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., 9:30 pm, Il Pasticcio.
The Christy Alan Band
Established local cover group (rock, pop and soul) with a devoted Islands following. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Fannies On The Beach.
Bottles & Cans
Energetic and unpredictable Delta-blues combo that also draws on psychedelic 60s garage rock, skiffle and the demented Americana of Basement Tapes-era Dylan. Thurs., & Sat., 10 pm, Savannah Blues + Fri., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.
The Breakneck Quartet
Young and invigorating local, organic hip-hop band laying down sparse urban funk grooves (courtesy of a live rhythm section) overlaid with jazzy guitar lines and the occasional conscious, positive rap. Fri., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee).
Eric Britt
Originals and covers sung and played on acoustic guitar by the frontman of popular regional alt.rockers Hazel Virtue. Fri., 10 pm, Jens & Friends.
Mary Davis & Co.
Acoustic trio (pop, rock and soul covers) spun off from Wilmington Islands Band In The Park. Fri., 8 pm, Marys Seafood & Steaks + Sat., 7 pm, Uncle Bubbas Oyster House.
Fourth Element
This Baltimore quintet has all the hallmarks of emo-influenced pop-metal: yearning, slightly nasal vocals; overly-processed distorto-guitars; crepe-paper drums; and the too-familiar push and pull rhythms that are the lifeblood of this genre. Stylistically, they do tend to mix things up a bit more than most of their brethren, though. No word on how this java hang (used more often for acoustic open mics) will work as a venue for punishing, loud rock… Thurs., 9:30 pm, Metro Coffee House (402 MLK, Jr. Blvd.).
High Velocity
Tight Southern and classic rock covers, plus modern country hits from a popular group of veteran area players. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Gilleys (Hinesville).
Bill Hodgson & Skip Hinely
Longtime scenesters will think theyve stumbled through a time warp when this newly-minted guitar duo shows up to play both well-known and obscure rock, pop and soul tunes: Bill used to play bass for The Tremors, and Skips a Veraflame. Together they represent 2 of the most successful local cover bands of the 80s. Expect plenty of great, Beatle-esque vocal harmonies and accomplished fretwork. Fri., 7 pm, Tubbys (Thunderbolt).
Hoots & Hellmouth
Sure they can play up a storm, but these anachronistic acoustic noisemakers from West Chester, Pa., also throw on a heaping helping of shtick that makes it difficult to discern if theyre just trying a bit too hard to dig down deep into a place where they dont necessarily belong, or if theyre having a laugh at the expense of folks who fetishize over retro string music. Piss-take or not, they have fiery blue-eyed soul to spare, and at times in the midst of their gravel-voiced harmonies and 5th generation chord progressions its hard to resist their melodramatic charm. Wed., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
Roger Moss & Friends
Celebrated local vocalist (backed by area jazz cats) brings his cabaret-style show of American songbook standards to this swanky restaurant and dessert bar. Sat., 8 pm, Gottliebs.
Ricardo Ochoa
This former Savannah Symphony member (and high-profile local multi-instrumentalist) offers up a rarely-heard treat: jazz violin. Thurs., 7 pm + Sun., 11 am (w/harpist Kristin Gustafson), The Mansion on Forsyth Park.
G.E. Perry & James Gay
Duo featuring versatile blues and jazz guitarist Perry and up-and-coming mouth harpist Gay. Sat., 8 pm, Augies Pub (Richmond Hill).
Jan Spillane
Local singer/songwriter with strong blues and soul influences in her recorded work. Thurs., 10 pm, Molly MacPhersons Scottish Pub.
Superhorse
Acclaimed local 7-piece (featuring members of GAM, City of Lindas and Hot Pink Interior) playing original, high-energy garage rock heavily influenced by The Velvet Underground, The MC5, and Sonic Youth. Sat., 10 pm, The Jinx.
The Jimmy Wolling Band
Traditional bluegrass and exploratory, jam-oriented “Hellgrass,” from a local acoustic combo led by a nationally-known banjoist. Sat., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.
This article appears in Apr 12-19, 2006.