Roots Report: On the Road Again

Okee dokee folks … I am on my way back north going 70mph along Route 95. No, I am not driving. My girlfriend is. I have written my column in odd places before, but never in a moving car. We just spent a week at her father’s in South Carolina. It was interesting to be there considering I am not a fan of the south nor am I a fan of the hot weather. The temperature averaged ABOVE 95 degrees the whole time that we were there. Thank goodness for air conditioning.

It took two days of driving to travel the 1,100 miles. We went the long way around and down in order to avoid cities and traffic. No, we weren’t on the lam! Route 95 tends to attract traffic, which we are hitting only 20 miles into our return journey. GRRRRR!!!

It seemed an odd time to be visiting SC in light of the church shootings and Confederate flag controversy. Honestly, other than the news on TV, we didn’t hear anything about those issues. In fact, I didn’t see one Confederate flag anywhere. We were kind of in a bubble. We stayed at a gated community for people 55 and over. It was a HUGE place that felt like a small town. They have their own rules and security force. Oh, and alligators! The gators will just hang out in people’s backyards or along the side of the road depending on the time of day. Unfortunately, I only saw the top of one’s head and another one swimming away along a drainage ditch. I got up too late for them.

This part of SC seems to be under constant construction while they build these communities. They are removed from the reality of southern life and are upscale, air conditioned and have perfectly presented front lawns. Every garage has a car and a golf cart. The cart is the preferred mode of transportation on the miles of maze-like roads in the communities that lead to other “ticky-tacky” houses, swimming pools, golf courses, restaurants, community rooms and whatever else the neighborhood association provides. Even if you have to leave the neighborhood, the businesses in the area are filled with folks from the nearby developments. You are isolated from the real south. Most of the population in these areas are from the north. On the street where we stayed there were four RI couples. I could never live in one of these places, they would bounce me in a heartbeat! Too many rules!

Ok, we are finally moving again, back up to 70 mph after 30 minutes of unexplained standstill traffic. We just passed one of the many, many billboards that are along the 95 corridor in SC for the South Of The Border stop in Dillon, SC. If you have never been, it is the ultimate Southwestern themed tourist trap located at the border of NC and SC. There are almost 200 miles of cheesy signs like, “Pedro says chile today hot tamale.” We have 158 miles until we get to Pedro. I have stopped there a couple of times on previous southern forays but it is hard NOT to stop again. We browsed through the huge souvenir shops, restaurants, hotels, fireworks stores and took goofy photos with the array of dinosaur, gorilla and other animal statues that adorn the area. We may have to stop again, just to use the restrooms, of course. I am aware that you are not here to read about my adventures below the Mason-Dixon line, but I don’t have internet access in the car and have a deadline so I am just trying to entertain you until I get to the motel to connect to the web. Anyway, right now I must get back to being the navigator. Read on for the good stuff…

The Providence Folk Festival is scheduled for Sun, Aug 30 at Roger Williams National Memorial in PVD. The performers are currently being booked, but in the meantime if you are feeling generous and would like to support the festival, an IndieGoGo fundraising campaign is under way. Free events of this nature do need monetary support to be successful. To help out and donate funds, please go to IndieGoGo.com and look up The Providence Folk Festival 2015. Also at Roger Williams National Memorial the Downtown Sundown Series continues Saturday night Jul 11 and Jul 25. On the 11th its Dan Lilley with Amy Bedard and Scatman; Allysen Callery, and Ryan Lee Crosby. The 25th brings in Ed Mcguirl and Mike Fischman (otherwise known as the Folk Support Group), Bethel Steele, and member of the Motif award-winning band The Rank Strangers, Pete Vendettuoli. Shows are free and start at 7pm. Before all the Sundown music starts you can catch a half an hour of very clever skits by the Manton Avenue Project. For more, national park it to HearInRhodeIsland.com

