Bands/Comps/Splits | 75ORLESS RECORDS

Live reviews in The Noise of Vertical Twin, Monument Thief, Matt Fraza Band live review in The Noise

10/01
75orLess
· blog · Fraza, Matt · Monument Thief · Vertical Twin

MATT FRAZA BAND

MONUMENT THIEF

VERTICAL TWIN

Firehouse 13, Providence, RI

8/16/16

Firehouse 13 is in the middle of a war zone and the inside is dark and dirty, but at least they have a stage and a PA system. Vertical Twin is playing when I enter. They are a bit older of a band than I’m used to seeing. They are a little old to be Green Day and a little young to be The Who, but I see where they get their power trio influences from. Vertical Twin plays high energy rock ’n’ roll and put on a good show, the singer is funny and entertaining, it’s a great way to start the night, though I may have missed two earlier bands. Monument Thief take the stage next. Monument Thief is a Providence based bass and drums duo, but don’t compare them to Lightning Bolt! They play straight up rock and the bass sounds like a guitar player without solos. It’s really good alternative rock that reminds me of my childhood. I’ve had a few drinks by now and I’m ready for a great band to top off a cool night. sadly, the Matt Fraza Band is unable to deliver the goods. Boring Dave Mathews, Jimmy Buffet type generic garbage. Hey, guitar player, stand up, this is a rock ’n’ roll concert, man. I’m afraid if I see their whole set I’ll fall asleep at the wheel and I don’t even have a car. At least I have an excuse to get on the bike and head home early. (Terry Boulder)

The Noise Lists ‘Seven RI Bands to Take Note Of’

10/01
75orLess
· blog · Callery, Allysen · Cutler, Mark

Two 75orLess veterans are part of the The Noise’s Seven Rhode Island Acts To Take Note Of, Allysen Callery and Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage

You can read the article here

Allysen Callery — guitar, vocals

Noise: Where is your band located?

Callery: I’m in Bristol, RI, about 25 minutes from Providence.

Noise: What’s good and bad about your local scene?

Callery: There are a couple venues that really shine, The Columbus has an upstairs theatre with seats that’s a dream for me to play, I’ve really enjoyed myself there. Aurora under Jacob Wolf’s booking is starting to emerge as a premier room, as well. They brought out tables and chairs the last time I played, and that works best for my sound.

Noise: Describe your band’s sound and how you fit into the scene?

Callery: I play finger-style guitar & sing on the British Isles spectrum of folk, but I’m New England. I’m not trad Americana, but I play with some of the gentler acts like Haunt the House (I was in his band too, for awhile) and love the gothic New England folk style of Vudu Sister, and I book with them a lot, too.

Noise: What’s your best song?

Callery: Wow, that’s a tough thing to answer- but I’ll go with “I Had A Lover I Thought Was My Own,” for the DADGAD fingerstyle playing, and the narrative. That song got me into SXSW in 2014.

Noise: What national act’s influence is most evident in your sound?

Callery: Jessica Pratt & Meg Baird do a similar style of acoustic that I do, not quite folk, but I call it that out of convenience.

Noise: What are your plans for the future?

Callery: I’m doing my first Italian tour this October, stopping to play a show in Brighton, England for some folks instrumental in getting me on my first European label. I am also thrilled to be returning to SXSW festival in March, 2017.

MEN OF GREAT COURAGE

(rock ’n’ roll/ country and soul)

Mark Cutler — guitar, vocals, Jimmy Berger — bass, Rick Couto — drums, Bob Kirkman — guitar, banjo, Richard Reed — keyboard, Cathy Clasper -Torch – fiddle

Noise: Where is your band located?

Cutler: My bands, The Men of Great Courage and The Schemers are located in Providence, RI.

Noise: What’s good and bad about your local scene?

Cutler: I love the variety of styles and the high quality of music that’s being made around here. There’s always a sense of support and community. Although nowadays, I don’t get out too much unless I’m playing. One thing that gets me down and it’s probably true for many places is that I hear musicians talking about what they do like its a pain in the ass to play music. For God’s sake, you found something that you love to do! And sometimes you make some dough doing it! It’s not like you’re working in a chain gang. You’re playing music.

Noise: Describe your band’s sound and how you fit into the scene?

Cutler: I don’t know how we fit in the scene. We kinda hover around it. My band is all over the place but we’re influenced by tons of styles and artists. We like to get hypnotic and expansive but we also like to play a cry in your beer song too. Hank to Hendrix and all that it implies.

Noise: What’s your best song?

Cutler: I don’t know and I hope I haven’t written it yet.

Noise: What national act’s influence is most evident in your sound?

Cutler: The usual baby boomer stuff, Stones, Velvet Underground, Dylan, gut bucket blues, old time country.

Noise: What are your plans for the future?

Cutler: I plan on playing, writing, mentoring, putting out records, creating, and trying to do the right thing until the day I die.

Harvest Fair at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown

10/01
75orLess
· Cutler, Mark · Kendall, Bob · live dates

Saturday Oct 1
11:00 Sianna Plavin
12:00 The Weisstronauts
1:00 The Z Boys
2:00 Chelley Bill and Dyl
3:00 Mark Cutler Trio
4:00 Smith and Weeden

Sunday Oct 2
10:00 Frank and Weller
11:00 Cardboard Ox
12:00 Slackwater String Band
1:00 Bob Kendall Band w/Natasha Harrison
2:00 Ian Fitzgerald
3:00 Wilbur Hill
4:00 Julie Rhodes

Harvest Fair
Norman Bird Sanctuary
583 3rd Beach Road
Middletown, RI