Nothing Blue About These Blues

Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band
(L-R) Harvey Dalton Arnold, Tim Carey,
Darrell Young & Kim Shomaker

  I wrote earlier this year about the opportunity I had to meet and visit with the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band during one of their practice sessions (read story here). During that visit I quickly became a fan of the HDABB. Sitting and listening to them I marveled at the music they made and vowed I would get out to see them perform live sometime soon.
  "Sometime soon" was this past Saturday night at the Fat Frogg in Elon. I had unintentionally missed their first set due to another passion of mine - watching NASCAR (it was a night race). When Harvey and company took to the stage for their second set I was blown away yet again. What I had witnessed at their practice session back in April was little more than a simple run through a set list - and that was damn good - but live on a stage was a whole other ball game. Harvey playing his left-handed guitar was every bit as exciting on his vocals as he was his guitar licks, boy that man can wail! Harvey's vocal styling is perfect for this music.
  On the opposite side of the stage guitarist Kim Shomaker (read more about Kim here) was turning his "Work horse" (the name for his beat up and worn first re-issue '57 Fender Stratocaster) into a Triple Crown race horse. 
  In between the two guitarists bassist Darrell Young balanced out the sound by providing the low-end rhythm as well as handling supporting vocal duty while in the back Tim Carey kept the show on track with excellent drum work. 
  Listening to HDABB it is difficult to imagine they have only been together as a unit for less than two years. On stage they are relaxed and comfortable yet full of energy. Saturday nights show was mesmerizing to say the least. The set list this night was a well-balanced mixture of blues and rock cover tunes including the Beatle's "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" and original tunes found on the band's two available CD's.
  The audience Saturday was a nice mix of young and 'older than young' who came out to help celebrate the Fat Frogg's second year of business and enjoy an evening of fantastic music, an evening showcasing a band that is truly on top of their game and their game is HOT.

Bodies - Yes, Body Slamming - NOOr how a few asses can ruin a show

Sok Monkee at the Fat Frogg prior to the
show being shut down.

  I try to be a fan of all genres of music, even music that is removed from my generation such as Hip-Hop and Rap - I try to find in those musical forms the basic elements that speak to me even though I am far removed from that culture. Another genre I am also removed from but not nearly so distant is Death Metal (or any of the many other off-shoots of the genre such as Deathcore, Death Grind, etc).
  I recently went to an all-day event that featured several local Death Metal bands, none of whom I can recall the name of. Save for a cool heavy-metal trio called Jews and Catholics and a female cover band fronted by Staci McBeth the event held very little that I could relate to. In fact it was abhorrent to me that children as young as six years old were running around and even taking part in some of the band acts where the vilest of vulgarities were slung at the audience faster than Rambo could empty an M-16. In fact with these bands it was only the vulgarities that were understandable as the lyrics are sung (and I use the word sung very loosely) as a constant guttural roar. It is generally within this genre of music that you will find the mosh pits or body slamming that occurs in the audience.
  This event was a few weeks ago and I only bring it up now in order to give insight on a sad incident that occurred this past Friday night at the Sok Monkee show in Elon. Sok Monkee is one of the area's premier rock bands and has been for several years now. Their music covers several decades but primarily the harder rock of the past ten years or so. At any given show you are likely to see many of the same faces, a core group of fans known as the Monkee Junkees and they are zealous supporters of the band and their music.
  Friday nights show at the Fat Frogg though showed the potential early on for a disruptive evening when a couple of juvenile college kids began dancing wildly in the crowd with no concern that they were imposing on the enjoyment of others. They were the same type of kids who would be right at home at a Death Metal concert. By the time the second set began the couple of asses had been joined by several more asses - all heavily inebriated. At about 1:30 am the disruption became too much and lead singer Dylan Setzer stopped the set to address the situation but as the band launched into "Bodies," one of their signature covers the body slamming began again in earnest compounded by shattering their glasses on the dance floor creating a wet dangerous mess. Several of the Monkee Junkees retreated to the outside deck but a few who were caught up in the maelstrom were not so lucky and at least two MJ's suffered in-direct hits by the asses trying to body slam. Club security began ejecting the offensive parties who took their actions to the parking lot. Within minutes the Elon police department had dispatched up to six cars to the Fat Frogg.
  Wisely, Dylan once again stopped the show, this time for good. What had begun as another wonderful evening of good times with great music and friends had dissolved into a shortened evening. As the band began packing up their gear the expression on Dylan's face was heartbreaking. Here was a man who thrives on the energy of the music he sings and a band whose passion and professionalism has catapulted them to the top of their craft, to say they were disappointed to not finish the show would be an understatement.
  Saturday night the band took to the stage once again, this time at Stumblin' Pig in Mebane. While I didn't attend that show, I have heard many good comments about it this morning. It was a return to good times and good friends enjoying the music and band they love.
  As a footnote I would encourage anyone at a show by any band where mosh pits and body slamming are not the norm to make management or security aware of the disruptive behavior of others early on so an eye can be kept on them and security can intervene before it gets out of hand.

  I'll re-iterate what I wrote on the Sok Monkee Facebook page Saturday morning when I got home - Kudo's to Dylan for stopping the show and trying to be preemptive and avoid violence of any kind. Dylan and his band mates are all class acts who only want to provide the best music they can for their fans.

