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Each month, we highly recommend heading out to the Crowntown Showdown. Sure, we are one of the sponsors, but it's also because it's a great opportunity to see so many local and regional acts (six each month) for a low price ($5). In case you weren't at December's show at The Double Door Inn or last week's at The Alley Cat, here's a look at what you missed.
Perry Fowler -- Fowler's name is one that is always popping up on my radar. He's a talented songwriter with a coffeehouse folk vibe to him. Sitting on a stool, banging the tamborine on his foot, Fowler has the easy ability to draw people in with his lyrics and laid-back demeanor.
Moses Cherry and the Topless Gospel Choir -- Cherryville's trio has an old-school bluesy, front-porch thing going on. There's a lot of potential here, and it's definitely one of many groups to keep an eye out for.
The Lesser Pauls -- The trio's folk-rock style is making quick waves in the Charlotte music scene. I've seen Ben Henry and Kenni Falls in a number of venues, as solo acts or duos. It's a change seeing Henry on drums, but he's doing just fine back there. Falls can easily go between having a sweet vocal that floats about or something with more grit and emotion.
Not So Solemn -- Another local band that has a simple ease to its bluesy, folk-rock style that's commercial, but not cheesy. They can get some good harmonies going and are sure to gain a quick following on the Charlotte scene.
Delta Progression -- The quartet has a great groove to them that's got an older vibe to it without sounding dated. They offered up a blues cover that fit right in with the originals. They've been playing smaller shows at venues like Smokey Joe's and The Evening Muse as much as larger venues -- upcoming shows include Tremont Music Hall and the Double Door Inn. Just another band to keep on the lookout for.
Holy Ghost Tent Revival -- It's getting to sound like a broken record, but here's another group to put on your must-see list. The Greensboro band plays its own brand of high-energy Americana, adding a trombone in for a hint of something more ska or jazz, perhaps.
2013 Wolves -- The Milestone's Neal Harper's band has been on my radar for as long as I've been in Charlotte, and the Showdown offered me my first chance to catch its live show. I wasn't disappointed. The guitar-and-drums duo may conjure up images of the White Stripes, but they get down and dirty real fast. Jack White may come up with more radio-friendly riffs, but these guys know how to fuckin' rock.
Case Federal and the Agents -- I've seen Federal in a few different situations -- solo, as a duo and as part of The Lesser Pauls. His latest conglomerate seems like the perfect vehicle to showcase his songwriting as he's backed by the usual guitar, bass and drums, with a sax added in for good measure. Jamming moments bordered on something from Pink Floyd's archives.
Evelynn Rose -- The band's album is due to hit the streets on Feb. 15. They've got an edge to their rock style that adds a hint of country. At moments they reminded me of the Black Crowes, but the singer is closer to Seven Mary Three. Get that list out of "who to watch" and add them to it.
Actual Proof -- Have you ever seen someone rock the hell out of a xylophone/vibraphone? Eric Mullis easily gets into the groove and hammers away on that thing as he's joined by an amazing cast of musicians. Phillip W. Berkley III brings the right amount of funky bass to the instrumental jazz fusion outfit. They're always entertaining and consistently getting the crowd moving.
Foxchase -- Another in the wave of folk-rock/Americana bands that are swarming the scene right now. What separates them? A bunch of instruments. They broke out the xylophone, violin, cowbell and ukulele. The songwriting was rough around the edges and they may have had a few off-key moments, but there's potential there. I'm interested to see how they develop over the coming months.
The next Crowntown Showdown will be held on Feb. 18 at The Double Door Inn.
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Calendar
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Ride The Lightning - Metallica Tribute Band @ Amos' Southend -
Ross Lynch & Rocky Lynch present The Driver Era: Live On Tour @ N.C. Music Factory
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Tyler Braden - Meet & Greet Experience Upgrade @ Coyote Joe's
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Zingara @ Blackbox Theater - Charlotte -
Blind Guardian The God Machine Tour @ The Underground- Sat., April 20, 8 p.m.
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Justin Fedor's tribute shows benefit Levine Children's Hospital
Charlotte musician's concert series takes place at the Neighborhood Theatre
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The night Dickey Betts broke my guitar 7
All the while, Gregg Allman sat face down in mashed potatoes
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Elenora Fagan balances life between rock and rap 2
Band mixes an amalgam of genres, including rock, hip-hop, reggae and jazz
