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

1. Friday, March 4: DMX; $36 advance / $40 day of; All ages; Lupo’s, 79 Washington St, Providence. What should one expect going to see DMX, ’90s rap icon, in 2016? If I were to make a pie chart, I would put it at a 5% chance of brilliance, 50% chance of medocrity, 20% of him not showing up, 25% of a figurative car crash. I would be happy with either brilliance or car crash. Earlier this month we came close to losing DMX when he was found unconscious after an apparent overdose. While you would imagine that would slow down most performers, DMX apparently has already been back on the road. Hopefully he took it as a moment to become scared straight and stays with us for a long time. Regardless of what happens, buzz is crazy for this and there should be a lot of heads looking to find out what DMX is gonna give you.

2. Thursday, March 17: Four Year Strong, Light Years, Can’t Swim, Trophy Wives, Sayings; $17 advance / $20 day of; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. What’s better on Saint Patrick’s Day than a drunken sing-along? And if you can’t find the Pogues or a band covering them, why not make it a pop punk sing along? No one does melodic pop punk / hardcore in New England better than Worcester’s Four Year Strong. The band has been at it for 15 years and is on the road supporting the 2015 released / Kurt Ballou (Converge) produced self-titled album. The openers are the next wave of southern New England young pop punks. Trophy Wives have been making inroads at leaving the Rhode Island tag to become a national touring act. And Sayings have been drawing big crowds lately and might be the next local band to start to take that leap. Cleveland’s Light Years and New Jersey’s Can’t Swim round out the bill.

3. Friday, March 18: Slapshot, Drop Dead, Fucking Invincible at The Parlor, Newport. This is a great bill of hardcore and punk down in Newport. Slapshot have been pretty active lately, touring Europe and playing the Dropkick Murphy’s 20th anniversary party in Boston on the 19th. But for what it’s worth, I would rather see them with Rhode Island hardcore veterans Drop Dead and by comparison upstarts Fucking Invincible. Drop Dead have been around for longer than 20 years, actually around 25, crossing the globe unapologetically fighting for animal and civil rights while reppin’ Providence and Rhode Island while doing so. I remember being still in high school and being terrified of and also intrigued by Drop Dead’s music, and also being terrified of hearing what went on at Slap Shot reunions in reading ‘zines from Boston. The fear and the lure of danger might have faded away, but a drunken night at a punk show in Newport certainly could lead to danger if you are seeking it. And make sure to check out the soon to be released new album from Fucking Invincible politely titled I Hate Myself And Want You To Die.

4. Saturday, March 19: WBRU Rock Hunt Finals; $5; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. I usually like to handicap the WBRU Rock Hunt Finals, but its going to be tough since the preliminary rounds have yet to happen as of press time. So here I will attempt to handicap the odds of all the acts. Mona Mele are a long shot, with 78 likes on Facebook they will need to drag everyone they know to be able to compete and bring the crowd noise needed to win – 40 to 1. I am confused as to how Texas’ Oliver Penn made the rock hunt, but if he can keep it a secret I give him – 16 to 1. I’ve watched No Plateau on their ascent to getting better and better. Are they ready to wear the crown? 15 to 1. Le Roxy Pro are the only returning act to the field. WBRU likes them enough to bring them back and that makes them the favorite 5 to 1. No Recall songs are about not caring, they’ll need to change gears to win something – 50 to 1. Fall River’s Moment Of Clarity could bring the crowd necessary to win, but is their straight ahead rock going to be favored by the judges? 27 to 1. Push Push Push site site site doesn’t work so I am not sure sure sure. 40 to 1. I also can’t find Dames on the web. Maybe it’s the Providence band Broads with a classier name. If not Broads 50 to 1, if Broads 15 to 1. Under The Microscope work the most of all the bands, I put them at second favorites 8 to 1. Good luck to all.

5. March 27: Neil Hamburger; $15 advance/ $17 day of; All ages; Columbus, 270 Broadway, Providence. There has been no shortage of celebrities passing away so far in 2016. If you are emotionally attached to any of them or related, you might want to stay away from a Neil Hamburger performance. Neil takes delight in knocking down any and all celebrities, and is not likely to back off due to the afterlife. Neil has been at it for over 20 years, delightfully trashing the pop culture world that we enable and partially or fully love. He is the only comedian I can think of that has ever made me cry laughing from start to finish. Whatever you do, go see Neil Hamburger at least once in your life.

