Rant of the Bitter?

Fan Attic's Second Compilation Shines

by Michael Caito

The second installation of the Runt of the Litter compilation series from Cambridge's Fan Attic Records features Boston and Rhody bands, though there are a few from other New England towns sprinkled in. I say sprinkled because at a whopping 34 tracks -- brief ones at that -- it's impossible to get more than a fleeting glimpse.

The overall tone is confrontational, but that's not surprising on what is essentially a punk comp. One thing that's fun about this one is playing pin-the-tail on the influence. West coast, LA-style, east coast, N.Y.C., D.C., U.K.. Oi, hardcore, garage. Anarchists commingling with straight-edgers, drunks and various other teen ballbreakers. Pistols, Clash, Dolls up through Op Ivy, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Fugazi. It's a great stew, and heartening after all the silly posturing and pontificating about punk rock ever since Dookiecame out. About a fifth of the songs are horribly recorded, but that's entirely forgivable, because it's the spirit which moves Runt of the Litterforward. A disregard for political correctness is usually going to get my vote, too, and there's plenty o' that, from "Girlfriend's Mom" by Peace Dale's The F.I.D.'s to God Told Me To's "River Phoenix." Noteworthy are the several fine efforts from the Ocean State contingent. Many of these bands can and have been heard in recent Sunday matinee shows at the Met and during the week at the Living Room. The only outfit which doesn't kick with their usual gusto is Woonsocket's Fess, whose "Money" isn't as tasty as the three tracks on their `96 split 7" on Roachender Records with Providence's Gringo. Gringo's "Things ILike" opens with yet another tooling of the Sesame Street gang (Big Bird this time, whereas V.A.D. just can't get past Bert'n'Ernie. How Mister Rogers has escaped the abuse for this long is beyond me). Two tracks which command attention are those by The Toss-Offs and Brooklyn Steamer. The Toss-Offs' "Jessica is a Cannibal" is the yin to the yang of now-disbanded Waterdog's lovey-dovey "Jessica," with the Tossed-Off Jess preferring "her dinner at the morgue." Brooklyn Steamer's "Old Friends, New Enemies" is one of the record's highlights, with a Clash-like feel and smart backing vocals which had the thumb twitching on the replay button. Nice.

Bashing authority can become a one-trick pony on a punk comp, but here Fan Attic have enough diverse talent at their disposal to temper the rants with laughs. It's a surefire sign that many young bands have not lost their sense of humor or the important ability to goof on themselves (see Rated "R"'s hilarious "Got So Drunk IGot Married") instead of forever squinting and smirking at the world through cynical shades. Other highlights -- and upcoming bands which you will probably hear much more from in time -- include The Pinkerton Thugs, the Medveds, the Skegs, the Lombardies and the Ducky Boys. Strong stuff. Overall, Runt of the Litter Volume 2 leaves you in a great mood, not necessarily wanting to throttle the next idiot you see. It's drone-free and full of "one-two-fuck-you" delivered with a smile instead of that annoying perma-smirk. Important issues are addressed, sure, but the joy is in the making. That's an obvious goal too often overlooked by the woe-be-to-us set. Solid comp.

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Occupy the Castle

Here's a story you can definitely tell your grandchildren -- the night you caught both Shawn Colvin and The Lunachicks. Who says they're different? It's all about potency, and just because Colvin uses a softer sell than the always-antic Lunachicks doesn't mean her message is diluted or less valid. Of course if the Lunachicks happen to read this I'm dead. Freedy Johnston is another reason to get to Lupo's early show Saturday. The man sings exquisite stories, and after Colvin's band finishes you have plenty of time to hit the Living Room for the Lunachicks, always a superb live band. A spectacular mix 'n' match.

Speaking of twin bills, the Rhode Island Philharmonic hosts two events this weekend, with a Friday night visit by the travelling revival Yesterday -- A Tribute to the Beatles.Sunday, several actors and actresses from Alias Stage (under the direction of PC theatre department mainstay Mary Farrell) perform in the Philharmonic's Peter andthe Wolf, culled from the timeless Prokofiev work. They follow up the usual storyline with the subsequent court trial of the Wolf the day after he wreaks havoc (of course for an epilogue they'll have the civil trial, in which the . . . oh, never mind). Conductor Francisco Noya leads the Orchestra at 3 p.m., but the Veterans Memorial lobby will be open from 2:15 for the Philharmonic Petting Zoo.

Saturday, Stone Soup hosts 100th Monkey, featuring Chris Turner, Rachel Maloney and Mance Grady. This Sunday at the Call is worth getting the Monday blahs. Miracle Legion hang their Portrait of a Damaged Family (Mezzotint) while Flora Street and the Sallies open. Mark Mulcahy and Mr. Ray have been spinning pithy, disarming pop webs for years, and the band's lawyer-laden layoff provided a musical payoff on Damaged Family, one of last year's highlights. It's about five-deep in singles if any radio stations happen to accidentally snap out of their comas. When he's on, Mulcahy can be as acerbic as Ray Davies, maintaining a veteran showman's presence and a sense of pop grandeur without seeming phony. Strong songs, always. And since it's already time for pitchers and catchers, you can ask the Legion's Rhode Island rhythm section (Spot and "Tiger" McCaffrey) exactly how porked we'll be without the Rocket this season. Ears open for the Medicine Ball/Mother Jefferson show there on March 2. AS220 goes big-band twice this week, with Neo-'90s playing the Last Saturday Fiesta and the Jackiebeat Orchestra arriving Wednesday the 26th. If anyone caught the white heat coming off Klem's sax as he juiced the Royal Crowns' "Do the Devil" last Sunday at Lupo's, you have a tiny inkling of how prodigious Jackiebeat can be. I've heard the entire Spring-Heeled Jack horn section accompany the Crowns twice live on that particular track, but with due respect, Klem single-saxedly kicked all their butts. Yow. Rich Lupo has at least one ringer in his monthly New Music Showcase at AS220 on Friday night (that would be Erin McKeown). And you know Guv'nor Eric Suggs is always on point with the chess matches whenever you're ready for some relaxed pawn manipulation. Happens several afternoons a week at the Space, and it's always free.

Duly noted:the new Roomful of Blues and U2 records were officially released on the same day. During that week, which one was more frequently added by AAA-format radio stations throughout America? Hint:a little Sugar always takes the Edge off. Next week, Roomful drummer John Rossi explains precisely why he DOESNOT hate rock and roll . . . .

Finally, all those interested in contributing to raise bail for the lead singer/crackhead of the Village People, please line up directly underneath the next bus to scenic Newark. Pretty macho, man.