Alt-Nation: WBRU Memories and Biltmore’s Biscuit
WBRU – Post-End of the Century Rock ‘N’ Roll Radio
The news in recent days is that WBRU is possibly up for sale subject to a wider vote from their student council. This isn’t new, as it has been tried before, but the bids were approximately $14 million short of the desired asking price. I can’t control what happens when a bunch of 20-year-olds who watch YouTube and listen to Spotify are voting. Hey, the world changes — I get it. What I am going to talk about is what WBRU meant my teenage self. WBRU meant everything. I would sit by a cassette tape recorder hoping to catch my new favorite tune that I didn’t have the money to buy. WBRU pushed me over the edge to be a fan of The Rolling Stones by virtue of playing the 1989 single “Mixed Emotions.” It’s kind of a weird way to get into the Stones, but I’m sure Keith Richards has a better story on how he got into Muddy Waters. The point is, it was before the grunge explosion in 1991 when battles lines were drawn. You were friends with anyone wearing Doc Martens. WBRU has brought so many great and shitty bands to town over the years. It is easy to focus on the shitty ones, but I’m stuck on the great ones that changed my life.
I don’t know how much the expense is to run a radio station these days and these kids are bred to make money. Maybe selling the station is the business practice they are there for. I lack a vote when it comes to the table, but want to emphasize how this station has meant so much to so many over the years. There would be a huge loss of shows without WBRU sponsorship. In the last few years, WBRU has provided unprecedented exposure to local bands. In the grunge revolution of the 1990s, the lines between corporate radio and BRU got muddled. Both the Clear Channel controlled 94 WHGY or whatever they want to call it — I Heart Radio, sure — spent half their day playing Pearl Jam’s first two albums and Nirvana, but the difference is WBRU mattered. The last disturbing trend is even WBRU’s annual Rock Hunt has been moved online. In a weird event, one can vote for past Rock Hunt Champions The Wandas among others. They suck. I have emails to prove their whiney ways. But what do I know? I’m the only one who writes an honest opinion. My opinion on WBRU is that we still need you.
Biltmore – Revolutions & Romantics
I don’t know if naming one’s band after an iconic hotel is weird or the most Rhode Island rock ‘n’ roll maneuver. If another band pops up called Dean or Omni I’m going to trash them, so don’t even think about it. For now, let’s discuss this biscuit, Revolutions & Romantics, from Biltmore. It is heavier on the latter than the former in the title. Biltmore fit into the alternative pop guitar genre. My first impression is that this is one smooth-sounding and lush record. Biltmore fall somewhere on the spectrum between the shimming reverb guitars of U2 and the pop instincts of American Hi-Five minus the humor. “Temper Temper” has a subdued Foo Fighters vibe. “Dirty Pillow” has a Killers covering R.E.M. vibe. “Glitter (Dance All Night)” doesn’t really make me want to dance all night. Does that make the song a failure? I don’t know because it really isn’t a bad song. “Thank You for Bringing Me Home” has a definite Springsteen vibe if the E Street Band was formed in 2002 instead of 1972. Maybe it is my inner degenerate gambler, but for some reason I’m always partial to songs that mention Las Vegas. If you want a good review from me, just insert “Vegas” in a line in the song and I’ll probably like it, which is all the more weird because I don’t like casinos. The only time I was in Vegas I slept something like a total of five hours over four days, so when singer/guitarist Phil Ayoub sings about “seeing her eyes at 5am in the Vegas Blue” on “Las Vegas Blue,” of course it hits home for me. Even if I put my own biases aside, the tune itself is really a beautiful, wistful number, probably my favorite here. “Going Out” is another rocker that hits home as I’m prone to paralyzing internal debates on whether to go out. Biltmore even nail the I-really-don’t-want-to-but-what-if-I-miss-something sentiment. Biltmore nails the satellite ballad quota with the broken-hearted “Stars in the Attic,” although I can’t help but picture someone doing slow interpretative dance moves in a room with glow-in-the-dark stickers on the ceiling. This is another thing that I may or may not do. So what have we learned here besides the similarities between Biltmore and my life? Revolutions and Romantics is chock full of dreamy rock ‘n’ roll with lyrics that set the scene. Biltmore was selected to compete in the annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble in Boston and as soon as they have the date, I’ll be tweeting them out or you can just go here: wzlx.cbslocal.com/category/rock-and-roll-rumble. Good luck to them as I don’t think a Rhode Island band has won the Rumble since the Amazing Royal Crowns’ triumph in the late ’90s. And unlike The Wandas, Biltmore don’t suck.
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Alt-Nation: The Sinister Sounds of the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, and beyond…
An Evening with Lol Tolhurst, Founding Member of The Cure
I’ve been a fan of The Cure for almost 30 years and don’t recall anything remotely related to them ever happening in Providence. That is part of what makes this a special night as co-founder Lol Tolhurst comes to town to promote his new book, Cured: A Tale of Two Imaginary Boys, which chronicles his time in the band as well as his lifelong friendship with Robert Smith who he has known since they were 5 years old. Tolhurst played drums and keyboards on such staples as Boys Don’t Cry, The Head on the Door, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, and Disintegration, among others, before leaving the band in 1989. For this event, Tolhurst will do a meet and greet where one can get a signed copy of Cured: A Tale of Two Imaginary Boys and you can ask him all those burning questions like why do Cure songs go from manically depressing to manically giddy, what Robert Smith’s preferred brand of lipstick is, and why Tolhurst left the band when they finally attained mass commercial success. In addition to the book signing, there will be dancing as Tolhurst and John O’Leary hit the decks to spin some new wave goth salsa for the soul. Advance tickets are going fast, so don’t snooze and lose.
Midday Records and Alchemy present an evening with Lol Tolhurst, founding member of The Cure, which will go down at Dusk on February 18.
Sha Na Na Watching Sha Na Na’s television show as a kid was one of the first things that got me into rock ‘n’ roll. While I can’t say I’ve followed anything they’ve done since, other than maybe part of an episode that was on a Ramones DVD, I’ve always respected that ’50s greaser throwback shtick. Sha Na Na did not invent nostalgia, but for the past four decades they have made a career out of celebrating it. From Grease to Woodstock, Sha Na Na has been there. This is a night to put on the black leather jacket, slick back the hair and cut loose to the sounds of the ’50s.
