THURSDAY 4.15
Clutch — Neil Fallon and Co. have always been branded something of the thinking man’s hard rock band. Which is understandable — their songs have titles like “I Have the Body of John Wilkes Booth,” for crying out loud. However, the band — thinking men though they may be — also manage to rocket through time changes like Sputnik, and hide enough Frank Zappa-prescribed medicine in the sugar to make sure you come away from their shows with a little something other than ringing ears. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)
Guy Clark — A luthier himself, Texan Clark is fond of using carpenter analogies when describing his songwriting process. Known as a painstakingly precise songwriter, Clark is something of a national treasure in his home state, and — along with deceased pal Townes Van Zandt and folks like Jerry Jeff Walker and Chip Taylor — almost helped create a new sub-genre of roots music. His last album, the Dark, is a fine introduction to his short short-story style, though it sadly sands away a few of the rough edges that pop up in his live shows. Great Aunt Stella Center (Davis)
Rock Songwriter’s Nite — The second installment of the newly minted showcase features — sans band — John Morris of Tyre Fyre, Pyramid’s Joey Stephens, Jeff Williams of gogoPilot, and Ash Goodson. Hosted by Vance Carlisle (the Gold Coast), the format is an intimate setting, allowing the songwriters to bust out old nuggets, test-drive new tunes and experiment with alternate arrangements. With songwriters of this quality, you’re virtually guaranteed some transcendent moments. The Evening Muse (Schacht)
FRIDAY 4.16
The Avett Brothers — Concord’s finest, the stomp-grassin’ Avetts return to the Neighborhood Theatre tonight with a new album, Mignonette, which will be sold for the first time at this show. With Nicole Atkins and Los Parasols. See the “See and Do” section of this paper for more information. Neighborhood Theatre (Davis)
John Gorka — Gorka’s compelling baritone, literate and down-to-earth lyrics and constant touring have created a catalog of songs nearly as big as his base, the state of Texas. The singer/songwriter’s most recent recording is Old Futures Gone (Red House Records). In the title song he sings a refrain mirroring the political climes of the past couple years and the bubbling deliberations of the upcoming election season: “The old future is gone…we can’t get to there from here.” Sylvia Theater, York (Shukla)
The Needles — Full on aggro, as they used to say in the old skateboarding bible, Thrasher. Which, coincidentally, featured Wilmington’s finest recently with a small write-up and a picture replete with full on Jimmy Page-style back arching and a middle-finger salute. You’re in no danger of hearing any ballads. You are perhaps in danger of not hearing anything once the show’s over. With Throttlerod. The Steeple Lounge (Davis)
Tift Merritt — Whether or not the bottom-line mentality of the suits at Lost Highway think they hear a single on the next album (still think it’s an “indie-style” major label?), Merritt’s already made her name with the excellent Bramble Rose and all the other fine projects she’s had a hand in (if you haven’t already, search out her excellent duet album with John Howie of the Two Dollar Pistols). To hear such a large, beautiful voice come out of such a petite gal is rather shocking the first time around, but as they say, it’s the heart that counts. With Chatham County Line. Visulite Theatre (Davis)
SATURDAY 4.17
Mythos 10 Year Anniversary Party — Chicago’s legendary turntable guru Bad Boy Bill headlines the Mythos’ birthday bash. A hard-house DJ of the first order, Bill will be joined on the bill (sorry) by another Windy City veteran, Steve Smooth, along with the Queen City’s Scott Modie, Nemo, and Roy G Biv. The flyer probably sums it up best: “Cut loose for a debaucherous celebration of 10 years clubbing.” Indeed. Mythos (Schacht)
Bob Margolin All-Star Blues Jam — Former Muddy Waters band members Margolin, Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith will be joined by Charlotte’s own Nappy Brown. See the “See and Do” section of this paper for more information. Double Door Inn (Schacht)
Keepin’ It Kountry — It’s not exactly honky-tonk, but this recent addition to the local music scene (featuring Buddy Dukes, previously of Major Nelson), adds blues and jamming to their country agenda. A recording of a live gig displays competent originals as well as feisty covers of Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill and Stevie Ray Vaughan. They host a weekly show in Huntersville called “Metrolina Opry” and recently added a pedal steel guitarist to the crew. Puckett’s Farm Equipment (Shukla)
Robert & Linda Williams & Their Fine Group — Regular contributors to Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion, this duo has been “delighting” audiences for a quarter century — “delighting” being the operative term since “blowing away” doesn’t really fit the Williams’ gentle blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time and acoustic country. “Their Fine Group,” consists of bassist Jim Watson (ex-Red Clay Ramblers) and dobro ace Kevin Maul. Neighborhood Theatre (Schacht)
WEDNESDAY 4.21
Dougie MacLean — A past member of The Tannahill Weavers and Silly Wizard, MacLean has also played and toured with Kathy Mattea. He’s an obvious favorite of the Thistle and Shamrock radio show, where the Scottish singer/songwriter and troubadour’s comforting voice and acoustic picking are regularly spun. His most recent recording, Live, From the Ends of the Earth (2001), is packed with road-enhanced tales of wit and wisdom. Dana Auditorium (Shukla)
John Howie/C.R. Edwards — Señor Howie is the baritone-voiced leader of the Two Dollar Pistols and a man with more stage charisma than legal in 14 of 50 states. The Pistols have a new one coming out May 21 on Yep Roc, Hands Up!, and I suspect Mr. Howie may take one or two songs out for a test drive this night./C.R. — you may know him as Chad — is the still-active Edwards brother from Lou Ford, out making a name for himself and willing to drive 10,000 miles or 10,000 days, whichever comes first, to prove he’s got the goods — proof enough that he does. The Evening Muse (Schacht)
Mushroomhead — This Cleveland band started out as a side project for members of various groups in that town, until their masked anonymity and onslaught of punk, goth, industrial and abrasive alt.metal gelled into a full-time muse. Their music mimics Faith No More at times, with Pantera elbowing in as an influence at other times. If confrontational and in-your-face bombast is your ticket, Mushroomhead manage a caustic show despite, or maybe because of, the masks and make-up shtick. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)
This article appears in Apr 14-20, 2004.
