Georgia Mountain Stringband Album Release – Q & A

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Atlanta’s Georgia Mountain Stringband, who have gained fans & traction over the last few years in Savannah, have a new album coming out soon. Having played a festival with the GMSB guys recently, I took a few minutes to check in with Jason Waller, and put together this Q & A, as well as add a link for our followers to check out the new material.

Georgia Mountain Stringband

Georgia Mountain Stringband

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HL: Talk a bit about the new album & what it means to you.

JW: Georgia Mountain String Band went into Unity Studios at the end of May 2016. We spent the summer doing some overdubs here and there, and then came in and did the vocals all together. We really could have had it done a lot sooner but we are all busy with other projects, bands, families, and we like to take our time with things anyway. When we play we get the best responses from our original songs so a studio recording was the organic next step for us.

HL: GMSB sometimes has a bit of a rotating lineup, but do you feel as though this album accurately reflects the ‘sound’ that you were going for?

JW: We started as a pick up bluegrass band and over the last couple of years we have settled into the current line up. David Stephens and Eddie Kesler are both fantastic songwriters and brought two songs each for the debut studio recording. We are not a pick up band anymore. We get together and rehearse and bounce ideas off each other. We have the ability to mix and match players, and still very much like to explore where songs can go on stage. The impromptu musical happenings are mostly still unplanned. We have a lot of material and have played with each other long enough that we can sometimes guess where its going.

HL: What has the Atlanta/Savannah music connection come to mean to you?

JW: We’ve been down to Savannah several times. City Hotel is my favorite band on the planet and I try to get down and do shows with them when I can. I’ve known those dudes since before they were in a band, Cory Chambers and I used to play music together at Twains in Decatur and Jay Rudd and i played in a band called I Want Whiskey. It’s been awesome watching those guys become the people that they are, and make such fantastic music. Through City Hotel members I’ve met so many great musicians and people down in Savannah.

HL: GMSB seems to have a fairly constant schedule go gigs. Do you foresee keeping that motion going in the future?

JW: Yeah we play as often as we can. We do a lot of private events and brunches. Really anywhere they will have us. We plan on playing as much as we can. This new recording will be used to hopefully get us on bigger stages and in front of larger audiences. This whole thing has happened organically and a little bit at a time so I see it continuing to move in a positive direction as long as everybody is having fun.

HL: When is the next time that Savannah can expect either a GMSB, or solo Jason Waller performance?

JW: The band plans on bringing the new recording down to the lowcountry as soon as our schedules allow. It looks like it will be sometime next year. I believe I am coming down and doing some solo shows in January. Also you can expect the Georgia Mountain String Band to bring the ruckus sometime after that!

Georgia Mountain Stringband CD Release Show

Georgia Mountain Stringband CD Release Show

Skeletonwitch, Iron Reagan, Oathbreaker and Gatecreeper at The Jinx – photos

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Hey, sometimes life, work, family, vacations, or a giant freaking storm get in the way of writing and posting to the blog. I’ve been to a bunch of great shows in the past month or two that deserve some attention, even if it’s way after the fact. Here’s one of them, with more to come, in no particular order.

Skeletonwitch and Iron Reagan returned to The Jinx a month ago, looking for some redemption. One of Skeletonwitch’s last trips through town fell on the day of a nasty ice storm that effectively shut down the city, and Iron Reagan has deserved bigger crowds for their last several visits. Well this one brought out the metal heads and the thrash punks, who got the added bonus of seeing Oathbreaker and Gatecreeper, two excellent young talents in the scene.

Anyway, long story short, this was a fun, headbanging, sloppy mess of a night. The openers were, by all accounts, great. I caught the last song from Gatecreeper, but didn’t pull my camera out quickly enough to catch any pics. I can say that I dug what I heard, though. Oathbreaker had a cool, moody vibe that I’ve rarely experienced at a metal show, really cool. Iron Reagan’s thrash was well received and the pit swirled, bumped, and called out for more. Skeletonwitch is sporting a new singer, but haven’t lost a step, not even close. My only complaint is that I wish some of the people who showed up for this lineup would come out and try some of the newer, amazing metal acts that come through town fairly often.

