hissing lawns

Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour – 11/13/14 – 11/18/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • November 12, 2014

Hey guys,
Last week was full of good music and this week looks just as exciting. I’ll be catching some rock, funk, Americana, blues, and maybe even some punk, not bad for one week of music downtown, huh?

Thursday 11/13 – There is an early show at Graveface, one of the odder venues in town. Whaleboat is a very powerful-sounding band, it will be interesting to see them in such a small space. I’ll probably bounce around to a few of these places after that.
Whaleboat, DieAlps!, Sleepless – Graveface (7p, $5, all ages)
TimeCop vs DangerSnake (Matt and Zac from the Accomplices) – Molly MacPherson’s
Jon Lee’s Apparitions (Savannah rock) – Warehouse
Eric Culberson (Savannah blues master) – Bayou Cafe

Friday 11/14 – I’ll definitely be starting the evening off at the Rail Pub with one of my favorite party-rock bands, the Hypnotics. If you haven’t seen them yet, I definitely recommend trying to make it to this show. It’s early and it’s free. This looks like another bouncing around night, just seeing what catches my ear.
Hypnotics (Savannah garage rock) – Rail Pub (7-9p)
Charlie Fog Band (Savannah Grateful Dead covers) – Molly MacPherson’s
Dank Sinatra (Athens rock) – Congress Street Social Club
Showtime (A hip-hop funky soul band that rocks from Athens) – Barrelhouse South
Weedeater (Wilmington smoke-doom), Full of Hell (Maryland hardcore punk), Lazer/Wulf (Athens/Atlanta experimental metal) – Jinx
Charlie Daniels – Music Vault

Saturday 11/15 – I am looking forward to Keb Mo’s show at the Lucas tonight. I’m not really sure where I’ll end up after that, but I don’t expect any of these shows to disappoint.
Keb Mo’ – Lucas Theater
Accomplices – Congress Street Social Club
American Hologram (Savannah Americana) – Barrelhouse South
Back City Woods (Atlanta Americana), Lance Rodriguez (Georgia singer-songwriter)- Jinx
Ira Wood (Montana singer-songwriter, great voice), My Politic (Nashville Americana) – Abe’s on Lincoln

Tuesday 11/18 – A Tuesday show at Hang Fire. This is a strange lineup with lots of varied styles. It will be interesting to see how the show flows.
Sins of Godless Men (Savannah rock), Hot Plate (Savannah experimental rock), Word Travels Fast (Atlanta punk) – Hang Fire

Savannah Stopover announces first wave of bands for 2015 festival

by bill • November 11, 2014

Savannah Stopover has announced the initial lineup of bands that will be performing at the 5th annual festival in March. This is only about a third of the total number of acts that will eventually be confirmed.

If you don’t know a lot of these bands, join the club. As my fellow blogger Tom has said often, Savannah Stopover is all about discovery — the festival staff spends all year listening to bands, including many up-and-coming ones, and they curate a strong, diverse lineup. For attendees, the festival turns into a 3-day adventure/bar-crawl filled with surprises.

You can start getting to know the bands in this initial lineup via this Soundcloud playlist and via some of the embedded media we’ve chosen below:

A few of the standout acts in this first wave of announcements:

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The FEST 13, Day 3: Melvins, Coliseum, Whores., Iron Chic, United Nations, Circle Takes the Square – photos

by Tom Cartmel • November 10, 2014

My list of bands that I still really want to see has dwindled to, well, not many, to be honest. There are still tons of bands that I will go see every time I get a chance, but bands I’d travel to see? Maybe a dozen or so.

Camped out at the top of that list was the Melvins. Somehow during 25 years of seeing punk, hardcore, grunge, and heavy rock in general, I’d never crossed paths with the sludge icons. Now I can add them to the list of bands that I’ve seen, but would happily cover a pretty good distance to see again. Fantastic.

As a bonus, I got to see some amazing sets by Whores. (possibly my current favorite band), Coliseum, United Nations (who played Sweet Melissa’s basement after last FEST!!!), Circle Takes the Square and Iron Chic.

Here are some random Fest thoughts before I wrap it up:

Logistics were amazing. I saw about 30 sets and only 1 started a bit late. I drank countless beers and I swear only 1 was not super cold. Outstanding.

Fest branding and merch was both really cool and really consistent across the whole event, from banners to beer tickets to tee shirts. Banners from years past were cool to see.

Fest was reasonably affordable, $120 for a 3 day pass and $3 PBR tallboys all weekend.

