This week's cool shows: Mark Holland and more

I truly meant to get this online this morning, to get the word out as soon as possible about this awesome benefit for the family of an extremely brave little boy. If you've ever had a love one battle cancer (and I have) you know it's a very draining experience, emotionally, physically and financially. Two-year-old Oliver Gant, son of New Raleigh co-founder Jed Gant, is battling a very rare cancer, and proceeds from this benefit will help the Gants, and benefit organizations that fight cancer. New Raleigh has some excellent details here.

As it turns out, this benefit sold out almost immediately -- most likely due to the fact that the Avett Brothers will return to their roots and play an extremely rare club show at Kings. I'm glad I got my tickets when I did, and I hope you got yours. Kudos to the Indy's Grayson Currin for putting on this amazing show.

In other news, I have a feature article on Mark Holland (Jennyanykind, Jule Brown, Applesauce and various other projects) in today's Independent Weekly. Mark was a lot of fun to talk to, and a lot of fun to watch at the Station. I wasn't able to work the drunk couple who fell the stage during Holland's show into the article. Maybe they'll show up and do a repeat of their shenanigans Feb. 15 at the Blue Note in Durham.


This Thursday, Tir na Nog hosts a metal night with Grohg, Hog and Man Will Destroy Himself. Grohg, of course, has inspired a bit of controversy based on their membership, which includes some folks who don't normally play in metal bands (including Stu McLamb from the Love Language), and the fact that they were given a write up on New Raleigh before they played a show. Some of my friends have said they are going to refuse to see or listen to the band because of this. I don't think that's fair, so I'm going to go to the show and check them out. If they suck, I will let you know, and if they don't suck, I'll let you know that too. But I'm not going to make any assumptions on them without listening to them. Besides, Hog and MWDH will make this show worth seeing regardless.

Also this week:

Thursday: Yandrew (members of Bowerbirds & Lost in the Trees) / The Hill and the Wood + more tba at Nightlight
Friday: Holy Ghost Tent Revival at Lincoln Theatre (glad to see Chris Malarkey from the Pour House now booking this venue, and hope he takes my advice to get more metal there).
Friday: Old Ceremony at Pour House
Saturday: American Aquarium and Samantha Crain at Pour House
Sunday: Sharon Van Etten at Cat's Cradle
Wednesday, Feb. 15: Love Hangover at Kings


Coming up:

March 3: COC, Torche and Valient Thorr at Lincoln
March 10: Windhand at Slim's
March 26: Alcest with Deafheaven, MAKE amd Grogh at Kings
May 4: Decibel Mag tour with Watain, Behemoth, The Devil's Blood and In Solitude at Amos Southend in Charlotte

Photos and video from the Bull City Metal Fest

 (Church of Wolves, night one)

(Knives, night one)

 (Bitter Resolve, night one)

(Bitter Resolve, night one)

(Shadow of the Destroyer, night two)

(The Body/Braveyoung collaboration, night two)

(Black Tusk, night two)

Here are a few photos and some videos from this weekend's 2nd Annual Bull City Metal Fest, which took place at the Casbah in Durham. I admit that I originally wasn't as excited about this year's line up as I was about last year's. But I think I had a better time this year. I got to see a few local bands I'd somehow missed (Bitter Resolve, Knives), experienced the amazing Body/Braveyoung collaboration, and ended the weekend with one of my favorite current bands, Black Tusk. My only recommendations for improving the weekend would be to spread it out over three days, either Thursday-Saturday nights, or Friday and Saturday with an afternoon show on Sunday. A 10-hour show on Saturday is just too much for me. 

Photos and video of Mark Holland at the Station

I've been working on a story on Mark Holland (Jennyanykind, Jule Brown, various solo projects) for the Independent, so I went to see him play his acoustic country blues set last Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Station in Carrboro. Mark is a good guy (as is his twin brother Michael), and it was good to talk to him again. I have to say, it was pretty amusing to see some of the Chapel Hill hippies dance to this stuff. He'll be at the Blue Note on Feb. 15

Photos of O C O A I and Generation of Vipers

Here are some photos of Johnson City's O C O A I (above), and photos and video of Generation of Vipers (below) from Friday at Dive Bar. O C O A I was as compelling (and loud) as when I saw them back in the summer. Unfortunately I couldn't get in a good position to record them, so I just stuck with still photography for their show.

Generation of Vipers shares a member with O C O A I and two members with U.S. Christmas, but is a lot sludgier than either band. I wasn't really in a good position to record them either, but since I'd never seen them before I went for it anyway. The kind of caught me off guard with the beginning of the song, though! Looking forward to seeing both bands again. See more photos.

This week's cool shows: O C O A I, Hog, Monoslang and more!

I have a short Hearing Aid piece on O C O A I and Generation of Vipers (Saturday at Dive Bar) scheduled to run in tomorrow's Independent Weekly, so I'll let you read what I had to say about this show there. I'll just sum up my thoughts like so: It's gonna rock and you should go. 

I also have a short "Introducing ..." piece on Church of Wolves, but I actually had the privilege of seeing COW one more time after writing that piece. I have to say, I am very impressed with how good these guys are after only a few shows. They'll be with Hog and Orthrus (Virginia black metal) on Tuesday at Nightlight. 

Also on Saturday, Monoslang will hold their EP-release party with Minor Stars and No Eyes at Kings. You can hear the latest from the new EP below.



ALSO THIS WEEK
Saturday: Rat Jackson, Spiderbags and Red Collar at Local 506
Sunday: 3 p.m. early show with Vile Discourse presents: Curmudgeon, Torch Runner, Mad Dog, Pure Scum, Abuse at Kings




UPCOMING

A partial lineup was released today for this year's 2nd Annual Bull City Metal Fest, Feb. 3 an 4 at the Casbah, and it looks like a good one. Here's the announcement from the Casbah:

Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd annual BULL CITY METAL FEST, Durham's premiere 2-day eclectic heavy music festival to be held at Casbah Durham on Feb 3 and 4. Headlining the festival this year is Black Tusk. Other bands include The Body, Braveyoung, Hog, Bitter Resolve, Shadow of the Destroyer, Make, Widow, Gross Reality, Church of Wolves, Ruscha, Dark Sea Dream, Knives and more to be announced. Tickets (on sale now at www.casbahdurham.com) are $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday, or $20 for a 2-day festival pass.


The lineup for this year's Double Barrel Benefit, at the Pour House, also on Feb. 3 and 4, will be announced  this Friday, Jan. 13, on WKNC during the local lunch.