Boston's King of Boogie-Woogie With his long hair and white beard, Preacher Jack may look like a wild-eyed holy man descended from a lonely mountaintop. He's actually a living piece of boogie-woogie/rockabilly history who grew up and resides on the North Shore. Pounding the keys for fifty years, he may not keep a weekly residence at Frank's Steak House anymore, but Preacher Jack comes down to Cambridge & Boston every couple weeks to spread......

Manchildren Founder of K Records and former member of Beat Happening, Calvin Johnson mastered precious naivete decades before it became the default indie mode. His off-kilter baritone is what sold it, and he's bringing his voice and an acoustic guitar to Cambridge tonight. Teenbeat Records founder Mark Robinson also performs as Cotton Candy. Lily Pad, 1353 Cambridge St., Inman Square, 7:00pm, $10. Men With Children Gibby Haynes of the Butthole Surfers is returning to......

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee is gaining appeal among Republicans thanks to his hard-right views, his ability to lose weight, and Chuck Norris. Obviously, this has former Massachusetts governor and presidential aspirant Mitt Romney thoroughly freaked out because Romney has spent boodles of money and has less to show for it. All Huckabee had to do was lose weight and gain an action star. Hence, Romney has unleashed an attack ad. However, we think Romney......

Here’s a novel idea: if a music scene wants to prove its relevancy through an award show, why doesn’t that scene put in some effort? Boston’s ties to regional, up-and-coming, and national talent were on clear display Saturday evening at the Orpheum Theatre, as the 2007 Boston Music Awards honored many a bold-faced musical name. Metal poster boys Killswitch Engage took home Act of the Year accolades, while critical darlings Lori McKenna and Martin Sexton......

Tourfilter DJ Night River Gods (125 River St., Central Square) Thursday, November 29, 9 p.m. -1 a.m. Free! If you're not already a member, you should definitely join Tourfilter.com. It's a music fan's dream: a comprehensive site that lets you track your favorite bands and get e-mail updates when they're coming to town--or, in the case of local bands, playing near you. The site's also a great way to get to know new bands, since......

The Red Sox have been linked time and time again to reality television this season. There was "Sox Appeal," of course, but there were also calls for the jigging Jonathan Papelbon to Riverdance his way onto "Dancing With the Stars" and the segue FOX used last week to link the Boston bullpen band (the Black Pearl) to what looks like a God-awful new series, "The Next Great American Band." Sox bloggers, however, just might be......

Tunng With Geoff Farina (Karate, Secret Stars) and Brown Bird Middle East Upstairs Thursday, October 25 $10 advance / $12 doors // 18+ Yes, you do, and the band sounds as smooth as a tongue, rippled with tastebuds for (super)sonic texture. Though the name might suggest a Norwegian origin, Tunng actually started in a Soho (that's London, not New York) basement, with electronic guru Mike Lindsay and singer-songwriter Sam Genders simply playing around in......

You had to be made of stone, or the world's most jaded individual, to watch yesterday's Celtics press conference and not believe that things are going to change 'round here in a hurry. New Celtic Kevin Garnett, along with veteran Paul Pierce and fairly new Celtic Ray Allen, told the media and the world that he's happy to be here, he's thrilled to be with two veterans and All-Stars, and he's a Red Sox fan......

This should be fun. The best team in the American League against the best team in the National League. Two of the greatest pitching matchups we'll see all season. A glimpse of old friend David Wells. It's not that crazy to say the Red Sox and Padres will be eyeing each other with visions of an October rematch dancing in their heads. Daisuke Matsuzaka goes tonight in the first game. So this will be his......

On the brink of the Summer music scene, two weeks from EarthFest 2007 music doesn’t stop in Boston. Good shows are still to be had on the cheap before the summer festival season is truly upon us. Take a gander at this week's picks and keep on rocking. Wednesday 5/16 The Blow With the release of their latest record, Paper Television, Portland, Oregon's The Blow have finally hit their mark. Earlier recordings were scattered......

The nicer the weather gets, the busier we get across the Ist-A-Verse. But we like being busy. Here's a peek at what we've been up to since last week! Chicagoist had an interview with Audrey Niffenegger, whose popular book, The Time Traveler's Wife, was based in their fine city. They also had a heated discussion about Rush Limbaugh's controversial Barack Obama parody, talked about whether Uncle Julio's Hacienda is a good place to get......

The April rain is seemingly behind us, the flowers are springing, but we're not yet upon summer festival season. Soon enough we won't be able to go a weekend without a sleepless night with ringing in our ears as we spent too many hours in the heat a little too close to a bank of speakers broadcasting to the masses. Well, that or a sweet show at Harbor Lights The Pavilion. Tuesday, 5/8 Grant-Lee......

No one was madder about the Red Sox's rocky start than the game's starting pitcher, Curt Schilling. Curt's loooong wrapup of the game was glum beyond belief. Before launching into his recap, he said, "Not sure where to even start." He also said, "I knew my [fastball] command was crap." His post generated 263 responses, many of which defended Schilling against Dan Shaughnessy. Well, Shonda Schilling had the opportunity to defend her husband against Shaughnessy......

April Fool's Day is on the Horizon, but we ain't foolin this week. A solid line up of shows – starting with the Tourfilter DJ Night at River Gods – is ahead. It's mid-week heavy this time around so kick it like a rock star and be thankful you can sleep in on Saturday. Monday, 3/26 TourFilter Mixtape Tourfilter founder Chris Marstall will be at River Gods in Cambridge equipped with an evening full......

