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!
BAND
Creepin Cadavers
By Alison Zawadski
An interesting meeting of punk and psychobilly, Creepin Cadavers bring something truly unique to the New England music scene. Made up of Jeff Desperado, Scott Cadaver and Handsome Al Cadaver, the band is constantly playing shows and is in the process of recording its first full-length album, “The Last Ride,” which is coming out later this spring and will feature songs about suicide, betrayal and the afterlife.
The band has a strong local following ~ many fans attend all of its performances. Those fans will be busy this month, as the CCs have six shows scheduled throughout MA and CT, many of them sponsored by Triskstah Promotions of Worcester. Also, the band will be hitting the road on its first coast to coast tour in June. Anyone who attends these shows can anticipate “a huge party where everyone can sing along and enjoy themselves,” according to Scott.
“Our live show is entertaining,” Scott said. “We are all over the place on the stage.”
Entertainment is what the band is all about. Considered a tribute to B-movie horror and horror punk, this band very successfully covered the well-known Misfits on their first effort, “Welcome to Arkham.” Their brand of psychobilly is fun from start to finish.
The Creepin Cadavers have even recorded a music video for their very popular “Frankie Dig a Hole.” In the video, the guys don full zombie makeup and exemplify true old school horror elements that have so clearly shaped the band members.
But don’t think the band is all theatrics; their music is unique and the Cadavers have proven very talented. When the members of the Creepin Cadavers came together from two separate bands, Scott picked up a double bass and the band attacked a brand of rock that was previously missing from the scene, one they think is overrun by generic hardcore bands. With solid rhythms and guitar solos that rock the pants off of so many hardcore bands, the Cadavers’ music is fun, but it’s no joke.
To listen to the band, get a list of their upcoming shows, or to buy their EP “Welcome to Arkham,” visit the band at myspace.com/creepincadavers.
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CD
Traphiq
By Tom Godfrey
It is hard to classify a band like Traphiq. When asked to pin down their style, the band is understandably hesitant. Stefano Trafecante, keyboardist and lead singer, ends up suggesting that they are “experimental indie / aggressive piano rock.” They are all of those things, but you can just call them a really cool band.
In addition to Trafecante, the band consists of Danielle Leveille on guitar and vocals, and Andre Kopoyan on drums. The band has existed previously with different line ups, but Traphiq as it is today was formed in mid 2007.
The band tries its best to stay busy ~ and they do a good job of it. They play out a few times a month, recently playing a slew of shows at the Lucky Dog, with a few gigs at Ralph’s Diner and Hotel Vernon for good measure. Traphiq is picking up momentum and a solid fan base.
This isn’t a surprise when you get a trio like this with such passion for and knowledge of music. Leveille, who holds a B.A. in music from UMASS Dartmouth, has been playing for 10 years; Trafecante, originally a drummer, has played the keys for 8 years. “I took [drum] lessons for a year,” says Kopoyan, “from there I just started hitting stuff really hard.”
Their sound plays well to their personal styles. There are elements that are new, that are unfamiliar in the popular music today, but nothing is so foreign as to be intimidating. Trafecante’s voice has a haunting tone to it that blends perfectly with his keyboard. Kopoyan’s drumming is superb, ranging from the steady and simple pulse of his bass drum to intricate fills and crescendos. Leveille’s guitar wails like some rock angel.
The band is confident with their potential but have humble aspirations.
“We’re going to push this as far as we can,” smiles Kopoyan. “It would be great to get signed and tour. You gotta have a dream I guess.”
“We want to be known locally,” adds Trafecante. “If 1 out of 3 people in Worcester knew who we were, that would be awesome.”
The band is hoping to tour all of New England in the not so distant future, dreaming of living the life of sleeping in over-loaded vans, making a music video and releasing their second EP.
“I’d love fame and fortune,” muses Laveille, “but I just enjoy playing with these guys.”
Traphiq will be playing The Mill in Southbridge on April 24th with The Wandas.
For more information, check the band out at myspace.com/traphiq.
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BAND
Bullethead
By Tom Godfrey
Bullethead is a band of purity. They exist solely out of their love for music, and their style is alt rock in its purest form. Sitting with the band at their usual booth at Pepperconis in Framingham, you get the vibe that this is a band on top of their world.
