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Notes From the Underground
By Michael Mechanic

Santa Cruz Does Santa Cruz:
Local bands to cover each other on future compilation

Mehitabel guitarist Michael Haumesser, who's recorded quite a few local bands at his NotNoise Studio, is planning to put together a compilation entirely of Santa Cruz bands covering songs by other Santa Cruz bands. Great idea. There is one small catch, however. Bands are supposed to choose something from outside their genre. Yup--I can see it now: Grommets shakin' their booties while Good Riddance rips up a Sista Monica tune. World-beaters chant "Bi-O-Bob, Bi-O-Bob!" as Pele Juju does a rhythm-heavy Schlep rendition. The Champs turn Supersauce into a funk-metal instrumental frenzy and little ska hounds skank straight into brick walls as Slow Gherkin attempts Spaceboy.

Fantasy, you say? Maybe, maybe not. "I'd like to have country bands covering punk bands and vice-versa," says Haumesser, who is of the impression that music is too often neatly labeled and tucked away in useless little categories. NotMichael hopes to start recording in February or March for the compilation, which he says could include up to 15 bands. Those with inspiration should give him a call at 427-3875.

Drain Damage

Did y'all catch Drain at their first (paid) show at Emi's last Sunday? First came Dajima, or whatever they're called these days. Their sound grows on you over time and the bass lines are pretty neat. With cropped hair and overalls, singer Alex Torres looked like a Synanon recruit. He could have gone off more, but I s'pose it's tough to get wild in a sushi bar on a rainy night. Drain features former One Ton Tow Ball guitarist Brian, who gets some really fat tones out of his instrument and does some stuff that's pretty different. Bassist Shark is all over the fretboard. Their sound evokes '70s rock and punk sensibilities and some monkey pointed out Chili Peppers in one song, which I'd agree to. Their singer is a tall, strange guy prone to psychobabble. I'd definitely check them out again.

Upcoming

Friday's scheduled Swingin' Utters show at the Portuguese Hall has been cancelled. Coctails and Pupus featuring Boobie plays the Redroom on Friday with Chester Majestic. On Saturday, It. plays the Santa Cruz Hotel with Creature and Lost Cause (9pm, 16 plus). There's another real good show happening at the Redroom on Feb. 3, with Subpop's new darlings Teen Angels plus locals X-Girl 13, TNT and the Meanies. On Sunday, Feb. 4, Lag Wagon isn't playing. The lineup at SC Hotel instead is Ignite, Good Riddance, No Use For a Name and Reliance (9pm, 16-plus).

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