging on into the abyss, 1.6 Band, Rorschach, Born Against, Nausea, Citizens Arrest, Go! and SFA (who technically started in 1984, but who's really checking!) to name a few, started to challenge listeners in new and exciting ways without deviating too far from familiarity. This was good stuff on record and even more powerful live if you were lucky enough to catch any of these acts in their heyday.

I saw a few of these bands more than once, so fast forward to 2009:

When attempting to book this show, I had no idea the band wasn't full-time gig or even a weekend gig, basically, it's a once a year gig! I started speaking with Mike Yanicelli late in 2009 and while he never said the band was still somewhat scattered throughout the country, he didn't make it seem like it would be an impossibility to book them either. We finally set the date of the show for June 26, 2010 and for me, this seemed like ages away. Rebel Sound has so much rent past due that I now understand how Hilly Kristal felt except that he had 30 years to run into so many landlord/past-due rent issue and I've managed to get there in less than 12 months. This, however, is another story.

Mike kept in touch and even sent a long some of their 1991-1993 Broke Up CD, the Pimpin' Ain't Easy 7" and their new The Checkered Past of Kings Present 7" to sell in the shop. I'd still confirm with him just in case because after booking over 300 bands in a year's time, there have been bands who have either not shown up or claimed to have not known about the show. It happens. I didn't have a bad feeling about 1.6 Band not showing, basically I still was in a state of disbelief. Oh and by the way, the reunion or new (whatever it's being called) 7" is good! This band is back even for limited amounts of shows per year and they're having fun too! A grand total of two shows were scheduled for 2010 and Pittsfield was one of them! Their first show ever was in Schenectady NY so it's kind of fitting that their first show back outside of NYC was in western Massachusetts as it's relatively the same region.

I booked solid support act months in advance and by the time the show rolled around none of the support bands originally booked were even on the bill any longer! Makes booking shows so unfun, it's not even funny. The only band still on board by the show was Substratus, who there was very little information about floating around on the internet. When I did find their page, I wasn't even sure they were a real band either. Mike swore they were and it turns out all of the guys in both 1.6 Band and Substratus were old friends from way back in the day so I figured they'd be here. At the very last minute for a show promoted since January or February of this year, Outdates and Whirl stepped in and said they'd definitely play. The show that had been cursed was suddenly not cursed!

After all the bands arrived, I breathed a deserved sigh of relief. Attendance was surprisingly (but typical for this town) light considering the amount of talent assembled for this momentous occasion. This was one of the only two 1.6 Band live shows scheduled for 2010 and it was here, in this small western Massachusetts city! I've seen many bands filled with teenagers in my lifetime, the most memorable being Old Skull, but what they lacked in musical ability was completely shamed by the likes of Whirl! This western Massachusetts band based in Amherst completely shocked everyone (including the headliners) with their set. I was in the room for some of their set and when I walked away to check on the front of the store, it sounded as if this music was being played by guys who put out their first records on SST back in the last 1980s. This was excellent stuff and it was so great that they agreed to play this show 5 days earlier! I have yet to listen to their CD, but can't wait.

The Outdates were also another obvious choice that had eluded me and I'm glad they were suggested and agreed. This three-piece is a lot of fun and their songs are filled with a desperate sheer energy that reminds me of the few bright spots that did appear in the dark days of punk rock. They played many songs, the songs were short but they weren't bursts of energy in a power violence or thrash way, it's hard to explain but there was a lot of instrumentation going in what was heard. In a throwback to a bygone era, their cassette is available from the band here.

Both Substratus and 1.6 Band were all really nice people and there was nothing about either band that was disappointing musically or personality-wise. Substratus brought a cool hardcore punk element to the show which was more punk than anything else. It was part street punk, part hardcore and together it was a perfect match. These NYC punk vets played their debut live show here, in Pittsfield and sounded so tight it was pretty impressive. The bass player had only been in the band 3 months but you'd never know it. The natural chemistry was there because they'd all known each other for years. It's okay about the mic stand, really, don't worry about it.

