The following news and nods were originally published in the July Compass
THE DEAD NEVER LOOKED SO CHILL – Coolidge’s Bundle of Horror
The heat is on and many are already turning into sun zombies, all passed out on the docks and stuff. But now is the time to shake a leg (just make sure it doesn’t fall off) because the Coolidge Corner is planning a blowout, zombie film series in August. POSTMORTEM: A MIDNITE EXAMINATION OF THE MODERN ZOMBIE features the bone-crunching stylings of ZOMBIE (1979), 28 DAYS LATER… (2002), RE-ANIMATOR (1985), NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (1968), and SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004), all in pristine 35mm. You can get your pass to all 5 films for just $28. Check Coolidge.org for details. – Ari Shvartsman
FAT CREEPS Drop LP & Do Tour with THE LENTILS
Area heartthrobs FAT CREEPS drop their first Long Player MUST BE NICE this month via do-no-wrong label-of-record SOPHOMORE LOUNGE. In celebration of this radical fact, or perhaps just in expression of pure fun and friendship (it’s summer now dude, get excited), the Creeps will join VT think-alikes THE LENTILS (ex-Happy Jawbone) for a nice couplaweek tourski down the ol’ eastern coast (7/14-28). What more perfect merger of zoned-out rock and roll shamanism could you have summoned? Facebook-official title at press time is “Jet Funnies/Spiked Candy Tour 2002” and it’s a really funny joke that we don’t get to get. Figure it out. -Zach Peckham
JP Porches Come Alive with Porchfest!
This month Jamaica Plain introduces a new and long-awaited summer shindig to the hood, offering up its porches and hospitality for the first annual JP PORCHFEST! With its exceptionally green landscape and diverse population, JP is a first-rate location for a musical porch party. 50+ bands will jam on 30+ porches in a slew of genres, bringing locals together on the street. Folks can walk from genre-specific porches to mix ’n’ match jam porches tapping into nearly every musical variety. Inspired by the success of Somerville Porchfest this grassroots event will be held Saturday, July 19th Noon-4pm. Get out there! JPporchfest.org – Abby Ringiewicz
NORTHERN ROUTES NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL Digs into Deep New England
The air we breathe here in New England is loaded down with more histrionic magic than you can shake a dowsing rod at. And while the rest of our country’s got it going on too, there’s just something about HERE that’s damn special. NORTHERN ROUTES defends that golden truth, uniting some of our homezone’s most far-out psychophonic voyagers for three days of weird conjuring on the banks of the mighty Quabbin Reservoir. Behold Glenn Jones, Juan Waters, MV&EE, Zzones, Matt Krefting (and more!) chilling with ghosts in Turners Falls and New Salem, MA 7/31-8/2. 1794meetinghouse.org. -Zach Peckham
GET EMPOWERED. GET TO WORCESTER. 7/15.
Yo! It’s time to rally! Quite literally. Massachusetts is getting a new governor come November and we need the candidates to recognize the role arts and culture can (and does) play in driving our economy and strengthening our community. Our guardian angels, MASS CREATIVE are makin’ it happen (as per usual) by hosting a GUBERNATORIAL FORUM ON ARTS, CULTURE AND CREATIVITY @The Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester at 6pm on Tuesday, 7/15. If you can’t make it, check out MASS-Creative.org/CreateTheVote to get in the know. More details in our Art Blast calendar on page 2. -CEEK
IS THIS YOUR HOOD? Zone 4
Look around you. How did you get here? How did this paper get here? You probably didn’t get this rag by mistake. Someone put this paper in a bar, club, or cafe just so you YES ONLY YOU YOU ARE SO VERY SPECIAL could pick it up and read it. Are you feeling present yet? Don’t you want to help spread that zen shit to those who know what the fuck is up in Boston? Without people distro-ing the Compass around town, you wouldn’t be so self-aware right now. Center yo’ self and email [email protected] for more details. -Harrison Bralower
Brown Rainbow Art Critique Sounds Cool, Also “Weird”
I’ve been pressing this idea into ears a little lately. An art group with a “lay critique.” Passive voice suggestions on mid-day terms with deeper-than-your-average thinkers. A holy place beyond scholar, & sweet-heart. Maybe it’s about art, or maybe you’re free associating. Make a statement? Ask a question. Kinder than cool–weirder than school. Be free, freely! Free from free form… It’s free. Anything presentable is permissible. Bi-weekly starting Sunday July 13th 12-3 PM @Smokey Bear Cave -Luke Jumes
Pretty Sound Advice: Don’t Text And Drive Friends!
It occurred to me while cruising at 60mph and simultaneously trying to share a deep text moment with a friend that THIS SHIT CAN WAIT! It was epiphanic, glancing back at my dear friends and tour-mates asleep in the van, and considering the fact that I, as the driver, was responsible for their lives at that exact moment. Don’t get me wrong – the thought had crossed my mind before, but this time was the last time. I hereby pledge to no longer attempt texting while driving, not on tour, not ever. It’s silly and dangerous. Please consider this Compass PSA and stay safe out there! -Sam Potrykus
New Guerilla Toss Tape Emanates 7/15 via Infinity Cat
Keep your ears peeled next month for 367 EQUALIZER, the newest effort from Boston’s own psychedelic punk-funk maestros GUERILLA TOSS. It’s the second in a bi-monthly cassette series coming out of INFINITY CAT RECORDINGS, curated by Casey Weissbuch of DIARRHEA PLANET. The title track layers GTOSS’s characteristically chaotic, noisy guitar and high-pitched vocals over a relentless Latin-esque groove. If you’re not sure whether you want to dance, headbang, or trance out, this is the band for you! Don’t miss it when the tape drops July 15 via Nashville’s raddest DIY imprint. -Justin Campbell
STARLABFEST V adds Film + Art + Comedy to All-Ages Music Fest in 5th Year
Saturday, July 19 from 10AM to 9PM, Somerville’s Union Square will be abuzz with the happy glow of STARLABFEST 2014. An annual celebration now five years in the running, Starlabfest turns the ordinary parking lot of the old Starlab studio (@32 Prospect St–next to Union Square’s famous radiator farm!) into a steaming cauldron of musical goodness. This years acts include Blinders, Nice Guys, the Dazies (and 9 others), as well as comedy, short films and art at the NEW Starlab (@453 Somerville Ave) just a half-mile walk away. $10 entry gets you entry, free grilled eats (and veggie options), and don’t forget flea markets at both locations. ALL AGES. Starlabstudios.com -Jonathan Donaldson
