News explosion

Too bad there's nothing going on . . .

by Michael Caito

"Been pounded by the powers that be/Stripped of everything that is me/ Lookin' back I'm being chased by my ignorance/And up ahead there ain't nothing but a fence . . . . "

--"Hangtime," Kilgore Smudge

Hurdling these fences is nothing new for Jay Berndt, Brian McKenzie, Michael Pelletier, Jason Smith and Bill Southerland of Kilgore Smudge. They may not be the first (or 10,000th) rockers to sound sardonic, but their Helmet-heavy, Vonnegut-inspired take on reality hit many home runs on 1995's Blue Collar Solitude (Unsound). The Providence-based quint went back to Cali to record this newest on Revolution (distributed by Warner Bros.); it's produced by Ed Stasium, whose credits include Ramones, Living Colour, Hoodoo Gurus, Smithereens, Speed McQueen, the Pounders, Dog(Keanu's not really the)star and more. Oddish list, but if the next one kicks like Blue Collar they should be proud.

Area releases have been steady throughout the summer. While some had fine patches, a couple came thisclose to missin', including a Second Hand Novas full-length debut, vinyl by the F.I.D.s (from Owen, who gave us Phelpsy Destroyer), plus full-length cassettes from Thee Mister Rogers Project and South Attleborough-ites Hayley's Mill. The last Iheard at AS220. Kinda samey, and like the four above releases, they don't lack for exuberance. But the home deck has many options, and these four didn't keep themselves handy with songs. The music hasn't yet arrived . . . .

Autumn's 'round the corner, so thanks, Nomar, for an awesome year, and let's keep looking ahead:new Delta Clutch in a few weeks. More production from that band's Chris Cugini on the newest from Mercury Quartet is also in the works. DClutch singer Pip is again a dad (welcome Seamus Murphy). Mother Jefferson bassist Erik Fontana is just off a guitar gig with Clarence Clemons. Erik's bandmate--Mother Jefferson singer/guitarist Pete Burr -- is working with vocal therapist Adele Michaels, whose impact on Velvet Crush singer/bassist Paul Chastain was extremely positive. A post-nodal Pete (plus Fontana, Jackwash and Jon Jones)roar again on the Mother Jefferson LP is due this fall. Same ballpark, no word on future recordings yet for the Fly Seville, whose first cassette started great and died quick, unlike the still-satisfying Snorkel Type by Pollenate. Brian Leveille and Jesse Blatz, Pollenate alums now in Fly Seville, will hopefully be heard from soon.

Had to say Velvet Crush: how deaf has a rock industry become when there's a freshly cut disc that no one is smart enough to release? Some in VC have been very busy touring with Matthew Sweet, but a finished Velvet Crush record sitting untouched somewhere is making me nuts.

Make that more nuts:Throwing Muses' end is the end of a long, storied ride. 4AD's still on the job for a coupla Throwing Music import singles, the two-song ("Shark," "Tar Moochers") plus "Ruthie's Knocking." Both are well worth the price as one of the final TMstudio efforts. Muse stickman Dave Narcizo hits the final Waterplace summer show with Tanya Donelly's band in a few weeks. Also appearing is Catherine Wheel, whom I kinda worship. What a way to end a good series there. I'm guessing it'll be jammed. Donelly's former Belly bandmate Gail Greenwood started another L7 tour this week in Frisco which lands them here in a few. Two of the most talk-about concerts of the past year have been Marilyn Manson and KISS, both of whom included L7. Monday, Greenwood said from soundcheck before the Cali opener that the first band mentioned whenever she talks about Rhody is Six Finger Satellite. Not even slightly surprised. The 6FS Parlour recording studio in Pawtucket is due.