Next time our hotel will be walking distance, cab rides ran about $25 a pop, which would be nice to avoid.

Venues were all decent, interesting, and fairly close to each other. Apparently some of the smaller venues got super smoky late in the night, which is uncomfortable.

FEST has a really active Facebook group of fans, “FEST Nerds”, which was really friendly and helpful, without much snark and negativity. Because of this, I took Airborne all weekend to try to avoid contracting “FEST Nile Virus” or “FESTbola” or the ever classy “FESTaids”. Thanks for the heads up.

Anyway, on to the photos. Click on through for tons more.

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remembering Athon

by bill • November 9, 2014

Jonathan Athon, best known around Savannah and around the world as the bass player in Black Tusk, passed away today from injuries sustained on Friday night when his motorcycle was cut off by a driver who apparently ran a stop sign.

Here’s the post this afternoon from Black Tusk:

Post by Black Tusk.

Athon lit up every room he walked into. He exuded warmth and graciousness. He embraced life and people and music — symbolically and physically.

Most of the contributors here at hissing lawns were touched by Athon’s incredible spirit in some way, but the pain we feel at his passing must only be a pale shadow compared to the emotions that others are feeling tonight.

A few photos that Tom and I have taken over the last couple years:

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Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash w/ special guests The Train Wrecks at Trinity Sanctuary Concerts – photos

by JWaits • November 8, 2014

Here are a few highlight images from the most recent Thursday Night Opry, part of the Trinity Sanctuary Concerts (here on Facebook). If you haven’t been to a performance at the historic Trinity United Methodist Church in downtown Savannah yet, you’re missing out on something special.

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The FEST 13, Day 2: The Descendents, Less Than Jake, Creepoid, Ben Nichols, The Flatliners, more – photos

by Tom Cartmel • November 6, 2014

I’ll go straight into it, here are some notes and images from The FEST 13, Day 2, a.k.a. “The Day that One Million Black Hoodies were sold”. Actually, I just made that up, but as the temperature dropped like a rock, black hoodies, which already covered a majority of Fest goers, flew out of the merch tents. Anyway, here we go.

We missed a good many bands I wanted to see Saturday afternoon, but a nap seemed very, very important at the time. We finally made it to Bo Diddley Plaza in time to catch an energetic and well received set from The Flatliners.

Then a quick walk to Rocky’s to see Devon Kay and The Solutions kill a packed house. The vibe in the room was joyous and communal, actually, come to think of it, that’s the vibe of the whole festival. I saw more high-fiving, bro hugs, reunions and just general respect for each other than at any other festival I have ever attended. Of course, I don’t tend to frequent jam band/hippy festivals, but seriously, it was really cool. (By the way, I screwed up in the Day 1 post and reported that this set was the first day. Whatever, it’s a good reason to post more photos from it.)

Have I mentioned the lines yet?

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Murder By Death pre-selling new album, other perks via Kickstarter

by bill • November 6, 2014

Murder By Death certainly didn’t need a Kickstarter campaign to fund their upcoming album Big Dark Love, but it has proved a successful platform for the band in the past and is a great way to give fans all sorts of ways of getting closer. I committed to buy vinyl of the new album, which I would have done anyway, and I bought one of the $50 tickets for a show in a cavern in Louisville, Ky. in June 2015. I don’t know what I’ll be doing then, but I have people in Kentucky; surely I can get to a show, right?

I envy the $3500 pledger who is going to go to Graceland and hang out with MBD in Memphis.

So, yes, MBD started this campaign about 30 hours ago, and they’ve already raised over $118,000. But such great marketing couldn’t happen without great music and a committed fan base.

By the way, remember when Murder By Death played in Savannah a couple weeks ago and gave a shoutout to a photographer who had requested their new song “Big Dark Love”? I didn’t know at the time that would be the title track of the new album, but it sure is a strong song. I can’t wait to hear the rest.

Here’s Adam Turla:

The FEST 13, Day 1: The Menzingers, Screaming Females, Chixdiggit, Direct Hit!, more – photos

by Tom Cartmel • November 6, 2014

I try to go to one music festival a year, I mean other than Savannah Stopover, Revival Fest, Graveface Fest, No Control Fest, Bragg Jam, The Jam Room Festival and….holy crap, I go to a lot of festivals. I guess what I really mean is that I try to go to one destination music festival a year and this year mulled over Riot Fest (Chicago or Denver), Fun Fun Fun Fest (Austin), and Hopscotch Festival (Raleigh). I even did the math for All Tomorrow’s Parties Iceland (seriously). Uhh, no. In the end, though, due to economics, time constraints, and availability of partners in crime, I decided to attend The FEST, a, ummmmm, festival in Gainesville, FL.

