Alt Nation: Hot Times, Summer in the City!

WBRU Summer Concert Series

95.5 WBRU’s annual series of free concerts not only gives music lovers a chance to catch national headliners, but provides exposure to a new audience for local musicians. This year’s lineup is as follows: The Heavy, Ra Ra Riot, and VulGarrity are at Alex and Ani Center on June 3. Le Roxy Pro and The Blue Album (Weezer tribute) are at Waterplace Park on July 8. Mainland and Eric and the Nothing rock Waterplace Park on July 15. Lucius and Math the Band get the party started in Waterplace Park on July 22. Aurora and Young Lincoln kick off the weekend at Waterplace Park on July 29. Nothing But Thieves and Tall Teenagers rock Waterplace Park on August 5. The Wombats and Wild Sun play Waterplace Park on August 12.

The Felice Brothers

The folk rocking Felice Brothers never seem to stop as they return to town on the cusp of another new record, Life in the Dark, which comes out June 24. Life in the Dark reminds me of Dylan with The Band in the late ’60s. “Plunder” is a rollicking stomper where folk takes a backseat to maximum rock ‘n’ roll. The Felice Brothers stick to their roots for most of the record with standout tracks including “Jack At the Asylum” and the title track. “Dancing On The Wing” adds a country vibe with an infectious hook. Get there early for indie rockers Happiness, which features three members of Deer Tick and one member of Ravi Shavi.

The Felice Brothers and Happiness (members of Deer Tick and Ravi Shavi) will rock The Met Café on June 3.

Murphy’s Law (free show!)

It’s always a party when Jimmy G from NYC and the boys from Murphy’s Law come to town to get down. Expect hardcore punk rock with a lot of sweaty dudes with their shirts off. Murphy’s Law has been around since the 1980s and they’ve pretty much perfected punk rock mayhem.

Murphy’s Law, Reason to Fight, Held Hostage and Extinction Machine will shake Firehouse 13 on June 4. This is a free show!

One Providence Experience

The second annual One Providence Experience occurs with events all throughout downtown. I’m focusing on the makeshift stage in the ruins of Providence National Bank, which features a mix of local and national acts on the Saturday. Check out Rough Francis, whose brand of turbo-charged ’70s Motor City rock ‘n’ roll is going to be the highlight of the festival. Thankfully the city is not wasting taxpayers’ money on the stupid “Earth Harp” guy that they had last year.

One Providence Experience is a free event taking place on 35 Weybosset Street in Providence on June 4. The show runs from 6pm to 1am and will feature performances by Screaming Females, What Cheer? Brigade, Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens, Debo Band, Rough Francis, Last Good Tooth, Lovesick, Humanbeast, The Low Anthem, Black Pus and Death Vessel. David Prout (Bold as Love Tribute) – A Jimi Hendrix Experience

David Prout has been an active musician for upwards of 35 years in Providence, so he knows his chops. For this Hendrix tribute, Prout reunites with Ron Catadi and John Macaluso for a scorching tribute to the best guitarist is the history of rock ‘n’ roll!

David Prout (Bold as Love Tribute) – A Jimi Hendrix Experience with sets by Boo City and Chachi Carvahlo & The International Players rocks Fete in Providence on June 10.

The Slackers

The Slackers have been making dance floors pop for 25 years with smooth rocksteady jams. They mix and mash ska, garage rock, soul, and reggae to infectious beats. The Slackers are more authentic than someone like Sublime or 311 who essentially takes a dump on traditional ska and reggae. This is another great local owner with The Copacetics opening the show.

The Slackers and The Copacetics will rock The Met Café on June 10.

Hatebreed

Hatebreed has been around for over 20 years blasting their angry metalcore anthems to the masses. This is another show that will be full of sweaty dudes running around. I don’t really understand the appeal, but I include it because some people like it.

Hatebreed, DevilDriver, and Act of Defiance will rock Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on June 10.

John Doe

John Doe from ’70s punk pioneers X comes to Newport for a solo show. I’ve caught Doe solo a couple of times and he’s very good. His solo stuff is more grizzled singer-songwriter stuff, but that’s kind of the way later-day X records were going, so not a surprise. This may not be as fun as a full-on X show, but it will be a real cool time.

John Doe will rock the Café at The Parlor in Newport on June 14.

The Low Anthem – eyeland Release show

Five years ago The Low Anthem set out to make a new record and ended up running a theater/recording studio and creating the psych-noire album eyeland in the process. The full story on that will be out in two weeks at 11pm.

The Low Anthem celebrates the release of eyeland with a show at the Columbus Theatre on June 18.

Kristin Kontrol

Dum Dum Girls were a dreamy garage rock ‘n’ roll band. For longtime fans, it may come as surprise that the leader of the Dum Dum Girls, Dee Dee (Kristin Gundred), decided to embrace her inner ’80s pops influences on her new solo album, X-Communicate, under the name Kristin Kontrol. The snippets of songs I’ve heard are closer to Taylor Dayne than the Jesus and Mary Chain. Sometimes one has to tell it to their heart and I’m particularly intrigued for this show. Kristin Kontrol will get The Met Café hopping on June 18.

Pere Ubu

In the ’70s, a Cleveland band called Rocket from the Tombs splintered into two bands, which both become hugely influential. One band moved to New York City and become the Dead Boys, who had a relatively short but influential run. The other band, Pere Ubu, became an influential so called “avant- garage” band. Singer David Thomas still leads a version of Pere Ubu, dedicated as ever to expanding the boundaries of sound while retaining the immediacy of rock ‘n’ roll.

Pere Ubu will return to rock Fete on June 28.

Revival Fest

Revival Fest returns for a second year. It has essentially taken over for Liberty Fest as THE thing to do if you are stuck in the city for July 4. This year’s lineup includes a lot of newer bands like Civility, Hott Boyz, Snot Rocket and Tall Teenagers that I’d encourage checking out. There also are plenty of veteran bands like Pyramid, Thee Itchies, Smith & Weeden, Cannibal Ramblers, Gym Shorts, Beta Motel, Pixels, Blood Pheasant, Atlantic Thrills, World’s Greatest Lover and many more that will be rocking the house.

Revival Fest returns to Dusk on July 4.

Pale Dian

Pale Dian are keeping the shoegazer genre alive and well on their debut album Narrow Birth (Manifesto Records). I’d recommend Pale Dian for fans of Lush and Cocteau Twins for the ethereal qualities to their harmonies.

Pale Dian will rock the News Café in Pawtucket o July 9.

Dinosaur Jr.

Dinosaur Jr. are releasing a new record, Give a Glimpse Of What Yer Not, this August and kick off their US tour with a stop at The Met Café. I haven’t heard the record yet, but it’s a pretty safe bet that it will have singer/guitarist J. Mascis’ nasally vocals and out-of-this-world guitar pyrotechnics. Dinosaur Jr. is pretty much the alternative rock version of Neil Young & Crazy Horse.

