Providence Invasion 2009

rovidence has always had one of the most diverse music scenes in the U.S. We don't just say that because we're part of this music scene, but because it's true. You can find more bands -- more different kinds of bands -- in this single geographical region, than almost anywhere else. Big cities like New York and Los Angeles have diversity like this; but to find it in a place the size of Providence is simply amazing. In other ways, though, Rhode Island original local music has almost disappeared from the landscape. It is being targeted in Providence by residence unions who are using their influence to strip the city of every live music venue - no matter how historic - simply for their own peace of mind. And the tragedy of the Station fire, has only made matters worse. The toughest fire codes in the nation have lead to the largest loss of original live music venues this state has ever seen. Because of all these efforts, the average person never ever ever comes in contact with local music. It's just not something that happens. So out of sight, out of mind. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a music community falls apart. That's what today is all about. Providence has been invaded by the largest gathering of musicians in it's history. (Now for the eighth year in a row!) You are literally surrounded by them right now, and there's not a thing you can do about it. Musicians of almost every style and experience, performing for you au natural in the grand historical street music tradition. Call it a gift; for once you don't have to seek out local music... instead, it comes to you!

Invasion logo by Art Gecko Studios

Tune in anytime to the Invasion signal... all invasion bands, all the time.

click here to listen

Bill LaPolla

Chris Aubin

Continental Breakfast

Joe Touchette III

Jonas Dream

Just Jesse

Kyle Anderson and Generation Welfare

The Way Out

Live Venues

Local Media

These clubs feature the local original music of bands in the Providence music scene. Although the list seems extensive, it comprises barely a quarter of all the music entertainment venues in the state and less than 10% of the overall audience.

Do you know what you've been missing? We do.

AS220, (861-9327), 115 Empire St, Providence
THE BLACKSTONE, (726-2181), Pawtucket.
BON VUE INN, (789-0696), 1230 Ocean Rd., Narragansett.
CATS, (722-0150), 530 Broadway, Pawtucket.
CAV, (751-9164), 14 Imperial Pl., Providence.
CHAN'S, (765-1900), 267 Main St., Woonsocket.
COPPERFIELD'S, (738-7936), 1551 Warwick Ave., Warwick.
GILLARY'S, (253-2012), 198 Thames St., Bristol.
THE GREEN ROOM, (351-7665), 145 Clifford St., Providence.
THE LIVING ROOM, (521-5200), 23 Rathbone St., Providence.
NARRAGANSETT CAFE, (423-2150), 25 Narragansett Ave., Jamestown.
OCEAN MIST, (782-3740), Matunuck Beach Rd., Matunuck.
RED ROCK CAFE, (884-1800), 6105 Post Rd., North Kingstown.
ROCKY POINT PUB , (739-9800), 1705 West Shore Rd., Warwick.
RI RA, (272-1953), 50 Exchange Terrace, Providence.
THE STATION, (823-4660), 211 Cowesett Ave., West Warwick. Never forget The Station.

Here's a brief but essential list of all the local media players that cover the Providence Music Scene. They are your best sources of information about who, what, where, and when:	Motif Magazine
	The Providence Journal
	The Providence Phoenix
	Providence Monthly

Rhode Island Radio
88.1	WELH Providence	96.5	WCRB - Newport
88.3	WQRI - Bristol	96.5	WBSR - Providence
88.7	WJMF - Smithfield	99.3	WADK - Block Island
90.3	WRIU - Kingston	99.7	WSKO - Wakefield
90.7	WJHD - Portsmouth	100.3	WZRI//WZRA - Middletown
91.3	WDOM - Providence	101.5	WWBB - Providence
91.5	WCVY - Coventry	102.7	WAKX//WWKX - Narragansett
92.3	WPRO - Providence	103.7	WWRX//WFNX - Westerly
93.7	WXQS - Providence	105.1	WWLI - Providence
94.1	WHJY - Providence	105.9	WXHQ - Newport
95.5	WBRU - Providence	106.3	WWKX - Woonsocket
and of course, our favorite: DownCitySignal
Some of these stations are fairly independant, and create their own playlists. But the overwhelming percentage of listeners (91%) listen to stations with playlists created in other cities by individuals who only care what cd they can sell you -- not music that may actually matter to you in some way. Can these stations remove the corporate feeding tube for even a moment? We have marked the stations above that we can verify will be going local at noon today to support the Invasion. But the real story will be who can't kick the corporate addiction. Tune in and find out!

RattleHead Records would like to sincerely thank all of the individuals that made this possible:

All of the bands (duh!)... we cannot begin to tell you how much we appreciate your courage, your vision, and that certain spirit of the lemming that makes all the difference. Together, we can accomplish so many things -- and you have helped us not only accomplish this thing, but shown others a little of what is possible. May your rooms be full and your gear light, all the days of your life.

The RattleHead Staff, all of the clubs we work with, WHJY, WBRU, WCVY, WDOM, the Providence Journal, the Providence Phoenix, Providence Monthly, Motif Magazine, and far too many others to even attempt listing...

All of you fine citizens of Providence who took a moment out of your busy day to listen. That's all we musicians ever ask.

The Providence Police, The Parks Department, and City Hall for being such good sports in the midst of such lunacy.
(We didn't really invade the city, we only borrowed it for an hour.)

The Founding Fathers who had the foresight to guarantee our freedom of speech and of assembly;
it's about time we musicians did something constructive with it other than protect our right to curse on an album.

...And the big G, who makes it all possible.
(p.s. thank you for the sunshine.)