Lady wants to meet The Kid

Savannah

  Savannah “Lady” Childers is a typical 13 year old girl. She would rather be with her friends than her mom most of the time, blast her music at extreme volume and like most teenagers she has a passion for music and especially her idol Kid Rock. But if you’re reading this story and expecting it to be a light-hearted tale of teenage music angst you will be disappointed. You see, unlike most teenager girls Savannah cannot tell you about her passion, or sing along to the songs she loves. She cannot dance around the floor on her own two feet, or jump up and down or talk about her love of music as she is non-verbal. For Savannah each day is a constant struggle filled with enteral feedings, breathing treatments, a daily medication routine and confinement to a wheelchair.
  When Savannah was born doctors told her mother Katrice not to expect her to live long. Born with a condition known as Chromosomal Deletion Syndrome, or more commonly called Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, the condition results in seizures, marked muscle weakness, distinct facial appearance, congenital heart defects and growth and mental retardation.

Mother sings to her daughter
on her 13th birthday

  The fact Savannah has survived to be a teenager is a tribute to the love and determination of her mother. Katrice is quick to point out though how Savannah saved her life. At a crossroads in her own life when Savannah was born, her baby’s special needs impacted Katrice and made her realize she had to make changes in order to be the mother Savannah needed if she were to survive. While the struggle which laid ahead for the young mother and child were daunting to say the least, it has been a journey of joy and happiness for the pair. A happiness with music as a central theme in their lives. Katrice’s joy of music and singing has passed on to her daughter. “Savannah is never in a bad mood,” says Katrice “except for when the music is turned off.” Savannah’s favorite artist happens to be Kid Rock. “As long as the music is playing she (Savannah) is happy,” says Katrice “and when Kid Rock comes on the radio or TV her good mood only gets better.”
  For Savannah, Kid Rock is one of the few things that can take away the struggles of daily life - if even for just a few moments.
  When Kid Rock announced the cities he will be playing during his current tour Katrice knew she had a new mission in life - not only to take her teenage daughter to her first concert but also for Savannah to actually meet Kid Rock. The pathway to the stars though is rarely an easy one and finding the right person to connect with to enable her daughter to meet the Detroit rocker has not been easy. Using Facebook, Katrice has created a page (Savannah Wants To Meet Kid Rock) devoted to gathering “Likes” to help her impress the powers that be at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Charlotte to grant her wish for her daughter to meet the star.

  You can do your part to help Savannah by doing two simple things - first, visit her page on Facebook and “Like” it and second, be sure to "Share" the page so that others can also see it. You can also share and tweet this blog article by clicking the icons directly below this story. Katrice hopes to get a 1000 “Likes” but knowing the generosity of the local live music scene I’m sure that number could be much higher. Liking Savannah’s page won’t cost you a dime but you will get the satisfaction of knowing a simple little click on a Facebook page might encourage someone in Kid Rock’s inner circle to make a little girls heart glow with joy.

Trial by Fire - the Journey Tribute

  Even though I've seen a couple of tribute bands in the past I've never really understood the whole tribute band phenomenon and so it was that for some time now I had put off going to see Charlotte based Trial by Fire, the Journey tribute band. I had determined a few days ago that I would however go see them at the new Clubhouse in Greensboro which I had not been to since they changed ownership.
  What I got in return for my $10 cover charge though was well worth the money spent. Behind the vocals of lead singer Ernie Shepherd Trial by Fire quickly got the audience into the music, sounding every bit as good as Journey. Shepherd's range easily allowed him to achieve the same sustained high notes made famous by Steve Perry, Journey's front man. Throughout the first and second set the group treated the audience to hit after hit - "Any Way You Want It," "Send Her My Love," "Open Arms," "Lovin', Touchin, Squeezin'," "Stone In Love," "Who's Crying Now," and probably the most requested song of the night - "Lights." As the night progressed I realized I had forgotten just how many hits Journey had.
  The third and final set of the night was given over to mostly repeats of songs performed in the first set, much to the delight and pleasure of the audience who just didn't seem to want to leave.
  On my way home I tried to analyze just what it is about Journey's music that is so powerful that still drives crowds not only to Journey concerts but also to the Journey tribute shows as well - especially women who outnumbered the men last night three to one (I like those odds!). I finally decided it wasn't any one thing in particular, instead it is the total package - well written songs that are played, sung and performed in a coherent, dynamic presentation - just the way Trial by Fire did it last night.

Feelin' the blues with the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band

The Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band.
(L-R) Kim Shomaker, Darrell Young,
Harvey Dalton Arnold and Tim Carey

  When Steve Hill, manager of the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band, called and invited me to stop by the bands practice, meet the guys and hang out for a while I was thrilled to say the least. Even though the band is based out of Burlington where I live and practices there I had not been able to catch their show yet. I had heard great things about them from many of their peers and fans and was anxious to hear them, so when Steve extended the invite there was no way I would refuse.

