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Well, it's been just about a year that I've been on the air
here at WWUH and I must say I'm having a wonderful time. I love to hear from
listeners and I love to turn you folks on to some great local and
independent music. To
celebrate I've decided to officially change the name of my show from
"LOCAL Anesthetic" to "RISE UP Radio with Dr.
Longhair!!" I've
also recently created a website for the show, which is a constantly
growing center for local, independent music - for fans and musicians
alike. So, this is my
invitation to you. Visit
www.geocities.com/riseupradio. Be sure to drop me a line
and let me know what you think.
Soon I'll be creating a categorized listing of artists in the
area to match your musical tastes, along with FREE samplers so that
you can hear some of the areas finest music. I've also started archiving
my recent program guide articles and playlists so you can have the
inside scoop on CT's underground music scene. Feedback is welcomed and
always appreciated. Happy
surfing!
Ok,
enough shameless self-promotion.
Most of you know by now that my show is about a lot of
things, and none of them are me.
Here're some bands that are making noise this summer:
One
band that can never seem to get too far from my CD player (or my
playlists) is Sugarfist. Sugarfist (www.sugarfist.com)
is a vicious assault on the senses.
Their music is a fresh blend of aggressive heavy guitars
combined with outlandish keyboards and some of the most unique
musical arrangements I've ever heard.
Led by guitarist Mike Lebieniec, Sugarfist's sound is a plush
assortment of musicality, which many would think, have no earthly
business being together. The
band harnesses the power and dynamic range of Faith No More with the
psychedelic overtones and melodicism of Jefferson Airplane. And, they are as diverse
vocally as they are musically.
Featuring the dueling leads of Jenn Jacobs and John Lebieniec,
Sugarfist can melt sweet harmonies (think late '60s, early '70s)
into angry growling (ala Pantera) in a split measure. Wild, wonderful and
different. I guarantee
you've never heard a CD like "Stinky Pinky," Sugarfist's
debut album. If you're
ready to challenge the conventions of music, you must check out this
band.
Over
the last month I've been previewing tracks from the upcoming release
of the Suffield based band, SibiL
(www.sibil.com). Into Madness is the
CD, scheduled to be out this summer.
It's an appropriate title for a band who's songwriting
reaches through a variety of influence and ends up as one of the
most eclectic hard rock bands on the scene today. New drummer Mike Jaczyk
joined up with the band this spring and has given them new life with
a slew of big gigs including the Webster Theatre in Hartford opening
for national acts. Jaczyk's
double bass playing is unreal.
It is a perfect complement to the tireless bass playing of
Jeff Matthews who is a show in and of himself. Matthews plays what I like
to call "smack" bass (not "slap" bass) - I often
wonder how he doesn't crack his instrument in half. This is the perfect
foundation for the soaring lead vocals of Lee Lucas, and moody
guitar riffs of Rick Lucas. Overall
SibiL's music is a great hard-edged musical journey into madness. Listen for "Sick
Romance" or "Tribal."
Scattered scribblings: Last
issue I featured an open mic
at Referee's in Middletown - the jam has moved to Thursday evenings. See www.jammerelli.com
for more details. Masala (www.ardennais.com/masala)
is planning two, count 'em, two bus trips to Boston this summer. These trips help spread CT
bands' influence across state lines and are always a good time with
great music. Visit the
website for more details. The Kelvins, Hartford's
resident rock stars, are putting the finishing touches on their
debut album. Selected
tracks are available on their website - www.thekelvins.com - and on my
show, of course!
Be
sure to tune in every Monday
at midnight for RISE UP Radio with me, Dr. Longhair. And, drop a line to: Dr_Longhair@altavista.com
Copyright©WWUH: July/August Program Guide, 2001 |
