Pulse 06.11

JUNE 2011

IN THIS ISSUE ON THE COVER 8

Pictured: Dance Gavin Dance (see interview on on pg. 11)

DINING & ENTERTAINING

Summer Soundtrack ~ Interviews You Don’t Want to Miss!

ENTERTAINMENT

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REVIEW: The Registry Restaurant

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HOT AND NOW

ENTERTAINMENT

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Drummer Joe Giglio From Worcester’s Sunset Strippers to Hollywood’s Sunset Strip

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PULSEBREW Narragansett Beer Debuts Its First-Ever Summer Ale

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Wicked “Bizarre” Summer Sounds’ Staying Power

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NOW SERVING Kenichi Asian Bistro

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New Releases Moby, OK Go, Emily’s Army, Joss Stone, Taking Back Sunday

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NEW ON THE SCENE Overtime Tap Fantasy Bar and Grille

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Popcorn Palace

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It’s Disc Jam 2011!

Live Music + Disc Golf + Good Beer = One Damn Good Time!

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UP AND COMERS SOLO: Julius Jones BAND: Naegleria BAND: Mass Octane BAND: Thurkill’s Vision

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Stay Connected with Friends in Real Time with LiveProfile For Many, Senior Year Means Senior Fear

STYLE & BEAUTY

LIFESTYLE COOL CAREERS Dave Duchnowski of Simple Machine Guitars It’s Time for a Stylish Backyard Cocktail Party!

Fashion Meets Compassion: Jus Animalium Culture Apparel Addresses the Homeless Pet Epidemic

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Rosegold Has THE Sexiest Shoes for Summer

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Lustre ~ New Bracelets from Alessa Designs

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Lavanila Keeps You Protected From Lips to Legs!

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Dermablend Professional High-Coverage Cosmetics

Aucoin, Glen Thomas, Bruce Sullivan, Kim Dunbar, Steve Henrickson, Stephen Caputo, Bernard Whitmore, Steph Moore, R. Peltier, Alex Kantarelis, Rachel Shuster, F. Poulin, Kristie Bartlett, Emily Osgood, Josh Lyford, P. Giorgio, Tom Hodgson, Katey Khaos, Craig Lindberg, Patrick Douglas, Katelyn Faye Winters, Rosey Miller, Writers

DINING & ENTERTAINING PULSECOCKTAILS The Bartule Mike’s Hard Lemonade’s “Unleash the Fiesta” App SPORTS & FITNESS

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PULSE SHOTS

Jillian Locke, Tine Roycroft, Jennifer Russo, Erin Hansen, Shelly

ON CD Space Ghost Cowboys’ The Sad Album Bullet For My Valentine’s Fever Dropkick Murphys’ Going Out in Style

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CLUB, COFFEEHOUSE, & THEATRE LISTINGS

Jillian Locke, Music Editor Kim Dunbar, Sports Editor Elise French, Copy Editor

“Glee” Star Matthew Morrison Launches his National Summer Tour

COLLEGE

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Paul Giorgio, Publisher Lara Dean, Sr. Editor Justin Perry, Art Director David Simone, VP of Sales Chris Reddy, Acct. Executive Anthony Troiano, Acct. Executive

An Interview with Alter Bridge

The Strange Attractor

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Welcome to the Family Tour Welcomes BFMV

THE SKINNY

GOT GAME?

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Harley-Davidson Hits The Road This Summer W/Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour

Tornadoes Throw Changeup: The New Faces and Voices of the Worcester Tornadoes

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Amon Amarth ~ Vikings Breach Foreign Shores

ART & CULTURE

ON CD Jason Paulino’s Elsewhere on Planet Crazy Lee Villaire’s Curious The Hollow Glow Three Days Grace’s Life Starts Now

MORE Upcoming Summer Releases: Burn Halo, Duncan Sheik, Tommy Tutons, Ben Harper, Arcade FireMeet Better Left Unsaid Jackyl, the Hardest Working Band in Rock, Returns to the Road

SPORTS & FITNESS 42

EXCLUSIVE ON-LINE CONTENT @ THEPULSEMAG.COM

The Perfect Sit-up STYLE & BEAUTY THE PULSE BEAUTY BAG Brochu Walker 247 365 For Summer 2011 Trina Turk’s Summer 2 Line Skin by Monica Olsen

PULSE Magazine is produced 12 times a year by Pagio Inc., 88 Winter St., Worcester, MA 01604. (508)756-5006. Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Pagio, Inc. does not hold itself responsible for statements made by any contributor. Statements or opinions expressed in Pulse reflect the views of the author(s) and not the official policy of the Pagio, Inc., unless so stated. Although all advertising material is expected to conform to ethical standards, acceptance does not imply endorsement

by Pagio, Inc. unless so stated. Material printed in Pulse is covered by copyright. No copyright is claimed to any work of the U.S. government. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission. For information on permissions, reprints and other services, contact Pagio, Inc. Also by Pagio Inc.: Worcester Medicine, Vitality Magazine, Thepulsemag.com, Thevitalitymag.com, & TasteWorcester.com

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 7

ON THE COVER

It’s a really simple equation: summer + great music = some of the best times of our lives. More so than any other time of year, we remember where we were, which friends we were with, and which songs rocked us the hardest during the summer. There are concerts and festivals to go to ~ from the mellow to the metal, the roadtrips that get us there and back ~ complete with radios blaring the music of our fave bands of the moment, the music that’s playing when we meet the hottie who turns into our summer romance, and the albums that are the backdrop to the kickass summer pool party that’s totally…wait for it…l-e-g-e-n-d-a-r-y.

Warm weather, great music, and great times…that’s what this “Summer Soundtrack” issue is all about…so have a terrific, safe start to the summer…throw on those cut-off and flip-flops, get to those concerts, pick up those albums, and ROCK!!!

8 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH CONQUERING THE METAL WORLD, ONE HANDSHAKE AT A TIME

By Jillian Locke

Not only is Alexis Brown one of the official “Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock”, which has landed Straight Line Stitch on the “Hottest Chicks In Hard Rock: Hell Hath No Fury” tour with In this Moment, System Divide and Sister Sin – she’s also one of the sweetest faces of modern metal. When I saw SLS play at The Paradise back in February as part of the opening line-up for Times of Grace’s first headlining tour, I saw Brown sitting at the merch table, shaking hands and signing autographs before AND after SLS’s performance.

“Too many people think bands don’t want to talk to anybody – they think they’re in their own world. The fans make us who we are and who we ultimately become, and we really, really appreciate them,” says Brown. Taking her inspiration from Ozzy, Pantera and above all, Korn, Brown grew from a fan into a main stage performer. “I fell in love with the genre.” The release of The Fight of Our Lives this past March marked a very important milestone for the Knoxville, TN outfit.

“This album means a whole, whole lot,” Brown explains. “This was the album where we took our stand as a band. For Sky’s Wash Ashore, everybody was holding our hands while we were writing it. For us, this one represents us being out on our own, really experiencing the music industry and being out on the road all the time. It’s like ‘OK, this is what it’s all about. We gotta be prepared to fight this fight – we’re all on the same page, we have one common goal.’ We let go and did it by ourselves. The label had respect for that. I’m really, really proud of it. Nothing worth having is easy, and that’s why we named the album, The Fight of Our Lives.”

SLS will be joining Megadeth on the road for 2011’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, and in addition to the regular dates, they’ll be branching out for a few intimate dates with Kingdom of Sorrow and In Flames. And of course, they’ll be available for handshakes and autographs. “I just want to thank the readers for checking us out, and if they ever want to…we are reachable. If they ever want to reach out to us, they’re talking straight to us if they do. If I wasn’t at the merch table, I would never hear the fan’s stories. At Mayhem, I’m gonna find a way to get out there and shake hands and take pictures.” www.facebook.com/straightlinestitch www.myspace.com/straightlinestitch http://rockstarmayhemfest.com

MEGADETH BRINGING BACK THE GLORY DAYS

By Jillian Locke

As of April 23rd, the eve of the only North American date of the Big 4 Tour (Indio, CA ~ Empire Polo Club), Megadeth bassist David Ellefson has officially been back in the saddle for about a year and is creating memories of what he refers to as “the glory days.”

“I feel that Megadeth is really back in high esteem and is back to its glory days again!” Ellefson proudly asserts. “The overall vibe of the whole Big 4 Tour is awesome ~ we’re thrilled to be back, and the good will and camaraderie around the whole thing really is amazing. It gives people a reason to want to continue coming out to shows.”

Last year’s Rust In Peace tour bled into last summer’s Big 4 Tour, which is bleeding into this summer’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, which will touch down in Mansfield at the Comcast Center on July 22nd. Megadeth will join Disturbed, Godsmack, Trivium, In Flames and Machine Head on the Main Stage; Suicide Silence, All Shall Perish and Straight Line Stitch will pummel the Extreme Stage, and Kingdom of Sorrow, Unearth and Red Fang with dominate the Jagermeister Mobile Stage. Says Ellefson, “I’ve seen or toured with almost all of the bands; I like Disturbed ~ they’ve got some really good, outstanding tracks. Godsmack is really phenomenal live and Trivium has really done a lot for bolstering thrash metal to a younger generation. We’re thrash metal legacy at this point, and then you’ve got Trivium carrying the torch for the next generation.

It’s a really good bill.”

After Mayhem, the crew will be heading back to Europe for five more Big 4 dates.

“We’ve definitely turned a corner for our fans, musically,” Ellefson says. Which leads us to the next big question ~ what’s in store for the next Megadeth album?

“We’ve been working on it over the last few months while we’ve been touring. We don’t have a release date yet, and there’s too much material to even talk about the direction of it. Working on it between touring is the right way to do it as this point ~ it’s keeping us focused. We get to gauge the response of the songs rather than coming off the road for an extended period of time. That unplugs you from your fans, and I feel the songs translate well if you keep plugged in.”

As for a favorite Megadeth album of his own, well, Ellefson doesn’t have one.

“We did them at different times, and they represent different facets of our career and personal lives; some times weren’t a whole lot of fun, but it’s interesting to look back on those. These days right now are the good old days. These are the days that you look back on ~ all of the memories that become part off the scrapbook of your life.” Come out and be a part of Megadeth’s scrapbook next month at Mayhem, and keep checking in for the latest installment from the thrash titans. megadeth.com myspace.com/megadeth http://rockstarmayhemfest.com/ JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 9

A PERFECT CIRCLE THE ENDURING SPARK

By Jillian Locke

For the first time in six years, A Perfect Circle is emerging from their self-imposed hiatus to embark on a full North American tour. Aside from a handful of Western U.S. tour dates last fall, APC has been off the grid, its members focusing on other projects such as Maynard James Keenan’s Puscifer and Billy Howerdel’s Ashes Divide.

But on July 12th, A Perfect Circle will take the main stage at the Bank of America Pavilion with Red Bacteria Vacuum as they visit Boston for the first time in six years. “The fall tour hit smaller venues to just brush off the cobwebs and test the waters with our audience,” Howerdel reflects. “It went really well. This is a continuation of that on a bigger scale.”

Of course it went really well ~ A Perfect Circle is one of those bands that has stuck with and carried out the original sound and vibe they began with ~ that original spark. They’ve never needed to consciously change it or grow it; maybe that is thanks to the other side projects they can experiment with, or maybe it’s because the essence of APC is so unique, so emotional and so…sexually ethereal that nothing needed to be changed or evolved. It’s perfect just the way it is.

“Now I can really reflect on the early days of the band, back in 1999-2000, and look at that spark ~ that’s what the band was and is. It’s still the core that burns as far as what APC is to me,” explains Howerdel. “We took off at lightening speed right out of the shoot – maybe it was a lucky alignment of the stars – we were given pretty quick success which allowed us to do things. We didn’t have to struggle in the beginning, and we’re really fortunate for that. It feels like there’s an appetite for us out there still, and it feels really good. That’s why we do it.”

And that’s why they’re forging forward with new music. Once again, they will enlist the help of remixer extraordinaire Danny Lohner. “Danny gives us a different flavor and sound, which is a part of the APC sound too. He gives us an array of sounds we can draw from and stay in the APC universe. The new music we’re working on now is one of the bigger musical journeys that we’ve released,” Howerdel reveals.

For the time being, APC is looking forward to playing the songs they have written on the road this summer, releasing a few, maybe a collection; but the important facts to note here are A TOUR and NEW MUSIC. “I’m very proud of A Perfect Circle. I could have never easily been in a band that I wasn’t proud of. I’m proud of everything this band does.” www.aperfectcircle.com www.myspace.com/the1hollow

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DEEP PURPLE

THE HIGHWAY STARS PRESENT: THE SONGS THAT BUILT ROCK

By Jillian Locke

On Tuesday, June 7th, the Wang Theatre will play host to a most momentous and legendary event, starring one of the pioneering powerhouses of progressive hard rock, who hold rank amongst the likes of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin as one of the godfather’s of heavy metal; those legendary gentlemen who gave us “Smoke on the Water,” “Hush,” and “Highway Star,” to name a few from their epic, boundless collection, are once again bringing the immense energy and spectacle that is Deep Purple to Boston for their first North American tour in four years. But they won’t be alone…

“Now is a great time to see the band – it’s not going to be a cabaret type of thing; it’s going to be Deep Purple playing with an accompaniment, and we’ll be able to do some things we wouldn’t usually do without an orchestra,” says living legend and guitar aficionado, Steve Morse, of the symphony orchestra that will be accompanying Deep Purple. “We originally did a very different sort of orchestral tour where we were playing a centerpiece by (original keyboardist) Jon Lord; this is a rock concert with some different tunes.”

A “rock concert” is the understatement of the century. According to Morse, “There are four elements you will always find at a Deep Purple show: 1 ~ Classic tunes that people recognize, or didn’t know were Deep Purple; 2 ~ Some of the new stuff, which means anything in the last 20 years; 3 ~ Some more hidden tracks from old classic era albums that the band hasn’t played much on the road, and 4 ~ Improv sections that are like solo guitar, keyboard and extemporaneous bits and pieces. We do rotate some of the songs right before we go out ~ it’s usually Ian Gillan’s call. He’s been screaming rock and roll for decades, so we let him make those decisions right before the show,” Morse laughs.

With over four decades on the road, Deep Purple has been instrumental in writing the history of heavy, experimental, emotional, psychological, progressive and most certainly, untouchable, rock. Bands like Dream Theater and Opeth cover them, while Voivod, Ayreon and Hellhammer (pre-Celtic Frost) count them as one of their biggest influences. Yet, through it all, Morse still knows what’s truly, absolutely important. “One of the things I’ve been telling my son as he’s readying to leave home and do his own thing musically is, ‘You can’t have full music output without having a full life. Never, ever believe you’re success as a musician is tied to sales or income or anything; you have a responsibility to do something positive for the people in front of you.”

