2004: The Year of the Monkey

December 22, 2003

While Chinese New Year isn't until the middle of January, it's not too early to start thinking about what American New Year resolutions you might have already broken by then. The most common resolutions are: exercise / get in shape, quit smoking, save money, get more sleep, keep in touch with friends & family, and get organized. Anything else?

Here at camp Scamper, we've got a different set of promises to keep. The first is well supported by our January schedule. Two big shows in one cold month, with great bands and venues all around. The second... well you'll have to stick around, as planning continues and a long-awaited announcement brews.

Pop of the tops

December 13, 2003

It's a good feeling to be happy for your friends, and for Scamper now's the time to profess our positivity. Our partners in rock Mappari pulled off an unmitigated success at the Paradise on Friday, a show which we were honored to be a part of. There were no tickets to be bought by midway through the show, and Mappari put on one hell of a fine performance. They are finishing up recording with preeminent producer Tom Polce, an album that will be a 2004 must have.

The High Ceilings, also on the bill Friday night, have something to look forward to as well. Some time off. Er, what? Turns out local rocker Max Heinegg is about to become the father of an actual human, instead of merely the father of 4-minute rock gems. Congrats!

And the good news just keeps coming: pals and summer gigmates The Unbusted are being featured in the new Farrelly brothers movie "Stuck on You." As this article from the Boston Globe reports, they can finally pay off their van. Viva rock de Boston!

As for us, we'll be back with big things in the new year. We promise.

Winter

December 6, 2003

Winter has arrived in Boston. Rock shows were cancelled all over the city tonight, which by all means sucks for the bands who were slated to play. Scamper shows got hit with some treacherous weather last winter, and we all know it rained for about 12 weekends in a row this summer, so here's hoping we avoid trouble this season.

Did you know? Mappari is having their set interpreted in sign language this Friday. You can read about how that came to happen here in Mappari's press release about the show.

Radio Free Allston

December 3, 2003

This Friday, check out Nate and Keith and hopefully Mike on AB Free 1670AM. Unfortunately, you can't listen live over the web (read about why not here), but you can chat live with us and hipster DJs JoEllen and Laura on IM during the broadcast. 7:30pm sharp, AOL IM screenname ABfree1670. Yeah.

Paradise headliners Mappari got some deserved time in the sun, on the November cover of The Noise (who also recently gave Scamper a darn nice review of the EP). The actual Mappari article doesn't seem to be available online, but you trust me right?

And it appears that Carl Sagan may have been right all along.

Full steam ahead

November 21, 2003

With the legendary Phil Spector and "crackers" Jacko both headed for the recording studio with 6-foot cement walls, we need to start repopulating the music industry. Our friends in Mappari and The High Ceilings agree, and the proof is in the Jello pudding, pop. Tickets for the Paradise show are selling hot online and at the box office. Get yours early to get the discount and the guarantee of a free CD on show night.

It's not often we're in a smoky rock club these days, but we were again last night in Marlboro-friendly Cumberland, Rhode Island. Photos from the show are up, proving yet again that Keith can't get rid of his beard (though Nate can get rid of his hair), and Marc looks eerily like the Elvis on the wall (though Mike looks hardly anything like Miles Davis).

Speaking of free CDs, production is underway. There will be only a limited supply at the Paradise, though we're going to try and have enough for everyone. Accost us at the club, but be gentle.

Don't FUD my iPod dude

November 14, 2003

CNET Networks, Inc announced today that it has acquired certain assets of MP3.com, Inc.

"Please be advised that on Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at 12:00 PM PST the MP3.com website will no longer be accessible in its current form."

So, what does this mean, folks? Is the (already diminishing) venue for free independant music distribution selling out to the corporate whore? Or is something actually beneficial going on here, with CNET simply buying up the brand name in hopes of an even more creative solution for the indie musician? Time will tell. One thing is for sure: MP3.com never was the same after it was bought by Vivendi. It lost its organic feel, and honestly I think there was less crap on it - which in turn stole away some of its charm.

But, maybe a decent forum will exist sometime soon for talented independants where they could actually get paid for their work. We'll see. Speaking of free music, we're giving out free brand spanking new EPs at the Paradise show. Do stop by - the first 250 scamps get the prize.

