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- Deborah Lopez
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STRICTLY COMMERCIAL: Ingrid Michaelson
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
Soilent Green Not to be confused with the futuristic (and somewhat prescient) 1973 Charlton Heston film of the same name, Soilent Green, the band, is a death/grind/doom metal band from just outside of New Orleans. The band, recently signed to Metal Blade Records, has had a tough time of it recently. In 2004, bassist Scott Williams was killed in an apparent murder/suicide, and in 2005 former vocalist Glen Rambo was killed in Hurricane Katrina – but the skies seem to be clearing for the boys as of late: Rolling Stone has even thrown respect at the band's chaotic, Defcon-5 sonic snippets of the coming apocalypse. With Hate Eternal, Skeletonwitch, Toxic Holocaust. Tremont Music Hall (Timothy C. Davis)
THURSDAY, MAY 1
Ingrid Michaelson Since having her catchy-as-a-cold "The Way I Am" featured in an Old Navy commercial, Michaelson has seen her career really take off – which wasn't all that big of a jump considering (she was unsigned before the ad hit). Boasting a golden, bell-toned voice intoning steadily over lightly strummed acoustic guitar and brush-drummed percussion, her sound, as evidenced by her big hit, owes more to the Carly Simons of the world than your Joni Mitchells. ("I'd buy you Rogaine if you start losing all your hair," she sings, "Sew on patches to all you tear.") Her sophomore disc, Boys and Girls, is more of the same, with some darker tracks helping to ground her tilt-at-windmills tuneful traipsing. Josh Ritter. Visulite Theatre (Davis)
FRIDAY, MAY 2
Thrice Never satisfied with being pushed into a hole, the Cali-based quartet revel in shaking off labels. Their early screamo and post-hardcore bombast has given way to their freshly released eclectic double disc set The Alchemy Index Vols. III & IV - Air & Earth, which is oozing with atmospherics, soundscapes, folk and even new century psychedelic embellishments. Their multilayered music has one theme, and that is an ear for musical adventurism. With Circa Survive, Pelican. Amos' Southend (Samir Shukla)
Steep Canyon Rangers These young rangers may live in the 21st Century, but their modus operandi is traditional and damn smokin' bluegrass. They formed in Chapel Hill and after years of giggin' and recordings, they are musically tight as any outfit of geezers that have been jamming together for years. It's sheer joy to listen to their top acoustic jams as they evoke old-time bluegrass gatherings, whether playing in clubs or outdoor festivals. With John Cowan Band. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)
SATURDAY, MAY 3
Zac Brown Band Brown, born and raised near Atlanta, has that distinct Southern musical charm that can only come from someone who has lived the life. His band plays boot scootin' country-folk, where Brown's guitar and voice wrap around it all like a big ole bear hug. It's one part country, one part folk, one part bluegrass with a whole bucket full of that Jimmy Buffet-like, toes in the sand, cold one in hand, party hoedown. Visulite (Shukla)
Jon Dee Graham Alejandro Escovedo gets the lion's share of critical love when it comes to ex-True Believers, but for my money (admittedly, not much) Mr. Graham is a more consistent songwriter (and better guitarist), if not quite as given to the same transcendence live. Graham's gravel-pit voice and wistful twang rock is usually an afterthought among the roots rock cognoscenti, which says all you need to know about that lot. A documentary of his music – Jon Dee Graham: Swept Away – is set for release May 20. With Matthew Ryan Vs. the Silver State (John Schacht)
Dexter Romweber Duo Once you see Dexter and sibling Sara do their drums-and-psychobilly-surf guitar-twang rock thing, you'll understand immediately why the ex-Flat Duo Jet gets cited by everybody from R.E.M. and X to Neko Case and Jack White as a fundamental influence or favorite performer. "Frenzied," "insane," "wild" are typical adjectives that accompany a Romweber-gig review, so there they are, no less true than they were 20 years ago. Two Headed Cow, the 2007 doc about the Flat Duo Jets, now has a companion album of the same name culled from 1986 live dates. With Trouble Walkers and DJ Scott Weaver. Snug Harbor (Schacht)
Hearts & Daggers Hearts & Daggers are a revival of the rebel cowboy; where punk-flare meets bluegrass. The bar melody, "What It Means to Cry," will surely have you remembering duets from Johnny Cash and June Carter. While most tunes from the North Carolina quartet resonate around old-fashioned whiskey, women and hard work, guitarist Ben Bucklew modernizes with electric blues. Their latest album, A Home for My Lonely Tears, is available now. With The Bo-Stevens. Puckett's Farm Equipment (Chey Scott)
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Southern Skids on the Culture
Rick Miller and company have been turning stereotypes inside-out for 20 years
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It Looks Sad. Returns With New Lineup and New Album 1
Get happy!
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Manifest Records & Tapes to Close
Independent Chain To Shutter 5 Remaining Carolina Stores
