Music

Nikki Sudden: Photo courtesy of nikkisudden.com

Swell punk at Offshore

By Julian Wise - March 16, 2006

Kahoots, riding high on the wave of positive reviews for their upcoming album "Fourteen Ghosts" (keep an eye out for a Boston Globe profile coinciding with the album's April 25 release date), bring Nikki Sudden to perform with them at Offshore Ale in Oak Bluffs this weekend.

Who is Nikki Sudden? Sudden is an underground icon of the 1980s punk scene and co-founder of the legendary Swell Maps. Swell Maps put out several singles and two full-length albums for Rough Trade records before breaking up. The Swell Maps have been cited as a major influence by Pavement & Sonic Youth. Nikki went on to release a number of solo albums as well as record as a member of Jacobites with musician Dave Kusworth. He also collaborated with Roland Howard of The Birthday Party (Nick Cave's old outfit). Where the Swell Maps' sound was harsh experimental punk rock, Nikki's solo outings were more akin to Neil Young or The Faces. Nikki has recently collaborated with Jeff Tweedy from Wilco, who lent his vocals to Sudden's disc "Treasure Island." While many punk icons from the '80s have faded into oblivion or irrelevance, Nikki Sudden continues to be a vital creative force.

Kahoots and Nikki Sudden, Saturday, March 18, 10 pm, at Offshore Ale, Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs. All ages. $5.

Julian Wise is a frequent contributor to The Times, specializing in music, film, and the performing arts.