Mike D’s Top 5 Can’t Miss Shows of December

1. Saturday, Dec 6: Teazer (one year anniversary!), Hector 3, Bad Motherfucker; $?; 9pm doors; 21+ only; Dusk, 301 Harris Ave, Providence. Where was Rhode Island one year ago, before the birth of Teazer, a band that has been seen from as far as Warwick to the North County of Pawtucket? One year before the sultry sounds of vocalist Denny Palmari? One year before the skullet melting riffs of Ray Manzera? One year before the panty pounding rhythm section of Bobby “Bobbi” Deluca and Scotti “The Hammer” DeLuca? The answer is possibly in a better place. But make sure to go see for yourself. Also on the bill are Hector 3, a lo-fi experimental psychish band out of Providence, and well underrated sleaze and roll act Bad Motherfucker. Hard to recommend what type of drug experience goes best with the range of bands on this bill, so make sure to check out their sites in advance to plan accordingly.

2. Tuesday, Dec 9: Vomitface, Bloodpheasant, 14 Foot 1, Pixels; Psychic Readings; $5; 9pm doors/show; All ages ( I think); AS220, 115 Empire St, Providence. The band-I-haven’t-heard-before “Name of the Month” award goes to Vomitface. Before listening to them, I figured it’s going to sound like smelly patch punkers from Seekonk who likely work at Whole Foods and drive Volvos. After listening to them, I would describe it as grungey lo-fi rock, like something I would hear on an old ’90s Kill Rock Stars comp. This show also marks the return of Bloodpheasant, who have been on a bit of a hiatus, and are back with new jams apparently. Providence’s mostly instrumental prog math rock act 14 Foot 1 and velvetish lo-fi act Pixels round out the bill.

3. Wednesday, Dec 10: University of Rhode Island vs Providence College Men’s Basketball; $26 and up; 7pm; All ages; The Dunk, 1 Lasalle Sq, Providence. I know, I know. This has nothing to do with music. However, to me this is the most interesting event in Rhode Island all month, if not all year. As of press time, both teams are undefeated in early season play and both schools are experiencing a resurgence in local and national attention.  PC (ranked 25 in the Coaches poll) and URI both received votes for the top 25 Men’s Basketball teams in the country from both the Associated Press and the Coaches poll. Providence College has seen significant progress in the four years since coach and hometown hero Ed Cooley took over the program. Last year PC won the Big East Tournament for the first time in 20 years and is nationally ranked for the first time in a little over a decade. The Rhody Rams are also on an upswing under 3rd year Head Coach Dan Hurley and are riding high off a big win against #21 ranked Nebraska earlier this year. Last year’s match-up between these two teams was a nail biter of a game decided by one point. This game will sell out, although it hasn’t as of press time.

4. Friday, Dec 26: Someday Providence (reunion!), Trails, Sweet Babylon; $10; 7pm doors / 8pm show; All ages; The Met, 1005 Main St, Pawtucket. Someday Providence returns to the stage for their sorta-every-couple-of-years-or-so reunion.  The Warwick-based band plays alt rock reggae and earned such accolades as the Providence Phoenix’s “Best Breakthrough Act” in 2006 and “Best Local Act” in 2007. They built a strong fan base while playing with similarly minded bands like G Love and Special Sauce and Zox. They made some local noise with the single “Summertime In Rhode Island,” which got WBRU plays and even some national attention from songs licensed on MTV shows. Make sure you ask singer Tommy Gardner why Providence College is consistently a better basketball team than URI, something he likely dwells on a lot, since they’ve lost five of their last six meetings. Providence’s prog jam act Trails and Fall River ska punks Sweet Babylon round out the bill.

5. Saturday, Dec 27: Start Making Sense (Talking Heads tribute), HMFO – A Hall & Oates Tribute;  $12 advance / $14 day of; 8pm doors / 9pm day of; All ages. The Met, 1005 Main St., Pawtucket. I was cynical at first, I admit it. I typically don’t like cover bands and am only a casual fan of the Talking Heads. But Start Making Sense has won me over big time with their fantastic live show and party atmosphere. And I am not the only one. The band’s following has grown exponentially with every play in town. They span the entire 8-album career of the Talking Heads, doing so genuinely and faithfully. And as an added bonus, opening act HMFO is also a dead on Hall & Oates cover band. Last time they played, I was surprised by how many songs I knew that I didn’t realize were Hall & Oates songs. Get there early to dance off.