Alt-Nation: Shows to Help You Beat the Winter Blues

The Atlantic Thrills –Self Titled (Almost Ready Records)

On their debut full-length release, Atlantic Thrills let their retro flag fly proudly from the cover straight down the songs that celebrate the spirits and sound of 60s garage, psychedelic, harmonies and surf guitars. Atlantic Thrills keep the recipe simple as far as basing everything off 60s garage rock and then buttressing the sound by sprinkling in some surf and psychedelic elements to keep the party raging like a boss. Highlights include “Day At The Beach,” which was previously released on a 7-inch last year. It will have you counting days till summer returns the “na na na day at the beach” refrain over a lead surf guitar.  On “Acid Rain,” the Thrills take the verse of the Velvet Underground’s “Run  Run Run” and rock it into a swirling psych rock tsunami.  The psychedelic rock continues on “Light Shines,” which sounds like the bastard of bands like The 13^th Floor Elevators and The Yardbirds. You know a band like Atlantic Thrills is on a roll when even their ballads like “Foreign Lands” are fun ditties that make you want to sling your arm around someone’s shoulder and sway in unison. “Holy Mountain” comes off as a stoner punk anthem, and I am not even sure that category exists.  The Atlantic Thrills push that psych rock thing a little further on “Blind Lead The Blind” that has this opening tribal backing vocals and reverb drenched guitar. As fantastic as the overall audio sound of the production is, it’s one of the songs that sounds like it would be really cool if I were stoned.  The Thrills do recover from that lull in energy with the full-on garage stomp of “On My Mind.” On their full-length self titled debut, Atlantic Thrills delivers the best local party record that I’ve heard in quite some time. Atlantic Thrills are going on tour, but keep your eyes out or follow this space to find out when they’re back.

Umphrey’s McGee

Indie progressive rockers Umphrey’s McGee come to town this Friday to play the big stage in town. Umphrey’s McGee are more song orientated than a typical jam band, but there are elements of that in their sets as set lists will change from night to night, and plenty of room is left for improvisation. The band currently is working on their 8^th studio album, which they cite Queens of The Stone Age, King Crimson,  and Yes as influences.  I’ve heard one of the new tunes called “Puppet String,” which kind of reminds me of Ten-era Pearl Jam played by a prog rock band. 

Umphrey’s McGee and Kung Fu hit Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on February 7.

Lux Lives East Coast with Thee Fabulous Itchies and The Evil Streaks

Lux Lives is an event that started in Europe to celebrate the music of The Cramps and the life of Lux Interior, who passed away five years ago this February. The event made it to this side of the pond last year with a very successful show in Boston. This year, in addition to shows in Providence and Boston, there will be shows in Los Angeles and Brazil. Lux Lives Providence features the granddaddy of local garage, punk, and R&B, Thee Fabulous Itchies and the female-fronted horror themed surf garage of The Evil Streaks.  Both bands will play a mix of their own material as well as some Cramps covers to remember Lux Interior. Itchies singer and DJ extraordinaire Ty Jesso said this about the night, “Lux Lives is a night dedicated to Lux and The Cramps. The Itchies and The Evil Streaks will be doing Cramps songs and originals! Between bands, Kogar The Swinging Ape and I will be DJing too. Kogar is the Cramps’ top blogger and compiler of Lux and Poison Ivy’s (Lux’s wife and Cramps guitarist) favorite 45s for his radio show!”

Lux Lives East Coast featuring Thee Fabulous Itchies, The Evil Streaks, Kogar The Swinging Ape, and DJ Ty Jesso come to Fete on February 7.  The event will be a fundraiser for Lux Interior’s favorite charity – Best Friends Animal Society.

Freak Fest 4

Rock ‘n’ Roll, freak shows, belly dancing, zombies and more, what’s not to like about Freak Fest? This is one of those shows where you don’t even have to worry about who’s playing because there is so much other stuff going on.  That said, music there will be with local boy band kings Satellites Fall, Paramore-esque pop-rockers Sienna, Fall & Bounce, and goth-rockers Hemlock.  This is the true something for everyone type of show that sounds like a rad time.

