Well it’s been a full and crazy month and a lot of music. Local groovy funky faves Spurgie Hankins band played the Empty Glass a couple of times and now plan on doing a regular Tuesday night gig there. It’ll be cool to have yet another musical option to add to Bob Thompson at Legends on Tuesdays. Low Man’s Lyric returned to Julie J’s to play a moderate but extremely enthusiastic crowd. The crowd was just “patriotic” enough to make this left wing peace lovin’ liberal a wee bit nervous but all was well and the band sounded great. I just want them to add more originals to what looks to be a shaping up to be great repertoire. I went to last open mic at the EG for me for a while. (I’m turning into daytime work girl-eek!), as usual it was much fun. You get such a great variety of acts and an astonishingly large crowd (don’t these people have to work?).
I just can’t stay away from Westlake. Checked them out at Mulligan’s. They didn’t bring their usual huge entourage and the energy was lacking a bit but as usual they played a solid if unsurprising show. After a set, I left to go check out Freekbass at the Sound Factory. I miss the freaky painted keyboard player but Freekbass himself was still cool and funky. With a sparse crowd at the SF though the show was hard to get into. I hope they attract a bigger crowd next time. It seems the crowds at the bigger shows have been slimmer than usual this past month. I hope it’s the funky weather and not indicative of lameness on the part of Charlestonians.
Toledo’s Lazy American Workers returned to Charleston and I finally got out in time to see them. On a side note, Todd Evans vocalist/guitarist is now Beefcake the Mighty for Gwar. LAW are a good band but either I’m getting old (no never!) or the vibe was just off. They seemed too loud, too fast, and too angry. Maybe I’m past the angry punk thing. Ah the evil of encroaching maturity. Or something like that. I also went to check out Dave McCormick (aka Corncob) at Sam’s. Here’s the thing. He’s got a great voice, a good band, and plays covers really well. But that’s it. I only caught one set and he may have done more originals then but not when I was there. Also he had a stand in female vocalist who did a great Janis Joplin but also did No Doubt-which did not mesh with the country rock sound they had going for them. The EG featured Adam Brodsky. AB was a funny and weird folkie. I enjoyed the songs however no one seemed to enjoy his aimless and long ramblings in between songs. They were often longer than the songs themselves.
Highway Jones is apparently playing everywhere every weekend. I’ve seen them at Sam’s, the Empty Glass, AND the Sound Factory. Featuring rotating guest musicians and vocalists, including Bill Holstein and Debbie Grimm they must cram about 20 people onstage. HJ is looking for a new “groove oriented” (actual quote) bass player so if you fit the bill… One of the shows I saw them do featured a tribute (with guest musicians) to Kevin Duffer who passed away this past month. Kevin was a funny guy and while towards the end our relationship was problematic, losing someone who contributed so much to the music scene in Charleston is always a blow. I remember seeing Kevin play solo at JT’s lounge in Dunbar for the first time. He had a great voice and was good songwriter. I remember seeing Bletherskate and Blackwater Hollow and time and distance have softened these memories. It really makes a person regret acrimony and lost friendships. But I leave this thought with this line that Kevin used in a song (a quote from Richard Adams’ Watership Down) “My heart has joined the Thousand for my friend stopped running today.”
Coming up next month Tilting at Windmills (progressive rock featuring Chuck Biel) will be debuting at the Empty Glass on May 8th. The first EP will be available at the show. Also at the EG will be Noizbox featuring flutes, pots, pans and a bassoon. On may 9th, the show will also feature Cleveland’s Catwalk Blue. Taylor Books will feature folkie John Lilly on May 3rd and Beckley’s Damn the Flies will be at the Sound Factory on May 31st.
Syphter is losing their vocalist so if you are a pro vocalist and wish to set up an audition please contact them by email, syphter@syphter.com. Phil and Tom from Highway Jones have been recording their side project the Satellite Junkies, it’s an alternative country/Americana band that will debut a new dc and play some shows this summer. Shorthrow will be will be in the studio recording their sophomore cd. Stychntyme’s drummer Mike is getting ready to go on tour with Tantric so they will be taking a break. Finally, Cleveland’s Lords of the Highway drummer has left the band and they are looking for a drummer, so…check out the website http://www.lordsofthehighway.com.