THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 26, 1995 TAG: 9504260044
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E2 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: SOUNDCHECK
SOURCE: BY SUE SMALLWOOD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
HAMPTON ROADS' own bratty punks, the Candysnatchers, have nabbed themselves a multi-album recording contract with Safe House Records, former home of recent major label signings Southern Culture on the Skids and the Ass Ponys.
On the advice of a friend, Safe House president Jim Reynolds caught the belligerent foursome's live show at a downtown Manhattan nightclub a few weeks back.
``I was bowled over; they were just amazing,'' Reynolds gushed of the unruly 'Snatchers, whose blood-spattered and incendiary (literally) performances got them banned from area clubs not too long ago. ``They were totally snotty, juvenile punks with an attitude and a sense of humor. They're a real punk band, not like Green Day or somebody. Even though I do like pop punk, I like the real thing better.''
So was signing the Candy-snatchers Safe House's bid for a piece of the current punk renaissance pie, which has vaulted the likes of Green Day, Wax, Offspring and other punk-ish acts to hefty-selling success?
``That had nothing to do with why I signed them,'' Reynolds said. ``I've always been a big punk fan. I worked at (famed New York City nightclub) CBGBs in '77, so I saw all the best bands in those days. This is one of the first bands that's really made me feel like I wanted to do something with punk again.''
The Beach-based Candysnatchers are putting the finishing touches on their first Safe House album, recorded in New York and produced by Dean Risgler of porn-punk act The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black. Look for the 'Snatchers to hit local stages again next month.
ELVIS LIVES! Well, his spirit does anyway, in the person of Dexter Romweber, guitarist/vocalist of punkabilly twosome Flat Duo Jets. On hiatus from that band, Romweber has moved temporarily to Norfolk and is performing with a new, but likewise 'billy-esque, side project, Dexter.
As a recent show at Cogan's in Norfolk revealed, put a guitar in his most capable hands and the otherwise mild-mannered Romweber becomes possessed, a strange Presley sneer taking hold of his face and an Eddie Cochran spread-eagled strut propelling him across the stage as he croons, snarls, hiccups and moans.
Dreadlocked drummer Crash La Resh sprawls over his tiny kit, keeping cool cat time for the vast and varied Dexter repertoire of surf-styled instrumentals, vintage rock 'n' roll and rockabilly chestnuts.
Check out Dexter at the Oceanfront next month, at FJD's on May 2, Hammerhead's on May 3 and the Abyss on May 28.
CATCH A BUZZARD Fans of heavy Norfolk ``psyber-delic fusion'' instrumentalists Buzzard have reason for cheer: Patrick Walsh, guitarist and diabolical mastermind of Buzzard's confoundingly complex, endlessly shifting tempo and meter changes, is back with a new lineup and a revamped sound.
After an unforeseen band breakdown after release of Buzzard's excellent debut LP ``Churp!!'' on the German Hellhound label, Walsh scrambled to find players up to his Sabbath-meets-Zappa musical mindwarp.
Mark Henry has replaced drummer Joey Rudacil and Kevin Anderson has taken over bass duties from Andy Brown. John Finney has remained as the sax sideman.
``The new material is a lot more complicated,'' Walsh said. ``It's total excessiveness.''
A second LP for Hellhound is in the works, Walsh says. The brand new Buzzard performs at Norfolk's King's Head Friday.
CALLING ALL COUNTRY BANDS The Nashville Entertainment Association is conducting a talent search to locate the nation's best unsigned country acts to perform at Music City Music '95, a two-day showcase staged for country music industry movers and shakers.
The fifth annual event, July 11 and 12 in Nashville, will spotlight a dozen acts.
Country artists or groups with no major record label affiliations are eligible. For more information and an application, call the NEA at (615) 327-4308 or write Music City Music '95 Selection Committee, NEA, PO Box 121948, Nashville, TN 37212. Deadline for submitting materials is May 31. by CNB