So, after a few hectic weeks, things are starting to get back to normal. Radio Rubber Room’s Wednesday nights at The Republic have been my reflexive mid-week activity for quite some time now, and I must say I was a touch flummoxed when I had to devote thought to my activities that night for a couple of weeks there.
But last week, we were back at the Republic, and Radio Rubber Room gave us Dreadlock Robot and Antero, making for a positively vibed out evening to the crunkth degree. Antero I’d never seen before; whenever I see Gordon Jones coming through the crowd with his sax in hand I know some serious shit is about to go down.
With Billy Crenshaw in both projects, I found myself tuning into the lyrically dominated songs more than anything else. His voice has a unifying cohesive effect on all the elements happening around it, and I’m not just saying that because I lose interest in a lot of non-vocal music. Crenshaw busted out his melodica skills at one point; the moment I hear a melodica on stage, my ears perk up. Not surprisingly, the instrument melds naturally with reggae music.
This Wednesday at The Republic, Radio Rubber Room is serving up The Dream Machine and The Kindling Kind, two bands from the ancient Wednesdays of yore. Both have been busy, however, with promises of new merchandise, CDs and songs for all the kids.
Oh, and in case I forget, I need another African porcupine quill for my fedora – looking at you, Hunnicutt. Saunter on down to The Republic this Wednesday, the action starts at 10pm.
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Words by Dan Mulrooney
Images by Tyler M. Conta