|
Links
SMASH!
|
Concerts, July - August 2001
The White Devils, Low Ton, Dollywatchers, Mid Air Collision, Quitters,
Greenhornes, and White Stripes- all LIVE and in the flesh at the
Bug Jar Fest, Rochester, NY, August 12, 2001
It was quite a wonderful line up, I must say. So let's get rolling.
At the time, the White Devils were Frank (of Flattops fame) playing the
nice cherry red Gibson SG, Rob (who else) on drums, and Paulie Rocco on
slide. Now they are Frank still on the SG and vox, Paulie on slide and
Too Tall Paul on drums. Just thought that I'd share that line-up change
with you. However, they were the first line-up for the Bug Jar Fest, and
it was all of their second gig. I was interested in seeing the band, and
with a more greasy rock and roll sound going for them, liked what I
heard. The band played for 20 minutes on the nose- 7 songs- a short,
but well performed set. I can't really tell you any of the song titles
except for "Sloppy Kisses"... sorry. But I can tell you that
you should definitely try to catch the White Devils around some time.
They don't play out much, but watch for 'em! They'll please you, too.
Low Ton was next, and I don't know much about them except for that one
of the member's names is Evan. Low Ton really wasn't our
bag, (the girl singer sounded like a dying cow) so we (Dave, and my
brother and myself) went on a little walk all the way down to Record
Archive and Brueggers. I was going to stop to get nailpolish (okay, so
it's technically called "Sally Hansen Chrome Nail Makeup" and it rocks)
at CVS, but I didn't have any money with me.
After getting provisions at Brueggers, we walked back to Highland Bowl
and caught about the last half of the Dollywatcher's set. Once again,
I don't have any information on them- I've looked at websites to no
prevail- but I do know that they hail from wonderful Buffalo, NY. I had
heard from Rob that the band had a NY Dolls-esque sound, so I was
looking forward to that. What I heard of the Dollywatchers I did like-
solid, and a nice hard/glam sound that gives you a nice jolt of
adrenaline. At least it does for me. And yes, it was very reminiscent of
the Dolls' sound. Once again, another good band in the general region,
and once again, check them out if you get the chance.
Mid-Air Collision played after the Dollywatchers. As with the
Dollywatchers, I can't seem to find a website for them (I hate not
having information!). I do know though, that the band is from
Rochester. People I know had said some positive things about the band,
but they just don't really do it for me. The music was formed well
and whatnot, but the songs were instrumental guitar jobs that were
long and drawn out and worthy of a 70's style "trip". I need action
on stage (and otherwise, but you know...) and the band just didn't
cut it for me. They made me wish I had conned my brother into buying me
the "Chrome Nail Makeup". You might like them though, as
everyone else seems to...
The Quitters (going on their 7th birthday in a couple of weeks)
followed and played a kick-ass set as usual. I really do love the
Quitters. Not only are they great musicians, but they're all-round nice
guys as well. The band's stage show featured 4 bass drums
with their logo, but divided up so it was QU-iT-TE-RS, Keith wearing
fairy wings, Dave coming out in a black cape and mask ensemble
and wearing a blonde wig, and Dan being fairly normal. At one point
Dave had the wings wrapped around his legs... Unfortunately
I'm not rembering many of the songs played, but they did play 1982,
Hey!, Dear Jane, I Feel Nothing, Sister, Monkee Suit, and that's
about where I can't remember anymore. My brother also dug the Quitters
(them and the Hi-Risers are going to be his saving graces), and threw
Dave a penny on stage and started yelling "There's a penny on stage!"
to get Dave's attention. Mind you, my brother is 13. Dave then began
talking to him, and it was absolutely hilarious. He still needs his
T-Shirt by the way... Anyways, go see the Quitters, get educated, and
throw change at them. Maybe Dave will offer to share his water with you
too.
The Greenhornes were one of two bigger bands to play the fest, and
I liked them a lot. I still wish that I had picked up their disc
(or discs, they have two albums released) at the show. According to the
Grunnen Rocks site (not the band's own site, as it has almost no info),
Craig and Brian play guitar, Patrick plays drums, Jack plays bass, and
Jared plays organ. The band has a great garage sound that just rocks
all around- I don't think that I heard them play a song that I didn't
like. While there were a lot ofinstruments on stage, the music didn't
sound over done, and both guitars blended very well with each other.
As I was listening to them, it struck me that they would be great
playing with the Mooney Suzuki, and about a week or so after the show,
I got an email from the Mooney list saying that they'd be having a gig
with the Greenhornes and the White Stripes... I wish I could've seen
that show too.
The White Stripes closed out the 10th Annual Bug Jar Fest with a bang.
