Alt-Nation Interview: for the Love of Sloane,The New Year Brings

Mike D’s Top Five: The Can’t Miss Shows in April

By Michael Delehanty

#1 Friday, April 5: Brown Bird (Fits of Reason album release), Last Good Tooth, Alec K Redfearn and The Eyesores. $15 advance, $17 day of. 8pm. All ages. The Met, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. Brown Bird have been touring like crazy in the last year, not only repping Rhode Island while doing so, but also taking some of our best talent out with them for support like Joe Fletcher and the Wron

#2 Sunday, April 21: All The Punks: Benefit for Lisa Gourley with Hope Anchor, The Loud Ones, Tony Jones and the Cretin 3, Gentlemen Soundsystem DJs and more. $10 donation. 3pm doors. McNeil’s Tavern, 888 Charles Street, North Providence.g Reasons and Last Good Tooth. Come give them a big welcome home and support for their new album, Fits of Reason. Go to brownbird.net to check out some of the new album.

Lisa Gourley has been chronicling the Providence music scene for longer than I can remember, taking amazing photos and sharing them with the community for free. She is a Providence music scene institution, and we love her for it. This is a great way for us to say thank you.

#3 Saturday, April 6: WBRU Rock Hunt Finals with The Brother Kite, Kid Mountain, Lolita Black and Torn Shorts. $6. 7pm. All ages. The Met, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. WBRU’s annual talent showcase really hit a home run this year as all the bands are great. Will The Brother Kite and Kid Mountain split indie rock votes? Will the darkest of dark horses, Lolita Black, stun alt-rock nation? I predict Torn Shorts take the belt, but it’s definitely up for grabs.

#4 Saturday, April 13: Brown University Folk Fest. 1 Prospect Street, Providence. This is a great showcase of the best and hardest working local folk rock revival movement with Smith & Weeden, Vudu Sister, The Sugar Honey Iced Tea, and The Mighty Good Boys. Who’s playing when? No clue. What time does it start? No idea. Check out posts from the bands and make sure to get there early.

#5 Tuesday, April 23: Big Boi and Killer Mike. $25 advance; $28 day of. 8pm. All ages. Lupo’s, 79 Washington Street, Providence. Killer Mike’s 2012 album R.A.P. Music was one of the best of the year; pairing him with El-P for production turned out to be perfect. Add Big Boi to the mix and you’ve got a classic veterans of hip-hop mega show. Holding out for an Outkast reunion show? Buy a ticket to the 2018 Superbowl. By Michael Delehanty, Talent Buyer at Lupo’s and The Met

Alt-Nation: New CDs, a Road Trip, and the WBRU Rock Finals

Brown Bird – Fits of Reason (Supply and Demand Music) Brown Bird is another in the recent run of successful local bands to graduate out of the Providence scene to the national realm. They spent much of the past year on tour and played the main stage at festivals like the Newport Folk Fest. It gets tricky doing things like the nominations for the Motif Awards last month to judge when it is time to start disqualifying bands for being national. Truth is, there is no higher compliment to a band to say you’ve graduated out of this. Brown Bird was one of the bands I didn’t nominate for this reason. Brown Bird may have gone national, but they still have their local roots. Their new CD, Fits of Reason, was recorded at Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket. They’ll also be doing a local CD Release show at The Met Café on April 5th. Fits of Reason, the third full-length (fourth in total) release from Brown Bird, builds sonically on the dark folk from their earlier releases. As a two-piece composed of David Lamb and MorganEve Swain, they have become known for using simple percussion with an array of instruments such as cello, violin, and upright bass. It doesn’t take long to notice the changes when the first track, “Seven Hells,” features an electric guitar. The minimal thump and biblical imagery of the Lamb’s lyrics mesh well to create a vibe of urgency. “Bow For Blade” is another winner, coming in a guitar then switching over to violin. The lyrics paint a stark picture of turmoil in the town square as Swain sings, “falling through the sky, crowds have gathered mouths gaped open wide, some are shouting, some are stupefied, others would rather be home.” The lyrics as a whole on Fits of Reason are interesting as Brown Bird list influences from different stages in history, such as Thomas Paine, Omar Khayyam, Christopher Hitchens, and Plato. The philosophical bent becomes more apparent with repeated listens on tunes like “The Messenger” and “Threads of Reason.” I’ve never been the biggest folk music fan, but Brown Bird is much more than traditional folk. There are elements of blues, Americana, and rock that make songs like “Threads of Reason” sound like rock ‘n’ roll demos. Swain and Lamb’s combined harmonies on the closer, “Caves,” is downright hypnotizing over a simple beat. Fits of Reason shows an evolved Brown Bird trudging forward without straying from their strengths. Brown Bird will release Fits of Reason on April 2nd. The CD Release Show for Fits of Reason, featuring Brown Bird, Last Good Tooth, and Alec K Redfearn And The Eyesores, will take place at The Met Café on April 5th. There will also be a Fits of Reason after party at Local 121 immediately after The Met show with Ark Life (featuring Jesse Elliott of These United States), Smith & Weeden, and Tristan Omand.

Caroline Hecht – 10 Song Digital Download Release For the past few years, Providence has had the pleasure of enjoying Caroline Hecht’s music as a member of Tig and Bean and as a solo artist. Unfortunately, that is about to come to an end as Caroline is soon to leave town to go on a six-month unchartered tour around the country in her car playing music wherever she can. But no goodbye is any good without a party, and Caroline will be throwing one and giving out her new album that she recorded a few weeks ago. Caroline’s music is dark folk with undercurrents of blues, kind of like Cat Power or Mazzy Star. Last year she released the well-received album, Avenue of Giants, which was a four-years-in-the-making undertaking. For her new album, she changed it up and recorded everything over three days. The album hadn’t been mixed and mastered at press time, but Caroline let me hear a few tracks on the condition that I post it all over the Internet. My favorite is “Apothegm,” which is a great tell off song, somewhere between PJ Harvey and Ani Difranco. “Something So” has a kind of wistful yearning of raw emotion. “Swallowed By Swells” has a slow blues/indie folk feel. “Orchid” is another winner in the same vibe as the above. I’m usually more of a rock guy, but I really dig Hecht’s work. Caroline Hecht’s Release/Bon Voyage Party will take place on April 6th at Local 121 in Providence. The Doors are at 9 pm with $10 cover that includes a digital download card for Caroline’s latest release. DJ Micah Jackson will handle the turntable honors for the post show dance party.

Consuelo’s Revenge – Self Titled Debut CD Consuelo’s Revenge are poised to release their debut CD. I remember seeing their first show and thinking they had a Tom Waits type of thing going on. After listening to this disc, I can say they really sound nothing like Tom Waits. I couldn’t be happier about that. Lead singer Amanda Salemi has one hell of a powerhouse voice. The band also features Nick Smyth (Guitar/Piano/Vocals), Alexandra Gibbons (Violin), Kirk Anderson (Electric Guitar/Accordion), Kurtis Bento (Drums), and Ian Lacombe (Double Bass, Vocals). As for the biscuit itself, I never thought that I would really like something from a band in this style as much as I do! The verse of “Just The Drugs” may play out like an amped up waltz of Deer Tick’s “Ashamed,” but the song is really good. Salemi’s vocals make this tune, especially with the chorus hook and lyrics. Laccombe takes over the vocals on “Leave The World Behind,” which has a waltzing flamingo flavor, although the melody bears some similarity to Hope Anchor’s “Go.” This could just be a sign that I listen to too much local music, though. I’m pretty sure nobody else has these thoughts. “Pasadena” is another killer cut with Salemi back on lead vocals that has an up-tempo blues vibe. “Smile” has a kind of New Orleans meets Jessica Lea Mayfield vibe that hits you in the gut. On “When I Die,” Consuelo’s Revenge even branch out to dip into some gospel. Consuelo’s Revenge does three traditional covers in “Forest Flower Waltz,” “Well Well Well,” and “Henry Lee.” The cover of “Well, Well, Well” has the band sounding like early Nick Cave, while their version of “Henry Lee” may top Cave’s version on The Murder Ballads. I get a lot of things sent to me to review, but rarely does a CD make me want to go out and see the band right now. In fact, because I listen to a CD over and over in a short period of time, the last thing I want to see is usually the band I just reviewed. That said, Consuelo’s Revenge is potent enough that I actually wish their CD release show was tonight! But it is not. I’ll have to wait till April 12th for the CD Release Party, which will take place at The Spot in Providence. Consuelo’s Revenge; Girls, Guns, and Glory (great band from Boston); and other special guests, including Boo City’s horn section, will all be rocking on this bill.