Now more music for ya’ll… (I DID hear that in the south!): Nick-A-Nee’s has a HOT July for ya’ll. This “heavenly dive” on South St presents a Bluegrass Throwdown every Wednesday night. Jul 1 is Dunderhead, Jul 8 is Michelle Canning & Rough Edges, Jul 15 is No Spare Parts, Jul 22 is Gather Rounders and Jul 29 is Ryan Taylor Band (facebook.com/NickaNees). The Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River has a wide selection of July shows for ya’ll! On the Jul 9 is Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys, on Jul 10 is Marcia Ball and Shelley King, on Jul 11 is The Slide Brothers and Mark T. Small, on Jul 15 is The Brothers Comatose, on Jul 16 is Dale Watson and The Barley Hoppers, and much more (NarrowsCenter.org)! Hey, ya’ll — one half of one of the greatest duos of all time will be at the Greenwich Odeum on Sat, Jul 11. Art Garfunkel shows why he made Simon’s songs so memorable (TheOdeum.org). Thurs, Jul 16, 1990’s multi-platinum rock powerhouses Smash Mouth and Tonic bring their co-billing summer tour to the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford. Ya’ll can hear the hits “Walkin’ on the Sun,” “All Star” and “If You Could Only See” (Zeiterion.org). On Fri night, Jul 17 at the Knickerbocker Cafe, The Hoolios bring the mayhem. At Fete Music Hall in Olneyville on Sun, Jul 19, it’s Hawaii’s The Green, with Tobler, and the celebrated “Guitar Masters” tour shows off for ya’ll on Fri, Jul 31 with Andy McKee, Stephen Bennett and Antoine Dufour (FeteMusic.com). If you can get tix, The is Jul 24 – 26 at Fort Adams (newportfolk.org). The uplifting, raw, ramshackle, backyard country band The Spirit Family Reunion will be at the Columbus Theater for ya’ll on Thurs, Jul 30.

So we didn’t get to a motel. We kept driving all night — 1,000 miles non-stop. I really need some sleep as I did the last 750 miles in the pouring rain and we got in at 7am. Glad to be home in Little Rhody! Hope to see ya’ll at a show sometime soon. Yeah, I know, I am a New Englander, I will stop with the “ya’ll” now. Thanks for reading and for putting up with me. If you have something that you would like me to consider writing about please get it to me. I WANT to know about it! www.JohnFuzek.com

Mike D’s Top 5 Can’t Miss Shows of July

1. Sat, Jul 11: B Dolan (Kill The Wolf Release), Dropdead, Ask The Dead, with special guests Sage Francis, Roz Raskin and more; 8pm doors / 8:30pm show; $13 advance / $15 day of; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. 2015 has been a big year for RI’s B Dolan. He recently toured the country opening for Atmosphere, and now is releasing his new full length, Kill The Wolf. The record, which B has been working on for five years, has some pretty big named collaborators from all over the musical globe. From the familiar to Dolan indie hip-hop world artists like Aesop Rock, Buck 65 and Alias to not as familiar or similar artists like Kathleen Stubelek from Circle Takes The Square and Dave Lamb (RIP) of Brown Bird. B says he “turned up the production value by fusing live guitars, analog synths, violins and upright bass with formidable volcals and intricate lyrics.” For a sample, check out the exceptional first single “Jailbreak” video at his Facebook page and YouTube. And the openers are a mix of other genre-breaking RIers who made headway nationwide. Solid show from start to finish curated by B Dolan himself.

2. Thu, Jul 16, 17 & 19: R Kelly at Foxwoods. Talk about an evening of excess. Foxwoods presents three opportunities for you to have the night of the summer. An evening in New England’s small city of sins with no other than R & B icon and TMZ lightning rod R. Kelly. Don’t have tickets? Don’t want to pay for tickets? No worries, the party should be all over the casino after the show is over. Get a hotel room (preferably with a hot tub), ice some bottles of champagne in your hotel bathroom sink, and maybe grab some good 1am snacks (prepare as if you might be stoned, chocolate, marshmallows, etc). Start drinking outside the theater at the bar on the MGM Grand side of the casino, let R Kelly do his thing and rile up the sexed-up crowd, and when they get out there you are at the bar primed and ready to mingle. I can only imagine the debaucherous behavior that will go on in the hotels these three summer nights.

3. Fri, Jul 17: WBRU Summer Concert Series with Joywave, Jetty; 7pm; Free!; All ages; Waterplace Park, PVD. WBRU summer concert series is back and kicking off with its best of the year with Joywave and Jetty. Rochester, NY’s Joywave followed up break-out 2014 ep How Do You Feel with the 2015 full-length How Do You Feel Now. It’s so nice that they’re keeping up with how we’re doing. It’s a cop out to call them indie electronic, the band clearly has a ton of influences and weaves them in and out flawlessly. Check out their hit “Somebody New” on ‘BRU or YouTube. PVD’s indie r’n’b dance party Jetty are always a good time, so get there early. Other highlights of the series include Saint Motel (Jul 31) and newly crowned Rock Hunt champs Public Alley (Jul 24). Free, beer gardens, wackos, the smell of waterplace park, truly something for everyone. 4. Fri, Jul XX – Sun, Jul XX: 2015 Newport Folk Fest and all the after parties you could wish for; Newport. There are some pretty big headliners this year (Roger Waters, The Decemberists, maybe ?), but the best part of the folk festival is the talent in the middle of the day. The new acts on the way up. This year is loaded with acts like Jason Isbell, Shakey Graves and Leon Graves. But the set I am most excited for is the RI debut of Melbourne Australia’s Courtney Barnett. Her 2015 record, Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit is the standout record of the year for me. If you’re not familiar with her, check out the track “Depreston,” but really just take my word and buy the album. The fest is sold out so if you don’t have tickets, you will have to eBay or look for some of the artists to pop up in after parties. Deer Tick is playing Newport Blues Cafe Thu through Sun, and it’s a safe bet some of the talent from the fort will find its way on stage for a couple of those shows. There are some official after parties taking place at Jane Pickens Theater and Hope Underground. For a good share of RI talent that isn’t on the radar, check out spots in town like Jimmy’s Saloon. And for my favorite way to spend a Sunday, stop by Irish pub Fastnet late afternoon for a traditional Irish Session.

