Category: Bands/Comps/Splits
I Am Tom Cummins – Turn It Around video
Motif Magazine reviews the new Gavage Self Titled album
Gavage – Self-Titled (75orLess Records and Port of Providence Records)
A couple of years ago, my friend Mike Kelly recommended checking out Gavage. I took notice mostly because in the 20-plus years of our friendship I only recall him turning on to one other band. It evolved into Kilgore and went on to become local legends that played all over the world on things like OzzFest. My friend might have missed his calling in life as a record label A&R scout because my first impressions of Gavage was, “FINALLY a punk band doing something different!” They had a saxophone going off like a lead guitar reminiscent of X-Ray Specs. I could hear influences varying from Stooges pre-punk to ’80s post-punk and everything in between, but it all comes across as natural.
The oft-delayed self-titled full-length from Gavage does a good job harnessing the energy of the band’s live show. It even has a tie in to the aforementioned Kilgore as it was produced by singer Jay Berndt. The twisting roads that Gavage drive down can be seen in tunes like “The Platonic Verse,” which starts with a jazz-like swing before winding up with an outro closer to the Dead Boys. “Five: Sixteen” takes its title and “inside outside, nowhere is home, inside outside, leave me alone” bridge from The Who song “5:15” while sounding the Raw Power era of The Stooges. “(Downtown) Where The Killers Are” is the total package as far as a jam for getting fired up on a Saturday Night. “Diamonds In The Mind” has a late ’60s Kinks-like sing-along-at-the-top-of-your-lungs chorus while “Terribly Sane” channels the Ramones. On their debut release, Gavage manage to capture the harmony of chaos that is a staple of their live shows and preserve it like a photograph. I threw some questions at Kevin Toth, David Simione, Chris Fragale and John Hoder from Gavage to find out about how the band came together, creating their debut release and what is next.
Marc Clarkin (Motif): How did Gavage come to be?
Kevin Toth: Well, Chris and I knew each other from college. When he moved to Providence, I used to visit from Brooklyn on some weekends. He eventually met David (at what would soon become our regular haunt, the E&O Tap) and it was there one night where we all decided that we wanted to start a punk band called Gavage. This is especially funny when you consider that neither Chris nor I had played in a band in over a decade, and David had once dabbled in drums but hadn’t so much as touched a drumstick in just as long.
David Simione: One night after a particularly long session at E&O, I bought a drum set off Craigslist, then immediately made Chris buy an amp and we initially set up camp at my friend’s practice space. Kevin moved to Providence from Brooklyn soon after, and Gavage became a real-life band. After a few months, a friend introduced us to John, who’d recently moved to Providence from Michigan. We thought he was cool because I’d seen a photo of him on Facebook playing a Rickenbacker bass. The first night we met John, the four of us ended up a few too deep, hopelessly trying to cover “Hybrid Moments” by The Misfits even though none of us could remember how it went; to this day, we still haven’t figured it out. We played our first show at Muldowney’s a few weeks after, and I guess people liked us.
MC: What were some of the influences that bonded the band?
KT: The greatest thing is the fact that we all came from very diverse musical backgrounds that you wouldn’t necessarily think could “add up” to anything. There is some overlap, for sure, but musically speaking we all come from different places. For me, I’d have to say The Adverts, Buzzcocks, Dead Kennedy’s and early The Damned are my biggest influences.
John Hoder: Hubble Bubble. I love this band in general, but definitely in relation to Gavage. This is what I draw from.
DS: In terms of playing drums, I would definitely have to say Jawbreaker, The Libertines, and The Menzingers; although Saves the Day and Beck are shamelessly my quintessential soundtrack to life.
Chris Fragle: Yeah, one of the greatest things about Gavage, at least to me, is that we’ve managed to pull together a coherent style that is reminiscent of other things, but we don’t sound like a copy of any one genre. If it’s not obvious from my guitar playing, my two biggest influences are The Jesus & Mary Chain and Sonic Youth.
MC: You recently finished your oft-delayed debut album – what were some of this issues you ran into?
