Love '80s music? This live music event of New England bands may be for you

Three leaders of the most popular New England rock bands of the 1980s will get together Saturday night at the Spire Center in Plymouth for an evening of their music.

Sal Baglio, the creative force behind The Stompers; Jon Butcher, the singer/guitarist who led the Jon Butcher Axis; and Allen Estes, whose Estes Boys was one of the first area bands to merge country and rock; will meet up to perform songs from their rich histories, as well as new tunes they’ve recently written.  The trio released “Gypsy Caravan” in 2022, an album of songs they’d written and performed together.

(The Spire Center is located at 25½ Court St. in downtown Plymouth, and the show begins at 8 p.m., with tickets priced from $25.20 to $28, check spirecenter.org or call 508-746-4488)

We talked with Butcher by phone last week from his North Shore home.  He’d grown up in Alaska, before coming to Boston to study at Grahm Junior College. A rock fan from early on, Butcher had been heavily influenced by Richie Havens, Bob Dylan, Taj Mahal, Thin Lizzy and the solo work of John Lennon. As a young black guitarist with serious talent, he was often compared to Jimi Hendrix, and ended up naming his most famous band after a Hendrix album, when he formed Jon Butcher Axis in 1979.

Opening-act slot made them popular

Opening slots for the J. Geils Band, Rush and Def Leppard made the Axis popular beyond the Boston area and by 1983 they had a debut album, “Life Takes a Life” climbing the charts. “Stare at the Sun” followed in ’84, and by the time “Along the Axis” came out in ’85, the band was opening the world tour of the group INXS. Butcher continued releasing albums under his own name after that, with “Pictures from the Front” being a particular favorite in 1989. In 1994, Butcher formed Barefoot Servants, whose debut album garnered serious airplay and got them some significant national touring.

More: At The Spire Center: Former Stompers singer Sal Baglio 'happy to find new audience'

Butcher had, meanwhile, moved to Los Angeles, and also developed a thriving side business providing music for television and movie soundtracks. Eventually, Butcher moved back to the East Coast, where he continues to write and record new music, including 2018’s “360°” with included Estes as a guest. Butcher has released a couple singles this year, and expects his new album, “Open All Night,” to be coming out next month.

Thankful for his success

“I may not have attained the success of, say, a Mick Jagger,” said Butcher. “But there is a lot of space between being unknown and being Mick Jagger, and I’m very happy and thankful for the position I’ve had in between those extremes. I can’t say enough how gratified I am to have fans, and I absolutely can’t complain. For any musicians to have any kind of success involves a lot of luck and timing, and I’ve had some very nice success in the ‘80s, and a solid, sustained career ever since.”

More: MUSIC SCENE: Stompers and Jon Butcher Axis turn back the clock

“With all of us being the leaders of our own bands for years, the ability to collaborate that this trio brings us is very special,” said Butcher. “When we did ‘Gypsy Caravan’ it was a true collaboration in the studio, and when we play live it is like a three-way conversation. We’ll begin with a couple of tunes we’ve done together, and then break it down into doing our own individual songs. It is a night that’s a lot like those ‘songwriters-in-the-round’ that you see. We never know exactly what we’re going to do, and there is never a setlist. We try and read the audience, and basically wing it.”

Despite the three musicians’ enjoying surprising each other, there’s no real need for rehearsal or learning each other’s tunes, because they know each other so well.

A long-established friendship

“We known each other for two-and-a-half or three decades, and toured together many times,” said Butcher. “I’ve known Sal since the early 1980s, and played with him a lot so if something comes up chances are we know it. I’ve known Allen now for 18 years, and over that much time you come to know a guy. The three of us together, when they start a song, it’s almost like you know what they’re going to play before they play it. But we have fun with it, and it always feels fresh. No matter how it looks, it isn’t challenging to us, it is really just more exciting for us that way.”

“We each have a basic book of songs, and I know Sal’s book as well as my own, and Allen’s too,” Butcher added. “The last time we rehearsed was before ‘Gypsy Caravan’ came out, because it was all new material. But normally we like to keep it spontaneous, smiling and laughing as we go.”

Butcher is also enthused about getting some of his new music out, and is putting the finishing touches on his new album.

“I had hoped to release my new album earlier, but I couldn’t stop writing,” Butcher said with a laugh. “I do have a couple singles out, and exactly when I finish the album won’t matter – my fans will wait a few weeks.”

Television work continues

Butcher continues to create soundtrack music, and over the years fans have probably heard his contributions to soundtracks for tv shows like “Deadwood,” and “Star Trek: Next Generation.” That work had been part of why he moved to Los Angeles, but with technology, now he can do it from anywhere.

“In fact, part of the reason to release a new album is to have resources for film and TV work,” Butcher explained. “That kind of work is still a major part of my income. With the writers’ strike, a lot of musicians like me who depend on that work were waiting anxiously for the settlement. I had lived in L.A. for 22 years, but it never felt like home, and I came back in 2011. I have one big tv show, for ABC, in production now but I’m legally bound not to disclose what it is.”

If any of the three has new material, they love to unveil it and try to stump their pals.

