Linda Bean Pardee - The Chelsea Curve

Yet another outgrowth in the pandemic-era rock renaissance is The Chelsea Curve Singles Scene Live series, which kicks off with a DJ spinning underground rock faves, then features a current hot local act before Chelsea Curve headlines this cocktail hour. A canny twist on both the old world singles bar and Chelsea Curve’s release strategy this year of dropping a “single” song online via Red on Red every month. Judging from this first in a bimonthly series, it sure looks like a fun, winning formula pairing an eligible “bandchelor” with the hot mod-rock ticket!

Britpop Social Club with DJs Lady K. and Michael V. got things rolling spinning ‘60s British Invasion, ‘70s glam and punk, ‘80s new wave/indie and ‘90s Britpop classics. It set the hip supper club tenor perfectly the first hour!

Gene Dante & the Future Starlets

Then came “bachelor number 1” - namely Gene Dante & the Future Starlets! They are pure glam-rock grandeur throwbacks and earned their glitter wings with Gene’s flamboyant (a Kenne cop - see his ramble!) style and the band’s genuine mastery of the best of Ziggy/T-Rex driven rock originals! They ended their set with a spirited cover of the Runaway’s punk-glam anthem "Cherry Bomb", which got me fist-pumpin’ and bellowing along with the chorus!

The Chelsea Curve

Then the requisite hostess-with-the-mostest Linda Bean Pardee responded mightily with her mod-rock power trio Chelsea Curve with a set filled with songs of dark, driving energy and with rousing, catchy choruses! Guitarist Tim Gillis and drummer Ron Belanger provide such strong, edgy playing and support for Linda’s songs, enthusiastic vocals and driving bass. And she looked very fetching with her appropriately mod style dress and perfectly tousled hair swaying to the beat. A fine early date night!

The Handymen

From the swingin’ Jungle I headed straight to the Plough & Stars for a good, old fashioned late night show. The Handymen, a local supergroup of sorts headed by guitarist Charles Hansen, performs covers of ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s pop and rock songs. But they avoid the well worn classics in favor of more obscure, less covered material. It’s a real treat and pleasure hearing long-forgotten AM radio nuggets such as ‘70s country pop novelty icon Jim Stafford’s “Spiders and Snakes,” ‘60s British mod rockers Small Faces lesser know single “Lazy Sunday,” and Kim Wilde’s early ‘80s new wave pop hit “Kids in America!” And they’re all amazingly and faithfully rendered by players who clearly knew and grew up listening to these songs.

Tony Kaczynski - The Handymen

Notable was Fireking guitarist/lead singer Tony Kaczynski debuting his newly acquired Nord Stage 2 keyboard and very ably playing his parts perfectly! Veteran drummer Jim Janota held the diverse grooves of their set list together with his solid playing. The rest of the band is stellar and can navigate some of the more tricky, complicated pop songs with relative ease without sacrificing the energy of the simpler rock/punk, going from Chicago to the Clash! Their set lists are regularly changed from gig to gig, and they have included guest performers showcasing a cover. I somewhat jokingly suggested a cover of Handy Man, as done by James Taylor to Charles and he was quite receptive about my request! So maybe on their next show (they have a monthly residency at the Plough) the Handymen will play Handy Man! Come-a, come-a, come-a, come come indeed!!

The Handymen

Gene Dante & the Future Starlets