hissing lawns

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 9/11/14 – 9/15/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • September 10, 2014

Hi guys,
One of my favorite things about the music scene downtown is the amount of positive energy that pervades the entire area. This weekend has one of the best examples of the kindred spirit of these musicians.

As far as I am concerned, the Statts Fest is one of the more important events of the year. I hope that all of you reading this will consider going to this show at the Jinx on Saturday. It is a benefit for one of Savannah’s most-loved artists, Jason Statts. I assume that most of you know the story of Jason Statts, if you don’t, be sure to read Jim Morekis’ interview with Jason in this week’s Connect. Jason was the victim of a street robbery that left him paralyzed. I have only met Jason a few times, but he is one of the nicest guys I know.

This will be the fifth annual Statts Fest, and the fact that this benefit has continued for so long and bands are anxious (one stated “honored”) to play at this festival shows how much his friends care for him. And the line-up is exciting, with some of Savannah’s best bands playing. The show starts at 4pm. I haven’t seen a schedule announced yet, but I bet you can go early, leave before midnight, and still see five or more good bands. I can really see no reason that everyone shouldn’t go to this show.

There are plenty of other shows this weekend, here is some more music I would recommend. In keeping with the Savannah spirit, all of these recommendations this week are Savannah bands.

Thursday 11th
Jon Lee’s Apparitions (guitar rock) – Warehouse
2Tone Fish (guitar rock) – Barrelhouse South

Friday 12th
Stephen Baumgardner (acoustic music from one of Savannah’s most talented artists) – Blowin’ Smoke (7p)
Rosies (female harmony duo) – Ampersand ($5)
Hypnotics (60’s garage rock) – Molly MacPherson’s
Kota Mundi (rock-reggae) – Congress Street Social Club

Saturday 13th
5th Annual Stats Fest – Bottles & Cans, City Hotel, Devil At My Side, Hot Pink Interior, Crazy Bag Lady, Cusses, Conquer/Devour, Black Tusk, Savannah Sweet Tease Burlesque Review – Jinx ($20, 4p)
Jon Lee’s Apparitions – Boomy’s

Sunday 14th
Voodoo Soup (classic rock covers) – Congress Street Social Club

Tuesday 16th
Hitman (electric blues) – Warehouse
Jubal Kane (juke-box blues) – Bay Street Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe

Dent May and GEMS at Savannah’s Fashion Night – photos

by bill • September 10, 2014

GEMS and Dent May performed during the finale fashion shows on the Drayton and Montgomery street stages at last week’s Savannah’s Fashion Night. And then both acts played again at the after-party at Ampersand. In a perfect world, I would have gotten shots of all four of those set, but . . .

GEMS’ performance during the fashion show was easily the highlight of my night. With the historic buildings of Broughton Street as the backdrop, with models walking through the band, and with the band’s powerful, hypnotic,even mystical music rising from the stage — well, I was transported. Just one complaint: the set was way too short.

I missed Dent May’s performance on Broughton, but he brought some electricity to Tucker’s Lounge on the 2nd floor of Ampersand. May is an excellent entertainer and a tremendous talent that we’re going to enjoy following for years to come.

Thanks to MusicFile Productions, parent company of Revival Fest and Savannah Stopover, for booking such fine musicians. A couple shots here and more after the jump:

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Matrimony at Savannah’s Fashion Night on Broughton Street – photos

by bill • September 9, 2014

Well the lighting conditions in the VIP tent at last week’s Savannah’s Fashion Night were pretty tough for photography, but there was no dimming the beauty and energy of Matrimony‘s long, sweaty set. I hope we’ll be seeing the Charlotte-based band again and again and again. Only with more light.

Both Jon Waits and I got some shots though — a few here with more after the jump:

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Waits & Co., The Toothe, and A.M. Rodriguez at Ampersand – photos

by JWaits • September 7, 2014

On a sweltering, and rainy Saturday night, three acts who had never played together before came to Ampersand to put on a show. I’m usually my own harshest critic, but I can say that locals A.M. Rodriguez, Waits & Co., and touring act The Toothe (Asheville, N.C.) gave the paying audience their money’s worth. There is a gamble in musicians putting together a ‘door charge’ Savannah show when so many venues offer free music by paying the bands themselves. In itself it can be great for ‘working’ musicians, but in many ways it also inhibits the general public from coming out to paid performances. Most musicians that I’m associated with are living hand to mouth, have to maintain some form of day job, and touring is usually a loss in personal funds, not a gain. I certainly am not trying to preach to our readers, but when artists work hard at their craft and see neither financial gain, or audience appreciation, it can take a toll, and make them wonder about their career choices.

