thePULSEBands, 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!
CD – Castine
By Matt Erhartic
Singer Mike Kittredge is a certified musical schitzo. One moment he coos with certain James Dean cool, the next he’s sweet like a first kiss only to hit you a split second later with a surprise left hook of unhinged neurosis that might have made even Kurt Cobain mumble, “Hey, take it easy man.”
Dr. Wormtown loves herself a big ol’ piece of three piece power pop ~ but to tag Castine (named after the street where the guys’ shared three decker was, once upon a time ) as simply “power pop” would be a severe misdiagnosis. Kittredge, along with drummer Steve Harutunian and bassist Greg Hyder, has found the perfect sonic medication ~ provide enough thrift shop, indie rock ethics to keep a hipster’s tongue waggin’ but make sure to hook it up with enough hip-gyrating grooves to keep the lady friends coming back for more.
The Worcester-based trio, already part of the musical family over at Ralph’s Diner, released a self-produced, self-titled album last year, but Castine decided to turn to producer extraordinaire Roger Lavallee at Tremolo Lounge Studio to twiddle some knobs for their new project. Uncle Henry’s Walk (the title is an affectionate nod to Tremolo Lounge’s mascot/ Lavallee’s beagle, Henry) is criminally short ~ three tunes, almost 13 minutes’ worth ~ but each packsits own distinctive wallop. The sparse production, void of excessive guitar and vocal overdubs, allows the songs to breathe and reveal Castine’s greatest assets ~ solid song craft and musicianship.
The opening track, “Little Darling,” contains a steamy 1970s buddy cop show-induced guitar strike ~ the kind of riff that could persuade a listener to slide across the hood of a Ford Torino to chase a perp. Huggy Bear would surely dig it.
The highlight of the disc is “Chains.” Showcasing the band’s certain flare for dynamics, they successfully crossfade quirky into catchy. The verse floats around a Joe Jackson “Is She Really Going Out With Him” progression before the band launches into a floor-rattling blitz. Catchy gang vocals and hazy lyrics of overanxious lust make the track a really fun listen.
As wonderfully magnetic and eclectic as Castine’s material is, the band’s website claims that they simply play “Rock-n-Roll Music.” “I think we call ourselves rock-n-roll by default.” Kittredge clarifies. “We are loud, indulge in the solos, so what the hell, Rock-n-Roll it is…it’s our easy description cop out, nice and vague.”
Catch Castine at Harper’s Ferry in Allston Oct 2 with Rookie Of The Year and Stroke 9.
castinemusic.com
myspace.com/castinemusic
BAND – Weight of Gravity
By Alex Kantarelis
Daniel Lafleur – Guitar, Vocals; Steve Lamoureux – Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards; Dan Cook – Bass, Vocals; Robert Belanger – Drums
If you love live music and like to dance (and who doesn’t), then Weight of Gravity is your new favorite band. With a whole slew of musical influences, they are quite simply a rock band, so fans of all forms of rock should take notice.
A wild live show with a mix of upbeat originals and a wide variety of covers is what you can expect from Weight of Gravity, who have been making a name for themselves throughout the Worcester area for the past two years. “We are definitely a rock band without a doubt, a little bit edgy and funky,” guitarist and vocalist Dan Lafleur said. “We touch a lot of genres. Our influences range from jazz of the 30s up until bands that are around now,” said bassist Dan Cook “We’re really touching everything across the border,” he added.
WOG are regulars at essential Worcester clubs Tammany Hall, Ralph’s Diner, and the Lucky Dog, and have built quite the following playing all over in Worcester and the rest of Central MA, and they’ve begun to branch out into the Boston area as well. But Worcester will always be home to the band.
A typical live show involves lots of guest musicians and a constant upbeat vibe perfect for dancing all night. The band covers a wide variety of tunes in between their originals, everything from David Bowie to 311. “We love to play [live], more than money, more than making CDs. If you get 100 people at a show, singing along, that’s why we do it. We just love to play,” Lafleur said. “Aside from the fact that you get to work with people you get along with, the nicest part is to go out, and look out to the crowd and see people get down to what you create. For me that’s the best part,” added Cook.
Describing the sound of the band can be tricky, because they really blend so many genres together. The various covers they play are only part of the sound. “All of our originals are different from one another too. You hear one original song and it sounds like this type of band while the other original sounds like another type of band,” said Lamoureux. “We’re fun, we’re easy on the ears but still interesting,” said drummer Robert Belanger. “We’re trying to come up with our own genre,” added Cook.
January has the band taking the obvious next step, recording their first studio CD, which they will be self-releasing in early ‘08. “Our goal is to have our CD, play as much as possible, then tour the East Coast,” said Lafleur.
