By Artie Capshaw

Dead Lewis doesn’t know how he feels about us describing his latest style assault, Teaspoon of Zest, as “a prank.” His show last week at D’ollaire’s went well, he says. The club’s asked him back.  The material was appreciated for what it was. He’s got a whole second set he’s ready to rock. Someone’s asked to record his version of “Zip Zap Zopp” as a single. He doesn’t want anyone to think he’s having them on.

So we officially rescind our characterization of the show as a sham. We get it now—Dead Lewis has sold out. Granted, he’s extremely good at these charades, and ToZ’s blend of pop and party rock is ideally suited to his campy swagger. Whether you hold your nose at his capitulation to club commerce or raise your mood-ringed fist in the air, you’ll want to see him again at Hamilton’s on two Saturdays from now. At least he admits he got the band name Teaspoonful of Zest from a recent column we wrote about Coat the Spoon singer Cody Fried’s grandmother’s lemon curd recipe.

Credible acts in readiness: The Art Youngs, Sunlight and Shadow, The Nimble Nickels and Four Dissenters Silenced by the Rope at the Bullfinch, following the rally on the commons (something about taxes)… The Silk Hats, Shots at Truth, The Joke is on You Baby and Over They Go engage the masses at Hamilton’s… The bold new ideas (maybe a decade ago) of Crime Against Art and Sketching Devils at D’ollaire’s, with opening set from well-connected locals Matrimony Hits a Reef.