PLAYGROUND BOSTON

We’ve got an incredible weekend of some of the most aggressive music Boston has to offer coming up on Saturday and Sunday at Great Scott. Some of the biggest names in the local punk rock scene are coming together to benefit the family of Ron Holbrook, ex-drummer for the Welch Boys who passed away in August of 2007.  This has been an annual event of solidarity and compassion in local rock, with bands coming together to donate the entirety of their proceeds to Holbrook’s wife and two daughters for 3 years now.

This year’s lineup is flat-out incomparable. The Welch Boys are a rare treat in Boston – they don’t play very often but when they do you can expect a packed house full of drunken revelry, singalong choruses, and general madness. They’ll be headlining BOTH nights of this event. PGB Favorites Burning Streets, Beantown Boozehounds, and Dead Friends (all past PGB TOTW honorees) are also on Saturday’s bill, and The Snipes and Drago, two nasty bands in their own right, round out the lineup.

Sunday features local legends The Blue Bloods taking the stage for the first time in 2 years, gearing up to rock the faces off all those kids who forgot what Boston punk rock is all about. Sunday’s show will also be the record release for Refuse Resist’s latest effort “Socialized” – they’ll be donating 50% of the proceeds from album sales to Holbrook’s family in addition to their door money. Ashers will also be on this bill – a high-energy outfit featuring members of The Unseen and Bad Ash. The Murder and Full Powered Halo will also be rocking for the cause on Sunday night. These will be two great shows for a great cause – trying to make the best of a tragic situation however we can. Nothing says “Happy Valentine’s Day” like in-your-face punk rock and down-your-throat cheap beer, see you down there!

This Monday, October 19th, an unbelievable lineup of hip hop and hardcore heroes are coming together to stage a benefit concert to help defray the medical expenses of Suzanne Hendricks Guerra, a beloved friend currently facing adversity in the face of serious illness. Black and Blue Productions (founded by Freddy Madball and Cousin Joe), in collaboration with Big Chris and KO, have assembled some incredible acts from New York and Philly in addition to Boston for this cause, and will also be raffling off some great prizes as well! Check out the bill:

Freddy Madball & DJ Stress (frontman of NYHC legends Madball)

Slaine (La Coka Nostra)

7L & Esoteric

Reef the Lost Cauze

Outerspace (Army of the Pharoahs)

Jaysaun (Special Teamz)

… not to mention a few special guests!

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