Leaders of the pack

Fearless Leaders: the new wonders

by Joe Longone

Something went wrong about 30 years ago. There was a time when rock-and-roll bands succeeded because of their singing and playing ability, matched by a passionate and soulful delivery. But by 1966 the inflated egos of bands like Cream started popping up, and suddenly the music business became this fat, pompous spectacle that people have had to deal with ever since. I'm happy to announce that there are a new band in town who make rock music the old-fashioned way -- stripped down and with plenty of heart and soul. These masters of good ol' rock and roll are the Fearless Leaders.

"Just give us a small space and a couple of plugs in the wall, and we'll come in and play," says guitarist Jay Holdash. What a refreshing attitude in an age when most bands demand a certain amount of pomp and circumstance before they'll even consider playing. I've seen these guys a couple of times at Dinny's. They appear as though they are equally as comfortable performing in someone's living room.

This local trio have only played out three times but already make an impression on area clubgoers. Their shows at Dinny's and the Plantation Club (they opened for rockabilly king Ronnie Dawson) were received with wildly enthusiastic applause. "It's been great playing Dinny's because the people who show up there are really into music. Our show at the Plantation Club was scary because you don't often open for a legend like Ronnie Dawson," Holdash says.

The Fearless Leaders may be a new band, but each member is a veteran local musician. Holdash played guitar in such notable outfits as the Belmondos and the Stags. Paul Richards first made his presence known as bassist in the fiery quartet the Furies before teaming up with Holdash in the Belmondos and the Stags. Rick Scales kept a steady beat on drums for Rock Ave and the Fabulous Chevettes.

Together they create a fanciful, straight-ahead rock that has long been considered passé. But because their style has been forgotten about for so long it seems bright, bubbly, and filled with innocent wonder -- the perfect antidote to today's pretentious performers.

Richards captures the band's stage attitude, "We go in, have a few beers, and rip up the joint. If the crowd digs it, great! If they don't, we're gonna have a blast, anyway."

This casual approach has been with them from the very inception of the group. "Paul and I were in the band the Stags," says Holdash. "When the band stopped playing out, Paul and I still kept in contact with each other. I would go to Paul's house once a week to jam. It was like our poker night out. We started playing different rockabilly tunes together. As time went on, we started including instrumentals, Mersey beat, and garage tunes into the pile of material we'd use. One day, I looked at Paul and said, `Maybe we should do this stuff out in a club sometime.'"

Richards continues the story, "We didn't have a drummer. Jay and I were sitting at Dinny's having a beer, and we told the bartender John O'Neill that we were looking for a drummer. John said he knew one that came into the bar occasionally. At that moment, the guy walks into the bar. We never saw this guy before, but he bought us a round which was all the indication we needed to have him in the band."

Several months later (in June) the three debuted at Dinny's. The response was immediate. Feet started tapping, heads started bobbing, and people almost instantly got up to dance. They opened with the rare rockabilly cover "Hip Hip Baby" (Mel Donner), a song that celebrates the joys of life and falling in love. Holdash and Richards exchanged lead singing roles, but often worked in tandem with two-part harmonies. Everyone just ate them up.

"We're gonna keep it going as long as it's still fun," says Holdash.

The Battle

No club since the Sanctuary has had the size or the purse to draw the best bands in the city for a band showdown until the Palladium announced its Sunday Night Rock Fight. Beginning on October 19, bands will duke it out for more than $5000 in cash and prizes -- and possible bragging rights. All those acts looking to compete should send their recorded material, a biography, and a letter of interest -- don't forget to put a contact # -- to the Palladium c/o Dave Warren, 261 Main Street, Worcester 01608. For more information call 797-9696.