Scion xPress Fest
This nationwide contest paired up students from almost 40 film schools and buzzworthy indie bands, with the best 10 videos competing for $20,000 cash. SCADs Michael Goubeaux made the cut, and crowds at screening parties like this across the USA choose the top 3 clips (the Grand Prize is decided through online voting). Music will be provided by DJs from SCADs internet radio station, and Goubeauxs subjects Orlando, Fl.s Summerbirds In The Cellar will play a set of original, low-fi indie rock. Seating is limited, and theres rumored to be an open bar… Wed., 8 pm, The Jinx.
The Tennessee Rounders
Having recently added Tennessee to their name, these terrific, anachronistic Chattanooga-based purveyors of old-school outlaw country move one step closer to becoming a major national name. Laying down a reverential brand of honky-tonk that features (almost impossibly) twangy electric gee-tar, molasses-drawl vocals, and a neverending supply of lyrics about love gone bad, cheatin women, and hard-luck troubles, this is chicken-wire music with a whiskey back.
The group plays this venue regularly, and enjoy a fervent following among local greasers, flat-top cats and dungaree dogs. After an extended afternoon set, they return for a marathon evening show that should serve as an object lesson in testing the limits of the human liver. Fri., 3 pm & 10 pm, The Jinx.
Captain Soularcat
One of the finer up-and-coming groove bands in the Southeast, the vibe of this outfit from Rome, Ga. might best be described as one part Grateful Dead, and one part Southern rock (think Wet Willie or the jazzier moments of middle-period Marshall Tucker Band), with a touch of vintage Joe Cocker (courtesy of their gruff, soulful frontman Scott Warren). Theyve earned raves in major jam-zines like Relix and Hittin The Note, and significant Sirius satellite radio play.
After replacing one of their guitarists with a versatile saxman, theyre mining a new approach thats more rock-oriented than before, and touring in support of a new CD. Fri., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love
The largest (and at 13 pieces, the most fully orchestrated) R & B act in the area, this show band features some of the best veteran players for miles around. Their setlist leans heavily on well-worn staples of the Stax, Volt and Motown catalogs, but this is an eclectic bunch, and just as likely to dust off an obscure nugget by a songwriters songwriter like John Hiatt as to belch out Mustang Sally once more.
The Sapphire Bullets rarely play public events opting instead for more lucrative private engagements but this large seafood restaurant and bar on the water about 35 minutes from Savannah has become a regular haunt. This might be the perfect excuse to avoid the craziness of downtown, and enjoy fun, danceable music without worrying about getting beads in your eye, or beer (or worse) on your shoes. Sat., 9 pm, Sunbury Crab Company (Sunbury).
Mike Clarks Organ Trio
The latest road unit to feature members of the legendary (and groundbreaking) funk-fusion combo The Headhunters whose landmark album with famed keyboardist Herbie Hancock is a seminal classic of the genre includes the phenomenal drummer Clark, as well as organist Jerry Z (whos worked with Melvin Sparks) and saxman Jed Levy (a versatile and seasoned NYC sideman of over two decades). With plenty of nods to The Meters, this impressive summit of some of the best in the business should make for unexpected juxtapositions and cathartic flights of improvisational fancy. If you dig Medeski Martin & Wood, or The Porter-Batiste-Stoltz Band, this is the show for you, and well worth the drive. Sat., Rafters Blues Bar, St. Simons Island.
The Dead Milkmen, Black Flag & Body Count
Hahahaha. Made you look. Nope, these groups arent reuniting. Its a collection of local and regional musicians, who are getting dolled up to perform sets by some of their favorite artists. You know its a tribute show because these three acts could only share a bill in the bizarro world immortalized on the cheap cardboard posters of imaginary vintage rock shows peddled in hippie boutiques.
The Deceased Lactate Product Delivery Personnel (featuring a former member of Subversivo!) represents the beloved Philly pranksters The Dead Milkmen (of Punk Rock Girl and Bitchin Camaro semi-fame); The 10 & 1/2 resurrect the glory days of Henry Rollins stint as frontman for hardcore icons Black Flag; and Superhorse frontman Keith Kozel channels Law & Orders own Ice-T for a fond look back at his stint in the controversial 80s metal act Body Count (yes, they will be playing Tipper Gores faves Cop Killer and KKK Bitch). This probably must be seen to be believed. Sat., 10 pm, The Jinx.
This article appears in Mar 15-22, 2006.