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New Music Monday – 10/31/16

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Nothing too spooky for our Halloween version of New Music Monday, which features new work from:

  • Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass
  • Ted Leo
  • Death Stuff
  • Run The Jewels
  • Korn

Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass
Johnson City, Tennessee
Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass

If you’re in the Savannah area, I’d hope you would already have heard the rich vocals and songwriting of Amythyst Kiah, who has appeared in a variety of venues around town for MusicFile Productions/Savannah Stopover gigs. If you’ve missed out on this compelling and passionate roots-influenced folk rock, you’ll have another chance on Nov. 12th when Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass (featuring members of Johnson City’s this mountain) play a noontime show for the next Stopover in the Yard at The Grey, with proceeds benefiting the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home. And, of course, there’s this wonderful new EP. – bill

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Ted Leo
NYC
“In The Mean Times” from Kickstarter’s Election Issues, Political Creations to Spark Conversation and Action

We’re all sick of all things election related, but it’s a new freaking Ted Leo song, man. The singular Ted Leo has always worn his heart on his sleeve, writing and covering politically charged songs for years and this one is no different. Catchy riff, solid melody, great lyrics… I’m not sure the man is capable of writing a bad song at this point. Here’s to hoping there’s a full length recording in the works. – Tom

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Death Stuff
ATL, GA
“Surprise Ex” from upcoming full length titled, appropriately, Death Stuff out soon on Monofonus Press

I’ve really been digging the garage/punk/underground stuff out of the ATL lately and Death Stuff checks the right boxes, too. This song packs a lot into a grimey 2 and a 1/2 minutes. If you like Cray Bags, you should check this out. – Tom

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Run The Jewels
ATL, GA
“Talk To Me” lead single off the upcoming RTJ3

Something about the aggressive rapping and production of Run The Jewels feels very punk rock to me, charged and urgent much like Public Enemy felt at the height of their powers. It’s the same formula as the previous RTJ output, trademark El-P beats, back and forth Killer Mike and El-P verses and layered with just general urban coolness. With a formula this good, why stray? – Tom

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Korn
Bakersfield, California
The Serenity of Suffering

Nostalgia, that bastard. Years after the MTV TLC heydays, where Korn reigned supreme for much longer than they should have, the crazed nu-metal band, probably in their 50s now, are back at it with their 12th studio album. I always thought it was a little strange for a band to release new material after releasing a greatest hits album. This will be the sixth album since 2004’s greatest hits release. What if your new material is greater than your greatest hits? Shouldn’t you wait until someone is dead? I suppose making money is a good thing too. Korn dropped “The Serenity of Suffering” on Oct. 21. New Korn music, same youthful angst, slightly contrived suffering in the lyrics (pun), the now infamous drop A chugs (still some of the lowest notes in metal today), electronic escapades and Jonathan Davis’ throaty, sometimes whiny vocals. No bagpipes though. There is a bit more melodic structure in the composition, and the lyrics occasional dip into adulthood, both nice attributes. Mostly, this album makes me remember those days of unexplainable, hormone-driven anger I sought refuge from in Korn’s music. #memberberries. Slipknot’s Corey Taylor makes a pleasant appearance on arguably the album’s best track, “A Different World.” — Joshua

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 10/27/16 – 11/3/16

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Hey guys,

If you can’t find anything to go to this weekend, you aren’t even trying and should stop reading this blog. In addition to Halloween, you’ve got Oktoberfest, Piratefest, Daffin Park Food Day, Jewish Food Festival, and I am sure I am forgetting other stuff. I hope you got some rest on Wednesday, because starting tonight (Thursday), there will be exciting shows every night through Monday. There are so many good shows, l really don’t even know where to start.  Jinx is one of my favorite Halloween venues, I really enjoy the Cover Band nights, and there are two this year!  El Rocko has several good shows over the weekend, including City Mouse tonight and those lovable rapscallions the Hypnotics on Saturday. Dollhouse has several good shows this week for those that need a harder edge to their music. If you are more of a funk fan, I would check out the Barrelhouse tonight and Friday and Jinx tonight, but make sure to wander down to the Social Club on Friday for Aquaducks.  There is skapunk at Wormhole and Barrelhouse on Monday.  And don’t forget two of Savannah’s favorite bands will be playing this weekend, Accomplices at the Rail on Friday (early show) and the Train Wrecks at Social on Saturday. I really don’t think you can go wrong anywhere this weekend.  I expect to see ya’ll around somewhere this weekend, be sure to say “hello”.

