Scene blotter

A bunch a music stuff that you'll read here first

by John O'Neill

Well, the fifth annual Worcester Phoenix Best Music Poll is behind us and all that's left as the sun rips through my blinds is a dry taste in my mouth, a headache (the vital signs), and the realization that it's time to get back to work. Not possessing the ability to complete a full assignment dedicated to one subject, it's on to the time-honored combo cure of Tums, Coke, and Yoo-Hoo, curling up on the sofa with my blanky and writing lots of less-taxing tiny items.

East Coast Audio Enterprises recently announced its roster of recording artists. Chillum, Woodgrain Theory, Pathetics, Junk Sculpture, Short Fuse, Paco, Tremble, Special 79, Sticker, Seven Hill Psychos, Gangsta Bitch Barbie, and Downchild will all be flying their current or impending releases under the E.C.A.E. flag in an attempt to get better national distribution. Bands will also work in conjunction with one another to share in the promotion and advertising costs and team up on bills. It's a wonderful idea. For the record, seven of the dozen bands were nominated for the Phoenix Best Music Poll, so that's gotta be a good sign. Right?

The news this morning as I write is that Ol' Blue Eyes has swung off this mortal coil to join Sammy and Deano in the Great Casino in the Sky. He was finally done in by acute heart failure, which doesn't seem right. Frank was a man's man. You'd expect he'd have gone out in a blaze of glory: over a cliff in a convertible at 100 mph, shot by a jealous husband, rubbed out by the mob. At the very least, acute liver failure. In the end, it turns out Frank was just a normal human, and a frail one at that. Just another sad reminder that life is never what it should be. On the plus side, at least Nancy won't be running around any longer trying to convince people he's not sick; and Buddy Greco officially takes over as world's Hippest Swinger.

Wormtown punk demons the Westies have put the release of their impending seven-inch on hold. Instead the band will concentrate on a full-length CD that will be produced by either Steve Whale (the Business) or Martinez (U.S. Bombs). They are considering a recording deal with GMM Records or with an as-yet-unnamed label headed by Rancid's Lars Frederickson and Whale. Either way, look for the Westies to have something on the street by late '98.

Local fantasy prog-rockers Point of Ares's homegrown label, Arula Records, has been picked-up for national distro by WSI Distribution. Arula, besides pressing PoA CDs, also served as a clearinghouse for other unsigned, like-minded bands specializing in the space rock, fusion, concept-album vein. You can get a free catalogue of Arula's offerings by e-mail at arularec@aol.com.

Woodgrain Theory, who's CD Sounds of Perception was yanked from Newbury Comics after Worcester officials allegedly threatened legal action against the store because of the band's "aggressive" campaign of pasting fliers to utility poles, has been once again added to the Newbury roster of titles. Just a thought: in every city from Boston to Chapel Hill that's considered even remotely progressive, there are large cork boards set up on heavily traveled strips for the purpose of posting public information from CD releases to lost animals. It would go a long way to solve the utility-pole problem and give what little arts community there is a valuable and cheap outlet for advertising.

Snakes and Ladders, containing members of the late, great Roy Hinkley Trio, are out and gigging around town. The Hinkley Trio released the should-have-been-classic Jesus Ray (13 songs recorded and mixed in nine hours) that said more about love in 30 minutes than an entire library of Jackie Collins books ever could.

There is a confirmed report that the legendary Odds will be getting together in some manifestation for a reunion gig. Arguably the greatest band ever to come from the original Wormtown scene, with a fan base reaching toward a thousand people, the Odds' failure to capture national attention remains as much a mystery today as it did 15 years ago. Chalk one up for Jefferson Starship, I guess.

For anyone who missed the Music Poll Night at the Tammany Club, it was quite a coming-out party for the Deal. Obviously chomping at the bit before their set, they blew the roof off the joint and surprised many people in the process. By the time they laid down their one cover (Cheap Trick's "He's a Whore") everyone's ass was shaking. Best dressed went to the lads from Paco, hands down. Also hats off to Best Local Jazz Act, Toni Ballard, who bought not one, but two N.E. Hostility CDs at the show. It's not yet known if they're discussing future collaboration.