Dinosaur Jr. will rock The Met Café on July 14.

Richie Ramone

The original Ramones were recently on the cover of Rolling Stone with the headline, “The Curse of the Ramones.” Sad but true story; all the original members are dead and when they were alive, Rolling Stone rarely acknowledged them. Richie was the third drummer of the band who revitalized the group. The first record he was on was Too Tough to Die, which was their best record in years. Richie also contributed as a songwriter penning “Somebody Put Something in My Drink” about being roofied. It was a staple in the Ramones’ live set till the end.

Richie Ramone, The Gobshites, and M.O.T.O. will rock Firehouse 13 on July 15. Swamp Stomp 9

You don’t have to go to a dingy club for great rock ‘n’ roll as Swamp Stomp has proven. Swamp Stomp is a BYO-everything outdoor event presented by the Roots Hoot Concerts that for the past eight years has delivered a memorable day of rock ‘n’ roll under the sun. This year’s card is extra loaded with Bloodshot Recording artist The Yawpers, a band whose sound goes from dark country to kinetic punk, acid blues, headlining the day. From the setting to the lineup, Swamp Stomp is always one of the greatest days of the year for live rock ‘n’ roll.

Swamp Stomp 9 featuring The Yawpers, Water Liars, Laura Cantrell, and The Pollies will take place near the entrance of The Great Swamp in West Kingston on July 16. The grounds will open at 1:30pm with the music set to begin around 3pm. Suggested donation to attend Swamp Stomp is $40. Information for Swamp Stomp 9 can be obtained by contacting Roots Hoot House Concerts via email at [email protected] or by phone at 401-965-0833. Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/2511947

Newport Folk Festival

The legendary Newport Folk Festival has been on fire by announcing Ryan Adams, Elvis Costello and Patti Smith in the last week. This year’s festival probably won’t have the mystery of last year ,when the festival was abuzz with rumors of everyone from Bono to Bob Dylan making surprise appearances. That said, neither showed up and the festival was perfect just as it was. This year I’m stoked to see Flight of the Concords, Alabama Shakes, Violent Femmes, Middle Brother, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. A “folk” festival in more name that actual genre, Newport Folk Festival has really risen in the last 15 years or so to become one of the best music festivals in the country.

Newport Folk Festival will take place at Fort Adams in Newport on July 22 through the 24.

Electric Six

Electric Six is becoming Providence’s must-see summer rock ‘n’ roll jamboree on the dance floor. Since we last saw the Electric Six, they released another album, Bitch, Don’t Let Me Die, that mixes stoner metal, Vegas Elvis, Santa Claus catastrophes and their usual rocking dance floor thunder. Sure, there are some other good shows coming this August, this show just happens to be better.

Electric Six will bring the ultimate summer dance party to Fete on August 21.

Honorable mention shows!

Deer Tick will rock the night away at the Ocean Mist on July 18. Rich Robinson (Black Crowes) will rock The Met Café on August 10. AS220’s Foo Fest takes over Empire Street in Providence on August 13. The event will start at 1pm and run till 1am. Melvins and Helms Alee will make Olneyville shake at Fete on August 29. Rhythm & Roots Festival returns to Ninigret Park in Charlestown from September 2 – 4. For full lineup and daily schedules, go to rhythmandroots.com.

Email music news to [email protected] Alt-Nation: Vudu Sister’s Latest and Spring Shows

Vudu Sister – Mortis Nervosa

The word “chameleon” is thrown around in music terms by critics who can’t think of anything better to say about musicians. The truth is, music is an artist trying to find their own voice, so painting X is going to be different from painting Y, just like those chromosomes. Vudu Sister’s first release, 2011’s Bastard Children, was slanted toward the Americana spectrum. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Keith McCurdy told me at the time of their second release, the grunge-inspired Household Items, it was never his intention to jump aboard the Americana gravy train. He was just writing music with who was around at that time and that is just how it came together. Those grunge-era Vudu Sister shows were thrilling at the time, but on repeated listening I came to the conclusion that it wasn’t the best avenue for McCurdy because his songs don’t tend to have the big shout-it-out-loud choruses. So now we have Vudu Sister’s newest release, Mortis Nervosa, which is billed as being gothic folk/ danse macabre/witch rock. As for the new direction for Vudu Sister on Mortis Nervosa, McCurdy told me he doesn’t like to repeat himself. Many of the songs were inspired by horror series for children called Scary Stories that was published in the ’80s and ’90s. McCurdy would just write his own story based on an image or chapter title that did not necessarily have anything to do with the actual story in the book. This explains song titles like “The Haunted House” and “The Girl Who Stood on a Grave,” which both have a horror vibe. The elegance in the music on Mortis Nervosa would make it appropriate at a vampire campfire.

I’ve always loved music, regardless of genre, that takes you to another place. McCurdy and company succeed in this on Mortis Nervosa with tunes like “Maladaptive” and “Cold as Clay” that both have this odd 19th century Victorian feel. Diane O’Connor’s violin adds a haunted feel throughout the record that provides the aforementioned danse macabre element that plagues Mortis Nervosa in a good way! “Raven-haired Girl” has the feel of an old folk love shanty spruced with this element of darkness. “The Wendigo” isn’t too far from a ’70s singer-songwriter, but the way McCurdy’s vocals cut through give it a sharper demented feel to keep things fresh. “He Heard Footsteps Coming Up the Cellar Stairs” is about a serial killer and it made me think of a detailed explanation of what the Ramones were scared of in their song “I Don’t Wanna Go Down to The Basement.” My favorite track is “When I Wake Up, Everything Will Be Alright,” which feels like Victorian grunge, if that was a term that actually existed. With Mortis Nervosa, Vudu Sister has added their own chapter to Rhode Island’s rich folklore of the supernatural.

Vudu Sister will be performing June 18 at Sandywoods Center For The Arts in Tiverton with Allysen Callery.

The Schemers

Rhode Island Hall of Famers The Schemers only play one or two shows a year, so it is always a special treat when this happens. The Schemers, led by Mark Cutler, play pretty much straight up rock ‘n’ roll in the vein of an early Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers meets the Velvet Underground. Last year, The Schemers actually released a new record, The Last Beach, their first new music in 11 years. The Schemers pretty much have done it all, including winning the WBRU Rock Hunt; they just did it before everyone else. I’ve caught The Schemers a few times in recent years and they do a good mix of their classic material including the local hit, “I Want Some Fun,” as well as material from Cutler’s more recent solo albums. If you want to see some classic rock done right, don’t miss The Schemers at The Met!

The Schemers will rock The Met Café on May 22. This is an early show with doors at 4pm. The show will run from 5 – 9pm.