WBRU Rock Finals The dust has cleared and we have the Final Four for the big dance with Lolita Black, The Brother Kite, Torn Shorts, and Kid Mountain all advancing out of their respective brackets. I went 2 for 4 on my semifinals picks, which, while bad for me, is a testament to the overall strength of this year’s WBRU Rock Hunt field. The Finals aren’t going to be any easier to predict as I see three of the bands having the chance to take home the glory.

Lolita Black

has the prototypical puncher’s chance to win. No band in this field has any chance to out-rock a band with Bob Otis in it. Lolita Black is the band that other bands do not want to follow. That said, one of the categories is “Radio Ready” and Lolita Black’s band of metal-punk is much heavier than WBRU’s format. Lolita Black is best off doing what they do best and bringing the thunder while trying to mix it up maybe a little. The Brother Kite is the universal favorite and with good reason. Their sound is polished and pretty diverse. People who I watched their semi-finals with brought up comparisons to everything from Brit-pop to Cheap Trick to Weezer. They slowed it down at one point for a song I didn’t like and played into their advantage by bringing it back up with the next one. Everybody else might have to play the perfect set to win, but these guys don’t have to.

Torn Shorts had one of the more bizarre sets in a Rock Hunt I’ve ever seen. They came on and started to play a set and then it almost looked like they had a meltdown. They stopped and got off stage for 10 minutes and then came back. It could have been a sound check, but it was just generally weird. They returned and started playing the same song and it was kind of just boring for a song or two. Then around the third song it just clicked; it was like watching the musical version of the 90s video game, NBA Jam. I even shouted, “They’re heating up!” One could see them win over the crowd, and it was no surprise when the announcement that they advanced was made.

Kid Mountain is the bettor’s long shot dream here. It’s like putting money on the Jacksonville Jaguars to win the Super Bowl. They’re kind of Americana/indie pop and who knows, it would be a great story if they pull it off. It is just a really tough year to do it. It’s really tough to pick here because my head says the Brother Kite should win. My heart always favors the underdog – Kid Mountain. My eyes say Torn Shirts after witnessing them at Fete. So I’m going to do the responsible thing and ignore all of that malarkey and go with Lolita Black. Why? Because Bob Otis winning the WBRU Rock Hunt is the coolest thing I can think of happening here. WBRU Rock Hunt Finals take place at The Met Café in Pawtucket on April 6th. Email to [email protected]

Alt Nation: Hot People, Take Three

The Hot People of Local Rock ‘n’ Roll continues and this week we’re spotlighting our first male in the six or seven years of the series. This man is a giant, both in stature and on the local music scene. He has his own show on WARL that can be heard on Sundays at 5pm on 1320AM. He’s one of the organizers of the Banshee Festival. He on his own fronts a punk rock band that is playing at Firehouse 13 on March 22as part of the WXIN Rock Hunt. From the band Tony Jones & The Cretin 3, let’s meet Tony Jones

MC: Tony Jones & The Cretin 3 returns once again to the WXIN Rock Hunt. Do you like the competition aspect of these contests? How do you like your chances?

TJ: A lot of times these things get poo pooed on, but we tend to like them and have had good luck. It’s also great to play with bands and meet folks we normally wouldn’t have while out on our regular circuit. Also, WXIN does a great job with their hunt and for the younger kids in the audience we’re a bit different than what they are used to seeing. Last year’s 3rd place win for us helped to fund the recording of Midnight Mass, so that was cool. This year we have a few tricks up our sleeves, and some new tunes. I think we have a shot at once again going to the final.

MC: how would you describe your band to people that haven’t heard you?

TJ: Joe Moody describes us as “The Foremost Raunchabilly Band.” We bring a rockabilly/psychobilly sound infused with a bit of punk and garage, but we also try not to do too much of just one thing. With Midnight Mass consisting of only five tracks, we really took it as a chance to jump around. We go from stuff that is just plain fun, to heavy and dark. I like to make people ask, “Is this the same band?” MC: You guys do some of my favorite covers from bands like The Independents to the Electric Six that most people don’t know about. I remember one WXIN Rock Hunt where other bands were getting dinged for covers but you guys weren’t because nobody knew it was a cover. What do you look for when choosing a song to cover and what are some of your favorites?

TJ: Not to over simplify, but we like to cover stuff that is fun – the tunes that you scream in the shower when no one is around. For me that can sometimes be some more obscure stuff. But we also like to throw in deep cuts from newer bands. I love to do The Cramps, and we always have a Ramones tune in our back pocket. We’ve actually started recording for a disc of all covers. We wanted to see some of the great tunes live on.

MC: What’s the Banshee Festival all about? Who’s playing and where can we get advance tickets?

TJ: I’ve been lucky enough to be involved with a bunch of different charity events over the years. Also, as you might have guessed, I’m also a big fan of horror and paranormal. When we found out that the great local charity, A Wish Come True (awish.org), had so much going on and so many kids they are currently working with, we wanted to help. We wanted to do something a bit different, and we wanted to go big. The Banshee Paranormal Festival is an all day all ages event at the historic Varnum Armory in East Greenwich on March 30. We’ll have vendors, paranormal groups, meet and greets and contests all day (including a beer-off with the R.I. Beard & Moustache Club). We’ll also have some live music kicking off at 7pm with The Evil Streaks, Reverend Bastien and November Party. Visit Bansheefest.com for the full skinny or facebook.com/Bansheefest. www.tonyjones.org

Lucero

Lucero are a must see act in my book anytime they come to town. Lucero reminds me of punk rockers forming a country band. Over the years they’ve expanded their sound to include a horn section and have mixed in some soul on their last two records. They are one of the best live bands in the country today. The addition of Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons means that this show could definitely sell out. Get your advance tickets at the Lupo’s Box Office or online because trust me, you don’t want to get shut out!

Lucero with Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons rock the Met Café on March 23.

Rachel Brooke

The Roots Hoot House Concert Series has been quietly bringing national A-List talent to Peace Dale for intimate house concerts. Next up for the root series is Rachel Brooke who’s touring behind her excellent new album, Killer’s Dream. Brooke mixes old country and a dark blues vibe to create tunes that cut through the bone. For this tour she will be backed by Florida’s Viva le Vox for full rocking propulsion. The Roots Hoot House Concert Series really nails in when it comes to finding talent that may not be well known at this time and creating exposure for the artist that he or she wouldn’t get as an unknown playing in a club.

Rachel Brooke backed by Viva le Vox will play in Peace Dale on March 24. Doors are at 4pm with the music starting at 4:30pm with an $18 suggested donation. The event is potluck BYOB. Advance reservations are required; email [email protected] or call 965-0833. Advance tickets are available online at brownpapertickets.com/event/318359. Email music news to [email protected].

Photo by Lisa Gourley.