There was a tremendous amount of excitement for this show and the anticipation was literally felt across the northeast as people drove upwards of 2 hours and change from Boston for this event and it's one of those things where you kind of weren't really sure if it was going to happen. Well, it did and 1.6 Band were better than I had hoped they'd be! I think everyone who was here will tell the same story, the band sounded incredibly tight and it was almost as if you dropped a needle on a record because you'd ever know they were only playing 2 shows on the Checkered Past Tour 2010, Pittsfield MA and NYC! I will be the first to admit, I never saw 1.6 Band when they were truly an active band when I was living in the city. I'm not really sure, but I can safely say that I'm kind of glad I didn't. Seeing them here on this date was definitely worth the unintentional wait. Sure, the guys are older, have kids, have other lives, hell, Kevin lives in Austin TX, but so am I and you know what? Being able to reminisce about the fire trap that once was ABC-No-Rio (specifically the Jawbreaker show I caught and the Offspring show I missed) with Mike and about some our old friends from back then and saying to each other "hey, you look kind of familiar, didn't you go to ABC and CB's alot?" was pretty cool I must admit.

1.6 Band setlist June 26, 2010

Awful Jerk
Pets
Sticks to the Skin
Burning Coal
These Giants
Pushing Shit into My Ass
Your Restaurant
Truth Serum
Cancer in My Backyard
Lollipop
Skin Flap
Mary Had A Little Leg
Bullet
Back in Church

Thanks guys, it was awesome!

Oh and a side note, fans of the Howard Stern Show will be interested to know that some of the 1.6 Band guys played on Sal Governale's infamous rap song that has been the bone of contention for Sal for quite some time. What a funny fact. Almost all of the 1.6 Band and Substratus guys will give any Seinfeld trivia geek a run for their money...yada yada yada.

Rebel Sound Records WINS Best Record Store 2010! (the good, the bad and the not so good)

Winning the Best Record Store 2010 in the Berkshire Eagle and Berkshires Week reader's poll is pretty awesome actually. To be recognized by people, whom I probably don't know (and certainly didn't campaign to win this) is pretty humbling to be quite honest. While there is no longer a record store in Great Barrington per say (Tune Street is still there) to take this honor, there is a new record store in Adams, FYE and Wood Brothers in Pittsfield, the classical and jazz mecca of the Berkshire Record Outlet down there in Lee somewhere and of course a retailer instrumental in my collecting habits, Toonerville Trolley in Williamstown. For whatever reason, Rebel Sound Records was voted number 1 and I thank you.

How's it bad? Well, I don't have the money to advertise, so please Berkshire Eagle, don't ask because I don't have it.

Speaking of not having it, I don't have the rent either, so I'll have to sweat through that meeting on Monday June 21st, that's going to be awesome, I can't wait!

Completely unrelated, if I were a kid in high school, I'd have to be forced to leave this place and would be here every week to see all these bands! I don't get it.

That's enough for now.

Show Attendance Where'd You Go?

Well, I can't say that I'm surprised more than I am disappointed. After getting some immediate support towards the end of May/beginning of June, I'm sad to report any support has gone away unlike the massive oil spill in the Gulf. Rebel Sound Records and the Room has been accused and apparently thought of as a refuge for mediocre music. So, it's quite tough to soldier on while even the closest support, people who said this would be a good idea (the store and show space) rarely show their face here if only to walk in and leave. It's really unfortunate that this group of people are quick to judge and are more interested in bragging rights than anything else. Getting back to the people who accuse Rebel Sound of being a refuge for mediocre music, I feel sorry for you that you have that opinion. At the same time, I feel so happy for you that you're so awesome at what you do that you're quick to judge and criticize this place. I can't wait to see you take a major financial risk at something and wish you the best and get all the support you should.

Above are some bands who have played this weekend or this past couple of weeks you've all opted out attending.

Bands Too Big For Their Britches.....Gotta Luv 'Em (yeah right)

So, last night. the world's greatest band played and they were sooooo great that they not only caused me massive amounts of unnecessary stress, but blew one of my speakers with their greatness! Of course, they were so great that they even wrote notes and used a flat iron to straighten their hair in the bathroom! They were gooooood lookin'!

So, here are their notes from their set list, which I will scan and upload after I cover up some of their information:

SONG TITLE 1 (talk NAME OF STAR, then NAME/CITY) make you mention your name and name of city!

