WEDNESDAY 7.30
An Evening of Nebraska / Andrew Webster — For tonight’s show, performers Bruce Hazel (The Noise) and Justin Faircloth (The Houston Brothers, The Goldenrods, Les Dirt Clods) will shuck corn, discuss the merits of ‘Husker football, and play the latest from Conor Oberst and them crazy Saddle Creek records boys and girls. (Being handed press release by a helpful intern.) Ahem. Seems Misters Faircloth and Hazel are covering songs from Bruce Springsteen’s acoustic favorite (duh), Nebraska, and, given the track records of these two guys, expect them to do a good job of recreating The Boss’ subtle masterpiece. Opening the gig is Andrew Webster’s band, the jauntily-titled “Andrew Webster.” The band is Webster on piano, Darrell Ussery (Lou Ford) on drums, Troy Cahn (Vine) on guitar, and Rob Crimson on the bass. Expect tune-heavy alternative sorta-prog. Double Door Inn (Davis)
FRIDAY 8.1
Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band — Zydeco’s one of those things you either love or hate, I suppose, mainly due to the usual lead instrument, the accordion. After the death of Clifton Chenier, Carrier has become sort of the de facto public face of the style, and why not? He’s young, his shows are sweaty and energetic, and he knows his roots — which he says, are and always will be in Southwest Louisiana. One of very few undiluted zydeco artists currently making the club rounds, Carrier’s worth a waltz on over to check out. Double Door Inn (Davis)
Mandorico — Mandorico are calling it quits after nearly eight years of playing music together. Tonight will be your last chance to hear their hot reggae tunes that are rear-ended by Latin infused tropical beats with funky rock done up proper with horns, guitars, keys and an attitude bent towards partying and dancing. Opening for our own Baleen — a top avant-garde outfit constantly giving Charlotte a much needed musical coaxing. Visulite Theatre (Shukla)
Thad Cockrell & The Starlite Country Band — If your Friday night agenda includes unwinding with old time country music, this gig fits the bill. When Thad croons lines straight out of the book of broken hearts and unrealized dreams, the songs are relayed with such authenticity they bring out a lump in the throat as thick as the slide guitar riffs. His backup, Starlite Country Band, consists of NC music staples from other roots-minded outfits staking out their own turf of twangy country music. With Tucker Deese. Florida Bay Seafood Company (Shukla)
The Woggles — Here’s garage rock maxing out the lo-fi spectrum with an unabashed blend of punk, surf, rockabilly and all other sorts of rawking genres. The Atlanta band has umpteen 7″ records, full length and compilation appearances under its umbrella and the recently released Ragged But Right on the righteous indie label, Telstar records as well. The new recording continues their quest for rock using all available props except possibly the kitchen sink. Hey wait a minute, there was that b-side track on that 45… The Swaggarts will open. Fat City (Shukla)
SATURDAY 8.2
Greg Trooper — Jersey boy Trooper’s got a tasty new release out, Floating, which continues his tasteful, mature songwriting. The Springsteen influence is obvious. What might not be to most of America is that Trooper, while lacking a slam-bang outfit like the E Street Band, may be the more subtle, literary songwriter at this point — see “Muhammad Ali (The Meaning of Christmas)” on his new record. There’s nothing here even close to edgy, mind you, just the rounded corners of experience. With Tom Eure (8pm show). The Evening Muse (Davis)
MONDAY 8.4
Gingersol — Yes, there’s the raspy vocals, and staccato guitar. Yes, there’s a bit of a Replacements influence. Yes, they’re still well worth listening to, even though every alt.whatever-that-is band from here to Bakersfield claims a similar sound. The Train Wreck Is Behind You is one of those rare records that glows in your head long after the CD has stopped spinning. A new member to the League of Extraordinarily Sunny Melancholia, the band brings an inventive sense of melody to the table. You know that weird sensation when something kind of fucked up happens to you and you can’t wait to tell people about it (even as you feel like shit)? Listening to Gingersol’s something like that. Or something. The Evening Muse (Davis)
WEDNESDAY 8.6
Chris Smither — A round of applause, please, for singer/songwriters still delivering their signature tunes three decades down the road from their initial debut, and still sounding good. Smither’s voice has aged like a cherished vintage and the blues-folk is delivered much of the time during his live performances with feet tapping giving a percussive backdrop to the guitar chords. He presents more such tunes on his recent release, Train Home (Hightone), with desolate vocals spinning tales of hard-earned experiences. With Mike Strauss. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
Tyre Fyre — Man, the band that was once Come on Thunderchild has splintered into loads of other good bands. Former ‘Child Johnny Morris’ new outfit, Tyre Fyre, sees him venturing into more of a pop direction, but the band doesn’t forget the rock, either, power-stomping their way through a number of surprisingly polished story-songs and tasteful covers. A good chance to see a good band on the ground floor before the elevator door closes. Double Door Inn (Davis)
This article appears in Jul 30 – Aug 5, 2003.