Alt-Nation Interview: Lolita Black

The saga of the Hot People of Local Rock continues, and we’re cranking up the volume. These two women play in a metal/punk band. Metal is probably the genre with the lowest ratio of female to male musicians, but that was never a problem for these two as they tend to crush the competition. They are half of the band Lolita Black, which last year released their second album, Flesh, Blood, and Bone – one of last year’s best. One is simply one of the best drummers anywhere, a tour de force on the skins – Kaleigh Melise. The other, Scarlett Delgado, is one of the most dynamic front women this city has ever seen. Lolita Black were selected to participate in this year’s WBRU Rock Hunt. Lolita Black may not be your stereotypical BRU alternative band, but one thing is for sure: they’ll go in with guns blazing to amp up the decibels and make things a bit … sinister. Kaleigh and Scarlett were both kind enough to answer a few questions on the eve of the Rock Hunt.

MC: Who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences?

KM: Early heavy rock and metal like Sabbath, Motorhead, Swans, Ministry, and The Stooges with some punk/post punk in between. Bands like Killing Joke, The Plasmatics, X, Cocteau Twins, and Rudimentary Peni were big influences on the band.

SD: I’ve always had a preference for performers with a theatrical stage presence.

MC: Last year, the band released Flesh, Blood, and Bone. What songs are the most fun to play or your personal favorites? KM: I think all the songs are solid, but the newest songs we write are always the most fun to play live.

SD: “Murder Song” has a special place in my heart. Kaleigh delivers this heart pounding beat. It matches up to the lyrics perfectly. “Murder Song” is written through a killer’s eyes as he stalks and murders his next victim.

MC: What’s your favorite show you played or attended and why?

KM: I would say my highlights in the last couple of years were playing with Pentagram, Jucifer, and Blue Coupe when they came through town. It’s always fun playing big festivals in town, too, like Rocktucket, Foo Fest, Puffers Fest, and Liberty Fest.

SD: Oh man sooooooo many. Any chance we get to play with great local bands and our friends. We always have a great time. We got to play with Pentagram a few years ago, which was KILLER! We also played with Blue Coupe and I got to play the cowbell during “Don’t Fear the Reaper!!!” Dream come true.

MC: What does Lolita Black have planned for 2013?

KM: An EP is in the works, tentatively titled Serpentine, and in August, we’re planning on a west coast tour.

SD: We’ve entered the WBRU Rock Hunt! Winning would mean a lot to us and for heavy music fans everywhere, I think. We’re definitely the stray dog in this radio friendly competition, but we’re ready to tear shit up!

Lolita Black will rock in the WBRU Rock Hunt Semifinals at JR’s Bourbon Street Rock House in Cranston on March 15 with The Rare Occasions and Satellites Fall.

WBRU Rock Hunt

March Madness returns with the annual WBRU Rock Hunt. It can be hit or miss from year to year with the quality of the Rock Hunt pools, but this year WBRU has put together a pretty formidable field, including some titans of local rock with the likes of The Brother Kite and Lolita Black. There is pretty much something for everyone is this field. With that in mind, we’ve assembled our annual degenerate’s guide to gambling on the WBRU Rock Hunt.

Semi-Finals March 15 at JR’s Bourbon Street Rock House (Cranston, RI)

The Rare Occasions have a catchy song in “Miss Mary Mack” currently getting spins on WBRU. The first, like, 30 seconds of the song had me exclaiming, “Holy shit! How come I’ve never seen this band?” The rest of the song was a little more conventional, and my initial sentiment mostly faded. Their demo, available online for free at http://therareoccasions.bandcamp.com, is a fairly commendable first effort. It is modern alt-rock with some interesting things thrown into the mix. The biggest thing The Rare Occasions have working against them is the competition is pretty stacked on this night. Their first show was less than a year ago and the other two bands are pretty seasoned. Anything can happen, but The Rare Occasions are definitely a long shot underdog here to advance.

Satellites Fall have been making waves through their shows, and their song “One Night” has been getting spins on WBRU. They are kind of a trance style of alternative rock. They’ve opened for Hoobastank, which is appropriate because that was one of the first bands that jumps to mind when looking for a comparison. Everybody is going to get out rocked, so to speak, by Lolita Black, but Satellites Fall can win on style points alone. I think they’re going to give Lolita Black a run for their money here, but I see them ultimately losing in a split decision on the ballots. That the show is in Cranston in a venue that Lolita Black’s fans don’t usually frequent works in Satellites Fall’s favor big time here.

Lolita Black is a little heavy for WBRU’s format, but that is usually just one question on the ballot. If the judges aren’t metal fans, that could also hurt Lolita Black’s chances. I think Lolita Black is ultimately too dynamic of a band to deny them advancing to the finals.

Semi-Finals March 16 @ The Spot Underground (Providence, RI)

It’s actually harder to picture that The Brother Kite is playing the Rock Hunt for the first time now. They released four albums, have toured some, played the SXSW Festival multiple times, and have had a built-in following for years. The Brother Kite have kind of a Brit-pop meets modern alt rock feel to them. They are the favorite to advance based on their experience and the solid live show that they’ve spent years perfecting.

The Clyde Lawrence Band kind of reminds me of 70s rock in the vein of Elton John or a funkier Joe Cocker as far as piano rock. Their song “Wake Up” is currently in rotation on WBRU. An interesting side note is that Clyde Lawrence is a bit of a child prodigy. His tunes have been featured in Miss Congeniality (which was written when he was 6, yikes), Music and Lyrics, and Did You Hear About The Morgans. Can they win? Yes, definitely. Their songs are good and funky enough to get the dance floor rocking. That the show is at The Spot benefits the Clyde Lawrence Band because their style is sure to go over well with The Spot’s regulars.

Sienna are making their second appearance in the big dance. They are pretty much straight up female fronted high energy alternative rock. Their song “Reason to Stay” is getting spins on WBRU. They have put out one EP, Mark These Words, with another, titled The Making Change EP, coming in the pipeline later this year. I’ve seen Sienna a few times and know some people who love them. I’m not convinced they have enough to advance. That said, if Sienna does get into the Finals, I wouldn’t be surprised if they won the whole thing. I’m sticking with my gut and going with The Brother Kite, but any of these three bands advancing wouldn’t surprise me.

Email music news to [email protected].

Vudu Sister – Household Items Kickstarter Vudu Sister recently finished recording their sophomore release, Household Items, in the bowels of the Columbus Theatre, which they can’t wait to share with you. Now all they need is some help raising funds and for that Vudu Sister has put together a Kickstarter where you can get some cool swag and even a performance by the full band at a place of your choosing. Keith McCurdy from Vudu Sister sent me a couple tracks from the forthcoming album. “Revival” reminds me of a mix of grunge and ‘70s Cheap Trick. The title track “Household Items” comes across as a menage a trois between Mudhoney, Gallon Drunk and ‘70s Crazy Horse Neil Young. I caught up with singer and guitarist Keith McCurdy to find out what is shaking. MC: How would you compare the new record, Household Items, to your first record, Bastard Children? KM: With this new record, I definitely wanted a live band sound. I took hints from my earliest musical influences like Nirvana, Sonic Youth, The Breeders, etc. regarding the overall aesthetic. My approach to songwriting has been consistent between both albums, however, I’m constantly looking to create something that’s new to me. MC: What gave you the idea to record the record in the Columbus Theatre? How was that? KM: Ben Knox Miller (from The Low Anthem) had invited me to record there after he had heard Bastard Children. It took a month-and-a-half to write all the new songs and get ready to record it. We didn’t use the actual stage rooms… there are cleverly isolated dress rehearsal rooms upstairs that functioned as the recording studio. The Low Anthem has been recording their new record there at the same time. MC: What was it like working with Ben Knox Miller? KM: We saw eye-to-eye on a lot of things, especially certain musical philosophies and the like. He was just as eager to embark on this journey as we were. He did a great job and offered a lot of interesting, refreshing perspectives on the production of this record. MC: Who are your biggest influences musically? KM: I grew up listening to the alternative rock explosion of the early ‘90s. Nirvana was The Beatles for me as a kid. I’ve always been very influenced by a lot of women rockers, especially women punk rockers. I love PJ Harvey, Kat Bjelland, Mia Zappata, Courtney Love and so many other great, aggressive women unafraid to cut against the grain and defy boundaries. MC: You have a lot of cool things that people can sign up for on the Indiegogo page, including a live performance by the whole band. How has the response been from it? KM: Well, we’ve got a way to go but it’s been strong and I think people want to help us. I’m very grateful for the support we’ve had. We hope we can release this album for the date we’ve got planned on May 4 at the Columbus Theater, which will be immediately followed by a month long US tour. Vudu Sister’s Kickstarter for Household Items only runs till March 24. As is with the nature of Kickstarters, you either get all of the money or none of it. Please check it out at indiegogo.com/projects/vudu-sister-s- second-record/x/2397234 and give if you can afford to.

