The Providence Phoenix   Local Anesthesia     Lotsa Hats, Big Shoes -- Eric Fontana Finally Gets His Disc Out                       Released: 08.01.03     Source: Providence Phoenix     Author: Bob Gulla     Original source link                 A few years back when Eric Fontana said goodbye to his longtime rock connection Mother Jefferson, he left the wild world of wiggy rock gigs behind. Today he dwells in the entirely more civilized society of theater, having spent much of the last two years appearing with a few Trinity Rep productions (Thunder Knocking On the Door, Nickel and Dimed) as guitarist and all-around versatile guy. When he’s not doing that, he’s schlepping his guitar around playing quiet (but still a bit crazy) solo gigs. And when he’s not doing that, he’s hanging out at Sound Station Seven making his own records and helping others make theirs as sort of a house musician. The fact is, the only way to make a living in this business is to diversify, and few musicians around town have done it as successfully as Eric Fontana. "A great week for me," he says, "would be to do a crazy rock show in Newport one night, a great R&B show with the Nakeds with Clarence Clemons on sax the next, jazz in a big band at a wedding after that, and a quiet coffeehouse gig doing an acoustic thing to wrap things up." Make no mistake, Mr. Fontana can do all of the above, having served as guitarist with Steve Smith’s terrific band for a while, and having studied horn charts at Berklee College of Music in order to learn more about jazz. (His fave guitarist of that ilk is Wes Montgomery.) Eric can also make CDs. He proves that on Hats & Shoes, a brand new disc he will release this Monday at the Met Café. Of course, with all that Fontana had going on, the new album has been years in the making. "The CD was finished two winters ago," he says, "but then I got the gig at Trinity Rep, so I decided to wait until the following fall. But then I ended up doing a lot of traveling, playing shows all over the place, and wasn’t home that much. So something kept coming up." When he finally found a small window of opportunity, Fontana stuck a stick in it to prop it up. After nearly three years of searching, it was the right time. "For me there has always been a bunch of fish in the frying pan," he says. "Let’s put it out." Surprisingly, Hats & Shoes sounds zesty and fresh, despite having languished on the shelf for so long. "I’ve never gone for the sonic fashion of the day," he says. "I hate when something sounds dated." Some of Fontana’s material dates way back to the late ’80s and just now is seeing the light of day. The simple strum on "Saturday Song," written in 1990, has a Seger-esque "Night Moves" quality as sung by, say, Jeff Tweedy. Another old one, the effervescent "Wake Up," is folk music breaking free of its self-absorption and busting into the daylight. There are intriguing nuggets all across the record, with Eric handling keyboards and guitar chores, and an assortment of helping hands: Bob Giusti, Chris Cook, Margie Wienk, and the Nakeds horn section, among others. "In the big picture," Eric says, "I would like to be a recording artist, like the ones I grew up admiring -- Springsteen, Billy Joel, Lucinda Williams. But in the meantime, I’ll do what I need to do to make a living." Eric Fontana’s CD release party will take place this Monday, August 2 at the Met Café, with Pete Burr and Anna’s House. TRIPLETHREAT. Tonight (Thursday, the 31st), a worthwhile bill goes down at the Call, featuring the ’Mericans, Honeybunch, and Sleepyhead. The ’Mericans, as many of you well know, are minded by Purple Ivy Shadows stalwarts Chris Daltry and Will Rice, and accompanied as of late by an antique drum machine and recent ’mmigrants Tom Baker and Jeffrey Underhill. And speaking of Mr. Underhill, Jeffrey also finds himself at the helm of Honeybunch, a woefully underrecorded but mightily appreciated jangly pop band which also features Lisa Underhill (voice, keys) and Rafael Attias (guitar, studio wizardry). Believe it or not, Honeybunch has a new disc out, a five-song self-titled EP on the Bus Stop label -- a long overdue one at that -- they’ll most likely be peddling at the show. (They go on around 10 p.m.) The EP, which Jeffrey says is "pretty close to the band’s live sound," is a measured, pretty, and poignant serving of melodic ’60s pop. Jeffrey and Lisa sing and play delicately, while studio dude Attias helps to dilute the fragility with intrusions of sound. Tasteful without being precious. Feeling energized (and rehearsed!) after their recent San Francisco gig, the band will also welcome drummer David Narcizo for a portion of this show. Sleepyhead are Chris O’Rourke and Rachel McNally, and could easily consider Providence their second home, given the number of times they’ve played here in a myriad of lineups. Fortunately, their formative years spent in the company of such questionable folk as Dung Beetle, Six Finger Satellite, and Velvet Crush did not incur lasting damage. Come early, stay late. Great music for a mere $4. BLUESPOWER. The 11th Annual Onset Bay Blues Festival is on tap on Saturday, led by two legendary bluesmen, Sugar Ray Norcia and James Montgomery, which means you’re gonna get some serious blues harp at the Gregerman Bandshell in Onset Village in Wareham, Massachusetts. The festival gets underway at 9 a.m., but the music kicks at 12:30 and it’ll keep on kickin’ until 7 p.m. Look for performances by Fatwall Jack, Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, and the Blue Gills to round out the slate. Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the venue and are available throughout the region. The small fee ensures that the Onset Bay Association will be able to keep this traditional event going. For information or directions to the event, contact the Onset Bay Association at (508) 295-7072 or www.onsetvillage.com. Wandering Eye. On Friday (the 1st), the Living Room boasts an all-ages show with the Toasters, M-80, Plan 17, and more. After the gig, M-80 heads to Detroit to hop on the Warped Tour, so let’s see them off in style. On Friday at the Ocean Mist, Diamond Eyed Jacks, specializing in Grateful Dead tuneage, will be playing a gig in celebration of Jerry Garcia’s birthday. The Rank Strangers, a local bluegrass outfit, will be opening. If zydeco is your thing, you can head to Stepping Stone Ranch on Saturday (the 2nd) in the lovely sticks of West Greenwich to boogie cha-cha to Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Road Runners. Also on the bill are locals Slippery Sneakers and one of the busiest bands in show biz, Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys. The gig begins at 2 and runs to 8:30. The ranch has a great outdoor grass amphitheater, the original outdoor dance floor, a great food concession, wine and beer service, and camping is available. It’s a sweet place to spend a summer afternoon listening to great music. In fact, if you’re smart and want the four-square Zydeco treatment, you can cap off the night with a trip to Sal’s R&B Club in Johnston for an appearance by Rosie Ledet, who will also appear on Sunday (the 3rd) at the Spring House Hotel on Block Island with Buckwheat Zydeco. Jackie O. and Illustrious Day will play at the Portuguese Festival in New Bedford on Saturday at 7:30. Jackie says a bunch of great bands will also be playing that day (all free), so it sounds like a good time.                     other items in this group     Local Anesthesia 05.27.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       ’Round town - Westside ARTS, RISA’s men, Radio Kings, and more     Local Anesthesia 05.20.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       A better Day - Jackie O’Brien and company’s Waving in Traffic     Local Anesthesia 05.13.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Swan song - A Westerly institution gets unplugged     Local Anesthesia 05.06.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       New noise - Suicide Liquors, the StereoBirds, and the Gobshites     Local Anesthesia 04.29.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       New tricks (and treats) - The Dino Club’s Oscar-worthy Big Screen Wide     Local Anesthesia 04.22.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       A wealth of talent - Mark Renburke calls on the best for his new disc     Local Anesthesia 03.18.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Around the world - Jo Jo Gator comes home again     Local Anesthesia 03.11.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Fringe benefits - Urdog, the Slip, Fred Kendall Abong, and more     Local Anesthesia 03.04.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Blood simple - Wretched Asylum paint the town red in Prognosis     Local Anesthesia 02.25.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Battle royale - Sasquatch takes the top prize at the Rock Hunt     Local Anesthesia 02.18.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Taking lessons - The second anniversary of the Station fire     Local Anesthesia 02.11.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Rattlin’ all over - RattleHead Records gears up for ’05     Local Anesthesia 02.04.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Lovin’ it live - Richard Thompson, Anders Parker, more     Local Anesthesia 01.28.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Restless records - Grüvis Malt master the art of multitasking     Local Anesthesia 01.21.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Still standing - Roomful of Blues celebrate a new disc — and survival     Local Anesthesia 01.14.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Short stuff - Big sounds in little packages     Local Anesthesia 01.07.05 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Good acoustics - The best jazz, blues, and folk of ’04     Local Anesthesia 12.31.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Best in show - The top rock, etc. listens in ’04     Local Anesthesia 12.24.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Success story - The big time doesn’t elude the Slip     Local Anesthesia 12.17.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Everyday people - Routine 8’s debut is more than a daily grind     Local Anesthesia 12.10.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Ready for Bedtime - Rebecca Nurse deliver some sweet Stories     Local Anesthesia 12.03.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Funk soul brothers - Fungus Amungus puts the fun back in funky     Local Anesthesia 11.26.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The genuine article - Stefan Couture and company keep it real on Ghost     Local Anesthesia 11.19.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Acoustic café - Stone Soup keeps the folk talent coming     Local Anesthesia 11.12.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       On the verge - M-80 are ready for their close-up with the release of American Road     Local Anesthesia 11.05.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Staying positive - You can learn a lot about living from Randy Hien     Local Anesthesia 10.29.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Getting busy - Becky Chace and Blues Bastard     Local Anesthesia 10.22.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Velver revolving - Menck and Chastain make another great disc     Local Anesthesia 10.15.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Shipping out - Mastamindz’s Matt Moreau is headed to Iraq     Local Anesthesia 10.01.04 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Miracle men - Greg Hodde’s deep blues; 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Stone sings about the Station fire in "Eddie"     Local Anesthesia 12.12.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Reflections -- D.J. Stone sings about the Station fire in "Eddie"     Local Anesthesia 12.06.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Grand evolution -- Erin McKeown’s songs get ‘bigger and better’     Local Anesthesia 11.28.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Howlin’ wolves -- Smokestack Lightnin’ brings down the house     Local Anesthesia 11.28.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The full Monty -- The Fan Club flirts with the big time     Local Anesthesia 11.21.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       One night only! -- Neutral Nation celebrate 20 years and a new disc     Local Anesthesia 11.14.