Local Music Scene? (Part I) - There Are Two Scenes and You're Part of Neither

by Andy Poncherello

There are two distinct music scenes in the Berkshires.  One is comprised of cover bands and the other is comprised of bands playing original music.  One of these two factions has a thriving scene filled with supportive fans and supportive musicians while the other scene thinks they are doing everything right.  Sadly, they doing everything completely wrong and guess what?  The cover band scene is the thriving scene if this is any indication as to where this article is headed.  Oddly enough, the cover band scene has a large population of cheerleaders who are mistaken for true promoters and would lead you to believe that these performers are the next best thing to sliced bread.  This subject in particular will hopefully be the subject of a future article as it's a very interesting subject on it's own.

The original music scene that encompasses a selection of bands playing a wide variety of musical styles revolves around basically two clubs in Pittsfield who agree to book them.  Out of the two clubs, one is a restaurant during the day and the other is solely a club.  The club has two rooms, two sound systems, large dance floor, security/door people, a competent sound engineer and a ramp to load in and out, which is very convenient.  The restaurant has a marginal PA, a nice sized stage, small dance floor, stairs to climb and no one to run sound, security or collect the door.  Regardless of either venues' shortcomings, there are positives with each situation.  With the exception of these two outlets for original live music, the rest of the Pittsfield city limits and beyond is reserved for your run-of-the-mill cookie-cutter cover bands.

(There is a third venue that somehow skirted numerous permitting regulations with the City of Pittsfield.  The lobby of the Colonial Theater known as the Garage is where they manage to tout the brilliance of bands no one has ever heard of except for the most elitist.....er....discerning music listener.  The focus of this is about rock bands, not jazz fusion.  Because jazz fusion bands have a strong support system with fans, friends and other band members, they would fall into the cover band category based on support alone, not based on what they're actually playing.  Again, for the sake of argument, the jazz fusion crowd will be assigned to the cover band category.)

Out of the scenes previously mentioned, the cover band scene appeals to an older audience and the original bands generally appeal to a younger audience.  There will of course be exceptions, but that's not the point, the point is to actually finish this and make some sort of coherent observations.


Bands Support Other Bands in the Pittsfield/Berkshire County Music Scene

This statement is 100% true in the world of cover bands but barely 25% true in the world of bands playing original music.  How can this be?  Simple actually.  Fans of cover bands are generally older, have kids, a regular job and basically need to blow off steam when given the chance.  This chance seems to occur 52 weekends a year, yet, without making excuses, these fans support the bands who are also their friends or friends of friends.  They actually repost show announcements, bug their indecisive friends to come out instead of staying in and will do whatever it takes to make wherever they are, seem like the place to be.  Surprisingly, there is very little ego to be had (and really, when you're playing someone else's music and getting paid for it, how can you have an ego?   It is possible I suppose).

When dealing with bands playing original music however, none of the above is true.  Unlike the cover bands, some original bands won't even promote their own shows!  Band members won't even tell their friends, co-workers and family that they have a show!  Its almost as if there's an embarrassment factor.  Well, if you're embarrassed about being in a band, QUIT!  The few fans they may have had at any one given time probably don't even know there's a show to begin with.  It may be a hard concept to fathom, but show announcements aren't being shared telepathically just yet.  Now, if people who might go to the show know about it, there are more excuses being thrown around as to why they can't go instead of supporting their friends.  Even other bands who play essentially the same style of music being performed at the show, stay away from the show like the show has the plague.  Bands seem to have an ego or an attitude that they're beyond the level of supporting their friends or other bands locally especially if they've seen the band once or twice.   In the defense of the folks who don't attend for whatever reason, the crowd that gravitates to the exciting world of cover bands like flies to feces are older and have a less hectic schedule.  They're not dealing with exams, homework, weird shifts at work, video games, Facebooking, crying on Tumblr, posting to Pinterest, partying, smoking dope or hanging out at the mall.   These distractions will continue to kill live original music to the point that neither of the two remaining venues for it in Pittsfield will opt to book something else.   

