Friday 6/15
City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30)
Marshall Tucker Band – Stage On Bay (8p)
Glass Mansions – Sentient Bean (8p)
Hans Wenzel and the 86ers – Congress Street Social Club
Quiet Hollers, Ember City – Barrelhouse South
Doctor Ocular Band – Molly MacPherson’s
Scaryoke – Jinx
Saturday 6/16 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Bottles & Cans – B&D Burgers Southside (7-10p) Phantom Wingo – B&D Burgers Congress St (7-10p) Jackson and Maggie Evans – Prohibition General Patton and the Heads of State – Congress Street Social Club 4th Ward Afro Klezmer Orchestra – El-Rocko Xulu Prophet – Molly MacPherson’s Joe Hertler & the Rainbow Seekers, Whitley Deputy Band – Barrelhouse South Urban Pioneers – Jinx
Sunday 6/17 Tequila’s Town (Sandfly) – Velvet Caravan (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 6/18 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 6/19 Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
Wednesday 6/20 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s DEZORAH – El-Rocko
Thursday 6/21 Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe Machine Dreamz – El-Rocko Black Pussy/ Silver Tounge Devils – Jinx
This week we have new work from The Rock*A*Teens, Interpol, YOB, KEN Mode, and Car Seat Headrest — also stuff all the way around.
The Rock*A*Teens Cabbagetown, GA
“Turn and Smile” from the album Sixth House, out June 29, 2018 on Merge Records.
Do you remember when “alternative” rock was called “college” rock? Or do you just like well constructed mid tempo indie rock? Well then, I’m talking to you…check out The Rock*A*Teens, they’re back and have a new album on the way, too. Merge Records/The Rock*A*Teens, sorta feels like 1997 all over again.
tom
Interpol NY, NY
“The Rover” from Marauder, out August 24th on Matador Records.
The new Interpol song sounds like, well, Interpol to be honest, and there’s not a damn thing wrong with that. Solid rock and roll, Paul Banks vocals, a great hook…yep, it’s Interpol, and to be honest, that’s a little comforting.
tom
YOB Eugene, OR Our Raw Heart, full album stream/visualizer.
Doom metal seems to be on the rise of late, with a new Sleep album and this one from YOB. Slow, sludgy, and somehow kind of beautiful, if you like Black Sabbath, but think they’re a little too fast at times, check this out.
tom
KEN Mode Winnipeg, Manitoba
“Doesn’t Feel Pain Like He Should” from Loved, out Aug 31, 2018
KEN Mode takes its name from a phrase in Henry Rollins’ book about his insane time with Black Flag…”Kill Everything Now Mode”. It certainly fits the noise rock they deliver with no mercy. Pummelling, aggressive, punishing, you can probably already guess whether you’re going to like this or not.
tom
Car Seat Headrest now Seattle
Live in the KEXP studio
Where to begin? It’s a newly expanded Car Seat Headrest with members of Naked Giants. Will Toledo has set aside his guitar. A fresh version of the band’s yes-it-will-be-a-classic-one-day “Fill in the Blank”. New songs. A cover of Devo and a snippet of Neil Young. Plus a little conversation focusing on the re-recorded Twin Fantasy. – bill
Hey everybody,
There are several good shows this week, almost every night. Perpetual Groove is playing a rare show at Barrelhouse Thursday. There are several shows worth checking out on Friday. There is a Led Zeppelin tribute show on Friday at the Stage On Bay. I am looking forward to catching Lulu The Giant at the Jinx that night also, as well as dropping by Molly’s for a bit of Matt Eckstine and friends. Another good show will be the Perpetual Groove show at El Rocko. It’s been a while since I have seen them, and I am hoping they are just as good as they were the last time I saw them. Saturday should be good as well. If you make it out early enough, you can catch Damon & The Shitkickers regular gig at the Jinx Happy Hour, but be sure to walk down to B&D to see Jubal Kane for a while. I’m not sure where to head next, but I do hope to see the Melody Trucks Band at Barrelhouse, yes she is the daughter of Butch Trucks of the Allman Brothers. Be sure to try to see some of the shows at the beginning of the week at El Rocko, if you are able to make it out. And don’t forget the Anthrax show on Wednesday at Stage On Bay. I hope to see some of you around this week.
