Local musicians pick their favorite area performers

The music critics who write every week in the pages of Creative Loafing and daily online at our music blog Qcvibes.com are constantly sharing their opinions of the good, bad and the ugly of the Charlotte music scene. But this issue, instead of once again telling you who you should be watching and listening to, we thought we’d let the musicians themselves tell you. We contacted dozens of area artists and asked: Who is your favorite local act? Who are the “must-see” performers in Charlotte and why? Here’s what they had to say:

Anthony Rodriguez, lead vocalist/bassist, Soulganic: For me, Super Ape is a must-see [band] — they have the right blend of atmosphere, melody and sick breakbeats that moves the crowd. Plus, their artistic vision is never compromised and their roots dig so deep into the obscure side of sound that the listener comes away sonically refreshed.

Robby Hartis, bassist/vocalist, The Lights, Fluorescent: I would say the must-see act in Charlotte right now is Harvard. These guys have come a really long way over the years. Aside from being some of the nicest guys in town, they are also some of the most talented. They have really come into their own and found their sound over the past couple of years. The live show is always a must-see. Very captivating, make-you-think kind of stuff. If I had to pick any one band in Charlotte that will make it, I would confidently say Harvard. They work hard, tour often and are always creating.

Pat Maholland, bassist, The New Familiars: One of my favorite bands to catch in town is Stephen Warwick and Secondhand Stories. [Stephen] is one of the finer songwriters in the Charlotte music scene, and I feel they can really push other local acts in their own songwriter craftsmanship.

Chris Sheridan, guitarist, Simplified: This one is easy for me. I love doing shows with Evelynn Rose. They have great material and a tremendous amount of energy. And there is a certain unpredictable element to [singer] Joe’s performance. These guys are the shit.

Molly J. Brown, trombonist, Mike Strauss Band: Ron Brendle is just about the most amazing musician I have seen with my eyes. His CD release show for Rhizome, which features himself and fellow upright bass prodigy Mike Holstein, was the rare intense-virtuosic jazz show of my dreams. The show itself was the duo, two upright basses, that interlaced tight-knit rhythms and melodies, which opened into lyrical passages with freeing sounds and textures and (somehow) always coming back together. Ron plays with various combos around town, and I bet an encore of his duet with Holstein could happen … if enough requests are made (hint hint). At any rate, it’s jazz, it’s weird and it’s wonderful. Go see him.

Eric Cavanaugh, singer, Illicitizen: In a world where nearly every hipster band in town worships The Beatles, they all seem to exclude bands that work as hard as the Fab Four did when they were getting started in the early ’60s. For sheer tenacity, entertainment and adherence to a strong work ethic, the band I’ve seen the most frequently is Angwish. Funny story: Bryan [vocalist] caused the delay of the mixing of the second four-song studio effort of my first band by pranking the studio engineer. I didn’t meet him for another 10 years or so, and he honestly got pale when I mentioned the dude. We ended up both having a great laugh about it.

Bruce Hazel, singer, Temperance League: I make a Charlotte music sampler CD when we play with touring bands to give them a little taste of what is happening here. I always include 2013 Wolves. They scare the hell out of me! Everyone needs a good punch in the face every once in a while to shake up your brains, and Bobby Childers and Neal Harper provide this service. Best accompanied by a PBR tallboy.

Eric Mullis, vibes, Actual Proof: I have two. Red All Over — I first saw this group perform at a Crowntown Showdown at the Double Door and my jaw hit the floor. Their performances include sumptuous vocals from Eliza Gray and rich bass grooves and dance moves from Jarrett Bury, all of which are pushed by a background of synths, samples and live percussion. Indeed, it’s been too long since the group has done a Charlotte show. I hope they are saving up for something epic. Lucky Five — I saw this group captivate a crowd at the Salvador Deli last year; a group of young guys with a fabulous front man, killer synchronized guitar licks, and an obscene amount of collective energy. This is a band that Charlotteans need to catch now before they make it big.

Lee Neitzel, singer, Transmission Fields: The Stellas. They put on a high-energy show every time. They play like they’re in front of thousands of people regardless of how many people are there. To top it off, the guys really are some of the nicest guys in town. If you were in the market for a sweaty, beer-stained shirt, I’m positive Adam would give you the one off his back.

