Roots Report: Milk and bread, baby!

Okee dokee folks…We had a blizzard. Wasn’t that fun? This latest storm was like the Super Bowl for the local TV weather folks. They love to hype them. Milk and bread, baby — they must be getting kickbacks. I don’t mind the snow, but I don’t like the hype. Yes, it is a LOT of work to clean up, but it is sort of meditative — for me anyway. Snow is peaceful. Well, at least until the snow-blowers start up. They are obnoxious, but a necessity. I use one — cleaning the snow out of my driveway is akin to shoveling a swimming pool (and I always wear headphones to protect my ears and keep them warm).

Snow can be a pain in the ass, and storms cancel plans. If you have intentions to see a show when it snows, you should check in before heading out. Sometimes you just have to stay home. But I always have plenty to do at home –I really don’t understand cabin fever. A few years back I was scheduled for a songwriter show and had to write a song about cabin fever. It was not one of my better songs.

When I was younger I hated winter, but I’ve found a way to like it. Embrace the positive! Besides, winter lasts for three months. That’s not very long. You can all mock me during the summer when I complain about the heat. I hate summer! You know what gets me through the summer? Outdoor concerts. Embrace the positive. Oh, btw, it is snowing again. Read on…

It’s that time of year again. Time to get your Mardi Gras on. You can do it Saturday, February 25, at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston. For 25 years Lagniappe Productions has presented the Mardi Gras Ball. This annual event draws hundreds of folks from near and far and is a HUGE celebration designed to get your ya-ya’s out before the season of Lent kicks in (for those who observe; others just come for the party). If you are a fan of the annual Labor Day Weekend Rhythm and Roots Festival in Charlestown, this is basically a condensed, indoor version. There are great Cajun and Zydeco bands, lots of dancing, costumes, food and drinks! The soundtrack for this year’s revelry will be provided by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Roddie Romero and the Hub City All Stars, and Corey Ledet with his Zydeco band. Grammy Award winner Steve Riley and his Mamou Playboys return to the Mardi Gras Ball by popular demand. Three time Grammy nominees, Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars, have been performing worldwide at prestigious music festivals and venues for over 20 years. This premier Louisiana band is celebrated not only for their authenticity when performing or recording traditional Cajun and Creole music indigenous to South Louisiana, but also for their original songwriting, which stays true to Louisiana inspirations. Grammy-nominated Corey Ledet is a young accordion player who learned his craft by studying the Creole masters like Clifton Chenier, John Delafose, Boozoo Chavis and others. Ledet fused the styles of these masters with his own unique style of contemporary Creole and Zydeco music.

Mardi Gras revelers are hearty folk. Last year the the outside temperature was nine degrees BELOW zero, but people still came, ate, drank, danced and made it a hot night. Singles, couples and groups of ALL ages fill Rhodes for the fun. I met my girlfriend there last year and had she not braved the cold we never would have met. The Mardi Gras Ball features a costume contest with cash prizes in a variety of categories including best group, best couple, best individual and a grand prize of $250 for best overall costume. There will be a cash bar and Cajun and Creole cuisine by Rhode Island’s renowned Chili Brothers Food Company — the most popular food vendor at the Rhythm & Roots Festival every year. The bash starts at 6:30pm and goes until midnight. So, get ready, get set and GET TO THE MARDI GRAS BALL! PS. They have already announced some of the artists for the Labor Day Weekend 2017 Rhythm & Roots Festival: The Mavericks, Hat Fitz and Cara, The Squirrel Nut Zippers, Shinyribs, The Pine Leaf Boys, and Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express. You can get tix now! For more about it all, Zyde-GO to rhythmandroots.com/mardi-gras-ball

