Hey, my name is Dicky Stock. I’ve spent most of my life playing music and doing comedy in and around Boston so I know this place pretty well. 2016 has been a great year for bands, comics, venues, and the scene at large. I’d like to share with you 10 of my favorite aspects.

1. Favorite Music Venue – Great Scott. Allston.

This place has it all. I’ve seen and played some of my favorite shows here. I made out with some hot chicks here a couple times and also beat up a friend here once. I honestly can’t remember my favorite show from there this year because there were so many good ones. I probably spent more time playing and going to shows here this year than any other individual venue. It feels like home to me.

2. Favorite Comedy Venue – Thunderbar. Allston.

The Boston comedy scene seems to be going through a second renaissance right now. Thunderbar has become a big part of it. It’s personally my favorite place to see and perform stand up. It’s cozy and the sometimes cliquey attitudes that follow some in the scene are left at the door. It’s become my workshop in the past year. They have been a host to some pretty big national acts. I absolutely adore this place.

3. Favorite Rock Band – PussyHead

If you live in Boston and you like music and you’ve never heard of the band PussyHead, you don’t actually live in Boston and you don’t actually like music. PussyHead has been a staple in Boston for the past 10 years but this year they released their most ambitious record yet “Trail of Tears For My Beautiful Wife Sabrina”. “Trail of Tears For My Beautiful Wife Sabrina” opens with a track called “Summer Sea Horses” that has to be heard to be believed. My basketball coach recently passed away and asked for PussyHead to play his funeral but they were not able to do it. Just a great band. Good guys too.

4. Favorite Ska Band – The Skastronauts

I remember the first time I heard The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and thinking these guys were the best ska band in Boston and then I remember hearing The Skastronauts and realizing The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are complete rubbish. The Skastronauts are a space themed ska band. They claim to work for the space agency S.K.A.S.A. and my favorite songs by this band include “Skanking On The Moon” and “Hey Mah’, Look At Me, I’m A Skastronaut!” They are much better than The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, a band I used to like until I found about the Skastronauts.

5. Favorite Rap Act – “Laughing” Jim Lauper

He’s white and he’s not afraid to use the N word. And he uses it a lot. People get pretty mad about it but like he says “if you’re not pissing people off, you’re probably not doing anything of importance.”

6. Favorite Sound Technician – Kenny Pelletier

Regardless of the allegations of sexual misconduct, Kenny Pelletier is a great sound tech.

7. Favorite Place To Eat Before A Show – The Big Pasta House. Theater District.

This place is directly across the street from the Wilbur. It’s a traditional pasta house like the ones you probably went to every day when you were growing up. This is the kind of place you’ll see little children sitting on the laps of tired grandparents. Many of the children are playing with the spaghetti and you’ll be tempted to as well. The pasta is that good. It’s also a good place to meet a friend before a show to eat some spaghetti. You’ll think you died and went to spaghetti heaven. Be sure to save room for dessert. The chefs at The Big Pasta House make a delicious caramel omelet with truffle and they also have spaghetti.

8. Favorite Place To Eat After A Show – The Big Pasta House. Theater District.

Go back for seconds you fucking dummy.

9. Favorite Record Of 2016 – I’m A Good Little Boy, Mommy by The Cigarettes.

Guitar tone that sounds like it was crafted by a wizard who just snorted a line of molly? Check. Vocals that sound like a banshee having a bad hair day? Check. A drummer that plays like he’s got nothing to lose? Check. Bass? Check. These guys are a band from Boston that everyone knows. Everyone knows about this band. Everyone owns this record. They can’t be beat.

10. Favorite Record Store – Boston New And Used Records. Jamaica Plain.

There’s been a big controversy surrounding this place after the owner, Jeff Cosby, was found guilty this year of killing eleven women over a span of the past six years. Pretty incredibly he was able to get away with it that long. One of the women he murdered was actually a good friend of my older brothers. I vividly remember when that particular murder occurred. It was really really rough for my brother and his friends. I had only met her twice but I remember she had a great smile and was very kind. Jeff Cosby’s son, Jim Cosby, has since taken over the establishment. Boston New And Used Records has a great selection and low prices.

Those are some of my favorite things I experienced in Boston this year. If I mentioned something you’re unfamiliar with I suggest you google it.