Interview with Silverteeth’s Bill Bartholomew

Photo by Sarah Rayne

When it comes to the music coming out of Rhode Island, The Ocean State’s rhythmic roots stretch far and wide. Take, for example, Brooklyn indie rock act Silverteeth consisting of Brazilian musician Gabriella Rossi and Charlestown, RI, native Bill Bartholomew. The band recently released a music video for the song “Shoes,” so I had a chat with Bill about the making of the video, life in Brooklyn compared to Rhode Island, performing in Brazil earlier this year and when fans can expect Silverteeth’s debut album to be released.

Rob Duguay: The video for “Shoes” was shot and recorded at The Columbus Recording Company, operated by Ben Knox Miller and Jeff Prystowsky of The Low Anthem and located inside The Columbus Theatre. Who directed the video and what was it like working with Ben and Jeff?

Bill Bartholomew: The video itself was directed by Colleen Hennessy of SoPa Productions and Colleen is someone that I greatly respect. She’s done quite a bit of work in the area. She’s does the documentary for the Newport Folk Festival each year as well as a lot of other major festivals. She’s also done some really cool work with a lot of great artists including The Low Anthem. I was really excited to be able to work with her on this. As far as working with Ben and Jeff goes, it was great. They’re definitely one of those classic one-brain-two-body situations at this point where they really complement each other and are able to accomplish a lot both creatively and in more of the scientific side of recording.

RD: It’s pretty cool that you got to work with such talented professionals. What was the inspiration behind “Shoes”? Is there a story behind the song?

BB: I think it’s sort of a general portrait written with a little bit of tongue in cheek from looking at the area I’ve been living in North Brooklyn and how it’s changed and the sort of characters you see out there, who they are, how it makes me feel and potentially how it looks like if you were to take a photo of it. It’s also a song that from a musical standpoint started out as more of a purely electric rock song. It was one of the first songs that the current incarnation of Silverteeth kind of found home base in by utilizing an acoustic guitar as the engine of the song and putting a pick in Gabriella’s hand and having her almost play a Pixies style bass to it. That particular song really helped us find the next step in the sound we’re after.

RD: I think the song is awesome. I’ve already listened to it a bunch of times this week and I like the rhythm behind it. So how long have you been living in Brooklyn?

BB: I actually moved down here in 2006. I guess it was in July of that year when it really started, I came down here with a band I was playing in that was based out of Providence called Commas. All five of us decided to pack up and move to Brooklyn. We moved to a loft in East Williamsburg in a building that became fairly legendary called the McKibbin Lofts. The band lasted about a year or so, and slowly but surly everyone else trickled out either back to Rhode Island or elsewhere. I ended up staying in the city myself in the loft and began pursuing a new career as a solo artist.

RD: Being a musician from Rhode Island, did you notice any big changes when you moved to Brooklyn? What’s changed the most with you musically or personally since you moved down there?

BB: Well, I think it corresponded with the time period in life where I think everybody kind of goes through personal, social, political and musical awakenings. I really benefited from the timing of being here in Williamsburg & Bushwick in Brooklyn during the late 2000s. Just to be around basically a true bohemian scene that was entirely driven by art and the pursuit of something cooler. That was different than Rhode Island for me. In Rhode Island you sort of had to really work hard to find allies if you weren’t partaking in the mainstream. There’s certainly a great scene in Providence and there’s always has been, but just in my personal situation a new scene, a new group of people and the fact that it came across as a bohemian community really shifted my thinking. That’s the biggest difference other than the fact there’s no ocean and there’s no space here in New York where as in Rhode Island nearly every day you can guarantee yourself solitude.

RD: That’s definitely an interesting perspective on both places. Earlier this year, Silverteeth performed a few shows in Brazil. How did this happen? Where exactly did you guys play and how were you received there?

BB: Gabriella is Brazilian in the sense that she truly moved to Brooklyn just a few years ago. It’s not as if her family raised her in the States or anything like that. She has a lot of connections to ordinary, everyday people from living there and being around the music scene, political scene and things like that. We knew confidently that we could at least get a couple people to come out to a show if we went down there — it wasn’t a total shot in the dark. When we got down there we were really excited to meet and be taken in by some really great people, really great indie bands that have since broken fairly large on an international level. Through them we connected to other people down there who were really interested in music and indie music in particular. We were able to set up a couple of really cool shows, one was at a record shop called Fnac and it was amazing. It was a 250 to 300 person crowd. We worked very hard handing out flyers and it was very well received. It sort of left us in a spot where we got a nice chunk of ears and eyes ready for what we do next.

RD: It must have been an amazing experience to go down to South America and play in a different place to a whole new group of fans. Silverteeth are currently working on their debut album, so when can fans look for it on record store shelves and on the internet?

