New Haven's The Black Noise Scam plays tight 3-chord punk

Three chords, two minutes. It's a style that came of age in the late-1970s, peaking in popularity with the blistering Americana of the Ramones. The early punk ethic took form in new genres of music, from thrash to hardcore to simple three-chord pop.

The Black Noise Scam, however, channels the sound of the Ramones, putting listeners back in CBGB, back in the El 'n' Gee.

The New Haven band will play Saturday night at the Backstage at Rose's Cantina in Groton.

At 38, guitarist Liam Burke has been playing for years, and he said the band members' love of three-chord punk is strong.

"We're pretty tight," Burke said. "The way the Ramones can play — that's what we aim for."

Burke said he can only play three chords, so the fit makes sense for him.

Originally, however, he wasn't part of the plans. He answered a notice for a guitarist written by lead vocalist Jeffrey Thunders. He didn't get the gig: He was too old. But a while later, Burke met Thunders in a bar, and after a hearty conversation, the two began playing.

Only later did Burke reveal he was the author of the original response.

"A few gigs later I had a few pints in me and I told Jeff," he said, "and he was mortified."

Age aside, the Black Noise Scam rips. They've played numerous venues in the New Haven area, as well as in Boston and Providence, gaining fans with each performance of basic, sharply shredded punk. Burke said their shows can sometimes creep into the Iggy Pop zone.

"Jeff is a madman," he said. "He's a circus animal. He's energetic — not in one place for more than a second."

From the frantic stage movements to the tight and stiff-lip punk, Burke said the band likes where it's at.

"I think this is what we all love," Burke said. "This is what we like to do."
Will they be doing it forever?

"As long as it's fun," Burke said, " I want to die with the amp at 11."