Melodious sludge Made in Mexico bring the noise; plus, the return of the L.U.V.s BY BOB GULLA

We love the musical lineage. Beyond R&B, noise rock is Providence’s most honorable sonic heritage, spinning off from the city’s indie rock roots of the ’80s and early ’90s and leading to the Fort Thunder scene that dominated our music throughout the last 10 or so years. Made in Mexico is the latest and one of the most promising of that lineage. MIM is the new band led by guitarist Jeff Schneider, one of the psychedelic thinkers behind Six Finger Satellite offshoot La Machine and the late, lamented, and lovingly insane Arab On Radar, who called it quits a few years back. Made in Mexico started when Oklahoma ex-pat Rebecca Mitchell came to Our Town and instigated interest from Dare Matheson and Jon Loper. They coaxed Schneider out of peaceful retirement and Made in Mexico was born. Of course, Schneider’s rep, developed while in AOR, pricked the ears of infamous Chicago noisemeisters Skin Graft who, after hearing the band’s melodious sludge, signed the band.

Mildly more accessible than AOR on record, MIM’s Zodiac Zoo is based on a solid rhythmic foundation and features Schneider dancing on that bed with his patented freaked-out licks, courtesy of his bizarre Travis Bean aluminum axe. The record busts out with "Farewell Myth," a galloping beast highlighted by Loper’s brutal bass and Matheson’s stomping tempo. It recalls the glorious sonic grime of the old AmRep sound (Cows, Surgery, Unsane). So does "International Zombie," which feels like a grungy jam session with Schneider bending strings like he’s playing a theramin and not a guitar, before Mitchell interjects with some Cristina Martinez (Pussy Galore era) belching. There’s some Sonic Youth flavor too on odd, rambling tunes like the "Face of the Earth" (an MX-80 cover) and the closer "Black Rabbit," which is some powerful shit, with beehive guitars and a gruff blues riff. Great stuff.

MORE L.U.V.S

For the first time in five years (OK, the second; they assembled last month for the first time), the L.U.V.s will be reuniting for your entertainment pleasure. Back in 1996, the band injected serious energy into the local scene. The band broke up just three years later amid lots of rock star-type turbulence, plowing their way through irresponsible drummers, smelly clubs, and, well, you know the story. Their trashy glam/punk earned them a pretty sizable base that has lasted even ’til now, which is why they’re back for more. They will be appearing in their somewhat original lineup, with the Midnight Creeps’ Jeff Creep on drums. Also on the bill this Friday (the 14th) at Jerky’s, 71 Richmond Street, Providence, will be the Sleazies, Red Invasion, and the Honeymoon’s Over, featuring ex-Midnight Creeps guitarist Heather Mars. Miss Mars is back from the UK, where she lived for a year playing in a band called Dragster.

FANTASYINTHEPARKS

As the Land Turns is the latest production from the Providence-based performance collective Trutheatertheater. It’s not only a great way to spend an evening in the park, it also has some cool music by local artists like Urdog, Wizzardz, Crude Hill, and Manbeard. Props and sets were created by locals Brian Chippendale (Lightning Bolt) and Rob Coggeshall (Fort Thunder). As the Land Turns is designed to celebrate autumn in the spirit of the ancient Greek theater, where a community would gather to watch players represent their world in an open forum, in real-time. In the hands of Trutheatertheater, it’s an ongoing "psychedelic soap opera," a fellowship of mystical creatures and magical humans facing their demons. Cool, eh? Audiences of all ages are invited to join in the mix of humor and fantasy, said to be rated "PG with an edge." These performances have generally been one-night-only affairs for those in-the-know within Providence’s fertile arts underground. But Trutheatertheater will present their work this time for everyone, in the parks of Providence. The shows take place on Saturday (the 15th) at Franciscan Park, Broadway and Bell Street, Providence, near Route 10, and on Sunday (the 16th) at Merino Park, Heath Street off Hartford Avenue, Providence, near Route 6. Start time is at 7 pm, but get there by 6:30. It’s free, but donations are accepted.

WANDERING EYE

A lot has been happening with Of the Hour. They’re breaking in a new guitar player and playing out tons. On Friday at the Century Lounge they’ll share the bill with the Milwaukees from Jersey and local band Deluge. The show will start around 10 or so, and the cover is $5. The CobraMatics have a few area shows in the coming weeks. Catch ’em tonight (the 13th) at the Custom House and on Friday at the halftime show at the Providence Roller Derby October Bout featuring the Providence Mob Squad versus the Boston Massacre at the Bank of America Skating Rink downtown. After the bout, why not head over to Club Hell on Richmond for the afterparty? Tickets to the derby are available at White Electric Coffee House, Rockstar Piercing, B-Sharp Music, Julian’s, or from any rollergirl. For more info: providencerollerderby.com.

On Friday, Rock-a-Shop presents Dustin Dread and Brooklyn’s Selecta Chad Dubz spinning dancehall and reggae at the Area Venue in Newport. Cheap at $5, 21-plus. At Rocky Point Pub in Warwick on Friday, Failed Attempts at Flying is holding forth. Route 44 will be bringing their funkified Rootadelic orchestra to MoJoe’s Bar and Grill, 166 Broadway, Providence, on Saturday. The eight-piece band has musicians from many genres and every corner of the country, with members from Seattle, LA, Missouri, and locally. For more info check www.route44.org

Pete Rock is raising money for Scuba Steve’s kids’ college fund. You might remember that Scuba Steve was a member of a local band called Stranglehold. He died unexpectedly almost a year ago from a heart defect. The show is to honor him and raise money to help ensure his young kids get a decent education. It goes down on Saturday at Cats; so far the lineup includes Dirty Hands and Nocturnal Sun. See www.kcstap.com for more info.

Reach me online at big.daddy1@cox.net.