LAlexander

What is it about music that goes so well with a tasty drink? Rock and a beer, blues with a shot o’ whiskey, jazz with a gin martini, pop with a pop or the sound of an acoustic guitar with a warm cup o’ joe - all that and more is on tap this week. Just belly up to the bar, or barrista, as the case may be.

Michael Garrison is the featured performer at the First National Bar’s Irish open mic night this Thursday. Show up at 8:30 to get the best seat and your Irish infusion. The Nash is located at 232 W. Center St. in Pocatello.

On Friday the 15th, Pocatello warmly welcomes a new coffee house to the downtown area. The Vinyl Perk has its Grand Opening with music by guitarist and vocalist Shawn Good, making his debut Pocatello performance with a surprise special guest performing.

Located at 150 S. Main Street in Pocatello, the Vinyl Perk features the largest selection of vinyl records around - from Johnny Cash to the Clash and everything in between, some Skynyrd plus several copies of Blues Image and the single Love Can Make You Happy by Mercy. They will be offering live music every Friday.

Vinyl Perk owner Jay Reeves played drums in a band in South Carolina, then took a 30-year detour to law school to practice law in NC and SC. “Now with Vinyl Perk, my wife and I are circling back to original passions: art, records, coffee,” Reeves said. “I also look forward to giving bands and artists a nice, appreciative venue (in which) to perform, because I am a music lover first and foremost, and I know that live shows can be magical.”

Raised in Nashville, TN, and now living in Idaho Falls, Shawn Good plays music from all around the block. You'll be hearing 70's rock classics, 60's jazz and blues, southern rock, country music from the 80’s and 90's and today’s music, as well as his original music. Good says that a few of his fans’ favorite songs are “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay,” and “Stand by Me.” Shawn, you’ll get no complaints from me there.

Good performs as a solo artist, but told me he has “a nice gal, Amber Lytle, who will be beginning to join me on set for a few songs. If you like Ani Defranco, Missy Higgins or Jewel, you'll love her.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/ifguitarman or email mysteriouso@live.com.

For those who want to rock, the Benton St. Bar & Grill on S. 2nd Ave. hosts a metal show on Friday night starting at 8 p.m., with Cvltvs Mortem (formerly Sonic Devastation), Nine Worlds, Dirtstar, and Salami Rocket. The show is open to 18+, bar open to those 21+ with valid id. Cost is $5.

Cvltvs Mortem started as Sonic Devastation in 2003 and has gone through several lineup changes, as well as a change in musical direction. A full-length CD, “The Proliferation,” was released in 2007 under the name Sonic Devastation. Since then, the music has become heavier and darker, resulting in the band’s desire for a more descriptive name.

The current members draw inspiration from many genres, but the musical focus is a fusion of death, black, thrash, and traditional metal. For more, visit www.myspace.com/cvltvsmortem.

Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1st Avenue has two kinds of rock and more kinds of beer to suit your tastes. On Friday the 15th, tap into some acoustic rock with the Aaron Ball Band. And on Saturday the 16th, Elvis Has Left the Building will, in fact, be in the building playing roots rock. Music starts at 8:30, no cover and the pub is open to all ages.

Speaking of taps, you can catch Kaught Lookin’ at Taps Bar on Garrett Way this weekend, Friday and Saturday nights at 9 p.m. Word on the street is that one of the bartenders at Taps is celebrating a birthday on Saturday, so a toast with your choice of poison may be in order.

Kaught Lookin’ is comprised largely of the founding members of the former band Exit 69 - Rick Veilleux on guitars, bassist Mark Clawson and drummer Tony Roberts, with vocalist Ed Horn. They play classic southern rock and current modern rock covers with a few originals, online at www.myspace.com/kaughtlookin.

Ande Conda completes the round of bars in Pocatello this weekend by taking the stage at the First National Bar on Saturday night, 9:30 p.m. For more, visit www.myspace.com.andeconda.

Lana Banana for Idaho
For a calendar of local and regional Live Music events, visit www.myspace.com/showmetheband.
For full in-depth interviews and more, visit http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

Tomorrow, May 7, Amperage, Audacious and Redline open for the Trust Company at The Icon, an all-ages venue on Main Street in Pocatello. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; tickets are $10.

Redline is an Idaho-based hard rock/metal band, known for playing the full range of rock genres. Listen for “Fight,” “Breathe,” or “No Excuse,” heavy songs that appeal to metal fans, “Control,” a modern rock radio friendly song, or slower songs like “Gone Away.” A recent live performance of “Gone Away” on KBER received a great response.

