Raleigh Undercover night 3 recap

What an awesome weekend for local music! Despite a sold-out show two doors down (or maybe because of it) Raleigh Undercover was a huge, jam-packed success.

I didn't catch the Friday show, but heard great things about Bright Young Things rendition of Bowie. I also didn't see Dirty Little Heaters as The Doors (too early for me) and Hearts & Daggers as CCR (too late) during last night's show. But I liked what I saw in between, especially Static Minds' killer version of Black Sabbath. I didn't record it, but I've already seen video floating around Facebook this morning, so be on the lookout for it.

Left Outlet did an excellent version of Nick Cave, and The Whalewatchers had everyone singing along to the Doobie Brothers. Jeff Hart of course did a fine job with the Kinks (he has a Kinks tribute band), even if he did pick an obscure set list. Several people kept asking me who the band was, and I admit, I didn't even realize it until about the third song.

A clue for night two

Just in case you're not on the Raleigh Undercover facebook event list, Chris Tamplin just sent out this message:

"Holy Shit last night was amazing!  All the bands were in fine form and I can't thank them enough!  Also, thanks to everyone who Braved the "snow" to watch!  Tonight we are going to try and top last night with SIX bands!  Aminal kick it off at 9:15 sharp followed by Dry Heathens, The Tomahawks, Bright Young Things, Old Ceremony, and American Aquarium close it out!  One hint on  one of the acts being covered tonight is it is that artist's birthday today and it is not Elvis!  Once again it is a five spot to get in and the charity tonight is for Hopeline, Inc. of Raleigh.   For those of you going to one of the other great shows tonight stick your head in for a quick one (act and beer) the head out or try tomorrow night!  Thanks!"


Hmm. A quick google search of today's celebrity birthdays reveals the following: R&B singer R. Kelly (1969),  Mother Love Bone lead singer Andrew Wood (1966; d. 1990), David Bowie (1947), Doors guitarist Robby Krieger (1946),  "James Bond" theme song singer Shirley Bassey(1937). As much as I hope someone is doing R. Kelly's entire "Stuck in the Closet" series, or singing the James Bond theme, I'm going to guess that someone out there (maybe Old Ceremony?) is doing David Bowie. I already know who The Tomahawks are doing, and it should be "Something" to behold.

The best thing I have EVER seen at a Raleigh Undercover!

I don't know who River City Ransom are, but they absolutely NAILED Meat Loaf during night one of the Raleigh Undercover. Seriously, it was better than Valient Thorr's Parliament/Funkadelic tribute last year.

From the very first note, "Meat" himself owned the crowd. He sang like him, looked like him (except for a slightly dodgy wig), and moved like him. He even had an Ellen Foley-esque back up singer who was every bit as on it as he was. And the crowd was just going wild. I honestly can't wait to see River City Ransom as themselves simply because they did such an amazing job at Raleigh Undercover. Let that be a lesson to bands who want to break into the local scene: If you entertain a crowd at the cover up, people will want to know about your band.

Unfortunately I didn't shoot video because I don't want to run afoul of the law, but plenty of other folks had their phones and cameras out during this performance, so I'm sure we'll see something floating around out there soon.

Meat Loaf was one of only four bands that played last night, and all of them did well. Another band I don't know, Here Are The Young Men, did a great job with Joy Division, and Free Electric State had everyone dancing to the Pixies. I only caught the first song of Lonnie Walker's rendition of Talking Heads, but I'm already hearing that it was really good. 

Grayson hosted in character as Charles Bukowski. I even tweeted some video of him reading a Bukowski poem, but decided it might be best to take that down. Even though it was actually a fairly mild poem, I'm not sure it's something I would want to explain to my boss. 

If you're headed out tonight, the schedule includes the following:
Aminal
The Tomahawks
Bright Young Things
The Old Ceremony
Dry Heathens
American Aquarium
And, of course, there's Double Negative and Whatever Brains at the Berkeley (assuming you didn't get tix for the big Rosebuds/Megafaun show at the Pour House). Yours truly is probably going to stay in and gear up for tomorrow night, because I hear that Static Minds has something awesome planned.

My final interview for New Raleigh

And it's with Chris Tamplin, who is the brains behind this weekend's Raleigh Undercover. Check it out,  and go to the shows. I've had a lot of fun writing for New Raleigh, and I think they're all amazing and talented folks, but I think I need to spend a little more time around here. I promise not to be so much of a stranger on my own blog!

Wrap up from night 2 of Raleigh Undercover

Night two wasn't as crazy packed as night one at Tir na Nog, and that's a good thing. As much as I loved knowing the Beehive was getting a nice donation, having that many people packed into such a small space made the night almost unbearable. Saturday was still crowded, and all the bands did a great job. I was particularly impressed with The T's version of Bryan Adams. That's what the Undercover is all about for me: A band covering someone totally unexpected and having a great time with it. Unfortunately, I still heard a bit of grumbling here and there about how the Undercover "wasn't the same" as it was at Kings. They're right. It wasn't the same. It was better. I know I'm going to get a bunch of messages from folks about how I've insulted them personally or disrespected Kings. This isn't directed at any person in particular. It's directed at a mindset that needs to stop. I'd like to compare this mindset to someone whose lover has left them, and absolutely refuses to even look at someone new because they're convinced their ex will one day come back. If Kings ever does reopen, I will gladly go and support them. But that's not going to stop me from going out now to other clubs, and supporting great things those clubs are doing. UPDATE : My youtube account has been permanently disabled, which means you can't get to any of my videos online! Not sure what I'm going to do next.

