The Radar Screen
April 15, 2004
by Alexander Washburn

Number One with a Bullet

With JR Taylor’s "B-Listers" column in the New York Press gone the way of Amy Sohn and "Soup to Nuts," Radar Screen need only over take Trisha Romano’s "Fly Life" spread in the Village Voice to have the definitive New York-based music column. And if Romano keeps peppering her articles with mentions of Michael Stipe, Air America and writing about Rock the Vote parties, which weren’t even cool in 1992 when Rock the Vote was cool, it won’t be long before Radar Screen reigns supreme. Case in point, while Romano is hanging out with the kids from Hanson, Radar Screen is deep in Hell’s Kitchen, checking out a group of kids that on any given day can kick Hanson’s ass physically and musically.

Day of Infamy may sound like a novelty act, with no members over the age of 19 and the drummer clocking in at the ripe old age of 11. However, with Ida Langsam, (who reminds Radar Screen of the Frances McDormand’s character from Laurel Canyon) in their corner, you know that this group is all about the music. How these kids create such a big sound is a mystery to me? While RS’ music tastes tend to tread more funk and jazz, the heavy sounds of Day of Infamy are a welcome change in a world where all you need is to learn a few chords and throw a lid on backwards to call yourself a hard rock band.

Lead singer Jeremy Morris has all the tools to make tweener girls go mad and their parents’ madder. His lyrics are mature beyond his years, with enough tales of pain and sorrow to suggest that life in Orlando is not the Magic Kingdom as advertised. Morris’ energy and stage presence lends additional edge to the band and he is a double threat, where he not only sings but plays bass as well. And you’ll never come across a better rock and roll name than King van den Berg, Day of Infamy’s 11-year old drummer. He more than holds his own on the drum kit and is obviously not there for the uniqueness factor. He is big hitter and on the drums he reminds you of a smaller version of his influence Lars Ulrich from Metallica.

Day of Infamy’s new record Red Autumn is out and the group has in the works a summer US tour which will make this band a household name by Labor Day. These are all musicians, not just kids with stars in their eyes.

This Month Radar Screen Picks Up...

Andy Summers – Earth & Sky. While Radar Screen waits patiently for the Kathy Webster’s of the world to send to the newsroom the latest Zigaboo Modeliste record, thankfully we have Hillary at PAI Media who, between film festivals and Hoosier-centric email threads with Radar Screen, still managed to send the new Andy Summers CD Earth & Sky. For those of us who believe that "Mother" is the best song on Synchronicity, this record is built for you, for Summers musical talent is on full display. This instrumental record flows offering equal parts jazz and funk. Throughout it all, Summers masterful guitar work is leading the way and the music virtuoso shines bright on tracks "Parallels," "Roseville," "Red Stiletto," and "Above the World."

Jaystorm – Let’s Do This. It’s time to ditch that old Babyface and R. Kelly records, you know the ones you break out on those special occasions, because one listen of the debut album Let’s Do This from Jaystorm and the smoothness in his voice is all you’ll ever need. When Jaystorm is not laying down true soul/R&B tracks, he switches gears and gives you a healthy dose of hip-hop that puts the southern roots of his crew on full display. Jay is so versatile that he can take a bad Whitesnake song "Is This Love" and turn it into a slow jam gem. There is a Jaystorm on the horizon here to take us away from the over-produced weak jams that pass as R&B these days (yes, Ruben, RS is talking about you) Jaystorm has the talent, has the look and definitely has the voice to put the south back on the musical map.

Radar Notes

Radar Screen favorite Julian Velard is doing his second month-long residency, this time at Pianos on the Lower East Side. Check Julian and his new look band out every Sunday in May.

Australia’s Amy Vee is back with a new group and a new record, Under the name Amy Vee and the Virtues; the band has released Quintessence a collection of five tracks that once again highlight Amy’s powerful voice and sentimental lyrics.

When one is searching for a blues guitarist, one need not look any further than Melvin Williams, who plays the axe like way its suppose to be: raw, dirty and bluesy. Williams dropped into Mr. Biggs one Wednesday night, one his way home from fetching his wife a pack of smokes. A good guitarist never leaves home without his trusty axe and Williams took the floor and blew the crowd away. Williams appropriately plays Lucille’s at BB Kings Blues Club as well.

According to Radar Screen fan Shannon, Brian Horton recently led his trio through a great show in DC. Now, after trips to Chicago and DC, Horton and his trip comes home to play Sunday Jazz Brunch at Maroon’s on West 16th Street. The trio features Horton on sax, Ameen Saleem on bass and Jaimeo Brown on drums.

Finally, Radar Screen interview subject Danielia Cotton is getting out of New York and headed to The Bedford in London for a gig, making her the first Radar Screen indie artist to play a show across the pond.

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Next Month: Radar Screen welcomes summer and the summer tour madness and may or may not review the new record from Digger’s brothers’ band. Got an indie record to review? A summer tour to announce? Send it to Radar Screen at: radarscreen@2walls.com.

(Alexander Washburn is a volunteer staff writer for 2Walls Webzine and he is still waiting for the Zigaboo Modeliste record.)