Redline is fronted by lead singer Todd Page, who also plays rhythm and acoustic guitars, with guitarist Glen Petty, bassist Jack Wininger and Bill Page on drums.

Pocatello rock fans may remember that Redline played the first Pokapalooza. Since that time, the band has played all over the west, including the famous Whiskey A Go Go in Hollywood, CA. Wininger said, “we love the fans in Pocatello, and the music scene is great. There are so many very talented bands from Pocatello and Idaho Falls areas. We love to play with the bands from these areas; it’s always a good time.” Find out more about Redline at www.redlinekicks.com.

The Trust Company, from Alabama, is an alternative rock group formed in 1997 and is perhaps best known for the 2002 single, "Downfall." The generating album on Geffen Records, “The Lonely Position of Neutral,” went Gold that year with over 500,000 record sales. Find out more at www.myspace.com/trustcompany.



Also at The Icon this weekend, We Shot The Moon headlines with Camera Can't Lie, Madison Lights, Anodyne Red and Greyhouse Effect on Friday, May 8. Tickets are $8.

On Saturday, May 9, I Am The Ocean from Salt Lake headlines a third show-in-a-row at The Icon, with Loom, Abrupt Edge, At Dreams End and Death Upon Notice. Tickets are $10.

At Dreams End is an experimental post-industrial band out of Idaho Falls, ID, with only two full time members, Jade Davis and Dirty. They write full band compositions, combining all of their talents and styles to create a cohesive song. Davis and Dirty are creating a sound and style completely different from anything in their musical backgrounds, developing something independent and new. It's industrial; it's dance; it's post-hardcore; it's acoustic.

Davis said, “so far our best received song has been a cover we did of Roxette's ‘The Look,’ which can be downloaded for free at www.atdreamsend.com.”

Formed just this past year, At Dream’s End is a new band. “Just because we're a new band to the area doesn't mean we're new to the music scene. Dirty has been apart of some Folk acts up in Montana, and I have done many national tours, including The Warped Tour,” Davis said.

Davis further commented, “after being signed twice myself, I have a great appreciation for any band that can stay together and ‘Make It.’ As far as our local music scene goes, I would like to see a greater unity form between all the bands in the area. The harder we all work together the better the scene will be for all of us.”

Davis feels that having the internet has really opened up a lot of doors for the unsigned artists out there. “So I'd have to say that is the best way to get your band heard is with Myspace, Facebook, Purevolume, Reverb Nation, Ourstage.com ... the list goes on and on. You will get out just as much as you put in.”

At Dreams end is currently working on an album, “The Nightmare Begins," with plans to release mid- to late summer. Find out more at www.myspace.com/atdreamsend.

I Am The Ocean is a 5-piece post hardcore progressive rock band, currently touring the mountain region. Find them online at www.myspace.com/iamtheocean.

Also on Saturday, The Lucas Cates Band from Madison, WI, is back for a repeat performance at the First National Bar, W. Center St., 9:30 p.m, with Lucas Cates on guitar and vocals, Kenny Leiser on guitars and violin, bassist Mark Noxon and drummer Jesse Warmka.

Formed two years ago, the Lucas Cates band was in Pocatello last year with a rousing and successful performance at the Jensen Hall on the ISU campus. Cates told me they sold 85 CD’s when they were here last, and he hopes to see old fans and meet new ones. They have two full-length albums for sale with enough music for a third to be released in 2010. Find out more at www.myspace.com/lucascates.

Find a complete local live music schedule at www.myspace.com/showmetheband. For more in-depth interviews, visit http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

Let’s re-write the saying to something more like, “April showers bring May outdoor concerts.” There are two outdoor concerts this weekend. Soon the Civitans will start their weekly concert series, and Idaho State University will start theirs shortly thereafter.

Friday night, May 1st, there is a six-band free outdoor concert in the parking lot at Barrie’s in the Westwood Mall, Garrett Way in Pocatello. On the bill, A Cassandra Utterance, Danny the Skeleton Horse, Burnt Orange, Rising Son, Nyr Lif and Madison Lights; show starts at 5 p.m.

A Cassandra Utterance is just returning from a month-long tour of the north western states. A pop and soul band from Salt Lake, they’ve shared the stage with Paper Mache, We Shot The Moon, The Brobecks, Allred, Royal Bliss and more. Danny the Skeleton Horse is a progressive, experimental pop punk band from St. Anthony, ID, scheduled to play at The Icon mid-June.