Take candy from strangers, but just this once

October 30, 2003

Did you know that a processed cheese-food product from Kraft dampens the spirits of bad-tempered marsupials? Well, if you rearrange the letters of the titles of the two tunes that Scamper is busily recording, you too will discover that "Velveeta saddens ornery roos." I'll leave it to you, dear readers, to sort that out.

But, yes, new rock songs are being digitally birthed, filling this quiet autumn where you've normally become accustomed to, and spoiled by, relentless Scamper shows. Sit patiently, and be sure you've circled December 12 on your calendars for Scamper's appearance on the big stage at the Paradise in Boston. We'll have our new stuff ready for you, and, unlike Velveeta's effect on those poor mean kangaroos, we assure you it will put a big dopey grin on your pretty little face.

Meanwhile, how disgusting is this?

My name is Inigo Montoya

October 20, 2003

So, in the next week we will find out if there is a baseball god. It's very simple, really. If the Yankees lose the World Series (preferably in some bizarre, unfortunate, or crushing way), we can sit here and say that some justice was served. It might make us here in Boston feel 1% better on our long road to recovery.

Life marches on. Scamper marches on. A smattering of small shows and out of town gigs will dot the landscape of the next couple of months. We're also working on a couple of studio recordings. We're also getting ready for Halloween. As you know, the members of Scamper traditionally get together on Halloween and go trick-or-treating. Last year we dressed as 4 famous U.S. founding fathers. (Can you guess who was James Madison?) The year before that was the cast of Scrubs. ... While none of this is strictly true, we are preparing Marc Roderick costumes to be sold in the online store.

Heartbreak Again

October 17, 2003

And so a new generation of New Englanders has learned the risk of rooting for the Red Sox.

They will tease you for months. They will tell you they are different from their forebears. They will claim that what happened before has nothing to do with them. They will make you believe this really is the year.

But in the end, they will fall and sometimes they will do it in excruciating fashion. The weight of the Boston uniform is always too heavy.

The 2003 Red Sox were an admirable bunch. Keep them in your hearts for a while. No group of athletes can be truly prepared for the larger forces that clearly have gripped this franchise and the one in Chicago.

- Dan Shaughnessy, Boston Globe

This is why you live in Boston. Or why you should.

October 6, 2003

Fall is a wonderful time in New England. The air is crisp and pumpkins everywhere are reaching their full potential. The leaves are turning and the weather is perfect for your favorite 62° jacket. So what are you doing to celebrate life during this glorious season? Hiking the Appalachian Trail? Picking apples out in Groton?

Well, if you are a member of Scamper, you are holing yourself up in a rehearsal space and sharpening up a few tunes to lay down in the recording studio. The plan is to record some and give them away on free CDs at an upcoming Big Show. We'll see if we can't pull that off. Someone stop by with some apples; it'll help us along.

Below the above

September 21, 2003

Illusionist David Blaine is attempting to go without food for 44 days, suspended from a crane in a plastic box near the River Thames in London. Soon Scamper fans will have to endure a similar challenge. Well, now that I think about it, it'll probably be less slimming (Blaine expects to lose 30% of his body weight) and more personally memorable (he also expects to lose his mind).

After the next upcoming show - Middle East on October 5 - the band is set to take a 2-month break from Boston-area shows. Why?, you might have already asked before reading this patronizing sentence. Is it the fact that Scamper is yet again heading into the studio to lay down two brand new tunes? Is it that Scamper has been signed to a multi-album contract with RCA, and the executives are being very stubborn insisting that a 2-month world tour is required to "weed out the troublemakers?" (Note to executives: It's Nate.) Is it that Scamper has tired of the incessant, never-ending routine of tearing down gear for shows, driving it through the Big Dig, only to set it up for a 30-minute show and tear it all down again?

Yes, it's all these things. But also another reason - something big happening in the winter. Something the guys need some time to plan for. Details soon. But for now, come wish us well at the Middle East on the 5th.

Devonian, a lizard, which lives in a tree and is good friends with Jinx

September 8, 2003

Word on the street is that Scamper is a phenom at suburban Concord High, judging by the number of yellow Scamper stickers that can be found adorning bags, lockers, and Nalgenes up there. That's right, Nalgene.

