Avetts' bassist off road due to daughter's illness

Earlier this week Avett Brothers' bassist Bob Crawford announced that he will be off the road indefinitely. Crawford (pictured above with cellist Joe Kwon) posted a detailed message to fans Wednesday about his 22-month-old daughter Hallie, who is being treated for a brain tumor that was discovered in late August. Read his post here.

Crawford asks that fans pray for Hallie.

The band's manager, Dolph Ramseur, says bassist Paul Defiglia, who was formerly with Langhorne Slim's band, is currently filling in for Crawford on the road. The Avetts, who play a sold out show in Chicago tonight, will be back in North Carolina Saturday, October 8 for a Gate City Rotary Club benefit concert in Greensboro. That show is also sold out. The Avetts announced last week that it will play its annual New Year's Eve concert at Greenville, SC's Bi-Lo Center.

This week's hot concerts

Ten Out Of Tenn

7 p.m. Friday, September 30, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $12-$15. 704-358-9298.

The latest chapter of this collaborative singer-songwriter tour includes Trent Dabbs , Gabe Dixon , Andrew Belle , K.S. Rhoads , Katie Herzig, Matthew Perryman Jones, Amy Stroup, Tyler James , Butterfly Boucher and Jeremy Lister.

The Atomic Bitchwax

8 p.m. Friday, September 30, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $8-$10. www.etix.com

Stoner rock’s answer to prog, this New Jersey trio illustrated its evolution on its last album "4" with an emphasis on vocal harmonies and occasional strings without letting up on the thick riff-heavy guitar work that populates its latest disc, "The Local Fuzz."

Hot Rize

8 p.m. Saturday, September 30, McGlohon Theatre, 345 N. College St. $22.50-$39.50. 704-372-1000.

The 30-year-old bluegrass institution approaches its 10^th year with its current lineup (after Charles Sawtelle’s 1999 death it relaunched with Bryan Sutton on guitar in 2002). The lineup boasts its offbeat Western swing alter-ego Red Knuckles & the Trailblazers.

Donna the Buffalo/Roy Jay

7 p.m. Saturday, October 1, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th ST. $22-$25/$37 VIP. 704-358-9298.

The live Cajun-flavored jam favorite is back, joined by the Roy Jay Band, a relatively new entry on the circuit (led by a Dead Head) with roots in improvisational blues, rock, and jazz that approaches jam-rock with subtlety.

Full Service

8 p.m. Monday, October 3, Amos’ Southend, 1423 S. Tryon St. $10-$12. 704-377-6874.

This Austin outfit has spread its music through DIY stunts and gigs with 311 and Badfish. Described simply as alt-reggae, it actually summons the intersection of late `60s Woodstock rock and later John Frusciante-fueled Chili Peppers.

Lemonheads

7 p.m. Tuesday, October 4, Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E. 36^th St. $15-$18/$30 VIP. 704-358-9298.

Evan Dando and company will revisit its 1992 commercial breakthrough, “It’s a Shame About Ray,” (which was reissued in 2008) in its entirety. The alt-rock classic includes tracks like “My Drug Buddy” and “Bit Part.”

Hammerlock

8 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. $7-$9. www.themilestoneclub.com

The San Francisco husband and wife team – which cranks out a mix of Skynyrd-ish Southern rock and driving bass-heavy biker-metal - is familiar to Antiseen fans having played its last anniversary blowout. With the Flat Tires and Biggy Stardust.

Mates of State

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 5, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $15-$18. 704-358-9200.

On the heels of the release of what may be the keyboard and drums duo’s finest studio album, “Mountaintops,” this married couple brings its uplifting harmonies and sugary pop confections back to town.

Craddock, Parker, Folds among NC Music Hall of Fame inductees

The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in Kannapolis will induct eight new members Thursday, October 13 during a ceremony and dinner at the David H. Murdock Core Laboratory Building (Cannon Village, 150 Research Campus Dr., Kannapolis). The event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $70.