If you can stomach going to see a cover band even for just a few songs, take a look around the room and if their band isn't playing that night, you'll see quite a few audience members who are in other bands at the show.  This is something you rarely find at shows where bands are playing original material here in region and this is extremely frustrating. 

Take for example a recent show in Pittsfield with the band Shanren from China.  Shanren will normally play to 15,000 in extremely large venues throughout the world and it was a coup that they somehow ended up in Pittsfield on their first-ever North American tour.  The band understood they would be playing smaller venues to smaller audiences because they are virtually unknown here.  Shanren has successfully combined the traditional sounds of what you'd expect a band from the mountains of China to sound like with rock n' roll, metal, hip hop and reggae to create a very unique and incredible sound that really will appeal to anyone who hears them.  At times they remind me of John Zorn's Naked City of all things and at other times they sound very familiar but different.  Also sharing the bill with Shanren was three great bands.   Locals Noumenon and SufferDie were representing the hometown scene and the band Wringer was added to the bill as they were on tour from Indiana.  The Berkshire Eagle did a fantastic job of plastering Shanren on the 413 section (above the fold, for those of you keeping score) as well as getting picked up on a few other outlets including Paul Rapp's Nippertown site.  Yet with all of that promotion and buzz, the show drew a paltry, very typical amount of people.  Don't get me wrong,  everyone attending enjoyed it, the other bands enjoyed, the club enjoyed it but it was a shame that more people couldn't drive a few miles to see a band who traveled thousands of miles (or hundreds in Wringer's case) to play here in Pittsfield.

To be continued!!!!!

Rebel Sound Radio Playlist March 6, 2012

The goal of updating this blog has kind of been failing, but I don't know if the reader actually cares.  I say "reader" as there couldn't possibly be more than one!  Okay two, if you count me.

Rebel Sound Radio is broadcast every Tuesday night on WTBR-FM 89.7 out of Pittsfield Massachusetts. You can listen online or on the radio of course.  The program is hosted by Jon Hanson and Andy Poncherello.  They occasionally play requests.

March 6, 2012

GLOO GIRLS - Yo! Blondie! (vinyl)
THE KINKS - Lola
MOTORHEAD - Eat the Rich
SCRUMTRILLESCENT - Pizzacracy (request)
JIM CARROL BAND - People Who Died
THE SWEET - Fox on the Run
OLD MAN MARKLEY - For Better For Worse
TIGER ARMY - After World
THE OFFSPRING - I Want You Bad
MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE - Na Na Na Na (request)
NERVOUS EATERS - Loretta
RAMONES - The Job That Ate My Brain
THE GIRAFFES - Prime Motivator (request)
CHUMBAWAMA - Your Ugly Houses
SHANREN - song 2
CURSIVE - In the Now
THE DAMNED - Disguise
BEACH BOYS - God Only Knows (vinyl)
SONIC YOUTH - Cross the Breeze
BAD RELIGION - Los Angeles is Burning
ALICE COOPER - Clones (vinyl)
THE HOUSEMARTINS - The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death (vinyl) (request)
ANDREW W.K. - Party Hard
BOW WOW WOW - I Am A T.V. Savage (request)
BOOMTOWN RATS - I Don't Like Mondays (vinyl)
ARCTIC DEATH - Handprints
CIRCLE JERKS - Wasted (request)
BLACK FLAG - Wasted (request)
ALKALINE TRIO - This Addction
THE ONLY ONES - Another Girl Another Planet (vinyl)
BARONESS - song 2
FLAMING LIPS - Drug Machine in Heaven (vinyl) (request)
SCREAMING FEMALES - Boyfriend (request)

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BAND TO PLAY GUITAR JAM 2012!

