Tonight and all week long at the Middle East club, The 31st Annual Rock 'n' Roll Rumble preliminary rounds will take place. It's a great opportunity for fans and bands alike to check out the scene. Bands have a chance to get great exposure, bragging rights, prizes and cash. You must survive to move on. For a full listing of the bands, nights and times - check out the blog.


We've (remember, there are 5 of us now on the website!) been super busy working on the blog, but it won't compare to anything like the coming week. If you are in town, you're going to want to see one of these live shows (or two or ALL of them!) If you are reading this from afar, just now that we will have the live coverage you need and the photos you want! It will almost be like you're there!

There's a lot of great content, mp3s, videos and reviews on the page right now. Head on over! RYAN'S SMASHING LIFE - MUSIC BLOG.

Well it looks like Myspace fixed some of it's software issues that made problems for me posting in here and reading blog comments. Excellent!

Just wanted to let you know I am in the process of a major site upgrade. We are also moving the page (something they call a file migration) to http://ryanssmashinglife.com) The move will allow for great control, stability and management. (And it'll just make the page look wayyyyy better.) As the website has grown, we need to get a bit more professional. All of this is scary as I don't want to lose any files if I can help it! For now, begin using http://ryanssmashinglife.com (update your bookmarks). Its a simple redirect now, but eventually the blogspot.com site will become obsolete!

Recent RSL Appearances in the Media. Some files came up missing and we have tracked it back to Blogger/Google. I spoke about it to the press - my only voice box - and the story got picked up.

Rip Van Winkle - Boston Blogger.... I have been plugging away like crazy on the blog and sometimes forget to spend a few minutes in here every couple of weeks to touch base! This is where it all started for the blog and I will try to remember to continue to post in here regularly - it's been tough to fit things in though.

A couple of big things. We just closed our live concert year at Ryan's Smashing Life - we hosted a mind-boggling SEVEN live indie rock shows from all over the globe this year! (That's 28 live band performances to you and me.) We closed out the year with a Halloween show over at TT the Bears in Cambrige with The Rumble Strips (London), Birdmonster (San Fran), The Teenage Prayers (NYC) and the ever-impressive Vivian Darkbloom (Boston's own.) This brings the RSL two-year live tally to 11 shows. I never could have done it with the musicians and the fans. I love bringing you all together.

RSL Presents 2009:  I am already booking a pair of shows in April - one of which will involve the Boston return of Vancouver's Parlour Steps (I had them in the city for probably the best show of the year this spring with Austin's Black and White Years) - and we can't wait to have them back!!! Much, much more to come!

Next: I am moving - finally, after about three years living in Boston's Wild Metrowest (I say this to be funny, it's not that exciting but you have just as much traffic) - I will be moving back into our fair city. This can only mean good things for the Blog!

Keep Reading: I urge you all to check out the blog on a regular basis. Readership has blown up - but it's not the same without you! Daily mp3 downloads, interviews, album reviews and anecdotes from music lovers for music lovers! (What more could you possibly ask for??)

Here's just some of the content THIS WEEK:

(THESE ARE ALL LINKS.....)

The Lights Out Boston residency - ¡HEIST! performed live!

Boston Show of the Week: Mason Proper and Cloud Cult

Super Slo-Mo and tracks from Daft Punk at Coachella

IN STUDIO: GREAT NORTHERN

Best of 2008: Parlour Steps

Review: LIGHTBULBS from Fujiya & Miyagi

Simon Says No!

Black Gold - Video Blogging: Mexican Eats // Vintage Gear // Indie Rock Record Stores

On The Way to The Show LAST NIGHT

Jesse Malin Week

Goodbye Studs Terkel - A Legendary Voice (his 1963 Interview with Dylan)

The 2008: The Year in MUSIC (January - September) is fast approaching. Watch my list to know what to buy the little indie rock fanatic on your holiday shopping list. Stay in the know on clever unknown bands I sneak into the list (it's one of my favorite things to do, you know?!) and be the rock snob hipster you were born to be. This one (the list) is coming soon!!

Ryan -

on behalf of BragginBilly, Jen and myself, thanks and keep readin' - !

http://ryanssmashinglife.blogspot.com

 I just sat down and set aside some time to write a long-overdue update to you all. It was done - It was a LONG post and took some time. I carefully linked up all my recent thoughts and carefully edited my words. I added photos and then made sure I had everything properly formatted. Done, I launched the blog only to lose everything into the Myspace Blog Abyss - absolutely one of the worst software programs ever written.... Sigh.

Unannounced New Release:

 The unstoppable Jack White has proven his mettle once again by doing something completely unexpected. Rumors swirling about yesterday that Jack White appeared in a Warner Brothers executive office with unexpected completed and mastered Raconteurs recordings in hand appear to be true - at least in substance.

The Consolers of the Lonely will be available everywhere on the planet on March 25th - less than two full weeks after Jack White handed the mastered songs to the studio executives who had no advanced notice of the material. Wow.

READ ON....

URL : http://ryanssmashinglife.blogspot.com/2008/03/unannounced-new-release-raconteurs.html