  When I arrived the band was in full force, driving through an infectious number that instantly brought a smile to my face. Steve introduced me to the band after they finished the number – Kim Shomaker on lead guitar, Tim Carey on drums, Darrell Young on bass and of course Harvey Dalton Arnold on guitar. Offering me a stool and a beer I sat for the next hour listening to amazing renditions of cover tunes (including an off-the-chain cover of the Beatles “I Want You”) and original material and chatted with the guys about the band and their music. It was evident from the start that these guys are a tight unit, both musically and as friends and each of them play with an enthusiasm and love for the music that makes you realize it is more than just a song to them.
  The band came together in the spring of 2010. Arnold, who found fame early in his career as a member of the 70's rock group The Outlaws, had stopped by Shomaker's guitar store in Burlington one day and they began to jam. In short order they added Young and Carey. Each member is a prodigious talent in their own right but collectively the music HDABB creates is unparalleled. Watching musician's who perform as though they are enraptured by the music they are creating enables the listener to also "get lost" in the music... the performance becomes a drug and the music is the trip. Sitting there watching and listening as these formidable musicians went through their repertoire in practice I could only imagine how infectious their live stage performance would be.
  I plan one day soon to catch the Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band's show and highly recommend that you make plans to do the same. The "trip" will be worth it!

Harlot's Web

  In the spring of 2010 an idea was born when I attended Plum Krazy's annual Spring Fling and saw three different bands that day all fronted by female lead singers. Amazing singers really. Singers who's voices and talents hit me in the gut. Wouldn't it be fantastic to have an all-female band fronted by one or more of these incredibly talented women? For the next few months I mulled it over in my mind, never quite able to get the idea out of my head - and really, I didn't want to. But each of those women were already in a band. What to do, what to do? What if I were to put together an all-female band that would be a side-project, a project that was devoted to a cause and what better cause for an all-female band than breast cancer awareness. The idea stuck with me, caused me to loose sleep at night as I lay thinking about the possibilities.
  Finally I came to a point where I figured I needed to find out if they were interested. Each said they were. I had the singers, now just to find the female band members. In early December 2010 all the pieces seemed to be in place, including a name for the group - Harlot's Web - and practice sessions began. By mid January though it seemed the whole project was falling apart as first one member had to depart and then another until only two were left - lead singer Staci McBeth and drummer Lauren Myers. I was despondent but thankfully Staci and Lauren were committed to the project and wouldn't let it die. With their help guitarist Sharon Davis came on board and original bassist Sal Burnette returned and practice resumed. After the first night of practice it was evident that this lineup was absolutely incredible! They steadfastly progressed, adding song after song to their set list in short order, evolving into an efficacious ensemble of rocker chicks who know how to wrestle the power out of a song and deliver it with force and emotion.
  The presence Harlot's Web has on stage and the high level of musicianship they exhibit would be enough to get audiences through the door, add in the cause they all represent (fighting breast cancer) and venue's will be hard-pressed for room when the doors open. But the poignancy of Harlot's Web is greater than just an all-female band supporting a cause as lead singer Staci McBeth is waging her own personal battle against breast cancer. In the month's since the idea of Harlot's Web first sprouted in my mind I've been blessed to have developed a wonderful friendship with Staci making this band and its' success a very important part of my life.
  Harlot's Web will have their debut as part of a fund raiser for Athena's Fighting Chance, a group dedicated to the cause of finding a cure for Gynecologic Cancer and the Women's Cancer Foundation of Forsyth County. In addition to Harlot's Web, other performers include Ed Clayton, Slawterhaus 5 (featuring Lauren Myers from Easybake and Harlot's Web), and The Burke Street Band! I hope to see you all there, so mark your calenders now!

Harlot's Web is (L-R) Sal Burnette (bass), Sharon Davis (guitar), Lauren Myers (drums) and Staci McBeth (vocals)

A case for recorded music

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Tue-Mar22-2011

      Someone asked me the other day why I was promoting recordings on TriadLiveMusic.com since "Live" is such an important focus of the site as exemplified by the use of the word in the website's name. He was referring of course to the new section we've added to the site for album reviews. As I explained to him, live music fans don't want to hear music just on the night they are able to get out and listen to music performed live. Given the opportunity I'm sure most would like to take that music home with them and enjoy it long after "last call" is announced.
  Recorded music is one more way that music fans can help support and encourage their favorite local music performers. It is also a way to help preserve much of the original music coming out of the Triad for future generations of music fans when we are long gone. In writing and interview local performers I often find myself at a disadvantage as they start recounting past experiences with previous bands they've been involved with since the Triad wasn't my home in the 80's and 90's. So much of the local music of that era is unattainable for me and others like me who have since moved here.
  It is only rarely that I get to listen to samples of that music when I come across songs on the web during my research. Such was the case in February as I was researching Sok Monkee's lead singer Dylan Setzer for the February Artist of the Month series. Dylan had at one time been in several other bands and by luck I came across a recording from his group J-Train that I was able to stream over the internet.
  What I wouldn't do to have a CD of Cerebus, Society's Child, The Good and the Bad, or any act from that era.
So when you see or hear about a group having a CD release party/concert be thankful they have made it to a stage in their career that they are able to produce a product that you can put in your music library.

