In the first of a new style for our Upcoming Talent section, Scott W. highlights three bands from the central Massachusetts area that we're recommending you check out. Without further ado, here they are.
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Central Massachusetts has always been a hotbed of great musicians and artists, everything from acoustic folk to death metal can be found here if you look hard enough or know the right clubs. Having gone through a slow period a few years back I am glad to say that the new crop of bands are better than ever. The following three bands are just a mere sampling of what's out there today, and they are some of the most talented to come along in years.
Beg, Scream & Shout!
This band is made up of some of the more seasoned musicians in this area and I’ve been catching them in various different bands over the years. This is a gathering of some of the best musicians in town and when you see them live you get one hell of a party. They can churn out a steady stream of incredible songs from the peak of the Motown era, the 60’s. Inspired by the likes of Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, Howard Tate, Rufus Thomas, The Isley’s and James Brown to name a few. I have been lucky enough to catch them live a couple of times and the shows were a dance party out of control. Craig Rawdings gritty soulful vocals, along with the backing singers sound amazing especially when they are backed by the big band sound cranking behind them.
The 11-piece combo consists of the following:
- Lead Vocals - Craig Rawding (The Delta Generators, Heavy Metal Horns),
- Drums - Duncan Arsenault (The Curtain Society, The Howl, Shana Morrison),
- Keyboards - Paul Buono (of Tyra Penn and Her Army of Snakes)
- Keyboards - Brooks Milgate (Hey Now Morris Fader),
- Guitar - Big Jon Short
- Bass - Dmitry Gorodetsky (Roomful of Blues, Duke Robillard, Lauren Hill),
- Saxophone - Pete Levesque (Metro West Thump),
- Trombone - Jeff Galindo (Greg Hopkins Big Band, The Galindo/Phaneuf Sextet),
- Trumpet - Bill Fanning (Jeff Coffin, Bela Fleck)
- Backing Vocals - Anne Eggleston (Danny Dark & the Black Souls)
- Backing Vocals - Colette Goodreau.
Be sure to check out their website. Their first two singles "No Amount Of Alcohol" and "Beg, Scream, & Shout" can be listened to here.
The Great Whiskey Rebellion
During the St. Patrick’s day parade this year in Worcester MA, I happened to wander into a club along the route that had two local Irish bands playing. The first band was The Great Whiskey Rebellion, I was immediately drawn to the band’s mix of Irish and Roots music and the amazing energy they bring to their live show. When you first see this band you can tell they love what they are doing and the crowd feels the same way. With a new EP out “On The Whiskey Trail” and a loyal following they are breaking new ground and their music showcases their talent.
The band consists of:
- Amy Levine on Violin
- Nick Cheechio on Guitar
- Geo Poor on Bass
- Emma Hyatt on Percussion.
http://www.thegreatwhiskeyrebellion.com
http://www.myspace.com/thegreatwhiskeyrebels
http://www.reverbnation.com/thegreatwhiskeyrebellion
Herra Terra
Herra Terra is a new Electronic/Rock band out of the Central MA area and they are garnering a lot of great press and deservedly so. Their brand of synth rock is something that has been missing on this scene for quite a while and they bring something new rather than re-hash something tired. Their debut LP “Quiet Geist” was released in 2010 on the Cincinnati label The Mylene Sheath. Their sound has been compared to a cross between Depech Mode and Duran Duran or Head Automatica and their live shows are tremendous, with enough equipment on stage to launch a major cyber attack.
The band consists of:
- John Tonelli
- Brad Caetano
- Gregg Kusumah-Atmadja
- Adrian Bettencourt Andrade