Which is all fine and good, but we here in Scamper prefer to see our stickers adorning the derrieres of provocative women. And do you know where that happens? The Lizard Lounge. No, seriously. Come out on the 20th and we'll show you.

The Network of European Museums Organization

September 1, 2003

With a plentitude of NEMO gigs dotting the east coast of Massachusetts, there is by definition much ado about Boston this weekend. While your humble hosts regret to inform you that the showcase was reciprocally avoided this year (for Scamper, voluntarily and for NEMO, unwittingly), we aren't too proud to shop around some of our good friends, giving you options galore this weekend.

• Scamper at Club Goodtimes, Fri 9/5 @ 11:00pm
• The High Ceilings at The Hard Rock Cafe, Sat 9/6 @ 9:30pm
• Francine at T.T. the Bear's Place, Sat 9/6 @ 10:40pm
• Fooled by April at the Linwood, Sat 9/6 @ 12:30am
• Chauncey at the Paradise Lounge, Sat 9/6 @ 12:40am

And for those of you interested in the details of last week's suburban Scampering, check the old journal for a write-up and photos (soon!).

Re: That movie

August 23, 2003

Something odd is going on around here. Not only have two upcoming gigs been swept out from under our feet, but now scamper.net has fallen victim (through no fault of our own) to the scary SoBig.F virus. Rarely do you have to pay so dearly for your friends' mistakes than when you appear in the address book of a virus catcher. If you get mail from Scamper with a weird subject (i.e. Re: Wicked Screensaver), it's not our fault! Hmmm, Scamper screensavers... that's a good idea actually.

At least one thing is business as usual - the very fine people to be found in this great city's music scene. Nate and Keith visited with JoEllen for an interview and performance on A-B Free Radio last night, and it was a blast. Somebody needs to give that publicly-funded station a nice big gift. But not so big. SoBig. Ha ha.

The higher you climb, the thinner the air (waves)

August 17, 2003

You know the higher you go on your radio dial, the more amazing the programming becomes. It's true. Which is why we can hardly contain our excitement for this Friday, when Scamper will appear live on one of the highest numbered stations in all of Greater Boston. That's right, we are of course talking about A-B Free Radio 1670 AM. They stream their feed over the net, so if you want to tune in but don't live on Cambridge Street in Allston, don't despair.

Still enjoying memories from the EP release at the Middle East? (Or punishing yourself repeatedly because you didn't attend?) Relive the night with a brand new review.

14 men to entertain you

August 7, 2003

Scamper could not have designed a better night to usher in their new recordings last night. A review written by FxA rocker Joe Welsh is posted, photos are up, and music hangovers are still clinging to their owners around Boston.

Props to NYC rockers We Are Scientists for dousing the Middle East with their excellent set, and for making the trip up and back in the same day even. Fooled By April, who have now signed the papers and are legally our brothers in rock (Brendo your identical twin documents are in the mail), are just simply amazing. Is it ruining the surprise to say that they themselves will have new music out this fall? Can't wait.

Runner and the Thermodynamics - there's a reason these fellows are getting all the press around town these days. And that reason is: they are all dating Congresswomen. No, seriously, they kick it on stage.

Come celebrate Geri Halliwell's 31st birthday with us

July 25, 2003

The lineup is set for the EP release show at the Middle East. Starting the night off will be newly minted pals We Are Scientists from the big city down south. You've got to get to the show early and see these guys. How can you miss a band with videos such as this?

Fellow Boston popsters Runner and the Thermodynamics will also join us on stage with their brand of high-energy rock. Rounding out the openers will be rockstars-turned-moviestars Fooled By April. If you haven't been following their story on our message boards, there's just too much to tell. Just know that there's more to Pete than seven-letter Scrabble words. Much more.

Some updates from Camp Scamper

July 10, 2003

Much work in rehearsals and in the studio is about to pay off... a good portion of the new EP is on tape and the finishing touches are just around the corner. In addition to the EP mission, Keith and Nate are also lending their take on Letters To Cleo's "Pizza Cutter" for an upcoming Kay Hanley tribute CD project. It's a grassroots effort by fans of that special lady, who has recently decided to relocate her talent to sunny but distant L.A. Look for that project to be out and about in Boston around the time of Kay's farewell show (August 8).

There are some newly posted gigs on the schedule page, and lordy don't you know there's more where that came from.

