What’s New This Week
for the week of May 9, 2014
Photo by Juan Ossa
My first concert experience was a thirteenth birthday present from my parents. They bought tickets to a Hanson concert which, if you were around at all during the ‘90s, can imagine what a Hanson concert back then was probably like. If you guessed adolescent teens screaming and crying as though they’d just met Jesus, then you would be correct. We had lawn seats at what was then known as Blockbuster Pavillion but I didn’t care that the boys looked like tiny ants on the stage from where I stood. My dad held me up on the back of the seats in front of us, the family there being nice enough to let me hold onto their shoulders because I was so short. I screamed the entire time. Later in life, my mom drove me to and from Charlotte for random shows. She obviously wasn’t thrilled about it, no matter who it was or how many times I’d gone, but she did it anyway. I credit a lot of my musical experience to both my parents, especially my mom. So whether you have a mom like mine or a mom who goes to more shows than you, there’s something for all moms this weekend.
Photo of Funky Geezer by Dianna Augustine
Enjoy a variety of entertainment at Snug Harbor this weekend, starting on Friday night, May 9, with another showing of The Aliens, as well as Wham City Comedy Tour, Joanne Spataro, and Funky Geezer. Take advantage of an opportunity rarely available at The Evening Muse and experience the unique talent of Stu Larsen, accompanied by soulful singer/songwriter Sean Hayes. Get a healthy dose of rock ‘n’ roll at Visulite Theater courtesy of the rock revival crew Amigo, Possum Jenkins, and alt-country rock group Pullman Strike. Modest Mouse will be at The Fillmore Friday night, while Charlotte metal band Phthartic will be at The Milestone along with Atlanta three-piece Sons of Tonatiuh, Stone City, and The Asound. Amos’ Southend houses a celebration of classics with the Arena Rock tribute show, Smokin, honoring music by Journey, Styx, Foreigner, Kansas, Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Boston, Toto, Whitesnake, and more. Double Door Inn will host a benefit for A Child’s Place on Friday evening featuring music by Underground Detour Band and Simpler Times, while LA-based folk duo JohnnySwim and astounding singer/songwriter Liz Longley set up shop over at Neighborhood Theatre. A two-day event kicks off at Tremont Music Hall Friday night. Breast Fest 2014 features two days worth of non-stop music. Friday night, check out Cro-Mags, Take Offense, Fire & Ice, The Mongoloids, Outcrowd, Discourse, Malfunction, Born Low, Another Mistake, Vulgar Display, and Ivy League. Come back Saturday night, May 10, for Day Two featuring Earth Crisis, Cruel Hand, Stigmata, Bitter End, Shai Hulud, The Banner, Naysayer, Over and Out, Die Young, Agitator, Will to Die, Society Sucker, Gut Feeling, and Criminal Instinct.
Photo of Blanco Diablo by Dianna Augustine
Also on Saturday night, Cairo Fire and Broadcast Safe will be at The Chop Shop, blues and folk artist Rory Block will be at Neighborhood Theatre, and Southern country/rock group The GalFriday Band will be over at Double Door Inn. The Aliens will be shown again at Snug Harbor along with performances by The Luciferian Agenda, Bless These Sounds Under the City, The Dinner Rabbits, and Jumpcuts, while Landhorne Slim and The Law stop by The Fillmore along with Deer Tick. Singer/songwriter Darden Smith brings an interesting blend of rock, country, and folk to The Evening Muse along with relatable singer/songwriter Barton Carroll and New Orleans country soul band The Deslondes. The Milestone has a fun night of rock ‘n’ roll lined up with It Looks Sad, Swell Friends, YARBS, and Matthew Paul Butler, while the classic hard rock group The Winery Dogs put on a show for us over at Amos’ along with progressive rock group Blanco Diablo.
If your mama’s a music lover, then we’ve got your Mother’s Day plans covered on Sunday evening, May 11. For the mom who likes folk or indie, treat her to The Mineral Girls, ’60s nostalgic Froth, and The Mystical Creeps at The Milestone, or take her by The Evening Muse to check out the brilliant Ellis Paul. For the ballsy mamas out there who like the spotlight, take her for a night of karaoke at Snug Harbor with Bone Snugs-N-Harmony or, if she likes blues and folk rock, take her to Double Door Inn to check out Leopold & His Fiction. If your mama prefers black metal and hardcore, then we’ve got something for her over at Tremont with Negura Bungent and Mysteriarch.
Photo of Kato by Kim Casanova
After that, kick off the top of your week with some resident favorites on Monday night, May 12, including The Monday Night All Stars at Double Door Inn and Knocturnal over at Snug Harbor. Check out this week’s featured Find Your Muse Open Mic Night artist at The Evening Muse, Flagship Romance, who brings a modernized spin to folk music with their unique sound. Also on Monday evening, progressive and hardcore groups Cult Leader, Yautja, HU/LK, and Kato will be over at The Milestone.
Photo of Smelly Felly by Lane Lovegrove
Another recurring favorite, Bill Hanna Jazz Jam, brings jazz back to life over at Double Door Inn Tuesday evening, May 13, while Country Tuesday makes its appearance for the week at Snug Harbor with your favorite country and alcohol served until 2am. In addition, you can also check out the skillful sound of Blitzen Trapper at Visulite Theater or a lineup of hip hop, MC, electronic, and more over at The Milestone featuring Press B, Alpha Riff, Sulfur, Doug Funnie, Danger Boyco, DJ Robobob, MC Stealth, and The Modrats. One of my favorite current discoveries, The 1975, will be at The Fillmore on Wednesday night, May 14. If that’s not your speed, go to The Milestone to hear anything from a glockenspiel to a mandolin, with a lineup featuring The Calamity Cubes, Geoffreaux, Smelly Felly, and The Kyle Perkins Band. Check out alternative folk artist Peter Bradley Adams at The Evening Muse Wednesday evening; stop by and see Snug Harbor’s current resident band including Motel Glory and Mike Strauss Band; supplement your roots rock fix with Shonna Tucker and Eye Candy at Double Door; or check out one of Charlotte’s own at Neighborhood Theatre, Flagship along with Animals and Replicas.
On Thursday night, May 15, the art of turntables are honored at The Chop Shop with Radio Rehab Carolinas, while The End’s New Music Revolution comes to The Fillmore featuring this go-around +++(Crosses), Sleeper Agent, and more. For a night full of high energy rock ‘n’ roll, consider stopping by The Milestone and check out Daikaiju, Watch Husky Burn, The Ends, and Bully Pulpit, or get Shiprocked! over at Snug Harbor. Alternative rock singer/songwriter talent Jeff Thompson Band will be over at Double Door Inn, while Irish/English electronic duo VNV Nation stops by Tremont.