Stomper romps

>> Kingpins and cohorts warm up the winteriest month

by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

Most of Montreal's music scene may be in semi-hibernation, but the nice kids at Stomp are keeping pretty busy. First, there's the return of the Stomp All-Stars, resuming their rock-steady residency at Le Swimming every Thursday of this month. Currently boasting several Kingpins, a bunch of Planet Smashers and some surly Gruesomes, the SAS guarantee classic ska covers--and more?

"The SAS have already loaded up on new material this year," says Kingpins frontlady Lorraine, "the Queen of Ska," "but we've also kept a lot of the tunes that we enjoy and that really get the crowd moving! The band is working on some surprises, though, perhaps in the vein of 'original.' You'll have to come out and hear for yourself."

Moreover, Lorraine promises some interesting guests in the coming weeks. "Jeff Rock, the vocalist from Subb, is confirmed for Jan. 18. There's rumours of Ronnie from Race and now We Da People later on, and perhaps Freddie Reiter, saxophonist from NY Ska Jazz Ensemble, on Jan. 25 or Feb. 1."

Meanwhile, the Kingpins are capitalizing on the lull in general activity to showcase their new look and sound. Once the strictest, by-the-bookest ska act in town--if not all of Canada--the band has undergone a makeover. These days they owe as much to Devo and the Dickies as Desmond Dekker, if not more.

"It was apparent that for this show we could try a different approach," continues Lorraine, "a less impersonal, less formal production with an intimate atmosphere. It's at Café Campus, which can be deemed a predominantly francophone venue. Therefore, it seemed very fitting to get a good French band to play with us. Who better than people we would actually enjoy playing with?"

The band in question is Quebec City punk trio Penelope, recently signed to Stomp as well. "They formed in early '99 and had immediate success on commercial radio up there, but have made efforts to remain independent, receiving no financial assistance for recordings or videos. The guitarist was pregnant for much of last year, but the band continued to tour until the birth!"

No babies on the way for the Kingpins, but Lorraine predicts a pair of videos and an Euro-tour by spring.

The SAS are at Le Swimming every Thursday in January; the Kingpins join Penelope at Café Campus tonight, Thursday, Jan 11, 8pm, $12