Boston Venue: The Channel Story

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SEASON ONE, EPISODE TEN, Part 2: “The Not-So-Great Finale” May 05, 2021

Show notes

In the long-awaited conclusion of Boston Venue: The Channel Story, the club is going to be auctioned off in bankruptcy–again. Just like everything else in this sordid tale, nothing adds up, the mob is always lurking, and the end of the club–and a life–is imminent.

This is the second part of the tenth and final episode of Boston Venue: The Channel Story, Season 1, the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.

Music featured in this episode: Wargasm, New Models, Bim Skala Bim, and Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.

Contributing storytellers in this episode: Kevin Aylmer, Steve Marullo, Casey Lindstrom, Dan Vitale, and Peter Booras.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writers: David Ginsburg and Jennifer Sea Booras. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti.

SEASON ONE, EPISODE TEN, Part 1: “What The **** Happened?” Oct 10, 2020

Show notes

In Part One of Episode 10, new money and new partners have forced Harry Booras OUT of The Channel. But the new regime quickly found themselves underwater as the local mob started skimming 80% of the revenue while stiffing vendors, artists and staff. Harry and his brother Peter try to save the club, but guns and cocaine–not to mention a psychotic mafia member–complicate matters.

This is the first part of the tenth and final episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.

Music featured in this episode: Wargasm and The New Models. Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.

Contributing storytellers in this episode: Steve Marullo, Casey Lindstrom, and Peter Booras.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

SEASON ONE, EPISODE NINE: “Heavy Metal & Heavy Trouble” Mar 26, 2020

Show notes

Heavy Metal was a mainstay at The Channel. In 2015 VH1 named it one of the Top 10 venues for heavy metal ever. National acts including Metallica, Slayer, Motorhead and Alice in Chains played the club. Locals including Wargasm, Meliah Rage and Extreme rocked to packed houses. Yet expenses kept going up, and The Channel needed an infusion of new cash to survive. An old acquaintance reemerged to help bail out the club. He ended up having some dangerous ties…

This is the ninth episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.

Music featured in this episode: Wargasm. Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.

Contributing storytellers in this episode: Chachi LoPrete, Bob Mayo, Mike Colucci, Peter Booras, Tony Capobianco, Joanne Cody and Steve Marullo.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writers: David Ginsburg and Sean McNally. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti.

Boston Venue: Season One Bonus Episode: Peter Tosh, In His Own Words Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Crafting each episode of Boston Venue: The Channel Story is a painstaking process involving hours of research, combing through a ton of archival material. Occasionally, some incredible hidden gems pop up…like this long-lost interview with reggae icon Peter Tosh. Harry Booras and author Kevin Aylmer drove to New York City one day in the late 80’s to meet with Tosh, albeit each with their own agenda.

You heard a small portion of this previously unheard tape in Episode 7, “Mama Africa.” Now, as a bonus between Episode 8 and Episode 9, we’re giving you a chance to listen to the full raw audio–it’s like eavesdropping on a piece of history. Peter Tosh muses on everything from race relations to human spirituality to rap music to, yes, the vast difference between “the herb” and “drugs.”

This is the second bonus episode from Boston Venue: The Channel Story. If you like it, please leave a review on your favorite podcast site or on https://thechannelstory.com/.

Please show your support for Boston Venue: The Channel Story Podcast by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.

Music featured in this episode: “Where’d You Go,” provided by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Peter Tosh, Kevin Almer.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written and edited by Harry Booras. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic Design by Lisa St. John-Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti.

SEASON ONE, EPISODE EIGHT: “Nights to Remember. Days to Forget” Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

By the mid-80s, The Channel was a successful venue. Big-name acts played The Channel in lieu of theatre and even arena shows. The legendary Roy Orbison played his final shows at the club. Bo Diddley and Ron Wood brought their “Gunslinger’s Tour.” Management increasingly relied on alcohol sales to subsidize the ever-growing costs. Rent was climbing. Slam-dancing was a regular occurrence, as were rising insurance costs. Ownership was distracted with other endeavors, leaving the club exposed. And since nature abhors a vacuum…

This is the eighth episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.

Music featured in this episode: T.H. and The Wreckage, “Certified Love,” and SS Decontrol, “The Kids Will Have Their Say.” Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.

Contributing storytellers in this episode: Tom Hambridge, Sal Baglio, John Boy Franklin, Peter Booras and Jack Burke.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe and Jennifer Booras. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tory Lam. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti.

SEASON ONE, EPISODE SEVEN: “Mama Africa” Nov 12, 2019

Show notes

From the beginning, black music was a primary feature of The Channel’s eclectic lineup of headliners. Episode 7 explores The Channel’s embrace of early hip-hop, reggae, funk and R&B acts–and the impact it had on a still racially segregated Boston, where outsiders feared going to South Boston and black audiences in particular feared visiting Southie for any reason. The Channel’s embrace of this music, along with inside accounts from some of the people who were there, highlights this special episode–including commentary from reggae legend Peter Tosh.

This is the seventh episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story has been nominated by the Boston Music Awards 2019 for “Music Podcast of the Year.” Be sure to cast your vote and don’t forget to subscribe! If you like the show, leave a review, we really appreciate it.

Music featured in this episode: Danny Tucker, “Tell It Out,” Zion Initiation, “Call It Down,” Barrence Whitfield & The Savages, “Georgia Slop.” Intro music courtesy of Jon Butcher Axis.
Contributing storytellers in this episode: Peter Tosh, Danny Tucker, Kevin Aylmer, Chachi LoPrete, Rick Anderson, Dart Adams, Peter Booras, Barrence Whitfield, Cosmo Macero Jr.

