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

Pretty Pollution

By Matthew Erhartic

In their campaign to prove that “Phony rock-n-roll is a crime,” Worcester based outfit Pretty Pollution are taking everyday tales of misadventures and setting them to their no B.S. brand of hard rock. With topics as heavy as their riffs, people around town may not be able to avoid listening.

“Crazy psycho stalker exes, habitual drug use and kinky S&M lesbian love,” rattles off singer Alicia Fuchs. “… and anything else that pisses us off.”

Drummer Dave Kaz’s goal of assembling a female fronted rock band were finally realized when he caught Alicia belting out some tunes at a party in Allston. Hell-bent on moving forward with the project, the duo began the painstaking auditioning process. “We went through a handful of dysfunctional musicians ‘til we found our little rotten Johnny,” Kaz muses. With the final addition of bassist Scott Hanson, the band pulled enough material out of their collective hat to begin getting their feet wet on the club circuit.

Pretty Pollution cites various influences ranging from progressive pop stalwarts Rush and Primus to Danzig and critical darling Nick Cave. Although none of these acts immediately jumps out as an influence, Alicia Fuchs’ passionate performance often comes across as a young Ann Wilson wailing her heart out on a roller coaster ride through hell.

On the highlight track “Hate N’ Fire,” Fuchs delivers a fantastic estrogen-induced Axl Rose vocal slithering. The song plows about like a bat crap crazy mammoth, letting loose riffs and rhythms that bring to mind White Zombie in their prime.

Recorded at Wolfeboro, NH’s own Home Cooked Recordings with producer Chris Xanthopoulos, the band cut a six song demo that is available at their shows and on MySpace. “Popular music is watered down and we’re tired of the cookie-cutter rock that permeates on the airwaves,” Dave says. “Our fans are constantly calling the local stations requesting us,” and Dave is quite eager to get the band back in the studio to record newer tracks that will help them launch an ambitious full frontal radio assault. “We hope to have our songs on the radio in the future.”
With songs as raw as a freshly skinned knee, there ain’t nothing too pretty about this pollution.

Pretty Pollution’s vision is quite clear. Says Dave, “To quote one of our influences [The Doors], ‘We want the world and we want it, NOW!’”

Check out Pretty Pollution at the Blackstone in Pawtucket, RI, Oct. 16th. For more info, check out myspace.com/prettypollutionband.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PUB

The Canal Sports Pub

By Rachel Shuster

When you think of the word “pub,” does a dreary, hole in the wall spot with low lighting, stale popcorn sprinkled all over the sticky floor, and an old man who’s more than half in the bag singing along with the vintage jukebox come to mind? Ok, well maybe that’s just me, but ever since I heard about The Canal Sports Pub located at 177 Millbury Street in Worcester, my notion of “pubs” has most definitely changed.

The small but cozy pub, which holds about 30 people, has been opened for two years now and is run by Michelle Lopez and her husband Teddy who, after parting ways with a business partner, were able to focus all their efforts on the pub. In regards to their location, Michelle says that there was a pub there before, but it wasn’t drawing the type of crowd or reputation that she and Teddy wanted to draw in as the new owners of the building.

“We want the pub to be a place that people want to come to and have fun, and not worry about drama,” Michelle says. “We are bringing in more of a college crowd and people in their 20s to 40s.” You won’t find any sort of crazy drunken stupor at this pub. “Our crowd is a little calmer, with cooler heads than other pubs,” Michelle says confidently.

Although Michelle and Teddy both dive into all aspects of owning the pub, Michelle focuses mainly on promoting and working the “behind the scenes” stuff, whereas Teddy handles the manual work for the pub; it’s definitely a team effort! Helping Michelle and Teddy are 6 bartenders who provide good fun and good drinks.

Walking into the pub, you can’t miss the beautiful murals of different landscapes such as Italy, the Great Wall of China and Puerto Rico painted on the walls by a local artist, and the large fish tank which tops off the relaxing ambiance with a hint of the tropics. Other features of the pub include counter table seating for 8-10 people at the fully stocked bar, an internet jukebox (quite the step up from that vintage one!), dominos and darts ~ something for everyone!

