Bands, clubs, artists, and businesses that you may not have heard of yet…but that we think are going to make a name for themselves really soon ~ and you get to hear about them here, right before they make it big!

BAND

The Message
By Luke MacNeil

Hailing from Worcester, MA, hardcore band The Message is poised to take it to the streets this summer. A few days ago I had the pleasure of meeting with the guys to find out just what that “it” is.

When I arrived, I was bombarded by the boom of techno music and the flash of strobe lights. Very strange indeed, thought I.

Now completely unsure of what to expect, I was introduced to a room full of guys who were partying, screaming, misbehaving, and having an all-around good time. In short, they were livin’ the rock-n-roll life. I sat down Indian style on the floor ~ surrounded by members of band and their friends ~ and began the interview, starting with how The Message had come to be.

It goes like this.

Original Youth Attack members Nick (on drums) and Alex (on guitar) Kantarelis (yes, they’re brothers) had grown disenchanted with the sparse local hardcore scene and had set out, like so many musicians have, to bring the music to the people. The incredible thing is, it worked.

Youth Attack helped turn a struggling scene into a thriving outlet for local fans and artists. They started out playing in basements for small groups of friends who quickly spread the word and drew masses of deprived hardcore fans from all over New England. Success.
The Message then began as a side project in 2004, when the brothers met up with high school friends Mike Toomey (vocals), Seamus McKeon (guitar), and “Euro” Mike (polish bass), and has since become the guys’ primary musical focus.

Producing heavy and melodic sounds, the band has crafted for itself a style that is both complex and unique, influenced by local bands Bane, Verse, and Killing the Dream, as well as by heavyweights like Metallica. When questioned about influence, vocalist Mike Toomey replied, “I listen to other bands and interpret their work into something that fits my own life.”

Although a record release is imminent, the band is focusing its considerable energy on performing rather than on recording, with plans to tour in early summer. “We’ve played all around New England, in basements with 6 people and in clubs of 200,” says Alex, “You play some good ones, you play some bad ones, that’s just the way it goes”.

With one self titled 4 song EP set for release in the early spring, and backing from new supporter Anti-Age Records, it looks like The Message will indeed get to expand its already loyal fanbase with New England and then US tours. ‘Til then, keep an eye out for the band playing locally, and catch them on MySpace at www.myspace.com/themessage for information and booking.

ARTIST

The Art of William D. Moran III
By Annette Cinelli

A graduate of Anna Maria College and resident of Clinton, William D. Moran III studied graphic arts, fine art and business. This up and coming artist paints nonstop and admits that “If I’m not doing it, I’m unhappy.”

The best description he’s heard of his art is “…pop art with political and satirical twists thrown in.” A lot of his influences come from pop culture like the cartoons he remembers growing up with in the 80s. He talks about them now and describes them as “a long commercial,” wondering if they were really created for enjoyment or just “to hawk toys.” Those cartoons sparked his interest in advertising design and helped shape the very stylized commercial look of his work. He also credits guilty pleasure shows like Jerry Springer with influencing his art.
 
William uses his art to try to communicate topics that are important to him. He relates it to a novel where every word and metaphor has to be written to convey the message, only instead of a typewriter, his tool is a paintbrush. William shows things how he sees them and tries to “…wrap up an idea in one image.”

He describes some of his work as borderline obscene, such as a Warhol-esq painting of neon happy faces melting ~ his representation of the idea that happiness fades. The title of the piece is Can’t Understand Normal Thinking, and the controversial acronym of that phrase is featured in the middle of the painting. It may come across as rude or as a joke, but really it was a serious response to the end of a relationship, William the one who can’t understand.

He knows some people might take offense to his work, but feels that “If you can get at least one emotion, people are going to stop and pay attention to it.” Although the paintings convey his personal ideas, William feels that the viewers’ interpretation is just as important. He also acknowledges that at times some of his work “…can come off as cynical and snotty, but I see it as a sad beauty…not cynical but a part of who we are.”

To really understand William’s work, shown this past November at the Java Hut in Worcester, you need to see it for yourself. He is planning more shows for the near future, hoping to collaborate with other artists who value honesty and integrity in their work. Until then, though, be sure to check out this up and comer’s work at www.myspace.com/ wdm3designs.

CD

Clear the Way for… CLEAR THE WAY
By Andrew Jones

When I showed up at The Lucky Dog to talk to the guys from Clear The Way, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had only checked out their Myspace page at that point, but using my powers of sciolistic judgment I deduced that they were going to be pretty cool. Unfortunately, I was wrong. These guys are REALLY cool. We rapped for a hot minute (ask your kids) about the local Worcester scene, mutual musical friends, some of the bands we grew up on, recreational activities, etc. These boys are really down and have an attitude that surely makes everyone they play for want them back for more…and more. Of course the fact that all their songs are indisputably catchy may have something to do with it as well.

The original power trio the band was born of was Sean McGorty (vox and guitar), Derek Hendrickson (lead guitar), and Jeff Seco (drums). They had been playing together ~ bassless ~ until they recruited Lucky Dog sound man Pete Degraaf. And what a surprise he had when he first went out to the shed behind Sean’s quiet house (no, not that kind of surprise) in Hudson, MA: a completely sound-proofed jam spot.

So now the quad is really on the move with their new music. Their last six-song self-titled EP came out in ‘05, and their new CD with over 10 songs is set to be out around April. And in the time that’s elapsed since that first release, the growth in their style is very apparent. The overall sound is an infectious powerpop with catchy hooks and funny subject matter that everyone can relate to no prob. Tunes like “Driving” and “Replaced” take a happy ride through both ends of relationships, with a sound that I would say has a little Smashmouth feel to it, without the feigned English accent. “My Prayers” has a more raw action going on, a little more on the FooFighter tip. “Twisted” is the most unique tune, with a lot of spacey ambiance on the ends.

These guys are definitely going places with the all-pleasing style they bring ~ they even got one of their tunes selected to be on the latest WAAF Mantown DVD. They were also selected to play a show this July in Pico, an island off of Portugal. Lucky bastards. Of course, if that trip is too far for you, you can check out myspace.com/cleartheway to get all the info on their upcoming local shows, including their soon-to-be-announced CD release show/party at The Lucky Dog.

So make sure to check ‘em out soon, while you don’t need to get tickets in advance.