5. Tue, Aug 4; Faith No More, Refused; Blue Hills Bank Pavilion Boston. The two hottest tickets of the last couple of months were these two bands playing in smaller rooms than they should have been in Boston. So here we are, in a very large outdoor setting. I call it the Aquarium Arena, because unlike Great Woods, I can’t remember what it was called before banks rename it every other or so year. I am not a fan of this place to see a show, but the view of the Boston Harbor is nice and the talent on this night is off the charts and unavailable anywhere else in New England this year so… Faith No More is touring in support of their first record in almost two decades, Sol Invictus. Likewise, Refused just released their first album in almost two decades titled Freedom. While reviews are of the new Refused material are mixed, I saw with my own two eyes the band earlier this month and HOLY SHIT they sure still have it live. Singer Dennis Lyxzen is a non-stop machine, like Mick Jagger on crack. This has to be the best mini arena bill of the summer. Also Worth A Mention: Jul 11 — Murder By Death at the Met; Jul 19 — Raekwon & Ghostface Killah at Lupos; Jul 20 — Detroit Cobras at Great Scott(Boston); Jul 21 — Liturgy at Columbus; Jul 28 — Windhand at AS220; Aug 1 — The So So Glos, Gymshorts, Littlefoot at The Met

Motif Interviews Ty Jesso On the 4th of July, you can spend the day at the beach, host a BBQ, launch fireworks from the comfort of your own backyard or indulge in the musical festivities that’ll be taking over Providence. One of those festivities is Revival Fest, an all-day free event sponsored by local brewery Revival Brewing Company taking place at Dusk on 301 Harris Ave. The lineup features kickass rock ‘n’ roll act Thee Fabulous Itchies among others. I had the chance to talk with Itchies frontman and soul brother extraordinaire Ty Jesso about his involvement in the Providence music scene and his monthly DJ night Soul Power.

Rob Duguay: One thing that’s been happening in Providence over the past few years is the reemergence of a local garage rock scene with bands like Ravi Shavi, Neutrinos, Atlantic Thrills, The Worried and Gymshorts along with Thee Itchies tearing it up. Do you think that amplified rock ‘n’ roll can take over Providence from the folk scene that has been hugely popular in the city so far this decade?

Ty Jesso: It seems to me that both genres are doing pretty well on the scene right now. I think there is plenty of room for all. I for one, don’t just listen to one genre. I think the clubgoers in Rhode Island are pretty openminded as well. But when Friday comes around, I’d much rather see a rock ‘n’ roll band tearing it up onstage. To me, that’s what weekends are for: wild and crazy music that makes you want to drink, yell and dance. Save the folk for chilling out on Sunday.

RD: What do you think has improved the most about the music coming out of Providence over the past 25 years?

TJ: The diversity of music without a doubt. In the past, I recall there being years where the whole city seem to only support noise or metal. Now you can experience all kinds of music from neo-folk to garage to punk to electronic to indie at a lot of different venues with lots of open-minded individuals. I just wish there were more people supporting all of the shows. Still too many people working too much or staying home playing video games. Boo to that.

RD: Along with fronting Thee Itchies, many people around Providence know you as the head DJ of Soul Power, a long running DJ night that features some of the best vintage rock ‘n’ roll vinyl being spun along with special guest DJs and sometimes even a live band. For people who have never heard of Soul Power, where can they check it out?

TJ: Soul Power has existed in some way, shape or form for over 10 years in Providence. From the Custom House to Tazza to the 201 to Local 121 and now happily at Dusk. Soul Power usually happens the 2nd Friday of the month at Dusk. Sometimes the Friday may change to accommodate traveling guest DJs, but it’s usually the 2nd Friday. Also, people can catch my Boston version of Soul Power called Soulelujah at the Middle East every Saturday night.

RD: Out of all the styles of music out there, what makes you gravitate to soul music the most and why?