Join Deep Purple and a symphony orchestra for a night of symphonic, progressive hard rock from the men who not only wrote the book on heavy, but who still survive and strive, together, to tell their tale and illuminate the lives . http://deeppurple.com www.citicenter.org/home

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AN INTERVIEW WITH WILL SWAN OF DANCE GAVIN DANCE

By Katey Khaos

Dance Gavin Dance’s experimental post-hardcore style of music has earned them quite the following in their hometown of Sacramento, CA, not to mention the rest of the US. Will Swan, guitarist and vocalist, shared a little one on one time with Pulse and gave a little insight into the band.

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“We threw around a few ideas for band names. Someone had thrown out ‘The Green Monroe’ and I thought that was the worst possible band name ever, so when someone else threw out ‘Dance Gavin Dance,’ I supported it,” Swan joked. Dance Gavin Dance was originally formed from the disbanding0697_DAG_Pulse_Ads_5.25.11.indd of several other bands including Farewell Unknown, Ghost Runner on Third, and Atherton. Since the original lineup, the band has gone through a few member swaps, the most recent being the re-addition of vocalist Jonny Craig. However, the change in members hasn’t hindered the band as a whole or their ability to create mosh-worthy tracks.

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As most Dance Gavin Dance fans know, there was a huge controversy between Jonny Craig and the rest of the band. When I asked Swan how he and the other members of Dance Gavin Dance felt about having Craig back in the band, he happily replied, “All the issues with Jonny were pretty much settled a year and a half ago when we did the ‘Squash the Beef’ tour.

Everything’s cool with us now.”

With Craig back in the lineup, Dance Gavin Dance hit the recording studio to record their fourth full-length album entitled Downtown Battle Mountain II, which is the follow-up album to their 2008 release, Downtown Battle Mountain. “The lyrics [on Downtown Battle Mountain II] are about everyday life and situations. Jonny likes to jumble these themes into metaphors ~ sometimes I don’t even know what he’s talking about, but then he can sit me down, walk me through it, and it’ll make sense.”

What does Dance Gavin Dance have planned for the future? “We don’t really plan ahead, we’re just gonna continue making music as long as it’s fun and we still have a connection with the music. No matter what happens, we just want to keep making music,” Swan explained.

Dance Gavin Dance is on the lineup for the Vans Warped Tour 2011, so be sure to check them out when they hit the Comcast Center in Mansfield, MA July 13th! www.myspace.com/dancegavindance www.facebook.com/DanceGavinDance

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 11

BOWLING FOR SOUP

By Josh Lyford

Bowling for Soup has made a name for themselves over the years with their highly infectious songwriting and by keeping their collective tongues firmly planted in their cheeks. Pop-punk as a genre is crowded with semi-humor and witty wordplay. If you look closely however, you will see Bowling for Soup standing head and shoulders above the pack.

The group, consisting of Jaret Reddick, Chris Burney, Erik Chandler and Gary Wiseman, got their start in beautiful northern Texas. Their history is a success story and a lesson in humble positivity.

Bowling for Soup has had their feet on the ground since the start, and with constant touring and recording comes hilarious anecdotes and wild tales. Jaret Reddick was kind enough to take some time off from his vocal and guitar-shredding duties to share some of his entertaining and ultimately positive experiences.

“On tour, if you met us, you would think we were crazy,” Reddick says. “Once our guitar tech wrestled our merch guy naked in a Wal-Mart parking lot. The tech stole our merch guy Blake’s clothes, put them in a shopping cart and pushed it off into the night.” The story doesn’t end there though, “I was filming all of this happen and Blake threw a Zippo lighter at me and hit me in the crotch, and I just dropped the camera.”

It’s refreshing to hear from a band that steadfastly refuses to take themselves seriously. Reddick describes the group as thirty year olds who act like they’re sixteen. “I learned in junior high-school that you have to be able to laugh at yourself,” Reddick says. “It just makes life easier.”

This attitude has spilled over into Bowling for Soup’s musical persona. Never missing a chance to poke fun at themselves, the band can be outrageous in the studio as well. While recording the new record they created some interesting in-studio rules, “If you couldn’t nail your vocal part, then you took your pants off.”

In addition to creating the pants-free zone, Reddick says that they have recorded backing vocals on top of a Vespa scooter and while laying under pianos.

Keep up with Bowling for Soup’s hilarious antics at Twitter.com/bfsrocks and Facebook.com/BowlingforSoup. Scope out their new video for “S-S-S-Saturday” and be sure to pick up their brand new record Fishin’ For Woos, out now. If you enjoy fun, check them out on tour when they stop by the Middle East in Cambridge. www.bowlingforsoup.com

12 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

LET THEM EAT CAKE!

By Patrick Douglas

Rock radio has been playing Cake songs for more than a decade, yet the band had never come out of the gates strong in the opening week of an album release.

Until 2011, that is.

With the recent release of Showroom of Compassion, Cake hit number one in record sales on the Billboard 200 chart for the first time in the band’s 20 year history. It was a stunning accomplishment but one the group wasn’t necessarily putting on its “to do,” list.

“The way I see it, we’re not a band that’s supposed to be number one. We can be number two, I guess,” said frontman John McCrea. “It doesn’t seem to fit with the culture of our band. I’ll have to buy one of those big, foam hats now, that say ‘We’re number 1.”

All joking aside, McCrea was more than happy to see fan support, especially considering the long layoff between album releases. The previous Cake record was Pressure Chief, which came out in 2004.

“I think it says something that in the first week of our album coming out that that many people had enough faith that we would make not just one song but a whole album that was worth buying,” he said. “To me, that feels the best. People remember that we exist.”

Cake has had immense success behind the hit songs “Rock ‘n’ Roll Lifestyle,” “The Distance,” “Never There,” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.”

Even though Cake finished in first place the week Showroom of Compassion came out, it marked the lowest selling album to finish in first, selling just over 44,000 copies that week.

It’s still a nice accomplishment for the band, especially since that’s generally the kind of sales they expect.

“The music industry is in a precipitous decline but it doesn’t seem like Cake is in a precipitous decline,” said McCrea. “It’s true that all around us, people are buying less recorded music (but) our first week of sales was pretty much the same (as) our last studio album.”

Photo courtesy of Robert McKnight ~ Pictured L-R are Vince DiFiore, Paulo Baldi, John McCrea, Gabe Nelson, Xan McCurdy.

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 13

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THE IDENTITY TOUR - ALL ELECTRONIC, ALL THE TIME!

By R. Peltier

This summer will mark the debut of IDENTITY, the first-ever touring electronic ONLY music festival that will visit major outdoor amphitheatres throughout North America in August and September and give fans the full electronic music experience.

The Massachusetts stop on the tour, on Saturday, August 20 at the Comcast Center ~ is part of approximately 20 shows on tap for this exciting new traveling extravaganza with top-tier artists performing on multiple stages starting in the afternoon and going well into the night.

The line-up for IDENTITY ~ which is set to further galvanize the electronic music explosion ~ is highlighted by the hottest cutting-edge artists of the genre including Kaskade, Pretty Lights, Rusko, Avicii, Steve Aoki, Disco Biscuits, DJ Shadow, Skrillex, Pete Tong, Chuckie, Booka Shade, Modeselektor, the Crystal Method, Nero and many more.

For all up-to-date information about IDENTITY, plase visit www.IDFestival.com. You can also follow the tour at www.facebook.com/IDFestival and www.twitter.com/IDENTITYFest.

“Locke on Rock” ~ Summer Music Round-Up!

By Jillian Locke

85 degree days, sweltering festivals, sunscreen and brewskies…what does that spell? SUMMER! Time to crawl out of hibernation from the worst winter New England has EVER seen and enjoy the sweet sounds of summer as the always impressive train of eclectic musicians makes its yearly trek across the Boston area. This year, pop icons will sweep through the city, leaving a trail of exhausted teenage girls (and not-so-teenage-girls) in their wake; metal festivals will shred some faces and punks and skaters will have somewhere to legally loiter at the alterna/punk festival; blues/rock legends will unite to give us all a dose of the real roots of rock n’ roll, while other legends will take to the road after extended absences to greet their hungry fans, once again. There’s something going on for everyone, so jump in and see where your memories will be made this summer!

ON TAP FOR JUNE: 6-2 ~ Paul Simon, House of Blues; 6/3 ~ Jimmy Eat World, Palladium; 6/4 ~ Bone Thugs N’ Harmony, Palladium; 6/6 ~ Glee Live! In Concert!, TD Garden; 6/7 ~ Deep Purple, “The Songs That Built Rock” with a symphony orchestra and Ernie & The Automatics, The Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre; 6/9 ~ 38 Special, Casino Ballroom; 6/10 ~ Jackyl, Showcase Live at Foxborough; 6/11 ~ New Kids On The Block & Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB), Fenway Park; 6/15 ~ An Evening with The Monkees, 45th Anniversary Tour, Lowell Auditorium; 6/16 ~ Eddie Vedder, Wang Theatre; 6/17 ~ Black Country Communion Tour featuring Glen Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham & Derek Sherinian, Casino Ballroom; 6/18 ~ Katy Perry, TD Garden; 6/22 ~ Dinosaur Jr., Paradise Rock Club; 6/24 ~ Peter Gabriel, Comcast Center; 6/246/26 ~ Dispatch, TD Bank; 6/26 ~ Owl City, House of Blues.

Kings of Leon

BRINGING THE HEAT IN JULY: 7/1-7/2 ~ Lady Gaga, TD Garden; 7/6 ~ Sade & John Legend, TD Garden; 7/9 ~ Pat Benatar f/ Neil Giraldo, House of Blues; 7/12 ~ A Perfect Circle, Bank of America Pavilion; 7/13 ~ Vans Warped Tour featuring Lucero, Against Me!, August Burns Red, A Day to Remember, The Acacia Strain, and The Devil Wears Prada, Comcast Center; 7/17 ~ Lil Wayne’s I Am Music Tour with Far East Movement; 7/19 ~ Children of Bodom, Palladium; 7/19 ~ Goo Goo Dolls, Bank of America Pavilion; 7/19 ~ Motley Crue,Poison, New York Dolls, Comcast Center; 7/22 ~ Eddie Money, Casino Ballroom; 7/22 ~ Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival featuring Disturbed, Godsmack, Machine Head, In Flames and Megadeth, Comcast Center; 7/24 ~ Rihanna & Cee Lo Green, TD Bank; 7/28 ~ Reel Big Fish and Street Light Manifesto, House of Blues; 7/28 ~ Kid Cudi with Chip Tha Ripper, DCU Center WRAPPING UP SUMMER WITH A BANG: 8/6 ~ Queensryche 30th Anniversary Tour, House of Blues; 8/6 ~ Iwrestledabearonce, Marriot Trade Center in Fitchburg; 8/8 ~ Britney Spears & Nicki Mina w/ Jessie and the Toy Boys and Nervo , TD Bank; 8/10 ~ O.A.R. at the Bank of American Pavilion; 8/12 ~ Summer Slaughter Festival featuring Dying Fetus, Six Feet Under, Whitechapel and Black Dahlia Murder, The Palladium; 8/15 ~ Ted Nugent, Casino Ballroom; 8/19 ~ Kings of Leon and Band of Horses, Comcast Center; 8/21 ~ Whitesnake, Casino Ballroom.

Now get out there and soak in all the live music you can!

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 15

ENTERTAINMENT

Photo courtesy of Robert Knight

Drummer Joe Giglio

From Worcester’s Sunset Strippers to Hollywood’s Sunset Strip

By Kristie Bartlett Anyone familiar with the local music scene over the past decade will instantly recognize these bands: Left Behind, Demons Alley, and 80s tribute the Sunset Strippers. They’ll also recognize the name Joe Gigolo, the stage name of Joe Giglio, drummer extraordinaire for all three bands. Joe, a Marlborough native, was the madman behind the skins, kind of a cross between Tommy Lee and Animal from “The Muppets.” All you had to do one take one look at him, listen to him play one song, and you knew this guy belonged in LA. He just had “It.” And sure enough, Joe headed off to LA in December of 2008 ~ but instead of it taking him years to start making a name for himself out there, within 2 weeks he was playing twice a week in Hollywood for The Haptones, an all-star house band that gets regular visits from members of LA Guns, Poison, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Guns n Roses, and other legendary bands.

lighting techs, etc. At times things were really frustrating (to say the least).

But all in all I had a blast doing the show!!

After being put out of commission for 4 months due to a car accident, Joe started working at a high-end rehearsal studio in LA where, says Joe, “I met EVERYONE!” From there, he started picking up session work ~ and then, in kind of a modern take on a starlet being discovered at the soda shoppe, Joe was chosen to be on VH1 Classic’s “Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp.” Talk about getting to rub elbows with some of his idols! “They brought in Rudy Sarzo, Kip Winger, Mark Hudson, Ace Freely, Michael Anthony, Brett Michaels, Lita Ford, Bruce Kulic, Teddy Andreadis, Billy Sheehan, Matt Sorum, and Lemmy...Lemmy!”

We all have visions of the LA/Sunset Strip/80s hair metal scene that we got from videos back in the day...is there still that glam-seedy scene out there? I don’t think you can ever get rid of the seedy side of the Sunset Strip or Hollywood. The 80s scene is still alive and kicking. It’s not what it was, but you can go out on any given night and you’ll hear stories about how people used to be lined up around the block to get into the clubs. It’s rough for local bands here now ‘cause it’s mostly pay to play.

Since the show wrapped, Joe’s been working on original material with the Proton Saints (the band from “RRFC”), shooting a couple of videos, and “...weeding through some offers...some turn out to be BS, but that’s Hollywood.” Joe, who’s planning a Sunset Strippers reunion show back here in Worcester for sometime later this summer, took some time to answer questions from this terribly jealous, Sunset-Strip-sleaze-groupie-wanna-be/80s-metal-band-obsessed writer.

So was your arrival in LA like the opening scene of “Welcome to the Jungle,” you stepping off a bus right onto the Sunset Strip, not knowing anyone, or did you already have connections out there Pretty close! When I got to LA, I didn’t have a job or a place to live. Luckily, I had a few really good friends out here and I already had a few connections.

You mentioned getting a lot of session work, and I know that’s a gig a lot of musicians around here are interested in ~ How does that work, are you hired per day, per album, etc.? Session work is cool. The pay varies ~ it can be hourly, by day, or by song.

How did you end up on VH-1’s “Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp?” and what was it like?

