another Shaky Knees Festival preview: looking beyond the headliners

I’m not going to Shaky Knees this weekend in Atlanta, but Anna Chandler and Peterson Worrell will be there and provide coverage of the festival here at hissing lawns. It’s the first time any of our writers or photographers have “officially” covered out of town gigs (the blog is just 8 months old), but we’re excited about expanding our offerings. (Click here for Anna’s big preview.)

I’m really impressed with the Shaky Knees lineup, and I was especially struck by the number of acts that have come through Savannah in recent years — and I was struck even more by the number that I’ve been lucky to see in relatively small venues, up close and personal. No, you aren’t going to see Alabama Shakes or The National at The Jinx or Hang Fire, but at this point in my life I’ll take a lesser known act in an intimate bar over a bigger name in a cavernous venue any day.

So here’s the Shaky Knees lineup, with all the bands in bold that have played Savannah in recent years. I’m adding notes here and there. By the way, I’m almost certainly leaving some out, so please feel free to add details and corrections in the comments.

A few conclusions I’m tempted to draw as I look at this list: 1) in just a few short years Savannah Stopover has been booking up-and-coming talent with big things ahead, 2) on any given tour, some well-known bands might be willing to play some intimate venues in a smallish city like Savannah, and 3) Shaky Knees attendees could have an amazing weekend even if they skip the headliners (but you’d be crazy actually to do that).

The Weeks in Ellis Square at Savannah Stopvoer 2014

The Weeks in Ellis Square at Savannah Stopvoer 2014

Whaleboat and Ambrose at The Jinx – photos

Just a quick post about last Saturday’s show at The Jinx featuring Whaleboat and Ambrose before shots from this week’s epic line up of music goes up. While the bill only had two bands, both acts put on stellar sets and drew a sizable crowd.

After coming off of a brief hiatus, Whaleboat shook things up a bit with the addition of a new guitarist, Blake Yokeley. The addition adds a bit of fullness to their slightly shoegazey/slightly heavy indie rock sound.

Following Whaleboat came Ambrose, one of Savannah’s up and coming R&B/funk bands. The group threw in a few of hip hop interludes to shake things up a bit and definitely got the crowd moving. Check out a few shots below and be sure to hit the jump for more!

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Shaky Knees Fest preview: Tokyo Police Club

Tokyo Police Club is one of those bands whose scene debut is consistently described as “explosive.” As their first EP A Lesson in Crime opens and drummer Greg Alsop beats his full kit into oblivion while vocalist/bassist Dave Monks shouts through phone static: “OPERATOR! GET ME THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY!”, there frankly is no better way to put it: if ever a band exploded onto a scene, it was the young Canadian quartet in 2006 (the majority of its members just 19 years old at the time). Each of the 8 total tracks clocks in at under 3 breathless minutes as Monks chronicles the aftereffects of a complete robot takeover. It’s pure helter-skelter fun and turned the indie blogosphere’s keen eyes upon the group, eager for a full LP.

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Shaky Knees Fest preview: Mason Jennings

I used to go to a lot of Guster shows in my teens and early 20s—a lot of them. They may still be the band I’ve seen the most live. In those early days, the bill typically went: Dude-With-An-Acoustic-Guitar, Guster, followed by John Mayer (ah, the times when he was just a fresh-faced kid on the college campus circuit and not an über-creepy asshat).

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So at one show when I was 19, D.W.A.A.G. was Mason Jennings.

He’d just signed to Isaac Brock’s label, Glacial Pace, and, with his slight beard and windswept curls, looked like a damn Patagonia model. A few friends began a round of pool; I ventured toward the stage. Jennings’s breezy, open-road guitar chords cradled a voice that was a little whiskey-stripped but Tennessee-warm. I am historically not a fan of sedate shows, but something about Jennings and his minimal accompaniment drew me in–his careful narratives provided intimacy in a mid-sized venue, urging me to get closer to hear.