Also worth noting: March 5, The Silks (CD release) @ The Columbus; March 9, MC Chris, Scam Rock @ Fete; March 9, Drive By Truckers @ The Columbus; March 19, The Worried, MOTO @ The Parlour; March 24, The Felice Brothers @ The Met; March 26, Titus Andronicus, Craig Finn @ The Met; April 2, The Wonder Years, Letlive @ Lupo’s

Album Of The Week: Journalism’s Faces In life there is irony in everything if you look closely enough. For example, getting a boot on your car and you’re wearing boots on your feet. Perhaps even a dog biting you in the ass while you’re walking around in the Mianus neighborhood of Greenwich, Connecticut. Ok, maybe that last one is a little far-fetched, but I’ll tell you where I’m going with this. As a journalist I find it fairly ironic that I’m reviewing an album by a band from Brooklyn called Journalism. Usually this use of wit from a band doesn’t equate with stellar music, but it turns out their debut album, Faces, is fantastic with killer riffs and infectious rhythms.

Faces is the manifestation of hard work from a band that has been doing it their own way since frontman Kegan Zema and ex-bassist Owen Keiter started Journalism back in 2012 with New York University classmates Brendan Mahan on drums and ex-guitarist Dara Hirsch. Nowadays Nico Hedley plays bass and Mike Green plays guitar; together these four create sonically inclined rock music that crushes. Exuberant amounts of energy with a sound that shifts between surf rock and post-punk. It’s unique but accessible — there’s an enviable fine line these guys walk to create incredible sounds. In a short time this quartet writes songs like the most seasoned of pros, and I’m feverishly anticipating what’s next.

With a name like Journalism, I can’t help but wonder what this band will think of this review. I’m not one to be self-conscious, but when a band adopts the name of my chosen profession then I don’t want to disappoint them. What won’t disappoint you are my top tracks off of my Album Of The Week:

Going more toward the post-punk route is “Denim Jesus,” a slightly tripped-out track with steady drumming coming from Mahan and exciting rhythms. “Faces I” is a rhythmic tornado that is going to electrify your body when the chorus hits. You will be dancing in seconds right after you press play. A sweet bass line from Hedley starts off “Night Of The Knife,” and then Green rips everything apart on guitar. Pristine tones are abundant in this one and your ears will be pleased.

Journalism has a trio of shows coming up in support of their debut, Faces, starting at The Silent Barn in Brooklyn on March 4, March 6 at O’Brien’s Pub in Allston, Massachusetts, and at Paradise Lost in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on April 1 (also known as April Fools Day). All the folks in the Northeast should hit up at least one of these shows because if Journalism are as good live as their debut is, then it should be a fun time. Until they hit your neighborhood, grab a copy of Faces from Journalism when it comes out on March 4. It’s an album you can listen to and there’s no reading required. Stream “Faces I” and pre-order Faces on Bandcamp: journalism.bandcamp.com/track/faces-i

Journalism’s Website: journalismband.com

The Roots Report: Spring Roots Are Growing

Okee dokee folks… Officially we have about three weeks until spring. It may be hard to tell when it does arrive because of the screwy winter that we have had thus far. Flowers were blooming in the snow and bugs were buzzing. One day it was t-shirt weather and the next it was nine below. I never even got to take my snowshoes out! There really wasn’t enough snow and what we did have didn’t linger long. Now that I have written this, Mother Nature will probably take note and whack us with an April Fool’s blizzard again. There’s a lot of music coming up this spring, so I will dispense with the usual meandering rant and get right to it. Read on…

We’re dabbling in something new. If you’d like to check out any of these artists on Spotify, take a gander at this playlist:

I am thrilled about a show that is coming to the Greenwich Odeum this spring. Todd Rundgren!!! Other than seeing him perform as part of Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band, I have never been to a Todd show. That just whetted my appetite for more! I was so excited that I watched the FOUR-hour bio-video, “Todd,” on YouTube. If you are a Rundgren fan, then you have to watch it. Todd is known for songs such as “Can We Still Be Friends?,” “I Saw The Light,” “Bang The Drum All Day,” “We Gotta Get You A Woman,” “Real Man” and one of MY all time favorite songs, “Hello It’s Me.” You may also know him from his time in the Nazz (“Open My Eyes”), Utopia (“Love Is The Answer,” “One World”), or New Cars bands. Besides being an amazing musician and songwriter, he is a musical innovator, pioneer and genius. He produced albums such as Meatloaf’s Bat Out Of Hell, XTC’s Skylarking, Patti Smith’s Wave, The Band’s Stage Fright, Grand Funk’s We’re An American Band, and many, many others. He built a million dollar home video studio (with his Bat Out Of Hell cash) on the cusp of the video revolution. His video for the song “Time Heals” was the eighth played on MTV. This is a must-see show and it is my TOP pick for the spring season. Rundgren will be at the Odeum in East Greenwich on Friday, May 20. I would not hesitate; get your tix NOW! Big kudos to the folks at the Odeum for bringing in this show. Also coming up at the Oedum are Richard Shindell and Lucy Kaplansky on March 4, Jorma Kaukonen on March 6, Yesterday Beatles Tribute on April 1, Roger McQuinn on April 9, Playing Dead Grateful Dead Tribute on April 16 and Martin Sexton on May 7. For more, mink hollow over to theodeum.org The Providence Performing Arts Center and the Veterans Memorial Auditorium both have a slew of great shows coming up this spring. But before I even get to that you will want to mark September 14 on your calendar and get tix for the Weird Al Yankovic show NOW. Ok, you may say, “Umm, why would I want to see him?” (Actually, someone did say that to me.) Weird Al is one of the BEST shows I have EVER seen. Check out my online review (8/18) of his performance at the Zeiterion last August. It was extremely entertaining and FUN, Mandatory Fun! In the meantime, you can enjoy performances by Diana Ross, Roseanne Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, Joe Satriani and Brit Floyd. And for you guitar geeks out there, you can worship at PPAC with Generation Axe — A Night of Guitars featuring Steve Vai, Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Nuno Bettencourt and Tosin Abasi on May 8, and Joe Banamassa on May 21. For a complete listing of Vets and PPAC shows, Eat It over to PPACRI.org

