TheState.com: Music

Freshman Crue Fest takes on almost-classic Warped Tour

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:18 EDT

IF YOU GO

Crue Fest

WHEN: 4 p.m. Saturday, July 5

WHERE: Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, 707 Pavilion Blvd., Charlotte

TICKETS: $24.75

Poets who know it perform at Art Bar

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:18 EDT

If you’re an aspiring poet, there are several places to hone your craft locally.

One of those is at Art Bar on Tuesday night, July 8, during Verse Works.

It’s an all-night open mic, which means you can get on stage whenever the spirit catches you. You can even do it when there’s nobody in the room.

And if you just want to hear some inspired spoken word, Verse Works is a good place to be.

It starts at 8:30 p.m. Art Bar is at 1211 Park St.; (803) 929-0198.

Delivering the good news

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:42 EDT

Birthday parties tend to get smaller after you turn 30.

That’s not the case for WMHK-FM 89.7, which is celebrating its 32nd year as a community-sponsored station.

The contemporary Christian station is throwing a bash that will feature music from Newsboys, 7 Mile, Article One and Britt Nicole.

Newsboys, the headliners, are an atypical Christian band with a sleek, modernized pop vibe.

We talked to Newsboys’ drummer Duncan Phillips about the band, which formed in Australia, the strengths and weaknesses of Christian music, and gas prices.

A tuneful — and tasty — way to spend a lunch break

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:45 EDT

HAMMER TIME: On June 17, Stephen Humphries opened “A Little Summer Music,” the summertime concert series at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. The free noontime series features a 30-minute performance in the sanctuary and then lunch in the church’s Bennett Hall.

Humphries performed hymns and original compositions on the hammered dulcimer, a boxy, trapezoidal string instrument. Humphries swung the mallets, which are called hammers, with the swagger of a drummer.

On “This is My Father’s World,” a hymn Humphries played in response to “world turmoil,” his playing was swift and graceful, as he pounded notes that sounded like a harp, a bird song or, for basketball fans, the melodic squeak of sneakers running a triangle offense.

The lunch served after the concert was Carolina Deli corned beef. Some might like walking in the mall, eating at their desks or waiting on restaurant service, but I’ll be taking a few more relaxing lunch breaks at St. Timothy’s.

There are three more concerts this summer: Alan Weinberg, piano, July 15 ( Senate Street Cafe club sandwich); Katie Taylor, harp, July 22 ( Carolina Cafe chicken salad bagel); and Three Baritones Aug. 12 (the church’s men’s club submarine sandwich).

Concerts

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 21:13 EDT

HEADLINERS, 700 Gervais St. (803) 796-2333; www.headlinerscolumbia.com. Tonight, Zach Fowler and the Essentials; Saturday, Pinna; Thursday, Blind Melon, Analog Moon

MUSIC AT SANDHILL, 418 Town Center Place. (803) 419-0235; www.villageat-sandhillonline.com. Tonight, Danielle Howle; July 4, Skipp Pearson, John Jett, Marc Shipley

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES at FINLAY PARK, (803) 343-8750; www.summerconcerts.org. Saturday, Jump Start

THE TOWNSHIP, 1703 Taylor St. (803) 576-2350; www.thetownship.org. Tonight, Jeff Dunham; July 18, John P. Kee and The New Life Community Choir; July 19, Glenn Beck; July 26, Bow Wow; Nov. 15, Steve Harvey

Music: Road warriors, the Whigs

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:04 EDT

Professional athletes always want to be in the game, not sitting on the bench watching others play.

The same can be said for indie-rock bands such as The Whigs, the constantly touring Athens, Ga., trio that has been featured in major music publications like Pitchfork, Spin and Rolling Stone.

“We want to play as much as possible,” said drummer Julian Dorio, who was named best drummer in the 2007 Eskys, Esquire’s music awards.

On Saturday, June 21, The Whigs will play their third Columbia show, their second at Art Bar. The band, which also includes Tim Deaux (bass) and Parker Gispert (vocals and guitar), signed to ATO Records for the release of its second album, “Mission Control.”

ATO, the home of My Morning Jacket, Patty Griffin and Radiohead, was founded by Dave Matthews and Michael McDonald.

Two chances to get your chamber music fix

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:28 EDT

Just because the Spoleto Festival USA is over and festival chamber music director Charles Wadsworth doesn’t start his regional tour until the fall, you don’t have to do without.

The Columbia Baroque Soloists, a new group, will perform the music of Telemann, Handel, Scarlatti and others in a concert Tuesday. And on Thursday, the Sterling Chamber Players join forces with some young musicians they have taken under wing.

Baroque music developed just before the formal classical period.