A special night of music for music friends

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Jan17-2011

Still 3 - (L-R) Troy Jordan, Brian Smith,
Wayne Arrington

    I heard a rumor a couple of weeks ago that my friend Wayne Arrington and his project band Still 3 with Troy Jordan and Brian Smith were going to be playing a gig so I set my mind to making sure I went to hear them. What I didn't understand at the time I heard about it was that it was a birthday party. So when I called Wayne's girlfriend Staci at the last minute to find out where it was they were playing I was disheartened to discover it was a private party. "Let me call and see if it's okay," she texted me. About ten minutes later she did in fact texted me back that I was welcome and she emailed the directions to me.
  Now I'm not one to go crashing parties but I really wanted to hear Still 3 play again. So I headed to the party to indulge my apetite for live music. Turns out the party was at the house of an acquaintance I had made at Plum Krazy's last year and the birthday party was for him and also for Brian Smith, the drummer for both Still 3 and the ever popular Sok Monkee.
  As I walked in I immediately realized that this wasn't going to be just any birthday party. I spied a number of musicians in addition to the guys of Still 3. Staci McBeth (formerly of Kitty Hawk), George Owens (Native Soul, Big Daddy Diesel, Magazyne), Toy Stewart, and Dylan Setzer (Sok Monkee) just to name a few.
Still 3 took the stage (actually just the floor space in the living room) and laid into some jammin' covers, played a few songs and took a break then came back after a bit and did it again. The third time up they invited some of the guest to come jam with them. Staci stepped up and did several songs including Heart's "Barracuda." Dylan took the mike and performed Alice In Chains' "Check My Brain" and lastly George stepped up and took over guitar from Wayne for a few songs.
  But what made this night extra special was that this was performers performing for the simple love of performing, not for an audience per se but for their peers - relaxed and comfortable in an intimate setting.
  As for Still 3, this trio of long-time friends who have jammed together for over twenty years, is a powerful ensemble of talent. Brian's drum work is ever impressive and was put to the test on the last song of the evening - Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher," a song the trio had not performed before. Brian's flying sticks were a blur as he powered through the song in magnificent fashion. Troy on bass is a wonder to behold. You may recall that I had written about him in one of my first blogs (click here to read that blog) and he is still in my opinion one of the finest bass players I have ever seen. As I said then and I say again - just watching him perform always puts a smile on my face. Every note on his bass is delivered with an excitement and joy of playing to a degree which I have never witnessed before in any other musician. Pure magic. As for Wayne... well Wayne takes guitar to another level entirely. I have many friends who are expert guitar players who I love to see and hear perform, but Wayne's playing is in a stratsphere of it's own. The quality, timing, notes, everything he does on the guitar is the manifestation of perfection.
  Troy (who was most recently with Magazyne) told me he was excited about the coming year musically, saying that the trio have designs on playing together a little more this year after only doing a handfull of gigs last year. Still 3 is truly a brotherhood of musicians, a brotherhood of friends and equals, a brotherhood thriving on the love of music for no purpose other than the joy and love that music gives them.

Photo Courtesy of Susan Kiser McBride

An open mic gold mine

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Dec09-2010

    It was about 6:00 pm or so and I like an old man (that I am NOT!) I was already dressed for bed and just relaxing around the house when my phone rang. It was Ginger, one of my dearest friends. It seemed that her husband who used to play guitar in a band, but hadn't played in fifteen years, had been bit by the music bug once again and wanted to try an open mic night but was nervous about it. "Would you go with him tonght and give him an honest opinion?" she asked. Without reservation or hesitation I replied "Absolutely." So off the pajama's came and back on with the jeans and shirt and I hit the road. After finding the first venue wasn't having open mic that night as advertised we decided to try the Flatiron in Greensboro. I had never been to the Flatiron before but the venue was on my list to eventually get to. But what I discovered there that night was a gold mine of musical offerings. Now mind you, these artists are not likely going to be found one day on top 40 radio or on arena concert stages - but you just never know.
As we sat and listened to the first several acts the host came over and told my friend he would follow the lady who was just then taking the stage. Her name was Vicki Genfan and as she started in on her three song set it was apparent that she was no amateur. Vicki's acoustic guitar had a beautiful tonal quality to it but she also used it as her percussion instrument by slapping the body and the strings - often simultaneously - and producing a beautiful, unique sound. Vicki's slap guitar playing method was actually "invented" by jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan but I had never actually seen anyone who used the method so well. Amid much applause the host eagerly requested just one more song which Vicki gladly did, playing a delightful rendition of the Beatles "Norwegian Wood."
When Vicki was done we chatted with her for a little bit. As it turns out she was Guitar Player Magazine's "Guitar Superstar of 2008" and was actually enjoying a night off from her current tour and happened to be in Virginia that day and on a whim looked up open mic nights in Greensboro, the closest city to where she was at the time, and settled on the Flatiron to go and "enjoy her day off" from her tour.
And my friend? Well, made even more nervous about playing because he had to follow Vicki, he took the stage, launched into his set and performed three original songs that awed me and made me wonder how he could play and sing so well after not playing for fifteen years (check out the video of one of his songs I recorded and put on YouTube by clicking here).
Live music on the weekends is great but if you want to catch original live music try one of the area's weeknight open mic events - then send me a note to say thank you for turning you on to it!

Giving Thanks for Music A top 10 list of music related things & people I'm thankful for.

