Sunday, April 12, 2009

Prospect Hill "Into The Light" 2009 MassCann/NORML Boston Freedom Rally Announcement

Sat. 9/19/2009
20th Annual MassCann/NORML Boston Freedom Rally
High Noon, Boston Common with Big Shug, Termanology, Prospect Hill, Thunder Brothers, DJ Slim, The Organ Beats, Graveyard BBQ, and more TBA.


Link to youtube
Video recorded at Harpers Ferry, 4/11/2009 MassCann/NORML Benefit, MikeCann.net, Prospect Hill studio audio recording.

Posted by MikeCann at 5:19 PM Subscribe to mikecann.net
Labels: , , , , , ,

36 comments:

  1. we want THE FORCE !!!
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  2. THIS LINEUP SUCKS!!! WHO THE HELL ARE THESE GUYS ANYWAY? BIG SHUG? THE ORGAN BEATS? REALLY? WTF???
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  3. For real man... What's up with all the hip-hop? And nothing like booking bands we never heard of before... Sure, Prospect Hill and Graveyard BBQ rock, and DJ Slim is cool.... But Thunder Brothers? The Organ Beats? Who the hell are these guys anyway? How about booking bands we LIKE and we've HEARD OF, like Dropkick Murphys, The Mighty Mighy Bosstones, The Force, Cherry S/T... You get the idea! Give the people what they want!
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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.
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  5. Big Shug was featured with Gangstarr, a legendary hiphop act around Boston. The Organ Beats are awesome, featuring NOELLE of DAMONE, who had a national radio hit about two years ago. Locally WBCN, WAAF, and WFNX all had that song at the top of their rotation. The Force are probably going to get booked but it's to bad that some of their supporters are dicks and know nothings. I've yet to hear a FORCE song on the radio, maybe the bcn show but let's get serious, you want to sling shit, I got the cold hard truth.

    The two you went after have had hits and been featured all over, I am very happy to have them! And Termanology just won best national hip hop at the recent Boston Music Awards. These are some of the biggest names we've had in decades.

    The Dropkick Murphys and Bosstones aren't playing the Rally. And I have friends that talk to them. Dickie B. talks to my lady, old time friends. It's not going to happen, even if we have the minimum expenses, it's much harder than you think to book that kind of act. But the big thing, the Rally can't cover that sort of expense to fly these kind of acts out and put them up in a hotel, even if they waived their usual fee.

    Get a clue. If you want to fly them out send MassCann a check for $10,000 or shut up. You are making the band you support look terrible.
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  6. I agree with the above. Get rid of the has beens and the never will bes... Keep Prospect Hill and Graveyard BBQ, ditch the rest.
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  7. So Damone had a couple minor hits a couple years ago... then book DAMONE. I saw the Organ Beats at your show on Saturday, when they played to an empty room at Harper Fairy. Would you book Into the Presence because their drummer is Tim Alexander from Primus? Just a thought... I don't have anything against the Organ Beats, but I'm not sure what they've done locally other than have one member from a band that isn't around any more. As far as Big Shugg is concerned, my biggest fear would be the negative press that gangsta rap could bring to the peaceful day known as Hempfest. Is that really the message that peaceful pot smokers want to send? I'm down with DJ Slim cuz he supports the cause, and isn't really gangsta... how about some more roots bands and reggae? How about some jam bands?
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  8. "I saw the Organ Beats at your show on Saturday, when they played to an empty room at Harper Fairy. Would you book Into the Presence because their drummer is Tim Alexander from Primus?"

    Room was not empty. Actually had a good early crowd. Is Tim Alexander the focus of Primus? Noelle is the singer for Damone and The Organ Beats. Not really the same thing. And besides I like The Organ Beats better than Damone and one band played for masscann's benefit and one didn't.

    Criticism from people who don't have a clue? Funny.

    Hip hop is easy to book because it requires no set up and can be a very short set. Yeah, let's book a jam band, I can give them 15 minutes to do one song like the hip hop or just kill the bands I already booked. No Prospect Hill or BBQ, you want jam bands.

    It's four hours of music, one stage. Let's give an hour to a jam band that has done nothing for masscann/norml? That's genius right there.


    "As far as Big Shugg is concerned, my biggest fear would be the negative press that gangsta rap could bring to the peaceful day known as Hempfest. Is that really the message that peaceful pot smokers want to send?"

