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Main Stage:
Prospect Hill
Graveyard BBQ
The Force
Big Shug
Termanology
DJ Slim
The Organ
Beats
Thunder
Brothers
The Luxury
Keep Me
Conscious
Stingray Body Art Second
Stage:
Matalon
Neurological Damage
SuperPower
Cars on Mars
Nawset
Hektik
& The Stingray Body Art Fashion Show
Boston Freedom Rally Pre Party
& MassCann/NORML Awards
(Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 @ The Middle
East Upstairs, Cambridge)
Keep Me Conscious
Casey Desmond
Final Hour
The ProblemAddicts
Prospect Hill
Prospect Hill, performing at the High Times 4/20 Party in
Brooklyn, NY on 4/20/09.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
Prospect Hill, together with High Times Senior Editors Bobby
Black & Danny Danko.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
Prospect Hill on stage at the 2009 MassCann 4/20 Preparty at
Harper's Ferry, Allston.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
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Prospect Hill
http://www.myspace.com/prospecthill
Prospect Hill will be playing the Boston Freedom Rally for the
second time this year.
Prospect Hill was nominated for a 2009 High Times Doobie Award,
and they were the headlining act for the first ever High Times
4/20 Party and 2009 Miss High Times Pagent.
Prospect Hill has played countless benefit concerts to benefit
MassCann, and they have also played at the Maine Vocals
festival, and a concert to benefit New York NORML.
This summer, Prospect Hill has been busy, opening for bands such
as Korn, Disturbed, Hinder, and Buckcherry, and have played at
Gillette Stadium, the Tsongas Arena, and the Alltell Wireless
Pavillion.
Prospect Hill's activism has had a noticeable affect on
post-Question 2 laws in their hometown of Methuen, MA. In
January 2009, Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi attempted to pass a city
ordinance that would impose an additional $300 fine to "public
consumption" of cannabis. Prospect Hill's video interview with
Mike Cann led to an open dialogue between MassCann and Mayor
Manzi. In the end, Mayor Manzi's proposal was reduced to a $50
fine for public consumption of cannabis in parks and schools,
and the public consumption of alcohol fine was brought in line
with the cannabis fine.
Lawrence, Massachusetts, which sits just north of Boston may not
be considered a hot bed for producing fresh talent, but that all
changed in the summer of 1998 when a local band broke out and
made it big. Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and another
local band is starting to generate the same buzz that catapulted
Godsmack to the top of the charts.
Formed in 2003 by friends Mark Roberge and Derek Rousseau, the
group experimented with their sound before finally finding their
niche. Prospect Hill released their first full length album
titled “Out of The Ashes” in 2006. As 2007 came around, so did a
new lead singer.
With the addition of Adam Fithian, Prospect Hill literally found
the voice they had been looking for. With all the key players in
place, the band began the process of putting a fresh demo
together. With the release of a four track demo featuring newly
penned tracks “Breakdown,” “Panacea,” “S.O.E.” and “Walk Home,”
Prospect Hill took to the road with their electric live shows,
touring relentlessly up and down the east coast, building a
bigger and stronger fan base with each stop. As 2007 continued
on, the process of recording their new album began to take
shape. Touring along such big name acts as Powerman5000 and
Hinder, Prospect Hill dazzled audiences with their hard hitting
new sound.
In May of 2008, Prospect Hill released “For the Lovers, the
Haters and the Dead.” The album featured Godsmack’s own Tony
Rombola on the track “S.O.E.” The radio ready “Breakdown,” which
also appeared on the demo released a year earlier was
re-produced by renowned producer Anthony J Resta, whose previous
credits include acts such as Collective Soul, Duran Duran and
Elton John. “Breakdown” became an instant favorite at live shows
and even garnered enough attention to gain regular rotation on
New England rock radio stations.
The band’s sound, which they have labeled “metal-odic,” is a
blend of everything from metal to pop rock, which as allowed
their music to resonate with a vast fan base. Prospect Hill
continues to tour in support of their latest release, playing
venues all over the U.S. the group was invited to perform at the
12th Annual Rock And Roll Marathon in San Diego.
Though they have only been together for a short period, Prospect
Hill has been recognized nationally for their talents. In 2006,
Iowa’s rock radio station Z98 FM named Prospect Hill Best New
Band. In 2007, Z98 FM of Iowa nominated the group for “Best New
Act,” “Best New Song” and “Best Hard Rock Song.” Also in 2007,
after a nation wide search, Taco Bell recognized them as one of
their “Fourth Meal” Bands.
