Suckers, Kurt Vile, Zac Brown Band, Church Hill Irish Fest

It looks like a busy weekend so let's jump right into it.

Thursday kicks off with three bands at The Camel with headliners Suckers (remind me a little of Talking Heads or Vampire Weekend) and Andrew Leahy & the Homestead and Dead Fame. Door open at 8, show starts at 8:30, tix are $8 and the 8th person in the door get the 8th key to the 8th gate of hell. Here's Suckers with an acoustic performance of their song "Chinese Braille" from their new album "Candy Salad" that they did while they were down in SXSW with every band in the known galaxy:



Friday you can hit an early show at Strange Matter with Kurt Vile and the Violators, Supreme Dicks and Sore Eros. Doors open at 5 PM, show starts at 6, it's $12 in advance, $15 at the door, show should be over by 9. Kurt hails from Philly and I really like this dreamy, acoustic song from him called "Baby's Arms":



Also Friday acousticy/bluegrassy/jam band Railroad Earth will play The National. Tix are $20 in advance, $22 at the door, doors open at 7 and the show starts at 8 with opener Morwenna Lasko & Jay Pun. Here's Railroad Earth doing "Been Down This Road":


And as an added bonus, here is Phil Lesh joining Railroad Earth the other night (3/10) at The Fillmore in SF to perform "Terrapin Station":



Also on Friday, outlaw country icon David Allan Coe will be at the venue formerly known as Hat Factory and now known as Epic Theatre. Doors open at 8, show starts at 9, no opener is listed. Here's DAC performing on Austin City Limits doing "You Never Even Called My By My Name", the perfect country & western song:



On Saturday (10 AM - 7 PM) & Sunday (10 AM - 6 PM), the Church Hill Irish Festival goes down on Church Hill (N 25th St between Broad & Franklin). It covers four blocks and there will be Irish musicians, local band (usually Americana/blues), beer, food, a good kids area with bouncies and games, and Irish crafts. There is a $2 donation at the gate and all the proceeds go to St. Baldrick’s Society, St. Francis Home, Little Sisters of the Poor, Church Hill Crime Watch, Child Saver’s Clinic of Richmond, St. Peter’s Meals Program, The Conrad Center, Stone Circle of Friends, Cullather Brain Tumor Quality of Life Center at Bon Secours, St. John’s Church, Prevent Blindness Virginia and many other neighborhood causes, and St. Patrick’s Church, “a little church with a big heart,” built in 1859 by Irish immigrants. There is free shuttle parking from 16th and E Broad St. A tip for parents with little ones: this is always a crowded event so I advise to either leave the stroller at home or enter from the 24th and Broad entrance and park the stroller in the kids area. I'm hoping to hit this one up with the kids on Sunday as it's always a good time.

Saturday night at The National, acclaimed guitarist Buckethead will play. He's called Buckethead because he wears a KFC bucket on his head. And he also wears a Michael Myers mask. Really. That 1 Guy (really good solo performer who plays a lot of weird homemade instruments) and Wolff & Tuba will be opening. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8, tix are $20 in advance, $23 at the door. You may see all three acts perform together. In fact, here's Buckethead and That 1 Guy performing together as The Frankenstein Brothers at the gig in Oxford MS on 3/6 so you can get a little taste of both. If you like Primus, this is right up your alley.



Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and member of seminal rock band The Byrds, Roger McGuinn, will be at University of Richmond, Camp Concert Hall, Booker Hall of Music on Saturday night. The show starts at 7:30 and tickets range from $10 to $36 depending on your demographic. Here's Roger and The Byrds in 1970 doing a song that would become a hit for the Doobie Brothers, "Jesus Is Just Alright":

The Milkstains, The Lonely Teardrops and Boney Loner will do a gig at Emilio's Tapas Bar in the Fan on Saturday night for those of you who like surfy, 60's garage rock. The show starts at 9:30. It's $5 to get in. Here's The Milkstains:



Up and coming Americana band Sons of Bill will do a FREE show at Capital Ale House downtown on Saturday night. Show starts at 10 PM. SOB are doing a series of free show around VA (they are from C'ville) to celebrate the release of their new album "Sirens". Here's a track from that album "Santa Ana Winds". If you like Tom Petty, Drive-By Truckers, or The Silos, check this out.



If you are at home Saturday night, check out Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead/Ratdog on a free webcast when he plays with members of  The National (the band). Should be interesting to see what kind of spin they put on those Dead songs. The webcast will be HERE from Weir's TRI Studios starting at 9 PM ET.

Zac Brown Band will be at Richmond Coliseum on Sunday night. The show starts at 7 and tix range from $54 to $76. Good seats are still available. I haven't quite figured out Zac Brown Band yet. One song they sound like Jimmy Buffett. On the next, they sound like MOR country. On the next they become a pretty good jam band. There's something there but they never quite put it all together for me but they are growing on me slightly. On this one they do get some nice Eagles harmonies going. This is "Sweet Annie":



That's if for the weekend. Hope to see you at Irish Fest, probably on Sunday.

