Stars are born

Another Planet are already in orbit

by Joe Longone

What can you say about a local band who had their first Worcester show less than six months ago and are already considered by many clubgoers as this city's finest musical outfit? Supergroup, you say? Well, yes, Another Planet are all accomplished musicians with veteran status, but there is more.

Walking through the Tammany Club or the Plantation Club when Another Planet are appearing can be a tough task -- the places are usually packed with adoring fans. The crush of bodies ranges from country bumpkins to city slickers, Dead Heads to conservative-music lovers all searching for a clear, colorful brand of traditional rock -- something this quintet know how to deliver in spades.

"I'm sick and tired of all the angst and cynicism that's prevalent in today's popular music," says Charley Carrozo, the band's singer and acoustic guitarist. "When we do a show we have a simple goal: to make sure that we and the folks who come to see us have the best possible time." On the occasions I've had the chance to see the five in concert that "good vibe" was always present. Another Planet know how to entertain and make people smile, and, so far, everyone in their presence is eating it up.

Carrozo appreciates how fortunate they are to have been received so well so soon. "It seemed to come together like magic. We were all doing pretty well in other bands, but I think we were each looking for something more original, more our own." Carrozo was with the popular outfits Redwood and Planet Be before leaving to start a band with whom he could write his own material. He met up with ex-Candles members Brian Girard (bass/vocals) and Alex Howland (keyboards/vocals), and the three tempted Mike Zecco away from his cushy surroundings as Slipknot's drummer. Zecco brought talented lead guitarist/singer Chris Nemitz into the fold to finalize the grouping.

They play something Carrozo calls positive psychedelic rock with a Southern feel; it's easy to see why the band are so popular. After this dire world's ruffled your feathers, some crystal-clear folk rock with four-part harmonies is just the elixir to soothe one's wounds. Performing almost all original material, they have smart and sweetly melodic compositions which blend in smoothly with the occasional cover by Dylan or Little Feat.

They already pack major venues such as the Middle East and the Paradise, so it might not be too long before Another Planet reach for even grander aspirations. A socially conscious group with a concern for the environment, the five plan to hold a number of benefits to help our general area. "We appreciate all the support the people of Worcester have given us, and we definitely want to give something back," says Carrozo.

Look for Another Planet to pack the Firehouse Cafe on Saturday, June 14.

The fire's in NYC

Longtime musical mover and shaker Rick Blaze is gathering all his marbles so he can move back to New York City. This disgruntled performer/producer/promoter says he found too little support in a place he wanted to call home.

"I tried to help in creating a scene in this town, and I found very few interested in joining me," Blaze says. "Eventually, the whole thing wore me out."

Blaze moved back to Worcester in 1993, after he spent most of the '80s and early '90s hanging out in Lower East Side befriending such punk luminaries as Johnny Thunders and Walter Lure. A graduate of Burncoat Junior and Senior High, Blaze wanted to bring back some big-city pizzazz to his old hometown.

Hot off his well-received CD Live in NYC (Dionysus), Blaze strutted into town, four years ago, with a long list of ambitious plans -- many of which he accomplished. Forming a local band called the Ballbusters, he started promoting shows that not only featured the Ballbusters but included touring bands from New York and France. The French connection was born when some of Blaze's pals moved to France. The rocker was also key in helping to produce two tribute compilations Like a Rolling Stones and I Wanna Be a Stooges -- discs that featured local groups alongside such legends as the Damned, Richard Hell, and Sex Pistols.

Blaze is moving back to New York to advance his music career and/or to start working for one of the major labels. "There are people down there who appreciate what I'm trying to do. It just seems to be a better place for me to succeed."

He still plans to put out the Ballbusters' second release, Sex in the City (Manhattan Babalou), as well as another compilation called Girls and Boys of the East Village. He plans to keep his band alive with a long-distance relationship; he has already entered the Ballbusters in this year's CMJ Seminar.