Sha Na Na a Rock & Roll Celebration comes to the Greenwich Odeum in East Greenwich on February 18.
John Doe
Co-founder of the legendary ’70s Los Angeles punk band X, John Doe comes to Newport to get his troubadour thing on. Whether it is performing with X or solo, Doe has always been a voice of reason amidst the chaos of the world. Doe’s voice is arguably needed now more than any other time in his career given the polarizing times. I caught Doe solo several years ago at the old Jake’s, and he is one of those transcendental performers who just takes you places. I bought everything off his merch table, which, judging by my CD collection, amounted to thee albums. I’m sure he has more now. It isn’t X, rather more stripped raw blood and guts. It isn’t really all that far from later day X material like “See How We Are” and “4th of July” in reality. As an added bonus, also on this bill is Lenny Lashley of Darkbuster fame and Aquidneck Island legend Bob Kendall in what promises to be a night that will make memories for a lifetime.
John Doe, Lenny Lashley, and Bob Kendall, Sammy Kay will rock the Café at the Parlor in Newport on February 24.
Blue Oyster Cult
I saw Blue Oyster Cult was coming and was first suspicious in a “is this like when The Temptations tour with their grandkids’ next door neighbor performing as the band” way. But I was pleasantly surprised as they do have two members — singer Eric Bloom and guitarist Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser — who have logged 45 years in the band. Blue Oyster Cult is one of those weird bands that I’ve come to appreciate more as the years go on. They are kind of like the B movie version of a ’70s hard rock band. They never totally sold out into the horror aspect, like an Alice Cooper, but they still have a hit like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper.” One minute they come off as an alternative Grand Funk Railroad and the next minute they are doing an arguably fiercer and faster version of “Kick Out the Jams” than the MC5. A Blue Oyster Cult compilation can jump from the infectious but neutered ’80s rock “Dancin’ in the Ruins” to the sledgehammer thunder of “This Ain’t the Summer of Love.” “Burnin’ for You” is also like the perfect song. I am literally counting down the days to this show.
Blue Oyster Cult rock the Stadium Theatre in Woonsocket on February 24.
Buffy Sainte-Marie
My introduction to the music of Buffy Sainte-Marie was my roommate in college blasting her record. Not knowing anything about her at the time, the vocals were what really stood out. Sainte-Marie’s voice would be haunting one moment on “Codeine” and resilient the next on “Universal Soldier.” It was folk music that could punch you in the gut and act as a call to arms. At the time, I was listening to a lot of Donovan, who covered her, so that also gave her extra street cred. Sainte-Marie was blacklisted from radio by two Presidents and J. Edgar Hoover, yet appeared on Sesame Street. The latter she initially turned down before changing her mind to represent Native Americans. This is another show that should be one for the ages. Make sure to get there in time for The Huntress and Holder of Hands who open the show.
Buffy Sainte-Marie and The Huntress and Holder of Hands will play the Columbus Theatre on February 25.
Neutrinos – Surf Cult EP Release Show
Straight out of Attleboro come Neutrinos with a new EP, Surf Cult, that is ready to drop. Neutrinos are like the perfect surf punk soundtrack to a pizza party. I listened to a track from Surf Cult and it sounded like The Queers on acid. In addition to Neutrinos, this show has the garage psych-surf enthusiasts Atlantic Thrills and Harvey Garbage for what promises to be a rock ‘n’ roll melee.
Neutrinos, Atlantic Thrills, and Harvey Garbage will join forces to rock Dusk on February 25.
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Alt-Nation: Don’t Stay Home
Darklands
Shoegaze rockers to their core, Darklands craft melody out of fuzz-ridden noise. Darklands’ sound owes much to the noise pop of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive and that early ’90s English noise guitar scene. I’ve always dug that adventurous style of guitar playing where the sound drives the song. Badlands have an EP, St. Thaddeus, that came out a couple of years ago and hopefully there will be some new music coming from Darklands sometime in the not so distant future. Till then, check out Darklands at Aurora.
Darklands, Sneeze, Black Beach, and Fault rock Aurora on February 3.
Lux Lives
This February marks the 8th anniversary of the passing of legendary Cramps vocalists, Lux Interior. Interior was one of the most dynamic frontmen in the history of rock ‘n’ roll. The Cramps took shaved- to-the-bone rock ‘n’ roll and whipped it up in a manic psychobilly frenzy that was as much of a spectacle as it was spectacular live. Lux Lives is an annual celebration of the life of Interior and goes down this year at POP. This year, in addition to the killer tunes from deejays Ty Jesso, Kogar the Swinging Ape, and DJ Hula Bomb, there will be an exhibition of rare Cramps memorabilia on display at POP. Once again, the bands will be Providence garage rock granddaddies Thee Fabulous Itchies and the surf horror downbeat of The Evil Streaks. All proceeds will go to Lux and his wife’s (guitarist Poison Ivy) favorite charity, Best Friends Animal Society. Last year the three East Coast Lux Lives shows raised almost three grand and since the inception of Lux Lives, over $10,000 has been raised for Best Friends. Soul Power and Jungle Juice present Lux Lives featuring performances by Thee Fabulous Itchies and The Evil Streaks, DJs, and more at POP in Providence on February 4.
Wicked Petty
The self-proclaimed ultimate Boston Tom Petty Tribute band, Wicked Petty, is money for a good time provided one likes Tom Petty. I don’t know what kind of monster doesn’t like Tom Petty, but those Cyclops probably want to sit this one out. Wicked Petty is pretty much a good night out; you’ll hear all the hits and a few obscure ones that you wouldn’t hear at a regular Petty and The Heartbreakers shows. I’m going to go out on a limb and declare Wicked Petty as a better Tom Petty vehicle than Petty’s own side band, Mudcrutch.
Wicked Petty will rock the Met Café on February 4.
Joyce Manner
Joyce Manner comes to town in support of their fourth album, Cody (Epitaph Records), which came out last fall. Joyce Manner specializes in belting out infectious indie rock. Joyce Manner remind me of bands like Weezer, Bayside and maybe a low-fi version of Better Than Ezra. If you like loud, melodic guitars with hook, check these guys at Fete.