Reginald Jamerson, guitarist/vocalist, Pradigy GT: I’ve seen a ton of local bands and been to a lot of shows, but the one local band that left me feeling like WHOA was Campbell. The visuals and overall production of their show blew me away. I felt like I was at a Coldplay/Muse concert. The lights, the dynamics of the music and the antics … it was just fantastic. After the Campbell performance, I thought, “This is what I want people to feel like after they see my band perform.”

John Thomsen, guitarist, Grown Up Avenger Stuff: Certainly, Tattermask for being amazing scene supporters. Adam Middleton projects (The Stellas/The Isaac Spiveys) for fresh, super-catchy, current and unique energetic music — and members of both those bands can often be found at local shows showing support. Then there’s these locally based super bands like Sugar Glyder and Evelynn Rose who are definitely present in our local scene even though they have gone off in their own directions, setting the bar high and not just musically — they have pushed what it means to be DIY and in doing so have trailblazed a path for up-and-coming bands to go out there on their own and do amazing things. And finally the musician/scene/incubator types — Scott Weaver (Babyshaker, Snagglepuss, Shiprocked), Bo White (Yardwork, Kinnikikk), and probably my personal favorite Neal M.F. Harper (2013 Wolves, The Milestone) who has not only thrown his life into the scene with utter completeness but, for many people, also helped define what Charlotte music actually is (and it’s awesome). Plus, his band 2013 Wolves is mind-blowing.

Dylan Gilbert, guitarist/singer, Dylan Gilbert & The Over Easy Breakfast Machine: There are so many bands to consider. Linus Van Pelt, Case Federal and The Agents, Members of the Sea and Yardwork are all good ones to name. They’re all creative and passionate. And it seems only accurate to mention Benji Hughes as one of the most enjoyable albums of the past year altogether (local or not). If Phil Pucci (Almighty Flying Machine, Palm Trees, Aloha Dear Andrea, etc.) had a project going, I’d probably mention that too, but I believe he’s in between bands. He’s pretty obscure around the scene, but he’s one of the better songwriters I know. But the one band that really stands out to me is The Have And The Have Nots. Their energy is raw and intense. It’s such a simple two-piece setup but hits you like something from another planet. Totally original. I hope I can take some of what Ben Henry is doing and apply it to my own songwriting in the future. The kid’s a genius.

Joshua Wade, bassist, Evelynn Rose: We feel like Sugar Glyder is the must-see band of Charlotte right now. The vocal is unique and amazing. They constantly release incredible material that is fresh, current and relatable. A great work ethic, beautiful songwriting, and a powerful live performance all are determining factors to us … plus, “Grace the Fulcrum” is one of the most epic songs ever!

Mike Hendrix, guitarist/singer, The Belmont Playboys: For me, it has to be the Aqualads, and that’s been so for a long time. They’re one of the best there is out there at what they do, anywhere. And they’ve remained so through some pretty deep personnel and even stylistic changes, over a term of years that most bands don’t even bother aspiring to, much less come anywhere near achieving. I know some people get frustrated with or just aren’t interested in all-instrumental bands — some folks just gotta have a front guy — but it ain’t that way for me. Jimmy, Jeremy and the rest of the boys are experts at a complex form whose principle requirement is that it has to seem simple. They know what tone is; they know what subtlety is; they know what cool is. They work hard at the music, and they make it look almost easy. All that is no mean feat, and the fruits of their sweat, drive and inspiration are always a joy to behold.

Bo White, member of Yardwork, Black Congo NC, Calabi Yau (newly reformed), solo artist and head of Kinnikinnik Records: One of the best songwriters in Charlotte, Andy the Doorbum is my top must-see. He’s unique and his performance can be enjoyed at the lowest and highest levels. The songs are catchy, filled with lyrical jabs. Occasionally these are low blows, abrasive, crass, backwoods humor. But frequently they are insightful and literary, often exploring death and the spiritual to such a degree that you know this guy obviously gets out there and lives. His timing is impeccable. I’ve seen him play big stages, tiny basements, wedding receptions and baby showers.