Tony Jordan

Mates of State, Screaming Females, Man Overboard, Black Girls, Steel Pulse

We begin tonight with a pop-punk show at a record store.  Screaming Females (only one of whom is actually a screaming female) will be at Steady Sounds on 322 W Broad.  They'll come on around 7 and its a FREE, all ages show.  Julie Karr will open.  Here's Screaming Females going "Wild":

At Kingdom on Thursday night, pop-emo from Man Overboard who will perform for your pleasure.  It's $10 to get in.  The doors open at 6.  Handguns, Seahaven, Daytrader and Candy Hearts will open.  Man Overboard play "Montrose" here:



Friday night, alt-country bad m-f'er David Allan Coe will be at the Hat Factory.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 and tix are $20.  Here's DAC performing "River" at the Tennessee State Prison in 1975. I wonder what the jailbirds thought of DAC's whole rhinestone cowboy get-up?

Also, on Friday, Black Girls will bring their dance groove to Balliceaux.  Show starts at 10:30 and it's $5 to get in.  Here's the band playing at Camp Barefoot last summer.



If you are stuck at home Friday night and are in the mood for some rabble-rousing folk music in the vein of early Dylan or John Hiatt, you can check out the webcast with Dan Bern & Common Rotation from TRI Studios.  It will start at 10 PM ET.

Saturday, there is another webcast from TRI Studios, this one with politically charged jazz-rap band Alphabet Soup.  Bob Weir & Ratdog fans will recognize Ratdog band members Kenny Brooks on sax and Jay Lane on drums.  That'll start at 9 PM ET.

Monday night, indie rock duo Mates of State will be the Canal Club.  Tix are $15.  Doors will open at 7 and  Sean Bones and Canary Oh Canary will open.  Their album "Mountaintops" made famed music critic Robert Christgau's Best of 2011 list.  Here they are performing on Letterman back in October.  It's a immensely catchy and hummable song I really dig called "Palomino".  Check it out.:



Tuesday night, reggae icons Steel Pulse will be at The National. Doors open at 6, show starts at 7 and the National web site says the show will be done by 11 so you can get home, get yourself tucked into bed and still be coherent at work the next day.  Ace Reporter and Antero will open.  Here's Steel Pulse in '78 doing "Ku Klux Klan" and "Prodigal Son":


Have a great weekend!

Tony Jordan

David Allen Coe (again), David Lowery, Cornmeal, Jackass Flats

Well, let's start with a screw-up and that would be mine.  David Allan Coe is actually at The Hat Factory this Friday night February 11.  So see last week's blog where I talked about DAC.  I'm guessing none of you actually went on Saturday or noticed the screw-up since I had no comments about what I jackass I was for leading you wrong.  But now you have a second chance to see him.  Doors open at 7, show starts at 8.

David Lowery of Cracker & Camper Van Beethoven is coming out with his first solo album, "The Palace Guards" after 27 years with those two bands.  Don't worry, he says he will continue recording and playing with both of those bands.  To celebrate the release, our homeboy Dave will be doing a FREE performance in-store at Plan 9 in Carytown on Friday night at 7 PM.  Here's David singing "Raise 'Em Up On Honey" from his latest album:


Wednesday night at Capital Ale House downtown, Cornmeal & Jackass Flats will perform beginning at 9 PM.  Tix are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.  Here is what the Capital Ale House site says about Cornmeal: "Formed over 10 years ago, Cornmeal has grown from humble beginnings into a nationally recognized live music institution. 10 years together is no simple task these days, especially when the last five have seen the band spending over half the year on the road. Heavily influenced by American roots and folk music, Cornmeal blends lightning fast tempos and impeccable harmonies into an unrivaled live performance that continues to expand upon the five-piece acoustic-electric groups’ vast musical repertoire. While steeped in the tradition of the past, Cornmeal continues to forge their own path, pushing the boundaries of bluegrass, Americana and folk for a whole new generation of music lovers. With a rapidly growing fan base and ever-evolving sound, Cornmeal challenges the recipe of the bluegrass sound and live performance." Here is Cornmeal performing "Rain Your Light" in Denver last May:


Next on our run of the 25 Best Music Videos of 2010 as chosen by Paste Magazine is The Black Keys' "Tighten Up". Filled with kids who smell like ranch dressing and love as the dirty little playground game that we know it to be (just in time for Valentine's Day, too). In the end, you just gotta remember guys, "bros before hoes".


Hope your Valentine's Day works out better for you than The Black Keys.

Have a great weekend.

Tony Jordan

Flaming Lips, WRIR, Papadosio, David Allan Coe, Jimmy Eat World,

Quite a few shows this week but let's start with a show going on sale tomorrow for The National. Flaming Lips will be coming to The National on Sunday, May 15.  Tix will be $46.75 (including all charges) and go on sale Friday Feburary 4 at 10 AM.  If you like your rock n' roll shows to include psychedelic music with a bit of punk inspired by Pink Floyd (if they were happier), Yes, The Who, The Cramps, Hawkwind, Sonic Youth, then go see this show.  If you like your rock n' roll shows with dancers dressed like Yo Gabba Gabba's DJ Lance Rock, giant hands that shoot lasers, mirror balls, artsy videos, confetti/streamer guns and a guy walking over the crowd in a giant plastic bubble, then go see this show.  If you like your rock n' roll shows with a bunch of mopey, shoe gazers, with three lights who mumble something to the crowd every third song or so, then go see the Flaming Lips show so you can see rock n' roll extravaganza at its finest.