Joyce Manor, AJJ and Mannequin Pussy unleash the rock at Fete on February 8.
LuxDeluxe
Hailing from western Massachusetts, LuxDeluxe bust a move that is reminiscent of bands like NRBQ, Beirut and Wilco. In fact, this might be the most obvious NRBQ-influenced band that I can think of. LuxDeluxe spice it up by throwing some funky grooves into straightforward rock tunes. LuxDeluxe could be the next dimension of modern rock for better or worse. For a sample of LuxDeluxe, check out last year’s It’s a Girl or just go to Aurora to catch them in the flesh. If you are going to do that, get there early for local rockers Ravi Shavi.
LuxDeluxe, Ravi Shavi and Goon Planet bring the rock to Aurora on February 8.
Blackletter
Blackletter shows are like a nor’easter with psychedelic waves of hard and glam rock swirling through the room. Blackletter has one EP out called Station 15, and hopefully they’ll do another record soon. The spectacle of the live performance is what Blackletter is all about, so just go check them out.
Blackletter, Holy Roller High and The Holographic rock AS220’s Main stage on February 11.
Email music news to [email protected] Alt-Nation: A New Disc and Can’t-Miss Shows
Civility – Self-titled EP
It seems like there has been a recent surge in the amount of post-punk/new wave influenced bands lately. I’m generally ambivalent about trends, but anything that cuts down on the banjo epidemic from the Americana plague is okay by me. Civility started just less than a year ago, and is heavily influenced by this early ’80s wave. If I heard Civility’s EP playing in a bar, I’d be more apt to assume it was a random new wave compilation on the sounds of 1982 than a local band on the rise. The rise is no joke, though. Civility was recently invited to record at the Converse Rubber Tracks Sessions, and those sessions resulted in this EP.
The EP kicks with “Move On,” which has a Joy Division swing. My favorite cut is “Adored” because it reminds me of how much I used to like The Sisters of Mercy in the ’90s. “Changes” sounds like a band constructed by blending the lead guitar from The Cure with the groove of New Order fronted by Peter Murphy from Bauhaus. The slow brooding feel of the closer, “This is Where,” reminds me of Darklands- era Jesus and Mary Chain. It has been a few months since I’ve caught a Civility show, but after hearing this EP I’m really jonesing for another fix.
Club d’Elf – Live at Club Helsinki CD Release featuring John Medeski
Boston Based Club d’Elf come to town celebrate the release of their new double album, Live at Club Helsinki. I suspect this is a live record in name only unless Club d’Elf have the quietest fans in history, which isn’t likely because there is plenty to cheer about here. They describe themselves as one of those ”Moroccan-dosed, dub-jazz collectives” that have just been sprouting like lotus trees everywhere. Club d’Elf got their start when the late Mark Sandman of Morphine encouraged bassist Mike Rivard to form a band that worked in elements of jazz, hip-hop, electronic, avante garde, prog-rock and dub. Club d’Elf’s lineup is a bit of a revolving door, but it’s extra stacked for their Columbus Theatre appearance, which will feature Rivard, Brahim Fribgane, Duke Levine, Mister Rourke, Dean Johnston, and John Medeski of Martin, Wood, and Medeski fame.
The thing I dug about Live at Club Helsinki is it’s like diving into a musical ocean filled with indigenous creatures. The opener, “Mogador,” is so sprawling through the course of nearly 14 minutes that it has both slow and fast tempo jazz with spacey pro-rock interludes, and that isn’t even half the story. “Africa has more of a rock meets hip-hop performed by a jazz band feel. The Middle Eastern flavor of Hegaz mutates into a synth-propelled power jam. Disc 2 has some jams too, like “Salvia” and my favorite “Green Screen,” which is a brilliantly weird mix of house, funk and jazz. I don’t have the patience to be much of a jazz person but I enjoyed Club d’Elf Live at Club Helsinki.
Club d’Elf celebrates the release of Live at Club Helsinki with a live show at Columbus Theatre on January 13. Don’t miss Sara Azriel’s opening set.
One Hitters:
The Dean Ween Group
Half of the legendary group Ween, Dean Ween brings his solo band to The Met Café for who knows what? Solo projects tend to be quirkier, but it is almost impossible to be quirkier than Ween. They’ve done everything from country to metal while getting categorized as eccentric alternative pop. Ween have a rabid cult following, so expect a full house with advance tickets recommended.
The Dean Wean Group and Mike Dillon Vibes rock The Met Café on January 18.
Lou Reed Cover Show
I don’t even know who is playing this show and I’m stoked! I’ve loved Reed’s work since high school. My favorite part of Reed’s work is the Velvet Underground material, but he did some great solo albums like Berlin, Sally Can’t Dance, New York and Transformer. My wish for this show is simply for it not to suck. Some of the other tribute shows for recently deceased musicians were just gals and guys with an acoustic guitar that just sounds depressing. I’d hope that Reed has influenced at least a band or two in this town enough for them to get their shit together and learn a song or two. I’ll buy any band a round that just does a set of consisting of Lulu, Reed’s collaboration with Metallica, because that would just be delightfully weird.
A tribute to the music of Lou Reed goes down at Aurora in Providence on January 25.
Son Little
It seemed like everyone I spoke with at last year’s Newport Folk Fest raved about Son Little as one of the highlights. I missed his festival performance, but caught him opening for Deer Tick’s festival after party. This show should be a special treat for old fans and soon-to-be converts.
Son Little and Howard play the Columbus Theatre on January 26.
Bombino
Tuareg guitarist Bombino comes to town in support of his recent album, Azel. Bombino’s guitar style mixes African desert folk ablaze with Hendrix like rock ‘n’ roll feel. Bombino sings in his native Tamasheq, which accentuates the global-a-go-go feel. I might not know exactly what Bombino is singing about, but his groove is universal.
Bombino and Ladama play the Columbus Theatre on January 27.