CF: First off, Jay Berndt did a fantastic job with us on this. He really saw through the few rough edges we had and helped us make the record how we’d imagined. The toughest part was capturing the raw energy over anything else. As far as issues we faced, it took a lot of time to find the right mixes. The first pass was too huge and we came off sounding like a Butch Vig record … this was totally awesome, but not for Gavage. Then the next pass came back anemic and weak. We finally landed somewhere around Steve Albini, which did the trick.
MC: What makes for a great Gavage show?
JH: A hip-hop crew breakdancing in the audience.
MC: Now that the record is finally out – what is next for Gavage?
JH: We are looking to add another element to our sound with a keyboard player and another guitarist, which will most definitely change things up. Our next moves will really start to show once we meet the newest members of Gavage.
KT: You’ll just have to wait and see.
Gavage’s self-titled debut is available on online streaming services and in local record stores. After a raucous release party at AS220 as part of the Providence Garage Party, Gavage will be hosting a special listening party at E&O Tap in Providence on December 12 at 9pm. Copies of Gavage’s debut release will be available on CD and limited edition pink vinyl.
Gavage – Self Titled CD
75OL-205/POP002 Gavage – Self Titled Compact Disc
$8.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
——-> Vinyl is available here <——–
Track Listing:
1. Clowns Only
2. The Platonic Verses
3. Five : Sixteen
4. Small Actors
5. The Suggestibles
6. (Downtown) Where the Killers Are
7. Wheelwell
8. Diamonds in the Mine
9. And I Don’t Wanna Be Alone
10. Terribly Sane
Contact Gavage on Twitter or Instagram: @gavagetheband
Gavage – Self-Titled Vinyl
75OL-205/POP002 Gavage – Self Titled Magenta Vinyl 12″
Vinyl includes digital download coupon
$22.00 S&H Included
To purchase the digital download only
—–> To purchase the compact disc <—–
Track Listing
1. Clowns Only
2. The Platonic Verses
3. Five : Sixteen
4. Small Actors
5. The Suggestibles
6. (Downtown) Where the Killers Are
7. Wheelwell
8. Diamonds in the Mine
9. And I Don’t Wanna Be Alone
10. Terribly Sane
Contact Gavage on Twitter or Instagram: @gavagetheband
VanyaLand covers the Self Titled Album by Gavage
Album Premiere & Preview: Gavage unleash debut LP ahead of Providence Garage Fest
With their first show being at a house party on New Year’s Eve back in 2012, Providence punk band Gavage have come a long way in a short time. Their talents exude a vibe that’s reminiscent of vintage B-52’s and Gang Of Four, guaranteeing to start a party wherever they play. The fourpiece will be officially unveiling their long-awaited debut album, released dually via POP Records and 75orLess Records, on sexy hot pink vinyl during the first-annual Providence Garage Fest at AS220, which lands this Saturday. Taking their name from the French term to administer food or drugs by force, when you blast this bad boy through your record player, you’ll keep on wanting more.
Frontman Kevin Toth’s crazed style of storytelling on the mic sets the mood for each track. Christopher Fragale on guitar absolutely rips everything to pieces with his electrifying riffs and raw tones. Drummer David Simeone keeps everything at a feverish pace while John Hoder gives a jazzy vibe on bass. What makes the album something special has to be Downtown Boys’ saxophonist Adrienne Berry guesting on the entire record. Her immense skills on sax make the whole album seem as if it’s a soundtrack for a ’50s crime noir flick filled with endless action and intense car chase scenes.
The legendary Jay Berndt (who you might know from ’90s metal band Kilgore) produced the album at his studio Moto Destructo in Providence. You can tell that he wanted to capture Gavage’s rawness during the recording process. A fan favorite, “(Downtown) Where The Killers Are” is an ode to the danger that goes with being out at night. The song is bound to stick in your head for days once you give it a listen. Hoder starts the groove on bass in “Small Actors” and then the intensity gets raised when Berry joins in with her sax and Toth takes hold on vocals. The most energetic track is “Wheelwell”, from start to finish lyrically and musically it’s a perfect examination of the famous lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll.
