Mhen it comes to literary inspirations, Easthampton's Yucky Octopus has its tentacles around a myriad of sources. One of the more prolific lyricists on the scene, singer/Yuck-fronter Tony DeNucci alone has been known to lace the band's tunes with references to mythology, the undead, Eli Wallach characters and lines from Apocalypse Now.
Turn the topic to the Ock's aspirations for '08, however, and band member Dave Mikuta prefers to quote grappler Rowdy Roddy Piper:
"As 'Hot Rod' once said, we're looking to chew bubble gum and kick ass this year," Mikuta explains. "And we're all out of bubble gum!"
For proof of his Bubbliciously deficient bravado, one need only sample any of the 14 offerings on YO's debut studio effort, Adventures In Science & Space. While nearly all the tracks on the freshly pressed audio adventure are adorned with keyboards and sound effects/samples that set the mood for funky, eerie or purposely comedic fare, it's almost always a nifty diversion, a little sonic something just audible enough to mask the proverbial clicking of the roller coaster chain as you unwittingly ascend into rarefied rock air—then swiftly plummet into choruses of punishing guitar riffs, breakneck drumbeats and guttural screams.
"The sound has definitely evolved," says Mikuta. "As you know, I play guitar in the band Melodram, but I came into this band in 2003 as drummer, and there seemed to be a rotating cast of guitarists for a while. I think we've finally solidified things with (current axemen) Chris Danielle and Adam Cote—and, yeah, they sure can deliver the goods, too, can't they?"
To accept Danielle and Cote's high-decibel delivery in person, stop by Easthamp's Apollo Grille on Saturday, Jan. 19 for the official Yucky Octopus CD release party with special guests/ fellow hometown heroes Red Door Exchange in support.
In other news, Valley mainstay Ed Vadas reports that after a 15-year ride that has had him hosting several hundred weekly blues series in the area along the way, he's finally decided to tap the brakes a bit, bagging his ongoing Wednesday night engagement at Bishop's Lounge effective immediately.
"Bishop's was great to work for," he explains, "but when I started all of this, I was a spry 48 years old with tons of energy. I'm 63 now with not-good health and a part-time job. Getting home after 1:30 a.m. then getting up at 6 a.m. has really worn me down."
Down… but not out, it appears, as Vadas quickly adds that he is greatly enjoying his current stint with Sue Burkhart (of Superkart notoriety) in an acoustic project they call Ameri-MF-cana.
"The sound is so cool, couched in a spray of roots music," he says, "and it's much easier for me physically without having to haul heavy amps and play long shows."
For a nostalgic tour of Vadas' career (the likes of The Saw Doctors, Archie Shepp and even Robert Johnson's step-sister have graced his weekly blues gigs, which migrated from Sheehan's Bar to the Baystate Hotel, Ye Olde Watering Hole, Silent Cal's and finally Bishop's Lounge over the years) and links to his current Burkhart collaboration, visit his online home at www.edvadasblues.com.
Lastly, with the one-year anniversary of the closing of The Flywheel's former home on Rt. 141 fast approaching, the push to get the ultra-indie artist collective into its new digs in Easthampton's former City Hall (and, in the process, give some of the area's lesser known/more eclectic musical offerings a place to play again) remains in high gear. This Saturday, Jan. 19, Noho's Thrillpillow and Cheater's Club, Holyoke's Dark Oars (boasting former members of The Speak) and Amherst's Fashion People will lend their collective talents to the cause—performing at an all-ages benefit show at MERCYhouse with proceeds from the $6 admission earmarked for the Wheel.?
Send correspondence to: Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to: (860) 698-9328 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
