Motif

Author: Marc Clarkin

  • Alt-Nation: Can’t-Miss Shows for This Weekend

    Alt-Nation: Can’t-Miss Shows for This Weekend


    Northern Lands – He Took A Dive (75orLess Records)

    Northern Lands kick up a barroom style rock & roll ruckus on their debut album, He Took A Dive. For those new to Northern Lands, think of straight forward rock with echoes of Tom Petty, The Hold Steady, and E Street Band Springsteen. He Took A Dive kicks off with “With Regards To Greg Allman” that I guess could come off as indie rock Allman Brothers jam at the beginning before things get heavy in the chorus.  “Sydney” is a power alt-rock ballad that features backing vocals from Roz Raskin that complement singer/guitarist Josh Cournoyer’s more gruff, howling style. The riff on the verse of “Home Free” reminds me a lot of Petty’s “You Wreck Me,” which is always good thing. The lyrics go on to talk about drinking so much tequila that they end up in Mexico. I’ve drank my share of tequila and ended up in some strange places as result, so I guess that is possible. “Gallows” has a bit of western blues thump, highlighted by some excellent lead guitar work by Peter Hayden. Cournoyer sounds like he’s using his last breath to get the words out on “Crumb,” while rhythm section of Josh Wallace on drums and Aaron Jaehnig  anchor the beat on this solid rocker. The title track is a burner of a love song to the Renaissance City and its dive bars where Cournoyer sings about how “this is my kind of town, it has more bars than churches.” I’d be interested in doing a census of that because there are so many startup churches, like The Laotian Evangelican Church on Carpenter Street, that probably fly under the radar. They probably need to do a kickstarter to get tax exempt eligible. He Took A Dive closes with “Burnside” that has a verse narrative about breaking into the governor’s mansion with a female companion, but the chorus twists it with Cournoyer transforming into the ghost of Ambrose Burnside and walking the empty hallways of the mansion. I don’t quite follow the narrative, but hey, it all sounds great when blasting through my headphones while walking around town. Hit repeat? Well, don’t mind if I do. Northern Lands are celebrating the release of He Took a Dive at the Met Café on June 1. As an added bonus, they got the brewmaster himself, Coach Sean Larkin of Revival Brewing, to create a new beer called the Northern Lands Lager just for this show.  I’m told it is a Bohemian Pilsner style lager, and I can’t wait to sample it.

    The Mallett Brothers Band – Land

    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 & 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 latter notably had the dance floor of the Ocean Mist bopping when the boys cranked it out a couple of months ago down in South County. Land also features some mid-tempo honky tonk-inspired jams like “All Kinds of Crazy” and “In The Fold” to line dance to or as I prefer, sway while sipping whiskey. 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 live in the half dozen or so times I’ve caught them live. Don’t miss them this Saturday at the Met!

    Northern Lands CD Release Party for He Took a Dive will take place at the Met Café on June 1. In addition to Northern Lands, The Mallett Brothers, Viking Jesus, and Cactus Attack will be performing.  Revival Brewing will debut a test batch of new Bohemian pilsner called Northern Lands for the occasion. 

    Willard Grant Conspiracy, Barn Burning, & The ‘Mericans

    Summer is finally coming and one of the newer joints in town, The Parlour, is the perfect place to cool down with a cold one. The Parlour has a great Americana show this Saturday with the Willard Grant Conspiracy coming to town to showcase some new tunes off their forthcoming release, Ghost Republic.  Barn Burning was really one of the innovators of that kind of quiet Americana that has really taken off around the city. Don’t miss The ‘Mericans who have been kind of the unsung heroes of that roots meets indie rock jams around these parts going all the way back to the 90s with Chris Daltry’s other band, Purple Ivy Shadows.

    Willard Grant Conspiracy, Barn Burning, and The ‘Mericans will rock The Parlour on June 1.

    The National – Trouble Will Find Me

    The National return with a brand new biscuit called Trouble Will Find Me. The National can come across as a little morose, taking cues from bands like 80s titans Bauhaus and Darklands-era Jesus Mary Chain mixed with more modern stuff like LCD Soundsystem and TV on The Radio. Trouble Will Find Me starts out with a lush mid-tempo number in “I Should Live in Salt.” “Demons” is another hypnotic rock jam that paints a picture of being in a darkened room hiding out from the sun. “Don’t Swallow the Cap” musically has a Cure “In Between Days” vibe. The National pick things up with “Sea of Love,” which the combination of the fuzz toned guitars and hook makes it as catchy as anything on modern rock radio.  “Graceless” kicks off with lines like, “I’m trying, but I’m graceless, don’t have a sunny side to face this … God loves everybody, don’t remind me.” This hits home to those like myself who have never been accused of being graceful. The National cover themes of alienation and isolation in a poetic manner with a sonic landscape that makes the odyssey redeeming. They don’t bring the listener down, but instead draw you into the narrative. I’ve always heard great things about The National live, so don’t miss the chance to see them on the big stage in town, at Lupo’s, this Tuesday.

    The National and People Get Ready will rock Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on June 4. Doors are at 7 and the show starts at 8 pm. 

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com

     

  • Alt-Nation: New CDs and a Chance to Do Some Good

    Alt-Nation: New CDs and a Chance to Do Some Good


    Dave Lamb Fundraiser and Benefit Show

    It was just a few weeks ago in this space that we were hyping Fits of Reason, the excellent new release from Brown Bird. I did an interview over the phone with Dave Lamb from the band, and he seemed excited to hit the road on what seemed to be destined to be Brown Bird’s biggest tour to date. Then life threw the band a curve as Lamb fell ill and had to be hospitalized for several days in Houston with complaints of fatigue and a shortness of breath. Lamb was told he was severely anemic and had to undergo several blood transfusions, which I’m told he is thankfully responding well to. Lamb is back home in Rhode Island recovering and working with his doctors to plot a path of treatment for a return to health. As of yet, there has been no diagnosis.

    Like many musicians, Lamb has no health insurance. With medical bills mounting and no end in sight, an online pledge site has been organized where you can donate as much as you want – no amount is too little – to help defray some of the cost of Lamb’s mounting medical bills. As a working musician, Lamb has no means of income while he is off the road recovering. It only takes a minute and you can make your pledge right here: www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/brown-bird-needs-your-help/60153.