Make sure to check out The Canal Sports Pub for different nightly events every day of the week! Mondays are “Sports Night,” where you can lounge while watching your favorite sports game on either of the two 42” plasma TVs or any of the other slightly smaller plasmas. Don’t forget about the free appetizers like hot dogs, chips and dip, buffalo wings and taquitos, or checking out the seasonal pool leagues!

Other fun events to check out are Tuesdays for “Ladies Night,” Wednesdays for “Open Jam Session,” and Fridays and Saturdays for live entertainment, a DJ and karaoke. Michelle and Teddy are planning to launch a nightly event geared towards the gay community of Worcester on Thursday nights as well. Also, you can play Keno anytime you’d like!

There is no cover to get into the pub, “…unless we have a hot artist coming to perform!” Michelle says. “We work with promoters to have artists who perform in Boston come and warm up or perform here too.”

The Canal Sports Bar is open 11am-1am, Mon-Sat. Although currently closed on Sundays, the pub plans on opening for Sundays soon for “Acoustic Sundays.” “It’ll be really laid back. Just come relax, munch on some food and enjoy some music,” Michelle says.

The pub means a lot to Michelle and Teddy ~ making sure that people have an enjoyable place to go is important to them. “The pub is just a nice, fun, mellow environment, with no drama. We’re young owners; we know what young people are looking for.” Yes, they certainly seem to!

Want to know more? Contact Michelle or Teddy at 508-304-7327 or check The Canal Sports Pub out at myspace.com/thecanalsportspub.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BAND

Ted Painter and the South County Band

By Dawn Fenton

Ted Painter, a performer and songwriter who, in 2006, began writing songs and playing guitar “for real,” may be one of the year’s greatest success stories.

Painter and his ensemble, the South County Band, released their first CD, Ridin’ High, this summer and have received generous praise from fans and critics alike. Recipient of the 2008 New England Country Music Organization’s (NECMO) Songwriter of the Year and winner of the 2007 Great American Song Contest, Ted Painter may very well be one of the most humble guys you’ll ever meet.

“I received an award,” he stressed, speaking of the 2007 Great American Song Contest. “I wasn’t the only one or the highest winner…I was another award winner among others. I was very pleased and surprised. I guess I’m always surprised when I get positive feedback of any kind…I’m very happy if someone likes what I’m doing.”

Painter also made it clear that he wasn’t the only award recipient of NECMO’s Songwriter award in 2008. “Again, it was unbelievable to win. I was very surprised when it happened. There were many categories and I won in one of them, so it wasn’t just me…I’m very thankful for the recognition.”

In fact, two of three songs that were submitted to NECMO won in 2008: “Slammin’ Doors” and “Toughest Job (of the War),” and both are featured on Ridin’ High. “I guess that’s kind of good odds,” laughed Painter.

Not too shabby for a self taught guitarist, “…which explains why I am so bad,” laments Painter, adding that “Without the band behind me there’s nothing… they are really good at what they do. I am very lucky to be able to work with them. Any one of them could be a professional studio musician.”

The members of the South County Band include Steve Blake on bass, Keith Prescott on drums and John Prunier on lead guitar. Prunier, the newest member of the band, did not play on Ridin’ High, but replaced guitarist Pete Zolli, who performed on the CD. Said Painter, “John really knows his way around the country genre probably even more so than myself… [that was] an element that was missing on the current record.”

All modesty aside, Ted Painter and the South County Band have put out an impressive debut CD that will please fans of country and rockabilly alike. Even those who don’t have a penchant for country music will find themselves singing and toe tapping along to the music – this is almost a guarantee.

Catch the band live on Oct. 16 @ the Rose Garden in Upton. myspace.com/thesouthcountyband. CDs available @ Union Music & Newbury Comics – Shrewsbury