Restless records Grüvis Malt master the art of multitasking BY BOB GULLA

Are they mad? Do they realize that all of this bluster in the margins could steal the wind from their mainsail? Apparently not. Or they don’t give a damn, one or the other. To clarify, I’m talking about Grüvis Malt and the load-in of side projects they have emerging after a period of hibernation. It’s as if their main band is just one of a number of occupational hazards they’ve gotten themselves involved in, and it seems like the GM keel just doesn’t have girth enough to hold all that restless creativity steady.

Gavin Castleton is the busiest of the band members, though he didn’t say that and the others might argue with the contention. Castleton’s been doing his own thing during the down time; it’s a one-man band type of thing working with loops and samples that’s charming in its own right. Gavin plays tonight (Thursday, the 27th) at the Call with Get Him Eat Him and Miss Fairchild. On Friday (the 28th), he’ll hit Copperfield’s in Boston with Rent-a-Friend and Oneiris. Then on Saturday (the 29th) he plays the New Wave Café in New Bedford, also with Oneiris. From February 25 to March 13, Castleton will be in Florida on tour with One Drop. While there he’ll be writing and recording a project with that crew as well as playing solo shows. Castleton also has two EPs dropping in April. One is a children’s bedtime record (consisting of just voice and piano) and the other is "a fictional hip-hop record" based on the poetry of Cyrus Leddy. Amidst all of this activity, Castleton has released a few videos of his new live format and some mp3s of cover tunes (Bob Dylan, the Bee Gees, and Michael Jackson, among others) on gavincastleton.com.

Grüvis’ lead vocalist Brendan Bell is releasing a record soon titled Jonny Classic & the Classic Jons (made with a German Gameboy sequencing program, guitar, keyboard, and voice), a project that is being previewed at grüvismalt.com. And Bell is playing drums in a power trio with Castleton also in the fold. Bell and Grüvis bass player Justin Abene are finishing a recording project that may be released as a split disc with said power trio material. And Abene just returned from a month-long European tour with the great cosmic jammers Ozric Tentacles. For those who haven’t heard the band, let’s just say it would take great courage and endurance to spend a month with those seasoned fellas. Abene is recording his own stuff as well in his own studio.

Meanwhile, production continues on Grüvis Malt’s forthcoming still untitled album. Drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards have all been completed as well as saxophone. If you’re curious — and why wouldn’t you be? — there’s a teaser at grüvismalt.com. With all this extracurricular activity going down, don’t you wonder how the actual band is going to sound on the new record?

RISA at BRT. The Rhode Island Songwriters Association (RISA) will hold forth once again at the esteemed Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland this Friday (the 28th). The soiree, dubbed "An Evening of Ocean State Songwriters," should make a fantastic introduction to some of the best homegrown acoustic talents. The artists will be presented in "rounds," with three artists taking turns performing songs, joining in with each other, or trading stories and wit. Ed McGuirl will kick things off with a solo blues set. Then it’s the first round, with Lori Amey, Mary Ellen Casey, and Kari Tieger. The second round stars Mark Cutler, Marcy Lang, and Buddy Cavaleri. CDs, of course, will be available at the venue, so bring a little extra cash. This is a great opportunity to hear what’s really going on with some of the more ambitious and promising songwriters in the state. These are folks who are making the most of their opportunities, getting out there and showing audiences, big and small, just what they’re capable of doing. It’s not easy running from open mic to coffeehouse to saloon. And they should be lauded for their efforts. The $10 tickets will be available at the door; all proceeds will benefit three worthwhile non-profits: the Rhode Island Songwriters Association (www.risongwriters.com), Hear In Rhode Island, and the BRT. The music begins at 7:30. Call 725-9272 or go to www.riverfolk.com for more details.

The Lost Chord is a collaborative effort to nurture young talent from underprivileged communities and to foster a commitment to music and arts education accessibility in the local community. The Lost Chord is seeking submissions from musicians of all genres for consideration for their benefit CD, which is due out in the fall. The compilation will coincide with the org’s First Annual Lost Chord Benefit concert, whose proceeds will benefit the Dwight Allenson Scholarship, which helps underprivileged youth attend the Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School. For consideration, please forward CDs and website info (if any) to: The Lost Chord, Attn.: Benefit CD and Concert Submissions, P.O. Box 41194, Providence, RI 02940.

For What It’s Worth. Now that you’re all listed out, or, better, listing, here’s one final compilation for ya. It consists of the best independently released records of the year, at least from this view. Why indie? Well, because the majors are so out of gas right now, it’s hard not to look anywhere else. Yeah, they still release a few good records, like Capitol’s Van Hunt and Shelby Lynne, Warner Bros.’ Secret Machines, Virgin’s Gomez, and the Roots’ fine Tipping Point on Geffen, but those are exceptions to the rule.

The Cooper Temple Clause: Kick Up the Fire and Let the Flames Break Loose (Morning)

Electric Music AKA: The Resurrection Show (Sanctuary)

Moviola: East Of Eager (Anyway)

Gingersol: Eastern (Rubric)

Sondra Lerche: Two Way Monologue (Astralwerks)

The Veils: The Runaway Found (Rough Trade)

Hayden: Elk Lake Serenade (Badman)

Jesse Sykes and the Sweet Hereafter: Oh My Girl (Barsuk)

Ian Moore: Luminaria (Yep Roc)

Paul Westerberg: Folker (Vagrant)

Kings of Convenience (Astralwerks)

Deryl Dodd: Stronger Proof (Dualtone)

Kevin Tihista’s Red Terror: Wake Up Captain (Parasol)

Blue-Eyed Son: West of Lincoln (Eenie Meenie)

Matthew Sweet: Living Things (RACM)

The Bo-Keys: The Royal Sessions (Yellow Dog)

Wandering Eye. Reason to Fight will be playing a record release show at the Green Room on Friday. The Rhody punk rockers were formed in July of 2001 and are made up of ex-members of Keg of Hate, Case Closed, Chapters, and Closer than Kin. They’ve since played all over the Northeast, twice at CBGB’s in NYC. They serve up classic early ’80s style hardcore a la Minor Threat and Agnostic Front. Reason to Fight’s disc is their first full-length release on United Riot, the NYC hardcore/oi label. Joining them will be the Blue Bloods from Boston, the 86ed from Manchester, New Hampshire, and 49 & 0 from Brockton. Doors open at 8 p.m. and it’s an 18-plus show. Also on Friday, Hemlok throws down at Cats with Planet 10 and Shades of Skin. It’s a 21-plus show.

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