The Doll Eyes – The Great Runner Up (75orLess) On The Great Runner Up, The Doll Eyes throw down a no frills, straightforward punk rock party. Tunes like “Heartbreaker” and “Walden Woods” are fun straight ahead rockers. “Getaway” is an infectious pub punk blues sing-a-long that works here as far as changing things up. “I’m Not Here” and “Abandon” remind me of classic Minor Threat-style punk hardcore. The title track has a more ‘80s rock feel than the standard punk rock that is The Doll Eyes, calling card. It works, though, as a song and is just maybe bigger chorus away from being great. Like most punk rock bands, The Doll Eyes aren’t out to re-invent the wheel.They do write catchy tunes and The Great Runner Up succeeds at capturing the magic on disc. You can catch them in person next month with another great local band cut from the same cloth in The McGunks at Broad Street Tap in Cumberland. The Doll Eyes will join forces with The McGunks and The O’Tooles for a raucous St. Paddy’s Day Throwdown at the Broad Street Tap in Cumberland on March 16.

The Tossers The Tossers roll into town on their 20th anniversary tour right in time to get everyone in the mood for St. Patrick’s Day. The Tossers are a six-piece Celtic punk band in the vein of Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly. They pre-date both bands, which just goes to show that the originators never get the credit or fame they often deserve. Personally, I prefer The Tossers to the Dropkicks. It just feels more raw and authentic. This show promises to be one hell of a party with great bands like Continental and Sharks Come Cruisin’ to tear it up. Get there early for The Down And Outs and stay all night! The Tossers’ 20th anniversary tour rolls into Fete’s Lounge on March 9 with The Pubcrawlers, Continental, Sharks Come Cruisin’ and The Down And Outs rounding out this raucous bill. Rachel Brooke The Roots Hoot House Concert series has been quietly bringing national A-List talent to Peace Dale for intimate house concerts. Next one is Rachel Brooke who’s touring behind her excellent new album, Killer’s Dream. Brooke mixes old country and dark blues to create tunes that cut through the bone. For this tour, she will be backed by Florida’s Viva le Vox for full rocking propulsion. The Roots Hoots House Concert series really nails it when it comes to finding talent that may not yet be well known and creating exposure for those artists. Rachel Brooke, backed by Viva le Vox will play Roots Hoot House on Sunday, March 24. Doors are at 4pm with the music starting at 4:30pm with an $18 suggested donation. The event is a potluck BYOB. Advance reservations required: [email protected] or call 965-0833. Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com/event/318359.

Lucero Lucero are a must see act in my book anytime they come to town. They remind me of punk rockers forming a country band. Over the years, they’ve expanded their sound to include a horn section and mix in some soul on their last two records. They are one of the best live bands in the country today. The addition of Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons means that this show could definitely sell out. Get advance tickets at the Lupo’s Box Office or online because, trust me, you don’t want to get shut out! Lucero with Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons rock the Met Café on March 23.

Broken on the Wheel They make their debut opening for Omega Reign and Sunset Steel at McNeil’s Tavern in North Providence on March 9. The band features veterans in singer/guitarist Jah Fist (ex-The Copasetics, Jah Fist) and Drummer Rob Cinami (ex-Rhythmafia, Gut Bucket, The Usual Suspects), as well as NOLA’s own groove master, bassist Randall Falgout. A sure bet for fans of Black Sabbath, Down, Graveyard, Witchcraft, The Mars Volta, Eye Hate God, Led Zeppelin, Audioslave, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden and Mastodon. Broken on The Wheel go on first so get there early!

Odds & Sods Master, Sacrificial Slaughter, Fisthammer, Bog The Infidel, Untombed, are at Firehouse 13 on March 14. The 4th Installment of Ska Night hits the Pvd Social Club on March 16 featuring Vic Ruggiero (from The Slackers) playing a special solo set. The Copacetics (RI Traditional Ska) and The Allstonians (Boston Ska Legends) are also on this great ska bill. For fans of EDM, Chicago down tempo electronic artist, Mister Lies, is heading out on tour in support of his debut LP, Mowgli, that just came out on Lefse Records. He’s playing a free show in Providence at Fete Lounge on Thursday, March 28. Email music news to [email protected].

Alt-Nation Presents: Hot Women Of Local Rock

Roz

For several years around this time, the staff at the Alt-Nation desk has put together a “Hot Women of Local Rock” piece that has profiled talented female musicians. Last year there was a bit of a stink over the cover image and the whole concept came under fire. The last thing I would want is to offend anyone, especially people so passionate in their objections to the 6th annual edition of the column. So I wasn’t going to do the column this year. Then I decided, why the hell not?

Elese Morrone – For The Love of Sloane -vox Now we’re ready to meet our first musician (drum roll please) – she’s the lead singer of a local alt-rock band that was the 2009 WXIN Rock Hunt Champions as well as a finalist in the 2009 WBRU Rock Hunt. This band has played everywhere from neighborhood bars to the big stage of Lilith Fair. They have recently finished their full length debut CD, Spells, Curses and Charms, which is tentatively set to come out around the beginning of April. From the band For The Love of Sloane, Elese Morrone come on down! MC: Who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences? EM: The first big musical influence is Blink-182. They were the first band that broke me from my typical teenage girl music: for this I am eternally grateful. The second biggest influence is Say Anything. I am absolutely in awe of the singer, Max Bemis, and his lyric writing as well as live performances. He makes writing sound so easy and he captures moments lyrically I would never imagine to. Also a fan of Motion City Soundtrack and I still rock to old school No Doubt. MC: You’ve recently finished your debut full length, Spells, Curses and Charms, which I’ve heard and it does a remarkable job at capturing the energy and intensity of For The Love of Sloane’s live shows. How would you describe the process of making the album? EM: The process has been a pain the butt. Our first studio (Whitenoise Records) has since shut down. We were told by another studio that they didn’t really dig our sound (yes, really). We replaced our second bassist with our third so some tracks still have Nick and others now have Michelle. Our producer, Mike Poorman, closed Strangeways Recording and moved to Vermont in the middle of recording so there was a lot of back and forth over email and it was all around more difficult because there was little in-studio time. In studio is where you really get to hash things out and we all had to do it separately, combine forces, and call upon Captain Planet just to agree and get on the same page. One thing after another just kept throwing us off trying to get everything recorded. MC: Has anything surprised you with the music or in general? EM: This April, FTLOS will have been together six years. I don’t mean to say that is surprising, but for a local band I’d say we’ve given this whole thing a good run. While not every song can be a hit, I’d like to think that quality over quantity, in our case, really shines through on our upcoming CD. We rerecorded some stuff off our first EP and you can really hear how we have changed and grown and found our sound. MC: What’s your favorite show you played and also your favorite show attended? EM: Favorite show we played had to be Lilith Fair because it was the closest we have been to living the dream along with it being an honor to meet so many of the great artists who we got to open for. Favorite show I have attended? Say Anything a few years back in CT. I was up front and Max sang some lyrics at me and the blockade fence fell and I almost got trampled to death. I would have died happy. MC: What does For The Love of Sloane have planned for 2013? EM: 2013 is our year to get back into the scene. We are looking forward to playing new venues and reconnecting with other local bands, old and new. We will be having a CD release show, which we expect to be huge. We’d like to do a minitour and maybe get on the bill for some bigger festivals. We’re going to keep writing and recording new stuff, but we’re still focused on pushing the CD as a whole. We’re hoping for recognition, like any original band, but we are also celebrating getting this far and all we has accomplished. For The Love of Sloane will rock The Parlour on March 16 with Jazz Bastards and Briar Rose.