BB: We’re currently working on new and old material, recording demos and just getting prepared to go track in the studio this spring. I don’t have a specific date, but it’ll be that our debut record will be coming out. It’ll be a long time in the making and I’m very excited that it’s being taken down that route to really take the time to make sure we have the right songs on there.

Link to video: youtube.com/watch?v=pg4UnavVo24

Silverteeth’s website: planetsilverteeth.com

Hunting in the Woods of RI I am alone, it’s about 11pm, and I am drinking a gin and tonic on my couch while watching The Outdoor Network. I am pondering a strategy for tomorrow. In the morning, I will go hunting. A lot of planning goes into hunting, and there are many variables involved. A crucial detail is who you go with. It is important that you go with someone you can trust with your life in case anything goes wrong. Where to hunt and the species you are targeting are some other major factors to consider. For tomorrow, I have a spot in mind in the Exeter/West Greenwich area. I called my friend Jay on his landline (he doesn’t use a cell phone) to see if our loose plan for tomorrow would come to fruition, but he has to work. Too bad because he is a valuable guy to have in the woods. I then texted my friend Nate to see if he was down for a hunt, and he replied about a minute later with, “Yeah, boy!” He is also a good guy to have with you in the woods. One way or another, he and I are going hunting tomorrow. It won’t be long until I am sitting by a tree in the stunningly silent woods. Fall is beginning to feel like winter. There are still people riding bikes through trails, hiking and even riding dirt bikes. Most of them are wearing orange to be more visible to hunters as required by law. As you walk, you try to be quiet, but every step you take causes leaves to crinkle. You may hear an occasional bird in the distance, light wind, or maybe your own breathing, but for the most part, it is silent. The sound of an occasional leaf falling to the ground is enough to turn your head in anticipation of a game animal. As I sit and ponder the plan for tomorrow, there is a decision that has to be made. Will I hunt for deer with a black powder rifle, or go for small game with a shotgun? Going for small game would be more of a social experience. It includes you and your buddy walking in short distances from each other while trying to kick up small game animals. If you have good aim, and hopefully you do, you might be eating rabbit that night with a few friends, drinking beers, and retelling the stories of the day’s events. Hunting with the black powder rifle would be a more serious endeavor. We would, after all, be hunting for deer. They are a large mammal similar in size to a human. They smell and hear you before you see them. With a bow and arrow, I would have to get really close to get a clear shot. With black powder, I can be farther away and still have a good shot. The idea is to post up in a spot that seems opportune and wait for a deer to come by. If nothing comes by for a while, I’ll quietly move to the next spot and wait. If any of us are successful in securing a deer, we will have a long night ahead of us where we will butcher the animal. The whole experience from beginning to end is more involved, but the result is much more meat in the freezer than you would get from small game. There could be enough venison to last my family a few months.

This will be my forth hunting season, and up until now, I’ve only gone bowhunting for deer. This is because my friend Forrest happens to teach the safety course that is required to go bow hunting. I have shot archery since I was 9 years old, and he convinced me to take his course. I scored a 100 on the test, bought a license and some deer tags, and ventured into the woods. To this day I still haven’t managed to harvest a deer. In my defense, I am usually stalking deer on the ground with a recurve bow. That means I have to get really close. I’ve seen plenty of them out there, but have yet to be presented with a clear, ethical shot. They are usually too far away or behind branches, bushes or other obstructions. Taking a clean, ethical shot is a major focus of the class that Forrest teaches. Year after year, I considered taking the hunter’s safety course. It is mandatory nationwide for hunters, and teaches very important information about safety, ethics, and the laws regarding hunting. Completion of the course would allow me to hunt with a shotgun or black powder rifle at various times in the season, instead of only being able to hunt with my bow and arrow. My issue with taking the course has always been a matter of time, and not having enough of it. It is hard for me to find a block of nine hours on a Sunday. Like the millenial I am (just barely), I waited until the course was offered online. It is a course that is designed to make sure you understand how to safely and ethically harvest an animal before you wander into the woods with dangerous weapons. Once you pass the online exam, you have to physically drive to a DEM location to take the written test. From there, you need to buy your licenses, tags and stamps for whatever hunting endeavor you want to pursue. There are different licenses and tags for different animals, weapons and parts of the season. Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart are good options for getting squared away with all of that in my experience. The counter person in the outdoors/sporting section should be more than happy to help you with questions and details. I am now fully legal and ready to enter the woods tomorrow. I have made the decision to go with my 20 gauge shotgun. It will be equipped with ammo made specifically for small game. I finish my gin and tonic and get ready for bed. I am packed and ready for my adventure. It will be hard for me to sleep as I will be thinking about strategies, what to bring, and the excitement of spending the day in the majesty of the outdoors. I feel like I did as a child on Christmas Eve, too excited to fall asleep. Tomorrow should be epic. If you are interested in hunting in Rhode Island, you can pick up the abstract at various locations. The abstract is the set of rules and regulations typed out in a no-nonsense, easy-to-understand way. It varies year to year and I usually pick mine up at Dick’s Sporting Goods. You can get more information on line at dem.ri.gov, or you can always try to talk about it with a stranger who looks like they hunts. In my experience, most hunters are passionate about their sport and follow the regulations. It is an important part of maintaining the balance of various habitats and part of an important heritage and tradition. Good night and good hunting.

