PLAYGROUND BOSTON

Let it never be said that JustBill doesn’t throw a hell of a party. The local master photographer is celebrating his 12th year in the Boston rock scene – 12 years of tirelessly supporting local music, spreading the word about great new acts, taking incredible pictures, throwing huge afterparties and basement shows, and generally being an all-around great guy. This year he’s assembled an incredible lineup to rock TTs Friday night, jam-packed with PGB Favorites.

Chris Mascara gets the night started with with his cast of Boston rock all-stars (Bo Barringer of MEandJOANCOLLINS and Matt Graber of Sarah Rabdau & The Self-Employed Assassins). The otherworldly rock stylings of Planetoid follow them up at 10, with a sound caught somewhere between Led Zeppelin and Queens of the Stone Age… IN SPAAAAACE! Fresh of a St. Paddy’s day appearance on WMFO’s popular On The Town show, I Pistol will be rocking out third on the bill, this time bringing in Daanen Krouth of The Luxury to rip it up on lead guitar. Forgetful Jones will be closing out this show, the reggae-infused funk rockers will get you jumping and amped up to party all night long. This is a solid bill front to back, each band hand-picked by JustBill himself for your maximum rocking pleasure. Don’t miss this show!

9pm: Mascara

10pm: Planetoid

11pm: I, Pistol

12am: Forgetful Jones

Friday, January 29th @ Middle East Upstairs

Mascara might be the closest thing Boston has to a local rock Supergroup (You know, now that the Holidad All-Stars are no more) Chris Mascara is the lead-singer avatar for the Rock Band games, and is doing work with Blue Man Group this year. He’s recruited two of the best and most recognizable musicians in town to help out on his original material, Bo Barringer of MEandJOANCOLLINS, and Matt Traber, one of Sarah Rabdau’s Self-Employed Assassins. Should be a great show, it’ll be the CD Release for the new album Fountain of Tears, as well as a tour kickoff. Also playing are Ho-Ag, Super 400, and Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling.

Friday, January 29th @ TT’s

This Friday marks the kickoff of the “Blackbutton Presents” series, an attempt to better bring the local music scene together (We’re always fans of that here at PGB!). The boys of Blackbutton have put together a lineup full of some of their favorite bands in town, and will be offering compilation CDs as giveaways to the first 50 people through the door. These guys put out a LOT of sound for just a 2-man outfit – this past summer we dubbed them the loudest band at the P-Town Festival, up against some stiff competition. Their style is a new twist on the grunge rock you grew up listening to – check them out! Also featured on this bill are Dead Cats Dead Rats, A Wish For Fire, and Left Hand Does.

Saturday, January 30th @ Middle East Upstairs

TAB the Band’s received plenty of coverage on PGB – definitely an act worth catching. Their straightforward, irreverant approach to rock and roll is refreshing in a sea of so many acts taking themselves too seriously. This will be the CD Release party for their newest infectiously catchy offering, Zoo Noises. Make sure to show up in time to catch Trucker Mouth too, these guys have a great bluesy southern style that makes you want to stomp your feet and get down ‘n dirty. They’ll be joined by local rock rising stars Gold Star Morning, and NYC’s Edison.

Saturday, January 30th @ Precinct

Saturday Night at Precinct is chock full of some seriously impressive local talent, a perfect environment for singer/songwriters to show off their chops. Alice Austin is one to watch in the local scene – she’s poised for a trip to SXSW later this month, and its only a matter of time before you won’t be able to catch her in a cozy dark room like Precinct. She’s bluesy, she’s gritty, she’s got a powerful sultry voice that serves as a great accent to her twangy guitar riffs. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I distinctly remember thinking last time I saw her act that there was something undeniably Mike Ness-ish about her – and I certainly don’t say that about just anyone. See for yourself on Saturday, where she’ll be joined by Myra Flynn, Mary Casiello, Jesse McCullagh, and Stereo Soul Future.