WORKING THE ‘HUMAN’ TOUCH: Sweet Eve. |
So here’s a good story. Sweet Eve, a local band, had been trying to make things happen since forming in 2005. They played the usual local circuit to get it done. Last year, the band took a shot and sent out press kits across the country in an attempt to cover more ground through touring. One of the long shots, the Whisky on Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, offered a slot to the band, so they saved some money, built a tour around the LA gig, and headed west. One week before they had planned to leave, their bassist bailed. “We had to wander around asking peo-ple if they knew anyone who could play bass or guitar,” says guitarist/vocalist Tony Francis. “Then the next question was, ‘Are you willing to drop everything and come on the road with two strangers for over a month?’ ”
They found a guy who had a bass, but didn’t exactly know how to play it or tune it. They traveled America giving the new guy bass lessons. “The lessons didn’t take,” says Tony. “Every show on the way was ruined. He kept wandering off in cities, he spent all of his money on stupid shit. By Denver he was broke and we were only a week into the tour.” The other two floated him on their already limited funds. When they arrived in LA, Tony’s cousin helped the band find bassists to audition. “There were a ton of great musicians out there who didn’t have a band and a lot of them had never gotten to play the Whisky so it was a good opportunity.” The guy they found, Justin, learned all the band’s songs in three days. The gig at the Whisky went well. After the show, Delious, from the R&B group All-4-One (“I Swear,” “I Can Love You Like That”), approached Tony and applauded the band for their performance. “I asked him what he thought could make us better, and he said to me, ‘If I sang your music.’ ”
Delious invited Sweet Eve to stay in LA and jam. The day after the Whisky gig, they wrote a song, “Only Human,” in less than an hour. After they banged it out, Delious began calling in favors from friends to get the band a practice space and a recording studio. On Monday they were in a practice space; on Tuesday they were in a recording studio laying down “Only Human.” Two days later they drove 49 hours straight to get back to Rhody.
“As soon as we got back, we started making plans to get back to Los Angeles,” says Tony. “The only question was when.” They found themselves a bass player, Jimmy James, and put together a new demo to take advantage of the momentum their new alliance in LA provided them. In the meantime, Delious is polishing “Only Human,” readying it for his next single. On June 27, Sweet Eve started a trek — the “LA or Bust” tour — that will eventually land them back west.
At this writing, they are hustling through the Midwest. Tony Francis, Jimmy James, and the Dirty D on drums. Their MySpace is getting massive activity, and there just might be a pot of something or other awaiting them when they arrive in the City of Angels.
The Hoolios
The Hoolios hail from the borderlands of Rhode Island and Connecticut, where residents enjoy the over and back nature of taking advantage of living on the edge of two states. They get their hands dirty in the fertile soil that bridges the natural gap between bluegrass and roots, the distinctive place where the Dillards, the Byrds, and Garcia’s side project, Old and In the Way, dared to tread.
They’ve been fiddling around a while — both figuratively as a band, and literally — and have several charming tunes at their MySpace site that deserve your time. But, we’re told, the action really heats up when the band plays live, where those charming tunes gain a gritty edge.
The Hoolios have been playing in South County and nearby Connecticut pretty actively, so there will be plenty of chances to see them. Check myspace.com/hoolios for dates. But tonight (Thursday the 3rd) might be a nice time to check ’em out, as they play the opening night show of the Jonathan Edwards Winery Summer Nights Music Series in North Stonington, Connecticut. As you can imagine, the winery makes for a nice backdrop for any sort of music, so the Hoolios should be able to take full advantage. Call 860.535.0202.
The Zimmermen
Nick DiBiasio will present the 11th annual BOB DYLAN (BELATED) BIRTHDAY BASH, in honor of Bob turning 67 on May 24, on Saturday, July 5, at 7 pm at the Mill, 711 Putnam Pike (Route 44), Greenville. The Zimmermen, formerly known less cheekily as the Dylan Band, features Fred Wilkes and Michele Wilson from Loose Change and Rick Bellaire from Ken Lyon’s crew, plus John Dunn, Richard Sage, Ken Johnson, and Vincent Pasternak. More information can be found at musicinharmony.com
Wandering Eye
On the Fourth of July at Billy Goode’s, it’s THE DIE PODS and the continuing reunion tour of TWO GUYS AND ANOTHER GUY. Call 401.848.5013. Also on the 4th, the Goners’ front-dude TONY JONES will be DJing at Decadence at Club Gallery (150 Point Street), spinning surf, punk, garage, psychobilly, rockabilly, and some local music. Decadence will also be hosting a luau on the outdoor patio. Cover is $5. Call 401.751.7166. On Monday, July 7, Armageddon Shop and AS220 present THE GITS MOVIE at AS220. You may recall the story surrounding the promising Seattle band. They put out a few rousing records before Mia Zapata, the band’s gifted leader, was raped and murdered. Kerri O’Kane’s acclaimed doc`qwumentary will be shown at 9 pm. Admission is free. Call 401.831.9327.
