IN THIS ISSUE
Rita: February is the
beginning of our year in print. Lolita: It takes a full month
to recover from the stifling holiday season. But we’re back with primitive
inhibition and plan to display it at our Valentine show at
the Dog Bar in Gloucester, Saturday 2/11, with two of our favorite “couple”
acts—JOE & RENEE (from Bandit Kings) and BIRD MANCINI. On the
cover of this issue witness BARRENCE WHITFIELD, the ageless international
savage of excitement. If you pick up the print issue you can also read about the street punks of Boston—THE
DUCKY BOYS. If you like heavier hardcore sounds—we’ve got that too—in
PRAYERS FOR ATHEISTS from Providence, RI. And in the far corner from
Worcester, MA—the lo-fi industrial-art punker CLOWN. Rita:
And don’t forget the other goodies we have for you, like Rock School,
the most addictive rock strip in the United States of America. If you
keep a copy of the Noise in the bathroom you will increase your
knowledge of local music and lose weight at the same time. Read the
live reviews and CD reviews (also found online) and let us know if we got it right. Everyone
has a say around here—communication old school with our Incoming Mail in print.
Email us (
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) if you need your viewpoint in print.Or you can just click comments at the bottom of this page to leave your thoughts online.
ROMANTIC MEMORIES
Lolita: In keeping
with our Valentine show let’s get everyone focused on the romantic
things in their lives. Let’s find out what the most romantic thing
anyone has done for our friends. There’s our current Big Shot with
the dreamy eyes—Billy. Tell us the truth—it will set you free.
BILLY CARL MANCINI (Bird Mancini): Ruby married me! Now
that’s the ultimate romantic deed. *** KEN FIELD
(Revolutionary Snake Ensemble/Birdsongs of the Mesozoic/Agachiko):
My wonderful late wife, Karen Aqua, brought me with her to a film festival
on the Greek island of Kos last year. It was an awesome trip.
*** LIZ FRAME (Liz Frame & the Kickers): The most romantic
thing anyone has ever done for me? My awesome boyfriend of 10 years
surprised me with a new guitar for Christmas a few years ago. I was
just starting to get back into playing out live, so it was unbelievably
thoughtful and sweet of him. *** JOE COUGHLIN (the Noise):
A hand-crafted GG Allin toilet seat and lid done collage-style
and expertly shellacked. It incorporates snakes, drugs, devil-girls,
and so much more. No joke, it’s a stunning work of art for which I’m
forever grateful. You know who you are, Toots! *** JOY
COPP (Pull Trouble From the Fire): The most romantic thing that
someone did for me was buy me dinosaur bones. UC Berkeley was
reconstructing a dinosaur for their museum. If you donated money,
you could sponsor a piece and your name would go on the plaque underneath
it. He bought me a tooth and a claw. My name is on that
plaque... I feel like a part of history. *** ROY SLUDGE (Roy
Sludge): Granted me my second divorce. *** RANDY BLACK (Randy
Black & the Heathcroppers): In the early days of gigging, the band
would soundcheck early and then hang out and drink, go back to the house
to get high and drink, get back to the club and smoke cigarettes and
drink. After the show we would often go to Vic’s Eggs On One for breakfast.
One night we went to Chinatown instead and the MSG put me over the top
so that I staggered out the door and almost passed out. She sat there
next to me on the sidewalk, backs against the restaurant wall, and she
talked about whatever, kept me awake, in a strong reassuring voice.
She touched my arm. *** AD BOC (Ad Boc/Promise to Be Good)
She moved 7,285 miles from home to be with me. *** CLAY N. FERNO
(Middle East/Leaguepodcast): An ex once gave me a spooky little skeleton
guy made of plaster with red candle wax dripping from his eyes, nose,
and mouth. Ahhh, youthful love and undead bobbles. *** MIKE LANGLIE
(Twink, the toy piano band!): In the early 1990s I was in a goth-industrial
band with Karen (aka avant-cellist Wisteriax). We had a recording session
booked on Valentine’s Day, and Karen surprised everyone by bringing
a big Jell-o heart to the studio. Even more surprising was the sight
of the cut-open heart bleeding massive amounts of red goo. We started
dating soon after and have been together ever since. *** NIGLE KNUCKLEHEAD
(Allstonians/ Spinoff): Break up with me to end a dead relationship.
