It's A Gift (29A Union Square across from the Citizen's Bank)  is in threat of being shut down due to finances. The store sells artwork and crafts by adults with physical and mental disabilities. During the Somerville Open Studios May 1st and 2nd, It's A Gift will have silk-screening in the store. Community members may bring in clothing or buy vintage clothing or a t-shirt ($5 or less) to have an image by one of our artists printed on them for $10.

In the evenings is where they need musicians to volunteer their time and talent to saving the store. It's a Gift will be having a Save Our Store fundraiser concert as a Somerville Open Studios after party. Starting at 6:30pm on May 1st and 2nd musicians can play a 30-45 min. set each. As an extra incentive for musicians, they can make a silkscreen of a band image/logo so that the musicians can make t-shirts,etc. If the image is brought in at the Somerville Open Studios they can have it ready with in a couple weeks.

For more info email the editor at: needitor@thedelimagazine.com

--The Deli Staff

It must be tough to have an apostrophe in your band's name - but I guess that's how you weed out the articulate from the people who don't care.

I care, and you should. The Day's Weight will be playing with Delta Spirit and Movers and Shakers tomorrow night, Thursday, April 8th at Northeastern's afterHOURS club. The show starts around 7:30 p.m.

If The Day's Weight strikes a familiar chord, it's because they played to a sold out room at The Deli's Boston launch party last November.  Though Pat McDermott and Kyle Toomey grew up together playing music in the outskirts of Boston, the band officially hails from Burlington, VT. The two have gathered a strong assortment of musicians from LA to Berklee, and have basically brought together some serious sound.

Dark but refreshing, The Day's Weight bring the old west to Indie rock.  McDermott's voice defines the band's persona - a voice steeped in sexuality and somehow familiar.  Each song successfully tells a story, and they'll make sure to drive it home. I think they'll impress the Delta Spirit crowd - which means it's worth being on time for this show.

--The Deli Staff

This Thursday through Saturday nights, there will be a benefit show for local musician Ray Neades at Church. Sadly, Ray passed away this past December, far too early at the age of 42. If you did not know Ray, he was perhaps most well known for fronting an AC/DC cover band by the name of Beefy DC. He got so much joy from playing music.

I saw his band perform at Paradise one night and after his set I asked him how he was. His face beaming, he told me he how he had always wanted to play that room, and that he felt like he was on top of the world.

At the time, I worked with Ray at Guitar Center. Outside of performing music, he was honestly one of the funniest people I have ever met in my life. He made my workdays so much better with his sense of humor. He told the kinds of jokes that I retell to people over and over again. He had such a big heart, filled with life and love of music.

The proceeds from the shows will go to help his family alleviate some of the expenses related to Ray’s death. The shows feature a large cast of local musicians coming out in support of Ray and his family, including Jenny Dee and the Delinquents and Andrea Gillis. You can get more info and buy tickets HERE

RIP, Ray. We will miss you.

--James Houlahan

Deli contributor and freelance photographer Michael Spencer will be having an opening for his new exhibit Sublime Instance on April 6th at 8 PM at Christopher's (the restaurant next to TOAD). He will be showing thirteen photographs from his work at festivals, local shows and other musical adventures. He's phtographed, Moe. (above), Jesse Dee, Treat Her Right and many others. See more of his work HERE

Christopher's 1920 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA

-- The Deli Staff

Freezepop has made a name for themselves by proving that pop song structures applied to infectious dance rhythms and video game inspired synth melodies produces phenomenal music. And the crowd at their sold-out matinee show on Saturday, March 27th at Café 939 is proof that the system is working splendidly well.

Café 939, a small performance space at Berklee, supplied a great atmosphere for the rare all-ages show. The high-ceilinged, open space housed the band’s background screens which flashed pop-art logos and minimalist graphics throughout the show. Even before the band began to play, members Liz Enthusiasm, Robert John “Bananas” Foster, The Other Sean T. and Christmas Disco Marie Sagan joked and bantered with the audience. The band is known for their close connection to fans and even responded to an audience member who called out, “Freezepop rules!” that that should be the name of their new album.

The show itself was nothing short of spectacular. Freezepop brings an effortless energy to all of their songs: The music is loud and intense without ever losing the wry innocence and playfulness characteristic of the band’s sound and personalities. The 14 song set featured fan favorites like “Plastic Stars,” “Frontload,” and the indomitable dance opus “Less Talk More Rokk,” as well as new songs like “Magnetic” and “Lose That Boy” from their forthcoming untitled album.

Liz’s vocals were strong throughout, switching effortlessly from soft soprano melodies that faded into synth effects (notably in “Lose That Boy” and the mischievous nursery rhyme tone of “Stakeout”) to the more forceful crescendos needed for “Frontload” and “Lady Spider,” darker vocals evocative of the crooning malaise of Depeche Mode. The instrumentals were near perfection with Robert John “Bananas” Foster’s keytar playing functioning as that impeccable balance between showcasing his musical prowess and genuinely enjoying the experience of playing the music. Sean T’s guitar was spot on, especially in the rock-heavy “Brainpower” and “Get Ready to Rokk” where the solos evoked the F-Zero series’ race soundtracks. Christmas Disco Marie’s work on vocoder and synth, which she used to provide trance-esque distortion to Liz’s vocals, is a testament to her skills and seamless integration into the band.

Freezepop’s music is always a playful montage of sound, evoking video game music, infectious dance songs, 80s synth-rock and pop songs to create a sonic mélange that’s as appealing to the indie crowd as it is to electronica fans. Freezepop is set to tour the Northeast in April, so check their website for dates.

--Meghan Guidry