    In addition to the online pledge campaign, Joe Fletcher organized a benefit concert to help with Lamb’s medical bills at the Columbus Theatre. The benefit for Dave Lamb of Brown Bird will take place June 7 at the Columbus Theatre in Providence. The show will feature performances by Joe Fletcher & The Wong Reasons, J.P. Harris and Smith & Weeden. The show will run from 7 pm to 11 pm and advance tickets can be purchased here: joefletcher.brownpapertickets.com/ 

    Charles Bradley – Victim of Love

    There aren’t many musicians who release their debut album at the age of 62 and then go on to tour the world in a sequined jumpsuit.  It doesn’t sound like a good idea on paper. Then again, not many musicians are nicknamed the “Screaming Eagle of Soul.” Charles Bradley’s story is an inspiration for the ages. All that would be secondary

    if he didn’t deliver the bacon, and Bradley does again with his second solo record, Victim of Love. Bradley is like a cross between the soul of Otis Redding and the energy of James Brown. Victim of Love kicks off with an R&B jam in “Strictly Reserved For You” that relays Bradley’s message of love. The redemption of “You Put The Flame On It” is set over a soul-infused doo-wop beat. “Love Bug Blues” has a James Brown feel, but Bradley’s voice is always all his own.  “Confusion” has a 60s psychedelic stomp as he takes on the state of world with lines like “leaders like to talk the talk, too afraid to walk that walk.” Victim of Love is a must-have for fans of 60s R&B, soul and just all around the real deal.  Also check out the film about Bradley called Charles Bradley: Soul of America. 

    Iggy & The Stooges – Ready To Die

    It is almost unfair that when a legendary rock band reunites, their new work is always judged by how it compares to their classic records. It is never okay to say, “Hey, this is a good record.” Ready To Die is the second album since Iggy & The Stooges reunited. Anyone expecting the second coming of Raw Power with the reunion of James Williamson (taking over for the late Ron Asheton on guitar), sure, they’ll be disappointed. “Burn” has a looping guitar feel similar to “Gimme Danger,” but lacking the latter’s intensity. “Sex and Money” has an upbeat Funhouse-era Stooges groove that works. “Gun” works as a rocker over a patented Williamson riff. The title track is the strongest as Iggy sings about

    overcoming depression. Iggy doesn’t have anything lyrically going here that will ever be quoted alongside the words to “Search and Destroy,” but then again, was he really ever known for his lyrics other than maybe being nihilistic? It isn’t really surprising that Iggy has a song “Dd’s” with the chorus “I’m on my knees for those double d’s.” What is surprising is that this is a Stooges album with three ballads. It may not be Raw Power, but Iggy and the boys still bring enough mayhem to the party to merit picking up this new biscuit.    

    Bow Thayer and Perfect Train Wreck – Eden

    To be called “the best artist to come from New England in recent years,” as Bow Thayer recently was by American Songwriter, is pretty heady praise. I don’t know how one can qualify that given the different genres in music, but one thing that can’t be denied is Bow Thayer’s talent. His new album, Eden, has been described as “modern mountain music.” That isn’t too far off. Tracks like “The Tide” have an early 70s Dylan meets bluegrass feel. “12 Inch Steel” is a banjo-driven Americana thrash. Thayer and his band, Perfect Train Wreck, hit it out of the park on “Inside Joke,” which is a smooth blend of rock and soul along with the ever-present banjo. What I like about Bow Thayer and Perfect Train Wreck is there is no road that they won’t travel down. They’ll be at Local 121 this Thursday, and it’s a really special opportunity to catch a band with this caliber chops in a real intimate venue! A chance you’ll no doubt fondly remember when these guys blow up and graduate to larger venues.

    Bow Thayer and Perfect Train Wreck will be performing at Local 121 in Providence on May 23. 

    Dead Confederate

    Dead Confederate does a decidedly psychedelic take on indie rock by drenching it in atmospheric guitars. The band fuses alt-country and grunge to create something that goes beyond the limits of either genre. Dead Confederate come to town touring behind a new album, In The Marrow, that has been getting rave reviews. I know it is Memorial Day Weekend and everyone has a million things to do, but I strongly recommend checking out Dead Confederate when they come to Fete this Saturday.

    Dead Confederate, Roadkill, Ghost Choir and Mean Creek will be at Fete on May 25. 

    Odds and Sods

    Denver Boot, The Autumn Hollow, Tyler James Kelly (from The Silks), and The Pixels are at The Parlour on May 23. Mechanical Process, Woozy, Gravesideservice, and Three Year Plan are at Simon’s 677 in Providence on May 24. Cue up the “guess who’s back, back again, tell a friend” from Eminem’s “Without Me” as Spogga returns from New Orleans to play The Spot on Saturday May 25. Spogga will be going on around midnight with a full band. The Agents, Cradle To The Grave, and Atlantic Thrills are at The Met Café on May 31. Northern Lands celebrate their debut CD release with The Mallett Brothers and Viking Jesus at the Met on June 1. The National come to Lupo’s on June 4.

    Email music to mclarkin33@gmail.com.

  • Alt-Nation: Malyssa & The Liberators Release a New EP

    Alt-Nation: Malyssa & The Liberators Release a New EP


    Photo by Lisa Gourleyx

    Malyssa & The Liberators – Self-Titled EP

    Malyssa BellaRosa wasn’t interested in wasting light after resigning from lead vocals duties in Fall & Bounce.  In just two months, BellaRosa formed the new band Malyssa & The Liberators and recorded their debut self-titled EP. The new band includes Nick Iddon (Viking Jesus & Kanerko) on drums and Sharlene DeNardo (SEXCoffee) on bass. Producer George Dussault contributes guitars and will perform live with the band from time to time. Initially, I was expecting a more singer-songwriter vibe similar to BellaRosa’s solo album, Open Up.  I was wrong.  From the opening number, “Dark Side,” which is propelled by a Stooges 1969 guitar riff, any notion of this being singer-songwriter stuff was destroyed.  Malyssa & The Liberators are here to rock and that is that. “All Used Up” has kind of a progressive grunge vibe while “Out of Time” has an amped-up Americana feel that reminds me of Prison Bound-era Social Distortion.  “Undercover Lover,” which originally appeared on Open Up, is the weak link here, but does add a soulful feel to diversify the record. On the flip side, “Me Without You” has got it all going on from a wall of dirty guitars, sugary harmonies, and a killer hook. It is pretty much my new favorite song.  Malyssa & The Liberators arrived at the right time to fill a void for a good sleazy rock & roll band.

    In the local music media, there are too many pom-pom wavers who will say anything and everything is great, regardless of merit. That said, the EP release show for Malyssa & The Liberators has the rare distinction of having four bands that I have (and would again) gone out of my way to see. One can’t lose with any of these bands. VulGarrity veer all over the place from alt-rock to stoner rock, and even have a more dance-floor-friendly sound in their latest release, Funkeology. The Evil Streaks from north of the border bring it with some of the best spine chilling horror anthems. Check out The Evil Streaks’ debut full-length album, Talk to the Dead, for surf garage thrills and chills. Pixels are a new band that I caught the other night and came away impressed.