Though it was my first time attending The FEST, it most certainly was not its first go around. In its 13th year, this is not a festival struggling to find its identity, audience or niche. The event began as a showcase for No Idea Records and has grown into a celebration of punk rock and its myriad sub-genres. The FEST doesn’t book the same bands that every other festival in the country is trying to book, doesn’t seem affected by trends and is comfortable sticking with what it knows — punk, pop punk, emo, post punk, noise punk, you get the idea. It featured 365 (!!!!!) bands playing in 19 venues over 3 days.

Here are my pictures and thoughts from the first day. In a nutshell, though, if you like music in the vein of Against Me!, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer ($3 tallboys all weekend, every venue), standing in line and meeting new, like-minded people, The FEST is totally the festival for you. I had a blast.

After driving the easy 4-ish hours to Gainesville, we arrived at registration to find a LINE. A LINE that started in the parking lot, wound through the parking garage, through more parking lot, along a sidewalk, up stairs and finally through the FEST flea market to the registration tables. A 3 hours and 15 minutes LINE that actually didn’t seem that bad. There were at least 3 bars set up in line, a beer cart in case you weren’t in front of one of the bars, people in line were super friendly and patient and the flea market was really cool. I seriously think we got in line at its very longest and it wasn’t nearly as bad as it sounds. Like I said, they’ve done this before.

After navigating the line, we had to try to navigate the schedule. I had done my research, had a tenative schedule, but it quickly became obvious that it was pointless. Just look at that schedule and it’s continued on the back. The FEST app worked pretty well, giving you a heads up as to what was playing currently and in an hour, and could be sorted by venue, time or the schedule you made. Still, just overwhelming.

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Larry Jack’s Magical Music Tour 11/5/14 – 11/10/14

by Larry Jack Sammons • November 5, 2014

Hey guys,
This week is made for all of you that complain about music starting too late. Almost every night this week has a quality show on by 8pm. So I know you all are going to make an extra effort to get down here this week and see one of these shows.

Wednesday 5th – I will be spending most of the night at the Savannah Music Festival Announcement Show with AJ Ghent. I have seen this sacred steel guitarist a few times over the years and he always puts on an excellent show. If I’m still in the mood for some music after that, the Boomy’s will have some blues from Eric Culberson..
AJ Ghent – SMF Announcement Show – Charles Morris Center (7:30p)
Eric Culberson – Boomy’s

Thursday 6th – There are a few choices tonight, not sure where I’ll end up.
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, Omingnome – Barrelhouse South
Dame Darcy, Eliza Rickman, Faery Teeth – Jinx
Bastard Sons Of Johnny Cash, Train Wrecks – Trinity Methodist Church ($10, 7:30p, all ages)

Friday 7th – I hope to make it out early enough to catch a little of the Graveface show, then I will head to the Civic Center for the John Prine show, I hope to see some of you there. I’ve listed some other choice shows, if you aren’t going to the Civic Center.
The Daddyo’s, Annabelle Chairlegs, Lovely Locks – Graveface (6-9, all ages)
John Prine, Jason Isabelle – Johnny Mercer Theater
AM Rodriguez, Tail Light Rebellion – Jinx ($5)
Reckless Abandon – Congress Street Social Club
Waits & Co. – Foxy Loxy (7-10p, all ages)
Magic Rocks – Warehouse
Nickel Bag Of Funk – World Of Beer

Saturday 8th – Don’t forget the Rock n’ Roll Marathon is today. Surely the worst-advertised one yet. I haven’t heard who will be playing on the course or if they will have a concert in Forsyth at the end, as they did in previous years. I’ll start the evening off with some BBQ and a show from one of my favorites, American Hologram. Be sure to pick up their new CD if you make it to the show. Lots of good choices after that. If you’ve never seen Captured! By Robots, you should try to make it to the Jinx tonight, it’s an amazing show.
American Hologram Album Release – Bub-Ba-Q (6p)
Captured! By Robots, Volume IV, Johnny Octane – Jinx
Craig Waters & The Flood, Shack Band – Congress Street Social Club
Movers & Shakers Album Release Party – Ampersand

