Dave Gerard books two CD release shows

Local roots rocker Dave Gerard, perhaps best known as front man of Durham-based band Truffle, will celebrate the release of his fourth solo album with a pair of upcoming shows in Durham and Londonderry.

Recorded at Thundering Sky Studio in South Berwick, Maine, “The Zoomy Trail” includes a blend of Gerard’s soulful arrangements and industrial sounds, with some tracks showcasing acoustic solo performances and others entailing full band ensembles. Gerard roped in several of his Truffle band mates and other guest musicians to round out the sound.

The first release show takes place at Three Chimneys Inn in Durham on Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m. The second occurs at the Tupelo Music Hall in Londonderry on Friday, June 26 at 8 p.m. The first 50 guests at Three Chimneys will receive a copy of the CD. Tickets to the Tupelo show are $15 and include a copy of the disc. For more information, visit www.gerardtruffle.com.

Isles of Shoals Steamship Co. offers musical cruises

Several area bands will rock the boat this summer during concert cruises aboard the M/V Thomas Laighton at the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company. The music series kicks off with a set of garage rock from Portland’s Paranoid Social Club on Saturday, June 20.

The series continues on Thursday, July 23, with a concert by Martha’s Vineyard’s funky rock group Entrain. Next comes a gig by Amesbury-based indie band The Brew on Thursday, Aug. 13. A series finale will be held in September, with the exact date and artist to be announced.

Each of the concert cruises departs at 8 p.m. from the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company’s dock at 315 Market St. in Portsmouth. Cocktails will be available during “sound check happy hour” and the concerts begin as the Thomas Laighton launches into Portsmouth Harbor.

Passengers must be 21 or older, and tickets are $25. A limited number of tickets are available for each performance and advance purchase is recommended. For tickets and more information, visit www.pricewaygroup.com/IOS-MUSIC.html or call the Steamship Company at 800-441-4620.

Buoy launches summer fest concerts in Kittery

Kittery’s newest music club and gallery is amping up its concert schedule with a series of summer shows through early July. Buoy’s summer fest begins on Sunday, June 21, with sets from Dover’s indie favorites Tan Vampires, Pennsylvania-based grunge rockers Strand of Oaks and New York folk artist Matt Bauer.

Three days later, on Wednesday, June 24, Many Mansions and Atom Foam will perform at Buoy. Four other shows will follow, with Cursillistas, Tempera and White Light on Thursday, June 25; Oliver Z. Wanderkook on Sunday, June 28; the Seacoast Composer’s Forum, Zs and Peter James and Sean Reardon on Wednesday, July 1; and Chriss Sutherland, The Milling Gowns and The Boy Who Spoke Clouds on Thursday, July 1. Other bands and dates could be added soon.

All the shows begin at 8 p.m. at Buoy, 2 Government St., Kittery, Maine. For more information, visit www.myspace.com/buoygallery.