Wachtelligence

Season 4, Episode 1, AJ chats with Charlie Abel a longtime fixture in Boston's live music scene, best known for owning Harpers Ferry, the legendary Allston club that became a cornerstone of the city's music community and a driving force behind the "Allston Rock City" scene. Known for hosting local blues jams and both national and regional talent, Harpers Ferry earned a reputation as one of Boston's premier live music venues before closing its doors in 2010. Charlie continued his commitment to live music with Thunder Road in Somerville, a neighborhood venue that showcased local bands, hosted dance parties, and offered music-themed brunch events. Today, he remains part of Boston's independent music scene as a co-owner of Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Massachusetts, helping carry forward the tradition of creating spaces where live music and community come together.

Season 3, Episode 12. This episode is about "the band beyond description" or at least a band that plays their music. AJ sits down with Vic DeRobertis, founder and guitarist of Playing Dead, New England's premier Grateful Dead tribute band.

For more than 30 years, Vic has dedicated himself to honoring the music, spirit, and community of the Grateful Dead. Playing Dead has earned a reputation becoming the first call for many of the Commonwealth's most notable Grateful Dead celebrations. From performing at Jerry Day at Fenway Park for the Boston Red Sox to commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead's legendary performance at Boston's Music Hall (now the Wang Theatre), Playing Dead has become an institution for Deadheads throughout New England.

The band is also celebrating an incredible milestone—its five-year Wednesday night residency at Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, where fans continue to gather week after week to experience the music and the community that surrounds it.

Join AJ and Vic as they talk about the music, the history, the enduring culture of the Grateful Dead, and what it means to keep the legacy alive for generations of fans. Not to mention an amazing acoustic performance of "Ripple".

Season 3, Episode 11. A conversation with our host. AJ Wachtel has probably seen more club shows in Boston bars than anyone. As the head writer for BEAT Magazine, and holding ground at Bunrattys, he was out 7 days a week, seeing at least 4 bands a night. He has interviewed the greatest of the greats in the world of music. When the local press needs a comment of a recently passed artist or a remembrance of a local event, AJ gets the call. For this unique episode we have adjusted his microphone from host to guest, as our producer David Schwartz interviews this legendary journalist. From Chuck Berry to every local Boston Band you can think of, he has met them, chugged a beer, smoked his chillum and let them know he was there to support them in the press. This is an interesting episode from a man who has had a front row seat to some of the most infamous nights in Boston Rock history and as he says, "For many, many moons."

Season 3, Episode 10. AJ chats with Jerry Portnoy. Legend, one of the highest ranks you can achieve. But when you are the premiere harmonica blues player in the world and can speak of being in both Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton's touring band, my friend, you have reached the legendary status. Born in Chicago, he now makes Cape Cod his home. Essentially he has been on the road performing live since 1970. He recently penned his memoirs in an amazing book: "Dancing with Muddy: Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton and My Lucky Life In and Out of the Blues. It is indeed an honor to have a "Legend" on the Podcast.

Season 3, Episode 9. AJ chats with Billy Bud. As the Production Manager of the historic Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Billy has had a front row seat for some of the greatest shows ever. For over 30 years, Billy has been setting the stage for some of the most legendary national acts as well as local musicians who are living their dreams by playing on that stage. You would think this would be plenty to talk about, but before his club days, he was the tour manager for one of Boston's most important bands: The Atlantics. Lots to cover, I'll stop typing, so you can stop reading and simply enjoy the show.

Season 3, Episode 8. AJ chats with David Bieber. There is a great line in a classic George Carlin skit, where he says "… all you need in life, is a little place for your stuff…." But what if your "little place" needs to be a warehouse? After a 50 year career within the radio business, including time at both WBCN and WFNX. David Bieber collected a lot of stuff. Out of necessity came The David Bieber Archves. An indescribable location. Think of your favorite used book / magazine / record shop, combined with a pop culture museum, art gallery, advertising / political archives, walls of master reel to reel FM live recordings, vintage music instruments and recording relics. There are boxes lined up floor to ceiling, labeled with a bands' name with their history inside. You know …. heaven. You can also see a lot of the archives on display at various locations around the city. From his days at BU in the early 70's to today, like the archives there is a lot of stuff to talk about. You will enjoy this one.

Season 3, Episode 7, If the voice sounds familiar it is because you have been hearing it on the radio since the early 1970s. AJ chats with Harvey Wharfield about a career that kept him in the Boston Market for over 50 years, up and down the dial on different rock 'n roll stations. No matter where he was, he was always a strong supporter of local music and was one of the first DJs to have a radio show that only focused on local talent. This was an amazing opportunity to connect with True Royalty ~ The Commander of the Rock N Roll Air-Force, someone who truly loved and helped shape the local Boston music scene.

Season 3, Episode 6, This Episode is all about Girl Power. As we are honored to have one of the strongest woman voices to emerge from the Boston Music Scene. AJ chats with Liz Borden who led the charge with an all female band in a predominantly male music scene. She was forced to hide her true self from the public eye, told how to dress, act, etc.., things you do not think of when you just want to rock, Originally from New York, her Boston-based band Lizzie Borden and the Axes were a fixture for many years in the club circuit. She is now based in California, has expanded her creative flow to become an author, actress and still continues to make music. Happy to welcome and reconnect with a true independent artist to the podcast.

Season 3, Episode 5, AJ chats with "Cowboy" Mach Bell. A fixture on the Boston Music Scene since the mid-70s. Initially a Glam Rocker, this lead singer/songwriter has an amazing ability to adapt to the times and the current music trends. His bands are legendary: Thundertrain, the Joe Perry Project and currently the Mach Bell Experience. As if that is not enough he teached music for local home-schooled students, is the author of 3 books of his career and was recently inducted into the New England Music Hall of Fame. This episode is simply when 2 old friends get together and chat, lets listen in …

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Daniel Hargrove, a bass player who played with Mach in many bands and passed away the week after we recorded this.

Season 3, Episode 4, AJ chats with Cha-Chi Loprete, a native of Cambridge Massachusetts. After seeing The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show as a youth, he immediately knew his career path would be in music. He started volunteering in the early 80's at WBCN on the listener line and by the end of the decade he was the station's Marketing Director. His show "Breakfast with the Beatles" has been on the air for over 40 years and has allowed him to interview the surviving members as well as many within their immediate circle. A friendship with Tony Bennett in the 90's helped solidify the crooner's amazing comeback. Cha-Chi has been on the front line of Boston radio, during it's heyday and up to it's unfortunate decline. So may I introduce to you, the act you've known for all these years ….