Category Archives: Local Music

Art, concert review, Free Pizza, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews, SARALEE

Review: Saralee, Flag Day, Sean Nicholas Savage @ Whitehaus (3/1/14)

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Sean
Bands: Saralee, Flag Day, Sean Nicholas Savage, Free Pizza
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2014
Venue: Whitehaus (Jamaica Plain, MA)

Saralee – Last time (which was actually the first time) we were here, it all happened in a flash. We came, we saw [Jackson Heights Queens, NY’s holiest The Beets], we came again, and then we had to abruptly leave to make the train home. Fortunately, this time we arrive early to sit back and relax within the haus, and chat with some colorful characters, both old and new, pounding down Rolling Rocks aka “dad’s beer” according to one, Ben Katzman. Shine on you crazy diamond!

Saralee has been a KLYAM favorite since 2011. In many ways they were our introduction to the Boston underground music scene. Some of our first basement shows were Saralee shows. I associate their music with dank, steel reserved beer reeking basement spaces, such as this one tonight, and a stoned, serene state of mind doesn’t hurt either. It’s hard not to have this image in mind, because I’ve only seen the band in basements. Problem House. Gay Gardens. Ant Cellar (Lowell). JP Drizzle. And now Whitehaus. You could say they are the quintessential Boston basement band, like it’s an essential ingredient in the Saralee sound. A sound that is somewhat hard to describe. I’ve been asked before what does Saralee sound like? And I honestly have trouble defining it. It’s more of a mood if anything. They are soft, but also intense at the same time. Heavy need not be a volume. There’s a dreamlike quality to them too. All things considered, Whitehaus is a perfect venue for Saralee; for whatever reason I have never seen the band at an above ground establishment and I’m a completely okay with that.

If you haven’t heard this machine, then you have some serious HWs to attend to: http://saralee.bandcamp.com/

Flag Day – Flag Day sort of throws me off guard, which is always a plus. In other words, I won’t forget this performance because it is akin to a radical, industrial pop DJ set. It’s a combo of what I believe is original material as well as a series of contemporary and classic hits for the crowd to dance their  asses off to and they do. Everything from the Bee Gees’ ” Stayin’ Alive” to The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” to some Blink -182 song to Wavves’ “King of the Beach.” This onslaught of bratty, manic dance inducing pop reminded me of why these songs are memorable in the first place and made me reflect on when I first heard them at various points in my life. Deep Thoughts. Ok, it’s time to take it easy for a second. http://everydayisflagday.bandcamp.com/

Sean Nicholas Savage – Straight up, I am not present for most of his set (for the second half, physically, for the first half mentally), but I can see a lot of folks going bonkers to this gentle Canadian’s impassioned music. WORD. Check it out here: http://arbutusrecords.com/?page_id=30

Free Pizza – We missed Free Pizza :( :( :( :( :( :( :( :( , hey it’s okay buddy we’ll see em’ again soon! :). One of the best in Boston and one of my faves all around. Listen to their epic debut here: http://freepizzarocks.bandcamp.com/

Art, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Miami Doritos, Music, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, reviews

Review: Nice Guys & Miami Doritos Tour Kick Off @ Thieves Grotto (2/28/14)

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Thieves Grotto
Bands: Nice Guys, Miami Doritos, Malportardo Kids, Grave Ideas
Date: Friday, February 28, 2014
Venue: Thieves Grotto

Grave Ideas – For Grave Ideas, I’m standing off  to the side, gulping down several Rolling Rocks, just savoring the moment. I’m waiting in heavy anticipation for our dudes in Nice Guys and Miami Doritos, who will be on shortly. It’s satisfying to be able to sit back and chill in one spot and admire the music casually from afar, while there’s still plenty of room for others to go bonkers to the band. I’ll save all my piss and vinegar for the Nice Doritos. So yeah, this is my first time here at Thieves Grotto and it is one of  the finer, more spacious basement spaces I have come across in my show attending journey thus far. I’ll  slug back some more Rolling Rocks (hey,  I like the taste! It’s like rock ‘n’ roll backwards, almost! Kurt Cobain told me that one) before I slide into the Miami Doritos zone. Grave Ideas, aren’t a bad band, but I don’t recall them as being memorable either. I’ll have to check em’ out again some other time.  You can just by clicking this link: http://graveideas.bandcamp.com/

