Catching up: Cool shows and new music

I feel like I write this post every few months or so, but this time I have good reason to be out of touch. I recently started a new job in public relations, and I love it, but as I'm settling in I've had a lot less time to think about blogging. I expect that will change as I get more comfortable in my job, especially since March is shaping up to be a stellar month to see live music in the Triangle.

And this week starts with one of the biggest shows of the month: COC's homecoming show with Valient Thorr, Torche and A Storm of Light, Saturday at Lincoln Theatre. COC is riding high with this week's release of their stellar new, self-titled album -- the first in six years, and the first in a very long time with just core members Woody, Reed and Mike Dean.  But other than COC, I'm probably most excited about A Storm of Light, whom I haven't seen but have heard good things about. Hear Reed talk about the record, and the band's history, on Metaholic.co.

Next weekend I'll be at Pinhook on Friday, March 9 for the Scott Kelly (Neurosis)/Eugene Robinson (Oxbow) show. A local group called WOWOLFOL, with members of Hog, Lurch, Future Kings of Nowhere, MAKE, and Hammer No More the Fingers, will play their first show as well. The next night, Richmond doomsters Windhand will be at Slim's.


On Wednesday, March 14, I'll be running back and forth between Pour House for stoner band Karma to Burn and Slim's for New Hampshire blackened doom band Vattnet Viskar. Wolf has some good info on that band plus a video here. EDIT: Just got the word that Karma to Burn are not playing but that Truckfighters (from Sweden) will be worth the show.

The following weekend is the big Racing the Cure megashow to benefit Oliver Gant, son of New Raleigh co-founder Jedidiah Gant (Friday, March 23). I'm really debating whether or not I want to deal with the insane crowd at Kings for The Avett Brothers. I admit it would be fun to see them in a club (something I never did), but I also get really freaked out being in overly crowded clubs, and that night Kings is going to be insane.

The next night, one of my favorite N.C. alt-country bands, The Debonzo Brothers, will have their CD-release at Slim's.


Unfortunately, the Debonzo Brothers show on March 24 clashes with another great show in Carrboro: Caltrop's CD-release show with Black Skies, Pipe and Dave Heumann of Arbouretum. You really can't go wrong with either show.

Finally, the month winds down on Monday, March 26, with Alcest, Deafheaven, MAKE and Grohg at Kings.



Finally, I'll leave you with a little new music.

First is a new song from Viva La Venus, whose new album, "Bleeding on the Edge of Happiness," is out now.

Viva La Venus - "Hesitate"


And Horseback is streaming a new song over at Brooklyn Vegan.
Horseback - "On the Eclipse" (Streaming via Brooklyn Vegan)

Photos and video from the Bull City Metal Fest

(Shadow of the Destroyer, night two)

Here are a few photos and some videos from this weekend's 2nd Annual Bull City Metal Fest, which took place at the Casbah in Durham. I admit that I originally wasn't as excited about this year's line up as I was about last year's. But I think I had a better time this year. I got to see a few local bands I'd somehow missed (Bitter Resolve, Knives), experienced the amazing Body/Braveyoung collaboration, and ended the weekend with one of my favorite current bands, Black Tusk. My only recommendations for improving the weekend would be to spread it out over three days, either Thursday-Saturday nights, or Friday and Saturday with an afternoon show on Sunday. A 10-hour show on Saturday is just too much for me. 

Photos and video of Mark Holland at the Station

I've been working on a story on Mark Holland (Jennyanykind, Jule Brown, various solo projects) for the Independent, so I went to see him play his acoustic country blues set last Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Station in Carrboro. Mark is a good guy (as is his twin brother Michael), and it was good to talk to him again. I have to say, it was pretty amusing to see some of the Chapel Hill hippies dance to this stuff. He'll be at the Blue Note on Feb. 15.

Photos of O C O A I and Generation of Vipers

Here are some photos of Johnson City's O C O A I (above), and photos and video of Generation of Vipers (below) from Friday at Dive Bar. O C O A I was as compelling (and loud) as when I saw them back in the summer. Unfortunately I couldn't get in a good position to record them, so I just stuck with still photography for their show.

Generation of Vipers shares a member with O C O A I and two members with U.S. Christmas, but is a lot sludgier than either band. I wasn't really in a good position to record them either, but since I'd never seen them before I went for it anyway. The kind of caught me off guard with the beginning of the song, though! Looking forward to seeing both bands again. See more photos.

This week's cool shows: O C O A I, Hog, Monoslang and more!

I have a short Hearing Aid piece on O C O A I and Generation of Vipers (Saturday at Dive Bar) scheduled to run in tomorrow's Independent Weekly, so I'll let you read what I had to say about this show there. I'll just sum up my thoughts like so: It's gonna rock and you should go. 

I also have a short "Introducing ..." piece on Church of Wolves, but I actually had the privilege of seeing COW one more time after writing that piece. I have to say, I am very impressed with how good these guys are after only a few shows. They'll be with Hog and Orthrus (Virginia black metal) on Tuesday at Nightlight. 

Also on Saturday, Monoslang will hold their EP-release party with Minor Stars and No Eyes at Kings. You can hear the latest from the new EP below.



ALSO THIS WEEK
Saturday: Rat Jackson, Spiderbags and Red Collar at Local 506
Sunday: 3 p.m. early show with Vile Discourse presents: Curmudgeon, Torch Runner, Mad Dog, Pure Scum, Abuse at Kings




UPCOMING

A partial lineup was released today for this year's 2nd Annual Bull City Metal Fest, Feb. 3 an 4 at the Casbah, and it looks like a good one. Here's the announcement from the Casbah:

Tickets are now on sale for the 2nd annual BULL CITY METAL FEST, Durham's premiere 2-day eclectic heavy music festival to be held at Casbah Durham on Feb 3 and 4. Headlining the festival this year is Black Tusk. Other bands include The Body, Braveyoung, Hog, Bitter Resolve, Shadow of the Destroyer, Make, Widow, Gross Reality, Church of Wolves, Ruscha, Dark Sea Dream, Knives and more to be announced. Tickets (on sale now at www.casbahdurham.com) are $10 for Friday, $15 for Saturday, or $20 for a 2-day festival pass.


The lineup for this year's Double Barrel Benefit, at the Pour House, also on Feb. 3 and 4, will be announced  this Friday, Jan. 13, on WKNC during the local lunch.