“The music was about layering (counterpoint) and how those layers fit together,” said Timothy Hein, artistic director of the group, who will give a pre-concert talk.

What’s considered Baroque music was written between 1600 and 1750. It also is considered part of “Early Music,” which also covers the medieval and Renaissance periods between 1000 and 1600.

Pearl Jam show was a melting pot of rock T-shirts

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:37 EDT

You can tell a lot about a band’s fans by what they wear to the show.

Madonna’s legions might wear, say, leopard-print leotards — that’s women and men. T.I.’s fans wear baggy jeans and garbage-bag-sized white T-shirts.

On June 16 at the Colonial Center, Pearl Jam’s fans wore other bands’ T-shirts.

Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, System of a Down, Dave Matthews Band, Guns N’ Roses, Bob Seger, Rage Against the Machine, Slayer, Metallica, Bob Marley, Lamb of God and the Ramones all were represented.

So what does that say about Pearl Jam? That its fans have questionable wardrobes and musical tastes?(There were some Pearl Jam T-shirts, too.)

Pearl Jam engages crowd for three hours

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:47 EDT

After a three-hour set Saturday night at Bonnaroo, one wondered whether Pearl Jam would have enough energy for Monday night’s concert at the Colonial Center.

Turns out the band had more than enough.

Pearl Jam — which introduced grunge to the MTV mainstream with its 1991 debut, “Ten” — maintains a giddiness for live playing, and Eddie Vedder, the band’s frontman, has an unforgettable magnetism.

His weathered baritone is powerful as ever, and his stage antics — which include swigging bottled wine and sharing it with front-row fans — are similarly engaging.

This wasn’t a show for the casual Pearl Jam fan, as well-known songs such as “Daughter” and “Jeremy” weren’t played. But the near-sellout crowd of just more than 11,000 was attentive, engaged and, most importantly, singing along.

Pearl Jam still relevant years after ‘Ten’

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00 EDT

Eddie Vedder has held the hand of many as they navigated their personal teenage wasteland.

Vedder, the lead singer of Pearl Jam, a ’90s alt-rock juggernaut that continues to release fiery material, conjured a spirit that made listeners feel alive and not so alone.

Pearl Jam, which performs Monday, June 16, at the Colonial Center, is credited with pushing the distorted guitars, agitprop lyricism and anti-authority stance of grunge into the mainstream.

“Ten,” the band’s 1991 debut album, introduced the Seattle scene to MTV and America. Other Northwest bands — Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains included — capitalized on the record-buying public’s interest.

And many who cradled the aggressive sound were preteens, teens and college-aged kids trying to figure out who they were.

Bluegrass grows at Doc’s; Foot puts on its funky shoes

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 23:16 EDT

MOONSHINERS:The Earl Brothers, a band from San Francisco with an inclination for songs about heartbreak and homemade whiskey, drinks its bluegrass straight — without a flashy, newgrass chaser. The music would sit will well on the stage of Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor, though the laments might not go down as easy.

The four-piece band, which will play at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Doc’s Gumbo Grille, features former Columbia resident James Touzel, the former bassist for bands such as Fling and How to Vanish.

Doc’s is at 1115 Assembly St. $5; (803) 256-4440

HAPPY FEET: OK, let’s get all the smell jokes out of the way: For one night only, Foot will put on some shoes and stink up the joint.

Foot, made up of former Captain Easy members Ryan Monroe and Josh Roberts, as well as Band of Horses’ Creighton Barrett and King Hippo’s Jeff Kozelski, will play a show for Allen Shealy’s 39th birthday at 9 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at The Loose Cockaboose.

Charlamagne Tha God's Hip Hop Commandments (2005)

Thu, 22 May 2008 17:29 EDT

10. Thou must not promote all things ghetto Your lyrics should not celebrate the ghetto life by reminiscing about days in poverty, your mother on welfare and your father not being there. Instead of celebrating and embracing the poverty, crime and ignorance of the ghetto, we should be encouraging our people to move on up out of the ghetto like the Jeffersons.

9. Thou must advocate anything of social redeeming value Your lyrics should reflect that you are aware of the social, political and economic reality of your community. The consumer should assume that you read more than the Source or XXL.

8. Thou shall have a sense of history MC's should refer to historical events that may cause the listener to think about his or her relation to history. Your role is to entertain and educate. Instead of mentioning names like Jacob the Jeweler and Versace, mention names like W.E.B. Dubois and Louis Farrakhan.

7. Thou must not worship money and bling-bling You must not talk about money and bling-bling as if it were a living, breathing thing. Your lyrics should not put money and bling-bling over love, women or religion. (See next commandment.)