Miami Doritos – The Miami Doreets.  Damn, they are ever so tasty, I could yank a whole bag of these Doritos right out of your hands and have em’ all to myself! For those that don’t know, MD is a crunchy two piece featuring the likes of Kurt Egghart on vocals/guitar and Alex Aronson on drums. They are quite the two piece. I have a soft spot for two pieces though. Aren’t they just the cutest? I always picture two pieces to be like the best of buddies. They play checkers and eat ice cream together, finish each other’s sentences. It’s like my crazy uncle used to say, “what’s better than one piece? Two pieces.”

By the time these Doreets begin to play I’m feeling fully in love with the world and simultaneously hating it all over, it’s a bizarre juxtaposition I’ve been meaning to get checked out maybe the mighty Miami Doritos can help me with this. They have a song about someone farting or something like that, it gives me a boat load of chuckles that make me raise my beer and say to Kurt “Haha, chararde you are sir, charade you are!” Except, I didn’t actually say that, but I wanted to, possibly. I hate when music journalist fucks lie in their articles. Fuck music journalism! ONLY TRUST ME! OBEY YOUR MASTER!

Laughs are fine and all, but I want gasps. I want bodies slamming into one another like the tides of the ocean. And I get what I want! I do actually, thanks to the rough, garage/noise attack that is the Miami Doritos. I’ve seen the duo before, but the kids at Thieves Grotto know how to throw down and have a good time, and it just helps make a great show for all involved.

Among the many classic, legendary hits that Miami Doritos puke out tonight, there are two primal BANGERS known as “Price 2 Pay” and “Rush Hour/Piss Take,” which can be heard on the Nice Guys/Miami Doritos Splifft 7″ available via KLYAM Records. Holy seven inches Batman, it’s a Splifft!
Listen up cupcake: http://miamidoritos.bandcamp.com/

Nice Guys – Boy, I feel stuffed after all those Doritos. Wasn’t I just writing about Nice Guys? I was, I did, I will, therefore I am. If a nice guy falls in the woods and no one is around to pick him up, does he go blind? Yikes!  Ok, let’s cut the comedy and get down to business.

I remember the first time I saw Nice Guys (it wasn’t that long ago you schmuck) in a dirty, dusty basement. Jake darted into the crowd, kids went wild. Laughs. Good times. But, here we are now and I can sincerely say that  the Nice Guys have grown as a band, they were sick back then, but they are  significantly better today. *Quit sucking their dicks says Mr. Cynical Reader.* But, hey this is my youth here and I say Nice Guys fucking rule, they don’t come last!

With such a friendly, upstanding bunch of gents you wouldn’t expect such noise, but these things happen. They bring forth the noise, the rock, and the kids know this, they eat it up. Aside from a few familiar faces, this basement is stacked with kids boppin’ and droolin’ over the Nice Guys. They feel that medical envy, don’t you? I just want to skull fuck the president.

NICE GUYS PLAY MEAN SONGS. FUCK OFF IF YOU’RE NOT A NICE GUY,YOU JUST SUCK ASS AND HAVE ZERO PERSONALITY. YOUR DICK ISN’T EVEN THAT BIG. FUCK YOU. NICE GUYS RULE.

Pick up the splifft Nice Guys/Miami Doritos 7″from KLYAM Records here:  http://klyam.bigcartel.com/product/nice-guys-miami-doritos-splifft-7

We missed Providence’s Malportardo Kids, next time fellas. From one kid to another, slowly we’ll take over the world. No, let’s do it fast. We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow.

Art, Kal Marks, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, Tours, Video

KAL MARKS APRIL TOUR DATES!

