The Balsa Gliders
Few acts are as nostalgic for the `90s sound that almost made
Chapel Hill the next Seattle as this tri-city sextet (its members hail from DC,
Charlotte, and the Triangle). On its new album “Courteous Americans” it tackles
the jangly lo-fi guitar anthems of the era of Archers of Loaf and Velocity Girl
with added nods to the Smiths and the Replacements.
Brian Setzer Orchestra
Since “Boogie Woogie Christmas” in 2002, the former Stray Cat has
embarked on a decade of holiday tours and released two more Christmas albums
(one live). But fans don’t just get the modern rockabilly legend’s take on
“Jingle Bell Rock” and “The Nutcracker Suite,” they get solo and Cats’ hits and
more spirited big band-aided covers.
Antiseen
This marks the Charlotte band’s first hometown show since losing
founding guitarist Joe Young to a heart attack in May, which means it is also
guitarist Mad Brother Russ Ward’s local debut with the band. It’ll be
interesting to see if Ward gives notorious frontman Jeff Clayton competition in
bloodshed. He’s been known to play so hard his hands bleed, so he’ll fit right
in.
Crushed Out
Although a roots rock duo at its core, the married New Hampshire
couple draws from lesser tapped pools of Americana - surf guitar and `60s rock
and country, and - on its latest album “Teeth” - high lonesome spaghetti
Westerns. Its influences blend so seamlessly they remain secondary to the
strength of the songs.
A Johnnyswim Christmas
The much buzzed-about married duo of Nashville songwriter Abner
Ramirez and Donna Summer’s youngest daughter Amanda Sudano - who are expecting
their first child in February - lend their unique union of polished soul and
roots attitude (plenty of charging, rhythm and harmony heavy sing-alongs) to
the holidays with a new Christmas EP and tour.
Jessie J/Nick Jonas
Even in its earliest years, there was something about the
versatile youngest Jonas Brother that suggested he had the chops and brains to
break out as the Timberlake of the crew. Now he’s a solo artist starring in Direct
TV’s “Kingdom” and co-headlining the annual Kissmas Concert with British pop
sensation Jessie J and Bebe Rexha.
Trampled By Turtles/Nikki Lane
On its latest album the Minnesota quintet mixes the high lonesome
feel and fast picking of a bluegrass band with the psychedelic folk-rock scope
of bands like Phosphorescent or My Morning Jacket. It’s paired with rising
Greenville, SC-raised/Nashville-based country singer Lane, whose caused quite a
stir a an atmospheric throwback to Patsy and Loretta.
Jessica Lea & David Mayfield
Wednesday 8 p.m., Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 35th
St., $15-$18, www.neighborhoodtheatre.com The acclaimed siblings - both solo artists that grew up playing
in their folks’ bluegrass band - wowed audiences two Decembers ago with its
Sibling Rivalry Tour, which they revisit reaching back to their childhood
repertoire and doing unique renditions of their own material. The music is
stunning, but their chemistry is gold as well.
Steel Panther
From Sunset Strip satirists to playing for 100,000 fans at
the Download Festival, the hair metal parody has made a full-fledged career
out of fun and Aquanet opening for the acts it sends up - Guns n’ Roses, Judas
Priest, and the Crue and headlining clubs. This marks the over the top comedic rock group’s
first time headlining Charlotte.
David Broza
Thursday 7:30 p.m., Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St.,
$36-$54, www.blumenthalarts.org
With his mix of flamenco, fingerpicking, folk-rock and reggae,
this Israeli singer-songwriter and guitarist is considered Israel’s answer to
Springsteen but by advocating and campaigning for peace between Israel and
Palestine on albums like 2014’s “East Jerusalem West Jerusalem,” he’s more like
Bono-meets-Neil Young.
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