New Music Monday – 5/22/17

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For this week’s post with new music, we have work from:

  • In For A Penny
  • Mogwai
  • The National
  • Alex G
  • the Mountain Goats
  • Courtney Barnett
  • Hazel English
  • Dan Auerbach

As always, enjoy the new tunes and feel free to share your new faves in the comments here or on our Facebook page.

In For A Penny
Savannah, Ga.
One More Last Hurrah

Savannah-based Irish folk punk band In For A Penny returns with this intense, rollicking new record, which was recorded live in the back of The Sand Bar on Tybee in about 7 hours. – bill

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Mogwai
Scotland
“Coolverine” from Every Country’s Sun, out September 1.

Some fairly chill post rock from Mogwai, who tread the same path as Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Moody, sweeping, and mellow, cool stuff if you’re in the mood for it.
tom

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The National
Cincinnati, OH
“The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness” from Sleep Well Beast, out September 8, 2017

Like many songs from The National this one took several spins before the melody and Matt Berninger’s lyrics began burrowing into my brain, but it’s starting to take hold now. It doesn’t do my street cred any good, but I’m a sucker for The National, and am looking forward to the new album.
tom

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Alex G
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rocket

Alex G, a 2016 Savannah Stopover alum, was Internet famous before 2014’s DSU, but then he just became regular famous with that album. I can’t remember if I saw him or not at Stopover, but I am pretty sure I did. Anyways, Alex G (Sandy) is all over the place, per the usual, on his seventh full-length album. Rocket is pretty varied, which is how I like it. It sounds like a free jazz album of the folk/indie-rock genre, unstable, unpredictable yet highly choreographed. I guess the thinkers at Pitchfork like it too. It’s earned Best New Album. Enjoy. With love, Joshua

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the Mountain Goats
Claremont, California
Goths out now on Merge Records

the Mountain Goats, and specifically John Darnielle, are known for being one of the top artists when it comes to songwriting and their newest release, Goths, proves that in spades. While the band has taken a slight departure from their early, low-fi, folk sound, Goths is one of their most impressive releases to date due to its carefully crafted wordplay and lush instrumentation. ~ Petee

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Courtney Barnett
Melbourne, Austraila
“How To Boil An Egg”

Initially released as more of a demo track from the Australian singer-songwriter, “How To Boil An Egg” recently got a revamping as part of Milk! Records and Bedroom Suck’s Split Singles Club. The track may have been re-recording featuring a full band as opposed to Barnett playing all of the instruments herself, but it still showcases the jangly guitar riffs and quirkiness that fans of hers have come to expect. ~ Petee

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Hazel English
Oakland, CA
“Fix” from Just Give In/Never Going Home, out May 12th

Australia’s Hazel English has been dripping out breezy, addictive singles since 2016 but the now California-based songwriter just released a double EP on Polyvinyl Records that includes both previously released and new material and it plays like the perfect summer soundtrack for fans of The Pains Of Being Pure at Heart, Best Coast, Beach Fossils, etc. Yes, it’s familiar and nostalgic for the decade past but repeated listens proves English is a unique and singular force to be reckoned with. Bliss out at your own risk. Listen to the full 2X EP here: https://open.spotify.com/album/4tKnS9Q0lgN3i7SmXi4mGI- Kayne

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Dan Auerbach
Akron, OH/ Nashville, TN
“Waiting On A Song” from Waiting On A Song, out June 2nd, 2017

That last summer between High School and College. Half baked for 3 months and standing on the precipice of adulthood. The video from the title track from Auerbach’s 2nd solo effort captures that nostalgic moment in time perfectly and often, hilariously. The album, out June 2nd, credits John Prine as just one of many Nashville based co-writers. If the first few singles are any indication, guessing this one’s on repeat through August! ~Kayne

thanks for choosing us (again) for best Savannah blog in Connect’s annual readers’ poll

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I should probably choose a flashier headline for this post. Maybe:

  • You won’t believe this shocking news
  • Jim Morekis is a fine guy, but you won’t believe what he told us today
  • How could this happen three years in a row?

