Alt-Nation: Say Goodbye to Summer with Labor Day Weekend Shows

Hope Anchor – Never Gonna Let You Go

Hope Anchor are a gang of veteran rockers that came out of the gates a few years ago as an indie guitar rock band. Their debut record, Pile on the Dirt (75orLess Records), reflected this and was okay with a couple of decent songs, but nothing special. They were never a bad live band, but no band in these parts has progressed into a must-see live act more than Hope Anchor. Their new songs just have this extra thump, and yeah, they play guitar rock, but they put their own stamp on it. So needless to say, I was especially excited for their sophomore release, Never Gonna Let You Go. I was not disappointed.

On Never Gonna Let You Go, Hope Anchor take their juiced up indie rock and mix in a delta blues feel augmented by singer Paul “Pip” Everett’s harmonica playing. The blues is an ongoing theme in Never Gonna Let You Go as there is a brief blues segue between each song. More impressive is when Hope Anchor bust a barroom blues stomper like they do the first track, “Get Away Blues.” The second track, “Here We Go” returns to more jangling indie guitar rock that even has a horn section in the beginning of the chorus to go along with the tight hook. “Got to Be Alright” returns to the rock meets blues at sunrise for a duel feel, which one doesn’t hear much of these days. I guess one could throw John Spencer out there, but he does a completely different thing. Hope Anchor channels a little Blues Explosion though on “Getting Out,” which is the heavyweight in terms of rockers on the album. The stomping beat of “Reason” makes me think of Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil” if it was redone as a blues song. I wasn’t expecting a tune titled “Deluxe Pocket Knife” to be my favorite song of the bunch, but its fist pumping chorus refuses to be denied. “Deluxe Pocket Knife” is so good that it reminds me one of those songs I’d sit around waiting for to come on the radio so I could record it on a cassette tape when I was growing up. With Never Gonna Let You Go, Hope Anchor has succeeded in capturing the energy and excitement of their live show and getting it down on disc.

Hope Anchor celebrates the release of Never Gonna Let You Go at The Met Café on August 30. Neutral Nation, Benny Sizzler, and Tim Flynn’s Area 51 open the show. Doors are at 8 pm with the rock ‘n’ roll kicking off at 9 pm. The show will be filmed for the PBS series “Meet Me at The Met.”

Pat Benatar

Pat Benatar was the tough mainstream rock chick of the ‘80s who always had a catchy tune that would prevent even the most fickle person, like me, from changing the channel.  She may not have been as cool as Joan Jett, but then again, who was? One thing is for sure: there is no footage of her ever twerking some dude at the MTV Video Music Awards. Benatar’s catalogue is steeped in anthem-styled mega hits like “Love is a Battlefield, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “Invincible,” and many more.  Benatar’s cover of The Rascal’s “You Better Run” was the second video ever played on MTV.  At the time, it was chosen as a message to radio. Who knew that in 30 years, MTV would be all reality shows and radio would be dominated by talk radio with the bulk of the few stations left controlled by a monopoly that dictates stagnant playlists? This show is billed as Pat Benatar with Neil Giraldo, who is Benatar’s husband and has played on all her albums. I’m not sure who really buys a ticket for him, but I may have to check this show up!  I’ve looked up the set lists online and this looks like one hell of a party!  Get there early for local girl Malyssa BellaRosa who will be opening the show!

Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will rock the tent at the Newport Yachting Center on August 31. Malyssa BellaRosa and Brian Scott will open the show. The doors are at 5:30 pm with Malyssa BellaRosa taking the stage at 6 pm.

The Mallett Brothers

The Mallett Brothers Band are a country rock outfit that hail from Portland, Maine. The Mallett Brothers Band recently released their third full-length CD, Land, which is chock-full of Yankee hillbilly thrills. Land kicks off with a wistful American groove, “Blue Ridge Parkway.”  I hate modern country as much as the next urban rock ‘n’ roll brat, but something about The Mallett Brothers Band really grabs me. The boys rev stuff up on rockers like “Farmer’s Tan,” “A Little Bit of Mud,” and “Piece of Land.” The Mallett Brothers Band bring in enough elements of country, but when listening to a tune like “Goodnight,” they really just sound more like a straight ahead bar rock band, and a damn good one at that. The Mallett Brothers Band has always delivered in the half dozen or so times I’ve caught them live. Don’t miss them this Saturday at The Met!

The Mallett Brothers, The Silks, and The Denver Boot kick out the jams at The Met Café on August 31.

Supersuckers

Supersuckers are the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band. Just ask them. Sorry Mick and Keith, by the way. Okay I don’t agree with that, but I will agree that they’re one hell of a good time! Supersuckers mix in barn burning puck rock and country that is fierce. I’ve probably seen them a dozen times and have never left disappointed. Also of note for this show is the CD release for The McGunks as they unleash their new biscuit, Highlights for Lowlifes on the world. You can see the review in my previous column.

Supersuckers, Hellbound Glory, The McGunks, The Mighty Good Boys, and Dog Day Afternoon rock Fete on September 1.

Fuzz Fest

What would Labor Day Weekend be without a show full of feedback-ridden psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll?  Machines With Magnets has a killer bill of this with some great local bands like Ex Reverie, Black Oil Incinerator, and Woozy, among others, bringing the fuzz! I caught Ex Reverie a few months ago and they’re one of my favorite new finds among the local music scene. If you like loud stoner guitar rock or psychedelic guitar squalors, this is where you want to spend your Sunday!

Ex Reverie, Linear North, Black Oil Incinerator, Lady Osiris, The Invisible Hours, Woozy, CardboardCannons and High on Dracula will bring the noise to Machines With Magnets on September 1.  The show starts at 5 pm with the music going all night!

Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com