If you are fan of Queen as I am, then you have two chances to experience One Night Of Queen. I was very fortunate to see the real thing a few times. Freddy Mercury is still unrivaled as a lead singer and showman. No matter who the remaining members try to plug into Freddie’s spot, it will never be the same. This is where tribute acts work. They try to give you a taste of the real thing instead of some other famous front man’s interpretation. This show promises “the Queen experience — the sound and the look, combined with the showmanship, pomp, style and incredible musicianship that is the hallmark of Queen.” Catch One Night Of Queen April 5 at the Zeiterion in New Bedford and April 9 at the Stadium in Woonsocket. Both are great venues to see a show. Coming up at the Z: A Saint Patrick’s Day Sojourn, The Gipsy Kings, Boston Gay Men’s Chorus, Doo Wop 12,Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, Antonio Zambujo, Bohemian Quartet. For more, Innuendo to zeiterion.org At the Stadium is Dublin City Ramblers, John Denver Experience, Charlie Daniels Band and The Summer of Love Concert, which focuses on the iconic music from between the ‘67 release of The Beatles’ Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and Woodstock in ‘69. For more, Bicycle Race to stadiumtheatre.com

The Met and Lupo’s always have a full schedule. Some of the roots related highlights at The Met are Bruce in the USA Springsteen Tribute on March 4. It may not be the real thing but the music is and you will be a lot closer and more comfortable than in a stadium! Thursday, March 24, catch The Felice Brothers. On Tuesday, April 5, witness Jonathan Richman, best known as the founder of the Modern Lovers (Roadrunner) and as the “Greek Chorus duo” in the Farrelly Brothers’ film Something About Mary. Richman will be joined by Tommy Larkins on the drums. At Lupos on April 17 is Buddy Guy with Quinn Sullivan. May 13 brings in Kevin Roosevelt Moore, better known as Keb Mo’. There’ll be some great blues playing at this one! May 18 has The Rides featuring Stephen Stills, Barry Goldberg and Kenny Wayne Shepherd. For more, meet me at TheMetRi.com or Lupos.com.

Stone Soup always has great music scheduled into the spring season. Coming up on the Slater Mill stage on March 19 is Bill Harley with Marty Ballou and Rachel Panitch, on April 2 is Robinson & Rohe and Ian Fitzgerald, on April 16 is Bill Staines with Molly Pinto Madigan, on April 30 is Mary Ann Rossoni with Rick Demers, and the season closer is on May 14 with Tret Fure. For more, charnockite chowder to stonesoupcoffeehouse.com. Also at Slater Mill you can enjoy some jazz on Sundays. On March 13 it’s The Bobby Keyes Trio. Guitar instrumentalist and composer Bobby B. Keyes dazzles with his American roots fusion. On Sunday, April 17 is From Blues to BeBop, featuring Jay Geils. Geils has had a multi-faceted career including four decades as founding guitarist of the legendary J. Geils Band, co-founder of the Bluestime and as a jazz guitarist and trumpeter. On Sunday, May 15, it’s the Boston Jazz All-Stars, featuring Tim Ray. Legendary pianist Tim Ray, former musical director for Lyle Lovett and Gary Burton Quintet veteran, is joined by former Gary Burton Quintet rhythm section John Lockwood on bass and Marty Richards on drums. For more, Industrially Revolute to slatermill.org.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are never dull. Nick-A-Nee’s has the Bluegrass “Throedown” every Wednesday night. In March the pickin’ is by Best Ever Chicken on the 9th, No Spare Parts on the 16th, Sinner’s Pie on the 23rd, and the RaR String Band on the 30th. For more, Facebook Nick-A-Nee’s or just head to 75 South St in PVD. The Mediator Stage and Don Tassone present the Thursday Night Open Mic with Featured Performers. On March 10, Stephan Rose does music and standup, on the 17 is Mark Greenbaum and on March 24 is Jan Luby. You can add Monday to the mix and have a chuckle or two as well. Every Monday evening it’s “Rimshot In the Dark” comedy night at The Mediator Stage hosted by Stephan Rose and James Martin with special guests. 7:30-10pm, Comedy Open Mic at 9. Ba-dum-bum over to facebook.com/mediatorstage for more.

Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland has perhaps their strongest month of programming ever. March 4 has acclaimed Scottish fiddle/cello duo Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, while award-winning contemporary Celtic band RUNA performs on March 5. Pendragon celebrates St. Patrick’s Day on March 12 and the Paul McKenna Band, called “The best folk band to have come out of Scotland in the last 20 years” by The New York Times performs March 13. Grammy-award winning violinist Mark O’Connor makes an EXTREMELY RARE small venue performance March 19 with his wife Maggie O’Connor performing a show called American Classics. Fiddle over to riverfolk.org

The Courthouse Center for the Arts is continuing to bring great music to West Kingston. On March 5 is the legendary Tom Rush. On the 12 is Led Zepplin tribute Custard Pie. On the 19 is Joni Mitchell tribute with Debra Mann. On April 2 is Cheryl Wheeler, on May 7 is John Hammond, and on April 30 is Forever Young A Tribute To The Music Of Neil Young. Deliberate to courthousearts.org for more. Common Fence Music keeps bringing the good stuff to Portsmouth and Newport County. David Wilcox is at the Channing Church on Saturday, March 5, Mo Kenney with Cricket Blue is on March 19, the rescheduled “A Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen #17” with Ilana Katz Katz is on April 2, John Gorka is on April 16, Ana Egge is on April 23 and RI Music Hall of Famer, Brenda Bennett & Blue Bamboo is on May 14. For more, common sense over to commonfencemusic.org.

Music at Lily Pads in Peace Dale breaks out of their winter hibernation and gets their concert season flowing on March 5 with The Honey Dewdrops and special guest Haunt the House. The music continues with The Alan Kelly Gang (from Ireland) on March 12, on April 16 is Roosevelt Dime with special guests Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards, on May 7 is Christopher Paul Stelling and special guest Jonah Tolchin, on May 15 The Providence Mandolin Orchestra performs at 3pm, on May 28 is Pascal Gemme and Yann Falquet with Kevin Murphy (from Quebec). Bullfrog to musicatlilypads.org for more.

The Narrows in Fall River has a constant barrage of quality shows. You can’t miss here. Highlights coming up are: March 12, Leo Kottke; March 26, Pousette Dart Band; March 31, Amy Helm; April 7, Milk Carton Kids; April 9, Aztec Two-Step; April 22, The Smithereens; April 27, The SubDudes; and May 14, Chris Smither. For more, Braga Bridge to narrowscenter.org

The Paskamansett Concert Series hosted by Russ Smith will present several shows at the historic Dartmouth Grange Hall in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts during the next few months. All shows are at 7:30pm on the second Saturday of the month. Glass Bottom Boat performs on March 12. On April 9, Paskamansett presents a split bill featuring blueswoman Danielle Miraglia and singer- songwriter Matt Borrello. The May 14 concert at the Dartmouth Grange features the Atwater-Donnelly Trio. Tisket-a-tasket to paskamansettconcertseries.weebly.com for more.

Here are a few random spring shows to add to the already long list. On the first Friday of every month at Historic Warren Armory, get moving at the East Bay Contra Dance. On March 4 is Bill Fischer and Dead Sea Squirrels (eastbaycontradance.com). On Sunday, March 6, from 4 – 7pm at The German Club in Pawtucket it’s Cash is King. Legendary country rebel Johnny Cash comes to life in this re-creation show that gives the true Johnny Cash experience (salsproductions.com). Every Sunday afternoon from 3 – 5pm at Artifact Gallery in Wakefield is the Peace Dale Skyline Coffee House with an afternoon of music today (facebook.com/artifactgallerypeacedale). On March 12, catch a St Paddy’s Concert with The Gnomes and The Poormen at The Parlour at 7:30pm (theparlourricom). On March 20 is The Gnomes at Roger Williams Park Botanical Gardens from 4 – 6pm (bccrwp.org). Johnny Watson Jr. and the Watson Blues Band on March 25 at The Parlour on North Main Street (theparlourri.com). Music in the Gallery Presents Vance Gilbert at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford on March 25 at 7:30pm. If you’re into country music, then Stars With Guitars is for you. The concert featuring Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin, Jon Pardi and Lindsay Ell, takes place on Friday, May 20 at 7:30pm at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center (DunkinDonuts.Center-RI.com).

Sorry if I left anything out, just way too much to fit! That’s it for now. Go Bernie!!! Thanks for reading. www.JohnFuzek.com Mike D’s Top 10 Tracks of February

1. Grimes “Flesh Without Blood”

I almost never dance, which is to say I am sure that I am a terrible dancer. That being said, I hope no one ever catches me listening to this song. This infectious pop single off Grime’s November release Art Angels is a strange cross of ’80s pop and Dance Dance Revolution Korean K-Pop that makes this awkward man dance. The lyric “I love you almost every day” can sum up so many of my non-family relationships. I don’t think I would sign up for this track on paper, but I do love this song. Grimes isn’t for everyone; most people I ask remember Grimes as the act they didn’t like that opened for Lana Del Rey last summer. I’m not that down on her, but its not my wheelhouse. However there is no denying this track regardless of you how you feel about her other material. Hopefully you don’t see me in the gym when it comes on, dancing like funky Frankenstein.

