A modest proposal to all Triangle club owners

I would seriously like for all you guys to get together and decide what time is "showtime" and then coordinate. Yes, I know I hang out at Slim's, where shows tend to start around 11 p.m. And, yes, I know that a four-band show by nationally known bands is likely to start a little earlier. That said, I did NOT expect Monotonix to be done playing when I got to Volume 11 last night at 10:30. I understand they did their set in the parking lot and totally rocked. Oh well.Early Man (above) was next, and I was very pleased to see that they'd filled out the band with a bass player and a second guitarist, both of whom were, as Angela succinctly put it, "hot as balls." Here's the video of "Feeding Frenzy."

Early Man from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Even though the crowd was a bit smaller than I would have expected, Valient Thorr, wasted no effort in their performance. Valient Himself certainly didn't act like a dude who had some pretty major surgery not too long ago. I dare saw no one had more fun than the gigantic stuffed fish (stuffed as in stuffed animal, not taxidermied), which someone started tossing through the crowd (see above). That thing went all over the club, and several times ended up onstage in Valient's arms. You can see it in action in the video for "Parable of Daedalus."

Valient Thorr from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Superchunk, Rosebuds, Birds of Avalon play for Cy Rawls

Grayson has the details on his blog:
http://www.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A261732

Dinner with the Loners!

This looks like a great early event before the Cy Rawls benefit with
Grass Widow at Slims! Skullbuckle is from Wilmington and includes
former members of Rural Swine, whose song "3D Chow Box" is a North
Carolina classic.

have dinner with the loners
Body:
this(first friday)aug. 1st, rebus works presents the loners with skull
buckle.cheap eats bbq,fried chicken and fixins too! not to mention big
boss brewers will be .giving free samples of their tasty brews for
your drinkin' pleasure.this is an early event,starts at 7ish.for more
info. and directions go to www. rebusworks. us ...all you rock moms
and dads bring the chillins and chill out to tunes,art and eats see ya
there!

Cool shows this week! The Whistlestop, Cy Rawls benefit and more!

(The Whistlestop, Saturday at The Pour House)

Thursday, July 31, Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights, Tir na Nog
I've written a lot about Sir Arthur. Here's what I had to say about their first show, along with a couple of videos. "The Yep" is a great song, and one of my favorites by a local band.



Friday, Aug. 1: Benefit for Cy Rawls with Grass Widow and Devour, Slim's
The first of many local benefits, I'm sure. Come out and help support local rock fanatic Cy Rawls, who is battling a brain tumor without health insurance. Also, according to the bulletin on myspace:

If you attend the benefit @ Slim’s, please bring any extra blank CDR’s, Kinkos copy cards, and CD jewel cases as Andrew Wood plans to release a local music sampler to raise extra money. Devour and Grass Widow's songs are confirmed…any other bands interested please contact him. Any new, live, or existing material is welcome (just don't screw yourself with copyright problems).


SHOW OF THE WEEK
Saturday, Aug. 2: The Whistlestop, The Pour House
All-star alt-country group has its CD-release party, with
See video from the last time I saw The Whistlestop. with David Dyer & the Crooked Smile Band and Kenny Roby and Scott McCall.

Check out "Hobo Love Song" by The Whistlestop from their new CD.





Tuesday, Aug. 5: Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls, Slim's



COMING UP NEXT WEEK



Aug. 8: Starmount with Whalewatchers, Slim's
Check out video from Starmount here


Aug. 10: The Dirty Little Heaters, Slim's
Awesome, angry girl rock. Check out the video from their recent show at Tir na Nog here.


Aug. 10: The Moaners, The Cave
Another awesome girl band. The Moaners aren't as angry as the Dirty Little Heaters, but they will rock you just as hard, especially when Melissa starts playing the saw.

Aug. 14: Future Kings of Nowhere, Tir na Nog


Aug. 16: The Never, ArtsCenter


UPCOMING IN GENERAL

Aug. 29: Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights with Dirty Johnny & the Makebelieves, Slim's
One of the first shows I documented for my blog was Dirty Johnny & the Makebelieves on Nov. 11, 2005, at Slim's. I remember that date because I also met my friend Flo, who would end up being very special to me, at that show. Unfortunately the video from that show was put on a server that no longer exists. I probably have the original video somewhere, but honestly am not going to look for it right now. Maybe I'll put it up before the show. In the meantime, you can see the original entry, and video from the second time I saw them, here.