Common Fence Music has announced its concert schedule for the spring 2017 season, the 24th for the organization, and the first to be curated by its new artistic director, Erin Young. Running Saturday, March 4, through Saturday, May 13, the season features veteran folk musicians and favorites of the Common Fence Music (CFM) community, as well as national and international performing artists who are new to the CFM stage. All performances take place at the Common Fence Point Hall, on Anthony Road in Portsmouth. Opening the season on Saturday, March 4, is American Songster Dom Flemons. A modern-day scholar, educator and interpreter of American old-time folk music traditions, Dom gained recognition as a founding member of the Grammy award-winning African-American string band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops. As a solo artist, Dom explores creative ways to perform traditional folk music genres for 21st-century audiences. Playing banjo, guitar, harmonica, fife, bones, bass drum, snare and quills, in addition to singing, he draws from styles such as ragtime, southern spiritual and jug band. Flemons has brought his unique take on roots music to such venues as the Rhythm and Roots Festival, Newport Folk, Bonaroo and the Grand Old Opry. This will be Flemon’s first time performing at CFM. For more about this and other CFM shows, “Hit ’em up Style” to: commonfencemusic.org

Here are a few more shows to lure you out this winter. Chan’s always has lots of music and Chinese food. Coming up are Love Dogs on February 17, Joe Moss on February 18, Joe Louis Walker on February 24, Roomful of Blues on February 25, Lucky Peterson on March 3 and Neal Vitullo & The Vipers on Saturday, March 4 (chanseggrollsandjazz.com). The Celtic music ensemble Fellswater performs a wide range of music from traditional to modern and draws from the heritage of all the Celtic nations. They will bring their Celtic sounds to Sandywoods in Tiverton on Saturday, February 25 (SandywoodsMusic.com). The Willie J. Laws Band, a funky, soulful, original blues band with great vocals, will debut at The Courthouse Center for the Arts with a Blues Bash, dancing extravaganza on Friday, March 3 (courthousearts.org). Regina Spektor, who is known for her storytelling ability, will be at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on March 6 (Lupos.com). On March 8 at AS220, Goldfeather, John Faraone, Michael Graham and Jubilee Gardens make for a music-filled evening on the Empire Street stage. Goldfeather is a Brooklyn-based folk music band that blends contemporary classical with a dash of cabaret. Led by singer and violinist Sarah Goldfeather, their music explores unusual melodies garnished with three-part harmonies against a rich indie-folk-pop backdrop (AS220.org). Matt Andersen, the big guy with the big voice who has opened the past few Rhythm and Roots festivals, will be at the Narrows in Fall River on Friday, March 10 (NarrowsCenter.org). Looking a bit ahead, The Purple Cat Vineyard & Winery in Chepachet has announced that Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band will perform on Friday, April 21 (PurpleCatWinery.com). Also, the B-52s have just announced a show at the Zeiterion in New Bedford on June 3 (Zeiterion.org).

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com That 1 Guy Performs at Alchemy

Musicians usually play one of four instruments. The assortment of guitar, bass, drums and piano is common, not discounting the high school band geek who can play a mean horn. Then there are the musicians who think outside the box. One of those is Mike Silverman, also known as That 1 Guy. He performs using his homemade instruments and they’re aptly named The Magic Pipe, The Magic Boot, The Magic Saw and The Magic Duck.

Silverman will be coming through Providence’s newest music venue, Alchemy, on Valentine’s Day with Mike Baker from Sgt. Baker & The Clones and The Cosmic Factory kicking the night off. He will also put on an early evening exclusive magic show. Ahead of the show, I had a chat with the man behind That 1 Guy about the inspiration behind his unique style of music, Dr. Seuss being a musical influence and hanging in the studio with Tom Waits.

Rob Duguay: What made you want to play music in such an unconventional way with these homemade instruments?

Mike Silverman: It all started with the duck, and it all kind of spiraled out from there, that’s how that goes. Nah, just kidding (laughs). I was an upright bass player, it all started from that and it all evolved from that. I had a very percussive approach on the bass, I would bang on it with my hands like a drum and it sort of turned into this idea. The technique inspired the pursuit of more sounds and more possibilities than I could get out of regular instruments and here we are today.

RD: How long did it take for you to build each instrument, and is each one the original or are they modified and updated versions of them?

