‘Late Nights on Washington’
by Tim McCoy

The interior album art on Tim McCoy’s new CD shows the musician seated in front of a graffiti-covered wall, tying the laces of his Converse sneakers while sporting a black pork pie hat and leather jacket. After spending years as a worthy figurehead in the Seacoast music scene—playing bass and guitar with a plethora of bands that includes Heavens to Murgatroid, Lemon Fresh Kids and Tim McCoy and the Papercuts—the photo seems to reassure everyone that McCoy is still rocking local, just like he’s always done.

It has been almost four years since Portsmouth rock ’n’ rollers One Hand Free released a new album. The group’s self-titled 2004 release established the band as an assemblage of classic rock purists, determined to deliver the type of 1960s and ’70s style rock that inspired them to take up their instruments. The latest disc, released on the record label ThunderTrauzer, cranks up the volume of the band’s musical mission.

Officially due out in January, “Quadraphonic” features eight original tunes that amount to “a hot slab of unrepentant Rock and Roll right between the ears,” according to the band’s promotional material. Apparently dissatisfied with the state of modern music, but holding dear to the bygone spirit of rock’s past pioneers, One Hand Free set out to restore the heart and soul of rock ’n’ roll. 

Over the past several years, the organ combo has made a remarkable resurgence, as young musicians find the pared down format of keyboards, drums, sax and/or guitar conducive to exploring a variety of sonic grooves and textures. Groups such as Soulive; Medeski, Martin & Wood; Joshua Redman’s Elastic Band; and Chris Potter’s Underground all offer a contemporary spin on an approach originally popularized by such notables as Big John Patton, Brother Jack McDuff, Babyface Willette, Larry Young and the legendary Jimmy Smith.

Only a handful of rockabilly acts have reared their pomade-smothered heads on the Seacoast in recent years. Satan’s Teardrops quickly pops to mind, as well as surf-oriented thrashers Hotrod Fury. One-man rockabilly band Bloodshot Bill played a memorable show at the Loaf and Ladle in Exeter a few years back, but Southern New Hampshire has failed to maintain a strong rockabilly presence.

So much the better for Elsa Cross, whose debut album, “Unavailable,” digs deep into the rockabilly core to invoke the music’s pioneering ancestors. Having played numerous live performances in the Portsmouth area, Cross is set to unveil her first studio effort with a CD release show at The Stone Church on Saturday, Oct. 27.