Charlotte's John Mark McMillan plays Fillmore, releases new disc

If you aren’t familiar with contemporary Christian radio or the Christian music scene, you may have missed one of Charlotte’s best rock singer-songwriters, John Mark McMillan. McMillan is best known for the original version of “How He Loves,” a song that became a major hit for The David Crowder Band. It’s since moved into modern classic territory and has been covered by numerous contemporary Christian artists both on record and live. McMillan joins Crowder for The 7 Tour Tuesday, November 1, at The Fillmore with Gungor and Chris August. It’s the same day his new album “Economy” hits retailers.

"Economy,” which follow’s 2010’s Top 10 Christian album “The Medicine,” is a timely collection of expansive pop-rock songs that veer close to the Killers and Bruce Springsteen (or more accurately the Killers’ Springsteen-inspired “Sam’s Town” record). It’s full of these uplifting “Born to Run”-style anthems. Sing along choruses and pop hooks climb and crest against a backdrop of synthesizers and echoing guitar effects that create a landscape of tension and longing. Those spiraling guitar lines and keyboard washes remind me of bands like France’s M83 or Charlotte’s own Sugar Glyder. Two of those rising anthems - “Sheet of Night” and “Seen a Darkness” - bookend the album. Both sort of build from dark to uplifting.

The title track (which McMillan does an acoustic version of in the above clip) serves as the centerpiece of the record with its particularly relevant subject matter. It’s a simple pop-rock gem at its heart and flows so easily into the next track, “Who Is This,” it’s as if the two songs are bonded. It’s hard to imagine one without the other.

Vocally McMillan maintains a deep, lived-in tone with a brush of his Southern working class roots. Some of his lyrics are obviously attached to his beliefs, but you don’t necessarily have to be a follower to enjoy his music. It’s good stuff regardless of what genre it falls into. You can learn more about McMillan or order a copy of “Economy” here. Tickets are $33.25 and available at www.livenation.com.

Mini Review: Yo Gabba Gabba at Ovens Auditorium

"Yo Gabba Gabba," my toddler's favorite TV show, rolled into Charlotte Friday and Saturday for four shows at Ovens Auditorium. The kids would've probably been satisfied with a repeat of 2010's "It's a Party in Your City," but DJ Lance Rock and the gang switched things up enough to keep "It's Time to Dance" new for parents that witnessed last year's tour.

One of our favorite changes was seeing more Leslie Hall (pictured below with DJ Lance and Brobee), the comedic female rapper and musical guest at last year's Charlotte show. She sang and danced on three songs assuming the Jack Black role for "New Friends" (a song from his "Gabba" episode) and followed it with "All My Friends are Different." Our son, who loves Hall, surprised us and cracked up some folks seated nearby by singing along loudly with the latter.

Another new highlight was Muno (the one-eyed red monster who Kia features in its Sorento commercials) rapping "I Love Bugs" with a cast of giant dancing butterflies, worms and other crawly critters (pictured). It was one of the most visually impressive segments and that song (which recalls L.L. Cool J's "I Need Love") is a little bit newer than some of the expected tunes that have appeared on the show since its first season.

Of course there were fan favorites like "Party in My Tummy" complete with dancing carrots and green beans and interactive games such as "Get the Sillies Out" and "Hold Still" which had two, three, and four-year-olds wiggling in the aisles. Familiar segments from the show included Super Music Friends and Dancey Dance Time. Indie dance duo Koo Koo Kanga Roo had kids yelling favorite colors during its one song set. Saturday's Dancey Dance was led by O.A.R.'s Marc Roberge, in town to play NC Music Factory's Halloween festivities (Friday KISS 95.1's Otis from "The O Show" led the Disco Roll).

Veteran rapper Biz Markie's instructional "Biz's Beat of the Day" was one of last year's most popular bits. He switched it up by creating a mini dance party. He welcomed a group of children on stage to beat box then dance as he spun old school hip-hop. The kids dug Biz, but they also dug tiny bits of confetti that rained down on the audience as seasonal falling leaves and snow just as other parts of the state were seeing the real thing. By the end the little girl behind us was picking it out of my husband's hair.

If you or your child is a fan, there's really nothing better than the Gabba Gang bouncing through your favorite songs and games from TV in person. We would go back again and again as long as our kids are interested. The only thing we and others around us complained about was a lengthy intermission. I imagine it allows for a potty break, but its hard to explain to a two-year-old where Brobee and Foofa disappeared to.