TJ: Soul music and all of its sub-genres of R&B — funk, boogaloo, etc. — is, in my opinion, timeless dance music. It resonates with both young and old. There is magic captured in soul grooves. Catching a great soul DJ who spins great soul records can be a transcendent experience. If you are a soulful person, soulful music will find you. It found me. I equally love ’60s rock. Garage and psych is in my heart as much as soul.

Album Of The Week: Used Cassettes’ Rock N Rills

Sometimes you can find awesome music in the least likely of places. It was true for me this week when I embarked on my old habit of surfing the web for tunes I’ve never heard of before, and I’m pretty sure I found a gem with Used Cassettes’ latest release Rock N Rills. The Seoul, South Korea, rock ‘n’ roll act have a distinct catchiness to their songs to go along with distorted and noisy riffs. In a land that musically is mostly known for their brand of K-Pop that’ll annoy the hell out of you, it’s amazing and refreshing to see that Seoul has a flourishing indie rock scene. A band that was formed as a drunken pact between friends Ollie Walker, Patrick Walsh, Danny Arens and Matt Spence, Used Cassettes have a sound reminiscent of Pavement and Sonic Youth with a tinge of -esque coolness to create a unique style that’ll have you hooked. Some songs are kind of long and abstract, while others are absolute rippers. A few are party anthems and at the same time there are a handful of somber and heartfelt tracks. Variety that comes straight from the heart, Used Cassettes are a diamond in the rough when it comes to their rhythms and beats going with the chords.

Have you been to a festival near you yet? Well if you have, then awesome. If you haven’t, then what are you waiting for? It’s summer in New England, which means that it’s festival season and you gotta get your friends together and get out of the house. While you tune up for the drive to a remote location with all of your favorite bands, take a taste of my top tracks from the Album Of The Week.

The surf rock boogie down monster jam “President” is a groovy track all about being in a foreign place and you’re trying to figure out who’s running the joint. Straight party rockin’ “Wasted” gives the rebellious side of you a kick while making you want to bask in a bunch of libations. Another one I like a lot is “She Got Burned,” adorned with pop aesthetics coming from the song’s structure. The chorus will definitely grab you.

Being from South Korea, Used Cassettes won’t be hitting the US anytime soon, but let’s hope that they make their way over here in future so us live music fanatics can check them out in person. Until they invade your friendly neighborhood music venue, grab a copy of Rock N Rills from Used Cassettes. Killer music by some cats from Seoul with a lot of soul if you catch my drift.

Stream Rock N Rills here: https://msbsound.bandcamp.com/album/rock-n-rills

Used Cassettes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usedcassettesseoul

An Intimate, Thoughtful & Extremely Serious Interview with Atlantic Thrills

Photo Credit: Robert Houllahan With a loud, psychedelic tinged garage rock ‘n’ roll sound, Atlantic Thrills have risen to be one of the premier bands to see in the Providence music scene. They’ll be sharing the stage with Detroit party rockers Electric 6 and Attleboro, Mass, energetic wildmen The Sweet Release at Fete on 103 Dike St in Providence on July 7, so I had a very serious and emotional interview with Dan Tanner, Eric Aguiar, Josh Towers and Mike Dominguez from the band about life choices, the power of homeopathic herbs and rock ‘n’ roll GMOs.

Rob Duguay: What were all of you doing musically before Atlantic Thrills started in 2010?

Mike Dominguez: I was lead skankster in a surf metal band called The Defenistrators.

Josh Towers: It was crazy! I started out touring Europe in an asthmatic rock trio called The Weezies. Then I was the front man for Furious George and the Knife Fight.

Eric Aguiar: I’ve always been a fan of smooth sounds, so I’ve been a trip-hop producer/MC for years under the name Jazz Uno.

Dan Tanner: As you know, I was in the world-renowned boy band The Undaground Boyz, then I toured the world and shared the stage with the likes of Day-Zee, who’s a legendary jam band hype man, the positive gangsta P-Thugg, the illiterate EDM superstar Kandi Boi and Oi! Punk Preacher T.R.A.S.H. There was also a time when I was the techno goth crooner Sadicles. After an incident at the local Hot Topic, I lost the will to be sad, so my label replaced me with a younger, more emo crooner whose name is not to be mentioned. That’s when I started wearing flowered shirts and playing tambourine under the moniker Barry Bermuda. I mostly did the retirement home circuit, performing for the incontinent.

RD: One thing I like a lot about Atlantic Thrills is Eric’s loud screaming on the mic. How does Eric do it without blowing out a vocal chord?

DT: It’s a proprietary blend of homeopathic herbs and secret spices.

EA: Shut up about it!