Ah, that’s a tricky one to answer! Let’s just say being cast on the show was very cool. I was really happy when I found out I was gonna be part of Rudy Sarzo’s band, too! As far as being on the show, it was a surreal experience.

There’s SO much sh*t that goes into these shows. Since “RRFC” is a reality series, the cameras were always on! There was always a mini crew running around you ~ a couple of cameras, a producer, a couple of audio guys,

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Have you gotten to see a lot of shows out in LA or have you been too busy working? I have actually made it out to some pretty cool shows. Since so many musicans live in CA, there are a lot of jams in smaller clubs. I’ve seen “Camp Freddy” ~ Dave Navarro, Matt Sorum,Travis Barker, Jerry Cantrell, “Halloween Jack” ~ Erick Dover, Gilby Clarke, and Steven Perkins ~ and “Volto,” the side project Danny Carey of Tool has going on.

What has being part of the LA music scene taught you? It’s taught me that there are sh*tty players everywhere!!! :) People say it’s all about luck and connections out here and that’s kinda true.

Is there still one musician that you’re dying to meet/work with? I would love to work with Alice Cooper. I have met him a few times, but there is a long list of drummers who are in line for that gig :) So you’ve done TV, you’re in a rising band...what’s next for you? It’s funny ~ I’ve been recording, am in the early stages with another original rock/metal band in addition to The Proton Saints, I did the TV thing, and all I really came out here to do was touring work, so that’s what I hope to be doing more and more of.

There are lots of musicians who’d love to follow in your footsteps ~ any words of advice on how to get a foot in the door in LA? LA is a really hard place to make it. The best advice for someone moving here is to realize that it takes time and you have to work for it. So many people think they will move here and be famous in 2 minutes. They blow through their life savings in 6 months and move back to Dumpwater Falls all pissed off at Hollywood. The other thing that happens to a lot of people is they get here and get caught up in the scene and spend all their time at The Rainbow talking about the project they are gonna start. You have to want it bad enough AND go after it (but that goes everything in life).

www.JoeGiglioDrums.com, www.facebook.com/protonsaints

JUST confirmed! Sunset Strippers ~ Doug Payne and Stiff Johnson from Touch 2 Much, Dave Meyer from Demons Alley, and Jane Pansky ~ reunite Sat., Aug 27 at the Lucky Dog!!!

Wicked “Bizarre” Summer Sounds’ Staying Power

By Stephen Caputo

Nothing says “summer” like driving around with your windows down, rockin’ out to some tunes. There’s a popular scientific theory that says prolonged exposure to sunlight increases levels of Vitamin D, thereby improving mood and the desire to turn up the volume and share it with the public. This effect grows exponentially in direct correlation to how many passengers are in the car. Look it up.

This method helps to determine what the most popular song of the summer will be. Every year, there’s one inescapable tune that emerges and becomes the anthem of the season. Almost all of us have a favorite, or at least one that sticks out in our minds more than any other. I have the misfortune of only being able to remember “How Bizarre” by Otara Millionaires Club whenever I hear or read the phrase “Number One Jam of the Summer.” I have, in plainest terms, a musical ear worm.

OMC’s only hit came in that magical summer of 1996. I was thirteen, Independence Day was probably the best movie I’d ever seen, and Monica Lewinsky was not yet a household name. These were obviously simpler times.

Recently, I decided to try looking for an old mix tape that featured “How Bizarre” in order to re-live the experience (or exorcise it…whichever). Making tapes from the radio is now a lost art form. Back in the day, you would hit the record button so hard that you hoped the tape heads would be able to go back in time and get the note or two you missed. Not that it mattered, of course ~ the DJ was still most likely yammering about something.

I tried to locate this tape I’d made, but upon finding it, it crumbled into dust and slipped through my fingers ~ reminding me that I also no longer own a tape deck.

So it was off to YouTube. The video takes things rather literally, following singer Pauly Fuemana driving around town in his classic Chevy with his friends. Then it turns into every other video from the mid 90s, as he shuffles around in sharp clothes with some chicks and tosses money around. If you watch it, you’ll no doubt realize that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson took several cues from Fuemana’s look.

So why’d I love this song so much? When you’re thirteen, no matter what you end up thinking about a song years later, this sort of musical summer memory thing sticks with you and becomes a part of your DNA. Forever.

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 17

NEW RELEASES

By Steve Henricksen

DESTROYED: MOBY’S NEW ALBUM AND BOOK DEPICT LIFE ON THE ROAD

Moby just-released Destroyed, a new album (available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats) and book of photography (which will include the CD version of the album and features 55 photographs taken by Moby all over the world) take us behind the scenes on an international journey with Moby, introducing us to the strange and disconcerting life of touring that is often not exposed: the time spent isolated in anonymous, mundane spaces like hotel rooms, airports, and backstage waiting areas.

These experiences are juxtaposed, both musically and visually, with moments and places of intense beauty in the world and the excitement and connection with audiences. From the absurdly empty to the absurdly full, Moby captures the universal situation that so many musicians and artists undergo living nomadic lives. The combination of the album and book of photography, created while touring, provides an intimate look at Moby’s world and his creative process.

Moby wrote most of the songs on Destroyed late at night while staying in hotel rooms around the world when cities had gone to bed and the insomnia that worldwide travel can induce fueled his need to create. A soundtrack for empty cities at 2am, Destroyed fluctuates with nocturnal feelings of anxious isolation and comfort in quiet solitude. The result is a 15-track collection that conflates the atmospheric and the disconcerting with the enveloping and beautiful ~ a record rich in the kind of melodies that are lodged in the brain by stealth rather than with a bludgeon. Destroyed changes and evolves, exploring time, expectation, and ultimately the tension it creates.

Destroyed was produced by Moby and mixed by Ken Thomas (Sigur Ros, M83) on old analog equipment and mixed on a 1972 Neve analog mixing desk from Abbey Road. A cohesive body of work, Destroyed must to be listened to in its entirety and, preferably, as it was made: late at night when your city has gone to sleep.

Moby has been taking pictures since he was nine years old when his uncle presented him with an A Nikon F camera. To this day, Moby carries a camera wherever he goes. “Touring is all contrasts and strangeness, and that’s what I’m trying to convey in these pictures.” The title and front cover of Destroyed, both album and book, is the product of Moby’s keen photographer eye. The eyecatching image depicts the final part of an LED security warning, “Unattended luggage will be destroyed,” which Moby snapped as it flashed up, one word at time, in a deserted hallway at New York’s La Guardia airport. *** A fixture since the late 80s New York house and hip-hop scenes, Moby has been releasing music ever since his first single in 1991, “Go” (listed as one of Rolling Stones best records of all time). To date, his records have sold over twenty million copies worldwide and he’s played well over three thousand concerts all over the world in his career. Moby has produced and remixed artists such as David Bowie, Metallica, the Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy, and his music has been used in hundreds of different films, including major motion pictures such as Heat, Any Given Sunday, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The Beach. Additionally, “Extreme Ways” is the theme song for the Bourne Trilogy films. More recently, his music is featured in Paul Haggis’ “Next Three Days” and this year’s Oscar nominated, multi-award winning documentary, Waste Land. www.moby.com

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This just in! Moby has just unveiled a unique microsite that presents exclusive access to his Destroyed project! Moby has always been focused on pushing the creative barriers online, and, in collaboration with leading audio platform SoundCloud and free iPhone app Instagram, he offers this new standalone website with a fully-interactive digital map that gives fans the opportunity to oversee his global vision for Destroyed. Plotting Moby’s route across the globe, the microsite uses SoundCloud’s creating and sharing capabilities to play-out the entire Destroyed album while tracking Moby’s rich and varied photography from every corner of the globe. Fans are also encouraged to connect directly, adding their own images taken at 2 a.m. to the map using the free iPhone app Instagram. Just tag uploads #destroyed and include location data! Visit http://destroyed.moby.com to go on an international journey with Moby.

TAKING BACK SUNDAY RELEASES SELF-TITLED NEW ALBUM Taking Back Sunday is set to release their new album on June 28, 2011. The selftitled release marks a return to the band’s original line-up from their ‘02 debut Tell All Your Friends: vocalist Adam Lazzara, guitarist Eddie Reyes and drummer Mark O’Connell have reunited with vocalist/guitarist John Nolan and bass player Shaun Cooper, who departed in ‘03. Tell All Your Friends has sold over one million records worldwide and launched the band as one of the most influential of its generation.

Recorded in Los Angeles with producer Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, All American Rejects), Taking Back Sunday is the New York band’s fifth studio album, three of which have been certified gold. The first song off the album, “El Paso,” has already become a fan favorite.

Taking Back Sunday will be sharing their new songs with fans on a nationwide summer headlining tour that includes a July 19 show at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom and a July 20 show at the House of Blues in Boston.

Visit www.takingbacksunday.com for more information.

JOSS STONE’S NEW ALBUM, LP1 As a world-renowned soul singer whom legend Smokey Robinson calls “Aretha Joplin,” Joss Stone has sold over 11 million records globally. Just turned 24, Joss has already amassed a career’s worth of successes. She is a Grammy® winner, five-time Grammy® nominee, and the recipient of several Brit Awards.

Stone recently established her own label, Stone’d Records, and has partnered with Surfdog to release LP1.

This is the first album Joss has recorded with total creative freedom. She co-wrote and co-produced it with superproducer and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart. Together they immersed

themselves into a rock n’ soul musical odyssey in Nashville, TN, finishing LP1 in only six days.

“This is the most fun I’ve ever had making a record with Crazy Dave Stewart at the helm, and yes the players in Nashville are unbelievable!!!” says Stone. “This album captures a specific moment in time that was spontaneous and full of creativity.”

“Joss can sing with the ferocity of a lioness and dynamically switch to the most delicate whisper in the same phrase,” says Stewart. “She is always honest and full of real emotion. It is an honor to work alongside a true artist who understands so much at such a young age.” www.jossstone.com, www.facebook.com/jossstone, www.surfdog.com

TEEN PUNK ROCKERS EMILY’S ARMY MAKE THEIR DEBUT WITH DON’T BE A D*CK Teenage pop-punk group Emily’s Army is gearing up for the release of their full-length debut, Don’t Be A Dick, due June 14 on Adeline Records. Produced by Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, the album features heartfelt teenage anthems dealing in cautionary tales, politics and the pressures of adolescence. The record will be available digitally as well as on vinyl (which, for about two years now, has been quietly staging a huge comeback!).The 14-song set was recorded and mixed in four days at Oakland’s Jingletown Recordings with the help of engineer Chris Dugan. Emily’s Army ~ prolific songwriting

brothers Max and Cole Becker, guitarist Travis Neumann and drummer Joey Armstrong ~ counts the rich East Bay music scene and Gilman Street amongst their influences, along with classic power pop, and garage rock.

The band takes its name from Max and Cole’s 15 year-old cousin Emily, who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis in 1998 and has suffered from the disease her entire life. In tribute, the band adopted the name Emily’s Army, which also happens to be the moniker for a fundraising organization in their cousin’s honor. www.emilysarmyband.com www.adelinerecords.net

OK GO’S NEW LIVE ALBUM OK Go will release a live album on June 21st on Paracadute, the independent label founded by the band last year.

Entitled 180/365 ~ a reference to the number of shows the band played in 2010 ~ the collection will include 19 tracks recorded live on a multi-track system during their fall tour.

Produced and mixed

by Dave Fridmann, the CD will be the first ever to feature a “Tronpak” (www. tronpak.com) case, a unique and environmentally friendly packaging from Norway. For those of you who were at the Boston show on Dec. 5 of 2010, you might want to check out track #17, “WTF,” first!

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 19

It’s Disc Jam 2011!

Live Music + Disc Golf + Good Beer = One Damn Good Time!

I don’t know about you, but I’d be hard pressed to find a better way to spend a summer weekend than enjoying disc golf, amazing beer, gorgeous settings, live music, and just a generally awesome vibe ~ all without having to break the bank at the pump. June 17-19, head to Hyland Orchard and Brewery in Sturbridge, MA (just 5 minutes from the Route 84 exit on the Mass Pike) and get ready for one of the best weekends of the summer!

What can you expect? Well, first off, Hyland is the perfect setting for an outdoor musical event. The huge 40’ x 80’ pavilion covering the stage ensures that Mother Nature won’t get a chance to rain on the party ~ and that the sun won’t get a chance to burn you to a crisp. There’s nothing that can spoil this killer line-up: Dopapod, Goosepimp Orchestra, The Alchemystics, Nate Wilson Group, Dub Apocalypse! (featuring members of John Brown’s Body/Nate Wilson Group/G-love/Morphine), Fennario, Otis Grove, Viral Sound, Seed, Sun Jones, The Phreaks, Wobblesauce, Wolfman Conspiracy, Rising Tribe, Reverend Green’s Hot Grits, SunLea, SuperSwank, Jabooda, Insigniya, and Big Jon Short. And if you feel like exploring, the grounds are gorgeous…and oh yes, the beer…Pioneer Brewing Company, right on the Hyland grounds since 2004, brews 7 year round craft beers and 5 seasonal brews; there are outdoor taps pouring 5 different freshly brewed Pioneer beers made just feet away. Oh yeah, now we’re talkin’.

Alright, I have to issue a warning before talking about the next big part of the weekend ~ disc golf. For those of you who already play, this information will

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By Glen Thomas

come as no surprise ~ for those of you who have yet to give it a shot, listen carefully: IF YOU LOVE BEING OUTSIDE AND HAVE A COMPETITIVE NATURE...DISC GOLF CAN BE VERY ADDICTING!! Disc Golf is taking off all over the entire country and is the fastest growing “new” sport in terms of popularity. Hyland Farm’s tournament caliber disc golf course was designed by local pro Don Boutin 1 year ago and forms a figure 8 with the pavilion in the middle ~ so when you’re playing, you can see and hear the music onstage from 16 of the 18 holes of play. NICE. If you have never played, think of it as walking through nature, tossing a Frisbee with a group of friends, and either being good-naturedly competitive or going for the jugular (of course, you can play by yourself, too, to work on your skills, but pretty soon you’re going to want to join up with a group and show ‘em what you’ve got).

And no worries, if for some reason disc golf doesn’t sound like it’s for you, not a problem ~ come for the beer, the music, the cool stuff the vendors will be selling, and the good times…

OK, we’ve established that you’re not going to want to miss Disc Jam 2001, right? Awesome ~ see you at Hyland Orchard and Brewery later this month!

For questions about anything from parking to vendor spots to the disc golf challenge schedule, contact DiscJamInfo@yahoo.com.

http://discjamtickets.bigcartel.com www.facebook.com/DISCJAM2011 www.hylandorchard.com, www.hylandbrew.com

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 21

Julius Jones

By Tine Roycroft

Singer/songwriter Julius Jones lives in Worcester, works in Worcester, and loves it. At 31, his dream is to someday make it big on the music scene and to return to his roots as a local hero. But beyond his smooth vocals and thoughtful song arrangement, there’s a true artist who bases his days on creation and humility.