Burnt Orange a power pop group from Salt Lake has a great sound. With a female vocalist and an EP under their belt, I think this is a band to watch for. Rising Son plays retro-psychedelic rock, always nice in an outdoor setting and Nyr Lif has that nice acoustic ambient sound that plays well anywhere.

Madison Lights recently garnered some major regional attention at the recent Sugarcult concert, playing for some 1900 fans in Holt Arena. They’re a pop punk band based in Idaho Falls – another one to watch out for.

For more information on this event, visit www.myspace.com/ballbrothersmusic.

Ok, so the next live music show isn’t an outdoor concert. And it’s in Idaho Falls. But I like this line-up of bands. So if you’re in Idaho Falls on Friday night, head over to The 840 (on Northgate Mile) for Drop Dead Julio, Abrupt Edge and At Dreams End.

I've known Drop Dead Julio (that’s with a hard “J”, pronounce it) for a couple years. In that time, they've blown up in the Salt Lake live music scene, playing all the right clubs, scoring some sweet opening spots for national bands and building an ever-growing fan base in N. Utah. Now it's time for DDJ to hit Idaho. [Interview Here -SLG]

A reviewer recently said that Drop Dead Julio is “pop-punk-rock-alternative in a 12 layer cake!” More simply stated, DDJ is a fusion of rock and punk. “We like that people can’t quite peg us into a genre,” said vocalist Gene Kennedy. “We are who we are, and we’re proud of that.”

Drop Dead Julio originally formed as a trio in 2005 with their first EP having a party-like pop-punk vibe. In 2006 they became a 4-piece band with guitarist Brian Jensen playing lead guitar and singing harmony. “Our sound continues to form in the 4-man chemistry, and in the last couple of years we’ve emerged with several ‘modern rock’ style songs that are featured on our latest album, ‘The Stories We Could Tell.’” There’s clearly a difference between the two albums. “Stories” focuses on the groove and shows a more musical maturity. The band is rounded out with James Checrallah on bass and James Julio on drums.

“When people come to our show they can expect a good time,” Kennedy continued, “We play fun, energetic rock/punk and we’re happy to play off the crowd.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/dropdeadjulio.

Closer to home, and back outdoors again, don’t miss Saturday’s Really Big Show, the KISU Spring Fest Street Party on the 600 block of S. 1st Avenue. Proceeds benefit KISU and Pocatello Free Bikes. Gates open at 4 p.m. with entertainment until midnight. Cost is $8 at the gate, kids under 12 free.

On the billing for music entertainment, Ashley and the Astronauts, an acoustic band based in Boise, but formerly from Pocatello. Black Eyed Susan from Salt Lake, Luau Cinder from Missoula and Hillfolk Noir will finish out the night. For more information, visit www.portneufvalleybrewing.com.

And for the hard rockers out there, Denots is in concert at the First National Bar on Saturday night, with Seed opening and 2am Logic closing out the night. Music starts at 9:30 p.m.

Denots is a metal band based in Idaho Falls. Formed in 1999, the band hit the scene and hit it hard. The first Denots album was recorded and released in late 1999, receiving solid support on KBER. Their second record was released in 2004, and after some line-up changes, early 2007 saw Denots release their third CD "Dissonance in D Backwards," recorded and produced by Scott Taylor.

For more, visit www.dentosrocks.com

Linda Alexander
a.k.a. Lana Banana, Idaho
www.myspace.com/showmetheband
http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com

Happy Earth Day.

Idaho State University is celebrating Earth Week with several events, including a concert with the Kratz Brothers Band in the Canoe Room of the ISU Student Union Building, Thursday the 23rd from 10 p.m. to midnight. The free concert follows the Wolf Event, hosted by the Student Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE).

The Kratz Brothers Band is John Kratz, guitar; Luke Kratz, keyboards; Dorian Hitchcock, cello and Chris Sherburne, drums.

And on Saturday the 25th, the 2009 Community Environmental Fair is held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tydeman / Optimist Park on N. 7th St. in Pocatello. Admission is free, including free lunch (hamburgers, hotdogs, & veggie burgers) and a free raffle entry. Local musicians will entertain on the main stage, with the Lost Boys at 11, singer / songwriter Shawn Barnby at 12:30, a young rock group Seven Feet Below (formerly Starbent) at 1:15 and Against the Flow at 2:15 playing folk-inspired hip hop.

On Wednesday the 22nd, the ISU Jazz Band makes an appearance at Portneuf Valley Brewing. Music starts at 7 p.m.

