More info on the closing of the Downtown Events Center

Check out the story on Grayson's blog.

Cool shows this week: Arcade Fire for Obama, Pressure Boys and more!

Thursday, May 1: Red Collar, Tir na nOg
If you missed them at last week's Earth Day celebration, here's your chance to make up for it. It'll be my first time seeing them, and I'm pretty excited. Expect some video on the blog on Friday. the Bronzed Chorus and The Dry Heathens open up.

SHOW OF THE WEEK! Friday, May 2: Superchunk and Arcade Fire, Carrboro Town Commons
Carrboro is THE place to be on this date. Local legends Superchunk and their Merge labelmates Arcade Fire will play at a rally for Barack Obama at 2 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons. This show is FREE, but you have to have a ticket to get in, so if you don't have one, you are likely out of luck.


Fri & Sat, May 2 & 3: Pressure Boys, Cat's Cradle
This show is near and dear to my heart because I remember seeing The Pressure Boys many, many times during my college years, and somewhere I have a warped copy of the Hell Tape. They mixes indie rock and ska before it was cool to do so, and played an awesome cover of Radar Love. Original trumpeter Stacey Guess, who died several years ago, will be missed at this show, but it's still sure to be a great trip down memory lane. This is a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. ALSO, Check out the cool audio slide show on the band, with current and archive photos.

Saturday, May 3: Danny Vaughn, Rebusworks
This is an early, free, solo show from the leader of Noncannon. Here's what Sarah just sent out: Please join us this First Friday, from 6 until 10 pm, for music and art at Rebus Works. Danny Vaughn, of Noncannon, will be playing at 8, and Abie Harris' Structure + Color will be on view. We also have some new works on paper by Matt Sesow, Gabriel Shaffer, and Nick Spohrer.


Saturday, May 3: Earth, ??
As of right now, who knows where or if this show will happen. Here's what Mike Dillon just sent out on Myspace:
Hello everyone,
this has been a hairline shattering last couple of days my friends! I found out that Downtown Event Center, whatever you want to call it, is closed down! It appears that way to me, so thats how im calling it.

I had to cancel the awesome EARTH show w/ Des Ark and In The Year of the Pig and US CHRISTMAS, which was gonna be my last show there anyways.

So I'm looking to relocate this show cos EARTH still wants to play. It may be at Katmandu, it may be at YOUR HOUSE (?) or some where else. I'm gonna be trying to figure this out all day.

IF ANYONE HAS A P.A.

OR IDEAS THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!!
thanks,
MD
this will be the last show I book in a looooooooong time. so please come and attend wherever it may be held.


PLZ REPOST!!!!!!!!!!!

also thanks to Jenks Miller and Grayson Currin for helping me out a ton.......
http://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Earth_(band)


Saturday May 3: Abe Quinn’s 6th Annual BDay Bash w/ The Suburban Sweethearts and Man Will Destroy Himself, Slim's



Saturday and Sunday, May 3 & 4: Get the Hint benefits, Pour House and Sadlack's
Here's the bulletin sent out by Dave Bartholomew:

Saturday, May 3rd:

Get The Hint Benefit!
The Silos
Chip Robinson & The Heavy Beat Outfit (me on guitar)
Quarry Hill
BJ Barham
Chris Mills
Tres Chicas (me on drums)
Tandy
Glory Fountain
Patty Hurst Shifter

This show starts at 3:30.

This is a great cause, and a memorial for a great guy! @ The Pour House
http://www. myspace. com/the_hint
www. the-pour-house. com

Sunday, May 4th:
Continuation of the "Get The Hint" Benefit.

The Cartridge Family
Chip Robinson & The Heavy Beat Outfit
Lou Ford
Kenny Roby
Joe Swank and the Zen Pirates.