Jones has been singing since he was 8 in various performance groups. He can handle the guitar, the bass, and drums ~ and he even takes a stab at the keys.

“Self taught,” Jones says. “But I play upside down. I play a righty guitar, lefty.”

And when he is composing, Jones’ talent shines especially bright.

“I’m a very playful person when it comes to words,” Jones reveals. “Sometimes you stumble upon a phrase and the gravity of the phrase hits you. It becomes this explosion. You can see where it could fit in a paragraph. Or you see where it could fit in a verse. Then you work in both directions until you get to the point where that phrase makes the most sense. You just have to provide the context sometimes to make the idea come alive.”

Despite his skills, Jones has dealt with his fair share of obstacles. Throughout his life, he’s struggled with periodontal disease. In the near future, the musician will undergo surgery to have all of his teeth removed and replaced.

Yet, he focuses on the positive.

“My appearance was always the thing that I thought would stop me from moving forward,” Jones admits. “So now that I’m taking care of that, I want to form a band or do a singer/songwriter solo act.”

When he’s not working on his own music, Jones spends his time helping other musical artists at his production studio, Junk Studio, and encouraging others to follow their dreams.

“A lot of people don’t fully embrace the idea of being an artist,” Jones says.

“They think of it as a hobby, but they don’t think of themselves as an artist.

When you’re an artist, you should just completely give yourself over to the process of making art. However you do it, wherever you find it, you should just cave into it with no hesitation.”

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Mass Octane

By Bruce Sullivan

“Give me fuel, Give me fire, Give me that which I desire, Ooh!” Mass Octane, Central MA’s most potent hard-rock / metal cover band, understands these lyrics, and delivers exactly what you desire. That is… if you still have a pulse, and enjoy rocking out to the greatest hard rock and metal songs of all time.

Mass Octane is a V-8 American muscle car ready to go 0 to 60 at a club near you. Ohh, Yeeahh!

Mass Octane has become the premiere hard-rock / metal cover band, because they know what their fans want. We “…play the music you love... 80s and 90s hard rock and metal with a little grunge thrown in for good measure.”

This includes the best from Metallica, Alice in Chains, Guns N’ Roses, and Stone Temple Pilots, along with classics from AC/DC, Billy Idol, Priest, Zeppelin, RATT, The Scorpions, and their most requested song, “Crazy Bitch” by Buckcherry. Their shows feature more testosterone than a “no rules” M.M.A. fight. But they still attract their share of female rockers, and were recently nominated for the band with the “Best Groupies” in the 2011 Worcester Music Awards.

Mass Octane prides themselves on their musicianship. Dynamic lead vocalist Kevin Dagle has the range and versatility to steer this roadster through even the toughest corners. The rhythm section of bassist Pete Johnson and drummer Kirk Nolan delivers the thunderous torque to get this vehicle off of the starting line. Lead guitarists Joel Charity and Kevin Moen supply the high octane excitement needed to leave the competition in the dust.

If you simply can’t drive 55, then dig out those ripped jeans, add a little mousse to that hair, and buckle up for an adrenaline fueled rock show by Mass Octane.

Check out www.massoctane.com, find them on FB, or @ www.reverbnation.com .

Naegleria

By Tine Roycroft

Naegleria, a fresh-off-the-vine death metal band that gigs in the Worcester and Boston area, takes metal intensity to a different level. Their energy is high, their songs are tight and their drive is wild. But guitarist Rayne Purcell slipped up during a Pulse interview and revealed one hell of a dirty secret: Naegleria sounds scary, but they’re all guys you totally want to take home to meet mom.

The group is made up of metal lovers Purcell, Matt Clark, Joel Krantz, Jake Ryan, and Tom Caron. Purcell and Clark met in high school and actually played together in a three piece set. When their guitarist left, Purcell took up the instrument and started writing songs.

“There’s a couple of things going on when I write,” Purcell says. “There’s the composition part when I’m sitting alone in my room, just fidgeting for ideas.

Then I go to the jam room. I say, ‘I’ve got these riffs,’ and before I know it, everyone has five ideas for each one of mine. And it’s very organic. Things evolve.”

The group has been actively playing out for about 8 months, according to Purcell, and loving it. The fans are incredible and the bands that Naegleria plays with have all been great.

“We’ve got a tight-knit community in the Boston/Worcester area. Metal bands and metal fans!” Purcell exclaims with a laugh. “There’s one band we play with, for example, that has this girl who goes out into the crowd with all of these baked treats and it’s real cute. We have a lot of fun.”

At this time, the band is putting some finishing touches on their first CD, Some Kind of Brain Eating Amoeba.

“We’ve got 8 songs, I’d call them death metal. The death metal movement is pretty eclectic,” Purcell says. “We’ve never tried to write anything to sound a certain way. But this CD will be real heavy. People’s heads are going to explode. But that’s fine. We’re all here to have a good time.”

Check out Naegleria at http://thelifeofametalhead.blogspot.com.

Thurkill’s Vision

By Jennifer Russo

Don’t you just love it when you’re walking your routine path with earphones in and a tree root comes out of nowhere, trips you, and sends you sprawling?

I do. It’s the best thing that could happen to anyone who listens to a certain kind of music on repeat.

Thurkill’s Vision have that little…something…that grabs you and forces you to pay attention to what’s around you.

The members couldn’t be more different from one another: Yamil’s (lead vocals) the intellectual, Dave’s (drums) the typical goofball, Eric’s (guitar) mysterious/impish, Bobcat’s (guitar) the observer and Matt’s (bass) the artistic perfectionist.

“We contrast in a way where we never really butt heads with each other. We won’t see eye to eye on everything, but we always make it work and we all share that one dream of playing music for a living. The fact we are so different keeps everything balanced.”

Like their namesake Thurkill, a fictional character who had a vision of what he needed to do in life to find success, the band had a vision of combining different styles to create a signature sound that clobbers you with a mean punch right to your eardrums. It makes you simultaneously want to bang your head to escape from the daily blah while honing in on their masterful lyrics.

“We’re melodic, and as all of us are music fans who don’t necessarily live in a world dominated by metal, we draw influence from different genres. We blend melody and heaviness and push the envelope a little further. Our music is interpretable and to be taken however the listener wants.”

Their newly released EP, For the Sleeping, features five tracks that are certain to get you into the zone. They also recently won a gold record at the RJL Battle of the Bands, were nominated for a Worcester Music Award, and are competing for a spot on the VANS Warped Tour this summer.

To find out more about Thurkill’s Vision as they make their way to musical fame, check them out at one of their many upcoming shows or at: www.facebook.com/thurkillsvisionmusic www.negb1.com/profile/ThurkillsVision www.reverbnation.com/thurkillsvision

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 23

ON CD JASON PAULINO’S ELSEWHERE ON PLANET CRAZY

By Tine Roycroft When Pulse last interviewed Jason Paulino, we fell in love with him. From his charismatic frontman work in the Journey tribute band The Great Escape to his solo work to the way he proposed to his beloved wife under a street lamp, he had us at “Hello.”

But Paulino warned us that his next CD release, Elsewhere on Planet Crazy, would be different. And something wicked did indeed this way come.

This CD is unlike anything we’ve heard from the singer/songwriter. His incredible vocal range rings true and clear, but there’s an interesting and powerful mix of rap, spoken word and bits of electronica here, along with political and social commentary.

In short, Paulino blindsides his fans with this release, but only gives them new reasons to love him. One of the most interesting, and downright hilarious, parts

But Paulino delivers vocally, too, especially with songs like “Outta Dodge,” where his hard rock heart shows through. There are instrumental pieces on the CD, including “Estranged Interlude” and “333 Interlude,” that seem to fully represent the darker sides of Paulino’s soul despite the lack of trademark vocals.

He is present in every song, every bar, every note of the CD and fans will love this journey to his other side.

You can find Elsewhere on Planet Crazy on CD Baby and iTunes, and can learn more about Jason at facebook.com/jason.paulino and myspace.com/jasonmpaulino.

LEE VILLAIRE’S CURIOUS

It’s safe to say that she’s a busy international talent.

By Tine Roycroft

Curious brings a wondrous variety to the ears of her listeners. “Breaking You” has a complete country rock feel to its vocals that brings to mind classic Patti Smith. We’ve got the talented Jay Sharron, Adam Bergeron, Kris Lucander and Rich Buc lending skilled instrumental support as Villaire struts her stuff as a songbird.

It’s Saturday and you’re feeling alright with your sweetheart. So go that extra step and pop Lee Villaire’s 5th CD release, Curious, into the player and add a splash of sultry bluesy rock that’s guaranteed to turn the mood from “loving you” to “I’m gonna rock your world.”

Villaire is a talent originally from Montreal, but she’s lived in and graced the stages of Central MA for ten years and during the past decade has managed to garner quite a few musical honors. She’s won Honorable Mentions in the International Unisong and Billboard songwriting competitions and her songs “Breaking You In” and “A Nice Place to Visit” were selected as part of The Best of 2010 on Cape Cod’s PIXY 103FM Homegrown radio program. Villaire has also written songs for blues legend Bob Walsh and the Scottish country band Evangeline.

THE HOLLOW GLOW

By Alex Kantarelis Guitarist Ben Carroll of the alternative metal band Ra has a new project called The Hollow Glow, which marks his first time as the lead singer. The new selftitled and self-released album has already gained quite a bit of attention all over the world.

The new band’s sound is a bit different from Ra’s more metal feel. The Hollow Glow is more melodic, similar to bands like Silversun Pickups, Muse, and The Foo Fighters. As described by Carroll, “It’s definitely a little bit of a lighter sound.” But fans of Ra shouldn’t panic.

“It definitely has a Ra influence, there is no denying that,” Carroll ~ who is the primary songwriter ~ added.

And what about the transition to vocals? It was easy for Carroll, thanks to his having hooked up with vocal coach Jamie Vendera, who is better known as the guy who broke glass with his voice on “Mythbusters.”

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of the album is a track called “News Flash.” There’s no music here, but a mix of vocalists trading witty quips about how society seems to make heroes out of complete failures. In this mix between a “Muppet Show” skit and a bit from Adam Sandler, the question “Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence if that’s where you take your dog to piss?” is raised.

“Hold On To Me” is a gorgeous ballad that in places reminds the listener of the musical styling of Kate Bush. The vocals soar, fall, pause and make the audience eager for more. Just like in all of her songs, it’s clear that Villaire knows the art of seduction and isn’t afraid to use it on her fans…and on the future fans she’s sure to win over with Curious.

For more info, go to www.leevillaire.com/home.html.

The new 9 song CD was recorded into a laptop in Carroll’s bedroom, using just 2 microphones, and computerized drum and bass sounds. While the drums and bass are electronic, they manage to sound very natural in the mix. It kicks off with the song “Crazy Like You Read About,” which shows off a maturity in Carroll’s songwriting ability, and takes you on a ride from start to finish. Some notable songs include the upbeat “Isn’t Love,” and mellow jam “12 hours” in which Carroll shows off an unbelievable vocal range.

The album got plenty of press when it was released, making its way onto the front page of iTunes’ rock section in the New and Noteworthy” section for 4 weeks. Quite a feat for a band that recorded in a bedroom.

Check them out on their website, http://thehollowglow.com, and at all digital music retailers.

GOT GAME? GET OVER HERE!

By Tom Hodgson

THREE DAYS GRACE’S LIFE STARTS NOW

By Rosey Miller NOTE: Advanced Placement students at Nashoba Valley Technical High School recently competed in an entertainment review competition for Pulse. Rosey Miller’s review of Three Days Grace’s Life Starts Now was chosen by the Editor as the winner.

Listeners of Life Starts Now will be both surprised and thrilled by the diverse tracks on Three Days Grace’s third album. The Canadian quartet has attracted a devoted fan base that’s been drawn in by songs inspired by lead singer Adam Contier’s personal struggles; these die-hard fans, accustomed to the band’s rebellious hard rock sound, will not be disappointed by the somewhat less hard-edge sound of the new album. In fact, Life Starts Now picks up where past albums left off: Contier wrote the first two albums through the angst-filled fog of addiction, but penned the new album after a stint in rehab that allowed him to see the brighter side of life on which Life Starts Now focuses. The album name itself is a clue as to the more positive, hopeful outlook Contier now has.

Three Days Grace definitely took a chance by changing up their style a bit, risking turning off fans of the first two albums, but they did it wisely and gracefully and made sure the more emotional sound of Life Starts Now didn’t enter into the realm of sappiness or…heaven forbid!... overly manufactured pop.

Heavy bass and electrifying riffs give a killer punch to songs that might otherwise sound sappy, songs like “Break” and “Bully” are perfect head banging anthems for those so inclined, and tracks like “Last to Know” will likely appeal to those with an appreciation of more sensitive, reflective music.

Three Days Grace has explored new territory with Life Starts Now, but rather than abandoning their signature anger-tinged sound, they’ve instead blended it effortlessly with nuances of trepidation and hope; the album as a whole is spectacular from first note to last.

For more information, please visit www.threedaysgrace.com.

Before there was violence in video games, spaceships shot little pew pews at aliens, an obese yellow sphere couldn’t kick his dots habit, and a fat Italian American ate mushrooms and saved princesses.

Enter 1992, when Mortal Kombat arrived in arcades and childhoods all but ended. Outside of your quarters, the game took your innocence and naivety, crushing all that was sacred and holy in this world with the swift uppercut decapitation Fatality of your favorite character’s sprite. At least, that was what Senator Lieberman wanted you to believe. And so it began, as the never-ending struggle between violence and video games entered the limelight.

Mortal Kombat has been walking around like a man in high heels, completely unsure of its identity in recent years. With oversaturated lists of forgettable characters, jaunts into the motion capture technology of the 3-D plain, and a completely neutered experience with DC Universe, lifelong fans were all out of quarters. Well-deserving of an overhaul, Mortal Kombat is now rebooted into the nextgen, but it’s not all spear throws and teleport punches.

The way my buddy puts it is that the plot is like an old episode of “Batman,” as the scene cuts away to all the bad guys hanging out in the super secret bad guy cave talking about super secret bad guy stuff.

The camera then cuts back to the good guys discussing their plans to rid the world of evil in the super secret good guy society place of noble deeds. Add in some laughable interaction between the two sides which lights the fuse to a poorly acted fight, and you have Mortal Kombat’s story. I was excited to hear that the reboot had all good intentions with elaborating on the lore of the MK universe. After being strapped into the unavoidable, abysmally-acted cutscenes, boss battles that drop off in difficulty, and hours without being able to use Fatalities, I was ready to punch my own head off.

