Some New Boston Bands I've Gone Ahead and Liked

By JoeB
updated 3 months ago

There are lots of bands in Boston. Some of them are good. Many are not. Here are just a few bands that I think fall in the former category. This is by no means an exhaustive list, just the ones that came to mind first and/or the ones I find easiest to write about.

The Serious Geniuses

The SG’s are definitely a Boston band on the rise, with the impending release of their debut LP and hype from all corners of the pop-punk planet (the east coast, mostly). Inspired by Superchunk, The Archers of Loaf and other 90’s favorites, this band (besides being great guys) has also found the most direct stylistic route to my heart possible.

Major Stars

I see people describing Major Stars as “blooze” all the time, but I hate that word so much. They’re bluesy, though, and they drink a lot. They’re also noisy and have three guitarists and a soulful female singer. They’re also one of Boston’s biggest musical exports, touring Europe and releasing records on big labels and stuff. Good for them!

Pretty & Nice

Recent signees to new Sub Pop imprint Hardly Art records, Pretty & Nice seem primed to become one of Boston’s primary musical exports. Their Hardly Art debut is in the can and ready to be released, and a full US tour is expected to follow. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d read about these guys already, but if not you should probably look forward to it.

Hallelujah the Hills

The sort of music that HtH plays is very hit and miss for me. It’s a fine, fine line between “rousing, interesting acoustic rock with fun instruments and good lyrics” and “a bunch of dorks singing about the grades they got in college.” HtH, fortunately, fall squarely within the former category.

Aerosmith

Just kidding. Aerosmith are a New Hampshire band.

My Venue Guide

If you’re from Boston but not sure where to check out any of these bands, please to consult this guide to Boston venues I wrote recently.

The Needy Visions

Needy Visions are more or less brand new, but a group of extremely strong pop songs and great connections have worked out pretty well for them so far. They recently released some brand new acoustic recordings that sound great, and with the amount of songs they have written, a long record can’t be far away.

Magic People

Magic People have a bunch of records out, and their paranoid, electronic sound with verbose spoken word vocals is probably the second most direct path to my heart after that taken by the Serious Geniuses. This band isn’t for everyone, I guess, but that’s certainly part of the point. Also, it’s probably a cliché thing to point out at this point, but “Magic People” is such a good band name.

Ketman

Mixing a love of grunge and 80’s punk with musical skill taken to an extreme, Ketman are a band that sounds like almost nobody else I can think of. Another band with a recent record release, it seems like only a matter of time before they attract major attention from outside of the city.

Life Partners

Life Partners are part of a small stable of bands I routinely refer to as “my favorite band in Boston.” The guitarist used to have a clear flying V until he smashed it during a show. They sound like a crazy person doing karaoke to Queen and Journey at the same time. When he had long hair, Dave looked a hell of a lot like me.

Ramming Speed

Ramming Speed are pretty much thrash with a capital “T.” Another band who knows exactly what they are. Long hair, drinking, fast music and some of the friendliest guys I’ve ever met in my entire life. Currently on a huge US tour. Check them out.

Reports

Another band I refer to as “my favorite band in Boston” whenever anyone asks me about them. Indie rock for people who are bored with indie rock. Their excellent record, “Mosquito Nets,” is available for free download at the Inman Street Records website.

Secret Hideouts

The Secret Hideouts are a local pop-punk band who are all either still in highschool or have graduated within the past few months. They are what they are and they know what they are. I still love them. At the very least, they’re a hell of a lot cooler than anything I was doing at their age (programming computers and whining).