David Childers -- DC and Co. ripped through a brief but incandescent set of hard-rockin' material recently at the Alejandro Escovedo benefit, proving that this foursome's engines hum as well at 90mph as they do at 55mph. Lead guitarist Randy Saxon can make like Clarence White with the chicken pickin' on the slow stuff, but dropped some jaws at the benefit with the massive rock licks. But whichever version of the band shows up, they always show up. The Room (Schacht)
Rock Songwriters Nite -- This first in a monthly series features rockers Nicole Atkins of Los Parasols, Mike Mitschele of filmschool (aka The Mersey Sound), Vance Carlisle of The Gold Coast, and Justin Faircloth of the Houston Brothers doing the solo acoustic singer-songwriter thing, in brief 2-3 song sets. See our story in this week's issue. The Evening Muse (Schacht)
FRIDAY 3.19
Drat -- A no-nonsense, balls-out project helmed by Andy Cauble (Black Lagoon), Jimmy King (Aqualads), Brad Fury (Crimeseen Thirteen) and John Marlow (Jem Crossland and the Hypertonics), DRAT just finished holing themselves up in a studio with local knob-twiddler Rob Tavaglione, recording what should be their debut album. If recent shows are any indication, expect the record to be a high-energy, low-pretense punk punisher, low on chords but high on energy. With Semi-Pro, Anything Now, and Shut Up and Listen. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)
Jennyanykind -- Calling Jennyanykind a Southern rock band, as some have done, is like saying Eudora Welty or Flannery O'Connor are Southern writers. As shown on their excellent Peas and Collards, The 'Kind are certainly about a sense of place. However, more often than not, the locations referenced reside in the metaphysical realm, full of ghosts and lost loves and laments to the Great Beyond. To the uninitiated, the music of the brothers Holland may take a few minutes to get into. Once that train starts a-rollin', however, you'll want to ride it wherever it takes you. The Room (Davis)
The Kennedys -- Maura and Pete Kennedy's latest recording is Stand. The couple has been standing together musically and personally for over a decade. They write and play a sweet, uplifting style of folk-rock. They've worked with the likes of Nanci Griffith and have sewn together varied influences while evolving a sound of their own. The Kennedys' music is a bit funky, usually upbeat, and led by effusive dual guitars. The Evening Muse (Shukla)
London Elektricity -- Chris Goss and Tony Coleman were the brains behind the jazz-inflected Hospital Records, known for a more melodic alternative to the heavy mechanical material of much drum'n'bass. Combining beaucoup soul and funk with a racehorse pace is tricky, but as "Song in the Key of Knife" proved, it can be done and done well. Goss has gone out solo, so Coleman's the man now and his fast-soul classic, Billion Dollar Gravy, shows he's got the goods. With Gridlok. Mythos (Schacht)
The Original P -- Anyone who has picked up OutKast's Speakerboxxx/The Love Below and wishes to see the Start of the Stank would do well to check out this show. George Clinton, he of the coif of many colors, is not in The Original P, it should be noted -- the band mostly consists of original musicians from the early Parliament days. Then again, George just mostly goes around incoherently screaming in front of 20-somethings these days anyway -- the audience and his band. Close your eyes, and you'll probably be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Amos' Southend (Davis)
SATURDAY 3.20
A Closing Skyline -- A local collective of music catalysts called Divisional Media have put together another fine rock show. A Closing Skyline play melodic hardcore on the positive side -- or posi-core, as the kids call it. The fanciful sound illuminates this young band's fledgling musical potential. Also playing this all-ages show are One Big Plain (funky hardcore), Victim of Modern Age (up and coming indie rockers), and Almighty Flying Machine. Tremont Music Hall (Shukla)
Kate Campbell -- Campbell is an accomplished songwriter in her own right, and she doesn't really need to release an album of covers. But Twang on a Wire, a record of covers released last fall, is a fine example of her southern voice and musical aptitude. Her low-key interpretations do justice to old favorites by Dolly Parton, Glen Campbell and others. Expect plenty of introspective originals intermingled with cuts from the record. David Holtzclaw will warm up the evening as opener. Sylvia Theater, York (Shukla)
Mozaik -- Irish vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Andy Irvine enlisted Celtic legend Donal Lunny, American fiddler Bruce Molsky, Dutch guitarist/fiddler Rens van der Zalm, and Hungarian multi-instrumentalist Nikola Parov to help fuse musical adventurism into an international string band quintet. Their debut recording, Live from the Powerhouse (Compass Records), hits the streets in a couple of weeks. It's a coupling of Celtic and Appalachian music, interwoven with several more global musical traditions. Molsky's fiddle cries in between the tango, Appalachian waltz and Irish reels, while a combination of melancholy singing and joyous playing completes the fusion. Neighborhood Theatre (Shukla)
TUESDAY 3.23
The Wildhearts -- Rock & Roll debauchery, thy name is the Wildhearts! Kerrang! cover boys for years, The Wildhearts are doing a select few warm-up gigs before embarking on a mammoth tour with retro-rockers The Darkness. See our story in this week's issue. With The Dragons and Charlotte's own Dead Kings. The Room (Davis)
WEDNESDAY 3.24
North Mississippi Allstars -- Luther and Cody Dickinson certainly have the bloodline to be successful. After all, their old man is none other than James Luther (Jim) Dickinson, producer extraordinaire (Big Star, The Replacements, Ry Cooder) and a pretty damn fine musician to boot (that's his piano on the Rolling Stones' version of "Wild Horses.") While not exactly Junior Kimbrough in its undiluted power, NMAS' brand of electrified blues ought to please fans of the Allmans, Govt. Mule, and Robert Randolph. Luther Jr. and Duwayne Burnside (yes, R.L.'s son) don't skimp on the sweat or slide, as is the North Miss style. Allstars? Perhaps. Productive players? You betcha. Visulite Theatre (Davis)