Guitar Jam 2012 (Fan Jam) Help Us Get on the Show!

by Rebel Sound Records on Monday, March 5, 2012 at 8:03pm

Let's help make the Berkshire Eagle's Guitar Jam 2012 the Fan Jam that it truly needs to be!  Four bands will be chosen and how great would it be if one of these four were on the stage?  Let's do it!
ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY APRIL 7, 2012 to make it to the next round of voting.  All the information can be found here in the Eagle's article.

Pick four from this list and use a valid email address to vote!  You can also drop your choices in the mail, this is open to EVERYONE so even if you don't live in the Berkshires, please vote for your favorites!

AMERIKKKAN CITIZENS
Why should you vote for one of the newest bands on the scene?  Why not?  They perform with conviction, integrity and on a level not seen locally in years, if ever.  The one-two punch of their guitar and bass assault has Amerikkkan Citizens taking prisoners like no other band in the county.  What will they do next?  Who knows?  The recorded debut will be out by April 1 and that's no fooling.

BLOODWAR
Nothing about Bloodwar is subtle and their are now performing with their strongest line-up to date!  Welcome this powerhouse back to the stage as they prepare to play shows in support of their newest album!  This veteran hardcore act will leave you wanting more!

DEAFENED BY LOVE
It's hard to believe this excellent indie rock band exists right here in the Berkshires!  The songs are fun and carry so much substance you still won't believe they're a local band.  Deafened By Love is another band you need to catch when you can because one day we'll catch up with what everyone out of the area knows, this band is great!

EXOVOX
If this were 1989, Sub Pop Records would've signed Exovox upon hearing their demos or seeing them live.  One of the finest examples of the classic grunge sound that you can find in the region.  This 3 piece brings to mind the classic sounds of the Pacific Northwest adding in their own east coast influence, good stuff!


THE FALLEN STARLETS
Part trash, part glitter, part glam and part rock n' roll fantasy, this wild and crazy south county four piece has been making a name for themselves throughout the region.  The Fallen Starlets could've toured/should've shared the stage with punk rock legends Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers back at the Peppermint Lounge!

FOREVER AUTUMN
While voted Best Acoustic Act within the last couple of year by My 411 Source, you can't just consider Forever Autumn to be just an acoustic act.  They have much more substance and bite than your stereotypical acoustic act.  Forever Autumn coined the phrase "acoustic doom" and there isn't a much more appropriate description of this powerful group!

NICE TRY KID
It's hard to imagine modern day pop-punk not being represented in the Berkshires.  Nice Try Kid have successfully managed to capture the 90's with their melodic take on a sometimes worn out genre. Its refreshing because this is something the kids aren't really doing today!

NOUMENON
Experiencing Noumenon live is something else.  This guitar and vocals duo put many full bands to shame.  The shrieking vocals combined with the searing guitar create such an intense live experience that Noumenon are spreading their audio chaos throughout the northeast!

ONE BRIGHT DAY
Nu-metal or hard rock?  You decide because One Bright Day have managed to survive in an area with minimal live performance options and minimal recorded output.  Coming from all sorts of directions with two guitars, bass, drums and a wild front, One Bright Day's songs of nihilism and isolation will have you wanting more!

THE PONCHERELLOS
Will their 20th year be their final year?  It's tough to say, but what isn't tough to say is that this veteran punk act recorded a killer album that was never officially released and continue to work on new material while other bands have disappeared off the face of the earth.  With new line-up that was like a shock to the life support system, they refuse to throw in the towel just yet!

SIFER
Don't miss out on one of the longest-running original hard rock/metal bands in the region who have pushed their music to new levels with each and every performance!  They don't play too often, but catch them when you can because you won't be disappointed with their powerful sounds!

THE SPURS
While they're one of newer bands on the local scene, The Spurs have certainly made a name for themselves rather quickly.  If have yet to catch them live, you must drop everything and try to make it to their next show! One of the best country bands in the region, hands down.