Aug. 30: Raleigh Rumble IV, Vintage Bikes & Rock, Slim's


Fri, Sept. 5: The Old Ceremony, Cat's Cradle


Sept. 5: Pine State, Local 506
Back in the day, no one, and I mean no one, put on a crazy tent-revival show, or tore up a club, like Pine State. I remember one show in which The Gimp allowed people (including me) to whip him, and another in which Charlie Speight walked around in a sparkly thong and some other guy whose name I forget ate brains out of a can and then threw up on stage. they also played my 1994 Christmas party when I lived in Boylan Heights and got mad when I told them they couldn't bring a gutted-out piano into the house. At some point, they also played music. I don't know who is in this line-up, but I would give anything if they would bring back the Yngwie-loving Japanese guitarist who was briefly in the band.


Sept. 11: The Bronzed Chorus, Tir na Nog
I can truthfully say this band was one of the most surprising bands I've seen all year. I still don't know what to make of them except to say that they're amazing and that you need to go see them. See the video from the show in April.



Sept. 19-21: Sparkcon, venues throughout downtown.
I missed the last two Sparkcons because I was in Germany each year. This September I'll be in Raleigh, and I look forward to checking it out.

Halloween with the Avetts

Unfortunately I had to miss the Avett Brothers this weekend because of
a friend's wedding (I shouldn't say unfortunately because I had a
great time and it was a beautiful ceremony). However, I do NOT intend
to miss them on Halloween at War Memorial Coliseum in Greensboro.
Tickets went on sale at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Pre-sale
password required.

Rosebuds announce new CD!

Grayson has the details on his blog.

Going away party for Mikey Ross TONIGHT!

In case you haven't heard, former Slim's manager Mikey Ross is moving
to San Francisco next week. Say good bye to him starting at 6 p.m.
tonight at Deep South.

Art Attack! Youth Art Opening at BCHQ this Friday!

From their myspace bulletin:


BCHQ is hosting it's 3rd Art Attack Installation this Friday at BCHQ!

This month's artist is Tessa Guze a DSA alum and it is called "Gift of Love".



Come to the opening of this great event at 723 N Mangum St between 7 and 9pm, this Friday, the 25th!

All proceeds for Art Attack will be used for an arts scholarship for the youth involved!

Hope to see you there!

BCHQ

Cool shows this week: Valient Thorr, Avett Bros. Old '97s and more!

(Valient Thorr, Volume 11, Tuesday)

Thursday, July 24: Citified with Goner, Tir na Nog
Goner's awesome new album is called "Rock 'n' Roll Always Forgets." Greensboro's Citified reminds me of an updated Smiths. Hoping to FINALLY catch them live.

Friday, July 25: I was Totally Destroying It with Hammer No More the Fingers, Max & The Marginalized, Sleepsound, at the IWTDI House, 5804 Crescent Dr, Chapel Hill.
A good chance to see IWTDI before they head out on tour with Conor Oberst.


Friday, July 25: The Loners with The Heavy Pets, Slim's

Friday, July 25: Bobzilla birthday celebration with the OAK Team and the Infamous Sugar, The Pour Househttp://www.the-pour-house.com/
Bob is the tour manager who gives an insiders look at the rock 'n' roll life via his blog.


Friday, July 25: Citified with The Strugglers and Gray Young, Local 506
Chris from Citified says "this show will be a multimedia event...a visual spectacular!" I'm not sure what that means, but it sounds interesting. Citified and The Strugglers will also be on WKNC that afternoon at 5 p.m.


Saturday, 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.

Saturday, July 26: ASG, Volume 11 Tavern
If you want to skip the whole Avetts vs. Old '97s debate altogether you could just go see Wilmington hard rockers ASG.



Sunday, July 27: Neu Romance, the Alibi
Weekly dance party, with DJs Madcow, Castro, Drew and Nick. Neu Romance has always been fun, but seems to have some new life now that it has moved to Alibi.



