The Hudson Falcons don’t shy away from exposing their working-class New Jersey roots, from their extended, punked-up take on Bruce Springsteen’s turnpike anthem “Open All Night” to frontman Mark Linsky’s onstage Public Service Announcement about the dangers of crossing picket lines to introduce the union-boosting “Scab” (“You might get your ass beat with a tire iron”). But the four-piece band is first and foremost a touring outfit. The road, from the Interstate to the Autobahn, informs its music, and after 1,200-odd shows it has developed a muscular stage act that brings to mind proto-punk masters of monster riffs and gritty vocals the Dictators.
Linsky’s unpretentious, raw and honest lyrics delivered over slashing, churning guitars and a runaway-train rhythm make for an electrifying stage show. Catch it Friday night, January 27, at Snapper Magee’s Uptown Kingston punk palace at 59 North Front Street. They’ll be sharing a bill with Connecticut rockers the Living Americans. The show starts at 8 p.m., with a cover charge of $5. For more information, call 339-3888.