Thursday 6/7 Andrew Grimm, ellen cherry – Sentient Bean (7p) Gypsy Jazz – Rancho Allegre (7p) Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe See Water, BOGO – El-Rocko Perpetual Groove – Barrelhouse South
Friday 6/8 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30) Get The Led Out – Stage On Bay (8p, $29) Youth Model, Perpetual Care – El-Rocko Little Stranger, Travers Brothership – Barrelhouse South Lulu The Giant – Jinx Voodoo Soup – Prohibition Matt Eckstine & Friends – Molly MacPherson’s
Saturday 6/9 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Jubal Kane – B&D Burgers (7-10p) Abe Patridge, Train Wrecks – Tybee Post Theater ($15) John Bias, Rude Dude, Pageant Wave – El-Rocko Melody Trucks Band, Ginger Beard Man – Barrelhouse South Squash – Molly MacPherson’s Charlie Fog Band – Congress Street Social The Well, John Denver Death Plane – Jinx
Sunday 6/10 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 6/11 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 6/12 Shane Secor – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s Haybaby, Bethlehem Steel, Ember City – El-Rocko
Wednesday 6/13 Anthrax, Testament – Stage On Bay (7:15, $35) Soccer Mommy, Grace Joyner – El-Rocko ($10) Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s
Hey, guys, it’s a little way off, but summer will fly by and before you know it Punk Mess 3 will be upon us…3 days, 4 venues, uncountable beers, and 30+ bands, the bulk of which have been announced in 2 recent lineup drops.
Here’s what we know so far….The dates: October 11-13 (Perfect weather for jeans and black tee shirts), the venues: The Jinx on Friday 10/12, all ages at Starland Dairy/Sulfur Studios on Saturday 10/13, Thursday 10/11 TBA, and bands, a lot of bands, with still more to be announced.
As for the bands, they range from old school punk to gnarly d-beat, with some proto-Devo experimental, classic hardcore, synth punk, noise, garage, and lo-fi thrown in for good measure. Click on any of the bands to check out their music, or just show up with an open mind, some earplugs and some youthful energy and have a good time. We had a blast at Punk Mess 1 and Punk Mess 2, and plan on more of the same at 3.
Lifters, Durham, North Carolina, featuring members of Bass Drum of Death.
The Shitdels, Nashville, TN, featuring members of Cheap Time.
For this week, we bring you new music from White Woods, Mallrat, Gorillaz, and T. Hardy Morris, whose upcoming album we’re incredibly stoked about.
White Woods Atlanta, GA
“Big Talking” off of the EP Big Talking out now on Suicide Squeeze Records
While White Woods is a far cry away from The Coathangers, one can immediately recognize Julia Kugel’s, aka Crook Kid Coathanger’s, distinct whispy vocals. Instead of the usual garage rock riffs one would expect with the Coathangers, however, White Woods features a much more delicate instrumentation and some rad vocal harmonies. ~ Petey
Mallrat Brisbane, Australia In The Sky, out now on Dew Process Records
With her second EP, Grace Shaw, the artist behind Mallrat, has show some major expansion of her sound. Blending a bit of bedroom pop, hip hop, and electro-pop, In The Sky is a perfect album for hitting the beach or riding around town with the window’s down on sunny day. It’s the perfect companion as the weather starts to warm up a bit. ~ Petey
Gorillaz Essex, England
“Humility” off of THE NOW NOW.
I’ll give pretty much any Damon Albarn tune a chance, based solely on his sometimes (but not always) brilliant previous output. Song 2 and Feel Good Inc. come to mind immediately. This one is funky, features George Benson, and probably won’t burrow as deep into my brain as the aforementioned gems. But, hey, maybe it will for you, because, you know, that’s how music works. – tom
T. Hardy Morris Athens, Ga.
“Stage Names” from Dude, the Obscure, due out June 22.
