Annie Allman
Annies a multi-instrumentalist who shines on guitar, bass, drums and percussion. She honed her skills during years on the New York jazz scene, and is in great demand locally for all manner of gigs. Sun., 7 pm, Jazzd Tapas Bar.
Big Engine
This hard-hitting classic and modern rock cover band from Jacksonville is quite possibly the most popular group that regularly plays this nice, adult-oriented nightspot. While some may appreciate the groups diverse setlist and professional stage presence, others will get a kick out of the fact that this gang of bar-band veterans also includes the original bass player of fabled Southern rockers Molly Hatchet… Sat., 10:30 pm, The Oyster Bar (Wilmington Island).
Bluesonics
One of the areas longest-running party bands, Bluesonics have gone through a handful of different lineups over the years, but their commitment to offering unpretentious, straight-up electric blues remains. This bass, drums and guitar trio can always be counted on for a solid and captivating live show that doesnt let up. Fri., Savannah Blues.
Bottles & Cans
Raw, gut-bucket blues unit in the Fat Possum vein. That means plenty of swampy, driving grooves that veer into flat out rock territory. If you dig the loose, emotional delivery of Chicagos famed hell-raiser Hound Dog Taylor or Delta icon R.L. Burnside, you may appreciate this local quartet of guitar, bass, drums and mouth harp. Thurs. + Sat., Savannah Blues.
Brock Butler
Solo set form the frontman/guitarist of Perpetual Groove. Expect lots of psychedelic and classic rock covers (as well as arrangements of P-Groove numbers) augmented with a variety of electronic effects. Wed., Savannah Blues + Thurs., 6 pm, Felipés Mexican Restaurant.
Thomas Claxton
Solo acoustic versions of classic and modern rock hits, played and sung with gusto by the frontman of local hard rock act The Long Awaited. Thurs., Bernies on River St. + Fri., 5:30 pm, The Warehouse + Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Bayou Café.
The Sarah Colvin Ensemble
Delightful, understated Jacksonville-based jazz vocalist backed by a sympathetic pianist and standup bassist who really know how to swing. Thurs., 8 pm, The Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Chuck & Bucky
Chucks one half of The Courtenay Brothers, a popular local acoustic cover act that specializes in lightweight country, pop and rock tunes. Bucky Bryant is a longtime fixture on the Savannah bar and restaurant scene whos known for his ace vocal harmonies. They both play guitar and sing lead on a variety of well-known radio hits and underrated gems. Wed., 7 pm, The Island Grill (Pt. Wentworth). Jason Courtenay
Solo acoustic country show from this local singer and budding songwriter, who also fronts The Hazzard County Band. Wed. 7 pm, Driftaway Café (Wilmington Island).
Eric Culberson Blues Band
Savannahs best-known blues guitarist has released two internationally-acclaimed albums and is readying a third. His style owes much to Freddie King and Albert Collins. Tues. (hosts Open Mic) – Wed., Mercury Lounge + Fri. – Sat., JJ Cagneys.
Eat Mo’ Music
Funky instrumental dance grooves and soul jazz from a local quintet of trumpet, bass, drums, guitar and trombone. Fri. – Sat., 9:30 pm, Il Pasticcio.
Frank Emerson
Traditional and contemporary Celtic tunes and pop hits, sung and played on acoustic guitar by a longtime local solo act. Wed. – Tues., Kevin Barrys.
Bob Erickson
This former member of Souled Out, Bluesonics and The Navigators, is a talented guitarist with an imposing presence and a powerful voice. His repertoire includes Texas swing blues, rock and even Parrothead-friendly Calypso music. Sun., afternoon show, Stingrays (Tybee).
The Hazzard County Band
Electric band mixing country and rock covers and originals featuring locals Jason Courtenay, Jesse Jordan, Tim Burke, Chuck Courtenay, and G.E. Perry. Sat., 9:30 pm, Tubbys (Thunderbolt). High Velocity
Southern and classic rock covers and originals played with vim and vigor by a group of seasoned pros. Theyre appearing as part of a multi-band event. Sat., 5 pm, Richmond Hill Youth Festival.
