hissing lawns

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 12/11/14 – 12/16/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • December 11, 2014

Hey guys,
It’s getting colder out there, but there is still some good music going on downtown. This is actually a good time to try to see a band, SCAD is out and the crowds downtown have died down a little bit. But you should come out soon, school will be back in before you know it. Here are some good choices for the week.

Thursday 11th – I’m not sure what”cosmic slop” is, but it’s what you’ll hear tonight at the Jinx. The Bayou is a great place to hear some blues music and you can’t go wrong with Eric Culberson.
Af The Naysayer (atmospheric cosmic slop), Holm – Jinx
Eric Culberson (Savannah blues) – Bayou Cafe
Escaping Fate (Savannah duo) – Barrelhouse South

Friday 12th – Lots of choices tonight. If you haven’t been to the Rail Pub in a while, tonight is a good night to drop by. They have suddenly decided to turn into a pretty good place to see some music, with a covered stage and a bar out in the patio. The Rail has a great double-header tonight, Danielle Hicks and the Accomplices. I hope to make it out early enough to catch some of Danielle’s set, she is one of Savannah’s better singers. Most of the bands playing tonight are among my favorites, I’m not sure where I’ll end up. The Christmas Party at Tubby’s in Thunderbolt has a very good line-up also, but I don’t think I can make it down there.
Danielle Hicks – Rail Pub (6-9p)
Whiskey Dick – Jinx (6-8p)
Hypnotics (Savannah garage rock) – Molly MacPherson’s
Savannah Sweet Tease (Burlesque), COEDS (Savannah rawk n’ roll) – Jinx
Waits & Co (Savannah Americana) – World Of Beer
Accomplices – Rail Pub (9:30p-12:30)
Yuletide Jam – Tubby’s Thunderbolt (6p, $15/20) – Stewart & Winfield, Junkyard Angel, Houndog Slim Duo, Bottles & Cans, Veraflames, Soap, Willie & The Giant, Andrew Gill Band

Saturday 13th – I am planning on starting my Christmas shopping today, I can’t think of a better place to start buying things than the MerryMaker Holiday Market at the American Legion Ballroom while listening to some soothing tunes from Lovely Locks. Later that night, I’ll be spending most of the night at Congress Social Club with the excellent Larry Mitchell Band, but I will also be sure to make it down to Hang Fire to at least catch Crazy Bag Lady’s set that night.
Lovely Locks – American Legion Ballroom (12-1p)
Crazy Bag Lady (Savannah punk rock), Joy Kills, Taze Daze – Hang Fire
Larry Mitchell Band – Congress Street Social Club

Sunday 14th – It’s Ray Lundy, be sure to see him if you like the blues.
Ray Lundy (frontman for Savannah’s Bottles & Cans blues band) – Jazz’d

Tuesday 16th – I am planning to head to Foxy Loxy tonight. They are scheduling the music a little earlier, and I’m hoping they are playing inside too. Foxy Loxy Cafe is one of Savannah’s more unique venues, whether bands play outside or inside, but I personally like to see bands in the living room atmosphere inside. And it has one of the nicest staffs around. And great tacos.
Pretend Sweethearts (Portland Americana duo) – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7-10p)
Reckless Abandon (NC hard rock trio) – Congress Street Social Club

Black Tusk announces 2015 European tour

by bill • December 10, 2014

As most readers of this blog probably already know, Athon from Black Tusk died on November 9 from injuries sustained when his motorcycle was cut off by a driver who apparently did not see a stop sign.

That’s the sad background behind today’s good news that Corey Barhorst — formerly of Kylesa, currently of Niche, and a longtime presence in the Savannah music scene — will join James and Andrew for Black Tusk’s European tour with Black Label Society and Crobot in early 2015.

From Black Tusk’s Facebook page:

Post by Black Tusk.

The Accomplices’ new live album available for free download

by bill • December 8, 2014

Well how awesome is this? The Accomplices have a new live album recorded at Isis Music Hall in Asheville, N.C.

