Pontiak: Swamp blues from Baltimore

If you read my Tiny Mix Tapes top 25 of 2006, or got any of my myspace bulletins last week about Pontiak, you know I dig this band. And if you missed their show Thursday at Reservoir, well, you're just lucky I got video of one of their best songs. Pontiak is swampy blues-rock from Baltimore made by three brothers (at least I think they're brothers -- they all have the last name Carney). The Reservoir show was the first show of a summer tour in support of a new CD, which isn't out yet, but which singer/guitarist Van was kind enough to give me. It's called "Sun on Sun," and it's darker, more brooding and even better than last year's "Valley of Cats." Here's a video I got of the CD's first song, "Shell Skull." Reservoir's lighting isn't really great for video, but it sounds alright. NOW LISTENING TO: Cantwell, Gomez & Jordan, "We Are Not at the Opera." Thanks to Kim from 307 Knox Records for passing this along. CG&J's quirky prog-metal has the tendency to be really exciting one minute, and just too tiresomely quirky the next. I like them best when they just let go and rock. Luckily they do enough of that on this CD to get me through the slower parts. The CD includes a pretty cool video for "Shayna wuz here ... peeing like a cheetah."

Help out the Roosters

Repost from ARFTM

We have been selected as one of nine Round 3 finalists for the Zig-Zag Live Spring Band Competition. Voting begins on May 1, 2007, vote at http://www.zigzaglive.com (click on the "Vote for Bands" button on the home page). They accept one vote per person per day!

Go see Pontiak this Thursday at The Reservoir

I'm telling you early so you can make sure to mark your calendars. Baltimore's Pontiak, whose "Valley of Cats" CD was one of my 2006 favorites, will be at The Reservoir in Carrboro this Thursday, and you should go. They have a brooding, bluesy, darkly psychedelic sound, but just when you get comfortable with that, they throw in something funky, almost reggae-like. If you like Vietnam, Chapel Hill's Red Smokes White or Greensboro bands All Night and Tiger Bear Wolf you should definitely check this show out. Pontiak is touring in support of a new album, which I haven't heard yet, but which, I understand, you'll be able to get at the show. Plus, it's at Reservoir, which I haven't had the pleasure of checking out yet. On a separate note, my love affair with Midnight Movies continues. Their new CD, "Lion the Girl" sounds like something Tex Watson would have listened to on an 8-track on his way to Sharon Tate's house. Shimmering and ominous at the same time.

Introducing: Burly Time Records

UPDATE FROM GRAYSON: the other owner of the label is brad cook from megafaun/deyarmond edison.

Grayson Currin, music editor for the Indy, has started his own label, and is having a free show next Friday (May 4) at 305 South. The first two records are from Bowerbirds and Horseback. Here's the line-up from Grayson:

>
> Friday, May 4
> 305 South
> 305 S. Dillard St
> Durham, NC
> Free!
9 p.m.
>
> Burly Time Records CD Release Party
> Sets by:
> Bowerbirds
> Horseback
> Des Ark
> Heather McEntire (Bellafea, Un Deux Trois)
> Megafaun
> Pykrete

Save the Ta Tas Benefit Show!

Repost from Viva La Venus.

SATURDAY, April 28, 2007

Volume 11 Tavern
658 Maywood Ave.
Raleigh, NC
919-839-0079

Your $10 donation at the door will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Come on out and rock with some great breast-weilding bands!!

Show starts at 9:00 PM, with music performances by:

Cori Yarkin - from Orlando, FL! (http://www.myspace.com/coriyarckin)
Viva la Venus (http://www.myspace.com/vivalavenus)
Bully - from Virginia Beach, VA! (http://www.myspace.com/bullyva)
Lactose Quervo (http://www.myspace.com/lactosequervo)

Also featuring art by Glitter Girl, Amber Walden, and Moneequaa (so bring some extra cash!!) AND a tattoo booth with hot people showin' it off for ya! You can even get pierced!!

More info:
Volume 11 Tavern: http://www.myspace.com/volume11tavern
Breast Cancer Research Foundation: http://www.bcrfcure.org/