Blue Prints

By “Mr. Charlie Frazier”

East coast Muscle should get Hans and Franz to introduce their next release as they're definitely out to “pump you up!” Muscular rock could describe their physical presence as well as their sound. Staring at you from their promo material, I’m surprised the Patriots haven’t called to offer them linebacker jobs!

East Coast Muscle’s music carries no pretensions, ethereal wanderings, hippy dippy philosophy or political ravings; it’s simply there to PARTY!! Songs like “Weekend Bender,” “Dance Your Blues Away” and “Ripped” leave no doubt as to their motives.

Norbert (Nobby) Reed on guitar and Noble Francoeur on bass have been playing together as East Coast Muscle for thirteen years, the first eleven as a funk band that toured the East Coast. About a year and a half ago they added drummer Richie Ward to form the current hook-laden power trio and combine their knack for a good time with powerhouse rhythm and blues. 

Throw Cream, Black Sabbath and Stevie Ray Vaughan into a blender and it might come out sounding like East Coast Muscle. Double-tracked wah-wah riffs abound, and even though the music has a heavy sound, this isn’t for dwelling on the heavier things in life: the five originals and two covers on “Weekend Bender” (recorded in 1994 at West Street Digital in St. Albans) will have you dropping what you’re going and heading off to have one!

The Discover Jazz Festival will have several events appealing to blues fans. On Tuesday, June 6th, Blues For Breakfast will host the 6th Annual Blues Jam at Halvorson’s Upstreet Café from 8 to 12 pm. The “house band of the Champlain Valley'' will be joined by members of many local bands, including the Dog Catchers, Nerbak Brothers, The Disciples, North End Rhythm Kings and East Coast Muscle. Also joining the jamfest will be vibes, fiddle, accordion and The Over Easy Horns along with The John Lackards Band and The Blind Pig Blues Band as special guests. It’ll be filmed for broadcast on Channel 15 Public Access Television, so come early for dinner and get a good seat.

Later on in the week, the Blues Tent at the Champlain Mill will be rocking on Thursday, June 8, as Luther “Guitar Jr.” Johnson and Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Cha’s team up for a night of infectious rhythm, sure to provoke frenzied dancing!!

The blues will also be represented both locally and nationally at the Ben & Jerry’s One World, One Heart Festival on Saturday, June 24. John Hiatt, Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’ will be joined by Vermont’s own Unknown Blues Band and The Disciples.

And looking ahead, get your tickets early for Koko Taylor returning to Club metronome on Tuesday, July 11. A rare chance to see “The Queen of the Blues” in a small venue.

Next issue we’ll look at releases from Christine Adler and Joe Cunningham.

“Mister Charlie” Frazier operates the double-headed monster “Blues For Breakfast” as a radio show host on WIZN Sundays from 9 to 11 am, and on sax, harp and vocals in clubs all over New England and New York.