The Motion Sick

The local band the MOTION SICK had never played a live show when they released their first CD, Her Brilliant Fifteen, in 2006. But they’ve had plenty of gigs since. And they’ll be celebrating the release of their second album, The Truth Will Catch You, Just Wait. . . ., with another one, on February 27 at Church, where they’ll piggyback on a February Wednesday residency by BRYAN McPHERSON. Motion Sick singer/songwriter/guitarist Michael Epstein used to play what he calls “aggressive counter-folk” with McPherson. Epstein has brought some of that sensibility over to his new foursome, whom he describes as “a little sinister and disturbing.” He also makes reference to alt-country, but it’s roots music with dark overtones and edgy bits of noise. The new disc even features a cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.” Says Epstein of that song, “I enjoyed the lyrics and the general mood of the music. There’s this weird, bleak, barren landscape, but there’s this piece of positive stuff hidden under the layers of gloom.” . . . Former Del Fuegos guitarist WARREN ZANES continues his double career as a musician/educator. Late last year, he accepted Little Steven’s offer to run Steven’s Rock and Roll Forever Foundation. Zanes, who was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s VP of education for four years, says the RRF Foundation’s goal is to put a full rock-and-roll curriculum in the public-school system by the 2009-2010 school year. “You can’t understand America and the world and the second half of the 20th century, and after, unless you understand this music.”