If It's Too Loud...

Doing Anything this Weekend? is a feature here at If It's Too Loud... where we feature some live shows in and on the far outskirts of the Boston area. Our main rules are that they have to be reasonably priced shows that you can attend last minute. They'll feature If It's Too Loud... approved bands, and we'll provide event links when possible. And since we're in outdoor music season, these events are weather permitting. If you're looking for last minute plans this weekend, we recommend: Friday August 2 The Downhauls, Duck & Cover, CE Skidmore, and Gossip Collar at Deep Cuts, Medford, MA Emperor Norton's Stationary Marching Band at Aeronaut Brewing Company, Allston, MA Michael Kane & The Morning Afters, Cheap Cassettes, and Highwater Haulers at Hotel Vernon, Worcester, MA Sun June and allie at The Word Barn, Exeter, NH Saturday August 3 Mario Fest featuring Black Helicopter, Blood Lightning, Blood, Guts, & Beer, Darryl Shepard's Blackwolfgoat, ...

At its very best, music can foster friendships and a true community. That was the case Tuesday night, for a quadruple bill of three Worcester musicians (Matt Charette, Michael Kane, and Christian Marrone) playing with Columbus, OH's Micah Schnabel. All four musicians have played together before and are all friends, and it was no secret that it was a show put together at Hotel Vernon to give Schnabel a place to play and make some cash on his way through. Virtually everyone in attendance knew at least one of the musician playing, and the community was truly showcased. Each of the local musicians played shorter sets to give more time to Micah Schnabel. Matt Charette played five songs, mostly from his excellent new album Lo-Fi High Hopes. I've been trying to get out to see him for months now, and he did not disappoint. He has a certain working class punk rock infused take on folk rock with a heavy emphasis on rock that came through perfectly even playing solo acoustic. His songs ar...