“We do new tunes as often as possible,” said Butcher. “I love Sal’s Amplifier Heads (roots rock) stuff, and I produced Allen’s latest album, ‘Carnival Man.’ I look forward to any opportunity to play with these guys. Not long ago, we did a private event and Sal did a Beach Boys medley, and playing that music was just unmitigated joy for all of us. These are not just guys I play with, these are my friends. And the Spire Center is one of my all-time favorite venues, so I can’t wait to get there. These songs are the soundtrack of my life, and we find that they are often the soundtrack of many of our fans’ lives, too.”

Underrated local treasure lost

Quincy’s Joe Bargar should have been touring across the country, headlining first-class clubs and theaters. Boston-area music fans were stunned last weekend to learn of Bargar’s sudden death. The singer/pianist was a vastly underrated local treasure, who played regularly at a long list of local bistros, including The Beehive in Boston, and The Corrib in Cambridge, with his band The Soul Providers.  People would always be amazed when I’d tell them the best rendition I’d ever heard of an Otis Redding song was done by a middle-aged white guy from Quincy, but it was true.  Bargar definitely had the vocal chops, and didn’t try to mimic Otis, yet infused the music with just the right passion and grit, so that it felt like he’d lived those lyrics. He was also a versatile keyboardist who seemed to be able to play anything. And while some local players become bitter and disillusioned when they don’t hit the big time, Bargar always made it obvious he was having the best time sharing his music, and never lost that sense of joy. Recently Bargar’s son Jesse, 14, has done some singing of his own – including opera at Carnegie Hall – and his dad would’ve told you he might end up being an even better performer. Just last week, Joe’s wife, Janet Bargar, posted photos on Facebook of her and Joe, proud parents seeing Jesse’s first football game for BC High. Bargar was a reminder of how much superb music can be found in local clubs, often for no cover charge, with that up-close-and-personal connection you never get in a stadium.  Go out this week and catch some local talent, like Fil Pacino, Aldous Collins, Paul Horton, Matt York, Suzanne McNeil or any of the many others around our area. Tell ‘em Joe Bargar sent you.

Read the full story here.

Pearce, Kiah, Blake coming to area

THURSDAY:  The rock ‘n’ soul of St. Paul & the Broken Bones at Boston’s Colonial Theater. Folk and blues sensation Amythyst Kiah at The Narrows Center. Talented local jazz players when the Marshall Wood/Donna Byrne Quartet plays at the Spire Center. Caitlin Canty has an album release at City Winery. Rhythm and Blues star Raphael Saadiq re-creates the Tony! Toni! Tone! Sound at Boston’s Orpheum Theater. Belly rocks The Paradise Rock Club. Local hard rockers Frantic Endeavor are hanging it up after a decade, with big blast at Soundcheck Studios. The wit and musical fire of Jim’s Big Ego at Club Passim. Yves Tumor grooves at Roadrunner. British popster Becky Hill sings at Royale.

FRIDAY: Singer/guitarist Coco Montoya brings his blues and soul to The Narrows Center. Comedy at The Spire Center, with Beantown legend Tony V, and sports talk gadfly Jerry Thornton. Gucci Mane heats up Raodrunner. Country singer Carly Pearce at the House of Blues. Rock out with Andy Frasco and the U.N. at The Paradise. Local blues singer Michele Rockwell at the G-Pub in Plymouth. Alaskan Kim Moberg has a song suite based on Native American lore at Club Passim. Blues guitarslinger Larry McCray headlines City Winery. Indie rocker Miya Frolick at Brighton Music Hall. Electronic music from George Clanton at Royale. Brooklyn rock quintet Geese at The Sinclair.

SATURDAY: New England music legends The Fools take over the C-Note. Butcher, Baglio and Estes bring their stellar music to The Spire Center. Larry McCray moves on to The Narrows Center. Christian McNeill jams at Boston Harbor Distillery. Country singer Jordan Davis at Roadrunner (through Sunday). Songsmith Eric Hutchinson’s show at City Winery is sold out. Songwriter Mark Erelli always a treat at Club Passim. Four Horsemen – a Metallica tribute – at Soundcheck Studios. Electro-pop with The Midnight at the House of Blues. G-Flip – an Aussie emo band – at Brighton Music Hall. Grammy winner Kim Petras lights up MGM Music Hall.

SUNDAY AND BEYOND:   London singer Blanco White brings his rock to Brighton Music Hall Sunday; while comic/author Steve Hofstetter takes over City Winery. Monday finds Brit singer James Blake at MGM Music Hall; while popster Tobi Lou visits the Paradise. Tuesday is busy, with dark songwriter Nick Cave at The Wang center; while female quartet The Aces rocks Royale; folkie Kate Bollinger stops at Brighton Music Hall; and City Winery hosts a tribute to Robbie Robertson, featuring Cohasset’s Chuck McDermott, Sal Baglio and Dave Herlihy among others. Wednesday bass guitar titan Victor Wooten joins the Rebirth Brass Band at The House of Blues.  Oct. 12 has songsmith Mark Erelli at the Spire Center; while ex-Jethro Tull guitar ace Martin Barre returns to The Narrows Center; and the darkly resonant folk of Amigo the Devil takes over Brighton Music Hall. Beloved folksinger Richard Shindell is doing three nights at Club Passim, Oct. 11-13, and they are all sold out. On Oct. 16, the North Mississippi All Stars burn down The Sinclair.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Spire show in Plymouth to feature New England rock bands