Rock Yer Socks turns 1

The past year has seen an expansion in size and quality of the local music scene, thanks to independent music promoters such as Shag Frenzy, Manic Productions and Rock Yer Socks. The latter, comprising a group of friends who moved to the area from Muncie, Ind., celebrated its one-year anniversary Saturday night with a five-band lineup at the American Legion hall in Manchester.

I missed the group's inaugural show last year -- I was reviewing Billy Joel that night -- but managed to catch a good chunk of Saturday's concert. Alas, I didn't endure long enough to see New London's Low-Beam, who should have been given a spot earlier in the evening when the crowd was still near its peak.

I did see the Chuck Hestons, though, and what a performance they gave.

The Colchester trio brought its own smoke machine, first of all, which allowed cape-wearing drummer Joe Heston to shriek, "There's drugs in the smoke!There's drugs in the smoke! Um, it's Advil." Priceless. Then, at the end of an explosive set of tightly rendered, totally eclectic tunes, guitarist Chad Heston (I think) kicked over a large tub full of hubcaps and tossed drumsticks to people in the audience so the crowd could bash along with the band on its last song.

The Chuck Hestons followed 28 Degrees Taurus, a Boston trio that played atmospheric post-punk dirges. Singer Karina da Costa's vocals were lost in the dreamy, pulsating swirls of guitar from group founder Jinsen, who apparently goes by one name, but the band's songs were taut and compelling. (The group performs Saturday, March 17, at Brass City Records in Waterbury.)

Panda and Child played after the Chuck Hestons. The Rock Yer Socks house band has an experimental bent, with songs that included violin, trumpet and flute. The band's best material was its most straightforward, though, on songs with a rootsy garage-rock edge.

There was a good-sized crowd -- I counted 50 people early on in the evening, a number that definitely increased later on -- and the sound in the hall wasn't bad at all. Looks like there's hope for greater Hartford's original music scene.

Comments

[Richard Jensen]

I like some of the atmospheric stuff as well, radio ioambienbt is good in that department if you can stand Forest commenting between every other song :-)

Speaking of atmospheric, I ran across this site today, you should do yourself a favor and look at some of the music related things they have - pretty wild.
www.improperazzi.net

Eric replies: For the curious, the site is not safe for work, unless work allows you to gaze at Britney's crotch.

[Ray Lamoureux]

Yeah, that was a good evening of local music. Rock Yer Socks is definitely a boon to the area, and I got to hear several bands I had previously been unfamiliar with that I would enjoy seeing again. I just want to mention that the sound quality was superior because my good friend, John Trousdale, donated his time, expertise and equipment to make it so.

[Neil]

I was one of the 50 people there...good show but they should have started it earlier so all 5 bands could have gotten exposure. 28 Degrees Taurus was really good...love that atmospheric stuff!