    Complete bullshit. Yeah, the media's going to go apeshit because we booked an act that is more edgy. Give me a break! They barely even cover us anymore so if that happens how is it even a bad thing? I pray for a Howie Carr hit piece in the Herald and on RKO the days before the Rally. Get a grip and get involved.
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  9. And PS, I heard the same sort of crap about booking Prospect Hill, Roadsteamer, BBQ, Darkbuster, and they all turned out awesome, even the people that complained later said, yeah, they rule.

    If I'm clueless, how come everybody that has been going to rallies for 19 years said last year's was one of the best if not best for the music?

    Because I know how to book this show. The comments here show you for what you are. Fans that have no clue. Glad to see we have fans. Now go buy a t-shirt. haha.
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  10. "Fans that have no clue."

    gee, and I thought this concert was supposed to be for the fans, not mike cann's friends' bands...

    my bad, didn't mean to offend you mike.
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  11. i guess me and the rest of the fans with no clue will go back to doing what we do best. listening to all the bands that we have no clue about.
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  12. wow, assholes. mike c does the best with the music. this makes me not like the force. mike's right, dumb people, you are, band or supporters of them. obvious. And the room wasn't empty early at harpers but it kind of was for that masscann awards the force played at and that should have been bigger with high times. if you count votes, mike i want my vote against any these people want.
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  13. Asshole, I'm sort of friends with the Force, never met the acts you bash,interviewed The Organ Beats once. I'm friends with Roadsteamer now, he didn't play last year. Being friends with me does nothing for a band. Sounds like you are pissed that's not the case.

    I also don't book the whole show, we have sponsors and sometimes they get a spot. The show is about the fans that do nothing but bitch and accuse? Not. Don't go. I don't care. Plenty will.

    And I have a right to be pissed. Without my actions, there would not be a 2009 Boston Freedom Rally. There wouldn't have been a Freedom Rally the last several years. A handful of people saved it. Do that and show you won't just pick your friends bands and I might actually listen to you. 10,000 people went last year, should I book all 10,000 of their friends bands? No. That's not my job.
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  14. "i guess me and the rest of the fans with no clue will go back to doing what we do best. listening to all the bands that we have no clue about."

    I'm sure you know all about your best friends band. You know nothing of what it takes to book a Rally. Four hours of music, have to book all different styles and book acts that can draw, that will respect the show and be willing to do what it takes to perform there. Short sets. Because if you did, you might have a clue. You don't, you are a friend of a band or worse.
    Hip hop is easy to book and confirm for many reasons. We confirmed some of our bands and will have more when I can definitely be sure that we have it all set up with speakers and the other issues/details dealing with this many acts in such a short space of time...

    If we had two stages. If we had people that actually did more than bitch, maybe we could do more music? But bitch some more. Maybe next hurricane, I'll just say F it and let it die because I'm pretty damn sure none will do what I did to save it. Nobody cares but for them and their frineds. Got it.
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  15. Looks like everyone has an opinion today... Although I don't know how this turned into an Organ Beats and Force bashing... As far as I can tell, only one guy asked for the Force (the first post "we want THE FORCE !!!) so I'm not sure how that band has somehow turned into the enemy. As for the Organ Beats, I agree with Mike -- the first time I heard them was Saturday night, and they sounded pretty good. They seem like the kind of band that would be good to open things up, playing in the first hour or so... good tunes to rock out to while the sun is shining and vibes are still happy (and not too many $100 fines have been passed out yet.) I'm not sure about their draw, but who cares? It's a free show! As for The Force... I've seen them a couple times, they do put on a good show, and its fun times. For that guy that said about the awards show being half full when they played? Remember, Gutterheads and Superpower both played that night too, and at the Freedom Rally the following day, to the same half full middle east and the same 10,000 fans at the Rally. Personally, I'd like to see all three bands (Superpower, Gutterheads, and the Force) added, but I know that probably isn't possible. Especially since I'm looking forward to the BBQ and Prospect Hill. So if I had a choice of the three, I'd say book the Force, but only because they haven't had the chance to play yet. And no, I'm not a fan of any particular band... I just love music, and go to shows once or twice a week. And there are plenty of other bands that I'd love to see play at the rally too, but I'm sure they'll have their chance if they work hard.
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  16. PS. I have a short list of acts that I want to book, they include the following, not all will get booked but some definitely will, probably half of them, a few I have left out because I don't have it in front of me.

