Virginia Dare - Hardly hard work
In the atypical little world of the Makeout Room in San Francisco's Mission District, Virginia Dare is in heavy rotation. Their music is always playing between bands' sets, and their shows there attract a lively crowd. But don't chalk up such popularity to a hard-work
Star Hustler - Not your steppingstone
Star Hustler's Jason Hatfield may be a springboard for rising starlets. The brother of alt-pop/rocker Juliana Hatfield, he began playing music in Boston with Mary Lou Lord in the band Chupa when she was strumming in subways back in the early '90s. Lord left to forge
Robert Earl Keen - Straight outta Bandera
In pondering the uniqueness of Robert Earl Keen, let's compare him with his fellow Texan Lyle Lovett. College buddies and fellow Aggies, the two co-wrote "The Front Porch Song", which each recorded early in their careers. They shared a circle of formative acquaintance and influence on
Golden Smog - Shelter From The Storm
Most bands, the good ones anyway, are formed between friends. The motivations to do so, especially in the case of young men, can be as simple as "It'll be cool" and/or "It'll make it easier to get girls." Bands are also
Modern Sounds in Country and wwWestern Music
For me, somehow, lonesome country songs sound best on the radio, coming out of my car speakers, late at night on an empty back road or highway. Perhaps this overly romantic notion can be attributed to the often observed explanation that sad country songs are the best medicine for being
King Radio - Mr. K Is Dead, Go Home
Fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist Frank Padellaro (who used to play bass in the Scud Mountain Boys' road band), Boston's King Radio debuts with a mercurial set of pop-rock that rolls easily from tune to tune and style to style. Whatever they're up to, though, this five-man