Even better: the album is available for free download via NoiseTrade. You can listen to a track at a time below, or just click on through for the download — and leave a tip if you like what you hear.

Isis obviously is a great room, and those Asheville audiences must be more ruly than Savannah audiences. The sound is awesome.

If you haven’t done so already, mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Homegrown Holiday Hoedown on Dec. 19 in the ballroom of the American Legion Post #135, featuring The Train Wrecks, The Accomplices, and Soap.

A few pics we’ve posted of The Accomplices, from Jon Waits and Tom Cartmel.

Folk Transgressions: A Night of Guitar Auteurs – photos

by JWaits • December 7, 2014

A Safe//Sound production with Daniel Bachman, Richard Leo Johnson, and Coy Campbell accompanied by Markus Kuhlmann and Stu Harmening; hosted by Trinity Sanctuary Concerts.

Burnt Books and Crazy Bag Lady at The Jinx – photos

by Peterson Worrell • December 4, 2014

Well, it looks like the year is quickly winding down, but luckily that doesn’t mean that there’s going to be any shortage of good shows going on around town if last week’s show at The Jinx was any indication. Hosting what was a sort of mini-Retro Futurist showcase, Savannah locals Crazy Bag Lady took the stage along with Columbia natives and label mates Burnt Books. Both bands put on explosive sets that were perfect complements to each other.

Burnt Books’ heavy, hardcore-influenced brand of metal was an excellent precursor to Crazy Bag Lady’s unique post-something punk that’s about as hard to describe as it is fun to listen to. Check out a few shots below then hit the jump for the full set and be sure to keep your ear to the ground as I hear both bands have releases coming out through Retro Futurist next year. Or better yet, go ahead and get some info straight from the horse’s mouth at Retro Futurist’s homepage.

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Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 12/4/14 – 12/8/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • December 4, 2014

Hey guys,
I am still pretty pumped about the Lucas show last Wednesday, sorry for those of you that were not able to make it. The tribute to The Band was definitely a great example of the closeness of the music landscape here in Savannah. I have seen several of the performers in that show this week, and all of them are anxious to talk about it. I am not sure who enjoyed the concert more, the artists or the audience.

This week looks a little quieter on the music scene, although there are a few good shows out there. If you only go to one show this week, I would try to make it to the Barrelhouse on Saturday. I have seen Consider The Source several times, they will not disappoint you. I am really surprised they are still playing the club circuit, since they could be playing larger venues. Try to catch them, and these are some more recommendations for the week.

Thursday 4th – I am a sucker for anyone that puts “funk” in their name, so I will give this band a shot. I will probably stop by for some blues at the Bayou Cafe also.
Marvelous Funkshun – Barrelhouse South
Eric Culberson – Bayou Cafe

Friday 5th – A few good choices of some Savannah bands tonight. Lyn Avenue has country-flavorings. Timewalkers are rock music. Versatile is R&B. And Savannah Sweet Tease is T&A (you need a password to get into WOB tonight, find it on Sweet Tease site).
Lyn Avenue – Barrelhouse South
Timewalkers – Warehouse
Versatile – Congress Street Social Club
Savannah Sweet Tease – World Of Beer

Saturday 6th – Some good shows going on tonight, I hope to make it to the Trinity show (although the Mars Theater show would be good too), then head over to the Barrelhouse, with maybe a stop at Rocks on the Roof for a few minutes to catch American Hologram.
Daniel Bachman, Richard Leo Johnson, Coy Campbell – Trinity Church (7:30p, $10)
Tinsley Ellis – Mars Theater (Springfield)
American Hologram – Rocks On The Roof
Consider The Source – Barrelhouse South
Damon & The Shitkickers – Warehouse
Danielle Hicks – BarFood
Doom Salad, Star Period Star, Clandestiny – Jinx
Those Cats – Congress Street Social Club

Sunday 7th
Lumagrove, SPORE – Barrelhouse South
Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club

Monday 8th – I am looking forward to this benefit for the Humane Society and Meals On Wheels. Oyster Roast, pulled pork, complimentary adult beverages, and the Hypnotics, what more could you want?
Hypnotics – Rail Pub (6-9p, $10 donation)

folk transgressions @ trinity united methodist church

by Larissa Allen • December 1, 2014

This time of year Savannah looks like a total ghost town. Locals complain when college students are here because everything is crowded, but when they’re gone, c’mon y’all, things around here get totally boring.