Luna

’90s indie dream pop-rockers Luna fulfilled the dreams of many long time fans by reuniting last year for a successful run of shows that included a sold-out show in Boston. Over the years I’d get into conversations about great ’90s bands, and Luna would usually come up. I remember one particularly killer tune off their debut album, Lunapark, called “Anesthesia” that was like the dreamy side of the Jesus and Mary Chain’s Darklands record with the minimalism of the Velvet Underground. Luna would go on to refine their sound through a run of seven studio albums and a live record. The Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is admittedly a tough day to get out to a show, but for Luna I’ll make an attempt!

Luna will rock the Columbus Theatre on May 29.

Email music news to [email protected] Alt-Nation: Spring Biscuits

Outlaw In Peru – OIP (75orLess Records)

This record has been kicking around for awhile but I popped it into my CD player the other day and it floored me. I don’t know when — or if — this band will ever play again, but that is part of the fun. They dress up in masks (because they are the Outlaw In Peru) and kick off a 10-minute stomper with fake crowd noise with “straight outta Little Compton…” where they name every town in Rhode Island except maybe Portsmouth and Arctic in “OIP Worldwide” with complete stadium bombast. They even make the point to let you know they are skipping Barrington because let’s face it, outside of that teddy bear store, it’s as gentrified as fuck. Outlaw In Peru understands that. It’s not all anthems for stadiums that don’t exist as “Profile in the Rock” rocks to some nirvana halfway between Motorhead and Thin Lizzy. “I Killed the Kennedys” rocks hard in a Grand Funk Railroad on amphetamines meets Body Count vein while offering up as much truth as the Warren Commission. You don’t have to wait for their next rodeo to hear them play. You can just go to 75orlessrecords.com to order and be the proud owner of this biscuit.

The Thermals

’90s rock icons The Thermals are back with a new album called We Disappear, which is packed to the gills with the pop-guitar rock ‘n’ roll thrills that is their calling card. Picture a less formulaic Weezer, like you know a band that doesn’t re-write that same song over and over to get their next alternative rocker. Rock music that one can dance to with deep grooves sounds simple, but is really an endangered species. There is plenty of auto-tuned shit out there, but it’s so sterile. The Thermals are infectious and I want that disease.

The Thermals and Summer Cannibals will rock the Columbus Theatre on April 26.

Tall Teenagers – Self-Titled (75orLessRecords)

T-Rock used to always try to get me to listen to this late ’90s alt-rock band Verbena. They sounded like Surfa Rosa-era Pixies with songs that were just not as good. Surfa Rosa is in my top 50 all time records, so there is no shame when I liken Tall Teenagers to that record. I’ve never spent the time to appreciate Verbena till I saw Tall Teenagers and it struck me what they reminded me of. It is the same shtick with fuzzy loud guitars, mixed gender vocals and short twisty tunes. What I like about the Tall Teenagers is, for starters, it sounds phenomenal. Raw guitars whether they be foreboding on “Gone Gone Gone” or just driving through the morning madness of a new day rising on “I Get Awake.” “Thief In The House” jams along sounding like some mix of Crazy Horse Neil Young digging deep into a mix of grunge and gospel with no Gods in sight. “Home” has some surf licks and a driving backbeat to carry you to safe harbor. The tension build-up in “Walking On A Street” just engages one to find out what is around the next corner. Speaking of corners, from their first show till I eventually saw them, people have raved about Tall Teenagers live. Being a fan of grungy guitars and short songs, I concur. That time I asked for my money back based on them not being particularly tall or close to being teenagers was strictly an aberration, possibly from inebriation.

95.5 WBRU Homebru’d presents The Viennagram, Eric & The Nothing, Tall teenagers, and Young Lincoln will rock The Met Café on April 29.

Matthew Logan Vasquez – Solicitor Returns

Delta Spirit’s front man Matthew Logan Vasquez comes out of the gates swinging on his solo debut as troubadour channeling Crazy Horse Neil Young with Dylan’s wit on “Maria.” Vasquez revs it up a notch with the fuzz tone “Personal,” where he laments that he has to “strike out on my own.” It’s kind of like The Strokes without trying to be something else, just letting the rock roll. “I Bet It All” is a meditative folker that reflects on throwing one’s heart out there. The grunged-out “Everything I Do Out” assures this is no I’m-going-to-leave-my-band-for-awhile-to-do-a-quiet-solo-album. I like Vasquez’ voice on “Stand Up” over the piano and fuzzed out guitars. “Muerte Tranquila is somewhere between The Band and White Album Beatles. All in all, Vasquez comes off on Solicitor Returns as a deacon in the unholy church of rock ‘n’ roll.

Matthew Logan Vasquez will enthrall the crowd at the Columbus Theatre on May 1.

Email music news to [email protected].