Roz Raskin – Roz Raskin & The Rice Cakes – vox & keyboards (among other things) Our next featured artist is Roz Raskin of 2012 WBRU Rock Hunt Champions, The Rice Cakes. I describe the Rice Cakes as indie pop played with the intensity of Motorhead. I remember watching them in the first round of the WBRU Rock Hunt at the Spot Underground and thinking, Geez they should just get it over and cancel the finals because nobody is going to stop the Rice Cakes coronation. I caught up with Roz Raskin to find out a little about her musical interests and what’s next for the Rice Cakes. MC: Who are your biggest musical influences? RR: It would be impossible to point to even a few to give a bigger picture. What inspires me? Soulful music, friends, fucked up life experiences, family, the future, the immediate, the past. It’s all connected for me. MC: You have a new seven-inch coming out, which is something you don’t see a lot of bands putting out. What made you decide to put something out on vinyl? RR: You’d actually be surprised to see how many bands are still releasing seven inches. When we’re out on tour, hitting mostly DIY spots, we see a lot of bands are still putting out vinyl like that. We also put out a 10” record a few years ago; so cool to hear our music on vinyl. There’s nothing quite like that sound, very raw and beautiful. MC: What’s your favorite show you’ve played or attended and why? RR: There have been way too many to count at this point; every show we’ve played has been a good time. Essentially, every time I get to play my music out, it feels like I’m living the dream. In terms of shows this year, playing with Passion Pit at Lupo’s for the WBRU Birthday Bash and playing with our friends the Low Anthem at the Columbus Revival show were both great. We’ve also played some great shows with our pals at the News Cafe and Firehouse this year, to name a few. MC: What do the Rice Cakes have planned for 2013? RR: This year has already been kick ass. We’re recording for our full-length and will be touring as much as we can. I’m super excited to be hitting SXSW on our next tour. Austin is a fun city (and it’s nice and warm there too). We will definitely be playing rad local shows with some of our fav national acts too. I wish we could announce it all now. We will be releasing the 7” at Firehouse 13 on March 30, with Boo City, Mike Decosta and Nelsonvillains.

Jess Moroney – The Nymphidels –vox & guitar Our next artist is from an alt-rock band that just released their debut EP, A Band in Places. She handles both the guitar and lead vocals in The Nymphidels. Jess Moroney step up to the microphone! MC: Who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences? JM: My earliest memories start in kindergarten with Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Madonna, Julio Iglesias and “oldies but goodies.” Then after that it was Bon Jovi to Guns N’ Roses. After that, Faith No More grabbed me, and Mike Patton was huge for me. Then at a Mr. Bungle concert, Gish was the house music between bands and I fell hard into that sound. And then Pearl Jam opened for the Pumpkins at the Palladium and I fell hard again. Fast forward to Radiohead, Sigur Ros, then rewind to revisiting the classics, like The Who, which holds tight. I know I am leaving out big ones here that are my favorites, but the list is endless. The ones that startle me out of whatever musical box I might be stuck in at the moment stick out the most, and if it’s truly good and has lasting power, it is something that keeps me and I keep it. The Beatles for me are timeless, and even now, I will hear a song that moves me in a new way, making it feel like it is the first time I ever heard it. That is the magic I love and believe in about music across time and genres. So anything that contains “that thing,” for whatever reason particular to me, is I guess the simple answer to the question. MC: How did The Nymphidels start? Was it always the plan to be a two-piece? JM: One thing I can say that is 100% accurate, Nymphidels as a two-piece was never a plan or even thought of as an option at the beginning. And it started with me deciding to start a band with my original songs for the first time, and had no idea how to go about it, even though I have joined many bands that had someone starting it, but it seemed daunting – so much so it took me awhile to actually do it. Initially in my mind I was picturing a five-piece actually, or at least a four. I didn’t put an ad out, just started asking around to fellow music friends. Pat and I didn’t know each other at the time, but had friends in common. One night he came to an open mic, heard my songs and liked them. So I sent him a message. I was ready to get something started, and it was hard to find ready and able musicians at the time whose schedules synced up… it was like trying to solve a difficult logic question on the GRE or something. The first “practice” I arranged ended up being just me and Pat in my friend’s basement using what they had for equipment because we didn’t have a space yet. I didn’t even have an amp or electric guitar I could use at the time (my songs were played acoustic beforehand) and that was our first time playing. Other people played with us early on, and we never set out to keep it a two-piece, but there definitely was a musical chemistry from the beginning between the two of us. That along with life events have in a weird way steered us towards keeping it this way for now. My planning of the band had issues at the start, but somehow the way it started is the way it still is. MC: What’s your favorite show you’ve played or attended and why? JM: I love every show for different reasons… even the weird ones. We played a few benefit shows early on where we met great people and bands, and they all now still come to shows, support and promote our music, and have become our friends. So those shows were special to us – getting a chance to help raise money for good causes, and gaining new friends and fans that are still with us now. MC: What do The Nymphidels have planned for 2013? JM: Keep the momentum going. More shows in more places; hit the studio again; keep writing; go to shows; and for some strange reason I want to have a huge show somewhere with other local bands that warrants all of us and friends renting a tour bus for a weekend or something… but that might be lofty. We’ll see. The Nymphidels will be playing a benefit for the organization “Rock For A Cure” at The Oasis in Providence on March 15 with Satellites Fall.

Coming next issue: Rock Has Some Hot Dudes Too!

Alt-Nation Interview: For the Love of Sloane For the several years around this time, the staff at the Alt- Nation desk has put together a “Hot Women of Local Rock” piece that has profiled talented female musicians. Last year there was a bit of a stink over the cover and the whole concept came under fire. The last thing I would want is to offend anyone, especially people so passionate in their objections to the 6th annual edition of the column. So to keep the peace, one can think of this as the “Hot People of Rock” if they really want to. I’ll be revealing one person a week in the new online edition of the Motif every Tuesday at www.motifmagri.com. That way it is always possible that both sexes could be represented. So anyone offended will have to hold their anger in for a month or otherwise give me the opportunity to include someone who would destroy their argument.

Now we’re ready to meet our first musician (drum roll please). She’s the lead singer of a local alt-rock band that was the 2009 WXIN Rock Hunt Champions as well as a finalist in 2009 WBRU Rock Hunt. This band has played everywhere from neighborhood bars to the big stage of Lilith Fair. They have recently finished their full length debut CD, Curses, Spells, & Charms, which is tentatively set to come out around the beginning of April. From the band For the Love of Sloane, Elese Morrone come on down!

Elese Morrone – For the Love of Sloane – vox

MC: Who would you say are some of your biggest musical influences?

EM: The first big musical influence is Blink-182. They were the first band that broke me from my typical teenage girl music – for this I am eternally grateful. The second biggest influence is Say Anything. I am absolutely in awe of the singer, Max Bemis, and his lyric writing as well as live performances. He makes writing sound so easy and he captures moments lyrically I would never imagine to. [I am] also a fan of Motion City Soundtrack and I still rock to old school No Doubt.