*** HEATHER MALONEY (Heather Maloney): A couple of years ago
I lived and worked in a community (sort of a commune) where I was a
cook and my boyfriend Peter was a maintenance man. I had my own
little parking spot in a shared garage (had no doors). One day
I was pulling up the hill and into my spot and I noticed some huge red
thing right above the light of my headlights. As I pulled closer
I realized it was a huge wooden heart. Peter had used the company
tools to cut and paint a heart for me, and nailed it right into the
wall of my little parking spot. Rita: See how wonderful life
can be! I ran into SCOTT ALARIK, the author of that book about
my life as a rising folk star. If you want to know more about me, read
Revival. A lot of people thought I was making this up, but Scott
approached me at Me & Thee Coffeehouse, and whispered in my ear
that I looked just like Kit (the main gal in the book). I know it was
his way of admitting the book really is about me. He didn’t want to
come right out and admit it because then I have to insist on a cut of
the book sales. So I’ve decided he can have the fortune—I’ll take
the fame.
NEWS
Lolita: I can’t believe
how egotistical Rita has become about that book. There are other
books out there—probably about me. CLEA SIMON, long time Boston
rock journalist, was awarded the CWA’s Muse Medallion for fiction
for her book Dogs Don’t Lie. *** KIER BYRNES (Three
Day Threshold) was flown out to Ireland to perform in a studio in Dublin
with punk legends, CAITLIN O’RIORDAN (bassist of the Pogues
and former wife of ELVIS COSTLELLO) and RICHIE RAMONE
(former drummer of the Ramones). It was all under the umbrella of a
PETER WALSH GOBSHITES’ recording session. *** Celebrate with WBCN
Nation the release of the amazing new documentary film, The American
Revolution, on the early days of the legendary station at the Paradise.
Pledge your donation to the making of the film at kickstarter.com and
get invited to a mega event and special sneak preview of this landmark
documentary film. *** PETE WEISS
(Weisstronauts/Verdant Studio) has an ongoing series of photos of record
stores. They can be seen hanging at Christoper’s (Porter Sq., Cambridge)
in early February. *** The Mikey Dee Musicians Benefit Trust continues
to help musicians in need. Recently both JJ RASSLER for his broken
hand and DAVID McWANE (Big D & the Kid’s Table) who is
suffering from thyroid cancer, were recipients of Mikey’s generosity.
JJ has recovered to the point where he
is back in his Cuban Heels hitting that Downbeat once again. *** For
winning the most votes in the Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists Most Wanted
contest, PESKY J. NIXON will play on the main stage of Falcon Ridge
Folk Festival this coming summer. *** Bradford School of Music has merged
with the Real School of Music. *** CHUCK U.
and DIANE ANDRONICA and other members of the New England Media
Coalition won the seven-day contest for My Life, My Choice (helping
under age women leave forced prostitution). *** Valhalla International
Restaurant & Lounge is a new concept that will be opening at 667
Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge. The place plans to have
events and shows. *** If you are in a high school band, you can register
for the Rock Showdown by 2/15/12 at www.natickarts.com. You can win
hundreds of dollars of prizes including partial scholarships to the
Berklee College of Music Summer Programs. *** Quiet Desperation,
Boston’s reality sitcom, started 2012 with their third episode,
Chilly Allston, of season two. It features CASEY DESMOND,
SHAUN BEDGOOD, and SEAN SULLIVAN. *** January 1st marked
the 14th anniversary of DAVID MINEHAN’s Woolly Mammoth Sound.
Lolita: I do believe we plan to honor that man in these page in
a couple of months.
FAVE
RESTAURANT
Rita:
One thing we all do is eat. Lolita: Some more than others. Rita:
Our goal with this next question is to find the best place to dine.
What’s your favorite restaurant? MR. CURT (MC3): Mmm-mm! Through
the years, I’ve been to so many places for different tastes, but there’s
one restaurant I would never hesitate to name —Legal Sea Foods. Consistent
yet variable, generous yet comfy, and always fresh and delicious.
Never been Scrod there! Order a broiled (or fried) Fisherman’s Platter
to start the raves! I first went there for my college graduation 40
years ago, when it was a tiny space in the back of a fish market in
Inman Square. Phew, that’s a durable eatery! *** TODD
HARRIS (18 Wheels of Justice): Hands down without a question
the Sunset in Allston. I don’t think I’ve ever had the same beer
twice there. Great food and service. Maybe it’s just foggy, beer-soaked
memory, but every time I go there I have the time of my life, immediately
followed by the hangover of my life. You just reminded me that I’m
hungry. *** IAN ADAMS ( Lucky Dragon ): The Washington Square
Tavern in Brookline. I would recommend the pan-seared local scallops,
with sugar pumpkin
risotto. Chef Chris Cronin is a frikkin’ artist. *** CORIN
ASHLEY (…& the Guild of Sonic Righteousness): I love Sam’s
Bistro down by the ICA—great vibe, devastating Bloody Mary’s, best
fries in town, and it’s got indie cred, too! I challenge you to find
a restaurant owned by a better local bass player than Drew Parsons.
*** NIKI LUPARELLI (Niki Luparelli & the Gold Diggers/ the
Steamy Bohemians): My favorite place in the Boston area is Lucky’s
Lounge on Congress Street. I love the mac and cheese and also the “secret”
veggie burger not on the menu. Combine that with the Sinatra theme,
and I could stay in there like Agent Dale Cooper in the Black Lodge.
