Short stuff Big sounds in little packages BY BOB GULLA

Here at Music Central, a lot of EPs come in each week. This happens for many reasons. Often, it’s simply not possible for bands to work up the capital for a full-length disc. Studios are pricey; time is most definitely money. Or perhaps an artist wants to squeeze out a few brilliant bursts of sound when inspiration calls and doesn’t want to feel burdened by the task of recording a whole album. In my book, three or four great songs beat eight pretty good ones any day. For that reason, it’s important to address the extended play art form. A tremendous amount of quality music is made in this abbreviated form. Here are some of the best from ’04

Another Dead Juliet: Here Lies (Trash Art!)

Just got word of the band’s impending break-up, which is pretty sad news, given the upside of this most excellent hardcore crew. The other sad part is that this swift EP weighs in with eight songs in nine minutes . . . Too little too late from a band that could have meant something. Wonder what the next chapter will be?

Benny Sizzla (Five-song EP)

Is there a more rockin’ girl in town than Gail Greenwood? Awright, go ahead and show me, ’cuz I don’t think she can be beat. She’s the Axl Rose of Providence. I mean, Appetite-era Axl, not the how-long-has-it-been-anyway?-in-the-making Chinese Democracy version. And she can play guitar, too. Somebody please give this band a contract, so at least they can go on tour and floor some audiences.

Blues Bastard (Six-song EP)

Blues Bastard’s blitzkrieg bop is a mix of MC5 and AC/DC without the Angus factor, merged with something newer, kinda like the Mooney Suzuki. Led by Mitch Winston on vox, who sounds like Kiss’ Paul Stanley back in the day, the band lurches through a set of primitive rockers full of messy power chords and stone drunk performances that sound good turned up to 11.

The Digs (Four-song EP)

The Digs are a four-piece rock band that submits to the iron hand of Rick Pelletier, who also wields the same in Chinese Stars. This unit walks a less affected line between raw garage and bluesy post-punk, which makes it more straightforward but no less cool. Recorded at the Parlour in Pawtucket.

Grandevolution (Three-song EP)

Grandevolution is working hard and making strides, finally getting outside of the area to show what they’ve got. They even made a video for "Covered In Roses" that you can find at grandevolution.com/video1.htm.

LICENSETOTHRILL. The Blackstone River Theatre (549 Broad Street, Cumberland) will host a CD release party with folk icons Pendragon on Saturday (the 15th) at 8 p.m. The band’s music celebrates the lives and lore of generations of New Englanders who brought traditions from Ireland, Scotland, French Canada, and other distant shores to the banks of the Blackstone River. This weekend’s show will focus on the band’s seventh album, Artistic License, on Blackstone River Theatre’s RiverFolk Productions label. The record’s name is an indication of the liberties the forward-thinking folkers customarily take when tackling what is normally a tradition-bound idiom. Admission is $15 ($5 from each ticket sold will go towards programming at the BRT). For reservations or information, call the BRT at 725-9272.

GARAGE SALE. Chris Daltry and a few musically inclined friends have organized an event coming up on Sunday (the 16th) called the Providence Record Show and Rock and Roll Yard Sale. It takes place at AS220 (115 Empire Street, Providence) and runs from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free. You can peruse used vinyl, CDs, and various music ephemera. There will also be live music and a raffle to support the musicians participating in this event. The AS220 cafe will also be open to complement your music explorations with sustenance like brunch and Bloody Marys.

WANDERING EYE. Chan’s Jazz & Blues Concert Series will present a night of swing with Eight to the Bar on Friday (the 14th) at 8 p.m. at 267 Main Street in Woonsocket. Admission is $12. Call 765-1900. Also on Friday, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie will be appearing at the American Legion Post 311 (Route 114 in Seekonk, Massachusetts). The show, which is put on by the folks who brought you the great blues, zydeco and roots lineups at the late, lamented Sal’s in Johnston, starts at 9.

The Tim Heroux Band is headlining Jake’s (373 Richmond Street, Providence) on Saturday along with the Revival Preachers. According to the band, they’ll be showcasing a lot of new originals. You can check out Tim’s stuff at www.timheroux.com. This weekend is a typically busy one at Cats in Pawtucket. On Friday, it’s Skulltoboggan, Smart Bombs & Apple Pie, Big Bolt Deluxe, and 6-Twenty-6. Doors open at 8 p.m. and it’s a 21-plus show for only $5. On Saturday, the Departed, 16 Stitches, Lost Cause, and 12-Step Program all kick up a racket.

On Friday, Heather Rose of the Stereobirds plays Westside Arts at 168 Broadway in Providence. Check out www.HeatherRoseRocks.com for more details. Also on Saturday there’s a tsunami relief concert at the Coffee Depot in Warren (247-9890). It’ll be an open mic type thing that will run from 3 to 8 p.m. Contact Cathy or Manny Perry to sign up to perform two songs. It will be on a first come-first serve basis, and they’ll do their best to accommodate everyone. Donations will be collected.

The Chilblains have a show on Saturday at AS220 featuring their new expanded wall-of-sound lineup with Jessica Klein-Maroney on bass. Chris Daltry and the ’Mericans are also on the bill as is Chris Moore, a singer/songwriter from NYC whose tunes merge Americana with pop. The Bob Kendall Band with Greg Kendall on bass and Dave Narcizo (Throwing Muses) on drums have the headlining set. The show’s at 9.

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