Art Seen: Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center — the Pride of Woonsocket

At the start of my professional life I had the opportunity to work at Trinity Square Theatre, building scenery designed by a world-renowned set designer: Eugene Lee. Lucky me! Theater offers so much in the way of great positive interaction with other creatives all working toward one common goal. It’s a vast soup poured into a funnel leading to opening night. Just great. Theater is second to none as an educational experience, and Rhode Islanders are very fortunate to have so many different performing arts facilities, studios and classes to choose from. On the top of my new list is the pride of Woonsocket, the Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center, and there’s a bright future ahead with the passing of Question 5 on the recent ballot.

I decided to pay them a visit as there are great rumors circulating about the theater, its terrific team, and what looks to be more major renovations to add to their already beautifully restored theater and facilities. What a glorious place to visit. First an introduction by executive director, Cathy Levesque, and the seasoned president, Armand Desmarais; then a red carpet tour by the building manager, Jim Keegan, all before interviewing Lisa Surrette, the educational director who I was there to meet and interview. What a great team of friendly, warm and articulate folks. These impressive folks are proud and positive in their mission.

Lisa Surrette is a sparkling example of the people you hope to meet in theater and especially in education. Still with a twinkle in the eyes, she offered impressive numbers of the summer and year- round enrollment and the ongoing productions, performances and activities (too much too mention here), and we chatted about shared experiences in teaching and her role as the education director at the Stadium. Amidst many distractions (she’s a busy lady) she graciously toured me through a class in progress and showed me some of the tech-people working on stage, all spiced with joyful facts she shared. Soon we were joined by a member of their staff, 20-year-old Adam Landry, who, among other roles at the Stadium Theatre, is currently directing this fall’s Willy Wonka… production as part of the Stadium’s Young Actor’s Academy. The young director is already deeply immersed in the life of theater and while sharing a few smile-filled sentences, I felt one of those Zen moments in life; seeing the young me, while he was speaking to the older version of himself. It was wonderful.

A society can be appraised by its treatment of its own youth. As a lifelong creative and active participant in the arts, I cannot stress how important this gem of an organization is to the area and community at large. This is a remarkable place for great things to happen for young people. With its expert team of terrific professionals, selfless volunteers and the overall community support, we can expect only good things can come from the Stadium Theatre, which boasts a colorful lineup of professional productions and first-rate entertainment. If you haven’t already, you should visit them at 28 Monument Square in Woonsocket or online at stadiumtheatre.com. And most of all, please support the local arts.

Book Review: Lt. Michael Morse’s Rescuing Providence Emergency services used to get a bad rap before September 11, 2001. After that day, there wasn’t a firefighter or police officer who wasn’t looked at as a hero. Rescue drivers (or emergency medical technicians (EMTs)) always seemed to be the forgotten middle children — not as flashy as the firefighters and not as visible as the police officers. Rescuing Providence, by Lt. Michael Morse (of the Providence Fire Department), is a great look at the tiring dedication of an EMT.

At the time of this book’s 2007 publication, Morse was a 16-year vet with the Providence Fire Department, working Rescue 1, located on Allens Ave. After years on the fire truck, he made the transition to the rescue, feeling that everyone should try both. The rescue is seemingly busier than the fire truck, with more opportunity for overtime. This was a factor in Morse making his decision, as the extra money helps him support his wife and two stepdaughters. The dedication he shows is touching.

Rescuing Providence covers a shift that lasts 34 straight hours over a two-day span just before Easter. Two of the shifts were scheduled, and he picks up some third-shift overtime on Rescue 3 on Branch Ave. During the course of his seeming never-ending shift, he deals with 25 distress calls. Some of the calls are serious (double shooting, congestive heart failure), while others seem like more of a waste of public dollars (three intoxications, trouble walking). It seemed like a good number of the calls were due to patients realizing that they could get a free ride to the hospital by just calling 911. But, a point that Morse makes so clear, the people calling for an ambulance are calling because they feel that their needs are emergencies, even if the outside world doesn’t agree.

