Over the past fifteen years, Toad has served up free, great live music every single night. It's become the focal point of a flourishing community of local musicians and music lovers.
When I was living just a few blocks away, I'd go there at least once or twice a week. My favorites were Monday nights for Anita Suhanin and Tim Gearan's bands (they've been playing there every single Monday for about eight years!) and Sundays for Session Americana (a mishmash of super talented local musicians; they've since moved their residency down the street to the Lizard Lounge).
I met a lot of amazing people and made a lot of my favorite memories at Toad. (Had the pleasure of playing there a few times, too, with The Unlikely Cowboys, Jess Tardy, and Rose Polenzani.)
That's why I was psyched to get an email from Toad's mailing list about their 15th anniversary celebration. Check out the musicians who got their start there!
TOAD TURNS FIFTEEN! Though it's hard to believe, this June marks the 15th anniversary of TOAD. It's pretty rare for a club to thrive for that long, but it seems this venerable little haunt is standing the test of time with flying colors. With this in mind we've put together a two-day festival featuring just a few of the movers and shapers that have helped mold the club into a premier music destination, and made it such an integral part of the Boston music scene. Given the size of the room, it would have seemed unlikely that G. Love and Special Sauce, Tracey Bonham, Patty Griffin, Morphine, Jen Trynin, Guster, and Lori McKenna would all have played some of their first gigs here -- or that Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder or Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith would have dropped in and played ... but they did. And while those stories certainly help to build an image and create a rich history, the real story of TOAD is not just a trip down memory lane. It's about what the club has come to mean to the artists and patrons of the local music scene. The success of TOAD is evident in the new bands that play here now, the terrific people who operate, book, and nurture it, the great beer on tap, and above all, the music that is still going on free of charge, 7 nights a week, just as it did the first night we opened 15 years ago. We hope you'll celebrate with us this month! TOAD CELEBRATES FIFTEEN YEARS! JUNE 21st and 22nd Music, Food and Festivities Starts at 3:00 As always ... no cover!
Congratulations, Toad gang!
If you're in Cambridge, you should check out the 15th anniversary party. If you can't make it, make a point of going some other night. I'd recommend starting with a Monday. It's across the street from the Porter Square T station (look for the purple neon sign), and it's free.
1912 Massachusetts AvenueCambridge, MA 02140(across from the Porter Square T stop)
Fun fact: I was there the night that Eddie Vedder showed up for a little improptu performance with my friend Matt's band (Crown Victoria, with Bill Janowitz from Buffalo Tom). Unfortunately, I left about ten minutes before Eddie showed up. =P
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