Best Local Punk/Ska Act

Thinner

Guitarist Dan Rugburn secured his place in the Wormtown Hall of Fame long ago when his front tooth was knocked out, splitting his lip in half at Exit 13. Gushing blood and causing a minor stampede as patrons ran for cover, he didn't finish the set; instead he went to the hospital, got stitched up, and returned to drink free beer out of the side of his mouth for the rest of the evening.

Now he's back with a realistic partial and a fabulous new band, Thinner. Rounded out by longtime cohorts Neil Lucey on bass and Craig Wilson on drums, this band also hold the Worcester Phoenix record for quickest turnaround time for unsolicited material. Less than an hour after their CD was dropped off and only halfway through the third song, yours truly, head buzzing and mouth agape, was scrambling for the phone. The CD is that good.

Produced by Dave Minehan, Thinner's self-titled release is a result of taking the better aspects of the past 25 years of rock, jamming it into a blender, and hitting purée. From the big anthem sound of "I Try" to the edge-of-disaster ranting of "Wind It Out," Thinner effortlessly turn out music that is loaded with pop hooks, raggedly honest vocals, and balls the size of grapefruit.

It becomes apparent early into a live performance that these guys don't just rock, they pummel. Wilson bashes out the steady beat, while Lucey bounces and bounds across the stage, and Rugburn, with wrap-around shades and slashing guitar, leans into the microphone like the world's oldest adolescent punk, still chucking the finger at the establishment.

Returning to the studio with a new batch of songs and a follow-up engagement with Minehan, the boys in Thinner promise the best is yet to come. And though that may be possible, we'll be happy if they keep on rockin' and keep the majority of their teeth.

-- John O'Neill