If you love music…support the people who are making it. Alright…enough said…now on with the show!

The following images were taken by me (Jon Waits) except of Waits & Co. which were shot by local blogger and DoSavannah photographer Adriana Iris Boatwright.

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Billboard premieres new video for Matrimony’s “Southern Skies”

by bill • September 4, 2014

Matrimony will be playing a couple of sets in the VIP tent on Broughton Street during Savannah’s Fashion Night on 9/4 (tonight!).

Here’s the brand new video for the Charlotte-based band’s “Southern Skies”, off the excellent album Montibello Drive:

From Billboard’s article a coupe of days ago that accompanied the video premiere:

The song “Southern Skies” captures singer-guitarist James Brown’s experience moving from Belfast, Northern Ireland to the American South, and the video demonstrates the similarities and differences between the two lands in lush fashion. Directed by Alan Daly, the “Southern Skies” video features breathtaking natural scenery from both locations, as well as an appearance by the legendary Charlotte musician ‘Funky Geezer.’

Matrimony did an excellent set in Savannah at the 2013 Revival Fest, and they were even better when I saw them this summer at Forecastle Festival in Louisville. Really looking forward to hearing them tonight on Broughton Street.

Matrimony at Revival Fest 2013

Murder By Death returning to The Jinx in Savannah on 10/23

by bill • September 4, 2014

Last night, I was on the last flight from Lexington, Ky. to Charlotte with just 11 other people — all traveling alone. It was right after a dramatic sunset, and I was listening — yes, again — to Murder By Death through my headphones. On this flight, I just went with the most obvious option: the stellar 2012 album Bitter Drink, Bitter Moon.

And then the flight attendant made the rounds and brought us all free drinks — and not just soda. I ordered a Jack & Coke. And then she came around with free bags of snacks. True story.

You might not always get free booze and nuts when you listen to Murder By Death, but you’ll feel like you were just given something really good for free, no matter how awful a person you are.

So I’m just thrilled that Murder By Death will be making their way from their new home in Louisville to The Jinx here in Savannah in October:

Post by The Jinx Savannah Events.

This will be the band’s third appearance at The Jinx — the first was during the inaugural Savannah Stopover and the most recent was at the club’s 10th anniversary party a year ago. We posted photos of that most recent gig here and here.

I was also lucky that one of my recent trips to Kentucky coincided with Murder By Death’s show in Adam and Sarah’s new hometown of Louisville. I took some photos of that show too, and heard a new song that will presumably be on the band’s upcoming album, which MBD has been recording in Louisville this summer. I can’t wait to hear it. More free booze, more free nuts.

A few shots from this summer at Headliners:

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 9/4/14 – 9/9/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • September 3, 2014

Hey guys,
Time for another week of good music. Plenty of good shows all over downtown this week. There are a few good bands at Fashion Night on Broughton Street. As usual, there are plenty of shows at the Congress Street clubs. And I plan to make it down to River Street for a show or two this week. In other words, it’s a bouncing around weekend. So just about anywhere you end up downtown this weekend, you will probably find some good music.

Thursday 9/4/14
Occult 45, Ramlord – Graveface Records (7p)
GEMS, Dent May, Matrimony – Savannah’s Fashion Night on Broughton
Circuit Des Yeux, Blackrune, Boy Harsher – Hang Fire
TimeCop vs DangerSnake – Molly MacPherson’s
Eric Culberson – Bayou Cafe
Steppin’ Stones – Barrelhouse South

Friday 9/5/14
Jeff Beasley – Rail Pub (6p)
Lovely Locks – Blowin’ Smoke (7p)
Bloodshot Bill, Jess Ray Carter Trio – Jinx
Dubtown Cosmonauts – Barrelhouse South
Natty Heavy – Wild Wing Cafe
Orange Constant – Congress Street Social Club
Train Wrecks – Warehouse (8p)