Thursday 27th
Gino Fanelli – Wormhole Happy Hour (8-10p)
City Mouse, Bong Mountain, Nom Temporaire – El Rocko
Funk You (Augusta funk), CBDB – Barrelhouse South
Ambrose (Sav’h R&B), South Indies, RE2SE – Jinx
Ambiguously Jay Duo – Molly MacPherson’s
Reverends, Empty Vessels, Joi Ryder, Temazcal – Dollhouse Productions ($10/ $6 in costume)

Friday 28th
Ember City – Rail Pub (6p)
Naughty Professor (New Orleans future funk), BBXF – Barrelhouse South
Aquaducks (TN funk-soul) – Congress Street Social Club
Cover Band Night #1 – Jinx
Sins Of Godless Men (Sav’h rock), Ghouls, Drug Church, Planes Mistaken For Stars – Dollhouse Productions  (7p, $10/ $12)

Saturday 29th
Train Wrecks (Sav’h Americana) – Daffin Park Food Day (1p)
Accomplices (Sav’h lowcountry string band) – Rail Pub (5p)
Broken Glow, Jubal Kane, Hitman – Southbound Brewery Blues Night  (7-10p, $25/30, includes beer samples)
Delbert McClinton (TN blues) – Tybee Piratefest  (9:15p)
Stop Light Observations (SC retro rock), Mo Lowda, The Humble – Barrelhouse South
Creepoid (PA indie-rock), Darsombra (MD galaxy rock) – Jinx
Train Wrecks (Sav’h Americana) – Congress Street Social Club
Hypnotics (Sav’h garage rock), Strokes Cover Band – El-Rocko

Sunday 30th
Voodoo Soup (Sav’h rock covers) – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 31st
Little Bird, See Water (SC ska punk) – Barrelhouse South
Cover Band Night #2 – Jinx
The Independents (SC skapunk) – Wormhole
House Of Earth (Funkadelic Music) – El Rocko
Craig Tanner & Mr Williams Open Mic – Abe’s on Lincoln

Tuesday 1st
Ben Keiser Band (Sav’h rock) – Bay Street Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe

Thursday 3rd
Roxy Roca (TX soul) – Barrelhouse South

New Music Monday – 10/24/16

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And here come some new tunes to brighten up your Monday. This week’s picks come from:

  • Landlady
  • Crocodiles
  • Allison Crutchfield
  • Kevin Devine
  • Planes Mistaken For Stars
  • Avers
  • O’Brother
  • Queen
  • Cloud Nothings

Today we also welcome Joshua Peacock back to the cast of hissing lawns contributors.

Landlady
Brooklyn, NY
“Electric Abdomen” and “Driving in California”

Landlady will release their 2nd full length album, The World Is A Loud Place, on January 16th, 2017. The New York based art-rockers dropped two preview tracks last week as a great tease. If you’re a fan of quirky, art pop bands like of Montreal, give these guys a spin. They’re gloriously fun. – Kayne

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Crocodiles
San Diego, CA
Dreamless

Crocodiles are back with their 6th studio album in as many years. The prolific (is it glam, is it pop, is it punk?) duo cut a more sweeping sonic swath on this record, trading grungy guitars for more piano and synths but the result is no less grand. – Kayne

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Allison Crutchfield
Philadelphia, PA
“Dean’s Room”