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Nov26-2010

    I hadn't plan to update the website anymore this week because of the holiday but sitting here at my computer the night before I get to stuff my face with a fantastic meal that someone else labored over I thought maybe I should jot down some thoughts about what I am thankful for. So, here are my top ten music things I am thankful for this year.
10. The Venue's. Yeah, I know Plum Krazy's is closed now and Frank the owner says he's looking for a new location to reopen, but whether he does or doesn't I'm still thankful for the place because it was where I first got to hear many of the local live bands for the first time. And I'm thankful for Boomr'z in Winston-Salem, my first advertisers and a great venue to listen and see a band perform and especially because they stock Cruzan Dark Rum just for me!
9. TriadLiveMusic.com. This website has been my salvation on several levels. In the months after I lost my job last year I had plenty of time on my hands in-between looking for a new job each day. I figured I was already doing the research each week trying to figure out what groups were playing at which venues. The information was out there but nothing seemed to be comprehensive enough. The alternative rags either didn't cover east of Greensboro or they and their websites weren't updated often enough, so I figured I could do a better job. And I feel I have.
8. Friends. I've always been rather introverted. Being a "wall flower" was more my reparte when I'd go out to hear live music. While I'm still pretty much a wallflower, just sitting back watching and listening to the music, having TLM has given me reason to meet people - many who are now very close friends I have come to depend on greatly.
7. The Performers. Of course I'm thankful for the people who are the reason for TLM but I'm especially thankful for several performers who regularly give me a "shout out" for TLM when I walk into a venue. Chris Rimmer of Down N Dirty and Staci McBeth of Kitty Hawk are two that come to mind readily and there are others as well.
6. Clay Howard. Before I met Clay my dear friend Cathi told me about him and described him perfectly when she stated that he was "one of the good guys." I am thankful to Clay not only for the encouragement he has given me but also because his voice is one of the few I've heard that does justice to the Beatle's songs. But whether he's performing his acoustic show or with his originals rock band Stratocruiser, Clay's music just brightens my life.
5. Cathi Wellmon. Cathi isn't a musician even though she does sing but I am thankful for her because of her infectious and critical love of music. When I watch the film "Almost Famous" I think of Cathi because of a line Sapphire says to Russell: "They don't even know what it is to be a fan. Y'know? To truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts." That's Cathi, and I'm thankful for her love of music.
4. Harlot's Web. This is an all-female group (Staci McBeth, Suzi Nelson, Lydia Sue Pierce, Lauren Myers, Sal Burnette, Jill Goodson and Shari Strader) I am putting together to do a handful of shows next year for breast cancer awareness and research. I am thankful for the ladies who have agreed to be a part of this project and the enthusiasm they are showing, but the sense of accomplishment and purpose I have derived from putting this together is something that I shall forever be thankful for.
3. Live Music. It is after all what this site is about. From local cover bands like Sok Monkee and Koozie or original bands like Dreamkiller, Jody Lee Petty or Stratocruiser to concerts like Nickelback, Carolina Liar or Unknown Hinson - live music is alive and well in the Triad and I am thankful for each show I get to see and hear.
2. Staci McBeth. Probably more than anyone else Staci's encouragement when I first got TLM off the ground validated the efforts I put into the website. Blessed with an incredible voice I am thankful every single day to have heard her sing. Her voice can lift my spirit to lofty heights and one day, lord willing, she'll record an album so I won't have to wait for a show to hear her.
1. Ginger Bullins-Phillips. I've always had a love of music of all kinds but for years I had allowed myself to be vanquished to a place of musical stagnation in order to apease my ex-wife. But then I met Ginger and she introduced me to music I didn't even know existed. I hadn't even realized it but the music beast within me had been starving for years and once Ginger fed me a cornucopia of music from T.I. (rap) to Buckcherry, Nickelback, Incubus and Audioslave and even country, my appetite became insatiable and still is. It is a thirst for music that grabs me on the inside and drives my emotions to an almost spiritual frenzy that gives me my greatest joy and for that I have Ginger to thank.
Merry Thanxgiving!

Get out of your live music comfort zone.

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Oct25-2010

The Allison King Band

    Each week it is difficult to decide just who I want to go hear or where I want to go to hear music. On the one hand I'm a live music fan and I want to have a good time, drink a few beers and enjoy good music and whatever mood I'm in might dictate what kind of music I will go hear. But it's not just about the music either... it's also about the venue. Because atmosphere is key to the enjoyment of music I will consider heavily the atmosphere of the venues and how that will make the engagement more enjoyable for me. But if I left it at that I would probably settle on three or four venues for convenience sake and end up not venturing further afield to taste a wider pallet of musical fare and since I write about the bands and venues I know I must refrain from hearing the same bands and going to the same venues week after week.
    To keep from getting into that rut I try to balance my personal taste in live music with the necessities of covering new and different bands and venues to share with you. In other words I'll treat myself to a performance I want to hear one night and then attend a performance to write about that week too.
    It is as a result of the desire to find that balance and seek out new and different venues and artists that I found myself at Noma in Winston-Salem the other night to hear the Allison King Band. I had never been to Noma (an upscale little restaurant on 4th Street in downtown Winston) nor had I ever heard the Allison King Band. Neither was what I expected - and in this instance that was a good thing. Though small, Noma is a nice facility with lots of TV's, decent bar and a patio area out front that smokers can use. But the band... for some reason I had it in my head that the Allison King Band was country. I couldn't have been more wrong. While the four members of this quartet are all adept at their respective instruments, it was the set list that proved to be most exciting to me. It wasn't the average rock or pop set list that you would expect to hear from a cover band, instead I was treated to the likes of Todd Rundgren ("Hello, It's Me") and Sly & the Family Stone ("Thank You For Lettin' Me Be Mice Elf") mixed in with more popular standards such as Fleetwood Mac ("Rhiannon").
    The point is that it is good to step out of your comfort zone at least once in a while. Go hear a group you haven't heard before or go to a venue you've never been to before. Chances are you'll be pleasantly surprised and might find some new favorite music.