This show starts at 2:45 @
Sadlack's Heroes
2116 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607
(919) 828-9190
http://www. myspace. com/the_hint



Sunday, May 4: Grass Widow with The Men, Local 506
During the one show I've seen of Grass Widow, I described them as "fuzzy, jangly blues rock actually really grew on me." I remember not liking them at first, but being really into them by the end of the set. This will be a good opportunity to check them out and see if I feel the same way. They'll also be at the Double Down (which is quickly becoming the new hot spot in Raleigh) with Rocket Cottage next Friday, May 9.



COMING UP NEXT WEEK

Thursday, May 8: Hayseed Dixie, Pour House
If you love bluegrass and AC/DC, this show is for you. They played one of the best versions of Whole Lotta Rosie I've ever heard when I saw them at Pour House a couple of years ago.

Thursday, May 8: Dirty Little Heaters, Slim's
I haven't seen these gals since they played a between-bout set at an early Rollergirls game a few years back. Looks like this will be my chance to see them again.


SHOW OF THE WEEK! Saturday, May 10: Polvo, Cat's Cradle
One of the most innovative bands ever to emerge from this area starts a series of reunion shows. They're also going to be playing at ATP Catskills (in addition to ATP England) in the fall, and yours truly is debating whether or not to go. Look for for something special on the blog, in preview of the show, next week!

Saturday, May 10: Killer Filler, Sadlack's

Saturday, May 10: Colossus with Thunderlip, Slims
I really hate that I'm going to miss this show, because I've been wanting to check out Colossus. Alas, I will be at Polvo.




UPCOMING IN GENERAL

Sunday, May 18: RebusFest, Rebusworks in Raleigh
Here's info sent out by Rebus gallery in Raleigh: RebusFest, a one-day event featuring art, music, and food, will be held on Sunday, May 18. Bands include The Loners, Kickin' Grass, Starmount, Monologue Bombs, The T's, and Edmund II. Participating artists include Julie Armbruster, Casey Porn, Betty McKim, Staci Sawyer, Clifton May and Lauren Turner. Artist spaces are still available, if interested, please call 919-754-8452.
We are also looking for volunteers, if you'd like to help for a shift (11:30 until 3:30 or 3:30 until 7:30), please let us know by email or phone.

Tuesday, May 20: The Sword with Stinking Lizaveta
Austin's The Sword are one of my favorite heavy bands, though I admit their new CD is a bit over the top with Stonehenge/gnome imagery. watch the video for "Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians" (see what I mean?) off Gods Of the Earth here.

I saw Stiking Lizaveta waaaaay back in 2003 and thought they were absolutely amazing. Can't wait to see them again.

Saturday, May 24: Dropsonic with The Needles, Slim's
From Atlanta. I don't know much about them but I'm liking what I've heard so far. However I DO know The Needles, and I know they're awesome, Hellacopters-style RAWK. Could be a great show.


Thursday, May 29: The Trousers at Tir na nOg
I love this band so much, and they hardly ever play out, maybe because drummer Stephen Gardner is mighty busy with his duties as singer/guitarist with The T's. This band is fine British blues rock, and singer-guitarist Jim Pendergast plays with an understated elegance that must be heard live to be appreciated.

Downtown Event Center closing -- Venue needed for Earth show.

Well, this really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, considering
recent events. It also seems like that space is permanently jinxed.
Anyway, if you can help out with the show, please do so. Here's the
message Mike Dillon just put out on Myspace:

Hello everyone,

this has been a hairline shattering last couple of days my friends! I
found out that Downtown Event Center, whatever you want to call it, is
closed down! It appears that way to me, so thats how im calling it.

I had to cancel the awesome EARTH show w/ Des Ark and In The Year of
the Pig and US CHRISTMAS, which was gonna be my last show there
anyways.

So I'm looking to relocate this show cos EARTH still wants to play. It
may be at Katmandu, it may be at YOUR HOUSE (?) or some where else.
I'm gonna be trying to figure this out all day.

IF ANYONE HAS A P.A.

OR IDEAS THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE, PLEASE CONTACT ME ASAP!!

thanks,
MD

this will be the last show I book in a looooooooong time. so please
come and attend wherever it may be held.

PLZ REPOST!!!!!!!!!!!

also thanks to Jenks Miller and Grayson Currin for helping me out a ton.......

