Villains' debut CD gives the 'Norfolk Sound' a spin

With its debut CD, The Villains is heralding what band members call the "new Norfolk Sound" as a tribute of sorts to legendary producer Frank Guida and vocalist Gary "U.S." Bonds.

"Growing up as a kid in New York and New Jersey, I always remembered his songs on the radio," said singer-guitarist Steve Baise. "They stood out with the beats, sounds and overall simple to-the-point hooks."

Baise and the rest of The Villains - Eric Thornton (guitar), Kenny Andrews (bass) and Jamie McGuffey (drums) - are from Norfolk. While the quartet doesn't cover any songs from the original Norfolk Sound era (1961-62), its music is energetic, hooky and recorded in true, raw garage-pop form with just a couple of microphones and a tape recorder.

Ten of the tracks on "The Villains" are original. The best are "Future Ex-Wife," "Rockin' Away" and "Bang Bang Boom," a tune Thornton co-wrote with the late Chris Korbet of Black Jesus.

The Villains have scheduled a CD release party for Sept. 19 at the Taphouse in Norfolk.

All the buzz

Norfolk-based The Trauma Dolls have generated an online buzz on Garageband.com.

"Twice we had the punk song of the day," said singer Todd Owens, "and got very favorable ratings from people from Switzerland, Germany and all over our country."

Writers from Buzzbin, a national rock rag, will be coming to town to catch the band Saturday, August 16, at the Taphouse in Norfolk. The magazine plans to feature the group. A live podcast also is being planned that night by Cyqo.com, an online music destination that often spotlights The Trauma Dolls.

So what makes The Dolls click? Their music tends toward hard-edged punk rock, and the lyrics, like those on "Never Liked You," tap into the frustrations of personal experiences.

"It's a pretty brutal song about a particular person in my life that I can't stand," Owens said. "Actually, most of our songs are pretty mean-spirited. I think we have one happy song, and it's not even happy."

The shows starts at 10 p.m. Admission is $5.

Rock 'n' roll tribute

Saturday, August 16, in Charlottesville, Black Lung Records is presenting a tribute to some of the area's best musicians who have recently died.

The concert, billed as Rock 'n' Roll Overdose, " started off as a reunion and to pay tribute to our friends who have left us: Chris Korbet (Black Jesus, bass and guitar), Lee Reams (Black Jesus, drums), Barry Johnson (Black Jesus/Candy Snatchers, drums), Witt Katherman (M-80s, guitar) and Matthew Odietus (Candy Snatchers, guitar)," said Jay Clarke of Black Jesus.

The concert at the Outback Lodge will feature several bands, including remnants of Black Jesus as well as Big Bobby and the Nightcaps. Each band will play a Candy Snatchers tune in honor of Odietus. More info is available at www.myspace.com/rockandrolloverdose.

Thrash outreach

Virginia Beach-based At War recently returned from successful shows in Mexico City and Hamburg, Germany, where the thrash metal outfit played the Headbangers Open Air festival.

"We brought the thrash to our old-school legions and made a lot of new fans," said bassist/singer Paul Arnold. "The crowds were insane, and we all had a great time."

Formed 24 years ago, At War recently penned its first new song in 15 years. "Semper Fi" will be included on a compilation disc being sent out in the September issue of Metal Edge magazine. In the works is a full-length studio recording to be titled "Infidel."

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com