Onto this weekend's shows.  WRIR's Party for the Rest of Us will be held at the Roosevelt Ballroom of the Renaissance Conference Center, 107 West Broad Street in Richmond on Friday night from 7 PM til midnight.  You can get in for just a $10 donation at the door which gets you not only the entertainment, but also some birthday cake to celebrate WRIR's 6th birthday.  I dig what WRIR does but I can't say I listen too much for a few reasons.  My main radio listening hours (terrestrial or internet) are from 7:30 AM - 6 PM when I'm working and driving in my car.  Unfortunately, for most of that time WRIR is playing news/talk which is nice to have because its hard to find new/talk of a liberal bent on the conservative dominated talk radio airwaves.  But I can't listen to talk radio of any sort while working.  It must be some left brain/right brain kind of thing.  And then when I'm in my car WRIR only comes in if you're near the station (say within 2 miles) and the wind is blowing just right.  But don't let that stop you from supporting them because maybe they can use some money to petition the FCC to boost their signal.  Here is the lineup for the evening's entertainment:
Ballroom:

7:15-7:45 Opening ceremony by YoughTaNund Native American drum ensemble
8:05-8:50 Marionette
9:10-9:55 Pennyshaker
10:10-10:55 The Diamond Center
11:15-12:00 Ultra Dolphins

Variety Room:
7:00-7:30 Richmond Youth Jazz Guild
7:40-8:10 Spirit Winds flute ensemble
8:15-9:00 Slam Poetry
9:15-10:00 Stand-up Comedy w/ David Garland, Joe Hafkey, John Reaves
10:00-11:00 Hip Hop showcase w/ Black Liquid, Ms. Proper, Artik Phreeze, Dothepaperboy
11:00-12:00 Turnstyle Sounsystem w/ Jesse Split & JoAnna O

On Friday night at The Canal Club, the Camp Barefoot Recovery Jam will feature Jackass Flats, DJ Williams Projekt, No BS Brass, LarJar and DJ Ricochet Red.  This is an 18 and over show.  Doors open at 8:30.  Tix are $7 in advance, $10 at the door.  A pretty good local band lineup for just $10. 

On Saturday night, Papadosio will be at The National.  Tix are $12.50 in advance, $15 at the door.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 9 with opener The Silo Effect.  Papadosio is a jam band that is starting to make a name for themselves on the festival circuit playing Jamcruise recently and Wakarusa, Camp Barefoot, and Summer Camp this summer.  Here they are doing "Unparalyzer" in October of 2010:


Also on Saturday night that alt-country rascallion, David Allan Coe, will be at The Hat Factory. Tix are $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Doors open at 7, show starts at 8. No opener is listed. DAC has been known for his bad behavior but here he is keeping it clean with his song "The Ride":


Our favorite local 70's smooth rock band, (hell the only local 70's smooth rock band), Three Sheets to the Wind will be at The Tobacco Company on Saturday night.   The show starts at 9:30 and there is no cover.

Tuesday night, Jimmy Eat World will be at The National.  Tix are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.  Doors open at 8, show starts at 7 with opener David Bazan & Band.  Jimmy Eat World managed to shed off the emocore label by embracing some power pop attitude. You will probably dig them if you like Foo Fighters, blink-182, Weezer, Nirvana, Offspring, Rancid or Green Day. Here they are performing their latest hit, "My Best Theory" with a video that reminds me of 70's sci-fi movies:


A little bit of music news. The Rolling Stones are apparently gearing up for a 50th Anniversary World Tour.  But with tickets probably starting at a minimum of $150 and even my friend, Mat, the biggest Stones fan I know saying, "I would pay big bucks to see them in a club but I don't think I'd do a stadium again", especially to see them play the same songs they play every time you see them, you have to wonder, what if they gave a Stones show and no one came? Can they still command top dollar in this economy? Will regular Stones fans get to go or will it just be a bunch of poseurs in the front, taking crappy video on their iPhones the whole show so they can impress their friends with how close they sat and tell them "I think they played that Puerto Rican girls sang but I didn't know too much of the rest. But I did sit near Kim Kardashian!"

OK now its time for the next video in our review of Paste Magazine's 25 Best Music Videos of 2010. This one is from Hanson. Yes, that Hanson. And you know what, I kind of like it. It's a happy, soulful tune with some nice horn riffs in it. No, really try it, its pretty good. And they do a nice parody of the Ray Charles part in "The Blues Brothers" movie. And Weird Al (who has a new album coming out soon) is playing tambourine. So this video really has a lot going for it, though the high-five at the end is pretty freakin' cheesy. Why did they have to go there? Anyway, this is Hanson, "Thinking 'Bout Somethin'":


That's it. I'm outta here.  Have a great weekend.

Tony Jordan