    Malyssa & The Liberators, VulGarrity, The Evil Streaks, and Pixels will be at Firehouse 13 on May 10.

    The Darkness

    The Darkness are still roaring with heavy guitar thunder and operatic vocals. It’s been a few years since they hit it big with “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” but it’s not like they turned into a goth band and wrote losing that belief. This should be a fun show for anyone who digs tongue in cheek rock with big hooks.

    The Darkness and Free Energy are at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on May 13.

    Odds & Sods

    Silversun Pickups are at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on May 9 with Bad Books. Viking Jesus, Denver Boot, and Mark Cutler will be at The Spot on May 10 for what promises to be a great night of local music. Alt-pop-rockers Sienna will be having their CD Release show at Fete on May 11. In addition to Sienna, Trophy Wives, Carousel Kings, Animal Empire, Spelling Out Disaster, and Colin Burke will be performing.    Firehouse 13 is hosting a benefit in memory of Roger “Fatty” Jordan for the family on May 11 with some great hardcore and punk bands including Reason To Fight, Embedded, Cheech, The Frenzy of Tongs, Blackhouse and DJ Tom Butts. The doors are at 6 pm. Vudu Sister return from a brief tour to play AS220 with Bird Courage, Dan Blakeslee, and Bill Bartholomew on May 12.

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com or tweet at me twitter.com/marcclarkin

  • Alt-Nation: Revving Up for the Weekend!

    Alt-Nation: Revving Up for the Weekend!

     

    Vudu Sister – Household Items (Columbus Recording Company)

    Last year Vudu Sister’s debut, Bastard Children, garnered considerable praise as a mostly folk/ Americana release. I remember seeing them at one 990WBOB’s Mondays on Blast and thinking it wasn’t really my bag, hope Fuzek likes them. Flash forward to this past January when I caught them at Local 121, and it completely changed my mind. They were performing as a full band, blasting out grunge-inspired infectious rock ‘n’ roll and covering stuff like The Vaselines. I didn’t know what happened to have them change so dramatically but whatever it was, thought they should keep doing it. Now Vudu Sister is releasing their sophomore CD, Household Items, which continues in the vein of cranking the volume up and rocking out like a grunge hurricane. I was conversing with singer/guitarist Keith McCurdy about the new album and doing a preview for Household Items, but the physical CDs weren’t going to be in till a couple of days before the show and all he had it on was an iPod.  So we decided to just drive around Providence blasting the record and even stop into the Scurvy Dog to hear what it sounds like in bar.

    As for the change in direction toward the heavy rock thud on Household Items, McCurdy said, “People who have heard the new record have been surprised. I did what I did before because I was alone, so you pick up an acoustic guitar. I never wanted to be a folk singer. When I got into folk there were just a ton of noise bands around, so I wanted to do something different. Now it’s become oversaturated in the opposite direction. I never wanted to grow a beard and play the banjo.”

    There are no audible banjos when Household Items roars out of the gate with a couple of rockers in “Revival” and “Kid Heroine.” The former reminded a little of 70s Cheap Trick, which McCurdy doesn’t count as influence, while the latter is about dealing with a friend’s descent into heroin addiction while borrowing from the verse from The Runaways classic, “Cherry Bomb.” McCurdy said, “I’m taking a huge influence from a lot of female punk rock /riot grrl bands like The Breeders, Hole, Babes in Toyland, Bikini Kill, and PJ Harvey. I think listening to the same guy exclusively over and over again is dangerous. It’s like only eating one kind of food. I don’t think about writing songs. How they come out is how they come out. I wanted to make a more aggressive album.”  As far as making a more aggressive album, McCurdy more than succeeded.

    The tunes on Household Items aren’t all in the same food group. “Buffalo NY” harkens back to the Bastard Children acoustic side, while “Silver Driver” has kind of a funky modern rock edge to it. “The Farmer’s Life” has a psychedelic acoustic feel that reminded me a little of the Velvet Underground’s “Here She Comes Now,” which was covered by one of McCurdy’s major inspirations, Nirvana. “A Farmer’s Life” has a similar vibe in terms of the mood of the song, but it passes muster as far as originality and being its own beast. The title track drew inspiration from time McCurdy spent working in a group home dealing with one particular resident. McCurdy elaborated on that experience saying, “Those places make you desensitized. The irony of working a humanitarian job is it can drive you to want to kill.”

    Vudu Sister was selected to be the first release by the new Columbus Recording Company that was founded by Jeff Prystowsky and Ben Knox-Miller of The Low Anthem. Household Items was recorded in the bowels of the old Columbus Theatre on Broadway Street in Providence. It’s really a fascinating turn for the Columbus that has been everything from a first run movie theater to a porno theater, has hosted plays and film fests, and now is a recording studio and live music venue. The Columbus Recording Company has also recently recorded the forthcoming Smith & Weeden debut, and I’ve heard rumors that The Low Anthem’s next album will be recorded there as well. Household Items was recorded by Ben Knox-Miller who McCurdy describes as incredibly supportive through the process.

    McCurdy has a busy few months lined up ahead of him. After the release show for Household Items Saturday at the Columbus Theatre, he’s heading out on a solo northeast tour with Dan Blakesly. Later on he’s going to be doing a solo tour hitting Dayton, OH; St Louis; and Boulder, CO, and he will be appearing as part of the homegrown showcase at the Newport Folk Festival on July 26.

    The CD release for Household Items, featuring performances by Vudu Sister, The Silks, Brian Webb, and Alex Garzone, will take place at the Columbus Theatre in Providence on May 4.  The show starts at 8 pm.

    Ben Walsh – Self-Titled

    Ben Walsh’s 14-track CD is a collection of songs that go all over the place. When I received the biscuit, my initial reaction to the cover was, “Oh great, another hippy singer-songwriter.” I was shocked when it kicked off with “Net Dating,” which was a great slab of lo-fi crunching rock ‘n’ roll bliss. The second track, “No Guarantee/Sunnyside,” starts with an annoying acapella refrain of “when the hurricane comes” but it actually evolves into a decent tune. The third tune, called “Traffic,” is just a rap over what sounds like a shitty Casio loop. Walsh has flow, but the lyrics really aren’t memorable. By this time I’m thinking, “Did this guy just record every demo he’s had laying around for years?” I don’t mind that it isn’t cohesive, but is he looking to be the poor man’s Ben Folds (Lay and Wonder/Balkan Beat-Recycler) or the poor man’s Beastie Boys (Shmufflepants)? I’d be curious to see what he does live, but as far as a record, this comes off a little like masturbation. The first song is great, the second is good, and the rest is self indulgent.  Let’s put it this way, there is a song called “Kleenex” about a mutual bond over a brand of tissue. Maybe releasing these tunes in separate EPs would have worked better, maybe just quitting after “Net Dating” was the answer.

