BETTER MUSIC THROUGH CHEMISTRY: The Jesse Minute. |
A few fund-raisers stand out on this week’s docket. The second annual SCUBA STEVE BENEFIT SHOW takes place at Cats on Saturday. You may remember that “Scuba” Steve McDonough died two years ago of a heart ailment brought on by a defect he’d had since birth. He left a wife and four kids as well as his band, Stranglehold, and a gaping hole in the music community. The Cats folks already set up a scholarship fund for his kids, so this benefit is designed to keep that fund afloat. Live music will be supplied by the Wicked Cool ’80s Cover Band (with members of Tung and the McGunks), PH ID, and Nocturnal Sun (members of Tung and others). There are two more benefits on Thursday, October 19. Old-time, rockabilly, and jump/swing bandleader and singer Johnny Carlevale is throwing a benefit for a homeless shelter in Woonsocket; check johnnycarlevale.tripod.com/ for details. Carlevale, who is headed to Glastonbury, Connecticut, on the October 21 for the Hot Rod Kustom Fallout, re-released his EP with revamped artwork. Also next Thursday at AS220, 75 Or Less Records presents the “Rock Out w/ Your Tail Out” benefit. We’ve spoken about this cause in the column before, but if you haven’t heard, is a double disc compiled by the 75 Or Less imprint that consists of contributions by many notable Rhode Island-based musicians to raise money for the Providence Animal Rescue League. To celebrate the release of the set, several bands will rock out with their own tails out, including BIG WORLD, SIX STAR GENERAL, THE MASONS, SUICIDE LIQUORS, THE PROPELLERS, ERIC FONTANA, and BEN PILGRIM. The label has also recently issued a few nifty releases, including former Throwing Muses/Belly member Fred Kendal Abong’s Moonman, Rome, Italy’s (!) Turnpike Glow, and Six Star General’s 11-track Ice Machine LP. The latter was recorded with the Masons’ Kraig Jordan at Plan of a Boy Studio in Providence. Go towww.75orless.com for lots more information.
The Jesse Minute
The band has only been together since May, but their fine-tuned member search mechanism, in place for more than a year, has seemingly paid off, proving that if you look hard enough to find the right people, band chemistry is not long to follow. Introducing the Jesse Minute, a five-piece punk-inflected act that takes its cue from girl-fronted alt-rock archetypes like Letters to Cleo and Veruca Salt. The current lineup features Missa (vocals), Brian and Jim (guitar), Ryan (bass), and Stephan (drums). The band is new to the scene, but the players are not, and their experience shows. “We looked for people with the right outlook, experience, and talent,” says Jim, “and we haven’t stopped evolving.” The work they’ve issued so far is on the solid side, with Missa’s quirky voice at the top of the mix and some interesting post-punk guitar work. You can hear it for yourself on MySpace, or at the Living Room next week.
THE JESSE MINUTE + SOUTHCOTT + THE TWILIGHT COLLECTIVE + MAX PRUSSNER | Oct 19 | The Living Room | 401.521.5200
