photo: Greg Linse

from left to right:

Dino Govoni (sax), Sam Dudley (trombone, vox), Tom Appleman (bass, keys, vox), Al Radzikowski (kit, vox), Jesse Adams-Lukowsky (guitar, vox), Rick Berlin (keys, vox), Rob Manochio (guitar, bass), Ricky Mclean (guitar, vox)

The Nickel & Dime Band is as JP a band as you can get. Tom (Appleman + Ricky Mclean grew up here. Berlin + Rob Manochio have lived + worked in the hood for years.) N+D were a constant at The Milky Way as the best LIVE KARAOKE band in the city. (They still do that every wednesday night at Costellos.) Rick (Berlin) heard 'em years back + was knocked out by how well they played + how many songs they knew off the top of their heads, but it wasn't until he ran into Mclean at the Brendan Behan that he thought of asking them to consider learning Berlin songs. That was months ago. Today, they're a kick ass, upbeat, funny, danceable, deep + total pro buncha musicians. Eight in all. 3 guitars, bass, keys, kit, sax, trombone. Tom Appleman, Ricky Mclean, Rob Manachio, Al Radzikowski, Jesse Adams-Lukowsky, Sam Dudley (Berlin's nephew) + Dino Govoni. We've recorded our first record at Dimension Sound (out early 2012).

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Nickel-and-Dime-Band/328477860457?ref=ts

video

HILARY (She's Just A Galway Girl)

video LIVE

LIVING ROOM JAM

SALUT

SLUT

I LOVE YOU IN THE RAIN

quotes:

'Dude N+D is the best band in the hood right now. You guys erupt. Someone told me the I'm a slu+ vid "Stopped Traffic"...?'
- Morgan (Whitehaus)

" The Nickel & Dime Band has more gravitational pull than the Earth"
- TJ Wenzel (The Temple)

"A great party in the best sense of the word"   
- Adam Sankowski (The Grown Up Noise)

"They CRUSH it live!"
- Brandon Beaver (Buried Beds)

"Ya know what? They have soul. True soul"
- Patricia Sheehan (Burke Distro)

"Berlin is the consumate front man"
- Scott McMicken (Dr. Dog)

'Thank you so much, Rick Berlin, for just fucking existing. You are so awesome. yYu are a fucking inspiration and always will be'
- Amanda Palmer

'You guys opened up a new passage in here (points to his heart)'
- Caleb Hannon (14 years old)

INK

Dr. Dog bring confidence to House of Blues
 MUSIC REVIEW

March 24, 2012 By Scott Mclennan (the Boston Globe)

(Scott) McMicken not only voiced Dr. Dog’s appreciation for veteran Boston songwriter Rick Berlin, but the band also had Berlin open the concert.
Performing with the seven-piece Nickel & Dime Band, Berlin still delivers a provocative, unhinged enthusiasm whether pining for a lover or celebrating a beer belly. At minimum a generation removed from his current bandmates, Berlin looked and sounded as inspired as he did stalking city stages back in the day when he could capitalize off of punk’s freedom without conforming to its sound.
Purling Hiss, also from Philly, followed Berlin with a brash blast of wiry garage rock.

Allston Pudding (Dr. Dog show)

Opening the show were Jamaica Plain’s own Rick Berlin and the Nickel and Dime Band. The roughly 7-member funk rock outfit, fronted by Berlin, brought the jams by the boatload and the attitude to match. With long grey hair and a weathered face as groovy as the music, Berlin strutted about the stage with all the spirit of the tunes and enough stage presence to occupy a small country. “I’m a slut,” he sang as he snapped his suspenders against his chest, and he grimaces. Making sounds reminiscent of a funked-out Captain Beefheart leading the Talking Heads, everyone on stage seemed to be having the time of their life. Their last song, “Summer Roof” was a distinctly seasonal jam that played like some 90s ska masterpiece. “Hey yeah!” they yell, all jumping in the air. Their babyfaced guitarist bounced giddily in a too-large suit, his exuberance rubbing off on the entire audience. I can’t imagine a better soundtrack for a Boston summer.

calendar - where played

in Boston, MA:

The House of Blues (opening for Dr. Dog)

in Cambridge, Ma:

The Lizard Lounge
The Middle East UP
Johnny D's
Radio
Passims
Atwood's Tavern
The Plough & Stars

in Jamaica Plain, Ma:

The Jamaica Plain Music Festival
the Midway Cafe
Bella Luna
The Haven
The Loring-Greenough House
The Brendan Behan Pub
City Feed & Supply

in Allston, MA

O'briens

stage plot:

tech req:

5 vocal mikes (1 at the piano, 1 at the kit, 3 across the front)