“Van Gogh Cart was formed in August of 1999 on the night of a hurricane. Playing in a basement in a Brighton apartment complex, VGC started their trek creating a 3 part harmony vocal sound. The lead singer-Ed Foley- and lead guitarist-Dave Giust- have played in bands together for the last 20+ years. Phil Smith-drums- has been with them for 14 and the “rookie”-Jonnie Fabb on bass/vocals-has been with VGC for 7 years.
Playing in Boston and throughout MA, VGC is an extremely entertaining group the creates energy for the crowd and then builds off the crowds energy.”

This band plays everything. When I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. Their list of songs goes on for days. This is definately a band that can please everyone.

Check them on out on Myspace 

-Lalz

“Love Weapon is built on the basic premise of fun, guitar-driven music….. Take one part alcohol, one part girls, add some friends who like to play music together and you have Love Weapon. We want to do our forefathers justice by carrying on the belief in the lifestyle of the Sunset Strip scene in the 1980’s and all its decadance. Our songs are just byproducts of these experiences, a side effect of the lifestyle.” -myspace bio

Check out Love Weapon at the following venues:
–May 5 at The Paradise. Boston.
Waltham’s Annual Cinco De Drinko Show: Featuring: Waltham, Love Weapon, more bands TBA.

–May 12 at Finn MaCool’s. Westfield, MA.
Under Falling Skies, Love Weapon

x Lalz

“The Cheat! is an indie band from Central Massachusetts. We combine heavy guitars with keyboards and fast, driving drum beats. The thing we take the most pride in is our live performance. Our shows are very high energy, so please come check one out. Over the past few years we have shared the stage with many great bands including: Gatsby’s American Dream (fearless), The Honorary Title (doghouse), Silent Drive (equal vision), The Rocket Summer, Bayside (victory), As Tall as Lions (Tooth and Nail). Thanks so much for checking out our music. We hope to see you at a show soon. <33333THECHEAT” (myspace bio)

Check The Cheat! out on myspace.

-Lalz

It has been noted by a few people that I mostly review, and attend hard core shows, so the other night I did something else. I had the pleasure of sitting in a small hall filled with kids who did not appear to hate their lives. It was a very welcome change from the tough guy scene I managed to find myself in the middle of. I got a chance to talk to Billerica/Burlington based band Five on Two, and while it was hard to get serious answers out of the eight members, it’s obvious that they’re not about being serious. The fact of the matter is, they want to have fun and play music, and “lessen the importance of genre’s and labels.”

The band got their name from a wrestling move, where it’s “your five on his two”—think about it for a minute and you’ll figure it out. While they’re not really interested in labels, they chose their style of music because it’s the “only music you can play with 8 people”. So, what kind of music are they (if you really have to classify them)? “Balls-to-the-Wall Ska Core” was one answer I got. While it was a short first interview for Five on Two and myself, it’s obvious that they’re a bunch of really nice, comical guys.

Their show is full of energy and catchy songs. Each member of the band is interesting to watch, especially when they join in with the kids in the circle pit. They have interesting original songs and clever covers. I will admit I was a little disappointed that they didn’t play their cover of “Semi Charmed Kind of Life” by Third Eye Blind. Over all though, they played an excellent set, and if you’re looking for something a little more two-toned in your life, you should definitely check out Five on Two.

-Lalz

If the scenester air of Paper just isn’t your style, but you’re still looking for a night of dancing check out 6one7 Productions. They have events to entertain you three days a week.

Check out Evolution Tuesdays; this is an event that has been taking place for the last five years, and there is no sign of it slowing down. “This night is filled with some of the most beautiful people in the city and is frequented by numerous celebrities, professional athletes and the industry’s elite. This night is wild and crazy, but in the same breathe classy and tasteful, with sounds orchestrated by 6one7’s illustrious roster of DJ’s spinning Hip-Hop, R B, Disco and Funk, with a hint of 70’s, 80’s and 90’s classics” (myspace FAQ blog).