Thursday the 23rd, the straight edge hardcore metal band Liferuiner was scheduled at Barrie’s in the Westwood Mall, but difficulties with meeting Idaho State building codes is preventing concerts from being held there. The Liferuiner concert, with The World We Knew, Right On Track and the locally-based Neckbrace, has been moved to The Eagles Lodge at Benton and Main Streets in Pocatello. Find out more visiting www.myspace.com/flyingmonkeybooking.

Liferuiner, by the way, is on a grueling twenty-nine shows in twenty-nine days tour. The band has had some fifty member changes since it was formed five years ago.

Saturday night’s all ages concert with No Bragging Rights, Destruction of a Rose and Madison Lights (who recently opened for Sugarcult at ISU) is in a similar situation. Saturday’s show was scheduled at Barrie’s, but it may be canceled or moved to a new venue. Check first with Flying Monkey Booking or here for the most recent updates.

More into acoustic music? I’ve got that for you too. Against the Flow is the featured performer at the First National’s open mic on Thursday. And Ben Burdick and Bill Liles have three area appearances this week. They’ll be at the Sandpiper, 8 p.m., in Pocatello on Thursday the 23rd and at The Cellar and Vino Rosso in Idaho Falls on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 8 p.m.

Two live music choices for your Friday night: the Blackfoot South Blues Band featuring Ramona Awes is scheduled to play at Portneuf Valley Brewing at 8:30, no cover and open to all ages. And several hip hop artists on the bill called “The Gathering” at Benton St. Bar & Grill, starting at 9 p.m., open to 18+, tickets are $12 available at Budget Tapes & Records, Track 101 Outfitters in the Pine Ridge Mall or at the door.

Some 20 artists are on the billing, including Mastermindz, Deeper Entertainment, 33 Deep, Taz, The Expo, Verbal Trikz, Draggz, Statick and Pocatello’s own MCCP. The Gathering is a collection of hip hop artists from Idaho, Utah and as far away as South Dakota. To preview the music and more information, check out The Gathering www.myspace.com/464413099.

Saturday in Blackfoot will rock all day long with twenty bands at Rockfest, Tony’s Billiards. Music starts at noon and goes until they run out of bands. Tickets are $10 for all day admission, available at the door.

Two new artists to the area will perform on Saturday night. Polyphonic Pomegranate, from Boise, ID, plays jazz and funk at Portneuf Valley Brewing at 8:30. From their website, they say of themselves,

“Polyphonic Pomegranate is a collection of some of Boise's most talented musicians. … we play mostly all original music. We provide a high energy electric set that gives the entire crowd restless leg syndrome, and we also provide a groovier jazz set for quieter venues.”

And Jordan Booth, from Utah, makes his debut Pocatello appearance at the First National Bar on Saturday night. Music starts at 9:30, open to 21+. Booth has performed in Australia, Europe, and various U.S. States, from cafes to smoky bars. He’ll fit in nicely.

Finally, on Tuesday of next week, locally-based Spawning Fondness takes the stage at Hooligans off Center Street.

Read more in-depth information, including links to bands’ websites, at http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com and see a full schedule of live music events at www.myspace.com/showmetheband.

Linda Alexander
a.k.a. Lana Banana in Idaho

Who: Me
What: Rock n Roll Fantasy Camp
Where: Hollywood, CA
When: May 3, 2009
Why: Cuz ... well check it out!

Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp kicks off on April 29th. Campers will be divided into separate bands, each guided by a rock star counselor, and spend the days writing and rehearsing. Nights are filled with jam sessions and master classes. Camp culminates with each band recording its own original song at the historic Capitol Studios in Hollywood and performing at the Whisky A Go Go. The best song will be played by famed DJ Mancow on his nationally syndicated radio show.

Counselors include Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses, Velvet Revolver) and Todd Rundgren, Foo Fighters and The Wallflowers keyboardist Rami Jaffee, original Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine and Platinum femme rockers Vixen's bassist Share Ross (formerly Share Pedersen). The session will run April 29th through May 3rd in Hollywood, CA. A host of other artists are also scheduled to participate, including Grammy award-winning producer Mark Hudson, Steve Lukather (Toto), Bruce Kulick (KISS), Alan White (Yes), Elliot Easton (The Cars) and many other music legends.

The closing night concert will also feature a charity auction of exclusive autographed memorabilia from Tyler and the other participating rock stars. The auction will benefit The MusiCares Foundation, which provides assistance to music people in need.

I'm just going for the events on Sunday, May 3rd. There is a q&a session with Todd Rundgren in the morning, a bbq lunch in the afternoon and the concert Sunday night. So if any of you have any questions you want me to ask these folks, let me know!