MS: They’re all modified and updated. The Magic Pipe took three years of just thinking about it, it was a pretty rough idea initially. I didn’t know how I was going to do it or what I was going to build it out of. Then I started tinkering with it and the pipes solved a bunch of problems for me in terms of materials, how I was going to manipulate them or modify them. The pipes were pieces that I could do anything with. I played the prototype that I made out of the Home Depot pipes until 2008 and then I rebuilt it with some help from a machinist because I wanted to update some of the components. I rebuilt it again in 2011 with the same concepts, but refined it even more. The same could be said for the boot. I wish I had the original boot, but it disappeared. I had to rebuild the boot out of a different boot. With the saw, I have a lot of saws and I actually collect saws. I have a bigger one that I’ve been meaning to change into this tour. It’s a baritone saw, and I’ll probably get around to doing that soon.

RD: When you built The Magic Pipe, did you have any how-to books on how to create it? Did you take any welding classes?

MS: There’s a really great book called Magic Pipe for Dummies that I found (laughs), I’m just kidding. I was totally flying by the seat of my pants, I had no idea what I was doing. I sketched out the idea on a paper plate. I went to a lot of different places, I started at a plumbing supply store, which supposedly had everything, and the guy at the counter didn’t even want to talk to me. They want to talk to a guy who is going to buy $10,000 worth of stainless steel for some plumbing job, not a dude wanting three pieces of pipe for an instrument.

I’m asking him advice and he said, “I don’t know what to tell ya man, I’ve never talked to anybody who wants to build musical instruments before.” After that I stopped asking around and I just started perusing Home Depot. I didn’t pick anyone’s brain, but I started going there because they had giant, open, sweeping aisles. I would just walk up and down the aisles and look at everything while figuring out different parts. I started thinking with minimal modifications of how I could put this thing together.

I just went for it. I cleared a whole month of my schedule. I was playing 50 gigs a month with my bass, and I wasn’t leaving myself time to do anything. So I cleared a month to just build and I set a deadline and booked a gig. That’s kind of how I do things, I book a gig and that’s my gig.

RD: One of your musical influences that you listed is Dr. Seuss, I guarantee in a lyrical sense. What is your favorite book of his?

MS: The classic for me was One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Then Green Eggs & Ham for sure.

RD: Another classic.

MS: I was in New Orleans now that long ago, and there was a pop-up museum of a bunch of Dr. Seuss’ paintings. It was really heavy stuff. Really dark, awesome, interesting stuff. Stylistically it’s what I love the most, just the shape of everything. Everything is stretched and exaggerated and it has a lot of life to it. I just love it.

RD: Another influence of yours is Tom Waits, and you got to play saw and bass with him on an album of his back in 2006, Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards. What was it like working with Tom? Is he as weird as he makes himself out to be?

MS: Weird is so subjective. I was blown away with how efficient and on top of things he was. He’s totally himself, he was making all of the sounds that I was expecting him to make (laughs). I got there really early and I was really nervous about the session. Karl Derfler, who was the engineer and also got me into the session to play saw initially, told me to hang tight and I had no idea what was going to happen. Karl said, “Sometimes he’ll show up just to do vocals and then other times he’ll show up with 20 people just to bang on trash cans.” I was just like, “Oh geez.” I just hung tight, he showed up and said, “We’ll just do this, I’ll record vocals and see where the chords go.” Initially he hired me just to play saw and then the day before the session he also wanted me to play bass. I hadn’t practiced bass in a long time and it was crazy. One of the greatest things was on the way out of the session.

I couldn’t tell if I did well. We tracked and he was just like, “Alright, that’s good,” and then we’d go on to the next thing. It was very low key and at the end of it I talked to Joe Gore, the guitar player, and I’m a big fan of his, too. I said to him, “Aww man, it’s really great to meet you! I guess that went well?” and he goes, “That went perfect. That was a perfect session. So many times he’ll just send everybody home and he’ll have to rethink this.” I then said, “Oh, then that’s a good sign.”

RD: That’s great that you had a good experience with Tom Waits and you earned his respect.

MS: Yeah. It was really intense, it was amazing.

RD: I can imagine. After the Valentine’s Day show at Alchemy, what else do you have planned for the year? It’s only February so you probably have a lot going on.