You can also check them out on Thursday nights at the Underbar and Friday nights at Matrix.

For more information about 6ONE7 Productions, visit them on Myspace

-Lalz

Located: Abington, MA
Genre: Post-Hard Core, Rock,
Label: RockVegas Records

“A Loss For Words is breathing some much needed fresh air into the emo punk scene.. Fresh off their first tour up and down the east coast, they are constantly winning over new fans with their intense live performance and Mikey Fresh’s good looks. They are always on the go, playing countless shows to support the release of their debut E.P “These Past 5 Years”, out off of RockVegas Records. In under two months they have sold a thousand copies. They hang somewhere in between Hot Water Music and Rufio, with their infectious hooks and awesome melodies. These seven new anthems from this Boston based band will earn them legions of new fans in no time… You can’t stop the rock. Now you should all go buy AL4W’s debut E.P. “These Past Five Years” out on Rockvegas Records!!” (Myspace Bio)

*Upcoming Shows:
February, 17 at Knights of Columbus, 91 South Street, Kingston, MA 02364. Cost: $8.00
Adams Shore CD Relase 10:00 / A Loss For Words 9:15 / Adams Shore 8:30 / Feels Like July 7:45 / The Morning After (CT) 7:00 / The Midway Class 6:15 / TBA

February, 18 at Club Dinero. 4 spring street, Taunton, MA 02780 Cost: 10
Junction 18, Lost City Angels, A Loss For Words, the CHEAT!, FLJ, Adams Shore… more

February, 19 at middle east. 472 mass ave., cambridge, MA 02138. Cost: 8
A Hero Next Door, Searching for Silence, A Loss For Words, THE GLOW!

February, 25 at seekonk legion. seekonk, MA 02771. Cost: 8
For Does me Quite, A Loss For Words, LISTEN UP!, 40 Second Love Story, Vandelay

For more info and to listen to A Loss For Words, check them out on Myspace or go to their website.

-Lalz

“Western Mass Hardcore is on the map and gaining ground with no sign of stopping. Check here for news and shows. Keep supporting WMHC bands, go to thier shows, buy their merch. Send any shows you would like to be posted as long as they are in western mass and are hardcore/punk related.” (Myspace bio)

*Bands You Might Know: Shoot to Kill, 1984, The Acacia Strain, Death Threat, and Give ‘Em Hell!

*Upcoming Shows:

February 12 at Cabot st. Chicopee, MA 01013. Cost: $10
Bury Your Dead, Mercury Switch, Chuck Brunswick, Killing Floor, Dead By Dawn, Funeral In Fame,

February 13 at RAW - WM In CM! (next to the palladium) Worcester, MA 01601. Cost: 10$. 7 pm
The Acacia Strain, Scurvy, The Chase Is On, Our Darkest Day, Within The Ruins

February, 18 at Roller Kingdom - WM In CM! 5 Highland Park Ave., Hudson, MA 01749. Cost: 6
SHOOT TO KILL, PERILS OF REASONING, KNUCKLE PUCK REUNION, HARDER THE FIGHT, THE MESSAGE, MELTDOWN, DEFIANT HEARTS

February, 19 at Cabot st, Chicopee, MA 01013. Cost: 10
Death Threat, Once Beloved (CD Release Party), Torn Asunder, The Miles Between, Kobalt, Hypersolid, (more bands TBA)

February, 23 at Cabot st. Chicopee , MA. Cost: 10
August Burns Red, Demericous, Ligeia, Mercy Upon Us, Our Darkest Days, Sever The Skies,
The Breathing Process.

February, 24 at Flywheel. Easthampton, MA 01027. Cost: 5.00.
DEATHAMPHETAMINE, BACKSTABBER’S INC., WASTELAND , BLACK SHIPS , HELPING HAND , TREE TUNNEL, VEGAN POTLUCK

February, 25 at The Moose Lodge, Westfield, MA 01085
CDC, Hands In, Love Among The Ruins, More TBA!