Rosebuds try out some 'cue for Earfarm

And get written up on Chow.com. Check it out here:
http://www.chow.com/stories/11066

Volunteer for Arcade Fire/Obama rally

Just got this from Cat's Cradle on Myspace, so call them RIGHT NOW.

Arcade Fire /Superchunk / Obama / Cat's Cradle
Body:
Hey all you MySpacers,

I need 3 volunteers for a chance of a lifetime.

Who: You!
What: OBAMA RALLY W/ ARCADE FIRE, SUPERCHUNK
Where: CARRBORO TOWN COMMONS
When: FRIDAY MAY 2, 1PM - 5:30PM
Why: To promote upcoming Cat's Cradle shows while watching an awesome
rock show, that you can tell your kids, who will be in awe that you
got to do such an awesome deed of godly proportions.

Duties: Be responsible for handing out Cat's Cradle fliers, email sign
up list and and a ticket giveaway box. Expect to be on your feet for
several hours and dress accordingly. It's going to be sunny and warm.

If you can seriously do this call me at (206) 962-9704 and I will set you up.

I expect a large response to this so call me now.

My non-review of Lou Reed

I'll go ahead and admit the main reason I saw Lou Reed is because he's
a living legend and I felt like I needed to see him. I don't think I
can give a truly adequate review, though I'm hoping my companion for
the evening will do so. In the meantime, here's a link to a good blog
post on the show. The only thing this blogger got wrong was that the
person didn't yell "Play them all," they simply yelled "Everything!"

Quick and dirty with The Sugar

Just got back from seeing The Sugar, who managed to win over some tough critics at Sadlack's with his selection of bawdy originals and re-worked dirty versions of various covers. It's been a long weekend, so I'm just going to put this up straight: Here's his version of George Clinton's "Pussy." Enjoy! BTW, this is the barstool view. Not sure if you can see the downpour outside, but you should be able to see the various rain-bedraggled drunks who kept walking by.

(VIDEO DELETED)

Video from Dreamscapes of the Perverse

Last night I FINALLY got the chance to check out Dreamscapes of the Perverse at Berkeley Cafe. Can I just say I love the fact that the Berkeley is apparently equally known for both metal and blues? Anyway, If you're into black metal at all, you need to check these guys out. They're equal parts loud, intense, angry brutality, and intricate, delicate sorrow. The best thing about them is they don't seem to take themselves seriously (the music, on the other hand, they definitely take seriously). There's none of this "we're so evil" BS. They're just a bunch of dudes who really love playing heavy music.

Check out the video. It's dark, and you mostly get a view of the guitarist's hair, but it should give you an indication of what they sound like. This is the first song they played, "Rise of Self" from the album "Gignesthai."

Dreamscapes of the Perverse from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Pressure Boys Friday show is SOLD OUT!

That means you better go ahead and get your ticket for the Saturday show.

Tickets for Arcade Fire/Obama rally

David Menconi just posted this on guitartown. If you're in Raleigh,
you might want to head to Morning Times NOW:

for those of you in Raleigh -- they've still got a sizeable stack of
tickets to hand out at Morning Times, & there was no line to speak of.
the people handing them out said they'll be there until 5pm or the
tickets are all gone, whichever comes first.

dm

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of U2's War tour

OK, I know you're thinking, "what the hell does U2 have to do with local music?" Well, it turns out that U2 kicked off its US tour for the War album in Chapel Hill. Now, I knew that they played Chapel Hill -- and supposedly ate at Bullock's Barbecue after the show -- but I never realized that was the first show of the tour. DD, who was a DJ at the Wake Forest student station at the time and who is on myspace and facebook under Deaconlight, managed to interview Bono and The Edge, and has created a Web site commemorating the event. . Check out the photos, the audio of the interviews and the station IDs!

