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Satyr's Local Rock Report |
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Legendary Rock Bands of Providence: Shed |
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Legendary rock bands of Providence: Shed |
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Legendary rock bands of Providence: Shed
In a continuing series of looking at legendary original rock bands in Providence one cannot go forward without acknowledging Shed. They continue to be the dominating force of quality hardcore rock that is the barometer by which most all bands here and gone in this genre have been measured against.
Let’s hit you with the bio info first:
Shed is:
Vocals: Dave Lysik
Guitars: Fred Pearson and Dino*
Drums: Ricci Fantasia
Bass: Mario Fantasia
Music style: Original hardcore rock. Your typical mom and dad won’t like it but that of course doesn’t really matter in rock music, now does it?
Website: http://www.shed.net
(*Note: Ya know after all these years I don’t know Dino’s last name but who cares it’s Dino and everyone knows that.)
It is Shed that has been the secret destroyer and creator of the local heavy and poignantly lyrical rock crush. When I first started to get into the rock music scene back in the early 90’s people were quick to point me to Shed. I think I was first blown away by them live at Club Babyhead (Note for the young’ins: Closed now. Fuck! Where that Club Hell is now). The resonance of "I am coming Home!!!" still pounds in my head. "Home" the lead track off Shed’s seminal first CD "Unashamed" I’d say is still the biggest and best local hardcore rock song around.
The longevity of the band and their ability to survive over with all original members intact is itself a testament for over a decade now. Kilgore is gone, Times Expired is on hold or finito (I haven’t heard exactly) with 3 members splitting, and both State of Corruption and Freakshow have recently replaced their original bass players. So that puts Shed in the lone wolf pride position as continued pack leader.
I swear it’s only been by weird timing, right place/wrong time or vice versa, etc that Shed has not been picked up yet and launched into national recognition because the music is truly amazing recorded or live. And the live show will grab you by the balls. Actually, yeah sure, I’ll go on record and say I think they invented the mosh pit. There.
You’ve got to consider that level of on the brink places Shed has been on a local and beyond level. That first CD, Unashamed (which is now out of print and yes of course I have a copy, duh) charted big time on local radio shows and college stations around the country. The stage shared with factor has been a who’s who. Hell, how about that show a few ago with Godsmack and Stained opening for Shed and State of Corruption at Lupo’s? They’ve also done their fair share of upper-echelon specialty showcase gigs like the CMJ thing in NYC.
Let’s look at the instrumentation. Drums anyone? Watch and listen to Ricci work mad timing structure changes and pummel you with the precise impact. How about the duel intertwining and at the same time distinctly defining crunching (most of the time and that’s a good thing of course) guitars brought on by Fred and Dino? Mario on bass keeps the foundation solid and only enhances the drop C bottom end attack to where, especially when listening to their recordings and you have a sweet system, you know you should turn it way the fuck up so as to appreciate him. And I’ve done that. Try it. Secure all loose objects. For vocals, you will not find more sincere and soul-searching lyrics delivered in an atypical way than that of what Dave Lysik contributes. It’s pure hardcore poetry and that’s the fucking end of it. Whisper, speak and scream. Next.
All this is delivered in songs that generally are heavy and loud with a feeling of total honesty that is brought to light by the images and stories the lyrics tell. Shed has a pinpoint accuracy that is tactical to the listener/fan in the attention getting structure changes. They hit you with the big dynamic changes to and always mange to establish a killer groove. Basically, it’s super smart and creative on all fronts. And when all these elements are combined by certain individuals that come together to rock, you occasionally get a stand-out chemistry that births something very elusive to many bands. It’s called a unique, unmistakable sound that is immediately recognizable and is hard to forget. Shed has had it, has it and keeps having it.
Fan/scene appreciation? Glad I thought of it. For every bruise you get while squashed up in the front from the storm pit tumultuously seething behind you, Shed will do better and bleed for you. When you go to a Shed gig, they are the safe guide for all to come together and then express through rock, the in-common life experience -- with an emphasis on channeling the anger. They, as a great rock band will, provide the forum for the release and help you to not feel alone in the world. They do it better than well and the onstage presence is full circle. They are definitively a fans' band and they love the music scene and do more than you know to help promote the health.
Live is the shit, of course, but Shed’s also got you covered with pisser recordings, too. After Unashamed they released another full length called "Mosaic" a few ago, and there’s also a recent 4 song EP. Check their site for mp3’s.
So, in closing, you’re either going to continue to enjoy Shed (now with a reminded, refreshed, and deserved respect), rediscover them or check them for the first time (What!!! OK, you’re new to the area. That I’ll understand). Regardless you will not be disappointed. I’ve seen Shed so many times and you know what... I still can’t wait to see them again or get my hands on their next recording. You’ll be reading this through November so for sure know about Shed’s November 29th show at The Green Room with Freakshow. See the site for other dates.
Shed, a local band that is, as it’s said, a legend in the making and one that’s already there. Know and find out the reason why.
Support local music. Go out and have a friggin good time why don’t ya. Remember, local music is like my sex life. It’s cheap, easy and satisfying. |
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| | Local Rock Report
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Satyr, the madman behind Slugworth, used to regularly publish an email known as his "Local Rock Report". It was frequently informative, always mis-typed, and chock full o Satyr's wisdom. Satyr has since moved on to other pastures, and we have archived some of his Rock Reports here so future generations may bask in the glow. |
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