Musicians...

In one of my previous blogs, I wrote about my favorite local bands. The reason I love local bands so much is that they have so much more passion and creativity when it comes to music. They also tend to have less drama because they are not in it for the money, but for the art itself.

I was just informed that one of my favorite local bands, Stay, is basically falling apart. They started to become more mainstream and someone sold them out (one of their friends from another band). That caused a lot of inner band drama, causing the drummer to leave. It literally broke my heart. I know these guys personally and they all used to be so into the music. Once they signed with a Japanese record label, things just went downhill. That happens with a lot of local bands in Boston- they sign with a Japanese record label and then problems happen. It is almost like a curse.

I feel so bad for the drummer. This band started when he was in high school (only a couple years ago). It was a little bit of a reminder to me that nothing is forever and we do not always know what is going on behind the scenes. People look at musicians like they're invincible, but they are people too.

Here's the last music video from this band. This was the band before all of the new people came in, when they swore they would never sign to a label.

What's Good in Local Music?

So, just a bit of information about me: I am a concert planner and promoter. I started my own series of concerts in order to raise money for a cure for a nerve condition that I have that limits my mobility and occasionally puts me in a wheelchair. I'm on my forth year of doing these concerts, so I tend to know local music pretty well. I look through a bunch of different websites such as Purevolume, Facebook, and occasionally I even go back to Myspace. (If you think you have/know a band you think would be fitting for my concert email me!) I decided that some of these bands really deserve some great recognition; what better than to write about them here! (Here's my top favorites!)


The John Chebator Group

As he is generally called JohnnyC or "Fingaz" by his band mates, John Chebator is the front man of this band. Backed by a bass player and a drummer, his EP has just been released and the music world better be ready. Chebator shreds up the guitar like you have never heard before, I guarantee it! All members of this band have been playing together in local cover bands for multiple years, so the connection is there and the musicality is incredible. Be sure to check out The John Chebator Group's website and order the CD!
Life on Hold

Talk about power! Life on Hold is an absolutely INCREDIBLE group, both live and recorded. For all of you looking for a band with a powerhouse female singer, this is your band. Ally Mahoney shocks you with her incredible voice- you'd never expect that voice out of that tiny girl! She's that girl you don't want to mess with. You can feel every bit of emotion from all of the band members in each of the songs. Yes, they all sing, even the ones that play instruments. Now that's something that's hard to come by today! If you want to just get a taste of this band, check out their song (Honey) I Blame You. It is an absolutely crazy song and made me fall in love with this band. Plus, it helps that all of them are complete sweethearts! Check them out on Facebook!

Stay

Stay is definitely a band that you have to see if you're ever in the Boston area (or if they're ever on tour). Over the years, this band went from a four piece group to the six piece masterpiece that they have become. Lead singer Anthony Rainville goes from sweetheart to heartbreaker with the powerful lyrics and incredible musical support. I'm still a sucker for their original music, so check out Maddie Kthx from their Games with Girls album (available on iTunes). Also check out their newest CD American Cherry Bomb, also on iTunes. Go ahead and look at their band page on Facebook, they love local support. By the way, never be afraid to ask the drummer for a drum solo!