Prospect Hill is currently working on their highly anticipated
sophomore LP with “A” list producer Jon Wyman. The new album is
expected to hit the streets on September 25, 2009. |
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Graveyard BBQ onstage at the 2009 Boston Freedom Rally
(Photo by Scott Gacek)
(photo by Scott Gacek)
(photo by Scott Gacek)
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Graveyard BBQ
www.myspace.com/graveyardbbq
The 2009 Boston Freedom Rally marks the
BBQ's thrid appearance on the main stage.
Graveyard BBQ headlined the 2008 Boston Freedom Rally, one day
after being awarded
Best Music Act of the Year
at the MassCann/NORML awards the night before. The BBQ also
played the Freedom Rally in 2007, and have performed at numerous
Band4MassCann benefit concerts.
Graveyard BBQ won the 2009 High Times Doobie Award for "Best New
/ Underground Artist," which was awarded at the 2009 South By
South West Music Festival in Austin, TX.
The BBQ was born in the Summer of 2003 by four friends who
shared the same common vision of getting together to krank up,
jam out, and have some fun. For something that started out as a
hoaxy-jokesy side-project band with little to no expectations,
it certainly has gelled into a well oiled and defined machine.
The band’s lineup consists not only of its core members;
BROWNBAG JOHNSON (Slinger/Vox), BUD BLACK( Thunder), WHITEY
TRASHER (Skins), and HOWLIN’ JACK BOONE (Barker/Lead Vox), but
also incorporates THE BBQ GIRLZ- super sexy/devilish female
singer/dancers, and lots of crowd participation from its diehard
following and lively BBQ NATION.
Anyone who has seen Graveyard BBQ live knows that it’s an event
not to be missed. Their stage prescence, high energy
performance, and over the top antics seduces the audience
leaving their jaws dropped, faces melted, horns raised, fists
pumpin, minds erased, necks sore, panties wet, and wanting more.
Harmonix forever immortalized Graveyard BBQ by featuring their
song "Cheat on the Church" on the soundtrack of the hit
Playstation 2 video game, GUITAR HERO.
In 2009, Graveyard BBQ completed another highly successful
independent U.S tour in March, which concluded at the South By
Southwest Music Festival in Austin,TX. There the band won the
HIGH TIMES MAGAZINE "BEST NEW/UNDERGROUND ARTIST" Doobie Award
of 2009.
Ultimately, Graveyard BBQ offers something for everyone, while
supplying substance, conviction, originality and fun.
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(photo by Scott Gacek)
(photo by Scott Gacek)
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Termanology
www.myspace.com/therealtermanology
Termanology first met DJ Premier at a Gang Starr video shoot in
2003 where he handed Premier a demo, earning himself a cameo in
the video.
Growing up in the streets of the post-industrial, predominantly
Latino city of Lawrence, MA, the half-French, half-Puerto Rican
MC transitioned from silly freestyles at age nine to
full-fledged records by 15. Constantly traveling between Boston
and New York to pursue his music business dream, he released his
first 12-inch in 2002. Through his alliance with influential
mixtape DJ (and fellow Massachusetts native) Statik Selektah,
Term began earning the respect of Boston's hip-hop scene with
several highly acclaimed 12" singles.
At the onset of 2006, Term caught his big break when legendary
producer DJ Premier, whom he met three years earlier, finally
blessed him with one of his signature, scratch-laden beats.
"Watch How It Go Down" instantly became an underground classic
and Termanology appeared on hip-hop's international radar. The
conscious hood anthem garnered the earnest MC tons of praise,
landing him in The Source's "Unsigned Hype" and XXL's "Show and
Prove" columns.
Since then, Termanology has quickly climbed the industry ranks
with his Hood Politics mix tape series and continued
collaborations with DJ Premier and other big name producers.
Term's hard work resulted in a joint venture deal with
EMI-distributed label Nature Sounds, which he signed in late
2007. "I decided to go the indie route to have total control of
everything related to my project," Term explains.
"Term has a unique desire for the culture because he touches the
issues that i can relate to as a TRUE HIP-HOP HEAD..his flows
are nice, and he stays creative with his subject matter...he
even speaks for me and not every new MC comin' up can do that."
- DJ Premier
Termanology recently won the most recent Boston Music Award for
Best National Hip Hop Artist.
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Big Shug
www.myspace.com/gangstarrfoundation
2009 marks the first time Big Shug
is performing at the Boston Freedom Rally.