Red Collar: Photo by Jason Arthurs for The N&O

Wednesday, April 23: Megafaun, Local 506
Here's what the band sent out on Myspace. I'm going to guess that DJ Currincy is Grayson:
Friends!
We are leaving for a while tomorrow, so come hang with us and some of our oldest friends in the world, Mystery Palace!
Mystery Palace is going to blow your mind. They do circuit bent keyboard pop tunes and it is completely unreal.

Bells is the solo outfit for Chapel Hill 2005 18-22 year old bench press champion, Jon Mackey. Jon is the shit.

DJ Currincy will be handling the in-between set deck work.

Show starts at 9:30. It is at the Local 506 in Chapel Hill.



Thursday, April 24: A Rooster for the Masses, Tir na nOg
Part of the WKNC Local Band, Local Beer night. ARFTM has an almost entirely new line-up, including an amazing Danish guitarist. Last time I saw them, they were a little less dancey, and reminded me more of early U2. Free! Plus beer samples.


Friday, April 25: Dreamscapes of the Perverse at Berkeley Cafe
Symphonic Black Metal from Raleigh, without the church burning or corpse paint. According to powerhouse drummer John Snead, they've been doing a lot of writing for the new album, so maybe you'll hear some new stuff at the show.


The Nein, French Kicks, Local 506: The Nein includes former members of Steel Pole Bathtub, Spatula and The White Octave. Check out the video I shot of them a couple of years ago.



Kenny Roby, Capital City Grocery.
Kenny was in the absolutely amazing Six String Drag back in the mid-90s and now performs with his band The Mercy Filter. This is a solo show for him, and should run from 7-9 p.m.


Red Collar and more at N.C. State Earth Day Celebration
Here's some info from Red Collar about this show:
"Smells Like Green Spirit": Rock Benefit for Renewable Energy on NCSU's campus at North Talley Plaza. There MIGHT be a bit of a surprise as well, so you're going to want to stick around for this one.

Here's the lineup:
11 pm Red Collar
10 PM Hammer No More the Fingers
9 pm Maple Stave
8 pm The Tourist
7 pm jew(s) and catholic(s)
6 pm Embarassing Fruits


Goner, The Loners, Patty Hurst Shifter, Tir na nOg
Here are the details from Chris at Tir na nOg: We are doing another "Local" night of sorts with THREE great bands for you! This Friday we have for you GONER, THE LONERS, & PATTY HURST SHIFTER playing on the same stage on the same night. If you want to go this to this show you will need a ticket otherwise it is a $3 cover to get in. If you don't have a ticket and want to go send me a message or come by the pub and I will give them to you for FREE! The show starts at 10pm so get there early.

Winston-Salem's Foothills Brewery will be there with great brew and will be our featured beer of the night with specials on all their pints!



Saturday, April 26: Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls, Landmark Tavern:
5 p.m. I was wondering when the Landmark was going to start hosting shows. Their back patio is perfect for it. Richard recently spent some time in Europe, so this is a homecoming show of sorts. I'm still waiting to see the video that Mike Spence and Johnny Pontiac shot for "Terrible Love" back in February.


Sunday, April 27: The Sugar, Sadlack's
Like a cross between Blowfly and Ray Manzarek, one-man-band The Sugar is not to be missed. Check out the video I shot of him in his local debut appearance. 5 p.m. FREE!


Monday, April 28: Lou Reed, Carolina Theatre.
IMPORTANT INFO: This came from the ticketing agent. Melt Banana is no longer on the bill, so Lou starts at 7:30 p.m.

We are just writing to inform you that there will NO longer be ANY opening acts for Lou Reed at his show at the Carolina Theatre on April 28, 2008. Therefore, Lou and his band are planning to take the stage at 7:30 PM, and doors will open at 6:30 PM to ensure everyone makes it inside in time!


COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Friday, May 2: Superchunk and Arcade Fire, Carrboro Town Commons
Carrboro is THE place to be on this date. Local legends Superchunk and their Merge labelmates Arcade Fire will play at a rally for Barack Obama at 2 p.m. at the Carrboro Town Commons. This show is FREE, but is likely to be packed, so, stake your place now. More info on David Menconi's blog!