We got the whole damn night to go

June 19, 2003

Do not let the short list of upcoming shows fool you. Scamper is hard at work, as always, making the rock and roll happen. The band will be holed up in the rehearsal space and the recording studio with legendary pop producer and hometown hero Pete Weiss, recording tunes for a summer EP due out in August. Decisions besiege the bunch, such as just which songs to record and whether or not to force Keith into a self-help group for people who redesign their websites too often.

In the meantime, please do check out reviews and photos from our recent mini-tour of the Northeast, including Albany, Springfield, and New York City. And if your internet connection can handle it, we've started to post some videos of the band, starting with footage from the tour.

Also just posted: photos from Harper's Ferry and MIT.

Skampa in the Brizzonx

June 16, 2003

Things we learned on tour:

• If you don't get to go to sleep, at least take a shower
• New York will kick your ass if you're not looking
• McDonald's won't sell you a cheeseburger at 5am
• Small towns like the rock
• Back up your data
• Fans who drive 4 hours for a show are a dedicated bunch
• Fans who come along in the tour van are pretty devoted themselves
• You can't keep a good cover down forever
• Don't leave your crackers on the roof of the van

New recordings, mini-tour

May 26, 2003

Scamper heads (briefly) out on tour in June, hitting NYC and another northeastern town TBA on their way to Albany, NY. June will be bookended by two stints in the recording studio, so look for a surprise treat at the Harper's Ferry show, and an EP-release in late July.

A review and photos from the Scamper/Mappari show at TT's is now posted.

Sunday in Central

May 23, 2003

News from T.T. The Bear's Place, site of this Sunday's big one, is that tickets are not being issued until the day of the show. So your best bet is to arrive early and assure yourself a spot in the crowd.

School's out

April 30, 2003

If you're taking a Boston cultural course, you will certainly get an F (after the curve) on your final if you don't stick around until the end of May. There are some hot-damn shows around town in the next few weeks (stay tuned to Nate's The Scene for timely details), and fortuitously Scamper is included on one of those bills. May 25 at T.T. the Bear's Place, playing with our friends Mappari and The Audiants. You all know Mappari, local heroes who have brought the Boston sound to MTV and national awards show commercials alike. Seriously, they are the real thing and this will be one doozy of a way to kick off your Memorial Day. No work on Monday means we all come out to cut capers on Sunday. Did we mention this is a BIG SHOW? I mean, get your tickets early, ya'll! Yeah.

And around to the beginning

April 23, 2003

You may not be able to take the rhythm out of Scamper, but it seems you can take the rhythm section out, albeit temporarily. The Puzz..., er, Keith and Nate dusted off their acoustic duo guitars and personas to be a part of the Abbey Lounge's Twisted Tuesday acoustic series. Everyone in the crowd got several treats: 1) current Scamper standards stripped down to their skivvies, 2) a free Nate and Keith acoustic CD, and 3) the chance to hear one of the pair's oldest songs, which borrows respectfully from The Humpty Dance. See the photos.

Continuing the Twisted Tuesday tradition, but soundly destroying the "acoustic" part of it, is the upcoming rock and roll extravaganza on 4/29. New buddies and new Bostonians The Unbusted will be joining Scamper back at the Abbey in Somerville for a night of truly scorching sets. Come see what all the fuss is about, fussy.

Getting fat around the middle (east)

April 10, 2003

We're all getting fat on sonic strawberry pudding being served up at the Middle East in Cambridge. The rock and roll show there last night was stellar. Rocktastic. We really hope you were there. Check out the review and photos to get an idea of all the antics.

Now, looking forward... we suggest that you get used to Somerville right quick, because that's where we'll be stationed for a few weeks. A couple shows at the Abbey and Kirkland are on the schedule, including a one-time only Nate and Keith acoustic performance at the Abbey Lounge's Twisted Tuesday on April 22. Come hear your favorite power pop rock songs reduced to shivering lumps of acoustic fruition!

The latest spring fashions

April 2, 2003

Speaking of fresh, we've got a new message board. Talk amongst yourselves.

If you need to borrow a No. 2 pencil, ask your neighbor

March 24, 2003

It's the latest internet craze! We're not above that. Take the Scamper Quiz.

Post your results on the message board!