Big Shug, aka Cary Guy, grew up in
the Mattapan area of Boston. He forged an early friendship with MC
Guru. After a brush with the law, Shug went on to join MC Guru
and DJ Premier in forming the Gang Starr Foundation. Signed as
a solo act to Babygrande Records in 2007, Shug released records in
2005, 2007 and 2008. In interviews, Shug has addressed the Boston
hip hop scene, saying, “Boston need to support each other, but a lot
of cats don’t…In Boston we got to help out, and help the next cat
get where we’re at. But sometimes cat’s egos are so big they
don’t be trying to listen to you, but that’s why they still ain’t
out.” (http://www.djbooth.net/index/interviews/entry/big-shug-interview-0620071/).
Big Shug has performed with DJ
Premier, Sean Price,
Bumpy Knuckles,
Billy Danze of
M.O.P.,
Termanology,
Blaq Poet,
and Singapore Kane.
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DJ Slim at the 2008 Boston Freedom Rally.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
(photo by Scott Gacek)
DJ Slim on stage at the MassCann Decimalization Party on Jan. 2,
2009.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
DJ Slim puffin' onstage.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
DJ Slim and MassCann President Dr. Keith Saunders, along with
some kind friends.
(photo by Scott Gacek)
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DJ Slim
http://www.myspace.com/hemphits
DJ Slim will be onstage at the 2009 Boston Freedom Rally for the
second year in a row.
DJ Slim has performed at several MassCann fundraisers, and was
one of the headlining acts for the MassCann Decriminalization
Party on Jaunary 2, 2009, the day Question 2 officially became
law in Massachusetts.
DJ Slim has shared a stage with Method Man, Termanology, and Big
Shug, among others, and has appeared in High Times Magazine.
After launching his own Label “Puff Pass” & releasing two
success “The REDEYE PROJECT” mixtapes, Boston veteran DJ Slim is
back in a cloud of smoke with his new release “HEMP HITS”, which
features guest appearances from Edo. G, Cappadonna, Big Shug,
RipShop, Singapore Kane, Lee Wilson & more as well as production
from Reel Drama, Scratchismz Productions, MP2, TrackBully and
BeatCatererz.
With endorsement deals from “Smoke Clear” rolling papers,
Gravity Vortex, Heilix Glass Pipes and IBurn T-ShirtsDJ
Slim is blazing Boston’s underground into the national
spotlight.
Since the release of DJ Slim's Hemp Hits cd, he has been
nominated for the 2009 HIGH TIMES DOOBIE AWARD for Pot Song of
the Year and for Msic Video of the Year from the 2009 AMMA
Awards. He was nominated and awarded the 2009 GMMA Album of the
Year and Video of the Year awards.
Music from DJ Slim's "Hemp Hits" is featured on norml.org's
"Daily Audio Stash" as well as on Marijuana Radio and Time for
Hemp.
DJ Slim writes: "I have been an avid follower of the
legalization movement, especially in Boston. Being someone who
attended almost all of the Boston Freedom Rally events in the
last 20 years, I came in contact many of the people involved.
Specifically, MassCann's Keith Saunders, Mike Cann, and Scott
Gacek. They have always done things in the right way, trying to
educate all that would listen about the importance of
legalization, decriminalization, and marijuana law reform. When
I began thinking about what I could do to help, I knew that my
music was my way of expressing the positive things aobut
marijuana. Now, when I meet new people that want to bring a
change in Boston to help make marijuana legal, I tell them to
"give of yourself, whenever possible. Everyone is needed for the
movement."
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(photo by Scott Gacek)
(photo by Scott Gacek)
(photo by Scott Gacek)
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The Force
http://www.myspace.com/theforcemusic
The Force makes their debut appearance at the Boston Freedom
Rally in 2009.
The Force has played countless benefit concerts for MassCann
since 2007, when they played our Summer Benefit show at the
Baseball Tavern. They have also played shows at Harpers Ferry in
Alston, Millie's Tavern in Manchester, and The Middle East in
Cambridge. They were a headlining act at the 2008 MassCann/NORML
Awards Show and Boston Freedom Rally Preparty.
According to The Force, "Were out for funky fun, and the
rhythmic celebration of your bum!"
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(photo by Scott Gacek)
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The Organ Beats
www.myspace.com/theorganbeats
The Organ Beats will be making their first appearance at the
Boston Freedom Rally this year, and have played at MassCann
benefits in the past.
This power trio has evolved very quickly but since they were
kids Danny and his kid sister Noelle had been playing music
together.