Morse has 25 great stories to tell after his 34-hour shift. He throws in some backstory anecdotes for good measure, which help paint more of a picture of who he is and what shapes him. A great backstory includes Morse speaking of how he met his wife and the mom and pop cleaning company they owned. He then goes into how he got accepted into the academy just before his wife was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. He doesn’t write it as a sad story, but more of an inspiration as to how they readjusted their lives. Morse describes each rescue call with such great detail that I felt like I was on the truck as his partner. He paid attention to detail, but didn’t confuse the reader with medical talk, explaining everything as needed.

My knock on this book revolves around Morse adding his own two cents. He would editorialize some things in a way that made him sound like an after-school special. It came off as hokey, making me squirm just a bit. He’s preachy, which is completely unnecessary since enough interesting material comes from his everyday life as a rescue EMT. His commentary sometimes took away from the stories at hand.

Rescuing Providence serves as a great reminder of just how much work an EMT does during a typical shift. Morse and his partners, Mike and then Renato (and then Mike again), are constantly on the go with barely enough time to shove food down their throats. Their work ethic is outstanding and they seem to actually get adrenaline rushes from each call that blasts over the intercom. Morse and his coworkers (this includes all of the firefighters) know that they are making a difference in the lives of others and understand the importance of the work they do. I, for one, can’t thank them enough.

More Nepotism Accusations for Woonsocket Mayor

Earlier this month, a crew from Woonsocket’s Highway Department was putting final touches on the brand new United Veterans Council of Woonsocket Armed Forces Park in preparation for an official dedication on Veterans Day. Right in the middle of it all, weed whacker in hand, was one of the Public Works Department’s newest employees. Tyler Driscoll, age 23, has been on the job for eight weeks.

And he happens to be the nephew of Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt.

Baldelli-Hunt already is facing an investigation by the Rhode Island Ethics Commission for hiring her son and teammates from his summer baseball league for unadvertised, unbudgeted jobs during July and August. In an interview with The Hummel Report in September, the mayor said she saw nothing wrong with the hire, later calling it a misstep. Late last month she termed it a mistake that was part of her learning curve in the mayor’s office.

Driscoll began his job with the city the day before we interviewed the mayor in September about her son’s employment. Driscoll is classified as a laborer. It is a temporary position with full-time hours and he makes $570 a week.

So we tried to ask the mayor about it after a news conference at City Hall on Oct 28 that announced several economic initiatives in the city. We waited until the news conference had concluded and Baldelli-Hunt had done interviews with two television stations about new businesses coming to the city.

Jim Hummel: We have a little unfinished business from the interview that you and I did a couple of months ago.

Lisa Baldelli-Hunt: Today is about economic development. If we want to talk about something other than economic development then I’d like you to call my secretary.

JH: Well, I have a feeling you’re not going to want to talk to me if I do that.

LH: No, no, you made mention that I have no problem talking to you, as was evident when I talked to you (in September), but let’s not rain on Woonsocket’s parade today.

What we didn’t realize until later is that just minutes earlier the mayor had spoken with a Channel 12 photographer about her son’s hiring and the ethics commission investigation.

We wanted to ask the mayor about her nephew’s employment and his criminal record. Driscoll was involved in a highly publicized case three years ago, charged by the Johnston Police Department with sexually assaulting two teenage girls at Memorial Park.

The police report says Driscoll, then 20 and living in West Warwick, friended the Johnston girls through Facebook, saying he was 17. Police say he brought a bottle of flavored rum with him and gave it to the girls, who were 15 and 16 at the time, on a ride to Johnston Memorial Park. One told the police she tried to fend him off when he made sexual advances but was too intoxicated to do so.

Driscoll initially was held without bail at the ACI on a first-degree sexual assault charge, but police tell The Hummel Report the parents of the girls later changed their minds and did not want to go through with the case.

The charges were eventually reduced to two counts of simple assault. He pleaded no contest in December 2012, the case was filed, and he was ordered to have no contact with the victims. The following summer Driscoll was charged with procuring alcohol for a minor in a separate case in West Warwick. He pleaded no contest and was given six months of probation. JH: Mayor, I have just two quick questions. Is your nephew Tyler Driscoll?

BH: Jim, really. Can you just understand that today is about economic development? So if you want to make an appointment with my secretary …’

JH: I have you for two minutes right now.

BH: … I’d be happy to speak with you.

JH: Mayor why are you running away? You can’t just stand and answer for two minutes? You gave us plenty of time a couple of weeks ago. What has changed? You have a nephew named Tyler Driscoll. Is that correct?

We called her secretary for an appointment that afternoon.

She scheduled an interview for the following Thursday morning — nine days later. At 5pm on the afternoon before the interview, the mayor’s secretary called to cancel the appointment, saying that Baldelli-Hunt needed to reschedule. She didn’t offer a reason why.

