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DAVID BOFFA

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Review: Akon's Freedom

Droppin', poppin', etc.
Back in April 2007, R&B singer and rapper Akon dry-humped a 15-year-old girl on stage, an incident that led to some overblown criticism in the conservative media.

By: DAVID BOFFA | December 15, 2008

Bane at ICC, October 31, 2008
The intensity level may have been a hair tamer last Friday at the ICC in Allston — an unassuming DIY venue in a church's function hall — but Halloween gave the night a twist.

By: DAVID BOFFA | November 07, 2008

Red Sparowes

Aphorisms | Sargent House
The brainchild of Isis guitarists Jeff Caxide and Bryant Clifford Meyer, this post-rock outfit is inspired by Mao Zedong’s attempted eradication of farm-pestering sparrows in the late 1950s.

By: DAVID BOFFA | September 02, 2008

Hip-Hop The Hard Way

The Press Project at Bill's Bar, August 29, 2008
A smidge of DIY-punk ethos was probably the last thing anybody expected Friday at Bill’s Bar: no roadies were spotted as the Press Project's rhythm section set up their own equipment.

By: DAVID BOFFA | September 02, 2008

Conor Oberst

Conor Oberst | Merge
It’s just an Omaha boy playing some good old country pop — for once.

By: DAVID BOFFA | August 26, 2008

Noise in the hood

Big Digits and Chinese Stars at Middle East Upstairs, July 5, 2008
A knowing sense of humor emerged between songs, legitimizing the chicanery as mere friendly artistic expression.

By: DAVID BOFFA | July 07, 2008

Mark Lind and the Unloved

The Truth Can Be Brutal | Sailor’s Grave
It may all be very familiar, but it’s reassuring and refreshing to know that some people never change.

By: DAVID BOFFA | July 01, 2008

Monsters unleashed

7L + Esoteric at the Middle East Downstairs, June 13, 2008
The best moments came when Eso ran down his action-figure collection — from Silver Surfer to Storm Shadow — while wearing an X-Wing commander helmet.

By: DAVID BOFFA | June 19, 2008

The Morning Benders

Talking Through Tin Cans | + 1
It’s an ageless template that works well here.

By: DAVID BOFFA | May 06, 2008

The Replacements: Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash;

Plus, Stink; Hootenanny; Let It Be (Deluxe Editions) | Rhino/Rykodisc
The Replacements have a well-chronicled history of sabotaging their own rock stardom.

By: DAVID BOFFA | April 29, 2008

Hot Water Music

Til the Wheels Fall Off | No Idea
If nothing else, it’s a reminder that two guitars playing the same power chords isn’t always a bad thing.

By: DAVID BOFFA | March 25, 2008

Zox

Line in the Sand | SideOneDummy
They may do a fine job of staying in pop-rock mode here, but that’s not one of their strengths.

By: DAVID BOFFA | February 20, 2008

Chiodos

Bone Palace Ballet | Equal Vision
This post-hardcore sextet get their name from three Italian filmmaker brothers best known for an ultra-campy 1988 horror flick about extraterrestrial clowns taking over Earth.

By: DAVID BOFFA | November 19, 2007

The Heartless Bastards

All This Time | Fat Possum
The Heartless Bastards are a Dayton trio fronted by Erika Wennerstrom, an extremely shy woman with the voice of a blues crooner.

By: DAVID BOFFA | January 22, 2007

Logically speaking

DJ Logic talks about his Zen moment
The turntablist who taught jam bands to scratch speaks on his new album, the roots of jazz rap, and his New Orleans tribute with Charlie Hunter.

By: DAVID BOFFA | July 17, 2006

Goth vs. skronk

AFI and Dillinger Escape Plan at Avalon
The variation in sonic textures seemed not to matter much -- most likely, it was the point -- and an enthusiastic crowd packed the floor, surfing and slamming to both bands as best they could. AFI, Dillinger Escape Plan, and Nightmare Of You at Avalon, June 20, 2006

By: DAVID BOFFA | June 22, 2006