A Nickel Bag Of Funk
Up-and-coming local female-fronted soul and groove band playing popular tunes from artists who define the genre. Sat., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub + Sun., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee).
Acoustic Ladyland
Unplugged offshoot of local houserockin blues act Bottles & Cans. Sat., 10 pm, Molly MacPhersons Scottish Pub.
Jeff Beasley
Beasley sings, plays guitar and percussion, touching on jazz, blues and early rock. Sun., noon, City Market Courtyard.
The Equinox Jazz Quartet
Local straight-ahead jazz and hard-bop led by a recently transplanted Louisiana saxman. Sat., 9 pm, Jazzd Tapas Bar.
Mary Davis & Company
Acoustic pop, rock and soul covers from a stripped-down version of Wilmington Islands Band In The Park. Thurs., 7 pm, Baja Cantina (The Landings).
Eat Mo Music
Instrumental soul jazz quintet (featuring wah guitar and trombone) made up of area music educators. Fri., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.
High Velocity
Southern rock, classic rock, and modern C & W covers from scene veterans. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Tommys (Pooler).
The Hitmen
Energetic and manic electric blues power trio, featuring guitarist Hitman Bernard. Sat., 10 pm, The Rail Pub.
Lonesome Dan Kase
Self-taught 28-year-old country blues guitarist from Minn., whos inspired by the late Blind Lemon Jefferson and Rev. Gary Davis. Expect raw, emotive acoustic covers of classic sides from Charley Patton and other giants of the genre. Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
Little Salt Island Boogie Fest
This informal camp-out/concert presents fledgling local bands in a unique and primitive environment thats admittedly not for everyone. Its a 3-day and 2-night no environmental impact event on an uninhabited island. Featured groups include the new Southern rock and funk of Mr. Wiley, the Mars Volta/Pink Floyd/Santana vibe of Space Mage, and the heavy indie-rock (think Dinosaur, Jr./QOTSA) of Flaming Yawn all together less than 6 months. This is a rather difficult and possibly dangerous location to navigate to by boat, so novices are encouraged to find an experienced guide to help them with the 25-minute ride. Activities also include horseshoe and card tournaments. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Little Tybee Island (Twin Palms area).
Mama’s Mojo
Tight and versatile electric blues trio with a solid rhythm section and a tasteful guitarist/singer who knows how to get across. Sat., 7 pm, The Warehouse.
Old-Time Jam Session
Free cross between an informal educational workshop and hootenanny, led by longtime mountain music enthusiast and picker Joe Nelson (of The Glow In The Dark String Band). Any acoustic guitarists, mandolinists, dobro, uke or fiddle players are encouraged to show up, learn a bit of history and join in on a wide variety of early Americana standards. Mon., 7:30 pm, The Sentient Bean.
The Ruins
New local hard rockers, whose bombastic, bellowing approach will remind some of a less nuanced version of early Stone Temple Pilots. Theyve put real effort into developing a particular style and sticking with it. This is the grand opening of a new small live music venue catering to original acts. Openers include local psychedelic fusion band Chaos Inc., and the acoustic grunge of Five Acres (think A Perfect Circle). Sat., 9:30 pm, Guitar Bar (348 MLK, Jr. Blvd.).
Casey Stratton
Critically lauded modern pop songwriter who left Sony for an indie deal after a couple of Junior Vasquez remixes of his tunes hit the top of Billboards U.S. Dance Charts. Though not well-known in the South, he has a fervent following elsewhere in the nation. For fans of James Blunt, Duncan Sheik and Tori Amos. Thurs., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
Tradewinds
Local sextet playing Motown, shag and classic soul. Fri., 9:30 pm, Il Pasticcio.
Greg Williams
Prolific local blues/folk/rock songwriter with great vocal control and plenty of chops. Fri., 10 pm, Jens & Friends + Sat. & Sun., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.
Zach & Friends
Offshoot of up-and-coming Statesboro jam band Miles Ahead. Wed., Locos Deli & Pub (Downtown).
This article appears in Apr 5-12, 2006.