The mayor told Channel 12 she didn’t think twice about hiring her son because she had heard of City Council members in the past hiring their children for jobs. We weren’t able to find any evidence of that, but we did discover that another employee in the Highway Department is the mayor’s cousin, John Baldelli. He was hired in 1989 when his father — Lisa’s uncle, Charlie Baldelli — was the city’s mayor.

More than two weeks days after Mayor Baldelli-Hunt told us she’d be happy to talk with us, we’re still waiting for an interview.

Meanwhile the mayor is trying to settle her case with the Ethics Commission. In her formal response filed earlier this month, she admitted to the violation and proposed reimbursing the city of Woonsocket $880 — the amount her son earned over the summer — in exchange for having the charges dropped.

She also asked for an advisory opinion asking if the program is properly funded and advertised next summer, could her son work for the city again. The Hummel Report is a 501 3C non-profit organization that relies, in part, on your donations. If you have a story idea or want make a donation go to www.hummelreport.org, where you can also see the video version of this story. You can mail Jim directly at [email protected].

Locale Profile: Rock N Rye American Bar

On Saturday I headed to Rock N Rye on Atwells in Federal Hill to check it out and grab a few drinks. Formerly the location of the Grande French restaurant, Rock N Rye has taken the space and turned it into an old-fashioned bar. The Grande’s menu featured items like $500 bottles of champagne and $70 plates of chicken. Rock N Rye is pretty much the complete opposite of that, but not in a bad way.

This place all about being located in America. It’s so American, in fact, that the official name is Rock N Rye American Bar, and they have a country music night every week. With all this jingoistic lead-up, I was fully expecting it to be as in-your-face patriotic as Toby Keith. But the America-ness actually isn’t too overwhelming, and this place was definitely classier than I anticipated.

Rock N Rye goes for an interesting mix of high culture and pop culture. The playlist had everything from Bob Marley to house music, and chandeliers give the bar low lighting. Your eye is immediately drawn to two huge framed photos next to the door, one of Nirvana and one of Mike Tyson dressed up like a king. What’s more American than that? And pictured above the bar are enduring symbols of America like Eminem, Debbie Harry, the Stepbrothers guys, and the Prince of Providence himself, Buddy Cianci (although the pictures of Zeppelin David Bowie are a little suspect).

For entertainment, there are a two TVs in the dining area, which were set to Comcast Sports Network and Berry Gordy’s The Last Dragon, or to be more specific, the ending to The Last Dragon, then the DVD menu for a half hour, then the beginning of The Last Dragon.

Rock N Rye has a pretty solid drink menu, and you won’t need a credit limit to get a buzz on. The drink offerings include six drafts like Yuengling, Dogfish Head 60 minute IPA, and Brooklyn Lager, and some bottles and cans. They also have a food menu with an impressive list of hot dogs including the Vinny Paz (Rhode Island style), the Trent Reznor, and the Kanye (a Chicago Dog with tomato and a pickle), all affordable, and a few equally affordable burgers. I tried the nachos, and they were spot-on.

But the centerpiece of the place seems to be their cocktail list, which is anchored by “The Famous Grande Xampagneria” (champagne, peach liqueur, triple sec, and orange juice), but also includes drinks like the “House of Pain Killer,” the “Gin Blossom,” and the “Hot for Teacher.”

Whether it’s the pregame spot or the destination, it’s a pretty affordable unpretentious spot, but don’t expect the type of service you may have received at The Grande. If your veins need a dose of the ol’ red, white, and blue without breaking the bank, a trip to Rock N Rye could be in order.

Rock N Rye, 224 Atwells Ave, Providence

Vince Petronio Channels Walt Disney

When I think of Walt Disney, I don’t think about the man, I think about the corporation that has lived on long after Disney’s death in 1966. For me, Disney was the “Wonderful World of Disney” that aired every Sunday night during the ’70s after Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom.” I grew up in the Disney era of Return from Witch Mountain, The Cat from Outerspace, The Shaggy DA, and The Rescuers. I owned the soundtrack to Pete’s Dragon, one of my favorites. These are the memories that were spurned by Vince Petronio’s stellar portrayal of the man, Walt Disney, in The Wilbury Theatre Group’s A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney. Seeing Vince portray this megalomaniacal chain-smoking creative genius is a must.

However, this script is not without its flaws. Lucas Hnath, the playwright, has attempted to stage a reading of a screenplay performed by actors playing their characters in the screenplay, which is very confusing. The word “cut” must have been uttered over 100 times, used as a device to change scenes or moments, but it makes for difficult dialogue between actors.

