Boston, MA Mayor Marty Walsh has made it official, stating on Thursday, Dec. 28th: “Today is Mighty Mighty Bosstones Day.” The band kicked off its 20th Hometown Throwdown on the 28th, and it will last through Saturday night. Mayor Walsh will give the day’s honor to front-man Dicky Barrett and the band on stage in front of a sold out crowd at the House of Blues in downtown Boston. The Bosstones are joined by a slew of other bands at their Hometown Throwdown, including ska/rock-steady acts like Vic Ruggiero, Kicked in the Head, The Pietasters and more.
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones have enjoyed over 30 years of notoriety in the ska/punk scene, dating back to their earliest days in Boston when several of the members were still in high school. The band hit their first milestone in 1989 with the release of “Devil’s Night Out” on Taang! Records, a record label that would carry their music for 3 more albums. During this time period, their unique sound captured listeners of traditional ska, British 2 Tone, and hardcore punk alike.
In 1997, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released Let’s Face It, which rocketed them to a new level of fame. Track 4, “The Impression That I Get,” landed in the number 1 spot for Billboard Modern Rock tracks and at number 23 on Billboard Hot 100 Airplay. In 2014, “The Impression That I Get” was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 2004, Let’s Face It was ranked at number 36 by Kerrang! readers in a poll of 50 greatest punk albums.
Since the commercial success of Let’s Face It, the Bosstones have released 4 other albums despite a 2 year hiatus from 2004 to 2006. During this brief break, members of the Bosstones jumped in the studio and onto tours with other successful ska and punk acts including Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, The Street Dogs, The Toasters, and NOFX.
Although the band no longer lives in Boston, the Hometown Throwdown remains dear to their hearts. Last year, Barrett told the Boston Globe “Once it’s night number one of it and we’re in there belting it out, and I’m with my best friends up on stage, and we’re playing stuff that we created to people who seem genuinely excited that we’re doing that, all is well for me. It’s the camaraderie, it’s the unity, it’s the vibe, it’s the spirit.”
Stay tuned for The Pier’s 2018 Most Anticipated Albums with information on whats expected to be their 10th album in over 29 years expected to drop in 2018.
Related Links:
Mighty Mighty Bosstones Website
Mighty Mighty Bosstones Facebook
Article By: Aidan Leddy
Watch: The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “The Impression That I Get”