And though Noelle sang for an international touring rock band,
DAMONE, for 10 years her heart was always at home with her own
music, her friends and family. When they were reunited they
immediately got down to business and they recorded their first
record in Texas with Rebal at her and her brother's modest
recording studio, Little House Studios. The songs are packed
full of powerful vocals, lots of melody, beefy guitars, warm
synths, and you might even find a couple organs in there, too.
Noelle takes her influences from a grab bag of tasteful songs
and musicians across the board.
The music brings us a feeling of happiness as if nothing
could possibly go wrong and a burning nostalgia even for the
coldest of hearts. This 9 song, 34 minute record can promise
you a smile on your face and a chill in your bones.
They won't disappoint live either. They play their songs with
heart and passion. Noelle is a pitch perfect singer, Rebal is a
class act, and Danny is a solid drummer behind 26 inches of
vistalite. Just you wait and see.
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Thunder Brothers on stage at the 2008 Boston Freedom Rally
(photo by Scott Gacek)
Thunder Brothers on stage at the 2008 Boston Freedom Rally
(photo by Scott Gacek)
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Thunder Brothers
www.myspace.com/thunderbrotherslive
THUNDER BROTHERS IS THE BEST OF BOTH DJ CULTURE AND LIVE ROCK.
THE CORE VIBE OF THE MASH-UPS IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A TRENT
REZNOR FEEL AND BANGING BERLIN-STYLE TECHNO.
BRADLEY JAY PLAYS GUITAR, KEYS, AND A BIG MOUNTED KICK DRUM WITH
MALLETS, WHILE DOING THE MASH-UP THING.
STEVE KILROY PLAYS THE FULL FLOURECENT ORANGE 'RCI' VISTALITE
DRUM KIT SHOWN ON THIS PAGE.
IT IS TECHNO ROCK MASHUP FURY. IT IS 21ST CENTURY FUN.
WE COME OUT OF THE GATE LIKE A JET DRAGSTER. STAND BACK, YOU
COULD GET HURT. THIS IS NO MAMBY-PAMBY B.S. THIS A BIG NEW SCARY
THING.
DRUMMER STEVE KILROY HAS BEEN DAMAGING ROCK AUDIENCES IN
BOSTON AND EUROPE FOR YEARS WITH HIS TRIBAL STYLE.
HE IS CURRENTLY THE DRUMMER FOR TEEN SPIRIT, "THE AUSTRALIAN
NIRVANA" SHOW AS WELL AS THE DRUMMER FOR THE THUNDEROUS THUNDER
BROTHERS.
BRADLEY JAY IS A LONGTIME BOSTON DJ AND LIVE PERFORMANCE
ARTIST. BRADLEY APPEARS ON FATBOY SLIMS "YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY
BABY" ALBUM.
VISIT MYSPACE.COM/BRADLEYJAYSOUND OR SEARCH ARTIST BRADLEY
JAY. THE FEATURED THUNDER BROTHERS TRACK, "FIVE MINUTES" WAS
RECORDED IN BOSTON (11/25/06) AND LONDON (12/1/06) FEEL IT LIVE
AT A GIG.
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The Luxury
www.myspace.com/theluxury
The Luxury is making their first appearance at the 2009 Boston
Freedom Rally. Their appearance is particularly notable, as they
are the last ever winners of the WBCN 104.1 Rumble, with WBCN
signing off the air this August after 41 years of supporting the
local rock scene in Boston. WBCN Rumble Winners have been
playing the Boston Freedom Rally for over 15 years.
The Luxury are "purveyors of anthemic rock with big
stadium-sized hooks and an eye toward UK indie style" (Weekly
Dig), formed in 2005 and offering 2 critically acclaimed records
(as of July 2009).
The band hit the CMJ top 200 with their first record, "This Is
Why We Can't Have Nice Things", were selected by Coldplay to
open their August '08 performance at Boston Garden, and in April
'09 were crowed winners of the 31st annual Rock and Roll Rumble,
a long and storied tradition in the Boston music scene whose
past winners include 'Til Tuesday, The Sheila Divine, The
Dresden Dolls, Township, and Campaign For Real Time. The band's
smashing followup, "In The Wake Of What Won't Change", arrived
in July '09 and hits college radio this September.
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Matalon
www.myspace.com/matalonrock
MATALON is a Boston-based hard rock quartet writing and playing
straight-out, ass-kicking rock 'n roll - big thick riffs from
dual guitars, heavy-ass bass and drums, great lyrics and strong
vocals.
