For the past 20-plus years or so, New Englanders have known brothers Bobby and Dannis Hackney as the dynamic duo behind seminal Vermont reggae band Lambsbread. These days, reggae bands in the Green Mountains are about as novel as, well, jam bands — and they’re often one in the same. But that wasn’t always the case.... Read more

Ah, the Battle of the Bands. Whether an attempt to perform a “most triumphant” rock concert in order to deliver mankind from a grisly alternate destiny (Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey), or taking on The River Bottom Nightmare Band to earn enough cash to buy a piano for your Muppet mother (Emmett Otter’s Jug Band Christmas), the time-honored tradition maintains a special place in the hearts and minds of music fans. And not just those who watch too much Saturday afternoon television . . . ahem.... Read more

It’s not every day that you get an email from “The Colbert Report.” So imagine my surprise when I opened my inbox recently to discover a message from Nick Prueher of Stephen Colbert’s hysterical right-wing-talk-show send-up on Comedy Central. I’m typically not one to succumb to starstruck awe. But as a “Daily Show”/”Colbert Report” addict, missives from either show definitely fall outside my usual bailiwick — i.e., press releases from countless “fresh, original” bands.... Read more

It’s a safe bet that when Scorpions rocked the clamoring masses like a, um . . . well, like a hurricane with the epic power ballad “Wind of Change,” they didn’t have President-elect Barack Obama in mind. For one thing, they were German. But check out these lyrics and see if they don’t send a cheese-metal shiver up your spine: “Take me to the magic of the moment / On a glory night / Where the children of tomorrow dream away / In the wind of change.” Dude.... Read more

IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY... Read more

Well, folks, the big day is almost here. Can you feel the change on the wind? Can you taste the excitement? I can. And you know what? It tastes like freedom — which bears an odd resemblance to chicken, actually.

Of course, the “big day” I am referring to is that most sacred of free world institutions, Halloween. What, you thought I meant the election? Well, that could be pretty frightening, too, I suppose. (Free Halloween Costume Idea #1: The Bradley Effect . . . terrifying.)... Read more

You know who is really good? The Tampa Bay Rays . . . sigh. You know who else? Burlington’s heroes of hyphenated hi-fi high jinks, Japhy Ryder. Late last week, the instrumental prog-jazz-rock-whatever quartet — just don’t call them “jam,” thank you very much — announced that their excellent sophomore effort, No Consequence, has been picked up by online tune-slingers Ropeadope Digital, an interweb offshoot of Ropeadope Records.... Read more

D.A.R.Y.L.

If karma exists, then Burlington ex-pat Daryl Rabidoux should pick up some lottery tickets. The poor guy is about as overdue for a run of good luck as anybody outside of Wall Street — or Main Street, I guess. Or Cubs fans. Poor, hapless Cubs fans.... Read more

POP TARTS... Read more

WAXING BRAZILIAN... Read more