Photos from Mike Scheidt/Nate Hall and Town Mountai

Last week I saw two shows that were a bit mellower than what I've been listening to recently. The first was Mike Scheidt (aka the frontman for Yob) and Nate Hall (U.S. Christmas) at Kings on Wednesday. I wrote about the show for the Independent's Scan blog. Hall played first - focusing on songs from "A Great River." Scheidt joined him onstage toward the end of the set, then played a set of his own. It was good to see some of my metal buds at the show -- as well as some folks who aren't normally into metal, but love good singer-songwriter music. 

The next night I saw Asheville's Town Mountain, who were holding their CD-release party at the Pour House. I don't see as much bluegrass as I would like, and I'm going to make an effort to change that. The band sounded phenomenal, and I had a great time, even if I did have to put up with a bunch of frat boys basically making idiots of themselves. Not sure why the frat boy/jam band crowd has become so enamored of bluegrass -- maybe it's the influence of the Avetts and Mumfort & Sons. Regardless, I hope that trend passes soon.

This week's cool shows: Mike Scheidt & Nate Hall, Town Mountain and more

Lots of good shows happening this week, but I'm personally most looking forward to the solo acoustic show featuring Mike Scheidt of Yob and Nate Hall of U.S. Christmas, Wednesday, July 18, at Kings. If you're familiar with Yob's driving, mystical doom, then the uplifting AM Gold melodies on Scheidt's solo record "Stay Awake" (Thrill Jockey) might be a bit surprising. But if you free your mind of pre-conceived notions about heaviness, and just surrender yourself to the music, you'll find that "Stay Awake" is just as deep as anything Yob has created. Nate Hall's excellent solo record, "A Great River," is out now on Neurot. Looking forward to seeing both of these guys at Kings.  

Also this week: Up-and-coming Asheville bluegrass band Town Mountain will be at the Pour House on Thursday, July 19. On Friday, July 20, Valeint Thorr, Holy Grail, Royal Thunder and Caltrop will be at Cat's Cradle. All four of those bands put on some of the most amazing shows I saw last year, so this is going to be a killer show. Finally on Saturday, July 21, Hog, Sons of Tonatiuh, Man Will Destroy Himself, and Stampede will be at Casbah. Looking ahead, get ready for Agalloch at Kings on July 29!

Photos and video of Demon Eye

One of my favorite local bands to see live is a cover band, Corvette Summer, mainly because the covers they choose tend to be the deep album cuts like "Rat Bat Blue" by Deep Purple (RIP Jon Lord) and "Rocka Rolla" by Judas Priest. Their alter ego, Demon Eye, plays originals that sound like they could be deep cuts from all your favorite albums of the '70s. Here's footage of them last Friday, July 13, at Dive Bar.

UPDATE: Demon Eye will play Casbah in Durham with Grohg and Chest Pains on July 26

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"