A scene, for example, of Walt on the phone with his wife, in what should be a moment of tenderness and remembrance includes a “cut” every few words. Roy and Walt’s many scenes involve so many “cuts” that it is hard to follow the story.

These odd scenes aside, the solid acting of Tom Chace, as Roy Disney, Walt’s brother and the bumbling former football playing Josh Andrews as Ron Miller, Walt’s son-in-law, were spot on. The exploration of Roy and Walt’s relationship, while fictional in many aspects, is the most interesting relationship of the show. Roy puts up with so much abuse from Walt, but it’s clear he has the real handle on the corporation.

The stage is set up in the round, with a large table, which mimics Disney’s office, and a lot of the action happens in that space. The backdrop is a creative storyboard filled with pieces of Walt’s mind and creativity. The script leaves little room for interesting blocking, although it appears that director Brien Lang did the best he could.

Vince Petronio has acted all around this state for years performing at 2nd Story, The Gamm, Burbage, and the University of Rhode Island, where he is a professor. But The Wilbury Group has clearly recognized the talent he possesses and given him the part of a lifetime. See this play to see the performance and try to let go of a flawed attempt at a play masquerading as a screenplay.

Alt-Nation: Supersuckers, Elephant Wrecking Ball and Discs Supersu ckers – Get The Hell

The self-proclaimed “Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band in the World,” Supersuckers, return to Rhode Island for the second time this year in support of their new record, Get The Hell. As much as I like the Supersuckers, it’s been over a decade since I’ve had the slightest interest in listening to any new material from them. Maybe they got in a rut when it came to writing rock songs. For a while they had their country phase, which just wasn’t as good as their barroom punk ‘n’ roll glory of their heyday. Their live shows were still fun, but the new material was pretty forgettable till now.

Get The Hell is easily Supersuckers’ best record since 1999’s The Evil Powers of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Get The Hell starts slow with the forgettable title track, but it doesn’t take long to get the party rolling with “Something About You” and “Fuck Up” with the trademark Supersuckers outlaw swagger. The latter even adds just the right amount of harmonica without overdoing it. Tracks like “Gluttoneous” and “Disaster Bastard” show the Supersuckers returning to curb stomping rock ‘n’ roll. “Never Let Me Down Again” and “High Tonight” keep the party stoned cold rocking. Are they really “the greatest rock ‘n’ band in the world?” Probably not, but Get The Hell is like their earlier records where it’s like okay, they may not be the greatest, but they are close enough that it isn’t worth splitting hairs over. The Supersuckers’ resiliency is best expressed in the chorus of “Pushin’ Thru” with the refrain of “No I ain’t done and I’m a keep pushing through.” On Get The Hell the Supersuckers sound like a band that is a long way from done.

Supersuckers and The Skinny Millionaires rock the Newport Blues Café on November 13.

Elephant Wrecking Ball – Barren Serenade (Ropeadope Records)

Elephant Wrecking Ball is an instrumental trio that pumps out heavy trombone-driven grooves. On Barren Serenade, the trio mixes in influences as diverse as avant garde jazz, dub reggae, and heavy metal over the course of eight adventurous tunes. Whether it’s the metal guitar solo on “Five Bucks” or the reggae beat of “Shiny Irony,” Elephant Wrecking Ball always seem to have something up their sleeve. I recommend them to fans of jazz, reggae, and jam bands as a great way to dance the night away. Elephant Wrecking Ball, Secret Weapon, Chicken House Ghost Tribe are at The Spot on November 14.

Foo Fighters – ()

Coming off their best pure album in over a decade with , the Foo Fighters for whatever reason decided to challenge themselves to record an album by going around the country and recording one song in eight different cities. That journey can be followed on their HBO series, “Sonic Highways.” But as for the album as a whole, it’s a mixed bag. Part of the concept of the album is will go these cities and interview musicians of the likes of Buddy Guy, Rick Nielson (Cheap Trick), Ian McKaye, Roky Erickson, and Willie Nelson and then write lyrics based on their experiences.

Sonic Highways kicks off with “Something From Nothing,” which although it may have lyrics about Buddy Guy’s story, has a whole middle section of the song that is essentially Dio’s “Diver Down.” But just not as good. “” is more of a typical Foo Fighters rocker with a big chorus that explodes out of the speakers. The lyrics make references to Bad Brains songs and early DC punk and hardcore. The problem with this is the songs these bands wrote were autobiographical about the now. Sometimes Sonic Highways has trouble measuring up because they read like a history book re- telling stories that have already been told. Though that said, Sonic Highways does out-rock any history book. Sometimes the songs veer from their intended influences like in the Austin episode Grohl interviews Willie Nelson, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), and Roky Erickson (13th Floor Elevators) yet somehow comes out with a tune in “What Did I Do?/God As My Witness” that sounds like a tribute to Queen. “Congregation” and” In The Clear” have all the loud guitars, big drums, and catchy hooks that have been the Foo’s calling card for nearly 20 years. The last half on Sonic Highways hits a roadblock as it seems less inspired. It may have been impossible to make a great record in the manner the Foos chose to make Sonic Highways. I can’t knock them for only making it halfway there because they at least had the ambition to try.