I launched hissing lawns back in September 2013 with a boringly self-explanatory post: a new music blog for Savannah, Georgia. The goal here remains the same: to do our part to bring attention to Savannah’s music scene, from the immense talent of local artists to the great bands — both well-known and little-known — passing through town.

We aren’t really interested in clickbait or inundating readers with our opinions on everything, especially music news that is readily available on much larger sites. If one of our contributors had wanted to write an appreciation for the life of Chris Cornell, that would have been great, but I don’t know that we have much to add regarding that tragedy. Ditto for the controversies engulfing PWR BTTM, a band we’ve praised in the past, and tons of other major developments.

Given our relatively modest ambitions, we’re thrilled to have been selected as Best Local Blog in Connect Savannah’s readers’ poll for the third year in a row. Connect’s annual issue highlighting survey winners is a sprawling affair — a cultural snapshot of many of the people, businesses, and organizations that make Savannah such a vibrant and interesting place. We’re honored that hissing lawns has a place in the mix.

Savannah isn’t a big enough market to generate any significant income for a site like this, so we’re reliant on volunteer contributors. That reliance guarantees that we’re all reviewing, recommending, and photographing musicians that we want to support, but it also means that we can’t cover lots of talent that deserves more attention. We have struggled to find regular contributors beyond a core group of us, and there are entire genres that get little coverage from this site.

So: if you want to see more vibrant coverage of the music scene in Savannah, please consider getting in the game and becoming a contributor to this site.

I totally understand that writers, photographers, and many other creative people don’t want to work for free, but it’s also true that many people do in fact work for free routinely — on their own sites, in various journals, on social media, etc. As a Savannah Morning News columnist, I write for money three times a week, but I also continue to write for free here and elsewhere. I love doing music photography and do it for free too, even as I get occasional offers for paid gigs. Click here for an interesting discussion of some of these issues.

Anyway, if you have any interest in joining the low-key team here at hissing lawns, check out this post with additional guidelines for contributors. Then send a message to us via the hissing lawns Facebook page.

And thanks to all of you who read and appreciate this blog!

cheers,
bill

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 5/18/17 – 5/23/17

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Hey guys,
We’ve got another good weekend of music ahead. Most nights have several choices. Thursday night has a couple of good shows, The Parasites old school punk at the Wormhole and Bask’s record release show at the Jinx. Friday has even more good shows, the return of Sins of Godless Men at Starlandia, a One Tribe Benefit show at the Wormhole, and the Rock & Roll Prom at the Jinx. There are good shows at almost every locale on Saturday. I’m not sure where I will end up. 

Monday and Tuesday will be Craig Tanner’s last open mics prior to his move out West. Craig has been a friend to many musicians in this area and Savannah will be losing one of her great treasures.  If you know Craig, as many of you do, try to make it to one of those shows to say goodbye.

Thursday 5/18
Jon Lee and the Apparitions – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p)
Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe
Bask Record Release Party w/ Best, Haal – Jinx
The Parasites, Pussy Launcher – Wormhole
Little Stranger – Barrelhouse South

Friday 5/19
Brandon Nelson McCoy – Jinx (5-7p)
In For A Penny – Rail Pub (6p)
Charlie Fog Band – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p)
Bottles & Cans – Wyld Dock Bar (7p)
Sins of Godless Men, Jeff Two Names and the Born Agains, Indian Shores – Space Station at Starlandia (7:30p)
Joe Robinson – Randy Woods Guitars ($38, 8:00)
The Cadillac Three – Saddle Bags 5th Anniversary ($19)
Tristen Brooke – El Rocko (9p)
One Tribe: An Art and Music Show – Wormhole ($5)
Rock n Roll Prom w/ The Wave Slaves, The Hypnotics, The Mercers – Jinx ($7, $5 in costume)
Matt Eckstine – Molly MacPherson’s
Resinated, BBXF – Barrelhouse South
Atomga – Congress Street Social Club