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Alt-Nation: The Best of The Best
The last column of the year for music journalists is typically reserved for “Best of” lists, or so says my inbox, which is flooded with suggestions from various publicists. Anyways, here is a bunch of “Best of” from the 2016, including national records, local records and best bets to ring in the New Year. I’d like to apologize to Kanye West for omitting Beyonce’s Lemonade. I just wanted to see one “Best of” list without that album and it seems like this was the only way to make that happen, in this, the most prestigious list in the nation. Here’s to happy holidays and a new year filled with all the best.
Best New Records of 2016
10) Angel Olson – My Woman
9) PJ Harvey – The Hope Six Demolition Project
8) David Bowie – Blackstar
7) Ty Segall – Emotional Mugger
6) Peter Wolf – A Cure for Loneliness
5) Bob Mould – Patch the Sky (Merge Records) – The third in a series of Mould’s return to form fronting a power trio is more reflective. Mould and band still can out-rock the youngsters with hook-fueled anthems like “The End of Things” and “Lucifer and God.” It may not be Flip Your Wig part two, but it is close.
4) Eric Bachmann – Self-titled (Merge Records) – The former Archers of Loaf front man abandons indie rock for a heaping helping of modern singer-songwriter gold. “Mercy” sounds like the Ronettes fronted by Warren Zevon. My favorite cut here is “Modern Drugs,” which starts with just a piano before building to a harmony-rich crescendo.
3) Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression – This collaboration with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age) reinvigorated Iggy Pop musically after the last mediocre Stooges record. This album harkens back to Iggy’s Berlin Trilogy with Bowie with the understandable Queens of the Stone Age slant. Iggy’s baritone vocals croon on tunes like “Break into Your Heart” and retain his signature bite on “In the Lobby.” The introspective “Chocolate Drops” and the fed-up-with-everything “Paraguay” are my favorites.
2) Shovels & Rope – Little Seeds (New West Records) – On Little Seeds, their most diverse record, this husband/wife duo has never been louder and more intimate. From the frantic stomp of “Botched Execution” to the celebratory “This Ride,” Shovels & Rope have never been more raw and tender. The soaring “Last Hawk” gives one the feeling of lying on a porch in the south looking up at the stars.
1) D Generation – Nothing is Anywhere – There is no rust on D Generation’s first album in 17 years, which picks up in the post-millennium apocalypse where their last record, Through the Darkness, left off. The post-glam rock meets punk rock strut comes across as a dark take on ’70s Cheap Trick. From the post-hardcore of “Militant” to the early Alice Cooper meets T Rex swagger of “21st Century Blues,” Nothing is Anywhere is worth the wait.
Best Local Albums
6) The Z-Boys – Self-titled – A mostly instrumental surf swing with a touch of soul to dance the manta ray to in your room.
5) Atlantic Thrills – Vices (Almost Ready Records) – Another truckload of surf garage rock to howl at the moon to at a mid-summer beach party. 4) Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On (75OrLess Records) – Indie guitar swing at its finest, complete with all the bells and whistles. Jets Can’t Land even accomplished this without using any bells or whistles.
3) The Low Anthem – Eyeland – On their first release in five years, The Low Anthem touch on everything from ambient sounds to dreamy takes on garage rock in their most diverse offering to-date.
2) The Silks – Turn Me On – The Silks drops the boot on another bluesy testimonial to a love affair with rock ‘n’ roll.
1) Tall Teenagers – Self-titled – Tall Teenagers’ debut is an homage to indie rock in the vein of Surfa Rosa Pixies. The tension in Damian Puerini’s and Chelsea Paulhus’ vocals makes me probably like this record better than the 2017 Pixies album.
5 Best Shows to Rock in the New Year
5) Turkuaz with Moon Hooch, Kung Foo, and West End Blend at Fete Music Hall on December 30 and 31.
The “powerfunk” Turkuaz comes to Fete for a two-night party celebrating that 2016 is finally over. Turkuaz churn R&B, pop and soul into their funk-a-tron machine, creating the perfect sound to dance the night away.
4) The Silks and Cactus Attack at The Met Café on December 30.
The Silks were in the last column, but since then they won a Boston Music Award for “Best Blues Band,” which is a real accomplishment for a Providence band. This show is a real hometown throwdown of ’70s blues boogie rock.
3) Julie Rhodes, Arc Iris, She Keeps Bees, and Last Good Tooth at the Columbus Theatre on December 31.
If you haven’t caught Julie Rhodes yet, you are missing a modern-day Janis Joplin. When it comes to having pipes, Rhodes is a powerhouse. Rhode’s new album, Bound to Meet the Devil, and Arc Iris’ dreamy Moon Saloon are excellent gifts for the music lovers on your lists.
2) Gogol Bordello presents Da Da Western at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on December 30.
I don’t know Da Da Western, but Gogol Bordello is one of the most electrifying live bands on the planet. The original gypsy punks have never failed to put on a show that stimulates, and their message is needed more than ever.
1) Murphy’s Law / Midnight Creeps reunion at Firehouse 13 on December 31.
I talked about Murphy’s Law last issue, so the focus here is on the reunion of the Midnight Creeps for their first show in several years. Midnight Creeps were a female front punk rock warhorse that started in the vein of The Cramps meets The Stooges at a tribute show to The Plasmatics. In their later years, after some personnel changes on drums and guitar, a touch of Motley Crue worked its way into the Creeps’ sound. I have a long, twisted history with this band, but that said, it is good to hear Jenny Hurricane and the band are back to give 2016 the black eye that it deserves. Email music news to [email protected]
Alt-Nation: Start the Holiday Season with Some Shows
Murphy’s Law
It is always one shit-show of a party when Jimmy G from NYC and the boys from Murphy’s Law roll into town. Murphy’s Law are bona fide hardcore legends that date back to the 1980s, and they have never slowed down or lost their bite. Expect beer to be flying and shirtless old dudes to be dancing as Murphy’s Law play all the hits. I’ve been itching to catch Folding Foreign Car for a while, so that’s reason enough to go early and stay late.
Murphy’s Law, Held Hostage, Hellbound, and Folding Foreign Car rock The Café at the Parlor in Newport on December 2.