2. Ty Segall “California Hills”

By the time I finish writing this sentence, Ty Segall will have finished at least two albums one way or another. The latter part of 2015 saw the 29-year-old California native release a compilation of previously recorded T Rex covers called, of course, Ty Rex and also metal album from his side project Fuzz called II. “California Hills” off his 2016 release Emotional Mugger starts off like prime era T Rex distorted glam bliss and slowly turns into a classic ’70s blues metal jam, going back and forth, blending and going everywhere between back and forth a few times. While that might sound annoying, it works. (Ty Segall & The Muggers play Royale in Boston on March 1.)

3. Nude Beach “Its So Hard To Love You”

One of the best things I did in 2015 was subscribe for the Don Giovanni Records YouTube station. Not only do they showcase their own roster of artists (like California X, Screaming Females, Waxachatchee and this band Nude Beach), but they also promote other interesting indie artists on their YouTube Blog “MTV12” series. The label’s roster reminds me of the late ’90s great indie labels, where talent and vision were the only boundaries for acceptance not fitting into a type. All styles from punk, indie rock, metal, hardcore, folk and anything between are represented by Don Giovanni records, so long as it’s good. I don’t love everything they do as I don’t love all music, but when I like it, I love it. And this song is a great example of when I love it. “It’s So Hard To Love You” is off their recent release 77, and it could just as easily be from a Nuggets garage collection as from 2016. I hope to catch them live soon.

4. Islands “Charm Offensive”

Nick “Diamonds” Thorburn is another prolific indie songwriter. His first act, The Unicorns’, album from 2004, Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone, is in my top 10 all time albums. He has released 15 albums since 2003 between The Unicorns, supergroup side project Mister Heavenly, solo albums, the scores for both Serial podcasts, and the bulk of the rest of the releases with his band Islands. On May 13, Islands will release two separate albums, Taste and Should I Remain Here At Sea? on PledgeMusic. “Charm Offense” is the teaser off Taste. It’s somewhere between ’80s French Pop, the band Enon, and aggressive Casiotone sampler. The keyboards sound great, but the vocal harmonies carry the song. (Islands play in Boston at Great Scott on May 20.)

5. Vince Staples “Jump Off The Roof”

Vince Staples seems to have left 2015 as the hip-hop artist on the verge of breaking into the mainstream. His 2015 album Summertime ’06 and the single “Norf Norf” was on most of the music magazines’ and blogs’ best-of for the year lists. While this track wasn’t one of the singles of his album, it was the catchiest. The song grows on you more and more with each play. I don’t need to, as in the song, jump off the roof to make sure I am alive when I can continue to live vicariously through other artists.

6. Wiki “Livin’ With My Moms”

Finally a hip-hop song about living at home with your parents that can rival Brooklyn underground skillionaire Thirstin Howl III’s “Still Living With My Moms.” While Wiki finds home in the upper east side of Manhattan, the two rappers do share a cunning control of language and sly sense of humor delivering it. The 22-year-old artist is best known for his earlier work with his collective Ratking and some with EL-P and Run The Jewels. His December release “Lil Me” is unavailable on iTunes of course, and his name is one of the most difficult searches on the web. But with some luck and really just typing bandcamp, you’ll find what you are looking for. Check out the video for this track and tell me that’s what you imagined he would look like.

7. Charlie Hilton “100 Million”

If I took anything out of 2015, it’s that young artists want to be stoned, apathetic and by bodies of water. I’m not sure why that surprises me. I tried watching the Lana Del Rey video where she takes acid and galivants around with Father John Misty, but I couldn’t take over 10 minutes of pretty people by water. I’d rather be with Charlie Hilton laughing at the bottom of the sea given my seasonal depression of New England kicking in full force. I like this track, and the more I listen to it, the song reminds me more of the Julia Holter song, “Sea Calls Me Home” from last year that I love more than the Cali stoner crew.

8. Chairlift “Crying In Public”

I like how we reevaluate ourselves and the process of love through song. What I take from this song is that the songwriter has figured in the moment that she has fallen for her lover due to her crying in public over something or other. There’s a good chance it will come full circle for the character since so many break-ups happen in public places like restaurants or parks. Anyway, this song is pretty. It’s off the Brooklyn band’s new album Moth.

9. Sunflower Bean “Wall Watcher”

I dig this song a lot. Their new album Human Ceremony is out now on Fat Possum Records. The band describes their sound as “neo psychedelic for the digital age.” Reminds me of somewhere in the middle of Dum Dum Girls and the Von Bondies. Great sound — I would like to see them on a bill with new local act Tall Teenagers. Check them out, too?

