Upcoming Shows!

Since the Calendar came out looking terrible I will continue to post shows I would go to  here on the main page of the BLOG.  Please visit venue Websites for full listings. 

Funnyman Steve Martin is as entertaining on the banjo as he is at juggling cat's.  See him pick with North Carolina based bluegrass outfit The Steep Canyon Rangers at the DPAC Saturday May 21st (if you can get tickets...good luck.)

Former members of the highly influential group Galaxie 500, Damon and Naomi are performing at The Arts Center in Carborro Thursday May 19.  If we are lucky they will play some old favorites.

Remember Corrosion of Conformity?  No?  They are a Metal Band who formed in Raleigh back in the 90's and they are playing at  Cat's Cradle on Thursday May 26.

Alt. country sensation Grace Potter and The Nocturnals are playing The Lincoln Theater with Futurebirds, one of my favorite new bands from Athens, GA.  Also joining the bill: Gary Clark Jr. and Julian McCullough. 

Django Haskins and The Old Ceremony have been and always will be a true symbol of the Triangles fertile music scene.  They and Dex Romwebber and the New Romans are performing at  Cat's Cradle Friday May 20.

PRIMUS IS COMING! PRIMUS IS COMING!

Bassist and eccentric (to put it mildly) Les Claypool is a proud representative of the ugly underground from which a great deal of the greatest music in history is created.  His primary group, Primus, has abashedly constructed sounds and visions strange enough to freak people out, but also great enough to keep the band in the limelight for years at a time.  If you watch South Park, you should know that the opening song was written and performed by  Claypool. Now Primus is out in support of their first album together in twelve years,  set for release sometime this year   Get your tickets now for Primus at Memorial Auditorium  in Raleigh May 31st.

I remember being alone at my parents’ beach condo when I was very young and the video for “Mr. Krinkle” came on MTV and it scared the living shit out of me.  A pig man playing stand up bass?  At that point the novelty was more enticing than the music, which turned around quickly when I was older and braver. Sailing the Seas of Cheese and Pork Soda were the two albums which held the highest content of ripping musicianship, dark humor and style that set Claypool, drummer Tim "Herb" Alexander and guitarist Larry LeLonde apart from anything I had ever heard.

Primus, although deranged in appearance, had major success in the 1980's and 90's with hits such as "Jerry Was a Race Car Driver", "My Name is Mud" and "Wynonna's Big Brown Beaver."  Also, Claypool's style as a bassist is percussive in many ways. He can slap the strings with his thumb (which, according to legend, has a spring implant) creating a sound similar to a drum roll. 

You may remember Claypool teaming with Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio and Police drummer Stewart Copeland to form Oysterhead. The trio made made one record, The Grand Pecking Order, and toured ferociously, playing to the jam band crowd who hilariously tangled with  Primus's hard core fans.  Other projects Les Claypool formed include Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, which was made up of drummer "Brain", anonymous and frightening guitar virtuoso Bucket Head and former Parliament  Funkadelic and Talking Heads keyboardist Bernie "Woo" Worrel.  His touring band as a soloist - Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade toured in the early 2000's during Primus's hiatus. 

Get your tickets now for their performance at Memorial Auditorium May 31st.

Interpol at Disco Rodeo 5-4-2011 - Quick review.

Interpol blew the rusty doors off of the grimy hovel that is The Disco Rodeo last evening.  Right from the get-go, The New York based quintet feverishly delivered their signature pulse pounding brand of dark indie rock. Although the sound at the former Ritz theater was and always is atrocious, the bands sound engineer made it work.   Hardly a second of rest was taken by any of the band members, save the time between the last number and the triple encore.  Paul Banks' vocals were in top form as was the quick paced guitar styling of Daniel Kessler.  Adding just the right amount of lurid electricity to the sound of Interpol live , Brandon Curtis ( formerly of The Secret Machines) contributed his  talent on vocals and keyboards.  We were very lucky to hear tracks from their third (and my favorite) record , Antics, including "Evil" and "Slow Hand" as well an array of powerful songs from other studio efforts, both old and new.  Judging from the high energy, razor sharp performance last night at The Disco Rodeo, Interpol is moving full steam ahead, forging their place in musical history as a true standout in the the world of alternative rock.