MS: This current tour goes all the way to April; it’s a serious four-month tour with no breaks. It’s pretty much no days off practically, which is kind of the way I like it. After the tour, I have a couple of festivals popping up here and there. That’s how summer usually is, but I’m also trying to finish this recording too. That’s high on the list, when I get back I’m going to try to find a space where I can set up my studio and really get going on some recording. It’s a full plate with lots going on.

Check out the event page for An Alchemy Valentine’s with That 1 Guy & Mike Baker: facebook.com/events/1056955557765526; That 1 Guy’s Website: that1guy.com

Album Of The Week: Ron Gallo’s Heavy Meta Just when you think that rock ‘n’ roll is just copying itself, someone puts out a record that turns the genre on its head. With a flurry of twangy garage punk comes Ron Gallo and his second full-length, Heavy Meta. It’s unapologetically raw and absolutely electrifying. There’s also a trademark spin that Gallo puts on the record that gives each track a proper dose of originality. It shows that the former Toy Soldiers frontman has come a long way both artistically and stylistically since he moved to Nashville from the rugged confines of Philadelphia a few years ago.

Gallo still has that soulful voice of his, but the tone is edgy and sharp. There’s also a unique array of harmonies that gives it a hint of pop in an album chock full of riffs and rhythm. He goes all in on Heavy Meta with an unprecedented and flawless flow and intensity. Gallo is fearless with his vocal delivery and he does a whole lot of howling. From the start, there’s an aim to please and by the end, the ears will be amazed.

There’s some swagger in Gallo’s latest release. Imagine if Joe Walsh decided to listen to a bunch of T. Rex records before he started James Gang, and Heavy Meta is in that vein. It’s unrelentingly emphatic while resonating endless cool. Lyrically, it’s all honesty and genuine angst. To get a further look, let’s check out my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week.

A prime example of Gallo’s stellar guitar techniques and tones is “Kill The Medicine Man.” There are those harmonies again, and the chorus shouts over sheer electricity. For anyone who can’t stand the current generation of incompetent adults, “Why Do You Have Kids?” is your anthem. It’s a raucous track that has Gallo crooning about how today’s children have no one to look up to due to the dysfunction of the American family. Another badass number is “Young Lady, You’re Scaring Me,” an amplified song that hits hard and speaks for the sane.

Gallo just celebrated the release of Heavy Meta at The High Watt in Nashville on February 4. He’ll be having another celebration in his hometown of Philadelphia at Creep Records on February 24 with Chicago doo-wop garage rock phenoms Modern Vices and fellow hometown hero Matt Kelly. For us New Englanders, he’ll be doing a two-night stay at The Sinclair in Cambridge, Mass, with Hurray for the Riff Raff on April 18 & 19. Rhode Island heartthrob Dylan Sevey is Gallo’s drummer, so there’s more incentive to check him out live. Until he comes to your friendly neighborhood music venue, grab a copy of Heavy Meta and get your brain melted.

Stream Heavy Meta via Ron Gallo’s Bandcamp: rongallo.bandcamp.com/album/heavy-meta; Ron Gallo’s Website: rongallomusic.com

Proposed Sale of 89.3 to RIPR

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth asked the FCC for permission to sell 89.3 FM WUMD to RIPR. Some applaud this move, while others are unhappy with the proposal. We asked writers on both sides of the issue to weigh in.

Rob Smith says, “This is a win-win situation that will benefit the students at the college radio station and the people of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. This deal will finally gift RIPR with a unified broadcast signal that will cover the entire state, both literally and metaphorically.”

Rob Duguay, on the other side of the issue, responds, “For an independent, up-and-coming band that’s still cutting their teeth, the only legitimate airplay they can get is via college radio. WUMD has consistently spun local music over the airwaves, and without the FM signal it’s going to be more difficult for local bands to get themselves heard. Rhode Island has prided itself on its homegrown art and music. The last thing that should happen is impeding the growth of that by taking away a valuable college radio station’s FM signal.”

Read their entire opinion pieces at motifri.com/wumdpro and motifri.com/wumdcon.

Hip-Hop: An Interview with Cam Bells

Artists like Cam Bells, The Prince of PVD, are few and far between. This young, talented artist pops in and out of the music scene on his own time and leaves a lasting impression with his raw honesty and passion. Our conversation only scratched the surface, but I am sure you will be hearing a lot more from him very soon.

