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!!).
Allysen Callery at Milton Art Center
with Antje Duvekot
Milton Art Center
Milton, MA
7pm
Six Star General at Dusk
Pre-Fest Pizza Party & Rhode Anchor’s Hot Rod gathering / Pre-Ty Jesso’s Soul Power Dance Party
with Junior Beat, Sonic Grifters, Six Star General
Dusk
Harris Ave
Providence, RI
6pm-9pm
401 Film Fest at The Arctic Playhouse
The Arctic Playhouse
Warwick, RI
November 13th
Allysen Callery at Ploughs and Stars
with Karen Zanes
Ploughs and Stars
Cambridge, MA
9pm
Rhode Island Monthly Interview’s Adam Theroux on the 401 Film Festival
The Scoop on the 401 Film Fest
The free inaugural event features films and music videos by local and international talent.
This weekend, catch an iPhone film by a super talented fifth grader, a music video for a local garage pop band, a short featuring Corey Feldman (of The Goonies fame) and more great content at the first-ever 401 Film Festival. We caught up with festival director, Adam Theroux, to learn more about the event, which screens at the Arctic Playhouse in West Warwick on Friday night and the William Hall Library Auditorium in Cranston on Saturday afternoon.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I went to New England Tech for audio/visual. I’d already had some experience with audio, but I fell in love with video while I was there. Now I work for WPRI as a video editor, and I still do some independent film on my own.
There are lots of established film festivals out there already. Why start a new one?
I started this for zero-dollar independent filmmakers, not $20,000 indie filmmakers. We don’t have an outlet like this, especially not locally. We’re just a bunch of people getting together for the love of the art, not necessarily to make money.
Is the focus on local talent?
I wanted to have at least half of the selections be from Rhode Island; the last thing I wanted to do was not accept a Rhode Island submission, and we ended up having, for content reasons, to say no to two Rhode Island submissions. But I also wanted anyone to be able to enter. We got about 1,000 submissions in the end. It just took off and I got some great submissions.
What can attendees expect?
Everything from local talent in the music video showcase, including Roz and the Rice Cakes and Ravi Shavi, to a music video featuring Willie Nelson. It’s pretty hilarious stuff: One day I had this crazy idea to start a film festival, and then I received a short with Corey Feldman acting in it.
Some films are from people who are doing well in their field, which brings in some higher quality content. So we have a music video from a famous pop star from Kuwait and a video from a fifth grader from Rhode Island, which he made for a school project. He shot the whole thing on his cell phone. It’s inspiring.
Another inspiring thing: All funds raised will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State, right?
Yes, 100 percent of all funds raised through raffles and food. I’m a mentor, and it’s a blast. It’s really changed my life in the past year. I’ve seen a lot of good that it does. It benefits my life too, not just a child’s.
And admission is free?
Both days are free. We are expecting to sell out – well it’s hard to sell out when you’re not selling tickets but…. When I came up with the idea, I wasn’t expecting it to blow up as it has. The whole thing melted my heart in the greatest way. It’s free, it’s local and there’s a little something for everybody.
The Details: Nov. 13, 7-10 p.m. Arctic Playhouse, 117 Washington St., West Warwick. Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. William Hall Library Auditorium, 1825 Broad St., Cranston, 401filmfest.com.
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.
Baylies Band at AS220
with Bill, Timecop Beach Party, Beverage Hill
AS220
95 Empire St
Providence RI
9pm
Mark Cutler and the Men of Great Courage at Nick-a-nee’s
Nick-a-nee’s
Jewelry Districy
Providence, RI
Free!
9pm
Bring a non-perishable food drive item!
Sick Pills at The Pour Farm
with Zero Holds and Nick Sundman
Pour Farm
Purchase St
New Bedford, MA
Free
21+
9pm