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January 25 - Feb. 1, 2001

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Revenge of the `70s

Local rockers draw inspiration from a heavy decade

by Brian Goslow

There comes a time, unless you're one of those determined to hold onto the glory days of youth forever, when you find yourself pulling away from the crowd with whom you hung

out in high school. My epiphany came in 1977, when instead of going into Boston to check out all of the great punk rock bands at the Rat and Cantone's, my friends were more than happy to sit at home getting blasted, listening to the likes of Boston, Mike Oldfield, and the Doobie Brothers -- who of course, sold millions upon millions of records while the likes of my beloved DMZ, Real Kids, and Iggy probably couldn't total a million sales among them.

If you love bands like Boston, the Doobies, et al., and are still searching for new musical kicks, you owe it to yourself to track down a copy of 31 North's How Many Wars, the release of which was celebrated towards the end of last year with CD-release parties at the Palladium and Lucky Dog Music Hall. As it spins, you'll likely find yourself playing name the influences.

How Many Ways, which fits in the category many baby boomers like to call "good music, not like what you hear today," features the guitar playing of Rodger Ekstrom, who is especially brilliant on "Hang In There," and keyboardist Gary Jewers, who rips into "Confused." The disc could easily be called a tribute to the band members' wives. On "The Luckiest Man," Ekstrom sings, "I'm the luckiest man in the world/`Cause you are my girl" and "Livin' with you girl/Is all I ever wanted" on "Change," which includes backing vocals by 31 North wives Kaitlyn Ekstrom and Allison Barber (spouse of bassist Chris Barber). "Ain't Goin' Nowhere," co-written by Ekstrom and Jewers, is a heart-throbbing ballad similar to Poison's "Every Rose Has It's Thorn." Share the love at www.31north.com.

The 1970s were also the period heavy rock became a major force, and HUGE, formed out of the remnants of the Pale Nephews, have the spirit of the decade down pat (along with an entertaining touch of Big `80s in the style of Ratt). Led by the brothers Lyman (Rene, Andre, and Marty) who team up with ex-Neon Jesus bassist T.J. and current C60 guitarist J.R. Roach, their new seven-song CD blasts off with "Chaser," which features young Angus Young's AC/DC-esque power chords topped with vocals reminiscent of a young Gene Simmons. "Volume" recalls early Judas Priest, while "Step Inside My Mind" -- which screams out for major radio airplay -- is already being blasted out of the speakers during Fleet Center events. Midnight Special anyone? HUGE play Ralph's this Saturday.

While we're recalling the decade of the Sex Pistols, we shouldn't forget mind-traveling recordings like Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells (whose success probably allowed Virgin Records to sign Rotten and the boys in the first place). In the midst of recording the soon-to-be-released debut CD by the Johnny Dollar Experiment (who return to the Java Hut on February 2), keyboardist Mauro DePasquale recorded Suite Cape Cod for Piano. Subtitled "Your Escape to the Cape," it takes the listener much farther away than that, perhaps to the hills of Italy or the Scottish Highlands, as does Jefferson Gaffney's Freefall: Music from Paxton Falls (Northgate Music). The synthesizer and electronic keyboard showcase opens with "The Juggernaut," a chaotic instrumental in the style of Emerson, Lake and Palmer. The Northborough resident is accompanied by guitarist Paul Smith, who's given the spotlight during his composition, "Three Quarks for Mr. Marks." The disc, which was produced by Roger Lavallee, can be ordered at gweed@ultranet.com.

Of course, the real legacy of the 1970s came in the form of punk rock's do-it-yourself spirit, which few local acts capture as splendidly as metal madmen Shortfuse. Live at the Dog contains nine growling tracks, including "Worm-Town Throw-Down," "Embrace the Pain," and their machine gun version of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World."

Heavy dates

On Thursday, Croonin' Kurt and the High Geared Combo swing into Vincent's, the Bruce Mandaro Band get the weekend going early at the Tammany Club, and Cosmo, Johnny Wishbone, and Purge DI blast Liquid. On Friday, pop goddesses Sit `n Spin join the Deal at Ralph's, it's a top ranking reggae party with John Brown's Body at the Tammany Club, and Bootsie and Treehouse Union pop up the Above Club. On Saturday, Seven Hill Psychos -- who are not breaking up (although guitarist Dave Capelle is leaving to join Dr. Bewkenheimer) and will soon release Four from the Road, a four-song teaser from their new CD -- play the Lucky Dog Music Hall, River City Slim and the Zydeco Hogs cook at Gilrein's, and punk it up with Random Road Mother, Rock City Crimewave, Musclecah, Razorwire, and Shotgun Remedy at the Alley. On Sunday afternoon, Paul Geremia plays a rescheduled show at Worcester County Traditions.

Brian Goslow can be reached at bgoslow[a]phx.com.

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