Spocka Summa: Are you originally from RI?

Cam Bells: Born and raised on the south side of Providence.

SS: How would you categorize the music you create? CB: I call it ‘Ocean Blues,’ a fusion of R&B, hip-hop, soul and jazz.

SS: What would you say is a reoccurring message in your music?

CB: Good versus evil, family, love and God tend to be the most reoccurring topics, but ‘The Providence Renaissance’ has been the overall theme of my last two projects.

SS: You’re a vocalist and producer. Do you have any other hidden talents? If so, what are they?

CB: Most recently, I’ve been DJing at local bars and private events. R&B from the 1970s – 1990s is my specialty.

SS: Do you have advice for people pursuing a similar career in the industry?

CB: Invest your time into mastering your craft, and when the timing is right the universe will welcome you with open arms.

SS: In 2017, what should we expect to see from you?

CB: My first album, Young King, Old Soul, will be dropping in the forthcoming weeks. Expect a lot of events and pop-ups in the PVD area, as well as in other cities such as Boston, New York and LA.

SS: Where can people find you?

CB: PrinceofPVD.com

Recently I went to his event at Trade Pop-up where he was promoting his upcoming project. Overall, the vibe was very laid-back, and he was just there playing some R&B music and talking to everyone who came into the venue. Not many artists do a great job when it comes to telling a story through their music, but after listening to CAM’s project, I give it two thumbs up.

Is This Jazz? Five Years Of ITJ Shows

Usually I talk here about the jazz scene at large or the stuff happening locally that is outside of my own personal musical pursuits. However, this time I’m going to be selfish and talk about how February 3 is the five year anniversary of the jazz concert series I host and produce called “Is This Jazz?”.

Back in 2011 I had just graduated university, started a full time groundskeeping job and was trying to figure out where to go with my music. There was a smattering of gigs around town playing standards, but being a composer I was looking to play original material for people who might dig it. Unfortunately the scene didn’t have many offerings and I was left searching. So eventually I figured that if an opportunity wasn’t there already, I was going to have to make one. While looking around I remembered playing AS220’s gallery on Empire Street with a band of mine and recalled clicking with the space. Knowing that they welcome an eclectic collection of groups to perform, I emailed the booker at the time, Maralie, and asked if we might be able to put together a regular showcase for original jazz. On February 3, 2012, at AS220, we hosted the first official ITJ with locals A Troop Of Echoes, Lilly Masse & The Suite Unraveling from Brooklyn, and Boston-based guitarist Eric Hofbauer. The first show had some slight bumps but an audience showed up, the players were burning and those who came walked away grinning while their ears rang.

It would take another couple months and some maneuvering to schedule the second show, but we were able to bring in rising Brooklyn saxophonist John Ellis and his band Double Wide who were in town getting ready to play Newport Jazz Fest’s main stage the next morning. The audience was a good mix of those with insider jazz knowledge and those willing to open their ears, so having this particular ensemble — with their down-home, fun sound but virtuosic writing and playing — allowed us to open up to a wide range of listeners and helped solidify in my mind that jazz is a music for everybody, and that we’d have to be the cats to show ‘em.

From there it became a bimonthly concert series at AS220 with a few random shows around town for good measure. Over the five-year span we’ve hosted the legendary George Garzone & The Fringe and revered musicians such as the Becca Stevens Band, Ideal Bread, Rich Halley, Battle Trance, Rallidae, Ed Tomassi, and hosted local luminaries Greg Abate, Joe Parillo, David Zinno, and Jared Sims. That’s not counting the plethora of incredible local players who have performed, collaborated and evolved alongside us, all of whom have helped define and push the series since our first shows.

In that spirit, to mark this occasion we will be hosting another one of our “Hanging With The Locals” shows in which we will be inviting a few musicians who have meant a lot to us over the past five years to come sit in with the band and showcase some of their best material. For this edition, our house group will be friends of the series Four Agreements, featuring guitarist Clay Nordhill, keyboardist Tom White, bassist Sam Kurzontkowski and drummer Paul DiMartino. Afterward we will open up the stage for a jam so all those who wish to play will be able to come through, sit in and create some more killer music to help celebrate.

