The Odds Part 2

Here's an article that appeared in the Worcester Telegram,(remember when they published two papers a day?)on November 6 1981, by James Dempsey. It talks about The Odds first gig in Boston. Click on images.

The Odds

As promised, here's the first installment of The Odds story in honor of them playing Ralph's 30th Anniversary on May 9th.
They were formed in the late 70's early 80's by JJ Rassler from DMZ, Boston proto-punk pioneers, and Preston Wayne, from Worcester band Hooker of the late 70's. They were joined by Eddy Levasseur also from Hooker, and Steve Aquino of Crazy Jack and The Automatics. Other members over their most active years in the 80's were Steve "Slay" Cohn, Paul Aquino, Mike Cannon, and Bob Swanson. They won the Battle of the Bands at Sanctuary in the Worcester Center in 1982, and were included in two nationally distributed compilation LPs.
The current line up features Chris "Cah" Lillyman and Dave Kowalcek, who played last year at The Wormtown 30th. This years show promise to be even more exciting than last years.
This is a scan from their Press Kit in 1985.

Wormtown Weekend

Summer starts this weekend, according to the weather guys. So get out and sweat to the rock n roll.
Friday, you'll have to drive for this one. Bottlefight are tearing it up at The Lion's Den in Athol. I've been to this place, and it's about as down and dirty as it gets. Perfect venue to see these guys in their hometown.
Saturday night is alright for Piracy at the Ship Room in the Hotel Vernon with The Egos, and The Murder from Boston, Musclecah, and American Motherfuckers, from our own town. A great bill if ever there was one.
Don't forget the sunscreen.

Ralph's 30th Anniversary

On May 9th be sure to head over to The Diner for what will be a historic event. Celebrate 30 years of the house that Ralph built with Jason James and the Baystate House Rockers, The Odds!!!!, Hot Rod Fury, and Slik Family Orkestra. I'll be posting more history of The Odds, my all time favorite Wormtown band, over the next couple of weeks.

From the official Press Release

The Odds started playing at Ralph's in 1980 and were clearly one of the clubs strongest draws throughout that decade, generating a large and loyal following. Both The Odds popularity and Ralph's own undeniable appeal as "the place to be" were a "right place, right time" match made in rock dreams. The erotic murals that covered the walls, the neon that was everywhere, the motorcycle that hung from the ceiling, the gas pump in the corner, the best juke box imaginable, all inside an old firehouse attached to a 1940's diner off-the-beaten-track in a freight yard unseen from the street. We've (some-what selfishly) tried to set up a diverse bill that reflects the different aspects of The Odds tastes and styles.
At the same time the line-up also reflects the diversity of Ralph's Diner over these many years.
Decadancing in the 80's. The mystique remains, the rock n roll moves forward.

A Word From Our Sponsor

Well, unofficially anyway.
If you've listened to The Worm Bros on WURN.org, you know we're big fans of Narragansett Beer. Since the Gansett Girls were in town Friday at Brew City, I thought it would be a great time to post about "our own new England Beer". And give me a reason to post a picture of those lovely ladies. Every time I bought a Gansett, they'd give me a wooden nickle for one on them. How can you beat that.



I also recently came across a beer tray with Chief Gansett on it. He was their mascot a long time ago and was created by Dr. Seuss. Yes that Dr. Suess. Horton Drinks a Gansett. He lived in Mass and was a fan back in the day, I assume.



And over at Ralph's last fall, Vincent had a friend do a mural outside on the wall inviting everyone to "Have A Gansett".
So next time you're at Ralph's or any other fine establishment, ask for Narragansett Beer.

Wormtown Weekend

I waited this week to make sure there were no last minute shows to list. I waited. And waited. There are no shows worth listing here this weekend in Wormtown. Oh sure, there is stuff going on, but nothing I would recommend. I looked at Ralph's line up and said "huh?" I looked at The Dog's listing and saw it's Grateful Dead tribute time. I can't believe people still are into that crap. I also saw somewhere that the Dead is touring this year. Some things never change. I never understood the appeal of that band.
There are some great shows happening this weekend, but they are all in Cambridge. So get out of Wormtown on Friday and go to TT the Bears for the cd release party for Muck and The Mires new disc "Hypnotic". Also on the bill are The Woggles, legendary band from Atlanta.
Then on Saturday night at The Middle East, it's Super Rock time with The Fleshtones. I looked at their schedule and saw they were playing in Hartford on Thursday, and Cambridge on Saturday. Why didn't some "Talent Buyer" in Worcester line up a show here on Friday? Any way, Lyres are on the bill with them so it's be a show and a half.
There's also some kind of Metal Fest happening at The Palladium, but I'm not into that.
I'm either too cool, or not cool enough.

Elect The Pity Whores

The Pity Whores, one of Wormtowns' favorite out of town bands, are in the running to be on The Jerry Springer Show. They are in the top 10 to be awarded this opportunity along with 5000 dollars, so go to the Springer site and vote for their song.

WW2

Three weeks in a row, I've posted and then found another cool thing going on.
Jesus!
Saturday, at The Greyhound Pub , The Swaggerin' Growlers, and Sawmill will do the two show thing again. All ages at 5 pm and 9:30 for those who like to have a little.
While you're there you can pick up The Growlers new cd, "Keep You Head Held High".
Watch out for The Easter Bunny on the way home.

Wormtown Weekend

He has risen. It's a miracle. Celebrate the Resurrection this weekend by testifying to the rock.
Tonight at Ralph's there's another Trickstah Promotions Psychobilly show featuring Creepin Cadavers, The Murder Weapon, Calamity, Hot Rod Fury, and Triple Corpse Horror.
Praise Jesus!
Take Friday off and celebrate Good Friday by accepting Jesus as your savior.
After you have found Him, Take Him to Ralph's on Saturday, buy Him a Gansett and enjoy the sounds of The Cobra-Matics, Guns Of Navarone, and Route 44. The Cobra-Matics are a band from RI who were around a couple years ago, broke up and are now back with a new lead singer, promoting rock n roll and Narragansett Beer. They feature The Colonel, formally of RI greats The Amazing Royal Crowns. How can you go wrong with that?
Or you can head out of town for some Punk Rock to Millstreet Brews in Southbridge for a cd release party for Second Class Citizens featuring Creepin Cadavers, Sadplant, The Capps, Public Uproar, The Prozacs, and Insufficient Evidence.
What a weekend. Go forth and spread the gospel of Wormtown, and remember to always look on the bright side of life.

New Worm Bros Show

Just in time for Easter, The Worm Bros find Jesus. Listen to find out what they do with him.
WURN.org

Wormtown Weekend Salvation

Praise Jesus, there is a punk show this week after all.
The Designer Drugs play The Hotel Vernon tonight along with Can't Kill Katie.
Get down there and testify!
On Saturday, roots rock at Vincents with Jason James and the Baystate Houserockers.
And also on Saturday, one of the best blues bands in New England, Sugar Ray and the Blue Notes are at Gilrien's on Main St.
So all hope is not lost. There is some great music in Wormtown this weekend.

Wormtown Weekend

Nothing to see here, move along.
No punk rock anywhere in town this weekend.
I guess even punks need rest.
I've been so busy cutting and burning trees, I can tell you rest could not come at a better time.
There is stuff to see at Ralph's and The Lucky Dog, but I wouldn't call it punk.
Huck is at The Dog on Friday, sometimes they can play loud and fast, so if you really can't survive without live rock n roll, go there.
Otherwise rest up for next week when there will be some great stuff happening.
For now, reminisce with some old Wormtown fliers.