(April 28, 2004) For those of you who have come to think of Ralph's downstairs Wednesday performance lineups as nearly deserted acoustic shows by gangs of Worcester's lesser known bands, April 28 was truly something out of the unexpected. I've been to quite a few Ralph's Wednesdays (even when I'm not playing there) and more often than not I've been pleasantly surprised. In the last few weeks it's been the professionalism of Baby Strange doing acoustic versions of their material and the coolness of Jason James and Psychobilly Cadillac rockabillying the place down and many others that have raised the bar for humpday entertainment.
I admit, last night I had really come for another dose of Psychobilly Cadillac and I had brought a few friends along who had never seen nor heard of them so I was somewhat disappointed to see another group of performers hit the mic's first. I was also hearing of some Burlesque act to follow which had me wondering even more because its traditionally a one act evening. Being it was going to be 10pm when the first act was to begin I was trying to convince my friends that it would still be worth it. So we had a burger in the diner, grabbed a few Pabst Blue Ribbons and when the time came we moved into the other room and took in the show.
First up was a band who goes by the name The Alrighters (www.thealrighters.com). They're from Boston, as they were happy to point out three or four times. An upright bass, drums, sax and vocal quartet. At first I didn't know what to think or say or do when they began their set. It was weird beyond anything I'd seen lately. Lead singer Andrew Galante, who's no petite heroin chic rock star for sure began to shout wildly and jump around about some sort of Barbeque King and the entire room just backed up and looked on at the spectacle wondering as I was just what the hell this was and who had booked them. As their set progressed however they seemed to actually make us accept this as bonefide entertainment and art, which it certainly was, albeit on the fringes of such. I gotta hand it to them for pulling it off and I doubt there was a soul in the house that would have wanted to miss it. Baritone Saxaphonist Kim Faubert played some really fascinating stuff. Her version of Ghost Riders in the Sky was great and would have fit right into the soundtrack of a Tarantino film. She also did a masterfully off key low whine sax solo to end one of their last numbers that at first had people scratching their heads and then as she continued and people got the joke there was wild applause for the effort. The rhythm section of Zeke Wheeler on upright bass and vocals and Mike Mohr on drums kept up with Andrew's wild antics throughout and by the end they were receiving a very warm applause although I bet few were sure how or why they had come to like this group. Surely, one of the strangest acts I've ever seen. Not for the faint of heart or for your mom but if you want to hear something completely different, they are it.
Next up we were treated to a two women Burlesque act Thru The Keyhole (www.thruthekeyhole.com). These two brave young women came out in full burlesque attire and danced and shook to Zoot Suit Riot while smiling and flirting winningly with the crowd. Della Royalle and Faye Fairlane were able to pull the act off with only a few square feet of floor space to dance on. Their bright, lacy costumes and winning smiles were a treat and added to the surreal atmosohere of the night. After the first PsycoBilly Cadillac set they would return to do another song. That time it was In The Afterlife by Squirrell Nut Zippers and with a bigger crowd they were able to ham it up even more. I don't know where they came from or what they were doing there but I recommend you check these women out. Have you ever seen burlesque at a rock club? I didn't think so.
Next up, and note that I am not complaining about the delay, came Psycobilly Cadillac (www.jasonjames.us) with Jason James on guitar and vocals, Jeff Berg on upright bass and vocals and Frank Inangelo on drums. Yes, this is some good stuff. I've seen Jason James play with Psycobilly Cadillac as well as other outfits like the Baystate House Rockers and it's always a blast. Playing songs like Milkcow Blues (at light speed), taking requests and jamming songs on the fly and just plain rocking the house down these guys are one of the best acts Worcester has to offer. When Jason James fires up his lighter and uses it as a slide on Shake Your Moneymaker there isn't a soul in the house that isn't loving it. Psychobilly Cadillac know their stuff and sipping down a PBR and watching these guys is truly one of the best times you can have catching a live act in Wormtown.
(Matthew Bonazzoli can be contacted at mbonazzoli@yahoo.com)