Alt-Nation: Bastards & More

2016 is still only in its infancy but it seems like we’ve lost a lot of people. I want to send this out to the memory of Joe Moody, the owner/operator of Danger Studios who passed a couple of weeks ago. I did not have the pleasure of knowing Joe personally, but I know his work from the hundreds of bands he recorded over the years. Bands like Less Than a Felony, Drunk Robb & The Shots, The McGunks and many more recorded under Joe’s watchful guidance. Everyone I’ve ever spoken with about Joe raved about his expertise in helping bring their dreams to life. My thoughts and prayers are with Joe’s wife and family. As soon as I hear about the rumored benefit show I’ll pass details along. Also I’d like to add condolences to the family of Rich Ferrara, Jr., my supervisor when I’m not moonlighting as a writer, who passed suddenly last week. Rich had a great sense of humor and always was willing to help to make the day easier. Bastards Bastards are doing another reunion show after damn near blowing the roof off Aurora last fall. Bastards take their cues from Motorhead and steamroll ahead in that vein. Every Bastards show is pretty much a memorial to their late singer, Chris “Pop” Popoloski, who is universally beloved and missed deeply by everyone he touched. This show should be another banger with juggernauts like The Worried and Sugar Cones kicking out the jams on the undercard. Bastards, The Worried, Greg Allen’s Fringe Religion, & Sugar Cones will rock Firehouse 13 on April 9. Parquet Courts – Human Performance (Rough Trade Records) Parquet Courts drop their 5th full-length record, Human Performance, this month and come to town to celebrate. Human Performance is jam packed with indie guitar swing glory reminiscent of bands like Pavement and The Pastels. Human Performance kicks off with a quirky number, “Dust,” about what else but the mystery of how dust is everywhere. The minimalism of the tune gives it a Velvet Underground- like flair without the sex and drugs. “Outside” and “Pathos Prairie” have upbeat twists wrapped around tight hooks that should garner some radio play consideration. My favorite here is “Berlin Got Blurry” that has a Richard Hell fronting a post-punk band that throws in the occasional flamenco guitar lick vibe. The album closes with a dreamy waltz titled “Already Dead,” where a guest female vocalist provides the instrumental break meditation. It’s early, of course, but Parquet Courts have moved into the forefront on my charts for album of the year with Human Performance. Parquet Courts and Soda will rock The Met Café on April 14. Eric Bachmann – Self-titled Album (Merge Records) I’ve been listening to Eric Bachmann’s songwriting for 20 years going back to his time fronting indie legends Archers of Loaf, so I wasn’t expecting to be surprised when this record arrived. Bachmann’s debut solo album mostly comes off as a stripped-down songwriter album while retaining the wit that his work with Archers of Loaf and Crooked Fingers is known for. “Mercy” reminds me of the Beach Boys’ “Don’t Worry Baby” while Bachmann sings about forever “loving his friends and family from Alaska to Miami despite the bat shit crazy things they say.” My favorite tune here is “Modern Drugs” that starts with piano till the rest of the instruments kick in much like the modern drugs do in Bachmann’s lyrics. “Separation Fright” is about as soulful as an indie rock that touches on agoraphobia can get. “Carolina” is an uplifting nugget that feels like a mix of a Neil Diamond backing track mixed with Simple Minds that somehow manages to succeed. The closing “The Old Temptation” is a reflective number that mixes in buried squalls of guitar feedback reminiscent of later Archers works, with Bachmann’s comforting narrative. Bachmann has succeeded, with this album, in writing a new chapter in his career that doesn’t feel so much of a break from the louder indie rock of his past, but as the next destination down the never-ending highway. Eric Bachmann and Andrew St. James will rock The Met Café on April 20. Jordan Everett Associates – Self-Titled Album Jordan Everett Associates is a songwriting collaboration between two longtime forces in these parts in Kraig Jordan (The Masons, Stan Sobczak, Junior Varsity Arson, Lloyd’s Lamas) and Paul “Pip” Everett (Coat of Arms, Blizzard of ‘78, Hope Anchor, Everett Brothers Moving Company). The songs were written over a 2-year period at Jordan’s Plan of a Boy studio. The result is a sometimes dark exploration of 21st century life that works in a gamut of influences. “Stuck In The Driveway” is a meditative take on life over a backdrop of moody post-modern folk. The boys kick it up a notch on “Deep Blue Goodbye,” which has a new wave flavor. “Poison” reminds me of rowdy late-’70s power-pop in the vein of The Jam or Elvis Costello. “Never Letting Go” and the ridiculously infectious “The House Up On The Hill” remind me of late ‘80s alternative rock radio similar to bands like The Church and Love and Rockets. They throw in a couple of covers including a spacey ballad take reminiscent of late ‘90s Radiohead or The Family Band’s “Moonbeams.” They also do a stripped-down ethereal cover of Belly’s “Super Connected.” I don’t think it got nominated, but this record was on my nomination ballot for Album of the Year in the Motif Awards. It deserves to be up for consideration because it was one of the best albums to come across my desk from anywhere in the past year. I am stoked that Jordan and Everett are going to be playing the record out live. Well, at least once. For the show they’ve assembled a top-notch band that in addition to Everett on vocals and Jordan on guitar includes Dan Ulmschneider on drums, Kevin Zahm on bass and Bob Kendall on keyboards. Jordan Everett Associates will celebrate their CD release with a show with Warbler Roost at the Salvation Café in Newport on April 21. This is an early show from 7 – 10pm. Email music news to [email protected]

Alt-Nation: WBRU Rock Hunt

It’s that time again — the finals of this year’s WBRU Rock Hunt take over The Met Café this Saturday night. The great thing about the WBRU Rock Hunt is every year is completely different. Sure, there are some years where there is an obvious favorite, but this year it’s wide open! Last year’s champs, Public Alley, came from out of nowhere to stun favorites Most Dangerous Men Alive and Forest Fires for the victory. This only goes to show that one can crunch the numbers and factor in a band’s draw all day, but come show time there is no sure bet when it comes to picking the WBRU Rock Hunt Champion.

In the old days when the event was at the now defect Giza in Olneyville, one could make prop bets on the street with the guy trying to sell you the hub caps he stole off the guy parked in front of you. These days finding trouble isn’t so easy, but where there is money to made, all things are possible. Things to consider when placing a bet is sometimes bands will do ill-advised things to take them out of the running. Some examples in recent years include Baylock thinking the world really wanted to hear them do a mid-set stripped down triple bongo number or even last year when Most Dangerous Men Alive performed a Rage Against the Machine cover that was void of all the energy and passion of the original. The best thing for a band competing in the Rock Hunt is to recognize what they are good at it and stick to that. If you are going to take crack at winning the Rock Hunt, take your best shot and do not try to out-think the moment.

This year’s contenders all offer something a little different. Oliver Penn and The Crystal Shivers get it done with straight soul tinged alt-rock complete with trumpets and sax. They have a new EP, Runaway, out now that basically shows off their competency. Oliver Penn and The Crystal Shivers are unlikely to go out and out rock anyone, but they could out-point the other combatants via their technique. I’d compare them to someone like Floyd “Money” Mayweather in terms of needing to out-point the competition to victory. Le Roxy Pro mixes in surf and Brit-Pop hazy harmonies to create ethereal jams. Le Roxy Pro have a veteran’s advantage to take the crown as one member of the band, Brent Battey, has previously won the Rock Hunt as part of The Wandas in 2010. The Wandas and I may not have had the best relationship. I said something along the lines that they suck and questioned their eligibility as a band that listed Boston as their hometown, but whatever, each rock hunt is its own beast. Le Roxy Pro has a self-titled full length album out. I’d put Le Roxy Pro as a favorite here capable of putting the crowd and the judges under their spell. I’ll give them the Hillary Clinton chance to victory for being established and more refined than their competition.

Young Lincoln in photos certainly lives up to the first part of their name. They probably have the potential to rock the hardest, but their recordings don’t necessarily capture this. The music is pretty much generic indie alternative with a little punk slithered in. Not too impressive at first glance, but come Saturday night, none of that really matters. Young Lincoln have an EP out called Is It Really You? that showcases their wares. On paper they are probably the biggest long shot as I don’t think there is any one thing that they do particularly well. In their defense, I would have said the same thing about Public Alley last year before the Finals, so that shows you what I know. In fact, I’ll give Young Lincoln the Public Alley’s chance to make it back to back upset wins in the Rock Hunt.

Eric & The Nothing get typecast as garage rockers, but the stuff they have online is more basic ’50s/’60s wistful rock ‘n’ roll. It is kind of funny to think that the winner of a 2016 alternative rock radio station could take their cues from someone like Ricky Nelson, but why not? He deserves more than just his offspring who gave us the ’80s hair pop band, Nelson. Eric & The Nothing have two releases with the Hot Shrimp EP and Temper Tantrums single available online. Eric & The Nothing are probably my favorite horse going into the Finals as a band I’d want to see, but my choices don’t always win. I give them the oldies but goodies chance to win.

