Let’s face it: With some bills, you just can’t go wrong, and putting four of Worcester’s favorite local bands together is a pretty good way to ring out the year a little early. Huck, the Curtain Society, Thinner and the Bee’s Knees. From lovely, moody pieces such as The Curtain Society’s “Every Corner of the Room” to textured and energetic songs such as Huck’s “Mendelbrot Set”; from the twangy soulfulness of the Bee’s Knees’ “Saturday Sigh” to the straight-up grind of Thinner’s rocker, “945,” these are four bands that consistently put forward vibrant, contemporary-sounding indie rock, and prove over and over again why they’re some of the region’s favorites. Huck, the Curtain Society, Thinner and the Bee’s Knees perform at 9 p.m. Friday at Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner, 148 Grove St., Worcester. (508) 753-9543. (Victor D. Infante)

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Carroll was a great inspiration to The Curtain Society from the very first day. His books and music were a major part of the backdrop to which our earliest music was created.

We are very proud to have later been able to share the stage with him to perform some of the music that meant so much to us all these years. The experience was indescribable and has been a personal highlight for all of us.

Jim was an incredible storyteller. You would ask him a simple question like “how’s the book coming” and 45 minutes later, after hearing the most outlandish story with the most unlikely names dropped, you would be no closer to the answer but that wasn’t the point.

We are sad to hear of his passing but we are grateful for the body of work and great moments that he has left us with.

In his own words-

When the city drops into the night, before the darkness is one moment of light. That’s when everything seems clear. The other side seems so near.

Nov 19, 2005
The Middle East, Cambridge MA

Sometimes it pays to be in the right place at the right time, to witness something singular. Fifteen years ago by happenstance I saw JOHN VALENTIN of the Boston Red Sox turn the tenth unassisted triple play ever in major league baseball. Three days ago I was part of a select few to see a wholly unexpected gig, with an additional jaw-dropper thrown in at the end (more on that later). Most readers of The Big Takeover are more than familiar with THE CHAMELEONS, and with good reason. Of the dark, moody, guitar-driven bands which came from the UK in the late ’70s and early ’80s, they are easily near or at the top (in a self-deprecating manner, Mark rated his band as barely being in the top ten best bands of Manchester). Strong songwriting, passionate performances, intricate soundscapes…they excelled at all of these. Only cruel twists of fate prevented them to reach the full potential of their listeners. Such is the roadside litter of the recording industry, as fickle and cruel a taskmaster there is.

photo: Tinnitus Photography

Fast forward to last Thursday (July 16th), when I learned of an improbable and one-off appearance of MARK BURGESS, with THE CURTAIN SOCIETY filling the role of his band. This was like hearing that JAMIE OLIVER just nipped off to the grocer and would be by my house in an hour to cook dinner while NIGELLA gives me a back massage. Incredible! Without question my wife and I purchase advance tickets within minutes of hearing the news.

Without as much as a soundcheck or practice session, the band launches straight into “Swamp Thing,” a signature track if there ever was one. The ante was high, and the band delivered straight out of the gate, with Mark on sole vocal duties (he would play a 12 string guitar for “Less Than Human”). Aside from some early jitters, the band played a most solid backdrop to Mark’s moving vocals, which found him reaching deep within to release the inner demons. Guitarist ROGER LAVALLEE in particular had a difficult job to recreate the sound of both Reg and Dave, and did so quite well, deftly using a delay pedal when needed and ripping off leads with abandon.

photo: Tinnutus Photography

Perhaps also playing into that decision was the sculpting of the set list, which was heavy towards the early, nervy, post-punk material. “The Fan and the Bellows” and “In Shreds” were magnificent beasts, jaws red and shiny from a fresh kill. And on the slower numbers, like the aforementioned “Less Than Human” and especially on “Soul In Isolation,” Mark’s lyrics are nothing short of brilliant…quoting snippets is a bit of an overdone approach to rock criticism and wouldn’t yield an entirely accurate picture, so please check out the absolute poetry of it, it’s staggering.

