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Saturday, January 31, 2009
Music Menu / News Music Menu, 1/31
Posted By Web Editor on Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 8:29 AM
SATURDAY, JAN. 31
Citizen Cope Clarence Greenwood, the estimable "Citizen Cope," was a former DJ and keyboardist with the underrated folk/rap/rock/industrial complex Basehead. Sort of like G. Love with a little less Philly and a little more chili, Cope does a fair enough job at masking his record spinning and genre-blending on the new Acoustic Tapes Vol. 1, a record that manages, despite its sonambulant title, to do a fair enough job of engaging the head and hooves equally. Neighborhood Theatre (Timothy C. Davis)
Snagglepuss w/ Bruce Hazel and Some Volunteers Most regular readers (irregular readers, eat more fiber!) likely know the origin stories of these two titans of Q.C. rock 'n' roll. Snagglepuss (not to be confused with the shitty Florida metal band of the same name) is led by the husband/wife team of Hope Nicholls and Aaron Pitkin, two folks who've helped guide and nurture local music for decades now. Along with a crack band also featuring Scott Weaver, Amy Kennemore, Darrin Gray and Michael Anderson, the pair's brass-spiked punk punch tastes extra good in this buttoned-down era of bearded acousto-mumbling. Meanwhile, Hazel and his merry mob recently made the finals of a contest run by Little Steven of E-Street fame (the winner got a record deal) but ultimately fell a few votes short. Regardless, someone needs to get this man – sonically, a mix of The Boss, Mike Ness, and not a little Howlin' Wolf – signed soon: His mixing of moods, way with melody, and meat-and-potatoes writing chops deserves more ears. Snug Harbor (Davis)
Otis Gibbs According to lore, this gruff-voiced Indiana native spent part of his youth singing in a bar for his caretaker uncle's beer money, worked all manner of menial jobs until discovering Henry Miller and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, then slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, played labor rallies and anti-war protests, and (surprise!) earned an FBI file. His peripatetic life also includes a catalog of honest-to-goodness country-folk songs, like his brand-new Chris Stamey-produced Grandpa Walked a Picketline, highlighted by the legendary Al Perkins' gorgeous pedal steel. With Death on Two Wheels and Lollipop Factory. The Evening Muse (John Schacht)
Friday, January 30, 2009
QC After Dark / News Broadway's in Charlotte... and Brittney's in Limbo
Posted By Brittney Cason on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Actually, it’s Savage that was in Limbo... and on stage at CAST (Carolina Actor’s Studio Theatre).
Meanwhile, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp from the original 1996 cast of RENT are on stage at Ovens Auditorium. Along with Nicolette Hart — perhaps the funniest, most animated Maureen in any RENT production I’ve seen. Makes sense — she is the original Elle Woods in Legally Blonde... the musical?! Really? I mean, we’ve seen people take art and turn it into pop culture, but can you turn pop culture into a piece of art?
I can tell you however that seeing the authentic Roger and Mark on stage made it feel like I was in the Louvre of performing arts, seeing the original masterpiece that is the musical RENT right here in Charlotte thanks to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
RENT focuses on the sanctuary of the arts and performing spaces….and CAST is a prime example of a local performance space worth patronizing. It’s perhaps the best independent theater in Charlotte. In addition to the good entertainment and ambiance, they offer $12 bottles of wine at the bar, which during the play Savage in Limbo was converted into the set for the performance.
QC After Dark / News Mini Britney's back, bitch!
Posted By Brittney Cason on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Mini Britney will be at BAR Charlotte tonight. Not that I typically ever encourage going to BAR Charlotte… but I do encourage you go see Mini Britney. She’s actually as good as the real Britney Spears the comeback version.
Read my adventures with Mini Britney last year here.
10-in-10 CD Reviews / News 10-in-10 CD Reviews
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Each Friday, we bring you 10 random CD reviews done in 10 words each:
Sally Crewe & The Sudden Moves Your Nearest Exit May Be Behind You — Simplistic, stripped-down sound reminds me of old Juliana Hatfield.
SciFi SciFi — Mostly instrumentals that combine jazz with elements of funk, reggae. (At the Double Door Inn Friday, Jan. 30)
The Black Ghosts The Black Ghosts — Re-released debut includes song from Twilight, it's some decent electronica.
Audrye Sessions Audrye Sessions — Oakland quartet’s rock grooves, Thom-York-esque vocals have potential.
Alabama Blues Machine Must Be Love — Decent blues band sticks to the traditional style, plus horns.
State of Shock Life, Love & Lies — Straight-up rockers out of Canada goes radio-friendly route.
Sally Kellerman Sally — Well-known actress puts recognizable voice over adult, jazz standards.
Via Tania Moon Sweet Moon — Sophomore effort from former Australian noise-popper is mellow, soothing.
