n a move that almost makes too much sense, the House of Blues will host local bands five nights a week in its restaurant. And the best part is, there’ll be no cover. The front room is no stranger to live music. Tuesday nights used to be one of the hottest things going, with an old-school roots jam featuring the B3 Kings and a wealth of local talent who’ve played with the likes of G. Love, State Radio, and Club d’Elf. Nothing was off limits, from funk to soul to reggae. The cast of musicians was always rotating too. It was basically an extension of the defunct scene at Matt Murphy’s, which stopped featuring live music last year due to complaints from neighbors. The loss of live music at the Brookline Village pub was a serious blow to the local music community. Cambridge and Somerville are still strong, but there isn’t much in Boston that we can call a true local scene.

Here's what I hope happens with the House of Blues: Let’s turn the front room into a Toad for this side of the river, a place that you can go and always expect worthy live music. It has the potential to become more than a music venue. It could be a place for musicians to share beers with fans. It could be a scene. I can’t tell you how many times I go out to see bands in Cambridge and half the crowd is made up of musicians from other bands. The only way to make it happen is to get good, dedicated people, musicians and average drinkers (we have talent too), to spread the word, and, most importantly, come out to the shows. Why pay $5 to see a shitty cover band play Bon Jovi at the Lansdowne Pub when you can see creative, original music (for free) just up the road?

But is the House of Blues really into this? Problem Number One: I was able to find the poster for shows in May only via a post from the HOB’s Twitter account. They're not listed on the venue’s website. A calendar with links to the featured bands’ websites is a must. A Facebook page would even do. Problem Number Two: The restaurant usually closes around midnight. I’m a firm believer that the potential for great happenings only increases after midnight. Guess I'd better get my buzz on early. ...

The reason places like Toad, Atwood’s, Precinct, and the Lizard Lounge are rich hubs of the music community is that their managers and employees are proud to be part of the scene. That’s not to say that Live Nation (owner of the House of Blues chain) isn't proud, too, but is a Drug Rug show on a Thursday night really going to affect its bottom line? No matter what, it’s up to the bands, and the people who love the music, to promote these shows.

On paper the front room is starting strong. Fun roots-rock band Drug Rug plays Wednesday and Thursday. Back-to-back shows are rare by any band on the local scene. If you’re into reggae, check out Toad on Tuesday May 18. A week later, the B3 Kings make their fitting return to the room. And the final show of the month, with the Macrotones (Sunday, May 30), will be out of control. That is, if the 11-piece afrofunk band even fits in the room. I’d also like to see more weekly residencies. The bars in Cambridge and Somerville have this concept mastered, and it seems to work (for proof check out the Sea Monsters on Sundays at Precinct).

And one more wish: Please bring in some of the Cambridge/Somerville veterans. Boston deserves good local music too. It could be a solid chance for the guys who’ve cut their teeth in the scene to show the younger crowd a thing or two about livin’.

Tim Gearan (above), Club d’Elf, Dennis Brennan, Jimmy Ryan and Hayride, Christian McNeill and all the Sea Monsters—listen up: I know you love to play over there (after all, the water's cleaner), but it’s time to bring your energy and craft back to Boston proper.

While I’m at it, I might as well spread the word about a few May residencies:

John Shade and the Neave Quartet: Tuesdays at the Lizard Lounge

Caged Birds with Christian McNeill: Tuesdays at Toad

Christian McNeill and Tim Gearan: Wednesdays at Bull McCabe’s

Here are my favorite long-standing residencies:

Sea Monsters: Sundays at Precinct

Duppy Conquerors (Bob Marley tribute): Mondays at Precinct

David Johnston: Tuesdays at Bull McCabe’s

The Elastic Waste Band (members of Morphine): Wednesdays at Atwood’s Tavern

Tim Gearan Band: Fridays at Atwood’s Tavern($5)