They're back!

Gang Green resume the attack

by Joe Longone

At a recent barbecue, a member of Porn Star, one of Boston's latest rave bands, went up to Chris Doherty and declared him "the Granddaddy of Punk." Such a claim could be disputed for any number of reasons, but what can't be denied is his influence on rock since his first scream in a rehearsal space in 1980.

As the singer/guitarist of Gang Green, Doherty exploded onto the national scene when he and his band were featured on the legendary compilation This Is Boston Not LA (Modern Method). His venom-spitting vocals along with his crew's kamikaze style of attack made them hardcore heroes in a genre that has precious few. Only a brief excursion with another Boston band called Jerry's Kids kept Doherty and Gang Green from performing and recording solidly throughout the '80s.

In an era where major labels focus on exploiting punk's angry past, Doherty let down his guard long enough to make a more palatable rock in an outfit called Klover. But he missed what he once had with his old band, and he's now back with Gang Green and ready to make more of the music for which he's known.

I spoke to Doherty recently and discovered a rejuvenated musician ready for a new generation of listeners. "A couple of years ago, I was touring the West Coast with Klover and nobody knew us out there," he says. "Mercury Records was changing personnel because of a new label president and left us all alone with very little support. We'd be playing shows to sparse crowds, and I'd say to myself, `If I changed this band's name to Gang Green all these places would be packed.' It was at that point that I knew I wanted to go back to the old band."

As you might expect, spending years in a group known for its beer-soaked, frenzy-paced shows has taken its toll on Doherty. After a long bout with substance abuse and a failed marriage (his wife and daughter now live in Atlanta), he wants to keep the high energy without ruining himself. "I think I was drunk or high for over 10 years straight. I'm glad that I have a friend like David Minehan (Neighborhoods, Paul Westerberg Band, etc.). He's making sure I stay clean and sober. We've been doing all our new recordings at his Capertown Studios. That's where out latest release was recorded."

Gang Green's latest disc, Back and Gacked (Taang!), is an all-out blitzkrieg on the senses. The new supporting line-up of Walter Gustafson (drums), Matt Sandonato (bass), and Michael Earls (guitar) provides a clear, distinctive avalanche of sounds that makes these six originals fit in comfortably with the band's past recordings.

Catch Gang Green with Super Crebstar Dynamax, Ashera, and Infuse at Sir Morgan's Cove on June 27.

Summer nights

With students off for the next few months and the rest of us working slobs finally looking at some vacation time, Clubland may now be available for many us beyond the usual Friday and Saturday nights. Here's some of what's happening on the traditionally off-nights (Sunday to Thursday) this summer.

The Plantation Club has made some major moves for this season. Their Sunday nights will feature live reggae music. This new series had its kickoff last weekend (June 15) with the legendary Yellowman; future shows will include One People and the Black Rebels. The club has also moved its Tuesday acoustic open stage to Wednesdays (18+ are invited).

Gilreins continues its Sunday Talent Showcase hosted by Blues Deluxe from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Guitarist extraordinaire Patrick Murphy hosts a blues workshop on Monday evenings at 8 p.m.

Sir Morgan's Cove features the latest breaking area rock outfits on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Ralph's offers the best regional alternative acts available every Thursdays (18+).

Kids of all ages can check out the Thursday open mics at the Espresso Bar and at the Space (now located on the first floor of the Heywood Building on 85 Harding Street).

In memory

Robert "Kirby" Kerr must have made a lot of friends. After his untimely death (at age 39) last year due to pneumonia, many of his friends and family members have organized a day-long celebration of his life this Sunday, June 21, at Worcester's PNI Club (290 Millbury Street).

All proceeds of this 10-hour show (2 to midnight) will go to a college fund for Kerr's two children (11-year-old Eric and nine-year-old Ryan).

Live musical entertainment will be the main feature of the day's event. The acts to appear include the Worcester Kiltie Band, Sluggo, Chuck & Mud, Modern Relic, Cross the Water, Time Capsule, Rick Blaze and the Ballbusters, and the Cream Team. Between sets, several of the area's brightest comedians will entertain. An open Italian buffet will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Prizes will be raffled off throughout the afternoon and evening.

Ticket prizes are $10 (children welcomed from 2 to 6 free of charge). Other donations may be made payable to the Robert Kerr Fund and sent to Flagship Bank, 75 Goldstar Boulevard, Worcester 01606. For further information you can call Pat Brown at 791-5728.