Industrial Resurrection
This weekly event caters to the local goth music crowd, but is open to all. It features a rotating cast of live DJs that specialize in spinning techno, industrial, and synth-pop (but sometimes throw in some retro 80s and darkwave as well). Many participants show up in fetish-related gear like fishnets, leather, vinyl or cold cuts (that last ones probably not true), and voyeuristic activities abound. This week, live band Mono-Crow makes an appearance, along with celebrated local turntablist DJ Shrapnel. Thurs., 10 pm, Club One.
The Foxedos Present: Clay McKay
This monthly anti-folk showcase is curated by Superhorse and GAM frontman Keith Kozel, who along with multi-instrumentalists Sebastian Edwards and Ricardo Ochoa back up a different local musician each time out. This edition features Clay McKay, a longtime Savannah resident whos known more for his two-dimensional art than his music (hes an esteemed tattooist and painter). However, Kozel cites Clays trancelike, assiduously psychedelic forays into looped and found sound collage as an inspiration. Thurs., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
Old-Time Music Jam Session
Part music lesson, part open hoot, this free weekly get-together is run by Joe Nelson, who plays a variety of stringed instruments, and lives to keep the flame of old, weird American music alive. Mon., 7 pm, The Sentient Bean. Savannah Brass Trio
Local jazz group playing a free, City-sponsored lunchtime concert in the bank square on Bull Street. Fri., 11:30 pm – 1:30 pm) Johnson Square.
She Alice
Female-fronted party band (featuring members of The Positions and The Sapphire Bullets), playing popular dance-oriented favorites from artists such as Kool & The Gang, The Pretenders, Pink and (ahem) Sugar Ray. Fri., 9 pm, The Oyster Bar (Wilmington Island).
“Georgia Kyle” Shiver
Excellent blues and folk-based singer/songwriter whos a member of Tybees Back River Ramblers, and has released a few albums of accomplished, introspective acoustic tunes. Wed., 9 pm, Fiddlers Crab House + Thurs., 7:30 pm, Fannies On The Beach (Tybee) + Fri., 7 pm, A.J.s Dockside Restaurant (Tybee) + Fri., 10 pm, Café Loco (Tybee)
Too Blue
Electric blues duo of singing guitarists Jeff Beasley and Ray Lundy (Bottles & Cans), who are sometimes accompanied by a tight rhythm section. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Jazzd Tapas Bar.
The Trainwrecks
Ad hoc trio of raspy-voiced guitarist Jason Bible, bass player Eric Dunn and Hazel Virtue drummer Mark Kuhlmann. Lets hope the name came first… Thurs., Finnegans Wake.
Voodoo Soup
Greasy, swamp-rock combo (featuring members of The Permanent Tourists and The Greg Williams Band) that takes great delight in jamming long and hard on a seemingly endless number of rock, blues and soul covers. Wed., JJ Cagneys. Whiskey Dick
The nom de plume of Jinx bartender Tony Beasley, WDs stage persona is that of a grizzled, rode-hard boozehound whos unafraid to call it like he sees it with regard to life, liberty and the pursuit of romance. Slowly branching out from solo acoustic guitar gigs to a more fully-fleshed out alt.country sound, hell be backed up by a motley crew of local ringers on original tunes that are obviously patterned after the outlaw songbooks of Willie, Kris, David Allan and Thopall. Sat., 10 pm, The Jinx.
The Greg Williams Band
Williams is a poetic singer/songwriter whose band is a forceful, roadhouse-style blues-rock unit that shines brightest on the kind of high-energy, vaguely Southern 70s guitar rave-ups typified by The Black Crowes or Robin Trower. The majority of their sets are originals drawn from Williams critically-acclaimed indie CDs. Wed., 9 pm, Fiddlers Crab House.
Yancy & The Breakneck Quartet
Local rock/hip-hop hybrid thats more mellow than metal and more pasta than conch. The guitar/bass/drums/keys lineup can crank up and throw down when required, but seems geared more to jazzy fusion-esque vamps (which sometimes incorporate live samples). One of the more intriguing of the current crop of SCAD-based groups. Sat., Locos Deli & Pub.
This article appears in Jul 27 – Aug 3, 2005.