Pitchfork announced today that Allison Crutchfield (twin sister of Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee) will release her debut solo album, Tourist In This Town, on Merge Records January 27th, 2017. The video for lead track “Dean’s Room” has me longing for more. It’s a full on rush of a song with clever wordplay and, oh my, that percussion is just killer.- Kayne

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Kevin Devine
Brooklyn, New York
Instigator

Kevin Devine may not be the first name that comes up when you think of current singer-songwriter scene, but he’s came a long way since his humble beginning in 2002. His style has progressed from stripped down acoustic songs to a more aggressive, full band approach which, at times, contrasts with his boisterous tenor voice. Instigator is equal parts tender and abrasive, an approach that’s steadily working wonders for Devine. – Petee

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Planes Mistaken For Stars
Denver, Colorado
Prey

A decade after their last album (2006’s “Mercy”), Planes Mistaken For Stars laid down 10 new tracks of badass, post-hardcore punk. “Prey” contains all the raw materials of the band’s first three albums; the glorious foundation of unfettered, punch-in-the-gut rock they perfected in the late 90s, early 2000s. It’s quite a feat to deliver such a stellar album of new music a decade after not writing anything new, and only playing a handful of live shows here and there during that time. “Prey” concretes a sound the foursome solidified a long time ago and hopefully marks the beginning of a new era of fresh music from the band. — Joshua

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Avers
Richmond, Va.
“Santa Anna” official video shot at Bristol Rhythm & Roots

Super new video for this catchy, fuzzy, twangy, rollicking track off Avers’ excellent 2016 album Omega/Whatever, which we’ve previously featured here for New Music Monday. – bill

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O’Brother
ATL, GA
“Silence” self released Portishead cover

O’Brother was more than a little great last month at Ghost Alley Music Festival with their heady, heavy, textural rock, and when I saw Portishead a few years ago, it was just short of life changing. At the time I probably would have argued that no one should ever attempt to cover Portishead, but O’Brother has a grasp of atmospherics that really makes this work. Heavy post rock band covering a trip hop classic shouldn’t work, but I really, really like this. – Tom

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Queen
London
“We Will Rock You (Fast)” from Queen On Air – The Complete BBC Radio Sessions due November 4 on Virgin EMI North America

I pretty much avoid classic rock due to overexposure, but when a flat out great band releases a radically different version of a signature song that rocks harder than the original, it’s hard not to be impressed. Yeah, this is all over the internet right now, but it’s totally worth checking out. – Tom

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Cloud Nothings
Cleveland, OH
Modern Act from Life Without Sound out Jan. 27 on Carpark Records.

The edges on this one seem a little smooth compared to, say, songs off Attack On Memory, perhaps headed more toward the sound of Spoon or Death Cab than the Wavves/Thee Oh Sees vibe that I usually get from them. Turns out Dylan Baldi can really sing. I dig it. – Tom

Dex Romweber + A Band Called Best at The Jinx – photos

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Sometimes we get photo galleries posted pretty quickly after shows. This is not one of those times.

Many weeks ago now, Dex Romweber and Crash LeResh (The Lonely Teardrops) stormed through The Jinx on a Monday night and drew a crowd that included some young musicians who weren’t even alive when Romweber’s Flat Duo Jets was founded.

Romweber’s deep vocals and masterful guitar work were interspersed with plenty of scowling as he stomped around the stage, and Crash was a blur behind him. Super show.

Romweber has an excellent new album now available — Carrboro from Bloodshot Records.

A Band Called Best opened. Seriously, how many strong bands can Anna, Anders, Jay, and Josh actually be in?

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Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour 10/21/16 – 10/26/16

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Hey guys,

There are several chances to catch some local acts at most of the venues downtown this weekend.  I would also recommend trying to see Everymen at the Jinx on Saturday, they are a pretty fun act.  If you have already seen them, I know you are probably already planning on going.  Most of the nights seem to be a good idea to float around downtown and see what catches your ear.  I hope to see ya’ll around soon.