T. Hardy Morris is a under-appreciated national treasure and I will continue to push his new music (and back catalog, for that matter) on you until he becomes an appropriately appreciated national treasure. What I’m trying to say is you should listen to T. Hardy Morris, modern Southern rock doesn’t get better than this, the third excellent single from the upcoming Dude, the Obscure.
tom
Friday 6/1/18 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30) In For A Penny – Rail Pub (6p) Willie Jackson & The Tybee Blues Band – B&D Burgers Broughton (7p) Barefoot Movement – Randy Woods Guitars (8p, $28) Weather Warlock (Quintron), Controller! Controler! (Kylesa, Black Tusk), Banned In DC author – Graveface Records (7p) Winded, Cherry Blossom, Lakin Crawford, DJ Vicious Committee – El-Rocko Freeway Revival, Ivan Pulley Band – Barrelhouse South The Mercers – Molly MacPherson’s The Band AMAR – Prohibition The House Of Gunt’s BROOD – Jinx
Saturday 6/2/18 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Train Wrecks – Blowin Smoke (6p) Liquid Ginger – Boomy’s Jacob & The Good People – Barrelhouse South CLVLND, The Old Boy – El-Rocko Wood & Steel – Molly MacPherson’s
Sunday 6/3/18 Willie Jackson & The Tybee Blues Band – Wyld Dock Bar (1p) Savannah Songwriters Series – Sentient Bean (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 6/4/18 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 6/5/18 Skippy Spiral, Matty Troubles, Keith Baudry, Ford Natirboff – Sentient Bean (7p, $5 donation) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
Wednesday 6/6/18 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s
Thursday 6/7/18 Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe See Water, BOGO – El-Rocko
For this week, we have new work from:
CUSSES
Mighty Mighty Boss Tones
The Get Up Kids
Oh Sees
Wimps
Sleep
CUSSES Savannah
“Critical” off Golden Rat due late summer
CUSSES’ eerie and rocking new video was premiered recently by Revolver and heralds the impending release of the long anticipated album Golden Rat. CUSSES recently won Connect Savannah’s readers’ poll for best local rock band, but it’s worth adding that Brian Lackey and Angel Bond have recently moved to Nashville, which is a loss to the Savannah scene. But CUSSES has been adding fuel to the fire of the simmering local scene for almost a decade, and I’m sure we’ll see them again. – bill
Mighty Mighty Boss Tones Boston, MA
“Wonderful Day For The Race” off of the upcoming While We’re At It due out on June 15th.
It’s summer! Time for positive vibes and good music. And if there’s anything more upbeat than 90’s, third wave ska (no, it’s most certainly NOT dead), then I don’t know what it is! Jumping back in the game with their first album since 2011, Mighty Mighty Boss Tones are still serving up the awesome tunes we all grew accustomed to so many years ago. ~ Petey
The Get Up Kids Kansas City, MO
“Better This Way” off of the upcoming EP Kicker due out June 8th
I know I’m not alone in saying that I grew up with The Get Up Kids and that they played a pretty big part in my musical maturation. It’s easy to hear that they’ve been maturing too, especially with tracks like “Better This Way” which has a much more mellow touch than some of their earlier release but still manages to be a pretty emotional track all the same. ~ Petey
Oh Sees San Francisco, CA
“Overthrown”, no upcoming album announced yet.
Man, John Dwyer/Thee Oh Sees/Oh Sees/OCS do not let up, ever. Here’s a new psych/punk ripper seemingly unattached to an album, but the ever prolific outfit no doubt has one (or two or more) coming this year. You want a band that shreds, puts out tons of music in a bunch of genres, and tours pretty much non-stop? Oh Sees are your band.
tom
Wimps Seattle, WA
“Giant Brain” from Garbage People, due July 13th via Kill Rock Stars.
Another fun new wavey/pop/slacker punk gem from Wimps. If you like your tunes catchy, fun and to the point, this one fits the bill.
tom
Sleep California, USA
“Leagues Beneath” from Adult Swim Singles.
