Scott Miller video from Alex

Taken at Scott's show last Saturday, May 19, 2007, at The Hideaway. Thanks Alex.

Quick and dirty

Not much time to write this past weekend. Family obligations kept me from blogging and hitting up RebusFest on Saturday. My spies tell me it was a good show. I did manage to catch Chris Smith and Marc Smith, two members of Patty Hurst Shifter, performing an acoustic set at Sadlack's on Wednesday. Chris is the main singer/songwriter of the band, and this show allowed him to get back to the quieter, more introspective songs he was known for before joining PHS. I've been impressed with Sadlack's reincarnation, but I sure would like to see the bands back out on the patio. I know the management would too, so maybe it'll happen before long. Check out the movie. Friday was The Cartridge Family, Bleeding Hearts and Vibekillers at The Pour House. I decided against Thunderlip, mainly because I wanted to get pics and movies of Vibekillers and the Cartridge Family (I've done Bleeding Hearts before). Unfortunately I walked into the show right as Cartridge Family were walking off stage. "I run a tight ship around here," barked soundman Jac Cain when I started whining about missing the band. "If the show says it's going to start at 10 p.m., it's going to start at 10 p.m.!" Folks, keep that in mind the next time you go to a show at The Pour House.Bleeding Hearts (pictured above) and Vibekillers definitely made up for it. And I can honestly say that Sam Madison's wearing a Nantucket T-shirt made my night. Here are the videos -- one from Bleeding Hearts, and one from Vibekillers -- who, just to bring this full circle, also feature Marc Smith.

Among the cool stuff you should do this week:

WEDNESDAY: Chris Smith and Marc Smith (a.k.a. 1/2 of Patty Hurst Shifter) at Sadlack's (and it's free!) ___________________________________________ FRIDAY: A serious toss-up on this one. I doubt I can make it to both, but either one will be worth your time. 1. Thunderlip at Volume 11 Tavern 2. The Vibe Killers, the Bleeding Hearts and The Cartridge Family at The Pour House ___________________________________________ SATURDAY: Afternoon: RebusFest (details below -- also free!) a free outdoor arts celebration Saturday, May 19, 1-6pm art + music + food Rebus Works is excited to announce the first RebusFest, Saturday May 19, from 1-6pm. Featuring music by local bands, and art by Raleigh residents, RebusFest is a free community arts celebration. Bands playing include the Loners, the Trousers, Goner, Mommie, and the Heavy Pets. Artists who will be exhibiting and selling their work outside include Carrie Knowles, Lauren Turner, Kathy King, Amanda Humphries, the Handmaidens, Joey Howard & Emily Soldin-Howard, and more. A family-friendly event, all ages are welcome. Refreshments will be available. ALSO SATURDAY: Artsplosure downtown, and Son Volt at Lincoln Theatre. I have to say, I'll be skipping Son Volt. The last time I saw them I found them extremely underwhelming. They just can't hold a candle to the Uncle Tupelo show I was fortunate enough to see way back in 1994. However, post-Son Volt Hank Sinatra will be playing for free at the Lincoln. And if you're over in Chapel Hill: Rockabilly fest with Hickry Hawkins at He's Not Here. Hickry Hawkins, who, I've been told, is also a massive Judas Priest fan.

Odds and ends

Michael writes to tell me about his indie label Fractured Discs, and about the following shows:

*SONS will be playing at the 506 on the 18th as part of the north elementary cd release party (Note from Karen -- N.E.'s new CD "Berandals" is excellent) and work clothes will be playing at the cat's cradle on the 26th with portastatic, des ark and the strugglers- this show is a darfur benefit.

According to the label's Myspace, they feature the following bands/releases: Hundred Air (Sept '07) / *SONS / Work Clothes / Robert Deeble / The Winter Blanket / Alina Simone / V/A We Could Live in Hope – A Tribute to Low (Mark Kozelek, HNIA, Jessica Bailiff, more) / V/A Preserve, Volume One (M. Ward, Shearwater, the Decemberists, more). Definitely check it out.


ALSO: Thanks to Alex for posting this. If you've ever sold CDs at Schoolkids for beer money, that source of income may soon be in danger -- and already is in Utah and Florida.

NOW LISTENING TO: Midtown Dickens, "Oh Yell"

Wow. I can honestly say I haven't been totally blown away by a local CD in a long time. Kym Register and Catherine Edgerton create the sweetest, most heart-rending anti-folk, using guitars, their winsome harmonies, and a slew of unusual and found instruments, from banjos to bottlecaps. I can't listen to this CD without stopping and repeating "Airplane" about five or six times. For what it's worth, Edgerton's father is novelist/bluegrass musician Clyde. I can honestly say I've never liked his books, but I think his daughter's music is awesome. DO NOT FORGET to check out the Midtown Dickens Get Down Showdown this Saturday at 305 South in Durham

My latest youtube addiction

I'll admit, I don't know a damn thing about this band, but this series on Gaahl, from the black metal band Gorgoroth, had me riveted. Wait till they get to the part where he makes the American film crew climb the mountain with him