Picking a winner out of this field is no easy feat. I think Young Lincoln might be the most explosive. I like Eric & The Nothing the best as a band. Oliver Penn and The Crystal Shivers can win it if all else breaks down just by being solid in kind of a Torn Shorts victory scenario. That said, something in my gut just says Le Roxy Pro is going to be the band to beat. The moment after I send in my column, I’ll be on the phone to my bookie to bet the house their way. Best of luck to all the bands and enjoy March Madness.

The WBRU Rock Hunt Finals featuring sets by Oliver Penn and The Crystal Shivers, Le Roxy Pro, Eric & The Nothing, and Young Lincoln will take place at The Met Café in Pawtucket on March 19. Doors are at 7pm with the music starting at 8pm.

Email music news to [email protected]

Alt-Nation: Shows to Put a Spring in Your Step

Sage Francis This is a gem of a show that is flying under the radar with acclaimed hip-hop artist Sage Francis coming to The Knickerbocker in Westerly. Sage Francis has accomplished a ton with his most recent release, 2014’s Copper Gone, which came out on his own Strange Famous Records. This show also includes one of Francis protégées, B. Dolan, who last year released the excellent Kill the Wolf (Strange Famous Records). The Knickerbocker is a great place to see a show and I recommend going early and checking out Westerly as there are several places in walking distance worth hitting up. Sage Francis, B. Dolan and Ceschi will take the party to The Knickerbocker.

Vertical Twin Vertical Twin are back after a hiatus that lasted a couple of years and ready to rev it up in high gear with their trademarked moto-psych-punk. I’ve always loved their record ElectroSonicMotherPhonic (75orLess Records). Karma Rocket’s disc Parts to Pieces (75orLess Records) arrived this week. It is a mix of Pixies meets Husker Du aggression with a poppy gleam that includes a hell-raising cover of “Add It Up” by the Violent Fems. Six Star General bring it with a sledgehammer rock that has bits of Sonic Youth, The Minuteman and ’70s Neil Young. Lincoln Tunnel round out this night of great music with music that draws from the likes of Replacements and Sebadoh.

Vertical Twin, Karma Rocket, Six Star General and Lincoln Tunnel will rock The Parlour in Providence on March 5.

The Silks / Julie Rhodes Bound to Meet the Devil CD Release The Silks, led by the best guitar slinger in town, Tyler James Kelly, kick up a ruckus of dirty early ’70s rock ‘n’ roll served up with the blues poured over like gravy. I got an advance copy of Julie Rhodes’ new record, Bound to Meet the Devil. The biscuit reminds me of a modern day Etta James with tunes like “In Your Garden” and “Skyscraper Blues.” On “Faith” Rhodes works in a gospel feel that also has a hint of Janis Joplin. Rhodes has a powerhouse voice, which combined with Kelly’s guitar player makes this one whopper of a show.

The Silks and Julie Rhodes will rock the upstairs of the Columbus Theatre in Providence on March 5. WBRU Rock Hunt Finals The Super Bowl of local rock is going down again at The Met Café. Several of the semi-finals have already taken place, but I’m not sure who has advanced in the big dance. You can vote for a wild card slot at wbru.com. I wasn’t really excited about any of the semi-finalists so I’ve placed my bet on whoever emerges from the wild card vote because somebody must like them.

The WBRU Rock Hunt Finals will take place at The Met Café on March 19 in Providence.

The Worried /M.O.T.O. This show is a mega dosage of punk ‘n’ roll. The Worried rip it live with sleazy ’70s punk rock. M.O.T.O. mine similar territory with infectious upbeat harmonies on the choruses on tunes like “Dance Dance Dance Dance Dance to the Radio” and “Metal Man.” This show should be what comes up if one were to Google what punk rock is.

The Worried, M.O.T.O. and The Hi-End will rock the Parlour in Providence on March 19.

Drive-By Truckers It’s tough to believe that Drive-By Truckers are entering their 20th year spewing out alt-country laden rock. As last year’s It’s Great To Be Alive live album proves, Drive-By Truckers still deliver the goods live. They may have been eclipsed in popularity by former member Jason Isbell, but I’ve never noticed any sign of them slowing down live. Check out their 2001 double album Southern Rock Opera if you’re looking for a starting point to get amped for the show!

Drive-By Truckers will rock the Columbus Theatre on March 9.

Super Sonic Surf Explosion This show will kick off with a record sale with a bunch of area vendors selling their wares. As I’m currently in need of an intervention to curb my record buying addiction, going early for me would be like scoring crack. That said, I’ll probably still do it. After you score some vinyl, the music will start with an emphasis of surf punk. The night will include sets by The Buzzards, The Mad Doctors, The Nebulas and Future Spa.

The Super Sonic Surf Explosion will go down at Firehouse 13 in Providence on March 12.

The 2nd Annual Providence Tattoo & Music Festival The 2nd Providence Tattoo & Music Fest will take over both rooms at Fete Music Hall. The show will include a ton of vendors from tattoo shops, other vendors including sponsor Boneyard Wings and live music. The bands playing include Revocation Gamohra, DEATH RATTLE, Carolina Burn Joint Damage, Dead By Wednesday, Pistol Shot Gypsy, SINARO, Bloodline Theory, Fear The Masses, Proxies and Blind Revision on the Ballroom stage. Bands rocking the Lounge stage include Overwith The River, Neva Shred of Salvation, All For Blood, HEMLOK, Apollo’s Resurrection, 6 Foot, Silence Those Alone, Red Kingdom and Affliktion Revelater. Good wings and rock ‘n’ roll… mmm sign me up!

The 2nd Annual Providence Tattoo & Music Festival comes to Fete on March 19.

Titus Andronicus and Craig Finn I’m amped for this show because Craig Finn is the lead singer of one of my favorite bands, The Hold Steady. Finn released a solo album, Faith in the Future, which was one of last year’s best. The record kind of scares me because it was a better record than the last two The Hold Steady records, which makes me worried about the band’s future. Finn’s solo stuff is much quieter than the swinging barroom rock of The Hold Steady. Faith in the Future just felt less forced, allowing more room for Finn’s narratives than the recent offerings from The Hold Steady.

Last year Titus Andronicus released a rock opera, The Most Lamentable Tragedy (Merge Records), that delves deep into mental illness. Certainly not an easy subject to tackle and create something enjoyable to listen to, but I loved the album. Tracks like “Mr. E Mann” and “I Lost My Mind” have a Springsteen- like fervor that just grabs and raises you spiritually. “Lonely Boy” reminds me of Sally Can’t Dance-era Lou Reed. “Look Alive” is a punk rock rave up, but there are plenty of interludes and it’s really best to listen to the album as whole for maximum impact. The album is an autobiographical account of the struggle front man Patrick Stickles battles with mental health. Titus Andronicus has had many members over the years, including Deer Tick’s Ian O’Neil.