Then The Look happened.

Worth the Drive: Shaky Knees Music Fest 2014

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Children, it is officially festival season in the United States of America. Has your fast-fashion chain store emailed you about your Coachella wardrobe plans lately? Are the Eagles Nest hammocks at your nearest outdoor retailer completely sold out? While Savannah gets our fest fix early in the season, the rest of the U.S. is dropping its hourly wages on fanny packs (re-branded “festival belt bag,” I see right through you) and ClifBars, pinching pennies for gas money for early summer events.

But maybe you don’t wanna trek a few states away to swelter and sway. Maybe a friend’s couch or a hotel bed is more appealing than a tent and your Scouts sleeping bag. Maybe you don’t wanna navigate through a selfie line and sea of appropriated Native American headdresses–maybe you want a celebration that’s not too big, not too small; not too hot, not too cold. Lucky for us Georgians, a fest that’s sure to suit your needs is back for its second year: Shaky Knees

Baby Baby, Hot Plate, and Black Squares/White Islands at Hang Fire

After nearly a year since their last show in Savannah, Friday night saw the return of Atlanta’s Baby Baby to Hang Fire to kick off a stellar weekend of music. The Atlanta quintet known for creating a party at every show brought their unique brand of party rock and were joined by Savannah’s own Hot Plate as well as North Carolina’s Black Squares/White Islands. With Hot Plate bringing a little bit of metal and Black Squares/White Islands throwing a little math rock into the mix, there was something for everyone.

Check out a few shots below and hit the jump for the full set. Also, make sure to check out Baby Baby’s new album, Big Boy Baller Club, which they’re touring in support of, and be sure to catch them when they hit your city!

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Larry Jack’s Magical Musical Tour 5/1/14 – 5/7/14

Hey guys,
Wow, another good weekend of music gone, another good one coming up.  Last weekend at the Jinx, the Woggles at put on a great show, reminded me of old 60’s era Rolling Stones (I told y’all I was old, I am sure there are more recent comparisons).  On Friday, Man Vs Astro-Man put on a very good show to a packed house at the Wormhole.  And Sunday, American Hologram put on a show at Barrelhouse South, that was so good, it kept me out too late for a Sunday.
This weekend looks like it should be just as good, with plenty of good music every night.  As a matter of fact, there is a little too much music for me this week.  I am not sure where I will end up, so I have listed several recommended shows each night.  If you head out, you should like any of these shows, depending on your mood and taste in music.

Thursday 5/1
American HologramThe Mansion (8-11p)
Ben Lewis & FriendsMolly MacPherson’s (10p)
Eric CulbersonBayou Café

Friday 5/2
Trae & JamesBub-Ba-Q (6-9p)
City HotelMoon River (6-9p)
Damon & The ShitkickersRiver Street (8:30-10p)
Art Decade, Wet Socks, Timid Biggots, Faery TeethAmpersand – garage rock
Baby Baby, Hot Plate, Black Squares/White IslandsHang Fire (10p) – guitar rock
Epic CycleMolly MacPherson’s (10p) – jam rock
Truckfighters, Conquer/DevourJinx (10p) – metal, Truckfighters are a metal band from Sweden, Conquer/Devour include members of Black Tusk and other Savannah metal bands; stop by and pick up one of the Jason Statts-designed t-shirts from Conquer/Devour
VersatileCongress Street Social Club (10p) – dance rock

Saturday 5/3
Another Roadside AttractionSentient Bean (8p) – kazoos, musical saws, washboard, sounds like a good show to me
Whiskey GentryRiver Street (8-10p) – country rock
Hip AbductionCongress Street Social Club (10p) – reggae
Hermit Kings, American Hologram, Eagles Chief Hang Fire (10p)
Charlie Fog Band – Molly MacPherson’s – Grateful Dead music
Whaleboat, AmbroseJinx (10p)

Sunday 5/4
Missionary BluesMoon River (3-6p)
Danielle Hicks & The 8-Ohm BandBarrelhouse South (9:30p)

Wednesday 5/7
Charles Bradley & His ExtraordinairesJinx – If you didn’t get tickets to this sold out show, too bad, you should have listened to Jason Nielubowicz.  This could be the best show so far this year.