Luckily for all of us townies who are left here to rot over the winter holidays, there’s still some solid shows to hold us over until the bars are filled with Doc-Marten-wearin’-cool kids again.

This Saturday, December 6th, lap steel guitar player Daniel Bachman will be showcasing folk/Americana instrumentals from his latest release, Orange Co. Serenade. The album has gotten strong reviews on sites like Pitchfork and NPR, so it’s obviously gaining some national attention.

Also playing sets are local guitar players, Richard Leo Johnson and Coy Campbell of Nightingale News.

Show starts at 7 PM and is $10 or $5 for students. Check out the Safe // Sound Facebook event for more info.

Oh, and here’s video of Bachman performing a song from the new album:

Paving Gravy at Tybee Island Social Club – photos

by JWaits • November 30, 2014

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, what could be better than a Bluegrass Brunch with a Bloody Mary, great food, and live, lowcountry string-music at Tybee Island Social Club? Paving Gravy is now officially made up of Cory Chambers & Jay Rudd of City Hotel, and Zach Smith & Colleen Heine of The Accomplices. During the off-season Tybee Island returns to a slower pace, and is a perfect refuge from the city, as well as a great spot to hear some of your favorite local bands perform in more relaxed settings.

“Life Is A Carnival: A Tribute to The Band” at the Lucas Theatre – review + photos

by Larry Jack Sammons • November 28, 2014

Wow, I can barely find the words to express the feelings that I had at the concert at the Lucas Theatre on Wednesday night. The show, Life Is A Carnival, was loosely based on The Band’s famous Last Waltz concert. The Lucas show gathered together many of Savannah’s finest musicians for an ensemble-type show. Most of them played for a only a song or two, just like at the Last Waltz.

The first half was hosted by The Accomplices. So many guest stars came out that I am sure I lost track of a few of them. My apologies to anyone who was in the show and happens to be reading this if I left you out. There was Austin Quattlebaum, Shane Baldwin (Voodoo Soup, Jubal Kane), Craig Tanner (American Hologram), Aaron Zimmer (City Hotel), Eric Dauber, Jared Hall (Velvet Caravan), Jason Bible (The Train Wrecks), John Banks (The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love), and Larry Golden (The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love). When The Accomplices first came out, I thought I detected a rare bit of nervousness from singer Matt Eckstine while starting the show. During the first song (“Up On Cripple Creek”), drummer Stan Ray took lead on one verse, and the crowd went wild. It was at that moment that I saw Matt’s smile return to his face, and I knew he saw it was going to be a magical night. By the end of The Accomplices’ set, the audience was bubbling over with the excitement about being present for this event.

After a brief intermission (and a song from special guests Passafire), the audience of 900+ was not going to stay in their seats anymore. The Train Wrecks had most of the audience on their feet, dancing the night away. The guest stars continued, with Ray Lundy (Bottles & Cans), Charlie Hodge (Damon & The Shitkickers, Doom Salad) on trombone(!), Ron Yatek (Bottles & Cans), Eric Culberson, Jim Reed (Superhorse, Magic Rocks), Collene Heine (The Accomplices), Ricardo Ochoa (Velvet Caravan), Josh Safer (Bottles & Cans), and more.

The show culminated with the inevitable super jam for the few last songs. I think I counted 26 people on stage at one point. Rather than cause a giant cluster-muck, this seemed to fit right in with the camaraderie throughout the whole concert.

