Videos from The Lonely H and Sikamor Rooney!

I've decided that rain is the worst thing that could happen to a band playing in Raleigh. Seriously, Raleigh rockers will brave snow, sleet or just freezing cold, but if it rains, they stay the hell home.

This fact of life was not good for either The Lonely H or Sikamor Rooney, both of whom soldiered on through great sets to a sparse crowd at Slim's on a Sunday night. The first time I saw The Lonely H, I thought they were amazing. The second time, I thought they were struggling to make up for the loss of their second guitarist. Last night, they were back to amazing. It's too bad only a few of us saw them. Here's Video of "The Meal":

The Lonely H from Mann's World on Vimeo.

New York's Sikamor Rooney probably appreciated the low-key vibe because they played sitting down, due to some sort of exhaustion from the night before. I think it worked for them. Check out the video for "I'll Level with You."

See more photos here!

Win a night on the town from Random Thoughts!

Though I dare say, $100 won't touch the bar tabs of some people I know. Check out the Random Thoughts blog.

A fun, then weird night in downtown Raleigh

First things first, someone followed me as I drove home from downtown last night. I had the good sense not to drive home, but what I should have done was call 911. If you know me on myspace, the details are there. Just be careful when you're walking or driving down there late at night.

Now, on to the fun part of the evening. The Suburban Sweethearts (pictured above) totally rocked Slim's last night. My understanding is that the most recent indy compared them to The James Gang and Foghat. I don't hear that at all. Instead I hear a whole lot of MC5 with some Flamin' Groovies thrown in. Check out the video from the show.

Suburban Sweethearts from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Opening band The Booze, from Atlanta, was an awesome, tight homage to the Nuggets box set, and they're all snappy dressers too. Check out the video for "Hey Amy."

The Booze from Mann's World on Vimeo.

More photos here.

This week's cool shows: Suburban Sweethearts, The Loners and more!

(Photo by Mike Spence)

Wednesday, June 25: I Was Totally Destroying It with Soft Company and The Never, Local 506


Thursday, June 26: The Loners with Rocket Cottage, Tir na nOg
Perennial favorites, who always put on a good show.

SHOW OF THE WEEK!

Friday, June 27: Suburban Sweethearts, Slim's
Local supergroup featuring members of the Bleeding Hearts and Sir Arthur, with guitar god Erik Sugg.


Saturday, June 28: The Rock 'n' Shop Market, Tir na nOg
Buy cool stuff from local designers, and hear music from Red Collar and the Secret Theatre. 1-5 p.m.

Sunday, June 29: The Lonely H, Slim's
YOUNG group of kids who love classic rock, and play it like they invented it.





COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Thursday, July 3: Weesefest, The Pour House
Annual birthday celebration for the Pour House doorman, with The T's and Patty Hurst Shifter

Friday, July 4: Black Skies, with Tooth and Ruscha, Reservoir
Super heavy show in honor of our nation's founding. Here's the video I shot recently of Black Skies.

July 4-6: Heavy Rebel Weekend
If you love hot rods and rockabilly, you might want to take a road trip to Winston-Salem this weekend.


Sunday, July 6: Boris with Torche, Cat's Cradle
Very likely the heaviest show you'll hear all month. Torche opened for The Sword when they played Lincoln Theatre in May.

Wednesday, July 9: Joan Armatrading, Lincoln Theatre
Legendary West Indian/English singer-songwriter.


UPCOMING IN GENERAL

July 11: Regina Hexaphone, Sadlack's -- also at The Cave on July 12
Check out the video from last year.

July 11: A Rooster for the Masses, Pour House
ARFTM's awesome Danish guitarist is, sadly, moving back to Denmark. Check them out before he goes.

July 11: The Club is Open Festival with Kerbloki and Hammer No More the Fingers, Local 506

July 12 & 13: The Club is Open Festival, Cat's Cradle
Friday: Roman Candle, Red Collar, Future Kings of Nowhere, Lud and American Aquarium.
Saturday: Ben Davis and the Jets, I Was Totally Destroying It, Animal Music, Shakermaker, Salvo Hunter

July 16: Nomo with Polynya, Local 506
I don't know anything about Nomo, but Polynya put out an amazing pop album this year. Here's what I had to say about it, along with an .mp3.


July 18: Caltrop CD-release party with The Curtains of Night, Local 506
Amazing heavy band from Chapel Hill. Check out the videos here and here.

July 18: Dropsonic, Slim's
If you missed their May show, you owe it to yourself to see this one. Here's the video I got of them back then.


July 19: The Cartridge Family with Kennebec, Pour House
The Cartridge Family always rocks. Kennebec doesn't play as often as they should, so you should check them out.