MC: You’ve recently finished your debut full length, Curses, Spells, & Charms, which I’ve heard. It does a remarkable job at capturing the energy and intensity of For the Love of Sloane’s live shows. How would you describe the process of making the album?

EM: The process has been a pain the butt. Our first studio has since shut down (Whitenoise Records). We were told by another studio that they didn’t really dig our sound (yes, really). We replaced our second bassist with our third so some tracks still have Nick and others now have Michelle. Our producer, Mike Poorman, closed Strangeways Recording and moved to Vermont in the middle of recording so there was a lot of back and forth over email and it was all around more difficult because there was little in-studio time. In studio is where you really get to hash things out and we all had to do it separately, combine forces, and call upon Captain Planet just to agree and get on the same page. One thing after another just kept throwing us off trying to get everything recorded.

MC: Has anything surprised you with the music or in general?

EM: This April FTLOS will have been together six years. I don’t mean to say that is surprising, but for a local band I’d say we’ve given this whole thing a good run. While not every song can be a hit, I’d like to think that quality over quantity, in our case, really shines through on our upcoming CD. We rerecorded some stuff off our first EP and you can really hear how we have changed and grown and found our sound.

MC: What’s your favorite show you played and also your favorite show attended?

EM: Favorite show we played had to be Lilith Fair because it was the closest we have been to living the dream along with it being an honor to meet so many of the great artists who we got to open for. Favorite show I have attended? Say Anything a few years back in Connecticut – I was up front and Max sang some lyrics at me and the blockade fence fell and I almost got trampled to death. I would have died happy.

MC: What does For the Love of Sloane have planned for 2013?

EM: 2013 is our year to get back into the scene. We are looking forward to playing new venues and reconnecting with other local bands – old and new. We will be having a CD release show, which we expect to be huge. We’d like to do a mini tour and maybe get on the bill for some bigger festivals. We’re going to keep writing and recording new stuff, but we’re still focused on pushing the CD as a whole – we’re hoping for recognition, like any original band, but we are also celebrating getting this far and all we have accomplished.

Odds & Sods 2.0:

This next week is a huge week as far as local shows. Here are some quick picks that are bound to score big.

Koffin Kats, Tony Jones & The Cretin 3, The Fortune Healers, and The Evil Streaks @ Firehouse 13 on February 27th

I see at least parts of roughly 250 to 300 shows and it is rare that I’m excited or going to make the effort to see the early bands. That said, get there early! The Evil Streaks and The Fortune Healers are both worth it for fans of 60s garage, punk, surf, horror rock, psychobilly.

Vintage Trouble @ Fete on February 28th

Fresh off from opening for The Who at the Dunk Tuesday night, Vintage Trouble have decided to stick around for a couple of days to play Fete. People RAVE to me about this band live. They kind of remind me of something like a Bruno Mars in terms of mixing rock and soul. Fishbone, Alan Evans Trio, and Boo City @ Fete on March 1st

Fishbone are straight up legends as far as mixing funk, punk, and rock into a formidable dance epidemic. Boo City is worth getting there early for straight up Stax Records groves.

Parquet Courts, Party Pigs, and Gavage at AS220 on March 2nd

Parquet Courts are starting to blow up, earning comparisons to legendary bands like The Fall, Wire, Pavement, and The Minute Man. Check out their new album Light Up Gold and do NOT miss them at AS220!

Rebirth Brass Band @ The Spot Underground on March 2nd

New Orleans’ Own: Rebirth Brass Band returns to The Spot Underground for what promises to be a great night of music and dancing. Those who have seen the HBO show Treme may be familiar with the Rebirth Brass Band who have been featured on the show.

Tenacious D @ Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on March 3rd

Tenacious D may not make the best movies in the world, but their television show was absurdly entertaining. This show will fuse comedy and rock ‘n’ roll like only The D can.

Email music news to [email protected]

The New Year Brings New Music

White Dynomite make a big impression visually on their debut self-titled CD before one even pops the biscuit in. Between the retro-styled cover, which comes off as a cross between Sticky Fingers and maybe a random 70s AC/DC, and the insert CD photo of the band members in white suits, combined with calling the band, album, and two songs White Dynomite, a mythical kind of aura is created. White Dynomite jump out of the gate at you with the first version of “White Dynomite.” The song acts like a wrestler’s theme music in terms of being there to psyche up the listener with the refrain “Are you ready? Are you ready? Let’s go! White Dynomite!” This type of gimmick usually fails, just not here. White Dynomite attack, armed with a heavy 70s punk artillery that harkens back to groups like the Stooges, New Bomb Turks, and the Dead Boys. “Cuz I Said So” has a molten “Raw Power” tempo, but the added guitar riff puts a different spin on it that keeps it unique. “Don’t Tell Me (That I Need a Doctor)” is more infectious than the super flu that vocalist Dave Unger sings about catching. “Black Light Woman” is a sexy jam that comes off as a Doors tune played by the Stooges. “High When I Die” is a straight up Black Flag style thrash if they sang about such things. “Go Fast, Be Violent” has a dirty 60s garage feel, but one gets the feeling that the adjoining house was condemned. “Watery Grave” is ethereal as White Dynomite get as far as having a detox punk ballad. White Dynomite will rattle your bones, but mostly they just make you want to rock out and jump around.

White Dynomite are coming down from Massachusetts for what promises to be a hell of a show with M.O.T.O and the Midnight Creeps. Usually, I write a paragraph alone on M.O.T.O. because their front man/guitarist/mastermind, Paul Caporino, is pretty much a genius when it comes to writing catchy two- minute punk rock anthems. This is THE punk show for January for people who like that stuff and demand quality tunes.

M.O.T.O., Midnight Creeps, and White Dynomite, and the Jethro Tides Band will be at Firehouse 13 on January 19th.

Nymphidels – A Band in Places

Nymphidels keeps things basic as far as being a two piece with Jess Moroney on vox/guitar and Pat Flanagan on drums. They did go a little unconventional in terms of packaging their debut EP, A Band in Places, by eschewing the traditional CD release and putting it out on a wristband package that contains a USB flash drive that has the tunes and a lighter for that extra spark. The five-song A Band in Places kicks off with “Nauseous,” which has the Nymphidels sounding like a two-piece jam band based on the funk guitar riff. Given the tendency of jam bands to have seven or eight members, depending upon if a member of the audience wants to come up and play backup bongos, the stripped down presentation combined with the song being under five minutes here works in the Nymphidels’ favor. “Womb” is a catchy ditty that reminds me of early Juliana Hatfield with a refrain about returning to one’s mother’s womb after having a bad day. “Wake Up” is reminiscent of a lo-fi 90s pop rocker in the vein of a Velocity Girl or a Small Factory. I think “Running Out” is why a cigarette lighter was included in the package, being that it is a jangling power ballad, albeit more indie rock than Cinderella. The hook laden “No Turning Back” is a winner, closing out the EP with a bang. Nymphidels had the misfortune of timing their EP release show on the same evening that a snowstorm shut down most of New England. To their credit, on a night when most things were cancelled, they trudged on to the show despite even getting into a car accident on the way there to play for the brave few able to make it through the storm. This qualifies them as warriors in my book. There was talk that was unconfirmed at press time about restaging the show at The Apartment on a Thursday toward the end of January, but they’ll definitely be at Firehouse 13 in February, so check them out.

Nymphidels, Fall & Bounce, and SexCoffee will be at Firehouse 13 on February 7th.

