Sonic Youth
SWIRLING AND STOMPING A few of the Cali Smilers in action. |
Cranston kids California Smile released their debut album, A Secret Message From Your Teeth (available for $5 at Newbury Comics and the Brown Bookstore), a few weeks ago, and the result is an entertaining exercise in instrumental prog-rock jams delivered by a young sextet (bassist Jake Lafond is 16!) who may have discovered dad's crate of stoner vinyl stuffed with Zappa and Kyuss records. After a pair of successful record-release gigs at Firehouse 13, Cali Smile will join an indie-rock bill on Friday (the 21st) at URI with locals the Coming Weak, the Noise Campaign, and Warwick's Dorado 30, to name a few — all for only $4 at the door.
Listening to the nine- and 10-minute space jams on A Secret Message From Your Teeth (named after a fortune cookie drummer Mike Murphy cracked open at a Chinese buffet), it's no surprise that Cali Smile started off as a metal band in junior high, or that the first three influences listed at myspace.com/californiasmile1 are the Mars Volta, Sigur Ros, and Tool. The disc convokes their idols, while Murphy and guitarist Jared Lafond add plenty of unforeseen dips and dives that keep things interesting. The lineup was recently bolstered with violinist Joanna Kiriocopolous and multi-instrumentalist (and Berklee alum) Cameron Brennan, the elder statesman at 25.
The dizzying sonic collage "Join Me In This Pot of Gold" and the audio acid trip that is "Erecting Nero Mountain" will benefit from the live setting. "Nero" alone is worth the $5 sticker price, traversing from horror movie skulking to wide-open, swirling chords and keys to a frenetic, piano-stomping, pogo-inducing finale. And pulling a few bong rips before "Half of the Earth In the Shadow of the Other Half" can't hurt, as the slow build-up from Murphy and bassist Lafond gives way to momentary chaos, then recoils in one of the album's more subdued moments.
"Half of the Earth" is a compilation of many guitar pieces written and arranged by Jared," keyboardist Victor Mansella told me, "and the recording process involved an almost entirely live take with a lot of raw energy.
"I remember being very excited about the Mars Volta show at Lupo's the night we recorded this song, which probably added to the performance," he said.
Mansella recalled the year-long recording process as "incredibly frustrating, but the end result was incredibly rewarding.
"Recording can be a really fun learning experience, but nothing beats the energy of a good live performance," Mansella said regarding the URI gig, "and we especially love playing in front of a diverse crowd." He reported that the band is slowing down on the local shows in order to book more gigs outside of the state and an early '09 tour is in the works.
THE COMING WEAK | THE NOISE CAMPAIGN | SCARE DON'T FEAR | CALIFORNIA SMILE | CITY CONFNESSIONS | DORADO 30 | VERMIN | URI Memorial Union, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston | November 21 @ 6 pm | $4 | urishows.com
OFF THE COUCH
No one works the live circuit like local treasure MARK CUTLER, who plays out all over this week, starting Thursday (the 20th) with a free gig at Nick-a-Nee's (401.861.7290), while Jake's Bar & Grille (401.453.5253) hosts a low-dough show on with local guys SOUNDER plus CLEAR THE WAY, SUNSHINE RIOT, and LESS THAN A FELONY. Also, Dallas-based metalheads INBRYO appear at Cats (401.722.0150) in the Bucket with locals RED THEORY opening; the latter will return for a headlining gig on Thanksgiving Eve. Just about every demographic imaginable is covered on a busy Friday (the 21st), starting with Brown U alum and sitarist guru SRINIVAS REDDY at Firehouse 13 with BANGALORE and TOO BIG TO FAIL opening. Call 401.270.1801. Jerky's (401.621.2244) has an alt-rock double feature with SOMEDAY PROVIDENCE and INNOCENT UPRISING. The sure-bet ROUTE .44 play at the Blackstone (401.726.2181) in Pawtucket with BROKE DOWN SERENADE and KRIS HANSEN'S LEFT HAND BAND in tow. Or head to Cats for a death-metal trifecta with NAME IN VAIN, GRAVESIDE SERVICE, and CYTHRUL. The other end of the spectrum resides at the Hi-Hat (401.453.6500), with veteran RI dance band troupe MALLOI. It's worth the drive up 295-North to Effin's Last Resort in Smithfield for STEVE SMITH & THE NAKEDS on Friday and THE COMPLAINTS on Saturday (the 22nd). Call 401.349.3500. Also on Saturday, MARK CUTLER rocks on at Eddie's 529 (401.461.1770) on Warwick Avenue; Mass-based alt-rock acts KENAZ, CHERRY S/T, and FINAL HOUR join FURLONG and MIND OF EIN at Jerky's. Or head to the Mill in Greenville for a '60s UK Invasion with THE MOCKERS ably covering the Beatles and the Kinks, Dusty Springfield, and plenty more. Call 401.949.8988. And THE WHEELER SCHOOL JAZZ BAND gets the opening slot for the New York-based jazzsters the Francisco Pais Quartet at Chan's in Woonsocket (401.765.1900). On Sunday (the 23rd), release your inner Oi! with legendary ska locals THE AGENTS playing a benefit gig at the Blackstone with JAN SCHMIDT & THE ORIGINAL SINNERS and Lincoln's STALEMATE kicking off the 5 pm party. And Jake's launches its Wednesday singer/songwriter series on Thanksgiving Eve with — you guessed it — MARK CUTLER! Call 401.453.5253.
Congrats to THE LOW ANTHEM, who are this week's Next artists on the World Cafe, which is heard on nearly 200 NPR stations. The "Next" segment honors "independent and emerging artists who are making exciting, innovative music." Pat 'em on the back on Saturday at Stone Soup Coffehouse, where they'll share the bill with Annie Lynch and the Beekeepers. Call 401.457.7147.
Contact Chris Conti atbuckeebrooks@gmail.com.