Imagine if Black Sabbath was younger, lived in a state where weed was legal, decided to combine said high test weed with codeine laced cough syrup and write a 17 minute long song. Does that scenario sound good to you? Yeah? Then just mash the play button, brah.
tom
Friday 5/25 Velvet Caravan – Prohibition Qwister – Service Brewing (5:30) Reed Willy – Sentient Bean (8p) Bottles & Cans – Jazz’d (9p) Offsides – El-Rocko (9p) Colby Deitz Band – Barrelhouse South General Patton & The Heads of State – Molly MacPherson’s The Unholy Four, The Ramages – Jinx Trae Pierce & The T-Stones – Congress Street Social Club
Saturday 5/26 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Velvet Caravan – Prohibition Breathers, Superbody – El-Rocko CBDB, Lady Love & The Losing Streak – Barrelhouse South Hitman – Molly MacPherson’s Rock n’ Roll Prom: Time Travel Edition w/ The Hypnotics, COEDS, The Wave Slaves – Jinx Freeway Revival – Congress Street Social Club
Sunday 5/27 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 5/28 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 5/29 Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
This week’s post includes work from Lucero, T. Hardy Morris, Big Ups, pronoun, and Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, plus “Old Old Fashioned” by Frightened Rabbit with Kayne’s thoughts on the passing of the band’s Scott Hutchison.
Lucero Memphis, TN
“To My Dearest Wife” from Among the Ghosts’out August 3rd.
It’s been a minute since Lucero or Ben Nichols solo has played Savannah, but at least there’s new Lucero on the horizon, and that’s very, very, good news. This doesn’t sound like a huge departure from their recent winning formula of Nichols world weary vocals in front of their signature blend of Americana, soul, and country rock, but why mess with perfection?
tom
T. Hardy Morris Athens, GA
“Homemade Bliss” from Dude, The Obscure out June 22 via New West Records/Normaltown Records.
This second peek at the upcoming T. Hardy Morris album is damn near as good as the first, “Be”, which I’ve listened to pretty much daily since it came out a couple of weeks ago. I’m not sure there’s currently an upcoming album I’m more excited for.
tom
Big Ups Brooklyn, NY Two Parts Together, out now on Exploding In Sound Records
The only thing more chaotic than a new Big Ups record may be the mayhem that happens on stage during their live shows. The NY band delivers a carefully curated blend of crushing post-punk guitar work interlaced with Galarraga’s sometimes softly spoken, sometimes violently shouted lyrics. Tune in and get ready for a sonic pummeling. ~ Petey
pronoun Brooklyn, NY
“wrong” off of pronoun’s upcoming debut album pronoun is back with a new single off of her upcoming debut album on Rhyme & Reason Records. More of the slightly lo-fi, dreampop goodness we’ve come to expect from the NY native. Here’s hoping the album isn’t too far in the future! ~ Petey
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Portland, OR
“Bike Lane”
Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus’ 7th solo album Sparkle Hard dropped on Friday. Three singles from the album have been trickling out over the last few months and I’ve loved them all (particularly “Middle America which really does feel like a lost Pavement track) so I was excited to hear the rest of the album. “Bike Lane” is a standout track that musically rocks a little harder than most of the album and lyrically deals with the subject of Freddie Gray’s death at the hands of the Baltimore police back in 2015. It’s a controversial move by Malkmus because the lyrics make you very uncomfortable while the music sublimely pushes you forward. My guess is that that’s the whole point as I can’t stop thinking about this track. -Kayne
Frightened Rabbit Edinburgh, Scotland
“Old Old Fashioned”
This isn’t new music but perhaps it’s new to some of you. I’ve been reeling from the news last week that Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit was found dead outside of Edinburgh from an apparent suicide. Truly one of my favorite bands, I was so lucky to see him perform many times, most recently in Atlanta in 2016 at Terminal West. When people would ask me who would I most want to bring to Savannah Stopover, my answer was always Frightened Rabbit. Scott’s music, which often dealt with the issues of depression and anxiety, helped support and comfort people the world over. If you don’t know this band, take some time to dig deep into the their canon. It’s a treasure. RIP Scott. -Kayne
Thursday 5/17
Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe
Shoplifters, The Woggles – Jinx ($10)
Rare Creatures, Dead Swells, Cole Collins – El-Rocko
Friday 5/18 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30) Pluff Mudd – Rail Pub (7p) Atlantic City Boys – Randy Wood Guitars Sister Hazel – Stage On Bay (8p, $29) Stan Ray’s Soul Satisfaction – Jazz’d (9p) Whitehall, City On Down, DJ Precisa – El-Rocko Prime Real Estate – Molly MacPherson’s Big Something – Barrelhouse South Hanging Judge, Bastard Brigade, Jeff Two-Names & The Born Agains, Hale Bopp Astronauts – Jinx ($7) Listen 2 Three – Congress Street Social Club
Saturday 5/19 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Chicago – Savannah Civic Center (8p, $55) Allman Brothers Tribute Show – Southbound Brewery (7p, $20/25) Sondorblue – El-Rocko Just Ford – Molly MacPherson’s Ike Stubblefield – Barrelhouse South American Lesion, Minor Nine – Wormhole Versatile – Congress Street Social Club
Sunday 5/20 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 5/21 Flipturn – Sentient Bean (7:30) Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 5/22 Clouds & Satellites – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe
Wednesday 5/23 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s Lost In Society, Jeff Two-Names & The Born Agains – El-Rocko
Big Ups Brooklyn, NY
“Imaginary Dog Walker” from Two Parts Together out May 18 on Exploding in Sound.