This year's inductees include:

• Billy “Crash” Craddock – Country and Rockabilly recording legend from Greensboro.
• Anthony Dean Griffey – Grammy award-winning opera tenor from High Point.
• Maceo Parker – Jazz/funk saxophone player and James Brown sideman from Kinston.
• Ben Folds – songwriter/alternative rock musician from Winston-Salem.
• Michael English – Contemporary Christian recording artist from Wallace.
• Clyde Moody – Bluegrass singer, songwriter, musician from Cherokee.
• Billy Edd Wheeler – songwriter, playwright, author from Swannanoa.
• John D. Loudermilk – pop and country songwriter from Durham.

Ronnie Milsap, Donna Fargo, Arthur Smith, Doc Watson, Maurice Williams, James Taylor, Ben E. King, Shirley Caesar, Roberta Flack, Earl Scruggs, and Kannapolis' own George Clinton are among those who have already been inducted.

For a full list of inductees and more information about the NC Music Hall of Fame visit www.northcarolinamusichalloffame.org.

WEND 106.5 The End announces Not So Acoustic Xmas headliner

The annual Not So Acoustic Xmas concert presented by 106.5 The End welcomes Cake to Amos' SouthEnd (1423. S. Tryon St.) Friday, December 2. Tickets are $25 to $30 and go on sale Friday, September 30 at 10 a.m. at www.etix.com.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Kids First of the Carolinas, a new Teddy Bear for the Charlotte Checkers' Teddy Bear Toss, or both.

Cake had its biggest hit with 1999's #1 alternative rock track "Never There." Other memorable tracks include "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" (which serves as the theme for NBC's "Chuck"), "The Distance," and "No Phone." Its single "Sick Of You" peaked at #4 in December 2010.

The quirky rocker's latest album, "Showroom of Compassion," was released in January. It was recorded in a solar powered studio in Sacramento that the group spent five years building. The disc debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. It was not only the band's first number one but its first Top 10 album. At only 44,000 physical copies sold "Showroom" logged the lowest numbers for a #1 album in Nielsen Soundscan history - a twist that probably wasn't lost on a band known for its use of irony and humor.

The Charlotte date is one in a string of holiday shows. Cake will also headline The Fox Theatre in Atlanta on New Year's Eve.

Ghouls, witches, and zombies populate Southern Culture's pumped up reissue

In 1998 NC’s Southern Culture on the Skids released an eight-song EP called “Zombified” that paid homage to B-grade horror films that were popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Just in time for Halloween the trio release the disc stateside this week.

The new version is a full-length album that includes five new tracks. It's available as a cd, digital download, or on blood red vinyl that’s limited to 1000 copies (which also comes with a cd). Although zombies are currently at the height of their popularity, “Zombified” pays tribute to a number of creatures of the night – vampires, witches, swamp thangs and the walking dead with minor key menace, zippy surf guitar (it worked for The Munsters), and the weary honky-tonk charm of Bruce Campbell’s “Bubba Ho-Tep” character.

“Zombified” is surprisingly diversified given its subject matter. There’s the early `80s country rock of “Eyeball You Later,” the timeless girl group softness of “Torture,” the horror movie/rockabilly marriage of the title track and “Primitive," and the sad, retro feel of “Undertaker.” It makes me think about the possibilities if Hank Williams, Alice Cooper, and Buddy Holly hung out together.

“Creeper,” with its gritty guitar and restrained pace hauntingly plods at nearly the same speed as I imagine a mummy would, arms outstretched of course (although drummer Dave Hartman never lets the beat truly lag). Rick Miller’s guitar tone and the vintage feel of the material and production easily conjures black and white images of tight sweater-clad beauties on the run from werewolves, romanced by vampires, and stalked by maniacs. Maybe that doesn’t sound like a good time for the busty beauties, but like most SCOTS’ material it’s done with tongue firmly in cheek.