The band was formed by Jeff Royds, his brother, and two friends in 1991. The name comes from a bonus track on a Van Halen bootleg. Royds, a bassist at the time, played until the band broke up a few months later. Reformed in 2008 with Royds now singing lead and playing rhythm guitar, the band is a powerhouse when it comes to independent rock.
The quartet is rounded out by Rob Talieri on lead guitar and back up vocals, George Moomjian on drums, and Kim Slamin on bass.
Royds and Slamin are the founders of Boston Garage Bands, an organization that is dedicated to promoting local bands. Their podcast serves as a 24 hour a day radio station exclusively playing the music of bands that have been featured on their site. They understand how hard it can be for a band on the local circuit.
“Do you know any band around here that does this full time?” asks Royds. No, the answer is the same for Bullethead. The band is quick to admit they aren’t a bunch of 21 year olds anymore. They have jobs, careers and families to think about, but they refuse to put down their instruments.
“It’s a great medium to get out there and play [a couple times] a month, and have fun.” says Moomjian. “We are all musicians and what do musicians usually do at this stage? They stay home and their sh*t gets dusty.”
Bullethead has made its name in Eastern MA, but they are eager to show the rest of the state what they have to offer. Ands what they have to offer is pure alt. Their music is driven by Royds’ powerful voice and a style that harkens back to the music of the ‘90s. The band freely admits that they are children of the grunge era.
True to their style, their songs have a lot of attitude, something which Royds attributes to his childhood rage.
“I’m a positive person,” he says with a smile, “but it all just comes out. Life is the best inspiration for music.”
Catch Bullethead at The Raven in Worcester on April 17th. Show starts at 9pm and there is a $5 cover.
For more information on the band, head to bostongarageband.com.
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GRADUATE
Singuya
By Alison Zawadski
The Hudson funk, punk and rock fusion band Singuya has been quite busy since they last appeared in Pulse in 2006. The band has since signed with independent record label Sling Slang Records of Southington, CT, released “Bet on Red” in ‘08, and this fall ~ after hitting the road hard ~ will be recording another album at Aliehn Productions Recording Studio in Bristol, CT.
Singuya is made up of Brian “Boom Boom” Howa on guitar and lead vocals, Timmy “The Sex” Dinneen on drums and vocals, and Joey Explosive on bass and vocals. The three musicians came together in late 2006 after a separation from their original drummer, Mikey Hits.
The band describes their music on their website as taking “…The Talking Heads, Sublime and the Dead Milkmen’s sounds, [mixing] them up in a bucket, and [serving] them up with a little Boom, Explosive and “The Sex” on top.”
And that’s exactly right. With each song offering something different, but still similar enough to make a cohesive album, Singuya’s sound can reach out to the jam band crowd, funk fans and punk fans alike.
“They’re kind of a rowdy bunch, on occasion,” said Timmy “The Sex” Dinneen of the band’s fans. “We run a pretty wide gamut and so does our fan base. Depending on what other kinds of bands are on the bill, we try to cater to that crowd, whether they’re into punk or blues, those are the kinds of songs we’ll play.”
When attending a Singuya show, be ready to be turned on, as the band will do all it can to get the crowd into the music and having a good time.
“Definitely a good energy,” “The Sex” said about what the band aims for at a show. “We want to get people moving. We want to get them up. We’re going to be having a good time no matter what so we’re going to try to get them to have a good time.”
Throughout spring and summer ’09, Singuya will continue promoting “Bet on Red” at a combination of local club shows and bigger festivals. They are also approaching their 100th show, which will be May 8 at Ralph’s Diner with “i,” Clear the Way, and The Mass Elite.
The band will also be featured during a benefit festival in New York. The show, to benefit the children of Hobo Dave, a friend of the band’s who passed last year, will be May 2.
And while the band is busy promoting their current album, playing shows, and recording a new album, they are also interested in helping out their fellow musicians.
“Support local live music,” Dinneen said. “We try to see friends and bands we haven’t heard yet. It’s a tough thing getting people out and into the clubs. Get out and support local music, it’s an essential part of so many people’s lives.”
For a tour schedule, band updates or to listen to or purchase music, visit the band’s websites, myspace.com/singuya and singuya.com.
