They recently retooled their lineup, and they are juggling live shows with the recording of their highly anticipated sophomore studio effort. Despite such distractions, guitarist Tom Hamel maintains that Odds of Eden are always a safe bet when it comes to delivering quality, original rock. Those seeking sonic affirmation need only check out the band’s March 21 Whiskerz Pub engagement in Easthampton, he says.
“Jeremy Jones is now fronting the band, and Jeff Stahl is sharing guitar duties with me and singing backups,” Hamel says. “It sounds great, and we have really developed our songwriting over the last year as well. Everyone participates and has a say now.”
Hamel also offered a sneak peak into the disc, which will be released at a yet-to-be-determined date. “I would say ‘Bury The Dead Alive’ and ‘Devil’ really pack a punch. And the drums in ‘Brick Wall’ sound fantastic,” he says. “Other than that, the overall sound is heavier and edgier, and we can’t wait to show our fans at the show.”
Ortan Varas, a Filipino-born singer whose most recent EP, Origins, was produced by Johnny April of Staind notoriety, and Noho-trio Creature Machine get the opening nod. Doors open at 8 p.m.
In other news, let no one think the Crawler has forgotten about our local sons and daughters of Erin. Two back-to-back, Blarney Stone-kissin’, Guiness double-fistin’ shamrock shows are on tap at the Iron Horse this weekend. On Saturday, March 14, Noho’s own Big Bad Bollocks crank out their patented amalgam of Celtic-fueled punk rock starting at 7 p.m. On the pre-St. Pat’s sabbath, March 15, scene stalwarts Dicey Riley play with local septet Below The Gaff in support.
And now for something completely different — it’s classical rock meets cannabis-driven comedy when icons Cheech and Chong pair up with multi-platinum artists War at Foxwoods’ Grand Theater March 21.
Dubbed the Up In Smoke Tour, the evening promises a “complete integration of War’s timeless catalogue and Cheech and Chong’s no-authority brand of comedy.” It begins with a set by the band and culminates with War backing up the original doobie brothers on such Cheech and Chong chestnuts as “Earache My Eye,” “Basketball Jones,” and “Mexican Americans.” Tix are $35 and $55, depending on your proximity to the hilarity, and can be procured at foxwoods.com.
All that remains is none other than, well, Western Mass’ own All That Remains, performing a free show at Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den April 3. The casino play comes almost exactly one month after fellow Mass metalmeisters Killswitch Engage rock the same venue, and just weeks after the release of their seventh studio effort, The Order of Things.
The lion’s share of the disc was cut in the Bay State (some vocals were fine-tuned in L.A.), and Order marks the first time anyone other than Killswitch Engage’s Adam D has manned the boards for the band in nearly a decade. Josh Wilbur, best known for his work with Lamb of God, was tapped for the audio honors this go-’round.
“It was a good time to try something different with someone new,” says guitarist Mark Martin. “It was helpful to have a completely new perspective. We had a crazy chemistry working together right away. He made a gigantic difference across the board. I’d love to do more records with him.”
“It was a massive benefit,” echoed Phil Labonte. “We didn’t have any expectations about what we were supposed to do other than write quality music. Moreover, Josh brought his own angle on what All That Remains sounds like and could sound like.”
Seating at the Wolf Den is available on a first come, first served basis.•
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or email garycarra@aol.com.