SHOW OF THE WEEK
Tuesday, July 29: Valient Thorr with Early Man, Monotonix and H.O.W., Volume 11
Hometown hard rock kings return with a who's who of heavy rockers supporting them. Monotonix put on a helluva show at Slim's back in May. Here's video from that show.


Tuesday, July 29: The Armed Forces with The Virgo 9 and the Nondenoms, Pour House
I don't know anything about The Armed Forces or the Nondenoms, but Virgo 9 is an angsty girl rock duo who put on a good show at Rockin' the Park. Here's the video.


COMING UP NEXT WEEK
Thursday, July 31, Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights, Tir na Nog
I've written a lot about Sir Arthur. Here's what I had to say about their first show, along with a couple of videos. "The Yep" is a great song, and one of my favorites by a local band.



Friday, Aug. 1: Benefit for Cy Rawls with Grass Widow and Devour, Slim's
The first of many local benefits, I'm sure. Come out and help support local rock fanatic Cy Rawls, who is battling a brain tumor without health insurance. Also, according to the bulletin on myspace:

If you attend the benefit @ Slim’s, please bring any extra blank CDR’s, Kinkos copy cards, and CD jewel cases as Andrew Wood plans to release a local music sampler to raise extra money. Devour and Grass Widow's songs are confirmed…any other bands interested please contact him. Any new, live, or existing material is welcome (just don't screw yourself with copyright problems).




Saturday, Aug. 2: The Whistlestop, The Pour House
All-star alt-country group has its CD-release party, with
See video from the last time I saw The Whistlestop. with David Dyer & the Crooked Smile Band and Kenny Roby and Scott McCall.


Tuesday, Aug. 5: Richard Bacchus & the Luckiest Girls, Slim's



UPCOMING IN GENERAL

Aug. 8: Starmount with Whalewatchers, Slim's
Check out video from Starmount here


Aug. 10: The Dirty Little Heaters, Slim's
Awesome, angry girl rock. Check out the video from their recent show at Tir na Nog here.


Aug. 10: The Moaners, The Cave
Another awesome girl band. The Moaners aren't as angry as the Dirty Little Heaters, but they will rock you just as hard, especially when Melissa starts playing the saw.

Aug. 14: Future Kings of Nowhere, Tir na Nog


Aug. 16: The Never, ArtsCenter



Aug. 29: Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights with Dirty Johnny & the Makebelieves, Slim's
One of the first shows I documented for my blog was Dirty Johnny & the Makebelieves on Nov. 11, 2005, at Slim's. I remember that date because I also met my friend Flo, who would end up being very special to me, at that show. Unfortunately the video from that show was put on a server that no longer exists. I probably have the original video somewhere, but honestly am not going to look for it right now. Maybe I'll put it up before the show. In the meantime, you can see the original entry, and video from the second time I saw them, here.



Aug. 30: Raleigh Rumble IV, Vintage Bikes & Rock, Slim's


Fri, Sept. 5: The Old Ceremony, Cat's Cradle


Sept. 5: Pine State, Local 506
Back in the day, no one, and I mean no one, put on a crazy tent-revival show, or tore up a club, like Pine State. I remember one show in which The Gimp allowed people (including me) to whip him, and another in which Charlie Speight walked around in a sparkly thong and some other guy whose name I forget ate brains out of a can and then threw up on stage. they also played my 1994 Christmas party when I lived in Boylan Heights and got mad when I told them they couldn't bring a gutted-out piano into the house. At some point, they also played music. I don't know who is in this line-up, but I would give anything if they would bring back the Yngwie-loving Japanese guitarist who was briefly in the band.


Sept. 11: The Bronzed Chorus, Tir na Nog
I can truthfully say this band was one of the most surprising bands I've seen all year. I still don't know what to make of them except to say that they're amazing and that you need to go see them. See the video from the show in April.



Sept. 19-21: Sparkcon, venues throughout downtown.
I missed the last two Sparkcons because I was in Germany each year. This September I'll be in Raleigh, and I look forward to checking it out.

