If you happened to visit PureVolume.com last week, you might’ve seen The Minus Scale on the front page as a “PurePick” for the week. You and thousands and thousands of other people, who clicked “play” to the tune of 6,000 to 8,000 times a day.
A.J. Tobey says the push boosted their total plays from 15,000 to more than 60,000.“(It’s) been surreal, to say the least.”
The band also got a lot of attention on their MySpace page as a result. “We had a few hundred friend requests last week (still going strong) and our plays went up a lot on there as well. So I guess the result is we’re feeling a lot better about things,” Tobey says.
The band’s last show with Mark Tobey on bass will be on Feb. 25 at The Sad Café in Plaistow. After that, Derek Archambault of Alcoa fame will be taking his position. Alcoa will not be taking a break, however, and as a result, the rest of The Minus Scale will be serving as Derek’s backing band at his show with Rocky Votolato on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the University of New Hampshire.

As of Feb. 1, Portsmouth Community Radio will sound slightly different—a new program schedule means your favorite show may have moved to a different time slot and several new DJs will be on the air. “The new schedule is a great combination of existing shows and several new programs,” says general manager Joe Galli.
The change was to elevate the existing lineup, add some new programs, and establish a more predictable format for listeners. The new weekday schedule includes music from 7 a.m. to noon; news and public affairs from noon to 1 p.m.; a mix of news, public affairs and arts and culture from 5 to 8 p.m.; and a return to music for the night.

In case you’re wondering what happened to The Tong, look no further than The Red Door in Portsmouth on the first Tuesday of the month. (Human and Burnham Pilgrim on Feb. 7) The avant-harde performance group is also still scheming behind the scenes to get more alternative music to more people, and is looking to expand performances to surrounding communities.

Congratulations to Jose Duque, founder of jazz trio Zumba Tres, who recently received recognition for “Gathering in Blue” in the February issue of the international Modern Drummer. Comparing his music to French Impressionism crossed with South American rhythmic flare, “Each composition is as reflective as it is compelling, without being forced or melodramatic,” notes the magazine.
Zumba Tres is led by composer/drummer Duque and, after some lineup changes over the past year, now includes Nate Therrien on bass, Dan Shure on keyboard and Phil Sargent on guitar. You can next check out Zumba Tres at The Press Room on Monday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. The group will be working on a new CD this spring.

The Seacoast Growers Association is currently recruiting musicians to play Saturday mornings at the 2006 Portsmouth Farmers’ Market. Anyone is welcome to apply, though the outdoor, family-oriented set up does introduce some limitations in regard to volume and content. “We’ve always done well with anything from folk to jazz to blues,” says Megan Walsh, who is coordinating the music series. The gig pays (modestly) and the hours are flexible. The market runs roughly May 1 to Nov. 1. For more information, contact Walsh at 603-674-7249 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Bin diggers will be delighted to know there’s a new used record shop opening in Somersworth. Baron’s Bean will open at 63 High St. by the second week in February, according to proprietor Joseph Hubbard, who plans to sell old records from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, as well as new CDs of old R&B and Delta blues. The store will also feature old Currier & Ives lithographs and others of that style from the late 1800s. For more information, call the store at 603-692-3675.

The Boston Horns (next playing the Muddy River on April 29) have signed a licensing deal with P-Vine records in Tokyo, Japan. P-Vine is creating a compilation CD to include songs from “A Thousand Souls” and “You’ve Got to Find Your Own Groove.” Called “Bring on the Funk,” the CD is scheduled to be released in Japan in March.

“Intimate and unamplified.” That’s how guitarist Dave Surette describes the monthly Cabin Fever Concert Series at the Black Bean Cafe in Rollinsford. Organized by Surette and his musical collaborator and spouse Susie Burke, the “house concert”-style series features a creative collaboration with the hosts and a different local musician each month. The first show, featuring fiddle tunes with Joyce Andersen, sold out on Jan. 14. Next up are rootsy Americana with  Jon Nolan on Saturday, Feb. 4 and New England and Celtic fare with Sarah Bauhan on March 11. Light supper is available at 6, and the concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 advance, $15 at the door, available at the Black Bean. Seating is limited to 30 people. For more information, contact Burke or Surette at 207-384-8151 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Give a nod to Bob Marley week and give thanks to the Soul of the Lion crew, who are bringing contemporary reggae to the Red Door on Wednesday, to the Dover Brickhouse on Thursday, to the Muddy River on Friday, and to the Stone Church on Saturday, plus a free showing of Rockers at the Stone Church on Monday, with a special Caribbean menu. Visit www.soulofthelion.com for all the details.

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