I wanted to share this because of how indebted I feel to all who have helped in this effort over these years. It has been a privilege to witness on our stage some of the most adventurous, stirring music that Providence has ever seen and to be part of this incredible community of local musicians, artists and enthusiasts for so long. It is truly due to all your dedication and support that this series marches on. Thank you for giving this music a home here in RI.

Happening Around Town:

The John Allmark Jazz Orchestra; Mondays @ The Met (Pawtucket)

Is This Jazz?; first Friday, bimonthly @ AS220 (Providence) isthisjazz.tumblr.com

Joe Potenza; Fridays @ Rosmarin (Providence)

Groove Merchants; Mondays @ Fifth Element (Newport)

Wednesday Night Sessions; Wednesdays @ Arias Lounge (Providence) Jazz Jam; Tuesdays @ Ten Rocks (Pawtucket)

Groove E Tuesday; Tuesdays @ Murphy’s Law (Pawtucket)

Parlour Jazz Jam; third Sunday each month @ The Parlour (Providence)

World Class Jazz Night; Thursdays @ Norey’s (Newport)

Matunuck Beach Hot Jazz Party; Thursdays @ The Ocean Mist (Matunuck)

To add your listing please email [email protected].

Ben Shaw is a local composer, performer, writer, and podcaster. Dig into his works at ahueofshaw.tumblr.com or find him on Twitter @ahueofshaw.

Spotify and Chill

We asked our music writers to tell us their soundtrack for romance. Here’s what they said (Note: Some declined to reveal trade secrets.)

Matthew Curtis

“Location” by Khalid “Exchange” by Bryson Tiller “Frustrated” by R.LUM.R

John Fuzek

“Glory Box” by Portishead “The Blower’s Daughter” by Damien Rice “And You And I” by Yes

Marc Clarkin

“Sexual Healing” by Marvin Gaye

“Night Vision” by Electric Six

“I Need Somebody” by Iggy and The Stooges

Jake Bissaro

“Kisses” by The Shivers “Love Is the Drug” by Roxy Music “Super Bad” by James Brown Spocka Summa “I Love You Love” by John Legend “Take My Breath Away” by Berlin “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner Ben Shaw “My Funny Valentine” by Sarah Vaughn “La Vie En Rose” by Melody Gardot “Ah Yeah” by Robert Clasper Experiment Alyssa Cavallo “Just My Imagination” by The Cranberries “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure “Just Like A Pill” by P!NK Get it on with this playlist! Follow and listen here: https://open.spotify.com/user/128252703/playlist/1qGOWxbKfVNLoIaxyxQr7S

Roots Report: Are These the Dark Ages?

Okee dokee folks… Welcome back to the Dark Ages. Here is a brief synopsis of what went on then: economic and cultural deterioration, ignorance and lack of reasoning, disease, corrupt religion and superstition, and a general backwardness. The only way to stop this from progressing is to resist and revolt. Why am I putting this in a music column? Among the many moronic decisions that the pompous Oompa-Loompa is making, funding for the arts is threatened.

Some are upset that celebrities are speaking out against Trumplethinskin. They think that artists should just shut up and make art. Wrong. That is part of what being an artist is all about! Picasso said, “Art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.” The great protest singer Phil Ochs said, “There is an urgent need for Americans to look deeply into themselves and their actions, and musical poetry is perhaps the most effective mirror available. Every newspaper headline is a potential song.”

We need more painters, musicians, actors, poets, writers and people to speak out! And listen to music. It educates, rallies and inspires, and it is part of what makes life worthwhile. Read on…

Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland is celebrating its 17th season of presenting top-notch ethnic, traditional and roots music. On February 4 they welcome back The Rhythm Future Quartet, performing dynamic and fiery arrangements of Gypsy jazz standards and original compositions that draw from rhythms heard around the world. February 11 features the Matt Flinner Trio joined by legendary fiddler Bruce Molsky as a special guest, and on February 12 it’s the BRT debut of acclaimed Irish guitarist/singer Donal Clancy of Danu fame. On February 18, local duo The Vox Hunters-Armand Aromin and Benedict Gagliardi will perform a split concert with Mark Roberts, Laurel Martin and dancer Kieran Jordan. To end the month, Mist Covered Mountains makes its debut on February 25. The band features the amazing vocals of Molly Hebert-Wilson, fiddler Donna Hebert of Chanterelle fame, and guitarist/singer Max Cohen. For more, fiddle around to RiverFolk.org.

