Young guns

Plus, From Tap to Boom Bap and more

by Michael Caito

Beltaine have a crafty new single out on Middletown's Atomic Action label. "Rototillthesky" and "If I Fly Too High" give ample warning that their upcoming CD (tentatively called Crowning the Caged Kid on the same label) is gonna inflict damage. This is the second single from the quintet, who mix and meld a whole lotta D.C.-flavored whomp into their brew without owing too much to obvious heroes Fugazi. Actually, one Beltaine member recently toured with Ian MacKaye's little brother's band. Hope that didn't go too well, as this quintet have a foot up on whatever the musical fallout from grunge's overdue demise is going to be. Paul Vieira and Way O'Malley form a solid twin-guitar attack without lapsing into hard rock cliches. They sound hungry and restless. They play with Third Age this Friday at the Met. Let's hear some more . . . .

Ether/Chick Graning and Friends:Live at AS220 4/11
It was great hearing Newport's Freddy Abong (most recently of Throwing Muses) playing bass live again. Compared to the previous AS gig as a duo (Graning on acoustic and drummer Chris Gorman, most recently of Belly, on brushes), it seems recent studio time has done wonders for the trio. Set highlights found three excellent powerpop cuts, not too far removed from the Anastasia/Scarce vein, which means savvy use of dynamics, tempo changes, mega-hooks and vocals from the ledge by Chick, though cool-cucumber Abong was ultimately their glue. Preceding quartet Ether have made immense strides in their brief history. Spiritual nods to a coupla my faves (Buzzcocks, Wedding Present) overcame the saminess of most of their set. Another band on the rise. Only caught the finale by the UV's (R.I.C.-based glam rockers with a little more attitude than talent), but they're one of those groups who can keep the smiles coming, and that's important.

Speaking of Scarce alums, bassist Joyce Raskin's brother Josh appears on drums with the DC-based quartet Edison this weekend, headlining Invisible Cowboys and Vehicle. Invisible Cowboys are one of two groups which rose from the ashes of Pollenate (the other being the Fly Seville, who also have a solid demo out). Guest bassist Pete Donnelley of the Figgs joins Mike Moore (g), Josiah Webb (v, g) and Brian Leveille (d). Ace trio Vehicle need no introduction. They are one slamming band, and their last cassette has received much play in the lab. Demand "Almost" and "Get Lost." Bassist/ singer/booking agent Bohorquez has finally convinced the planet that he's not trying to ape the Totally Wired vibe on his Hidden Agenda nights. Bands are a little more . . . nasty. Evidence:Six Finger Satellite return soon. Moore mentioned last week that the Invisible Cowboys have partially completed studio work with Adam Lasus (who recently moved his infamous Studio Red to Brooklyn). Lasus is the mixmaster behind early Scarce and recent Godrays efforts, among others. To finish off in a nice circle, original Scarce drummer Jud Ehrbar arrives back at the Met with the phenomenal Varnaline on May 7; grab their next disc (on Zero Hour), due out on the day of the Providence show. Varnaline -- two brothers plus Ehrbar -- are one of those bands you'll be proud to say you caught way back in '97.

The release of the decade has arrived, courtesy of the knuckleheads (Kevin and Liam) who bring you WRIU's Shindig show every week. Sure, Load Records is prepping their old-school Providence punk compilation, but Phelpsy Destroyer (Owen Records) is, to quote Yanni, totally fucking great. An inspired paean to R.I. punk mack daddy Rob Phelps (now a Jesuit priest), it features a pair each from the Toss-Offs, the F.I.D.s and the Mole People. Rumor has it that this is what was on the turntable the day they found Gingrich and Reno doin' the nasty in a White House pantry. Woonsocket's Toss-Offs lay siege to the venerable turf staked out by Neutral Nation (and, currently, One Ton Shotgun). More melodic than 'Nation, less irreverent than the Shotgun but no less fierce than either, the Toss-Offs -- still teens all -- have a strong future. The F.I.D.s are Peace Dale's largest contribution to western civilization since Giro's Spaghetti House. Naw, actually they're kinda dopey -- "Black Market Babies"and "All-Girls Dorm" are predictably ragged but bizarre in their ability to charm. Mansfield legends the Mole People (including Jack Hanlon from Flower Gang/Royal Crowns and Matty Mac from FG plus two new bands we haven't heard yet) disbanded four years ago, yet their two rollicking tracks spotlight a frenzied, Ramones-on-Jolt Cola attack. A fine and fun mini-comp from more young guns.

LIVE AND LARGE. On Friday, April 18, Lupo's hosts the CD-release bash of ska-meisters The Agents, whose self-titled disc is a bubbly, splashy trek through juked-up ska. Nine pieces give them a little bit of a Bosstones feel but a spin through the disc offers more funk than punk. On Saturday, Atwater-Donnelly make their annual performing appearance at Stone Soup, where they'll celebrate the release of Where the Wild Birds Do Whistle -- their fifth CD -- at Gloria Dei. They met a decade ago as Soup volunteers and Elwood, that rascal, actually went back to the old Church of the Redeemer on Hope Street to purchase the long bench they frequently chatted on when they first met, later presenting it to Aubrey as a surprise. Of course he had to cut the thing in half to fit it in their farmhouse, but that doesn't really matter. Two fine musicians -- and finer humans . . . Meanwhile, the Carriage House has an intriguing lineup called From Tap to Boom Bap, featuring tap dancer Brian Jones, rapper/poet Derick Prosper, Mark Fisher & His Hip-Hop Crew (note this Pawtucket ensemble . . . they can kick it), the Carriage House Flippers, African drummers Sinaly Papus Daidate and Balla Tounkare, Irish step dancers, plus steppers Betty Cadet and Tyeace McRae. Info at 831-9479. Fat Bag open for De La at the Strand in a juicy twin-bill next Thursday, and Paul Broadnax croons tunes immortalized by Joe Williams at Chan's Friday. Of course, those seeking Bohemia need travel no farther than AS220, where Czech legends Uz Jsme Doma return on April 25. Founded in Northern Bohemia in 1985, the quintet just released a soundtrack to the film Jaro, peklo, podzim, zima (Spring, hell, autumn, winter) which accompanies a magnificent pop-up book by painter Martin Velisek titled Lyzari (Skiers). There is simply no way to do this multi-faceted band justice using words. Imagine if Frank Zappa had grown up and composed in the Czech Republic. Or Thelonious Monk in, say, Moravia. Or Scriabin in Central Falls. Or . . . oh, never mind. Iknow when I'm whupped. Last week was a success at the space, sure, but it's by bringing in bands like Uz that their important role is most clear. Catch this remarkable band making remarkable music, and ask to see the book.