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Kal
Well, look what we have here. Boston behemoths Kal Marks are heading out on tour next month and you’d be a fool and a communist if you missed it. They are one of Boston’s greatest exports. See for yourself. http://kalmarks.bandcamp.com/

Tour Dates:
04/17 UTICA NY @ The DEV
04/18 Kent OH. @ The Stone Tavern
04/19 Louisville KY @ Astro Black
04/20 Carbondale IL. @ The Swamp
04/21 Milwaukee WI. @ House show TBA
04/22 Chicago Il. @ Situations
04/23 Kalamazoo MI @ Milhouse
04/24 Athens OH @ Lobsterfest
04/25 Buffalo NY @ Jungle Gym
04/26 Brooklyn NY @ Death By Audio

BUT WAIT I FORGOT: If you’re in the Boston area and looking for something to do on St. Patrick’s Day you can catch the band at Charlie’s Kitchen (Cambridge) playing alongside KLYAM Records’ starlets Nice Guys and Miami Doritos (fresh off a two week tour) as well as Buttercup, whom I am not familiar with, but I’m sure is as delicious as its name.

And what the hey, here’s a video of Kal Marks playing at Mill 5 in Lowell. Shot by Steve “Rat” Albert.

Art, concert review, Honorary KLAYMERS, Kids Like You and Me, KLYAM Records, Local Music, Music, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, reviews, The Fagettes

Review: Fagettes & Nice Guys @ Lilypad (2/14/14)

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Love
Bands: Hallelujah the Hills, The Dazies, The Fagettes, Nice Guys
Date: Friday, February 14, 2014
Venue: Lilypad (Cambridge, MA)

Nice Guys – NICE GUYS! These Nice fucking Guys right here. And they truly are nice guys, that’s not a misnomer. It’s like you tell your buddy, hey you’re going to like this dude, he’s a nice guy, he’s a goodfella.

Christ,  if you haven’t heard the Nice Guys by now, I don’t know where the hell you’ve been man.  I’m going to break my fucking back, digging you out of that hole you’ve been in these last couple years. You missed out on boxforts, 420 John Freeman parties, and many a Jamaican Vacation. But, it’s okay dawg, your time has come. We’re going to make it through this. That’s what this is all about, it’s supposed to be a catharsis. It’s Friday night, it’s Valentines’ Day (no wait, fuck that), and the Nice Guys are playing Jamaican Vacation.

I get that tingle, you know, when they announce that the next song is called “Jamaican Vacation.” Before they even play, I’m getting a little stiff. I tell my erect buddy to STAY DOWN! STAY DOWN! Let’s not make a scene. Boy, my folks must be real proud right now. “Son, I love when you freeze your reviews to stop and talk to your dick. I’m so proud of you honey!” There’s love in the air. My love for the Nice Guys stretches far and wide. You can hear the smash hit “Jamaican Vacation” and it’s cannabis reeking  chum “Medical Envy” on a Splifft 7″ with fellow chart toppers Miami Doritos. You can order one here from KLYAM Records: http://klyam.bigcartel.com/product/nice-guys-miami-doritos-splifft-7  Do iT!

The Fagettes – After the Nice Guys set, I step outside for a bit, but not for too long, because within just a few moments my ears are dancing to the sweet, serene sounds of The Fagettes’ “When I’m With You – a tune I have been dying to hear live from the group 4eva.   Tis  in my top two favorite Fagettes numbers (special points for whoever guesses what my favorite Gettes song is. Hint: it’s also a live rarity). “When I’m With You” showcases the band’s softer side and brings to mind Beat Happening and early Best Coast, particularly in Melanie’s vocals. Seriously, it’s a live rarity, so as soon as I hear them playing I have to rush right in to the packed Lilypad space. Before me lies a series of bodies shaking, rocking, and sipping on their PBRs.

For this set, Jake Nice Guy joins the band on bass, reprising his role as a March 2013 Nice Guys/Fagettes Beast  Coast Tour champion. Way to go Jake. I’m positive you’re little Valentine’s Day mailbox was always overflowing with Secret Admirers.

Another stand out for me tonight is “You’re Destroying Me,” which features Ryan and Melanie rocking out with the crowd. I think it’s the set closer? Ahh PBR, you’re destroying me.

Check out Fagettes here: http://thefagettes.bandcamp.com/

The Dazies and Hallelujah the Hills also played on this fine evening of local rock ‘n’ roll music. Alas, we did not see them play :(.