MD: Oh, it’s on!

DT: It’s made very much the same way Chicha beer is made. After it’s been fermented properly, we use a small bamboo brush referred to as The Tonsil Tickler to slowly lubricate Eric’s vocal cord before and after a performance.

RD: What do you think of all these garage rock ‘n’ roll acts emerging in Providence and nationwide, when five years ago there were less than half of the number there are now?

DT: Well, I think it has to do with all the GMOs in the drinking water.

JT: And Monsanto.

EA: Yeah, and all those big corporations, like Little Debbie and Hostess.

MD: Word. Fuckin’ Twinkies man.

RD: Which acts outside Providence would you like to see play The Creative Capital the most? DT: I’m mostly into bands like The Toke Bros. and The Bluestocking Boys.

EA: I’d love to see the two man duo Queen Gunn and Weenie Roast.

JT: I’m all about Aggy Impaleya and Jeff Goldshroom Trio.

MD: Y’all is haters, The Bubonic Few and Porno Party are my jam right now.

RD: Before we call it an interview, does Atlantic Thrills have any new releases in the works?

DT: We got a whole mess load of new ish that’s gettin’ ready to hit the streets.

EA: Yeah, our new LP is called Vices. It’s coming out this fall on Almost Ready Records.

JT: Don’t forget about the 7″ single “Bedbugs” due to drop in August.

MD: Respect!

All jokes aside, head to Fete on Tues, Jul 7 for what will be the party of a lifetime, and look for Atlantic Thrills’ upcoming second full-length to be released when the weather gets cooler.

Link to tickets: http://fetemusic.com/events/electricsix

Atlantic Thrills’ Website: http://www.atlanticthrills.com

Top 10 Acts To See At Solid Sound (Other Than Wilco) Over in the Berkshires, a wild and amazing event will take over the little town of North Adams this weekend from Jun 26 – 28. Happening at the beautiful Massachusetts Museum Of Contemporary Art, the Solid Sound Festival will showcase some spectacular independent musical acts along with eye-popping art installations. The whole experience is curated by the Chicago Americana rock act Wilco, so here are the other 10 great acts to see at the upcoming festival (not including Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy’s eponymous side project with his son Spencer).

10.) Shabazz Palaces (Saturday 4:45 @ Courtyard C) The Seattle hip-hop duo of Ishmael Butler & Tendai Maraire push the envelope when it comes to creating experimental sounds while extending the boundaries and exploring the versatility of the genre. I find the act to be reminiscent of what the legendary Afrika Bambaataa was doing in the ’80s — fusing contemporary sounds and ambience into hip-hop to create something truly original. For us local yokels in PVD, Shabazz Palaces will also be at the Columbus Theatre on Aug 7. If you’re at the festival this weekend or at the Columbus, prepare for what should be an incredible experience.

9.) The Felice Brothers (Sunday 3:30 @ Courtyard C) A fantastic folk-rock act that sometimes will even add a few killer rhymes, The Felice Brothers from upstate New York in the Catskillls will perform on the final day of the festival for what should be an absolute wonder. It’ll either be fully electrifying or more on the acoustic side of things, but either way it’s going to be worth it. What’s better than a rock band with an accordion? Not much. You’ll get that and more once The Felice Brothers take the stage.

8.) Bill Frisell & Sam Amidon (Saturday 1:30 @ Courtyard C) It’s going to be interesting to see what will happen when jazz fusion guitar virtuoso Bill Frisell and Brattleboro, Vt, native and folk artist Sam Amidon take the stage. You have one artist who is hailed as a national treasure, notable for his progressive interpretations on music drawing from folk, blues and jazz, while another is known for his reworking of traditional folk into his own unique style. I’m looking forward to seeing what Frisell and Amidon have in store for the festival on Saturday afternoon.

7.) Richard Thompson Trio (Saturday 5:30 @ Joe’s Field) Fronted by one of the world’s most critically acclaimed and prolific , the Richard Thompson Trio promise to please the senses. Richard has collaborated with the likes of Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, R.E.M., Bonnie Raitt, Los Lobos and The Talking Heads’ David Byrne among many others. The Order Of The British Empire was personally bestowed upon him by Queen Elizabeth and he’s been named as one of the Top 20 Guitarists Of All Time by . With all of this on his resume, what’s stopping you from checking Richard Thompson out?

6.) Real Estate (Friday 7:45 @ Joe’s Field) Ridgewood, NJ, indie rock act Real Estate will open for Wilco on the Joe’s Field stage during the first night of the festival, and their pop aesthetics make them a perfect fit for the festival. Honest songwriting with a lot of heart coming from Martin Courtney is the backbone for the band’s sound, and you’re bound to fall in love with it. When the sun sets over the mountains the music will hit you, and Real Estate are bound to put the attendees in a state of bliss.

