Subterranean Jungle: Cheers to 20 years of mayhem

It doesn’t feel real that the Motif is turning 20. Sometimes, it feels like I’ve been writing for Motif for a hundred years. Other times, it seems like I started last month. When I started, about 19 years ago, I was writing for another “alternative” paper called The Agenda. It was around for a couple of years. One night, I picked up a copy of the Motif and noticed they didn’t have anyone writing about rock ‘n’ roll, so I sent an email late one night that they should hire me to write. I never submitted a writing sample, resume, or the usual things people use to get these jobs. I had actually forgotten the next day about the email.

I was surprised to hear back from the former publisher, Jim Vickers. So it began. I didn’t miss a print issue for the next 8 or 9 years, often writing through the night, crashing into the morning. In those old days, the Motif had no web edition other than a PDF of the paper scanned online. You couldn’t even copy and paste from it. It was so bad it was refreshingly comical.

Over the years, I’ve interviewed many of my music heroes. I remember driving to the rooftop of the Providence Place Mall parking garage, figuring it would give me the best reception for a phone interview with my childhood hero, Johnny Rotten.

Another time, I went to John McCauley’s apartment at 2am on a Tuesday to drink margaritas and do an interview for the release of Deer Tick’s album, The Black Dirt Sessions. Unsurprisingly, I overslept for work the next day- That’s the struggle of rock ‘n’ roll. Other heroes I’ve had the privilege to interview in these pages include Peter Wolf, Jesse Malin, Bob Mould, Ann Wilson, Richie Ramone, and Marky Ramone. Marky Ramone was particularly comical because the first time we tried to do the interview, he hung up on me less than two minutes in – or, faster than the length of a Ramones song. He was upset that I referred to his slideshow talks as a spoken word to differentiate it from when he plays with his band. This is funny, considering years later, I saw him at the Greenwich Odeum doing what was advertised as a “spoken word show.” Rock ‘n’ roll is a funny business.

From the interviews to the previews to the reviews, to the emails from WBRU Rock Hunt winners complaining that I wrote they sucked, it’s been a wild ride.

Happy Birthday, Motif! Congratulations on twenty great years. I’d wish you twenty more but the world will probably end before then.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:
The Iron Maidens
This show screams fun with an all-women band covering Iron Maiden! I’ve never seen The Iron Maidens, but they’ve been around for a couple of years doing this, so there must be some level of competence. As an added bonus, local superstars Teazer 2000 will bring all the Johnston muscle car anthems you can fit into 30 minutes. The Iron Maidens, All Sinners, and Teazer 2000 will bring the heavy metal thunder to the Met Café in Pawtucket on August 9.

The Devil’s Twins
The Devil’s Twins are one of my favorite local bands to see. I described The Devil’s Twins as heavy rock mixed with a bit of New Orleans swing with a horn section. Speaking of horns, check out their album by that name that came out last year. The Devil’s Twins, The Anti-Queens, and Dred Buffalo will rock Askew in Providence on August 10.

The Gaslight Anthem: History Books Tour

The Gaslight Anthem is like what Bruce Springsteen fronting a pop-punk band would be like. Maybe it’s because they are both from New Jersey and write passionate songs. I don’t know. What I do know: The Gaslight Anthem rips live and don’t come around here that often. You’re not going to want to miss this one! The Gaslight Anthem and Joyce Manor rock The Strand in Providence on August 17.

Dead Letter Office

A Tribute to R.E.M. I’ve loved R.E.M. since the late ’80s, so the idea of a tribute band sounds really cool. R.E.M. isn’t getting back together anytime soon, judging by their recent interview on CBS This Morning, so this is the next best thing. Dead Letter Office – A Tribute to R.E.M. will be at the Met Café on August 17. •

Email music news to mclarkin33@gmail.com