Can one have multiple “It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” parts of a year? Like, we dig the hell out of October. Because Spooky Szn. And November. Because it’s our (Read: RNRF) birthday month. So, Fall in general. But this sweet spot in in April when the Rock & Roll Rumble returns and Salem Horror Fest is right around the corner is quickly becoming our JAM!
[Read more…]Zeph Courtney: A Rock And Roll Fables Conversation
It’s been a banner week and a half or so for us in terms of some of our all time favorites seemingly coming out of the woodwork with unexpected new material. The most surprising of those has to be Boston’s Stompbox who is just about ready to not only re-release their debut Travis for the first time ever digitally (With loads of bonus music) but also drop their first batch of new material since 1994’s Stress. That’s right, kids, 30 years. Being one of our bucket list Boston bands since we never got a chance to see them back in the day (We’ve since ticked that, ahem, box when they played the Boston Rocks For Julie Duffy shows in 2021), we jumped on the chance to review the new EP called Final Summer a little early and thanks to drummer Zeph Courtney that became a reality (You can read what we thought of that here). While we had Courtney on the line we thought it’d be silly not to catch up on all things Stompbox and, luckily for us and you, he obliged:
[Read more…]Local Look ’24: The RNRF Guide To Some Of What’s Incoming From Some Of Your Favorite New England Artists
This past year we decided to do things a little differently as we approached our year end round up as we felt that a lot of local talent gets overshadowed when we do our annual year ender so instead of doing just one MASSIVE list to include everything that we thought was rad we divided the list in two so that both National and Local acts got time to bask in the glow of their 2023 achievements. With that over, and working out pretty well, we felt the need to do the same when it came to our new year preview so prepare yourselves for the inevitable informing that’s to come in this New England-based look at some of what you can expect from your local faves.
[Read more…]Dethklok Return To Boston And Decimate MGM Music Hall at Fenway With Their Brand Of Animated Metal, No Casualties
Having just finished a rewatch of the entirety of Metalocalypse, including The Doomstar Requiem AND the recently released Army Of The Doomstar movie (Available now by heading here), we’d say our excitement for the live return of Dethklok was pretty high. Lucky for us, we timed our binge just right as the BabyKlok (BABYMETAL + Dethklok, get it?) tour was slated to hit town soon after and, despite the fact that this was our 4th show in a week (And 3rd in the Fenway area), nothing was going to quell that insatiable hunger for Nathan Explosion and company “in person” for the first time in over ten years!
[Read more…]RNRF X Rock & Roll Rumble 2023: Week 1, Night 1
We’re doing it because we are HYPED that the Rock And Roll Rumble is finally back. We’re also hyped that more than a handful of artists that are part of this year’s class have graced our pages in some way, shape, or form! Regardless of the reasons: HYPED! Boston Emissions’ own Anngelle Wood has once again masterfully curated a class of 24 talented artists from the Bay State and surrounding areas who will face off 4 at a time across 6 nights at the Middle East Upstairs beginning on April 6th before moving next door to Sonia for 2 Semi-Final rounds and eventually culminating there on May 6th where a final 3 will duke it out sonically to determine the 2023 champ. Whoo! Are you HYPED???
[Read more…]Singles! dropbear, “Bystander”
Tapping into the Alt-Rawk fuzz of the ’90’s, Boston’s dropbear exude an enchanting kind of aura on debut single, “Bystander”, which is similarly endearing to fans of that era of music while also standing tall as an enduring track all its’ own serving as the perfect introduction to the quintet ahead of their first EP arriving in July.
[Read more…]Singles! Eldridge Rodriguez “Have I Gone Too Far/All My Favorite Clowns Are Dead”
Already popping up as one of our most anticipated releases of this here new year, Boston/NYC quartet Eldridge Rodriguez is making a splash early in 2022 with the release of a pair of new songs that bridge the gap between 2020’s brilliant Slightest Of Treason album and what’s to come later this year on that aforementioned next full-length.
[Read more…]Constants Return With Remixes, Remasters, Covers, And A New Tune On Devotion
B-sides and remix collections can be a mixed bag. On the one hand you get records that stand on their own as a completed piece of collected music (Killers’ Sawdust comes to mind) while with others it seems like your favorite band is half assing it to fulfill some contract or bide time in between records.
[Read more…]Jokes! Rob Crean, Sadly Sackerton
Jokes! is back and for our belated latest column we’re focusing on some local laughs from Rob Crean and his new album, Sadly Sackerton. A staple of the Boston comedy scene for years, Crean could usually be found hosting The Gas over at Great Scott back in the day when people could venture outside and take in a live performance. However, we live in an age where you don’t always need to go out to find a hearty laugh and thanks to modern technology, you can enjoy Crean’s comedy stylings from the comfort AND SAFETY of your own home (Read: stay home).
[Read more…]Singles! Stormstress, “Paint The Mask”
Ahead of their live debut on February 28th at ONCE Ballroom in Somerville, Boston’s Stormstress has unveiled their debut single that’s sure to appease fans of their former outfit Flight of Fire as well as Rawk fans hungry for some fresh, original material with some kick.
[Read more…]