July 22: Colossus, Reservoir
Old-school NWOBHM-style metal from Raleigh. Check out the video.

July 26: Avett Brothers, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary


and

Old 97s at Moore Square, Raleigh FREE!

This unfortunate bit of scheduling pits two bands with similar audiences against each other in different cities on the same day. Old 97s have the advantage of being free and within stumbling distance of several bars. And, the Connells, Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls, and The Poonhounds all open. But the Avett Brothers really could not be hotter right now, and this will be a couple of days after the release of their new CD. Avett Brothers start at 7 p.m. with an opener, and Old 97s start at 9:30, so theoretically you might be able to catch most of both.

Belated videos from Rockin' the Park

(The Virgo 9)

OK, it's no secret that Durham is not one of my favorite places. I worked over there for 5 years, so whenever I go, I always feel this sort of left-over stress. I really need to get over that because it's home to a really exciting, self-sustaining grassroots scene.

Sunday was Rockin' the Park, a day-long festival organized by Kim Gray at the Durham Farmer's Market. Dogs and kids were everywhere, and Chef Shirle sold vegan hummus and black bean wraps. A torrential downpour during Sawteeth McTweedy's set added a bit of nervous excitement -- especially when I saw that the power cord for the PA was literally underwater. Having fun, for me anyway, does not equal being electrocuted. But all went well, and I got two videos, one of The Virgo 9 (see above) and one of Sawteeth McTweedy. Seriously check out the downpour in the background of that video.

The Virgo 9 from Mann's World on Vimeo.

The Virgo 9

Sawteeth McTweedy from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Sawteeth McTweedy

Video of The T's and The Names!

Last night I went to Slim's and saw The T's for what seems like the 1,000th time. And once again they totally rocked me. Seriously, I've run out of things to say about The T's. They rock. You should see them. You should buy their tape (or, rather, their CD). You should take a look at the following videos. And if you like what you see, you should see the band at Weesefest on July 3 at the Pour House.

The Virgo 9 from Mann's World on Vimeo.

(The T's -- "Smoker Friendly")

The T's "Going Nowhere" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

(The T's -- "Goin' Nowhere." Don't know what I was thinking here. I know the song has a longer ending live, but for some reason I stopped shooting before they finished.)


The opening band was The Names, about whom I don't know much. I believe they're from Maryland. They had a really cool Plimsouls/Knack thing going on, right down to the matching outfits. Here's their video. UPDATE: Here's their myspace page.

The Names from Mann's World on Vimeo.

See more photos of the show here.

Cool shows this week: Rockin' the Park and more!

Thursday, June 19: Greg Rice and Stephen Gardner, Sadlack's
Greg plays keys for The Cartridge Family; Stephen drums for The Cartridge Family and sings and plays guitar for The T's. Not sure what they'll be doing, but it'll be early and free so check it out. 7 p.m.

Friday, June 20: Double Negative with Tooth and more at Bull City Headquarters
Raleigh's hardcore kings bring their message to the masses in Durham. $5; 8 p.m.


Friday, June 20: Teenage Prayers with Hymns at Slim's
Apparently this show has been CANCELLED.

Friday, June 20: Here Lies ... with Praetorius, Berkeley Cafe
Metal featuring a line-up with roots in several other Raleigh metal bands. Craig Hilton, who got back from a European tour showcasing his improv works, plays guitar.


Saturday, June 21: Milemarker with Fin Fang Foom and Bellefea, Local 506
Legendary semi-local band returns.


Saturday, June 21: the T's at Slim's
One of the best bands in the Triangle, with The Names -- whose videos you can check out here.

Saturday, June 21: The Annuals, ArtsCenter

Saturday, June 21: The Old Ceremony, Pour House


Sunday, June 22: Portastatic, Duke Gardens
Outdoor show, part of a summer series that also includes Bowerbirds (June 29). Get more info here

Sunday, June 22: Wye Oak and Pontiak, Local 506
I don't know anything about Wye Oak, but Pontiak rocked my socks off when I saw them last year at Reservoir. Both bands are from Baltimore.



SHOW OF THE WEEK!
Sunday June 122: Rockin' the Park, Durham Farmer's Market Pavilion
Beloved Binge, Wigg Report and Sequoya are among the bands playing this concert/picnic. Bring something to throw on the grill, and enjoy the music! Free! 2-7 p.m.


COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Wednesday, June 25: I Was Totally Destroying It with Soft Company and The Never, Local 506

Friday, June 27: Suburban Sweethearts, Slim's
Local supergroup featuring members of the Bleeding Hearts and Sir Arthur, with guitar god Erik Sugg.