    Ben Walsh’s CD Release show with Local Lights and Kayla Ringelheim will be at Firehouse 13 on May 4.

    Girls Rock Robots

    Who doesn’t like the three things in the title of this event? Okay, I guess there are some evil robots in sci-fi flicks. I don’t really trust robots actually, but I think most of the people playing this event are human. This marathon Cinco De Mayo showcase of female musicians is a benefit for the Trudeau Center and Sojourner House. It will be hosted by local luminaries, Rudy Cheeks and Kristen Minsky, and there will be food trucks, raffles and all kinds of fun stuff. The band list is a little overwhelming, but I recommend checking out Malyssa and The Liberators, Nymphidels, Tai Awolaju with Sara Azriel, and Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes among others. I’ve included the set times below to give you the unofficial guide to Girls Rock Robots so you can just sit back enjoy the high grade tequila. Happy Cinco De Mayo!

    Music by:
    2:00 ROYAL RAM
    2:30 GABBY RIZZLE
    3:00 CASTLE
    3:30 TAI (boo city) & SARA AZRIEL
    4:00 MALYSSA and the LIBERATORS
    4:30 JENNY WHITE
    5:00 JENN KITTEN
    5:30 ROZ and the RICE CAKES
    ***intermission***
    6:45 1st RAFFLE DRAWING***
    7:00 NYMPHIDELS
    7:30 OMNIVORE
    8:00 GERTRUDE ATHERTON
    8:30 2nd RAFFLE DRAWING***
    8:45 CHRISY GAVIN
    9:15 SOURPUNCH
    10:00 Possible Special Surprise Performance

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com.

  • Alt-Nation: Interview with Sara Azriel

    Alt-Nation: Interview with Sara Azriel

     

    In this week’s Tuesday edition, I reviewed the entrancing new EP from Sara Azriel.  After enduring a decade of not having a user-friendly Motif website, I may be glutton because now I’m apparently trying to throw as much stuff as possible on the interwebs. I did an interview with Sara Azriel about the new EP, the release show tonight at Fete, and her journey. Check out this great show featuring Sara, The Silks, and Moon from Boo City! The first person who emails me at mclarkin33@gmail.com with Sara Azriel as the subject gets two free passes at the door for Sara’s show at Fete on Friday.  Now … here is more from Sara.

     

    MC:        You grew up in Michigan. Could you talk a little about your travels and how you ended up in Providence?

     

    SA:         Sure. I left Michigan for Boston to attend Berklee when I was 18. Boston was amazing, but after graduating, I wanted to try out Los Angeles. I did some cool things professionally, but L.A. wasn’t a great fit for me in many ways. After seven years there, I moved back to the east coast, eventually house-sitting outside of Providence. I started coming to town to hear live music, and fell in love with the city and its people pretty quickly! It was a no-brainer to move here.

     

    MC:        After graduating from Berklee, you went through a six-year period of writer’s block.  How did that affect you and how did you eventually overcome it?

     

    SA:         It was painful. It’s a similar feeling to having a broken heart. I questioned my whole identity and purpose in life. Overcoming it was a process of learning to accept it and not judge myself. When I did get back to writing, I went in without expectations, goals or pressure. Focusing purely on the enjoyment of sound is absolutely key.

     

    MC:        When you write music, what usually comes first? Is it a vocal melody, piano, the guitar part?

     

    SA:         Usually I start by playing a chord progression on the piano, and improvising vocally on top. Some melodies are stronger – they keep coming back – and those are the ones that end up becoming the song. It’s important to mix it up, though, and write from a different approach to keep the songs from not sounding the same. Co-writing is very helpful in that regard, too.

     

    MC:        What was your favorite part about making this EP?

     

    SA:         If I had to choose one favorite part, it would be when I went to New York to master the record.  It’s an incredible feeling to hear all of your work culminate in the final stage, alongside the people who worked so hard on it. I got to meet James Wisner, who did an amazing job mixing the record.  It was also my birthday. Such a celebratory day!

     

    MC:        For the show at Fete, do you have a full band lined up or are you performing solo? What should a patron expect?

     

    SA:         I’m playing with a full band, and I’ll also be doing a few solo tunes. The Silks and Herrick Bain (Moon from Boo City) are also playing. I’m excited about the diversity of the line-up and the soulfulness of all involved. It’s going to be a great night!

     

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com.

     

     

  • Alt-Nation: A Win for Tony Jones & The Cretin 3

    Alt-Nation: A Win for Tony Jones & The Cretin 3

    Tony Jones & The Cretin 3 Win the WXIN Rock Hunt

    Rhode Island College’s WXIN Rock Hunt wrapped at Fete last Friday, and what a scene it was as the confetti rained down in Olneyville! Tony Jones & The Cretin 3 triumphed after a journey four years in the making. Think about it – there was probably some kid in the class of 2006 who went to the WXIN Rock Hunt every year of his or her college life, wondering if this was the year that The Cretin 3 broke through. This was The Cretin 3‘s year as they were going against a field of younger, less established bands, and the timing was right. Over the years, these guys had to face eventual WBRU Rock Hunt winners like VulGarrity and Roz Raskin and the Rice Cakes. Another year there was a Silks vs. Boo City vs. Indiana Handshake final that was better than the WBRU card that year. It isn’t easy winning a Rock Hunt, and The Cretin 3 should savor the well-deserved glory of their victory. I asked Tony Jones a few questions to see how it feels to finally climb to the top of the mountain.

    MC:        Congratulations on the victory, now that you guys have been doing the WXIN Rock Hunt for how many years? How does it feel to finally ascend to the throne?

    TJ:           This was actually our fourth year. Rob Duguay booked us for our first one in 2010 when we were a fairly new band, and we have been lucky enough to get invited back each year since. I always go into these things with the lofty goal of not coming in dead last. So, it was great to come in third last year, and we are, of course, stoked to have won.

    MC:        Because of the long process through the years and the bands that you’ve gone up against, I feel like it’s time we recognize Tony Jones & The Cretin as the greatest WXIN Rock Hunt Champion ever. Will you be back next year to defend the belt?

    TJ:           I can’t say enough about all of the kids over at WXIN. They really take what they do seriously and have a passion for local music and keeping college radio alive. They also do a great job of rounding up bands from all different genres. I also have to say, it’s great to see the love and reverence that the younger crowd has for loud, raw rock and roll, even if that’s not what they grew up listening to. Sadly, we will not be back next year, as once you win you’re out. However, I am talking to the station management about coming back next year in a different capacity, maybe as a guest judge or host. It would be great to be a part of what they are doing for a fifth year.