Holy crap! Carcass is coming to Volume 11

From the bulletin sent out on myspace by the venue. Apparently Michael Amott is in this lineup, but drummer Ken Owen isn't. Only stop between Baltimore & Atlanta. Since 1992 since Carcass has played the States. $30 tickets available Wednesday, July 23rd @ volume11tavern.com Doors @ 7:30 Get your ticket early because you might not make it in without one.

Get Gin and Juiced with Snoop?

According to my co-worker, Snoop's crew is going to be at The Office (the one in the warehouse district, not the dive bar -- and I mean that in a good way -- on Johnson Street) following his show tomorrow night. Who knows if Snoop will show up too, but Prince was there after his last concert in the area, so there's a good precedent. Read about it.

Correction on Cy benefit

Double Negative is NOT playing the show on Aug. 1, because Brian is on
tour with the Melvins. However, Grass Widow and Devour are still on
the bill. Thanks!

Benefit for Cy with Double Negative, Grass Widow and Devour!

I'm sure this will be the first of many.

Benefit for Cy Rawls on Friday, August 1, 2008

w/ Devour, Grass Widow, & Double Negative @ Slim's 227 S. Wilmington St.Raleigh, NC 27601

Calling all bands -- donate a song for Cy

From the blog for Cy: Some folks are putting forth the idea of an online music store featuring bands Cy likes. Check out the blog post to weigh in or offer to volunteer.

"A Buzz, A Buzz" by Bombadil

First off, I want to apologize to the good folks in Bombadil because they sent me this CD months ago, and even though I've been listening to it, I'm just now getting around to writing about it. Now that things are settling down for me a bit, I plan to start reviewing CDs and including .mp3s again on the blog. That said, I'm not sure these guys NEED me to write anything about their new CD, which is very aptly titled "A Buzz, A Buzz." With write-ups in Paste and Ear Farm and a crazy touring schedule that includes this weekend's Floydfest, they're doing just fine on their own. (If you want to see them in North Carolina any time soon, they'll be at Finnegan's Wake in Winston this Friday.) Another problem: This CD is damn hard to describe. Paste mentioned international folk and mountain blues, which I guess is accurate, though I don't hear much international influence. In fact, "A Buzz, A Buzz" seems entirely homegrown in its everything-but-the-kitchen-sink winsome weirdness. "Johnny," by Bombadil 

For those who remember Friend Side Monkey

Ian and Eddie from that band have sort of reformed as the Ex-Monkeys, and will be at Local 506 tonight. Here's their bio, which describes them better than I can at this early hour:

The Ex-Monkeys are a Raleigh, NC based duo mixing up electronic, hip-hop, experimental, and punk rock influences. Members Ian Shannon and Ed Winstead joined forces in the mid 90s to provide sample material for a mutual friend (richm of Glycerin). This work led to the formation of the group Friend Side Monkey which provided live electronica for the Triangle area of North Carolina. FSM played shows with a diverse group of artists including Trans Am, Terminator X, Superchunk and Eugene Chadbourne. Originally, Shannon was a member of the Wifflefist media collective, helping organize multimedia performances and playing in local bands The Beatless, Polycarp and Repetophile. Winstead could be found hanging out and making sounds on Friday nights at WXDU with DJ Samps, 9th Wonder and Big Dho. The Ex-Monkeys create their sound using software, turntables and actual hardware such as a trusty 808! The result is down-tempo, beat-heavy, with nice noise and crunch. Contact the Ex-Monkeys at exmonkeys@gmail.com or on Myspace at www.myspace.com/theExMonkeys

Saturday Night Fever!

NOTE: High res version is here, but it will take about 30 minutes to download.

Move over Dancing Tony! A new Twinkle Toes is in town to run everyone off the dance floor with his crazy-ass moves.

Last night's Cartridge Family show at the Pour House, which was fine in its own right, was made one thousand and fifty times better by the appearance Dancing Duncan, whose interpretive dirty dancing had everyone whipping out their cell phone cams and looking at each other like "WTF?" The look on Greg Rice's face as he struggled to keep singing while being forced to view the crazed rug-cutting before him was priceless. Toward the end of the video, which unfortunately isn't as clear as I would have likes, Jenn and Lutie sneak into the frame and start putting on their own show. Sorry, girls, but you just can't out-dance THE MAN!

