After a studio silence of nearly two years, guitarist Chris Regan recently checked in to report that his Fear Nuttin Band will be dropping a little “sumptin'” on record store shelves this spring. As chronicled in previous installments of this very column, the local “yardcore” kings not only landed on a slot on the 2008 reality television series Bodog Battle of the Bands, but bested the competition to secure a record deal with the label at the time.
“Problem was, Bodog Music literally vanished the day we released that album,” Regan reveals. “So while it was a great experience overall, the timing for this was terrible and we were actually still contractually bound to a record label that didn’t exist for some time, if you can believe that.”
Free at last and entirely self-funded, Regan says he and his accomplices in alternative reggae-rock have finally regrouped to record Move Positive—an indie release that utilized numerous studios throughout the region as well as the now internationally recognized mixing talents of Zing Studio’s Jim Fogarty.
“I really think it some of the best, most creative music we’ve ever come up with as we enter a decade of existence in 2011,” Regan concludes.
A CD release party proper has been scheduled for April 2 at the Pearl Street Ballroom. For a sneak peak at a couple new tracks plus other updates, kindly point your browser to FNB’s online home at myspace.com/fearnuttinband.
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In other news, Bay State-based singer/songwriter Mark Erelli received a rather nice, unplanned stocking stuffer last month in the form of a grant from the Passim Iguana Music Fund. Given annually by the nonprofit organization housed at Harvard Square, the grants range between $500 to $2,000 per recipient and are doled out to area musicians who prove the most compelling need for seed money to help their careers flourish.
“With [these funds], I can buy some new gear and start experimenting with recording studio-quality overdubs at home,” Erelli says. “I’ve been getting more and more gigs as a multi-instrumentalist, and given how much of indie artists’ recording currently takes place outside of more traditional studio environments, this grant will help me expand my role as a sideman.”
That said, look for Erelli to be front and center this Saturday, Jan. 8 at the First Encounter Coffeehouse in Eastham, then at a Jan. 15 play at Greenfield’s Arts Block.
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Speaking of musical acts of magnanimity, the Iron Horse Music Hall has once again concocted a special evening of cover tunes guaranteed to both entertain fans and raise funds for a local charity (this year’s recipient is the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross). In what has become almost as much a local New Year’s tradition as watching the ball-raising at the Hotel Northampton on Dec. 31, the Horse-men (and women) have rounded up some of the area’s biggest acts and asked them to pay homage to a pre-determined icon the following week.
“I’ve tried to pick artists who have a vast catalogue of songs that the musicians will want to play and audiences will want to hear,” says John Sanders, the man responsible for selecting Credence Clearwater Revival/John Fogerty as the focus for 2011, as well as Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones in years gone by. Among the local notables tackling CCR classics this Sunday, Jan. 9 are Rusty Belle, Fancy Trash, National Carpet and The Fawns, to name a choice few. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit iheg.com.
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And lastly, since we’re (Iron) Horsin’ around, fiddle-fueled bluegrass faves The Steeldrivers roll into the hallowed hall the following night, Jan. 10. The rare local appearance comes on the heels of two Grammy nods for their recent Rounder Records offering (Reckless) and also effectively marks the debut of new member Gary Nichols, who replaces founding member Chris Stapleton on vocals.
Catch the Nightcrawler every Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. on the Steve Cantara Radio Show, WRNX 100.9 FM. Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, PO Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
