The lifeblood that pumps this scene to life comes in the form of new bands. It
doesn't matter how good, or how faithful, or how loyal the veteran musicians
are on the scene, if you don't have a good flow of new faces, well, the whole
thing starts to stink. People, sounds, songs need to circulate, ventilate, or
everyone catches the same germs and the whole damn place gets diseased. It's
like being on the same plane for a few hours. Someone up front sneezes and 10
minutes later, 10 rows back you can feel your own nose stuffing up.
So I wanted to address a few new-ish bands around town. I didn't plan this
column far enough in advance; we had anticipated talking to an artist about his
new project, but the debut gig fell through. (More on that below.) So the
groups included here are either playing this week, or have a new disc out soon.
But because I'm scrambling, I didn't lock down interviews, which is why you're
gonna get a whole lotta basic nuts-and-bolts info, and not a lot of
personality.
DLicks and the Army of Funk: At The Blackstone, Sunday, March 17
This cheeky eight-piece outta Brown gets its kicks by covering '70s
funk. I'm not sure what motivates these kinds of ensembles, other than the
apparent cheeseball nature of the genre -- I mean the style, mostly -- but they
seem to be genuinely absorbed in their material. On their Website
(www.jthaler.net/~dlicks/) they have a bunch of good quality sound files to
check out. You get a pretty good indication of what their record collection
consists of -- everything from the Commodores ("Brick House," natch), with
Jesse Thaler on mad bass, and Wild Cherry ("Play That Funky Music," also
natch), to more old school stuff. James Brown, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, and
Curtis Mayfield all make it into the repertoire, which shows respect and
appreciation and weighty nods to the fathers of funk. They also score points
for attempting Dusty Springfield's classic, and one of my personal faves, "Son
of a Preacher Man." Not an easy song to cover, and they deserve a collegiate
merit badge for trying.
Apparently at Brown the bunch gets some decent crowds -- the scholastic
hipsters on the hill eat this kitsch up. That said, I'm not sure what the
future of a funk cover band holds. Will it disband after graduation? Or will
this very white octet migrate south to see what kind of reception they get on
the Chitlin Circuit? Only time will tell.
THE SLEAZIES: At the Green Room on Saturday, March 16
Some powerful elixir, that hardcore punk rock. I mean, why else would
bands still be playing it with enthusiasm more than 25 years since its
invention? There's just something about the three-chords-and-a-cloud-of-dust
rampage that sets hearts and souls -- often not minds -- alight with adrenaline
guitar rushes, psychotic bass lines, and throat-ripping voices. Correct me if
I'm wrong, but if you're not into metal, every serious alt-music fan trundles
through a punk phase, which is why there are so many sullen people walking
around our cities these days. But that's another story.
Jami from the Sleazies announces the arrival of his new band. He and bud Mike
retired the locally infamous Violent Anal Death more than five years ago and
now they're back with a new act. Their first Providence show is this Saturday
at the Green Room with Fast Actin' Fuses and Lamont.
Will it be, could it be, as infamous as the late, lamented VAD? Perhaps not.
That band occupied a specific place in time and will be remembered by the many
that stumbled across it during that period. By embracing heavy, slightly more
melodic punk, the Sleazies automatically occupy a larger berth on the scene.
Here's hoping Jami and Mike continue throwing their weight around.
www.sleazies.com
Bridges Fell: Innocence Again
The band earned the coveted Breakthrough Act award in last year's Best
Music Poll, and they also enjoyed quite a bit of local airplay for their debut,
Without a Call. A few songs from that disc -- "Little Leah," "Stand
Here," and "Reason" -- impressed listeners with their tactile pop prowess and
melodic strength. Sticklers for detail might insist that they're not exactly a
new sound. But even though they've enjoyed significant success, they've
remained on the fringe of the local scene, avoiding for whatever reason stature
as a principal player downtown. Why?
That might all change with the arrival of their new album, Innocence
Again, this Tuesday. (The next day they'll be featured on 'BRU's
Breaking and Entering program.) Led by singer-guitarist Andrew Mook, who at
last check was working on a solo album, and flanked by guitarist Ryan Cooney,
bassist Chad Flaherty, drummer Ben Defusco and violinist, et al. Karin Crary,
bridges fell recorded their first material, a two-song demo, back in 1999.
Without a Call, the one all the fuss was about, followed shortly
thereafter. They've been focused ever since. Focus is a key.
They mastered the new album at Sterling Sound in New York City, a top-notch
facility. By the sound of it -- there are two new tracks available on the Web
site (www.bridgesfell.com) -- it's some truly compelling stuff.
WANDERING EYE. Well, it was bound to happen. Shane MacGowan
didn't get his ass into the country. It could have been the alcohol, or maybe
his Far Side face the INS didn't like. But the fact is plans for one of the
most highly anticipated St. Paddy's Day parties in recent memory have been
quashed. That night would have included a debut from Jason Kendall's new
band, aka Jason Kendall and the Deterrents. But the bash isn't totally kaput.
Blackstone Valley Sinners, the Dementians, and Chris Turner
and the Whompers will stage a free show to help the MacGowan fans drown
their sorrows. Call 272-LUPO for details.
On Friday (the 15th), Mastamindz will take the stage at the Living Room
about 10:30. (If there's music available from that camp, please send it along
-- I'm looking forward to checking it out.) Chan's Egg Roll and Jazz Concert
Series will present a St. Patrick's Day Celebration with Pendragon on
Friday at 8 p.m. at the Woonsocket landmark. Admission is $12. Call 765-1900
for information or reservations.
The Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland will celebrate St. Patrick's Day
with an evening of Celtic music and dance featuring Pendragon with special
guests Skip Healy and Ken Lyon and step dancers Kevin
Doyle and Kieran Jordan on Saturday (the 16th) at 8 p.m. Admission
is $12. For reservations call 725-9272. And if you miss the show on Saturday,
you can catch the same lineup (minus Lyon) on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the
under-appreciated Odeum on Main Street in East Greenwich. For information or
reservations, call 885-9119 or visit the Odeum box office. There's a serious
Irish streak in that neck of the woods, so reservations are strongly
recommended. A ticket or two will also be available at the door.
E-mail me with music news at big.daddy1@cox.net.
Issue Date: March 15 - 21, 2002
