Oh, the drama!
The turmoil that is the CHINESE STARS continued recently with a couple of big announcements. As we speak, they’re on the road with Daughters. But the real story is that the band finally has music coming out. The release date for the CD, titled Listen To Your Left Brain, is March 20 on 31g Records and the LP follows sometime in April on Skin Graft. Another nugget from the Stars camp holds that Rick Pelletier is no longer with the band; no reason was given for the split. And while this may sound like rather tragic news — Pelletier has been a major presence in local music for a long time — there’s a bright side. He’s being replaced by none other than V. Von Ricci of Mahi Mahi. Ricci had been touring with the band anyway, so the transition promises to be smooth. We’re not sure what this news means for Mahi Mahi, as Ricci is just one of two in that act, but word has it he’s intent on becoming a full-time Star.
Growl power
SE Mass rockin’ funk combo BEARKAT GROOVES was chosen out of more than 180 area bands to take part in Ground Control, a special compilation CD for a drunk driving prevention group to be distributed by the Boston indie Illumina Records. The band — bassist Curtis Lambert, drummer Angela DiFazio, singer Greta Marszalkowski, and guitarist Erik Smith — formed from the ashes of Helena’s Blue; founders Lambert and DiFazio recruited the current lineup and they’ve been going full speed ahead ever since. Their sound mashes up ’70s funk and ’90s alt-rock, led by Lambert’s thumping bass and Marszalkowski’s hearty pipes. Lambert hopes to re-record the music they’ve already laid down and widen their exposure to include Boston and New York — not an easy task when band members have real lives to lead, in addition to their rock star dream world.
Wandering eye
The latest incarnation of the Strand, which also houses Lupo’s at 79 Washington Street in downtown Providence, will debut Thursday, March 8. ROXY PROVIDENCE boasts a self-described “very upscale environment.” DJ Break will provide the soundtrack on Thursdays, while DJ Kabeza hosts Latin Saturdays. Call 401.831.ROXY or go towww.myspace.com/roxyprovidence for more input.
There’s a great show on Friday, March 9, at AS220 with BARN BURNING, MINKY STARSHINE & THE NEW CARDINALS, BROWN BIRD, and DIAMOND J & THE ROUGH, a new indie/folk project from Jay Russell, former bassist for Hot Rod Circuit. Call 401.831.9327. JOHN MAC celebrates the release of his new CD, Satan in Heaven, on Friday at Tazza. Mac explains that the concept involves conversations between God and Satan, but the listener has to decide which character is which, depending on the song. Call 401.421.3300. CHRIS & MEREDITH THOMPSON return to Stone Soup Coffeehouse on Saturday, March 10, in a double bill with DON WHITE. Tickets are $12. Call 401.457.7147.
Last, a shoutout to the Rhode Island Songwriters Association for a fantastically successful and wildly entertaining show last weekend. Their “Forever Young” program sold out the Courthouse Center for the Arts, and the talent — Becky Chace, Dan Lilley, John Fuzek, Mark Cutler, and Pete Vendettuoli — came through with brilliant interpretations of Neil’s music.
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Bob Gulla: bobgulla@verizon.net