Saturday, June 28: The Rock 'n' Shop Market, Tir na nOg
Buy cool stuff from local designers, and hear music from Red Collar and the Secret Theatre. 1-5 p.m.

Sunday, June 29: The Lonely H, Slim's
YOUNG group of kids who love classic rock, and play it like they invented it.



UPCOMING IN GENERAL

Thursday, July 3: Weesefest, The Pour House
Annual birthday celebration for the Pour House doorman, with The T's and Patty Hurst Shifter


July 4-6: Heavy Rebel Weekend
If you love hot rods and rockabilly, you might want to take a road trip to Winston-Salem this weekend.

July 12 & 13: The Club is Open Festival, Cat's Cradle
Featuring, among others, Red Collar, Future Kings of Nowhere and I Was Totally Destroying It.

July 26: Avett Brothers, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary

Video of Shake It Like a Caveman

Well, I can't say many of you heeded my advice to go see Shake It Like a Caveman last week because I was one of three people who showed up at the Double Down last Thursday. Saturday's show at Sadlack's was slightly better attended. Blake (akak Shake It) is a trooper for performing anyway. Here's what you missed.

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

Cool shows this week!

SHOW OF THE WEEK!
Thursday, June 12: Shake It Like a Caveman, Double Down
Raw one-man blues machine. Check out the video from April. If you miss him on Thursday, you can always catch him at Sadlack's on Saturday, June 14. Either one will be the Show of the Week!


Friday, June 13: Goner CD-release party at Slim's

Friday, June 13: Killer Filler (CD-relase) with Dom Casual, Local 505
Hillsborough surf rockers with Pressure Boys guitar player Bryon Settle on guitar.



Saturday, June 14: Shake It Like a Caveman, Sadlack's (early! and free!)


COMING UP NEXT WEEK



Friday, June 20: Teenage Prayers with Hymns at Slim's
I saw both these bands back in March, mainly because Teenage Prayers had been talked up so much to me. I ended up liking Hymns more. Here's what I wrote about them back then.


Saturday, June 21: Milemarker with Fin Fang Foom and Bellefea, Local 506
Legendary semi-local band returns.


Saturday, June 21: the T's at Slim's
One of the best bands in the Triangle, with The Names -- whose videos you can check out here.

Sunday, June 22: Portastatic, Duke Gardens
Outdoor show, part of a summer series that also includes Bowerbirds (June 29). Get more info here


UPCOMING IN GENERAL

July 4-6: Heavy Rebel Weekend
If you love hot rods and rockabilly, you might want to take a road trip to Winston-Salem this weekend.

July 12 & 13: The Club is Open Festival, Cat's Cradle
Featuring, among others, Red Collar, Future Kings of Nowhere and I Was Totally Destroying It.

July 26: Avett Brothers, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary

Back in the saddle: Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls

First off, let me apologize for being lazy the past couple of weeks. Just after Memorial Day I came down with a summer cold that really put me out of commission for a few days. Then, I spent this past weekend at the beach, where I think I finally burned the cold out of me by laying on an incredibly hot beach for a few hours. I'm feeling better now, and will be back out and about taking photos and videos.

I got back to Raleigh yesterday in time to catch Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls at Slim's during their celebration for the new Yak Productions "Terrible Love" video. But my timing was all wrong -- I decided to meet up with a friend at the Landmark, and missed the showing of the video itself. Oh well, here's MY video of them playing that song last night.

Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls, "Terrible Love" from Mann's World on Vimeo.

DuoFest updates

Eleni posted this in a comment below, but I wanted to make it more visible. Here's the final DuoFest lineup:

Thanks for posting Karen! Here is the final lineup, which changed a bit from the original email, as well as the times:

3:00--2013 Wolves
3:30— Horned Goat Cookie Party
4:00—All Your Science
4:30— Manblossom
5:00-- Resist Not! (NOTE: Another change here: will be Ward and Dan Streib; Shayne will be out of town)
5:30—Sawteeth McTweedy
6:00— The Scientific Superstar
6:30—Speedsquare
7:00--***DINNER BREAK!***
8:00— Fortress of Swatches
8:30-- Beloved Binge
9:00— The Saint Peter Pocket Veto
9:30—The Whole World Laughing
10:00—Sequoya
10:30—Spacelab
11:00—Apis Bull
11:30—Jews & Catholics
12:00-- Opening Flower Happy Bird
12:30—Curtains of Night

alright!

--binge

This week's cool shows: Duofest, Richard Bacchus and more!

The Curtains of Night, Saturday, BCHQ

Friday, June 6: Plastic CameraWorks, Rebus Works

This is non-musical, but looks cool anyway: Please join us this Friday for the opening reception of Plastic CameraWorks on Friday, June 6 from 6-10 p.m. The exhibition continues through July 26.

