The 10-year Itchies The Fab ones celebrate a decade makin’ the scene BY BOB GULLA

Purity of purpose. That’s what’s it takes for a band to stay together 10 years. And that’s what the Fabulous Itchies have done since coming together a decade ago. They’ll be celebrating their tenth anniversary this weekend at Jake’s, so bring ’em something made of tin to mark the occasion.

"When we started this band," says founding member Ty Jesso, "we wanted nothing more than to let people hear and experience the kind of music that we love." He brought together simpatico musicians who had the same sensibility and an utter fanaticism for ’60s R&B and soul. The current lineup — Jesso, Dennis Kelly, Jack Hanlon, Andy Tokarz, and Brian Dardeen — maintains the same exuberance it did when the original band first assembled. "We never aspired to anything," says Jesso. "This band was always more important on a personal level. We were all friends before the band, and we were all knowledgeable about the ’60s. We thought it was a shame that people couldn’t hear this kind of music live. So that was our mission. For a while there, people seemed so bored at rock shows. We wanted them to have the chance to yell, scream, and dance."

At Itchies shows, that’s pretty much what people do, even well-adjusted — dare I say "mature" folk — who fall under the the band’s manic throwback spell. Because in addition to having a purity of purpose and a lack of pretense, they’re also ace musicians with maximum taste.

The band, which plans to release a full-length live CD this summer, stays close to home, ranging from Boston to New York and a few points in between. But that doesn’t get as monotonous as you might think, not when the Itchies have a cadre of acts to draw from and a wide variety of styles to dip into. The Dangerous Charms (girl-fronted group), Thee Wyld Card DJs (record-spinners internationale), and the Itchies all come from the same gene pool, with small variations in genetic makeup and musical material. This Saturday, if you get to Jake’s early, you’ll hear all the permutations.

"We’re gonna do two sets," Ty says, "and feature former Itchies members, the Dangerous Charms, Thee Wyld Card DJs between sets, and the burlesque act of Miss Iris [Amy Budd]." The Chains, a super-mod group from Montreal that records for the Get Hip label, will also be in town for a set.

When asked about the band’s endurance, even in light of the new wave of retro-rock garage bands, Jesso remarks, "We were doing it before them and we’ll be doing it after them. As long as we keep enjoying ourselves, the free beer tastes awfully good."

The Fabulous Itchies show at Jake’s Bar & Grill starts at 9 p.m. Get there early cuz it’ll be a sell-out.

Will Live Music Die? Congress is considering two startling bills that would hold bands, DJs, bartenders, promoters, venue owners, radio stations and others liable if a patron uses drugs at a nightclub or concert. Legal experts and business owners warn that this legislation would devastate the music industry and could spell the end of live music, especially large music bashes like South by Southwest and Burning Man. Music fans, bar and nightclub owners, and music promoters have launched a national campaign to defeat the legislation.

"Members of Congress may be too old to go to concerts and dance their butts off, but millions of voters are not," said Bill Piper, director of national affairs for the Drug Policy Alliance. "If politicians don’t reject this legislation, these voters may dance their way to the voting booth and vote these old fogies out."

The Ecstasy Awareness Act (HR 2962) would throw anyone in jail who "profits monetarily from a rave or similar electronic dance event knowing or having reason to know" some event-goers may use drugs at the event. Similarly, Section 305 of the CLEAN-UP Act (HR 834) makes it a federal crime — punishable by up to nine years in prison — to promote "any rave, dance, music, or other entertainment event, that takes place under circumstances where the promoter knows or reasonably ought to know that a controlled substance will be used or distributed."

Under the provisions of both bills, almost any music promoter, nightclub owner, or arena or stadium owner could be fined and jailed, because a reasonable person knows that some people use marijuana and other drugs at musical events. Business owners could be prosecuted even if they take steps to stop drug use on their property. Isn’t this just another way for G-Dub to enforce his Gestapo-like drug policy on thousands of kids who won’t vote for him in the first place? Club owners have already been hammered by all kinds of business-crippling legislation, both locally and nationally. This is a further tightening of the noose. Our social scene is already in peril as well. Where would we go? What would we do if clubs decided to succumb to the possible liability penalties and close for good? Could you blame them?

"The government can’t even keep drugs out of its own schools and prisons, yet it is seeking to punish business owners that can’t stop their patrons from using drugs," noted Piper. "If these bills become law, innocent business owners could go to jail and music fans may be unable to see their favorite artists live. That’s why business owners and music fans are organizing to protect live music."

In response to these ludicrous bills, the Drug Policy Alliance declared April 24 a "Day and Night of Outrage" over the legislation and launched a website, www.protectlive music.org, to coordinate the work of thousands of concerned music fans and business owners. Four months of activity began last month and will culminate in a concert in Washington, DC in August. For a full list of events check out the website, then get involved.

Wandering Eye. Tonight (Thursday, the 13th) at the lovely Blackstone in Cumberland, Bully Pulpit hits the planks with Kristi Martel and Sly Fox Brown & the Heebie Geebies. It’s a good show and it’s free.

Speaking of free, the Grandevolution show on the same night at the Rocky Point Pub in Warwick is almost free at $3. Joining them will be X-Ray Actress and Coheety. Doors at 8 p.m. and it’s a 21-plus event.

Illustrious Day’s Jackie O. will be playing a solo set at the Century Lounge on Friday (the 14th) with Mr. Lincoln, Floodwaters, Hawkins Rise, and Plank 63 sharing the bill. Planet Groove hits Lincoln Greyhound Park’s new Kobalt Room this Friday. I caught the band last week down at the O’Mist and they really sizzled. On Saturday (the 15th), the Century Lounge will host its Second Annual Benefit Concert for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island. The show will feature amazing regional talent to benefit a great cause. Artists include P.J. Loughran (from Brooklyn), locals Acid Rain Revival, Jazz Bastards, and Jonah Cohen. Doors open at 7 p.m., tickets are $8 at the door, and the show is all ages. There will also be a raffle featuring signed collectibles, PawSox tickets, and gift certificates from local eateries. For more information on this event, contact the Make-A-Wish office at 781-WISH.

Also on Saturday there’s a big show at the Blackstone River Theatre inCumberland. It’s the site’s first Spring Sampler Fundraiser and it shapes up to be a mighty tasty evening of music with Kim Trusty, Ken & Justin Lyon, members of Pendragon, Bill Petterson, Marjorie Thompson, and others. This is a great opportunity to hear some of Rhode Island’s finest giggers while supporting an excellent venue. Finally, on Monday (the 17th) at the Green Room, the Briefs (Seattle, WA), the Real McKenzies (Vancouver, BC), and Some Action (NYC), hang out with our own faves the Sleazies for a barrage of classic, wasted hardcore and punk. According to Jami of the Sleazies, "Dave Lysik was nice enough to open the Green Room on a Monday to allow this show to take place." Shake some action on a Monday, why don’tcha?

E-mail me with your music news at big.daddy1@cox.net.