Laurels

No rest for this Providence trio

by Joe Longone

The Laurels are an enigma. For years, they have been touted as one of Providence's most promising outfits with recordings that are continually praised by critics, yet they remain a band who appear to be going nowhere. "We started seven years ago and have had eight line-up changes since then," says founder/bassist/singer Jeff Toste. "Once we get going something seems to slow us down."

This revolving-door musicianship has been a mixed blessing for the band who made a name for themselves as a quirky pop outfit. "Often people will come out to one of our shows just to check out the new members," laughs Toste.

He doesn't regret working with so many different musicians, but he admits the practice has probably hurt the Laurels' progress.

With two major releases ('90-'95, L) and a pile of singles under their belts, the Laurels have had a cult following for years. Versions of the group have played colleges and clubs across the country. An end to the perpetual personnel changes might head them in a new direction that could pay off.

Toste agrees, "This is the group I've been looking for. In the past, I've tried to do everything myself. But with Dave Matheson [drums] and Eric Park [guitar], I feel I don't have to do it all. We collaborate with each other. Our live performances have been stronger, and I think our new material is as good as anything we put out before."

This trio's latest recordings ("Boss Man"/"I Smell a Rat") show a new zest and creativity. Matheson's heavy action on the hi-hat sounds clear, crisp, and soulful. Park's spacey guitar work plays well off of Toste's dry vocals and fat fuzz bass. "These two songs are what the Laurels are now. If we send out music to clubs or the press, these songs are what they get," Toste says. "Our other recordings are great but they don't represent this band."

There is no confusion in Toste's mind about how much he likes the present roster, "If this line-up doesn't work out, I'll probably just hang it up."

In the near future, the three plan to finish recording a new full-length release that should be out this fall. If you'd like to check out the new and improved Laurels, they'll be appearing along with Barefoot Republic and Quintaine Americana at Ralph's on June 19.

Hangin' it up

Were the Roy Hinkley Trio just a shrouded dream that comes in the middle of the night, or the best local rock band who never really were? What's left of their two-month career is an awesome collection of 13 originals titled Jesus Ray and the memories of a few scattered gigs.

The bandmates first met last year while on a short sea cruise. It was there that Roy Hinkley, a science professor by trade, became friends with bassist Jonas Grumby and drummer Ginger Grant. Grumby was attracted to the nautical life and Grant had acting aspirations. Fascinated by the two, guitarist Hinkley invited them to check out his recording studio, Instant Dogma, in Douglas.

Although they debuted as a trio only in March, it took two months for this group to crash and burn. The shows I remember them from now seem soaked in legend. The Eco Village and Sir Morgan's Cove will never be quite the same after their appearances. Such public displays of juvenile silliness are rare today. Their nasty style of bubble-gum punk floored their audiences.

Jesus Ray (which was released on Instant Dogma) will probably long outlive any memories of their live performances. The Lo-Fi gems crackle with teenage enthusiasm, sounding as energetic as any teenage garage band, but these three are actually pushing forty and have been musicians for years.

The most notable cuts are prime examples of what rock and roll should be -- simple, fast, and fun. "Love You 'Til You're Dead" is a buzzsaw-paced number about longterm relationships. Who needs Gershwin or Porter when you have lyrics like these: "I'll love you now/I'll love you later/Love you on an escalator." A less innocent example of their writing rears its ugly head with their Buzzcock-like anthem "Narcotic Effect." From what I can decipher from Hinkley's Pete Shelley-sounding vocals, it's better to get someone high than just trying to impress them. "Pictures" starts out as a mid-tempo tune until it erupts into a psychotic rant about seeing reality through a distorted mind's eye. Seek out this release at all cost -- it's a classic.

According to Hinkley the group's quick demise was caused by personal commitments. I, for one, will miss them. For more information on the late, great Roy Hinkley Trio write, Instant Dogma, Box 199, Douglas 01516.