Local Lollapalooza Jake’s celebrates six years with a mega-bash BY BOB GULLA

AS220 isn’t the only nocturnal destination in Providence celebrating a milestone this weekend. Jake’s Bar & Grille will mark its sixth anniversary with a late afternoon/evening blockbuster jamboree. "Every year it seems to get bigger," says Jackie Nichols, the eatery/saloon’s proprietor. "Things are going very well, even though music nights are down a little." But not this music night. The venue will feature what could perhaps be the best local music lineup assembled since I started writing this column, with all kinds of music for all kinds of taste. In fact, the roster, with punk, country, rock, and R&B acts all poised to play, reflects the refreshing diversity that Jake’s has always offered. As of now, the bands include Mustache Ride, the BLACKCLOUDS, the BROKENRHYTHMBOYS, the DINOCLUB, the COBRAMATICS, the BLIZZARDOF’78, KATIELEEHOOKER, BENNYSIZZLER, the FABULOUSITCHIES, the REVIVALPREACHERS, BLUESBASTARD, and, of course, the WYLDCARDDJS spinning between sets, which will run 25 minutes each. The bash begins at 4 with free BBQ ’til 7 pm and a live broadcast on WBRU, with giveaways and interviews; the music starts at 6:30.

One of the reasons so many good bands like playing Jake’s is the challenge. "People who come here are music aficionados," says Jackie, who enlists the assistance of her son Jake to choose the acts that play her place. "When a young band like Blues Bastard comes in and impresses a regular like Mark Cutler [from the Dino Club], they get validated, positive feedback from someone who knows what they’re talking about."

While Jake’s is gratifying to play, it’s also gratifying simply to attend. Its weekly Saturday shows (with the occasional Thursday gig) are can’t-miss events, with the very best local bands kicking up rackets. The no-cover policy also ensures a full house, with patrons having plenty of dough left over for spirit-rising libations. "Just about every show that happens here brings in an eclectic crowd," says Jackie. "I can see when the music starts that everyone’s having a great time. Even when I put a punk band in front of older fans, the older fans don’t run away screaming. That makes me happy."

KILL X 5 = ?

Local filmmakers announced the premiere of Kill Kill Kill Kill Kill at the Cable Car tonight (Thursday, July 14), a gritty film about a corporate drone who begins to realize that it’s his destiny to mess things up. "Essentially, its a hard-boiled, pulpy crime film, kind of a mix between the male pathos films of Michael Mann and ‘Beat’ Takeshi and the B-movie genre pieces of the ’80s," explains Paul Hullabaloo, the writer, one of the directors, and an actor in the film, which also stars Mike Short (aka Randy Pinto), Jorge Ladeira, Mandy Swindle, and local tattoo artist Lawrence DiGiusto Jr. Hullabaloo produced the film with partner Joe Francazio. "We couldn’t be happier with the final product. It’s our first movie and it was an absolute blast to make, although the road was a rocky one, as most guerrilla filmmaking experiences are." Having shot and edited entirely in Rhode Island over five months, the filmmakers intend to bring it to the San Diego Comic Convention to do some partying . . . I mean, promo, for the flick.

POP GOES THE ’60S

First Night New Bedford 2006 presents its kick-off fundraiser, a tribute to all things from the 1960s, which will take place on Friday, July 15 at the Buttonwood Park Zoo Wildlife Education Center. The gala includes a catered dinner reception from 6 to 9 pm with a cash bar in a setting designed to recall Andy Warhol’s Factory studio and other pop art fare, complete with a Warhol impersonator. At the reception, a Stevie Wonder copycat will perform, and there will be a ’60s trivia contest. Guests are encouraged to don attire from their favorite part of the decade. And if that’s not enough, at 8 pm there will be a theater-sized screening of Dr. Strangelove. Donations are $40 ($10 for the movie only). Call 508.993.1999 or go to www.firstnightnb.org for more info.

WANDERING EYE

Force the Fallen, a young band that includes Rodger Hagopian (guitar/ vocals), Rupam Som (guitar), Shaun Carlson (bass), and Manny Hagopian (drums/vocals), have a gig tonight (Thursday, July 14) at Cats in Pawtucket. They’ll be playing at 9 pm. They’re also at Jarrod’s Place in Attleboro, Massachusetts on Saturday (the 16th). Check ’em out at www.forcethefallen.com.

Black & White has two gigs this weekend: Friday (the 15th) at Hanson’s Landing in Wakefield at 7 pm, and on Saturday at the Quahog Festival at Burrs Hill Park in Warren at 6 pm. The Goners have two gigs as well, at the Safari Lounge on Saturday night and on Sunday (the 17th) at Jarrod’s Place, where there’s a massive lineup of bands playing all day. That show is all ages and it’s only $7 to get in.

On Saturday, Mateo Luka & the Sound play pop-rock at the Blackstone in Cumberland — good stuff that you may not have heard yet. Also at the Blackstone every Tuesday starting July 19, there will be an acoustic jam with Brian Twohey, and it’s free to get in. Bring tunes and kick out the jams, or hang with friends and shout out some requests. From what they tell me, he’s been known to take some wild ones. Dave Howard and the High Rollers are playing a "Blues On the Beach" night in Misquamicut on Wednesday (the 20th). The show is at 5 pm and it’s rain or shine. Next Thursday (the 21st), Dave and the boys will hit the Newport Blues Café on Thames Street in Newport. And finally, Rebecca Loebe will perform at Tazza Caffe in Providence on Wednesday (the 20th). Her new album, Hey It’s a Lonely World, is sweet-voiced singer-songwriter stuff.

E-mail your music news to big.daddy1@cox.net.