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Notes From the Underground
By Michael Mechanic

Joisey Heckles the Kids:
New Jersey's Heckle rips at the Redroom

I spend four teenage years in New Jersey and, believe me, that place is a musical vacuum. It was always "The Boss" this or "Bruce" that, which made me want to puke. Also big was "classic rock" and other stuff that'd already overstayed its welcome. But a few really good bands have come out of that void, among them the Bouncing Souls and now Heckle, who played the Redroom last Tuesday with the Cavities and the Invisibles. Heckle just released a 7-inch with a.f.i. and they have a full-length album due in March (both on Wingnut Records). They're a bunch of wise guys with really good songs and a sound that fits in well with label-mates a.f.i. and Screw 32. The energy of their stage show on Tuesday was almost enough to get even Santa Cruz's provincial music fans moving to a band they've never seen before. (People are just so damn cool here, ya know?)

Tape Review--Creature's 'That's Not Lame'

I was really impressed with how good Creature sounded when they opened for the Joykiller, and I've got to say, I like this band a lot better than their tape. The mix (at least on the copy I got) is sort of muddy, the instruments aren't that distinct and Birdo's vocals are hidden--a pity, because he sings well and writes lyrics that are sorta serious but also kind of funny. On the other hand, their performance is tight and they have neat songs about love and betrayal, 'Nam, Richard Gere and a little boy whose dog gets taken to the SPCA. Birdo's voice and Dog's guitar lines add a lot of melody to Creature's songs, which makes them stand out from the bands they play with. Some of the stuff Bart Thurber records sounds great (like Diversion's unreleased new one) and some really doesn't. I think it has a lot to do with how it's mixed and--if I was Creature--I'd try to remix this one.

Book Smart

The deadline is Feb. 15 for bands to get themselves listed in the new Book Your Own Fuckin' Life, a guide to underground bands, zines, venues and labels published by Maximum Rocknroll. Send band name, address, phone number and description (40 words or less) to Bleeding Heart Collective, 4728 Spruce St., Box 354, Philadelphia, PA 19139.

Upcoming

Bumpin' Rumpus and Mehitabel play Thursday at Emi's (9pm). Berkeley punk band Goodfellas headlines an all-ages show with Reliance (with ex-members of Illiterit) and local ska-punk band Youth Riot at the Viking's Hall (240 Plymouth, SC) on Saturday (8pm). On Sunday, kicking off a series of Sunday local rock shows at Emi's are Witchhook Sky and Junk Sick Dawn (9pm). Also this month: Herbert, Dajima, Spaceboy and the Champs (sorry, kids, Emi's is 21 and over). Also Sunday, Wynona Riders, Lunchbox, Diversion and Lost Cause play a 16-plus show at the SC Hotel.

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