Vudu Sister
If the hardcore of Murphy’s Law isn’t your thing, then consider catching the vampire campfire of Vudu Sister. Vudu Sister released their third album, Mortis Nervosa, earlier this year and it served up an ample helping of Victorian grunge. By that I mean that the mostly acoustic album was a mix of gothic lyrical themes and folk music that had the head of the 18th century and the body from the 1990s. Haunt The House is a good match on this bill in what promises to be night of eerie tunes at a reasonable volume.
Vudu Sister, Haunt The House, and Warbler Roost play Firehouse 13 on December 2.
Black Oil Incinerator
This is just a great, loud local rock show. I put Black Oil Incinerator at the top because they are the headliner, but I could just as easily go on about Jets Can’t Land or Tall Teenagers for the duration of this column. To start with Black Oil Incinerator, they bring it with fuzzed-out stoner rock hymns for the hellions. Tall Teenagers churn out indie rock in the vein of the Pixies. Jets Can’t Land open the show with a truck bomb of ’90s indie rock. On an added note, Jets Can’t Land have a tune called “I Can’t Do That Dave” that is a contender for my local song of the year coming in the next issue. I don’t think I’ve caught Minibeast, but it features Eric Baylies from Baylies Band and Bad Motherfucker and Peter Prescott from friggin Mission of Burma, so they are probably pretty sweet.
Black Oil Incinerator, Minibeast, Tall Teenagers, and Jets Can’t Land will rock Dusk in Providence on December 2.
The Silks I’ve probably written about The Silks as much as anyone the last few years, which presents a challenge in saying something new about them. There are only so many ways to say power trio, boot stompin’ blues meets early ’70s rock band with an electrifying guitarist. Trust me; I’ve even tried Googling additional ways. So while I may be running out of words, The Silks keep on rambling, having released a digital EP, Roughousin’ with The Silks, and digital album, Turn Me On, this year. I’ve even heard rumors that they have another record already completed. For now, let’s just say The Silks’ live game is on point if one is looking for a night of dancing to a live band.
The Silks, Wild Sun, and Divey rock Firehouse 13 on December 3.
Cannibal Ramblers
The flyer for this show says “Miami Beach – Where Wonderful memories are made,” which sounds lovely. I’m not sure this show has anything to do with Miami Beach, but as the days grow colder it sounds like as good of a place as any to imagine being as the music floods one’s soul. Cannibal Ramblers are a noisy burst of psychedelic swamp blues that come barreling like a locomotive into the senses. Cannibal Ramblers will have Bryan Minto back on harmonica after an absence touring Europe with The Low Anthem.
Cannibal Ramblers, Glockabelle, LaRochelle, and P. Everett will rock Dusk in Providence on December 3.
Remembering Dime: A Tribute to Dimebag Darrell
I was never a big Pantera fan or really much of a metal fan. I was more of a punk rocker growing up, and that is the spectrum from which I evaluate music. Total shocker I know, being the guy who writes about every time Murphy’s Law comes to town. I’m including this show not just because I’m looking to expand my reader demographics into fans of heavy metal, but also because Pantera were a band that had integrity. Dimebag Darrell’s murder while performing was really the first incident in what has become all too common at concerts today. If I were a Pantera fan, I’d be stoked that memorial tribute shows are still happening 12 years after Dimebag Darrell’s passing.
Remembering Dime: A Tribute to Dimebag Darrell featuring performances by Along Came the Flood, Deathwish, and more will go down at Fete on December 8.
The Blue Album
There are two types of people in the world – those who love the first two Weezer records and those mourning the death of Fidel Castro. This show is for the former. I caught The Blue Album a couple times this year where they did the first two Weezer albums, and it is probably more enjoyable than actually seeing Weezer in 2016. Not that Weezer of today is bad, it’s just that the songs are pretty formulaic and arena shows suck the life out the experience. I’d recommend wearing a blindfold and going to see The Blue Album over Weezer. They are so spot-on that it might as well be Weezer. WBRU Rock Hunt Champs Le Roxy Pro open the show.
The Blue Album and Le Roxy Pro rock The Met Café on December 9.
Email music news to [email protected] Alt-Nation: Everybody Knows …
“Everybody knows that the war is over, everybody knows the good guys lost.” So goes the 2016 presidential election with the words of the late, great Leonard Cohen; rest in peace. I’m not sure anyone won after all the negativity. All I can say is stay vigilant, but most of all stay decent to one another. Don’t become what you hate; together, we all have the power. R.I.P. to Leon Russell as well.
The Blood Moons
The Blood Moons’ debut (self-titled 2009) was one of my favorite local records that I’ve heard since someone thought it was a good idea to pay me to talk about music. The Blood Moons were a departure of sorts from the hardcore punk rock of singer-guitarist Chris Guaraldi’s previous band, Chris Evil and The Taints. The Blood Moons had an element of dark country set to garage beats that really had a unique vision. They released another self-titled (album names were never the band’s strength) split EP with Six Star General before ceasing to play out regularly. Guaraldi formed Sick Pills, who put out a record and did another Taints record. This reunion show should be a real treat. Catch one of the best local bands from 2009 to 2011.
The Blood Moons, Jesse Ahern & The Roots Rock Rebel Revue, and Nick Sundman rock the Pour Farm Tavern in New Bedford on November 18.
Roomful of Blues
I don’t know what was more surprising in the past week, Trump winning the election or going over the Braga Bridge and finding it not under construction. You can take advantage of the newly opened Braga Bridge with a jaunt to Fall River to see a true Rhode Island Institution in Roomful of Blues. Roomful of Blues has been belting out a mix of blues, boogie-woogie and swinging jazz for an incredible 49 years. It is hard to imagine life without them, but then again I haven’t been alive long enough to experience that. Roomful of Blues has garnered acclaim locally and nationally for good reason. They may be down to one original member, but you’d never know the difference.
Roomful of Blues will belt out swing blues at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River on November 25.
The Schemers
Speaking of Rhode Island institutions, a term I don’t want to dilute by over-using, The Schemers are the only other band in this column that also merits that term. The Schemers have been around a mere 37 years in comparison, but they don’t let their youth get in the way of rocking. The Schemers are pretty much straight-forward rock in the vein of Tom Petty, Elvis Costello and Velvet Underground. Led by singer-guitarist Mark Cutler and still including original members Emerson Torrey and Jimmy Berger, a Schemers show is an all-night party with a mix of originals and covers. Last year, The Schemers even released a new album, The Last Beach, for the first time in decades. This is the perfect show to dance off the pounds from Thanksgiving. The Schemers rock The Met Café all night on November 26.