SONG TITLE 2 (talk random, no STAR mentioned, it could be anyone with a mic)

SONG TITLE 3 (talk random, ***other STAR watch yet another STAR**)

SONG TITLE 4 (talk STAR, mention tour, other touring band, merch) (other STAR talk and then FIST PUMP!) swear to the punk rock gods

SONG TITLE 5 (talk STAR and gift of a free downLOAD and I stress load)

SONG TITLE 6 (talk STAR mention song and sing along)

If I were making this up, I'd be lying.

This Week's News

Quickly-

Thursday/3rd Thursday-Brad Byrd, Ben Karis-Nix, Rosedale, Scrumtrillescent (featuring Pey Pey), Werewolves of Pittsfield & more! 6pm

Friday-Jesse Minute, Dead Aces (ex-Millions Dead), Suffer Die (ex-Millions Dead) & more! 7pm

Saturday-Beware! the Other Head of Science, Pruf, The Headies, The Prozacs & a TON more! 5pm

Sunday-Off With Their Heads, Dear Landlord, The Casting Out (ex-Boy Sets Fire), The Stereo State, After the Fall, The Wessels, JBJ (final show?)! 4pm


More details later------------

Wednesday Night Show for Corey's Birthday! (new stuff too)

Tonight! COREY'S Birthday: Blessings of Ruin, THIS NAMES TAKEN, Warsynium, Perfect Future and Reaching Away! 7pm all ages....IT'S ONLY rain people $7 (students w/ID $6)! NEW STUFF Misfits fan club import 7"s, J Church early out of print 7"s, Cute Lepers RARE import 7", ex-Street Trash 7"s, Radio Reelers 7"s & LP, Circle One reissue LP (out of print), Gestapo Khazi LP (ex-Street Trash), Misfits Live at Al's Bar aka Brain Eaters LP, La Face LP & some more stuff.

Tonight!

This Names Taken

Warsynium

Blessings of Ruin

Perfect Future

Reaching Away

7pm

$7 (students w/ID $6)

New Stuff & Wednesday Night Show!

There will be a few new vinyl LPs and 7"s in the bins tonight in addition to there being a mid-week show featuring Warsynium, Blessings of Ruin, This Names Taken, Reaching Away and Perfect Future! Starts at 7pm and as always, is all ages. This is part of Corey of This Names Taken's birthday week!

Also, new stuff in the bins from Gestapo Khazi (ex-Street Trash), Radio Reelers LPs, OLD J. Church (Cringer) 7"s, Misfits Cough/Cool "fan club" 7"s, Glenn Danzig Who Killed Marilyn "fan club" 7"s and more!

This stuff is VERY LIMITED........

Punk Rock Bowling Tournament 2010 Pt. 1

Punk Rock Bowling Tournament Pt. 1

Better late than never I say! It's been just under a month since the 2010 Punk Rock Bowling Tournament in Las Vegas and it is safe to say, it was by far one of the biggest punk rock parties of the year! Technically the Fest, Chaos in Tejas, Insubordination Fest etc. have officially have more bands per day, but I find the PRB to be more my speed because you're not missing one band to see another and finally, I have been given credit for coming up with the initial idea that planted the seed for this insane weekend in Sin City. Thanks for that Shawn!

The flight itself was pleasant and Shonna and I were seated in the bulkhead area, which we were able to secure even with Southwest's general free-for-all for seating. It's hard to believe that in 2010 an airline operates with such seating anarchy, but hey, I guess that's punk rock, right?

We arrived no worse for the wear at the airport and picked up the rental car. Had we arrived 10 minutes later, they would've upgraded us so we were stuck in the Hyundai for the weekend, oh well. It had Sirius and even though Friday was "Best of the Week" for Howard Stern, it was still somewhat comforting to hear him ramble on however, it had been well over 2 years since I canceled my subscription and I swear, he was complaining about the same stupid stuff, just without out Artie's rotund laughter. Bummer.

Thursday was the poker tournament, which neither of us has participated in and instead we checked in, paid for an extra night for Monday and checked out the hotel. Sunset Station, as a casino property, is far-superior in my opinion than the venerable Sam's Town but after a few years too many, we all needed a change and it was a welcome change at that. Sunset had pretty much everything for everybody including restaurants that were actually good, along with a killer buffet and several familiar fast food options that are quite foreign to the Berkshires. Even In n' Out Burger (with their grilled cheese and grilled onions-not on the menu by the way) was right across the parking lot! At Sam's Town, there's a Walgreen's and a Chevron across the street---oh joy!

