This week's cool shows: New Year's Eve edition!

THIS WEEK'S SHOWS Wednesday, Dec. 31: Urban Sophisticates, The Pour House Check out the footage my former colleague Rob Roberts got of Urban Sophisticates a couple of years ago. SHOW OF THE WEEK! Wednesday, Dec. 31: Unknown Hinson with Rebel Son, Lincoln Theatre Unknown Hinson is known mostly for his Squidbillies character and his crazy Nudie-suit vampire look, but he is also a phenomenal guitarist and a class-A songwriter. I'm still not sure how much of Rebel Son's "South will rise again" blue-collar-man-been-put-down schtick is real and how much is a joke. They're a good band, but they often leave me wishing they'd just shut up and play. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Volume 11 4th Annual New Year's Eve Bash featuring Slugnut's 1996 lineup, Volume 11 Long-running local thrash band. Wednesday, Dec. 31: DJ Sleazy McQueen with The Wusses, The Pinhook According to The Pinhook's Website, The Wusses are comprised of Dave Cantwell, Dave/ Torch Marauder dude, James Hepler, etc. According to Ross Grady, they're are "dedicated to the deep appreciation of all things Soft/Yacht Rock. " Does that mean we can expect some Loggins and Messina covers? One can only hope. http://www.trianglerock.com/ Wednesday, Dec. 31: Kerbloki, Red Collar, Hammer No More the Fingers, Local 506 Thursday, Jan. 1: Jason Webley with Billy Sugarfix Local 506 Nurse your splitting head with some sweet tunes by Billy sugarfix. Friday, Jan. 2: Hellrazor, Volume 11 Check out video from Hellrazor's show last week at Slim's. Friday, Jan. 2: First Friday art opening for Greg Moliterno with music by The Infamous Sugar, Slim's North Carolina's bawdiest one-man band. Saturday, Jan. 3: N.C. Winter Metal Fest, Lincoln Theatre Featuring Praetorius, Here Lies..., Twisted Tower Dire, Dead Tomorrow, Lunger, Killing Avarice, Worst Than Birth, Hold Back the Day, IV Chambers Broken Sunday, Jan. 4: Pompeii with Polynya Local 506 NEXT WEEK'S SHOWS Thursday, Jan. 8: The Ex-Monkeys with Sonic Death Rabbit The Pour House the Ex-Monkeys are Ian and Eddie from Friend Side Monkey. I know almost nothing about Sonic Death Rabbit, but judging from their myspace, they're a Charlotte-Los Angeles duo that likes to dress up in costumes and make really funny, catchy music with Game Boys. This one will definitely be worth checking out. Thursday, Jan. 8: Pink Flag with Death to Details and Extacy the Flower, the Pinhook Friday, Jan. 9: Hellrazor with Thunderlip Local 506 Friday, Jan. 9: North Elementary CD-release party, Cat's Cradle With guests Kingsbury Manx, Erie Choir and Popular Kids (stand-up comedy) Wednesday, Jan. 14: Secondhand Freespace meet the producers Local 506 Panel discussion on music production with Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey, Rick Miller, Ivan Howard, and moderator Jim Brantley. Event Facebook page UPCOMING IN GENERAL Wednesday, Jan. 14: The Bleeding Hearts, The Pour House This will be the first show in quite a while for Raleigh's angsty, high-school-reliving rockers. Wednesday, Jan. 14: Viva La Venus, Lactose Quervo and HOW, The Pour House Friday, Jan 16: Transportation, Slim's I have, until now, not been aware of Transportation, but when I googled them, I found reviews by esteemed local critics David Menconi, Ross Grady and Grayson Currin. Apparently they're a soft-ish pop group from Chapel Hill, with a CD out on Demonbeach. CORRECTION: This CD is on Fractured Discs. Friday, Jan 16: Colossus with Freedomhawk, The Reservoir Saturday, Jan. 17: Kicking Grass with The WhistlestopThe Pour House The Whistlestop is a must-see alt-country-gospel supergroup with amazing harmonies and thoughtful songs. And I'm serious about the gospel part. They don't preach, but neither do they shy away from their beliefs. If you don't want to hear about Jesus, this show might not be for you. Kicking Grass is exactly what their name implies: high-energy bluegrass. Jan 21: Vic Chesnutt, Local 506 Friday, Jan. 23: Viper with Taradactyl, Dive Bar Old-school metal from some pretty young guys. Taradactyl are an Emerald Isle synth-metal group that wears Mexican wrestling masks on stage. Saturday, Jan. 23: The Rosebuds, with Megafaun and the Love Language, Cat's Cradle The Rosebuds and Megafaun you know about. The Love Language is a Rosebuds-ish/Arcade Fire-ish Raleigh band who have a CD out on Matt Brown's (former Ashley Stove) label, Bladen County Records. Friday, Jan. 23: Lutie and Andy's birthday bash with The T's, The Names and Static MindsSlim's T's bass player Lutie Cain and guitarist Andy Kerr apparently share the same birthday (or at least have birthdays close together), so they're going to celebrate with Static Minds (the newest incarnation of Suburban Sweethearts, with Andy now on guitar) and Ohio Knack/Plimsouls lovers The Names. Saturday, Jan. 24: Shipwrecker with Erie Choir, the Pinhook Thursday, Jan. 29: Lollipop Factory, The Virgo 9, Animal, The Reservoir Saturday, Jan. 31: The Annuals, Cat's Cradle Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31: Raleigh Undercover, Tir na Nog Your favorite Raleigh bands pay tribute to influences, serious and otherwise, in this two-day festival. 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 Friday, Feb. 28: North Elementary CD-release party with The Whalewatchers and Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights, The Pour House