    MC:        What’s the Tony Jones & The Cretin 3 song people should drop what they’re doing and go online to purchase and download now?

    TJ:           Depends on what you are into because we tend to have a varied sound. If I had to narrow it down, I’d have to say “Midnight Mass” gives a taste of our more crisp sounding stuff, but “Bobby’s Shed” is a bit more strange or out there http://tjc3.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-mass-2.

    MC:        What’s next for the champs?

    TJ:            We have a pretty aggressive clip coming up this spring and summer, including opening for Barb Wire Dolls (Greece) on May 18 at Simon’s 677 in Providence. We’ve also been booked for PorcFest x (www.porcfest.com) on June 22 in Lancaster, NH, and we have some NYC dates in the works. Also, we’ll use some of our WXIN winnings for a trip to Danger Studios to do a bit more recording.

    Tony Jones & The Cretin 3 will be at The Spot on April 26 with Grammy Award winner Larry Mitchell Trio, Psychedelic Clown Car, and Metcalf.

    Sara Azriel Debuts Self-Titled EP Release

    Sara Azriel has made a long journey from Michigan to college in Boston’s Berklee to the west coast to Providence. The first song on her debut self-titled EP, “Lake Michigan,” harkens back to her roots. Azriel’s vocals have a definite Sarah McLachlan meets Christine McVie (from Fleetwood Mac) feel that exudes warmth. “Be With Me” has a cozy, inviting, ethereal quality that is great for popping on and laying out in the sun on a Sunday afternoon. “Gloria” showcases the explosive power of Azriel’s pipes as the vocal melody carries the tune. “Little Wilted One” features Tyler James Kelly from The Silks on guitar and has a jazzy show tunes meets early rock and roll feel that is fun through and through. Sara Azriel’s debut is a testament to her formidable talent and passion as an artist. To win a pair of tickets to the CD Release, be the first person to go to the Motif Facebook page and post, “I want to go to Sara Azriel’s CD Release.”

    Sara Azriel, The Silks, and Henrick Bain (from Boo City) will be performing at Fete on April 26 as part of the self-titled EP release.

    Odds & Sods

    Lolita Black and Malyssa & the Liberators are at Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket on April 26. I’m particularly stoked to see The Liberators, who have been described as sleazy rock and roll. They formed in March and already have an EP due out next month! 2010 WBRU Rock Hunt Champions, Fairhaven, are at The Met Café with Satellites Fall and Last One Out on April 26. The next night at The Met, there is a huge show that has been twice postponed due to snow. Legendary Boston power-pop rockers The Neighborhoods make a rare visit to town that is not to be missed. The local openers on this, RI institution of punk Neutral Nation and Hope Anchor, are must-see. Hope Anchor has a great new disc called Never Gonna Let You Go that captures how the band has transformed into one of my favorites. The Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame takes over The Met on Sunday, April 28, for two shows. The first show runs from 2 to 4 pm and is a tribute to Eddie Zack, Bobby Hackett, Jimmie Crane, Sissieretta Jones and George M. Cohan. The night show starts at 7 pm and will feature performances by The Cowsills, Steve Smith & The Nakeds, Paul Geremia, and more! The Motif Awards will be at The Met on April 29, featuring performances by Nymphidels, Mark Cutler, and a special surprise guest. The presentations start promptly at 7 pm. MGMT is at Lupo’s on May 1 with Kuroma.

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com. 

  • Alt-Nation: A Week-Long Music Fest for Charity

    Alt-Nation: A Week-Long Music Fest for Charity

    The Artistic Explosion Music FestivalIt’s with a heavy heart that I’m writing this column after the bombs exploded in Boston earlier today. Like everyone, my heart goes out to all affected. Music can be a diversion and heal wounds. What should be a fun event coming up is something that is called “The Artistic Explosion Music Festival,” which will also benefit Girls Rock RI and The Rhode Island Music Educators Association.  This festival is the brainchild of 990WBOB and GoLocalProv columnist Rob Duguay. “To get this lineup of artists together for such a worthy cause is not only a coup for Girls Rock RI and the RI Music Educators Association,” says Rob, “but it’s a major win for music lovers all over Southern New England. This kind of extended musical lineup is one of those once-in-a-lifetime events that will be talked about for years to come.”

    I may think “once-in-a-lifetime” is a bit strong of a term because all these bands are locals that regularly play out at the venues where the festival will be taking place. There have been one-day events in the past like Deer Tick’s DudeSmash, Foo Fest, Liberty Fest, 990WBOB’s Boobstock and the Steel Yard’s Wooly Fest, all of which have done similar things as far as featuring local music talent. I do agree with Rob, though, that there hasn’t been quite a week-long fest and there are a bunch of shows here that I definitely want to check out. I caught up with Rob to find out more about The Artistic Explosion Music Festival.

    MC: How did The Artistic Explosion Music Festival come about?

    RD: I wanted to do something that celebrated the fantastic music that has been coming out of Rhode Island for the past five years or so while also making it happen for a good cause, hence with all the proceeds from the festival going towards two amazing non-profits in Girls Rock RI and The Rhode Island Music Educators Association. From being part of 990WBOB’s annual breast cancer research concert Boobstock, having the pleasure of covering Revival! at The Columbus Theatre this past November and witnessing how much of the local music community rallied around The 24 Hour Music Project to support victims of domestic violence, I was inspired to do something that resonated the essence of all three of those events but at the same time putting my own spin on it.

    MC: Who is your pick for the must-see band and must-see show of the festival? 

    RD: A lot of people have been asking me this question and I find it impossible to pick a favorite. Each show is stacked with some of the best talent in the Ocean State. What I think makes each night a must see is that there is at least one band playing that’s a diamond in the rough – not a lot of people have heard of them but they have a buzz.

    April 22 at The Spot: On 990WBOB’s Monday on Blast there’s this 19-year-old soul/R&B prodigy named Clyde Lawrence who goes to Brown and he has a voice that’s a cross between Otis Redding and Ray Charles.

    April 23 at Dusk: Pixels will wow some people with their old-school style alternative rock sound. Andy Davis can write some pretty damn good songs and he’s never afraid to pull off a mind-numbing guitar solo every once in a while.

    April 24 at Machines With Magnets: I think The Can’t Nots have what it takes to make people’s jaws drop; for a trio they have a monstrous rock sound and Naomi Lee’s voice can peel the paint off walls. 

    April 25 at The Parlour: A band that has been on the rise that everyone should see is Shotgun. They’re a really cool blues band that isn’t weary of turning the amps up to 11 and melting your face. 

    April 26 at AS220: People should give Songs a listen; these guys are a drum & bass noise band on steroids that can make your brain turn into bubble gum.