Saturday 5/20
Bonnie Blue – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p)
Jared Wade – Coach’s Corner
Edwin McCain – Stage On Bay (8p, $25)
Illegal Drugs, Twisty Cats, Vincas – El-Rocko (9:30)
Danka, Root of All – Barrelhouse South
Soap – Molly MacPherson’s
Train Wrecks – Congress Street Social Club
Crud, Holly Hunt, Gaul – Jinx

Sunday 5/21
Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 5/22
Craig Tanner Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln

Tuesday 5/23
Clouds & Satellites – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7-10p)
Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe
Craig Tanner Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s

New Music Monday – 5/15/17

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For this latest installment of newly released work, we’ve got songs from:

  • Whores.
  • (the) Melvins
  • Single Mothers
  • Now, Now
  • Matt Eckstine

Whores.
ATL, GA
“Flag Day” from the Amphetamine Reptile Bash ’17 compilation

First and foremost: Turn it up. LOUD. Whores. have been one of the most talked about bands in heavy music circles for the last few years. Burners like this song and their crushing, cathartic live shows are the reason for that. Good gawd….that guitar tone. RIYL: Melvins, Unsane, Jesus Lizard, things that rule. – tom

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(the) Melvins
Pacific North West, USA
“Christ Hammer” from A Walk With Love and Death coming out July 7 via Ipecac Records.

I’m pretty sure that after the apocalypse, The Melvins will still be steadily releasing an album or two of heavy rock/not really metal/grunge/noise a year, and touring incessantly. The current incarnation is a three piece with Buzz Osbourne and Dale Crover doing their thing backed by Steve Mcdonald of Redd Kross/OFF on bass, and seems to be firing on all cylinders. I’m digging this one. – tom

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Single Mothers
London, Ontario, Canada
“Long Distance” off of the upcoming Our Pleasure due out on June 6

Single Mothers is a band that’s truly made it’s dichotomy work for it in the best way. Combining the abrasiveness of post-punk bands like mclusky or The St. Pierre Snake Invasion with poetic lyricism that one would expect from the likes of The Hold Steady, they’ve made some major changes in the way that the Canadian punk scene is viewed internationally. ~ Petee

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Now, Now
Blaine, MN
“SGL”

Now, Now’s Threads was not only one best indie rock albums of 2012, but also arguably one of the best albums of that year. In a time that was filled with highlights of the indie rock genre, the duo seemingly came out of nowhere with a classic album and then simply disappeared leaving fans begging for more. Now, 5 years later, they’ve re-emerged, more polished than ever and seemingly not having missed a beat. ~ Petee

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Matt Eckstine
Savannah, Ga.
“Fly on a Pie” solo video

This is a popular early tune from Matt’s band The Accomplices, but Eckstine released this wonderfully mellow video this week in announcing that his solo album will be coming out soon. – bill

Five Questions with Nick Kubley of Passafire

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This past Friday hometown heroes PASSAFIRE released their latest album on Easy Star Records, called Longshot. I had the chance to chat with friend, and drummer for the long-running band, Nick Kubley. Here are his responses, and links to getting a taste of their killer new album. Kudos & congrats to the boys for keeping’ on keeping’ on, and we look forward to seeing them back in Savannah soon!

Passafire / Longshot

HL: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Longshot. Passafire has a habit of slightly tweaking their sound every time a new album comes out, without losing what brought fans onboard from the beginning. What do you think the differences are between this one, and previous releases?

NK: The main difference is that we tracked most of this record live. Usually we do it one instrument at a time for all of the songs. Tracking the basic drums, bass, guitars and keys at the same time gave this album a more live feel. We think its the best recording we’ve ever done. Sound and song wise, I think the old and new fans will dig it.

HL: You’ve recorded several albums at Sonic Ranch in Texas. What’s the reason for returning there time & time again, and can you describe a bit about Passafire’s recording ‘process’ for us?

