Rattlin’ all over RattleHead Records gears up for ’05 BY BOB GULLA

Big things are planned for 2005 from the ardent music geeks and codeheads at RattleHead Records, which is good news for local fans. The organization expects a large increase in recordings and bookings after an uncharacteristically sluggish 2004. "Although we’re primarily known for our limited-run event-type shows," says RattleHead’s Sean Sands, "more and more venues have been contacting us about general bookings simply to avoid the hassle." They’re looking right now at almost 200 bookings in ’05, which means they’ll be searching for, among other things, bands, sound dudes, promo/ tech people, and folks with audio editing experience. If there’s any interest out there, contact them at www.RattleHead.com.

There are also a few new venues they’ll be working closely with, including Giza, one of the most promising (and aesthetically pleasing) clubs in the state. Starting at the end of the month, RattleHead will be there every Friday and Saturday recording bands and streaming the noise to the Web for anyone to hear. They’re also commencing regular Friday shows at the cool venue DropZone in Cumberland, where alcohol is not served and admission is all-ages. The place fits 200, has an arcade, two free pool tables, two wide-screen tubes with a DVD player and PlayStation, and a computer room with 10 terminals. Every show at the DropZone will also be recorded and Webcast live. And later in the spring, you’ll also find the gang at Club DeNiro’s, the new all-ages place in Taunton, Massachusetts, for a regular series of shows. Gigs there will also be recorded and Webcast. "We’re hellbent on a quest to develop new, different places to play," says Sands, "and the emphasis on all-ages is deliberate. We feel that it’s essential to bring music back to the kids in order to stitch this scene together again in a meaningful way. What’s interesting is that they’re starting to pop up everywhere, too. It’s a good sign."

And lastly, in terms of RattleHead propaganda, there’s Invasion 2005, the fourth year of the city’s huge local music infiltration. If you’re not hip to that particular scene, Sands explains: "We get as many bands as we can find and set them up on street corners all throughout Providence to play acoustically at high noon. The event is the single largest piece of performance art we know of in the region. There’s room for everyone who wants to perform, and the event is open to any musician regardless of age, experience, ability, or style. It’s your chance as a musician to stand up and be counted."

Past participants understand what kind of impact the Invasion is designed to have. "It’s magnetic," says Sands. "People don’t run away, they don’t cover their ears and scream. They love it." According to Sands, City Hall has even embraced the Invasion, which is another good sign, and a far cry from the reception the city has given to some other outdoor live music events. If you’re interested in becoming part of the madness, click the link on the RattleHead homepage or go directly to www.providenceinvasion.com.

VIVA BRITANNICA! Feel good about yourself for a change — support a new Providence-based project by heading to AS220 for "I (Heart) Encyclopedia / The Luv Show," a benefit for The Encyclopedia, Volume 1. Co-edited by Tisa Bryant, Kate Schatz, and Miranda Mellis, the publication is a cross-genre print annual that combines literary/arts journal sensibilities with a reference book. For the benefit, there’s a ton of stuff going on, from music performances to readings and video. Rebecca Gates, the New Nice, tfo, Vulpine, Delia Kovac, Laura Rodriguez, Matt Derby, Brian Kim Stefans, Jibade-Khalil Huffman, Erika Howsare, and Michael Gizzi all factor in somehow. There will also be Dirty Tarot, Homemade Valentines, Astrology Readings by the Pockmarked Concubine, Ambient Accordion, Violin Serenades, and Tarts! Local rockers might be interested in seeing Michelle Marchese’s new solo project, "Triple M’s Live Archive," which has something to do with slides of strangers’ family vacations put to music. The Valentine’s Benefit for Encyclopedia: Volume 1, A-E is on Saturday (the 12th) at 8 p.m. There’s a sliding scale entry fee. Call 831-9327.

Wandering Eye. Tonight (Thursday the 10th) at the Call will be one crazy night of ribald rawk — open to all ages, no less. It features Blues Bastard, Lost City Angels, Sasquatch and the Sick-a-billys, and Revival Preachers. I just listened to an advance of the Lost City Angels disc and it’s pretty sick, with lots of melodic punk that’s not without some teeth.

The other thing that you won’t wanna miss is the Station Nightclub Benefit next Thursday (the 17th) at Cats in Pawtucket. Brought to you by Pete Rock and Gig Dates Network, it’s a night of acoustic music with Nocturnal Sun, Beyond Blonde, Delphine, Satyr (ex-Slugworth), Japonica, and Letdown’s Dan Pepin. The show starts at 8 p.m. and there’s a $5 cover. The money goes to the Station Family Fund. There will be more on the anniversary of the Station fire next week in this space.

On Friday (the 11th), there’s another benefit taking place. This one’s called "A Wave of Hope" and the proceeds will help tsunami relief efforts. Things kick off at 7 p.m. at the Channing Memorial Church in Newport; the lineup includes John Fuzek, Ed McGuirl, Lori Amey, Bill Carleton, Ryan Fitzsimmons, Chris Deacutis, Michael Larkin, and the MetroGnomes. For information contact Michael Larkin at 423-3898 or larkin mj@cox.net All proceeds will go to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Tsunami Relief Fund, in order to bring humanitarian relief to the victims and their families.

Also on Friday at the Rocky Point Pub in Warwick, you can rock out to Livid and the Audiocentrix. On Saturday at the same place, Justus and Driven Under do the job.

This Saturday at Stone Soup Coffeehouse, you’ll find a couple of locals who also happen to look alike. Twin sisters Chris and Meredith Thompson, native Providencers, will be playing the venue, as they do annually. Meredith plays Celtic-influenced flute and authentic Latin rhythms on congas. Chris plays percussive guitar influenced by her background in classical and jazz. Their vocals feature close sibling harmony, and their songs rejoice in their celebration of common experience. Their fifth release, Clearwater, has been receiving notable reviews and airplay on folk music stations around the country. Their most recent release is a compendium of live cuts from concerts, aptly titled Live. The concert begins at 8 p.m. and will go down at the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket Arts Center (210 Main Street). Call 457-7147.

This Sunday (the 13th), the Songwriters In the Round at AS220 will feature Marcy Lang, Greg Simon, and Seth Horan, along with host Ryan Fitzsimmons. The theme for February is "The Morning After." Lang’s a real talent in the traditional singer-songwriter vein, Simon is billed as a magnetic storyteller, and Horan plays solo bass guitar and sings like John Mayer. Call 831-9327.

Ever wanna be in a drum circle? No? Well, that just means you’re not paying attention. The Blackstone River Theatre (549 River Avenue, Cumberland) will host a Drum and Dance Circle next Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. BRT’s open circle focuses on tribal and multi-ethnic rhythms. Beginners and novices are welcome. The emphasis is only on fun and learning. Bring your own hand drum or rhythm instrument or forget the instrument part and bring a pair of dancing feet. Admission is $5. For information, call BRT at 725-9272.

And remember, there’s an open mic every Wednesday night at the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts. That venue is also graced by a good sound system, a knowledgeable audience, and terrific bookings. Call (508) 324-1926.

E-mail me at big.daddy1@cox.net if you have local music news to report.