Truckfighters and Conquer/Devour at The Jinx Friday – preview

Kyuss. Fu Manchu. Queens of the Stone Age. Sleep. The Sword. Monster Magnet. If you are a fan of any or all of these bands you owe it to yourself to get to The Jinx Friday night. Sweden’s Truckfighters are one of the best, if not THE best purveyors of hook laden, fuzzed out stoner/desert rock in the game today. Seriously. Savannah is the first stop on their North American tour and the show promises to be a great one. Yes, there is a lot going on Friday night, but you’re not going to have a chance to catch this band again anytime soon. Do it.

Also on the bill is the rarely seen Conquer/Devour, who made my “favorites” of last year list. Featuring a certain bearded member of Black Tusk and members of Unnamed and Surt(The Destroyer), they play riff based metal that I love. They’ll also have new shirts available with art by JH Statts. Cool stuff.

Check out the video for Truckfighter’s Monte Gargano off of the album Mania, and the trailer for a documentary about the band below, then come to the show Friday, drink a PBR or three, it’ll be fun.

The Woggles and Superhorse at The Jinx – more photos

I really can’t improve upon Bill’s review and stellar pictures of this show from the past weekend, but here’s my super brief take on the show and some more pictures of The Woggles and Superhorse.

In short, if you haven’t seen either band, they are absolutely, positively, 100% worth your time. Fantastic, energetic sets from guys that know what they are doing (and are doing it with better moves and attitudes than the vast majority of bands I see).

Paired with the Man or Astro-Man? show the following night at The Wormhole, this may end up being one of the best weekends of music in Savannah this year, outside of the Stopover.

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“Candy’s Room”: Perfect Pussy covers Springsteen

Perfect Pussy, the noise/punk band from Syracuse, has been attracting praise from music critics and, more importantly, from a growing legion of fans from around the country. Here at hissing lawns, we’ve posted several times about Perfect Pussy since the band’s thrilling gig in January at Hang Fire. One of our pics:

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And now Perfect Pussy has released a pretty exciting cover of Springsteen’s “Candy’s Room”. First, here’s the Boss and company performing the track live 36 years ago:

And here’s Perfect Pussy’s take, released earlier this week:

Man or Astro-Man? at The Wormhole – photos

I’m going to guess that more than half of the crowd at The Wormhole Friday night for the Man or Astro-Man? experience has been in a band, worked at a record store, or written for a ‘zine or music blog at some point during their lives. It was definitely a music lovers crowd.

I’m also going to guess that not many people walked away disappointed with the show. I certainly didn’t. A great crowd and a legendary band still on top of their game made Friday night one of my favorite shows of the year so far (and Thursday night’s Woggles show is up there, too!). Another fantastic weekend of live music in Savannah, that’s definitely a trend I can get behind.

Photo conditions were, ummm, aaah, well, challenging, to put it mildly. As a matter of fact, I didn’t get any usable shots of the touring openers, Wray, who played in darkness in front of some brightly projected images. The projections and spotlights that accompanied the super tight surf/space/punk rock of Man or Astro-Man? made for a really cool looking show, but it confuses the hell out of a camera (and certain photographers….this guy), but here you go, a couple pics to start, and a lot more after the jump.

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Waller + members of City Hotel at Moon River Brewing Company – photos

Waller, an Americana band from Decatur, played an afternoon gig on Sunday, 4/27 in the beer garden at Moon River Brewing Company (a great venue for shows like this). They were joined by members of City Hotel.

And Jon Waits of JWaitsphoto was on hand too. A few of Jon’s shots here, and then more after the jump:

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