Fortunately, the kombat and subsequent brutality excels far beyond the Flawless Victory given to the single-player, planting itself with legitimacy like an uppercut off a moonlit ramp onto the spikes below.

It’s the greatest title within the franchise’s two decade span, with pristine graphical presentations of the characters and arenas, engaging reimaginings of the full cast of the first three titles, and an auditory assault which details, with finite care, every bone-crushing blow.

Outside of the design facelift, two new series-defining additions set this reboot apart from its predecessors. Firstly, X-ray attacks are cinematic super moves which drain your super meter to perform vicious and high damage combos that jettison teeth from skulls and crush bones. Lastly, Tag Team mode combos offer a depth to the series at a tournament caliber that has never been seen, making for some intricate and intense gameplay and seemingly endless character combinations.

Beyond inventive new modes and mechanics, the wealth of additional and unlockable content is staggering, as points acquired through every fight and activity can be used in the Krypt to unlock new fatalities, costumes, and concept art. If disemboweling your friends gets old, one thing is for sure: this game never will.

Rating:

84%

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 25

Club Listings

Happenings at clubs, bars, restaurants, coffee houses, & other select venues ATTENTION CLUB OWNERS!!

Due to our new summer editorial schedule, all listings MUST be entered into Social Web (socialweb.net) NO LATER than June 22 to be included in our July print issue of Pulse . Please contact ldean@pagioinc.com with any questions.

Thank you for being part of Pulse and for working within the deadline.

3-G’s Sports Bar 152 Millbury St., Worc., 508-754-3516 Tue. Orlando’s Underdog Comedy Open Mic Fri. DJ Pete the Polock Sat. Open Mike Comedy Mon. Karaoke with Mike Rossi Jun 25 Desert Rain Trio Allgos Sweets and Drinks 58 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-304-7129, allgoslounge.com American Graffiti 113 Summer St., Lunenburg, 978-345-1010 Banner Pub, The 112 Green St., Worc., 508-755-0879 Barber’s Crossing Road House 861 Main St., Leicester, 508-892-7575 Barbers Crossing (North) 175 Leominster Rd., Sterling 978-422-8438,barberscrossing.com Fri. Jun 3 - 24 Sean Ryan Beatnik’s 433 Park Ave., Worc.

508-926-8877, beatniksbeyou.com Wed. Open Mic Night Bill McCarthy - Open Mike!

Jun 4 Cool Hand Blues Band Jun 7 Indie Art Market Jun 9 Ukulele Thursday June Edition with Rich “Amazing Dick” Leufstedt Jun 10 Don’t Let Go! (Jerry Garcia Tribute) Jun 11 1 Ought 9 Jun 16 Denis Coughlin Beemer’s Pub 114 River St., Fitchburg, 978-343-3148 Jun 3 The Franks Jun 4 Laquerhead Tue., Thur. Jun 7 - 30 Karaoke Jun 10 Campfire Boogie Jun 11 Head First Jun 17 Danny Klein’s Full House Band Jun 18 Flesh & Blood - Poison Tribute with Almost Human - Kiss Tribute Jun 24 Karaoke Jun 25 Trebek Black Sheep Tavern 261 Leominster Rd., Sterling, 978-422-8484 Blackstone Tap 81 Water St., Worc.

508-797-4827, blackstonetap.com BLU Ultralounge & Nightclub 105 Water St., Worc.

508-756-2227, blu-nightclub.com Blue Plate Lounge 661 Main St., Holden, 508-829-4566 hometown.aol.com/blueplatelounge Bluri Bar & Lounge 320 Main St., Worc.,508-926-8247 Boiler Room 70 Winter St., Worc.

Bolton Roadhouse Bar & Grille 544 Wattaquodock Rd., Bolton 978-365-5757, 978-365-3036 Jun 30 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Boulder Cafe 880 Main St., Fitchburg, 978-345-0008 Jun 17 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Breakaway Billiards 104 Sterling St., Clinton,978-365-6105 myspace.com/breakawaybilliardsclinton Thur. thru Jun 30 Video Karaoke Jun 4 Shot of Poison - Poison Tribute Jun 10 Natural Order Jun 11 Latino Night with DJ Pedro Jun 24 Live Band Karaoke w/ Fingercuff Jun 25 One Track Mind Brew City 104 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-752-3862, brew-city.com Bull Run Restaurant 215 Great Rd, Shirley 978-425-4311,bullrunrestaurant.com Jun 3 Professor Louie & the Crowmatix AND Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen Jun 4 Chris Reddy Jun 4 Guitar Shorty Jun 5 Rod Picott and Amanda Shires Jun 10 Amy Black Jun 16 Rodney Crowell Jun 17 Steve Forbert Jun 24 Ameranouche Jun 24 Gary Hoey Jun 25 Wachusett Valley Folk Festival 2011 Preview Tour Cafe Destare 320 Main St., Fitchburg 978-345-5734, destare.com Jun 8 Salsa Passions Jun 9 Rampage Trio Jun 15 ACS Comedy Show Benefit Jun 16 Scott Babineau Jun 22 Salsa Passions Jun 23 Shane Wood Trio Jun 30 Johnny “Romance” Nickerson Cantina Bar & Grill 385 Main St., Worc.

508-459-5325, cantinaworcester.com

Jun 10 Eisman Hunter Band Jun 11 Blue Light Bandits Jun 12 Sunny Lake Jun 16 Jim Devlin Jun 18 The Two Timers Jun 19 Blue Light Bandits Jun 23 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Jun 24 0 Drift Jun 25 Jon Bowser Classic’s Pub 285 Central St., Leominster 978-537-7750, www.classicspub.net Sun., Tue., Thur. thru Jun 30 Karaoke Jun 3 - Jun 4 Synergy Jun 10 Brian Richard Trio Jun 11 Caves on Mars Jun 17 - Jun 18 Sin City Jun 24 Under Pressure Club Instyle 41 Pleasant St., Worc. www.theclubinstyle.com

Dunny’s Tavern 291 East Main St., East Brookfield Sun. Jun 5 - Jun 26 Sunday Blues Jam Jun 19 Chris Reddy Featured Artist - Sunday Blues Fat Tony’s Pub 1102 Main St., Worc., 508-798-8908 Fiddlers’ Green Pub & Restaurant 19 Temple St., Worc.

508-792-3700,aohworcester.com Sat. thru Jun 4 Karaoke with Outrageous Greg

Club Universe 371 Park Ave., Worc., 508-755-5542 clubuniverseworcester.com

Flip Flops 680 Main St., Holden Jun 16 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

PULSEPICK

Funky Murphy’s Bar & Grill 305 Shrewsbury St., Worc., 508-753-2995 Fusion 109 Water St., Worc.

508-756-2100, fusionworcester.com Sat. Seductive Saturdays with DJ Hydro & DJ Savas- Top 40 Sun. Reggae Fusion Sundays with DJ Nick Tue. Bass Embassy & Rebirth Tuesdays Thru Dec 31 Now Booking Private Parties!

Fri. I LOVE FRIDAYS At FUSION With DJ B-LO

Eye Witness CD release show for A Pleasant Tomorrow on June 3rd at the Hotel Vernon Show starts at 8:30 with special guests Eryk Jones, Farmers Union Players, and Mr. Sister.

Center Bar & Grill 102 Green St., Worc.

508-438-0597,thecenterbar.com

Cosmopolitan Club 96 Hamilton St., Worc.

508-752-0482

Centerfolds 2000 139 Southbridge St., North Oxford 508-987-5222, centerfolds2000.com

Creegan’s Pub 65 Green St., Worc.

508-754-3550, creeganspub.com

Chooch’s Food & Spirits 31 East Brookfield Rd., North Brookfield 508-867-2494, sitewizzer.com/choochs

Dance Ranch & Saloon 70 James St., Worc.

508-757-6977, danceranchandsaloon.com Thur. Honkey Tonk w/ CJ/DJ 18+

Cigar Masters 1 Exchange Place, Worc., 508-459-9035 Jun 3 Jon Bowser Jun 4 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Jun 9 Rob Adams

Nuf Ced 377 Park Ave., Worc.

508-751-4000

Firefly’s / Dante’s 350 East Main St., Marlborough 508-357-8883, fireflysbbq.com

Cornerstone’s Restaurant 616 Central St., Leominster 978-537-1991, cornerstonesrestaurant.com Jun 3, 18 Andy Cummings Jun 4 Scott Babineau Jun 10, 25 Ken Macy Jun 11 Carl Ayotte Jun 17 Mike Moore Jun 24 Mike Livingston

Cicero’s Cafe 17 Suffolk St., Worc., 508-767-9728 www.worcesterscene.com/admin/location_ images/ciceros.jpg

Devens Grill 4 Ryans Way, Devens 978-862-0060, devensgrill.com

Club KasBar 234 Southwest Cutoff, Worc.

508-798-8385 Jun 18 Auntie Trainwreck

Celtic Tavern 45 Belmont St., Northborough 508-366-6277, celtictav.com Thur. thru Jun 30 Karaoke!

Jun 3 5 on Friday Jun 4 Joe Macy Jun 10 Drama Jun 11 Bill Mccarthy Jun 17 3 of a Kind Jun 25 Karaoke

Chopstick’s Restaurant & Lounge Commercial Rd, Leominster Jun 10 - Jun 11 Doctor Robert

Jun 5 Guy Bergeron Jun 11 Randy & Dave show

Dar Bah 29 Canal St., Millbury, 508-865-8441 Days End Tavern 287 Main St., Oxford 508-987-1006, daysendtavern.com Fri. Karaoke & Dancing with Making Memories Thur. DJ Roberta - Dance off for cash!

Thur. DJ Brian Spinnin’ & Scratchin’ The Hottest Dance Music Sat. Hip Hop Dance Party with DJ HappyDaze Sat.Nights!

Fri. Karaoke with Making Memories

Galway Bay Irish Pub 186 Stafford St., Worc., 508-753-8909 Gardner Ale House 74 Parker St., Gardner 978-669-0122, gardnerale.com Thur. thru Jun 30 Audio Wasabi hosted by Brian Chaffee Fri., Sat. thru Jun 25 Live Entertainment Sun. thru Jun 26 Jazz Brunch Sundays Mon. thru Jun 27 Blue Mondays - Live Blues Jun 18 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell Gilrein’s 802 Main St., Worc.

508-791-2583, gilreins.net Greendale’s Pub 404 W Boylston St., Worc.

508-853-1350, myspace.com/greendalespub Tue. Open Mic Night w/ Bill McCarthy Sun. Sunday Blues Jam, hosted by Jim Perry Tue. Open Mic Night w /Bill McCarthy Open Mike!

Wed. thru Jun 30 Sean Ryan & Co. Jun 3, Jul 1 Ed & Da Ve Jun 4 SLUGGO Jun 10 The Recliners Jun 11 Auntie Trainwreck Jun 17 BYO Blues Jun 18 Valvatross Jun 25 No Alibi Jul 1 Ed & Da Ve Grey Hound Pub (An Cu Liath) 11 Kelley Square, Worc.

508-754-6100, thegreyhoundworcester.com Thur. Thursday Night Team Trivia Thur. Team Trivia - New England Halligan’s Sports Bar and More 889 Southbridge St., Auburn 508-832-6793, halliganssportsbarandmore.com

Continued on pg. 31

26 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 27

Pulse

ShOtS

FEel the beat of the City!

Photos by Justin Perry

Give Kids a Fighting Chance at The Palladium - Worcester

Blacksheep Tavern - Sterling

Beemer’s - Fitchburg

Destare - Fitchburg

Breakaway Billiards - Clinton

Vegas Lounge - Lunenburg

Annual Spring Beer Fest at Julio’s Liquors - Westborough

Jak’s Pub - Worcester

Patio Opening at Ceres Bistro - Worcester

Continued from pg. 26 Hotel Vernon - The Ship Room/Kelley Square Yacht Club 1 Millbury St., Worc.

Thur. Good Times with Your Friend DJ Steve Jun 3 Eyewitness CD Release Party and more Jun 4 Capt. Cat with Cold, Crusty Moon Jun 10 Jason James and The Rockers Jun 11 Dusty Cobb & The Millbury St Band Jun 18 Ric Porter & the Sons of the Soil LIVE MUSIC AND DANCING!!!

Jun 24 Central Mass Roller Derby Fundraiser w/ TBA

Mickey Sheas 324 Electric Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-5825

Salty Dog Saloon 1 Kelley Square, Worc.

508-752-6600, saltydogsaloon.net

Mill Street Brews (@ The ADC) 18 Mill St., Southbridge 508-764-6900, millstreetbrews.com Thur. Open Mic Jam

Speakers Night Club 19 Weed St., Marlborough 508-480-8222, speakersnightclub.net Thur. Karaoke Fri. Ladies Night - Top 40 Dance Party Sat. Live Bands Every Sat. Night - See below Jun 4 Tigerlily - Top 40 Dance Jun 10 The Great Escape - Tribute to Journey Jun 11 Flesh N Blood - Tribute to Poison

Indian Ranch 200 Gore Rd., Webster 508-943-3871, indianranch.com

Moynihan’s Pub 897 Main St., Worc.

Irish Times / Rehab 244 Main St., Worc.

508-797-9599, irishtimespub.com

Mint 18 Grafton St., Worc.

508-793-8700, mintworcester.com

PULSEPICK

J.P. O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub and Restaurant 9 Main St., Ayer 978-772-9282 www.jpohanlons.com Jak’s Pub 536 Main St., Worc. www.jakspubworcester.com Tue. Lisa Marie & All Shook Up Fri. Karaoke with DJ Marty JC Fenwick’s 37 Mechanic St., Leominster 978-840-4845 Jillian’s - Worcester 315 Grove St., Worc.

508-793-0900, jilliansworcester.com JJ’s Sports Bar and Grill 380 Southwest Cutoff, Northborough 508-842-8420, jbag.biz Jun 3 Valvatross Jun 4 Fuzion Jun 11 Probable Cause Jun 17 FingerCuff Jun 18 No Alibi Jun 24 Go Gadget Go Jun 25 Bon Jersey Joseph’s Bistro & Pub 97 Main St., Westminster 978-874-9918, josephsbistro.com LaScala Restaurant 183 Shrewsbury St, Worc., 508-753-9912 Jun 21 Chris Reddy - Taste of Shrewsbury St Performance Leitrim’s Pub 265 Park Ave., Worc.

508-798-2447, leitrimspub.com Wed. Open Mic Night!

