Stars And Stripes / For The Worse / Barry White / The Usual Suspects / Drug Shock
Firehouse 13, Providence, RI 3/2/13
When I’m not at The Rat in Boston, The Masque in L.A., or CBGB’s in New York, one of my favorite places to see a band or six is at the Firehouse in Providence.
And it’s not for its close proximity to MacDonald’s- Oh No! Or its ample liquor supply (they only serve beer and wine) or its being in one of the picturesque areas of Downtown Providence.
No, it is its homey, clubhouse feel and the fact that Brass N Ammo puts on so many great shows here.
Like tonight- I miss the first band but I’m glad I’m on time for a band I’ve only seen once before but was much impressed – Drug Shock. A band from Connecticut (where good bands grow) who have nary a hardcore influence amongst them but play a more traditional punk/Oi style. Their tall, looming singer had a green Mohawk last time, exactly like mine, so I thought I’d change mine to blue for tonight. I’ll be damned if he hasn’t done the same thing!
Anyways, they turn in a great set of social/political commentary songs. On their Facebook page they claim they’re trying to be “awesome, not original” but with the glut of hardcore bands around, good as they may be, these guys stick out more to me and I would say- they’re both. Towards the end of their set they do a great cover of a great song, Iggy and The Stooges “Search & Destroy.” I pray to baby Jesus I’ll catch these guys again, soon. (Hmmm, maybe purple next time).
One of my favorite Providence based bands is next, The Usual Suspects, and like Drug Shock they play in a more traditional punk/ Oi style but really, bedsides both sounding great, they really don’t sound like each other.
They have a lot of rousing choruses and social commentary, also and a great frontman, Joseph Y., who is drinking from a black flask with the words “Poison” printed on it. (Funny, I never would’ve guessed any influence from that band). He does a great job of getting the moshers riled up in front of the stage and passes his flask out to the crowd during the song, “Drunk And Disorderly,” towards the end. (Remember only beer and wine, here)- great songs, great band, great set.
Now, it’s time for a surprise set by legendary Soul/ R&B/ Oi crooner Barry White, especially surprising as he passed away in 2003. I was left speechless by his performance and even now can’t bring myself to write about it; but I did take a video on my camera. This will give you a look at the Firehouse, also, if you haven’t been there.
Now, things take a turn “For The Worse” but that’s only because- that’s their name. They have a charismatic (now, now, I didn’t say crazy) singer who is a wonderful frontman but also causes a scaredey cat like me not to get too close. He’s off the stage, on the floor throwing sparkly confetti and little rubber bouncy balls around as you would expect at a punk show. There’s an excellent band playing excellent songs behind him. Theirs is a mix of styles with a lot of rhythm changes and a hardcore intensity. One highlight is when the singer takes the alphabet and turns it into a hardcore song. They play a great, fun set.
It’s the first time for me seeing Stars And Stripes and Ian is telling me they’re just the members of Slapshot with a different name and different songs. I know him to be the Administer of MisInformation, at times, so I try to clarify with this girl I know. Unfortunately, as it’s late in the evening I get a jumbled explanation, though perhaps more accurate than Ian’s, but its rendered moot by its presentation. Though, I’m not incapacitated myself, as I do have to drive my ass back to Boston. Did I mention it’s only beer and wine and flasks of poison here? I must point out I did go to an afternoon show so this is like my eighth band today. That being said, Stars And Stripes sound great and play in a straight ahead punk/hardcore style and there’s wild moshing going on in the pit but I do leave a little early. You see- my blue Mohawk is wilting, my energy packs depleting and it’s time for me to set sail again.
(Slimedog)
I was at this show and would’ve certainly remembeedr if Barry White did a surprise set. I think your so called “writer” is a liar or on some kind of drug that makes him see things!