Outlaw Country Tribute and Benefit
After four successful tribute concerts to benefit Levine
Children’s Hospital, local musicians the
New Familiars, Amigo, Jim Avett, Chris Cook, the Sammies, Sherman
Hellville, the Funky Geezer, Kodiak Brotherhood and others pay tribute to country’s beloved one-time outsiders Merle
Haggard, Willie & Waylon, and Johnny Cash.
The Offspring
The little Cali punk band that did, did it again - topped
Billboard’s mainstream rock chart, that is with its latest single “Coming For
You” (no doubt aided by the band’s trademark humor of its
mime-bests-killer-clowns video). It’s another in a string of hits that trade in
half-time rocking testosterone, pop-grit, and a knowing wink.
Black Lodge Brouhaha: A Celebration of Twin Peaks
Showtime’s “Twin Peaks” reboot may be uncertain after David
Lynch’s departure, but local fans Gray Revell’s Roman Candle, Toleman Randall,
and Sam the Lion will revisit the `90 cult series with music from and fitting
the show and its subsequent big screen prequel. There’s also prizes for the
best Peaks’ costume. My money’s on Mrs. Palmer or Bob.
The Relationship/Gringo Star
Weezer’s Brian Bell and US Bombs’ Nate Shaw tap Jon LaRue (Albert
Hammond, Jr.’s writing partner) and Bravery/Morrissey drummer Anthony Burulcich
for the second coming of this snappy anthem-writing pop-rock side project.
Eccentric opener Gringo Star’s psychedelic Brit-influenced pop sounds like
Arctic Monkeys meet the Pixies.
The Doobie Bros.
Last year the legendary classic rock band reteamed with former
vocalist Michael McDonald and rerecorded some of its biggest hits with country
stars like Blake Shelton and Brad Paisley. It’s no surprise the Tom Johnston
and Pat Simmons-fronted mainstay appeals to both the rock and country crowds.
It’s even added bluegrass-soul singer John Cowan on bass.
Shy Girls
Portland songwriter/vocalist Dan Vidmar left night shifts in the
ER and the promise of medical school to focus on the bedroom R&B he’d been
producing after work. With 2015’s
minimalist, left of mainstream “4WZ” mixtape, he’s proving that sensual soul
doesn’t have to mean dumbed down.
John Fogerty
Fogerty is felling nostalgic. With his memoir, “Fortunate Son,”
due in October, the longtime Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer revisits his biggest
year with Creedence Clearwater Revival playing music from 1969. That was the
year the band released an unprecedented three classic albums, which he’ll
revisit along with several of his own hits.
Midnight Ghost Train
The heavy blues and groove-anchored fuzz-rock trio (think headbanging
stoner rock with growling metal vocals) was created as a tribute to a friend of
founder Steve Moss. The group’s first release with Austria’s Napalm Records
“Cold Was the Ground” celebrates masculine pursuits with a dark, rural bent
that - in the video for “BC Trucker” has them charming even the “Children of
the Corn.”
Delta Rae
The harmony-driven Durham soulful folk-pop sextet followed up
2012’s career-making “Carry the Fire” in April with its sophomore album “After
it All.” Built on those resonant harmonies and grand melodies, its receiving
ample praise. Rising songwriter Greg Holden, who is drawing comparisons to
A-list lyricists, opens the show.