NK: Sonic Ranch is the best studio we’ve ever been to. It’s beautiful, secluded and has the best gear. Everything is taken care of for you, so the only thing you have to worry about while staying there is creating. Our process is doing pre-production whenever we can between tours and then spending a week or two at Sonic Ranch once it’s ready.

HL: The band seems to be on a relatively endless tour-cycle, and has been for years. While Savannah is considered Passafire’s ‘hometown’, all of you actually reside in different parts of the U.S. now. Have you found that physically being apart during hops on & off the ‘tour bus’ has helped the four of you as a band, songwriters, and musicians?

NK: I think it’s prevented us from getting sick of each other! (laughs) I do wish we could practice together more. That’s really the only part that sucks.

HL: Slightly off-topic, but what are the four of you up to in your limited downtime?

NK: I personally try to spend as much time as I can with my beautiful wife. Beyond that, I keep myself busy doing illustration work.

HL: Any thoughts as to what’s next for the band? I’m assuming that you’ll be touring in support of the release, but are there any other Passafire related ‘happenings, announcements, or special tours’ that you’d like to share with our readers & your fans? When can we look forward to another Savannah show?

NK: We’ve got a few more tours lined up for this year, including a few shows opening for 311. We’re also releasing a new music video soon. Our next Savannah show is July 29th at the Jinx. We’ll be spending a couple days there after the show, so I’m excited for that!

Click on any of the above highlighted links for more information, music, and more….

Passafire / Lucas Theatre for the Arts / 2016

Passafire / Longshot

Dad Joke Weekendmania – this weekend – preview

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Honestly this is going to be a bittersweet weekend of music for Savannah. On one hand, The Jinx is hosting over a dozen rad Southeast bands, ranging in genres from throwback garage rock to power pop to gnarly dbeat punk over Friday and Saturday nights. That’s the sweet part. On the bitter side, Cray Bags, once known as Crazy Bag Lady, the city’s most well known punk band and catalysts of the scene for the last several years, are playing their last shows for the foreseeable future, a.k.a. going on the dreaded “hiatus”. Also not so sweet is the fact that Weekendmania is the last hurrah for Dad Joke, the booking entity of Daniel Lynch, Josh Sterno, and Joseph Kapcin, who have hosted over 40 of the most interesting shows Savannah has seen over the last 2 years.

Let’s focus on the upside, though. You maybe haven’t heard of all or any of these bands before, right? Here’s the thing…I’ve attended more than a few killer Dad Joke shows over the last couple years,and the guys have their ear to the ground and flat out book great underground stuff. A well known booking agent in Atlanta expressed admiration for the shows that Dad Joke has brought to Savannah during a conversation I had with him a couple weeks ago, “They get some great bands that I can’t even get to Atlanta.” The point is if you’re the least bit musically adventurous or at least like guitar rock, there will be something that you’ll enjoy each night. At the very least, help send Cray Bags off in style (or in a big beer soaked mess, whatever).

I had the pleasure of interviewing Josh Sterno, Cray Bags frontman and Weekendmania organizer recently, for an in depth and insightful Q and A about the mini festival. Check it out.

Tom: Is Weekendmania going to rule?
Josh: Yes.

The Dad Joke Weekendmania
9 p.m. May 12-13
The Jinx, 127 W. Congress St.
$10 each day

Friday, 5/12 NIGHT
COEDS (Sav power pop)
Strategic War Heads (ATL D-beat/grind/punk)
Bad Example (Bham Hardcore Punk)
Eskizo (Macon D-beat)
The Lipschitz (Sav Garage Yacht)
Hannie & The Slobs (Athens Punk)
Greta O. & The Toxic Shock (Sav pizza Punk)
…
Saturday, 5/13 NIGHT
Cray Bags (Sav idiot Punk)
Gino & The Goons (Tampa Garage Punk on Total Punk/Slovenly)
Spodee Boy (Nashville Punk)
Datenight (Nashville Garage Punk)
Uniform (ATL Post Punk/Rock)
Curleys (Gainesville Punk)
Bubble Boys (Orlando Garage Punk)
Rude Dude & The Creek Freaks (Sav Garage Psych)

Here’s a couple videos of the kind of things you can expect from the lineup, but there’s tons more bands playing. Seriously, this is going to be fun.