 

Brian Mcgee at The Cave Wednesday 4-27

Pennsylvania native Brian McGee combines folk, rock, country, punk, and soul to form his own brand of Americana rock.  Influenced heavily by a wide variety of musical genres, McGee artfully weaves the hard story telling ability of Johnny Cash with layered instrumentation not dissimilar to Wilco and Ryan Adams and the Cardinals.  His ten year stay in Western North Carolina has clearly made an impression on his style, be it musical or lyrical.  McGee will be joined by Black Mountain, NC singer / songwriter Mary Ellen Bush of Menage at The Cave in Chapel hill this Wednesday night.

PRETTY LIGHTS TUESDAY 4-19 at RALEIGH AMPHITHEATER

Electronic musician Derek Smith combines beat samples from hard thumping infectious songs found anywhere in the history of music with buzzes and modulated sound waves of his own creation to make Pretty Lights come alive.  The show presents a sensory overload to the audience...and that is exactly what the audience wants.  Pink Floydesque lights will cover the crowd as the ground shakes and bodies move to familiar sounds laced with frenzied techno.  Don't forget to bring your glow sticks to The Raleigh Amphitheater tomorrow night! 

Full Frame Film Festival April 14-17 Downtown Durham

Full Frame offers exposure for documentary film makers from all over the world through a 4 day event which includes screenings, panel discussions, symposiums, and performances.  Students find an open forum in which they can speak candidly with established filmmakers gaining the knowledge necessary to be come successful film makers.

Jazz bassist, professor, Grammy nominee, and band leader John Brown and his orchestra  are featured in a highly anticipated documentary titled "One Night in Kernersville", directed by Rodrigo Dorfman.   The film documents the creation of  Setting Standards, the latest project from The John Brown Jazz Orchestra.  Catch the world premiere at The Carolina Theater Saturday April 16th 10:10 pm.

Tonight at Lincoln Theater Band Together NC presents Lonnie Walker, House of Fools, Filthy bird and Chris Hendricks Band

Come down to the Lincoln Theater in Raleigh tonight for a great cause and some great music.  Band Together NC is an institution  which raises funds and awareness for certain charities across the state.   Local favorites Lonnie Walker will perform along with House of Fools, Filthy Bird, and the Chris Hendricks Band.   Ten dollars to see music like this and help those in need?  It's a no brainer.

Ari Hest to play the Pour House April 14

Singer songwriter Ari Hest is set to perform at The Pour House in Raleigh Thursday April 14 in support of his latest studio effort - Sunset over Hope Street on Downtown/Mercer Street Records.  The prolific folk-rocker has made a name for himself as a true soldier in the world of DIY music.  Since his days at NYU and beyond, Hess has almost constantly been recording and releasing music, either on his own or under the guidance of producers and record companies.  Sunset Over Hope Street illuminates Hess's masterful control of his story telling ability along with his gift as a composer utilizing an array of instruments 

Interpol coming to Disco Rodeo May 4th

Interpol came on the scene in 1997 as a dark symbol of New York's gritty indie rock scene  pulling inspiration from goth bands such as Joy Division, The Sisters of Mercy and Bauhaus - save the ghoulishness.  Their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, contained a razor sharp collection of songs and was well received by the indie music crowd and beyond.  Paul Banks' throaty vocals and Carlos Dengler's thudding bass licks gave birth to an ominous sound belonging to Interpol alone.  Raleigh is fortunate to have such an authentic group perform.  Try and get tickets to the May 4th show at Disco Rodeo in Raleigh.

PRINCE MARCH 23rd at RBC CENTER!

We know Prince for his lasting hits including "1999" , "Little Red Corvette", "Kiss." The amount of talent held by that little man is astonishing.  A master guitarist , singer,  pianist, and drummer, he usually plays every instrument on his studio albums.  His unparalleled style offers a feast of various musical genres including - funk, soul, rock, rhythm and blues in between.  His steamy lyrics can go from X rated to praising Jesus much as his compositions can go from Hendrix to Mozart.  

Attending a Prince show, from what I understand, is a life changing experience.  I guess can find out Wednesday night at The RBC Center.