S Visit to Wooly Town,Lunar Notes,Passport To
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Alt-Nation: New Discs and Summer Shows The McGunks – Highlights for Lowlifes Photo by John Capitão It’s been a while since we had some new material from everyone’s favorite pub-punks, The McGunks! They did have a live album last year, but what the world really needed was some fresh new material from The McGoons. The McGunks give The Pogues a run for their money when it comes to drinking songs. That is cool, I like to drink. Highlights for Lowlifes kicks off in vintage McGunks style with “Bad Decision” about staying at the bar a little too long. “Beer and a Beaten’” reminds a little of The Queers with the harmonies. Singer/guitarist Bob Kadlec has a very gruff voice, but he knows how to use it. “Dead to Me” has a fist pumping sing-a-long chorus and a voice that gets you jumping. It reminds me a lot of the second album by Marky Ramone and The Intruders, The Answers to Your Problems, which was an excellent record despite my hatred for the wig man. The McGunks throw a curveball with the instrumental “Halfway to Hell,” which while an enjoyable punk romp, it’s debatable whether that would better be left as something to open shows with. “One for The Road” is a slower mid-tempo that has a tinge of a Supersuckers flavor. “Speaking of Crazy” revs thing back up while serving as an open letter to someone who is apparently bat shit loco. “The Devil Was Right” is a slab of just really well done punk rock and is my favorite tune of the bunch. If the McGunks view themselves as lowlifes, than this CD is very aptly named! The McGunks CD release for Highlights for Lowlifes will take place at Fete as part of an awesome show that includes the world renowned Supersuckers, Hellbound Glory, The Mighty Good Boys, and Dog Day Afternoon on September 1. The Silks – Debut 7” The Silks released their debut release as a 7 inch and if you haven’t gotten a copy, welp, Houston, we have a problem. The pressing was limited to 300 copies with 80 copies on white vinyl and are almost sold out everywhere, so grab it if you see one of the few remaining copies floating around. The record is already fetching $40 and $50 on the internet. The Silks are a great band, but there is no doubt that having the producer, Paul Westerberg of The Replacements, sing the B-side may play a role in the incredible demand. The A-side is an original ditty called “Down At The Heel.” Complete with a mammoth chorus, it is one of the more rocking numbers in the band’s live repertoire and should serve as an excellent introduction to all those around the world that ordered the record for Westerberg. The B-side, featuring lead vocals by Westerberg, is one of my favorite Stones songs called “One More Try.” The Silks may play the song better than the Stones did on the original. My one critique would be that the original felt like a train that was always about to veer off the tracks but somehow, against all odds, makes it to the destination. The Silks and Westerberg do a great rollicking romp of it that I can listen to over and over. It’s just the near train wreck survival rush of the original isn’t there. Big Big Shows! Wheatus & Math The Band Wheatus were one of those one hit pop-punk wonders in the 90s that has managed to trudge on. Everybody knows the hit “Teenage Dirtbag,” but few other catchy numbers off that debut album. Wheatus isn’t going to go all serious or pull a Flaming Lips where they have one novelty hit and turn into everyone’s critical darlings. You’re pretty much going to get what you know as far as fun, loud pop- punk with Wheatus. Math The Band from Boston is also one hell of a time as far as fast indie dance pop ‘n’ roll that makes this a very attractive show. Wheatus and Math The Band will rock AS220 on August 7. The Evens The Evens are an indie rock band composed of Ian MacKaye on baritone guitar and Amy Farina on drums with vocals duties shared. MacKaye is, of course, a legend from his time in the seminal DC hardcore band Minor Threat and later with Fugazi. A diehard believer in D.Y.I. ethos, MacKaye founded Dischord Records, which has since put out many brilliant records through the years. Moshers looking for something similar from The Evens aren’t going to find it. The Evens come off as more an acoustic indie rock outfit. Still I have faith; Mackaye is a talented mofu and an engaging performer. The Evens return to AS220 on August 9. Please note this is an early show with doors at 7:30 pm and no opener. The Evens will be onstage by 8 pm. Baroness Baroness come to The Met Café for what promises to be a heavy night of music. Baroness are a metal band that had an excellent release last year with Yellow & Green and they have an EP due out in July. Recommended cuts off Yellow & Green to check out include “Collapse,” “Psalms Alive,” and “Stretchmarker.” Don’t miss them this summer at The Met! Baroness and Royal Thunder will bring the thunder to The Met Café on August 13. Hope For Kyla It’s awful to hear that anyone has cancer, but when it’s a 10-year-old, it’s just beyond crushing and all comprehension. Kyla is a 10-year-old girl who was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. She is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation at Hasbro Children’s Hospital. The family is holding a benefit at The Last Resort in Smithfield. Despite the dour circumstance, this will be a good time with raffles, swimming, music and more! The greatest thrill will be the feeling you get contributing to this brave young girl’s fight against a crippling disease that nobody ever should have to face so young. For those unable to attend, you can still help out by going to http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/hope-for-kyla/62649 and making a donation. Thank you for whatever support you can offer. The Hope For Kyla Benefit Concert will take place August 17 at The Last Resort in Smithfield. There will be a lot of live music with performances by The Ocean State Rollers, Able Thought, The Denver Boot, Loose Change RI, Time Bandit, and Courters. Email music news to [email protected]. Not so Great Gatsby’s Visit to Wooly Town Dear Nick, It was one of the days this summer that was neither raining nor hotter than Hades in August. I was taking the morning news in my usual way: reading The New York Times, watching Bloomberg and listening to NPR simultaneously. If you haven’t tried this technique, I highly recommend it. It’s like being put in one of those booths where the money blows around and you try to hold on to whatever you can, and like those booths I rarely hold on to any of the stories that envelop me, but I feel satisfied in my attempt. Distracted by the number of papaya stones in my fruit salad (it’s unfair to eat fruit salad with mango, pineapple and papaya and call the seeds “pits.” Nothing can be the pits when devouring such a delight.) a pundit was shouting about Asian currency when the Motif phone chimed out, waking me out of my fruit-induced daydream. The request on the other end of the line asked that I check out the Wooly Fair and let them know what I found. I pondered the penultimate pineapple, picked up my pen and hit the street. The only knowledge I had of wooly was the malapropism sung by Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham. And armed with the information that women sometimes get wooly wearing that same shabby dress, I entered 351 Kinsley Street prepared to try a little tenderness. The maze of old mill buildings behind Harris Ave is difficult to navigate, but the juxtaposition of a lost era and the dawn of a new age. Trainless tracks pull up to loading docks that have been vacant since choo-choos made house calls. But inside something exciting and modern was happening. The Wooly Town Fair happens August 16 through 18 at the Steel Yard in Providence in the same industrial maze as the prep area, but the Steel Yard is a bit more ready for prime time. There will be music and art and installation pieces, and the loose theme is a kind of temporary town, a utopian arts community that seeks to combine the artistic spirit and human innovation. The music and lights will all be powered by bicycle-powered generators, which is why the slogan this year is “off the grid and on the lamb.” What’s exciting about this versus your run-of-the-mill art and music festival is that Wooly invites, nay, encourages, attendee participation and is a hands-on, feet-shuffling, toe-tapping, finger- snapping full body and mind experience. I saw the Woolies working with wood and whitewash, building what will become for one weekend a town of creativity and experimentation. In a world where even our “reality” television is scripted word for word, it’s refreshing to see a group dedicated to trying something new, something fun, all inclusive and inspiring.