An update on CONIFER, whose record we reviewed a couple weeks back: They'll be spending this winter working on the next full-length (An Appeal to Heaven), but before then they'll travel out west with LESBIAN, which features DANIEL LAROCHELLE, whom fans of early-'90s Portland hardcore might remember from RECKONING FORCE and NEW EYES FOR OLD; and they'll meet up with old Portland friends CITADELLE. Upon their return home, they'll also back LEIF SHERMAN CURTIS on his solo debut: Life after the Succubus. A break-up album?
You should expect a new TOUGHCATS album before the winter's over. They've spent October recording a new disc, and they promise a little bit of the old stuff and a little bit of the new stuff.
FRANK HOPKINS releases his newest full-length, American Dream, with backing from long-time band LINE OF FORCE, at Bubba's on November 22. Since we're writing this before the election results are in, we won't jinx anything by saying you might be in a mood for some of the sentiment you'll find on the disc.
Congratulations to HEADSTART! frontman KEVIN KENNIE and his wife (who did all the work): They are now joined by first child Nora June.
Related:
Headstart at the beginning?, The death of 'Do This,' and more, Hope springs Eternal Otter, More 
- Headstart at the beginning?
Headstart have only been around for about five years, but especially with frontman Kevin Kennie's long history in the scene, begun with Shufflin' Tremble/Loud Neighbor, they are now decidedly mid-career artists.
- The death of 'Do This,' and more
Photographer/songwriter/BOXY member JOSHUA LORING and SPACE GALLERY were awarded a grant by the MAINE ARTS COMMISSION to document the underground rock scene.
- Hope springs Eternal Otter
The latest scuttlebutt on Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Ray Lamontagne, and more.
- Complaint Department
Can we have a benefit show or something in the coming year to save up enough money to buy three ghosts (preferably the ghosts of local rock's past, present, and future) to visit Sam Pfeifle in his dreams to tell him the following.
- Random rules
25 more local musicians meet, greet, and rock at the second 48 Hour Music Festival
- Headstart! go where they wanna go
There was a time when we wouldn't review EPs in this space (Sontiago is still bitter about it). Times have changed.
- The State Theatre's success, plus new discs from Jason Spooner and Olas
The first weekend at the STATE THEATRE is being lauded as an unmitigated success. Even a fire alarm going off during MOE. 's show Saturday night couldn't put a damper on anyone's experience.
- Stocking stuffers
So, this does, indeed, come a week after the whole "gifts" issue, but this is traditionally the week for local music suggestions.
- The digital delight of Space versus Speed
Since 2000, we've had the Popsicko, Rocktopus, As Fast As (three albums), Spencer and the School Spirit Mafia, and now Space versus Speed. All with Spencer Albee as principal songwriter and frontman. Seven full-length records.
- Frank Hopkins finds an inner peace (and jam)
After three albums of stern lecture, it would seem that Frank Hopkins and his Line of Force have decided to just roll with the punches and turn out a nice dance jam.
- Apocryphonic: This Light Offers No Warmth, July 9 at Geno’s
Local avant-metal band Apocryphonic merge the grammar of Mogwai and the sonic vocabulary of Conifer into 35 minutes of dexterous post-rock on their impressive debut record.
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Topics:
New England Music News
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