This concert really showcased the true fellowship that I see every weekend in the Savannah music scene. Everyone who played at this show was obviously thrilled to be there. They were excited about the beautiful venue (probably a lot of them had never played at the Lucas) and very happy to be playing with their fellow musicians, many of whom had never played together before. From the beginning, you could feel the specialness in the air.

I also found this show interesting in that it was a show that the audience really fed their energy to the performers. It was apparent that the audience was feeling the magic, and I think that cycled up to the people on stage. The audience was obviously very proud of our hometown guys (and girl) up there, putting on such an exciting show. I don’t go to many shows where the energy exchange is so obvious, but that’s Savannah. All in all, one of my favorite shows ever!

A few more photos by Tom Cartmel after the jump —

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Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour 11/28/14 – 12/3/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • November 28, 2014

Hey guys,
If you didn’t make it to the Lucas Theater for the Life Is A Carnival show on Wednesday, all I can say is I told you to go. It was a beautiful example of the camaraderie in Savannah’s music scene. If you saw it, I know you are still on cloud nine. If you didn’t, you just screwed up and I don’t want to talk to you about it. There are some decent shows this weekend, I am not really sure where I will end up on most nights. I actually plan to travel to midtown on Saturday and catch the last performance of the Telfair Babies. Maybe they will end the night with a version of “I Shall Be Released” also. These are some of the shows that should be worth catching this weekend and beyond.

Friday 11/28
Danielle Hicks Band – Rail Pub (6-9)
City Hotel – Molly MacPherson’s
Big John Belly – Barrelhouse South
Train Wrecks – World Of Beer
Jewop, Hot Plate – Jinx

Saturday 11/29
Accomplices – Tybee Island Social Club
Crazy Bag Lady, Burnt Books – Jinx
Damon & The Shitkickers – Congress Street Social Club
Steppin Stones – Barrelhouse South
Telfair Babies – Bar Food (8p)

Sunday 11/30
Liquid Ginger – Barrelhouse South

Monday 1st
Train Wrecks – Wind Rose Cafe (Tybee)

Tuesday 2nd
Payne Bridges – Foxy Loxy Cafe

Wednesday 3rd
Quintron and Miss Pussycat – Dollhouse Studios ($8)

Everymen at The Jinx – photos

by bill • November 27, 2014

I’d heard friends rave about Everymen, but I never caught the Lake Worth, Florida-based band until last Saturday’s raucous show at The Jinx.

We use the word “show” all the time to refer to gigs, but, really, Everymen puts on a show. The band’s folk punk (or is it gypsy hardcore?) started with a couple of foot-stomping numbers, then the lights went down, the shirts came off, and general mayhem ensued — the crowd danced, sweat poured, bananas were eaten and shared, bad jokes were told, tender kisses were given, soft toys were slung, slightly better jokes were told, the bass was used for limbo, the band climbed on the bar.

Etc.

Of course, none of this fun would work — and fans wouldn’t keep coming back again and again — if the music didn’t match the antics.

I had my camera. I took photos. I liked so many of them that I’m posting a bigger gallery than normal — lots more after the jump:

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The Train Wrecks’ release show for “We Roll On” – more photos

by bill • November 25, 2014

The Train Wrecks took the stage at almost midnight on Saturday in front of a packed house at The Jinx — the club was filled with longtime fans, fellow musicians, and other lovers of compelling, emotional, finely crafted music.

For years, the band has been one of the hardest-gigging and one of the most talented in the Savannah area — hard to go wrong with those attributes. The Train Wrecks’ new album We Roll On is now available on CD and via iTunes.

We’ve been pretty slack about writing album reviews here at hissing lawns (any volunteers?), but we manage to post a lot of photos. A few here, with more after the jump — and check out Jon Waits’ gallery. (Lots of red light on the stage, obviously, which created something of a challenge.)

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