Fri & Sat, May 2 & 3: Pressure Boys, Cat's Cradle
This show is near and dear to my heart because I remember seeing The Pressure Boys many, many times during my college years, and somewhere I have a warped copy of the Hell Tape. They mixes indie rock and ska before it was cool to do so, and played an awesome cover of Radar Love. Original trumpeter Stacey Guess, who died several years ago, will be missed at this show, but it's still sure to be a great trip down memory lane. This is a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (John Plymale's daughter has the disease). ALSO, Check out www.newsobserver.com on Sunday for a cool audio slide show on the band, with current and archive photos.

Saturday, May 3: Earth, Downtown Events Center
Here's the info from Mike Dillon:

Hey everybody,
I am still going to do some massive belated flyering, but I had a band drop off the bill, so I have to make some new flyers w/ the new special guest.....but on to more important matters!

EARTH IS COMING TO D.E.C. ON SAT, MAY 3RD. W/ U.S. CHRISTMAS!


BOTH OF THESE BANDS ARE AWESOME BUT EARTH IS LEGENDARY. THEY HAVE A NEW ALBUM OUT ON SOUTHERN LORD AND IT RULES. I ASK YOU ALL TO PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD UNTIL I GET PROPER FLYERING UP AND REPOST AND WHATNOT! THIS SHOW HAS TO BE SEEN.THE TICKETS ARE 10$, IT'S ALL AGES, DOORS @ 9:30 pm, SHOW @ 10:15 ish... D.E.C.


(located above ALIBI BAR on 14 W. Martin St) (Btw/ Salisbury and Fayetteville St.look for the red door)
any questions call 1-919-649-5588
For those of you who don't know about EARTH, here's the link to their wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_(band)

www.myspace.com/earthofficial www.uschristmas.net

UPCOMING IN GENERAL
Saturday, May 10: Polvo, Cat's Cradle
One of the most innovative bands ever to emerge from this area starts a series of reunion shows.

Sunday, May 18: RebusFest, Rebusworks in Raleigh
Here's info sent out by Rebus gallery in Raleigh: RebusFest, a one-day event featuring art, music, and food, will be held on Sunday, May 18. Bands include The Loners, Kickin' Grass, Starmount, Monologue Bombs, The T's, and Edmund II. Participating artists include Julie Armbruster, Casey Porn, Betty McKim, Staci Sawyer, Clifton May and Lauren Turner. Artist spaces are still available, if interested, please call 919-754-8452.
We are also looking for volunteers, if you'd like to help for a shift (11:30 until 3:30 or 3:30 until 7:30), please let us know by email or phone.

Tuesday, May 20: The Sword with Stinking Lizaveta
Austin's The Sword are one of my favorite heavy bands, though I admit their new CD is a bit over the top with Stonehenge/gnome imagery. watch the video for "Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians" (see what I mean?) off Gods Of the Earth here.

I saw Stiking Lizaveta waaaaay back in 2003 and thought they were absolutely amazing. Can't wait to see them again.

Melt Banana no longer on Lou Reed bill

I just got this from the ticketing folks. So if you're going, Lou is
going on at 7:30 sharp!

April 23, 2008

Hello Fan!

We are just writing to inform you that there will NO longer be ANY
opening acts for Lou Reed at his show at the Carolina Theatre on April
28, 2008. Therefore, Lou and his band are planning to take the stage
at 7:30 PM, and doors will open at 6:30 PM to ensure everyone makes it
inside in time!

Enjoy the show,

Lou Reed Ticketing

*If you have any questions regarding this information, please direct
them to this e-mail address: info@concertmaps.com , or call us at:
646.485.1314.

Valient artwork

Just got this message from Valient Himself:

Alahoyus:
so, in eight days i'm giving one of my kidneys to my Earth father. To
make a long story short, the band took these 2 months off, and i have
new insurance bills and other assorted things to pay for, and i'm
coming up short.

BUT, i came up with a 2 part idea.