    The Force, Cherry S/T, The AndWutz, Singuya, Oak Lonetree, White Mic, Gutter Heads, The Change Up, Herbal Nation, Fear Nuttin Band, Singuya.

    I've got to book some different styles. My first pick I want to see for the number of people I know they will bring out are Cherry S/T and The AndWutz but we've already booked lots of rock so that's why we wait to see what we can work out with time and booking. And of course, The Force because they would be perfect, have a fanbase, and keep supporting the cause. And we need some real marijauna music like Herbal Nation or FNB..

    For 2 to 3 hiphop artist sets I can get 1 rock band set.

    The major problem with the Rally is the time is very limited with speeches and a short show on one stage. MassCann is squeezing me even more than usual for time for speeches being the 20th anniversary. It helps us when we have more billed artists, making it a bigger crowd. That's what you miss in booking on this show. We get 1000 plus submission for 4 hours of stage time. And we need to raise money but do not want to be pay to play. We are 100% fair. I don't care if you are my best friend. I have plenty of friends in amazing bands that have never played. Serious acts and musicians that I've never booked for this. Most acts in Boston realize this about my pretty quickly. If I book you it's because you both deserved it and got lucky. Some deserving acts go unbooked, I can't create more time.

    I am fine with hearing what you like and want, but when you pretend to support the Rally and rag on our acts? Fuck that. None of these acts get paid and they support our cause. That's complete BS and I take it so personal I want to punch you in the head. I won't of course but that's the feeling.

    If they are millionaire dicks ok, but these are our acts playing for free because they love this show.

    If you bash our acts, you can kiss my ass and it makes me not want to pick the bands you like. That's the honest truth.
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  17. Thunder Brothers, yes, Bradley Jay is a legend. Maybe not known number 1 for his music but if that's how he wants to be involved, great! And the music does not suck, they played last year and were phenomonal, the crowd loved them. And he does give us time on the radio, both on the number 1 rock station in Boston, WBCN, and the number 1 radio news station, WBZ. We are lucky to have them.
    THUNDER BROTHERS rule.

    I did notice two posters mentioned the same act, who are friends of mine. I don't know where it's coming from but I don't like it. And I don't like it in defense of me either. I know the one person was defending me but then attacked one of our bands. Please stop attacking bands. Buy their cd's and shut up. These folks live and die over this, as do I. Just chill, smoke, listen to some music and be there, on Sept. 19th, you can bitch the next day here or tell me how great it was.
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  18. You guys need 6 stages like we have in Seattle!
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  19. Just to set the record straight, I wasn't trying to bash your bands. It just seems that your announced lineup has an overabundance of thug rap, and little else. I caught your show in Manchester with Prospect Hill, Cherry S/T, and The Force. All three bands were great, put on a kick ass show, and were very different but similar types of music. And I love the Dropkicks and the Bosstones, which is why I mentioned them, even though I know its just a pipe dream to think either of them would (gasp!) play for free in their hometown.
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  20. What rubbish. Had it not been for "bands we never heard of before" I would have discovered groups like Sam Black Church and Tree a lot later, if even ever. The Freedom Rally is all about great bands who deserve exposure. If the whiners here want to see the bands you've heard of, spend the fucking money and buy a ticket to their big over-priced shows. The Freedom Rally is hands down consistently the best free show this town has. Who the hell is The Force? I know of every other band on this bill, but have never heard of The Force. This stinks of self-service to the hilt. Based on that alone, you should not be chosen to play. Bad mouthing other bands that are certainly more well established should serve as a one way ticket to nothing.
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  21. The Force, Cherry S/T, The AndWutz, Singuya, Oak Lonetree, White Mic, Gutter Heads, The Change Up, Herbal Nation, Fear Nuttin Band, Singuya.From your list (above) I would book Fear Nuttin' Band, The Change Up, Cherry S/T, or, Herbal Nation. Herbal Nation, because they are a natural fit. And the rest because they are amazing bands.

    Thanks.
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  22. If the Anonymous person who ripped on the lineup would have the balls to come out and join MassCann, he could actually have direct input into the band selection process. I know this because I am a MassCann member, and have volunteered at the Rally since 2001. After working with the group for a few years, and contributing what I had to offer (time, my professional status when advocating on behalf of reform, money), I was able to recommend bands that played the Rally in the past 4 years.