Hbomb immediately recognized him as the guy who was also gettin' down at the Arcade Fire/Superchunk Obama rally. Playing the cub reporter, she questioned him after the show and found out his name is Duncan and that he actually works for the DNC! (Yours truly, who actually is a journalist, was more concerned with getting back to the Landmark than hearing this dude's story.) What he literally said was that he goes around and "does his thing" for the DNC, which, I guess means dancing. Well, if THAT doesn't get you to vote for Obama, what will?? She also asked him if his name was Dunkin' as in Dunkin' Donuts or Duncan as in Duncan Hines (it's Hines). And she got this gem of a quote from him: "A man's gotta DANCE!"

That he does.

The power of a REALLY angry woman

Gentlemen, I would advise you never to get on Reese McHenry's bad side. To do so will basically invite her to basically tear you a new one in song. The last time I saw The Dirty Little Heaters, it was McHenry on vocals and guitar, and another woman on drums -- and that was during a Carolina Rollergirls bout back when they still were at the roller rink. Now the band is a three piece with Rob Walsh of the Spinns on bass and Dave Perry of Jett Rink on drums. The beefed up sound really works to support McHenry's powerful voice. Imagine if PJ Harvey -- at her most pissed off -- sang like Janis Joplin and fronted The Donnas. When McHenry screams out "don't tell me to fucking chill!" I imagine the object of her rage holding onto a chair for dear life and saying, "OK baby, I'm wrong! For whatever it was I did, I'm wrong!" Here are a couple of videos from their show Thursday at Tir na Nog. The second one was actually the first song of the set. I tried to be lazy and just lean against the stone wall, but too many people started standing in front of me, so I ended up moving -- while still shooting -- to the front of the stage. They'll be at Slim's on Aug. 10 with Suburban Sweethearts.

Dirty Little Heaters from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Dirty Little Heaters from Mann's World on Vimeo.

This week's cool shows: Caltrop, Dropsonic and more!

(Caltrop Saturday at Local 506)

Wednesday, July 16: Future Kings of Nowhere, Slim's
Let's see how Durham's semi-acoustic, angsty punk-pop Kings go over at the home of jaded Raleigh rawk.

Wednesday, 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.


Thursday, July 17: Dirty Little Heaters, Tir na nOg
Part of the Local Band, Local Beer series. Free!

SHOW OF THE WEEK!

Friday, 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.

Friday, 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.


Friday, July 18:
Blag'ard, Dive Bar
Here's what I had to say about Blag'ard earlier this week:



Saturday, 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.

Monday, July 21: Man Will Destroy Himself, Slim's
A heavy show to rock you on a Monday night.

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



COMING UP NEXT WEEK

Friday, July 25: I was Totally Destroying It with Hammer No More the Fingers, Max & The Marginalized, Sleepsound, at the IWTDI House, 5804 Crescent Dr, Chapel Hill.
A good chance to see IWTDI before they head out on tour with Conor Oberst .


Friday, July 25: The Loners with The Heavy Pets, Slim's

Friday, July 25: Bobzilla birthday celebration with the OAK Team and the Infamous Sugar, The Pour Househttp://www.the-pour-house.com/
Bob is the tour manager who gives an insiders look at the rock 'n' roll life via his blog: http://bd58.blogspot.com/

Saturday, 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.


UPCOMING IN GENERAL
July 29: Valient Thorr with Early Man, Monotonix and H.O.W., Volume 11
Hometown hard rock kings return with a who's who of heavy rockers supporting them. Monotonix put on a helluva show at Slim's back in May. Here's video from that show.


July 29: The Armed Forces with The Virgo 9 and the Nondenoms, Pour House
I don't know anything about The Armed Forces or the Nondenoms, but Virgo 9 is an angsty girl rock duo who put on a good show at Rockin' the Park. Here's the video.

Blog for updates on Cy Rawls

I hesitated to post about Cy Rawls because I wasn't sure exactly how public the information was. If you go to shows or know anything about music in the Triangle, you likely know uber-fan Cy. He nearly died this weekend when he suffered a seizure as doctors were prepping him for surgery to remove a rapidly growing brain tumor. His friend Kerry Cantwell has started a blog for his friends to keep up with developments.