This week's hot concerts

Yo Gabba Gabba

3 and 6 p.m. Friday, October 28 and 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday, October 29, Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $38.95-$50.25. www.ticketmaster.com

The Nick Jr. series may be targeted at preschoolers, but parents and hipsters enjoy its original music (covering everything from ska to new wave to hip-hop) and a fantasy land that heavily references the`70s and `80s. This particular dancey dance segment has yet to air.

Family Force 5

7 p.m. Friday, October 28, Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $15-$17. www.etix.com

This Atlanta dance-rock act maintains a sense of humor with over-the-top party anthems that are as inspired by Dirty South hip-hop as rock and punk. Its new album “III" hints at maturity, but it still knows how to have a good time staging a karaoke contest for fans in lieu of an opening act.

Oso Grande

7:30 p.m. Friday, October 28, Chop Shop, 399 E. 35^th St. www.chopshopnoda.com

This benefit for local musician/Sea of Cortez leader Rodney Lanier, who was recently diagnosed with cancer, features the first full reunion of Jolene in eight years as well as Benji Hughes, Temperance League, the Houstons and Sea of Cortez.

Valient Thorr

8 p.m. Friday, October 28, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $10-$12. www.etix.com

After releasing one of 2010’s best metal albums, touring with Motorhead and playing festivals in Europe, the thoroughly entertaining (on stage and online) Carolina-based outfit touches down to deliver its space-metal gospel.

The Jayhawks/Tift Merritt

8 p.m. Saturday, October 29, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $25-$34.50. 704-372-1000.

With bad blood now water under the bridge Mark Olson and Gary Louris reformed beloved Americana combo for this year’s “Mockingbird Time.” Opening act Tift Merritt straddles country and `70s AM pop-rock with a voice that's as smooth as honey.

Crooked Fingers

8 p.m. Saturday, October 29, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $12-$14. 704-376-3737.

Eric Bachmann follows 2011’s Archers of Loaf reunion with a return to his more solo-focused band, which begins a month and a half long circle of the US in his former home of North Carolina.

Miguel

8 p.m. Monday, October 31, Fillmore, 1000 Seaboard St. $33. www.livenation.com

The Mexican-American/African American R&B singer is one of pop music’s young new stars with recent BET Awards and American Music Awards nominations for Best New Artist.

Ray Davies

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, Fillmore, 1000 Seaboard St. $52-$69.50. www.livenation.com

After hitting more than a few health kinks (pun intended), the 67-year-old frontman of the legendary Kinks headlines an intimate, seated solo show.

Trombone Shorty

8 p.m. Thursday, November 3, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $17-$20. 704-358-9200.

This New Orleans native (who appears on four episodes of HBO’s “Treme”) fittingly calls his sound “Supafunkrock” - an adventurous and fun blend of hip-hop, rock, jazz, soul, and world music.

Folk Society hosts day of free concerts Saturday

The Charlotte Folk Society hosts a day of free music at McGlohon Theatre in Spirit Square Saturday, October 29, as part of the Wells Fargo Community Celebration. The bill features six artists, including Irish musician John Doyle who headlines at 3 p.m.. The show begins at 10 a.m. with Men Standing for Christ, an African-American vocal quartet formed at Mount Carmel Baptist Church. It recently competed in How Sweet the Sound: The Best Church Choir in America.

Blues guitarist and Statesville-native Matt Walsh performs at 11 a.m. followed by the Burford Brothers Old Time String Band at noon. The Americana duo of Laurelyn Dossett and Kari Sickenberger, popular on the festival circuit where they're better known as Polecat Creek, perform at 1 p.m. Bluegrass outfit The Snyder Family Band is up at 2 p.m. John Doyle, founder of the band Solas and a leader in contemporary Irish music, closes out the show at 3 p.m.

For more on the artists or the Charlotte Folk Society click here.

Veteran Charlotte-based songwriter revisits 1987 album

Veteran singer-songwriter Matthew Alexander celebrates the release of the newly remastered version of his 1987 debut album, “Wishing I Had Wings,” at The Atherton Mill Market (2014 South Blvd.) Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Alexander began his career in Boston during the folk boom of the late `60s. Today he’s based in Charlotte where he recorded “Wishing I Had Wings” almost 25 years ago. It features well known Charlotte musicians like the Spongetones’ Jamie Hoover and Debby Dobbins who are still active today.