The Providence Garage Fest is going to be one of the most insane times of the year in the Creative Capital, props to the “Shybluespaceman” John White for organizing such an extravaganza. Along with Gavage you also have Attleboro surf-punk dynamos Neutrinos, Middleboro fuzzheads Black Beach, Providence riff masters Party Pigs, Philadelphia psychedelic soul act St. James & The Apostles and many more. Also worth noting is that Friday night’s Providence Garage Fest Kick-off And Pizza Party at Dusk is sponsored by Caserta Pizzeria (which means: FREE PIZZA!!).
Outlaw in Peru – OIP
75OL-234 Outlaw in Peru – OIP
$10.00 S&H Included
Digital download available here
Track Listing
1. Dovish Delight 04:30
2. Snooperscope 04:15
3. Closed Eyes 07:16
4. Resurrection of Thanksgiving 03:49
5. Profile in The Rock 04:42
6. The Watcher 04:13
7. I Killed the Kennedys 03:57
8. Fever Dream 07:29
9. OIP Worldwide 09:56
10. Graintable 07:50
These three fugitives from justice, have been jamming together for a year now. They met in a peruvian penal colony, singing in the prison death metal choir. Breaking rocks in the hot sun, they fought the law & the law won.
Mark Suburbanite was arrested for giving cannabinoid donuts to police when he worked the drive thru at donas clavada. He bats left handed, likes to cuddle, and provides that fat fuzzy bottom.
Tu-lo was incarcerated for sleep jaywalking and not identifying himself to police. ZZZzzz was not the name monogrammed on his footie pajamas. He collects hand stamps, loves dogs, sunsets & destroying drum kits.
Jose was driving 20mph on the highway, when he was pulled over for going too slow. He refused to respond when police knocked on the window, singing “I hear ju knockin but chu can’t come in”. He was tazed and confused for so long its not true, wanted Doritos, never bargained for 10-20yrs.. Jose collects wigs, likes ballroom dancing and coating his guitar strings with honey, to slide smoothly up the neck. Extra buzz comes from the bees in his bonnet.
Michael Montagano wrote to them in prison. The contents of his letters forming the lyrics for most songs. He is the Bernie to their Elton. Performing with the band Mike Mountain is his day job.
OIP play long jams, interspersed with tenor poetry, thick fuzzy green sweaters, old movies playing in the background while the beats flow. Influenced by Bunnydrums, Earthless, Mike Mountain, Harsh Toke, Hawkwind, Can, The Sword, Shabbas, Derek Trucks, Dust & Phillip K. Dick….
Chilling at their hide out in Central Falls, the gang just released their jams to the world. Double bock stoner rock with a thick fuzzy coating. Slippery guitar, fuzz bass, heavy drums. They cannot show their faces in many places, unless it’s guitar pose faces, or orgasm faces… on the run & looking for fun…Contact our FB page if you would like a date. Law enforcement need not apply…
Vanyaland Covers Jets Can’t Land’s ‘You Can’t Linger On’ EP
EP Premiere: Providence’s Jets Can’t Land serve up a skilled power-pop punch
Discovering pure power-pop in Rhode Island is no easy task, but Providence rock and roll quartet Jets Can’t Land seem to have it down to a science on their new EP You Can’t Linger On. A sound that’s an amalgamation of tones reminiscent of Sloan, Big Star, and Cheap Trick, the foursome keep it real with tight hooks and groovy guitar solos. Songs about the apocalypse, sci-fi films, and the shit that hurts give a sense of hopeless romantic nerdiness shouting out to the closeted individuals who also want to take someone out on a date.
Frontman and guitarist Eric Paul Meier lyrically gives a bit of a Roy Orbison vibe, a grand mix of catchy choruses, pop and being genuine. Kyle Jackson (whom you may know from local indie rock band Six Star General) gives a jolt of energy on lead guitar; his solos really stand out throughout the entire EP. Keith Swist soothes on backing vocals along with keeping the rhythms in check while on drums in sync with bassist Michael Bilodeau. These guys bring their best artistic qualities out with each track on You Can’t Linger On, but still find a way to blend together as a cohesive unit. It sums up as heartfelt, bare bones rock that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Celebrating the new EP, which you can hear below via Vanyaland premiere, Jets Can’t Land are actually part of a quadruple album release show at The Parlour this Saturday. Outlaw In Peru will be releasing their self-titled debut; Everett Bros. Moving Company (fronted by former Blizzard of ’78 vocalist Paul Everett) will be bringing their album Moving Misfortune; and Feng Shui Police and their caffeinated EP Coffee With The Feng Shui Police will also be available as well. It’s all being put on by Warren-based label 75orLess Records. You can’t get more local than that.