Freak Fest 4 comes to Fete on February 8.  The featured bands that will be performing are Solanum, Satellites Fall, Devil’s Feedback, Sienna, Sleep City, It Lives It Breathes, Que Sera Gamohra, Six Foot Silence, Sweatshop, All For Blood, Promise Of Fire, Patient 0, Fall & Bounce, Edge Of Darkness, and Hemlock.  The sideshows and other performers include Doctor Finnigan’s Sideshow, Crazy Steve Human Flesh Suspension Act,  Ses Carney, Freakshow Stuntman Chuck Reeves as The Ring Master, Faye Decay Belly Dancing and Whippings, Bethany Bubblez Glow In The Dark Hula Hoop Extraordinaire, Juggling Clowns, Gorax Chephalus, Snake Charmer Human Oddities Show, How to kill a Zombie Presentation, A Zombie makeup effects team,  Stake Airbrushing, and more!

Bernie Worrell Orchestra

It seems like Bernie Worrell is coming to town so often these days that I wonder if he bought a house somewhere in South County. Worrell gained fame as the keyboardist for the legendary George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, but has since played with a wide variety of people, including the Talking Heads, and fronted his own band that he brings to The Spot.  I’ve seen Worrell’s band probably three times in the last year or so, and those shows are always sweaty, good time dance parties!

Bernie Worrell Orchestra, Conehead Buddha, and Hungry Freaks will be at The Spot on February 14.

The Black Angels and Roky Erickson

This is a double bill of Austin psychedelic rock headlined by the young guns on the bill, The Black Angels. The Black Angels remind me a little of the Brian Jonestown Massacre with their fuzz fuel guitar and hypnotic grooves. Roky Erickson’s tragic story has been told in many places as the onetime leader of the legendary 60s garage band, The 13^th Floor Elevators, who agreed to be hospitalized in a psychiatric facility where he was subjected to shock treatment all because he got busted for pot. The effects, no doubt, inflicted permanent trauma on Erickson, but he has nonetheless persevered and written some great tunes like “Bloody Hammer,” “If You Have Ghosts,” and “I Think of Demons.” As one can tell by the titles, much of Erickson’s work appears haunted with plenty of references to vampires, Lucifer, and other sci-fi and horror references.  Erickson’s later work has moved away from the psyche-rock of The 13^th Floor Elevators to a more straight ahead rock sound. Maybe it’s old age, but Erickson is known for going on early, so don’t waste time and get to The Met early!

The Black Angels, Rocky Erickson and Golden Animals will rock The Met Café on February 15.

Richie Ramone

Although he was the third drummer for a few years in the 80s of the Ramones, Richie Ramone did make his mark and was probably the third best songwriter in the band behind Dee Dee and Joey. Richie wrote “Somebody Put Something in My Drink” about someone dosing his drink with acid, which was a staple in the Ramones live set till the end. Lesser-known Richie-penned gems include the B-sides “I’m Not Jesus” and “Can’t Say Anything Nice,” the latter of which he sings. These were solid additions to the Ramones’ legacy at a time when frankly they weren’t making their best records. Richie left the band right around the release of Halfway To Sanity in a dispute over not getting any piece of merchandise royalties. For years, Richie seemed to vanish off the earth. Joey told me in the late 90s nobody knew where he was, and they even had royalty money that they were holding for him an account for years that went unclaimed. All of which is weird when one considers that Richie left the band in the first place when his demands for money weren’t meant. Richie re-emerged after Joey’s death and has since taken part in a number of Ramones-related things like documentaries and Joey’s Annual Birthday Bashes in New York City. Richie has released a solo record called Entitled that is composed of new recordings of some of the songs he wrote for the Ramones and new material. Get there early for locals Hope Anchor, who always put on one hell of a show!