Friday 21st
Damon & The Shitkickers – Rail Pub  (7p)
Britt Scott Band – Grayson Stadium (Sav’h Bicycle Midnight Garden Ride, 8:30ish)
Between Symmetries, Generation Pill – Jinx
Grovetown Assault– Wild Wing Cafe
Georgia Flood – Congress Street Social Club
The Norm, Andrew Scotchie and the River Rats – Barrelhouse South
Wood & Steel Band – Molly MacPherson’s
Brittany Bosco – El Rocko

Saturday 22nd
Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour (6p)
Grinder Nova – El Rocko
Mantras, Orange Constant – Barrelhouse South
Everymen, Sav’h Sweet Tease – Jinx ($10/15)

Monday 24th
Main Street Trio– Cocktail Co
Craig Tanner & Mr Williams Open Mic– Abe’s on Lincoln
Russian Tsarlag, Justin Clifford Rhody, Jeff Zagers – Sulfur Studios

Tuesday 25th
Mitchell & Friends Acoustic Happy Hour – Wormhole (6p)
Clouds and Satellites – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p)
Ben Keiser Band– Bay Street Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe

Wednesday 26th
Waits & Co – El-Rocko (7:30-8:30p)

Sex Jams, Mile me deaf, Sunglow at House of Strut – photos

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Hurricane Matthew hit the Savannah area late on Friday, October 7th and into the early morning of Saturday. There was widespread damage from the storm, but some areas weren’t hit all that hard. Sure, there were some badly damaged buildings in the downtown area, but most of us came out of the storm unscathed, and my house south of Forsyth Park never even lost power.

So by the Tuesday after the storm, parts of the city felt especially surreal. I saw almost no damage when I walked that evening south to House of Strut for another stacked Dad Joke show, but the streets were almost deserted even hours before the 10 p.m. curfew that was still in effect.

Because of the curfew, I ended up heading off for a quick bite at The Vault nearby before Cray Bags‘ set, but I caught the first three bands — the Savannah-based solo project Sunglow and two badass bands from Vienna — Sex Jams and Mile me deaf.

Sex Jams and Mile me deaf share several members, and their dense, ecstatic, high-energy sets provided a perfect catharsis after a tough few days. There was a little comedy too when Peter the bass player took a call mid-set from his mom and assured her that he was doing fine, even though the bands had continued heading south even as a hurricane was heading north. I obviously had to turn on the flash after sunset to get any sort of shots in the dark courtyard of the super-cool and casual vintage store. Another great night from our friends at Dad Joke.

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New & Old on Constant Repeat – links

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I’ve only contributed to our New Music Monday feature once, as I must admit that I’m not always up-to-date on the latest stuff coming out, but I thought that I might add to the week by putting together this post of what has been on repeat lately, or is ‘new to me’. It’s easy to get comfortable with the things I listen to regularly, and not step out of my comfort zone, but as a musician I find that every several years I go through a sorting out process & try to find music to get inspired by. In this post you’ll certainly find a few things from across the board, and they might seem a bit random, but for me music usually has a purpose outside of the pure joy of listening. I hope all of you enjoy these picks, nonetheless!

Through various friends in Atlanta I came across Blake Rainey of Young Antiques. Here’s a tune that came out quite a while ago, and surprises me that I never knew about this band when I was still living in Atlanta. This stuff has got a bit of punch & crunch, and definitely runs along the gutsy rock & roll track.

In moving forward, sometimes I have to look back at what was, and try to understand what got me to the place I’m in. My good friend Drew De Man of Pretend Sweethearts was the ringleader of a band that I considered to be one of the best alt-country/Americana acts around, called New River City. I’ve had the good fortune of having Drew join up with Waits & Co. occasionally, and it’s always a pleasure to get him to dust off some of the old chops when he’s with us. Check out this great piece of songwriting from back in the day.

Savannah Film Festival opens this Saturday, and one of the documentaries showing is a project that I’ve been involved with, and recorded an original song for. By clicking on this Happy: A Small Film With A Big Smile highlighted text you can hear the entire score. One of the artists, Telepathic Teddy Bear, is a newfound favorite of mine, and way outside the norm of what I usually listen to.

