Alt-Nation: Not Just Rumors

Less Than a Felony – Self-Titled EP

The self-titled EP from Less Than a Felony kicks off with a one–two punk combination of “Elvis Moves” and “Nothing Without You.” The latter is more bop till you drop reckless abandonment while the former has an intense side punctuated by a breakdown. Less Than A Felony go pop on “Standing In The Rain,” which is kind of meant for bar swaying and hoisting pints. I’m told “Standing In The Rain” is getting some radio spins in Ireland, which is good to hear! The final track, “Burn It Down,” has kind of an ’80s post-punk feel. This EP stokes the fire enough that I’m looking forward to catching Less Than A Felony live at their CD release at The Parlour.

SEX Cofee, Less Than a Felony, Jason Bennett and The Resistance, and Steve Volkmann rock The Parlour on Jan 17.  

Ravi Shavi

This show stacks three of the best local bands together for a downcity mid-week party. Ravi Shavi mixes and matches influences of garage, mod and indie rock to create sweltering anthems. Smith & Weeden have a southern rock meets early ’70s Stones tinge to their sound. Atlantic Thrills’ sound is steeped in psychedelic garage rock. Crystal Rockets open the show.

Ravi Shavi, Smith &Weeden, Atlantic Thrills, and Crystal Robots rock Aurora Providence on Jan 15.  

Dale Watson

Texas honky tonk legend Dale Watson makes a rare stop in town as the direct support for the Reverend Horton Heat. Watson has been singing tales of the lone cowboy dancing and drinking through life for more than two decades. Watson is straight old country with none of the pop fluff that has bastardized the modern incarnation of the genre. I once saw Watson in Austin, Tex., at a place called Ginny’s Little Longhorn Saloon where Watson plays every Sunday. The bar is famous for having a game called “Chicken Shit Bingo.” Picture bingo with a live chicken in a cage and the players bet on the number the chicken is going to poop on. I never realized that chickens had to go so often till that night. Watson recently helped saved Ginny’s from closing and is now a part owner. Watson’s most recent album, El Rancho Azul, was recorded in Willie Nelson’s studio and features some memorable ditties like “I Lie When I Drink” and “Thanks to Tequila.” Reverend Horton Heat will headline the show, packing their usual psychobilly hellfire thunder.

Reverend Horton Heat, Dale Watson, and Rosie Flores will rock Fete on Jan 21.  

The Silks 

The Silks haven’t been playing Providence as much recently, so this show is like an extra special treat. If you are not familiar with them, The Silks are a powerhouse when it comes to mixing things like ’70s Stones, swamp country, scorched earth guitar solos, and the blues into an audio omelet.  2014 was a big year for The Silks in terms of doing their first tour and building an out-of-town audience — notably in Boston — and seeing the release of their debut, Last American Band. Come down to Fete to get a sneak preview of what 2015 holds!

The Silks and Handsome Jack will rock Fete on Jan 23.

Fleetwood Mac

There aren’t many bands with as colorful a history as Fleetwood Mac. They began as a blues act, where the attraction was Peter Green’s otherworldly guitar playing, then had a commercial turn in the 1970s, which culminated in their masterpiece, Rumours, probably the greatest record chronicling inter-band incest. This tour is the band’s first with vocalist/keyboardist Christine McVie back in the fold since the late ’90s, and I heard they were outstanding when they came to Boston last fall. Vocalist Stevie Nicks recently made news by joining local boys Deer Tick for their 10^th anniversary celebration on stage New Year’s Eve in Brooklyn to perform a set closing rendition on “Rhiannon.”

Fleetwood Mac come to the Dunkin Donuts Center on Jan 28.  If you miss them in Providence, Fleetwood Mac will also be at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. on Feb 7.

Murphy’s Law

Old school NYC punks Murphy’s Law return to town for a punk rock hoedown. For the uninitiated to Murphy’s Law, expect a lot of gang vocal sing-a-longs, guys with their shirts off and beer going all over the place, among other mayhem. If you like ’80s style punk rock and hardcore, this show is money for a good time!

Murphy’s Law, King Django, The Natural Element Band, and Hobo Chili rock Firehouse 13 on Jan 31.

Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com