Art, concert review, Dylan Ewen, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, reviews

Review: Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts @ Craft House (2/8/14)

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Apple
Bands: Indian Twin, Life Size Maps, Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2014
Venue: Craft House (Medford, MA)

Dylan Ewen & The Sulk Scouts – It’s great to be back in the Craft House/Crab Haus, fuck it whatever you wish to call it, it’s swell. It sure as hell beats the cold outside, beats it right off. My balls are about to freeze into ice, ice, ice baby where am I going with this? There’s heat inside the haus, warmth – both physical and emotional. Me, my frozen testicles, and a case of PBR pop a squat upfront for the The Sulk Scouts.

I’ve seen my man Dylan Ewen a few times now in various incarnations, but this is my introduction to the Sulk Scouts, a girl group that plays with Dylan Ewen (vocals/guitar) and D. Ewen reg, Chris Geller on drums. The girls’ vocals are really sweet and smooth, they harmonize well. The vocals bounce off Dylan’s in a fun way and mixed with Chris’ drums the band has a sunny, day at the beach vibe to them. Gimmie a fucking hot chocolate and put an end to this miserable winter already! Sulk Scouts will suffice.

A couple of days ago, I saw a show at Agganis Arena and while I enjoyed most of the music itself, the experience just seemed so foreign to me. With this performance, I am glad to be back to my usual environment. I don’t want to say comfort zone, because those are no fun! Anywho, it’s a real pleasure to see some kids play in a living room and just have fun with the music. Not take themselves too seriously. That’s the attitude. It’s quirky, it’s  sexy, but above all it’s FUN. The crowd gets it as some light, playful moshing consumes the Craft House space.

This set is filled with buses, horses, tuff girls, and handcuffs, but my favorite part is when The Sulk Scouts cover Girls’ signature song “Lust For Life.” The harmonies I spoke of earlier are exceptional in this instance. Shit brings me back to 2009 when I first heard and loved this song and so did you. Come on, you mean you didn’t blast “Lust For Life” and dance around in your underwear with a pizza and a bottle of wine? Damn,  was it just me?!

Dylan’s a pimp.

Set-List:
“The Bus Song”
“Us Girls Got It Tuff”
“Cool Party”
“Lust For Life” (Girls cover)
“Horses Are Better”
“Forgot How to Have Fun”
“Handcuffs”
“Girlfriend”
“Fkuu Me”

Life Size Maps – Yeah, this just ain’t my thing at all. I hated it actually. Just not my thing.

Indian Twin – Damn, now these guys sounded more to my liking, but I only hear a few tunes before it’s time to depart to catch that nasty train. Next time!

Art, Honorary KLAYMERS, KLYAM Records, Local Music, Miami Doritos, Music, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, Tours, Video

Nice Guys/Miami Doritos Splifft 7″ Available Now For Pre-Order

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Nice 7
Hey kids, don’t mean to interrupt your hardcore partying at this hour, I know you already lose an hour of partying tonight anyway, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. Allston, Massachusetts’ finest Nice Guys & Miami Doritos have teamed up for four chart toppin’ hits on this brand spankin’ new 7″ available NOW for pre order from KLYAM Records. Two bands. Four Songs. 1 record. For you. Sludge, Sleaze, and Seven Inches. ORDER NOW http://klyam.bigcartel.com/product/nice-guys-miami-doritos-splifft-7 What are you waiting for?

Catch the Nice Guys and Miami Doritos on tour at the dates below:

MAR 10: CHAPEL HILL, NC: @ NIGHTLIGHT
MAR 12: ARLINGTON, VA: @ CD CELLAR
MAR 13: BALTIMORE, MD: @ HOLY FRIJOLES
MAR 14: PHILLY, PA: @ THE NUTHOUSE
https://www.facebook.com/events/735555776462976/
MAR 17: CAMBRIDGE, MA: @ CHARLIE’s KITCHEN
https://www.facebook.com/events/270876093070612/

Bent Shapes, Bleeding Rainbow, Fat Creeps, Local Music, Music

Review: Fat Creeps, Bleeding Rainbow, Bent Shapes (2/26/14)