The Perm and Skullet becomes Artificial Amnesiac

Hopefully this means they'll start blogging on a regular basis again:
http://artificialamnesiac.wordpress.com/

Videos of Colossus and Hellrazor

(Hellrazor) I've been hearing great things about Hellrazor, and their show Saturday at Slim's didn't disappoint. They're thrasy, old school metal with nods to Megadeth and Anthrax. Check out the video below for "The Pawn." Colossus, of course, is straight-up NWOBHM, which they understand inside and out. They had a new song, the concept of which had something to do with a dead whale, called "A Year Later There's Still Meat in the Skull," or something like that. Unfortunately I didn't capture that particular opus. Instead I got their themesong ("Colossus"), and also got it from a bad angle because the show was PACKED. Also, check out more photos from the show.

This week's cool shows: Christmas edition!

(Colossus, photo by Betsy Harris) THIS WEEK'S SHOWS Thursday, Dec. 25: Terry Anderson's 9th Annual Christmas Throwdown, The Pour House SHOW OF THE WEEK! Saturday, Dec. 27: Colossus with Hellrazor, Slim's Colossus is a must-see for Judas Priest fans. Hellrazor describes themselves as "breakneck heavy metal" on their myspace page, and that pretty much describes the music I've heard by them. Saturday, Dec. 27: Taradactyl, the Brewery Taradactyl are an Emerald Isle synth-metal group that wears Mexican wrestling masks on stage. Saturday, Dec. 27: Monty Warren & the Friggin' Whatevers with Black River and Crap Rock All-Stars, The Pour House Despite their name, Greensboro's indie-popsters Crap Rock All-Stars are actually pretty damn good. NEXT WEEK'S SHOWS Wednesday, Dec. 31: Urban Sophisticates, The Pour House Check out the footage my former colleague Rob Roberts got of Urban Sophisticates a couple of years ago. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Unknown Hinson with Rebel Son, Lincoln Theatre Unknown Hinson is known mostly for his Squidbillies character and his crazy Nudie-suit vampire look, but he is also a phenomenal guitarist and a class-A songwriter. I'm still not sure how much of Rebel Son's "South will rise again" blue-collar-man-been-put-down schtick is real and how much is a joke. They're a good band, but they often leave me wishing they'd just shut up and play. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Volume 11 4th Annual New Year's Eve Bash featuring Slugnut's 1996 lineup, Volume 11 Long-running local thrash band. Wednesday, Dec. 31: DJ Sleazy McQueen with The Wusses, The Pinhook According to The Pinhook's Website, The Wusses are comprised of Dave Cantwell, Dave/ Torch Marauder dude, James Hepler, etc. Wednesday, Dec. 31: Kerbloki, Red Collar, Hammer No More the Fingers, Local 506 Thursday, Jan. 1: Jason Webley with Billy Sugarfix Local 506 Nurse your splitting head with some sweet tunes by Billy sugarfix. Friday, Jan. 2: Hellrazor, Volume 11 Saturday, Jan. 3: N.C. Winter Metal Fest, Lincoln Theatre Featuring Praetorius, Here Lies..., Twisted Tower Dire, Dead Tomorrow, Lunger, Killing Avarice, Worst Than Birth, Hold Back the Day, IV Chambers Broken Sunday, Jan. 4: Pompeii with Polynya Local 506 UPCOMING IN GENERAL Thursday, Jan. 8: The Ex-Monkeys with Sonic Death Rabbit The Pour House the Ex-Monkeys are Ian and Eddie from Friend Side Monkey. I know almost nothing about Sonic Death Rabbit, but judging from their myspace, they're a Charlotte-Los Angeles duo that likes to dress up in costumes and make really funny, catchy music with Game Boys. This one will definitely be worth checking out. Thursday, Jan. 8: Pink Flag with Death to Details and Extacy the Flower, the Pinhook Friday, Jan. 9: Hellrazor with Thunderlip Local 506 Wednesday, Jan. 14: Secondhand Freespace meet the producers Local 506 Panel discussion on music production with Mitch Easter, Chris Stamey, Rick Miller, Ivan Howard, and moderator Jim Brantley. Event Facebook page Wednesday, Jan. 14: The Bleeding Hearts, The Pour House This will be the first show in quite a while for Raleigh's angsty, high-school-reliving rockers. Friday, Jan. 9: North Elementary CD-release party, Cat's Cradle With guests Kingsbury Manx, Erie Choir and Popular Kids (stand-up comedy) Wednesday, Jan. 14: Viva La Venus, Lactose Quervo and HOW, The Pour House Friday, Jan 16: Transportation, Slim's I