Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 13, 1990 TAG: 9004120372
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Louis King
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Strange may be just one of many adjectives used to describe Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, performing tonight at Buddy's in Blacksburg. As a press release by Cuneiform records states, "[they] could well be called the world's hardest rocking chamber music quartet."
Birdsongs rose from the ashes of Boston's legendary Mission of Burma. Leader Roger Miller, who had begun Birdsongs as a side project with bandmate Martin Swope and friends Erik Lindgren and Rick Scott, had to disband Mission of Burma after suffering permanent ear damage brought on by years of painfully loud performances.
The band made a splash on college radio with a version of the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" theme from the 1985 LP "Magnetic Flip," and has since released three more records, including their latest, "Faultline" on Cuneiform.
Miller eventually decided to leave for solo efforts, and the band evolved into the current lineup of Swope (guitar), Lindgren and Scott (keyboards) and Ken Field (sax, keyboards). All members play various percussion instruments, individually and in unison.
The music can be intricate and technically precise at one moment and totally improvisational the next. Everyone from the retired orchestral violinist to the 16-year-old metal head can find something to like in Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, as they combine elements of classical music, rock, jazz and just plain noise, often in one song.
If Beethoven were alive today he might even want to sit in with these guys.
Many, many bands have made a lasting impression on music fans, either through a hit single or a memorable live show, only to seemingly disappear. What, for instance, ever became of Looking Glass, a band that apparently dropped off the face of the earth after their early '70s hit "Brandy" faded away?
A little over three years ago, people were starting to wonder whatever happened to the Minutemen, the seminal punk, funk, rock and jazz trio from San Pedro, Calif. Guitar player D. Boon had died shortly before Christmas 1985 (not long after the band appeared at Radford University's Dedmon Center with REM) and nothing had been heard from by remaining members Mike Watt and George Hurley.
Then along came a guy named Ed, from Ohio.
On Tuesday, music fans in the New River Valley will have the chance to see one of contemporary music's most unlikely stories when Firehose takes the stage at the South Main Cafe. The show will be sponsored by Virginia Tech's student radio station, WUVT.
Ed Crawford was a college student in Ohio, and a big Minutemen fan, when Boon died. Despite the fact he'd only been playing the guitar for a few months, he went to California to convince Watt and Hurley to let him help them start things over. Perhaps admiring his nerve more than anything else, they went for it, and Firehose was born.
Three albums on the SST record label - "Ragin' Full On," "If'n" and "fROMOHIO" - attest to the success of this impossible dream. Watt and Hurley have continued to add to their reputation as one of rock's most muscular rythym sections. Crawford has not only learned how to play his guitar, but he can sing, too.
While the band's records demand a listen or two, the live show simply cannot be missed. Show begins at 10 p.m. with opening band Funkmonster. Cover is $3.
Speaking of WUVT, their recently concluded Radiothon was a success, raising more than the projected goal of $3,500, according to station manager Carrie Colliton.
She added that the station has had some trouble in the past collecting pledges made over the phone. Last semester's success with a commercial mentioning the names of people who still owed money has given the station an effective collection tactic.
Colliton said those who still owe money may send their pledges to Radiothon, 100 N. Main St., Blacksburg, Va. 24060.
by CNB