Sunday 9th – More early show fun. There are lots of choices for early music this Sunday. There is an all day show at Graveface, the Foundery is having their First Anniversary Party, or City Hotel is hosting a CD fundraiser. Later that evening, I hope to finish out the weekend with a set or two from another of my favorites, Jubal Kane at Barrelhouse.
Day Of The Skulls Minifest – Dope Body, Roomrunner, Paul Metzger, Ttotals, Psychic Teens, Table, Ross Fish – Graveface (3p, $10, all ages)
City Hotel Fundraiser – (6:30p, details on City Hotel FB page)
Ambrose, Jeff Two-Names & The Born Agains, Tagalongs – Foundery Anniversary (7:30p)
Jubal Kane – Barrelhouse South

Tuesday 11th – I haven’t heard that this show sold out yet, but I know it was getting close a few days ago. Better get tickets now, this one will be worth losing a little sleep over.
Rev. Horton Heat, COEDS, Wave Slaves – Jinx ($20/25)

[editor’s note: Phillip Phillips is playing the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in Forsyth, with Cranford Hollow and Nickel Bag of Funk. Click here for the Forsyth schedule and here for the course lineup.]

Savannah Music Festival 2015 will include Shovels & Rope, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, Rosanne Cash, The Wood Brothers, Shakey Graves, Bela Fleck, many more

by bill • November 5, 2014

The Savannah Music Festival has just released the bulk of the 2015 schedule.

The SMF delivers world-class performers of a variety of traditional styles in diverse venues throughout the Historic District. It’s pretty amazing that such a relatively small city like Savannah is able to support a festival of this caliber.

The 2015 SMF, scheduled for 3/19 – 4/4, will of course include impressive classical programming, but of special note this year is the introduction of opera — Puccini’s Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi produced in conjunction with the Savannah VOICE Festival and featuring the Savannah Philharmonic.

The 2015 jazz/blues/gospel/R&B lineup includes the likes of Mavis Staples (!), Dianne Reeves, Marcus Roberts Trio, and Sean Jones Quartet.

Lucinda Williams by Michael Wilson

The rock, world music, and Americana acts are of special interest to us here at hissing lawns. The 2015 lineup include Shovels & Rope with Shakey Graves, Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Josh Ritter, The Wood Brothers with the AJ Ghent Band, The Barr Brothers with Apache Relay, Kayhan Kalhor and Béla Fleck with Brooklyn Rider, and more.

In early February, the SMF will announce a number of other shows — probably bigger names in the world of rock and pop.

Anyway, those are just a few quick notes. Click here to see the full schedule (so far).

And here’s the digital brochure — click to go full screen:

Savannah Stopover scheduled for 3/5 to 3/7, special shows scheduled for 11/21 & 1/16

by bill • November 4, 2014

The 5th annual Savannah Stopover is right around the corner. The 3-day event will take over a variety of downtown venues from March 5 through March 7, 2015. We just can’t say enough about the impact that Savannah Stopover and parent company MusicFile Productions have had on the Savannah scene.

The first big Savannah Stopover lineup announcement — maybe 30 or so acts? — is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11th. A limited number of 3-Day “Early Bird” passes ($65) will go on sale at 10 a.m. on that day via Ticketfly.

Savannah Stopover will also hold the “V” Kick Off Event on Friday, 11/21 at Southbound Brewing Company featuring Futurebirds from Athens and Stopover alums this mountain and Amythyst Kiah from Johnson City. Southbound is brewing a special beer in Futurebirds’ honor.

Futurebirds of course recently played Revival Fest — another MusicFile event — and played at a Stopover announcement party in 2013.

Futurebirds at Revival Fest 2014

Stopover will host the Sched Party and announce the final lineup on Friday, 1/16 at The Jinx. Asheville-based River Whyless from Asheville, NC and, from Athens, Family and Friends, one of the most exciting live bands that I’ve seen this year.

The 2015 Savannah Stopover will be booking 4 bands through SonicBids. The festival also is also looking for interns and volunteers (volunteer@savannahstopover.com).

Triathalon covers Little Richard at historic Macon venue – video

by bill • November 1, 2014

Another interesting opportunity for Savannah-based Triathalon, which just released their debut full-length Lo-Tide. The boys are headed out on a 17-day tour on 11/6. Check out the description from GPB Savannah:

Post by GPB Savannah.

Triathalon covered Little Richard at the historic Tic Toc Room, which is now a restaurant. Here’s the video:

And here’s the classic version by Little Richard: