Category: Bands/Comps/Splits
Dan Baker, Six Star General reviews in December issue of Motif
Along with coverage of upcoming shows with The McGunks and Northern Lands.
You can read the article here.
Six Star General – Hair Supply (75orLess Records)
Six Star General has had a difficult year that forced them to be on the sidelines for several months due to various medical maladies. In the meantime, they managed to finish another album, Hair Supply. In addition to being my motto, “I Don’t Know Where We’re Going (But I Know That It’s Not Good)” is a return to form noisy rocker that has been missing from the last couple of Six Star records. “Christopher Walken” and “I’m Expanding Slowly” are like stoner indie rock powered by hypnotic grooves. “Way Out of Control” is a noisy fun punk romp. “Life in Vain” is an infectious ditty powered by a cool hook and probably the closest thing to a single on Hair Supply. I look forward to hearing the new tunes live at the CD Release for Hair Supply at The Parlour on January 4.
Dan Baker – Pistol in My Pocket (75orLess Records)
I didn’t know what to make of Dan Baker at first on the title track of Pistol in My Pocket that comes off as a howling Beck imitation on one of his independent albums. Then things started to get good. “Threw Me Down the Well” is a blues number that comes across as an Americanized version of Nick Cave, thanks to the violin from Rob Flax. “Never Alone” and “Up On the Roof” are winners as spacey piano ballads that remind me of sitting out on my porch staring up at the stars. “Down in the Canyon” has kind of a later-day Dylan feel at times. On “She’s Not Going To Call,” Baker channels his inner Tom Waits with an added Americana touch on the outro. Baker’s best material is so raw it hits you straight in the gut on tracks like “Coming Home.” I didn’t know anything about Dan Baker before, but after listening to Pistol in My Pocket, I certainly want to know more!
– See more at: http://motifri.com/alt-nation-some-new-discs-and-shows-to-bid-2013-goodbye/#sthash.mdmZLpMf.dpuf
Six Star General – Hair Supply (75orLess Records)
Six Star General has had a difficult year that forced them to be on the sidelines for several months due to various medical maladies. In the meantime, they managed to finish another album, Hair Supply. In addition to being my motto, “I Don’t Know Where We’re Going (But I Know That It’s Not Good)” is a return to form noisy rocker that has been missing from the last couple of Six Star records. “Christopher Walken” and “I’m Expanding Slowly” are like stoner indie rock powered by hypnotic grooves. “Way Out of Control” is a noisy fun punk romp. “Life in Vain” is an infectious ditty powered by a cool hook and probably the closest thing to a single on Hair Supply. I look forward to hearing the new tunes live at the CD Release for Hair Supply at The Parlour on January 4.
Dan Baker – Pistol in My Pocket (75orLess Records)
I didn’t know what to make of Dan Baker at first on the title track of Pistol in My Pocket that comes off as a howling Beck imitation on one of his independent albums. Then things started to get good. “Threw Me Down the Well” is a blues number that comes across as an Americanized version of Nick Cave, thanks to the violin from Rob Flax. “Never Alone” and “Up On the Roof” are winners as spacey piano ballads that remind me of sitting out on my porch staring up at the stars. “Down in the Canyon” has kind of a later-day Dylan feel at times. On “She’s Not Going To Call,” Baker channels his inner Tom Waits with an added Americana touch on the outro. Baker’s best material is so raw it hits you straight in the gut on tracks like “Coming Home.” I didn’t know anything about Dan Baker before, but after listening to Pistol in My Pocket, I certainly want to know more!
The McGunks Holiday Party
Truth be told, The McGunks really don’t need much of an excuse to throw a party, as anyone who has been to one of their shows can attest. The McGunks are straight-on pub punk with bits of bands like the Supersuckers mixed in. Check out their recent CD, Highlights for Lowlifes for even more sweaty, booze-drenched rock & roll hi-jinks!
The McGunks and The O’Tooles will throw a punk rock Holiday Bash at Broad Street Tap in Cumberland on December 21.
– See more at: http://motifri.com/alt-nation-some-new-discs-and-shows-to-bid-2013-goodbye/#sthash.mdmZLpMf.dpuf
The McGunks Holiday Party
Truth be told, The McGunks really don’t need much of an excuse to throw a party, as anyone who has been to one of their shows can attest. The McGunks are straight-on pub punk with bits of bands like the Supersuckers mixed in. Check out their recent CD, Highlights for Lowlifes for even more sweaty, booze-drenched rock & roll hi-jinks! The McGunks and The O’Tooles will throw a punk rock Holiday Bash at Broad Street Tap in Cumberland on December 21.
Northern Lands
Narragansett Beer put together a beast of a party to celebrate their 123rd anniversary. Of course, I’d contest the year because they should have to subtract all the years the brand was dormant, but nobody listens to me anyway. This show has something for almost everyone. You want straight-out rock? Northern Lands and the slightly country tinged Jay Berndt & The Orphans will be there. Want something acoustic? Brian McKenzie will be there to deliver. Jazz? Michelle Lewis for the win! The only thing missing is metal, which is odd considering Berndt and McKenzie were in the ‘90s local juggernaut, Kilgore. In addition this will be the annual unveiling of the Gansett Girl Calendar. Narragansett Beer 123rd Anniversary Party featuring live performances by Northern Lands, Jay Berndt & The Orphans, Brian McKenzie Michelle Lewis and Jeff Byrd hits The Met Café on December 27.
Mark Cutler in Go Local Prov ‘5 December Live Music Musts’
You can read the article here.
Mark Cutler at Nick-A-Nee’s
Nick-A-Nee’s in Providence has a Record Release Party starring longtime local rocker Mark Cutler. Along with his band Men of Great Courage, he’s celebrating the release of his killer new album Dreamland. Founder of legendary RI bands The Schemers and The Raindogs, Cutler’s sound continues to evolve, or in this case devolve, toward a simpler, more roots influenced style. Check him out tonight at 9PM. (Cutler is also part of the Songwriters Circle show to benefit the RI Food Bank Sunday afternoon at the historic Channing Memorial Church – Visit the website for more details.)
Northern Lands ‘He Took a Dive’ review in The Noise
You can read the review here.
Atomic Buddha review at Razorcake
You can read the review here.
Dan Baker ‘Pistol in my Pocket’ review at No Depression
You can read the review here.
Hank Sinatra Jr at AS220
with Gloria Gardenburger, Kevin Steinhauser, and Lynn Breslow Swanson
Hosted by Randy Bush
AS220
115 Empire Street
Providence, RI 02903
Dan Baker – Pistol in my Pocket
75OL-183 Dan Baker – Pistol in my Pocket CD
$9.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. Pistol in My Pocket
2. Threw Me Down the Well
3. Never Alone
4. What I’m Looking For
5. Up On the Roof
6. Down in the Canyon
7. One of Them
8. She’s Not Gonna Call
9. Coming Home
10. Not Gonna Say It
Dan Baker was living in Chelsea MA, during the recording of his new record. A small city on the outskirts of Boston, Baker describes the city as “A place littered with factories, oil tanks, and pot holes… surrounded by great heaps of salt and scrap metal”. The city of Chelsea, luckily for Baker, is also where 1867 Recording Studio is located. A former Masonic Temple. The studio boasts 60 foot vaulted ceilings and walls still equipped with their masonic images and moldings. The result is Dan Baker’s third record, “Pistol in my Pocket”. A record that finds Baker more matured and in command of his craft. Songs of betrayal and revenge, as well as songs of love-lost and love-regained. For fans of dark rural blues, Okkervil River, Magnolia Electric Co., Bob Dylan, and Leonard Cohen.
Allysen Callery ‘Mumblin’ Sue’ review at AltCountry
You can read the review here.
Six Star General – Hair Supply
75OL-180 Six Star General – Hair Supply CD
$10.00 S&H Included
Digital download is available here
Track Listing
1. Christopher Walken
2. I Don’t Know Where We’re Going (But I Know That It’s Not Good)
3. Trans Am Hands
4. Shaking Fists
5. I’m Expanding Slowly
6. Way Out of Control
7. Life in Vain
8. Breathe at Different Speeds
Hair Supply was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Plan of a Boy by Kraig Jordan in Providence, RI Dec 2012 – June 2013.
Dan Ulmschneider – drums, percussion
Kyle Jackson – guitars
Mark MacDougall – vocals, bass
also appearing
Stan Sobczak – moog synthesizer
Kraig Jordan – acoustic guitar
backing vocals by Jodie Treloar, Suicide Bill, Mark Cutler, Dan Ulmschneider
Artwork by William Schaff
All songs copyright Six Star General, except Life in Vain by Daniel Johnston.
Northern Lands review at Dead Letter
You can read the article here.