I suppose that with the film fest coming up I’ve had a lot of soundtracks running through my head, and this version of There Is An End by The Greenhornes with Holly Golightly from the Jim Jarmusch flick Broken Flowers is one that I keep coming back to.

This next one that I’ll post is something of a guilty pleasure, which Nick Kubley of PASSAFIRE likes to give me grief about, so this one is dedicated especially to him; tongue in cheek. Though my knowledge of Dubstep music is extremely limited, and I usually just wind up picking something from the plethora of material on YouTube, I find that it’s great for late night photo editing, especially when I’m on a deadline. Here’s one mix that I’ve listened to quite frequently for that very purpose.

Speaking of PASSAFIRE, singer & bassist Will Kubley’s other project The Hugeness just released a new album. I haven’t had a chance to listen to much of it yet, but I’m always impressed by the dedication that Will puts into his work, and the seemingly never-ending touring, writing, and recording that he’s involved in.

My last mention would be that ever since The High Divers performed at Trinity Sanctuary Concerts last month this song has been speaking to my current thoughts & feelings. Hopefully we’ll get these folks back down to Savannah in 2017.

In a nutshell I guess this post is a reminder to myself that while it’s easy to get stuck, there’s a whole world of great music out there, and as always…variety keeps me moving, thinking, and feeling. I hope that all of our followers will step out of ‘the usual’ from time to time and see what else is brewing!

Best,
Jon Waits

Round 2-15

New Music Monday – 10/17/16

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We missed last week’s New Music Monday because of the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Matthew. There were some devastating impacts in the Savannah area, and the hissing lawns contributors feel fortunate to have suffered so few losses compared to so many of our friends and neighbors.

Hope you enjoy a few new tunes — I think there are some fantastic selections in this week’s post.

cheers,
bill

Kaia Kater
Toronto
“Paradise Fell” from Nine Pin live at Stringband Spectacular in April 2016, the showcase for the Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar

The finale show of the Savannah Music Festival’s Acoustic Music Seminar is one of the festival’s sleepers. The 2016 ensemble performances at the Lucas Theatre were predictably awesome, but Kaia Kater’s arrangement of her own song “Paradise Fell” from her new record Nine Pin was downright electrifying. If you haven’t heard of Kater, just wait, you will. – bill

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Shovels & Rope
Charleston, SC
“Botched Execution” off the new album Little Seeds

Shovels & Rope is getting deservedly great reviews for the beautiful and varied new album Little Seeds, but right now I’m all about this crazy video. Just watch. Bonus points if you recognize the brilliant musician playing the escaped convict. – bill

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The Weeks
Jackson, Mississippi
“Gold Don’t Rust”

Another new song from The Weeks, one of the best new bands in the new-but-not-all-that-new South. I’m among a throng of fans anxiously awaiting the band’s upcoming third LP. – bill

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Jack White & Margo Price
Nashville
“I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet)” – The White Stripes cover on A Prairie Home Companion

Ok, I’m including a video from A Prairie Home Companion. Sue me. In early 2015, I got occasional questions about the “must-see” acts at the upcoming Savannah Stopover, and I always told people to see rising star Margo Price. Maybe we can quit saying “rising” soon. – bill

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Hiss Golden Messenger
Durham, NC
Heart Like A Levee

In his sixth album (and second on Merge Records), M.C.Taylor (aka Hiss Golden Messenger) turns what started off as a song cycle for one of Duke University’s “Duke Performances”, which centered around a collection of 1972 black and white photographs of a coal mining camp in eastern Kentucky, into a full blown record. It merges the evocative impressions of William Gedney’s stark photos with issues Taylor was grappling with in his own life; most notably the struggle of supporting a family vs. living his life writing songs and touring as an artist. Taylor’s music always manages to convey both struggle and joy in its’ country-tinged soul, but never more perfectly than here. These are songs that deserve to bring him the praise (and financial rewards) he has long deserved. – Kayne

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Nick Waterhouse
San Francisco/LA
Never Twice