Gino and The Goons

Spodee Boy

COEDS

Cray Bags

Bad Example

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour 5/11/17 – 5/17/17

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Hey guys,
It looks like another good music week ahead. There are a couple of good shows on Thursday, with a good R & B band at Barrelhouse South and a show from the MusicFile group at the Jinx. I always say you can always count on a good show if it is from MusicFile Productions.

I will probably spend most of the weekend at the Jinx, punking out with a Punk Rock weekend being put on by Dad Joke Productions, another group you can always count on for good shows (this will, unfortunately, be the last Dad Joke show, at least for a while). Another good choice would be to head to the Ships of the Sea Museum for the Night Flight Reunion Show on Friday. Or you can bounce between Molly’s and Social Club and catch some Savannah sounds with Train Wrecks and Damon & The Shitkickers.  Wherever you end up, there should be a good time ahead.  I hope to see you around somewhere this weekend, be sure to say “hello”.

Thursday 5/11
Roxy Roca – Barrelhouse South
Amythyst Kiah and Her Chest of Glass, Parker Gispert – Jinx

Friday 5/12
Jon Lee Murphy – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p)
Night Flight Cafe Reunion w/ Randall Bramblett, Swimming Pool Q’s, David Olney – Ships Of The Sea Museum ($42)
Donna Hopkins Band, Parker Urban – Barrelhouse South
Starry Night – Wormhole
Train Wrecks – Molly MacPherson’s
Magic Rocks – Bayou Cafe
Damon & The Shitkickers – Congress Street Social Club
Dad Joke Weekendmania – Jinx

Saturday 5/13
Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour
Phantom Wingo – Coach’s Corner
Thomas Claxton, Greg Williams Band w/ Jerry Zambito – Bayou Cafe (8p)
George Clanton, Negative Gemini, Sunglow – El-Rocko
Danielle Hicks Band – Molly MacPherson’s
No Need, Ghost of Paul Revere – Barrelhouse South
Dad Joke Weekendmania – Jinx

Sunday 5/14
Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 5/15
Craig Tanner Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln

Tuesday 5/16
Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe

Wednesday 5/17
Wayne “The Train” Hancock – Jinx
Eric Culberson Band – Boomy’s
Rude Dude & The Creek Freaks, Ashes, Daniel Lynch Brady – El-Rocko

New Music Monday – 5/8/17

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For this week’s roundup of new music that our contributors are listening to:

  • Mutual Jerk
  • Rancid
  • Blondie
  • The Coathangers
  • Bruiser Queen
  • Eddie Kesler & 3/4 Time
  • Slowdive
  • At The Drive In

Enjoy!

Mutual Jerk
Atlanta, GA
7″ out now on State Laughter Records

The Atlanta punk scene seems to be incredibly fertile currently, band after band, release after release. Angry, sung/spoken lyrics spit over fairly spare punk instrumentation, you can listen to the entire 7″ in the time it would take you to google the bands I would compare them to, so just hit play. – tom

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Rancid
Berkeley, California
“Ghost of a Chance” from Trouble Maker out June 9 on Epitaph Records.

Holy Shit, have you seen Tim Armstrong’s beard??? The music? Oh, it’s definitely Rancid, and thankfully the video is subtitled, as the beard hasn’t magically made “Tim Timebomb”s vocals any clearer. – tom

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Blondie
NY, NY
“Long Time” off of Pollinator, out now on BMG

I don’t know a damn thing about this album, but saw some trusted friends saying it was good. Blondie….in 2017? Not embarrassing would be acceptable, but damned if what I’ve listened to isn’t flat out pretty damn good. Weird. Check it out. Seriously. – tom

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The Coathangers
Atlanta,GA
Captain’s Dead out now on Suicide Squeeze Records