Lidio’s Restaurant & Lounge 1045 Central St., Leominster 978-534-6600, lidios.com Loft 266 Bar & Lounge 266 Park Ave., Worc.

508-796-517, loft266.com London Billiards / Club Oasis 70 James St., Worc.

508-799-7655 www.londonbilliards.com Lucky Dog Music Hall 89 Green St., Worc.

508-363-1888, luckydogmusic.com Mahoney’s Pub 413 Park Ave., Worc.

508-755-8876 Marty’s Pub 225 Canterbury St., Worc.

508-754-0033,martyspub.com MB Lounge 40 Grafton St., Worc.

508-799-4521, mblounge.com Mon. Free Pool Night Sun. Live Piano Night Monthly Michael’s Pub 11 Merriam Ave., Leominster 978-534-1590, michaelspub.net

PULSEPICK

Spruce Street Tavern 68 Spruce St., Clinton 978-368-1255, SpruceStreetTavern.com Squire Whites Pub & Restaurant 347 Greenwood St., Worc.

508-752-7544,squirewhites.com Fri. Live Bands Every Friday and No Cover Charges!

Jun 3 The Silverbacks!!

Stagecoach Inn and Tavern 128 Main St., Groton 978-448-5614,grotonstagecoachinn.com

Munsta Phish Inc/We “R” Us Ent present W E ‘R’ MUNSTA FEST 2011 starring “The Dipset Reunion” @ The Palladium on June 16.

Doors at 6, show at 7.

Nick’s Bar and Restaurant 124 Millbury St., Worc.

508-753-4030, myspace.com/NicksWorcester On The Rocks Sports Bar & Grill 96 Lakefront Ave., Lunenburg 978-342-6692 Overtime Tap 50 Front St., Worc.

508-757-0600, overtimetap.com Jun 9 Chris Reddy Acoustic Loops from Hell

Tailgaters 166 Great Road, Acton 978-429-8146, tailgatersgrilleclinton.com Tammany Hall 43 Pleasant St., Worc.

508-753-7001,tammanyhallrocks.com The Cannery 12 Crane St., Southbridge 508-764-1100 12crane.com/canneryhall/index.php

Paulie’s New Orleans Jazz n’ Blues Festival in Worcester this year features the Anders Osborne Trio of New Orleans. The festival is on Friday June 24th ~ Please see www.baevents.com for more info.

Live Theatre Listings

Hanover Theatre 2 Southbridge St., Worcester, 508.831.0800, thehanovertheatre.org boxoffice@thehanovertheatre.org Barre Players Theater 64 Common St., Barre, 978-355-2096 Calliope Productions Inc. 150 Main St., Boylston, 508-869-6887

The Lazy Dog 31 Main St., Marlborough 508-229-2264, doggonelazy.com The Mill 185 West Boylston St., West Boylston

Turtle Lane Playhouse 283 Melrose Street, Auburndale 617-244-0169,http://turtlelane.org/contact.php

The Nines Neighborhood Bar 136 Millbury St., Worc., 508-340-0318

Cornerstone Performing Arts Center 454 Main Street. Fitchburg, 978-345-2915, ,cpacfitchburg.org, info@cpacfitchburg.org

The Raven 258 Pleasant St., Worc., 508-304-8133 www.facebook.com/people/Raven-Worcester/10 0001022046717

Wachusett Theatre Company PO Box 92, Worcester 978-602-6288, Wachusetttheatre.com

Upper Deck Sports Bar & Grille 377 Stetson Rd., Barre, 978-355-2224 upperdecksportsbarandgrille.com

Stratton Players 60 Wallace Ave., Fitchburg (978) 345-6066, www.strattonplayers.com

Vegas Lounge 5 Summer St., Lunenburg 978-400-7524

Acme Theatre Productions ArtSpace Maynard, 61 Summer St. Maynard acmetheater.com/index.asp, 978-823-0003

Perfect Game Sports Grill and Lounge 64 Water St., Worc.

508-792-4263, perfectgameworcester.com

Verona Grille 81 Clinton St., Shrewsbury 508-853-9091 Thur. Karaoke With DJ Jimi

The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN) 14 Summer Street, Natick natickarts.org/index.php, 508.647.0097

Point Breeze On the Lake 114 Point Breeze Rd., Webster 508-943-0404, pointbreezeonwebsterlake.com

Victory Bar & Cigar 56 Shrewsbury St., Worc.

508-756-4747, victorycigarbar.com

Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner 148 Grove St., Worc.

508-753-9543,ralphsdiner.net Tue. “Totally Tuesdazed!!!!!” Tunes in the Diner Wed. Wednesday Night Karaoke!!! 10pm ‘til Close!!!

Mon. Dirty Gerund Poetry & Variety Show Jun 3 Huck, Preacher Roe, Bastards of Melody!

Jun 4 Herra Terra, Ghost Ocean, Born Without Bones, and The Death of Paris!!!!

Vincent’s Bar 49 Suffolk St., Worc.

508-752-9439, myspace.com/vincentsbar Sun. Big Jon Short Wed. Tiki Night with Frank & Eric!

Tue. Scott Riccuiti, Michael Thibodeau & John Donovan Thur. James Keyes

Paisanos Pizza & Spirits 450 Lancaster St., Leominster 978-534-7117 Palladium, The 261 Main St., Worc.

508-797-9696, thepalladium.net Partner’s Pub 970 South St., Fitchburg 978-345-5051, partnerspub.com Thru Jun 29 Karaoke Jun 4 Sean Daley & John Hansen

Red Onion - Otter River Hotel 29 Main St., Baldwinville 978-939-7373,myspace.com/theredonion Thur. thru Jun 30 Thursday Open Jam with The Jam King Jun 4 Spitshine Jun 10 Radio Flyer Jun 11 Go Gadget Go Jun 17 Levity - Circadian Rhythm - Gorilla Radio Jun 18 Nigh�lye Jun 24 Jason James & Bay State House Rockers Jun 25 Red Onion Pub Crawl with Radio Flyer

Vokes Theatre/Vokes Players Inc. Route 20, PO Box 283, Wayland vokesplayers.org, (508) 358-4034 Stageloft Theatre 450 A Main Street, Sturbridge 508-347-9005, stageloft.com Worcester County Light Opera 21 Grand View Ave., Worcester, 508-753-4383, http://wcloc.org, admin@wcloc.org

Whiskey Alley 281 Lunenburg St., Fitchburg 978-345-4040 Whistle Stop Bar & Grill 85 Main St., Oxford 508-987-3087 www.StopByTheWhistle.com Ye Olde Tavern 7 East Main St., West Brookfield 508-867-9709, westbrookfieldtavern.com

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 31

LIFESTYLE

COOL CAREERS

Dave Duchnowski of Simple Machine Guitars

By Alex Kantarelis Anyone who has owned a premium electric guitar is all too familiar with the constant maintenance required to keep it sounding good and playing well; guitar players can spend anywhere from $60 to $80 every few months just to get the neck set up so that the guitar can stay in tune and sustain for as long as possible.

After playing guitar for years, Dave Duchnowski (better known to his friends as Dutch) has come up with an alternative that is like nothing else available on the market. He started creating his own custom guitars that solved the problem by using a stainless steel neck instead of wood.

Duchnowski calls Clinton, MA home, and got his start in the music scene in the late 80s playing in the legendary local hardcore band Backbone, featuring Aaron Bedard of Bane fame. He spent some years working as an explosives engineer, blowing up rocks and cliffs so the state could put in roads. As fun as explosives were, the job kept him from his passion for music, and a few years ago he began the long process of creating a new kind of guitar. “Ever since I started playing guitar around 13 years old I was always more interested in the construction of the guitar more than playing,” he said. But he realized that creating a custom guitar needs something more than just another Les Paul or Stratocaster to copy.

Motivated by the idea of creating something totally new, he began prototyping… and created his first guitar.

At first glance, the guitar looks and feels totally normal. It has a mahogany body, rosewood fretboard, and nickel silver frets. Everything is traditional about the design, with the exception, of course, of the hollow stainless steel neck. While

32 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

some purists may doubt that the sound is perfect, all they need is to pick one up. “When [people] play it, the skepticism immediately goes away,” Duchnowski said. The neck never needs to be adjusted, keeping the strings in place to give it perfect resonance and sustain, something that a normal guitar cannot do.

“Between the string tension, humidity, and temperature, a wooden neck will bend on you, but mine will never do that. It will stay consistent and flat until the day you die. With this guitar, you can leave it in the car when it’s 100 degrees out, and it still plays great,” he said. Best part is, it still looks, feels, and weighs the same as any normal guitar.

With the patent set, and a few big name endorsees lining up, it is sure to be a big year for Dutch and his new guitars. Check out his website for more info, and if you’re interested get in contact so you can see it for yourself at his Worcester shop. www.simplemachineguitars.com

Photos, L-R: the polished headstock of the “Lever,” an Ice Blue Metallic “Wedge,” and the back of a “Lever” with polished neck in “Cole” (spelled as such instead of “coal” because with any sale of a guitar sold in satin black, a portion will be donated to the Down Syndrome Foundation in honor of Dave’s partner’s son Cole)

It’s Time for a Stylish Backyard Cocktail Party!

By Steph Moore

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 33

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

34 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

• NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 35 • NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

DINING & ENTERTAINING

By Bernie Whitmore The Registry Restaurant has embraced its connection with Worcester’s first Registry of Motor Vehicles ~ the restaurant occupies the RMV’s former home, hence its name ~ by decorating the dining room in mid-twentieth century automobile culture. Antique license plates and scenes of old Worcester hang on the walls. Pages of the menu look like they’ve been stamped by registry clerks with ink-smeared shirt sleeves.

The Registry Restaurant 264 Park Avenue, Worcester 508-752-2211 www.registryrestaurant.com

But it’s the laminated tabletops that really make the connection. Ads for new, used and auto repair shops, technical drawings, comics ~ really anything on paper that illustrates the golden age of the American auto industry ~ have been encased in plastic. Clearly, The Registry has a passion for cars. The important question is whether this passion extends to their cuisine. A friend joined me for dinner to find out.

We were led to a table and my attention wandered off as I studied the tabletop’s diagram of an ancient camshaft and pages from a Hardy Boys adventure I read decades ago. I reeled my attention back in to check out the menu, but the tabletop remained compelling.

Otto, our server, came by to take our drink orders and run through the day’s specials. After he left, we amused ourselves watching potential diners wander around the building trying to find the entrance. Why not paint a path and hang some arrows… create a miniature roadway to the door? The motor vehicle theme opens a world of opportunities.

Soon Otto returned with our New England Crab Cake appetizer: three medium-sized cakes were each topped with a dollop of jalapeno aioli and served over a bed of mixed greens. Thick with breading and flecks of bell peppers, we also found a fair amount of crabby bits. The cakes’ rich peppery flavor went well with sips of Tohu Sauvignon Blanc.

I remember when it was difficult to find decent Caesar Salad without the drama of table-side flourishes in uber-expensive restaurants.

But things have markedly improved and The Registry was no exception. Their Caesar was a generous plate of crunchy romaine richly coated in a cheesy dressing balanced with lemon and garlic flavors. Studded with large garlicky croutons, their portion was perfect for sharing and a perfect prelude to our entrees.

36 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

My friend ordered the “New Yorker” New York Strip, medium rare, and he immediately praised its deep grill-lines, tenderness and perfect preparation. “As good as anywhere else in the city,” he remarked. It came with buttery sautéed vegetables and rice pilaf, but he would have been satisfied with the steak solo.

I ordered one of the day’s specials, Stuffed Haddock. Its first impression was amazing, mostly because of its huge size. Lying on a bed of creamy-soft linguine, a thick haddock fillet was folded over a layer of rich seafood dressing and then drenched in a creamy sauce loaded with wilted leaves of baby spinach.

I’m still not sure why I ordered stuffed haddock; it violates a sacred rule I have prohibiting any stuffed fish dish. But The Registry’s wasn’t any of the things I feared; the fish was fresh and moist, the breading had rich seafood flavor that didn’t dominate the dish, and the spinach gave the cream sauce color and plausibility. The linguine ~ a bit too soft for my taste ~ was actually unnecessary.

The Registry Restaurant is the “new kid” in a town with plenty of dining options. I’d term the cuisine as “American Comfort;” its menu includes dishes found in most casual-format restaurants and offers plenty of sandwiches and burgers for faster meals.

The quality of our meals was rock-solid and Otto provided excellent service.

No longer need the word “registry” be associated with unpleasant workers, accumulated fees, and long, confusing lines.

Hot & Now

By Paul Giorgio

TOSS IT. The Taste of Shrewsbury Street kicks off the summer on Tues. June 21 from 5-9pm. Eat at almost 40 of Worcester’s best restaurants, all for the price of an admission button: $25. This annual kick- off to summer features tasting samples from the restaurants along Worcester’s Restaurant Row. Throw in music and local artists and cocktails and you have the makings of Worcester’s best block party. This is the 10th year for the event and proceeds go to both beautifying Shrewsbury St. and helping local charities.

GOLDEN WOK OPENS. The Golden Wok, a Chinese and Thai restaurant, opened recently on Worcester’s Grafton St. opposite the South Plaza in a spot that once house a deli. The restaurant does eat-in and takeout.

NAME CHANGE. The Marlboro Coral Seafood recently changed its name to Fish.

The 160 seat restaurant is located in the center of Marlboro and recently had a face lift to go along with the name change. The restaurant is still owned by George Voyiatzis, son of Teddy & Georgia Voyiatzis who, along with their son Jimmy, run the Shrewsbury St. Coral Seafood.

EXTREME MAKEOVER. Worcester’s Sakura Tokyo, located on Park Ave, closed its doors temporarily the last week in May for a makeover. According to news reports quoting manager Anna Ng, the restaurant expects to spend $2 million on an expansion and on updating the decor. Currently, the restaurant seats 300 people. Now that is an extreme makeover.

NUOVO OPENING IN JUNE. Nuovo is the new Italian restaurant going into the space that once housed TriBeCa on Worcester’s Shrewsbury St. The space has been undergoing extensive renovations which gives it a more open and airy feel. Watch for new lighting in the bar area as well as expanded seating. We hear that the menu will be Italian.

STURBRIDGE NEWS. The Whistling Swan and Ugly Duckling Loft, located on Rte 20 in Sturbridge, recently underwent a refurbishing and reopened on May 6th.The restaurants are owned by the Table 3 Restaurant group which also owns Sturbridge’s Cedar Street Grill, which reopened in the last week of May. Table 3 is a partnership formed by Enrico Giovanelio, Patrick Farrelly ~ both chefs who formerly worked at several Sturbridge restaurants ~ and businessmen Dan Gonya and Michael Lyons.