“Wishing I Had Wings” is more than a snapshot of folk and country music during the late `80s (although it captures it well). It showcases Alexander’s nimble finger picking for one. The opening track is fit for a bluegrass audience, while “Counting the Hours” is one of those classic country weepers you can imagine Conway Twitty singing. “The World Just Keeps Spinning Round” could be interpreted as a contemporary Christian tune, in part due to the style and production that straddles the line between pop and country. “Crying” on the other hand sounds like a Chris Isaak style pop-rock hit. “Tulsa Tomorrow” treads darker, bluesy waters that match its storytelling format. “California Roads” features near gospel-style harmonies, which remind me of both the Mamas and the Papas and a church choir.

In fact “Wishing I Had Wings” covers a lot of ground drifting in and out of and mixing John Denver-style folk with more fully arranged pop and country amid clean, pristine production. It reminds me of some of the songs Larry Groce sang on “Mountain Stage” when I was growing up - folk-based at its heart but the full backing band and production directs it toward commercial country territory. Of course you can't get more country than lyrics like those on "Sentenced To Life."

You can find out more about Matthew Alexander at www.alexandertunes.com.

Stellar local bill honors one of its own

The Chop Shop in NoDa will host Oso Grande, a benefit for Rodney Lanier, Friday. Lanier, who works at The Evening Muse and has played in numerous bands including his baby, Sea of Cortez, and Jolene, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer earlier this year.

News of his illness turned this weekend's Sea of Cortez show at Chop Shop (399 E. 35th St.) into a full blown all star benefit. The lineup features some of the best Charlotte acts of the last 15 years including Jolene, Temperance League, Benji Hughes, the Houstons, and Sea of Cortez (who Lanier is seen playing pedal steel with in the above clip). The show marks the first full reunion of Jolene in eight years. Two of its members now reside in Los Angeles.

Other fundraisers are in the works. Another titled "The 1st International Gathering of the Taco Army" was announced earlier this week. It'll take place November 25 at Evening Muse (3227 N. Davidson St.). A multi-venue neighborhood festival is being discussed for 2012 as well. There's obviously no shortage of musicians and venues wanting to contribute to the cause. If you're familiar with Rodney on or off the stage, you know why.

Lanier can still be founding working the bar, the door, and the sound system at the Muse, but proceeds from the benefit will be put in a trust in case there comes a time that he is unable to work. He has gone through a round of radiation already and begins chemotherapy next month.

Tickets to Oso Grande are $10 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., music starts at 8:30 p.m. Proceeds from tickets and merch sales will go to the Rodney Lanier Support Trust and donations can be made directly to The Rodney Lanier Support Trust, 4242 Folkston Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205.

Locals channel Floyd, Hughes, Interpol with ethereal rock EP release tonight

The first time I saw Cement Stars I was sitting on the bleachers at Tremont mesmerized by the transporting wall of sound the then two-piece created on stage. I thought, wow, what a perfect opening act. Since then the Charlotte band has grown to a three and now five-piece with the addition of bass and female vocals, but the hypnotizing wash of dreamy melodies remains.

The group signed with Charlotte-based Electric Mountain (Super Ape) in March. Now comes “Form & Temper," its aptly titled new EP and the follow-up to the 2010 full-length “Geometrics.” It celebrates its release Friday, October 21 at Snug Harbor (1228 Gordon St.)

Its cinematic sound drifts somewhere between trippy Pink Floyd, a John Hughes’ film, and European electronic pop and rock. There’s Interpol-like basslines and M83-style synth-pop with its closest stylistic relative being Swedish electro dream pop combo the Radio Dept. who may best be known stateside for its contributions to Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” soundtrack.

The John Hughes’ reference has stuck with me since the first time I saw them. His films always featured some song (Echo & the Bunnymen’s “Bring on the Dancing Horses,” Flesh For Lulu’s “I Go Crazy” for instance) that encompassed that sense of teenage longing that was reflected in his films. Cement Stars has always had the ability to recreate that feeling thanks in part to its incredible echoing guitar sound. On “Form & Temper” it goes farther and gets darker.

There’s a tendency to zone out while listening – and it’s certainly not a bad thing to get lost in an album.“Passable Ghost,” for one, reminds me of songs you’d listen to while staring at the ceiling in the dark as a teenager. The guitar on “Holograms” forms lyrical phrases giving the song a sense of musical as well as lyrical storytelling. There are pretty male/female vocals too, but that talkative guitar remains the star.

All its early potential is realized here. The lineup growth allows for a fuller sound. But it hasn’t changed the direction greatly and the material is on par with that of indie bands from the West Coast and Europe who fall under the same stylistic umbrella.

The cd release show is tonight with the Bear Romantic, Coma League, and Dirty Drummer. Admission is $5-$6. 704-333-9799; www.snugrock.com