Saturday 9/6/14
Jubal Kane – Warehouse (8p)
Bottles & Cans – Molly’s MacPherson’s
Gasoline Bros – World Of Beer
Kota Mundi, Syndicate – Barrelhouse South
Sumilan – Congress Street Social Club
Waits & Co, Toothe, AM Rodriguez – Ampersand ($5)
Yamacraw, Bass Line Bums – Jinx

Tuesday 9/9/14
Danielle Hicks & The 8-Ohm Band – Foxy Loxy Cafe

Tonto’s new album streaming on Bandcamp

by Tom Cartmel • September 2, 2014

In case you missed it in your news feed, Savannah’s Tonto is streaming their debut album on Bandcamp, and it sounds killer. To my ear it sounds like a great cross between high energy 70’s rock and the best of Urge Overkill’s vocals. A physical release is said to be on the way, and hopefully there are some live shows coming up, too.

Check it out below, or better yet, buy it for $5 (or more!).

Tonto at Hangfire

The Love Language, Anchor Bends, Triathalon, Whaleboat and Sunglow at The Jinx/Hangfire – photos

by Tom Cartmel • September 2, 2014

Well, I had wanted to make it out a little more over the last week, but I did see a great night of music Friday night. Both Hangfire and The Jinx had lineups that were interesting to me, so I did the back and forth walk that is becoming more and more common to downtown Savannah music fans (that’s a good thing).

Highlights included Merge Records artist and Savannah Stopover alum The Love Language, Atlanta’s Anchor Bends, and my first Whaleboat sighting since they started playing around again. It was a great night of music and hopefully audiences will start growing now that the weather is cooling (kinda?) and school is back in full swing, all of the artists that I saw Friday night deserve a full house.

I took a few shots of every artist, please click through for the full set.

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Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 8/28/14 – 9/3/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • August 28, 2014

Hey guys,
Happy Labor Day Weekend. It looks like a good weekend for the downtown music scene. I have been saying for a few weeks that I thought the very brief (2 week?) summer slowdown was over, now I am sure. I don’t understand why City Council didn’t fix the whole Bars Open On The Sunday Before A Monday Holiday problem this year (they made an exception for St. Pat’s Day, not the other holidays), it would be nice to see how packed the weekend wound be if the Jinx, etc were open this Sunday. But there are plenty of choices all weekend long. And, don’t forget, in Savannah, the weekend starts on Thursday!

Thursday – 8/28 – If you have never seen Everymen, think about heading to the Jinx tonight. It is a wild gypsy-type show, unlike anything you have never seen before. I got to staple a dollar to the bass players’ chest the last time I saw them. Be sure to stay until the end, it is an amazing spectacle. And opening the show is Savannah’s newest country singer, AM Rodriguez. I plan to try to catch TimeCop vs Dangersnake (of the Accomplices) during the breaks.
Domino Effect – Barrelhouse South
Everymen, AM Rodriguez – Jinx ($5)
Steppin’ Stones – Wild Wing (10:30-1:30)
TimeCop vs Dangersnake – Molly MacPherson’s

Friday – 8/29 – A very busy Friday tonight. I hope to make it out early for Accomplices at Dub’s. You should try to catch the Accomplices whenever you can, they are one of Savannah’s best bands. There are so many tough musical choices for the rest of the night. I figured it was best to list them all, I’ll probably bounce around to (at least) a few of these bands.
Indigo Boys (members of City Hotel) – Blowin’ Smoke (7p)
Accomplices – Dub’s Pub (8p)
Whaleboat, Anchor Bends – Jinx (guitar rock)
MeteorEYES, Sunglow, Fare The Gap – Ampersand (electro-moody rock)
Heavy Pets – Congress Street Social Club (“kinda like the Stones”, I love it!)
Kota Mundi – Molly MacPherson’s (reggae)
Love Language, Sunglow, Triathalon – Hang Fire (guitar rock)

Saturday – 8/30 – Another night of really good music. I expect I will spend most of the night at the Hang Fire, but I hope to make it to some of these other shows for a bit too.
2 Tone Fish – Boomy’s (guitar rock)
Andy Vaughan & Driveline – Jinx ($5, honky tonk-country)
Bottles & Cans – Rocks On The Roof (blues)
Crazy Bag Lady, Triathalon, Hotplate, AM Rodriguez – Hang Fire (punk, guitar rock, & country)
Danielle Hicks & the Eight Ohm Band – World of Beer (rock)
Omingnome, The Lies – Barrelhouse South (weird rock)