CAFÉ DOLCE CLOSES. Café Dolce, a mainstay of Worcester’s Shrewsbury St and a pioneer dessert venue in the area, recently closed its doors. The sign on the door says that it is closed for renovations. We hear that Jay Evanglista, who owns Dino’s Restaurant, will eventually reopen the place.

BUPPA DE BEPPO OPENS DECK WITH A NEW DECK MENU. Buca di Beppo has created a special “Deck Menu” that will feature some of their signature Italian dishes paired nicely with drink offerings that include “$3 Deck Beer” and $4 Deck Cocktails.”

Buppa, which overlooks Lake Quinsigamond, has probably the best outdoor dining venue in Central MA. JUNIOR’S GETS NEW CHEF. Junior’s on Worcester’s Shrewsbury St. is getting a new chef: Bruno DeOliveira, who formerly worked at the 111 Chop House, will be starting at Junior’s the first week of June. I would be looking for some menu changes to follow.

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 37

PULSE

Brew

NARRAGANSETT BEER DEBUTS ITS FIRST-EVER SUMMER ALE!

By Rick Garner

The famous Narragansett Beer introduces, for the first time in its 120-year history, the seasonal release of a summer craft brew: Narragansett Summer Ale. Distributed throughout New England, Southern New York, and Philadelphia at leading package stores, bars and restaurants, Summer Ale will be available on draught and in ‘Gansett’s signature 16oz. Tallboy cans which feature iconic imagery of the famous Narragansett Towers.

This easy-drinking light session ale features two row pale malt and citra hops, a very popular, newer variety of hops with very evident aromas of citrus and passion fruit that complement the pale malt perfectly. Golden blonde in color, its pour produces a generous white head and balanced carbonation. A supremely drinkable summer craft brew, the malt flavor is smooth and subtle, balanced out by a crisp hop bitterness, perfect for the beach, boat or ballgame. Summer Ale is 4.2% Alcohol by Volume and 24 IBUs.

“‘Gansett Summer” is the first ale to be produced by Narragansett Beer since the 1970s. Known best for its signature Lager, a wide variety of ales were once available, beginning in the late 1800s. The original brewery devoted an entire four-story building to the “Ale Department,” and staples like the Pale Ale, Select Stock Ale, and Banquet Ale outsold Lager until the 1940s when American tastes changed as a result of thousands of GIs returning home from Lagerdrinking European countries during World War 1 & II, and a wave of Lager-drinking immigrants.

Thirsty for more information on Narragansett Summer Ale or want to find a retailer near you? Visit www.narragansettbeer.com...

And always remember to drink responsibly ~ and only if you’re 21+ !!!

38 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

Now Serving

Kenichi Asian Bistro

By Rachel Shuster

Kenichi Asian Bistro is located at 270 Shrewsbury St. in Worcester and opened in March. The name is a combination of co-owner Kenny Huang (“Ken”), and 1 (“ichi”), “… because we are number one,” coowner Jain “Jimmy” Hu adds.

“Kenny has been a sushi chef for 10 years and I’ve worked in restaurants for 20 years.

We love Worcester and Shrewsbury St. allows for a lot of opportunities,” Hu says.

“Great prices and the freshest food make Kenichi different than other Asian restaurants,” Hu says. The menu offers a variety of Asian food including hot and cold apps, sushi, makimonos, entrees (chicken, beef,

duck, noodles, and more), and lunch specials. Prices range from $3 - $24.

Kenichi has a full bar surrounded by dark wood and bamboo-covered walls and furniture.

Kenichi is open Mon – Thurs, 11am – 10pm, Fri and Sat.,11am – 1am, & Sunday: 11:30am - 10:00pm. Call 508-926-8622 for more information or visit www.kenichibistro.com.

New On The Scene

Overtime Tap Fantasy Bar and Grille

By Katelyn Faye Winters

Located at 50 Front St. in Worcester, the new Overtime Tap Fantasy Bar and Grille may sound like “just” another sports bar, but owners Dave LeDoux,

Ma� Bousquet, and Greg Takacs run more than your typical beer-and-peanuts sports lounge.

Head chef Ian Hickey designed a

menu well beyond typical bar-food fare; while staples like burgers, wings, and best-selling nachos are popular, the menu also offers lobster, lamb, steak, and shrimp, as well as veggie-friendly selections like eggplant lasagna, veggie burgers, and macaroni and cheese. With most sandwiches and generous appetizers rounding out between $6 and $8, Overtime offers a quick, affordable lunch or dinner before a show at the nearby Hanover Theatre or DCU Center. For a more robust meal, try the Heartier Fare and Pasta

selections ~ they range from $12 to $25. Overtime also boasts more than two dozen beers both bottled and on tap, a large selection of wine, and a full bar.

Overtime opens at 11:00 am Mon.Sat. and at noon on Sunday. The kitchen closes at 10pm on Fri. and Sat. and 9pm on all other days; the bar remains open until 11pm or later.

Wing specials run every Wed. night starting at 5, and there’s a DJ on Fridays, Saturdays (and select Weds and Thurs). Call 508-757-0600 or visit overtimetap.com for information on express lunches, private parties, reservations, and on and off-site catering.

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 39

Popcorn Palace!

By Steph Moore

What comes to mind when you hear the words Double Chocolate, Caramel Nut, Peanut Butter Drizzle or Cookies in Cream??? Candy bars? Ice cream? Nope, guess again!

Can you image any better snack than delicious popcorn in those flavors. I have personally tried these decadent bits (my favorite is Cookies in Cream with actual Oreo bits)... DELISH! In fact, I actually had them as favors at my wedding in August and they were the talk of the event (I think for a moment, people forgot they were at a wedding...haha).

For the past 15 years Popcorn Palace has been providing families and charities the freshest and most flavorful popcorn. They have seen tremendous growth, evolving from a local retail store in Chicago to a 24,000 square foot production facility that ships across the nation. Through it all, the recipes, creative process, and dedication to superior ingredients have remained unchanged.

Popcorn Palace’s commitment to creating a superior product has earned them features on the Food Network’s “Unwrapped,” “Rachel Ray’s $40 A Day,” Al Roker’s “Roker on the Road,” and the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels.” The Chicago Tribune even gave them a taste and declared that they make the most awesome snack and awarded them the only A+ grade. And it’s easy to see...well, taste...why ~ this popcorn is the fluffiest, most flavorful I’ve ever tasted. It’s like a whole new breed of popcorn ~ try a bag of Popcorn Palace popcorn and then any movie or storebought brand ~ you’ll never, EVER go back to those common brands again!

PP was also recently was named to Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 fastest growing food and beverage companies in America. Popcorn Palace is also proud to be a personal favorite among many celebrities, including the world’s most famous investor, Warren Buffet, who called the popcorn “AAA+.”

Instead of shelling out money for party favors that will most likely wind up in the trash, many are starting to invest in delicious gifts that guests can enjoy from the start. Popcorn Palace specializes in a wide variety of unique and tasty handcrafted popcorn flavors that have guests munching contentedly along during the big event. From sweet Cookies and Cream (my personal favorite) to Spicy Cheese (this one has a real kick!), indulge in a unique treat for the taste buds.

Each order of Popcorn Palace’s gourmet popcorn is made fresh daily in small batches and shipped within 24 hours of preparation. They guarantee their products will arrive fresh, crisp, and bursting with flavor for the enjoyment of all the soon-to-be nibblers.

40 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

When it comes to event packaging, Popcorn Palace has a number of ways to delight. Their elegant silver lame pouches and 1 quart tins make memorable gifts that store a tasty surprise. Their party favors are reusable and can be personalized with names, dates, and sentiments to match the event. Popcorn Palace products can also be bought in tins and refillable value bags so those who enjoy the DIY way of life can divvy up the flavors in their own fashion.

In addition to providing gifts and party favors, Popcorn Palace has a fundraising program that beats the socks off any old chocolate bar campaign. They’ve helped numerous schools, clubs, sports teams, churches, and non-profits raise money for countless worthy causes, including: the American Cancer Society, People to People, Youth Camp and Convention Scholarships, and Relay for Life.

So come on.... try some ~ I guarantee it’ll become your favorite snack after just one taste!

Please visit www.popcornpalace.com.

Photo courtesy of EPlove.net

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JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 41

SPORTS & FITNESS

Tornadoes Throw Changeup: The New Faces and Voices of the Worcester Tornadoes Nick Gagalis

Ed Riley

By Kim Dunbar

While you were hibernating this winter, the Worcester Tornadoes were getting a facelift.

At the end of last season, the Tornadoes came under new ownership but lost two of their stars: manager Rich Gedman took a new job and Dave “Peterman” Peterson retired his game night personality and flashy sport coats. But the team didn’t give fans time to sulk ~ they quickly named Worcester native and baseball veteran Ed Riley as manager and hired experienced radio broadcaster Nick Gagalis to run the team’s marketing.

“This season we have a new attitude,” said Gagalis, who will call all 94 Tornadoes games this summer. “It is a fresh start for us to take the history we have and build on it.”

Gagalis has already connected with fans via Facebook, Twitter and in person at games. “The goal is to improve the relationships we already have and create new ones,” he added.

Establishing Gagalis as the face and voice of the Tornadoes allows fans to better connect with the organization. “They may not know the General Manager or the players because they’re not around in the offseason. They can interact with me every single day. For consistency’s sake, I’m someone they can get to know.”

42 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

Worcester fans may feel like they already know the first-time manager Riley.

He was a standout prep pitcher at St. Peter-Marian and spent time playing and coaching in the Red Sox organization. In 2005, he came out of retirement to join the Tornadoes during their inaugural season but halfway through hung up his cleats in favor of a front office position, Director of Baseball Operations.

Riley admits there is a level of comfort with his new job. “Growing up in Worcester and being in the organization as a player and front office person does offer a little comfort from a standpoint of knowing what to expect day in and day out,” he said.

Having to focus on every aspect of the game rather than just one area will be the biggest transition for Riley, but he’s got some trusted help. Chip Plante, a Webster native and one-time Tornadoes coach, and Chris Shank, who played three seasons with the Tornadoes, were added to Riley’s staff in the off-season.

While many things are different this season, Worcester’s expectations remain the same: “To go out and win the Can Am League and bring the championship back home to Worcester,” Riley said.

To get to know your Tornadoes, visit www.worcestertornadoes.com.

The Skinny

By Craig Lindberg

TRUTH BE TOLD

“The Skinny” is a new Fitness column by Craig Lindberg, CPT and Founder/Co-owner of Optimal Performance Center in Shrewsbury (www.opcfitness.com). If you have a question about training, nutrition, bodybuilding, or anything else that falls under the topic of Fitness, please send it to craig@opcfitness.com. Craig will answer one or two questions each month, so check here as soon as a new issue of Pulse hits the streets to see if he’s chosen yours!

As summer fast approaches, I feel the need to help all of you get a handle on those last few, stubborn pounds. The key to making any positive change is knowledge. Without knowing what you should or shouldn’t do, how can you expect to change anything?

This month’s column focuses on two of the biggest reasons that those last few pounds continues to cling to your ass, thighs and/ or belly: sugar and alcohol.

SUGAR:

If you’re al all health conscious, you know what you shouldn’t be eating. It’s a no-brainer that a pint of Ben and Jerry’s before bed or pizza 3 nights a week is not conducive to weight loss.

However, many of the “healthy” foods out there can be just as detrimental to toning up and dropping those last 5 pounds.

Why? Because they contain tons of sugar.

YogURTS:

frozen and not, sorbets, even “Sugar-Free” iced coffee served by a certain Seattle based chain, can contain large amounts of sugar.

Your body is desperately trying to hold on to your fat as it begins to deplete. The amount of insulin released from eating foods high in sugar gives your body an excuse to not use what fat you have left to lose. Granted, yogurt is a better breakfast choice than a frosted coffee roll...but then again, if you’re eating frosted coffee rolls, you don’t need this article, you need an

intervention and I should start calling your friends and family members now. Keep the sugars low and the fiber high and you will start to see some results.

AlcohoL:

Now I know this is not what most of you want to hear, especially those of you wasting your time and taste buds on low-cal/low-carb beer ~ I mean, really people...why bother? It’s not the caloric value of your beer, wine or scotch on the rocks that’s keeping that weight on...it’s the alcohol itself. OK, so a 6 pack/night or a fruity Cosmo are way too caloric, but I’m talking to those one-glassor-bottle-a-night-with-dinner people. Your body retains water because it feels it has to, not just to make you grumpy. Ingested in any amount, alcohol will dehydrate you.

When your body goes through dehydration, it will retain water when it’s reintroduced to your body. One glass of red with your evening meal is enough to keep your body in a perpetual state of water retention.

Bottom Line:

If you want to shed some pounds fast, stop drinking. And just so that you don’t think you’re giving up something and not getting something tangible back in return, an added benefit to that water loss is that the H20 is being stored subcutaneously, between your skin and muscle, so when you lose it, you’ll be able to see more muscular definition.

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 43

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

• NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING •

• NORTH COUNTY • DINING • ENTERTAINMENT • NIGHTLIFE • SHOPPING

ART & CULTURE

The Strange Attractor Some of us may feel we are not artistically inclined, and many more of us may feel the same towards the overwhelming amount of technology available to us in the digital age.

While it’s easy to think some things are best left to the professionals, a new art collective recently opened at 97D Webster Street in Worcester would say otherwise. Formed under the premise that everyone is capable of creating their own art and mastering their own technology, the long-awaited Strange Attractor has opened for business.

The space is home to Ferromorphics Blacksmithing, stone and wood-working shop Stonehawk Design, and the DIY computer/electronics workshop and hackerspace, T.E.S.L.A (Technological Enthusiasts Society for Life Applications).

The collective’s first open house on May 1 featured blacksmithing demos, food and music in Stonehawk’s studio, and a project building “LED throwies” for street signs in the T.E.S.L.A studio. Guests who mingled on the patio enjoyed grilling by guest business Dr. Gonzo’s Uncommon Condiments and music was featured in the BoHo Room, which in the future will be used for lower-key productions, including poetry on Thursday nights.

While all the studios were up and running, the space’s main attraction isn’t slated to open until this summer. Referred to simply as the Big Room, the former factory space attached to the T.E.S.L.A studio comes complete with a stage and track ceiling crane the collective hopes to use to move a free-floating stage through the space. The occupants of the Strange Attractor are pushing to have the space completely finished by July, when it will be used for concerts, lightshows, and film productions.

