• The dark lounge band JOHNNY CREMAINS are putting the final touches on their first full-length, tentatively titled Leave It To Believers. Since forming in 2007, the band have often been relegated to side-project status — members pull from some of the most prolific heavy bands in town — so the forthcoming album might indicate that the project is getting more focus. Despite the affiliations, Cremains aren't a metal band at all, instead fusing elements of doo-wop, extravagant piano balladry, early rock and roll, and '60s pop into a loud and Bunglish stew. Those who caught them at Geno's a couple weeks ago got a taste of the band's uniquely modern complexities, and those who stuck around were given a glimpse of their fluency of genre: Cremains closed the night with an encore version of Cock Sparrer's English punk anthem "Out On An Island," joined on stage by ex-Business bassist Lol Proctor.• As the pool of contemporary folk music fills ever up to its brim, the folks at ONE LONGFELLOW SQUARE are offering a chance to plunge into its early depths. The newly anointed nonprofit launched a series titled MOVIE MUSIC MONDAYS this month, screening blues and folk revival documentaries and concerts from the '60s and '70s. OLS shows a new film the first Monday of every month — they debuted with Devil Got My Woman, a revisit of Howlin' Wolf, Son House, Bukka White, and other bluesmen February 6, and follow it up March 5 with Festival Express, a rock-psychedelia throwback with performances by Janis Joplin, the Band, Buddy Guy, and the Grateful Dead. Sure, a lot of like material (particularly the Dead stuff) can be tracked down on YouTube, but music is nothing if not a social event, and One Longfellow gets that better than your living room ever could. All films start at 7 pm; check onelongfellowsquare.com for the full season.
• Pleased to report that local musician JEFF BEAM reached his Kickstarter goal of $1500 this week, ensuring the release of his fifth studio album, Be Your Own Mirror, in April. We were fearing that the 24-year-old Beam, who's released an album a year since he was 19, would let his solo work play second fiddle to the Milkman's Union when he joined them as a bassist last fall. Be Your Own Mirror, which Beam recorded and mixed himself and plans to press onto CD with local production company Crooked Cove, should convince fans that the man himself is here to stay. One of the most inclusive and experimental local musicians working within pop formats, a Beam breakout would be timed perfectly with the Milkman's Union recent surge, and could form a local foundation for a pretty excellent tour.
Related:
Fall Books Preview: Reading list, Old friends return, A Sorrow-ful Unknown Science, More 
- Fall Books Preview: Reading list
Even if you’re not back in the classroom, autumn inspires a desire to learn, to restore the intellectualism that was fried by too many beers and barbecues and sunburns. Fortunately, Portland is full this fall with opportunities to spark your smarts.
- Old friends return
The sinewy post-punk group HUAK drop Yorba Linda , their first full-length, named for the birthplace of Richard Nixon.
- A Sorrow-ful Unknown Science
What's been a kick-ass bluegrass festival season — Ossipee Valley, Saddleback, and Thomas Point Beach were all stand-outs — has a wonderful coda this weekend with Henryfest.
- The Mutineers move forward
Where Mockingbirds Roam , the Mutineers' 2005 debut, was an all-covers affair.
- Mind the winding trails
The local group TRAILS , who've spent the summer playing the Big Easy Wednesday-night circuit, issued a second record this month, the Trails & Co.
- Getting down and dirty with Joe Walsh
Seeing Joe Walsh for the first time, down with Jerks of Grass in some of the final days of the Bramhall Pub, he was immediately "the Android".
- Daydream believer
Long a young songwriter with buzz, Pete Miller has been woodshedding with Eric Bettencourt all winter working on a debut record that sees the light of day this weekend.
- Kurt Baker is Rockin’ for a Living
There's so much more to Kurt Baker than his music.
- Steve Grover makes a Statement
Everyone wants to be in Steve Grover's band.
- Musings and mutterings from the worlds of Maine music
MICAH BLUE SMALDONE is taking his talents to Fort Kent.
- Livening up 2010: Many bands, all over town
It was about the experience in 2010. Whether it was the sweaty, riotous, arm-over-your-buddy's-shoulder type of concert or the ruminative, head-plodding sort, concertgoers in town (and away) had much to immerse in.
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Topics:
New England Music News
, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, More
, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beam, Jeff Beam, Geno’s, Geno’s, One Longfellow Square, One Longfellow Square, Johnny Cremains, Less