    April 27 at Firehouse 13: This will be a landmark night for Providence music in my opinion. People should definitely show up early and check out Huge Face. They’re an indie band that has two drummers and Pixies-esque songs that will have the audience bopping their heads.

    MC: All the venues hosting regularly have live music and the bands performing play out all the time. Explain why, for example, the Mondays on Blast at The Spot will be different. Or how this is a different show at Dusk or The Parlour?

    RD: 990WBOB’s Mondays On Blast on the 22nd will be different because you have four of the best young acts in Rhode Island performing. Dusk on the 23rd also has four very unique and eclectic bands rocking the stage. Machines With Magnets on the 24th and The Parlour on the 25th will have a bunch of bands that make the folk and rock scene in the Ocean State truly magnificent. AS220 on the 26th will be paying homage to Providence’s long history of punk and noise music and the last night at Firehouse 13 on the 27th will have the best of the best including a super-secret special guest who won’t be revealed until the end. Also, I’m pretty sure it’s the only festival in the history of the world that has all the proceeds going to a charitable cause.

    MC: Talk a little bit about both of those organizations and what moved you to do a benefit?

    RD: Girls Rock RI is a volunteer-based non-profit that uses music creation and critical thinking to foster empowerment, collaborative relationships, and the development of healthy identities in girls and women. They have an intensive one-week music camp every year for 11- to 18-year-old girls and they teach them how to play an instrument, write a song and at the end of the camp the girls perform in front of their peers. They also do the same thing for women over the age of 18 as well. I’ve always admired Girls Rock for their dedication to empower and educate others while at the same time always giving back to the Rhode Island music scene and I’m honored to have them getting a portion of the proceeds from The Artistic Explosion Music Festival.

    The Rhode Island Music Educators Association is a non-profit organization that plays a significant role in representing all phases of music education in the schools, colleges and universities within the state of Rhode Island. They put on recitals, concerts and festivals with school bands ranging from elementary, middle school and high school students. If you were ever in band while you went to school in Rhode Island, chances are you know about The RIMEA. I’m also honored to have RIMEA President Donald Smith working with me on The Artistic Explosion Music Festival and it’s very refreshing and exciting to know that something like this awesome event is going towards music education in Rhode Island, an industry that has been getting the short end of the stick nationwide for over 20 years.

    MC: In the era of the social media where anyone can plug something, what is the importance of the promoter? I’m curious as to your thoughts being both the organizer and promoter. What has your experience been?

    RD: Anyone can plug something. They’ll get a few likes and maybe a couple shares but I think the importance of the promoter is the ability to get the word out consistently while at the same time getting people to do the same thing for your event. The buzz about The Artistic Explosion Music Festival wouldn’t be as big if there weren’t a lot of other wonderful people being as excited about the event as I am and telling all their friends about it. It all has to do with bringing a community together and having them get behind and support an idea that ends up becoming a physical object or event. This experience so far has me awestruck and I’m very touched by the reaction it’s gotten.

    The details for the Artistic Explosion Music Festival are as follows: 

    Dylan Sevey & The Gentlemen, Northeast Traffic, Rich Ferri & The Wealth On The Water and Clyde Lawrence will all be performing at The Spot on April 22 for 990WBOB’s Mondays on Blast. Admission is a $1 donation or more. 

    The Universes, Volcano Kings, Pixels and Transit Street Collective bring the thunder to Dusk on April 23.  Admission is a $5 donation.

    Torn Shorts, The Can’t Nots, The Skinny Millionaires and Chris Rosenquest will be at Machines With Magnets on April 24.  Admission is a $5 donation.

    Northern Lands, Shotgun, The Denver Boot and Nymphidels rock The Parlour on April 25. Admission is a $5 donation. 

    Weak Teeth, Olneyville Sound System, Songs and Gertrude Atherton are at AS220 on April 26.  Admission is a $5 donation.

    The Viennagram, Tapestries, Consuelo’s Revenge, Littlefoot, Huge Face and a special guest will rock at Firehouse 13 on April 27.  Admission is $5.

     

    Odds & Sods:

    There are two huge shows this week. Andrew WK at Fete with Roz Raskin & The Rice Cakes and Herra Terra, Casey Desmond and Born Casual bringing the thunder to the dance floor for the aftershow party on April 18. As of now, there are very few tickets left so anyone intending to go should hit up the Fete box office yesterday. The other big show is Fitz & The Tantrums with Hunter Hunted at The Met Café on April 19.  Same deal as far as advance tickets; hit up the Lupo’s box office because there isn’t likely to be tickets at the door.

    WXIN Rock Hunt Finals go down at Fete on April 19. The combatants this year are Sic Vita, Tony Jones & The Cretin 3, Llama Tsunami and Evil Andrews. I lost my shirt betting on the WBRU version, but I plan to make it all back going big on Tony Jones & The Cretin 3. They have way more experience playing out and put out good punk sound that isn’t too heavy to turn non-punks off.  Plus I just feel like they are due, they’ve been doing the WXIN Rock Hunt for like five years. It is their time.

    For fans of electronic music, check out Slow Magic at Fete with Magic Man and Ravi Shavi on April 23. Slow Magic has been blowing up with successful performances at the SXSW Festival in Austin. Slow Magic protects his identity and performs wearing tribal masks. Check out his tune “On Yr Side” from his forthcoming LP online at https://soundcloud.com/slowmagic/slow-magic-on-yr-side. Ravi Shavi is reason enough to go to this show as an opener.

     

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com

     

  • Alt-Nation: WBRU Rock Hunt Champions Torn Shorts

    Alt-Nation: WBRU Rock Hunt Champions Torn Shorts

    The highest compliment I can give this year’s WBRU Rock Hunt is that in the anxious minutes before the midnight announcement, there was no clear-cut winner. All the bands played to their strengths, so I could see the announcement going any which way. The Brother Kite brought their shimmering Brit-pop infused A-game. Torn Shorts picked up where they left off in semi-finals with a solid start that once again won the room over. Kid Mountain impressed, but by the end of their set things started to get a little generic sounding in the vein of something like the band Fun or other modern rock bands of the same ilk. Lolita Black singer, Scarlett Delgado, addressed those who thought that their band was too heavy for commercial rock radio by saying, “A lot of people also said that at one time about the band that wrote this next song.” Lolita Black then proceeded to do a blistering cover of Nirvana’s “Territorial Pissings.” Lolita Black dropped the hammer with a ferocious eruption of metal-infused punk rock with Delgado pulling out all the stops, including crowd surfing at one point.