5.) Mac DeMarco (Saturday 7:30 @ Joe’s Field) With a laid-back style that everyone is trying to replicate these days, Mac DeMarco is gaining fans by the day. The acclaim on his latest release, Salad Days, solidifies that, and expect to hear a few songs off that album during his live performance. A lo-fi sound that has a weird sexy quality by keeping things sensual while also being off-kilter, DeMarco is a refreshing artist in a world of musical madness. He’ll get things cool on Saturday night, so go see what the fuss is all about.

4.) NRBQ (Saturday 2:15 @ Courtyard D) Another legendary act playing Solid Sound is NRBQ, also known as the New Rhythm & Blues Quartet. Being around since the late ’60s, this act lead by Terry Adams blends rock, pop, blues and jazz for a kickass sound that have given them quite the reputation for their live shows. It’s going to be a crazy time once these guys take the stage Saturday afternoon, so get ready to be wowed and astounded.

3.) Speedy Ortiz (Friday 6:30 @ Courtyard C) A late addition to the festival, Northampton, Mass, act Speedy Ortiz have had me hooked for the past few years. A perfect mix of fuzzy distortion, poppy breakdowns and poetic lyrics from frontwoman Sadie Dupuis make for an infectious take on rock. You can consider this kind of a hometown show for them since Solid Sound is in western Massachusetts, and they deserve such a grand stage. Speedy Ortiz are going to bring it in full force on Friday, so show up early and start the festival off right.

2.) Parquet Courts (Saturday 6:30 @ Courtyard D) A must-see act among a lot of other must-see acts, Brooklyn punks Parquet Courts will be ripping up everything in sight on Saturday. Making quite a name for themselves with incredible energy and great songwriting, it’ll be intriguing to see how they are live. You got groovy bass lines, precise drumming and electrifying guitar riffs to create an infectious sound. I wouldn’t be surprised if a mosh pit started during their set on Saturday, but you’ll have to show up and find out.

1.) Nels Cline & Norton Wisdom’s Stained Radiance (Sunday 1:00 @ Hunter Center) Now this might not be everyone’s #1 for Solid Sound, but I’m very interested in what exactly will happen with you have Wilco’s lead guitarist and noise maker Nels Cline and accomplished painter Norton Wisdom doing a live collaboration. You’ll have Cline bringing his trademark distortion while Wisdom puts color on canvas on the spot. It’ll be an artistic display unlike anything you’ve ever seen, and that’s why it’s #1.

3-Day, Friday & Sunday passes are still available for Solid Sound this weekend. Get them here: solidsound.frontgatetickets.com Rob’s Album Of The Week: Bully’s Feels Like

In the digital age, music fanatics have the luxury of indulging in a kickass band before everyone else hears about them. A garage punk act chock full of energizing angst, Bully from Nashville, Tenn, are putting out their highly anticipated debut full-length Feels Like this week, and it’s an absolute doozy. Lead by the screams of Alicia Bognanno, a sound that mirrors the grit of Joan Jett, the surf of The Beach Boys and the rawness of The Ramones, the album will have you hooked. A lot of independent are bringing back the fuzz, and Bully are an excellent example of it.

Distortion is all over the place in this album, along with head-banging riffs that’ll make you act like a crazed lunatic. Feels Like also has a groove that’ll take over your inhibitions. Everything is tightly rhythmic; there are slip ups and structurally everything is driving while giving you a jolt. With all the rigidness going on, Bognanno’s voice has a knack for sounding innocent and when the chorus kicks in, she becomes a ball of rage. Bully’s debut lives up to the hype.

It’s that time again where I do the same old thing. I tell you what to listen to and I expect you to put up with it, much like certain terrestrial radio stations around these parts. The only difference is that each time I tell you what to listen to, it’s always something different and new. Anyway, here are my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week.

One track I’ve been digging a lot is “Six,” an absolute scorcher with Bognanno singing about her childhood experiences such as breaking her sister’s arm and then breaking her own a few years later. The guitars and drums really make for a ferocious listening experience that’ll shock your system. Another coming of age anthem is “I Remember,” exuding angst about past relationships that has Bognanno figuratively ripping out her heart and throwing it on canvas. The lead single, “Trying,” is a tad more poppy than the rest of the tracks on Feels Like, but the chorus is a hard hitter that definitely leaves an impression. It’s a way’s away, but Bully will be playing the 2nd edition of the 2015 Boston Calling Music Festival at City Hall Plaza going on from Sept 25 – 27 and it’ll be a fantastic way to enjoy summer’s last gasp before we all have to wear sweaters and flannel. Until then, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Feels Like. It’s a rager that you’ll have to blast through your speakers and piss off your neighbors.

