The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 230

14-M Sunday, June 13, 1982' Philadelphia Inquirer 'POPROCK-- On the local front, 3 bands that keep the rockin' steady 4 YtttTtYttYY TYYT Starring Julie Miller IRDLLDIES BP ltl! mm tiS: I I June 16th to Sept. 1st Two Shows Nitely 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. EH polished and well-organized, one might reasonably ask whether these are necessarily virtues for a rock band. There's a sense in which the Hooters are too slick.

There's not a single invigorating rough edge in their music, and that on-stage high-spiritedness begins to look, after a half-hour or so, about as spontaneous as a Kabuki theater ritual. On stage, the band trades lead vocals between Eric Bazilian and Robbie Hyman. Most of the time, Bazi-lian's singing is most effective, since it contains a slight rasp that puts some toughness into the band's songs. The Hooters recent single "Rescue You Zombies" finds the band streamlining their sound to a bright gloss around the edges, but it's all pretty empty in the center. I've saved the best for last: The Stick Men's debtft album "This Is the Master Brew" (Phantom Play.

thingRed Records) suggests that they're not only one of Philadelphia's most original rock bands, but that their striking music is unlike anything being made across the nation. The Stick Men specialize in sharp, jittery rhythms. The guitars sound scraped rather than strummed, and the drums fall all over each other to announce the beat. The band's decidedly quirky, witty songs are sung by Peter Baker in a cracked, urgent voice; Baker never enunciates when he can get away with a madman's mumble. The Stick Men are, in short, not the sort of band that is going to replace Asia or the Police on the top of the pop charts.

They're much more valuable than that. You can come up with a general category for what they do very roughly, post-punk in the new tradition of both Gang of Four and Killing Joke, but with a sense of humor yet they've added their own elements to this. For one thing, the band is obsessed with physical passion its mys- teries, its pain, its frustrations, its euphoria. Instead of making sex sound dirty or boring, the way so many other current bands do, the Stick Men revel in its confusing effects. Many of their lyrics sound like babble until you realize that they're impressionistic lists of romantic thoughts and emotions.

The other characteristic that distinguishes the Stick Men is their open-mindedness. They cheerfully swipe riffs and phrases from current black funk and rap music, and it's obvious that they've been inspired by James Brown as much as by Johnny Rotten. This means that their melodies are heavy on the bass and drums, which provide an anchor for all those floating, screaming Instruments on top not only guitar, but trumpet, saxophone and even an uncommon keyboard instrument, a clavinet. "This Is the Master Brew" is prickly dance music. Buy it and support a local band.

Sunday and Tuesday thru Thursday $10.00 1 Friday Saturday $12.50 Holiday Weekends $15 00 (No show Mondays.) For more information call HI (609) Special to The Inquirer ROBERT HALKALSKI 340 7160 To charge by phone, call TELETRON: In S. Jersey (609) 344-1770 In Phila. (215) 627 0532 or any TICKETRON outlet. By Ken Tucker Inquirer Stall Writer The majority of Philadelphia's local bands labor in obscurity, ignored by the major record labels, putting out their records by themselves, waiting for or perhaps choosing to ignore the chance for that big break. Among them are three bands as different in style and substance as factions of rock music can be.

That is further proof, it seems to me, that the local scene is reasonably healthy. The longtime veterans of Philadelphia rock are Robert Hazard and the Heroes, hard-boiled musical detectives always ferreting out the proper guitar riff, the stray vivid lyric. Like a lot of hard-boiled types, though, Hazard has a soft heart, which occasionally leads to softhead-edness. Hazard and the Heroes' new five-song, self-titled EP does the job these "extended-play" singles are supposed to do: The record introduces non-fans to the band's range while offering fans (and whatever few major record, labels might listen) one or two potential hit singles. If "Robert Hazard and the Heroes" is anything; it's professional, mind-N ful of tb; industry the band hopes to crack.

You can tick off their influences with ease: "Escalator of Life" combines Bruce Springsteen's bathos with the Cars' chilly efficiency; "I Just Want to Hang Around With You" is a dead-on Tom Petty imitation; "Out of the Blue" is the Cars colliding with REO Speedwagon; and the band's cover of Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind" attempts to update folk-rock by revving up the pace and volume and attaching to its conclusion a loud, long, single-note guitar chord that would do Glen Branca proud or make him laugh at the blatancy of it. Throughout all of this, Robert Hazard tries to prove his sincerity by singing as if someone had just punched him in the stomach. His voice is breathy and low, and he hangs onto every syllable of dreadful Jmages like "We're riding on the escalator of lifeWe're shopping in fhe human mall." i Hazard has become witheringly mannered; he carries his banner of Great Local Rock Hero so sullenly that he's lost his sense of humor. If he doesn't score a major-label and a big national hit soon, I wouldn't be surprised if he cuts a yowling version of "My Way" op his next EP No, the real heroes if this band are the Heroes, Hazard's five-man backup group, who know how to play with force and economy. Hazard may be ululating melodramatically up front, but the Heroes are serene hard workers who lay out the melody and the beat with implacable persistence.

