TURNING IT AROUND: The Noise Campaign. |
The West Warwick-based quintet the Noise Campaign have rocked plenty of local dive bars and club stages across Rhode Island in recent months, and this spry crew of 20- and 21-year-olds will begin recording their full-length debut at Strangeways Recording in February. Earlier this year, a demo titled "One Trick Pony" that was posted on their website (myspace.com/thenoise campaign) caught my ear. Lead singer Jared Aguiar's seismic vocal register keeps pace with the solid rhythm work of bassist Devin Kapko and drummer Mike Murdock, who is an absolute beast behind the kit both live and in studio. He'll take his talents to the Berklee School of Music in Boston come January, but will remain with the band. Dual guitarists Chris Roch and Mike Poulin round out the five-piece.
" 'One Trick Pony' was the first song we recorded as a band," Aguiar said earlier this week. "We don't go for a particular sound because we each bring something different to the table musically, but that's the way we like it."
Kapko, Murdock, and Poulin started a band during their sophomore year at West Warwick High called RightSideDown, and Exeter resident Aguiar lent some vocals. Chariho native Roch joined in mid-2007 and the Noise Campaign was born, but it wasn't until February '08 that the band had its full lineup set when Aguiar came back and took the role of lead singer.
Whether it's the slow burn of their live show opener "Hot Lunch Cold Feet" or their latest uploaded track, an alt-poppy number titled "Red Light Treasure Hunt," TNC are looking to add some variety to the standard indie-rock sect.
"What makes us different from other Rhode Island alt-rock bands is the fact that we do have a unique sound that I don't think you'll hear around here," Poulin said, "because we just write the music that we feel instead of falling into a certain genre." Another early triumph is "Idle Hands Do the Devil's Work" — upon hearing the hook, my indie-fossil friend inquired, "Is this Braid?"
The Noise Campaign continue to write away while preparing to record with Mike Poorman, who most recently lent a guiding hand to the Coming Weak's 2007 EP debut, Consider This.
"From what I've heard it's already quite a large leap forward in sound," said Jeff Langmaid, bassist from the Coming Weak. "I think that recording with Mike as well as their reputation for a great live show will help solidify their place in the Rhode Island music scene and beyond."
TNC also credit local promoter/rock show savior Mike Delehanty for the opportunity to play out on a steady basis. In the meantime, Aguiar and the Noise Campaign committee pledge to attract bigger crowds at local live spots. "Unfortunately, the Station fire seemed to cause a huge blackout on the local live scene," he said. "A lot of venues closed and people just stopped going to shows. And with the Living Room closing down it hurts the scene even more. But we're one of many bands around here looking to turn all that around and get people back into their hometown sound. And nothing feels better than playing a show and having the words you wrote screamed right back in your face."
Homecoming
THE BRT HOLDS ITS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Jake's Bar and Grille opens its doors on Thanksgiving evening (the 27th) for those looking to shake off that midday slumber and kick off a four-day weekend for many; Minneapolis rawk outfit OFF WITH THEIR HEADS will headline, flanked by locals COMA COMA and MUSTACHE RIDE, along with Lowell, Mass kids THE FAKE BOYS kicking off the post-tryptophan throwdown, all for only $5. Call 401.453.5253. On Friday (the 28th), THE UPLIFTERS visit the Blackstone (401.726.2181) in Pawtucket, and a trio of reggae-laced indie rock bands drop by Club Hell (401.709.3923), with Rhody-based acts THE NICE UPS and Baylock (who opened for THE WAILERS at Lupo's last week) sharing the bill with Boston's STREET CREDIT. And for those down south on Friday, check out the ska-flavored reggae band SOUL SHOT at the Ocean Mist, also the locale for JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND on Saturday (the 29th). Call 401.782.3740 for info on both. The Blackstone River Theatre in Cumberland will host their eighth annual Homecoming Concert fundraiser with local Celtic-inspired vets PENDRAGON hosting a wide array of folk artists, including Irish singer-songwriters AOIFE CLANCY and ROBBIE O'CONNELL, country blues and ragtime artists JOHN THIBODEAU and BARRY BROWN, the ATWATER-DONNELLY TRIO, and Cumberland native CORY PESATURO, the youngest ever National Accordion champion. Admission is $18; call the BRT at 401.725.9272 or visit riverfolk.org. A busy Saturday night continues with Warren-based pop-punks SENIOR DISCOUNT landing the opening slot for a pair of Pittsburgh rap/sampler acts in GRAND BUFFET and GIRL TALK. Also, BRASS ATTACK blows through the Hi-Hat (401.453.6500) in Davol Square, JERI & THE JEEPSTERS hit Mulhearn's (401.438.9292) in East Provy, Mark Cutler fronts THE DINO CLUB entourage at Jake's, and there's a great lineup at AS220 with the fuzzy alt-folk of THE GLASS JARS (straight outta Scituate) along with BEN PILGRIM AND THE FREE UNION BAND, AUDREY RYAN, and THE 'MERICANS, playing their first hometown show with their new lineup bolstered by the former rhythm section of the Cold War. All for only $6 at the door, call 401.831.9327. AS220 delivers another good one on Wednesday (the 3rd), with SWASH NOISE, a one-man beat machine from North Kingstown, RAINBRO, MATH THE BAND (check out "My Algebra Teacher Sold Heroin"), who often sound like the Legend of Zelda on Ecstasy, and Richmond, VA's BERMUDA TRIANGLES headlining. Or mellow out on Wednesday when Barn Burning troubadour ANTHONY LOFFREDIO hosts the new weekly singer/songwriter night at Jake's.