Nick Waterhouse has been bubbling on the verge of a breakout for years. People, it’s time. This guy is simply amazing; a throwback neosoul artist stuck in the body of a 30 year old white guy. I want to stay up all night and spin obscure R&B 45’s with him. For his 3rd album Never Twice, released September 30th, he teamed back up with early collaborator and producer Michael McHugh (Black Lips, Ty Segall, Allah-Las). The result? Jazz, soul, blues, funk, boogaloo and rock pour out of every perfectly produced note. It’s both loose and tight if you know what I mean. Don’t miss the duo “Katchi” with Leon Bridges; it’s a standout among standouts. – Kayne

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Illegal Drugs
ATL, GA
Illegal Drugs, vinyl available for pre-order on Bandcamp, digitally streaming now

I caught Illegal Drugs during the ATL Mess Around, and really dug them. That I dig the new full length too, is no real surprise. Smart, hook laden, punky, garage rock with vocals that you can actually understand will forever be in my wheelhouse. – Tom

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J Mascis
Amherst, MA
“Waltz #2” from Say Yes! A Tribute to Elliott Smith, out now on American Laundromat Records

Very much a reimagining of Elliott Smith’s classic waltz, Dinosaur Jr.’s J Mascis changes the lyrics, the tone, almost the whole song, to be honest, and somehow it just works. That’s both a testament to Smith’s impeccable songwriting skills and Mascis’ alt-iconic singing style and always amazing guitar work. – Tom

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Whores.
ATL, GA
“Baby Teeth” from Gold, due 10/28 on Entertainment One

Look, I’m going to keep recommending new Whores. tunes until every heavy music fan that reads the blog has it figured out. This one is another pick sliding, mean, bulldozing, caustic, belligerent slab of nastiness. And I mean that as a compliment of the highest order. – Tom

Aaron Zimmer & Isaac Smith at The Sentient Bean – photos

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As hissing lawns founder Bill Dawers wrote in a recent Do Savannah column, ‘it’s a great time to support Savannah musicians & establishments’. While the city at large has been reeling from Hurricane Matthew’s passing through the lowcountry, and dealing with related damage, those of us who make our living from performing have taken a second hit by having gigs postponed, and in some cases outright cancelled. We’ve already posted Larry Jack’s list of his live music picks for this weekend, and of course you can also check for more listings in Connect Savannah and Do Savannah.

True to the words he wrote, I ran into Bill as well as a passel of Savannah songwriters & performers at tonight’s acoustic show by Aaron Zimmer of City Hotel and the talented Isaac Smith at The Sentient Bean. These two troubadours & friends put on a great evening of solid songwriting & soulful playing, and their intimate performance was exactly what I needed to feel both ‘back at home’ after evacuating to Atlanta during the storm, and also to get my head in the game for a weekend of playing my own gigs.

Here are a few photos with more after the jump. We hope that all of our followers will get out & support the service industry & live music as Savannah slowly gets back on it’s feet!

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Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 10/14/16 – 10/18/16

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Hey guys,
Looks like another pretty good weekend of music. Be sure to get out and celebrate the end of The Curfew. If you are able, think about being a little generous this weekend with the cash, most of these bartenders and artists have not had any income since the hurricane. See ya’ll soon.

Friday 14th
Aaron Zimmer, Isaac Smith – Sentient Bean
Pink Floyd Laser Show – Wormhole ($7)
Superbob – Rachel’s 1190
Swamptooth – Molly MacPherson’s
Tropidelic, Treehouse – Barrelhouse South
Versatile – Congress Street Social Club
Sylvie Simmons, Packway Handle Band – Tybee Post Theater (8p, $20)

Saturday 15th
The Mercers – Molly MacPherson’s
Eric Culberson Band – El-Rocko
Chesapeake Sons, Chuck Courtenay – Barrelhouse South
Trae Pierce and the T-Stone Band – Congress Street Social Club

Sunday 16th
Jason Bible, Anders Thomsen – Tybee Post Theater (7p, $15)
Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 17th
Craig Tanner & Mr Williams Open Mic– Abe’s on Lincoln

Tuesday 18th
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe
Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues
Craig Tanner Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s