Fuzbrains is back

Rock out with Captain P.J.; plus smashing cars at the Palladium's band battle

by John O'Neill

From 1983 to 1988 Wormtown was home to Fuzbrains, arguably the most ambitious fanzine regularly published in the city. Hitting the stands with an interview of neglected Worcester legends Beep Beep and the Roadrunners (their single "True Love Knows" b/w "Shifting Gears" is largely considered the greatest record to come out of Worcester), Fuzbrains earned an international reputation as a 'zine with its thumb on the pulse of the underground, as well as one with a vast knowledge of music history. Long-forgotten locals like the Joneses, the Bugs, and the immortal Jimmy and the Pigs would be located and interviewed alongside up-and-comers like the Odds, Lyres, Actions, and the Creatures of Habit. At one point Fuzbrains also received contributing reports from New York, Sweden, Scotland, France, and England. To its credit, and keeping with its unblemished record of exceptional taste, the plug was pulled on Fuzbrains when publisher Rev. Joe (Worcester Phoenix alum and garage-rock professor emeritus Joe Longone) decided the direction the underground was taking no longer fit the 'zine's interests.

After nine years of silence Fuzbrains has returned from self-imposed exile and picked up right where it left off -- 1988. Published by local stalwart Deb Beaudry and boasting local scenester/characters Rick Blaze and Captain P.J. Leblanc as contributors, the fall 1997 issue is hot off the press and seriously looking back in time. Interviews with the Brood, Chesterfield Kings, and Fleshtones make up the issue's core, though (in a nod to '90s relevance) they briefly talk to the Women of Sodom.

Actually all the bands mentioned are still relevant (having recently released or about to release albums), it's just that Capt. P.J. as an interviewer isn't quite aware of these facts himself. But this in itself is the charm. Whether it be a befuddling interview where he'd rather relive an acid party in Rhode Island 10 years earlier or a not-too-in-depth album review ("It rocks," "Rocks," and "Rock out" are used in most summations), P.J. is able to bring home the goods and make you laugh with his whacked-out, anything-that-comes-to-mind style. He's really the heart and soul of the venture. And Beaudry is smart enough not to even attempt to edit his work; it's better to just sit back and enjoy the boat ride down the stream of consciousness. This publication is a must-read if for no other reason than the Fuzbrains staff continues to champion the true underdogs of music.

A one-year subscription to Fuzbrains can be yours for a meager five dollars by writing to Deb Beaudry, 186 Russell Street, Worcester 01609. Local bands should send in material so they too can be reviewed in 20 words or less by a Wormtown legend.

Palladium's battle cries are sounded

Local promoter/musician Dave Warren brings the mother of all Worcester battles of the bands with the Palladium $10,000 Sunday Night Rock Fight. This venture started off as a small idea that refused to stop growing. "We didn't mean to start out this large," explains Palladium manager Mike Barrasso, "we just wanted to get to know local bands. It just got bigger as more and more sponsors came forward."

The Sunday Night Rock Fight began on October 19 when Chillum beat out Lunar Plexus, Rawhead Rex, and Purrr. The battle will continue over the course of the next nine weeks, involving a total of 32 acts. At stake is $10,000 worth of material, including a day of free recording at Long View Farm, the pressing and packaging of 1000 CDs, a free photo shoot, and the design and printing of 100 T-shirts.

"We really wanted to offer a package of prizes that might help a band move to the next level," says Barrasso, who promises a new promotion every week to keep crowds enthused. "In between bands we knew there would be a lot of downtime, so we'll have something between sets." The first week of action featured a junk car for restless natives to beat on. Other upcoming events include a skateboarding demonstration by the Eastern Boarder Team, a best-tattoo contest, and giveaways from Waterville Valley Ski Resort and WAAF.

Round two will feature Forced Fed Shovelhead, All Else Fails, Gangsta Bitch Barbie, and Super Creb Star Dynomax (who won't be eligible for prizes because Warren is a member).

Warren reports that a majority of the 32 positions are filled and that any band interested in participating for the final preliminary spots should call (797-9696) as soon as possible.