The White Stripes feature Jack and Meg White on guitar/vox and
percussion, respectively, and for a duo, there is an incredibly strong
and grasping sound resonating from them both. Since I hadn't heard
too much of the White Stripes before this show and it's been a while
since the show, my memory of songs included in the set is limited, but
I do know that they played Hotel Yorba, Sugar Never Tasted So Good,
Slicker Drips, You're Pretty Good Looking, and We're Going to
be Friends, plus many others. Eddie Cochran's Boll Weevil Song
was used for the encore, and done in a wonderfully introsepective
way that gave new meaning to the tune. The fact that impressed me
the most was that many of the songs were diverse stylistically, yet
they fit together and flowed very nicely. The White Stripes were a great
closure to a wonderful day of music.
The Reverend Horton Heat with the Frantic Flattops at Water Street
Music Hall, Rochester NY, August 7, 2001
It was about 90 degrees outside and close to 110 inside because Water
Street doesn't know what air conditioning is, but the show was
a blast and a half anyways...
Local staples the Frantic Flattops opened up the show, delivering a
solid and charasmatic set to get the crowd rocking and revved up for
the uh, Rev. They even pulled out all of the stops when Rob Filardo
(of almost every band in Rochester fame) played drums during "Pirate
Love" so Paul could come up to the front of the stage and sing. This
show was also suppossed to be Sids' last, but he stayed on a bit
longer, and his last one was about a month ago. I'm not sure as to
what's going on with replacing him. I've been able to see the band
quite a few times over the past months, and while it's great, I just
have one complaint: the sets need to be diversified a bit. Every set I've
seen has been basically the same, with the exception of song order- mix
it up!
The Lucys, The Purrs, The Legandary Thundergods, Paulie Rocco, and the Frantic Flattops all
live and in the flesh at the East End Fest / Richmond's Stage, July 20, 2001
It was sweltering out, and the bands were hot as well... another fun nite indeed. I also had about 4
guys chatting me up, none of them under the age of 35. Yeah. I don't know if it was my shirt, my
silver shoes (which one guy claimed to like), or just because I am who I am. Here's a note to you
all: The next time you want to pick me up, try a creative pick up line. Not "You're almost as tall as I
am with those shoes on." Well no shit Sherlock. The youngest guy I talked to all nite was Mike
from the Vertigo-gos; why aren't there more nice young gentlemen like him around?
I can now say that I've finally seen the debut of a Rochester band in the Lucys' performance.
Formed out of the ashes of the Veins, and definitely strong enough to be the Veins' younger
brothers (or is that sisters?) the Lucys feature Rob (who else) on drums, Dave on vox, the old bass
player from Space Trucker, and a guy who has done time with Bitter Flesh Thing, etc. on guitar.
Despite being together for all of 5 or 6 weeks, the band played for around a half an hour, with two
covers (one of them being "I'm 18" by the legendary Alice Cooper) and some re-vamped versions
of newer Veins songs, "Broken", "New Con", and "Walk Away". I really liked the vocal blend that
occurred between Dave and their guitarist during the harmonies; it was definitely unexpected, but
sounded really great. The Lucys had the task of setting the rock and roll mood for the nite, and
they pulled it off without a hitch.
The Purrs followed the Lucys- for a band that hasn't been established for too long, the Purrs have
really gotten some primo opportunities with shows. They have improved for the better since the
last time I saw them, and they seemed much more comfortable with themselves and their songs
up on stage. The set mixed melodic songs with punkier, punchy ones to keep everyone on their
toes at all times, and featured the likes of "Love In a Bottle", the song about Alabama and Texas,
the Purrs' "themesong' of sorts, and more that I'm not remembering word wise (I could sing
them for you if necessary...) because there really aren't titles to refer to them by for easy
reference. Check them out.
The Legendary Thundergods played the tunes that set the sun, bringing the darkness of nite (or is
that the darkness of sin?) upon the people at the East End Fest. It's always great to see the
Thundergods ripping up the stage (and their set list) and bringing a nice sense of mayhem to the
environment- they do it very well. Which is why they're "Legendary". Anyways... as was mentioned
before, the set list was basically destroyed by Keith during the first tune, and despite Jimmy's
attempts to piece it back together, it ended up in the hands of rowdy audience members who
balled it up and threw it back on the stage. Despite not having that little reference though, the
Thundergods pulled out a lot of old tunes- "Who Cares", "Soul Crusher", "Crash and Burn Tonite",
"Talk About Me", "All I Got Is Nothing", "I Wanna Kill You Real Hard (Because I Love You)" and
threw them together with newer ones, including: "I Do My Rockin' In the USA", "Leave My Baby
Alone" (dedicated to the 'camera man'), " Huggin and Kissin", and "I Give Up". A nice mix, and
an enjoyable set indeed. Throw in the band choreography and a guitar player (Keith) who was
soaking wet and pulling off some very groovy sounding licks, and you've got yourself a fine time.
