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New England Music News

Boston music news - January 27, 2006

ELI “PAPERBOY” REED and his eight-piece soul band the TRUE LOVES play their swan song January 28 at the Central Square VFW Hall. Reed is dissolving the current line-up after long-time friend and drummer Eli Keszler quit amicably to pursue his own musical goals, a move that prompted bassist Mike Montgomery to follow suit. “I’m interested in working in a more stripped-down environment,” Reed says. “Managing an eight-piece band is really hard work, and it took a big toll on the creative side of things.” . . . After writing and recording two albums and an EP last year, RYAN LEE CROSBY is gearing up for a busy ’06. He and his band the MINDLESS return from a four-city mini tour in time to play January 27 at Bill’s Bar with the RUDDS and BLANKETEER. Expect to hear some of Crosby’s lovely hard-knock tales from his upcoming Split-Cassette CD EP with Pittsburgh-based indie outfit the INSTANCES. That band’s founding member, former Bostonian Raymond Morin, is releasing the EP on his own Sort of Records. Look for the label’s launch party February 19 at Great Scott, or visit www.sortofrecords.com. . . . Soulful singer-songwriter RYAN McCALMON celebrates his solo debut, Come Home, January 26 at Felt with a backing band featuring bassist CHRIS TILDEN (Averi) and keyboardist JESSE CIARMATARO (the Resonance). McCalmon has musical roots in Portland, Maine, where he played in a solo project fronted by current Ray LaMontagne drummer Tony McNaboe, but the album, inspired by soul singers like Marvin Gaye and Bill Withers, was recorded mostly at his home studio in Boston, where he’s lived for three years. . . . The organizers of the 2005 NEW ENGLAND PUNK, GOTH, AND METAL FESTIVAL incurred debt when they had to relocate the two-day concert last October after the Lowell License Commission pulled the plug on plans to hold the event at in the city’s LeLacheur Park. So some of the bands are gathering again January 28 from 1 to 5 pm at Reflections Lounge in Chelmsford to help ANDERSON MAR and MATTHEW MARCHESI with the bills. The benefit’s line-up includes DEMIURGE, RATTLEGASSER, EYE OF THE SUN, and FOREVER’S FALLEN GRACE. The 2006 installment is already scheduled for September 30–October 1 and will feature several national acts in addition to some 40 New England underground bands. The venue is TBA, but there’s talk of trying for LeLacheur Park again, since a good deal of civic support was raised for the concert during the initial controversy. For more, visit www.nepgmfest.com.

Sarah Tomlinson can be reached at stomlins@mindspring.com