Bowerbirds chosen as NPR song of the day

Here's what the folks at Burly Time Records sent out:

bowerbirds' "in our talons" has been selected as the song of the day on npr. here's the link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12347042

we're selling through the first and only hand-numbered pressing of hymns for a dark horse (ditto for horseback's impale golden horn) pretty quickly, so pick it up fast at www.burlytime.com. birds going on tours with john vanderslice and the mountain goats in august, september and october, followed by a horseback tour in november.

Needham's Neighbor at Sadlack's

I caught part of Needham's Neighbor last night at Sadlack's. Somehow I was under the impression that they were much harder, and more rock 'n' roll, instead, they had a kind of mellow alt-country vibe with some jammy elements. Here's their version of Doug Sahm's "Give Back the Keys to My Heart."

(Video removed)

The T's with Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls

You know, I didn't think I'd find a club in this town that has worse lighting for shooting bands than Slim's, but, lo and behold, White Collar Crime surpasses them. To be fair, WCC isn't normally a band club, it's a watering hole, and a pretty nice one at that. The bartender was very friendly, the living-room-type set-up was comfortable, and the torch-lit patio was nice and moody. Plus, their shows are free. And I know the real issue is my equipment. It's hard to believe I've been shooting shows around here for more than two years with the same little Nikon Coolpix, which doesn't even have a manual setting. Once I get my upcoming trip out of the way, I'm going to start saving up for something nicer. So, basically that's a long-winded way of saying that these pictures and movies suck. Richard Bacchus (pictured top; formerly of DGeneration) was great in a drunk-bar-rock-meets-snotty-old-school-punk kind of way. The T's (Lutie is pictured above)were just plain great. I talked to a co-worker who was there and we agreed that the only description you can give to them is "rock 'n' roll." They're not this kind of rock, or that kind of rock. They're just rock 'n' roll. More bad pics. (videos removed)

Goings-on this weekend ...

And most of it's free! Beginning tonight: Thursday: I have it on good authority that Goner are going to cover AC/DC's "Downpayment Blues" tonight at Tir na nOg. The Loners are also going to be there. No word on whether they'll be doing "Riff Raff." FREE Friday: I've never seen Needham's Neighbor, but they've been talked-up so much to me that I will be there at Sadlack's at 7 p.m. to see them. Also, The Backsliders are playing Saturday along with Nightranger (??) at Moore Square. But if you don't feel like braving that crowd, they will also be at Slim's the night before. Don't know the cover, but not likely to be more than $3. Saturday: The aforementioned Nightranger/Backsliders show at Moore Square. Actually, "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" is one of my favorite songs from the '80s, so I might try to make it out for this one. Nightranger is at 9; Backsliders at 7. Free! If you happen to be over in Chapel Hill this weekend, there are two good shows to catch: John Harrison (North Elementary) Brooklyn's Ghosts I've Met (feat.Margaret White) and Regina Hexaphone are at The Cave and The Comas (whose new album, "Spells," I'm digging) will be at Local 506 with Wembley and Great Northern. Sunday: Free show at The Pour House featuring Shotgun Romance (6pm; Super Secret Special Guests (7:30pm); Olympic Ass Kickin Team (9:30pm); Patty Hurst Shifter (11:30pm). Free!

Rock the vote -- local style

Fox50.com has a contest going where readers can vote for their favorite from among six local bands: Big City Reverie, Brite Boy, Delorean, Pull, OAK Team, and Untold.

Go there and vote for your favorite!