Until the weekend arrives, stream You Can’t Linger On below and check out all the amazing music that’ll be at The Parlour this Saturday.
Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On
75OL-225 Jets Can’t Land – You Can’t Linger On
$10.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. A 70’s Photograph
2. Digging Out
3. Wasted
4. Another Day Gone By
5. The Falling Sky
6. I Can’t Do That Dave…
Indie rock, Noisy pop, Songs about the Apocalypse, Sci-Fi Movies, getting over sad shit that happened, and what not. Sonic Pop Goodness. Forged from leftover ’90s flannel, Pixies, GBV, Teenage Fan Club, and Built to Spill-influenced indie-rock with psycho-delicious guitar sonic-ness.
Michael Bilodeau – Bass
Kyle Jackson – Guitar
Eric Meier – Vocals, Guitar
Keith Swist – Drums, Vocals
Engineered by Jose. Recorded at Ubik Studios in The Bunker, February 2015.
Mastering by Kraig Jordan at Plan of A Boy
follow: jets cant land on twitter
contact: jetscantland at gmail
Feng Shui Police – Coffee with the Feng Shui Police
75OL-235 Feng Shui Police – Coffee With The Feng Shui Police
$7.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. Happy 04:35
2. Try 03:26
3. The Other Guy 04:24
4. Bored 04:44
5. Leave Me Be 04:59
A trio of Brown University too-young-to-care weirdos from Newton, MA who have managed to successfully channel the influences of Half Japanese and Pavement with the charm of Jonathan Richmond. The local champions of Spazzy doo-wop and Elephant 6-influenced pop hooks. – Providence Monthly October 2015: The 2015 Providence Playlist
All songs written by Dash Elhauge except ~secret track~ by Evan Harris.
Artwork by Evan Harris.
Recorded in Dash’s basement by the Feng Shui Police.
Mixed and mastered by Kraig Jordan at Plan of a Boy Studio.
Providence Monthly & 75orLess: The 2015 Providence Playlist
[abridged version below]
The music scene in Providence – and throughout Rhode Island – is insane. We’ve got more badass, super talented and hardworking musicians per capita than any other city in the world (don’t look that up, just go with it). But what’s more is we’ve got everything covered. Folk, rock, hip hop, punk; name a genre, cross pollinate it with another, hell just start making things up (Death-funk surf-rap!) and there’s almost definitely someone in RI doing it.
So where to start? We’ve assembled a crack team of musicians, promoters and supporters all plugged in to the local scene to give you your official 2015 local playlist and to tell you who you should be keeping an eye on. We’ve also got our five favorite records of the year, plus a look back at some shows that we felt best represent the eclectic nature of music in Providence.
Mark MacDougall, founder of 75orLess Records
1. “Stay” by Bob Kendall – Longtime Newport legend Bob Kendall is an indie pop magician, with echoes of REM, The db’s, and George Harrison.
2. “Double Nickels on the Dime” by Groundhawgs
3. “Huge Bruise (Live at Dusk)” by Black Oil Incinerator – Crusty gentlemen blowing out your eardrums with catchy hooks buried beneath an avalanche of amps and pedals.
4. “Credit Score” by Jodie Treloar
5. “Damn Unicorn” by Suicide Bill and the Liquors – A short, heartbreaking ballad; it’s the undiscovered anthem for all the schmucks you know still getting up at 5am every day for a job they hate.
Feng Shui Police
A trio of Brown University too-young-to-care weirdos from Newton, MA who have managed to successfully channel the influences of Half Japanese and Pavement with the charm of Jonathan Richmond. The local champions of Spazzy doo-wop and Elephant 6-influenced pop hooks. They are currently recording the follow-up to their 75orLess EP Thank You. –Mark MacDougall, founder of Providence indie music label 75orLess Records