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club
I’ve talked about Slim Cessna’s Auto Club a lot over the years, and it is always a difficult thing to describe. They are essentially a country band spiritually infused with mix of rustbelt revival and punk rock. Their shows hit on everything from gospel to hillbilly stomp. Although they are not a Rhode Island institution, they usually close their set with a tune called “He, Roger Williams,” which talks about the First Baptist Church in downtown Providence. Cessna used to live in Cranston and was in a local band called The Blackstone Valley Sinners when not on the road with the Auto Club. This show is stacked with powerful openers in O’Death and The Huntress & Holder of Hands, so get there early and stay late.
Slim Cessna’s Auto Club, O’Death, and The Huntress & Holder of Hands rock The Met Café on November 29.
Andrew W.K. – “The Power of Partying”
Got to admit that initially I thought the Columbus Theatre was a poor venue choice for an Andrew W.K. show billed as “The Power of Partying.” Andrew W.K. has always made the word “party” his calling card, but the idea of doing it in a theater with seats just didn’t make sense. I looked into it further — mostly to see if he lost a bet — but no, turns out he is doing a speaking tour (of course!) to give a “pep rally for the inner spirit, and an optimistic look at the overwhelming intensity of life.” So okay, at first I thought a motivational talk by the guy with songs about partying may sound weird, but the more I thought about it, the more I want to see it. After the last week, we all need and deserve some optimism.
Andrew W.K. will discuss The Power of Partying at the Columbus Theatre on November 30.
Supersuckers
The ever-notorious Supersuckers roll into the area to do a tour of Rhode Island, or at least a pair of shows. Supersuckers really have two repertoires that they mix into shows. They do hell raising rock ‘n’ roll interspersed with outlaw country. It is like getting three pizzas where one is Merle Haggard, one is sub-Motorhead, and one is anthem-heavy arena rock. I like both pizza and the Supersuckers. So I already know what I’m going to do when Eddie Spaghetti and the boys roll into town.
Supersuckers and Jesse Dayton rock The Café at Parlor in Newport on November 30. For those closer to Providence, Supersuckers, Jesse Dayton, The Quahogs, Living Dead, and Gallows Bound rock Firehouse 13 on December 4.
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Alt-Nation: November Happenings
The Upper Crust What better way to shake off the post-Halloween blues than a rock show where the band dresses up like 18th century aristocrats? That is what The Upper Crust, a band composed of Boston music scene veterans, give you with loud rock ‘n’ roll in the vein of AC/DC. The Upper Crust provide funny in- character stage patter between tongue-in-cheek rockers like “Rock and Roll Butler,” “Let Them Eat Rock” and “We’re Finished with Finishing School.” I’m hoping they play their slow jam “Boudoir” that hasn’t been in the set the last few times I caught them. I recommend getting there early for TEAZER and The Worried. TEAZER recently killed their Halloween show as Van Halen and here’s hoping a song or two from that set gets carried over to this weekend. The Worried bring it with blitzkrieg punk rock.
The Upper Crust, TEAZER, and The Worried serve up the rock at The Met Café on November 5.
Route .44 Reunion Show
It wasn’t that long ago that Route .44 was possibly the biggest band in town. Route .44 have this dark sound that mixes influences like Morphine and gypsy rhythms into haunted, danceable grooves. The combination of Jess Powers and Ian Lacombe trading off vocals added a presence to the songs that was really like no other around. It has been a few years since Powers left to first do her Chanteuse series of shows and more recently, be one half of Cowboy and Lady with Tyler James Kelly. Lacombe has continued doing shows more sporadically with Route .44 including one album since Power’s departure while forming and playing out more frequently with the popular Consuelo’s Revenge. This Route .44 reunion is a one night only deal, so don’t be a sucker and miss it!
Route .44’s reunion show with Frankie Ranks & The Freeloaders goes down at the Parlour in Providence on November 5.
Micah Schnabel (Two Cow Garage)
I’ve been talking up the band Two Cow Garage for a few years in this space. This show is a special intimate opportunity to catch their main songwriter, Micah Schnabel, in an intimate acoustic show upstairs on the second floor at Firehouse 13. I’m hesitant to use the word “intimate” and second floor of Firehouse together because some of their past events, but this will be a treat of a show. Schnabel’s songs have the underdog storytelling of the Replacements meets Springsteen with the energy of punk rock. As an added bonus, Bob Kadlec (from The McGunks and The Hangovers) opens the show. Kadlec has a new disc with The Hangovers that I just remembered I forgot to review. I’ll get on that soon, Bob, but till then there is this great show!
Micah Schnabel (Two Cow Garage), Bob Kadlec, Michael Kane will rock the 2nd floor at Firehouse 13 on November 6.
Wayne “The Train” Hancock – Slingin’ Rhythm (Bloodshot Records)
I don’t cover a lot of country acts because for the most part I find it boring. Every now and then, though, a new record comes across my desk, usually in the spirit of old outlaw country, that charms even my finicky rock or bust tastes. I’d put the new biscuit, Slingin’ Rhythm, from Wayne “The Train” Hancock in that category. Slingin’ Rhythm has a ’50s country vibe that would fit right in between George Jones and Merle Haggard on one’s classic country playlist. Hancock tells tales of road (title track), murder (“Killed Them Both”) and breakups (“Divorce Me C.O.D.”) over a simple beat with plenty of fancy lead and slide guitar to brighten the ambience. Hancock in Slingin’ Rhythm has created the rare record that one can put on repeat at a party and dance the night away. Wayne “The Train” Hancock, Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys, The Bopthrills, and The Barley Hoppers rock Firehouse 13 on November 9.