A Celebration of Dru Greer

The Providence music community lost one of their own in the passing of Dru Greer around Christmas time this year. I did not have the opportunity to know Dru, but even in never meeting him, he affected me. I received a friend request from him on Facebook about a year ago, and he had all these extraordinary photographs of these places he’d explored, like a closed underground bowling alley and deserted jewelry mills that I’d marvel at. Dru also meant a lot to the local music community as one can tell from the lineup that has been assembled to pay tribute to his life. Viking Jesus will be there with their kind of trip-hop meets the Beatles melodies sound. King Sickabilly and his recently reassembled Sasquatch and The Sick-A-Billys will provide the psychobilly thump. Jay Berndt & The Orphans, who are one of the best new bands in town, specialize in churning out a mix of country and rock ‘n’ roll. Consuelo’s Revenge is another exciting new band that has a little more of a blues meets Tom Waits feel. There also will be acoustic performances by Jon Tierney, Josh Willis, and many more. It is sad that such a momentous show had to come together for the passing of someone so young, with a young daughter. I’m sure Dru’s spirit will be alive and smiling in the room watching his friends rock the house in his honor. Rest in peace, Dru.

A celebration of Dru Greer, featuring performances by Viking Jesus, Sasquatch and The Sick-A-Billys, Jay Berndt & The Orphans, Consuelo’s Revenge, Jon Tierney, Josh Willis, Daniel Chase, and Juxo and Benny will take place at the Spot Underground (now located above ground on Richmond St.) on January 11th.

Northern Lands

Northern Lands are another rising local band that has really emerged in the last year or so. As far as style, think straight up rock ‘n’ roll in the tradition of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Cracker, and even Springsteen and The E Street Band. Northern Lands write catchy songs and stamp their own touch when they occasionally throw in a cover or two. Northern Lands have been working on their debut for a number of months now and hopefully, that will be dropping soon. The Tower and The Fool is also no slouch here, making this essentially a double headliner bill.

Northern Lands, Tower and The Fool, Cactus Attack, and Ask the Dead are at The Met Café on January 11th.

Hard Nips

I don’t know what it is, but the music scene is just going off on January 11th. I’m going to start trying to clone myself to hit all these shows and suggest you do the same. Brooklyn’s Hard Nips will be making their third appearance in town in the last six months and have built up a sizeable following in the process. The first time I saw them at AS220, they struck me as pop-punk in the vein of a Shonen Knife. They are, after all, made up of three females of Asian descent and one male. Then last time I caught them at Dusk, they reminded me more of an 80s new wave band, which I guess isn’t that far of a leap. It was just almost over-the-top 80s. Check them out at Local 121 and draw your own conclusions on the Hard Nips. Vudu Sister as an opener is an added incentive to get down to the Speakeasy on a night when almost everyone is playing around town.

Hard Nips, Vudu Sister, and Hardbodies return to rock Local 121 on January 11th.

The Toasters

Ska legends The Toasters are back for the third winter and a row to heat things up. The Toasters are going on an astounding 32 years as an active band, and I’ve never heard any complaints. I interviewed the lone original member, singer/guitarist Robert “Bucket” Hingley a couple of years ago and could sense that the reason he still does it is that he truly loves performing for his fans. Music fads will come and go. Ska’s popularity will wax and wane, but bands that know how to do things right, like The Toasters, will always be worth coming out for.

The Toasters, Mrs. Skannotto, The Copacetics, and Short Handed Goal skank it up at The Met Café on January 18th.

The Lost Electricity Acoustic Tour

There used to be this joke about punk rockers who start playing rockabilly or country being in the punk retirement program. Lately, with the success of things like the Revival Tour, which came to town last year, it seems like it has shifted to front men of punk bands playing solo acoustic. Stripping away the fuzz and feedback and presenting those anthems with just an acoustic guitar really casts tunes in a new light without compromising their power. The Lost Electricity Tour is headlined by New York’s Turbo A.C.s, who are great as a punk band with double guitar fighting leads. I’m curious to see how it translates into a band playing all acoustic. Also on the bill is former Darkbuster front man Lenny Lashley who has been doing the solo acoustic format for years, including playing last year’s Revival Tour at Fete. Chris Rosenquest from The Tower and The Fool is also on the bill to add some local flavor.

The Lost Electricity Acoustic Tour, featuring Turbo A.C.s, Lenny Lashley, Brian McGee, and Chris Rosenquest, touches down at Local 121 on January 19th.

Hot Water Music

Just when people start to get on the above mentioned stripped down acoustic bandwagon, Revival Tour founder and Hot Water Music singer/guitarist, Chuck Ragan, jumps off of it. Last year, Hot Water Music released their first album of new material in eight years, Exister (Rise Records), which is a throwback to the classic blistering guitars and thundering rhythm patterns of their classic material. Hot Water Music shows at the old Living Room were legendary, with the highlight being one in the middle of a blizzard – a couple of hundred people still came out. Their anthem styled songs and loud guitars resonate long after they leave town. Hot Water Music is definitely a show not to miss, because you’ll feel left out when everyone is talking about it for weeks afterward.

Hot Water Music, La Dispute, and The Menzingers bring the thunder to The Met Café on January 23rd.

Ants in the Cellar

Ants in the Cellar continue on the comeback trail. It was probably over 20 years ago that I last saw Ants in the Cellar as the band went on a hiatus. They are back with some new tunes available online at www.reverbnation.com/antsinthecellar. Ants in the Cellar are straight up goodtime barroom rock ‘n’ roll. Their new tunes “Rearview” and “Awakening” sound autobiographical as far as the band’s journey to the present. I guess in a radio format, Ants in the Cellar would be categorized as alternative, but it is really all just rock ‘n’ roll as the band could play any type of venue. Check them out at The Apartment!

Ants in the Cellar will be rocking The Apartment on January 26th.

Chanteuse Mardi Gras Ball

It is almost that time of year again – the second anniversary of Chanteuse. Chanteuse is the brain child of Jess Powers that over the past two years aimed to “not only feature female vocalists, but also facilitate collaborations between vocalists through duets and group songs as well as broaden the fan base for artists.” Over the course of 10 performances, Chanteuse has included at least 28 vocalists and at least that many musicians. The goal for any artist when it comes to anniversary shows is to outdo the last one. Given the season, Powers has decided the second anniversary show is going to be a Mardi Gras Ball (complete with beads, masks, and drunken debauchery – costumes encouraged!). Powers pulled together an all-star eight-piece band of musicians for a New Orleans jazz band that she is co-musical directing with Eric Bloom: keys, trumpet, trombone, upright bass, sax, keys, drums, and sousaphone (musicians and vocalists listed below). Powers elaborates, “I’ve invited five to six lead vocalists. We will be selecting New Orleans style music and there will be solos, duets, trios, and group numbers. I’m also discussing the possibilities for choreographed dance numbers during one or two songs with Kristen Minsky, producer of the popular vintage production called Chifferobe. I will also be inviting all vocalists who have participated in Chanteuse over the past two years to join us on one or two group songs. It is a very broad musical collaboration on a scale I’ve never attempted, nor the likes of which has the local music scene ever witnessed!”

A partial list of scheduled performers as far as the band includes Eric Bloom (trumpet, co-musical director), JHony Keys (piano), Alex Chapman (drums), Justin Breault (saxophone), Cory Pesaturo (accordion), Tyler James Kelly (guitar), and JP Beausoleil (sousaphone). A partial list of the vocalists scheduled to perform includes Jess Powers, Sara Azriel, Caroline Hecht, Miss Wensday,

Ana Mallozzi, and Kristen Minsky. Additional guests will be added.

Chanteuse Mardi Gras Ball will take place at Fete on February 9th. The doors are at 8 pm with the production running from 8 pm to 11:30 pm. Admission is a very worth it $10. Updated details available at www.fetemusic.com.

