Crazy like him

Dave McKay lives in a mad, mad, mad, mad world

by Joe Longone

No doubt you've seen a movie where a mad scientist creates something strange in his basement laboratory. Dave McKay is a lot like those crazed inventors. The difference is that McKay creates strange sounds in his bedroom, bending over dials attached to machines that help produce hundreds of guitar tones. McKay acts like Dr. Frankenstein over some inanimate body. His obsession is occasionally recorded -- and that will probably scare a few but delight many more.

This madman with a guitar, aided by his pretty assistant, Gwendolyn (his pet cat), spends hours on his bed composing swirling guitar melodies that blend into surreal audio landscapes that he laughingly calls "surrealestate." Even with the odd sampling of recorded dialogue or guest vocal appearance, his songs remain almost desolate dreamscapes.

On the verge of his latest cassette release, Tarantella, McKay has built a local cult following with his four prior releases (Shudders & Thrills, Exploded View, Landscape with Seamonkeys, and New Languages). With strangely titled compositions like "Stained Glass Floors" and "A Plague of Swans," McKay may not be everyone's cup of tea -- but there's no denying that this guy must be having fun.

Although he moved to Worcester in 1981 (he grew up in Mississippi), McKay just recently started to share his vision of music with the surrounding public.

"My problem was I didn't want to copy someone else's hit song. Sometimes I think I would have made a lot more money if had. I couldn't copy someone else. My new release has three covers, but I did something different with each one," McKay says from his apartment on the north side of town.

"Technology has finally caught me up to what I want to do," he says.

He begins to show me the new possibilities of a one-man band with drum and bass machines and a guitar in hand. He runs his hands up and down his instrument trying to discover different sounds; this musical artist in his early 40s has the look of a young kid at play.

Other than Be-Bop Deluxe's Bill Nelson, few recording artists have served as McKay's inspiration. What does interest and outrage him is the cost of buying music, and he has made his frustration known by never charging more than three bucks for one of his tapes.

He is noticeably animated when I ask him if he thought some of his stuff was strange. "You know what's strange? When Sonic Youth covers a Carpenter's song -- that's strange," he says.

Somewhat of a musical hermit, McKay does plan to make public appearances in the near future. His new release, while not up to his past collections, offers some captivating sounds, including wildly imaginative versions of Donovan's "Season of the Witch" (helped by the added vocals of Andrew Thomas) and the Rolling Stones' "Play with Fire." For more information write to Dave McKay, 2 Ureco Terrace, Worcester 01602.

Brain food

Runaway Brain have played out sparingly, but they have been able to build a local following from the success of their first full length CD, Nothing That Doesn't Show. This local trio have been one of the better recording acts in the area, and they continue to show it -- for the most part-- on their new three-song, self-titled EP.

"Killing Time" may be familiar because it is already included on the local compilation Union Station. If you haven't heard this wonderful, modern-day folk rocker here's your chance. The second track, "Get the Message," is disappointing. This wacked hippie-dippie protest number goes nowhere. This us-against-them rant is muddy when it comes time to define who the thems of this world are. But on the other hand, "Put Us On" is a sensational song that tops off this set with a sonic-pop explosion. This psychedelic feat of fancy is by far the best music piece the band have come up with to date.

New leaders

Wormtowners may be blessed with a new and exciting rock combo. The Fearless Leaders promise to deliver the best garageabilly this side of the Cramps. Guitarist Jay Holdash (ex-Bel Mondos) started playing with bassist Paul Richards (Furies, Preston Wayne Four, etc.) and drummer Rich Scales a year ago, and the three will be debuting their stuff this Saturday, June 28, when they appear with the Preston Wayne Four and the Free Radicals at Dinny's.

Soap Opera 7

There are incestuous happenings among local sister groups who have gone east for fame. The biggest news is the departure of Black Rose Garden's founder and guitarist David Jahn. The band will continue with Huck's Scott Ricciudi filling in for Jahn. This type of duty wouldn't be all that weird if it weren't for the fact that BRG's David Robinson has already been putting in time in Huck. Look for Black Rose Garden's new release, Wrestling the Mantra, and Huck's latest, Honeywagon, in stores soon.

Not so easy

Poor advance-ticket sales are being blamed for the cancellation of the June 28 and 29 Big Easy Bash at the Stepping Stone Ranch, in Escoheag, Rhode Island. Promoter Franklin Zawacki cancelled the weekend-long music festival which has been held for the past eight years and has featured Cajun favorites like C.J. Cenier and Western Swing revivalists Big Sandy and the Flyright Boys. But fans shouldn't fret, the show (in some respects) will go on. Ranch owners will host a number of the bands who were supposed to appear that weekend (including Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Balfa Toujours, and Mem Shannon) at a one-day festival on June 28. Tickets are $10. For more info call (401) 397-3725. n