Urge Overkill, The Last Vegas, Hot Young Priest Well, if you missed last weeks exclusive interview with Nash Kato of Urge Overkill, heres a recap:
After an eight-year break, the Chicago alternative rockers (known best for radio hits like Sister Havana and Girl, Youll Be A Woman Soon from the Pulp Fiction soundtrack) have reunited and are touring the world in advance of recording an all-new album. Fans of over-the-top power-pop with a punk edge will not want to miss this rare small club show.
Opening act The Last Vegas hails from Chicago as well. Theyre an equally outsized rock machine that smells like a cross between The Stooges and Guns N Roses with a little bit of early Motley CrÜe thrown in for good measure. A band that glorifies degenerates, they have opened for Nashville Pussy, The Forty-Fives, Rev. Horton Heat, Turbonegro, the late Wesley Willis and more.
Atlantas Hot Young Priest, on the other hand, have just begun to travel outside their hometown, but theyve already racked up tons of accolades. Athens notoriously picky Flagpole Magazine calls them the best new band form Atlanta in several years, and Southeast Performer called them a Babes in Toyland for the Jucifer generation. Others have compared them this noisy female-fronted trio to The Breeders. Tickets are $12 at the door, which opens at 9 pm. Wed., The Jinx.
Shady Deal This up-and-coming Oxford, Mississippi (by way of tiny Sikeston, Missouri) jam group sounds far more experienced than could be reasonably expected given the bandmembers relative youth.
Formed in mid-1999 as a high school garage band with relatively low expectations, it took vocalist/guitarist Jesse Hammock, drummer Austin Marshall, lead guitarist Jake Curtis, and bassist Mason Watkins over three years to take the plunge and make this band their life.
The turning point was hooking up with keyboardist James Pendley, whose swirling Hammond organ tones help hold the tunes together and elevate the band into the realm of the far above average.
With a solid rep as an in-demand party band on their home turf, theyve recently begun to branch out, touring throughout the Southeast and finding exuberant audiences in such lauded organic rock scenes as Macon and Athens, Georgia.
Their acceptance in Athens must surely taste sweet for the group, who unabashedly mine the same territory as the Classic Citys hometown heroes Widespread Panic. In fact, at times on their debut album, youd be tempted to think you were listening to early studio outtakes by that superstar group.
However, Lift also sounds a lot like the long-gone Mississippi road dogs Beanland, which isnt surprising, considering that it was produced by Beanlands legendary producer Jim Dickinson whos also tickled the keys and manned the boards for everyone from The Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin to Big Star and The Replacements (not to mention the fact that his sons make up the core of The North Mississippi Allstars).
Says the always-colorful Dickinson, These ol boys are chomping at the bit and raring to go. Taste the beer. Smell the BBQ. This is the real thing. You are listening to the future. Fri., JJ Cagneys.
Murphy’s Law, The Pietasters So much time has passed since the heyday of the early 80s NYC hardcore scene, that its easy to forget just how revolutionary and groundbreaking it sounded at the time.
While the vast majority of the bands that played key roles in that trendsetting movement died and were laid to rest long ago, a handful are still in operation, and most notorious among those still kicking is Murphys Law.
Despite numerous lineup changes, frontman Jimmy G has remained at the helm of this powerhouse punk band, and for the most part kept his eyes on the prize. Most recently, the band has recorded with legendary producer Daniel Rey (known for his work with The Ramones, The Misfits and White Zombie).
Almost two decades ago, an earlier incarnation of the band was slated to open for Fishbone and The Beastie Boys at the Savannah Civic Center (thats a mind-blower, huh?), but cancelled at the last minute. While theres probably less than two dozen people left in town who remember that gig, nows their chance for a make good date.
Opening act The Pietasters began on a lark back in 1990 as a cover band specializing in tunes by Madness, The Specials, Bad Brains, The Skatalites, and other popular punk/ska hybrid groups. By 1993, the D.C.-area group had bought an old school bus and began touring.
After earning opening slots for the likes of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, they were signed to the HellCat/Epitaph label, and have since gone on to play The Warped Tour, and open for The Clashs late, great Joe Strummer on one of his last European outings.
This eight-piece group (with a full horn section) is at the top of their game, and should make an already worthwhile show even better. Tues., The Jinx.
This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2004.