STAIRWELL SEA
Hot on the heels of their new split EP with NY's Clover, Stairwell Sea show they've continued to grow beyond their thrash metal beginnings.  The aggressive guitars are still there but the songs have grown in every which way but subtle!

SUFFERDIE
After weathering a few line-up changes, this band relocated to the Berkshires and are ready to take it by storm!  Their influences are all over the place, but the result is massive amounts of energy and solid performances throughout the entire band.  Don't miss them as they play throughout the region on a regular basis!


ENTRIES MUST BE IN BY APRIL 7, 2012


email to dgentile@berkshireeagle.com

or US mail to

DEREK GENTILE
The Berkshire Eagle
75 S. Church St.
Pittsfield MA 01201




https://www.facebook.com/notes/rebel-sound-records/guitar-jam-2012-fan-jam-help-us-get-on-the-show/10150654011554096

Rebel Sound Radio **LIVE** Once Again, First Playlist

It's been about 4 years, but Rebel Sound Radio is finally being broadcast live once again  on Pittsfield Massachusetts' WTBR-FM (89.7).  I may or may not play what you request, but you can always try any Tuesday from about 8:00pm through about 11:00pm during the school year (and not during school vacation weeks at 413-448-9607).  I thank the former hosts of the Bad Medicine Show who had the good sense of turning over their time slot to me otherwise there would've been some violent confrontation! 

To make things easier and because I'm somewhat lazy, I have a co-host who will answer the phone, write down songs that are played and even make suggestions on what I could play.  Granted, Jonathan Hanson may request some crappy rock as he seems to carry quite of bit of it with him, but I will berate him on the air and then most likely play it for the sake of comedic effect.

PC users will have no problem streaming using WinAmp, but Mac users need to download a free program called VLC and stream it through that or depending upon which OS you're running, you can run it through iTunes.  I find that VLC is just easier to use, just "open using" and you should be all set.  I am not a tech geek, so please don't scream at me if it doesn't work.

Playlist for Tuesday February 28, 2012 (as written by Jonathan Hanson, co-producer)

AGAINST ME - Because of the Shame
PIXIES - I Bleed (vinyl)
KANSAS - Carry On My Wayward Son (by request)
AGE OF CHANCE - Kiss
BIG D & THE KIDS TABLE - Modern American Gypsy
THE CURE - Why Can't I Be You (vinyl)
THE REPLACEMENTS - Color Me Impressed
BIG STAR - September Girls
A.F.I. - The Leaving Song Pt. II
BLONDIE - Atomic
SCREAMING FEMALES - It All Means Nothing (vinyl)
BOUNCING SOULS - Lean On Sheena
SHAN REN - ???
SHAN REN - ???
DESCENDENTS - Nothing With You (request)
RAMONES - I Wanna Be Sedated (request)
RAMONES - Bonzo Goes to Bitburg (request)
RAMONES - Do You Remember Rock n' Roll Radio? (request)
Banana Splits Theme
BILLY IDOL - Rebel Yell (request)
BILLY IDOL - Super Overdrive
REDD KROSS - Jimmy's Fantasy
FLAMING LIPS - With You
FLAMING LIPS - What's So Funny About Peace Love & Understanding
DANZIG - Mother (vinyl)
FRANK BLACK - Men In Black
THE SPECIALS - Ghost Town (vinyl)
GOES CUBE - Saab Sonnet(?) I can't read his scribble
SHAN REN - ???
GREEN DAY - Going to Pasalaqua
AMELDA MAY - Johnny's Got A Boom Boom
GOO GOO DOLLS - Just the Way You Are
DEAD CATS DEAD RATS - Oh Well
DESERT SESSIONS - Make It Wit Chu
THE KNUX - Run
RISE AGAINST - Anyway You Want It
DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS - Come On Eileen
ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT - Heart of A Rat

I think that's it, he stopped writing these down I suspect.