The high point of the Heroes' method, and the best song on this EP, is ''Change Reaction." The song commences with a chugging, irresistible guitar-and-drum vamp, a clever recasting of the hook in the Outsiders' big 1966 hit "Time Won't Let Me." Like all good rock 'n' roll, this riff's simplicity-is beguiling, and its repetition only makes you want to hear more of it. It's rather disappointing, in fact, when Hazard's voice suddenly heaves into position to declaim the first verse. If any tune is going to put Robert Hazard and the Heroes over the top, it's "Change Reaction." The Hooters are a quintet specializing in a bright, pop-minded reggae, $nd they've attracted a rabid following in this town. At some shows, it seems as if sales of Hooters T-shirts alone must keep the band well-fed. On stage the Hooters are an aggressively peppy bunch, leaping and grinning and advertising themselves the with gleeful persistence.

What the Hooters are offering is a cleverly Americanized version of Jamaican reggae and the Sort of zippy ska music that English bands like Madness have parlayed into hits in their homeland. The Hooters will have a more difficult time selling this stuff to their own country. The American mainstream has steadfastly resisted reggae for a couple of decades now, but it's a measure of the Hooters' achievement that they've already turned a sizable portion of Philadelphia's youth into dancing devotees of their reggae amalgamations. While the Hooters are undeniably GET ON THE BUS TO THETBOPICANA AND GET OFF WITH JUNE 16-18 COME TO THE TROPICANA'S BIG BAND FESTIVAL FEATURING COUNT BASIE. ii ii ii 111,1 When you arrive at the Trnnirana bv scheduled line bus, we'll leave you with $10 cash and a $5 Cash Coupon.

So check out the bus schedule below for "ftfV VV uji i vei iiei ii departures. And check into the Tropicana with some extra money. If 1 tam 'Robert Hazard and the Heroes' sound without the rough edges Special to I he inquirer FRAN SOIR album is This Is the Master Brew' an introduction to Americans. THE STYtlSTICS. 1982 (Philadelphia International): The title isn't idle numbering: This album brings the veteran smooth-soul vocal group thoroughly up to date.

They soar over the soppy material (won't someone light a fire under songwriter Dexter Wansel?) and they fully Inhabit the good, vivid romances that make up the bulk of the record. Now all they need is a big radio hit. Ken Tucker it Excellent. Very good. Qood.

Fair. Poor. 'Airplane' on schedule for film festival Airplane, one of Hollywood's most outrageous comedies, will be shown at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington Wednesday and Thursday as part of the Grand's summer film festival. Showtimes are 2 and 7:30 p.m. The schedule also includes The King and I on June 23 and 24, Magic, Young Frankenstein, Carousel, Alien and Grease.

Admission is $2. Robert Hazard, front man on The Hooters: Streamlined iew aiDums LIME. Babe We're Gonna Love Tonight (Prism 12-inch single): There's no denying Irom the clipped beat and dithering pace that this is old-fashioned disco, but it's disco with an urgency and joy that has rarely been achieved. Lime's malefemale duo praise and complement each other in voices too hoarse and "real" for the mechanical drones -that decorate so much dance music these days, and the poynding beat gets louder and louder as the song proceeds. Talk about tension-and-releaseT THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT.

Eye in the Sky (Arista): This hopelessly banal album, with its soupy Paul McCartney-as-manic-depressive melodies and whining vocals, would be merely pathetic were it' not for Parsons' lyric pretensions and his apparent desire to turn the album's main graphic a drawing of, what else, an eye in the sky into a commercial trademark. That's when the hopelessly banal becomes the obnoxiously bad. VARIOUS ARTISTS. Reggae Sunsplash: A Tribute to Bob Mariey (Elektra): The various artists include prime reggae crooner Gregory Isaacs, Rita Mariey, Dennis Brown and a squeaker named Eek-A-Mouse, and the music Is both much tighter and a lot clearer than most live-concert albums. The tributes are rarely sentimental, and the songs have a fiery intensity that does Bob Mariey full justice.

As good an update of current reggae as "The Harder They Come" joundtrack was JjumUi. ii i Cash Coupon redeemable only when arriving by a Tropicana line bus on your next trip. Cash Coupon good through June 30, 1 982. HOTEL AND CASINO ARornociaRenoissanceHotel Iowa Ave i. the Boardwalk.

Atlantic City N.J. 08401 iflntnaw. iii ii Mn mm ii i i it mi CITY PICK-UP BUS The Stick Men specialize in sharp, jittery rhythms; their debut POINT COST RESERVATIONS TRAILWAYS. INC. $10.95 $10.95 $10.95 $10.95 $10.95 215-742-1700 215-923-2220 215-567-5811 215-471-0267 $9.75 $10.95 $1095 $10.95 $10.95 $10.75 $10.95 $10.95 $10.95 609-235-6030 215-969-0200 215-676-8500 215-365-6240 215-623-5004 215-265-2900 215-659-9985 215-725-9388 215-782-1080 215-353-9777 215-477-3344 215-476-2060 215-482-9350 215-825-5551 215-623-4223 215-824-3443 215-744-3700 215-423-7500 $1095 $10.95 $10.95 $10.95 $1095, $1095 $10.95 $10.95 $10.95 Philadelphia I Wide World Travel.