Titus Andronicus and Craig Finn will rock the Met Café on March 26.

PJ Harvey Cover Show PJ Harvey has influenced musicians for over 20 years with her mix of alternative rock meets the blues and straight-forward rock. She has been probably the most influential feminist in music over the past two decades while saying little about the topic. Ms. Harvey lets her music and presentation get her message across like a sledgehammer. For this show, mostly local musicians will be doing their favorite Harvey tunes. Performers include Karen Orsi, Francesca Caruso and Tayla, Gertrude Atherton, Me Jane, Johanna Walczak & Ladies, Florence Wallis and Orion Rigel Domisse, Bill Keough, Jennifer Avery, Malyssa BellaRosa and Hilary Jones. The show is a benefit for Girls Rock! Rhode Island.

PJ Harvey Cover Show comes to Aurora in Providence on March 27.

Joe Satriani Guitar wizard Joe Satriani comes to town for his Surfing to Shock Tour celebrating “30 years of Mind- Bending Guitar Daredevilry.” I don’t really see any elements of surf or shock entering into this show, but “mind-bending guitar daredevilry” is guaran-damn-teed. So if you’re into instrumental guitar sorcery, this is a rare chance to catch one of the all-time greats!

Joe Satriani will rock The Vets in Providence on March 31.

WBRU April Fools Bash WBRU is bringing back their Aprils Fools Bash with a bang with a rare rock ‘n’ roll show at the Dunk. Cage The Elephant headlines this party, but I’m also stoked for Silversun Pickups who put on a memorable show at Lupo’s a few years back. Most of the lineup deals in traditional modern guitar rock, but they do it well. This show is no prank — get your tickets before they are all gone!

WBRU April Fools Bash featuring performances by Cage The Elephant, Silversun Pickups, Foals and Bear Hands will rock the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence on April 1.

Iggy Pop The Godfather of Punk returns with a new album, Post Pop Depression, produced by Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. The album is supposed to be inspired by the sound of Iggy’s late ’70s collaborations with David Bowie on the Lust for Life and The Idiot records. The tracks I’ve heard have lived up to that description. Iggy is one of the best live performers of all time and Homme is playing guitar on the tour. This is well worth the trip to Boston. Iggy Pop will tear the Orpheum in Boston a new one on April 11.

Jonathan Richman I’ll never forget the first time that I saw Jonathan Richman live upstairs at the Middle East. After each of the first five songs, he requested that the volume be turned down. There is even a Frank Black tribute song about him called “The Man Who Is Too Loud.” Jonathan Richman is a great performer for all the opposite reasons that Iggy Pop is. His music is full of childhood innocence. For those unfamiliar with Richman’s music, he’s that guy that pops up throughout the movie There’s Something About Mary to sing a song every time something happens. As always, Richman will be joined by Tommy Larkin on drums.

Jonathan Richman will play The Met Café on April 5.

Puscifer Puscifer is Maynard James Keenan’s (Tool and A Perfect Circle) latest band. While Tool reunited to play a festival last year, their often discussed next record has not materialized. Keenan has kept busy with Puscifer, which released a new album this year called Money Shot. The record is a little more electronic than Tool, but it isn’t all that different than Keenan’s other projects. Don’t miss your chance to catch a legend when Puscifer hits The Vets!

Puscifer will rock The Vets in Providence on April 16.

The Smithereens In the days before grunge, The Smithereens were one of the few alternative bands to breakthrough to mainstream radio with hits like “Only a Memory” and “Blood and Roses.” Smithereens were a guitar- driven band that mixed in bits of The Kinks and The Clash to create catchy guitar jams. I’ve never seen them live, so I’m extra stoked for this show!

The Smithereens will rock the Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River on April 22.

Peter Wolf One of the all-time great front men in rock ‘n’ roll, Peter Wolf returns to Fall River for a CD Release Party for his new record, A Cure For Loneliness. The Wolfa Goofa Mama Toofa is best known for fronting The J. Geils Band with whom he delivered an electric performance in India Point Park last year. This is the album I’m most looking forward to this year. Wolf’s last record, Midnight Souvenirs, was pure brilliance. Wolf’s solo records tend to mine similar terrain as J. Geils working in R&B, soul, blues and even country nowadays. Do whatever you can to score a ticket on the internet for this show.

Peter Wolf will rock the Narrows Center for The Arts in Fall River on April 30.

Eagles of Death Metal Eagles of Death Metal became a household name for all the wrong reasons with the tragedy of the terrorist attacks at their concert last November in Paris. Eagles of Death Metal play catchy, ass-shaking rock ‘n’ roll with gusto for life that makes the senseless attack even more awful. I admire the resolve of Eagles of Death Metal to not let the attacks stop them from doing what they love — playing music. The band has already returned to Paris. First as U2’s guest, where Bono and co yielded the stage to them for the encore to close the show, and they’ve headlined their own show. Let’s show them the love they deserve when they come to Providence! Eagles of Death Metal will rock Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on May 11.

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Alt-Nation: Pixels’ Latest and Weekend Shows

Pixels – Hello (P.O.P. Records) With their new EP, Hello, the Pixels have created a throwback pop gem. Hello starts out with “Memory Boy” that tells the tale of moving to New York not knowing anyone. It’s ’50s rock played with an indie rock band feel. To give you an idea, some bands I think of when listening to Hello are The Shangri-Las, Beat Happening, and The Jesus & Mary Chain (Darklands era.) “Nitro Apollo” has kind of an early Talking Heads version of funk. “FTP” has a breezy ’50s AM meets Pixies feel complete with sugary harmonies that make the chorus of “fuck the patriarchy” seem the wind whispering in your ear. In doing so, it cleverly creates a much more subversive feel than a million punk songs that are trying to express the same thing. Even the bonus track “Career (of Losing)” is great with kind of an Elvis impersonator fronting a surf rock band. What I love most about Hello is the Pixels have succeeded over the course of a mere five tunes to take the listener to another place. Go see the Pixels live this Friday at Dusk. Who knows where they may teleport you!

The CD Release show for Hello will take place on February 26 at Dusk in Providence featuring performances by Pixels, Future Generations, Von Donovan and Little Tomb.

Smith & Weeden Another Saturday night chock full of big shows in the city, but if you’re torn, it is really tough to mess up with a free Smith & Weeden show at Nick-a-Nee’s. Smith & Weeden mix in influences like ’70s rock and country, Zevon, Stones and Faces, and grind them into their own biscuits. This show will be a hoot!

Smith & Weeden and Wes Buckley and The Chums rock Nick-a-Nee’s in Providence on February 27. The music starts around 9pm and goes all night and the show is free to boot.