This week the music world turns its gaze to the party they call SXSW. A number of local bands are hitting the scene in hopes that it will propel them to some worldwide tour – or at least help them get out of that "garden level" apartment in Medford. While some eyes turn south to Texas where an immigration debate runs wild the US immigration policy has taken a toll on the local concert......

Yeah, yeah, so Cheers bar is one of this city's corniest attractions, but our heart felt all warm when we found that John Ratzenberger, aka Cliff Claven the Mailman, is joining the cast of "Dancing With the Stars." Cliff is replacing Vincent Pastore, whose girth prevented him from, well, being light on his feet. The dancing turned out to be too strenuous for him. Thus, Ratzenberger will enter with a perfect reality-show storyline - he......

Yeah. We know the New York Islanders don't use their angry-fisherman logo anymore. But we love it, and can't help ourselves. The Bruins last night held tough with the Gorton's Gang, but the Isles racked up three quick goals in the third period and sent the B's packing 4-1. They'll play the Sabres, seemingly for the 43rd time this season, tomorrow night. The Celtics, finally able to breathe again, turn their eyes to Gerald Green......

Mr. Boston of I Love New York proudly refers to himself as a stud, but MIT alum Matthew Herman of Beauty and the Geek was called upon to transform himself from a "Geek" into a "Stud." The Ashton Kutcher-produced Beauty and the Geek is a competition in which several teams of "beauties" and "geeks" try to teach life lessons and social skills to each other. Whichever team trades the most knowledge wins. Bostonist waited to......

In case you haven't heard the next week promises to show us the winter we've been missing out – only minus the snow. Cold temperatures (below freezing every day!) will be the rule according to the current outlook. Perfect time to head out to your favorite music venue. There's no better way we can think of to stay warm. This week you'll find the old, the new, the nerd, and some classical among the......

If you watched the local news, you might have heard Neil Young's "Powderfinger" coming from Peter Gammons, Theo Epstein, and a host of local musicians for the Hot Stove, Cool Music benefit concert at the Paradise. The sight of Peter and the Hot Stove All Stars rocking the "Powderfinger" tickles Bostonist's fancy, and all media outlets, the Globe in particular, praised the overall musicianship of the event. However, VickieVictoria, who took this and other......

Coming into a Monday after a long weekend feels so wrong. Friday's off are usually arranged through vacation time or, cough, a sick day. Last week the veterans made us do it. But it's back to work and it's raining buckets with no sun in sight for the first part of the week. Luckily we've got some great music to keep us going this week. From enduring jazz superstars to indie rockers you might......

Why are Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling and his wife, Shonda, going on a publicity rampage? On Monday, Shonda Schilling did a cameo as an "ordinary citizen" when she asked a question during the gubernatorial candidate debate. The Globe referred to her as a "golden-haired society-page star." Turns out that Mrs. Schilling really was playing a part since, according to the Phoenix, she's not even registered to vote in the state of Massachusetts. Shonda wasn't......

We've hit you with the chance to win a pair of tickets to Editors before but this week we're sweetening the deal. Not only will the winner receive a pair of tickets to the July 30 show at the Paradise but we're throwing in a pair of Converse All Stars (thanks to our friends at Cornerstone Promotion). Take the jump and enter in your information for your chance to walk away in some Chucks and......

We can’t think much about all the fun outdoor concerts that are in store for the rest of the summer with all the rain we’ve been getting. Hours and hours of inches and inches of rain make us in the mood for some grilled cheese and tomato soup. When we’re done with the homey, comfy meal, we’re off to catch some music – the only other thing besides a good dose of cheese that......

When we first heard about Johnny Cupcakes, Bostonist was thrilled to hear about a new shop devoted solely to the art of the cupcake. (After hitting up Magnolia Bakery on our last trip to NYC, we are kinda obsessed with the 'cake.) Then we realized that Johnny Cupcakes isn't a bakery but a Hull, MA based brand of funky tees, sweatshirts and accessories that take the cupcake icon and integrate it into fashion. With a......

For those living across river (or willing to hop the Red Line or #1), Bostonist thinks there’s no better place to grab a pint, munch on some gourmet pub fare (yes, there is such a thing) and hear our favorite local band than The Plough & Stars, reopening this Friday. Last year proved to be a difficult one for the 35-year-old Cambridge bar, and after being cited for a noise complaint (Anyone remember the faithful......

This week we're trying hard to think about something other than how hard it is out here to be a pimp. Well, ok, maybe Bostonist is looking at the Oscars and just scratching our heads. We didn't know Jon Stewart could be that bland. We're still waiting to hear what Three 6 Mafia were wearing that made the camera all jakey last night. Now that we're done with the Academy we're looking back to Grammy.......

DCist helps us make more sense of the world this week. Posts like this concert review are the reason for Scott Stapp. DCist also enumerates the reasons for playing ultimate frisbee, Condi's tight buns, their love of a local convenience store, and their jealousy of a person in Seattle calling the city. LAist documented graf artist Banksy's most recent visit to LA in one two three posts. They also found the best possible use......

Animal Collective, Avalon, 2.21.06 Avoiding misnomers and labels and subverting expectations, Animal Collective performed a mix of sounds and songs that were incredibly familiar to Boston fans in attendance. Last year at the Middle East downstairs, the foursome worked through material that would become one of the finest albums of the year, Feels, as well as a choice or two from Sung Tongs. That show was veiled in a blanket of shadows and sweat, with......