Alt-Nation: Shows for a Cause

Music for Paws Benefit Show

Music for Paws is a collaboration between Tracy Garrity from the band VulGarrity, Davey Moore and Mark Charron from the band Satellites Fall and Midday Records, and Chris Conti from the Providence Phoenix to raise money for area no-kill animal shelters by putting on killer shows featuring some of the best talent in the area. This time around all the proceeds will benefit the Smith & Agli’s Potbelly Manor in North Kingstown.  Smith & Algi’s Potbelly Manor specializes in taking in and adopting out pigs. However, their farm also has everything from rescued cows and llamas to bunnies, pigeons, ducks and turkeys. They also feature a great pet-assisted therapy program. More information is available online at potbellymanor.org. The gang planned a great lineup including some of my favorites like Atlantic Thrills and the high school kids in the School of Rock. The doors open at 7pm and the music goes on all night. Stop by and support some great people who are doing great things!

Music for Paws Benefit Show featuring Meta P, Atlantic Thrills, Truth In Soul, Milo Bigwig, and School of Rock happens at Dusk on Feb 7.  

13 Folds’ – Rock-N-Roller’s Masquerade Ball

Valentine’s Day is one of the more divisive days. It’s great for females in relationships and non-emo single dudes and tends to be at best a nuisance to a downer as a Hallmark quasi-holiday for everyone else. 13 Folds Magazine is partnering with RI NORML to celebrate the day before Valentine’s Day. I don’t really know of anyone who wants to celebrate the day before Valentine’s other than maybe as prime pickings for wounded wings. In fact the more I think about it, this is a much better idea than a Valentine’s Day show because who knows, one might hit it off with someone and find a date for the next night. Even if you don’t have any luck in love, there’s Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys whose current incarnation works in a bit of country tinge with the Dave Sasquatch-trademarked swagger. The Sweet Release are a next generation punk rock wrecking crew whose live performances are becoming must-see events because of their unpredictability. PALS have a new record in the can that I’m looking forward to checking out. There will also be other stuff like choosing the newest member of RI-NORML Dank Girls, a “Most Eligible PVD Man” auction, and whatever surprises 13 Folds Magazine head honcho Dave Death has up his sleeves.

13 Folds’ – Rock-N-Roller’s Masquerade Ball featuring performances by Sasquatch & The Sick-A-Billys, The Sweet Release, and PALS goes down on Fri, Feb 13 at the Fatt Squirrel in Providence.   

There’s Something About Mary – A Benefit for Mary Gooding

In October, Mary Gooding was struck by a car while crossing the street, sustaining serious injuries including a broken leg and arm. It has been a long recovery for Mary from enduring multiple surgeries at the hospital to later spending time at a rehab facility, all the while accumulating medical bills while being unable to work. Mary is a fighter, though, and is back on her feet and doing much better. It is great to see the local music community come together to throw a benefit to help Mary out. This show features the jammin’ vibes of Swan Point, electro-rock of Beta Motel, the post-punk of Hope Anchor, and the Scurvy Dog based J, a tribute to the seminal punk band X. This show promises to be a good time and as an added bonus, it will help a great person get back on her feet.

There’s Something About Mary – A Benefit for Mary Gooding featuring performances by Swan Point, Beta Motel, Hope Anchor, and J (X tribute band) will take place on Feb 15 at The Parlour.

The Swans

The Swans are a seminal experimental rock band that rose out of the New York no-wave scene in the early ’80s and spawned bands like Sonic Youth. The Swans have gone through different phases of experimentation over the years that included post-punk hypnotic guitar tones, experimental jazz, post-industrial blues and wide range of other stuff. The Swans are actually quite the trip when one delves into their catalog.  After breaking up in 1997, The Swans have been fairly active, putting out three albums since 2010 including last year’s acclaimed To Be Kind. This show should be a hoot!

The Swans with special guest Xylouris White (featuring Jim White of Dirty Three and George Xylouris) rock the Columbus Theatre on Feb 18.  

R.I.P. to my late night writing companion Jezebel. You will be missed greatly.

Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com