Lana Banana
asking questions of rock stars for the people of Idaho
*and giggling as she does it*

There are three live music concerts of interest at the new all-ages venue in Pocatello, located at Barrie’s in the Westwood Mall, just in between the discount store and the old PartyPalace, on Garrett Way. Make time to see and support local live music this week.

 

On Thursday the 16

^th, a metal concert Cherubin, Laughter, Audreyrose and  Danny the Skeleton Horse are in concert at 7 p.m. On Saturday the 18^th, an eclectic showcase of new local bands called Boofest, with six local bands on the line-up with Tongue Punch, Earthen Express, Something Stirring, Nyr Lif, Risingson and Dirtstar. Doors open at 6 p.m.

 

Risingson is a bluesy psychedelic rock band. Busani says of his band, “I think the people who come watch us play really like the idea that you can like songs in any genre from the 70’s rock and roll to the more modern alternative and soft rock.”

 

And on Sunday the 19

^th, BrokeCity from SaltLake headlines with Idaho Falls’ 2am Logic and Pocatello’s Somewhere In the Middle. Doors open at 6 p.m.; cost is $10. Barrie’s is operated by the Ball Brothers Music store; Aaron Ball fronts Somewhere In the Middle, acoustic rock, opening the show at 7 p.m.

 

I've known BrokeCity for some 3 years now, one of my top four favorite bands ever. Their most recent full-length release, The Answer, is resident in my CD player pretty much 24/7. Ok, maybe 22/6, but you get the idea. I caught up with vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Joel Pack and bassist Brad Verrier from BrokeCity about their upcoming shows at Rexburg’s Locus Live on Saturday and Barrie’s in Pocatello on Sunday.

 

Broke City is a modern pop rock band, with influences from the old school, bands like The Beatles, Queen, The Cure, Howard Jones, Peter Gabriel and such. Two songs from their most current EP release, "I Feel Alive" and "A Life You Won't Miss," have been popular with their fans.

 

Pack said, “A lot of our newer songs have a positive energy around both the music and the lyrics, and I think people really identify with the honesty in these songs. We're not going after any kind of gimmick or cliché, and I think that our fans respond to that.”

 

A three-piece based in SaltLake, The Rob, originally from Twin Falls, ID, has been playing drums with Pack for about five years. Broke City is joined by Ryan Sanders (Side Dish) on guitar for the tour.

 

Broke City traveled to London, England a few months ago to participate in the Global Battle of the Bands at The Scala. “It was so great to soak in the culture and play with bands from all over the world.” And they won the title of "Best Unsigned and in the U.S.A." They have also toured across the U.S. and Canada on the Taste of Chaos tour and with 30 Seconds to Mars and The Used.

 

Broke City was signed with Maverick Records but is now an independent band. “Instead of putting out one full-length album over the course of 2-3 years, we're going to release a collection of 5-6 songs every 6-12 months. That way we can keep fresh in the studio, as well as stay on the road so that our fans can keep up to date on what's going on with us all the time!” Expect a new release this summer. FindBrokeCity online at www.myspace.com/brokecity.

 

2am Logic, a grunge-sounding hard rock band from Idaho Falls has two dates in the area this weekend, at Portneuf Valley Brewing on Saturday the 18

^th, 8:30 p.m. and again opening for BrokeCity at Barrie’s. Bender is slated to play at the Brewery on Friday.

 

The First National Bar on W. Center Street has a one-two punch of live music on Thursday and Friday. Thursday’s open mic night features The Kratz Brothers (John and Luke) at 8:30, based in Pocatello, playing music that fuses rock, folk and world music styles. And The Wailing O’ Sheas make a return engagement on Friday at 9:30, an Irish Punk tribute band.

 

The ISU Student Activities Board is bringing Sugarcult, a California-based pop punk band to Holt Arena on Friday night, perhaps best known for the single “Bouncing Off the Walls,” with the Crash Moderns and Madison Lights. Tickets range from $3 - $10, with a $5 parking fee.

 

For a full schedule of local live music, visit www.mypsace.com/showmetheband. Read in-depth interviews, reviews, and music news at http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

 

L. Alexander

The Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo is in town with a regional Nashville Star to kick things off right.

Charley Jenkins is in concert at Holt Arena, Wednesday the 8

^th after the rodeo. Jenkins is most known for his brief appearance on Nashville Star’s sixth season, aired last fall; he was the first finalist eliminated from the show.

Based in Murray, UT and just 29 years old, Jenkins has a bright future. He is scheduled to perform at the E Center in WestValleyCity on May 9, joined by other reality TV stars from American Idol and American’s Got Talent. For more, visit www.charleyjenkins.com.