Even local live music has to have a few rules

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Mon-Aug23-2010

    This past weekend was a great weekend for live music in the Triad, but for at least one group it was a bad weekend as well. While our area is truly blessed with some extraordinary talent it is unfortunate that some performers feel they are above the rules and above everyone else. There is no good that can come of naming names, rather it should be enough to know that while a band or a performer is allowed to have eccentricities, they still must adhere to the same rules and laws as everyone else. Every performer has a responsibility to adhere to both the law as well as a venue's rules, rules that usually are the result of law and enforced, be it by the Fire Marshall, the police or the Alcohol Law Enforcement officer. It only takes one jack-wagon of a performer to ruin a good evening of music for everyone.
So to help out here are a few "rules" to have or enjoy a successful performance:
1) Don't bring food or beverages INTO a venue that serves food and beverages. Only low-life degenerates without any class or style at all would even think of doing that - yet it happened this past weekend. If you can't drink or eat what they serve then at the very least drink or eat it before you enter the establishment.
2) Tip your bartender, waiter or waitress and be generous. Of course if they offer poor service you need to let the management know. And for bartenders waiters and waitresses - if you can't be courteous then please find another line of work. Even for a rude customer you should still be courteous and let the management deal with them.
3) Performers - leave your dirty laundry at home. If you are a performer and your ex shows up at a gig and starts causing problems have security throw them out, don't let them engage you in arguments or fights while you are performing.
4) This one is similar to the previous one - If your significant other shows up at your gig and doesn't know how to control their drinking and starts causing a scene, then don't interfere when the management cuts them off or throws them out.
5) Don't smoke while performing at an indoor venue. Yea, we all know smokers have rights too but the law is the law - don't light up while performing on an inside stage.
6) Just because the night isn't going your way is no reason to not finish your show. Be a professional, hell, be an adult and finish what you were hired to do and perform to the best of your abilities and for the length of time you were hired to perform.
7) Be aware that at some venues there may still be children in the audience, such as at a restaurant club. Vulgar language and inuendo may be fun for the late adult crowd but be responsible enough to tone it down for the earlier evening shows.
8) Dancers - be aware of your space. It's okay to once in a while bump into someone, we all do, but when your dancing resembles a floppy dervish with arms and legs flailing all about you really need to either sit down or take it outside where there is room to whirl and jump and jerk about.
9) Lastly... don't drink and drive. I know, it almost sounds cliche now, but don't do it. Make sure you have a designated driver or if you plan to drink heavy and you drive then give the keys to the bartender to keep until you're sober enough to drive. You can't go hear great live music if you are behind bars or six feet under.
Oh I'm sure there are other rules or "suggestions" we could list but I think you get the point. Be considerate of others and everyone will have a great live music experience.

Venues need to consider what they want before hiring bands

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Children of Karma

Mon-Jul26-2010

    No one likes to get the short end of the stick and even if a venue doesn't charge a cover for the evenings entertainment doesn't mean they should offer patrons less than their best. I live in Burlington which is a good fifty minute drive to some of the venues on the other side of the Triad, so when I decide to travel that distance to see a popular local group perform then I expect an engaging evening, not only from the band but the venue as well. That was not the case this past Saturday night. Oh the band, Children of Karma, was great and we had a good time listening to the music they performed. The venue however seemed to not understand what is required to host a musical act. To start the evening off the band had to wait almost an hour out on the street for the dining area to clear so that they could set up. So a show that would normally start around 10:15 didn't start til after 11 pm. That meant no sound check other than their first song. This particular venue is divided so that the dining and bar areas are in two different rooms. If you are going to have a band play at your venue they should be playing on the bar side, not the dining side. But the real kick in the groin for this night was when the bartender came in and asked the band to lower the volume - that they were too loud. Now, as I was sitting in the front row I can tell you with a certainty that the volume was already below what I would have expected it to be and to have the band lower it even more was just plain insulting to the band.
    Admittedly there are several reasons that factor into the lack of audiences at some venues lately. Most of those reasons start with the economy being so poor, but bands and venues can also contribute to the poor turnout, usually by lack of advertising and promotion, but when a venue doesn't know what the hell they are doing or what they expect when they hire a band then that is a major problem. The venue in question would be much better off either not having live music or switching to acoustic performances rather than an amped up band. As it was, the venue game me the impression that having Children of Karma perform was an afterthought and that is very degrading to COK, who deserve much better treatment than that.

Ten-0-One: a sports bar with a side of music

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes. 