Sunset was winning hands down and the scale was tipping very high in the punk rock direction, this was it, over 1,000 punkers from all over North America were here to drink, rock and maybe bowl in that order.

So many of my favorite bands were performing as well as a bunch I either hadn't seen yet or had a new appreciation for that I wasn't sure who I was looking forward to see more at this point. There were a few changes this year, such as there wasn't a show just for the bowlers or even a registration packet for all of us, but due to the magnitude of the weekend, I don't think it mattered much. We all got used to the changes pretty fast.

It was kind of odd to see shows in an amphitheater setting, but due to the fact that so many well-known bands were playing this year, the one show was expanded to 6 and 3 of the shows were moved out of a club setting and into the outdoors. On top of the 6 official shows, as in other years, there were many shows that kicked off so late, you could've grabbed the tail-end of the insomniac special at any number of eateries throughout the Vegas region.

Getting into the show on Friday was somewhat of a mess and we ended up missing Guilty By Association and Tony Sly of No Use For A Name. Actually, I was waiting for Shawn Stern to come by the guest list table with our passes when after being there for 10 minutes and realizing he had to be in 3 other places at the same time, he says to me "Here you go, I'll be right back" and he left me with the guest list check-in duties. In less than a day, I was somewhat important, which was funny. I have new appreciation for door people who have to deal with bands giving them their guest lists on napkins, matchbooks, toilet paper and whatnot because there was massive confusion, which is all I'll say about that. I got through it and after having enough of the slots, Shonna came by asked me what I was doing behind the table and I said "I don't know really, Shawn just kind of said I'll be right back, watch this for me and left." Shawn returned and we were off to see Teenage Bottlerocket, who were as awesome as I had hoped they'd be.

Here's part of "Modest Proposal" from Youth Brigade (more PRB weekend review coming soon!):

Live Review of The Dollyrots

The Dollyrots with Just Say So, Goodbye For A Day, Dead Aces, White Boy Can't Jump and Epic Purple live Sunday May 16, 2010 at the ITAM in Pittsfield MA

The weather cooperated and it was actually a decent day for the return of The Dollyrots to these fine parts in the middle of nowhere! It had been almost two years since the band appeared in Pittsfield and I'm glad they made it back even with such short notice because a week wouldn't go by that I would here "Andy, when are the Dollyrots coming back?". The band, who are on tour with the Buzzcocks, originally had the day off, but luckily for me, I was able to keep them working while their tour! So, for a while now I don't have to hear that question!

Pittsfield's Epic Purple featuring students from Herberg Middle School kicked things off right around 2pm with strong showing of their musical abilities running through a selection of crowd favorites by Green Day and Evanescence. Epic Purple got a very positive response from the early attendees and their song selection was a crowd pleaser, their one original shows a lot of promise for this young band.

White Boy Can't Jump from the Pioneer Valley quickly took the stage next and their was both fun and bittersweet as it was their final appearance as a band. They ran through all of their best material which musically recall the very early pop-punk days of Green Day and Blink-182. It was a fun ride while it last and White Boy Can't Jump went out on a high note.

The show was progressing right on time and soon the curtains were closed and the attendees were ready or not for locals Goodbye For A Day. The duo of Nick and Garrett have transformed an idea into a literal pop music machine. Part synth, part pop, part party and part light show, Goodbye For A Day put on a fun show utilizing each and every bit of equipment facing the audience. Definitely a fun time judging by all of the dancers on the dance floor.

Dead Aces hail from nearby Troy NY and are now a four-piece with the addition of local youngster Punk Rock Jon formerly of Millions Dead. Their two-guitar assault was the complete opposite of Goodbye For A Day as they brought the pogo to the party. Since first performing in the area in 2009, Dead Aces have come into their own as one of the generally solid working class punk bands in the region, can't wait to hear their new recordings.

It's safe to say that Just Say So are one of my new favorite bands live around and they keep improving with each performance. This performance, their second for me, was one of my favorites. Just Say So play pop-punk as someone as old as I am knows it and appreciates it. It's pop-punk with an edge, two guitars, bass, drums and nothing more. Fans of any of the bands these guys were in before (Minimal Effort, Scattered and Three Fifteen) will really enjoy Just Say So, so don't miss them!