Stream “Trying” here: soundcloud.com/bullythemusic/trying

Bully’s website: bullythemusic.com

Party Pigs Make Their Grand Return To Dusk

Photo Credit: Denis Rochefort

Saturdays in PVD has a constant theme: there is a crap ton of stuff going on. Sometimes I wish I could have an out-of-body experience so I can catch everything, but unfortunately modern technology hasn’t gotten to that point yet. Last Saturday I was at Dusk for a hell of a rock ‘n’ roll show featuring Neutrinos, The Monsieurs and the long-awaited arrival of Party Pigs after a year-long hiatus.

After a while of sitting around and drinking because no one in PVD arrives to shows on time anymore, Neutrinos from Attleboro, Mass, kicked things off. With a spectacular surf punk sound that exudes constant energy, this power trio started their set for a rifftastic experience while a giant slice of pizza was thrown around the audience. They did run into some technical difficulties at the end of their set, but when Neutrinos are on point they are one of the best acts in southern New England. Go catch them when they play Psychic Readings at AS220’s 95 Empire building in PVD on Jul 28 with Native Giant, Pyramid and Eric & The Nothing. It’s bound to be an electrifying evening that you won’t want to miss.

Next up were The Monsieurs from Boston; they had a unique set up with the drummer and guitarist being horizontally parallel to each other, their amps on stands behind them and the frontman pulling up on one of Dusk’s lounge chairs. They have a very fuzzy garage rock sound and the frontman was walking around the entire room singing in everyone’s face. I was hoping some drunken buffoon wouldn’t start a fight over it and thank God it didn’t happen, but with a righteous sound and awesome stage presence I definitely want to take the T up to The Hub one of these days and see The Monsieurs in their home base.

With the crowd at its fullest and the night heading into the late hours, Party Pigs took the stage and rocked Dusk to smithereens. It was my first time seeing drummer Matt Trap and riff ripper Chris Annunziato with a keyboard player and it gave them a more complete sound — a very unique take with the bass coming from the keys rather than the strings. People were head banging and having a blast — definitely a show that was a righteous time for all. With Party Pigs back on the scene, expect them to be playing more shows in the near future. Speaking of shows, Dusk has something going on there nearly every night of the week. Go and check out one of the PVD’s best live music venues and tell Rick Sunderland and the gang I sent you.

Neutrinos on Facebook: facebook.com/LosNeutrinos The Monsieurs on BandCamp: themonsieurs.bandcamp.com Party Pigs on BandCamp: partypigs.bandcamp.com Dusk’s Website: duskprovidence.com

Providence International Arts Fest 2015

Roots Report: The Sun Is Melting My Brain!

Okee dokee folks … Some days I am brain dead. Maybe most days. Today I definitely am. The sun has already started melting what little amount of brain cells I have functioning in my head. Last weekend I was out working on a garden. What was I thinking? I don’t like sun. I honestly feel like the sun depletes me. I know that it gives me migraines. I don’t remember where, but I saw a t-shirt that read, “The sun is trying to kill me!” And I feel that way. I am not exaggerating. I realize that the sun is necessary for life. It is necessary for the garden I am trying to grow, but does it have to be so bright and hot? I know I go through this every summer and the start of summer is still a couple of days away. I am early with the heat complaints, but I figured I would get a jump on it. You all got to complain about the snow, I complain about summer. If it wasn’t for the music in summer I would go to Antarctica for June, July and August! Read on for some summer music suggestions …

Even if you are straight, don’t be narrow (minded). Show your support and have fun at the same time. The 40th annual PrideFest, themed IndiVISIBLE will be held on Sat, Jun 20, from noon to 8pm, on the South Water Street Greenway in PVD. PrideFest features a kids’ zone, youth center, over 100 vendors, the beer/wine & spirits garden, and performances by American Idol’s Crystal Bowersox, Pearl & the Beard, Shannel from RuPaul’s Drag Race, Mimi Gonzalez, Sir Ari Gold, Pamela Means, Derek Capobianco, Heather Rose in Clover, Shryne and much more. Rainbow over to prideri.com for more info, and read our story on page XX.