Mon-Jul12-2010

    When my friend Staci McBeth of Kitty Hawk threatened me with my life if I didn't make it out to see them play Friday at the Ten-0-One sports bar in Winston-Salem I had to make a tough decision... okay, it really wasn't a tough decision, actually it was a no-brainer. Any chance to go see and hear Kitty Hawk is a treat I wouldn't want to pass up on if at all possible.
    We arrived in downtown Winston just as the crowd that come down to see the Dash play was letting out. I had never been to Ten-0-One before so I wasn't at all sure of where I was going in the dark other than to find Burke Street. But with the help of Google Maps on my iPhone I found it easily enough and from there it was a simple drive down the short street to where the crowd was.
    The venue enjoys the "after-the-ballgame crowd" on regular nights but with a spacious dance floor and decent enough stage area (for a venue its size), Ten-0-One easily transforms itself a hot little venue for live music. Because of its location the establishment enjoys a healthy mix of patrons, from baseball fans who don't want to end their evening after the last out to nearby residents who are in the mood for some late evening entertainment. The crowd on this night was a good mix of ages, sex and races, a feat that doesn't happen often with live music venues.
    As Kitty Hawk rocked on into the night the dance floor stayed full, or nearly full, giving the band a grand dose of energy to feed off of with each new song.
    The one negative aspect of the venue is that in order to enter you have to walk through the outside smoking area which means that for non-smokers entering the venue must endure a few brief moments of the odor from the smoking patrons - a small price to pay to be able to enjoy live music inside without the stench of smoke.
    The staff at Ten-0-One is fast and courteous, keeping patrons drinks filled and tables cleared of empty bottles and glasses. TV's, pool tables and dart boards allow patrons to enjoy more than just the music.
    For those who live on the west side of the Triad, Ten-0-One provides a wonderful little escape for those seeking a different experience in nightly entertainment.

Everybody loves them some Cheebo

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Cheebo

Sat-Jun14-2010

    The first time I caught some of Koozie's music was last year but I was only able to stay for a couple of songs before I had to leave. Those couple of songs though were enough to make me vow to catch them live again as soon as I could. Since that time I have made good on that vow a few times. Koozie is in my opinion one of the top three or four bands in the Triad area. But the band itself draws it's persona and public identity from their front man, a performer who goes by the single moniker of "Cheebo." Sporting long hair fashioned into dreadlocks, baggy clothes and always a drink in one hand, Cheebo's appearance is instantly identifiable but his voice, one of the strongest in the triad, is one which can wrap itself around the lyrics of any song and make it instantly a Koozie song.
    During the week I had built up Cheebo and Koozie so much to my date Friday I had started to worry I might have built them up so high that she would expect too much and be disappointed. Thankfully Cheebo and company didn't disappoint and she was sufficiently impressed, enjoying the music and the outlet to dance it provided her.
    As the band took to the stage for their opening set at After Hours Tavern Friday night, the crowd was thin in number and I worried that the event may not have been publicized enough during the week, but as the set continued on the crowd increased and bodies were moving en masse on the dance floor. Cheebo doesn't jump around on stage, prance back and forth or even move very much, he doesn't have too - his vocal work is a magnetic force that reworks the songs the band covers, songs from artists as varied as the Eagles, Commodores, Steve Miller Band, Kid Rock, Alice In Chains, and Nickelback. But don't make the mistake of thinking you'll hear a duplication of the original artists songs, once Cheebo and Koozie lay into a tune they "own" it, often merging multiple songs from different artists together into one and just as often Cheebo melds his special blend of "normal" vocals with the rage of "screamo" and the result is off the chain!
   Much too soon, the 2:00 am last call came and with it Koozie wrapped up their final set. But once more I vowed to catch Koozie again at the next opportunity I have. I think my date will like that too. ;)

Staci McBeth makes it her own

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Staci McBeth

Sat-May15-2010

    I had been planning on going to see the Winston-Salem based group Kitty Hawk all week long but when Friday came I wasn't sure I'd make it because I was physically exhausted from going out every night to listen to music. But I managed to get in a couple of naps during the day and felt good enough to head out to Plum Krazy's to listen to a song or two and call it an early night. Right.
    I wanted to hear Kitty Hawk again because the first time they were in an outdoor venue and the sound was not very good but they were good enough that I wanted to give them a second shot. Thankfully I did. Not only did I listen to a couple of songs but I ended up staying the entire show. It was a good night for music.
    Each member of KittyHawk - Hal Martin (Bass), Tommy Arrington (Drums), Wayne Arrington (Lead Guitar), and Daniel Forrest (Guitar/Keyboards) are seasoned musicians and bring extraordinary talent to the performance. It is, however, lead singer Staci McBeth that creates and provides the dynamic force which the band and audience feeds off of. McBeth's vocals are a powerful instrument that she wields with authority. Most rock and pop songs are written to be sung by men and I don't mean the lyrics so much as I mean the vocal range and styling. Because of this it is difficult at best for a woman to front a rock band singing cover songs and keep it from being distracting. Let's face it - when you hear a band cover a popular tune you want and expect it to be what you hear on the radio and when it's not it just isn't very good - unless the performers make the song "their own." This is exactly why Staci is so good - she is able to make the songs normally sung by men "her own." Take for example the Tom Petty song "Refugee" which KittyHawk covers, a song sung and written to be sung by a males range. Yet when KittyHawk laid into "Refugee" it instantly became "their" song behind Staci's vocals.
    Of course it takes the band to enable her to do that but she is the one out front so if the song fails she is the one that takes the heat for it and on this night the only heat involved was what she was giving in her performance, a performance of covers that she "made her own."