#1, this week i'll post up a link to some images of some paintings of
mine that i wanna auction off... so if your interested in that, hit me
up
AND
#2, if you would like a line drawing portrait of yourself or whoever
done by me, ill do it for $29 bucks. That's right, Valient Himself
will draw you, however you want, in pen or sharpie on white paper for
the low low price of $29 dollars. (tryin to net 25 out of it, the
extra 4 is for postage.) Just send the picture and communicate with me
on here and ill be able to knock this out for ya, asap. Ill tell ya
where to send the loot if you are interested.

very cool,
any other ideas, im game... and the sooner the better, as ill be
feeling pretty shitty in a few days for a few weeks... so...
keep rocking, and if i dont talk to ya before hand,
i really and truely believe that rocknroll can save the world.

i love u all (just in case the shit goes down)
yrs,
valient himself

repost to buddies who may be interested!!

New Annuals video!

Check out the video for "Sore."

Windows; Mac

Here's some more info from their PR folks: Annuals unveil the video for their gorgeous song "Sore," the first track off the recently released Wet Zoo EP. The video was done by Teqtonik who did Mogwai’s “Hunted By A Freak” video, Arcade Fire’s video for “Power Out” and videos for The Shins, BRMC, Nada Surf, and more.

This week's cool shows: April 16

The T's with Suburban Sweethearts, Sadlack's
Two of my favorite local bands playing at one of my favorite drinking spots. I will unfortunately be out of town, but everyone needs to go and tell me about it. It's early (around 7 p.m.) and free. Without a doubt the show of the week.

Friday, April 18: The Strugglers CD-release party, Local 506
Take a listen to "Redeployment," off The Struggers' new CD. Pop geniuses The Never open up.


Saturday, April 19: WCOM benefit at Cat's Cradle
Featuring, among others, Prayers And Tears Of Arthur Digby Sellers, and Violet Vector and the Lovely Lovelies

Bellafea CD-release party, Local 506
With Curtains of Night and Robo Sapien. Free show!

Poonhounds with Delta Drift, Slim's
Check out my videos of the Poonhounds.


COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Friday, April 25: Dreamscapes of the Perverse at Berkeley Cafe
Symphonic Black Metal from Raleigh, without the church burning or corpse paint.



Kenny Roby, Capital City Grocery.
Kenny was in the absolutely amazing Six String Drag back in the mid-90s and now performs with his band The Mercy Filter. This is a solo show for him. I'm not sure of the time. UPDATE: It's 7-9 p.m.


Red Collar at N.C. State Earth Day Celebration
I'm guessing this is a day time show. I haven't had a chance to check out Red Collar live yet, but on the basis of their Fugazi-ish sounding CD, they're currently one of my local favorites.

UPCOMING IN GENERAL
Sunday, May 18: RebusFest, Rebusworks in Raleigh
Here's info sent out by Rebus gallery in Raleigh: RebusFest, a one-day event featuring art, music, and food, will be held on Sunday, May 18. Bands include The Loners, Kickin' Grass, Starmount, Monologue Bombs, The T's, and Edmund II. Participating artists include Julie Armbruster, Casey Porn, Betty McKim, Staci Sawyer, Clifton May and Lauren Turner. Artist spaces are still available, if interested, please call 919-754-8452.
We are also looking for volunteers, if you'd like to help for a shift (11:30 until 3:30 or 3:30 until 7:30), please let us know by email or phone.

Tuesday, May 20: The Sword with Stinking Lizaveta
Austin's The Sword are one of my favorite heavy bands, though I admit their new CD is a bit over the top with Stonehenge/gnome imagery. watch the video for "Fire Lances of the Ancient Hyperzephyrians" (see what I mean?) off Gods Of the Earth here.

I saw Stiking Lizaveta waaaaay back in 2003 and thought they were absolutely amazing. Can't wait to see them again.

