Boston spawns dead rock clubs and big venues while Providence, Worcester, and Lowell keep low-brow dives with style front and center. Alchemy keeps it simple with good sound, decent lights, a low stage, cheap drinks, and that ineffable ambiance that says this place rocks. That Alchemy plays host to The Mummies’, - as the poster says - "first-ever NE" show is, after a two-year pandemic delay, a mad, sold-out coupe.

Mummies

Somewhere, someone had gathered up the offal and sweetbread contents of a bunch of Coptic jars. They tracked down a dog-eared copy of the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Finally, they burned a pile of tannin leaves and woke The Mummies from their long slumber to wreak havoc on the willing rabble at Alchemy. The band and the crowd are unwrapped from the first notes of the Young Rascals riff happy "Come On Up". The hoard takes the advice literally and lurches forward again and again. Thanks to the giant behind me who pulls me up every time I bounce off the stage.

Mummies

The pace never wavers. The Mummies tear through "Little Miss Tee N T", "Your Ass", a cover of "She Lied" by the Rockin’ Ramrods, "Big Boy Pete", and Devo’s "Uncontrollable Urge". The drums, guitar, and bass are in lockstep with the riffs. The vocals, short, scathing guitar solos, and primitive Farfisa blasts burst out like insane explosions.

Mummies

Who are these crazy, bandaged bastards? Are they lost souls who took a left at Giza and end up embalmed? The crowd is wild-eyed and worshipful. The Mummies’ wrappings unfurl at their mouths, fingers, and feet. Are they the sons of Imhotep still searching the upper world for the princess Anck-Su-Namun? Tonight it seems that they haven’t found her so they grab for their instruments to unleash their pent-up, undead love. This is ugly beauty. This is monster mash kick-ass rock n roll.

Dennis Kelly - The Fabulous Itchies

The Fabulous Itchies have been plying their trade in Providence since the early ’90s opening for classics garage rockers like the Lyres, the Sonics, and the Real Kids. They are semi-retired but come out every few years to play with some of their favorite touring brethren. No covid rust here. They jump out of the gate to kick the night off. Jack Hanlon, on a big red Rickenbacker bass, and lead singer Ty Jesso both look sharp and energized as they buzz around the stage. Drummer Jami Sleaze and Dennis Kelly on guitar lay down the crunchy groove. Unlike the Mummies, Hanlon and Jesso keep their clothes and their garage tack sharp.

Jenny Hurricane is guest vocalist - The Fabulous Itchies

They take their roots back to Bill Halley and the Comets with a cover of "13 Women". The Comets were a mash-up of blues and country with faster tempos, and a more prominent, less swinging role for the guitar - some argue the birth of rock and roll. Thee Fabulous Itchies supercharge that formula with a healthy dose of Providence attitude. They get the crowd moving with "Jump Back". The aforementioned "13 Women" updates some 50’s H bomb worries to a surprisingly current concern. They push the faithful to 'Shake it Some More' before they 'Tame the Tiger'. Jenny Hurricane from The Midnight Creeps, in a fabulous spider dress, kicks things up another notch with a chip on her shoulder, midset cameo that oozes Lux and Ivy.

Jamie Sleaze - The Fabulous Itchies

Jenny Hurricane is guest vocalist - The Fabulous Itchies

Mummies

Mummies

Mummies

Ty Jesso - The Fabulous Itcies