The Providence Phoenix   Local Anesthesia     Getting busy - Becky Chace and Blues Bastard                       Released: 10.29.04     Source: Providence Phoenix     Author: Bob Gulla     Original source link                 Let’s take a close look at a couple of discs by two outfits who are busy busy busy taking it to the next level. The Becky Chace Band: Rescue You know it’s not right that Becky Chace is still putting out records on her own. I mean, what does a performer have to prove to get a reasonable record deal? Hello? Becky’s got the goods, people. She can write, sing, play, and arrange. She can do it electric or acoustic. She can yell and she can whisper and get her message across both ways. She can speak from her heart, and she can see things through the more sober prism of her head. Fortunately, Rescue, her new disc, proves all of this. So she doesn’t have to bust her ass convincing everyone - the music magically does the talking. It’s a quantum leap better than her last recording and a gratifying demonstration of her true potential as a performer. The opening title cut is perhaps her best tune yet, with gorgeous acoustic guitar serving as a bed underlying her substantive wordsmithing: "Broken like a puzzle, pieces on the floor / You can’t put us back together like before." There’s great stuff on the 14 tunes, all the way through the romping "You Get Wet" and the closer, a full version of "I Believe," a song the band stretches out live that features Chace cuttin’ loose. Though she’s had some line-up shake-ups recently, word has it that the band is better and crisper than ever. Perhaps it was the change she needed to take her act to the next level. One thing’s for sure - Rescue, recorded with Joe Moody at Danger, won’t hurt her chances. As one of the better local discs of the year, it just might do the trick. Blues Bastard (Six-song EP) OK, so maybe they’re not as busy as they could be. But hell, if you played this kind of music night in and night out, you’d be askin’ for trouble. Blues Bastard’s blitzkrieg bop is a mix of MC5 and AC/DC without the Angus factor, merged with something newer, like the Mooney Suzuki. Led by Mitch Winston on vox - and, boy, does he have a set of pipes, kinda like Kiss’ Paul Stanley when he really had it - the band lurches through a set of primitive rockers full of messy power chords and potent performances. The set kicks off with the self-celebratory "The Bastard," then cruises into "She’s Faster Than My Hot Rod" and "Scumbag." A quick skim through the lyrics reveals the band is into the simple things: slutty girls, partying hard, and that classic archetypal rock attitude: love ’em and leave ’em. Though it ain’t PC or nuthin’, it suits this band just fine. Blues Bastard can really throw it down.WHAT A LOAD O’ . . . The world premiere of Load Records’ Pick a Winner DVD goes down this weekend at an event that doubles as a political benefit. The Load folks are introducing candidate Jeff Toste (running for senator in District 5) to unwitting constituents at the same time, which happens to be Friday (the 29th) at 7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Theatre on Broadway. I haven’t seen it yet, but Pick a Winner is being touted as "an animated musical spectacular DVD/CD." The DVD brings some of the freshest animation talents on the planet to feast on the project. Possibly even better, though, is what follows the flick: Load bands. And we all know what kind of havoc that means. We’re talkin’ White Mice, Necronomitron, Metalux, and Lightning Bolt. It’s almost more color and sound than the West Side can likely handle, all together in one epic evening! Admission is just $8. Check it out on the web: www.loadrecords.com/pickawinner.html WANDERING EYE. Scott over at the Rocky Point Pub is always looking for original bands for its Thursdays Live Music Showcase, trying to keep the local scene alive in Warwick. He’s currently booking dates in December. Contact Scott at skeletongigs@cox.net if you’re interested. Tomorrow’s Remedy plays Cats in Pawtucket on Saturday (the 30th) with the Departed Stoic and UnScarred. Check ’em out; they’re a new and inspired bunch eager to get the word out. Routine 8 just finished mastering their as yet untitled new eight-track CD. They report: "We recorded and mixed the tracks at Studio 2 Kingston, and then brought it over to up-and-coming Rhino Studios to master it. It’s got just enough of a raw sound that a digitally recorded/mixed/mastered CD can have, which is what we like." Samples should be up on their website this week (routine8band.tripod.com/). The CD is scheduled to drop on December 18 at Cats, just in time to stuff a few stockings! The horn-fueled, jumping, swinging, award-winning band - our own beloved Roomful of Blues - is touring in support of their Alligator Records debut, the Grammy-nominated That’s Right!, and will be onstage at Chan’s in Woonsocket on Friday at 8 and 10 p.m. Roomful recently won the coveted 2004 W.C. Handy Blues Award for Band of the Year and the award for Blues Instrumentalist - Horns. There’s a big Halloween party on Friday over at Cady’s Tavern in the dark woods of Gloucester. It’s a free show with the fabulously rockin’ Jeri and the Jeepsters playing all night. So throw on your best sheet and get psyched for a scary good time. On Saturday, there’s another fantastic Halloween show on tap at the Blackstone, with the Lingo (those wacky Rock Hunt winners) opening, and Headroom, a new band self-described as "rockin’ jazz heady disco trance funk" - which is to say it’s at least eclectic. It’s a costume party, with cash prizes for the best get-ups. Johnny Carlevale and the Broken Rhythm Boys also have a big Halloween-type party going at Jake’s this Saturday. Carlevale’s band, in their first local appearance, opens the night, with Johnny Maguire’s new band the Cobra-Matics to follow and Randy Pinto & Galactic Boots closing the show. The fun starts at 9 p.m. with the Evilive DJs spinning spooky tunes, R&B, rockabilly, and dirty rock ’n’ roll between sets! NYC rock outfit Demander visits the Green Room on Saturday, with Providence’s own Sweet Thieves and newcomers Badman. The Sweet Thieves have a sort of angular dissonance, while Badman carries dark and labyrinthine melody atop a two-drummer attack. E-mail me at big.daddy1@cox.net if you want news of your gig or recording in this here column.                     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.