If It's Too Loud...

I miss radio. I originally wanted to work in radio, but got sidetracked by a film major. Being able to choose exactly what song or album you want to hear at all times is great, but I miss the random selection of radio, and I really miss having music curated by a person and not an algorithm. Luckily, BumbleBee Radio exists. Hosted by Kristen Eck, it's a throwback to our favorite Boston radio stations, and if you like what we do here at If It's Too Loud..., there's an awful lot of crossover. BumbleBee Radio held their five year anniversary party Friday night at Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theater, and since it was also The Peppermint Kicks' album release show, I couldn't resist. First up was Smitt E. Smitty & The Fezztones. The Boston based collective is led by the legendary Smitt E. Smitty. Their blend of garage rock is completely unique to them. It's glammed up and insanely fun, with a giant band to produce their sound. Their songs have a great sense of h...

We haven't heard from The Peppermint Kicks since 2021, but  the project featuring Sal Baglio (The Amplifier Heads, The Stompers) and Dan Kopko (The Shang Hi Los, Watts) is finally back with new music. Their latest single, "Radio Wam Bam Boom," is a pop-filled garage rock ode to the radio. For those of us that grew up with the radio being an ever present part of our lives, it's easy to get swept up in the nostalgia of the platform that barely exists for us any more. This is a fun little rock and roll song that is as catchy as it could possibly be, and it's going to make you long for the days when you listened to more radio stations than you could fit on your car stereo's presets. It's kind of fitting that such a nostalgic song is wrapped up in such a nostalgic sound. If you love the Boston garage rock and power pop scenes as much as we do, this one is for you. Sal Baglio says of his band's latest single: “‘Radio Wam Bam Boom’ is a big loud bite. It’s an...