Big Ups have been plugging away at it for years now, and have perfected their singular introspective post hardcore. A tense, spoken, grinding buildup leads to at least a bit of release at the end. Cool stuff. I’ve enjoyed their first two full lengths, I’m betting I’ll dig this one, too.
tom
Mitski New York, New York
“Geyser” from Be The Cowboy out Aug. 17 on Dead Oceans.
You guys, Mitski is playing El Rocko on June 23. Holy shit. Wait, you don’t know who Mitski is? Umm, ok, wow. Wait, just check out this new song. See, no biggie, you’re up to speed now.
tom
The Pauses Orlando, FL
“Digital Detox” from Unbuilding out June 22nd via Arctic Rodeo Recordings.
The Pauses are no strangers to Savannah, and that’s rad because they’re…well….rad, too. They deal in indie/pop/rock and this new single pushes all those buttons hard. Synths, distorted guitars, immediately catchy melody, this deserves WAY more airplay than it will probably get. Bonus indie cred for the J. Robbins production.
tom
Young Widows Kentucky
“Checked In/Checked Out” from DECAYED: Ten Years of Cities, Wounds, Lightness, and Pain, out June 8 on Temporary Residence Ltd.
Young Widows have covered a lot of ground in their 10+ years of cranking out something somewhere between post punk and post hardcore. Don’t let that scare you, it’s a little dark, maybe in a heavier Joy Division way, but plenty melodic and accessible. The new album is a b-sides and rarities kinda thing, but if you dig this track, definitely check out their Old Wounds lp. Classic.
tom
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
“Refute” from Sparkle Hard, out May 18 on Matador Records.
The third great pre-release single from ex Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus, this one a country flavored jam featuring some guest vocals from indie icon Kim Gordon. If the lead singles are any indication, I expect Sparkle Hard to be a contender for album of the year for me. Just a few more days……
tom
In between SUSTO‘s sets at the band’s awesome performance for Stopover in the Yard at The Grey, a good friend of mine wondered aloud what songs the band had yet to play. After all, we had heard so many great ones — and we had known every word, as most in the audience also did.
But then we started listing some of the songs that SUSTO hadn’t played yet, and we knew we were in for a killer closing set too.
I love the whole concept of Stopover in the Yard — the combination of booking and production by Kayne Lanahan and her Savannah Stopover team, the beautiful and slightly funky outdoor space at The Grey, a casual lunch menu from Chef Mashama Bailey, and Chatham Artillery Punch too, plus a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit (Planned Parenthood this time around). There have been some wonderful bands, but the space has rarely filled and many patrons would leave before the Saturday afternoon music ended.
But not this time. SUSTO, led by the intense and talented Justin Osborne, sold out the show in advance, and the audience stayed till the end and wanted even more. The band seemed to know they’d be called back for an encore, so they slipped outside the gate into the lane through which random characters pass all day, and then came back for gorgeous renditions of “Smoking Outside” (I’ve put this post off for too long, so I’m pretty sure on that one) and “Chillin’ On The Beach With My Best Friend Jesus Christ,” a brilliant bit of songwriting. I’ve been lucky to hear that live before.
I don’t know how many more chances I’ll have to see SUSTO in a small-ish venue like the Yard at The Grey, but I’ll take advantage of whatever chances I get.
I took a lot of photos — I’m still struggling to take photos on bright days outside rather than in dark clubs at night, but here are a ton anyway. Great band, great day, great punch, great grilled chicken sandwich, great everything. Click on through for more.