I’m a huge fan of Halloween, horror movies, and camp and am pleased that there’s new music to add to the seasonal playlist (besides, I kind of celebrate Halloween year-round). Several years ago when I managed a SouthEnd coffeeshop I would leave our Muzak station tuned to the Halloween channel throughout the month of October, but inevitably I and the customers would tire of “Purple People Eater,” the Munsters theme, and Peter Murphy. With that in mind, there's certainly a need for this sort of fun musical take on the holiday.

To properly kick-off the release SCOTS is having a “Zombified” video contest. Read more about that here. The band will also play Visulite (1615 Elizabeth Ave.), November 11 ($15-$18, 704-358-9200) - a little late for trick or treat though. “Zombified” indicates SCOTS would throw a kickin’ (chicken) Halloween party.

This week's hot concerts

Lupe Fiasco

8 p.m. Friday, September 23, Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, 1000 Seaboard St. $34-$57.85. www.livenation.com

The “Superstar” “…Show Goes On” rapper bridges alternative hip-hop and easily digestible hits. The politically controversial rapper headlines a bill rounded out by Iyez, Sarah Green and Young Marquis.

Langhorne Slim & the Law

8 p.m. Saturday, September 24, Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave. $12-$15. 704-358-9200.

The sometime Avetts’ cohort can channel both Harry Chapin with his raspy, soulful singing and Arcade Fire with bounding, sunny anthems as he approaches folk-rock with the spunk and heart of a evangelist at a revival.

"Spacetime" by Gardens & Villa from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

Gardens & Villa

9 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St. $8. www.etix.com

This Santa Barbara atmospheric electronic-rock outfit creates quirky relaxed, borderline melancholy tracks (think Belle & Sebastian meet Peter, Bjorn and John) that can morph into a raging dance party live.

Voltaire

8 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, Milestone, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. $8-$12. www.etix.com

An annual fixture at Atlanta’s DragonCon, the dark cabaret performer brings his “Riding the Black Unicorn” tour (the album version is an impressivly guest-heavy affair) with fellow sci-fi con vets Hellblinki Sextet.

Psychedelic Furs/Tom Tom Club

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 28, Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St. $34.50-$49.50. 704-372-1000.

These `80s holdouts reteam for a nostalgic tour that highlights fan favorites and new wave hits, this time with a rare performance from one half of Talking Heads.

Parlor Mob

8 p.m. Thursday, September 29, Tremont, 400 W. Tremont Ave. $8-$10. www.etix.com

This New Jersey combo hovers in the classic rock-inspired era on its upcoming “Dogs,” equally able to work hard, bluesy grooves, turn in Kings of Leon-like radio rock, scale a Coheed-meets-Avenged Sevenfold-style chorus or deliver an `80s style power ballad.

David Mayfield Parade

10:30 p.m. Thursday, September 29, Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. $12-$14. 704-376-3737.

One of Americana’s best young entertainers, this down home songwriter leads a team of seasoned players with wit, charm, and little pretension.

Soul throwback's show at Amos' Friday cancelled.

While it looked to be quite a rich, yet eclectic weekend for soul-funk and jazz-infused hip-hop with Lupe Fiasco, Mayer Hawthorne, and Van Hunt delivering three very different but equally good takes on the stuff, one of those bills isn't happening. The Mayer Hawthorne and the County show scheduled for Amos' Southend Friday, September 23, has been cancelled. It was set to be the Michigan-raised producer-turned-frontman's first Charlotte show.

Much like Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Mayer Hawthorne recreates classic Motown soul like he was born a Miracle. He does update his sound to make it more contemporary, but there's a real respect for the era. His singles, for instance, are released on vinyl. What's more? He's a nerdy white guy from Ann Arbor, not Detroit.

I was looking forward to catching the show and I hope he'll reschedule. The cancellation doesn't mean the entire weekend is a bust of course. For instance Lupe Fiasco will play The Fillmore Friday, although not with British dance sensation Tinie Tempah as originally advertised. Van Hunt, who veers closer to the late `70s version of soul, performs at The Double Door Saturday.