At Sandywoods in Tiverton, catch the sounds of Colorway on Saturday, February 11. They are a dynamic trio from Northampton, Massachusetts, who play rootsy, pop-rock songs infused with inventive, energetic and melodic lead guitar. The band’s second album, The Black Sky Sequined, has been called one of the finest rock albums of 2015. Colorway has recently opened sold-out shows for Foreigner, The Yardbirds, Delta Deep (members of Def Leppard and Stone Temple Pilots) and Ian Hunter. Colorway is currently writing and rehearsing material for their third album and will be performing the new songs live at all of their upcoming shows. For more, crayon to SandywoodsMusic.com

If you are a fan of the legendary EC, then this show is for you! Bell Bottom Blues is coming to the Courthouse Center for the Arts. Just in case you haven’t figured it out, BBB is an Eric Clapton Tribute Band that will debut at The Courthouse Center on Saturday, February 18. Bell Bottom Blues was formed in 2007 with the vision of providing an audience with a true Eric Clapton experience. Through its evolution, the band has been carefully constructed to create the essence of the Clapton sound, from his guitar arrangements to his distinctive vocal sound. This is what separates The Bell Bottom Blues from all others and makes them a premier Eric Clapton Tribute Band. It’s been said time and time again by their audiences and fans that if they close their eyes during a show, they could swear that they were actually at a Clapton concert. Lead vocalist Al Caprara was deeply influenced by the guitarists of the late ’60s and ’70s and his vocals and guitar solos are highly evocative of Clapton’s own: deeply emotional and highly technical. If this show sounds tempting, then maybe the other tidbits the CCA has to offer will seduce you as well. February 11 has the comedy of Poppy Champlin and Ray Harrington, The Band Band pays tribute to Bob Dylan and the Band on February 3, and the rescheduled Rex and the Rockabilly Kings Elvis Presley tribute will take place on February 4. For more, slow hand to CourthouseArts.org

At Twin River, find two great shows in one night! Grand Funk Railroad & former Eagles member, Don Felder, will appear at the Twin River Event Center on Friday, February 17. Originating from Flint, Michigan, in 1969, this top selling American band of the ’70s is “Comin’ to your town to help you party it down.” Grand Funk Railroad is best known for their hits “Some Kind Of Wonderful,” “Bad Time,” “Loco-Motion,” “American Band,” “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home” and many more. Don Felder is renowned as a former lead guitarist of The Eagles, one of the most popular and influential rock groups of our time. A member of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame since 1998, Felder served as a member of The Eagles for 27 years, putting his mark on numerous Eagles’ songs. Felder originated the music and co- wrote The Eagles’ biggest hit – the iconic “Hotel California” – along with fan favorites like “Victim of Love” and “Those Shoes.” For more, Choo-Choo to TwinRiver.com.

If you are looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetie, try some Heart! Ann Wilson of Heart will perform at Rhode Island’s Park Theatre on April 7 as part of 20-date cross-country solo tour. Tickets are on sale now, and this show WILL SELL OUT. The Park is a wonderful place for an intimate show with a performer of this magnitude. For more, Barracuda to ParkTheatreRI.com

Here are many, many more shows to fill your month with music. The East Bay Contra Dance happens at the Historic Warren Armory at 11 Jefferson St in Warren on February 3. The caller is Rich Sbardella Chimney Swift with Cecile Leroy on cello, Zoe Madonna on accordion, Daniel Ley on cittern and Yaron Shragai on wind and percussion. The Roll Up the Rug Barn Dance Featuring The East Coast Perma-Rust Model of The Rusty Pick Up String Band takes place on Sunday, February 5, at the Emmanuel Church located at 42 Dearborn St in Newport. This all-ages, toe-tappin’, knee-slappin’ good time for the whole family starts at 3pm. The Nick-A-Nees Bluegrass Throedown happens every Wednesday night. On February 8 is Highway’s End, on February 15 is Rob Flax String Band and on February 22 is Wilbur Hill. On Friday, February 10, The Gnomes bring their dynamic folk rock edge and some original compositions to the First Unitarian Church at 1 Benevolent St in Providence. Coming up on Friday, February 10, is CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band at the German Club in Pawtucket (SalsProductions.com; TheGnomesBand.com).