Yes, it's possible to put 15 people on stage at Slim's

Dark Meat, a big bus-riding, multi-instrumental collective from Athens, Ga., proved that last night by squeezing themselves on and around the stage, and running rampantly through the tightly packed crowd at Slim's. There were two guitarists, a bass player, two drummers playing full sets, some trumpeters, a violin player, a piccolo player (not sure what one of those would be called), a girl with an incredibly high voice, and one multi-purpose percussionist, all playing this super-happy shamanistic garage rock. Check out the video. Next up were Monotonix, three crazy-looking guys from Tel Aviv, Israel, who play crazy, heavy rock, and basically ran around tearing stuff up and trying to hurt themselves. The show began with the singer jumping off the banister right in front of me (you should be able to see that on the video) and ended with them all set up -- including the drummer -- on the bar. Imagine the Jesus Lizard if everyone in the band had been as wild as David Yow.

Ghost of Saturday night and The Loners

Last time I tried to see Ghost of Saturday Night, I missed them, but discovered the Poon Hounds in stead. This time I went to Sadlack's to see The Loners, and found out there that Ghost of Saturday Night was opening. I'm impressed, but I understand Jennifer is actually not their bass player so this isn't an entirely accurate video. Can't wait to see them again.

Ghost of Saturday Nite from Mann's World on Vimeo.

As for the Loners, what else can be said? They're amazing, and one of the most beloved bands in Raleigh. Eddie Taylor's little girl was so cute dancing with her balloon in front of the band.

The Loners from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Unexpected gems in unexpected places

The last time I traveled down Highway 55 from Durham, I was on a quest to find a place called Uncle Frenchey's Jamaican restaurant so I could take a picture of the interior for the Web site I edited. I have no idea if Uncle Frenchey's still exists, but I thought about that as I drove up and down that stretch of 55 Friday night, trying to find Papa Mojo's. My reason for venturing out into strip mall land: Shake It Like a Caveman, who put on a phenomenal performance back in December at Sadlack's, was scheduled to play there.

Shake It Like a Caveman is basically one guy named Blake, who sometimes performs with another guitarist, and sometimes handles the drums, guitar and harmonica duties himself. At this particular show he was essentially on his own, but spontaneously accompanied by a washboard player who apparently was moved by the spirit to just join in on his own. Papa Mojo's is a Cajun restaurant/club tucked into a corner of a mostly Indian strip mall, and the owner plays zydeco music with his own band, Mel Melton & the Wicket Mojos, so spontaneous washboard-playing isn't really unusual there. Blake usually plays with his own small drum kit, and a mic fashioned from the hand set of an old phone, but he made do nicely with the mic and kit that the Zydeco band allowed him to use.

I sat down and had a good view of him for this video, but was blocked when the washboard player suddenly jumped on stage, so forgive the moving around.

Shake it Like a Caveman from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Free Rosebuds remix!

Here's the press release from Merge:



The Rosebuds released a "dark, sexy, danceable" record entitled Night of the Furies in the spring of 2007. Thursday, April 10, marks the one-year anniversary of the release of that record.

Night of the Furies contains songs of despair and loss that roused the musical friends of Ivan and Kelly to present them with personal reconstructions of these dark tales. The resulting assortment of dance tunes and lullabies delighted the pair and inspired them to release Sweet Beats, Troubled Sleep (Night of the Furies Remixed) in the Merge store as a free download.

Remixers include Roger O'Donnell (The Cure, The Psychedelic Furs), Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Mac McCaughan (Portastatic), and other wonderfully mysterious gentlemen.

Download the whole album here, and get your copy of Night of the Furies here. Here is the Bon Iver remix as a little preview!

The Rosebuds will be on tour with British Sea Power beginning on May 1. Full list of dates here.

A couple of non-Raleigh bands for a change

Hammer No More the Fingers from Mann's World on Vimeo.

The thing I love about Tir na nOg's Thursday Local Band Local Beer series (other than the free music and beer samples) is that it takes a bit of a risk and features bands from Chapel Hill and Durham. Thursday, I caught Durham's Hammer No More the Fingers (above), and Chapel Hill's I Was Totally Destroying It (below).

I Was Totally Destroying It from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Last night I went down to Slim's to see Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights and Rocket Cottage, but since it's a work weekend for me, I had to take off before the bands got started. I do have two late-breaking shows to tell you about for tonight.

