Considering that they've been known to dress up as Star Wars characters from time to time and often employ others to don "grandmother" outfits and throw cookies to their fans, Chicopee rockers Pallet are no strangers to going over the top. So when the quirky quintet was offered a primo holiday slot at Maximum Capacity July 4, guitarist Kevin Bias says he and his bandmates knew just what to do.
"Of course, the Fourth is a huge party day, but then again, it's not always easy to get people out to the clubs," he explains. "The way we figured it, if we're going to ask people to leave the comfort of their backyards, we'd have to give the people a little something extra."
Enter America, F$#k Yeah, a multi-band extravaganza that Pallet has stacked with similarly fun-minded talent including Yucky Octopus, Badmagick and "quite possibly an appearance by a guitar hero of note" kicking off at 9 p.m. July 4.
"It's a true celebration of how fun this country is, even if we are getting reamed by the oil companies," Bias concludes.
To alleviate some of the fiscal discomfort associated with the aforementioned reaming, Bias also notes that the cover for the uber-patriotic party will be modestly priced "around the $5" mark.
In a similar fashion, Noho reggae-rockers The Equalites pay homage to the birth of the nation when they take the Bishop's Lounge stage July 4. But as Equalites axe-man/vocalist David Boatwright revealed, the band will also commemorate a personal milestone—21 years of existence.
"My first gig with the band was June 18, 1988," he recalls. "And the group was formed a year prior to that, but it's been awhile& and a fun ride for sure."
According to Boatwright, after the show proper, said "ride" will continue each Thursday in July as The Equalites take up residency at La Cocina as well as in-studio, where work on the band's fourth CD is already underway.
In stark contrast, it's been nearly a decade since self-proclaimed "multimedia megastar" George Dorunda and his Entertainers have appeared on the same stage—a situation which, Dorunda says, will be remedied on July 4, when the band reunites for a 1 p.m. performance at the Fest of All at Szot Park in Chicopee.
Others slated to rock the Szot throughout the four-day fest include AC/DC imitators Back In Black, Donna Lee & The Crooked Ledge Band and perennial festival faves Brass Attack. For the full roster, schedule and more, kindly point your browser to chicopeefestofall.com.
In other news& Six Flags New England's Heather Clark says it's not at all uncommon for local bands to contact her each season and ask if they can perform at the park. The nice thing about this season, she adds, is that she's actually been able to say yes to a few of her favorites. Six Flags' new Live and Local series kicks off this Sunday, July 6 with party band Beards All Around and continues weekly with Leaving Stafford (July 13), Columbia Fields (July 20) and more through Aug. 31. All shows will occur at the Special Events stage by Splashwater Falls at 5 p.m. and are free with park admission.
Lastly, what started as an inspired alliteration has blossomed into the ninth season of Watermelon Wednesdays at the West Whately Chapel this year. The Chiara String Quartet kicks off the 2008 installment of the melon/music pairing on July 9, followed by mid-week turns by the Grammy-nominated Eliza Gilkyson (July 23) and Miss Tess & The Bon Bon Parade (July 30). For pricing and info, check out watermelonwednesdays.com.
Send correspondence to Nightcrawler, P.O. Box 427, Somers, CT 06071; fax to (860) 698-9373 or email Garycarra@aol.com.
