The Amazing Royal Crowns @ Nick-A-Nees June 13
Local legends The Amazing Royal Crown triumphantly returned, fittingly on Friday the 13th, for a secret show at Nick-A-Nees in Providence. This was the Crowns first time playing out since 2017, and served as a warm up for their gig at The Sinclair in Cambridge June 20. The Crowns ruled the scene from the mid-‘90s to the early 2000s, releasing two albums, touring the world, and winning the 1997 WBCN Rock Hunt. The band sounded great with singer Jason Kendall showing no loss of charisma or vocal range. The rhythm section of Jack Hanlon on bass and Judd Williams on drums locked down the beat. J.D. Burgess was a beast shredding on numbers like “1965 GTO” and “Gretschy.” The Crowns get linked with the ‘90s rockabilly craze but no frills rock & roll is what this really is. My favorite tunes of the night were “Scene of the Crime” and “Fireball Stomp” from their first self-titled album. Gems from their second album, Royal, included “Mr. Fix-It” and my favorite, “Perfect Sin.” The Amazing Royal Crowns delivered a great night of sweaty rock & roll – let’s just hope we don’t have to wait eight years for the next one!
Lady Pills – Renowned in the Roaring Twenties
On their third album, Renowned in the Roaring Twenties, Lady Pills, the Providence-based indie-rock project spearheaded by Ella Boissonnault, presents a conceptual work that reflects the challenging yet transformative journey of artists in a postpandemic world. Sonically, Renowned in the Roaring Twenties, reminds me more of the raging mid-’90s alternative pop than the jazz of the Roaring Twenties. It’s dance music with purposeful lyrics. “BN2B” and “Call It (anything but what it is)” tackle the subtle sexism and frustration Boissonnault has experienced while navigating the industry, offering raw, unfiltered commentary on the systemic challenges women face in music. Notable guests include Will Dailey on “Sugarcube” and Sadie Dupuis (Speedy Ortiz) on “Goo Dreams.” In fact, there are contributions from musicians across genres – including saxophone and an expanded rhythm section – giving the record a freer and more nuanced feel than anything Lady Pills has done before. My favorite track on this buffet of bangers is “On & On,” for the infectious groove and the subtle uck that Boissonnault injects into vocals.
Ali McGuirk – More Than Enough single
This should be a joyous night featuring a couple of singer-songwriters: Ali McGuirk and Mary-Elaine Jenkins. McGuirk has a new twosong single out with the lead track, “More Than Enough,” sliding like an enchanting waltz. The B-side, “Where Does All The $ Come From,” is a trippy blues jam.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
Bill Bartholomew / Allison Rose
Media Maven Bill Bartholomew’s side gig is being a musician. Bartholomew has released a couple of EPs in the traditional singer-songwriter format, but the last few times I’ve caught him he’s been doing politically charged spoken word/ hip-hop.
Bill Bartholomew and Allison Rose will play Myrtle in East Providence on June 26.
A Wilhelm Scream
It seems tough to believe that A Wilhelm Scream has been around for over a quarter of a century. It’s like life never existed without them. Hailing from New Bedford, they pummel out the jams in the vein of the second, more melodic, wave of hardcore.
A Wilhelm Scream and Brunt of It will rock the Met Café in Pawtucket on June 27.
Murphy’s Law
It’s always a punk rock party when Jimmy G from NYC and Murphy’s Law roll into town. Expect a lot of old dudes singing along, spilled beer, and plenty of laughs; Murphy’s Law never disappoints! Don’t miss The Take which features Scotty Roberts on vocals/guitars (Spudmonsters, Bloodclot!, Biohazard) and Will Shepler on drums (Agnostic Front, Madball.)
Murphy’s Law, The Take, Klaxon, and Grip Bite bring the mosh pit to Alchemy in PVD on June 29. Doors at 6pm.
Lydia Lunch / Bunel
Bunel is listed as the headliner but I’m not familiar with them. Lydia Lunch on the other hand is an absolute legend arising out of the NYC “No Wave” scene of the late ‘70s-early ‘80s. Whether it be as musician, actress, author, or poet, Lunch has always been compelling, wagging her middle finger in the face of tyranny and oppression. I saw Lunch and her band maybe eight years ago at AS220; while her voice is more gravelly, she’s lost none of her bark or bite.
I recommend checking out the documentary on Lunch called The War is Never Over.
Bunuel, Murderous Again featuring Lydia Lunch, Tim Dahl, and Kevin Shea at Alchemy on June 30.
Ski Bunny
All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that day is coming for one of my favorite bands, Ski Bunny. Led by Tracy Chevrolet, Ski Bunny is an eclectic rock band that churns out rock & roll with a theatrical flair. This bill is loaded. Blues chanteuse Julie Rhodes makes my skin tingle from her passion when she performs. Rhodes will be backed by two shredders in Damian Puerini and Nick Politelli. Nymphidels, led by Jess Moroney, are a two-piece, award-winning band that churn out jangly indie-rock. As an added bonus, Deva is a Devo cover band which should whip up the night!
Ski Bunny, Julie Rhodes with Damian Puerini and Nick Politelli, Nymphidels, and Deva will rock The Parlour in PVD on July 12.