46 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

By Katelyn Faye Winters

Attendees to the Strange Attractor’s “Mayday Heyday” were given a tour of the as-yetunrenovated Big Room and were impressed with its potential and sheer size, but the occupants of the collective are excited about their space for a very different reason. While they all look forward to the fast-approaching day when they’ll have their own concert hall, the greatest aspect of the space is what and who has gone into making it. Ferromorphics will be handling all the welding involved in the deisgn, Stonehawk will be renovating the space and helping to construct the stage, and T.E.S.L.A will run all the electronics needed for sound, lights, and other media once the space is complete. Not only will the Strange Attractor have its most alluring and versatile attraction realized, but the work will be done almost exclusively by the occupants of the co-op, giving a whole new meaning to “buying local.”

The Strange Attractor opens the first Sunday of every month, and anyone interested in the space is encouraged to contact one of the occupants or seek them out at an open house. T.E.S.L.A features weekly workshops, open and closed labs, and different levels of membership for access to hackerspace. They can be found at www.teslaract.org and on Facebook. Ferromorphics Blacksmithing can be found at www.ferromorphics.com

Pictured: members of Hackerspace, photo courtesy of Jonathan Wolf.

Ceres_Pulse_1-4_Page_Patio.ai

3/28/11

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Spring seating.

Warmer weather brings sun-filled afternoons and a relaxing evening breeze to dining on the Bistro Patio. Enjoy our fresh seasonal menu or a crafted cocktail while unwinding with a breath of fresh air.

Ceres Bistro, an unparalleled food and wine affair that delivers the farm to your table in an elegant yet casual atmosphere.

$5 Appetizers (4-7pm & 10pm-Close) $5 Mojitos (All Day) Bottles of Wine Starting at $20!

Ceres Bistro at the Beechwood Hotel 363 Plantation Street ~ Worcester, MA 508.754.2000 ~ ceresbistro.com

Revel in the harvest.

New England Baked Haddock Just $9.99 every day at the Registry Restaurant

Completely enjoyable dining experience Bill Clapper, Telegram & Gazette

The Registry of Motor Vehicles 264 Park Ave, registryrestaurant.com, 508-752-2211 The Kitchen is open 5 pm - 10 pm Tues. - Sun. (Fri. & Sat. till 11 pm)

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 47

College

Stay Connected with Friends in Real Time with LiveProfile

New Mobile Messenger and Social Utility Keeps You in Touch with Friends across Android, BlackBerry or iPhone Devices ~ It’s a Fast and Free Alternative to Text Messaging!

By R. Peltier

For the mobile generation, keeping in touch with friends while on the go can still be a surprisingly difficult task ~ it seems everyone is on a different device or carrier. Most have little choice but to resort to standard text messaging, but texting charges can rack up quickly, and there’s no way to know when ~ or even if ~ your message was received.

LiveProfile to the rescue! LiveProfile is the fast, free, and easy way to stay connected with friends on any Android, iPhone or BlackBerry device. LiveProfile combines the ease and convenience of a real-time mobile messenger with socialstyle profiles, pictures, videos, status updates and more.

A better alternative to SMS text messaging, LiveProfile allows users to communicate with lightning-fast message delivery and reliability. Unlike text messaging, LiveProfile lets you know when messages are delivered, read, and even when the recipient is typing a response, making it feel closer to a live conversation.

“Text messaging is slow and unreliable. It can take minutes for a single text message to be delivered and you don’t know if it was delivered until the other person responds,” said LiveProfile Co-founder and CEO Phil Karl. “LiveProfile fixes that problem by providing a highly reliable messaging system with more features that performs up to 100 times faster than texting.”

As a social utility, LiveProfile also integrates with popular social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. But, unlike these very public platforms, LiveProfile is only available on mobile devices, providing a more closed and private network of friends, allowing users to share more than they normally would on traditional social networks. Group features, which will allow communication to multiple friends simultaneously, still for free and in real time, are coming soon.

LiveProfile fills the void for smart phone users who don’t have access to a unified mobile messenger, allowing users to communicate across carriers and platforms.

48 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

And, LiveProfile works anywhere in the world: users can keep in touch with family and friends overseas without costly international texting charges.

“We’ve been experiencing explosive growth, primarily from people sharing the app with friends, and we expect this trend to continue, especially as the Verizon iPhone launch helps to transform the already fast-changing mobile landscape,” Karl said. “LiveProfile breaks through one of the final remaining barriers to fast, reliable, and socially enabled communication between mobile devices of all types. This really blows the doors to real-time communications wide open by putting the world in your pocket.”

We asked our resident tech guru to try out LiveProfile and let us know his thoughts about how it measures up against SMS texting:

“Think Facebook meets AOL Instant Messenger, only exclusively for smartphones.

On the major plus side, you get to chat real-time with your friends whether they have an iPhone, Android or Blackberry phone, which is cool. On the downside, LP is only for phones, so you can’t use your computer to access the network, and of course your friends have to have smartphones, too (which, fortunately, more and more people do!). Just be careful heading to places where there is no data access (Canada, for example) ~ you won’t be able to use the service at all and will have to revert to SMS texting.

Since SMS texting in a giant p.i.a. in many ways though, and for people who don’t stray too far from cell towers and whose friends have smartphones, LiveProfile is an interesting alternative…it’s free, relatively novel, and sure, worth the download to try it out.”

To download and install LiveProfile, visit the Android Market, iPhone App Store or BlackBerry App World and search “LiveProfile” or visit www.liveprofile.com/get from your mobile device.

For Many, Senior Year Means Senior Fear

By Emily Osgood After three years of difficult classes, stressful roommate relations, and a series of never ending papers, I’m finally a senior. In a year, I’ll be released from the safety of campus and thrust out into the real world. I always knew this day would come, but I never stopped to think about what I would do when it did. Of course, options abound: there’s graduate school, the Peace Corps, volunteer missions and…gulp…work.

Sadly, most new grads have to move back in with their parents after graduation while searching for work and paying off those crippling student loans.

Everything in our lives has been scripted up to this point. We grow up and graduate from high school with good grades so we can go to college, but no one tells us what to do after that. Spending a lifetime of following magazine the rules, it’s nowpulse time for me to make my own. You would think this would be quarter page exciting, even freeing, but I’ve never been so scared in my life. In the whirl of taking the GREs, filling out applications, and hearing all the things that are wrong

with my resume, I’ve been having the same vision. I’m freshly graduated, at home in my parents’ house, wearing a bathrobe, a pint of ice cream in hand, staring at my two degrees mounted on the wall. Two pieces of paper behind a wall of glass encased by a wooden frame. They were supposed to open the world to me, but they are just as thin as my chances of landing a job right away.

Am I sorry I went to college? Of course not; if I hadn’t, I would have had to face this problem four years sooner.

Graduating from college is the scariest thing I’ve ever had to look forward to in my life. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m well-armed to face what lies beyond my college walls, and I just have to trust that 21 years have prepared me to tackle the task head-on. Like a true student, I’m viewing the abrupt jolt of reality that’s heading my way as just another test I have to pass. The only difference this time is that I won’t be rewarded with a good grade, but a successful life.

Fingers crossed!

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Style & Beauty

Fashion Meets Compassion:

Jus Animalium Culture Apparel Addresses the Homeless Pet Epidemic

By Shelly Aucoin Every now and then a company comes along that really warms our hearts – Jus Animalium Culture Apparel (JACA) is definitely at the top of that list. Founder Melissa Salinas created the eco-indie apparel company to assist pet shelters of America and contributes money every month to help animals in need. She was a graphic designer for 13 years before starting the apparel line in January of 2011. It became important to her to make a real contribution to the world so she combined her love for companion animals with her graphic design skills to form JACA.

revolutionary fair wear tees will remind your readers that eco-friendly is fashionable and most importantly that their purchasing power can create widespread change for the millions of American pets that are euthanized each year.”

JACA helps change and save the lives of countless animals. “With the help of purchases and through our “Help a Shelter Project,” a new American pet shelter will receive funding every month to assist with the needs of the pets in their care so that they have better chances of being adopted and not euthanized,” Melissa says. “I started by donating anywhere from 5% to $5 per tee, but for the rest of this first year it will be 10% of online sales and at events or shows it will be $5 of every tee. In the future when JACA is more established I want to start gathering information on how many pets we helped save/get adopted.”

April’s proceeds went to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue of San Francisco, CA where they rescue unwanted senior dogs that would be euthanized, May and June will go to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary of NM to provide a permanent, safe sanctuary for abused and abandoned captive-bred wolves and wolf-dogs, July through September will aid HALO Animal Rescue of Phoenix AZ, and October through December will help MaxFund of Denver, CO, a no-kill shelter and adoption center.

Melissa is excited about her company which has gained popularity in the press from companies like Ecofabulous, Dogtipper.com, Sweet Greens, People Pets, and Green Maven. JACA products are currently sold only on their website, but are expected to expand to specialty stores and boutiques very soon.

“JACA is not a tee company and as it grows, more apparel products will be added and one day it will be an eco version GAP, Hollister or Lucky Brand,” she says. JACA’s trendy organic cotton designs carry an important message. “Our

50 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

JACA estimates that American pet overpopulation results in one death for every three pets taken in by shelters. Through the “Help a Shelter” project, JACA’s retail sales help shelters across the country through contributions that provide food, medication, supplies, and educational programs.

Jus Animalium Culture Apparel’s “5% From You” program encourages fans to donate their own designs via the website ~ 5% of all online retail sales for any product that bears the design will go shelters. More details are available online.

Visit the JACA blog for up-to-date information on current projects, press releases, new designs, and more.

Web: www.jusanimalium.com Blog: http://jusanimalium.com/blog

Rosegold Has THE Sexiest Shoes for Summer

By Elise French

Summer is here, ladies, so you’d better have that pedi done now so that you can show off your new shoes from Rosegold. A fave of celebs including Annalynne McCord, Emmy Rossum, Katy Perry and Lara Stone, Rosegold is bringing the sexy in a big way with laser cut details, a nude color palette that includes great taupes and natural greens, and oh-so-high wedges and heels.

Rosegold unleashes fun, flirty styles like the gladiator Alana, sky-high Pana, hipster Lena and classy Layla, all perfect for the young fashionista who isn’t afraid of being noticed!

These shoes are the kind that take an outfit from “just OK” to “Wow!” I’m lucky enough to have a pair of the Carlee design (below), and let me tell you ~ I can’t go anywhere without girls (and a few guys!) asking me where I got my shoes.

There’s no mistaking any of the styles for something you picked up at the mall shoe store. You can’t help but feel fabulous no matter which style you choose.

Go for a pair of flats and you’ll feel girlie and flirty; put on a pair of the heels and you’re sexy and chic (your legs will look amazing!).

Lustre

New Bracelets from Alessa Designs

By Elise French

Elegant and versatile, the new Lustre bracelets from Alessa Designs are a must-have! The design is flawless as they glimmer and shine much like diamonds. Each angle offers a new dimension of lustre.

Tiny beads of sterling silver are carefully dyed to achieve the wanted colors: chocolate, charcoal, sterling silver (not dyed), yellow and rose. The Lustre bracelets are rounded in design and feature a magnetic clasp on each end giving them exceptional security when worn. Each bracelet is bold enough to be worn on its own or stacked with the other colors to create a more dramatic look.

The Lustre bracelets are elegant and sophisticated with a luxurious feel to them. As many pieces from Alessa Designs are, these can easily transition between day and evening attire. Easily fitting for any wardrobe, the Lustre bracelets are sure to become staple pieces.

When seen in person it’s hard to believe tiny diamonds are not incorporated into the design...that is how sparkly these pieces are! At only $195 each the bracelets are the definition of affordable luxury. Perfect for sprucing up an existing wardrobe or a gift for someone special, it’s no doubt these lovely pieces are a hot item! www.alessadesigns.com/magento/index.php

These hot styles and more are available everywhere from Nordstrom to Bloomingdales to Bluefly.com, Zappos. com, and Shopbop, so check them out, choose your favorite (or three!), and get ready to turn some heads this summer!

JUNE 2011 | THEPULSEMAG.COM 51

Lavanila Keeps You Protected From Lips to Legs!

By Elise French

When it comes to preserving your skin’s health, wearing sunscreen is a skincare no brainer. Unfortunately, many protective formulas are made with harmful chemicals and synthetic ingredients ~ not so, though, with Lavanila’s two new Healthy Sun Screen essentials for body and lip. Unlike most sunscreens that we’re accustomed to, Lavanila’s safe, gentle products never compromise natural ingredients in the name of sun protection.

The Healthy Sunscreen SPF 30 for Body ($38): Made with an ultra-nourishing blend of antioxidant-rich green tea, soothing cucumber and organic shea butter, this nongreasy and non-whitening block delivers the ultimate in hydrating sun protection. Like all Lavanila formulas, this new addition to the The Healthy Sunscreen family is free from harmful parabens and synthetic fragrances, for true sun safety.

The Healthy Lip Sunscreen SPF 30 ($16): When it comes to applying sun protection, it’s easy to forget about our lips. Lavanila knows that lips are often neglected, so they created The Healthy Lip Sunscreen; unlike oily synthetic

formulas that slide right off the lips, this is a luxuriously creamy formula that delivers intense hydration and highlevel protection by infusing pure shea butter with a new generation of natural titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. This powerful hydrator combines soothing vanilla and cool peppermint to make sun protection delicious (and, dare we say, kissable!).

Shop www.lavanila.com to get prepared for summer!

Dermablend Professional High-Coverage Cosmetics Watch Your Moderate to Serious Skin Flaws Disappear!

By Elise French All products in the Dermablend line are: • • • • • • •

Dermatologist tested Allergy tested Non-comedogenic Non-acnegenic Fragrance free Smudge-resistant Long lasting ~ up to 16 hours

…and many provide SPF protection from the sun.

Dermablend Professional was created to improve the lives of those experiencing minor to major skin flaws, giving them flawless, natural feeling and looking skin ~ and the confidence not to feel self-conscious anymore about the flaws or marks on their faces and/or bodies. The exceptional performance of Dermablend products in terms of coverage and wearability has made Dermablend a recognized expert in coverage cosmetics in the US for over 25 years, earning it high praise from the medical community and professional makeup artists alike. The brand’s variety of products addresses everything from burn scars, tattoos, and stretch marks to beauty marks, spider veins, age spots and more.

No matter which product you choose ~ Dermablend Leg & Body Cover, Dermablend Setting Powder, Dermablend Cover Creme , or any of the other products available ~ to fit your personal needs, you’ll find a full spectrum of shades available for maximum coverage and blending.

Dermablend products do not look cakey or painted on and withstand moisture without running or separating.

For more information about all Dermablend products and how to decide which is right for your particular coverage needs, please visit www.dermablend.com.

52 THEPULSEMAG.COM | JUNE 2011

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