Tearing it up Torn are making a big push with Reincarnate BY BOB GULLA

‘We’ll be workin’ hard to get a buzz going for ourselves over the next couple of months," says Torn’s Nate Byers. "We’re already in contact with a couple of major labels who told us they’d be watching SoundScan to see what happens. They’ve told us we have what it takes to sign, and I guess they’re waiting for sales to come in."

Sales of Torn’s debut full-length Reincarnate, which hits stores on Tuesday, will help determine their near-term future as a viable commercial hard rock act. They’ve worked out a deal with Target stores throughout the month of April to sell their disc for $1. "We expect to post from 500 to 10,000 a week when the promotion goes full swing," says Byers. Plus, they’re handing out 500 free copies of Reincarnate at shows and other local events through the middle of May. Their next big gig is tonight (Thursday, the 7th) at JR’s Bourbon Street Rock House in Cranston with Inner Self Lost and Mercy Brown and on Friday, April 15 at the Rocky Point Pub in Warwick.

Reincarnate is pretty darn close to the kind of record you’re accustomed to hearing these days on commercial rock radio. Recorded at Longview Farm Studios in western Massachusetts, the rumbling riffs and vocals are reminiscent of popular hard rockers such as Staind. Guitarist Caleb Renish understands the importance of memorable chord progressions, while Byers can sing the hell out of a song without losing sight of the melody. Tunes such as "The Game" and "Lighthouse" surge with the visceral vibe of Alice In Chains, while "Empty Eyes" and the closing "The Dreaming Song" are cut with flourishes of poetic tenderness. All of this should translate nicely live. And it sounds like the pieces are in place for Torn to really make things happen. Throw down a buck, pick up a copy of Reincarnate, and help the cause.

THE PROVIDENCE INVASION III. Feel that warm weather? I do, and in these musical parts, that balmy breeze means only one thing. No, not short sleeves and Birks. Warm weather means the Providence Invasion, baby! Every year RattleHead Records coaxes literally hundreds of musicians into giving up a workday (or at least a long lunch) to come to downtown Providence and play to the unsuspecting average business folks at one of 75 locations throughout the city streets. Hence the Providence Invasion.

It started as a sort of "mass musical protest" and a clever way of bringing homegrown music to thousands of people who have never been to a local rock club, or who for some reason or other don’t have any idea just how many excellent local bands do business in this area. The Invasion originated as a way that the entire music scene could get together and create a positive noise in this little state. Organizers at RattleHead hoped that the Invasion would grow, and it would prove the "unprovable" — that there really is a viable music scene in this state. It’s a really good promotional opportunity — maybe sell some CDs or open the case for a little cash — and it’ll look great on a resume.

If you’re looking to take part in the sonic shenanigans, you should immediately head over to www.providence invasion.com. There’s a bunch of information that will tell you if you’re cut out for this whole thing or not. If you are, fill out the application and you’re in. When you do that, you’ll find a database of locations and some info regarding "what’s in it for you."

ELECTRO-NOISE. Unschooled Records will present an evening of live, fractured electronic sounds and accidents, featuring Icelandic duo Plat and local art-damager Doofgoblin (aka John Gulino). Gulino’s sonic escapades have been described as "a thorn in the side of would-be easy listeners," with dense and complex hyper-pop for short attention spans. Doofgoblin and Plat will share the stage with Katastatik (Chris Mandra) from Baltimore. Mandra plays improvised breakbeats and drum’n’bass on his body using a trigger suit interfaced with a computer program that he designed himself. Methinks you’ve got to see it to believe it. All proceeds will be donated to Save the Children, operating for the good of the surviving East Asian tsunami victims. It all happens at AS220 on Thursday, April 14 at 9 p.m. Call 831-9327.

WANDERING EYE. Chan’s Jazz and Blues Concert Series will present the Duke Robillard Band on Friday (the 8th) at 8 and 10 p.m. at 267 Main Street in Woonsocket. Rhode Island’s blues ambassador, Robillard recently won a W.C. Handy Award nomination for Traditional Blues Album of the Year for Blue Mood: The Songs of T-Bone Walker and has once again been honored for his virtuosity with a nomination for Best Instrumentalist-Guitar, which he has won four of the past five years. For information or reservations, call 765-1900.

Also on Friday, Smokestack Lightnin’ will be tearing up Club Royale in Newport, which is the big building where jai alai used to be. It has a serious dance floor and has all the makings of a smokin’ venue. Roomful of Blues will headline a benefit for Soleil-Selenne River on Saturday (the 9th) at the Woonsocket Masonic Lodge on 142 Clinton St. This past September, Soleil, a Coventry sixth-grade honor roll student, was recognized and nominated for her outstanding scholastic and humanitarian achievements by the People To People Student Ambassador Program. Sounds like a party! Congrats, Soleil. For ticket info, call 385-9066.

On Saturday, Otis Read, Phil Edmonds, and the Lucky Band will appear at Nirvana Lounge, a new place on Main Street in Warren. Call 245-4500 for info.

Stone Soup is always eager to greet luminous folk icon Garnet Rogers, who will appear on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Arts Center of the Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket (210 Main Street). Tickets are $15. Since Garnet is also deeply devoted to humanitarian causes like hunger and homelessness, audience members are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, or deodorant) to the show and receive a free cup of coffee.

Also on Saturday, Tony Jones from the Goners has put together a decent bill at the Safari featuring bands from three states: the Goners (natch), the Amazing Poundcakes (female-fronted punks from Boston), Secret Hatch Action (ska-punk from Connecticut), and Sanityz Edge (Providence Goth-rockers). The fun starts at 9:30 p.m., it’s 21-plus, and there’s no cover.

"Songwriters In the Round" is back at it this Sunday (the 10th) at AS220. The acoustic songwriting showcase, centered on a specific theme, is hosted by Ryan Fitzsimmons. This month’s theme is "Envy." The show will run from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include four rounds of original songs. Besides Ryan, two other writers from the Rhode Island Songwriter Association (RISA) will join him each month; a third spot will be open to anyone, not just RISA members. If you’re interested in performing, contact Ryan at songwriters@ryanfitzsimmons.com. Shows will be booked at least two months in advance. April’s artists are Jerry Balchunas, Kristi Martel, and Paul Pasch.

Eclectic pop stars Of Montreal will play at AS220 on Monday (the 11th). They’re touring in support of The Sunlandic Twins on Polyvinyl, due out the very next day, so in essence this is their world premiere CD release show. Make ’em feel welcome.

E-mail me at big.daddy1@cox.net with your gig and CD news.