Odds & Sods:

The Mowgli’s, Satellites Fall, and We Built The Moon are at The Met Café on November 12. The Quahogs, Tapestries, Vudu Sister with The Dead Girls rock Dusk on November 12. Ask The Dead, Backstabbers. INC, David Carradine, I am become Death, and Power Whores are at AS220 on November 13. The New Orleans Suspects and The Steamahs are at The Met Café on November 13. Sharks Come Cruisin’ has their monthly Pvd Shanty Sing residency at The Parlour on November 14. The show starts at 6pm and is the perfect way to kick off your weekend or at the very least get you warmed up for karaoke that will be happening later on in the night at The Parlour. Soul Power returns to Dusk on November 14. DJ Ty Jesso and friends will have you movin’ and groovin’ the night away to the best of ’60s R&B and Soul. J. Robbins, Onelinedrawing, and Bill Keough (CD Release show) will be at The Parlour on November 15 for an early show that starts at 6:30pm. Deerhoof and Lightning Bolt are at The Met Café on November 15. Bob Dylan is at the Providence Performing Arts Center November 15. The Safes and The Nymphidels rock The Parlour on November 16. The Wild Feathers, The Apache Relay, and Desert Noises are at Fete on November 16. Atmosphere, Prof, and Dem Atlas are at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on November 18. Jessica Lea Mayfield, T. Hardy Morris The Hardknocks, and Dylan Sevey & The Gentlemen are at Fete on November 19. Joywave and Jetty are at The Met Café on November 19.

Email music news to [email protected] Atomic Bride of X Minus One Invades AS220

The current show of Counter-Productions Theatre at AS220 is their delightful, every-other-year homage to classic stories of science fiction. This year, the show named Atomic Bride of X-1 is a collection of four one-act stories originally written as radio plays in the 1950s. Says Ted Clement, artistic director of the Counter-Productions Theater, “From the far horizons of the unknown come transcribed tales of new dimensions in time and space. These are stories of the future, adventures in which you’ll live in a million could-be years on a thousand may-be worlds.”

Do not scoff that these may be old-fashioned or dated stories. In fact, it is fascinating that in our contemporary storytelling (e.g., Interstellar), collectively we still pursue the same questions. Is there life on other worlds? Will the earth crumble and force us to move to distant outposts? What happens if Earth is invaded? These stories are cleverly transcribed for the stage. This time Clement serves as music coordinator and Host, with Christine Fox as producer. Clement’s additional notes to each story in between the plays is reminiscent of “The Twilight Zone.”

Along with Clement’s commentary, music from old sci-fi shows plays while clips of ancient space travel films display on the back wall when actors are not on stage. This time, there are four different directors, chosen by Clement, to direct each of the four stories. Rufus Qristofer Teixeira directs Junkyard, written by Clifford D. Simak. A great audience pleaser, this one-act opens the show with a “Star Trek” feel. The actors wear uniforms much akin to the “Star Trek” crew. They use phasers, communicators and even the whirling-sound gizmo used by the Doctor. It’s played with just enough camp to elicit laughs.

On a much creepier note is Perigi’s Wonderful Dolls, written by George Lefferts and directed by Erin Archer. Stuart Wilson gives an outstanding performance as the mysterious Perigi. No spoilers, but for goodness sake, if you ever inherit, find or are given a doll that shortly becomes weird or creepy, get rid of that thing! Costumes and vintage hairdos are wonderfully realized for this story.

Skulking Permit, written by Robert Sheckley, is directed with humor by Billy Flynn. This is a story with a unique twist on the “What if” premise of colonizing other planets or moons. It also demonstrates how communications can be warped over time and evolve into a completely different message. I particularly enjoyed Jeana Ariel Garcia as Tammy Fisher and Erin Archer as Edna Beer. No one is sure how things will work out. But the writing is very clever.

Laura Minadeo directs the chilling Zero Hour, written by Ray Bradbury. The story starts out innocently, with a normal family. Haley Pine plays the daughter, Mink. Pine has no problem holding her own with the adults on stage. She is playing a new game with her friend, Art (Alex Rotella). Parents often don’t understand the games their children create, but Mink’s mom becomes worried when she finds the game to be more and more puzzling after speaking to her sister in another city.

Overall, there is very fine acting and direction in this collection. I was a bit distracted by the slow set changes done in between scenes, which slowed down the pace at the top of the show. It was opening night — perhaps the stage hands will become more efficient as the run progresses.

