It’s been a bit since we’ve heard from our friends in Boat Show, but I’m happy to announce the folk punkers will perform at The Brass Rail on Friday, May 19, with Bella’s Bartok of Massachusetts. 

Not only will it mark Boat Show’s first appearance in a while, but the band will be releasing Nautical by Nature for the first time on vinyl. 

If you recall, the album was originally released only on Bandcamp during the pandemic with all proceeds donated to the Breonna Taylor Foundation. It subsequently was released on other streaming platforms. 

This barnburner of a record features nine tracks engineered and produced by John Ptak and mastered by Scott Rottler. 

The good news is you will finally get a physical copy of Nautical by Nature and see a raging show. The bad news is the band said the show is a one and done — no more. 

Boat Show has given us some memorable shows over their nearly 10 years of existence, so nothing to complain about in that department. Let’s just hope the crew of Tom McShod (vocals), Jon Ross (lead guitar), Eric Ehlers (bass), Felix Moxter (viola), Elizabeth-Marie Helms (banjo/accordion/mandolin), and David Trevino (drums) perform the occasional show here and there down the road. 

We will have to wait and see. 

Zacara is ready to thrash

A new thrash metal band is about to make their mark on the local scene. 

Comprised of Gary Wayne on vocals, Scott Burkhart on guitar, Lee Garza on drums, Brady Gladieux on guitar, and Tyler Witte on bass, Zacara have already put together a five-song EP that is available on YouTube. 

Their first show will be Friday, May 19, at Piere’s as opener for the Portuguese goth metal act Moonspell. Following that, they will be in support for Coop’s Nightmare: Alice Cooper Tribute at Piere’s on Saturday, June 17.

UltraMagnetics attract praise

If you had the pleasure of making it to The Garden on Record Store Day, hopefully you got to see the birth of UltraMagnetics, a new Rust Belt rocksteady act. 

This well-oiled machine of local vets consists of Christy Maloney on lead vocals, Jay Freimuth on trumpet, David Snook on trombone, Travis Roth on baritone saxophone, Justin Maloney on guitar, Eric Rutkowski on bass, Joe Flores on drums, and Matt Cashdollar on organ/keyboards. 

The band performs a good mix of covers with a dose of originals. They cover such artists as Jimmy Cliff, Harry J. All Stars, Toots and The Maytals, Jackie Mendez, Rocker-T, The Delegators, and The Skatalites. Of course, they add their own little twist to the music as well. 

You can catch UltraMagnetics at The Brass Rail on Saturday, May 13. They will be joined by Unlikely Alibi. 

Hustle54 ready to debut

The disco outfit Hustle54 have announced their first gig for Friday, May 12, at Bar 13 in Pierceton. If you recall, they were scheduled to debut in December, but due to unforeseen circumstances they had to cancel. 

I understand the Bar 13 show might be late notice for some, so if you are unable to make it, you can catch them at Rock the Plaza at the downtown library on Saturday, July 29. 

In any event, Hustle54 will be a high-energy grooving and funky experience. 

Reload picks up bassist

Bassist Marc Baker of Kill the Rabbit and Krazy Neyberz has joined the rock cover act Reload. 

“I’m excited to be playing live music again and can’t wait to see all of you,” he said. “It’s been way too long for sure.” 

There will be a few dates Baker won’t be at due to prior commitments with Krazy Neyberz. Reload will have a fill-in for those dates. 

You can catch Reload at Dupont Bar & Grill on May 20 and Thirty3 in Hudson on May 27. 

C-Note opening for (hed) p.e.

If you have plans on going to the (hed) p.e. show at Piere’s on Thursday, July 27, you better arrive on time because our very own Crystal C-Note will be one of the opening acts that evening. 

“Super excited about the show!” Crystal said. “I’ll be doing a few off the old album and some tracks off the upcoming one.” 

Speaking of which, her new album will be out this year. 

“The new songs are very raw, emotional, and digging into my sound,” she said. “I’m leaning hard into the rap side but utilizing live instrumentation when possible in each track.” 

The new C-Note album is being produced by Taylor Zank of Successful Musik Studios. 

Showtime for the Piere’s show is 7 p.m. and will also include performances by Dazed and Heathen Sun. 

New single from Leatherman

Local singer-songwriter Jonah Leatherman will release a new single, “Overlap,” on June 2. 

Recorded at Off the Cuff Studios, the song will be part of a full-length LP to be released in the fall. 

Make sure to fire up your favorite streaming site and give the new single a whirl. 

You can catch Leatherman live at Trubble Brewing on July 8 and Rock the Plaza with The Keystones, JJ & McRae, and Sunglasses at Night on July 22 at the downtown library.

Catch Uncle Muscle video

Alternative rock trio Uncle Muscle are featured in the Treetop Studios Tour, a YouTube music series of original performances. 

During the band’s recent East Coast tour, they stopped by the studio in Frederick, Maryland, to take part in the series. 

The 18-minute video features performances of “I Do,” “I Wanna Go,” “Don’t Leave Me,” and more. 

Be sure to check it out.