For those who choose to take their level of musicianship past that of the occasional noodler, the path is often much akin to that of any other lifelong addiction.
The first instrument’s usually free—a Christmas present from grandma or a birthday gift from mom and pop. And that one is never good enough—so you begin chasing “it” with all the financial resources available and then some.
The “it” may be the tone of whatever rock god you may worship on any given week. Or some crazy newfangled pitch modulator Fergie uses to make her voice sound like a robot.
I’m still trying to explain to Mrs. Crawler that each of the 11 guitars in my arsenal has both unique and specific purposes. (Heaven forbid that Jimmy Page injures his finger again, or that when the promoter calls me to fill in for the Zep reunion, I don’t have my triple-neck 12-string in both “Rain Song” and standard tuning at the ready.)
As the guitarist/vocalist for Sleepy Pissy Thunderhole, Tonye Barrineau can certainly relate to such scenarios. In fact, he says, it was precisely this ceaseless suction of time and money that inspired him to fire up a full-service music production company of his own—The Monkey’s Oven—several years ago. True, he could have utilized some of his veteran insight to exploit the situation as so many others do when a newbie band with rock stars in their eyes walks through the door. Instead, he asserts that his is a monkey that has bands’ backs.
“I’m a struggling musician, and I know firsthand how difficult it can be to get the exposure you’re looking for,” he explains. “What I’m looking to do is to open up and nourish more avenues for the entire scene and area.”
As a means to the mission statement, Barrineau adds that in 2006, he began branching off into other assorted “Monkey” businesses, launching Blastermonkey Promotions, which specializes in showcases; CD/DVD replication services; and a soon-to-be announced record label.
This coming Saturday, Dec. 1, however, will mark a particularly poignant Monkey milestone according to its founder—when nationally known/touring artists A.O.K.C.O.D. (featuring Dana Colley, formerly of Morphine) play top banana on a Blastermonkey Pearl Street Clubroom bill rounded out with local notables Conduit, Gravel, My Last Flight and Graylight Campfire.
“Securing big-name headliners and offering back the opening slots to our own area musicians has been on the agenda from the get-go,” he says. “Situations like that are really what helps scenes grow and thrive.”
Tickets for the Dec. 1 Pearl Street show are $10 in advance and $13 at the door, which, incidentally, opens at 6 p.m. Canned food donations for Strangers Helping Strangers will also be accepted at the venue during the show.
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In a similarly altruistic gesture—and on the very same evening, Dec. 1—Mocha Maya’s (myspace.com/mochamayas) in Shelburne Falls will usher in its first annual Guitar Masters Benefit Concert. It is scheduled to feature the frenetic fretwork of Matt Nozzolio, Chris Cavaliere and Glenn Roth and in addition to being a veritable workshop in lap dobro and touch-tap styles, this Mocha masters shows is seeking to secure some moolah for the Mohawk Regional School’s music and arts department.
Lastly, as mentioned in last week’s installment, the Valley’s own Fear Nuttin Band celebrates its signing to BoDog Records on Friday, Dec. 7 at the Hippodrome. Look for its highly anticipated label debut, Yardcore—produced by Terry Date of Pantera/Korn/Staind fame—to drop in March of 2008.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