Odds & Sods:

The Met Café has an evening of fast and furious pop-punk on January 10th with This Is A Movement, The Down and Outs, Meds, and Hell Sea. Smith & Weeden are one of my favorite emerging bands around town as dirty country meets early 70s Stones, and they’ll be at The Met Café on January 12th with The Mighty Good Boys, Little Compton Band, and Dylan Sevey and The Gentlemen. Yellowcard, Young Bloods, and Trophy Wives hit the big stage at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on January 13th. The What Cheer? Brigade bring the party like no marching band and inevitably, it will end somewhere outside down the street, but for a starting point, go to AS220 on January 16th. Alt-popsters For the Love of Sloane hit Fete with Fall and Bounce and Alec K. Redfearn on January 17th. Martin Sexton hits Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on January 19th with Alternate Routes. Bloodpheasant, Tyler Bean, The Tower and The Fool, and Alpha Owl are at AS220 on January 19th. Consuelo’s Revenge, Kevin Williams and The Invisible Orphans, and Shotgun are at Fete on January 24th. Citizen Cope is at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on January 25th. RIBS, Echo & Drake, and Satellites Fall, and Echoes of Petra are at The Met Café on January 30th. Fungus Amungus headlines a night of jam band rock at The Spot Underground on February 1st. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals is at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on February 8th.

Email music news to [email protected] Albums for the Music Lover on Your List

I was trying to get into the holiday spirit while shopping for a Veteran’s Day gift and encountered the evil warlock himself, Santa Claus. It seems like it happens earlier and earlier each year, like global warming is causing all the reindeer and the entire Claus family to migrate south because the North Pole is melting. I actually like Christmastime … in December. Some places even try to cut into the Halloween festivities by devoting an aisle to decking the halls. I get that especially in a slow economy, the holiday season acts as a virtual bailout to retail America. That said, it’s just not right that it occupies a fourth of the year. It seems like only yesterday it was summer. At least show some respect for the one day white people and Native Americans got along before the advent of tax exempt casinos, and wait till Black Friday!

That said, this issue I’m going to talk about Christmas gift ideas. There have been some great releases from the past year, and the best thing about the local releases is that with many of the bands, you can go out and see a great show, pick up a CD, and have a stress-free shopping experience. Then you can spend Black Friday with me walking around mall parking lots holding your keys out and annoying the snot out of overzealous Christmas shoppers looking for parking spaces – living the good life.

Lolita Black – Flesh, Blood, and Bone (Fireheart Records)

Lolita Black’s sophomore debut, Flesh, Blood, and Bone, doesn’t so much begin as jump out of the speakers and attack with grinding guitars, bass, and drums pummeling the rhythm to oblivion on “Black Witch.” Drummer Kaleigh Meleise powers “Tightrope” as the song speeds down a dark road with Bob Otis’ guitar churning in and out. “Two Lane Blacktop” starts like the type of ballad I’d imagine plays on a loop in the elevators of Hades. Scarlett Delgado’s vocals punctuate the tunes like a siren luring you deeper into a nightmare that never sleeps. “Fireheart” is another barnburner till the mid-song breakdown where it almost has the feel that Delgado is chanting while the band continues to pound the notes till there is nothing left. There are a couple of tunes on Flesh, Blood, and Bone, like “Red Descent” and “Murder Song,” that sound like a modernized Black Sabbath on amphetamines. There isn’t much happiness and sunshine here, but Lolita Black turns to the darkness for strength. Flesh, Blood, and Bone is perfect for that lover of metal-punk rock on your shopping list. In addition to Lolita Black shows, the album can be purchased online at lolitablack.bandcamp.com and at Armageddon Records on Broadway Street in Providence. Lolita Black is on my list of must-see bands that everybody should experience.

Lolita Black, Atriarch, Queen Elephantine, Balam rock the Black Box on Empire Street in Providence on November 15.

Route .44 – Poisoned The Well

Route .44’s third release, Poisoned The Well, comes out of the gates with the band’s trademark swing. Route .44 is like a fusion of rock ‘n’ roll meets old time swing jazz. Singer/Guitarist Ian Lacombe’s vocals can go from a gruff Tom Waits style on “Change Is What You Said” to crooner of the apocalypse on the next number, “Let the Waters Flow.” The latter’s political overtones in the narrative harken back to Route .44’s previous release, This Is My America. That is not to say the music is dour. It may have an element of darkness, but remains very danceable with saxophones and violins punctuating the grooves. “Remember the Lusitania” even starts out with a dub ska beat in the verse. The band Morphine always comes to mind as a reference and rightfully so, as Morphine is one of Lacombe’s favorite bands. I always thought that Route .44 pushed the boundaries more, though, in terms of incorporating different influences. For example, “PTSD” starts off with a big guitar riff and Morphine did not believe in using guitars. Route .44 even works in some funk flavor on “Shame,” which has a jam feel without overdoing it. “Blues for Babylon” and “Stepping Stone” are two more standout tracks that combined the dancehall swing of the Squirrel Nut Zippers with the aforementioned feel of Morphine. Poisoned The Well is a step forward for Route .44 without sacrificing any of their strengths. Like all good bands, no matter how good the biscuit sounds, Route .44 is a band that is best experienced live, so keep a peep out for the next time they play!

Fall and Bounce – Knickknack Avalanche

The debut from Fall and Bounce, Knickknack Avalanche, fuses alternative, blues, and good old time rock ‘n’ roll into a tasty cocktail. “Stones” roars out with modern rock guitars hammered home over a pounding blues beat as singer Malyssa BellaRosa snarls sweetly, but with plenty of bite. “Crossroad” and “Drunk Txt” have similar shuffling vibes propelled by the rhythm section of Christine Hauck and Jamie Craighead with guitarist Bill Reed’s fuzz-drenched guitars adding the icing to the cake. BellaRosa channels her inner torchlight blues singer on the sparse, but heavy, “Storm.” Fall and Bounce reminds me of everything from Alice in Chains, if Layne Staley ever got clean and found redemption, to Concrete Blonde. Knickknack Avalanche definitely has the undercurrent of a breakup album as far as thematic reference. Fall and Bounce plays out regularly and is well worth checking out. Pick up a copy of Knickknack Avalanche while you are at it!

Fall and Bounce is at Dusk in Providence on November 16 with VulGarrity. Fall and Bounce also will be at The Apartment in Providence on November 30.

Party Pigs – Born Pig (with Mr. Born Casual, Zak Drummond)

Party Pigs won’t have a new release to put under the tree for that Pighead on your shopping list, but the band has been very busy. Chris Annunziato elaborates on what has been going down in Pig Nation. “We just spent some time in the studio at Machines With Magnets. The record is mixed and ready for a label to sweep us off our feet … haha. We’ve been experimenting lately with adding other musician friends on some tracks, trying to add a little ‘The Last Waltz’ to the flavor of Party Pigs.” Party Pigs plans to close out the year with a show booked at Machines With Magnets on November 16 with fellow local rippers Woozy. In addition, Party Pigs have a big Thanksgiving Eve show coming up that they are calling “Born Pig.” The show will feature multiple sets by Party Pigs, and in between sets and after, local booty popper DJ Zak “Pizza for Breakfast” Drummond, aka DJ Born Casual, will get those asses shaking on the dance floor! It is a 2 a.m. night, so come out and sweat off some calories to make room for all the turkey!

Born Pig featuring Party Pigs DJ Zak Drummond (aka Born Casual) takes over the The Speakeasy of the Local 121 on November 21.

Email music news to [email protected].

Albums for the Music Lover on Your List

Lolita Black – Flesh, Blood, and Bone (Fireheart Records)

Lolita Black, Atriarch, Queen Elephantine, Balam rock the Black Box on Empire Street in Providence on November 15.

Route .44 – Poisoned The Well

Fall and Bounce – Knickknack Avalanche

Fall and Bounce is at Dusk in Providence on November 16 with VulGarrity. Fall and Bounce also will be at The Apartment in Providence on November 30. Party Pigs – Born Pig (with Mr. Born Casual, Zak Drummond)

Born Pig featuring Party Pigs DJ Zak Drummond (aka Born Casual) takes over the The Speakeasy of the Local 121 on November 21.

Email music news to [email protected].