My thoughts are with Cy and his friends and family, and I hope to see him out rockin' again soon.

Catching up from Thursday and Friday

Thursday a gang of folks from The N&O went out to the Pour House to see N&O photographer Jason Arthurs' band, Whoa ... an Ellipsis, and to say goodbye to another co-worker who is off to USA Today. The band was kind of screamo, which really isn't my thing, but I think they did a good job of it. They just need to get a simpler name. I missed the teenage hardcore band, but I understand they totally kicked ass. Here's the video for "1060 W. Addison."

Whoa ... an ellipsis from Mann's World on Vimeo.

Two doors down at Tir na Nog, all-star alt-country group The Whistlestop was playing, so walking back and forth between the two clubs was certainly a strange juxtaposition. This is the latest band with Rob Watson, Scotty Miller and Pee Wee Watson. Here are two songs from The Whistlestop. The first is a fairly quiet song, so you hear a lot of chatter among the Tir na Nog patrons. I suppose most of them were hangers-on from dinner. Otherwise, I can't think of any reason why someone would go to a show and just talk through the whole thing.

The Whistlestop from Mann's World on Vimeo.

(first song) See more photos.Friday was a different scene altogether, when Angela and I went to Chapel Hill to see Blag'ard's CD-release party at guitarist Joe Taylor's house. Black Skies and Caltrop -- who is now officially my favorite band in the Triangle -- opened up. Black Skies and Caltrop are both heavy and sludgy, while Blag'ard had a slightly poppier feel. Angela compared them to Pavement, and I don't think that's far off the mark. Regardless, it was great to go to a house party again. There's nothing like seeing a band play under a bunch of Christmas lights in a back yard. Plus I saw a couple of folks from way back in the day, including one woman I knew during my years at ECU in the late '80s. The video of Caltrop unfortunately was corrupted, but here's video of Blag'ard's "Kick Out Queen."

Blag'ard from Mann's World on Vimeo.

See more photos.

Cool shows for this week!

(Ben Davis & the Jets -- The Club is Open Festival)


Thursday, July 10: The Aggressive Pedestrians with Project 27 and Whoa ... an Ellipsis, The Pour House
Full disclosure here: My co-worker, Jason Arthurs, is the bass player for Whoa ... an Ellipsis. According to him, The Aggressive Pedestrians are a group of teens from Raleigh who play thrash and hardcore. Project 27 is a pop-punk band from New York.


Friday, July 11: Grass Widow with Pinche Gringo from Mexico City and Barberries from Atlanta, Slim's
NOTE: Pinche Gringo and The Barberries will be at Reservoir in Carrboro on Saturday, July 12

Friday, July 11: Blag'ard, Caltrop and Black Skies, Blag'ard Mansion
Here's the note sent out by Blag'ard on Myspace:
11th july = party at my house with black skies / caltrop / blag'ard.
party starts 5pm first band by 6:30.
look for the sign that says "football camp" across from southern village.
"bobcat" our 14 song debut available at the party for $10.
fish oil is good for your skin.
everyone will be driving street legal golf carts soon.
try giving somebody the finger in traffic from one of those.
consumerism will kill cool before you turn 40. get used to the idea of living in the woods. you only live once. then "you" are "dead". we have decided this is "sad".
free will and predestination are the same thing. animals gave up speaking because humans started doing it and it wasn't cool anymore.

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

Friday, 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.

SHOWS OF THE WEEK!
Friday, July 11: The Club is Open Festival with Kerbloki and Hammer No More the Fingers, Local 506

Saturday and Sunday 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

Saturday, July 12: The T's, Moore Square
Raleigh Downtown Live has been, for the most part, bringing some pretty crappy bands to Raleigh. But they make up for it by having awesome local bands open up. This week's show features Tantric and Altarbridge, but The T's will be playing from 6 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, July 13: Neu Romance, Alibi
Long-standing dance party moves to its new spot.