JOHN "CRAWLIN' SNAKE" MAC

More new bluesand more have arrived from Greg Piccolo &Heavy Juice and Black &White. Been jamming on John "Crawlin' Snake" Mac'sEnd o' Time Blues (Laughing Mountain Records 11-song CD), and after two releases Icannot begin to figure this guy out. How can grainy, legit blues nuggets like "Wrong House For My Bed," and "I Like to Drink" be on the same record with some godawful gigolo-esque crud that David Lee Roth would be too embarrassed to touch? A complex, strange man John Maciel must be, capable as he is of bursts of keen clarity, roots anthems, the odd sweaty blued-string weeping. It's about listening attentively to Paul Geremia. It's about Geremia duelling the Cramps unplugged (with Stevie winning, of course). John, you're hurting my head. Drummer Bob Giusti confirmed that Mark Cutler recently inked a publishing deal with Bug Music, and next week heads to Nashville for a coupla showcases and some radio. Congrats to Cutler and Useful Things. Former Scarce singer/guitarist Chick Graning himself spent time living in Nashville and has, since Scarce split, appeared mostly solo, though at times with former Muses bassist Fred Abong (who may sit in with the Dopey Lopes Experience when Dave Lopes opens for Cutler tomorrow at the Call) and former Belly drummer Chris Gorman. It's exclusively solo shows in London for Graning in October and November, as he maintains his relationship with A&M.

More studio brew:Gruvis Malt manager Linda Lorenzo is also in charge of booking Second Stage nights at the Strand. Gruvis are mixing down their new four-song release, which follows up 1996's six-song, self-titled cassette on their own Solid Pimpz label. Chucked a fin for it a coupla weeks ago at the Met at their gig with Freakshow and it was worth the five bucks. Lotta times in Providence they draw the guys from P.O.A.M.in Pawtucket, occasionally including Prospector On A Mission recording veteran Parish Fisher, for old-school breakdancing at Gruvis gigs. Ample Beasties flavor, little bit of the Hump, solid organ and drum work. Fresh from the studio, they're back at the Strand with Freakshow this week, and Paris's two POAMclothing stores for maaaad gear are doin' OK too.

It's tough to top the Call's Sunday lineup, though, with VMajestic, Smoking Jackets plus Ensemble Duchamp, who've garnered raves for recent shows here. The VMajestic disc you know about; live with Gerry Heroux's French Horn, Stu Powers' drums, Russ Kellogg on bass, chairman of fuses Frank Difficult plus Bob Jazz, it'll be a veering trip. Their record's been picked for distribution by Newport's Flydaddy Records, who were instrumental in the first Terrastock in Olneyville. I'm hearing San Fran for the TerraToo follow-up, though Texas had a big angle on the initial Succour compilation to benefit the Ptolemaic Terrascope magazine. Wonder what Block Island commuters Peglegasus -- initially scheduled for the Succour follow-up -- will do to maintain the excellence of '96's So Much for King Tut, the Tim-Kerr produced successor to Bacon, Lettuce & Tornado on Sector 2 Records? Many hilarious New Shoreham-inspired tunes plus a mix of chops, antics and good humor sorely missing since Boon and Watt goofed off. (Foo Fighters are at least trying.) Peglegasus and VMajestic remain two of the best-kept secrets today, so all live appearance options should be exercised. A Smoking Jackets record may end up being the initial release of AS220's nascent record label; Jackets snare drummer Paige Van Antwerp appears on the upcoming Amoebic Ensemble disc which follows their illustrious LimbicRage. That is one of the zaniest, most thought-provoking discs you'll hear. The Jackets be rollin' the blues as usual Sunday, which on this long weekend is technically on Saturday. Sunday's also the day for the Rhode Island Labor &Ethnic Heritage Festival at Slater Mill Historic Site in Pawtucket. Afro-Andean fusion from Quetzal, Scandinavian chorales, blues with Dave &the Rollers, Portuguese and Puerto Rican folk songs of Ramos de Oliveira and Tolino, and many more. Noon to six and it's free. Do labor issues affect our lives? C'mon. Long weekend: if you have to drink and drive, drink milk and stay alive.