Lynn-based Tigerman, WOAH! will be the second local act to play at this year’s spring installment of the Boston Calling music festival series. One might expect the band's sound to come out of the Deep South, rather than the suburbs of Boston. Lead singer Adam Kaz brings a refreshing blend of gritty, raw lyrics steeped in a quart of whiskey. The band seems to draw from a wide variety of influences, but tends to gravitate towards genres and ideas that emphasize the messages of strength and overcoming obstacles. “Gospel is so good because of it’s message, ‘we see hope, we see light,’” says Kaz.

"We try to make our music as organic as possible," echoes drummer Adam Lentine. "We feel that as long as we play the music, if we get a response, then that’s great. [But the beliefs of] solidarity, brotherhood ... music should be used to get that message across.”

Be sure to catch Tigerman, WOAH! at 1:45PM on the final day of the festival, Sunday, May 25. For more information about the band, check out Tigerman, WOAH!'s Facebook page. For continued updates about the Boston Calling festival, visit the Boston Calling website.

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)

Photo Credit: Alyssa Webster (@xRaeCash)

The Boston Music Awards Nomination Party was held on Wednesday night at Redstar Union in Cambridge, MA and there was certainly no shortage of talent among the lineup. Ruby Rose Fox, Tigerman, WOAH!, Young Adults and New Highway Hymnal each played with an intensity that's rarely heard (at least from my perspective) in the Boston area. 

Ruby Rose Fox led off the night with her jazzy, 50s-influenced rock that was magnified by her seductive vocal melodies. The band was tight and no one tried to do too much with the songs--everything blended together seamlessly. 

My favorite band of the night, Tigerman, WOAH!, brought the roughest, most country, blues-rockin' set that I've seen in quite awhile. Their sound kind of reminded me of Left Lane Cruiser getting together with early Kings of Leon, drinking heavily, and having a backwoods jam. 

Young Adults came up third, bringing their mix of poppy post-punk steeped in distorted vocals and insanely loud choruses. I was really impressed by the sound coming from these guys, given that they're only a three-piece.

New Highway Hymnal closed out the night with perhaps the most badass 2-song performance I've ever seen. It started when lead singer/guitarist Hadden Stemp had issues with a stompbox, which he promptly kicked into the crowd in frustration. Shortly thereafter, bassist Amelia Gormley had some issues with her bass amp, prompting Stemp to ask the audience if everyone was there to watch them destroy their equipment. After the bass amp malfunctioned a second time, Stemp quickly grabbed his guitar and hurled it through his amp, dragging the entirety of the tangled wreckage offstage with him. If that isn't a flashback to an old Who performance, I don't know what is.

All of these performers put on such amazing sets, I'm excited to see who will emerge victorious from the main awards show this Sunday, December 8. Tickets are still available for the event, which is being held at The Liberty Hotel on December 8. You can purchase them here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/500664.

For more information and updates about the show, check out the Boston Music Awards Facebook page. 

-Dan McMahon (@dmcmhn)