WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2
DAMON MOON & THE WHISPERING DRIFTERS Georgia’s Moon crafts folky-rock with an open-ended compositional verve. Apparently, the mood of the moment gets added to the song at hand. Old-time country, psychedelic riffs, controlled noise, whispering, howling and generally creating a one-man muse backed by a revolving crew of players. It’s a slow bubbling affair that includes one of the most psychedelic takes on “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” this side of early Pink Floyd meets noise rock. With The Flash Academy and Monarchist. $5. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (Samir Shukla)
THURSDAY, FEB. 3
ROBIN TROWER The British rocker hasn’t let his five decades in the industry slow him down. Since jamming with Procol Harum, members of Jethro Tull and Cream, and his own trio, Trower is still on the road fusing classic rock and blues on his signature Fender Strat. Probably best known for his masterful solos, see an underrated guitar great do it live. D.B. Bryant Band join. $39.50. The Fillmore Charlotte. www.livenation.com. (Mike McCray)
FRIDAY, FEB. 4
NOFX The Cali goofballs formed in 1983 and are still kicking with their good-time punk-pop tossed around with dub and power-punk. All is game, political commentary, drunken blabbering, self-mockery, with often satiric and punchy lyrics that on many songs rise above the “poke in the eye” punk prose. They’ve umpteen E.P.’s, records, singles and comps to their credit. Also on the bill are the Bouncing Souls, Cobra Skulls and Old Man Markely. $35.25. The Fillmore Charlotte. www.livenation.com. (Shukla)
GRIDS With a simple, “This is the last time we’ll play a show,” Charlotte trio Grids announced on its website that they’re calling it quits. Drummer Bobby Michaud is leaving, so… that’s it. The group’s furious energetic rock is made for blowing the doors off of music clubs. I still expect a lot from Michaud, bassist Gus Engstrom and singer/guitarist Rob Davis in the future. It’s not too late — say it ain’t so! With Double Negative, Chronic Youth, Hawks, Bukkake Boys. $6-$8. 9 p.m. The Milestone. www.themilestoneclub.com. (Jeff Hahne)
TERRANCE SIMIEN AND THE ZYDECO EXPERIENCE Simien’s zydeco, tinged with R&B and soul and layered with richly textured accordion playing, is among the purest Louisiana has to offer. Simien’s swirling sound makes for a lot of action on the dance floor, but he’s much more than just a flesh-and-blood jukebox. His take on traditional zydeco mixed with other Southern roots influences produces a new, more soulful brand of the famous traditional Cajun music that manages to stay faithful to the swamp while charting new waters. Simien’s soulful singing suggests Otis Redding, and his songwriting suggests his music deserves ears everywhere, not just in bayou country. Free. Davidson College. www.davidson.edu. (Timothy C. Davis)
SATURDAY, FEB. 5
CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO Originally coming together playing with (Robert) Fripp’s League of Crafty Guitarists, the California Guitar Trio’s evolved virtuosity on guitars creates spacey originals, classical interpretations, jazz, surf and covers ranging from “Bohemian Rhapsody” (makes sense) to “Freebird” (huh?). But they make it work, with otherworldly playing and the ability to rise out of the fretwork to write fine original compositions, as well. Their newest released is the aptly titled Andromeda. $15. The Evening Muse. www.theeveningmuse.com. (Shukla)
DARK STAR ORCHESTRA The only tribute band I know of to play note-perfect (and note-not-so-perfect, as the case may be) entire shows of their host band — The Grateful Dead, in this case — in their entirety, DSO so impressed Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh that the pair signed guitarist John Kadlecik to join their band Furthur. Since forming, the band has performed over 1,800 shows, which means they may well be tighter than the Dead themselves were toward the end of the line. What show are you going to get? Who knows. But they may well be due for some Barton Hall/Europe ’72 action soon. As with the Dead, you never know just what you’re going to get. $24-$26. Neighborhood Theatre. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com. (Davis)
MODERN PRIMITIVES The first time I saw the Modern Primitives play live, they were rocking a jam packed living room in Plaza Midwood, complete with hot chicks, drunks and crowd surfers coming dangerously close to ceiling fans. I can only imagine what they’ll do on an actual stage. The fairly new Charlotte rock outfit is moving crowds with upbeat surf rock that’s raw, catchy and chaotic. Secret Hospital and Motel Glory are also on the bill. $5. Snug Harbor. www.snugrock.com. (McCray)
MONDAY, FEB. 7
ROBERT PLANT AND THE BAND OF JOY Known for Led Zeppelin, Robert Plant has found himself outside of the rock spotlight in recent years for something a little more Americana. After his Grammy win with Alison Krauss, Plant has now reformed the Band of Joy, which offers a brand of folk music and features Patty Griffin among his bandmates. With North Mississippi Allstars. $46-$76. 8 p.m. Ovens Auditorium. www.ovensauditorium.com. (Hahne)
TUESDAY, FEB. 8
GEORGE MCCONNELL AND THE NONCHALANTS Singer and guitarist George McConnell has made a history of his own for being in such bands as Kudzu Kings, Beanland and Widespread Panic, but with the formation of his new band, The Nonchalants, he is proving to make some of his best work. Just shy of two years as a group, George McConnell and The Nonchalants continue to travel the Southeast, spreading their musical mixture of blues, rock ‘n’ roll and jazz to the masses. Expect the release of a second album this year. The Philosopher’s Stone Tavern. www.philosophersstonetavern.com. (Johnathan Cruse)
This article appears in Feb 1-7, 2011.