7321 Castor Ave. pwi-Hoirtvo I Traihwr! Tprminal 13th Arch StS. Philadelphia Fair Fax Drugs. Broad St. and Synder Ave.

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9305 Krewstown Rd. Philadelphia Deli. 74th Elmwood, 1:15 pm Yeadon Pic-a-deli, 706 Church 1 pm King-of-Prussia Trailways valley Forge Shopping Ctr. Willow Grove Willow Grove Bus Station, 2701 Wyandott Rd. Rockledge Kappy Deli-Land.

Huntingdon Valley Shpg. 801 Huntingdon Pike Cheltenham Pepas Family Restaurant, Melrose Shpg. Front Cheltenham Sts. Broomall Rush Travel, 2210 Chester Pike Philadelphia Travel Guide, 7708 City Line Ave. Philadelphia Renzulli Pharmacy, 6500 Haverford Ave.

Philadelphia Andorra Travel, 6208 Ridge Ave. Conshohocken Ryan Travel, 109 W. Ridge Ave. Clifton Heights Organ Spot, Bazaar Shopping Ctr. Philadelphia Knights Rd.

Thriftway, Knights Windhaven Philadelphia Hokay Travel. Frankford Bridge Kensington Action Travel, 31 15 Kensington Ave. Top-selling records 4 TOP SINGLES -1. EBONY IVORY. McCartney Wonder 2.

DON'T TALK TO STRANGERS, 1 flick Springfield r3. DON'T YOU WANT ME. Human League 4. THE OTHER WOMAN, Ray Parker Jr. i5.

ALWAYS ON MY MIND, Willie Nelson 5. HEAT OP THE MOMENT, Asia 7. ROSANNA. Toto 6. CRIMSON AND CLOVER, Joan Jett the Blackhearts '9.

867-5309-JENNY, Tommy Tutone fO, IT'S GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE, Deniece Williams TOP ALBUMS ,1 TUG OF WAR. Paul McCartney I '2. ASIA, Asia 1 3. DIVER DOWN, Van Halen 1 4. STEVIE WONDER'S ORIGINAL -MUSIQUARIUM Stevie Wonder 5.

SUCCESS HASN'T SPOILED ME YET, Rick Springfield 0. DARE, The Human League 7. ALWAYS ON MY MIND. Willie Nelson ALDO NOVA, Aldo Nova 9. TOTO IV, Toto V).

CHARIOTS Of FIRE, Vangelis SOUL SINGLES "1. LET IT WHIP, Dbzz Band 2. THE OTHER WOMAN, Ray Parker Jr. 3. EARLY IN THE MORNING, Gap Band 4.

FORGET ME NOTS, Patrice Rushen WE GO A LONG WAY BACK. Bloodstone ,6, IT GONNA TAKE A MIRACLE. Deniece Williams 7. STANDING ON THE TOP, The Temptations featuring Rick James 8. DANCE WIT' ME.

Rick James 9. EBONY IVORY, McCartney St Wonder 10. STREET CORNER, Ashion Simpson SOUL ALBUMS 1. STEVIE WONDER'S ORIGINAL MUSIQUARIUM Stevie Wonder 2. REUNION.

The Temptations 3. KEEP IT ALIVE, Dan Band 4. STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART, Patrice Rushen 5. NIECY, Deniece Williams 6. THE OTHER WOMAN, Ray Parker Jr.

7. BRILLIANCE, Atlantic Starr 8. WHO'S FOOLIN' WHO. One Way 9. THROWIN' DOWN, Rick James 10.

MY FAVORITE PERSON, The Jays COUNTRY SINGLES 1. FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS. The Bellamy Brothers 2. 1 DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START, BddieRabbttt 3. TEARS OF THE LONELY, Mickey Gilley 4.

SLOW HAND, Conway Twitty 5. FINALLY. T.G. Sheppard 6. LISTEN TO THE RADIO.

Don Williams 7. RING ON HER FINGER. TIME ON HER HANDS, Lee Greenwood 8. ANOTHER CHANCE. Tammy Wynette 9.

JUST GIVE ME WHAT YOU THINK IS FAIR, Lewi verette 10. VERYTIME YOU CROSS MY MIND (You Break My Heart), Razzy Bailey COUNTRY ALBUMS 1. ALWAYS ON MY MIND, Willie Nelson 2. MOUNTAIN MUSIC, Alabama 3. WAITIN' FOR THE SUN TO SHINE, Ricky Skaggs 4.

HIGH NOTES, Hank Williams Jr. 6. BLACK ON BLACK, Waylon Jennings 6. HEART BREAK EXPRESS, Dolly Parton 7. WINDOWS, The Charlie Daniels Band 8.

SOUTHERN COMFORT, Conway Twitty 9. BOBBIE SUE, Oak Ridge Boys 10. LISTEN TO THE RADIO. Don Wtrkams Source: Billboard magazine ,1.