It’s a bit surreal to think that there were days when you could rely on seeing The Coathangers slaying the stage at least every other weekend in Atlanta. The garage-punk quartet have come a long way since their early days, developing a style that’s more polished than ever while still keeping the grit and fun that’s been a staple since their genesis. And with the release of their newest EP, it’s not hard to see why their keeping busy with one of the busiest national and international touring schedules around. – Petee

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Bruiser Queen
St. Louis, MO
“Have Fun” off of the upcoming Heavy High

Bruiser Queen have been on my radar ever since a stellar performance at Savannah Stopover a few years back that had me hooked from the get-go. Hooky, pop-rock riffs combined with a tinge of punk rock and 60’s pop aesthetics come together in a great way in their new single that’s sure to have you dancing in your seat. – Petee

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Eddie Kesler & 3/4 Time
Atlanta, Georgia
“Spanish Girl”

Eddie Kesler of Georgia Mountain Stringband has just released his long-awaited solo album called Wingman. No need for a ‘review’ per se, just check out this heartfelt music & experience it for yourself. The full-length recording can be found on all of the usual sites for purchase and/or streaming, but I chose to post just one of my favorites on hissing lawns. Proceeds from the sale of Eddie’s new album will benefit the American Heart Association in his father’s name. That means that not only you get quality country-ish Americana music, but also can feel good about supporting a great cause. Win-win in my book, and great songwriting to boot…. – Jon
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Slowdive
Reading, England
Slowdive

After 22 years, Slowdive has followed up 1996’s Pygmalion with a new, self-titled, album. All the shoe-gaze glory of the early days is on full display in the new album. Simple rhythms flooded by loads of reverb, delay, and distortion, all burying the vocals just below a watery surface.This is a gorgeous album. It’s a beautiful wall of sound. It’s shoe-gaze at its best. This is probably going to end up as one of my favorite albums this year. — Joshua
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At The Drive In
El-Paso, Texas
in-ter a-li-a

The new At The Drive In album — yet another post-long-hiatus-reunion-album — is scattered, disjointed, yet strangely cohesive. Pretty much like an At The Drive-In album. Mars Volta will probably always be my favorite Omar Rodriquez-Lopez/Cedric Bixler project. But, At The Drive-In is loads of fun, just a different kind of fun. The new stuff is trademarked by the post-punk band’s unpredictable rhythmic pulls and punches, relentless speed, stream-of-conscience lyrics, and killer riffs. At some point, years ago, I sort of accepted Rodriguez-Lopez’s projects as works of art, more in the line of epic poems, or avant grade compositions. This album is as daring and different as it is beautiful. Another reviewer phrased it pretty well, “Fugazi on Adderall.” Yep. — Joshua

Savannah’s Casket Girls to play, maybe, their last hometown show

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There’s a good chance the Casket Girls may never play their hometown again after May 9th.

But there’s a chance they might too. It’s sort of in the air, according to the constantly-working, often-reclusive Ryan Graveface, the band’s primary composer. who along with lyricist/vocalist/sisters Phaedra and Elsa Greene forms the creative core of the band’s eerie dream pop.

It’s been over a year since they played Savannah at the now defunct Southern Pine Graveface extension. For Graveface, it’s nothing personal. He just doesn’t like playing his hometown too much.

“I don’t like playing where I live by default,” Graveface said. “I’ve lived all over the world and never played where I lived. You don’t shit where you eat. I know local musicians feel the complete opposite. I would feel very odd playing a lot locally. I think it’s more that it’s easy.

“I think the Casket Girls’ music, personally, is really fucking good. I think that we have so much material that’s never been released, we could play out a lot of material they’ve never heard and it would be cool. I don’t know. I like a challenge. To me, playing locally, you can use it as practice before launching a tour and to hone the material. I just think it’s too easy.

“I would hate to make my customers feel like they should come see us frequently because we know each other,” Graveface continued. “I just feel there’s levels of obligation when you live in a place, especially when you’re an artist. I don’t expect you to come to any of my shows, but maybe you do. My friends play shows constantly and unless it’s in my shop, I don’t go to it, because I literally work 18 hours a day. Unless it’s in front of my face, the chances of seeing anyone outside of this compound are not good. It’s not a selling point for me, by the way. I am a fucking hermit. The creepy cult guy (laughs).”