6. Thou must talk about God and spirituality MC's should not condone atheism and a false belief system that does not acknowledge the existence of a higher being. You should promote the spiritual beliefs that may have been instilled in you by family. Especially being that the first thing rappers say when they win an award is: "I want to thank God."

Review | R. Kelly leaves crowds wanting to hear more

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 15:36 EST

R. Kelly spoke eloquently when he said you can’t have R&B without the R. - or, as he pronounces it, Ar-ra.

Kelly, the singer who seems to take music seduction to a more deliciously deviant extreme with each song he releases, brought his “Double Up Tour” to the Colonial Center Saturday night. And though he’s far from a nostalgic act or a performer who is past his prime, Kelly’s show played like a greatest hits collection.

To do so, though, he had to perform medleys, thus he never engaged a song fully. And some were left out completely.

There were the hooks Kelly has made for others like Snoop Dogg’s “That’s That,” Fat Joe’s “We Thuggin’,” Cassidy’s “Hotel” and Twista’s “So Sexy.”

Dug from Kelly’s exhaustive 17-year career tomb included “Fiesta,” “Thoia Thong,” “Snake” and the club-appropriate “Feelin’ on Your Booty,” the latter of which inspired, let’s say, slow dancing not appropriate for a prom.

I Nine's almost to 10

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:48 EDT

I Nine’s homecoming last Saturday at Headliners was splendidly unrestrained, tense and riveting.

The band of Orangeburg natives has been working on its major-label debut for, if you’re a follower, what has seemed like a decade. In an interview with vocalist Carmen Keigans and guitarist/cellist Brian Gibson last week, I was told the album will be released early next year.

I was also told that Clive Davis, the chairman of the RCA Music Group, which owns I Nine’s label, J Records, is ecstatic about the band’s potential.

And why not? I Nine exudes confidence and lip-smacking incandescence. Keigans, who looked angelic in her long, flowing white dress, shoelessly twirled to the band’s romantic, swirling movements.

Keigans’ voice is angelic, as well, but what makes her voice remarkable is how forcibly large it can get. Emotion isn’t always conveyed in the quiet moments of songs, as witnessed by the Keigans’ on-pitch yells when the band was at its heaviest.

It’s not over...yet

Fri, 01 Jun 2007 09:44 EDT

Looking at the line of eager and faithful Daughtry fans snake through the Headliners parking lot and down Gervais Street two hours prior to Tuesday’s scheduled door opening, I had this thought: “Where were all of you people and your cell phones the night Chris Daughtry was voted off ‘American Idol?’

As the night wore on, however, it became clear to me that despite what happened on that fateful night in season 5, and perhaps because of it, this crowd was determined to show up in force.

Daughtry, the name of Chris’s band, was the main attraction at the sold out show on May 29, bringing together an eclectic mix of college students and 30-somethings. Headliners has all the makings of the quintessential rock club. This is the kind of venue that Daughtry fans envisioned him singing in the first time they heard his raspy, rock-fueled voice.

As the faithful filed in and staked their claim on the perfect viewing spot for the night, the excitement of the evening was palpable. Every few minutes or so, spontaneous calls of “Whoooooo!” and “Yeah baby!” would rise above the cacophony.

Make no mistake, we were there to rock and be rocked. Promptly at 9 p.m., the first of two opening acts took the stage - Dove Award-winning and Grammy-nominated Day of Fire. The guys completely decimate any preconceived notions of what a Christian rock band is supposed to sound like.

'Idol' Tracker | Sparks triumphs in final round

Wed, 23 May 2007 07:36 EDT

'Idol' Tracker | Variety night

Wed, 16 May 2007 07:45 EDT

Irish, if only for an evening

Fri, 11 May 2007 13:15 EDT

Few places in Columbia can promise the thrills of St. Patrick’s Day every day of the year. Delaney’s, however, is a collage of Irish novelty and decor that epitomizes the best of the famous holiday.

And on April 12, local band Sullivan’s Roof brought some great acoustic rhythm to the pub and eatery.

When you enter Delaney’s, you literally leave all sense of national identity at the door. It’s like an exodus into Ireland, and you either become Irish for an evening or hit the road.

With Sullivan’s Roof performing, it was easy to adopt the hip nuances of the Irish, as the band is 50 percent Irish.

Lead vocalist Tim Hollohan and brother Sean Hollohan, the band’s rhythm guitarist, provide the Irish element for a band that also includes Jason “Slim” Hudson on lead guitar and Robert Gunning on bass.

'Idol' tracker | My pick for the next American Idol

Thu, 10 May 2007 09:22 EDT

'Idol' Tracker | 'Idol' doesn't feel the groove

Wed, 09 May 2007 09:50 EDT