The Atomic Bride of X Minus One continues at 95 Empire St., Providence, Nov 14 and 15 at 7pm, and Nov 16 at 2pm. For tickets go to brownpapertickets.com

The Wickenden Walkabout

It’s soon to be that time of year again. Crazy uncles taking over the living room couch, chaos in the kitchen, giant plucked foul defrosting on the counter. No wonder Rhode Islanders have chosen the night before (or after) Thanksgiving to be the night of high school reunions and boozing with friends. This year, however, think about abandoning the local watering hole and exploring some untapped neighborhoods. For instance, Wickenden Street in Providence has a great selection of pubs to bounce between, from the well-known summer hangouts to the hidden side-street gems that only the Fox Point locals know of. I got the insider’s look during my walk down Wickenden, all thanks to an accidental Facebook invite.

It wasn’t until our first stop at Captain Seaweeds that it occurred to me I didn’t know the host or anyone else in attendance. The friends I’d invited — a girl visiting from Hawaii and a guy from France — were among the first to arrive. The bar was identifiable by a hanging wooden plaque that featured the Captain himself, his beard reminiscent of Medusa’s hair, and the interior decoration was superb: walls and ceilings covered in pictures, posters, and memorabilia related to ships, pirates, hula dancers, and creatures of the sea. There was a pool table and a few tables, but most seating was at the bar itself. We ordered our first round of drinks, though none of us were brave enough to try the $1 Captain Seaweed’s Lager, and we waited for everyone to trickle in.

By 9:30, Captain Seaweed’s was a happenin’ place. I’d made friends with those who were intentionally invited to the “Wickenden Walkabout” and discovered that I knew the host’s brother, which I pretended was the reason I was there. I also ran into a coworker—an event that made me feel like a true Rhode Islander.

Running an hour behind schedule, our host informed us we were going to the next bar. “We’re going Round the Corner!” he yelled. Our group of 15 followed the leader, and it was more complicated than simply walking around the corner. We walked through a maze of side streets and residential neighborhoods until the houses split and we saw a dimly lit sign for Round the Corner. The window revealed only a neon shamrock and ATM logo. I would have never found this place on my own.

The inside was completely full, but given its small size, it’s hard to say how many people were really there. We squeezed in, our group separating around the bar in order to find enough standing room. The other patrons eyed us warily, and as there was only one bartender, he didn’t seem thrilled at our arrival. We ordered Sam Seasonals and my friend contemplated stealing the pint glass. “How great is this?” she asked. The glass read, “For the love of beer,” which would have made a great Rhode Island keepsake, but her conscience was too pure.

Given the tight quarters, we quickly moved to Wickenden Street proper and attended its namesake bar. Compared to Round the Corner, Wickenden Pub was huge and carried an unusual musk. “This is what I envision a medieval pub being like,” someone in the group said. There was a dartboard in the corner, tables and booths scattered about, and a lot of wood and stone. It felt like we were inside a cellar where it wouldn’t be unusual to order a pint of mead. I found the Walkabout host, and he gave me some background on our previous locations.

“When I discovered Captain Seaweed’s, it was completely sketchy. The first time I walked in, there was a woman wearing just a bra with a knife tucked in; people were doing drugs and gambling. But now, it’s a tourist destination. Old people and families go there. It’s completely different.” He also described Round the Corner as being the opposite, a safe haven full of quiet and welcoming locals. “It wasn’t quite as friendly tonight,” he added, but it might’ve been better if we hadn’t gone with an entourage.

The group’s next stop was Point Tavern, but I ditched the walkabout out of hunger and landed at Fellini’s Pizzeria, where I ate two amazing slices of pizza. (Note: from my quick glance inside Point Tavern, it appeared to be the classiest of all the bars we visited.) My friend and I re-joined the group at The Hot Club, our final destination.

The Hot Club by day, especially by summer day, is not the same as The Hot Club by night, when patios are closed and strangers come together at the bewitching hour. Crowds consists of locals, visitors, young adults and the young-at-heart, and everyone is beyond the tipping point. I wrote the best quotes from the evening, but none of them are appropriate for this magazine. After a single vodka soda, I called it a night, but the party raged on into the early morning.

So this November, gather your friends, sing a little Kumbaya, and give thanks for Uber because the Wickenden Walkabout is worth leaving the neighborhood to experience.

Captain Seaweeds: 162 Ives St, Providence

Round the Corner: 12 Governor St.

Wickenden Pub: 320 Wickenden St.

The Point Tavern: 302 Wickenden St.

Fellini’s Pizzeria: 166 Wickenden St.

The Hot Club: 575 S Water St.