Ch-ch-changes Comings and goings and the lessons of Mudhoney BY BOB GULLA

I just heard the new Mudhoney record, which isn’t due out ’til March. It’s titled Under a Million Suns and it’s a decent record with many of the hallmarks that characterized their classic songs like "Here Comes Sickness" and "Burn It Clean." Fifteen years ago, Mudhoney nearly singlehandedly defined the Seattle Sound. But it’s over now; to me, listening to new Mudhoney is a listless experience — rewardless, pointless. That hairy band I once loved and traveled great distances to see back in 1990 is mining the same vein. It doesn’t seem right. Are they earning new audiences or just boring the old ones? Of course, I don’t begrudge them making music. Certainly many other older bands are continuing along as if time isn’t an issue. But time is an issue, and Mudhoney, along with many other bands, are overstaying their welcome. Last month in a monthly rag I did an only half-kidding round-up called "Ten Guitarists Who Desperately Need to Retire." I listed guys like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Keith Richards, and Eddie Van Halen. I admitted I was tired of hearing these same old players doing the same old things. There are new players with new ideas and new ways of expressing them who can’t find the light with all the shadows being cast by people who won’t get out of the way. I got a load of hate mail for that piece because, apparently, lots of people find comfort in hearing Keef play "Brown Sugar" for the 7000th time, or mindlessly humming the solo in "Stairway" as if they were finding their way home.

All this brings me to the stories of the year in local music. How? Well, the scene here didn’t inch forward this year either. In fact, the argument could be made that it took several steps back, aging in the process. We’re still listening to Keef, and wondering, at least figuratively, how the new Mudhoney is, instead of looking forward. I think we’re all more than a little concerned that the scene will shrink down to microscopic size, and those who care so deeply for it will have nowhere to turn. If that sounds dismal, well . . . Optimists will assert that things can only get better. And I hope they're right, and those signs of life out there will turn the scene's relative flatline into a pulsating heartbeat once again.

1) CLOSINGS

The Safari, the Green Room, the Call, Jarrod’s Place . . . There has been a disheartening erosion of live music venues, which is especially troubling after the dissolution of the mill scene. There are some promising blips — Giza and Tazza, to name two — but mostly just kindhearted coffeehouses and some intriguing new rooms interested in opening their doors to bands.

2) BREAK-UPS, ESCAPES + DISAPPEARANCES

What happens in the private life of bands? Only the band members and their boyfriends/girlfriends know for sure. Great outfits have come and gone this year, including Donnybrook, Turning Blue, the Broken Rhythm Boys, Grüvis Malt, Miniwatt, Slugworth, and Routine 8. Other acts, like Spogga, Immune, and Freakshow, have moved away. Some bands have disappeared off the local radar: Let Down, Lucky 57, Foxtrot Zulu, Jon Tierney and the Truth, Barn Burning, Blizzard of ’78, and Radio Wallpaper. Here’s to new sightings in ’06.

3) BREAKTHROUGHS + SUCCESS STORIES

Daughters, Chinese Stars, Mahi Mahi, Made in Mexico, and Lightning Bolt have been able to parlay the mill sound into something truly significant. Right now, the Bolts stand as the city’s biggest band. But let’s not overlook the impact that Sage Francis made this year with his appearance at Coachella, and the exposure that the Midnight Creeps, Zox, and Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys have had on regional, national, and global crowds.

4) TERRASTOCK IS COMING!

It’s been nine years since the much acclaimed British psychedelic fest came to town in its inaugural edition, and perhaps the spring 2006 event will be the kick in the ass Providence needs to jumpstart its music scene.

5) FLAG-WAVERS

Thank you to Becky Chace, Alec Redfearn, Jeffrey Alexander, and the folks at AS220, Ty Jesso and Thee Wyld Card DJ boys, Heather Rose, Sean Sands, Pete Depressed, Greg Hodde, Al Salzillo, Jo Jo Gator, the studio stalwarts Joe Moody and Jack Gauthier, Black & White, Mark Cutler, John Fuzek and the RISA gang, Jackie and Jake at Jake’s, Chuck Wentworth, the kind folks at Stone Soup, Al Gomes, Russell Gusetti, Dave Howard, Marion at the Blackstone, Kevin at Cats, Roomful, and all the people who never give up on Rhode Island.

WANDERING EYE

Speaking of disappearances, it’s been a while since we’ve heard from Dean Petrella of the Complaints, but that’s not because they haven’t been busy. In the next couple of weeks they’re doing a promotional CD giveaway sponsored by Ri Ra and Newcastle Brown Ale. They’ll be floating 10,000 three-tune discs. And there’s a tour on tap that will range from Portland, Maine to Charlotte, North Carolina. The Providence stop, at Ri Ra, is on Friday (the 23rd). The first 250 people will receive a free CD. "Our new CD is about halfway done," says Petrella, "and we thought this would be a cool thing for all the people who have been patiently waiting for a new record. Hopefully we’ll make some new fans as well!"

Jake Haller and Chris Monti, aka the Kildevils, got themselves a gig at Nick-A-Nee’s tonight (the 22nd) from 9 pm to midnight. There’s no cover.

Dave Howard and the High Rollers will celebrate their 16th anniversary on Friday at Junior's Roadhouse on Sandy Bottom Road in Coventry. At AS220 on Friday, it’s the Cobra-matics, Thee Catatonics (back after a five-year break-up), THE MIDNIGHTCREEPS, THE FURY 3, and the Honeymoon’s Over. Show starts at 8 pm and it’s only $7. Also on Friday, it’s Jeri & the Jeepsters at the 133 Club in East Providence, comin’ atcha with their big Xmas bash.