10. Pup “DVP” This video means everything to me. So many 8-bit video games I forgot existed. It’s like tapping in to memory I forgot existed and I am not sure I need, but want to hold on to now that its been recovered. Like the toy wrestlers and baseball cards in your mother’s basement, you forget they are there and the once you are reminded you want to hold onto them forever for no reason. The song is as good as the video — a refreshing blast of pop punk. The typical pop punk problem, she hates when I drink too much and problems ensue. Put the right riffs together, don’t try to reinvent the wheel. The band is great live, try to catch them when you can. (Pup play in Boston on June 23 at Great Scott.)

Album Of The Week: Lucy Dacus’ No Burden

It’s crazy when you see people in their late teens and early 20s writing songs that are just as good as those of musicians who are reaching their 30s or 40s. The claim that talent usually beats experience is evident in music. For example, let’s look at Richmond, Virginia, artist Lucy Dacus. At only 20 years old she has her debut, No Burden, currently out, and it shows a musician who is skilled beyond her years. Dacus’ voice has exquisite warmth and vibrato while her guitar exudes deep tones that give her sound an edge.

Influenced by indie rock staples Broken Social Scene and Yo La Tengo along with up and comers like the noise pop act Ava Luna, Dacus achieves her own style with flowing melodies and subtle grit. Her music is beautiful with a bit of dirt that keeps things honest. Self-reflection is a recurring theme in her songs — you can tell that Dacus is just your average girl in her early stages of adulthood who’s getting to know herself with each song she writes. It’s genuine and poetic music.

One of the refreshing things I get to experience as a music journalist is seeing the next wave of artists presenting their talents. No Burden puts Dacus in that select group; the album is so good I’m already excited to hear what she has next. For an in-depth look at what Dacus’ debut has to offer, check out my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week: Starting the album off with fuzzy chords and Dacus crooning lyrics for the outcasts, “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore” is in on an anthem for the ones who struggle to fit in. “Strange Torpedo” has a rhythmic array of riffs and beats that combine for a full audial assault. Dacus ups the ante on vocals with a lot of soul and heartfelt feeling. With a thunderous beat and a bluesy chord, “Troublemaker Doppleganger” has Dacus showing her take on Delta blues that gives a different spin on a timeless genre.

Lucy Dacus has a slew of shows happening over the next few months with stops at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on February 28, a hometown show at The Broadberry on March 4 and a New England show at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine, on April 5. Let’s hope she comes through Providence soon because her debut is absolutely stellar. Next time you hit up your local record store or you log on to wherever to download music, get yourself of No Burden from Lucy Dacus. It’s one of the best albums to come out in the first half of 2016 and you can be sure you’ll see Dacus’ debut on a few end-of-the-year lists come December.

Stream “I Don’t Want To Be Funny Anymore” on BandCamp: http://lucydacus.bandcamp.com/track/i-dont-wanna-be-funny-anymore

Like Lucy Dacus on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lucy.dacus

Alt-Nation: Pixels’ Latest and Weekend Shows

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

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

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

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

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

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

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RI’s Underground Rap Scene I have always said that Rhode Island’s rich underground rap culture is often overlooked, mainly because local artists have few opportunities to have their music heard. I want to help change that.

When people talk about rap music, two things never come to mind: community and RI. But the community plays a huge role in rap music, especially when you’re talking about local artists. To local artists community is everything! Rap is a lot more than just rhyming words to a beat and cupping your balls. It’s a lifestyle — the artist’s lifestyle — who they are, where they came from, what they’ve been through, whether they tell stories through music or if it’s a little more autobiographical. One thing they have in common is community. And taking pride and representing where you came from is a must!

Rap is much like sports in that it takes a lot of training and hard work to master your craft, and all the while you have people hating on you. But hate is good. If you’re killing that beat and executing unbelievable wordplay, you’re doing something that the haters can’t. You’re developing a style. You’re finding your sound.

Rappers who see you as a threat will come at you lyrically, like a verbal game of king of the hill. You might be on top today, but someone is always coming to take that crown. Regardless of your style, you need punchlines that you can dump on any competitor trying to test the waters. When you’re in the ‘hood and people see you’re rapping, word travels fast and when you go to parties or hang out with a group of people they will test you. “You rap?” “Spit something,” they challenge. Doing this will actually help build your base (if you are entertaining enough) and get more people willing to pay to see you perform at local venues because the community talks.

Rhode Island has one of the most underrated local rap scenes I have ever seen, and I’ve lived in eight states and on the other side of the world in Korea while serving our country. RI is so rich in underground rap and barely shows any real interest in showcasing these talents. Radio stations turn down mixtapes and local artists’ albums to play the same mainstream songs in rotation for hours at a time.