The Sonics
The Sonics reunion continues as the senior statesmen of garage rock return to town to help you party down. These guys are in their 70s. Hell, the band formed two years before the Rolling Stones, yet you’d never know it from one listen to last year’s scorching This is The Sonics. I’m sure everyone going to the show is excited to hear the classics like “The Witch” and “Strychnine,” but I’m stoked for the tunes from This is The Sonics, which pretty much kicked the ass of any record last year. Tunes like “I Don’t Need No Doctor,” “Save The Planet” and my favorite “Livin’ In Chaos” show no mercy when put up against the rest of The Sonics’ catalogue. The use of the saxophone in high voltage rock ‘n’ roll on This is The Sonics might be the best since The Stooges’ Funhouse. I recommend getting there early for local garage heroes Thee Fabulous Itchies and Atlantic Thrills for hip shaking good times.
The Sonics, Thee Fabulous Itchies, Atlantic Thrills, and Salem Wolves rock Fete in the must-see show of the month on November 10.
Shonen Knife
Shonen Knife are kind of like the all female Japanese version of the Ramones. They started way back in 1981 and mix in Beach Boys harmonies over a punk rock back beat. Kurt Cobain used to rave about them and 22 years after his passing Shonen Knife carries on, albeit with one original member. I’ve caught Shonen Knife a couple of times in recent years and their shows just leave you in a great state of mind between their infectious tunes and performance. This is another show with great openers Benny Sizzler, who are kind of like Newport’s less sleazy version of Nashville Pussy with Gail Greenwood back from the recent Belly reunion tour on guitar. I probably haven’t caught Boston’s The Dents in well over a decade, but recall them as a band that rips as well.
Shonen Knife, Benny Sizzler, The Dents, and Tiny Diamonds bring the rock to the Cafe at The Parlor in Newport on November 8.
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Alt-Nation: Shows that Will Prepare You for Halloween
The Callouts – Check Your Friends (75orLess Records)
It has been a few years since the demise of local pop-punk stalwarts The Jesse Minute. From those ashes we now have The Callouts with Missa Hills on vocals and guitarists Drew Safs and Mike Grillo from The Jesse Minute joining forces with local master beat master Dan Ulmschneider and Drew on bass. The Callouts’ debut, Check Your Friends comes firing out of the cannon with a blast of pop-punk with cuts like “Blue Letter” and the anthemic “Go All Out.” The combination of Hills’ sugary vocals and the loud guitars over a fast backbeat make comparisons to The Jesse Minute inevitable as Check Your Friends does start out like the band’s lost album. The more one dives into Check Your Friends the more The Callouts start to break free from the sound of their former band. Cuts like “Cannonball” and my favorite cut “Nothing Left” remind me more of a lost Letter to Cleo track than The Jesse Minute. The Callouts really start to drop the hammer on tracks like “Partly Not” and “We Were Kids,” which have a heavier rock ‘n’ roll thump, almost in the in the vein of Foo Fighters hooks. On Check Your Friends, The Callouts succeed in avoiding the trappings of being The Jesse Minute part 2 to expand into the future.
The Callouts’ CD release show for Check Your Friends with The Scandals Zero Holds, and Ask The Dead rocks Dusk in Providence on October 21.
Freaqshow: A Fashion and Art Spooktacular!
It has become a Halloween tradition — for the third year in a row The Viennagram are having a Halloween party at the Columbus Theatre. Of course also for the third year in a row I interviewed the singer/drummer AV Vienna to find out what is in store. This is part one of the interview with the extended interview coming out next week online at motifri.com.
Marc Clarkin: This is your third year having a Halloween party at the Columbus; does that count as a residency?
AV Vienna: I’m awful at math and I can only count to 24 (3, 10, 11. Eyes, fingers, toes!). True, the Columbus has been our Halloween home and this is the Return of the Jedi. Extra special thanks to Tom, Jeff and crew in giving us the ultimate show and tell spot!
MC: Each year you debut something new; what have you got for us this year?
AV: My BIG dream of presenting my BIG ideas on a BIG SCREEN and playing the BIG stage; it’s ALL coming true! The process and point of The Viennagram has always been the merging of the transformative power of sound, the transcendent vehicle of performance and the transmutative language of imagery for transversal of idea energy. Originally I had intended our album, [LEARN TO TAME THE PATTERNS:] (2014) to come included with a companion book with illustrated lyrics, illuminated manuscript and secret code in a kind of pop-up comic book format. Over time, my inner universe and overall concepts of where I wanted to take a listener/viewer knew no bounds. I realized the concepts I was trying to convey didn’t translate to page anymore. This year I am presenting a brand new and interactive experience. An experiment in exploring the patterns of perception and the perception of patterns. Unlocked from my imagination, beaming straight to your third eye it’s [U VIEW: VIENNAGRAM:]
MC: What other types of acts will be performing on the 28th?
AV: Expect the unexpected; it’s the kind of environment where anything can happen! Don’t forget there’s a COSTUME CONTEST! And a real GHOST!
Freaqshow: A Fashion and Art Spooktacular! – featuring performances by Skull& Glossbones, Beta Motel, and The Viennagram as well as Nathalia JMag (of “Project Runway!”) Jeanette Converse Melanoir, special guest DJ Oscar Champagne, and a host of other surprises goes down at the Columbus Theatre on October 28.
Odds & Sods:
Shellac
Shellac are a post-hardcore legend that burst on the scene in the mid-90s. Front man Steve Albini is better known as a producer (who hates the term “producer”) of seminal albums like Nirvana’s In Utero and Pixies’ Surfa Rosa. I’ve never caught Shellac live so I’m not sitting on this opportunity. I suggest you don’t either.
Shellac, Shannon Wright, and Minibeast will give the night a black eye at The Met Café on October 21.
School of Rock Seekonk Halloween Party
I think it is great to see high school students playing out in venues, but I’d normally never write recommendations to see them. As great as it is, I cover things that I want to see and don’t really have time for high school talent shows. School of Rock Seekonk is different; under the sage tutelage of Shawn Garrity they are a real treat live. They do justice to both classic rock and alternative covers and as added hoot I don’t really need a lot of coaxing to go to a Halloween party.
School of Rock Seekonk is having a Halloween Party at Fete, featuring performances by their various bands. It goes down at Fete on October 21. This is an early show with doors at 5pm.