As the crowded room was basking in the collective glow of a rock show with real energy and emotion, it took a marked uptick when Mark introduced an old friend of his to the stage, none other than MARTY WILLSON-PIPER of THE CHURCH. Having seen their excellent show less than three weeks ago, I was delighted to see him again as he tore into the cover of “Splitting In Two” by ALTERNATIVE TV, a live staple from Chameleon shows in the past. The night has now edged from incredible to deliciously surreal in its excellence.

photo: Tinnitus Photography

Seemingly spent, the crowd rallied Mark and the band to finish the evening with a reading of THE BEATLES‘ most psychedelic song, “Tomorrow Never Knows.” I’ve seen a lot of shows in my ~25 years of active gig-going, and this was among the most fun, heartfelt and satisfying. I’m still buzzing about it.

photos and video here http://www.bigtakeover.com/reviews/mark-burgess-hennessey-s-boston-ma-july-21-2009

Mark Burgess was simply looking for advice on nice Boston hotels. What the member of influential ’80s alternative rock band the Chameleons UK ended up with was an unexpected live gig tomorrow night at Hennessy’s near Faneuil Hall.

The British post-punk singer had plans to be in Maine later this week, but could find only direct flights into Boston from his home in Manchester, England. So he went online to research the Hub. When he noticed the Chameleons UK were among the top friends on the Hennessy’s Upstairs Rock Club MySpace [website] profile, he sent the club a message asking where to spend the night.

“I told him, ‘I’ll put you up in a hotel room if you play a show,”’ said Hennessy’s booking agent and longtime Chameleons UK fan, Sean Flynn .

Burgess agreed. He asked Flynn to round up some local musicians to jam. The lineup for what could be the coolest gig of the summer consists of Worcester-based indie band the Curtain Society backing Burgess for a set of Chameleons UK songs, with opening sets from synthpoppers Lifestyle, Shawn Saindon and Ryan Dolan of Maine’s Hiss & Chambers, and both Aaron Perrino of Dear Leader and the Daily Pravdas’ David Jackel .

The Curtain Society, which often plays Chameleons UK songs in their sets and even released the band’s most recognizable hit, “Swamp Thing,” as a B-side in 1996, jumped at the chance to play with one of their idols.

“It’s always seemed like a miracle that we would even get to see Mark or the Chameleons play live, since I started getting into them after they had broken up already,” said Curtain Society singer/guitarist, Roger Lavallee . “Now to think that we would be playing these songs with Mark is just beyond a dream come true.”

Playing moody, modern rock in a genre that included the Cure and Echo & the Bunnymen, the Chameleons UK had a fruitful run from 1981 to 1987 (with a brief reunion in 2000). Their influence is prominent (see Interpol, Editors) and their legacy has been lasting.

Lavallee first heard the Chameleons when a local fanzine compared his band to theirs in 1989. He bought a used cassette of 1986’s “Strange Times” and fell in love with the British band’s sweeping guitar work, anthemic songs and the haunting urgency in Burgess’ voice.

“What started as a curiosity because of their being mentioned in a review turned into a feeling of musical kinship that’s lasted all this time,” Lavallee said. “(We’re) a little nervous, but it feels like a moment that we’ve been leading up to for 20 years.”

Mark Burgess, at Hennessy’s Upstairs Rock Club, 25 Union St., Tuesday. Tickets: $10; 617-742-2121.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1185904

Related show

• Artist: The Curtain Society
• Date: Tuesday, July 21st 2009
• Time: 10:00pm
• City: The Curtain Society in Boston, MA
• Venue: Hennesey’s
• Country: US
• Admission: $10.00
• Age restrictions: No minors
• Notes: Backing up Mark Burgess from The Chameleons
• Add to Google Calendar | Download iCal

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Originally they were released in the mid ’90s on the now defuct Washington DC label ‘Bedazzled Records’ and through the beauty of the internet they are available again.

you can hear “Chemical” on “Every Corner of the Room” by The Curtain Society available online everwhere and here.

www.marsneedsguitars.com