New England Music Scrapbook
Queen City Rock
Compilation

Some good local rock 'n' roll comes our way from WQCR-FM's Rock to Riches contest. The resulting record -- not tape -- consists mostly of lively pop-rock by six Vermont artists (and one New Hampshire-based band), and most of it is quite accomplished.

The record includes Littlewing's Flashdance-like "Best of Things," the Cuts adventurous and grittily punky "Esther," and Richard Giroux's distinctly non-pop "Piano Works."

It's all a part of a nationwide contest sponsored by Miller High Life. The winner will receive $25,000 in sound equipment, and a "major label" recording contract. I was on a panel of judges which named Little Sister the winner, for their song "All the Money in This World" (a tad too Men-at-Work derivative for me, particularly in the beginning, but a well-crafted pop tune nonetheless). Little Sister is currently in the regional finals, competing against bands from New York State and the mid-Atlantic region.

Proceeds from the record -- which is available in Burlington at Upstairs and Pure Pop Records -- go to the Ronald McDonald House, a shelter for families of hospitalized children, so they can stay near the Medical Center.

The Decentz and Pinhead, by the way, didn't participate, as both bands felt they'd already put their best music on record.

Without Burlington's two hottest bands, Queen City Rock may not be the definitive statement on Vermont rock 'n' roll. But for those who dismiss these artists as merely "cover" bands, it does prove there is original talent behind the Pat Benatar imitations. -- Joshua Mamis, Vanguard Press, 2/12/1984

Does anyone out there have an e-mail address or a postal mail address for Joshua Mamis, the author of this excerpt? If so, please get in touch. -- Alan Lewis, 10/27/2001