Photos From the Peter Moore Benefit at Chameleon's in Pittsfield Mass-Sunday Feb. 26, 2012

 THE SPURS USA

 PETER MOORE'S FATHER, MR. TOM MOORE ALL THE WAY FROM FLORIDA

 KATRINA VALENTI

 SARAH RAYNER

 TOM FOODY

 STREAK

EXOVOX

If Live Music Isn't Dead, Then Where the Hell is Everybody?

There are several factors to be considered here and there isn't a simple answer.  There are aspects to the answer that could be considered simple, but there don't appear to be any easy solutions.

Throughout my life, I've been a part of 4 distinct "scenes" that were each different and unique, but all shared the commonality that there was strength in numbers.  That strength is no longer felt here in the Berkshires and from what other touring bands have shared, it is lacking everywhere.  Sure, there are pockets of true scenes still left in the underground community, there would have to be, but instead of growing over time, the scenes have slowly withered away.

All this talk of "the scene" locally is a joke, there is no scene.  There is no support of friends, there is no support of other bands, there is no support of touring bands, there is no support of shows, there is no support of much of anything unless your band is playing, then the rest of the world must drop everything and come to "your" show, but what about the other shows?  This isn't a competition.  In order to build something, in this case a true scene, people need to be supportive and conscious of what's going on around them.  What good is a scene if there are 20 bands in an area but when one of the bands has a show, the other bands stay away because they're not playing the show?  Bitterness and jealousy are scene killers and this is truly a sad state of affairs because all of the control lies in your hands.

Successful show:

Typical Pittsfield show:

The Knux and Jordy Towers Pack the House and Are Joined by The Dance Cancer and Dreimz! (November 25, 2011)

By Andy Poncherello

The Knux from Los Angeles (by way of New Orleans) and their tour-mate Jordy Towers added a Pittsfield stop on their current tour towards the end of September and what a great idea this turned out to be!  The Knux had never heard of Pittsfield and I'd never heard of The Knux but  when I found out they had just recently appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman, I booked them in a heartbeat!  This was by far the biggest show that had rolled into Chameleon's in club's short history and what a way to put it on the map.  Local rockers The Dance Cancer were added to bill after approval of The Knux management company and I snuck local hip-hop artist Dreimz onto the bill just because I could.
 
The show was promoted everywhere and even the Berkshire Eagle ran a great interview with The Knux, who's show was on the same night as a jam-band show (ho-hum) that was directly sponsored by the paper.

Like The Knux, Dreimz has a punk rock background and it shows in his rhymes.  His set was a throwback to the way it used to be done and he rapped over his self-composed tracks.  He was a lot of fun to watch and put on another great show as expected.

The Dance Cancer have been getting better and better since each and every performance and this was no exception.  Noah, Ethan and Tom were joined for the first time by drummer Tom Brown and they sounded like they'd been playing together for years.   Great polished set!

After a set-change, Jordy Towers' band took to the stage and got the room read for one fun set from this dynamic performer.  Jordy was formerly known as Optimus and his backing band for the tour was the remains of the band Revis.  The combination of these four musicians was a perfect match.  Jordy's songs jumped off the walls of Chameleon's and blow away anything you'll find online.  People sang along and new much of his set, it was awesome.

The musicians playing with The Knux immediately started to change over the stage to accommodate the headliners.   Everything was set in just a few minutes and the band flew into the intro that opens their new album "Eraser" right on cue.  Joey and Krispy Lindsey tore the roof off of the club as their set included almost every crowd favorite in their repertoire.  The sound was spot-on and the new lights installed specifically for this show added so much to their performance that they kept on playing and playing.

When their set was finally done, their DJ kept spinning vinyl, the soundguy got behind the drum kit and their guitarist kept playing beats as the crowd kept dancing well past 1am.  This was a great time for sure and if you weren't there, don't miss them the time they're in town as they'll be back!