Next time WOG plays one of your favorite bars, give them a try. They will definitely impress you ~ and keep you movin’ until you can’t move anymore.
To hear some of their tunes and check out their upcoming shows, go to myspace.com/weightofgravity.
Upcoming shows:
October 13th 9pm @Mill St. Brews with Pilot & LVG, Southbridge, MA
October 26th 9pm (Brian and Jesse’s annual Halloween Bash!!!!) @Mill St. Brews, Southbridge, MA
SOLO – Dan Chauvin
By Alex Kantarelis
If you’re sick of all the same singer/songwriters you hear on the radio every day, Dan Chauvin, with his acoustic based rock songs that offer a refreshing, modern sound, may be the change of pace you need. He is a totally authentic musician, not doing “it” for money or for fame, but writing songs and performing them simply out of love for music and art.
Chauvin, a Northbridge native and resident, is the youngest of 7 kids and it was his older siblings who got him into music. “In my early years I was listening to Simon and Garfunkle, James Taylor, and Gordon Lightfoot,” Chauvin said. “I started playing [guitar] when I was about 11 years old,” he added, and music has been a huge part of his life ever since.
Most recently, Chauvin self-released a CD entitled “Unresolved” and embarked on a tour throughout the Northeast, playing the Borders Book Store chain. Selling several thousand CDs along the way, he was able to reach quite the crowd. “I have audiences that range from 8 years old to 88 years old,” he said. On average, he plays 3 nights a week in a variety of venues from bookstores to bars to coffee shops. Most recently, our Editor saw him perform an acoustic set at the ADC in Southbridge, and she became an instant fan.
Chauvin draws influences from a wide variety of artists. From the classics of James Taylor to the more contemporary sounds of Howie Day and Jason Mraz, his sound can be described as a mashup of the old and the new. “I have an 18 year old daughter who’s at the other end of the spectrum now that the acoustic stuff has come back. I listen to 30 year old songs then I’m listening to 3 month old songs,” he said. The newer artists inspire him to continue making new music and to try new things.
Chauvin, who’s been playing professionally since he was 14 years old, claims that the internet has completely changed everything for him. “For someone like me, the internet is great,” he said. “If someone steals my music, or downloads it without paying, I take it as a compliment.” The internet has also helped him reach a wider audience than he could ever imagine. “You can reach more people than you could ever reach, I’ve sold CDs all over the world, some in Italy, some in England, Denmark, Germany. It’s something that could never happen in the past, he said.
The follow-up to “Unresolved” will be coming out this fall. It will be called “Better Places” and will be available at his live shows and online. Expect lots of local shows in support, and check out myspace.com/danchauvin for more info. You definitely want to get to know Dan’s music better.
CLUB – The Phoenix Bar
By Rachel Shuster
The mythical bird known as the Phoenix symbolizes immortality, resurrection, and new beginnings. When the bird feels its death is near, it will build a nest, set it on fire, and let itself be consumed by the flames. From its ashes, a new, stronger Phoenix arises.
So what more appropriate name for the newly renovated and improved Phoenix Bar on Mill Street in Worcester. Just like the bird, the Phoenix has been around for a while, after being burned down several times, this bar has risen from the ashes once again with a new plan, direction, and energy.
Bartender Carlos Zaze says that the bar’s new owner, Leslie, has come up with some great ideas to put the place back on top. Reopened in mid-July, “Everything is remodeled, the service is improved, everything is kicked up especially by adding a live DJ. You don’t see that much in bars,” Zaze says. The live DJ spinning Thursdays through Saturdays is an aspect of the new Phoenix that the owner, employees, and regulars are looking forward to having.
Other plans in the works are a College Night on Wednesdays, Ladies’ Night on Thursdays, R & B/Hip Hop Night on Fridays, special request for the DJ on Saturdays, and Sunday Football. To add in even more fun, some of these nights will feature raffles for prizes including gift certificates up to $100. Best part? There’s no charge to enter!
The combination of the DJ booth, dance floor, pool table, art behind the bar and laid-back atmosphere make this place more than just a “bar.” It’s the perfect gathering place for any age crowd (21+, of course). Zaze says, “It’s a great place to stop and hang out before going to a club, but you can enjoy yourself all night here too. It doesn’t matter who you are, this place is for every crowd.”
The Phoenix also has plans to have live bands perform at the bar in the future. “Things are in the works, but we want to have start-up bands come, to give them a chance. We want to give new bands a chance to start up and grow as we do,” Zaze explains.
So if you’re looking for a place to hang out, have a couple of drinks, dance a little and maybe play some pool, the remodeled and resurrected Phoenix is your spot.
3 Mill Street, Corner of Mill and Main Street
508-755-5109
