Heavy Dates
WORCESTER
Every so often a great jam-influenced band come down the ol' Mass Pike and
floor us, and Nozmo King are the best we've heard in years. A tight and
spirited mix of soul, funk, and grooved-out improv, they're 100 percent
guaranteed to get the asses jiggling this Friday night at the Tammany Club. Get
there early because they've drawn the opening slot for Strange Brew, and
bring an extra 10 clams so you can pick up their aces second disc, The
Second System. On the solo front, there are three very decent shows to pick
from. Everybody's favorite croonin' firefighter and all-around swell guy,
Ken Baxter plays for free at Chuck's in Auburn. Wormtown's legendary
visionary, Bob Jordan takes a swing through Charlton's Moonstruck Cafe
for an intimate set; and perennial alt-folk-fave Dan Hart returns for
his monthly visit to the Java Hut. Saturday turns up the rock-action a notch
with plenty of nifty shows to choose from. One of them isn't the supposed
Frankie Goes to Hollywood show at the Firehouse Cafe. And that's because
the band are one of those fake deals you see on 20/20 every so often. No
original members, no legitimate connection to the real band, and a big, fat
rip-off. By the way, Frankie singer Holly Johnson is not only not dead from
AIDS, but he's also as healthy as a bear. And he's none too happy about these
jokers. Meanwhile, popsters can catch the Curtain Society at the Lucky
Dog. Opening sets from Long Distance Runner and Sayhitolisa are
also worth catching. The soulful Jones Brothers return to Gilrein's, and
psych-punk godz the Time Beings headline a gig at Dinny's. Earplugs
suggested for the meek. If you're planning for next week, a sure bet for a
great rock show is Boston's mighty Pills, who return to the Lucky Dog
Thursday after a lengthy absence from the Worm. These cats are one of the
area's best bands (both technically for you musicians in the crowd and fun-wise
for the rest of us). And they're just as likely to make you remember why you
fell in love with rock and roll in the first place. Jason James also
does a set.
-- John O'Neill
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