This week's cool shows: Raleigh Undercover!

THIS WEEK'S SHOWS

Thursday, Jan. 29: Lollipop Factory, The Virgo 9, Animal, The Reservoir

Friday, Jan. 30: Scott Miller & The Commonwealth
with Dave Wilson (of Chatham County Line), Berkeley Cafe
Former V-Roys guitarist Miller is touring has a new album coming out next Tuesday, but you can buy it from him this Friday at the show.


Saturday, Jan. 31: The Annuals, Cat's Cradle
There's also a cool contest going on with this show. Read about it here!


SHOWS OF THE WEEK
Friday-Sunday, Jan. 30-Feb. 1: Raleigh Undercover, Tir na Nog
The beloved Great Cover-Up, which used to have a home at Kings, is revived as Raleigh Undercover at Tir na Nog. While the venue may be different, the spirit is still the same. Tickets are $5 each night.

Here's the line-up:

* Friday: Embarrassing Fruits, Bright Young Things, The Whalewatchers, Left Outlet, & Valient Thorr
* Saturday: I Was Totally Destroying It, The Nevers, Static Minds, The T's, & Hearts and Daggers
* Sunday: Mike Roy, Gray Young, Ronnie Nabbs (Raleigh All-Star band), and another multi-band collaboration


Please note that all proceeds will benefit The Beehive, of which yours truly is a member. The Beehive is a local non-profit organization that raises money for good causes. ALSO: We will be raffling off a sweet Fender Squire guitar donated by Harry's Guitar Shop! So, come by to see a fun show, help a good cause, and possibly win a cool guitar in the process!



Friday, Jan. 30: Schooner with Kingsbury Manx, the Pinhook
Also on this bill, from The Pinhook's Web site: DJ dance party til the end of the night (we'll be bringing a bunch of lights and smoke machine and fun stuff to get the dance party vibe right!)

Friday, Jan. 30: The Dry Heathens with The Loners and The Homewreckers, the Pinhook
A lot of people love Dry Heathens. I've seen them twice, and haven't been blown away. The Loners, however, are always awesome.


Saturday, Jan. 31: Annuals with Jessica Lea Mayfield and What Laura Says, Cat's Cradle

Monday, Feb. 2: Man Will Destroy Himself, Slim's
A loud show for a Monday night!


Monday, Feb. 2: The Dry Heathens with The Howlies and Pinche Gringo, Local 506

NEXT WEEK'S SHOWS


Friday, Feb. 6: , "One Night Stand - Local musicians like you've never seen them!" Local 506

I have no idea what this is about (currently checking into it). Here's the lineup:

Featuring:

Adam Price (of Hundred Air)
John Harrison (of North Elementary)
Joe Romeo
Whitney Skillcorn (of Robosapian)
Billy Sugarfix

The Brotations (Mike Myerson and Justin Blatt)

Murat Dirlik and Adam Brinson (of Caltrop)

Paul Finn (of Kingsbury Manx)

And more!


Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 & 7: WKNC Double Barrel Benefit, Pour House
A stellar two-night lineup to benefit N.C. State's awesome student radio station.
Friday: Lonnie Walker, Lost in the Trees, Schooner and Bowerbirds.
Saturday: Polvo, Birds of Avalon, Violet Vector and the Lovely Lovelies and I Was Totally Destroying It.


UPCOMING IN GENERAL
Friday, Feb. 13: Great 8 Showcase, Local 506
Each year The N&O's David Menconi makes a list of 8 local acts to watch in the new year. This year's crop will be announced soon. From what I know of the list (and don't ask me because I'm not telling), this is going to be a good show.


Friday, Feb. 13: Strange Faces, Slim's

Saturday, Feb. 14: Dexter Romweber Duo with Chrome Plated ApostlesLocal 506
Dexter and Sara Romweber make of part of North Carolina's First Family of rock, and this is their CD-release party. Chrome Plated Apostles include Hunter Landen and Clif Mann from The Bad Checks (another long-time local rock legend), and share that band's love of raw, nasty blues rock.


Saturday, Feb. 14: The Old Ceremony, Cat's Cradle

Saturday, Feb. 14: Pink Flag at Nightlight

Saturday, Feb. 14: Chip Robinson & the Heavy Beat Outfit, Slim's
Former Backslider's new band.

Sunday, Feb. 15: 10th annual Love Hangover, The Pour House
A former Kings mainstay, this event features brokenhearted duets for the lovelorn.


Friday, Feb. 20: Here Lies ... with Gollum, Dive Bar

Friday, Feb. 28: North Elementary CD-release party with The Whalewatchers and Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights, The Pour House


Thursday, March 12: Vetiver, Cat's Cradle
San Francisco freak-folkies with roots in Greensboro's early '90s pop-genius group Raymond Brake.

The Cover Up is now Raleigh Undercover

This happened a few days ago, but due to holiday traveling and birthday revelry, I'm just now getting around to it. David Menconi has the details about the final name for the event on his blog , and the event even has its own facebook page.