Most people have never heard of Buck, Splif, Remedy or Playboy Nyse and it’s not because of a lack of talent. It’s due to a lack of exposure. It is so much harder to be an underground rapper than it is to be on a label, and there are a few reasons why. Recording Time: Local artists have to pay for their recording time out of pocket — usually between $50 and $80 an hour. There is no time for mistakes and re-recording the same verse just so some sound engineer can take the best parts and piece them together. The artists pay for the time that it takes to record, mix and master each song. If an artist is lucky, he will leave a short session with three to four finished songs. An artist that belongs to a label, however, has the label they are signed to give them a large sum of money. The artist usually doesn’t know it, but that money is just a loan to be paid back through record sales. Any money from record sales will always go to the label first. The artist will not see a dime of this money until the loan is paid back in full, which is how a lot of artists who don’t have a lawyer to read their contracts end up going broke or in debt if the album isn’t that great.

Distribution: Every CD needs an album cover, so after you’ve taken the picture and put your name on it in the paint program on your computer, it’s time to print and cut out each picture for every CD you spent the last three hours burning. A record label usually has their own department for pressing albums and creating cover art, which is also covered in that loan your sales are supposed to pay back.

Sales: I have sold albums out of my trunk, in front of stores while I was working. The only person who is going to push hard for your album to be sold is you! Nobody knows you, so why should they care? Why would they spend their hard-earned money on your album rather than the new Drake? Set up a sample for people to hear and prepare a good pitch.

Radio Play: If you’re lucky, you live in a place that plays local music. However, if you live somewhere that will only play mainstream music then you need to resort to other ways to get your songs heard. Parties are always a good way to get it going. Give the person throwing the party a copy of your album and ask them to throw it on for a few. If it’s good, people will ask if you have more copies and there you are promoting, partying and making some cash in the process. Another way to get a song heard, especially if you have a party song, is the clubs. Bring a copy of some club songs to the DJ. He may not have time to listen to it that night, but he may throw it on to test it out the following week. Always keep copies of your album in your car. Let it be known that it is your song playing and always try to make that quick sale.

In future columns, I’m hoping to bring more appreciation to the craft and the work that artists put in as well as give our RI rappers some love and exposure by interviewing them, letting you know when and where the hottest shows are and how to purchase their albums.

Mathew Gilbert, also known as Ocyris, has been rapping locally for about 17 years. He has put out one full-length solo album, been on many features and worked with his rap group Unorthadox. He left the local rap scene in 2010 to serve in the United States Army then returned home in 2014 to get an education.

RI Music Hall of Fame Announces New Inductees

On February 12, 2016, amidst RI Music Hall of Fame’s (RIMHOF) displays of some of the state’s most talented musicians, they announced eight new inductees to be added to the club of “the greats.”

The new inductees, Greg Abate, Frankie Carle, Bill Harley, Carl Henry, Carol Sloane, Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, Richard Walton, and The Young Adults have all released multiple albums. With work in different genres and forms ranging from Abate’s Be-bop saxophone to Sloane’s contemporary jazz vocals to Bill Harley’s children’s music, each have made their own mark in the music world beyond Rhode Island. Displays highlighting their accomplishments will be installed along the brick walls of Pawtucket’s Hope Artiste Village, in RIMHOF’s museum space.

The Vice Chair of the RIMHOF, Rick Bellaire, read through the names and accomplishments of the musicians to a crowd of about 60 people. As their names were called, each recipient stood in their seats, raised a hand or gave a subtle nod of the head. Bonita Flanders of The Motels was handed flowers from the person sitting next to her, waiting patiently with the bouquet on their lap. Sugar Ray and the Bluetones dressed up in jackets and suits, as did many other inductees, and after the ceremony, they took photos together in the corridor where their pictures would soon be displayed.

There was no elaborate stage or grand wooden podium, and Bellaire’s speech was held up, fittingly, by a music stand. A dignified announcement ceremony with Rhode Island charm, and only a precursor to the larger induction ceremonies that will take place on April 21 and April 24, with accompanying concerts at The Met and Chan’s.

To be inducted to the Hall of Fame, one of the biggest criteria is making a musical splash beyond the Ocean State. Bellaire explains how many people know the musicians who are being inducted, but don’t realize they are from Rhode Island, or don’t realize how significant they are in the larger music world. It’s about “staking our claim in the hierarchy of the great artists,” he said.

And the RIMHOF is setting out to do more than put pictures on a wall. With previous inductees coming back to celebrate the new ones, they are hoping to create a strengthened sense of musical community, says Chair of RIMHOF, Robert Billington. Dave Goldstein, Co-Founder of RIMHOF, explains that the displays are only the most outward expression of the work they’re doing. They also archive and collect material that is getting lost, and are hoping to leverage the attention around the Hall of Fame to create other initiatives to help the music community.

It is only the 4th year of the RIMHOF, and looking forward, Billington says they would love to move to their own building, and create three-dimensional displays to celebrate the artists and the music more permanently.