Richie Ramone and Hope Anchor will rock Dusk on February 17.

Two Cow Garage

Two Cow Garage are one of those indie rock groups that don’t get much acclaim, but are as good as any other band on any given night.  Last year, Two Cow Garage released their sixth album, The Death of The Self Preservation Society (Last Chance Records), which was another wallop of indie rock that recalls the likes of Replacements, Jesse Malin, and The Hold Steady. Two Cow Garage maintain a certain grittiness whether they are doing acoustic numbers or full on rockers.  Singer/Guitarist Micah Schnabel is an excellent lyricist who is adept at narrating stories that paint a vivid picture in a 3-minute song. Don’t miss the strong lineup of locals that open this show, including Six Star General that will be playing their 10^th anniversary show as the band makes their comeback from a year plagued by health issues.

Two Car Garage, Six Star General, The McGunks, Cad, and Senior Discount will bring the rock to Manchester 65 in West Warwick on February 21.

Surfer’s Blood

Surfer’s Blood are a straight-forward alternative rock band that reminds you what you’d get if you mixed  70s E Street Band and Weezer. Surfer’s Blood released their second album, Pythons, in 2013 to much acclaim. Some other bands that Surfer’s Blood remind me of include the Pixies, Wavves, and Nerf Herder. If loud, straight-forward alternative rock is your thing, this is a show you won’t want to miss!

Surfer’s Blood will shake it at The Met Café on February 24.

Odds & Sods:

Drop what you are doing and head to the Columbus Theatre for Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires on February 6!  Autumn Defense (featuring John Stirratt and Pat Sansone of Wilco) are at The Narrows Center for The Arts in Fall River on February 7.  Ravi Shavi, Roses (ex-Deer Tick) and New York City Queen rock AS220 on February 8.  Mark Cutler is at The Parlour on February 8.  Resin Ed, Elephant, Full Spectrum, and Smeed & Suspense will be at The Spot on February 8.  MR. Furious, The New Limits, and Sweet Babylon are at Manchester 65 in West Warwick for a free show on February 9. Nymphidels, Karma Rocket, and PALS will rock The Parlour on February 9. Bloodpheasant, Harris Hawk, Shahman, and Good Lord bring a fantastic rock ‘n’ roll show to AS220 on February 13. Blues God Taj Mahal comes to the Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River on February 13. Robert Ellis, Ian O’Neil (from Deer Tick and Happiness), and Smith & Weeden are at the Columbus Theatre on February 15. Murphy’s Law, Reason To Fight, Held Hostage, Short Handed Goal, and Penalty Kill come to rock Firehouse 13 on February 15. Jonah Tolchin, Dan Blakeslee, and Haunt The House will be at AS220 on February 18. Zach Deputy and Big Something will be at The Spot on February 21. Burlapen, Dr. Jones and The Shiners, Denver Boot, and Viking Jesus will be at AS220 on February 21. Manchester 65 hosts a Station Fire Memorial Concert & Fundraiser featuring Fly Trap, Beyond Blonde, Viking Jesus, RI Rocks, and JUXO & Friends on February 22. Tyler Daniel Bean, Headless Nixon, Au Revoir, and Snowplows will be at AS220 on February 22. Three Points of Madness, One’s Will, and PALS are at Dusk on February 28. Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons, Toy Soldiers, and Lawsuits are at The Columbus Theatre on February 28. The Pilfers, Truth N Soul, Senior Discount, and Ocean Roots are at Manchester 65 on February 28. LittleFoot, Rachel Ries, and Cuddle Magic are at Columbus Theatre on March 1. Anthrax’s Scott Ian comes to Manchester 65 for a spoken woken word performance on March 7. Marissa Nadler, Alec K Redfearn Trio, and Allysen Callery are at the Columbus Theatre on March 7.

Email music updates to mclarkin33@gmail.com