Plastic Camera Works features the work of thirty photographers from across the country. All photographs in the exhibition were taken by plastic cameras, including those considered “toy cameras” like the Holga, the early affordable point-and-shoot cameras like the Brownie and Diana, and the instantly-gratifying Polaroid. Photographers selected for this open-call, juried exhibition range from the lifelong photographers, for whom the film camera is their first love, to young artists. The jurors for the exhibition are Nicole Welch, Raleigh artist and the Curator of Education at the Contemporary Art Museum, and Shonna Greenwell, Raleigh photographer and owner of Rebus Works.

Exhibiting photographers:

Tom Winstead, Alison Overton, Kurt Fassett-Meyer, Vignettes of Our Lives, Geoff Wood, Ron Flory, Dakota Keck, Todd Brantley, Sarah Maltais, Sarah Powers, Louanne Watley, Abby Nardo, Nicole Bivins, Janeile Egbert, Rachael Lebron, Seanette Broughton, Nick Pironio, Jenn Halter Prenda, Bliss Alexander-Smith, Eric Schneider, Lindsay Lynch, MC Byrne, RK Oliver, Byron Browne, James Giotta, David Walser, Charlotte Vaughn, Miranda Maynard, Lisa Quatrale, Ronnie Tomany




Friday, June 6: Swervedriver with The Nein, Cat's Cradle
English shoegaze band with locals The Nein, who have undergone a bit of a lineup change since I last saw them. See video of The Nein.


Saturday, June 7: The Infamous Sugar, Slims
Apparently The Sugar has had to amend his name because someone else is claiming it. But they won't be as sweet, or as totally nasty. Two sets.


SHOW OF THE WEEK
Saturday, June 7: DuoFest, Bull City Headquarters

Thanks to Eleni Binge from Beloved Binge for e-mailing me the details about this awesome show this Saturday:

Hi Karen,

I hope all is well with you. We're busy getting ready to hit the road for an entire year both with our band & my documentary. whew. Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know about the 2nd annual duofest...amazing lineup this year with so, so many two-piecers.

RIP to the duos that died since last year, and become trios, solos, or quartets. But thank duo, this year's fest celebrates many new two-pieces you might not have discovered.

It's taking place June 7th, 3:00 pm at Bull City Headquarters, Durham, NC:

Here, in no particular order, are the bands playing. A few are still being confirmed, but the final lineup will be here: http://www.myspace.com/durhamduofest

2013 Wolves (Charlotte, Milestone folks)
Resist Not! (Duo including Shayne, FKON on Drums)
Sawteeth McTweedy
Fortress of Swatches
All Your Science (featuring the backpack drumset)
Speedsquare
Scientific Superstar (devo?)
Horned Goat Cookie Party (Anne Gomez & Joyce V's new project)
The Saint Peter Pocket Veto
Manblossom (oh, yeah)

DINNER (veg potluck) BREAK!
Beloved Binge
Sequoya (album coming out soon)
The Whole World Laughing
SpaceLab
Jew(s) & Catholic(s) (You're classically trained, aren't you?" said my mom after a show)
Opening Flower Happy Bird
Apis Bull
Curtains of Night
Robo Sapien (need to confirm)

Sunday, June 8: Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls with The Hot Pursuit, Slim's
It's Ricky's birthday, so come drink some tequila with him to celebrate.

Tuesday, June 10: Mudhoney with Birds of Avalon, Cat's Cradle
Legendary grunge masters. Birds of Avalon tour so much now you'd do well to catch them while you can.




COMING UP NEXT WEEK

Friday, June 13: Goner CD-release party at Slim's

Friday, June 13: Killer Filler (CD-relase) with Dom Casual, Local 505
Hillsborough surf rockers with Pressure Boys guitar player Bryon Settle on guitar.

Saturday, June 14: Shake It Like a Caveman, Sadlack's (early! and free!)
Raw one-man blues machine. Check out the video from April.


UPCOMING IN GENERAL
Friday, June 20: Teenage Prayers with Hymns at Slim's
I saw both these bands back in March, mainly because Teenage Prayers had been talked up so much to me. I ended up liking Hymns more. Here's what I wrote about them back then.


Saturday, June 21: Milemarker with Fin Fang Foom and Bellefea, Local 506
Legendary semi-local band returns.


Saturday, June 21: the T's at Slim's


July 4-6: Heavy Rebel Weekend
If you love hot rods and rockabilly, you might want to take a road trip to Winston-Salem this weekend.

July 12 & 13: The Club is Open Festival, Cat's Cradle
Featuring, among others, Red Collar, Future Kings of Nowhere and I Was Totally Destroying It.