The year was 2008, and your friendly neighborhood Nightcrawler can still recall thinking, “You may just get your chance very soon, boys,” as he listened to the anthemic chorus of “If I Were To Rule The World” from what was supposed to be the Fear Nuttin Band‘s nationally released debut disc.
After all, producer/engineer Terry Date (whose previous credits include knob-jockeying for the likes of Soundgarden, Pantera and fellow Valley natives Staind) appeared to have perfectly captured the FNB’s unique “yardcore” style, and the band had just finished up a victorious stint on a battle-of-the-bands reality television show.
But as is all too common a tale, the proverbial plug was pulled on the rock ‘n’ roll carousel just as the Fear Nuttin’ Band was poised to nab the coveted brass ring. The label folded, and the legal implications that ensued even delayed the band from ruling—or controlling—their own masters… let alone the world.
“The rug was pulled out from us, for sure,” six-stringer Chris Regan remembers. “But in the end, we realized we learned a lot, and, if we were to remain true to the message we ourselves put out in our music, we had to keep positive.”
The philosophy would evolve into a mantra, the mantra… into an album title. FNB celebrates Move Positively, its first recorded effort in three years, in the Pearl Street Clubroom (iheg.com) April 2.
“We are in control of our own destiny this time,” Regan notes of the independent release. “No more messing around with industry people who don’t get it, and with the Internet and our ability to create our own content thanks to the support of our fans, we don’t have to!”
Similarly celebrating new studio product are The Boxcar Lilies, a musical vehicle comprising three singer/songwriters—Jenny Goodspeed, Stephanie Marshall and Katie Clark—who had each previously established themselves as solo artists on the local circuit.
The disc has been dubbed Heartwood, and according to its makers, a certain “Hof” of note was instrumental in its sound.
“Dave Chalfant used a Hofner-style bass, which really gave everything such a warm, ’70s singer/songwriter vibe that we all loved so much,” Goodspeed revealed.
Chalfant and dobro guru Jim Henry (who’s partnered with Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tracy Grammer) will join the Boxcars once again this Saturday, April 2, at St. James Church Parish Hall in Greenfield to help celebrate Heartwood‘s birth. Tickets ($15) are available at boxcarlilies.com.
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Although 2008 “Australia’s Got Talent” winner Joe Robinson officially released his sophomore effort, Time Jumpin’, late last year, his April 2 Iron Horse (iheg.com) play is among the first booked stateside in support of it.
Robinson opens for Kaki King, the only woman named in Rolling Stone‘s “The New Guitar Gods” feature in 2006—all but ensuring a veritable fretboard fiesta all evening long.
“Turning into a lyrical and instrumental songwriter and not just being a young guitar virtuoso is teaching me a lot about myself,” the not-yet-20-year-old reflects on his almost decade-long career. “I’m really excited about the development process and where it will lead… . I’ve got a feeling I will be a completely different person six months from now.”
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Last but not least, actor turned unintentional cult icon Charlie Sheen continues his “winning” ways with a one-man show he calls Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat Is Not An Option. The tour—which will reportedly net the oft-maligned actor in the neighborhood of $7 million should he be able to complete it—kicks off in Detroit on April 2 and is scheduled to include The Oakdale in Wallingford April 9 and Boston’s Agganis Arena April 12.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 394-4262 or e-mail: garycarra@aol.com.