    When the confetti did rain down, so did plenty of boos as Torn Shorts was crowned the champion. This was more a product of the competitiveness of the event than anything Torn Shorts did. The bands were good, and there is going to be passionate people on different sides. Torn Shorts has a lot going on; I’ve heard people describe them as a jam band, an alternative band and even classic rock. They’re pretty good, and check out Torn Shorts’ new CD release, Through the Mill.

    Check out the champs in person when Torn Shorts performs at AS220 on April 16th where they’ll play with Corin Ashley, Hey Ice Machine and Wash Hollow.  

    Odds & Sods

    Green Day make their first appearance in Providence since probably sometime in the mid-90s at the Dunkin Donuts Center on April 9th. It’s good to see The Dunk bringing some arena rock shows to town.  Ants In The Cellar, Last Remaining Pinnacle and Me After You will bring the rock ‘n’ roll thunder to AS220 on April 10th. The Spot has an epic show with Girls Guns & Glory, Consuelo’s Revenge and Smith & Weeden on April 12th. This show is a CD Release for Consuelo’s Revenge’s excellent self-titled debut that was reviewed here last week. Plumerai, Kris Hansen, Nymphidels and Daniel Ouellette & the Shobjin will be at Firehouse 13 on April 12th. The Met Café hosts the legendary Graham Parker & The Rumour on April 12th. Math The Band, Doomsday Student and Foot Soldier will play what promises to be a big night at AS220 on April 12th. Singer/Songwriter Joe Pug comes to town in support of his new album, The Great Despiser, at the Columbus Theatre on April 13th. Born Ruffians, Ravi Shavi and Moon King are at Firehouse 13 on April 14th. The Scandals, Melt Into Place and Faber are at AS220 on April 14th.

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com

  • Alt-Nation Presents an Interview with Brown Bird’s David Lamb

    Alt-Nation Presents an Interview with Brown Bird’s David Lamb

     

    Brown Bird – Fits of Reason Interview

    This has been a big week for Brown Bird with the release of their new record, Fits of Reason (Supply and Demand). Brown Bird will cap it off with a good ole hometown CD release party this Friday, April 5, at the Met Café. I spoke with half of Brown Bird’s dynamic duo, David Lamb, on the eve of the big week to find out more about the new record and what lies ahead for the band.

    MC: Was there anything different in the approach to writing and recording Fits of Reason compared to your earlier albums?

    DL: Some of it is a bit transitional just like our previous release; Salt for Salt (Supply and Demand) was an evolutional movement forward. I don’t see it as a vast departure from the earlier recordings. Our good friend and landlord, Will Schaff, who is a great local artist, did the artwork for this album and the last record too.

    MC: Brown Bird started as solo vehicle for your songwriting and you’ve gone through a few lineup changes to get to the current state of a two-piece with MorganEve Swain. Can you give a brief history of the band?

    DL: Ten years ago I was living in Maine and had decided to move to Seattle. I didn’t know anyone out there so I started playing solo under the name Brown Bird. I moved back to Maine and started to play out as Brown Bird with some old buddies as a three-piece. Then we expanded to a five-piece and went on to tour as such. After the tour, my friends had their own bands that they wanted to concentrate on and around that time I met MorganEve Swain and Brown Bird went back to being a three-piece for a couple of years. It was never really a plan to be a two-piece band but when it became so, it just felt right.

    MC: The list of influences for Fits of Reason is pretty eclectic – between philosophers from different points in history and ample kind of Old Testament biblical imagery. What inspires you when it comes to writing lyrics?

    DL: I was raised in a strict household where we were required to read the Bible every day. My father was a minister. This left me with a strong desire to seek out other points of view that I wasn’t exposed to growing up. Some of this definitely came out in the writing Fits of Reason.

    MC: What were your biggest musical influences growing up and today?

    DL: The Beatles definitely; I remember seeking out their entire catalogue. MorganEve would say the same as far as The Beatles. Then I moved on to Led Zeppelin and I remember putting on all their records and trying to learn all the drum parts. Nowadays there are a ton of artists but some of the constants are A Hawk and Hacksaw and Omar Khorshid, who’s an amazing ‘60s Egyptian surf guitarist. I also listen to a healthy dose of metal with bands like Mastodon and The Sword. We were touring with our good friend Joe Fletcher and he made a comment that I bet nobody would ever guess how much metal we listen to in the van.

    MC: You have a lot of touring on your plate, are there any places you’re excited about hitting up?

    DL: We’re really excited to take our friends, The Last Good Tooth, out on the road with us for the first leg of the tour. We’ll be going out from the record release into June in hitting the East Coast and the Midwest. As far as places, Indianapolis has always been really good for us. We play this place in Chino, California where we didn’t know what to expect but from the first song it was crazy. There is also this brewery in South Dakota that we didn’t know anything about, but we played there and had a great show too. We’re excited that we’re going to be going back there on this upcoming tour.

    Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com

  • Alt-Nation: New CDs, a Road Trip, and the WBRU Rock Finals

    Alt-Nation: New CDs, a Road Trip, and the WBRU Rock Finals

    Brown Bird – Fits of Reason (Supply and Demand Music)
    Brown Bird is another in the recent run of successful local bands to graduate out of the Providence scene to the national realm. They spent much of the past year on tour and played the main stage at festivals like the Newport Folk Fest. It gets tricky doing things like the nominations for the Motif Awards last month to judge when it is time to start disqualifying bands for being national. Truth is, there is no higher compliment to a band to say you’ve graduated out of this. Brown Bird was one of the bands I didn’t nominate for this reason. Brown Bird may have gone national, but they still have their local roots. Their new CD, Fits of Reason, was recorded at Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket. They’ll also be doing a local CD Release show at The Met Café on April 5th.
    Fits of Reason, the third full-length (fourth in total) release from Brown Bird, builds sonically on the dark folk from their earlier releases. As a two-piece composed of David Lamb and MorganEve Swain, they have become known for using simple percussion with an array of instruments such as cello, violin, and upright bass. It doesn’t take long to notice the changes when the first track, “Seven Hells,” features an electric guitar. The minimal thump and biblical imagery of the Lamb’s lyrics mesh well to create a vibe of urgency.
    “Bow For Blade” is another winner, coming in a guitar then switching over to violin. The lyrics paint a stark picture of turmoil in the town square as Swain sings, “falling through the sky, crowds have gathered mouths gaped open wide, some are shouting, some are stupefied, others would rather be home.”
    The lyrics as a whole on Fits of Reason are interesting as Brown Bird list influences from different stages in history, such as Thomas Paine, Omar Khayyam, Christopher Hitchens, and Plato. The philosophical bent becomes more apparent with repeated listens on tunes like “The Messenger” and “Threads of Reason.” I’ve never been the biggest folk music fan, but Brown Bird is much more than traditional folk. There are elements of blues, Americana, and rock that make songs like “Threads of Reason” sound like rock ‘n’ roll demos. Swain and Lamb’s combined harmonies on the closer, “Caves,” is downright hypnotizing over a simple beat. Fits of Reason shows an evolved Brown Bird trudging forward without straying from their strengths.
    Brown Bird will release Fits of Reason on April 2nd. The CD Release Show for Fits of Reason, featuring Brown Bird, Last Good Tooth, and Alec K Redfearn And The Eyesores, will take place at The Met Café on April 5th. There will also be a Fits of Reason after party at Local 121 immediately after The Met show with Ark Life (featuring Jesse Elliott of These United States), Smith & Weeden, and Tristan Omand.