1. Shake It Like a Caveman is playing tonight at Double Down, a club that's quickly becoming the only reason to go to Glenwood South.

2. Billy Warden & the Floating Children are reuniting this afternoon for the Goodbye Schoolkids bash over in Chapel Hill. Here are the details sent out earlier today by Cat's Cradle:

Hi Catlist... it's thecat here,
with some late breaking Cradle news!

Just wanted to let everyone know about an exciting addition to our
"So Long Schoolkids Records" show that's
taking place tomorrow, Saturday April 5th.

That will be a very special reunion performance
by Billy Warden And The Floating Children,
the band which actually played the very first
"in store" show at the last Schoolkids location
on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill!

------------------------------------------------

Here is the updated schedule for Saturday's FREE show
( donations are strongly encouraged, with all going to benefit the
Orange Co. Elementary Music Program) :


Doors open at 4:30

5:00-5:30 Billy Warden And the Floating Children
5:45-6:15 Hammer No More the Fingers
6:30-7:00 The Heist & the Accomplice
7:15-7:45 Wil Donegan & the Apologies
8:00-8:30 Michael Rank & Mark E. Smith ( from Snatches Of Pink)
8:45-9:15 North Elementary
9:30-10:00 Schooner
10:15-11:00 Watch second half of Final Four
game at the bar or on the screen.
11:00-11:30 Ben Davis & the Jetts
11:30-on: celebration and rehash of Tar Heel victory



In order to fit in all the acts that have stepped up to Rock one
last time for Schoolkids and for the Orange County Elementary
Music Program, AND give everyone who cares a chance to
watch the Final Four UNC-Kansas game, as you can see we have arranged
an elaborate schedule for the show, and an equally elaborate
video setup to project the game near our stage, as it happens!
We will also have the big screen TV on in the bar area.

EVERYONE who can should do their best to show up early for Billy
and the FLoating Children at 5 PM, this will be a performance not to be
missed!!

And bring an extra 10-spot to drop in the
donation basket, to help make sure kids in the local schools
keep their musical education coming.


ALSO don't forget tonight's show at Cat's Cradle with the
great Gary Louris from the Jayhawks, and opener Vetiver.

Thanks--
hope to see you all this weekend!

-thecat


Finally, it looks like there's a new music blog in the area. Audio Jacket has just started with a nice review of Thursday's Red Collar show.

Suburban Sweethearts playing EARLY tomorrow morning

Just got this bulletin from Suburban Sweethearts. Apparently they're going to play around 9 a.m. Keep that in mind when you see Joe Yerry and Erik Sugg out at Slim's tonight. I'm sure they'll all be responsible and go home early and sober.

Message from Suburban Sweethearts:
If any of you early morning runners are up bright and early for Saturday's Raleigh Rocks Marathon, the Suburban Sweethearts will be playing the main "finish line" stage on Fayetteville Street around 9:00 AM-ish w/ Seven Mary Three.



If that show's too early for you, you can catch us here:

April 18th @ Sadlacks on Hillsborough Street with the T's

May 3rd @ Slim's for Abe's b-day bash...

Upcoming: Get the Hint

Get the HINT:
a Future of Music Coalition Benefit Concert
in Memory of Drew Glackin
Saturday May 3 at the Pour House Music Hall
& Sunday May 4 at Sadlacks

Saturday @ The Pour House
Tres Chicas
(feat. mini Hazeldine reunion w/Shawn Barton)
The Silos
Chip Robinson w/Heavy Beat Outlet
Patty Hurst Shifter BJ Barham
Quarry Hill
Chris Mills
Tandy
Glory Fountain
Port Huron Statement

Sunday @ Sadlacks
Chip Robinson w/Heavy Beat Outlet
Kenny Roby
Lou Ford
Joe Swank & the Zen Pirates
The Cartridge Family
Proceeds will benefit the family of Drew Glackin
and the Future of Music's HINT program

www.futureofmusic.org/hint
www.drewglackin.com
www.myspace.com/drewglackin