The Radar Screen
December 15, 2004
by Alexander Washburn

The Kids are Grayer but Still Alright

It’s good to see Mike Webb of Spitball has shaken off those post-election blues. A member of the elitist liberal media by day, Webb has now made a full return to his first love: music. Bassist Webb, drummer Chris Orcutt and guitarist/singer Molly Mullholland, are all back doing the thing they love best; playing loud punk music to East Village hipsters young enough to be their kids.

Spitball is back! They recently played a second show at the Continental and the plan calls for more on the way. The band has also been spotted at a New Jersey studio recording what could be fresh tracks, including the bone fide radio hit "Five Rules of Love" a hard driving punk song with pop hooks that even Casey Kasem would love.

Spitball is a frenzied, rabid, dose of raw rock and roll, played by seasoned musicians, who have long let the trapping of fame disappear from their eyes. Now, that they’re a little grayer around the temples and have a little more room in the gut area, don’t expect the punk essence that is Spitball to have disappeared altogether. The Spitball of today is all about having fun, breaking a good sweat; playing for friends and co-workers and re-creating the sound that made them fall in love with music in the first place.

Orcutt best sums up this carefree attitude, who, when asked what song the band should rehearse next, simply replied: “I don’t care what the song it is, as long as it’s loud.”

Tiny Universe Indeed

The first time Karl Denson cruised through South Florida, Radar Screen was too booked to catch his show. So, when the Jam Base folks sent an email saying Denson and the Tiny Universe would be playing at Tobacco Road’s 92nd Birthday Party, Radar Screen promptly right to clear the calendar.

Anyone who has read Radar Screen knows that Denson is one of his favorites. Great saxophone player, equally talented singer. This space has repeatedly reported on Denson shows, so we won’t go down that road. For Tobacco Road’s 92nd Anniversary Birthday Party Denson put together a tight show. Funkier second half, Denson even spiced up Michael Jackson’s ‘Can’t Help It’ proving that Julian Velard isn’t the only Radar Screen favorite covering that ‘Off the Wall’ hit.

Denson has his stage show down pact. With that box checked, Denson has begun down the road to see what technology can do to expand his fan base. The result is a technological achievement is not only great for the music fans but is also worthy lesson in customer service.

The woman selling merchandise promised Radar Screen that immediately after the show “five, six minutes,” as she put it, a CD of that night’s show would be available for purchase. And Denson would be on hand to sign the CD to boot. So, Radar Screen pre-paid his $15 bucks and wouldn’t you know it, six minutes later, Denson and a stack of CD’s arrived at the merchandise table. Denson made himself available for accolades and praises, and signed his name and some weird drawing on one of the CD’s. As soon as the valet bought Radar’s Wheels, disc one was inserted into the CD player. Great quality. Just as good as if it were wrapped in plastic and tagged with an anti-theft device.

Denson’s outfit is called the Tiny Universe and this evening it lived up to its name. Among the 1000 deep crowd that filed into the backyard of Tobacco Road, were two running mates from NYC: one now residing in the Florida sunshine, along with new wife and baby, but still a love for funk and jazz, and the other just escaping the New York cold with a few nights on South Beach. No matter how they arrived, we all arrived at the same place and the same moment in time. A tiny universe indeed.

This Month the Radar Screen picks up...

Townhall – American Dreams. A Radar Screen “Saver” from 2003 is back with a new record symbolic of their high-energy live shows and electic sounds, might lead some people to compare them to Phish, but let’s face it, the Vermont-foursome never had the music education Townhall does and it shows on "Communicate," "Sway and Bend" and "Night Patrol." This homegrown Philly quintet has a loyal following and look for the quintet to rock their annual Christmas party in Philly, as well as a New Years Eve show at Crazy Carl’s in nearby Schwenksville.

Charlie Hunter Trio – Friends Seen and Unseen. How this man was left off of Rolling Stones’ 100 Greatest Guitar players list is beyond me. The 8-string genius is back, this time in trio form. With added elements of funk, jazz and blues especially on tracks like "Soweto’s Where It’s At," "Bonus Round" and "Moore’s Alphabet." This is once again listening to a genius-at-work people, you’d be ill-advised to pass this one up. Charlie is on the west coast doing his thing RS hopes he makes it back east for the New Year.

Long Kiss Goodbye

Like the notion of Barry Bonds being something special, all good things must come to an end. This marks the farewell voyage for Radar Screen. Over the years, this space has visited everywhere from NYC’s Lower East Side, Bel Air, New Orleans, to our current digs in South Florida, all the while trying to give indie bands a space to show that their work is appreciated and respected. Throughout it all, RS got to listen to some great music and make some great friends. From the beautiful Kaila Yu to the multi-talented Julian Velard, it was always the artists’ fans that made this column the success it was. I thank you for spending some virtual time with me.

(Alexander Washburn is a volunteer staff writer for 2Walls Webzine.)