Hardcore fans who have watched the nearly decade-long ascent of Danny Pease & The Regulators from bars to ballrooms and house parties to hallowed festival slots should consider the band’s March 11 performance at Chicopee’s Maximum Capacity as mandatory as the 2 a.m. McDonald’s drive-through stops most seem to indulge in after DPR performances.
This Friday’s show will effectively mark the end of an audio era, as it will be the last for founding members Jeremy Fournier and Ben James. But fear not, as these Regulators will keep a-rolling with Fear Nuttin’ Band drummer Matt Penza assuming Fournier’s throne and Jeff Katz (Girls, Guns, Glory, Three Threshold and The Colt Thompson Project) strapping in to James’ “left guitar” position.
“We got Penza after careful consideration, and by that I mean we begged, bribed and threatened him!” vocalist Kenn Kosiba adds. “He makes his own beats and is just hell behind the kit, and Katz will add some shredding guitar. That guy literally has more effect pedals than should be allowed by law.”
Danny Pease and the re-tooled Regulators make their area debut April 2 at the Pearl Street Ballroom in support of the highly anticipated Fear Nuttin’ Band CD release party.
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In other news… Blastermonkey Entertainment impresario Tonye Barrineau checked in to hip us to a special evening he has planned for Maximum Capacity Saturday, March 12.
“It’s actually both a ‘positive flow’ competition with prizes and a hip-hop showcase, all in one,” notes Barrineau, citing appearances by Agawam-based duo Project Fatalist, Chicopee-champs 3D and soon-to-be-signed Springfielder Trouble-T as evidence of the latter.
As for the proverbial war of words, Barrineau says that the contest is open to “anyone performing that has paid the admission [$8 in advance, $10 at the door for 21 and over; $12 in advance or $15 door for 18-21] and has a positive message to push.”
Judging is based on the uplifting/motivational aspect of the up-to-one-minute performance as well as flow, presentation and audience response, and the victor receives $100.
All contestants must register via email to themonkeysoven@yahoo.com by Friday, March 11 at 11:30 p.m.
Capping off our melange o’ Max Cap news this installment is yet another sonic struggle—a battle of the bands that culminates on April 1 with a $2,000 cash/$2,000 recording time purse hanging in the balance.
All band members must be at least 18 years of age and bands must perform at least three originals during 25-minute sets. The first round is scored by three judges, plus a crowd applause component that accounts for an additional 20 percent. One winner from each week moves on, as well as four “wildcards” as determined by online fan voting. All participants must use their own gear. To enter your band in the musical match-up, email themaxsb@yahoo.com or drop a demo at the club.
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Last but not least, here are two new musical ventures to check out amid the local landscape this weekend. The first, Crescent Hill, features cousins Justin Patrick Morin and Dino Bambino (Disaster Simulator, Sorry So Sloppy, Shoot The Dancing Bear) in an experimental/punk/rock project destined for Noho’s Sierra Grille this Thursday, March 10. (A three song demo dubbed TOBELIEVEININVISIBLETHINGS waits in the wings). The latter, also with studio material in the can in the form of a seven-inch EP, is called Paper Piano and features members of Bourgeois Heroes, the Novels, Rubber Leather and the Salvation Army String Band. Paper Piano makes its area premiere this Saturday, March 12 at Easthamp’s Flywheel on a bill that also includes Tony the Bookie Orchestra and New Haven’s The Mountain Movers.”
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.
