Time Flew so Fast
Hey grrrls & guys,
I hope everyone had a fun holiday season! My holiday season was pretty rockin’. It was great to have some time off. I had a chance to spend time with my family and received some cool gifts. Unfortunately, I had to use two of my gift cards towards a new television instead of something cool (that I actually wanted to buy), like a new turntable. My television recently bit the dust and it pretty much sucks to be without one. Ken and his sister’s boyfriend were not amused when they had to carry the TV up three flights of stairs to the apartment. The four of us squished into his sister’s car along with the television was very funny. I literally fell onto the sidewalk when we opened the car door. Sadly, now it’s back to reality for me, no time off from the day job for a while. But, now that I’m going on five years there, I get 18 days vacation in 2002… Woo Hoo! Well, as usual there’s lots of rock to be had in this update… so let’s get to it!
To begin here’s the lowdown on my rockin’ pre-Xmas weekend …
Rockin’ Out with the Cool Kids… Noelle
Friday, December 21st at Bill’s Bar…
Noelle is fronted by a 15-year-old, pop-rocker grrrl named Noelle (surprise!). The band was pretty cool… well-crafted pop songs written by another local musician (who grew-up in the same neighborhood as the band) won over the young crowd. There’s a big buzz in town about these cool kids, so check out their mp3’s at http://www.noelletheband.com.
Rock n’ Roll to Warm Your Soul… Caged Heat
Saturday, December 22nd at TT the Bear’s…
Opening band Fast Actin’ Fuses warmed up the small crowd with their punk-edged rock n’ roll. Frontman, Lovely Kevin Darling, threw himself around the stage, did jumping jacks and deliberately knocked himself in the head with his microphone… talk about getting your money’s worth! Check out the guys at http://www.liquid2k.com/fuses/home.htm.
Jill “Chilly” Kurtz’s, Caged Heat took the stage shortly after the Fast Actin’ Fuses. It was the first time I’d seen the band play. I thoroughly enjoyed the band’s eclectic, bluesy, soulful rock n’ roll. Chilly plays a mean harmonica, adding to the band’s already unique sound. Caged Heat are a band to keep your eyes on in 2002, they plan to release a new CD this Spring. Be sure to check out Chilly and the boys at http://www.twistedrico.com/pages/cagedheat.htm.
Yikes, it’s 2002!
Another year of rock n’ roll is upon us. Here’s the latest scoop …
At home in “Rock City”….
Nicky Kuland, drummer for the stylin’ pop-edged rockers The David James Motorcycle, recently told me that the band is finishing up a 7″ which features 3 tunes. The fine piece of vinyl should be out in February. Stay in the loop by visiting the band at http://djmotorcycle.tripod.com/davidjamesmotorcycle. Chris Jackson, guitarist for Cracktorch, gave me the lowdown on the band’s plans for 2002, thus far. The band will be recording a new EP in March with well-known local producer and engineer, Paul Kolderie. Cracktorch is scheduled to play a show with Scissorfight on February 23rd in Worcester, MA (Location TBA). Nicole Johnson of the girl-powered punk/pop band, The Decals, informed me that the band is still supporting their latest effort “Drive by Kiss Off” (Fork in Hand) and that the CD is doing well on the college radio circuit. The band is planning to play in Chicago, Cleveland and Buffalo in April, although no dates have been confirmed at this time. Stay in touch with the band at http://www.thedecals.com. Lamont venture into the studio to record a new CD in January. Lamont’s sound is pure, heavy guitar-driven rock n’ roll. Check out the trio’s site at http://www.lamontband.com. Soulful rockers, Quitter, are playing a show at Bill’s Bar on January 10th with C60. The band’s bassist, Bob Maloney, recently told me that the band is planning to do some more demo recording in 2002 and has hopes of touring in the Spring. You can keep up with the band at http://www.quittermusic.com. On January 8th, synthpopsters, Freezepop, will release a super-bonus-EP entitled “Fashion Impression Function” (Archenemy). The disk is a follow-up to their full-length CD “Freezepop Forever”. The EP contains 4 new songs, 5 remixes and includes some videos as well. You can learn more about the band and check out their music at http://www.freezepop.net. January’s issue of Womanrock.com features an interview by yours truly with Boston rocker grrrl, Kay Hanley. Find out the scoop on Kay’s current project at http://www.womanrock.com.
Elsewhere in the USA…
Juliette Tworsey, frontwoman for LA’s Fire Bug recently told me that the band has a new female bassist, Miiko, who ROCKS! Their new CD “Fragile” (Buddha Belt) has been getting lots of attention lately. Check out the band and their music at http://www.firebugmusic.com. Florida’s pop-punksters, The Dollyrots, have packed up and relocated to another sunny spot… Orange County, California. I wish them the very best! Visit the band at http://www.dollyrots.com.
And Across the Ocean…
London popsters, Dollshouse, plan to be in NYC in March for a few gigs. Learn more about the band at http://www.dollshouseband.com. Tokyo’s noisy punksters, Melt Banana are planning to do some gigs this April in Germany. They also plan to take part in the UK’s All Tomorrow’s Party 2002. You can check out the ATP at http://www.wayahead.com/atp/shellac2002.htm. In May the band plan to take a part in the Victoriaville Festival in Canada. It’s been a long time since the band has been to Canada and they’re looking forward to going there again. The band is thinking about touring in the US during that time as well. Detailed information about Victoriaville Festival is available at http://www.fimav.qc.ca/. The band’s website is currently under construction, but you can still check there for updates. Visit Melt Banana at http://www.parkcity.ne.jp/~mltbanan/.
I’m always interested in checking out new music…so, if you think I’ll dig what your band is doing, contact me by email and I’ll check it out.
And so, another update comes to a close… Rock on into the New Year!
Peace,
Stacey
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