For now, Bill Harley says, with a smile, that he looks forward to coming to the farmers market to stand casually in front of his display, and wait for someone to notice.

EDM Events to Swap That Winter Chill with Smokin’ Hot Electronic Vibes

Congratulations, friends and strangers alike: We’ve made it through the bulk of the coldest season here in RI! Fortunately for us, there are several EDM events happening locally over the next few weeks to help thaw our still-winter-bound bones and warm our electronic-loving souls.

Friday, February 19, producer Brightside will perform at The Spot in Providence. The Queens native, who creates mostly mid-tempo mixes composed of all types of musical samples, strives to touch upon a wide array of sounds in an effort to reach the most people — all while weaving a sonic storyline of worldy (ie, everything from Middle Eastern to reggae to classic rock) flavor. At The Spot, Brightside will be joined by other acts Levitation Jones, Tsimba and Toadface.

If drum ‘n’ bass or harder-sounding music is more your style, then you’ll want to hit up Therapy on the 19th instead. That’s because that’s the night that Total Science, AKA Jason Greenhalgh and Paul Smith, will be tearing shit up at Providence’s only afterhours venue for a night of “Physical Therapy.” Hey, even if you decide to stop by The Spot that night, you can totally swing through Therapy later — and you won’t regret it. Hailing all the way from England, Total Science has been on the scene for more than 20 years, so you know they’re doing something right. Physical Therapy also will feature a few local acts, including Mike Skillz (from DJ Venom’s Morlok Musik label), Tom B Ill and Huge (Funky Comm).

If a lighter, house-ier vibe is what you crave, then Rebel Lounge should be your destination on Saturday, February 27. That’s when New York’s DJ Chachi will be spinning at the fairly new Providence nightclub. From the sounds of Chachi’s progressive house rhythms, and considering the intimacy of the setting, attending this show could be likened to going to a fun dance party with your friends (Don’t you love it when a dance floor is packed?).

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

Brrr! Winter is finally here. I miss the old days when it would begin in December and then that one warm day in February came like a beacon of hope that winter was waning. Now we just get three months of suck in the wasteland between fall and spring only to get walloped in February. Speaking of suck and wastelands, how about these presidential primaries? I don’t know who is more annoying — the candidates or their supporters. If you need me, I’ll just blasting Alice Cooper’s “Elected” all the way through election night. Black Oil Incinerator – Built In Space (Academia Tapes Plus) Black Oil Incinerator are releasing their studio debut, Built in Space, which is the follow-up to 2014’s Live at Dusk. Black Oil Incinerator assaults your senses with a battery of effects-riddled guitar compositions, including studio versions of four tunes from Live at Dusk as well as seven new jams. Built in Space kicks off with “Bricks,” which sounds like a post-punk reimagining of David Bowie’s “Heroes” with a lesser chorus. “Huge Bruise” is a fuzzed to the rafters roll the bones punk rock. “Bus Stop” comes off as a No Wave take on a Queens of the Stone Age. Black Oil Incinerator teeter between more rocking numbers and the space fuzz numbing jams. The best of the latter are “Make New Friends,” “Honey Strings” and “Supersonic,” which teleport you to a dreamy darkness. Some of Built in Space reminds me of a more stoner rock version of Six Star General, like a bridge between Hawkwind to early The Jesus and Mary Chain. If you are looking for vocal harmonies or really anything lyrical, Black Oil Incinerator are probably not your thing. Black Oil Incinerator’s strength is the music birthed between the fuzz and space that when played loud enough, catapults you.

For Built in Space, instead of doing the traditional CD release, Black Oil Incinerator in conjunction with Academia Tapes Plus are jumping on the cassette resurgence brigade and doing a cassette only release with a download code. I’ve not gotten into the cassette resurgence because I’ve never thought cassettes sounded particularly great. I do have a lot of cassettes from growing up in boxes and have pondered getting a tape player over the years, so will Built in Space be that record that drives me to take that plunge? Probably not, but it does come with a download code. There will be a limited run of 50 copies of Built in Space available at the show and at local records shops, including Olympic Records, Armageddon Records and Analog Underground. For those into cassette tapes, Academia Tapes Plus has done a lot of cool stuff. Check them out at academia.bandcamp.com/ to order Built in Space and other cool releases.

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

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

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

Scott Hamel Memorial Show featuring performances by The King Sick-A-Billy Trio, A Dying Breed and Swan Point will rock Firehouse 13 on February 20. Moving & Grooving Long time Thayer Street mainstay Stereo Discount Audio & Video is moving across the river to East Providence on March 1 after 30 years in Providence. For fans of the vinyl resurgence, Stereo Discount is the best as far as getting turntables, receivers and speakers. They do repairs and are there to give you advice on what is the best equipment to meet your needs. I hear the new store at 279 Taunton Ave in East Providence will be bigger with onsite parking.

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

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