On Thursday April 9, Jack’s Mannequin headlines with Thriving Ivory and Low vs. Diamond at the Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium. Show starts at 7 p.m.; tickets are $24 available at www.eastidahoconcerts.com.

Jack's Mannequin is from Los Angeles, CA, fronted by Andrew McMahon, the vocalist, pianist and primary songwriter for the bands Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate.

Jack’s Mannequin was formed in 2004. A year later, McMahon was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. He has made a full recovery via a stem cell transplant.

In July 2006, McMahon founded the Dear Jack Foundation, a non-profit charity serving as a source from different charities that channel their proceeds into those organizations that raise money, awareness and do research with blood cancers. Now some three years healthy, McMahon is feeling good and can't complain.

Josh Tielor, of SE Idaho's 92.1 The Edge radio, spoke briefly with Andrew McMahon about his fight with cancer, the Dear Jack Foundation and the upcoming show. To hear the full interview, visit his blog at www.theedge921.com.

This is Jack Mannequin's first trip to Southeast Idaho, "so we're excited. This tour is actually really cool since we have the opportunity to go to a lot of places we haven't been before." Expect to hear a mix from both Jack Mannequin's records, “Everything in Transit,” released in 2005 and “The Glass Passenger,” released in September of last year.

"We like to throw stuff in there like a Something Corporate song or a cover. ... We like to keep it loose enough ... and keep it spontaneous. You never know what you're gonna get, I guess." For more, visit www.jacksmannequin.com.

It’s another Jeremy Buck & the Bang weekend in Southeast Idaho with three area shows. On Friday, April 10, the band plays at the Bennion Student Union Building on the ISU campus in Idaho Falls: all ages, music starts at 7 p.m. On Saturday find them at the First National Bar, in Pocatello: 21+, music starts at 9:30 p.m. And on Easter Sunday an 18+ show at the Benton Street Bar & Grill: doors open at 6 p.m.

In case you’ve missed Jeremy Buck & the Bang before, here’s your chance to repair that oversight. Jeremy Buck is, well, Jeremy Buck. He’s vocalist, drummer, keyboardist, songwriter with signature mohawk extraordinaire and front man for the Bang: Joel Geist on bass and guitarists Chris Hanna and Jeff George. The front man is a drummer? Yup.

We first met Jeremy Buck & the Bang when they opened for Blues Traveler at Holt Arena two years ago. Within just a few songs of their set, they had four thousand people standing up, arms in the air, singing along, clapping, whooping and hollering. Not a single person was left unaffected by their performance, including me.

I hadn’t had much faith in this band when I first researched them. So I stood some 20 feet from the stage, determined not to like them. Instead I saw how they win over a crowd – pure energy and charisma with a bit of comedic acting that can only come from pure talent. I’d forgotten that rock n roll is about having fun, and these guys entertain 100%.

John Popper, of Blues Traveler, said a curious thing to me after that show. “It’s not often I have to show up an opening band.” Right.

Expect a few covers, perhaps The Rolling Stones or a rousing cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2.” Expect to see Buck’s playing keyboards with his drum sticks, drum rolls on the helmeted heads of his guitar players and if you’re very lucky, he’ll channel the spirit of Bob Dylan. Also expect to hear some of the band’s originals from “Fools Gold,” released in 2007, or their most recent self-titled EP, released in January of this year.

To preview the music and the band, visit www.jeremybuck.com.

L. Alexander

www.myspace.com/showmetheband

http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com

The First National Bar, 232 W. Center St. in Pocatello, has (unprecedented in recent memory) four nights in a row of live music this week with acoustic folk, hard rock, experimental rock an 80’s glam rock, open to those 21+.

 

On Thursday, Father Bob Forrest is the featured performer for open mic; be there at 8:00 p.m. And on Friday night, 2am Logic hosts their CD release party with support from The Unread, Haxsaw Ridge and Scratch. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. with a $5 cover.

 

2am Logic is a modern alt. rock band, not too heavy, melody-driven with thick guitar riffs and throaty vocals.  Their freshman release, “Shattered,” is a 12-track, full-scale view of what this band has to offer. If you’d like 3 Days Grace and Seether to collaborate with a touch of blues and jazz thrown into the mix, you’ll like 2am Logic.

 

Based in Rigby and Idaho Falls, 2am Logic is fronted by Todd Thompson on guitars and vocals; guitarists Dustin Thueson and Cody Scheer, bassist Kathy Brown and Shawn “Piklz” Ringel on drums round out the band.