    We will take your criticism seriously when you are willing to stand up and be counted. Come to our next meeting, April 29, at Uno's on Washington St. in Newton. I promise you will be treated kindly and your opinions will be respected. You may even want to join us ($25 for a voting membership, $5 more gets a t-shirt, and for $35 you get tie-dye.

    Dr. Keith Saunders
    President, MassCann/NORML
    20th Annual Boston Freedom Rally
    9.19.09 - HIGH NOON
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  23. Exactly, what Keith Saunders said!
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  24. After reading all the comments above, I think everyone needs to take a step back and chill. Booking bands for the rally isn't easy -- I can back Mike up on this. There are so many bands that deserve to play, and have the talent to put on a good show, and help out MassCann by playing benefit shows. And I don't think a week goes by when a new band approaches me and asks how they can play the rally. It's just not possible to put everyone on the bill. I think we should be happy and proud that we have such a popular event that everyone wants to play -- especially since nobody involved with the Rally gets paid to do so.

    As far as the acts that have already been announced, all I can say is this: With the exception of Big Shug and Term, I've heard them all live, and they all rock. I'm sure that Big Shug and Term will put on a kick ass show. In case you didn't know, Method Man has been raving about Term's new album. Personally, I can't wait to meet these guys and chill with them at the Rally.

    As far as some of the other acts that have been mentioned... The Andwutz put on a great show last year. So did the Gutterheads, Herbal Nation, White Mic, and Fear Nuttin Band. I saw Cherry S/T a couple months ago, and they put on a great show too.

    When booking an event like the Rally, you have to put personal feelings aside, and Mike does a great job at it. I'm friends with many band members from Prospect Hill, the Andwutz, Gutterheads, The Force, and hundreds of other bands in and around Boston. If I were to ask Mike to book every band that I thought was deserving, we'd end up with a week-long music festival. As awesome as that sounds, it is financially impossible, unless someone out there has a rich uncle that would like to throw in half a million bucks or so to make it happen.

    And one last thing, to Anonymous who said that it stinks of self-service to the hit, all I can say is this: I know Vic and the boys in The Force, and they certainly would not do anything like this, or ask their fans to do so either. They do things the old fashioned way, with hard work and playing benefit shows for MassCann (including one coming up on June 6th at the Middle East with Prospect Hill). They would certainly not trash talk other bands (especially when they are friends with some of the band members!) and are always supportive and respectful of other bands in Boston. So to blame all the bullshit trash talk on them is uncalled for.

    Over the past 3 years, I have worked with hundreds of bands in and around Boston. I have seen some really great bands play to empty rooms, and I've seen some not-so-great bands sell out large venues. All I ask is that everyone keeps an open mind, smoke some kind, and enjoy the killer show that Mike is putting together for us.

    In Mike Cann We Trust.
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  25. Suffolk Universuty NORMLMay 11, 2009 07:18 AM
    Hey Mike!
     
    I think all these bands are pretty dope.  Prospect Hill is always a good time!  I am aware of a vast majority of students that are against the whole rock scene though.  Last year I tried bringing a ton of students to the rally but they were discouraged just because they heard a distorted riff coming from the commons.  As much as the Freedom Rally isn't about just the music, and more about the cause, I believe the music has a HUGE part to do with the gathering of supporters.  And this years lineup is absolutely fine.  SO, kudo's to the guys at MASSCANN for putting together a fairly mixed and talented batch of performers for the 2009 Freedom Rally. 
     
    People need to stop complaining about a certain band they don't want to hear at the Rally.  It's not all about the music, get over it.  If you don't want to listen to the music, Keith is right; get involved with NORML yourself and have a say.
     
    Keep up the good work guys!  I can't wait for the Rally!
     
    Jeff Morris
    Suffolk University NORML President
     
     
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  26. Thanks, going to be a great Boston Freedom Rally this year! See you all there.
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  27. I agree...same sounding stuff, all forgettable bands riding the current stoner riff-rock, no melody or staying power.
    DK
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  28. Your comment has no staying power, anonymous and off the mark. Stoner riff-rock? Which act? I see three hip hop acts,  dirt core, noise ambient rock, but no stoner riff rock. You should stick to your day job and forget trying to be a music critic.
     
