Sonic shrapnel Miniwatt’s intense I Can’t Stand Waiting For It BY BOB GULLA

On Friday, Miniwatt celebrates the release of their new album, I Can’t Stand Waiting For It (Arbeid Records). Slowly and stealthily the Providence trio — Michael Esten (guitar/vox) and Danny Esten (drums), and Matt Jackson (bass) — has grown in profile, by combining the high energy of punk with the artiness of post-punk and indie rock in a bubbly cauldron of noise.

Formed back in 1998, the band has toured pretty consistently, both in the region and nationally, which they have done three times. They’ve shared stages with the likes of Arab On Radar, Daughters, the Locust, and Chinese Stars, which, if you’ve been paying attention means that, at least by association, they have a sound all their own and they’re not afraid to wave it like a big orange flag in your face. Like lots of the city’s best noise explorers, Michael Esten likes the idea of using his strings in unusual, occasionally hurtful ways. On songs like "In the Dark" his trebly motif is intense and antagonistic, cut occasionally with less methodical, more chaotic scratching. It’s the din of anger and it complements his visceral, teeth-gnashing vocal tone. At some points, the band sounds like Pavement circa Perfect Sound Forever, only with slightly more sonic focus and propulsion. Danny on bass and Jackson keep a Zeppelin-like rhythm underneath tunes like the egoistical closer "My World Is My Own." Relative to that, "All You Can Eat" has a sort of "Kashmir"-esque stomp to it coming from Jackson’s bass.

Miniwatt is often compared to Gang of Four largely for their erratic artiness. But beneath the keening chaos there’s a sort of math-rock precision at work. The band rarely veers from its core, and despite all the shrapnel that flies around during the course of I Can’t Stand Waiting For It, there are songs that manage to make their point without losing control. Because of that, the recording — which crams seven songs into not quite 14 minutes — is punk-like in its mission, and frantic in its emotional fury. You can be guaranteed that this weekend’s CD release gig will project the same furious bluster of decibels and power-chord-less madness. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

The Miniwatt CD release party will be Friday, June 3 at the Green Room. Helping to enliven the evening will be Sweethieves, Night Rally, and Badman.

RHYTHM & ROOTS REDUX. Now living up to its own billing as "New England’s Hottest Festival of Roots Music & Dance," the Rhythm & Roots Festival announced its Labor Day Weekend lineup for 2005, along with the fact that tickets went on sale last Friday. Get ’em while they’re hot! It’s hard to believe, but it’s already the eighth year for the South County shindig and, as far as this festival aficionado is concerned, it has surpassed all expectations and become one of the must-see summertime events in the region. As has been the case the last couple of years, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys will serve as the host band for the weekend and, keeping in character, there are quite a few Cajun, Creole, and Zydeco performers. Loyal R&R attendees will also rejoice in the fact that Sonny Landreth, Donna the Buffalo, Marcia Ball, and Little Feat will make return visits. But we also get bluesy Keb Mo’, raucous roots-ramblers Reckless Kelly, and several other intriguing first-time performers.

The fact is, R&R sets a pretty high watermark for quality acts, and despite whether you’ve heard of someone or not, you can bet you’re in for a treat. Don’t fret over which day, just pick one and come along for the ride. Bring a blanket and a fleece. But I’ll remind you of that later. For more information, call (888) 855-6940 or visit www.rhythmandroots.com.

MAKING WAVES IN WESTERLY. Like the Thanksgiving Roomful of Blues shows at the Knickerbocker in Westerly, the new-ish Blues On the Beach concert series at Town Beach in Misquamicut is getting to be quite the summer tradition in South County. This year, it’s even sponsored, which means, well, companies are beginning to look at it as an opportunity — as well they should. Hundreds of R&B- and blues-loving dance-type picnickers head to the ocean for these shows and it’s become a real gathering place for the community.

This summer the series begins with a bang with much-loved "locals" Roomful playing the kickoff date, which is Wednesday, July 6. Every Wednesday through August 10, a different act will hit the deck at the beach. Greg Piccolo & Heavy Juice, Dave Howard and the High Rollers, Johnny Nicholas and the Texas Allstars, and Sugar Ray & His Big Band all turn up. And the series comes to a close on August 10 with the inimitable Al Copley.

The shows run from 6 to 8 p.m. and are free and fun for the whole family. In the event of really bad weather, the shindig will be held at the nearby Windjammer Lounge.

Wandering Eye. Tonight (Thursday, the 2nd) at Area Venue in Newport, you can catch Meat Depressed with the Independents, the Brunt Of It, and Demassek. Doors open at 8 p.m., it’s 21-plus, and the cover is $10. At Giza on Friday (the 3rd), it’s an 18-plus/$10 cover show with Lion’s Eye and Don Minott. On Saturday at the same place, you can catch Grandizer Punch, the Midnight Renewal, Combuster, Feels Like Fall, and Babies in Limbo. This one’s all-ages and it’s $10 at the door, which opens at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday (the 4th), Floodwaters and Hawkins Rise play the Rocky Point Pub. On Sunday (the 5th), the Goners host another loud rock jamboree. This time it’s an afternoon gig at the Living Room with the Peeps (NYC punk), the Leftovers (CT punk), the Dimwits (Boston punk), Xtacy After Agony (local rock), and Nobody’s Heroes (more Boston punk). It’s all-ages, $8 to enter, and the music starts at 1 p.m. sharp! Next Thursday (the 9th) at Cats in Pawtucket, Pete Rock Enterprises and www.gigdates.com present Michale Graves (ex-Misfits) with Trash Light Vision (ex-Murderdolls, Dope, and Amen), local folks Filthy Souls, the Miggs (from California), and the McGunks (Mass/RI area). The music starts at 8:45 p.m. so get there early.

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