WEDNESDAY 12.10
Elevator Action — With a band name that simultaneously recalls images of the great 80s arcade game and Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler circa Pump, what’s not to like? Consisting of Eric Gilstrap (ex-Borghal Rantipole), Laurie Ruroden (ex-Tokyo Machine) and Gary Guthrie (ex-Leisure McCorkle), EA are Charlotte’s musical sweet tooth: equal parts Supergrass, the Buzzcocks, and Marc Bolan. In this terror-alert day and age, it sounds especially sweet — as Tyler himself would say, “livin’ it up as (we’re) going down.” The Steeple Lounge (Davis)
FRIDAY 12.12
Christian Smith — Smith is a mainstay of the burgeoning scene in his Swedish homeland, though he cut his DJ teeth in New York in the early 90s absorbing the sounds coming out of Chicago, Detroit and the Big Apple. Smith is considered an expert producer of tracks that lie in the oft-times uncomfortable no-man’s land between house and techno (sometimes called “ech-house”). Expect a beat somewhere between house and tribal. Locals Oliver Long and Ja’Maul Redmond open. Tonic (Schacht)
Dynamo Dresden / Todd Busch; Clare Fader & the Vaudevillains — Fans of Tara Busch’s previous work (Sheva, Dahli Llama) would do well to check out this show. The trippy Wales-based Dynamo Dresden is the strongest act she’s worked with yet, showcasing her impressive pipes to fine effect without resorting to full-on wailing. Miss Busch will open the show with some new solo material, and her brother Todd (The Flyweb) will also perform. Word has it the two siblings will even do a few songs together. If you saw them last year, you know that is a family affair not to be missed. (Davis) / Clare Fader & The Vaudevillains are an intriguing band fronted by Fader’s dry vocals, which augment the sound of cocktail jazz and cabaret, while a crew of vaudevillian sideshow musicians stake their turf with contemporary shades. She uses a quaint come-hither vocal style to transport the audience into an era long gone, but not forgotten. With Valorie Miller. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
The Spongetones — If you’re a longtime (read: older) Charlotte music fan, you already know who these guys are, and I’m not going to insult your intelligence (any more than normal, at least). If you’re a longtime Charlotte music fan and don’t know who these guys are, you probably prefer to spend your weekends at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (read: really older). If you’re a young’un, I’ll try to fill you in quickly. Comprised of Patrick Walters, Rob Thorne, Steve Stoeckel and Jamie Hoover, the ‘Tones are likely the longest-running band in Charlotte history, and more than likely its most successful. Earnest, pop-barbed songwriting, Merseybeat hooks and harmonies, and folk music finesse are their calling cards, and they’ve been handing them out for over 20 years now. Kurt Loder once wrote ’em up in Rolling Stone, and people used to want to buy their sweat. I’m not kidding. Double Door Inn (Davis)
SATURDAY 12.13
Delta Moon — Gina Leigh’s twangy vocals can float along with sweet Delta blues as ably as they can howl to potent guitar licks and slides. There are moments when she invokes the gospel blues of Aretha Franklin, while at other times looks into the empty beer glass of a somber honky-tonk singer. The Atlanta band won last year’s “International Blues Challenge” and recently released a live disc that keeps tired blues in check with innovative structure. The music is perfect for a moonlit night in the Delta or the big city. Sylvia Theater, York (Shukla)
Scott Miller and the Commonwealth — Miller recently put out yet another highly listenable record — Downside/Upside — which continues what he began as far back as his work with The V-Roys: namely, strong and pure roots-and-bluegrass infused rock & roll with a literate twist. It’s a disc full of honest takes on relationships of all kinds, whether it is with family, a lover, or even oneself. With Cast Iron Filter. Visulite Theatre (Davis)
SUNDAY 12.14
Between the Buried and Me — Bass-heavy hardcore and metal from this Raleigh-based band pretty much covers all the bases of the angst genres. There are growly-ass vocals with combative guitars and plenty of stomach pounding percussion. They can also mellow things down with Pink Floyd-like dirges as showcased on the new disc, The Silent Circus (Victory Records), giving a respite to the eardrums with slight mood alterations. Then it’s back to tires screeching and rubber burning. Also along for the ride: Bury Your Dead, Scars of Tomorrow, A Perfect Murder, and Hell or High Water. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)
MONDAY 12.15
The Murder Junkies — Legendary probably isn’t the right word, nor is inimitable. After all, who out there would want to imitate a guy — GG Allin — who used to poop on stage and then eat it (or else pelt the audience with it)? Well, ANTiSEEN’s Jeff Clayton, that’s who, although he assures me that no crap will be cut during the duration of the show. Clayton’s doing his third tour this year with GG’s old band The Murder Junkies, to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the singer’s death. Most people probably know Allin best from the documentary Hated, but one gets the sense that Allin was perhaps smarter (or at least more aware) of his actions and the social implications thereof than is popularly portrayed. This is precisely the kind of review he might have hated, but it is done with a certain level of respect. Some people like to stir the shit, as they say. Others like to throw it. Allin? He did both. With The Dead Kings. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)
This article appears in Dec 10-16, 2003.
