Locobazooka

Worcester's fave festival gets even bigger

by Joe Longone

Localpalooza -- renamed Locobazooka this year -- keeps getting bigger and better every year. Now in its sixth year, the festival has become one of the largest of its type in New England. This year's all-ages local music and arts spectacular is set for this Sunday from 10 a.m. to dusk at Green Hill Park.

Reprise recording artists Faith No More will headline; most likely they'll feature songs from their new album, Album of the Year ("Last Cup of Sorrow" is the radio hit), which marked this dynamic quintet's comeback -- after exploding onto the American pop scene in 1989 with the hit single "Epic," this San Francisco outfit retreated for a number of years. So check them out, because Faith No More's only other New England appearance will be at the Strand, in Providence.

Other bigger bands who will make an appearance at this year's festival include local boys made good Cast Iron Hike (who are hot off a tour in support of their latest release, Watch It Burn); Warner Bros. recording artists Cool for August (who have had a FM hit with "Trials" and have recently appeared on the Late Night with Conan O'Brien show); Another Society, a New York band receiving heavy FM play with Blood Wrong; and Limp Bizkit, rising stars on the Interscope label.

Worcester artists will be given their due this year as well. Hip-hop headbangers Forced Fed Shovelhead, funky jazz jammers the Cream Team, pop mavens Phluke, and a new combo called Heckling Nun (led by Clark student Christie Bellamy) are all scheduled to appear.

And don't forget about the other New England bands scheduled to appear on either Locobazooka's main or Omni stage. Aesthetik, Eastcide, Ely's Gin, Face, Fjlex, Hit Me, Just for Sundae, Luckless Uncle, Same as You, Sector 9,8 . . ., Seven Day Curse, God Smack, and Sticker will all perform.

Band sets will alternate between the two stages, so you shouldn't miss much of the action. Like every year, vendors will be on hand with refreshments and arts and crafts. The festival will also feature a bicycle stunt team, J-me Johnston's Industrial Sonic Echo, assorted jugglers and clowns, and karaoke, featuring alterno-Elvis punk singing.

Promoter Dan "Danimal" Hartwell spoke of his festival's remarkable growth, "If this gets any bigger, I'll have to change it into a two-day event. Next year, I'm looking to put together a CD compilation of many of the bands that have played the festival."

Locobazooka '97 will have a kick-off show at the Espresso Bar on Saturday, September 20, where free tickets will be given away. Post-Bazooka parties are planned on the day of the event at the Espresso Bar and Sir Morgan's Cove. Tickets to Locobazooka are $15 in advance; $20 the day of the show (A portion of the proceeds benefits city youth). Tickets are available at all Strawberries or by calling (617) 423-6398.

Get 'em while they're hot

Chillum are the hottest band in Wormtown. Their frantic live shows and successful debut release (9'6") have positioned this large ensemble to make the leap to the next level. Their new CD, Chillum '97 (self-released), will certainly help them with their ascent, but you may never get a copy.

Chillum '97 is a brave step forward for the troupe. This 10-song collection takes off where 9'6" left off and presents the music of a more ambitious and sophisticated band. Half of the tracks feature the group's patented clusterfuck of funk, while other standout songs show them growing musically. The cool sounds of jazzy brass give the recordings "Eggplant" and "Burn the Sheet" a dark urban feel on which rappers Kahuna, Spotdos, and Rugby X are free to roam. "Disco Dust" is Chillum's own retro look at the '70s, and "Who da Gangsta" is a woeful tale of today's violence -- a rap masterpiece.

There is a limited pressing of the new release. The band plan to use most copies for promotional use, but discs will be on sale at their CD-release party this Saturday, September 20, at Sir Morgan's Cove. This will be the only time and place the new disc will be on sale to the public.