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Wheat dreams -- Taunton-based crew goes Technicolor     Local Anesthesia 11.07.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The long haul -- Al Copley is in too deep, and likes it that way     Local Anesthesia 10.31.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Ace of clubs? -- Ultra arrives; the Electra Complex; and more     Local Anesthesia 10.17.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Seeking the truth -- Davies and Auchenbach conspire on a new disc     Rhode Island's most influential people in the Arts community 10.11.03 by Phoenix Staff (Providence Phoenix)       The Phoenix profiles Rhode Island's most influential people in the Arts community.     Local Anesthesia 10.10.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Blowin Smoke -- Greg Abate and Channel One tear it up again     Local Anesthesia 10.03.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Cosmic Psychos -- Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys get a groove on     Local Anesthesia 09.26.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Knight Moves -- Margie Wienk celebrates a haunting new disc     Local Anesthesia 09.19.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       April Fooled -- An Unsigned Band; plus, Pendragon turns 20     Local Anesthesia 09.12.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The 300 Shows -- Midnight Creeps celebrate a milestone     Local Anesthesia 09.05.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Floodstock -- The welcome return of Summerfest     Local Anesthesia 08.29.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Summer’s not over -- Rhythm & Roots tops a busy Labor Day weekend     Local Anesthesia 08.22.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Go, Cat, Go! -- Rockabilly picks up steam on the scene     Local Anesthesia 08.15.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Just for fun -- Cracking wise with Katie Lee Hooker     Local Anesthesia 08.08.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Have Mercy! The return of Mike Dinallo and company     Local Anesthesia 08.01.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Lotsa Hats, Big Shoes -- Eric Fontana Finally Gets His Disc Out     Local Anesthesia 07.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Straw Dogs -- The Haymakers' Why We Can’t Have Nice Things     Local Anesthesia 07.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Sound Defects -- Blues Bastard And Other Awesome Aberrations     Local Anesthesia 07.11.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       Growing Painz -- Mastamindz Hatch Fiendish Plot     Local Anesthesia 07.04.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: The Best Goes On -- Music Pollapalooza comes to the Ocean Mist     Local Anesthesia 06.27.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Break out -- Letdown, Chinese Stars, Fuses rev it up     Local Anesthesia 06.13.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Answering the call -- The healing power of the Call for Action DVD     Local Anesthesia 06.06.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Newport news -- No Means Yes and the Philtres make headlines     Local Anesthesia 05.30.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Freakin’ out -- Mike Hamel and company head west     Local Anesthesia 05.23.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Demo derby -- Emery Vesch, Sibling Rivalry, and Flav Martin     Local Anesthesia 05.16.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Soundcheck -- Donnybrook, the Cringe, Illustrious Day, and more     Local Anesthesia 05.09.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Arabs off radar -- The avant act calls it quits; plus, an Invasion update     Local Anesthesia 05.02.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Healing sounds -- The Call’s energetic and heartfelt benefit CD     Local Anesthesia 04.18.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's Esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Musing again -- A winning Throwback, Benny Sizzler, and more     Local Anesthesia 02.27.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Hole in our soul -- The music community's devastating loss     Local Anesthesia 02.20.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week:     Local Anesthesia 02.13.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Wonderful world -- Cheryl Wheeler loves her job; plus, V for Vendetta     Local Anesthesia 02.07.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Story hour -- Dan Moretti and Once Through lay it down     Local Anesthesia 01.31.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Love you live -- Planet Groove lays it down at the Ocean Mist     Local Anesthesia 01.24.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Consolation prize -- Ricky Valente grows up     Local Anesthesia 01.17.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Whistle stop -- Otis Read, Phil Edmonds, and Friends     Local Anesthesia 01.10.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week: Lights, camera... Century Productions is where the action is     Local Anesthesia 01.03.03 by Bob Gulla (Providence Phoenix)       The Providence Phoenix's esteemed Bob Gulla with his weekly music scene coverage. This week:The big picture -- Best in show, pt. 2               Filed Under...   becky chace band (36) beyond blonde (183) black and white (12) CD Reviews (4) complaints (2) Crazed Rock Fan (3) Dirk Diggla (6) Decibel Magazine (12) ellis ashbrook (13) grandevolution (15) hawkins rise (102) Headlines (85) jazz bastards (4) J Hunter (1) frank martyn (24) mastamindz (27) owen mcgonigle (4) Misc. Items (2) Opinions (10) Pele (5) The Providence Phoenix (115) the radionics (9) RattleHead News (8) (2) rossoni (1) santa mamba (41) sasquatch and the sick-a-billys (121) sexcoffee (16) Satyr's Local Rock Report (23) Spock's Brain (3) terri g and the band (2) ultra plush (17) vulgarrity (2)             The Providence Phoenix is the God of local music in the area. Bob Gulla is an excellent music reporter, and they provide the only weekly local music coverage that is accessible to the masses.