have, until now, not been aware of Transportation, but when I googled them, I found reviews by esteemed local critics David Menconi, Ross Grady and Grayson Currin. Apparently they're a soft-ish pop group from Chapel Hill, with a CD out on Demonbeach. CORRECTION: This CD is on Fractured Discs. Friday, Jan 16: Colossus with Freedomhawk, The Reservoir Saturday, Jan. 17: Kicking Grass with The WhistlestopThe Pour House The Whistlestop is a must-see alt-country-gospel supergroup with amazing harmonies and thoughtful songs. And I'm serious about the gospel part. They don't preach, but neither do they shy away from their beliefs. If you don't want to hear about Jesus, this show might not be for you. Kicking Grass is exactly what their name implies: high-energy bluegrass. Jan 21: Vic Chesnutt, Local 506 Friday, Jan. 23: Viper with Taradactyl, Dive Bar Old-school metal from some pretty young guys. Taradactyl are an Emerald Isle synth-metal group that wears Mexican wrestling masks on stage. Saturday, Jan. 23: The Rosebuds, with Megafaun and the Love Language, Cat's Cradle The Rosebuds and Megafaun you know about. The Love Language is a Rosebuds-ish/Arcade Fire-ish Raleigh band who have a CD out on Matt Brown's (former Ashley Stove) label, Bladen County Records. Friday, Jan. 23: Lutie and Andy's birthday bash with The T's, The Names and Static MindsSlim's T's bass player Lutie Cain and guitarist Andy Kerr apparently share the same birthday (or at least have birthdays close together), so they're going to celebrate with Static Minds (the newest incarnation of Suburban Sweethearts, with Andy now on guitar) and Ohio Knack/Plimsouls lovers The Names. Saturday, Jan. 24: Shipwrecker with Erie Choir, the Pinhook Thursday, Jan. 29: Lollipop Factory, The Virgo 9, Animal, The Reservoir Saturday, Jan. 31: The Annuals, Cat's Cradle Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31: Raleigh Undercover, Tir na Nog Your favorite Raleigh bands pay tribute to influences, serious and otherwise, in this two-day festival. 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 Friday, Feb. 28: North Elementary CD-release party with The Whalewatchers and Sir Arthur & the Royal Knights, The Pour House

So, if you don't like Candlebox, who WOULD you pick?

If you read the local music blogs, then by now you're aware that Candlebox is scheduled to be the first performer in the Downtown Live series on May 30. David Menconi broke the news, and Triangle Music commented accordingly.

I've been mulling over what to say about this news. I, too, feel the disappointed resignation that comes with knowing that the organizers of this potentially great series seem absolutely determined to resurrect every lame one-hit wonder from the era of 1988 - 1998. But the unfortunate fact is this: This series is successful. Every Downtown Live show I've been to has been packed. There are a LOT of people out there with bad taste in music. And I have to tip my hat Deep South for putting some really good local bands on these bills. That's great exposure for local bands, and just might inspire who think Candlebox is great to listen to some new stuff.

It also occurred to me that there is probably a whole lot I don't understand about putting on a free music series -- especially one that is sponsored by the city. Since the organizers aren't going to make money from ticket sales, they probably have to pick bands that are slightly cheaper. Based on the size of the space, I would think that Drive-by Truckers or Queens of the Stone Age would be good choices. Pretty much any band that can fill Lincoln Theatre, Cat's Cradle would be a good choice. But I'm going to guess that DBT's or QOTSA's guarantees are much higher than Candlebox's.

So, here's what I'm proposing: Instead of complaining about how lame Downtown Live is, a group of us should get together and sponsor our own downtown series. We'll start small -- maybe with three concerts next summer. We'll bring in some good, mid-level national acts, and have local bands open up. Maybe we can get a rock act, an alt-country act, and a hip hop act. We'll get local sponsors to pay to advertise at the event. We can check into holding these concerts in Moore Square or perhaps look into closing off Hargett Street for the day. I'm up for doing something like this. Who's with me?