Arc Iris and Friends Present: The Music of David Bowie The passing of David Bowie has spawned a few tribute shows throughout town, but this should be one of the better ones. For starters, Arc Iris has done this before. I caught them last summer when they covered Bowie’s Hunky Dory from cover to cover and they did a great job putting their own touch on the tunes without wandering too far away. For this show, Arc Iris has recruited a bunch of friends to help out. The list includes MorganEve Swain (Brown Bird and The Huntress and Holder of Hands), Death Vessel, Rafay Rashid (Ravi Shavi and Happiness), Roz Raskin (Roz and the Rice Cakes), Brian Webb, Big Nazo, Allysen Callery, Chris Daltry (The ‘Mericans), Emma Corbin, The Sun Parade and The Horse-Eyed Men. This should be a great night to remember the man, the legend and his music performed by some tremendously talented local musicians.

Arc Iris and Friends Present: The Music of David Bowie will take place in the upstairs at the Columbus Theatre in Providence on February 27th.

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Alt-Nation: Suck and Wastelands. And Music, too

Brrr! Winter is finally here. I miss the old days when it would begin in December and then that one warm day in February came like a beacon of hope that winter was waning. Now we just get three months of suck in the wasteland between fall and spring only to get walloped in February. Speaking of suck and wastelands, how about these presidential primaries? I don’t know who is more annoying — the candidates or their supporters. If you need me, I’ll just blasting Alice Cooper’s “Elected” all the way through election night.

Black Oil Incinerator – Built In Space (Academia Tapes Plus) Black Oil Incinerator are releasing their studio debut, Built in Space, which is the follow-up to 2014’s Live at Dusk. Black Oil Incinerator assaults your senses with a battery of effects-riddled guitar compositions, including studio versions of four tunes from Live at Dusk as well as seven new jams. Built in Space kicks off with “Bricks,” which sounds like a post-punk reimagining of David Bowie’s “Heroes” with a lesser chorus. “Huge Bruise” is a fuzzed to the rafters roll the bones punk rock. “Bus Stop” comes off as a No Wave take on a Queens of the Stone Age. Black Oil Incinerator teeter between more rocking numbers and the space fuzz numbing jams. The best of the latter are “Make New Friends,” “Honey Strings” and “Supersonic,” which teleport you to a dreamy darkness. Some of Built in Space reminds me of a more stoner rock version of Six Star General, like a bridge between Hawkwind to early The Jesus and Mary Chain. If you are looking for vocal harmonies or really anything lyrical, Black Oil Incinerator are probably not your thing. Black Oil Incinerator’s strength is the music birthed between the fuzz and space that when played loud enough, catapults you. For Built in Space, instead of doing the traditional CD release, Black Oil Incinerator in conjunction with Academia Tapes Plus are jumping on the cassette resurgence brigade and doing a cassette only release with a download code. I’ve not gotten into the cassette resurgence because I’ve never thought cassettes sounded particularly great. I do have a lot of cassettes from growing up in boxes and have pondered getting a tape player over the years, so will Built in Space be that record that drives me to take that plunge? Probably not, but it does come with a download code. There will be a limited run of 50 copies of Built in Space available at the show and at local records shops, including Olympic Records, Armageddon Records and Analog Underground. For those into cassette tapes, Academia Tapes Plus has done a lot of cool stuff. Check them out at academia.bandcamp.com/ to order Built in Space and other cool releases.

Black Oil Incinerator will celebrate the release of Built in Space with two sets playing the album in its entirety at Dusk on February 19. Woozy and Tiny Pills will also be performing.

Pixels –Hello (P.O.P. Records) Pixels will celebrate the release of their EP Hello, which hasn’t arrived as this issue goes to press, but there should be a review online next week. Pixels are local garage rockers who take their cues from bands like Velvet Underground and Luna. If dreamy, straight-forward primal rock ‘n’ roll is your bag, you’ll probably dig the Pixels. Pixels celebrate the release of Hello with a show with Future Generations, Von Donovan and Little Tomb on February 26 at Dusk.

Scott Hamel Memorial Show The outbreak of death in rock ‘n’ roll is not limited to international icons as we have lost one of our own with the passing of Scott Hamel. Scott has played in numerous bands over the years and has been a part of the scene for a long time. I got to know Scott a little while he was playing in one of his more recent bands, Sounder. I always found him to be a good guy and a delight to run into. Some of his friends are staging a memorial show that features a little of everything. The King Sick-A-Billy Trio will be dishing out a mix of country and rock ’n’ roll. A Dying Breed will be there to provide a fix of metal, hardcore and punk. Swan Point will kick off the night with a set of jams influenced by the likes of Ween and T. Rex. Rest in peace, Scott.

Scott Hamel Memorial Show featuring performances by The King Sick-A-Billy Trio, A Dying Breed and Swan Point will rock Firehouse 13 on February 20.

Moving & Grooving Long time Thayer Street mainstay Stereo Discount Audio & Video is moving across the river to East Providence on March 1 after 30 years in Providence. For fans of the vinyl resurgence, Stereo Discount is the best as far as getting turntables, receivers and speakers. They do repairs and are there to give you advice on what is the best equipment to meet your needs. I hear the new store at 279 Taunton Ave in East Providence will be bigger with onsite parking.

Bonus Tracks: Check out Monument Thief, Jets Can’t Land, Tall Teenagers and Feng Shui Police at AS220 on February 19 for some serious indie rock mayhem.

Email music news to [email protected] Alt-Nation: HBD Johnny Rotten!

We’re going to start off this one paying homage to John (Johnny Rotten) Lydon on his 60th birthday. Outside of Joey Ramone, he’s the single most influential figure in how I view music and life. Stay tuned for my best of column at motifri.com for more on Public Image Ltd. My last column was kind of a downer with Bowie and Lemmy, and since then we can add Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airplane/ Starship, Glenn Frey of the Eagles, and of course, the most polarizing of all, Buddy Cianci. I’ve listened to early Jefferson Airplane. Not so much the Eagles, but maybe Frey solo on the Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack with “The Heat is On.” I was always more the Mojo Nixon fan when he was singing “Don Henley Must Die,” which may run contrary to the rest of this. But he was insufferable at that point in time. I always appreciate life, so this column is not about who died but who is alive. Living in the moment, not staring at your cellphone — reach out and grab it, live it, love it to life. I didn’t do the Alt-Nation monthly DJ night because it felt more organic to let Providence do its own thing, but we’ll be back February 18 at E&O Tap. Tommy’s After Dark I’m not here to toot my own horn, but occasionally I do try to open new doors to things. For years I’ve seen Tommy’s downtown and it was scary — in other words, real. Now they have a basement where the sound is shit or there is another place where someone just got shot in the face. So to people who bemoan the loss of the Safari Lounge, I give you Tommy’s After Dark. My brothers in arms built the stage of the Safari and now the last vestibule of old downtown wants to host bands and I couldn’t be more excited. Bands should contact Terry at [email protected] or 401-580-0733.

