LATIN-POWERED: The Super Heroes. |
“We’re coming back onto the scene after a long period of uncertainty, with bandmates coming and going,” writes the Comic Book Super Heroes in a collective letter that helps to reveal just what’s been going in since they made a big splash a few years back. “This ever-changing lineup made it pretty much impossible to play shows or record new material. We spent a lot of time having to re-learn old songs just so that we could play a few scattered shows here and there.”
Four core members remained — Javi Merida, Dave Regoli, Amanda Rogers Merida, and Paul Sousa — from when the band started a dozen years ago, and their energy propelled them haltingly forward, sustaining progress just long enough to record a full-length CD, Destroy. “This time around, recording was more of an ideal experience; the hiatus from playing out gave us an unlimited window of time to record new material.” Thanks to the miracle of technology, they didn’t fuss with the traditional studio, choosing to play, record, and produce the album themselves. “Although it’s not the most professionally produced album we’ve ever made, it’s the one we’re happiest with.” This, of course, should account for something.
Destroy is indeed the band’s most accomplished effort. Songs such as “Mentiras,” “Photons,” and the quirky, distorted monster “Seis” are cannon shots, punchy decibel explosions that leave powder burns on the listener. The Latin theme for the band continues on the funked-up samba of “Dancing (I Don’t Feel Like),” and there’s a fusiony flair on “El Perverso.” All in all, it’s a tour de force, a barreling romp across some Technicolor terrain.
Having been out of the local scene for so long, it was important to not belabor the record. “Our ultimate goal was to assemble a band for the sole purpose of having a CD release party for the new album. We were wary of the ever-changing music landscape and worried that our material might not still have an appeal even though our sound has progressed significantly.”
The new members of the band — Jim Barr and Ben Craik on drums and bass, respectively — have added searing jolts of electricity to the group and have injected energy and enthusiastic into the formula. “It made us feel our music was still relevant and worth promoting.”
By the sound of Destroy, we’d have to agree.
Comic Book Super Heroes | Apr 21 | Snooker’s, 145 Clifford Street, Providence | 401.351.7665
Breakfast in bed
The curiously monikered SEXCOFFEE has also been making the rounds these days, stretching themselves to points all over New England. SexCoffee is Ruth Charbonneau (lead vocals) and Sharlene DeNardo (bass guitar/vocals), who are responsible for the lovely harmonies, and Paul Campbell (drums/vocals) and Rick Gallego (guitar) make most of the noise, as boys often do.
Formerly known as 5fox4, SexCoffee came together in spring 2003 in southeastern Mass as an all-female outfit, but has since gone co-ed. We’re not sure why this happened, although we’re certain there’s a good reason for it. If you catch them Monday, maybe you can ask them.
Sexcoffee + Anomalous + Comic Book Super Heroes | April 22 | AS220, 115 Empire Street, Providence | 401.831.9327