 

2am Logic has shared the stage with Pop Evil and Rev Theory, and in July they open for Great White at Sandy Downs. They will be back in Pocatello April 18 at the brewery and April 19 with BrokeCity at Barrie’s in the Westwood Mall, open to all ages. Preview 2am Logic’s music at www.myspace.com/2amlogic.

 

Saturday night, The Nash welcomes back Finn Riggins with LowRedLand and the locally-based Warbonnet. Show starts at 9:30. Finn Riggin’s most current CD, “A Soldier, A Saint, An Ocean Explorer,” is a bright, fun and lively jaunt with creative songwriting and experimental structures. A brilliant and skilled effort, Finn Riggins is an area favorite. Don’t miss it.

 

And Sunday, Ladies Night at the Nash hits the 80’s and hits ‘em hard with Dirty Penny from San Diego. Show up at 8:00 p.m. with big hair and spandex pants and revel in old-school classic metal.

 

For the all-ages crowd, head over to Barrie’s at the Westwood Mall on Garrett Way Friday night for Cromwell in concert, with Kill the Mockingbird, Somewhere in the Middle and Riots of Eighty. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; cost is $7.

 

Cromwell is a metal band, but don’t think screamo metal. Their music is much more melodic and diverse, one of the things that makes them so popular with their fans. Listen for crowd favorites, "Better Days," "Cry," and "Almost Midnight," from their most recent CD, "Illusion and Obsession."

 

Formed four years ago in Rialto, California, Cromwell has played at the Whiskey A Go Go and the Key Club in Hollywood. This is their first appearance in Pocatello. Vocalist Kenny Russell said, “There are many amazing bands coming out of the local music scene. There are tons of them also coming out of California; we were glad to be one of them.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/cromwell.

 

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Danielle French has two S. Idaho performances: on Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Vino Rosso in Idaho Falls and on Friday, 8:30 p.m. at Portneuf Valley Brewing, S. 1^st Ave. in Pocatello.

 

French’s music has been described as "beautiful strangeness, cruising through the ether and the underworld,” comparable to Tori Amos or Tom Waits. “I strip it down to the essence of the songs and perform solo/acoustic, me and my beautiful 1935 Martin Archtop, Miss Kitty!”

 

Last year French received a grant to self-produce and direct a short film, recently accepted into the Sedona International Film Festival in Arizona. “I found out about this in early January and thought, maybe I can tour my way down?” She has 35 dates in ten different states spanning over 2 1/2 months.”

 

With the Calgary leg of Lilith Fair and an appearance on the TV show “Rita McNeil and Friends” under her belt, French had an unofficial showcase at this year's SXSW music festival in Austin.

 

French believes in a DIY (do-it-yourself) mentality. “You are running a business and have to treat it as such. Be prepared to do your own marketing, bookings, publicity, fundraising, radio tracking, management, everything! ... But when you get on the road, meet amazing people, get to see the country and share your music, it makes it all worthwhile.”

 

Danielle French will have three recordings available for purchase at her shows: “me, myself & i,” “Piece,” and her most current CD, “Shadows.” For more, visit www.myspace.com/daniellefrenchmusic.

 

For more in-depth interviews, visit slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

 

L. Alexander

slowloosegravel@yahoo.com

www.myspace.com/showmetheband

Find out more at Slow Loose Gravel

Invisible Children: The Rough Cut is a film about the plight of child soldiers and night commuters in northern Uganda. The documentary was filmed in 2003 when three young men from Southern California—Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole (then 24, 21, and 20)—traveled to Sudan "to find a story".

Instead, their adventure took them into the depths of northern Uganda where they discovered thousands of people affected by the brutality and attacks of a rebel group known as the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). The documentary chronicles their experience as young Americans learning firsthand about a conflict largely unknown to the international community, while also informing audiences about the great humanitarian crisis of child soldiers.

Invisible Children Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded by these three young American filmmakers in order to assist children and others coping with the civil war in northern Uganda, which was the subject of their 2003 documentary film.

Contribute a song to be given away for FREE DOWNLOAD from the start of the campaign on March 25th to the actual event date on April 25th on http://www.biggestlabelever.com.

Let fans know they can unlock and download your track as well as many other artists for FREE simply by watching an INVISIBLE CHILDREN AWARENESS video which is built in to the downloading process, creating awareness to thousands about the child soldiers and inspiring them to take part in this global event.

Salt Lake's Broke City announced today they have the honor of working with The Rescue & Invisible Children. "We donated 'I Feel Alive' to the charity, where you can download it FOR FREE if you register on the site. If you don't have a copy of 'I Feel Alive' please go to Biggest Label Ever and download it for an extremely good cause."