Paulie Rocco played after the Thundergods, but I didn't see too much of him; I went and got my
Java's fix, and then ran into Mike Vertigo-go. However, what I did see of him was really solid and
a lot different than what I had ever really expected him to be like. I don't know why. Big guitar
sound (which is an oxymoron or sorts because he's so skinny and whatnot), and great band sound
in general. Of what I did get to see, there was a nice Beatles "Strawberry Fields / I Am the Walrus"
medley that he did which I enjoyed a lot, and Todd and Keith went up to help Paulie and co. provide
a rendition of "It's All Over Now" to the crowd. Paulie played slide while Keith played regular guitar,
and Todd sang and tried to give the microphone a hand job. Fun fun fun indeed. Oh yeah, Melissa
(who seems really nice) from the Purrs said that Paulie's bassist looked like a blond Guy Smiley.
And lastly, in what has become a sort of tradition for the July Richmond's stage, The Frantic Flattops
(probably the only reason Mr. Pompadour was there) closed off the evening with a rockabilly set
that had people making out, making up, and looking for love and danger. Frank, Sid, and Paul
provided the masses with the soundtrack to accomplish their missions of the aforementioned acts
with tunes like "Rock and Roll Murder", "Sugar Daddy", "Grand Theft Auto" "Don't Tease Me",
"Feelin' Cheap" (dedicated to Frank's ex, because as he said, she still loves him), Paul's version of
"Pirate Love"- which also had Frank playing a beautiful cherry red Gibson SG, and "Sweeter 17",
which, if I'm remembering right, had solo improv in it. Great energy, great time, and I had a guy
next to me who recognized me from singing out at the Bug Jar. The Flattops closed the evening
with a bang, played longer than they were suppossed to, and all in the name of Rock and Roll.
Long live rock.
The Grinders and the mother-fuckin' Swingin' Neckbreakers LIVE at the Bug Jar, July 11, 2001
All I have to say is that rock and roll is good food, and club techno nites at the Bug Jar need to be
cut out, because pretty soon, the rockers of Rochester will die of starvation... I would also like to
send a shout out to Frank and Paul for 'protecting' me from my "low-grade stalker", and another
to Jeff Jefferson, who was winking at me after the show. Gotta love the KISS shirt and zebra skirt
combo. Also, thanks to Steve for taking me, Keith and the doorguy at the Bug Jar, and anyone else
who did something nice for me that nite.
Because I have 50 million Grinders reviews out there, I'll keep this one short...The Grinders did it
once again, playing a tantalizing set full of rock, roll, booze, and more booze. They even pulled
"You Can't Judge a Book" out from the Diddley Day grave, breathing life into it once more. How can
you not get off on that? The more you're into it, the less you realize that Todd's messing up the
words... ha ha. You have to give them props for going on at 8 or so at nite; but then again, it's
never too early for rock and roll. Lick it up.
Now for the Swingin' Neckbreakers...Briefly: The Neckbreakers are brothers Tom and John Jorgensen on bass/vox and drums, respectively with Jeff Jefferson on guitar, and hail from the New Jersey area. Anywyas... Holy shit; there may not have been flaming guitars or
cannons shooting fire (or even big statues of guitarist Jeff ) adorning the stage at the
Bug Jar, but the Swingin' Neckbreakers set the place ablaze with a rock and roll show as hot as a
4 alarm fire. It was a wild, racous time filled with debauchery and pleasure beyond belief- people
yelling, stamping, dancing (Todd...) pushing, grabbing my purse because it was a Mod target
(Rob...), and just full out having a good time. The Neckbreakers played a set that was about an hour
long, and unfortunately, it was way too short. However, the songs (great originals and covers)featured- some of them include
You, Little Pink Medicine, Take Your Life, Same All Over the World, Little Pink Medicine, The
Girl Can't Help It, Definition of Love, Hail to the Baron, Wild Wild (I think) and I'm the
Mailman (a song that had Todd freaking out because he is mailman) showed everyone there
just how to pack a punch that will have your opponent reeling from the blow, then coming back for
more. Everything was solid, had great energy, and some nice bg's when required... the band
seemed like it was having as much fun as the audience, which can be rare these days. Jeff even managed to put up with Todd Grinder grabbing his legs while he was playing. By the time
they had finished their set, the crowd was hungry for more and about ready to either bum rush the stage or tear the place down, but the little club nite put a damper on
everyone's wishes for rock and roll and destruction. The Swingin' Neckbreakers really will 'Kick Your Ass', and you better learn to like it.
Or at least form a band to fight back with- I wouldn't try though. One of the best bands I've seen
this year, no contest. The Swingin' Neckbreakers need to come back to Rochester. Soon. Dig 'em, losers.
|