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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Boston Venue: The Channel Story was conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi Loprete. Written by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Edited by: Christopher O’Keefe and Jennifer Booras. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic designer: Lisa St. John Bennett. Your narrator, John Laurenti.

Boston Venue: Season One Bonus Episode: The Channel Back Stories, Volume 1 Oct 27, 2019

Show notes

Putting together each episode of Boston Venue: The Channel Story is a painstaking process involving hours of research and hours more coordinating and conducting interviews with the artists, journalists, DJs and scenesters that were there. As a bonus between Episode 6 and Episode 7, we’re giving you a chance to listen to the raw interviews Boston journalist and Boston Venue contributing writer Nate Homan conducted with hardcore legend Ian MacKaye and Dickie Barrett, leader of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. This is the first of these bonus episodes. If you like it, please leave a review on your favorite podcast site or on https://thechannelstory.com/. More bonus episodes are in the works.

Please show your support for Boston Venue: The Channel Story Podcast by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.

Music featured in this episode: “Where’d You Go,” provided by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. “Cashout,” by Fugazi and “Filler” by Minor Threat. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Dickie Barrett, Ian MacKaye and Nate Homan.

Listen & Subscribe:
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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.

Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written and edited by Harry Booras. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg and Nate Homan. Audio production by Dan Thibeault. Graphic Design by Lisa St. John-Bennett. Narrated by John Laurenti.

SEASON ONE, EPISODE SIX: “The Kids Will Have Their Say!” Sep 18, 2019

Show notes

Episode 6 dives deep into the pit with a focus on the hardcore punk scene of the ‘80s. The Channel’s embrace of the genre, along with details only the people who were there can provide, is the highlight of this special episode. You’ll hear about the punk phenomenon that transformed popular music and has had a profound effect on our culture that stands to this day. You’ll hear stories from performers, managers, promoters, club owners, and avid fans.

This is the sixth episode in the true story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel. Throughout this 10-episode season, you’re hearing all about the club’s gritty beginnings, 1980s live music heyday, and its bitter end, when local mobsters left the club in ruins–and left one man dead, sparking a 25-year mystery.

If you enjoyed Episode Six, please show your support by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.

Music featured in this episode: “The Kids Will have Their Say,” by SS Decontrol; “Filler,” by Minor Threat; and “Cashout,” by Fugazi. Intro Music courtesy of The Jon Butcher Axis. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Ian MacKaye, Nancy Barile, Sean McNally, Andrew Arsenault, Peter Booras, Dickie Barrett, Julie Kramer, and Lisa St. John-Bennett. Interviews of Ian McKaye and Nancy Barile were conducted by Nate Homan.

Listen & Subscribe:
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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written by Harry Booras. Edited by Christopher O’Keeffe. Contributing writer: David Ginsburg. Recording engineer: Tory Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio and Dan Thibeault. Graphic Design by Lisa St. John. Narrated by John Laurenti.

SEASON ONE, EPISODE FIVE: “Where’d You Go?” Aug 10, 2019

Show notes

The Channel became a musical melting pot in a city still divided by parochial neighborhoods and lingering racial animosities. A club on a desolate stretch of the Boston waterfront became a hub for rock ‘n’ roll, punk, hardcore, straight-edge, and a rapidly developing ska scene. Radio stations were battling for dominance. Politicians were looking to score points by using The Channel to further their agendas. And another local club owner–and Godson of a fearsome mafiosi–is hanging around The Channel. Little did he know that his time was running out…

This is the fifth chapter of the true and complete story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel. As this 10-episode season continues, you’ll hear all about the club’s gritty beginnings, 1980s live music heyday, and the bitter end, when local mobsters leave the club in ruins…and leave one man dead, sparking a 25-year mystery.

If you enjoyed Episode Five, please show your support by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review.

Music featured in this episode, “Police Beat” and “Where’d You Go” provided by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Dickie Barrett, Sean McNally, Carter Alan, Brad Mindich, Warren Scott, Peter Booras, and Caesar Angiulo.

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SEASON ONE, EPISODE FOUR: “Lawyers, Guns and Money” Jul 07, 2019

Show notes

The Channel finds itself in the midst of a decade of profound change in Boston. Live music was a major part of that cultural shift. In the halls and streets of power, long-entrenched attitudes and traditions are being challenged by new players with new, sometimes radical ideas. The Channel was a part of those changes, engendering diversity while dealing with music industry bigwigs, rebellious bouncers, and ambitious mob capos…

This is the fourth episode of the true and complete story of Boston’s legendary live music club, The Channel. As this 10-episode season continues, you’ll hear all about the club’s gritty beginnings, ’80s live music heyday, and the bitter end, when local mobsters leave the club in ruins…and leave one man dead, sparking a 25-year mystery.

If you enjoyed Episode Four, please show your support by subscribing to “Boston Venue: The Channel Story” and leaving a review. Music featured in this episode provided by Bim Skala Bim, “Digging A Hole”; Intro Music: Jon Butcher Axis. Contributing storytellers in this episode: Carter Alan, Dan Vitale, Peter Booras, Becky Lipton, Jack Burke and Scott Burnstein, host of the Original Gangster podcast on Radio.com.

Listen & Subscribe:
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Get more of The Channel Story on our website, https://thechannelstory.com/.
Conceived and created by Harry Booras. Executive Producer, David Ginsburg. Produced by Chachi LoPrete. Written by Christopher O’Keeffe. Contributing writers: Harry Booras and David Ginsburg. Recording engineer: Tory Van Lam. Audio production by Tony Baglio and Dan Thibeault. Narrated by John Laurenti.