Weekend blues Fests galore; Revival Preachers; Gruvis news; and more BY BOB GULLA

There’s something about blues in the summertime that’s especially tasty. Down in Westerly, the weekly Blues on the Beach series has really become a seasonal highlight, and the Rhythm & Roots fest in Charlestown, which dedicates itself at least in part to da blues, is a regional destination for indigenous music supporters. In Massachusetts, the same blues fanaticism has taken root. Now in its thirteenth year, the Onset Bay Blues Festival has presented an annual passel of authentic blues performers without battin’ an eye. The festival is a regular stop for many fans that travel the circuit of festivals throughout the Northeast and beyond and is high on the list of their most anticipated summer events. This Saturday (the 20th), fans of the festival will not be disappointed as legendary players Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Ricky "King" Russell, and Weepin’ Willie & His All-Star Band make their way to the main stage starting at noon. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. For information and directions to the event or to purchase tickets, contact the Onset Bay Association at 508.295.7072 or go to www.onsetvillage.com. All of which leaves you time on Sunday (the 21st) to catch the 10th North River Blues Festival in Marshfield. The lineup is also strong, with two muscular blues guitar women holding the top slots: Deborah Coleman with special guest Kenny Neal, and salacious Slavic babe Ana Popovic. If you think genuine blues guitar is dead and gone save for B.B. and Buddy, well, you’re wrong. Next Sunday (the 28th), it’s back to Marshfield for the Green Harbor Roots & Blues Festival. The exhilarating Iguanas will be headlining with Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Clutch Grabwell, and many more. For info on the Marshfield festivals, go to www.rhythm roomrecords.com.

BREATHIN’ ROOM

The Revival Preachers are taking a giant step forward this Saturday night at Jake’s, 373 Richmond Street, Providence, when they put their debut disc, Breathin’ Through a Bruise (Wet Floor), on sale for the very first time. I haven’t heard it yet, so I can’t report on the 10-song set. What I do know is that they’re a really good band with an excellent pedigree, which usually means they can find their way around a studio. Opening the show will be the talented and wry Cory Branan, a singer/songwriter from Nashville, followed by Johnny Carlevale and His Broken Rhythm Boys. There is no cover at Jake’s as usual.

GRUVIS FAMILY NEWS

Gruvis Malt lead singer Brendan Bell has finally completed his Jonny Classic & The Classic Johns album, a side project three years in the making, and he’s currently shopping it to labels for widespread release. The album was made entirely with a GameBoy sequencing program, guitar, vocoder, a Microkorg, and a few other "blinking trinkets." Grüvis is still recording tracks for their new album. Production is underway for a secret (though not technically "secret") Vismal Correspondence Course CDR t0 to be given away to the first 100 people who order the new GM album. Fans might know what that is, but I sure don’t.

Meanwhile, Malter Gavin Castleton’s rapping has been blowing wigs boverseas. Check out his collaboration with Swedish MC Johnny Bass at www.gavincastleton.com/audio. There’s also FortNightShift, a five-song EP, featuring members of Grüvis Malt, One Drop, and Tarantula A.D., now on both Gavin’s and Grüvis’ websites. It’s just five bucks, and you can download the first track so you can see they weren’t kiddin’ around.

WANDERING EYE

Still trying to get to the bottom of the Call and Green Room situations. Rumors have it that the owner/landlord of the Elbow Street space occupied by the Call for nearly a decade was upping the rent. In an effort to head off the increase, the owner of the saloon, as well as the Century Lounge, made an offer to purchase the space outright. But the asking price —surprise, surprise — was too hefty. That prompted the shuttering, along with a loud groan from the local music community. We’re holding out hope that a resolution is somehow reached, but when money is the issue, you can never tell. Phone calls regarding the matter were not returned. Likewise from folks at the Green Room, which is closed through August and will reopen when school’s back in session. Sources surmise that the venue will be changing formats, another blow to local music, which has already suffered too many to the body. If anyone has more news in this regard, pass it along.

On Saturday at the Blackstone, 129 Mendon Road, Cumberland, Hemlok and Psycle tag team for a gig worth checking out. Also on Saturday, our own country-blues legend Paul Geremia will be playing at Nick-a-Nee’s, 75 South Street, Providence, at 9 pm. There’s no cover charge.

Three popular acts will celebrate the nearing end of the season at Block Island’s Spring House Hotel Summer Concert Series this Sunday. Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes needs no introduction. Averi was named 2004’s Best Local Band in the Boston Phoenix and One of the Ten Bands to Watch in 2005 by the Boston Globe. Our own fabulous Becky Chace Band will open the show, which runs from 12 to 5 pm; doors open at 10 am. Tickets are $20. For more information and tickets, log on to www.springhousehotel.com.

The Providence Intown Churches Association’s Music in the Park series will debut today (the 18th) and run through October 6 at Abbott Park, next to the Beneficent Church, 300 Weybosset Street in downtown Providence. Concerts are every Thursday at noon. The first performance will be by TRUA, featuring Phil Edmonds and Cathy Clasper Torch playing Celtic, Scandinavian, and original music. Other performers will include Jim Burke and the Dixie All-Stars, Three Penny Bit, and Jason Roseman and the Tropical Gems. All concerts are free.

Jake’s long-time bartender/friend George Hanley has had a string of bad luck lately. He recently broke his wrist, and last week he and his family were in a car accident. Though they escaped with only minor injuries, the family car is totaled and Hanley’s looking at a month out of work. Because of that, Jake’s is throwing a benefit for George and his family’s immediate future on Wednesday (the 24th) with a great line-up: the Revival Preachers, the Wrong Reasons, Katie Lee Hooker, and Thee Wylde Card DJs. It’s still a no-cover night, but donations will gladly be taken at the door. Be there, by George.

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