Tales of Rocky Point Park
I’ve been excited to see this movie ever since I heard about it. This isn’t a documentary of Rocky Point Park like You Must Be This Tall was a few years ago, but rather a collection of urban legends about the legendary amusement park. From what I’ve read it even has a bit of a horror slant, which is perfect for this time of year. I’ve gone running in Rocky Point Park imagining the ghosts of the old park from the few remaining remnants standing. If they ever do a second installment, they should get in touch and I’ll tell them about the time I hitchhiked home from a Ramones show from Rocky Point in the back of a hearse.
Tales of Rocky Point Park plays at the Columbus Theatre on October 22. Doors are at 6:30pm with the movie starting at 7:30pm. Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats was one of my favorites from this year’s Newport Folk Festival. They combine ’60s soul and old school rock ‘n’ roll that invokes the memory of artists like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Wilson Pickett. You may know their hit, “S.O.B.,” but their whole set in Newport had me grinning ear to ear. Happy Birthday to 95.5 WBRU and bring your dancing shoes for the party.
95.5 WBRU Birthday Bash featuring performance by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Weathers and Le Roxy Pro goes down at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on October 23.
The Dickies
There are not many legendary first wave punk bands known for covers of “Nights in White Satin” and “Banana Splits (Tra La La Song)” but The Dickies have built a legacy on this. The Dickies also foretold our country’s current clown crisis with “Killer Klowns From Outer Space” as far back as 1988. I’ve caught The Dickies live and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. This is the show to catch for old school punk done right with plenty of tongue in cheek humor.
The Dickies, Neutral Nation, and Atlantic Thrills will rock the Café at Parlor Newport so hard on October 25 that Aquidneck Island might sink.
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Alt-Nation: Three Shows, One Night, Good Luck
Low Fidelity – Ready to POP(s)
One of my favorite new spots in the city is POP. POP is an “emporium of popular culture” that just has the feel of strolling in and out of decades. I guess one could call it a thrift/antique shop, but to me it’s just a place with a lot of awesome shit. In addition to the shop, POP has a separate room for a gallery/performance space to host events like Low Fidelity. Low Fidelity will have all kinds of cool stuff happening with an exhibition of the works of Bobby Grossman, Doom Destiny collaboration with Shepard Fairey, and a performance by Mr. Buster Poindexter himself – David Johansen. Johansen, who should be in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame for fronting the seminal and hugely influential New York Dolls, is a reason to go. Johansen will be accompanied by Rhode Island Hall of Famer Mark Cutler on guitar in what promises to be a special treat of an evening. Don’t miss out on the night that Low Fidelity POP-ed in Providence.
Low Fidelity takes place at POP on 219 W Park St. in Providence on October 7. Advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased here: stores.emporiumofpopularculture.com/low-fidelity- performance-by-david-johansen-exhibition-by-bobby-grossman-doom-destiny-collaboration-with-shepard- fairey. The event will run from 6 – 11pm. Black Pussy
Stoner rock goliaths Black Pussy take over the Café at The Parlor to kick off Columbus Day Weekend. If you love spacey fuzz-ridden psychedelic freak-out jams like I do, this is the place to be. Black Pussy mixes their own whammer jammers in with some choice covers to make it a party. Plus the next day, what is a cooler answer to the “What did you do last night” question than “Black Pussy”?
Black Pussy and Sweet Heat rock the Café at The Parlor in Newport on October 7.
The Silks
The Silks train keeps on rollin’ and will be making a homecoming stop in Providence to let loose with lowdown and dirty early ’70s casino rock boogie. The Silks have a new album titled Turn Me On that you should pick up if you haven’t already gotten hip to it. The roots of The Silks, like many of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands, is the blues, but The Silks take it into the chop shop and buffer it up adding a slant of early ’70s English rock like Faces and Stones with a touch of Graham Parsons. Live The Silks tend to blow the roof off joints, so if anyone has any leads on how to clone one’s self to hit all three of these shows I’ve mentioned, hit me up at the email at the bottom of this column.
The Silks, Gleasons Drift, and William Matheny rock Firehouse 13 on October 7.
Sgt. Baker and the Clones – Self-titled
I had been hearing rumors of this album from Sgt. Baker and the Clones for well over a year, and I eventually shrugged it off as an urban myth. When I finally got my hands on the biscuit, I could see why there was a delay as Sgt. Mike Baker had been working like a madman. In addition to writing or co- writing all the songs, doing vocals and guitars, Sgt. Baker played bass on half the album as well as piano. In addition, there are some heavy hitters on here like engineer George Dussault on guitar and AJ Faria on trombone. The opening tracks “Atlas” and “DMT” are very much in the vein of Alice in Chains meets the members of Soundgarden to play Skee ball in a rundown arcade that happens to have an open mic night. “Flesh Puppets” is one of the best jams here for juxtaposition of a lounge rock groove over a snarly vocal. My favorite here is “Petty Dollar,” which has a bit of a ska groove on the verse combined with a “Heaven Besides You” style chorus that features Consuelo’s Revenge’s Amanda Salemi. Salemi duets with Baker on the closing “Trouble” that has kind of a blues boogie feel complete with strings and a soaring chorus. I like this disc more with each listen as Sgt Baker and the Clones have really tapped some sonic black magic. Here’s hoping this album one day finds its way on vinyl because it has some of the sickest cover art around.
Sgt. Baker and the Clones celebrate their album release with a show with Consuelo’s Revenge, Brainfruit, and Megan Jean and the Klay Family Band at the Parlour in Providence on October 8.
Bobby Rush – Porcupine Meat
Although it probably sometimes seems like all I listen to is old school punk rock and ’80s and ’90s indie rock, I do love the blues. Especially old-style Chicago blues that has a swing to it. So I was particularly stoked to recently discover Bobby Rush in advance of his appearance in Woonsocket. Rush has a new album called Porcupine Meat that is just an all-around party record. Rush fuses funk and blues on cuts like “I Don’t Want Nobody Hanging Around” and “Catfish Stew” that is sure to get the dance floor bangin’. If your Wednesdays have been lagging like mine have, I suggest getting out to Chan’s for some mid-week raging.
Bobby Rush brings the blues to Chan’s in Woonsocket on October 12.
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