The Concert for Hunger Relief will take place on Sat, Jun 20 at the Contemporary Theater Company on Main St in Wakefield. Proceeds from this event will benefit charities that work to feed the hungry and fight the causes of hunger in the community — most notably the JonnyCake Center of Peace Dale and the North Kingstown Food Pantry. Doors open at 5:30pm and the first performance kicks off at 6pm. All of the performers volunteer their time and talents. Here are brief blurbs about SOME of the performers scheduled to appear: Ed McGuirl is a multi-instrumental and award-winning who plays an eclectic blend of original and traditional roots and blues music. He also wrote and produced “White Shirts/Hungry Children” for the 1 of 52 Artists Hunger Network compilation The Time Is Now. Mark Greenwood is not only a wonderful performer, he unselfishly will help other musicians with anything they need, even if it means less performance time for him. He will be joined by Eileen Lee Singer and David Anderson. Mike Gendron was described by a Motif reviewer this way: “The Day That I Give Birth excels as an example of Mike Gendron’s ample gifts as a singer-songwriter. And based on this output of work, Mike Gendron has earned a well-deserved spot among the best songwriters Rhode Island has to offer.” Sara Azriel is an eclectic singer and songwriter whose music combines the universality of pop, the sincerity of folk, and the richness of soul music. Bob Kendall is a singer, songwriter, producer, recording artist and promoter whose latest highly acclaimed album is simply titled Bob Kendall. Paula Clare Ciminero has an authentic brand of delivery that combines with a smooth, soulful, funky vibe that has overtones of Patsy Cline and Joni Mitchell. She has played with The Al Keith Collective, Biscuit City, The Kevin Crandall Band and The Stray Horse Band. Tammy Laforest is a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who is also a member of the band the Dust Ruffles. She recently released a new album called Copper. Also scheduled to appear are Rudy Cheeks, Tyler-James Kelly (The Silks, Cowboy and Lady) with Jess Powers (Cowboy and Lady), and Mother of Dylan. They ask that you please bring at least one non-perishable food item with you that can be shared with the needy. For more, nibble over to ContemporaryTheaterCompany.com or jingle up 401.218.0282.

For those of you wondering about the whereabouts of Russ Smith, the former music promoter at Sandywoods in Tiverton, he landed on his feet (with his ducklings) and started a new music series set to launch on Jul 11. The Paskamansett Concert Series will take place at the historic Dartmouth Grange Hall in the Russells Mills Village Historic District of South Dartmouth, Mass. The inaugural concert begins with a 7:30pm performance by the Spindle Rock River Rats. The Spindle Rock River Rats play an eclectic blend of bluegrass, old-time, folk, popular, western and fiddle tunes. The Rats include Woody Underwood on fiddle, Polly Gardner on bass, Steve Brauch on , Borden Snow on five-string , Ransom Griffin on guitar, Maury May on guitar, Brad Jenkins on tenor banjo, and Juergen Hallemeier on accordion. The Paskamansett concerts are scheduled to be held on the second Saturday of every month. Guests are invited to bring along food and non-alcoholic beverages if they wish. Other shows on the calendar include Seamus Galligan & Michael Laureanno on Aug 8, Four Bridges on Sept 19, Joanne Doherty & Barbara Phaneuf on Oct 10, and Grace Morrison on Nov 14. Smith has already booked Bill Harley, Fourteen Strings, Danielle Miraglia and Matt Borrello for some early 2016 dates. For more, quack over to paskamansettconcertseries.weebly.com or [email protected]. The North Kingstown Arts Council is presenting a Tuesday Night Summer Concert Series at the Town Wharf located at 53 Brown St. Music starts at 7pm and you can hear the sound of Big Cat Blues on Jun 23, Brass Attack on Jun 30, Reminisce on Jul 7, Abbey Rhode on Jul 14, White-Eyed Lizard Band on Jul 21, The RI Rednecks on Jul 28, Avenue A on Aug 4 and The Driftwoods on Aug 11. The concerts are free, but donations will gladly be accepted. You will need to bring a lawn chair. In the event of rain, the shows will be held at North Kingstown High School. For more, dock it to nkartscouncil.org

If you are in Narragansett on a Friday night, you can catch some great music at the gazebo right across from the town beach on Ocean Rd. Narragansett’s (the town, not the beer) Summer Concert Series presents The Dunn Brothers Band on Jun 19, Reckless Blues on Jun 26, Jesse Liam Band on Jul 3, Abbey Rhode on Jul 17, Dan Moretti & the Hammond Boys on Jul 31, Gary “Guitar” Gramolini and the Grinders on Aug 7, Mary Pierce on Aug 14, Boat Cake on Aug 21, Big Cat Blues on Aug 28, and the Foreverly Brothers on Sept 4. There is a big lawn to lay out a blanket or a chair to relax and enjoy the music. Concerts start at 6pm and run until 8pm. For more, surf over to narragansettri.gov

That’s it for now. Think winter. Stay cool. If you would like for me to write about your event please get the info to me at least three weeks before its scheduled date. Thanks for reading. www.JohnFuzek.com