Bryan Bielanski, guitarist/singer, Angwish: The band I admire most is Illicitizen, featuring Charlotte music veteran Eric Cavanaugh and his wife Maria. They work hard to promote their shows, are constantly playing shows in NYC, and they really try to encourage a teamwork ethic with other bands. I wish more bands would take a page from their book.

Jeff Clayton, singer/conductor of destruction, ANTiSEEN: Self Made Monsters. This band is the DIY-ethic incarnate. They’ve released several 7-inch EPs and one full-length CD release to date with one on the way soon. All of it was recorded by the band themselves and released with no label support or backing. They’ve been together for 10 years and are still relatively unknown and shunned by the locals that do know them; but they don’t let that slow them down or discourage them. The best comparison I could give is The Stooges meets The Germs, but they have developed past that to an even more tripped out “psycho-delic” version of that description. Shows can be really hypnotic sludge fests or a confrontational mud sling … or BOTH at a second’s notice. Honorable mentions: Belmont Playboys, Babyshaker, Biggy Stardust & Flat Tires … I really like bands whose names start with “B.”

Daylon Brumfield, guitarist/vocalist, Trouble Walkers: The Houston Brothers are in my mind, the most remarkable band in Charlotte. Watching brothers Justin and Matt Faircloth work onstage as a duo outshines most full-piece bands that have played Snug Harbor, local, regional or national.

Scott Weaver, vocalist, Babyshaker, Snagglepuss: This is a tough one, because I genuinely think there are several great Charlotte bands. My pick is based on the fact that I discovered this band after they had been around for a little while, and I feel like they are still somewhat overlooked. I think Cement Stars are great. They sound modern, but with a nod to post punk and new wave bands from the past. I also like how they use traditional instrumentation combined with technology to create their sound. And at the end of the day, their disc is recorded very well and is full of potential hits.

Justin Faircloth, vocalist/drummer/more, The Houston Brothers: Snagglepuss. Reckless abandon and childhood magic personified, by many beautiful persons, and playfully spun into music. What’s not to like?

Ida Divine, singer/rapper: Shableek & Uncommon Jazz. The sax player Shableek is ridiculous! He makes that instrument sing, and the band collectively is perfectly synchronized and melodic … just takes me on a journey every time I get to hear them live.

Michael Deeb, guitarist/vocalist, Heywire: Automatic Chi represents some of the most skillful and honest talent in the Charlotte area, and I always make it a point to try and catch their shows. Although I am not the biggest jazz/fusion fan in the world, these guys are making smart, enjoyable music. Dustin Hofsess and Dave Eatman make an incredible guitar compliment, and Adam Snow is by far one of the best drummers in the area. Matt Pike holds down the bottom end while Dave Palmer solidifies the ensemble with his amazing work on the keys. Go see Automatic Chi, or any one of the many projects that the members of this Charlotte “super group” participate in; you will be thoroughly impressed.

Adam Middleton, singer/guitarist, The Stellas, The Isaac Spiveys (singer/guitar): Zoe Vette and the Revolvers are hands down Charlotte’s must-see band. They are rock ‘n’ roll! The live show is mesmerizing and the songwriting is superb. I’ve seen a lot of bands and most of them stand in one position the entire night. It’s boring! Every time I catch The Revolvers, I’m left blown away, pining for more. They are the real deal! They also support great causes (human rights and the environment). Word!

Philip Shive, bassist, Fat Camp!, Manchovy, Piss Through: Pinko from Gastonia. Gastonia gets a bad rap because of its affiliation with Fred Durst, crystal meth, juggalos and metalcore, but there is little dirty pop gem hidden right outside of the constantine wire and losing scratch cards. Could a band cover Ronnettes, GNR and Jesus and Mary Chain tactfully while pumping out hits like “Newports and Mickey’s Ice” and “3 in the Sky”? Teenage pregnancy is on the rise in the gashouse.

Lee Herrera, guitarist, Harvard: Campbell is a young band that loves to push their creativity in different levels besides just the music. They seem to be creating a personality as a band that extends to their image, live show, stage presence as well as songwriting; definitely a band I love to see live.

This article appears in Oct 5-11, 2010.