THURSDAY, FEB. 26
The Smokers S.C. rockers have been turning heads with a mishmash of dirty blues, ’60s garage rock and sloppy punk since their arrival on the scene last year. Cranked to the max, this is drinking music that also, um, smokes. On a good night, it’s all about rocking out with battered guitars and even more battered brain cells. With Appalucia and Sioux City Pete and the Beggars. The Milestone (Samir Shukla)
T.I. Every time his name is mentioned, it’s usually followed by “who is going to jail in two weeks.” I’ve been hearing that for what seems like an eternity, but the fact he’s on tour shows his date behind bars is at least not happening this week. He was sentenced to one year on weapons charges – scheduled to start in March – so you should probably see him now, because the next chance you get will be a while. Bojangles Coliseum (Jeff Hahne)
FRIDAY, FEB. 27
The Houstons The laid-back harmonies of brothers Matt and Justin Faircloth (nee Houston) always seem to be comprised of equal parts resignation and rejoicing, and the mid-tempo shuffle of the songs works perfectly whether one’s settling in for the evening or preparing to take the town by storm. Sonically, it’s also dead-on Houston – or anywhere where there’s plenty of room to roam. Ostensibly a mix of steel, hazy pedal-driven guitar and brushed drums, it’s driving music – in either interpretation of the word. With the Trouble Walkers and Bruce Hazel and Some Volunteers. The Milestone (Timothy C. Davis)
Blue Dogs The Blue Dogs isn’t going to blow you away with its musicianship, necessarily, but the band does manage to rollick along rather pleasantly, knowing that mid-tempo doesn’t have to mean Hootie. Bobby Houck and co. do a nice job of consistently evoking the Carolina landscape without resorting to faux country tropes, and the whole thing really swings after a couple cold ones: rhythm and brews, if you will. Sylvia Theater, York (Davis)
SATURDAY, FEB. 28
Andy Friedman & the Other Failures Friedman moonlights as an illustrator for, among others, The New Yorker, and the skewed view of the world that gig dictates pervades his “citybilly,” as some have taken to calling his music. Part of a fertile NYC scene embracing country and blues roots sans Big City Irony, Friedman’s cock-eyed narratives certainly resonate beyond most of what passes for serious country music these days. The Other Failures flesh out his recently released sophomore record, Weary Things, with typically twangy accents, and the whole she-bang suggests that putting a smile on the listener’s face doesn’t mean Friedman’s kidding around. With Lowry at the late show. The Evening Muse (John Schacht)
Pontiak The sludgy, brooding riff-rock this trio of brothers pulled from the loam of their native Virginia farmland was one of 2008’s richest surprises. Sun On Sun balanced its pummeling-yet-melodic guitars and psychedelic space-scapes just right, infusing the songs with enough menace to suggest you were reverting to something primordial just by listening to them. Now, only six months later, they’re dropping another gem on Thrill Jockey, Maker, which doesn’t change the formula beyond offering more in shorter, more focused bursts. Your humble correspondent doesn’t cotton much to the loud stuff anymore, but for this band he’s willing to sacrifice what’s left of his hearing on its hard-rock altar. With The Kickass and 2013 Wolves. The Milestone (Schacht)
Charlie Louvin Country, bluegrass and gospel legend Charlie Louvin has been around the bend once or twice, to say the least. Touring in support of his new recording Sings Murder Ballads and Disaster Songs, Louvin’s voice may be aging but his music remains potent. As half of the Louvin Brothers, Charlie Louvin was hugely influential in the post-war country eras of the ’40s and ’50s. He went solo in 1963 and today the 81-years-young Louvin may struggle to hit higher notes, but still churns out toetappers. Old school never sounded so good. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic The Godfather of Funk is back, and really if you aren’t familiar with his music it should be a requirement to be at this show. After all, “there ain’t no party like a P-Funk party, cause a P-Funk party don’t stop.” He with the multi-colored coif is currently in a country competition on CMT, but I’m sure he’s gonna keep it funky. Neighborhood Theatre (Jeff Hahne)
SUNDAY, MARCH 1
The Reign of Kindo This Buffalo, N.Y., band has a jazzy, pop vibe that salutes the past but doesn’t get stuck there. The songcraft is darn smashing, and the quintet creates a quaint, gentle aura. Their new album is aptly titled Rhythm, Chord & Melody. The band’s music is like hanging out with an old friend; Ben Folds comes to mind albeit moodier and jazzier. With William Tell, Jimmy Robbins, Dylan Gilbert and Emily Moore. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)
TUESDAY, MARCH 3
Thriving Ivory While this five-piece band from the Bay Area released its first album just last June, the quintet has already been pinned by VH1 as one “You Oughta Know.” With singles like “Angels on the Moon,” and a sound similar to that of Coldplay or U2, the band has a soothing way of serenading arenas full of broken hearts without coming off like a bunch of whiney jackasses. Neighborhood Theatre (Jill Jacobs)
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 3, 2009.
