By all accounts, Thane Thomsen, best known for his work with seminal Noho notables The Figments, is a fairly reclusive guy offstage. So much so, in fact, that Brian Marchese—who has been involved? in no less than a half dozen projects with Thomsen through the years—is embarrassed to admit that he has only been aware of his bandmate’s birthday in four of the last 15 instances it has occurred.
But, boy, did he make up for that this year.
“Brian showed up for a solo show I played at Eastworks and had intimated that there might be some birthday festivities,” Thomsen recalls. “I had no idea of the scope of what he was up to until I sat down in front of my stereo. Needless to say, I have certainly never been so honored in my life.”
What unfolded into Thomsen’s earbuds that evening was The Songs of Thane Thomsen—a two-disc tribute coordinated by Marchese and featuring 24 tunes from the Thomsen catalogue, sent in by a host of bands and fans from nine different states.
“Five years ago, this wouldn’t have been possible,” Marchese notes. “But now, even someone like me who doesn’t own a single piece of real recording equipment can sing and play into a built-in laptop mic and get something decent.” The finished product is available for download at http://thesongsofthanethomsen.bandcamp.com/, for those interested.
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In other news, the annual Green River Festival (greenriverfestival.com)—touching down this year at Greenfield Community College July 17 and 18—will have its Cake and more than three dozen other noted national and regional bands, too, including Donna The Buffalo, Fancy Trash, The Nields and School For The Dead. Says Jim Olsen of Signature Sounds, who books the event, “Between the second full day of music we’ve added and the new children’s stage, there has certainly never been so much to listen to before.”
If you’re desiring a little more, however, Olsen has you covered. On Friday, July 16, he’s unleashing a Green River Kick-Off Party at Greenfield’s Energy Park. It features a veritable who’s who of Signature Sounds artists, including, among others, Joy Kills Sorrow, Jeffrey Foucault and Kris Delmhorst.
Meanwhile, up in Millers Falls, fizzling finances have forced yet another area venue of note to close its doors. The geographically correctly named Route 63 Roadhouse was a favorite haunt of many acts, including the Drunk Stuntmen, who held their horseshoe/BBQ there each summer and played what turned out to be the facility’s official swan song late last month.
Many mourn the Roadhouse’s passing. “I have fond memories of playing there, both by myself and with Steve Sanderson,” says Scott Lawson Pomeroy. “I’d play, then let anyone else come up and sit in when I’d go to grab a cold one. It was always a real hoot… sad to see it go.”
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While the down economy may be felling many a local business, Crawler has learned of at least one new employment opportunity. A yet-unnamed project featuring Matt Bachand and Jon Danais (both of Shadows Fall), Derek Kerswill (Unearth, Seemless) and Jeff Fultz (Seemless) has recorded a five-song demo and is seeking a vocalist to complete the sonic puzzle.
“We are looking for one crazy bastard with the energy, the drive and determination to take this thing to the next level,” Bachand explained in a prepared statement. All applicants must be able to tour extensively. Submissions can be directed to iamdrunk666@gmail.com and should include a bio, summary of past experience, a photo and audio/video performances.”
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 0071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email garycarra@aol.com.
