The Juliana Theory / Hopesfall -- In which the ex-Tooth and Nail emoters sign to a major, get a big load of studio polish, and put out work that sounds like a pretty good band went into the studio and got a big load of studio polish (go figure!). They're best heard live, however, and, as the band will be actually playing live tonight and not lip-synching, you're in luck. The Charlotte-based band Hopesfall recently released an excellent new record, The Satellite Years, on Trustkill Records. A mix of no-nonsense hardcore laced with big sweeping arcs of icy melody, the record is a fine introduction to the band, who do a fair enough job of translating the rather ambitious release to their live show. Bleeding heart music for those not afraid to be called such a thing. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)
SNMNMNM -- For starters: a lead accordion player. A tuba player instead of a bass guitarist. Three-part harmonies. Also, that cliched-ass instrument called the electric guitar. Yet another band proving that it's not the gimmick that makes the band, but the other way around. Sure, it takes some getting used to -- accordion melodies, as polka fans everywhere can attest, are not the rockingest things in the world -- but it works, and well. Both polka and rock are usually done in beer halls anyway, come to think of it. Part of a regular Wednesday-evening residence at Fat City, and well worth checking out for those looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Fat City (Davis)
THURSDAY 9.11
Bill Mallonee & the Silver Hearts -- Mallonee has been kicking around the fertile musical farmlands of Athens, GA, for years, but don't count him among the followers as his own imprints are deeply embedded in the musical hotbed. Long-time frontman for Georgia's Vigilantes of Love, Mallonee has always been a top-seeded songwriter, whether fronting a band or trekking solo. He's out and about pumping the recent release, Perfumed Letter (Paste Music), and delivers as usual with mood swings ranging from country-rock to acoustic ballads and folk-rock. With Jimmy Atto. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
Indian Sunburn -- These Charlotte-based rockers twist the blues into an assorted psychedelic and acoustic jam. I dig their slowed down, jug band "cover" of the Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil," complete with alternate lyrics. Another intrepid but ragged effort, this time as a genuine cover, is Van Morrison's "Gloria." Their original tunes usually hold enough juice for repeat visits, too. Visulite Theatre (Shukla)
Poprocket / Intercooler -- I guess if you're going to do a show on 9/11 you may as well make a nice gesture, too, by donating the proceeds to charity, right? Well, that's exactly what Poprocket, Intercooler and The Steeple Lounge are doing, as they'll be contributing to the American Red Cross Greater Carolina Chapter with proceeds from tonight's show. Jay Garrigan and company continue to rock a little more than pop actually with their new tunes from their EP titled Indie Rot. Three or so years into the game (hey, I can't keep up with everything, you know) the band still manage to win over new fans all the time. Opening is Intercooler, a bunch of Aussie-bred mates who are looking to invade the US. They've paid their dues back home by keeping on the road, which also helped in landing them a slot at the annual (and very well known) "Big Day Out" festival. If I had to liken the fellas to one of our local outfits, I'd probably go with Poprocket, so the show should prove to be a good fit, musically speaking. The Steeple Lounge (note: Intercooler will also be appearing on Saturday at 3pm at Manifest Discs & Tapes.) (Farris)
Straylight Run -- A couple of blokes from the hardcore band Taking Back Sunday have now created Straylight Run. They've got a touch of emo and their hooks sway with a melodic crunch. It's a band obviously coming out of the gates with guitars blazing and a prepped agenda. Playing with Christiansen and Jamison Parker. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)
Tuck Your Pride In Tour -- A package tour of artists from the indie label Galapagos4, the Tuck Your Pride In Tour is being headlined by Typical Cats, who make no bones about their various races and hues, love for A Tribe Called Quest, and rhymes that expand, weblike, like one of those psychedelic Etch-a-Sketch screensaver things. How can you not like a group that brags that they're "Taking out white rappers faster than black actors in horror flicks"? Word -- you can't. They're appearing along with Offwhyte -- whose literate brand of lush jazz-hop is completely worth the price of admission all by his lonesome -- and Meaty Ogre. Amos' Southend (Davis)
FRIDAY 9.12
Conshafter -- Filling their tanks with plenty of lyrical chatting, this power pop band out of Chapel Hill litter the "sign of the times" references liberally while mixing in guitars and slapping drums. Owing some of their output to predecessors such as Weezer, the band provide plenty of knee slaps as they rock out and mellow out with ease. Oh, did I say they rock like Weezer? Also on the bill is the Virginia band Opening Day. Fat City (Shukla)
SATURDAY 9.13
Caitlin Cary -- The ex-Whiskeytown fiddler and singer has just put out her second full-length record, the excellent I'm Staying Out, once again proving the merits of the Raleigh-based band/musical breeding ground she shared with Ryan Adams. She's not going to smash any monitors or cuss out the soundman, but she may kiss her drummer (husband and ex-WT drummer Skillet Gilmore). A Triangle treasure, Cary's without a doubt one of the best singers around. Around America, that is. Sylvia Theater, York (Davis)
Spread Your Wings Benefit -- This benefit show for breast cancer research has become an annual shindig that's consistently provided a stellar line-up of bands from year to year. This year's roundup includes newgrass sensations Cast Iron Filter, Americana wiseguys The Gourds, and the down-home country sounds of the Avett Brothers, along with The Stragglers and Malcolm Holcombe. For more details on the work of the organization and the musical line-up, check into spreadyourwingsmusic.org. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)
TUESDAY 9.16
Four Men From Now -- An Austin, TX, supergroup of sorts, 4MFN is the combined effort of Adam Carroll, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Michael Fracasso, and the criminally underrated Beaver Nelson. An extension of The Four Corners of the Round Table tour featuring Nelson, Carroll, Newcomb and Steve Polz of a little while back, the tour is a just-add-beer introduction to some of the better young bucks on the Austin scene. Basically, the boys sit around and trade songs and barbs and jokes, and you get to feel like you're at a cool backyard barbecue with some talented friends. Just minus the barbecue. Sylvia Theater, York (Davis)