Airwaves

by Brian Goslow

The garage-rock beat continues every Tuesday night from midnight to 2 a.m. on the Rockin' Revolution on WCUW (91.3 FM). Host Captain P.J. has been re-energized by a number of releases by old favorites, including the Chesterfield Kings, who've traded their Nehru shirts for surfboards on Surfin' Rampage (Mirror). Most of the songs are Gary Usher and Brian Wilson compositions, including "Top Down Time" and "Hot Rod High" from the early Beach Boys albums.

The legendary Cramps start their third decade with Big Beat from Badsville (Epitaph). "They haven't done much for a while, but they're rockin' full force." Cool titles include "Cramp Stomp," "Queen of Pain," and "Monkey on Your Trail." The Swingin' Neckbreakers are back to Kick Your Ass (Telstar). "I'm the Mailman sounds like the Other Half of "Mr. Pharmacist" fame meeting the '60s version of the `Pretty Things." "This Must Be the Place" and "Better Times" are definitely more up-tempo than their previous CD.

Ex-Mad Violet and Black Light Chameleon Dino Sorbello returns with Laughing Sky, whose debut CD, Free Inside (Voxx), features a great psych-out version of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows." "It has a lot of effects -- fuzz, wah, and distortion. They've intensified the song." After a five-year hiatus, the Fuzztones are back with Flashbacks (Sundaze), a "Best of" compilation that consists of tracks from their previous four albums, one CD, and a mess of singles, including "Ward 81," "Strychnine," and "She's Wicked."

Sundaze Records has also reissued a number of albums by '60s garage favorites. You can get a sample of what's available on Sundaze Sampler #3, which includes tracks by the early Flamin' Groovies, Still Roven, the Remains ("a live version of `Why Do I Cry?' but it's not really the greatest recording"), Syndicate of Sound, Dino, Desi, and Billy, Ian Whitcomb, and Paul Revere and the Raiders. "Some of it's great stuff that sounds pretty good. There's common ones and obscurities."

Boston's Curve of the Earth's Girls, Girls, Girls features 24 woman-powered bands. "It's a mix of different styles from no-apologies pop, to pure pop, to riot grrrl." P.J.'s favorite tracks are by Vera Go Go ("Candy Cane"), Ramona Silver ("B.J.'s Got the Butterflies"), and Purrr ("Butcher's Wife"), who've also put out a six-song CD of their own, Pussy Power (In Heat Records). "It's over-the-edge rock without the arrogance of the riot-grrrl thing."

Norton Records has released a couple of cool 45s, the Neanderthals' "Twinkle Toes"/"2000 Pound Werewolf" and Untamed Youth's "Go Girl Go" (a cover of the Hombres' legendary B-side to Dr. Demento favorite "Let It All Hang Out")/"Hot Lips Baby" ("they're paying tribute to rockabilly great Hasil Adkins"). More great seven-inch "no-apologies pop" comes from Boston's Little A in the form of "Down to Me"/"Apology" (Say Ah). Speaking of sweet sounds, the Derailers have been reborn as Andah. The Providence-based group's new two-song cassette, "Naked Scent"/"Name Your Poison" (AH Entertainment) "doesn't sound like the Derailers, they took a different, more poppy approach."

ONLY IN WORCESTER? WCCA TV 13 is once again presenting Santa's Workshop. This time around, the role of the jolly red guy is being played by Worcester Police Chief Ed Gardella, who'll read letters from local kids and introduce musical guests from area schools, churches, and the city's musical community (you'll have to tune in to see if that includes Forced Fed Shovelhead or the Seven Hill Psychos). The program airs every Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30 p.m. through Christmas.