HUCK, MUCK, AND BEES KNEES VISIT RALPHS JUNE 18

Local music heavy weights abound on Friday, June 18 at Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner, 95 Prescott Street (off of Grove Street across from the fire station), Worcester, when American infused popsters The Bee's Knees team up with Abbey Records roots rockers Muck and the Mires and Worcester's favorite poppers Huck. Music begins at 9:30 p.m. The show is 21+ and is $5 to enter.

This is the official after party of the stART on the Street 50/50 Fundraiser to be held at the Traina Center for the Arts, Clark University, on June 18. Visit www.startonthestreet.org for more information on this and other stART events.

THE BEE'S KNEES have just celebrated their one-year anniversary with shows at the Abbey Lounge in Somerville, the Midway Cafe in Jamaica Plain, and opening for former Men at Work front man, Colin Hay at the Lucky Dog Music Hall in Worcester. The Bee's Knees seem to be beyond description, as they take from so many aspects of American music; from country and blues to roots rock and pop. They have been called "Worcester's Little Feat" by Musclecah's Chris Lillyman and Sullivan from Schekta has been quoted as saying "You can hear the metal [in these guys]." Featuring four area veteran musicians (Ed Barnett, lead guitar/vocals; John Donovan, bass/vocals; Joe Giotta, drums/vocals; Michael Thibodeau, rhythm guitar/vocals), and a work-a-holic mentality, the Bee's Knees have the feel of a road-tested, bar-battered band, that is known for getting on and off stage faster than they can play any of their songs. The Bee's Knees are currently working on their first full-length record at Tremolo Lounge Studios in West Boylston with the areas finest producer, Roger Lavallee. For more information on the Bee's Knees, visit www.beeskneesmusic.com or email Michael@beeskneesmusic.com.

The MUCK AND THE MIRES story essentially begins where it ends – with the release of their greatest hits record. They may be the first group to have a "Best Of" collection released on two international labels before they even played a note together! In reality, these raw recordings, originally touted as the lost sessions of an unknown sixties garage band, were really home demos by Evan (Muck) Shore (ex-The Queers/The Voodoo Dolls/The Nines) and were never intended for release. However, a copy of the 12-song tape found it's way to Canada where it was issued on Amp Records as "All Mucked Up (The Best of Muck and the Mires)."

It didn't take long for others to get hooked on this great collection of songs. The combination of three-part harmonies, jangling guitars, harmonica, pounding drums and Lennon/McCartney style song writing were unlike anything heard on the radio in years, and this ensured that Muck and the Mires would quickly build their own cult following. Soon after "All Mucked Up's" Canadian release, Germany's Soundflat Records licensed the recordings and reissued them in Europe, appropriately enough, on 12-inch vinyl. Around this same time, the "group" was invited to Canada to promote their CD, and suddenly, Muck found himself in a lot of mire. But, within a few weeks, he assembled an incredible live band featuring drummer Jessie Best, bassist Frankie Mire, and lead guitarist Brian Mire. The group breathed life into the disc's songs, playing them with greater energy, intensity and velocity than anyone who had heard the record could have expected.

Muck and the Mires toured Canada and then returned to Boston where they began receiving major airplay and great reviews. They have since built a loyal following playing clubs and opening for touring artists including Dave Clark 5 singer Mike Smith. Following several New York City appearances, the group was chosen as finalists in Little Steven's Cavestomp competition in New York City and are featured on the "The Best of Little Steven's Cavestomp! Garage Rock Band Search: Vol. I." And that brings us to the end, or rather the beginning. Muck and the Mires are heading into the studio to record their second full length record, which is really their first, but either way, the disc will certainly feature the best of Muck and the Mires. For more information on Muck and the Mires, visit www.muckandthemires.com.

HUCK: Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have concluded that the crushing melancholy that is 21st century existence may be partially alleviated by listening to Huck. "It was our hope," the study states, "that the return of Jim Belushi on network television and a new and improved toilet cleaner that freshens every time you flush would give people meaning in a seemingly cruel and random world." However it is the elegant and finely wrought pop songs of this Massachusetts band that give "hope to us all", the commission's report states. In a study conducted in Massachusetts since 1994, it has been found that people who have attended Huck shows in New York, Worcester and Boston or have listened to any of Huck's three CD's have gone on to move out of their parents' basements, get jobs and form meaningful, emotionally satisfying relationships with members of both sexes. For more information on Huck, visit www.huckmusic.com.

For more information on this show or Ralph's Chadwick Square Diner, visit www.ralphsdiner.net or email Michael@beeskneesmusic.com.