The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River ALWAYS has something good going on. If you’re wondering where all the cowboys have gone, then ask Paula Cole on February 11. Local and film score legends John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band (Eddie and the Cruisers) bring the tunes to life on February 18. Fredheads rejoice! Fred Eaglesmith, acclaimed singer, songwriter, bandleader and genuine iconoclast, is at The Narrows on February 23 (NarrowsCenter.org). At Bar 88 on 88 Wales St in Taunton, there’s a Celtic-Americana Session from 6 – 8:30pm every Wednesday featuring Rick Olsen on guitar, banjo and voice; Eddie Dillon on guitar and voice; Jack Radcliffe on fiddle, guitar and voice. All are welcome to join with instruments and voices (facebook.com/bostonboatmen). The Church Street Coffeehouse in Warren has their weekly open mic every Friday. Features this month are Stephen Redfern on February 17 and Mickey Scotia on February 24.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. JohnFuzek.com

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] Album Of The Week: Japandroids’ Near To The Wild Heart Of Life

With an unbridled heart-on-the-sleeve aesthetic and emphatic rock ‘n’ roll songs to back it up, Japandroids have become one of those bands that can hit you with every song. The duo of guitarist and vocalist Brian King and drummer David Prowse combine to form a powerful sound that’s unrivaled by their contemporaries. The Vancouver act’s third studio album, Near To The Wild Heart Of Life, is filled with unbridled emotion and absolute intensity. It embodies a razor-sharp edge while staying honest and true. The year isn’t even one-third over, and I can already predict this album will be mentioned on a ton of best of lists when the ball drops.

With it being released five years after their previous album, Celebration Rock, which came out in summer 2012, Japandroids don’t show any rust. What King and Prowse do show is the progression of a sound that will attract both Bruce Springsteen die-hards and punk-rock enthusiasts. It’s no-nonsense rock music that’s the result of a head-first songwriting approach. The production quality is a bit more refined on Near To The Wild Heart Of Life, but there’s still a whole lot of grit. There’s a sense of moving forward versus sticking to a formula from the past.

The world is a crazy, messed-up place, and the insanity has definitely been upped a tad. What better way to release some angst than to listen to a kick-ass rock ‘n’ roll record? There will be plenty of those coming out later this year, but Japandroids’ new album is a great one to start off with. To see why, let’s take a look at my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week.

“North East South West” is a tribute to the massive 13 leg, 228 show worldwide Celebration Rock tour that took place in 2012 and 2013. It’s a Kerouacian description of long nights on the road while King and Prowse convey some righteous rhythms. The anthemic “Arc Of Bar” is in your face and unapologetic. There’s a lot of raging riffs and the chorus is a triumphant “Yeah!” that goes straight for the soul. “In A Body Like A Grave” is a catchy tune that faces mortality and the inevitable.

Japandroids will once again be going on tour starting at The Mohawk in Austin, Texas, on February 7 with all of the proceeds from the show going to benefit Planned Parenthood. For fans in New England, King and Prowse will be taking the stage at Royale in Boston on February 20 with The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn and his backing band The Uptown Controllers opening things up. If they’re coming through your town, head to the show and go see one of the best live bands on the planet. While you’re there, make sure to grab a copy of Near To The Wild Heart Of Life. Its sheer amplification will take your eardrums over.

Stream Japandroids’ Near To The Wild Heart Of Life via NPR here: npr.org/2017/01/19/510416955/first- listen-japandroids-near-to-the-wild-heart-of-life; Japandroids’ Website: japandroids.com