 The Baseball Project was formed by Steve Wynn (the Dream Syndicate) and Scott McCaughey (Young Fresh Fellows, The Minus 5) in 2007. Shortly after drummer Linda Pitmon and R.E.M's Peter Buck and Mike Mills joined their friends and rounded out the band. The combo released their third album, the simply titled 3rd (Yep Roc Records), in late March. The band members are baseball lovers to say the least, fanatics would be a better word, and all albums have been odes to the good old American pastime. The latest record is filled with witty, rootsy songs, ballads, psych-rock, and countrified tunes as well as a Ramones-influenced take on the baseball anthem "Take me out to the Ball Game." The record features 18 tracks with subjects ranging from game stats to legends Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron along with shout outs to colorful characters, baseball parks, box scores, and then some. The Baseball Project will embark on a summer tour in July. More info on tour dates and the band can be found at www.thebaseballproject.net.
Summer 2014 Tour Dates: July 10 - Birmingham, AL @ Sirote Theatre July 11 - Atlanta, GA @ The Earl July 12 - Durham, NC @ All-Star Fan Fest at Durham Bulls Athletic Park July 17 - Washington, DC @ The Hamilton July 18 - Rehoboth Beach, DE @ Dogfish Head Brewery July 19 - Ringwood, NJ @ Live at Drew's July 20 - New Windsor, NY @ Storm King Art Center (w/ Happiness) July 22 - New London, CT @ Hygenic Art Park July 23 - Hudson, NY @ Club Helsinki July 24 - Rochester, NY @ Party In The Park (w/ Lucero) July 25 - Reading, PA @ Weekend Kick-off Party at The Abe July 26 - Harrisburg, PA @ Midtown Arts Center (w/ The Split Squad) July 27 - Port Chester, NY @ Garcia's July 28 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live (w/ The Split Squad) July 29 - Portsmouth, NH @ The Press Room July 30 - Boston, MA @ Great Scott (w/ The Split Squad) August 1 - Cooperstown, NY @ Brewery Ommegang (w/ Conor Oberst and Dawes) August 2 - Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade August 3 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Asbury Lanes August 5 - Louisville, KY @ Zanzabar August 6 - St. Louis, MO @ Duck Room at Blueberry Hill August 7 - Chicago, IL @ Abbey Pub August 10 - Madison, WI @ House Party August 11 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Cedar Cultural Center August 13 - Kansas City, MO @ Record Bar August 15 - Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater (w/ The Minus 5)  A raucous, carnival-like swirl of sound emerges as the combo takes its hometown New Orleans brass music into the alleys and side streets of American music via the nomadic gypsy ethos of partying and eccentricities. The band has released eight studio albums in four years, and with the ever-present backdrop and foundation of brass and jazz, it all gels while never quite getting stuck in any repetitive genre. They are on tour and will perform in Charlotte at the Evening Muse on June 20. (originally published in Creative Loafing, Charlotte).
Chris Stein of Blondie explains the magic of a little drum machine that helps define one of the classic songs of the New Wave era.  Guitarist, keyboardist and producer Tom Scholz remains the only original member of Boston, an essential element of high school soundtracks in the 70’s and 80’s and ever present on classic rock stations since then. Original vocalist Brad Delp committed suicide in 2007. He cut a few tracks before his death and appears along with several singers on Boston’s recent recording, last year’s Life Love & Hope. Charlotte's Tommy DeCarlo was hired to fill Delp's shoes, but the record suffers from too many guest singers. Scholz’s technical and guitar wizardry remain intact. Let's face it, though, Boston's best material remains their first 3 albums. They will perform at the Uptown Amphitheater in Charlotte on June 10. (A portion of this review originally published in Creative Loafing)
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