Leave your glasses on

March 22, 2003

The votes are in, loyal readers! The fan poll booths are closed and the chad inspecting has been completed (remember all that nonsense?). It seems that the faithful flock is requesting "Sophie" to be part of the summer recording project, and inside sources say that's a pretty safe bet. What you might not have known is how daft cunning our bassist is. By flying under the radar, Marc has gotten himself nominated as Grand Spicy Meatball of the bunch. We're still not totally sure what that means, or if the rest of us should feel bad, but in any case congratulations are in order.

Get out your calendars and see if you can't mark down some upcoming shows. And check out the review and hopefully soon some pics from last night's Lizard Lounge show. If you missed it, that's a real shame, and we missed you too.

Where the deviation is standard

March 8, 2003

First things first. Did you know that photos of the WMFO radio performace have been posted? Go check them out, along with photos and reviews from a boatload of past shows over in the gig journal.

When you're done with that, get your vote in on the first Scamper fan poll! We know you're out there and we want to do you right. That's right, you heard me.

Ides Of March... or Dicer Of Hams?

March 6, 2003

Anagrams... what would life be like without them? Anyway. What a hoot it was to play On The Town With Mikey Dee last night in the WMFO 91.5 studio at Tufts last night. The live room there simply has no sonic match, though it's worth noting that it was bloody blazing hot up there on the third floor, in the middle of winter! No matter. Listeners tuned in (thanks to the web streaming) from as far away as Shanghai, China and as nearby as Revere, and we thank everyone for spending the evening with us.

Threes

March 3, 2003

Not all of you will be able to pick up WMFO 91.5fm's signal on Wednesday night. We know that. But it's no excuse to miss the show! That's right, if you are reading this that means you probably have a computer. There are instructions on the WMFO website on how to tune in to the station over the 'net.

Twisted, not stirred

February 25, 2003

The last week of the Abbey residency is upon us. And as all you romantics know by now, every ending is a new beginning. As Scamper pushes on into Spring, we're going to be looking to expand our horizons. Broaden our borders. Defeat our sworn enemies. And to help make all that happen, we've started a new partnership with Twisted Rico, a local tour de force of rock savvy. They'll be hanging around our shows and accompanying us on press junkets in L.A. Perhaps we'll start with NYC. In any case, look for some exciting shows to pop up as a result.

One Choco Cherry Love Blizzard to go

February 17, 2003

Two more feet of snow? Bring it on. A Presidents' Day storm can't slow the February steamroller (make that snowplow) that Scamper is driving. The next two weeks will bring more Abbey Lounge residency madness, that's a promise. Results are guaranteed. Our last president had a tendancy to two-step, even though he used to work in an unfortunately-named town down south. Yes, this is Big Rock, folks. Big Rock.

More proof from Saturday's rock show: photos

Zucaritas!

February 11, 2003

Valentine's week, Scamper-style. Two shows, three nights of love (we'll let you handle Friday on your own). We're thrilled to be playing with 3 great Boston bands this Wednesday - Baby Strange, Fooled By April and Catapult are all on board to rock with us at Week 2 of our Abbey Lounge residency. And this weekend, it's back to the Big Stage at Club Goodtimes. Our amps and the club's fog machine will be turned up to 10, that's a promise.

Al Roker knows the score

February 4, 2003

That's right. One day remains until National Weatherperson's Day! So bring your umbrellas, galoshes, bathing suits and parkas over to the Abbey Lounge tomorrow night and get soaked with rock music. Absolutely soaked. Please arrive early (9pm) to catch Kipper Tin and then The Charms. Stay for the Weisstronauts and meet that bad boy Pete. It's the start of our residency; revel and rejoice with us!

February is Scamper Month

January 15, 2003

Well, at least for us it is. You can make it so for yourself as well, for Scamper floods the Boston club scene with six (count 'em) shows in the space of 24 days. Most glaring on the datebook is the Wednesday residency at the Abbey Lounge in Somerville. Some amazing Boston bands have hooked up with Scamper (read: The Charms, Baby Strange, Kipper Tin, the list goes on) to put together an ass-spanking poprock wonderland to sort through. We promise to make this one count; do join us early each week for festivities!

Changes are afoot

January 14, 2003

Scamper month fast approaching. New website coming oh so soon. More big shows to announce in March and beyond. Stay tuned.