OK, gotta ask. Kind of dark name. Are you dark guys?

Nah. Just the name, and really it’s more sleazy than dark. It’s kind of a Sunset Strip, gutter, snakes, strippers,and leather-mixed- together-with-bum-wine feel. Overall, we are melodic, upbeat and fun and want to show audiences a great time with music that makes them move. Besides, our alternative was “Southern Fried Christ…”

What’s the band line-up?

Dennis Lage, formerly of “Sweet Citizen,” on Vocals/Guitar, me [Geoff Jewett] on Guitar/Vocals (my last gig was as a singer for a southern rock cover band) , JJ Baulz (aka Johnny Ace, aka Brian Hoffman, aka Drummer of The Balls version 1.0, bassist for Red Army, and bassist for The Balls version 2.0) on Bass, and Matt Walsh (a veteran of many a hard rock/metal cover band) on Drums

And the Switchblade song-writing process?

I came to the table with a couple songs, then collaborated with Dennis on riffs, songs, lyrics and melodies. We all work together to add the finishing touches to each song. Usually, one of us will come to practice with something new and we play ‘til it starts to develop. Sometimes it just a melody, other times we have lyrics and a specific issue or feeling that we want to write about and the music follows.

Alright, I know it’s no longer cool to put a genre label on your band, but if you HAD to, what would it be?

80s influenced, down and dirty blues-driven rock with a message. Not always a friendly or sensical (that’s a word, right? Well, it should be!), but it’s there. Keep your daughters locked up!

So that means some of your musical influences were…?

Guns ‘N Roses, AC/DC and Aerosmith definitely top the list.

I’m proud to admit that I’m stuck in the 80s. Got any SS power ballads for me?

We have plenty of songs about the ladies, but I don’t think they qualify as panty-dropping power ballads. There are some slower songs on the back burner. We’re just trying to figure out if these songs would work with the rest of our set. Only time will tell.

Lots of musicians say that the rush of playing live is better than sex. Any comments?

They both kick ass. It really comes down to the clean up.

And on that note — any groupies, or are you taking applications?

JJ Baulz is dating an actress but Geoff is always taking applications From shy yet naughty school teachers to whip wielding she-devils, all the ladies are welcome and encuoraged to apply.

Which current bands would you like to open for on a world tour?

AC/DC, Velvet Revolver, Black Label Society…and the real Guns-n-Roses if they ever get it together again.

We’re coming up on St. Patrick’s Day. Guinness, Harp or Killian’s?

All three are quite delicious, but if we have to choose it would be our dark overlord Guinness.

Where might the members of SS be found hanging out on a weekend night?

We mostly hang out at the clubs we play at or plan to play at in the Worcester area. This city has always been a great place for rock music, just ask the countless bands who are pushing and doing their best every time they hit the stage. Ideally we would like to work with other bands to create a scene here that hasn’t been seen since the legendary Sunset Strip.

Oh, but JJ Baulz is in bed every night by 10pm.

You guys have just started playing the area. What’s next for the band ~ maybe a CD? Tracks we can catch on your MySpace?

We are definitely recording a demo in the near future and actively searching for a studio that would best suit our personalities and sound. And yes, for now you can check out some live recordings from our first gig at the “Dog” on MySpace. All we want to do is write good music and rock the balls off anyone who shows up to check us out. Rock and Roll is not dead ~ It’s just been waiting for us to kick it in the ass.

Hold on to your balls, Switchblade Suicide storms Ralph’s on Saturday, March 10 and The Lucky Dog on March 17. For more information on the band, head to myspace.com/myswitchbladesuicide.

CD
Almada

By Bobby Hankinson

After the runaway success of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and the increasingly indie audience of former *NSYNC-er Justin Timberlake, the line between pop-cheese and rock-cred has been severely blurred. Enter Almada, an Upton-based foursome that blends infectious melodies with superb musicianship to craft a sound everyone can enjoy.

Inspired partly by pop-rock heroes Weezer and 80s hair-bands like Poison and Motley Crue, the group’s arena-ready tunes are undeniably fun. “A lot of bands today are too serious,” said singer/guitarist Jon Harrington.

The semi-ironic songs don’t get muddled with complex structures, changing time signatures or 20-minute psychedelic jam sessions. Instead, the 10 catchy tracks on their self-titled album form one big, hand-clap laden party.

Clocking in at four minutes or less each, songs like “Killed by Cuteness” and “Smilefactory” are the sort of toe-tapping, feel-good fare that effortlessly seems to keep the energy turned up to 11. The saccharine simplicity is deceiving. Like the old nail-file-smuggled-in-a cake routine, what lies beneath the sweet, frosted outside has serious break-out potential.

“She’s the Girl” and “Last Chance” barrel ahead with a straightforward approach and killer chorus. The songs bop along with a 60s-rock swing (think of the Tom Hanks’ film “That Thing You Do”), but maintain a punky edge. However, “The Ballad” ~ a Journey-esque over-the-top love song ~- is the stand-out track. With blazing guitars and powerful vocals, the emotional rocker breaks up the frenetic pace of the disc without slowing it down.

Truth be told, there isn’t a blunder in the bunch. The premium picks are no coincidence ~ Harrington said the band worked on the album in two segments, allowing them some time to review their work. “If you back up from it for a while and go back and listen to it again, you have a feel for which are good.”

The resulting selections were enough to earn Almada an opening slot for Winger at a performance in Allston and a Pulse Worcester Music Award for Best New Act. The band is already thinking about its next album (aiming for a late fall release) and booking more shows ~ a schedule that will most likely include a stop at its unofficial Worcester home, the Lucky Dog.

No matter what comes next, the verdict on Almada is already in: this pop pleasure is anything but guilty.

For more on the band,
go to www.almadarock.com
and myspace.com/almadamusic