The rodeo must be just around the corner, because cowpunk, rockabilly, blues and bluegrass seem to be the theme in southeast Idaho’s live music scene this week. Oh, and there’s more. Read on.

 

White Trash Watson is the featured performer at the First National Bar’s open mic night on Thursday the 26

^th. Show up around 9 p.m.; there is no cover at the door. As the name implies, this isn't a family oriented act. White Trash Watson plays loud, fast, old school country-punk for folks who want to drink, dance, and forget about their woes for a few hours in these troubled economic times.

 

Fronted by Scott "Clarence" Watson on vocals and guitar, White Trash Watson is not a band that plays in the background while folks visit with friends in a bar, “we are and love to be the center of attention when on stage.”

 

Cowpunk is a genre first made popular in the early 80's by the Los Angeles-based band, The Gun Club. The music essentially takes standard country chord progressions and lyric subjects, adds volume, speed and attitude. Think Hank Williams meets The Ramones in a rockabilly-influenced melting pot of reverb heavy guitar, frantic upright bass, wild harmonica solos, and over the top vocals written to provoke laughter and sing-a-long memories for show goers.

 

Based in Pocatello, the rest of White Trash Watson is Alyse "Judy Rehab" Zendrosky on upright bass, drummer Jordan "Richard Peter" Brooks, "Painless"  Brad Samuelson on harmonica, and of course front man Scott "Clarence" Watson.

 

“The local music scene is alive and well at the First National Bar in Pocatello. Some unbelievable local talent can be seen there every Thursday night,” Watson said. Moreover he commented, “It makes us sick to see the malignant garbage that corporate Nashville is grinding out. We, along with many other acts like Hank III, Wayne Hancock, Old 97's, Drive By Truckers just to name a few, are trying to save country music from the pop stars on GAC and CMT. That is NOT country music, its WalMart driven dribble for the musically ignorant.”

 

White Trash Watson expects to release their first CD this summer. For more, visit www.whitetrashwatson.com.

 

If you haven’t heard, there’s a new all ages live music venue in Pocatello, operated, booked and promoted by and for local musicians. Check out the old Barrie’s Ski & Sport building at 1800 Garrett Way in the Westwood Mall on Friday the 27

^th. Madison Lights, Burnt Orange, Heber Skies and Aaron Ball’s band Somewhere In the Middle are scheduled to play at 7 p.m. for only $5. For a full schedule, visit www.myspace.com/ballbrothersmusic.

 

Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1^st Avenue in Pocatello has jazz, blues, rock and bluegrass on tap this weekend. On Friday the ever-popular Swingshift takes the stage. And on Saturday the 28

^th, Fred and Emily Frank play bluegrass. Both shows start at 8:30 with no cover charge.

 

If the Rat Pack were from Sparks, Nevada instead of New York City, they'd be The Saddle Tramps. “We're the Undisputed Kings of Mobile Home Rock…. We're like a cross between George Jones and The Dickies. We sound like nails on a chalkboard,” so says Scotty Roller, front man for The Saddle Tramps, in concert on Saturday the 28

^th at the First National Bar.

 

Reverend Scotty Roller (yes, he’s a real ordained minister) leads the Saddle Tramps on vocals and guitar. Bassist “Big John” Von Nolde, drummer Mike Young, guitarist Jon Perry and Suzy Switchblade complete the band.

 

Formed in 1999, the band has toured every state from Houston, Texas westward and has played some legendary rooms and stages including The Derby in Hollywood, The Continental Club in Austin, The Tractor Tavern in Seattle, The Bahia Resort in San Diego, The Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas and has set attendance records in the old Golden Phoenix and the Reno Hilton in Nevada.

 

Expect plenty of humor mixed with danceable punkabilly music at this show. The Saddle Tramps take the stage at 9:30 p.m.; $8 cover at the door at the First National Bar on W. Center Street in Pocatello. For more, visit www.thesaddletramps.com.

 

If rock is more your style, head over to the Benton St. Bar & Grill on 2

^nd Avenue for Metal Meltdown with Altar Edge, Dr.Seuss Is Dead, Neckbrace and Haxsaw Ridge. Cost is $6 for ages 18 to 20, $5 for 21+. Music from 8:00 p.m. to 2 a.m.

 

One final note: the Versa Emerge concert scheduled at The Icon for Monday, March 30 has been cancelled.

 

Linda Alexander

slowloosegravel.blogspot.com

www.myspace.com/showmetheband