Almost two years had passed since The Dollyrots had played in Pittsfield and to be honest, I'd be asked about them almost on a weekly basis. Finally, I was able to schedule a relatively last minute show with them and it was truly one of the band's favorite on their current tour (which is with the Buzzcocks by the way). Kelly, Chris and Luis ran through quite a selection of songs on this day including their current single "California Beach Boy", "Because I'm Awesome", my personal favorite "New College" from their first album as well as kicking off their set with "Leaving LA", the first song they ever played here in the area back in 2006 at the American Legion in Dalton. For those who are unfamiliar with their music, The Dollyrots play a hybrid of early Ramones' melody along with a 60's pop sensibility and you can throw in some Undertones for good measure. The Dollyrots truly enjoy being here and it showed in their excellent performance, sure they hadn't had a day off as of late, but it didn't matter, they showed up and played like it was their most important show and judging by the fact they probably took a photo with everyone who was there. Hopefully, we won't have to wait so long before they come back again!

www.myspace.com/thedollyrots

www.myspace.com/justsaysorock

www.myspace.com/deadacestroy

www.myspace.com/goodbyeforaday

www.myspace.com/whiteboycannotjump

www.myspace.com/epicpurpleband

You've seen them in Dalton and in Pittsfield twice! You've seen them on the Warped Tour and The Price is Right! Well, now The Dollyrots are returning to the Berkshires for pretty much as a last minute addition (on their day off) to their current US tour (they're opening for the Buzzcocks!)!

THIS IS The Dollyrots' ONLY area appearance!

This show is going to be so much fun, how can you not go? It will start early and end early as it's a school night and if you've REALLY got to watch that baseball game, the ITAM has a TV! No excuses!

Also appearing are the bands who were originally playing at The Room, but the show has been moved to accommodate a larger crowd:

*White Boy Can't Jump (MA) their FINAL show EVER!
(singer once went to Hawaii)

*Goodbye For A Day (MA)
(ex-Reason 837)

*Dead Aces (NY)
(ex-Millions Dead, band works for FedEx!)

*Just Say So (MA) JUST ADDED!
(ex-Minimal Effort, Three Fifteen, Scattered)

*Epic Purple (MA) JUST ADDED!
(helping to kick off Youth Week!)

$8 in advance AVAILABLE on Friday April 30th
(available at Rebel Sound Records and more locations TBA)

$10 at the door

A portion of the proceeds benefit WTBR!

ALL AGES!

This show is presented in part by Rebel Sound Records and WTBR 89.7-Berkshire County's Only Rock Station!

The New Look Inside RSR! & Punk Rock Bowling Update!

The New Look Inside RSR! & Punk Rock Bowling Update!

BYO's annual weekend of punk rock insanity otherwise known as Punk Rock Bowling was quite intense/insane/ridiculous as there were literally over 30 performances squeezed into 3 days. Do the math, that is a bit over-the-top, but hey, it's Vegas and over-the-top is not only expected, but encouraged! Fat Mike of NOFX and the Fat Wreck Chords team finally took the top spot after more than a decade of "almost". Congrats! Our friends at Northeast Records took second and I actually expected them to take first, what with Batman bowling on their team!

So, I'm in Vegas bowling like complete crap and completely bummed for a couple of reasons. Because of this, I shoot 169 in the first game out of the TQR (Tournament Qualifying Round) on Sunday and BYO goes down like a cheap hooker. Shonna's team didn't do too well either and was knocked out of contention without surviving the TQR on Saturday. Timing is everything and the next thing I know, because she's not bowling and we hadn't started yet, she tells me she won some major dough at the slots! Nice! Whole trip pretty much paid for, room comped for the final night, I was happy even though I bowled terribly.

The flight home was good and I come into the store that night to check up on things something smells. It wasn't me. I turn on the lights and I notice things are completely different! The walls are all the same color in the store (no more blue here, white there, some barf green over there) because of the hard work put in by Jess Derby and Jon Plaid! Thanks so much guys, it looks awesome.

The first show in the new RSR featured Low Character, Colossus, Kyklooppien Sukuputto and Someone Just Like You! It was a great way to kick off year 2. Holy crap, we've been here a year!

Thanks, more to come!