Despite loving the project, Graveface isn’t sure it will last. Casket Girls is only one of several bands Graveface contributes to, and one of many different projects the Graveface Empire has its tentacles in. There’s only so much time, although his prolific nature seems to work off a 48 hour daily clock.

The May 9 show and subsequent tour were spurred by a request for Casket Girls to join one of Graveface’s favorite bands for a couple of shows. After 22 years, Slowdive, British shoe-gaze royalty, released a brand new album, announcing a tour behind it. Graveface has been a longtime fan of the band and over the years worked on several projects with different members.

“My homies in Slowdive got in touch and said, would you be interested in opening a few shows,” Graveface said. “I said, of course! I am pretty sure we’re just going to be spending money. But, for me, it’s my favorite band of all time. If even, 30 of their fans — and I am sure more would be into us — but even if a small portion get into us it would be worth it.

“Slowdive is pretty serious and slow,” Graveface continued. “People, like myself, go to their shows to weep. I literally weep when I see them live. They played at Pitchfork a few years ago. The first time I’ve seen the band live. My buddy (Slowdive guitarist Christian Savill) got me on stage and I am crying like my mom just died. Christian was wearing a Graveface shirt.”

Here’s a video of Slowdive’s performance at the Pitchfork Music Festival. A freeze frame might reveal a weeping Graveface.

The Savannah show kicks off a May tour for Casket Girls. They play with Slowdive on May 10 at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina, and then again for a Shakey Knees Music Festival kick-off party in Atlanta on May 11. On May 12, they play the Georgia Theatre in Athens.

The label wing of the Graveface Empire has been working with several Slowdive members on different releases over the years. Graveface made guest appearances on two albums from Slowdive guitarist Christian Savill’s other project, Monster Movie, including the new album Keep the Voices Distant. Graveface Records released the last four Monster Movie albums.

For the label’s 2017 Record Store Day release, Graveface reissued Stereo Musicale from Blind Mr. Jones. The album features Slowdive singer Neil Halstead, as well as Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood. Graveface Records also released two albums by The Loose Salute, a band started by Slowdive drummer Ian McCutcheon.

Casket Girls, however, might not be done with Ryan. Graveface and the sisters Greene have been working on new material. Graveface isn’t sure its financially worth putting out a follow up to 2016’s The Night Machines. He’s not just a band member, but he acts as the manager and label executive when it comes to getting the album recording and released. It’s expensive to release a record these days. According to Graveface, The Night Machines cost around $25,000 by the time it was said and done.

“The next phase of Casket Girls is very heavy,” Graveface said. “Not quite metal, because they’re not metal singers. But, it’s fucking heavy. Tons of guitars and actual riffs and stuff. There’s not even any delay or reverb. It’s really raw. The riffs sound like Queens of the Stone Age. I guess the question is, do we actually put that record out? Or do we just call it quits?”

“Every single record, for every project I do, is potentially the last record. Because it’s not cheap. If I wasn’t the label, I am sure I would view it strictly creatively. I just don’t know what the point is, that’s the point. I love the music. I think people respond to it well, but not enough people buy it to merit continuing.”

The amazing Jeff Zagers is opening this show and there are limited amount of tickets available. So swing by the Graveface store and grab one. Click here for details.

