When the going gets tough, some of us try to imagine a time when the going wasn't so tough. Take the music scene as an example. Yeah, times right now are tough in town. No one's breaking through, only a handful of bands are making any kind of progress. Gigs are harder than ever to snag as more and more venues are penciling in nights of DJs and cover bands to cut costs and ensure a drinking patronage.

But there was a time -- in fact, there have been several times over the past 20 years or so -- when things weren't so bad. Which makes you wonder just how cyclical the music scene really is. (At least we hope it is or else we're on a long, downhill slide headin' straight to hell, right?) Anyway, I started thinking a little about the times when the scene was more fertile than it is now, when little Providence offered up some smoke of its own. Flipping back through the pages of time, you'll encounter chapters of solidarity, when the scene was so cohesive you couldn't pry it apart with an iron wedge. Then, of course, there were periods of solitude, too, when the scene was so barren you could drive miles without encountering another band.

But let's talk about the good times, when music ruled, and people went out, and bands came together to form some kind of community. Through the years, you had breakout acts like Scarce, Velvet Crush, Small Factory, Throwing Muses, and others recording for major labels. Nights out were electric, unpredictable. Bars were packed solely because people had heard about how good the music was and how critical it was to check it out. The grunge movement and Nirvana had galvanized the nation and indie bands in every little city took advantage of the enthusiasm.

In the late '70s and early '80s, the punk and New Wave movements had rallied a credible and creditable collective of true punks in bands like the Proletariat, Neutral Nation, Rash of Stabbings, Big World, the Hi-Beams, and the Schemers (with Mark Cutler). Back then, punk brought club-goers energy and catharsis. New Wavers enjoyed tuneful tunes and vibrant performances. Many of these bands opened for the many national bands that were zig-zagging the country. But the locals packed places to see the local bands -- the national acts were icing. College kids looking for the latest one-hit-radio-wonder rarely entered the picture, leaving clubs to the regulars. A bunch of bands plus a bigger bunch of regular fans equals a scene. Add a full club, a sweaty show, cheap beer, a cool crowd, not to mention a post-gig chili dog at Haven Brothers or the Silver Top and you've got Providence circa your favorite year.

Am I candy-coating this? Are my memories clouded by Jägermeister and too much parking lot hooch? Why don't you let me know? I'm interesting in sparking some sort of discourse on the past and how it does or doesn't relate to the present scene. How is the past different from the present? How are they similar? Are there bands you truly miss, bands in this more difficult scene that may still have made a difference locally?

Shoot me an e-mail (b_gulla@ yahoo.com) and tell me some of your best memories. I'd love to hear them.

CONSULTING AN EXPERT. Adam Silverman, formerly of the Providence-based Flydaddy Records, has announced the formation of Adam Silverman Consulting and Marketing, a concern designed to assist artists, record labels and management companies in navigating the music industry. Silverman will serve as a a complete resource, offering services including the development of short- and long-term business plans, budgeting, conceiving marketing strategies, executing promotional and retail campaigns (including brick and mortar stores and online outlets) and creating an international presence. Reflecting his work with Flydaddy, where he spearheaded campaigns on Richard Davies and Super Furry Animals among other strong indie acts, the greatest amount of attention in his consulting business will be paid to emerging artists and small companies.

If you don't know Adam, or aren't familiar with his credentials, there are a few things you might want to take with you. He worked two years in the promotion and marketing department of Sub Pop Records in their busy heyday and over eight years running Flydaddy Records, an international record label he co-founded in back in 1993. Lately, Adam's worked with several other established labels including Sugar Free, Arena Rock and locals Wishing Tree, and has also been working with Doug Buttleman and Jason Rio at DBMI on the forthcoming Remy Zero album on Elektra. For more information please contact him by phone at 331.2726 or by e-mail at adamsilverman05@hotmail.com. You'll be glad you did.

HYGIENIC ARTISTS SOUGHT. The Hygienic Artist Cooperative is currently accepting applications from visual artists interested in becoming a resident. The Hygienic Building is an 1844 brick Greek Revival structure located at 79/81 Bank Street in downtown New London, across from the Thames River. It was recently renovated into two floors of gallery space and six artists' residential spaces. Successful applicants will become a limited partner in the co-op and will be offered one of the co-op units (consisting of a single bedroom/loft, full bath, kitchen, and working studio space). Applicants must be working visual artists and must meet certain income guidelines. Applications must be received by September 23. Anticipated move-in date is October 15. For additional information on the co-op and an application for residency, call (860) 437-0580.

OOPS. I misreported a few weeks back. What I didn't know (and didn't bother to fact-check) was that the "new" Medicine Ball album, Fresh Ape, was indeed the new album and not a reissue of any sort. In fact, the album, according to the band's Mark Stone, "was a long and often frustrating process" that lasted nearly three years. Anyway, it's here and it's worth your time. It may not be fresh out of the oven, but it sure does smell good. Apologies for the error.

WANDERING EYE. Freakshow kicks off its first official tour tonight, Thursday at the Met Café with C60, Garagantua Soul, and Curb Feeler. By the time the band returns from their jaunt, they'll have a new CD in hand, which we're all looking forward to checking out. Good luck, guys.

It's a busy weekend at the Blackstone River Theatre. Friday there's an evening of the music of the Andes with Yarina. Yarina is one of five groups nominated for Best World Music Recording in the 4th Annual Native American Music Awards. Admission is $10. On Saturday, the Theatre presents a night of Irish music with the Robbie O'Connell Band. O'Connell played for years with the Clancy Brothers, recording three albums with the legends. Now he has emerged as a solo artist of major stature. Admission is $12. You'll find the BRT at 549 Broad Street in Cumberland. For reservations and information, call 725-9272.

M-80, who's playing with the Pietasters at the Ocean Mist this Saturday (the 15th), will be breaking in new drummer Brian Bacon, ex of Racketball. The sound, according to the band's Christian Blaney, "will be polished and tight -- still punk but we've been able to lock in some serious vocal harmonies and really square up our sound." Sounds good to us.

E-mail me with music news at b_gulla@yahoo.com.

Issue Date: September 14 - 20, 2001