New music from Estrangers, Grohg and more!

I feel bad for not posting this yesterday because Estrangers, who are from Winston-Salem played last night at Local 506. Their fuzzy, summery, AM Gold EP, Sunmelt, is great hot-weather listening, and more than a little reminiscent of the Love Language's first album. Appropriately, they even have a song called "AM Summer Radio Bech Hit #3," which really does explain their whole aesthetic. I'd like to see them live, but unless they book another show soon, I'll have to wait until the Local Band Local Beer, Aug. 23 at Tir na Nog. For that show they'll be with The Lollipops, a newish Raleigh band I've been hearing great things about. If you're in Winston-Salem, Estrangers will be at Ziggy's tonight. 

On the heavier end of things, Grohg has released an EP, Culture of Petty Thieves, on bandcamp, and will have a release party at Kings on July 7. Parts of this I really like, and parts of it I'm indifferent to (not really into the sampled voices that show up throughout the EP). But I REALLY like the song "The Artist's Divine Inspiration," which has a bit of a Jesus Lizard feel. It's funny that I mentioned The Love Language already because I still keep hearing people say they will not listen to Grohg because "that guy from The Love Language" (a.k.a. Stu McLamb) is in the band. I have had some really smart open-minded people say this to me. First off, Stu is no longer in the band. Craig Hilton -- whose metal credentials cannot be disputed -- took his place. Secondly, even if Stu were still in the band, why in the world would that matter? Is it really inconceivable that someone can create pop music and metal? Do you really think that if you hate a band, you're going to hate another band simply because the two share members? I actually love the Love Language, so I don't get this at all, and I really don't get it because Stu is no longer in the band! If you're into heavy music, you should listen to Grohg. If you hate them, you hate them, but don't hate them because of someone who is not even in the band. 

The rootsy Radar's Clowns of Sedation also have their first album out now, and you can hear it on Bandcamp. Fans of Jennyanykind or Jule Brown would definitely like this. Make sure to check out "In the Longest Night."

Also, The Bowerbirds have a new video out for "Sweet Moment" from their recent release "The Clearing." See it here.

New Music: Spider Bags

It's Friday evening, so enjoy this track from the upcoming Spider Bags upcoming third full length album, "Shake My Head," out Aug. 7 on Odessa Records. I know I've been enjoying it! 

Spider Bags - "Friday Night"

This week's cool shows: The Sword and Red Fang

I'm giving you a full week to prepare for the show of the week: Red Fang and The Sword at Kings next Wednesday, June 20. Red Fang, which inclues former Raleighites David Sullivan and John Sherman, is currently touring behind its excellent new Relapse release "Murder the Mountains." The Sword is touring before heading back into the studio later this month to record their fourth album. Kyng opens the show. 

This week's cool shows: ANTiSEEN, the dBs, Witch Mountain and more

It's going to be a good week for longtime fans of North Carolina music. Two of the state's most venerable bands -- from very different spots on the musical spectrum -- are playing Saturday night. ANTiSEEN, which celebrates 25 years this year, will bring the mayhem to Slim's along with KIFF and Bad Idea for the Show of the Week. If ANTiSEEN celebrating 25 years doesn't make you feel old, I don't know what will. Meanwhile the dB's will hold a record-release party for their first album with all-original members in 30 years over at Motorco.

Also this week in Raleigh, female-fronted Portland doomsters Witch Mountain will play Kings with Hog and Lord Dying (also from Portland) this Wednesday (tomorrow night).

Photos of Ghoul and Dragged Into Sunlight + video

Tuesday was another of those typical nights in Raleigh were two great shows happen at the same time. At least they were around the block from each other: Ghoul and Occultist at Kings and Dragged Into Sunlight, Cough and MAKE at Slim's. Quite a few people spent the night walking back and forth, catching bits and pieces here and there. At least it was a good chance to walk off some PBR.

Ghoul (above), whom I knew almost nothing about, was the only band I saw at Kings. I kept seeing Facebook warnings about blood and chicken beheadings, so I was honestly expecting something like Watain. The reality was more like a hilariously low-budget slasher flick  -- complete with hooded figures, an evil priest and a voodoo priest with a skull-topped cane that spat blood -- with an awesome thrash soundtrack. But nothing was funnier than watching people try to mosh on a concrete floor covered with fake blood.

Over at Slim's, Dragged Into Sunlight played some truly horrific blackened doom -- meaning I can easily imagine horrible things taking place while this music is being played. The worst thing I can imagine happening while Ghoul is playing is running out of beer (and that's pretty bad). But I have to say, I seem to have temporarily lost my senses while watching them, because  when I looked back at my photos, almost none of them were in focus. Evidently I thought I was shooting in autofocus mode. Not sure what happened there. I just chalk it up to living and learning. See more photos.