COMING UP NEXT WEEK

Wednesday, July 16: Future Kings of Nowhere, Slim's
Let's see how Durham's semi-acoustic, angsty punk-pop Kings go over at the home of jaded Raleigh rawk.

Wednesday, 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.


Thursday, July 17: Dirty Little Heaters, Tir na nOg
Part of the Local Band, Local Beer series. Free!



Friday, 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.

Friday, 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.


Saturday, 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.

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


UPCOMING IN GENERAL

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.

Hear a new track from Red Collar!

But not here ... Details below from the band:

Great!

Get your tape recorders ready.



Turn on and tune in to WKNC this Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 for the Local Beat with DJ Stevo. He will be speaking with Jay Kutchma and Rusty Sutton about the ongoing Club Is Open Festival, which is taking place this week at various Chapel Hill venues. And, they will also be playing a track from the nearly finished Red Collar full-length album, Pilgrim.



If you're outside of the Triangle but don't want to miss it, you can listen online at http://www.wknc.org/listen.php.



Don't forget that we will be playing at the Cat's Cradle this Saturday evening as part of the festival. We hope to see you there.



Salud!

Who's the best bartender in Raleigh?

I have a whole host of folks I want to nominate, and if you go out as much as I do, I'm sure you have a few names too.

Nominate them HERE.

Longbranch to close

David Menconi has the story here:
http://blogs.newsobserver.com/beat/rip-longbranch and here:
http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/1133352.html

I can't say I spent much time at the Longbranch, but I did see an
amazing show by Mother's Finest there in 1999.

Avett Brothers sign with American, record with Rick Rubin

Just got this on myspace:

To our dearest fans,

Since we first performed as The Avett Brothers,we have been fortunate enough to find and build a genuine and mutual respect with those who care to listen. It is this kind exchange that champions our music,and allows us the forum to continue on our path,with this work,this art. We believe this to be an appropriate time for a brief update,as we would like for you all to know of the most noteworthy of present developments.



We have recently begun working on a new full length album with Rick Rubin. The recording process has been,and will no doubt continue to be,an experience defined by heightened levels of commitment and conviction. It is our distinct pleasure and honor to be in such fine company as we build and bring this most current chapter of songs to fruition.



With this union has come another,as we have just completed and signed an agreement with American/Columbia Records,the label with whom we will proudly release our next record. It is our sincere hope, in regard to this news,that our ongoing relationship with Ramseur Records is understood. There have been,and will be no hard feelings or abandon-based resentment from either party involved. The Avett and Ramseur camps remain strongly and truthfully connected, both personally and professionally. There has been no change in these matters through this momentous transition.



For all of you who have gone to such great lengths to show your appreciation,we continue in our most sincere efforts to return the sentiment. The music would go nowhere without you. Our hearts and our minds are on the recording of this next album,and we look forward with great anticipation to sharing it with you all. Until then,thank you as always,and we will see you somewhere on that open road...

Sincerely,
The Avett Brothers
July, 2008

Videos from Starmount and The Magic Babies

Not much time to write, but did want to upload these two videos from The Magic Babies and Starmount, both of whom played last night at Tir na nOg. The Magic Babies are Small Faces-style British blues rock, and include Galen and Charles from The Weather. Starmount is the new instrumental band by Greg Elkins (Vanilla Trainwreck). It's kind of countryish (thanks to the pedal-steel guitar) and kind of jazzy (thanks to the stand-up bass and Brian Donohoe's drumming). Ultimately it's something I'd prefer to listen to on a Sunday morning rather than in a crowded club, but it's definitely worth checking out.

Magic Babies from Mann's World on Vimeo.

(The Magic Babies)

Starmount from Mann's World on Vimeo.

(Starmount)

Old Craig Zearfoss videos on myspace!

The Triangle's original rock documentarian, Craig Zearfoss, has put some of his old Z-TV videos -- including some of my old band, Chew Toy, on Myspace. Check them out, and relive the early '90s in Chapel Hill.

"Terrible Love" finally on Youtube!

Check out the video that Yak Productions (Spencey and Johnny Pontiac) did for Richard Bacchus and the Luckiest Girls' "Terrible Love," and see how many Slim's regulars you recognize!