For more details check out their Myspace.

-Lalz

“With catchy acoustic pop melodies accompanied by infectious lyrics sung with distinct style, occasional hardcore gang vocals, and precision drumming, you have the unique sound that is Morris. Incorporating the best aspects of punk, emo, pop, and hardcore, Morris creates a sound that is depressing and hopeful and fun.” (myspace bio)

Check them out on Myspace and Purevolume, or check them out live:

Wed. Feb 22nd A PUNK ROCK PROM SPECIAL ALL AGES RALPHS SHOW!!! w/Kind Of Like Spitting, The Felix Culpa, Retrosleeper(members of orange island) and Astrea $7, doors at 8pm SHARP (Worcester)

March, 24 2006 at Club Deniro Taunton, MA 02780
Cost: 7. Foredoes Me Quite, Acadia and more TBA

April, 1 2006 at The Atrium Worcester, MA 01601
Cost: 5.00. w/ cavour, vanna, dead after october and more tba

-Lalz

“We are larry, tiny, collin and luke and we are the band faraway from Boston MA, this is our bio. We are between the ages of 19 and 23 and we fuckin rock. We have recently toured the entire United States and have done a bunch of east coast tours as well. We work wicked hard at what we do, which is melting faces and driving in our van. Here are some fun facts about us: luke really likes bjork and working with kids a lot, collin grew a radical beard in the last few months, larry hates cigarettes and bees and tiny got kicked out of the national honors society in high school for telling a teacher to cup his balls.

March 20th we are going into the studio for 3 weeks to work with Mike Poorman and Matt Squire to record an EP.” (purevolume profile)

If you’re into pop punk/pop rock you should definitely check out Faraway. Visit them on myspace or go to their show with The Northwood on February 3, in North Attleborough.

-Lalz

“Hailing from the greater New England area and brilliant states Connecticut and Massachusetts. Picking a central location was tough as to where three members are from Thompson, Ct and one is from Princeton, Ma. But for the sake of centralizing a point we will say Thompson,CT. But their collective hearts are kept at the Kelley house as to where that is where most of the noise, eating, and movie watching is done. Thank you to all the Kelley household as to incredible willingness to sacrifice the compromise of calm silence.

Comprised of pessimists and optimists Francine… began with long time high school friends Joshua and Kayoum writing in guitar class in January of 2004 after the demise of old band The Hometeam. Going through the breakup of the band brought out an eclectic sound as to where Kayoum who had not previously played guitar in The Hometeam picked up the instrument as well as putting forth vocals for the band. After getting a few pieces together and showing promise and drive the tracks were brought to Robert Kelley also a former member of The Hometeam. Laying down percussion on the tracks brought the music to life and it was time to find bass to finish out the sound. Rounding out the low end for the band was original bassist Matthew Collari who you may catch around Marlboro doing carpentry and metal. After recording at audio excellence with Anthony Brodeur and Brian Silva Francine… continued to write and work on their intoxicating live show. Which you must catch to fully “get” where the music comes from. After the release of their debut ep work was focused upon more writing and playing the live circuit. In preparation for a hopefully big 2005.

But due to time constraints Matthew and Francine… parted ways on loving terms. Starting off the winter by filling the shoes of former bassist Matthew was picked up by Eric Lee Strout brother of Joshua and Kayoum [not by blood for Kayoum, just by convenience for the two]. Eric joined the band in the beginning of winter and has picked up fast as all our proud internally and excited to complete the new lineup.

The band looks forward to the next year being well to them and looks for some steps in direction of first tours and full length albums come summer time. So wish them well as they do you. Francine… looks to the future with optimism and pessimism and hopefully some of you can come for the ride on the way there.

P.S. Remember Francine… loves you more than your parents.” (-myspace bio)

Check out their music on myspace

-Lalz