Troy Jordan - a pure musician

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Troy Jordan

Sun-May02-2010

     The first time I had the pleasure of experiencing Troy Jordan perform was as the bass player for the rock cover group Magazyne. Now I've seen a lot of good bass players and a few great ones, but I don't believe I've ever come across a bass player who so successfully combines a great skill on his instrument while simultaneously displaying such pure joy while doing it. To watch Troy perform is just as entertaining as it is listening to his musicianship.
    Since I first discovered him I have learned that he not only is the bass player for Magazyne but also puts in appearances with several different groups from time to time, most recently as part of the trio Still 3 that performed at this year's Spring Fling at Plum Krazy's. With whatever incarnation of a group Troy performs with he plays with the same joy for each. His exuberance exhausts you because being in the audience you can't help but to move your head, shake your butt or stomp your feet along with him.
    I was nearby the stage this weekend as Troy, Brian and Wayne performed and then broke down their equipment and hauled it out and each time he passed by, drenched in sweat, he had the most childlike expressions of joy on his face, as though he had just completed a personal tour of Santa's workshop and was so thrilled he wanted to turn around and do it all again. Now that's not to say that Brian and Wayne's performance were lacking, they definitely were not, it is just that Troy takes his performance to another level entirely.
    So if you look on TriadLiveMusic.com's calendar and see Magazyne, Still 3 or any of the other incarnations that include Troy Jordan, be sure to mark it down and go. Thank you Troy for another inspirational performance.

Vocals vs. Instruments

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Chad Kroeger of Nickelback

Mon-Apr20-2010

  Maybe it is because I speak from ignorance since I am not a musician - just a music fan, but I don't understand why groups have to perform their music so loud that it drowns out the vocals and makes the words unintelligible. Now before you go and start saying I'm just an old fart let me just say that I love my music to be loud, but I also like the equilibrium of both the vocals and the instrumentation. Recently I was at the Greene Street Club and heard Chris Stanfield and the Naturals - an energetic show to be sure, but the instrument sound excelled the vocal sound too much and forced me to have to try and lip read the lyrics as he sang.
  Even more recently - last weekend as a matter of fact - I was at the Greensboro Coliseum for the Nickelback show. Both the Sick Puppies and Breaking Benjamin opened for Nickelback. The music was excellent but the vocals were drowned out by the instruments for both opening acts, yet when Nickelback came on stage the balance between instruments and vocals was perfect. I could hear every word of every song as clearly as if he were speaking them and the music was just as clear and pristine and powerful.
  So what exactly is it about performers that they so often way overdo the sound to drown out the vocals? Is it the fault of the personnel working the sound? Do the performers just feel that the instrumentation is so much more important than the vocals? I don't know the answer but I'm thankful that for the butt-load of money I shelled out for Nickelback tickets that they at least had fantastic sound.

Open Mic Nights in the Triad

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.  

Open mic night at
the Blind Tiger

Thu-Mar26-2010

  If you are just an ordinary top 40 kind of a music lover then Open Mic nights at local clubs and bars are probably not going to get you excited. However, if you are a true music devotee then Open Mic nights are the real meat and potatoes of live music. It is where performers get to iron out the wrinkles in their act, or test out a new song on an audience, or experiment with new musical ideas or better yet, get to just jam with other musicians that they may not normally associate with. I've been to several open mic nights locally and I've seen and heard a wealth of musical styles and talent. The Blind Tiger in Greensboro probably has the most diverse open mic night, likely due to it's proximity to the area universities, and is able to reap the benefits of young artists as they grow, mature in their musical journeys. The key word with open mic nights is diversity. Where you are apt to experience a kaleidoscope of musical genres, other venues are more likely to have a narrower scope. Plum Krazy's open mic night, while diverse, is not so eclectic yet every bit as entertaining as the Tiger lineups. If you've never been to an open mic night, take some time and get out and experience it - a true music lover wouldn't miss it.

Chris Stanfield & the Naturals

NOTE: This blog was published on the date shown at www.TriadLiveMusic.com and is reposted here for archival purposes.

Chris Stanfield

Mon-Mar29-2010

  When Chris Stanfield and the Naturals took the stage Saturday night at Greene Street Club to open for Unknown Hinson I was cautiously optimistic, as I am about any performer I've never seen or heard before. The Rockingham County raised Stanfield and ensemble are guttural and raw, just the kind of sound and performance that you imagine the early rock and rollers delivered. Stanfield's voice certainly won't ever find an audience with the "American Idol" crowd who likes their music clean and syrupy, but he will find a following in the hard-core rock and roll groupies who thrive on raw, forceful and edgy performances which Stanfield delivers in spades. His screaming style of singing is only enhanced by the way in which he delivers each song - with vein-bulging force that you feel the need to call the paramedics just in case he forces and aneurism. It was a performance that left me exhausted just watching and when it was over I figured he had to have burned off more calories than I do on a treadmill in a week!