Sunday – 8/31 – If you are off on Monday, you kind of have to go out tonight, don’t you? I’m not sure what time Bottles & Cans are playing, but I hope to see them at Moon River. If I make it to City Market on Sunday night, I will probably bounce around and see a few of these bands. And the Bayou seems like a good place to end up on a Sunday night.
Bottles & Cans – Moon River (blues)
The Syndicate – Barrelhouse South (guitar rock)
Liquid Ginger – Wild Wing (rock)
Don Coyer – Bayou Cafe (rock)

Monday – 9/1 – This looks like a good show. Another show with multiple genres. I hope I am able to attend. I wish it was on Sunday!
City Mouse, City Hotel, Wave Slaves, Jeff Two Names & The Born Agains – Hang Fire (americana, bluegrass, surf-rock, and punk)

Tuesday – 9/2 – Foxy Loxy Cafe is one of my favorite places to go. It has one of the nicest staffs and warmest environments to relax and catch some tunes. And Ray Lundy (of Bottles & Cans) is one of the most unique singers you will see in town.
Ray Lundy – Foxy Loxy Cafe (blues)

check out Triathalon’s Audiotree session

by bill • August 28, 2014

Savannah-based Triathalon recorded an Audiotree in Chicago in late July — and here it is:

Triathalon – Audiotree Live from Audiotree Live on Vimeo.

If you’d like to check out the individual videos of the songs that make up that session above, click here for the YouTube listing.

If you’re new to Audiotree sessions, they generally have excellent production values and also include the enthusiastic but somewhat awkward interviews like the one here, in which we find out what color Speedo Adam wore when he was on the swim team . . .

Triathalon has two gigs this weekend at Hang Fire in Savannah — on Friday with The Love Language and Sunglow, and on Saturday supporting Crazy Bag Lady’s fundraising effort along with HOTPLATE and A.m. Rodriguez.

Here’s Triathalon lead singer Adam Intrator in a gig at Hang Fire earlier this summer.

Colemania! – A Preview

by JWaits • August 27, 2014

This coming Sunday, 8-31, a benefit and memorial concert is being held in Atlanta, Ga. featuring a plethora of local and national acts in memory of one of Atlanta’s favorite musicians, Coleman Lewis. My personal involvement with this event, and friendship with Coleman, runs deep, and spanned the entire length of his life. For those of our readers who will be in the Atlanta area or Southern region, this show is going to be a ‘do not miss’ evening with some of Atlanta’s past & present indie-underground-music greats, including a solo performance by Chan Marshall aka Cat Power.

You can find an abridged press release, as well as the band lineup and set times, below. Though the door is only $5 per person, donations for larger amounts will of course be accepted and appreciated. I will be shooting stills of the performances, and writing a review for hissing lawns afterwards.

*PRESS RELEASE: Colemania! Farewell Performances for Coleman Lewis

Fellow musicians and friends of Atlanta guitarist Coleman Lewis (1973‐2014) will take the stage Sunday, August 31 for Colemania!, a night of music in his memory.

Coleman Lewis played in and with a number of bands associated with Atlanta’s independent music scene since the 1990s including Smoke, Smoke That City, Cat Power, Ignitor…Fool!, Grand Fury, Hustler White, Lip Lock Alarm Clock, Ed Splatt, Red Eye Gravy, and Sixty Cycle Hum. Members of these and other friendly bands — almost all of whom have some connection to the storied Cabbagetown/L5P scene — have generously volunteered their time and energy to this farewell performance, community reunion, and fundraiser for Coleman’s ten‐year‐old son. Several are returning to Atlanta from afar.

Colemania! will take place at the The Mammal Gallery in downtown Atlanta on Sunday, August 31, 2014. The cover charge is $5 and doors open at 7:30.

Although Coleman Lewis was an unrepentant smoker, he didn’t mind stepping outside to light up; accordingly, Colemania will be a non‐smoking show.

For more information, contact Claire Lewis Evans at clairelewisevans@gmail.com. Click here for the Facebook event.