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Written By: Joanna Trachtenberg

This past week I went to see some bands in a basement. The show was originally going to be at a burger place but they were having problems with the venue and moved the show. Hunters, who were supposed to play, cancelled the tour because their singer got injured. Bent Shapes replaced them and opened the show. I once saw Bent Shapes a few years ago when they were called Girlfriends. Their sound hasn’t really changed much. They play jangly power-pop punk that was good. Bleeding Rainbow, who I thought were gonna headline, played 2nd. They really made a lot of noise in that tiny basement. One thing I like when bands play in venues like this is that their sound doesn’t reverberate all over the place. It just stays there so you can just stand there and feel enveloped in the sound. I was hoping that Bleeding Rainbow would have played a few more songs. Local girls the Fat Creeps along with Travis Hagan of The New Highway Hymnal on drums closed the show. They are readying their debut album for the Gnarly dudes of Gnar Tapes. This is such an honor for them to be hooked up with those guys. Their early releases were put out by my friends at KLYAM. They played their nice brand of psych slacker punk. Fat Creeps are gonna be huge very soon. I just know it.

Bleeding Rainbow’s Set-List
White Noise
Tell Me
Time & Place
Pink Ruff
So You Know’
Start Again
Images
Get Lost

Free Pizza, Local Music, Music, reviews

Album Review: Free Pizza – “BOSTON, MA”

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Release: 3/2014
Label: BUFU Records

George Moshington, the former front man of the Casa Blanca himself, is right there on the cover of Free Pizza‘s latest release: BOSTON, MA. Not to be confused with Washington, the tru capital (in spirit, nurture, and commitment) of underground music is right here where Free Pizza resides and sings about. The trio of Jesus Vio (bass/vocals), Santiago Cardenas (guitar), and Nick Rasmussen (drums) have spent approximately the last year playing several shows in Boston, in surrounding areas, and beyond. For those in tune with what’s good around these parts, this tape has been highly anticipated!

Free Pizza have been ruling for about three years; they released their debut 5 songer in 2011. All five of these songs make a return on BOSTON, MA in bigger, juicier style, credit to the dudes recording in a studio (Mystic Valley) for this go around. When I listen to Free Pizza, more than half of the time I kinda do this thing where I slowly move my head from left to right, shake it up and down, and flex my shoulders. Some songs call for a quicker variation like finale “Boston, MA,” all swirlin’ guitar, bass, unforgettable lyrics and “Net Babes,” which has an equally sweet rhythm plus an instrumental towards the end that is like flowers blooming or several women dancing around you.

What I hear from the getgo is Jesus’ ultra memorable singing voice positively ranging from sweet and tender to immediate and demanding. The guy’s always convincing, but ‘specially so on the more relaxing numbers “Come Close To Me” and “Baby Girl”. One thing that’s challenging for me to do in this space is to remark on how Free Pizza comes through with their sound! They’re a funky band (if you recall my movements from earlier) so be prepared to move. I’ll throw out [early] Abe Vigoda and The Minutemen, both bands that got that BOUNCE to ’em. Punk rock not how ya expect it to sound and they’re better off for that! BOSTON, MA is an urban record for all kinds. “Forward” packs the most pleasure for me in its mere 78 seconds. In fact, all of these tunes clock in at under 3 so if you’ve got an hour to spare, you’ve got three full listens in order!

Get yourself over to their BC and spend some alone time: http://freepizzarocks.bandcamp.com/album/boston-ma and they are on tour! to SXSW.

klyamrecommended

Art, Atlantic Thrills, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Music, pictures, Punk, Tours

ATLANTIC THRILLS U.S. TOUR!

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Thrills Tour
Atlantic Thrills are leaving their home state of Rhode Island to exploe the US of A  on tour in support of their debut self-titled LP on Almost Ready Records. The Thrillz have toured before, but this here is a mega tour. One month of  punk slime and psychedelic sauce. Eat up.

