Metroland Online - Noteworthy

“Does Paul Weller know about these guys?” raved the Austin Chronicle, comparing the retrofitted punk-pop of New York City’s Realistics to the taut, electrifying punk of Weller’s legendary ’70s-into-’80s band the Jam. The Realistics may not be as serious about politics as Weller, but they’re ultra-serious about playing tight, energetic rock & roll as if every show will be their last. And judging from the huge buzz they’re getting in NYC and beyond, their last show is quite a long way off. Jump Cannon, whose darkly melodic, incantatory pop often sounds as if it time-traveled in from a Siouxsie session circa 1985, promise to play “a handful of new spaced-out, ’60s-tinged melodies.” Local garage-rockers the Ummmm . . . feature members of the late, lamented 1313 Mockingbird Lane and the still-here, still-rockin’ Rocky Velvet. (June 14, 8 PM, 432-6572)

Toilet Boys, the Erotics, Mud City Manglers, Secretguy
Saratoga Winners, Saturday

It’s the late 1990s, and you’ve just been hired to back former Blondie front woman Debbie Harry. The onetime gig goes great, and you decide to turn the backing group into your full-time band, called the Toilet Boys. Oh, and you’re transsexual. Such is the story of Toilet Boys front person Miss Guy, who, along with guitarists Sean and Rocket, bassist Adam Vomit and drummer Electric Eddie, has turned the band into a popular New York City club attraction. Mixing 1980s pop-metal and 1970s Ramones-style punk, the Toilet Boys have helped bring Kiss-era theatrics back to metal. Guy’s flamboyant behavior, and the group’s strange style of dress and playing, have generated a buzz around the Northeast, earning the shock-rockers the ultimate nod: the respect of Howard Stern. On Saturday, the Toilet Boys will roll into Saratoga Winners. Local glam-punk band the Erotics will headline, fresh from their cross-country tour. The Mud City Manglers and Secretguy also are on the bill. (June 15, 8 PM, $8, 783-1010)

Johnny Rabb and Eddie Angel
Artie’s Lansingburgh Station, Saturday

Guitar master Eddie Angel is best-known these days for his slinging with Los Straitjackets, the Mexican-wrestling-masked surf rockers who formed in Nashville back in 1994 (a prototype version of the band, Angel included, actually dates back to ’88). But those of us with longer memories recall that before Angel moved to Nashville in the mid-’80s, he used to live right here in the Capital Region, where he regularly teamed up with Waterford’s own Johnny Rabb to serve up some of the most sizzling rockabilly local clubgoers have ever danced all night to. It’s always an event when these two reunite, so if you’re in the mood for some good old-fashioned authentic rockabilly, get on down to Artie’s Lansingburgh Station on Saturday and party like it’s 1959. (June 15, 9 PM, $3, 238-2788)

Bad Company, Foreigner, Smoking Joe Bonamassa
Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saturday

Now either Bad Company or Foreigner could stand alone as the headliner of this show, but since this is the celebration of PYX 106’s 22nd birthday, they’re putting two classic-rock giants on one bill. Bad Company, after the Robert Benton Civil War film of the same name, were formed in 1973 by Paul Rodgers after his previous band, the legendary Free, broke up. Original drummer Simon Kirke joins Rodgers for the big show. It’s been 25 years since Foreigner released their eponymous debut, and though the band have gone through turmoil and many lineup changes, they have managed to keep playing and recording, and are one of the most prolific classic-rock acts of all-time. Joining Bad Company and Foreigner on Saturday’s bill will be 25-year-old guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa. (June 15, 7 PM, $35, $25 amphitheatre, $19.50 lawn, 476-1000)

The Steph Pappas Experience with Laura Wood
Caffe Lena, Saturday

Though Steph Pappas has toured all around the country playing music, originally she traveled across the states as part of a very different profession: truck driving. For most of her musical career, Pappas has been known as an electric guitarist, and the hard-rocking, husky-voiced singer-songwriter has earned comparisons to both Jimi Hendrix and Richard Thompson with her brand of electric blues. But when Pappas plays Caffe Lena this Saturday, she’ll strip her sound down to its folk ingredients: acoustic guitar and vocals. Having toured with folk rockers Ani DiFranco, Diana Jones and Erika Luckett, Pappas has made a name for herself on the folk circuit in recent years. Saturday, the guitarist will share the stage with singer- guitarist-percussionist Laura Wood, a performer comfortable in Saratoga, having studied music at Skidmore and made her debut at age 19 at Caffe Lena. Wood has since shared the stage with Courtney Love and Indigo Girl Amy Ray, and has backed famous folkies Richie Havens and Country Joe MacDonald. (June 15, 9 PM, $12, 583-0022)

also noted

Out of Control Rhythm & Blues Band will open Guilderland Performing Arts Center’s summer season tonight (Thursday), rain or shine (7:30 PM, free, 356-1980). . . . Quirky pop singer-songwriter Amy Rigby makes her way to Valentine’s again for a show tonight, with Group W opening (8 PM, $6, 432-6572). . . . There’s a new band in town going by the name the Sifters, and rustles in the trees tell us they’re a band to check out. They’ll play the Lionheart tonight, sharing the bill with Chip Fasciana & His Band of Misfits (9:30 PM, 436-9530). . . . The Alive at Five Concert Series continues with Oldies Night, featuring the Drifters and the Sundowners (5 PM, free, 434-2032). . . . Phish head, Phish head, roly poly Phish head Trey Anastasio will play the Palace tonight, but hopefully you already know that ’cause the show’s sold out (7:30 PM, 465-4663). . . . Charlottesville, Va.-based Cleopatra Records artists Bella Morte will fill the Fuze Box with their mixture of goth, synthpop, punk and darkwave tomorrow (Friday), with Saratoga popsters K8E (“Katie”) opening the show (10 PM, $8, 432-4472). . . . Equal Vision recording artists Stryder will play a CD-release show at Valentine’s on Friday, with F-Timmi, Jerk Magnet and Brand New Disaster opening (8 PM, $10, 432-6572). . . . Rockabilly rules at the Ale House on Saturday with a Lustre Kings show (10 PM, $4, 272-9740). . . . . Metal rules at Valentine’s on Saturday, when China White celebrate 20 years together; Untamed and Bloodline open the show (8 PM, $10, 432-6572). . . . Local acoustic-rocker and multi-instrumentalist Michael John is celebrating his new release, Say Anything, at Everydays on Saturday; Red Letter Day will follow (9 PM, 869-0494). . . . WAMC Performing Arts Center hosts a trio of indie rock bands on Wednesday’s Tao of Tao live broadcast: Portland, Maine, college rock band Spouse, Western Massachusetts country rockers Drunk Stuntmen and newcomers Live on the Planet will perform (8 PM, $12, $10 members, 800-323-9262).

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