Heaven's Gate playing the Phoenix/WFNX CMJ show at 285 Kent.

Two Sundays ago, the Phoenix and WFNX presented an unofficial CMJ showcase at Brooklyn's 285 Kent. If you missed it -- no worries -- we'll be rolling out a stream of videos over the next couple of days. First, here is a video of Brooklyn noise-pop 5-piece Heaven's Gate playing "Screams".

We recently ran a feature on COLUMBIA HOUSE, tracking its 40-plus year reign as king of mail-order record clubs, and its painfully slow demise in the 21st century climate. The record club's promotional tactics were as revolutionary as they were calculating, and the article suggests that Columbia House taught the youth of America how to "steal" music, long before BiTtorrent and Mediafire became everyday jargon.

On Sunday night, local garage rock trio DOOMSTAR! played its last show ever at the Middlesex Lounge. Fans and friends filled the room with unbridled enthusiasm, dancing, jumping and shouting along with every song -- a testament to the energy that Doomstar! has continously pumped into Boston's DIY show spaces, and music community in general.