Tour Dates:
Tue March 4th – Brooklyn, NY at Don Pedro w/ The Rats, Living Kills, + Heavy Birds
Wed March 5th – Baltimore, MD at Gold Bar w/ Sal Bando + The Set Up
Thur March 6th – Richmond VA at Strange Matter w/ The Ar-kaics + Dirty Fences
Fri March 7th – Asheville, NC at Mothlight w Psychic Teens and The Shine Brothers
Sat March 8th – Murfreesboro, TN at Wall st w The Whistle Pigs
Sun March 9th – Memphis, TN
Mon March 10th – Denton, TX w/ The Neighbors
Tues March 11th-Sat March 15th – SXSW – Austin, TX
Sun March 16th – Las Cruces, NM at The Trainyard
Mon March 17th – Tucson, AZ at District Tavern w/ Resonars, Dead Ghosts, Boogarins(Brazil), + dune rats(Australia)
Tue March 18th – San Diego, CA
Wed March 19th – Los Angeles, CA w/ L.A. Drugs
Thur March 20th – San Francisco, CA at The Hemlock w/ The Nubs
Fri March 21st – Oakland, CA w/ The Nubs
Sat March 22nd – Davis, CA at Robot Rocket Residence w/ 2014 (scott miller of nar, bananas etc)
Sun March 23rd – Medford, OR at Johnny B’s
Mon March 24th – Portland, OR at East End w Thee Four Teens + Mean Jeans
Tue March 25th – Seattle, WA at the 2 Bit w/ Branden Daniel and The Chics
Wed March 26th – Spokane, WA at Mootsy’s w Primal Shakes & TBD
Thur March 27th – Missoula, MT at ZACC Below – Martyfest 2 w/ Iron Chic
Fri March 28th – Day Off
Sat March 29th – Fargo, ND
Sun March 30th – Minneapolis, MN at Palmer’s w/ Cozy + Hot Rash
Mon. March 31st – Milwaukee, WI at Center st Free Space w/ Peach Kelli Pop, Bored Games, and Joust
Tue. April 1st – Chicago, IL
Wed April 2nd – Detroit, MI at PJs Lager House w/ Roman Gabriel Todd’s The Beast Rising Up Out Of The Sea
Thur April 3rd – Cleveland, OH at Now That’s Class w/ Swirly In The Fryer + Teen Vomit
Fri April 4th – Columbus, OH at Cafe Bourbon St. w/ Red Feathers + Day Creeper
Sat April 5th – Pittsburgh, PA at Gooski’s
Sun April 6th -Philadelphia, PA w/ Abandos

You can pick up the band’s album and 7″ here: www.almostreadyrecords.com or better yet grab em’ at a show when they come through to your town!

Art, Honorary KLAYMERS, Local Music, Miami Doritos, Music, News, Nice Guys, pictures, Punk, Tours

Nice Guys & Miami Doritos Friends of the Road Tour!

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Nice Tour
Nice Guys and Miami Doritos destroyed last night’s tour kick off at Thieves Grotto in Boston, now they are coming for the rest of youuuuu… watch out America!
MAR 01: SYRACUSE, NY:@ HOUSE SHOW
MAR 03: DETROIT, MI:@ Jumbo’s Bar
https://www.facebook.com/events/1444439372440520
MAR 04: CHICAGO, IL: @ WALLY’S WORLD
MAR 05: ST. LOUIS, MO. @ PLUSH
MAR 06: MEMPHIS, TN: Lamplighter
MAR 07: NASHVILLE
MAR 08: KENTUCKY
MAR 09: ASHEVILLE, NC
MAR 10: CHAPEL HILL, NC: @ NIGHTLIGHT
MAR 12: ARLINGTON, VA: @ CD CELLAR
MAR 13: BALTIMORE, MD: @ HOLY FRIJOLES
MAR 14: PHILLY, PA: @ THE NUTHOUSE
https://www.facebook.com/events/735555776462976/
MAR 17: CAMBRIDGE, MA: @ CHARLIE’s KITCHEN
https://www.facebook.com/events/270876093070612/
At all of the above shows you can pick up the brand spankin’ new Nice Guys/Miami Doritos Splifft 7″, the second release from KLYAM Records. Damn straight. They will also be available through the KLYAM online store very shortly. Stay tuned.