*** TIM MUNGENAST (Tim Mungenast & His Preexisting Conditions):
My favorite restaurant is Chez Outre. I suggest the Roast Rump of Tree-Dwelling
Elephant with Ecstasy Sauce, and the Hummingbird Tongue Flambé for
dessert. I also like the Craftsman Socket Set Casserole. *** DAVID
AVERY (Powderfinger Promotions): My favorite restaurant is L’Espalier
and I’d recommend getting whatever they want to serve. It’s expensive,
so unless you have a tanker full of cash you’ll want to go there for
a special occasion. But for a “foodie” L’Espalier can’t be beat,
and it’s especially cool because if you don’t eat meat they’ll
alter their menu to give you either fish or entirely vegan dishes. That’s
a rarity. *** JON MACEY (Adam&Eve/ Fox Pass): Anything Korean,
order stone pot Bimbimbap with lots of chili sauce to get you through
the winter. Helps with songwriting too, especially art-pop tunes. ***
PETER MOORE (Count Zero): Journeyman (Somerville) for the win,
they’re so courageous, inventive, and tasty. Runners up: Craigie
on Main (Central Sq., Cambridge), Bolete (Bethlehem, PA), Local
188 (Portland ME). Lolita: Wow, Peter gets around.
MUSICAL CHAIRS
Rita: Musicians
get around within bands,too. Here are some new musical groups and new
acquisitions in existing acts. BO BARRINGER (Me&JoanCollins)
has hooked up with REUBEN BETTSAK and NOELL DORSEY (Guillermo
Sexo) to form FUTURE CARNIVORES. *** In a related band BO BARRINGER
and REUBEN BETTSAK join cellist RACHEL ARNOLD in THE WRONG
SHAPES. *** TONY and SAMANTHA GODDESS
have left Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents amicably. MIKE ORAM
(Airport/Eric Salt & the Electric City) has been subbing for Tony
on guitar and ABBIE BARRETT (Abbie Barrett & the Last Dates)
has played some gigs doing the background vocals. *** THE FENWAY BRATS
are a multi-vocalist band that includes singers C. MOON MULLINS,
LAUREN “POCKETS” ANDERSON, JULIE “PANDA” DZIUBELA,
and TED WHITESIDE backed by the three-piece ERIC GRIFFINS
(bass), ROBERT ONE (guitar), and TOM MORONY (drums). You
can see/hear them every Friday night at Who’s on First. *** SPINOFF
contains TIM FERRELL on guitar (Mistaking), DAN WEDDLE
on drums (Cheater Pint), SCOTT HOWE
on guitar (the Hammond Group), DARREL MORROW on keys (the Allstonians/
the Hammond Group) and GERRY ATTRICK on bass (the Allstonians).
They’ll be playing their pop/rock with a sense of humor at T.T.
the Bears on 2/24. *** KEVIN STEVENS (the Shods) is on stage
again in THE UNHOLY III. Lolita: Yes! Kevin is one of the reasons
why music in New England is so good.
INSTRUMENTS OF PLEASURE
Rita: And we all know
(except for those a cappella groups) that we need instruments to make
wonderful music. What is the latest wonderful instrument that you’ve
picked up? KIER BYRNES (Three Day Threshold): Last summer,
I decided I’d buy a guitar upon completion of my doctorate, in hopes
that it’d keep me motivated. I found the perfect Telecaster
on eBay. It was even born the same year as me (ancient)! The problem
was I hadn’t finished classes yet. As fate would have it, the e-Bay
vendor was Mr. Music in Allston. just a mile from where I was! I trucked
over and fell in love with it immediately; the guitar came home with
me that day. And as for finishing school, they don’t call me Doctor
Whiskey Love for nothin’. *** BRAD BYRD (Brad Byrd): The
latest musical instrument I purchased was a classical guitar for $5
(or was it $3?) at a yard sale. Every now and then I see people
just tossing these guitars away and I try and grab them if and when
I can. The low E, A, and D strings are so incredibly warm and
the overall sound is brilliant. I can’t help but not write a
new song every time I pick it up and start strumming. I can’t
wait to record with it in the studio! *** DAN KING (Bandit Kings/
KBMG): I’m always buying gear but the last instrument I bought was
at Daddy’s on Route 1. An American Tele Sunburst. Daddy’s
is sadly gone now and that will certainly leave a major void. On
the North Shore back in the ’80s and ’90s we had Steve’s in Danvers
and Daddy’s in Peabody until Guitar Center opened on Route 114 and
Steve’s closed soon after. The first guitar I bought in a store
was a strange Gibson Les Paul called “The Paul” or “Victory Paul”
with a double cutaway and a Trini Lopez head stock that I found in a
Daddy’s in Portland, ME in 1990.( I traded this guitar for a Gibson
J30 acoustic in Santa Cruz that I’ve written 80 percent of my songs
on). I was on my way to pick up a ’78 Tele Sunburst I had found
in the Portland listings but it was gone when I got there. Oddly
enough my car broke down on the way home from Portland so we hitched
home with the guitar and the car was laid to rest in a garage in Wells.
