Now that we're fully into the miraculous month of December, benefit shows for myriad causes have sprung up across the calendar. But perhaps no single show gives us the warm and fuzzies at a ridiculous high volume quite like the annual Noise For Toys show, a collaborative effort from bands and blogs designed at helping children in need this holiday season.
Benefitting Toys For Tots and organized by post-shoegazers Coaches and Boston music sites The Ash Gray Proclamation and Clicky Clicky Music Blog (disclaimer: founder Jay Breitling has contributed to Vanyaland), this year's Noise For Toys is the third in its series, and goes down Saturday, December 10 at O'Brien's Pub in Allston, right next to the happiest place on Earth, the Harvard Avenue Christmas tree lot.
The lineup is all sorts of impressive, anchored by Coaches, who last year released one of our favorite homegrown tracks ever in the searing "Elizabeth Warren", as well as noise-rock brigade Elizabeth Colour Wheel, neo-grunge dudes Sneeze, and guitar-rock trio Lilith.
"This event started... with the intention of providing toys for the families and children less fortunate this time of year, while channeling our shared affinity for Boston's finest acts," says Bryan Hamill of the Ash Gray Proclamation. "The event has grown each year, as has our toy collection, and last year's show in an Allston basement was particularly memorable. This year we're thrilled to have partnered with O'Brien's, as well as our line up, which was true meeting out the minds by this years presenters."
Admission to the gig is free if you bring a new toy worth at least $10, but a $10 donation will also get you in. But this tidbit from the event's description says it all, really: "[G]et your shit together and buy a toy, buy two toys, buy 10 toys. Toys show kids in need someone cares. The world needs that. Hope is important."
Get more info on the night via its Facebook event page, and preview all four spectacular bands below.
