The first one may not be free. But whether it's studio time or rental of a P.A. and a lightshow, Dave Westbrook and his PDP Productions strive to deliver major-artist levels of service at bargain basement prices.
The business plan, particularly when coupled with an acute attention to detail, appears to have struck a chord with the penny-pinching punk rock set, with scores of bands lining up to play one of the Greenfield-based production company's shows. Three regional acts and counting (local faves Face The Lie, featuring guitarist/vocalist Greg Goff of VH1 Cover Wars fame; Albany's Venomentality and Enfield, Connecticut's Undefyed) are inking their respective John Hancocks to PDP record label deals.
"It's amazing how far it's come in just a few years," Westbrook reflects. "We consistently average over 100 in attendance at our all-ages shows, which is pretty impressive for Western Mass. And by taking care of the artists and the venues [PDP utilizes Greenfield's Energy Park in the summer and has recently set up shop at the newly opened Bart's Café] and providing pro-level support across the board, we end up with happy bands and happy fans alike."
Those in pursuit of such happiness—not to mention great music—need only attend PDP's event this Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Greenfield Youth Center, 20 Sanderson St.
Starting at 7 p.m., labelmates Face The Lie and Undefyed play, along with fellow hometown boys White Boys Can't Jump, Springfield punk prodigies The Prozacs, Noho experimentalist Us Against The Archers and what must be the funkiest foursome in Bernardston, Parking Lot Antics. Advance tix can be purchased from bands for $5, or at the door for two bucks more. For more info, point your browser to www.pdpproductions.com.
In other news, friends, family and the local music community are lamenting the recent passing of legenary luthier Frank Lucchesi. Lucchesi reportedly passed away suddenly at his Vintage Music Shop on Cottage Street in Easthampton on September 29.
"You'd go in his store to pick up your guitar and end up spending an hour and half learning about the origin of the instrument, who played it and how they liked it set up," says frequent customer and Drunk Stuntman sometimes frontman Steve Sanderson. "There'll never be another one like him. A fair business man, as well."
Not surprisingly, Art Walk Easthampton has announced that its event from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 will be a tribute to the late shop owner. For more info, visit the organization's site at www.artwalkeasthampton.org.
Lastly, after nearly two years with its previous rhythm section, Ciderhouse core members Gary Phelps (guitar) and Callie Katsounakis (vocals) have set their sights on finding some new personnel to "change the musical direction." Phelps recently checked in to report that he and Katsounakis appear to have hit the musical bullseye.
"Callie and I had worked with this band Bullseye Jones a few times and really liked their sound," he explains. "After I recorded their demo, I asked them to become a part of Ciderhouse."
Phelps, Katsounakis, Chris Pelletier (bass), Greg Carreira (drums) and Erik Morgan (guitar) make their official debut this Friday, Oct. 12 at Holyoke's Waterfront.
With Morgan holding down the chord changes proper, Phelps says to expect considerably more slide and lap steel playing from him individually, and even a couple Bullseye classics thrown in for good measure.
While Bullseye itself appears back-burnered at best, the latest blog from the band's Myspace reveals that the Westfield-based jam rockers have no intention of disbanding permanently for now.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email garycarra@aol.com.
