Squares go home!

Arson Family light it up

by Michael Caito

Trying to keep any kind of a hardcore and punk scene alive south of Providence is a neat trick all by itself. Judging by the success of many of the Ocean Mist all-ages afternoon bashes of late, Wakefield-based trio Arson Family are providing an invaluable service to the many young fans who like their rock harder and more raw than what radio (except for, of course, WRIU's muy excellente "Shindig" program on Fridays) spoonfeeds them. To that end, the trio help book the shows at the Mist.

So even if Arson Family's 20-song debut, La Cosa Nostra (Mobcore), bit the bag it would be forgivable. So happens it doesn't. Went right to the their Black Flag and D.K.s covers and was not disappointed. Raging against indifference, venting much spleen and rippin' shit up. Tight, straightforward, and well-produced by the band and Paul Rogers at West Greenwich's Funky Dung Studios. Christian's yelling, even after repeated listenings, doesn't grate. We've recently received promising yet erratic demos by some of the young bands they thank -- like Returnaround and Paxil -- and while showing potential, they've a way to go before hitting the continuous level of quality and intensity heard on these 20 songs. Other southerners thanked (the now-defunct Jungle Dogs and One Ton Shotgun) have certainly given other like-minded whippersnappers a level of excellence and grit to shoot for, so La Cosa Nostracomes out blazing and stays that way. This CD, Packin' Heat by New Bedford's Baylies Band, Jetpack's soundtrack -- read on -- and the smashmouth Brooklyn Steamer DIYdemo (Rock and Roll Part 3, whose scorching first-track instrumental is our headline this week) are the giddiest of recent rock releases. Wanna hear more? Zip one to Mobcore@aol.com. Kids are alright? You bet.

The Marlowes:Clover Leaf Motel (4-song demo)

"Doubt" opens hard and fast -- it's that flat-out rhythm-rave appeal that Petty and the Heartbreakers more or less forsook. That free-wheelin' barely-under-control vibe left the You're Gonna Get It nastiness in Gainesville when T.P. moved to L.A. Even though La-la land has birthed some worthwhile pop rock bands lately the effect hasn't trickled to the Marlowes, per se. Their following three tracks have brief moments, but when they slow down as on "Six Feet Over" it would be more effective if singer John Larson backed off on the earnestness. Lord knows rock has been blessed with detached and sulking vocalists galore, but here a little of that might round out their appeal. John's been doing great work with his "50,000 watts of nonstop pop" mag Amplifier(zip again to amplifierj@aol.com), and he's been a frontman since the beginning of the Convertibles. (The mag's second issue had killer reviews of Boston and Providence pop band releases from the late '70s through the '80s -- Cavedogs, Atlantics, Nads, Outlets, Schemers, the 'Hoods -- and I can't wait to read what the Baby Doll Records proprietor thinks of that new Galaxie 500 overview.) As for the Marlowes, it just goes to show that, even after years, making solid pop sound better than average is difficult. Yeah, writing about it is easier, too. Larson mentioned on the phone last week that they have 16 songs ready for a new full-length, that these four probably came out worst and none have earned a definite spot on their as-yet untitled release.

Down to Earth (9-song independent cassette)

Wicked yuck. Clutching and grabbing every current Top 40 rock musical cliché might be OK if the words weren't so blatantly intended to impart "meaning" in the broadest possible terms. Emotionally cement-like, it's bombastically produced by God-knows-which former stadium soundman. Specifics: woozed Allman vibe, very little shwamp Creedence and a thoroughly distressing knowledge, no effin' doubt, of the entire Blue Oyster Cult canon. Lotsa posturing. Yippee.

Jetpack: Soundtrack to Investigator Man (Sampson Records vinyl 45/18-page 'zine)

The Tiverton label strikes paydirt with a nifty musical accompaniment to the b&w episode featuring our hero Investigator Man, his secret microfiche and his goofy rooftop escapades. The Westport, Massachusetts trio of Craig, Jeff and Keith have a great time with whip-cord rhythmic appeal (a la some jazzier Fugazi, and that's a major compliment) and causes memories of John Monopoly only as far as all these Westport mofungos can play. Two sizzler songs, one funny, understated I-Man 'zine by Ben (pencil/spit/ breakdowns), Jay (ink/polish/finish), Keith (story), Heather and Ben (letters), Tom (action figure), Keith (diorama), Jai (paint) and Chad and Will (layout) .Evidently their next 'zine features Dishwasherman? Tough to tell, but Ihope so. Great job.

STARS &BARS. Sunday's BeloJo had an impressive but long overdue piece by Andy Smith on casinos and how their bottomless wallets can outbid everybody booking talent within miles. Meanwhile, Mr. Gray was complaining about stagnating artistic endeavor around Providence. Evidently he dislikes voice-mail and likes it when there are more colorful characters around. Oh, yeah, all the musicians and thespians I know are such a boring lot.

To that end maybe we'll see him at FAITHLESS . . . 3 Days of Noise, the 4th of July weekend-long all-ages blowout at the Met. It's by miles the biggest festival since Terrastock and organizer Mitch mentioned over the phone that he had no idea it would get this large so fast. Whereas at Terrastock Olneyville gave planet earth a new standard for psychedelic excellence (still-coming international press coverage praised the music itself), this is by far a drearier outlook represented musically. Some assembled noise projects (like Japanese Torture Comedy Hour) are patently designed to drive patrons from the room, while others boast unflinching grind/crust/hard/death-core statements. Bands from Cali, Philly, New York, Maine, Canada, Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia, the U.K., Boston and Providence arrive. Dropdead appear live in Rhode Island, which is always a treat. This Warwick band does not mess around ever, and I love 'em. Friday lineup: Forcefield and Mindflayer from Providence, Krema 1, Wisigoth, Saturation, Devoid of Faith, Oakland's Ojorojo and Frisco's Spazz appear; Saturday Dropdead are on around 10; the rest of Saturday includes fellow Rhode Islanders Paindriver along with Mass. bands Grief, the McVeighs, Fit for Abuse and the Grenades plus Dissucks (Philly), Avulsion (Albany), Bongzilla (Madison), Cattlepress, Man Bites Dog and Brits Voorhees.

Sunday includes Massachusetts-based Lesion, Another Glass of Christ, Anal Cunt, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Angel Dust Whore, Strong Islanders Disfigured and Repudilation, Ohio's Lockweld, Richmond's Lycosa, Greensboro's Unsettled, Atlantans Quadiliacha and Rhody outfits Morning Star (Woonsocket) plus Providence's Lightning Bolt and Victim. At presstime Mitch planned on selling zero advance tix, so schedule wisely for the long weekend.

Saturday the Dopey Lopes Experience (including Fred Abong and Tommy Tenz) perform with guitarist Ray Memery (ex-Groundhawgs, Superbug) and his new band Tri-Pod-Cats at the Mist with What's Up Bach. We outta space.