MATALON is fronted by Scott Matalon (daisycutter, squid, modern
art!), with his brother Craig Matalon (daisycutter, perseverence)
on drums, Jay Gardner on guitar (landsdowne, Highgate) and Chris
Eskola (the newtz,deadlikedeath)on the bass. Scott is the owner
of Stingray Body Art, Boston's best tattoos, piercing and
permanent makeup shop and works there with his brother Craig,
and the rest of the guys slave away at one job or another makin'
just enuff dough to do one thing; rock their asses off makin'
music!
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SuperPower
www.myspace.com/superpower
SUPERPOWER started in September
2004 in a Allston basement. DAVE TREE (TREE,DRUGWAR)wanted to
start a new band so he asked BUTCH (PORNSTAR,CURBFEELER) to play
drums and FRYLOCK (CURBFEELER,THE SQWAGS) to play bass. a
guitarist named MARSHALL(C.A.G.E.) was around for the first 3
gigs until promptly replaced by TERRY(DISRUPT,GRIEF). since then
the band have played over 200+ shows around new england, new
york, new jersey and d.c. with the likes of MURPHYS LAW, MOUTH
SEWN SHUT, SCISSORFIGHT, 25 TA LIFE, GANG GREEN,LEFTOVER CRACK,
WARGASM, DOOMRIDERS, THE FREEZE, DARKBUSTER and many, many more.
2 e.p./c.d.s were released during this time, the SELF-TITLED
E.P. and the PREY FOR THE WORLD-DEMO PSALMS E.P. FRYLOCK left
the band in august 2008 and was briefly replaced by
DAVE(DEADLIKEDEATH) who endured the usual 2-3 shows a week
routine including SUPERPOWERS regular yearly appearance at the
MASSCANN freedom rally. |
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Cars on Mars
www.myspace.com/carsonmarsmusic
Formed in March of '08, Cars on Mars transcends genres with
songs woven from folk in indie fashion.
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Nawset
www.myspace.com/nawsetband
Nawset originated in the spring of 2000, when guitarists Adam
Crowell and Michael Redfern began collaborating. While Mikey Red
and Adam were writing in Mike's cramped room, Larkin was playing
in the successful Boston-based band Last Born. When Last Born
decided to go their separate ways, Larkin took a hiatus from
music. In the fall of 2005, the three musicians came together .
The trio began working on new material that would be the basis
for music that Nawset was built upon. With their immediate
artistic dynamic, the drummer-less group decided it was time to
begin auditions. After numerous tryouts, the three were
introduced by a mutual friend to Woggster, a drummer from the
West coast, studying at Berklee College of Music. Everything
clicked with the group musically and personally, and Woggy was
invited to join the band, now christened Nawset. Their energetic
live shows, powerful sound, and unexpected musical twists are
proving popular with hard rock./Metal fans. Their musical
professionalism has earned them undiluted respect in the musical
community. |
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Hektik
www.myspace.com/hektik1
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The ProblemAddicts
www.myspace.com/theproblemaddicts
The Problemaddicts are a 5-man squad of emcees assembled by and
including Executive Producer Tone, Vorheez (formerly of Lords of
tha Fly), Force (also of The Alchemystics), Black Buddha
(multiple freestyle tournament winner and former WSKB DJ), and
1ne Man sound (also of Lyke Minds).
The Problemaddicts have toured with artists such as Tash (of the
Alkaholiks), Akil the MC (of Jurassic 5) and Planet Asia. They
have also shared stages with acts like Dead Prez, The Beatnuts,
Little Brother, KRS-1, Living Legends, Mos Def, Soulive, De La
Soul, Akrobatik & Mr. Lif, The Clipse, Addison Groove Project,
J-Live, Ghostface Killah, Blackalicious, Rahzel, GZA, MOP,
Pharaoh Monch, Sizzla, Brother Ali, Sean Price, Special Teamz.
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Final Hour
www.myspace.com/finalhourfans
Hailing from the Boston suburbs, members of the hard-rocking
band Final Hour bring a working-class attitude to songs about
relationships, betrayal, disappointment and personal triumph.
And it’s no wonder. The quartet has been laboring in the
vineyards of Boston and Providence area clubs for the past seven
years, honing an original sound that draws from such influences
as Tool, Korn and Chevelle.
Underpinned by the virtuosic guitar playing of Andy James, the
driving bass of David Foster and the drumming of John Pelletier,
Final Hour’s music has been heard at a number of high-profile
New England venues including the Tweeter Center for The
Performing Arts, Boston’s Hard Rock Café and Cambridge’s TT The
Bear’s Place and the Middle East.
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