    Everybody thinks they know how to book the show with no experience doing it. Funny. But all I need to say is last three years attendance has increased year after year. Last year was our biggest money maker since before 2001. Best in a decade. And this year? It will be bigger. That's all I care about. Not whether or not nameless people are happy. I could book your band that you think is so needed. But would it help the show get more people? No. In fact it would do just the  reverse. I know because I've booked it all and I know what works at this show. It's not your club down the street that you might book shows at. It's the Boston Freedom Rally.   Big rock acts is what we book.  Big in terms of boom from the stage. Like Roadsteamer, Darkbuster, Prospect Hill, BBQ, that's what drives this show. Always has and always will. Tree, Sam Black Church, Scissorfight, the history is there. Only a fool will deny it.
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  29. Legend in Boston music, thank you for the comments above. Thanks for emailing and letting me know you read my blog and left that comment.  Anonymous posters bashing might get more of a response if they did the same. Who do I listen to a legend in Boston music for 25+ years, hall of famer, I won't reveal who you are but you let me know or the anonymous folks, jealous of their lack of success? If you were doing things, you wouldn't be crying here over the bands on the Rally.
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  30. The rally is gonna be great! So is slightly stoopid, snoop dogg, & stephen marley on their summer "Blazed & Confused" tour. It starts july 10th! shit i cant wait to burn up all kinds of ganja at the show, ive been waiting for this tour since march!
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  31. With the new law they can't arrest or even fine anyone (not required to show ID and you  can make up  a name with no penalty!)  The day has arrived! So this should be the biggest party ever! Everyone can smoke without fear!

    How about some COMEDIANS this year! Great local talent! Pot jokes?....Sure...and just good entertainment for the stoned! If interested I can help w/that. Post comments!
    ReplyDelete
  32. With the new law they can't arrest or even fine anyone (not required to show ID and you  can make up  a name with no penalty!)  The day has arrived! So this should be the biggest party ever! Everyone can smoke without fear!

    How about some COMEDIANS this year! Great local talent! Pot jokes?....Sure...and just good entertainment for the stoned! If interested I can help w/that. Post comments!
    ReplyDelete
  33. halfassed, that's not quite true. Some city and towns have changed the law and they may be able to arrest you if present a false name. I wouldn't try that in cities that have raised the fine.

    But the real truth is for the most part police just aren't enforcing it but to those that do something really stupid.

    As of now, Boston did not change the law in their city so it looks good but it's not September yet, so they could change, though not likely.

    But I never understand the idea of not giving them your name. We've yet to get one report of anybody doing that. Not one report.

    It's a $100 fine. If it was $1000 I might think about doing that, but for $100? I don't want any local cops pissed at me for giving a false name and then following me around looking for other tickets to give.
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  34. halfassed, that's not quite true. Some city and towns have changed the law and they may be able to arrest you if present a false name. I wouldn't try that in cities that have raised the fine.

    But the real truth is for the most part police just aren't enforcing it but to those that do something really stupid.

    As of now, Boston did not change the law in their city so it looks good but it's not September yet, so they could change, though not likely.

    But I never understand the idea of not giving them your name. We've yet to get one report of anybody doing that. Not one report.

    It's a $100 fine. If it was $1000 I might think about doing that, but for $100? I don't want any local cops pissed at me for giving a false name and then following me around looking for other tickets to give.
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  35. But you are right, this 2009 Rally is going to be huge. No arrests. 2 Stages! New sponsors and broadcasters been confirming this week. MarijuanaRadio.com and NORML Audio Stash both coming this year and weren't there last year.

    The local media is going to be all over it, like they were for that Fenway Phish concert.

    "What will the Police do without being able to arrest the potheads at the Hempfest? They are expecting to give out tens of thousands of fines..."

    And then they probably won't....Just like they didn't for Phish. And if they do? Double standard political games get called out for more media coverage. Awesome when you have the people and win!
    ReplyDelete
  36. But you are right, this 2009 Rally is going to be huge. No arrests. 2 Stages! New sponsors and broadcasters been confirming this week. MarijuanaRadio.com and NORML Audio Stash both coming this year and weren't there last year.

    The local media is going to be all over it, like they were for that Fenway Phish concert.

    "What will the Police do without being able to arrest the potheads at the Hempfest? They are expecting to give out tens of thousands of fines..."

    And then they probably won't....Just like they didn't for Phish. And if they do? Double standard political games get called out for more media coverage. Awesome when you have the people and win!
    ReplyDelete

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