Pine Leaf Boys Homage Au Passe — Ragin' Cajuns offer up originals and traditionals — mostly in French.
Umphrey's McGee Mantis — Chicago outfit that kicks out the jams releases darker material. (At Neighborhood Theatre on Feb. 22)
Concert Announcement / News Concert Announcement
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Taylor Swift will be performing in Charlotte on Sept. 5, 2009, as part of her upcoming headlining tour. No word yet on where the concert will be held. Stay tuned here for updates!
News Cowboy Mouth in Charlotte
Posted By Anita Overcash on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Tonight (Fri., Jan. 30), the New Orleans-based rock act Cowboy Mouth is set to perform at Alive in NoDa. The group whose popular songs include "Love Of My Life" "Everybody Loves Jill,” "How Do You Tell Someone," and of course, "Jenny Says" (The latter, blasted over radio airwaves after 1996’s release Are You With Me?) is still kicking, although through the years members have come and gone. Currently comprised of lead vocalist and drummer Fred LeBlanc, guitarist and vocalist John Thomas Griffith, bassist and vocalist Regina Zernay and guitarist and vocalist Jonathan Pretus, the band released its latest album Fearless in September of 2008. The CD included a song called “Kelly Ripa,” which in turn lassoed Cowboy Mouth an appearance on the television show Live with Regis and Kelly. $20. 9 p.m. Alive in NoDa, 2909 N. Davidson St. 704-930-2200.
Music Menu / News Music Menu, 1/30
Posted By Web Editor on Fri, Jan 30, 2009 at 7:44 AM
FRIDAY, JAN. 30
Prabir and the Substitutes Among the FAQs on this Richmond, Va., band's Web site you'll find the following: Q: "Do you sound like the Killers or the Strokes? A: "Yes, and you are a dumbass." You are a dumbass because Prabir Mehta's outfit roots firmly in the infinitely less-derivative rock 'n' roll songwriting of the Kinks, Beatles, Zombies, etc., only cranked up to 11, handsomely adorned with skilled harmony singing, and spiced up with a hair-afire live show that makes the Strokes and Killers look like the model-courting poseurs they are. Still touring behind last year's little gem, Five Little Pieces. Opening for rural pop icons Lou Ford. Snug Harbor (John Schacht)
Starling Electric Flip the CD booklet. Starling Electric's Clouded Staircase was recorded a couple of years ago, not in the '60s. This quartet makes period music, circa mid-'60s-mid-'70s, that's smashingly psychedelic and stitched with paisley melody and prog-rock guitar work that harks back to the classic hippie era, yet sounds damn fresh. Formed by singer/songwriter Caleb Dillon, they've fused into this quaintly eclectic combo. With Foxchase, Naked Gods and Ultimate Optimist. Milestone (Samir Shukla)
The Benjy Davis Project Folk rocker Davis and crew play solidly written rock tunes. The Louisiana quintet isn't flashy, or even innovative, but its songs swirl around in the head long after they've stopped playing. The band's on the road plugging the new album Dust, which is stacked with cohesive pop and electric rock. RIYL: Dave Matthews Band, 3 Doors Down, John Mayer. With Milhouse. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
Tropic Culture The last time the band performed at the Visulite, the place was packed with people shaking their collective asses off to the funky, tropical, groovy, rockin', Latin beats. This time around, they're even supplying some Latin food. Good food, good music. What else do you need? With Solos Unit and DJ Nelson. Visulite Theatre (Jeff Hahne)
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Concert Announcement / News 1/3 of show cancelled for tonight?
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Semi Precious Weapons' van was hit last night according to the band's publicist. No word on any damages or injuries, but the publicist says they will not be performing at The Milestone tonight.
Nico Vega's publicist says SPW is having "van trouble" and may not make the show.
HOWEVER - Nico Vega and Von Iva are still scheduled to be there.
Concert Announcement / News Cope sold out!
Posted By Jeff Hahne on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Saturday night's Citizen Cope show at the Neighborhood Theatre is sold out.
Music Menu / News Music Menu, 1/29
Posted By Web Editor on Thu, Jan 29, 2009 at 7:41 AM
THURSDAY, JAN. 29
Von Iva The all-girl electro punk trio may be well known to you if you've seen the latest Jim Carrey movie, Yes Man. They were the backing band for Zooey Deschanel – Munchausen by Proxy. They performed here last November, but they're back again as part of the Hell on Heels tour with Semi Precious Weapons and Nico Vega. Milestone (Jeff Hahne)
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The Magpie Salute smashes expectations
Former Black Crowes members rock the roof off of NoDa's Neighborhood Theatre.
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Live photos: Warped Tour, PNC Music Pavilion (7/28/2014)
The best, the worst and the can-do-withouts of the 2014 Charlotte tour stop.
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Live Review: George Clinton 1
The Godfather of Funk rocks the Neighborhood Theatre on Feb. 28, 2009