I bought my first Tele at Steve’s in ’94, later scored a ’78
Fender Music Master bass at Daddy’s that’s amazing, a star among
many purchases, and 20 years later I got my Sunburst at Daddy’s.
*** MICHAEL J. EPSTEIN (The Michael J. Epstein Memorial
Library/ Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling/ Darling Pet Munkee/ Space
Balloons): I’ve been buying samples of all kinds of egg shakers to
help shaker-shaker extraordinare Tanya Palit select just the right shaker
for her upcoming signature series egg shaker. No joke. *** TIM MUNGENAST
(Tim Mungenast & His Preexisting Conditions): A Framus Texan acoustic
12-string from the mid-1960s. It was purchased at a yard sale. ***
A.J. WACHTEL (Pseudo-Intellect Extraordinaire): The most recent
instrument of punishment and torture I’ve bought is a pocket-sized
electronic cattle prod. I bought it at Wal-Mart and charged it to my
Noise expense account. Dad: It’s a good parenting tool, too. Harrison:
YOUCHHHHHHHH!!! *** WILL DAILEY (Will Dailey & the Rivals):
A 1960 Silvertone amp in case. Beautiful condition. Found it on Craigslist
with original paperwork and manual. Bought in Peabody. ***
TONY JONES (Tony Jones & the Cretin 3/ the Tony Jones Show):
After listening to way too much of the band Cake I recently picked up
a vibra-slap from Daddy’s Junkie Music. Somehow Cake manages
to incorporate it into every tune. I haven’t been so lucky. It
sits here collecting dust mocking me! Lolita: Someday it
will jump into your hands at the perfect moment and slice a perfect
piece of cake for you.
ALL GOIN’ OUT TOGETHER
Rita: Time to go out!
Saturday, February 4 is a big night—ALLOY ORCHESTRA performs a live
sound track to Wild and Wierd at Somerville Theater; Boston musician
and activist BRIAN O’CONNELL presents his original rock opera
Over the Line at Spontaneous Celebrations at 5:00 and 8:00 pm;
THEA HOPKINS plays Brew’d Awakening Coffeehaus in Lowell;
and in Portland, Maine, LIZ FRAME & THE KICKERS are at One Longfellow
Square. *** BRITANNICA brings their British rock to Green Land Cafe
on Monday, 2/6. *** 25 PEARL entertains at Robsebud on Thursday, 2/9.
*** The Noise celebrates the Valentine in all of us on Saturday,
2/11, at the Dog Bar with JOE & RENEE and BIRD MANCINI. *** Same
night in Jamaica Plain experience BLOWW—Boston League of Women Wrestlers
at the Midway. *** And if you’re at the Plough & Stars that night,
you’ll have the privilege of seeing HEATHER MALONEY. *** On
Friday, 2/17, Me & Thee Coffeehouse celebrates their 42nd birthday
with AMY BLACK. *** Same night at the Cantab—GARAGE AU GO-GO. *** BOSTON HORNS play Ryles on Saturday, 2/18.
*** Over at Johnny D's on Sunday 2/19, OLD JACK takes the stage. *** THE DEL FUEGOS hit the Paradise on Wednesday, 2/22. *** On Thursday,
2/23, ANAIS MITCHELL release her latest CD, Young Man in America,
at Passim. *** Same night in Salem, MA, ERINN BROWN plays In
A Pig’s Eye. *** On Friday, 2/24, IN LIKE LIONS drop their CD at the Middle East. *** LIZ BORDEN & THE AXES play the Cantab on Saturday,
2/25. *** Same night THE GENTLEMEN are hauled into Precinct. *** HIGHWAY
GHOSTS release their CD, Beyond All Help! at Johnny D’s on Saturday
3/3. *** Same night downstairs at the Middle East, Hear Now Live
presents the CD release party for DOCTOR DOOM ORCHESTRA. Rita:
We’ll be back in March for our online-only issue, then return to print
in April. We love you! Lolita: Speak for yourself. I only
love some of them.
RIP: JOHN LINCOLN
WRIGHT (…& the Sourmash Boys and vet of the Bosstown days
in the late ’60s) died of a stroke on 12/4/11.
RIP: Saxophonist,
DAVID SCHOLL (Barrence Whitfield & the Savages/ Four Piece Suit),
passed away on Christmas Day, having quietly battled cancer for almost
10 years.
Rita + Lolita