    Caroline Hecht – 10 Song Digital Download Release
    For the past few years, Providence has had the pleasure of enjoying Caroline Hecht’s music as a member of Tig and Bean and as a solo artist. Unfortunately, that is about to come to an end as Caroline is soon to leave town to go on a six-month unchartered tour around the country in her car playing music wherever she can. But no goodbye is any good without a party, and Caroline will be throwing one and giving out her new album that she recorded a few weeks ago. Caroline’s music is dark folk with undercurrents of blues, kind of like Cat Power or Mazzy Star. Last year she released the well-received album, Avenue of Giants, which was a four-years-in-the-making undertaking. For her new album, she changed it up and recorded everything over three days. The album hadn’t been mixed and mastered at press time, but Caroline let me hear a few tracks on the condition that I post it all over the Internet. My favorite is “Apothegm,” which is a great tell off song, somewhere between PJ Harvey and Ani Difranco. “Something So” has a kind of wistful yearning of raw emotion. “Swallowed By Swells” has a slow blues/indie folk feel. “Orchid” is another winner in the same vibe as the above. I’m usually more of a rock guy, but I really dig Hecht’s work.
    Caroline Hecht’s Release/Bon Voyage Party will take place on April 6th at Local 121 in Providence. The Doors are at 9 pm with $10 cover that includes a digital download card for Caroline’s latest release. DJ Micah Jackson will handle the turntable honors for the post show dance party.

    Consuelo’s Revenge – Self Titled Debut CD
    Consuelo’s Revenge are poised to release their debut CD. I remember seeing their first show and thinking they had a Tom Waits type of thing going on. After listening to this disc, I can say they really sound nothing like Tom Waits. I couldn’t be happier about that. Lead singer Amanda Salemi has one hell of a powerhouse voice. The band also features Nick Smyth (Guitar/Piano/Vocals), Alexandra Gibbons (Violin), Kirk Anderson (Electric Guitar/Accordion), Kurtis Bento (Drums), and Ian Lacombe (Double Bass, Vocals). As for the biscuit itself, I never thought that I would really like something from a band in this style as much as I do! The verse of “Just The Drugs” may play out like an amped up waltz of Deer Tick’s “Ashamed,” but the song is really good. Salemi’s vocals make this tune, especially with the chorus hook and lyrics. Laccombe takes over the vocals on “Leave The World Behind,” which has a waltzing flamingo flavor, although the melody bears some similarity to Hope Anchor’s “Go.”
    This could just be a sign that I listen to too much local music, though. I’m pretty sure nobody else has these thoughts. “Pasadena” is another killer cut with Salemi back on lead vocals that has an up-tempo blues vibe. “Smile” has a kind of New Orleans meets Jessica Lea Mayfield vibe that hits you in the gut. On “When I Die,” Consuelo’s Revenge even branch out to dip into some gospel. Consuelo’s Revenge does three traditional covers in “Forest Flower Waltz,” “Well Well Well,” and “Henry Lee.” The cover of “Well, Well, Well” has the band sounding like early Nick Cave, while their version of “Henry Lee” may top Cave’s version on The Murder Ballads. I get a lot of things sent to me to review, but rarely does a CD make me want to go out and see the band right now. In fact, because I listen to a CD over and over in a short period of time, the last thing I want to see is usually the band I just reviewed. That said, Consuelo’s Revenge is potent enough that I actually wish their CD release show was tonight! But it is not. I’ll have to wait till April 12th for the CD Release Party, which will take place at The Spot in Providence. Consuelo’s Revenge; Girls, Guns, and Glory (great band from Boston); and other special guests, including Boo City’s horn section, will all be rocking on this bill.

    WBRU Rock Finals
    The dust has cleared and we have the Final Four for the big dance with Lolita Black, The Brother Kite, Torn Shorts, and Kid Mountain all advancing out of their respective brackets. I went 2 for 4 on my semi-finals picks, which, while bad for me, is a testament to the overall strength of this year’s WBRU Rock Hunt field. The Finals aren’t going to be any easier to predict as I see three of the bands having the chance to take home the glory.

    Lolita Black

    has the prototypical puncher’s chance to win. No band in this field has any chance to out-rock a band with Bob Otis in it. Lolita Black is the band that other bands do not want to follow. That said, one of the categories is “Radio Ready” and Lolita Black’s band of metal-punk is much heavier than WBRU’s format. Lolita Black is best off doing what they do best and bringing the thunder while trying to mix it up maybe a little. The Brother Kite is the universal favorite and with good reason. Their sound is polished and pretty diverse. People who I watched their semi-finals with brought up comparisons to everything from Brit-pop to Cheap Trick to Weezer. They slowed it down at one point for a song I didn’t like and played into their advantage by bringing it back up with the next one. Everybody else might have to play the perfect set to win, but these guys don’t have to.
    Torn Shorts had one of the more bizarre sets in a Rock Hunt I’ve ever seen. They came on and started to play a set and then it almost looked like they had a meltdown. They stopped and got off stage for 10 minutes and then came back. It could have been a sound check, but it was just generally weird. They returned and started playing the same song and it was kind of just boring for a song or two. Then around the third song it just clicked; it was like watching the musical version of the 90s video game, NBA Jam. I even shouted, “They’re heating up!” One could see them win over the crowd, and it was no surprise when the announcement that they advanced was made.
    Kid Mountain is the bettor’s long shot dream here. It’s like putting money on the Jacksonville Jaguars to win the Super Bowl. They’re kind of Americana/indie pop and who knows, it would be a great story if they pull it off. It is just a really tough year to do it.
    It’s really tough to pick here because my head says the Brother Kite should win. My heart always favors the underdog – Kid Mountain. My eyes say Torn Shirts after witnessing them at Fete. So I’m going to do the responsible thing and ignore all of that malarkey and go with Lolita Black. Why? Because Bob Otis winning the WBRU Rock Hunt is the coolest thing I can think of happening here. WBRU Rock Hunt Finals take place at The Met Café in Pawtucket on April 6th. Email to marc@motifmagazine.net