The I Don’t Cares – Wild Stab The collaboration nobody saw coming after The Replacements reunion and the Juliana Hatfield Three. I saw both The Replacements and the Juliana Hatfield Three reunions in the last year and this just adds to the legacy. This collection of songs sounds like it is straight from Westerberg’s basement where any Mats fan would hope to die. The highlights run from the damaged country of “Kissing Break” and “1/2 2P” to the rockers, like “Love Out Loud” and “Dance to the Fight.” I’ve read that “Done Done Done” should have been left out, but keep in mind most music critics are idiots. It is a classic rip off late ’60s soul delivered in their own voice. “King of America” with the shout it out call take it over call is better than what any presidential candidate has offered. They have offered you a whole lotta shit; check out the new album and the interview with Paul on Vanyaland with Peter Wolf from the J Geil’s Band.

Voivod Turn it down, turn it down — well, not tonight. Voivod is going to blast your ears. Get tickets in advance because this might sell out. Get your head banging on with Voivod!

Voivod, Vector, Eight Bellsand will shake Fete to its bones on February 6.

Lee Fields & The Expressions The soul explosion continues and why not? Who doesn’t like it? St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and Charles Bradley — can we get enough of this? Al Green isn’t coming and Lee Fields & The Expressions are king of awesome in their own right. I can’t get enough of it!

Lee Fields & The Expressions with Lawrence will make Olneyville shake at Fete on February 13.

Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers Against Me vocalist returns with her new band The Devouring Mothers. I don’t know fully what this is about, but I’d just go for being an Against Me fan. No, that is what we are all going for, and let’s rock!

Laura Jane Grace & The Devouring Mothers and Dave Dondero will rock Fete on February 16.

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Alt-Nation: In Mourning

I had planned to start with a brief tribute to Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t include a few words about David Bowie, whose passing I haven’t had time to really process. As far as Lemmy, people always talk about Keith Richards being the personification of the rock ‘n’ roll outlaw. I love Keith, but he isn’t, Lemmy was. Lemmy never took a year off, never mind years. He toured non-stop, and put out good albums every year even though people coming to see him don’t want to hear new Motörhead songs. He never mailed anything in; Motorhead’s last album, Bad Magic, is actually a great album and the first track, “Victory or Die,” pretty much sums up everything Lemmy was about.

David Bowie was the rare musical genius who could do just about any style of rock ‘n’ roll and have it turn out great. His music could go from space rock to glam, art rock and R&B – one minute he’s futuristic and the next record is a retro tribute to Philly soul. There was nobody like him or really anything to compare him to. He was subversive and at the same time mainstream. The only constant to Bowie was that he was always cool. While the world is a darker place without Lemmy and Bowie, it is much better place because of all the music and memories they left us. R.I.P.

The Quahogs – Sunny Waste You don’t get more Rhode Island than having a band named The Quahogs. The Quahogs have been labeled as “Deer Tick light” over the years, for better or worse, for being influenced by Americana and having a raspy voiced singer/guitarist in Steve Delmonico. But with their sophomore record, Sunny Waste, they are ready to make their own mark. The Quahogs’ material tends to be mid-tempo with slashing and sliding guitars like twangy blues of “Baby Never” and “Chevrolet.” “Dorothy” is a highlight that harks back to early ’70s swampy rock ‘n’ roll. On the love ballad “Eyes of Blue,” Delmonico hits you with lines like “she’s the reason why the world spins around the moon.” The latter part of Sunny Waste is more up-tempo with toe tappers like “Go Forth” and “Hungover Day.” “Snow Covered” reminds me of stripped-down Nirvana. Delmonico has been through a lot to get to this point, including a life threatening illness that required months of hospitalization just to get to this point and resurrect The Quahogs from scratch. The rewards for Delmonico and music lovers alike are captured perfectly on Sunny Waste.

The Quahogs CD Release show for Sunny Waste also including performances by Smith & Weeden and Hott Boyz and goes down at the Columbus Theatre in Providence on January 16.

The Blushing Brides The Blushing Brides are a great Rolling Stones tribute band that I’ve had the pleasure of catching a couple times and have never been disappointed. The Blushing Brides have delved deep into the Stones’ catalog, going by the songs they list on their website, and with good reason – they have been covering the Stones for over 30 years. The live sets, like the Stones, tend to focus on the hits with maybe a couple of deep cuts thrown in. The last time I caught them at Manchester 65 it had the atmosphere of an actual Stones show with a packed room and everyone wearing their Steel Wheels merchandise. Of course, it is never going to compare to actually seeing Mick and Keith. That said — it is a far more inexpensive way to enjoy the music of the Stones.

The Blushing Brides return to help you get yer ya-ya’s out at Manchester 65 in West Warwick on January 22.

Bottle Rockets – South Broadway Athletic Club (Bloodshot Records) Bottle Rockets recently serve up a new slab of country flavored rock with South Broadway Athletic Club. Bottle Rockets hail from St. Louis and heading into their 24th year, are still writing great songs. Whether it’s the hillbilly folk of “Big Lotsa Love” or the straight-ahead rock of “I Don’t Want to Know,” Bottle Rockets deliver the goods with infectious choruses. “Big Fat Nuthin’” is an folksy ode to a stay- cation with lines like “my idea of recreation is brain dead flat line vegetation.” The sweeping “Something Good” and touching honky tonk of “XOYOU” are other highlights on South Broadway Athletic Club. On the fuzzed out “Building Chryslers,” Bottle Rockers create a new genre of grunge country with lyrics in the spirit of Woody Guthrie. Bottle Rockets come to support Marshall Crenshaw at the Narrows Center For The Arts. I’ve caught them both there a few times and how it works is the Bottle Rockets will kick the night off with a set and then come back up as Crenshaw’s backing band. It is always a rockin’ hootenanny.

Bottle Rockets will support Marshall Crenshaw to rock the Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River on January 28.

The Dictators NYC The Dictators NYC are the modern incarnation of legendary NYC punk rockers The Dictators. It is essentially the same band with Handsome Dick Manitoba, Ross The Boss, RI Native JP Thunderbolt, and Ramones producer Daniel Rey minus original bassist and songwriter Andy Shernoff. The Dictators NYC have all the swagger that the original lineup is noted for and will play their anthems like “Next Big Thing,” Baby Let’s Twist” and “Who Will Save Rock and Roll.” This is the biggest show this winter for lovers of ’70s raucous punk rock, so get your ass down to Newport and I’ll see you at the show!

The Dictators NYC will rock The Café at The Parlor in Newport on January 29.

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