hissing lawns

Hey guys,
It’s that time of the year again, year-end list time. Needless to say, I saw a bunch of shows last year. I can’t really write much about my favorites, you probably don’t want to read “it was really, really good” ten times in a row. Of course, I could substitute “very good” a few times, but it’d still be dull. I will say that I have enjoyed seeing most of the bands this year, both local and traveling musicians.

Those of you that don’t frequent the music scene downtown may not realize the amazing amount of talent we are nuturing in this city. I would recommend that any of you reading this make an effort to see some our live local original music at least a few times this year. I can personally recommend any of the bands on this list, and plenty more, just ask.  Now on to numbers:

Total shows seen this year:  638
I think it may not be possible to beat last year’s total of 748.

Venues:
Jinx – 133
Hang Fire – 102
Barrelhouse South – 67
Molly MacPherson’s – 45
Congress Street Social Club – 39
Sentient Bean – 15
Sulfur Studios – 12

As it has the last few years, the Jinx took first place. I was surprised to see Hang Fire ranked so high. I’m still sad to see that place go. If you haven’t been to the Barrelhouse in a while, be sure to check them out, they upgraded to one of the best sound systems and stages in town. The Social Club has also made lots of improvements to their stage and it looks great. I was glad to see newcomer Sulfur Studios on the list. I am looking forward to see what they do on this upcoming year.

Bands:
Accomplices – 14
Bottles & Cans – 13
Hypnotics – 12
City Hotel – 11
Train Wrecks – 10
Eric Culberson – 10
Damon & The Shitkickers – 10
Curbdogs – 10
Toxic Shock – 9

This was the second year in a row that that the Accomplices were my most-seen band for the year. That is no surprise, I consider them one of the most talented bands in tow.  I was pleasantly surprised to see Bottles & Cans in the number two spot. Ray Lundy’s unique singing style combined with his deep knowledge of the blues make their shows very enjoyable. City Hotel is probably the best bluegrass band in town. Train Wrecks, Eric Culberson Band, and Damon & The Shitkickers should be familiar to anyone reading this blog, as they are some of the hardest working bands around town. Rounding out the list are a couple of newer Savannah bands, Toxic Shock and Curbdogs. Toxic Shock is an energetic punk band with members of Crazy Bag Lady and frontwoman Greta O. Curbdogs are a more straight-up rock and roll band.

Thanks to all of you who take the time to read this column and all of the blogs at hissing lawns. I hope to see some of you out at some shows soon, be sure to stop by and say “hello”.  

As always, don’t forget to drop some cash in the bucket if you like what you are hearing, the bands really appreciate the kindness.

Hey guys,
It looks like a surprisingly slow week again for the downtown music scene this week. As always though, there are at least a few good shows to get excited about. It has been a while since Passafire played in Savannah, they will be playing the Barrelhouse on New Year’s Eve. And I haven’t seen Wet Socks in a while either, they are returning to the Jinx on the New Year’s Day. I hope everyone has a safe and fun holiday. I’ll be posting my year end wrap-up in a few days, be sure to keep an eye out for that posting.

Thursday 31st
Lullwater, Passafire – Barrelhouse South ($20)
Accomplices, Pat Carroll, Isaac Smith Band – Tybee Island Social Club ($15/20)
Hypnotics – Wild Wing (Pooler)
Thomas Claxton, Jerry Zambito & The Bayou Blues Band – Bayou Cafe

Friday 1st
American Hologram – Cashmir’s Lounge
Dirty Dan’s Clan – Warehouse
Wet Socks, Nude Party, Grimsel – Jinx
Crazy Man Crazy, Patrick Carroll – Barrelhouse South
Jonathan Murphy Duo – Dub’s

Saturday 2nd
Pack & Penn, Britt Scott – Wormhole
Jackson Evans Trio – Casimir’s Lounge
Hexatones, Wood & Steel – Barrelhouse South

Sunday 3rd
Mary Davis (Tell Scarlett), Sara Bacon, Jason Salzer, Thomas Oliver – Savannah Songwriters at Johnny Harris (6p, all ages)

Tuesday 5th
Nikko Raptoulis – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7-10, all ages)
Ben Keiser Band – Bay St Blues
Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe

Only caught two Breakers’ song the other night. But, as I filed in from the weird, warm rain, I felt movement and energy colliding off the walls of the Jinx. The crowd — made up mostly of good and supportive friends; enough to fill the bar — danced, bumping bodies and shaking one another’s shoulders as if they hadn’t been together at Pinkie’s a night or two before.  

On stage the Breakers were a mirror or a magnifying glass to this energy — or maybe its source; it was hard to discern under the dim, drunken light. Their sound was what you’d expect if you’d seen them before: fast, moving, embracing, tight but erratic and sexual.

Samford Justice, lead singer, crooned and much of the bar knew lyrics and sang along. He seemed to stare at multiple members of the crowd at once; tension — like puppet strings — drew audience to performance.

As their show ended, Luca Carpenter and Corey Hines, bassist and guitarist, drifted from their stations on opposite ends of the stage toward the middle, where their foreheads came in gentle contact — like quarterback and left tackle after a touchdown only without the helmets and violence. Their foreheads stayed touching for moments, their lips slowly moving; maybe they were whispering congratulations back and forth or reveling in post-play high; maybe they were performing a last and private song.

From the floor, only some seven feet away, you couldn’t be sure. Voices in the crowd (and maybe one from me) shouted at the two — still unmoved — to kiss. They smiled, suddenly self-aware, and departed the stage to chants of “One more song.”