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 5/4/17 – 5/9/17

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Thursday 5/4
Jon Lee & The Apparitions – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p)
Everymen, Jeff Two Names & the Born Agains – Jinx ($10)
NW Izzard, Part One Tribe – Barrelhouse South

Friday 5/5
Vanessa Silberman & The Love Dimension – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7-10p)
Velvet Caravan – Wyld Dock Bar (7p)
Phil Vassar – Stage On Bay (8p, $20)
Dear Blanca – El-Rocko
SUSTO, Becca Mancari, Isaac Smith – Jinx ($10)
Magic Rocks – Molly MacPherson’s
Keller Williams – Southbound’s 4th Anniversary Party (7-11p, $35/40)
Big Mean Sound Machine, Opposite Box – Barrelhouse South

Saturday 5/6
Joe Nelson, James Pittman – El-Rocko Happy Hour (5:30-8:30)
Damon and the Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour (6p) & late set (10:30p)
The Apparitions – Molly MacPherson’s
Super Bob – Rachael’s 1190
Eric Culberson Band – Congress Street Social Club
Liquid Ginger – Boomy’s
Kenny George Band, Movers & Shakers – Barrelhouse South

Sunday 5/7
Savannah Songwriter Series – Sentient Bean (7p )
Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 5/8
Craig Tanner Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln

Tuesday 5/9
The Obsessed, Karma to Burn, Lo-Pan – Jinx
The Casket Girls, Jeff Zagers – Graveface (7p, $5, ALMOST SOLD OUT)
Acoustic Tuesday with Whetherman – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7-10p)
Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe

remembering Colonel Bruce

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It’s been a busy day, but I’ve had time to read a few write ups about Col. Bruce leaving us and this one from Live for Live Music has to be my favorite. After seeing the videos of last night’s encore, it truly was as if he played his own funeral; and that was probably just the way he’d have chosen things to play out if he was given a choice. If you’re not familiar with Brandon “Taz” Niederauer, be sure to check him out in the video below letting it rip on “Basically Frightened”. Keep in mind he was only about 12 at the time of this show. It may be that Bruce really did pass the torch last night.

Taz solo on Basically Frightened with Col. Bruce:

Col. Bruce and the Aquarium Rescue Unit played in Savannah many times in those days, but I first stumbled on them in 1989 at an Atlanta bar. If any of you missed the early days of the Colonel and the ARU, it was one of those rare times where you feel like you’re present for the birth of something. That classic line up was it for me, and although I definitely enjoyed shows after that with his other bands, none quite did it for me like those with ARU.

In order to get you started on your journey, here’s a clip where Jimmy Herring, Jeff Mosier, and others talk about the beginnings of the Aquarium Rescue Unit. As you’ll see in the clip, Bruce did exactly what many geniuses do. He assembled people with some talent that impressed him in one way or another, then he brought them all together, fostered them and nurtured that talent until they became something even greater. As they mentioned in the blog I linked at the beginning, he seemed to work as a master teaching his students, and we’re all better off for it. Many of his students have become masters themselves now, and I’m sure Taz is headed down that same path after just a couple of years with Bruce.

To illustrate my point above on Bruce’s influence on other musicians, here are three quotes from a few years ago.

Dave Schools (Widespread Panic) “If I never met Bruce, probably be more of an egotistical jerk and hell of a lot less musician than I am now!”

Derek Trucks (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Allman Brothers) “I don’t know if I would be playing professionally today if I hadn’t met him when I did.”

Jimmy Herring (Widespread Panic, The Dead, Jazz is Dead) “Before I met Bruce I almost gave up music.”

We always hear people make reference to going out doing what they love, but Bruce you pulled that one off and then some.

For anyone wanting to explore a bit and see what he was all about, there is a 2012 documentary called Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Col. Bruce Hampton that can be found on Amazon Video and other outlets.

A few photos of Col. Bruce at historic Grant’s Lounge in Macon at Bragg Jam 2014:

Five Questions with Vanessa Silberman

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Foxy Loxy’s intimate First Friday performance series has become a staple of blooming art scene that takes place during the first week of every month in Savannah. Along with the monthly celebration of First Friday in the Starland District, Foxy’s courtyard performances make for the perfect way to experience the arts scene in a much more intimate manner. For this month’s performance, Vanessa Silberman and The Love Dimension’s Jimmy Dias will be taking the stage as a duo, providing a slightly stripped down, but no less powerful, version of their individual projects. In anticipation of their performance, we had the opportunity to discuss the upcoming show among other things in a short interview with Vanessa.

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