A Nickel Bag of Funk
This local group, fronted by vocalist Leslie Gadson, plays solid, funky, R & B hits. Fri., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee).
The Absence
Over-the-top technical thrash metal with plenty of double-kick explosions, harmony guitar leads (think Yngvie), and throat-shredding vocals. With local openers Chronicle A.D. and Two Days of Freedom. Fri., 10 pm, The Jinx.
Absylom Rising
Eclectic jam and boogie band from Miss., with a strong local following. Mon., 9 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.
ALL-AGES Metalcore Show
This triple bill at a brand-new ALL-AGES venue about 40 minutes from Savannah features Tallahassee’s For Those Who Remember, who’ve gigged with Showbread and Dead To Fall. Also appearing: Waycross’ One Last Rose, a hardcore group that “represents God with every bit of (their) music,” and straight-edge band The Guillotine. Get it? Straight-edge! For directions, go to myspace.com/studiobga. Fri., 9 pm, Studio B (Hwy 196 W near Glennville), ALL-AGES.
Beardog
Quirky, playful power-punk-pop from Chicago with female vocals and a distinct country influence. Refreshingly retro, like something off K Records back in the day. Fans of Velocity Girl or The Dead Milkmen may dig this. Sat., 10 pm, Guitar Bar.
Bluesonics
Electric blues quartet with a rock-solid rhythm section. Thurs. & Sat., 7 pm, The Warehouse + Fri., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
Bottles & Cans
Raw, psychedelic Delta blues with a garage-rock vibe that draws on everyone from Tom Waits to T-Model Ford for inspiration. Thurs., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
Buddy Corns’ Rock Mob
Classic rock and blues covers and originals, featuring the prolific songwriter and flashy electric guitarist Corns. Fri. – Sat., 10:30 pm, The Bayou Café (upstairs).
The Chuck Courtenay Band
Electric honky-tonk, Southern rock and country hits (classic and modern). Fri., 8 pm, Pogy’s Bar & Grill (Richmond Hill).
The Courtenay Brothers
Acoustic guitar-playing siblings, covering pop, rock and country hits. Thurs., 7 pm, Tubby’s (Thunderbolt) + Sun., 5 pm, Sorry Charlie’s.
Curbside
Local acoustic trio playing original “college rock” they liken to the Dave Matthews Band, among others. Fri., 10 pm, Dolphin Reef Lounge (Tybee).
Deep Blue 3
Formerly known as Mama’s Mojo, this excellent regional combo plays uptempo, rock-tinged electric blues standards and rarely-heard gems. Fri., 7 pm, The Warehouse.
David Duckworth
Former pianist for Pittsburgh’s Boilermakers, who’s released 10 CDs as a solo artist, and is considered one of the finer jazz keyboardists in our area. Wed., 7 pm, The Mansion on Forsyth Park + Sun., 7 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar (w/vocalist Alisha Duckworth).
The Equinox Jazz Quartet
This hard-bop act (led by transplanted Louisiana saxman Jeremy Davis) recently expanded to a 20-piece orchestra for the Savannah Swings! July 4th concert at the Lucas Theatre. Fri., 9 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar.
Eric Culberson Blues Band
Funky and incendiary Chicago and Memphis-style electric blues from an internationally-known local who has released 3 critically-acclaimed indie CDs. Tues. (hosts Open Jam) – Wed., Mercury Lounge.
Element Unseen
Moody hard rock influenced by Dashboard Confessional and Thursday. Fri., 9 pm, Club Stewart (Hinesville).
Frank Emerson
Beloved acoustic guitarist and Celtic balladeer who’s been a fixture at this River St. watering hole for years. Wed. – Sun., Kevin Barry’s.
1st Friday Fetish Night
This monthly event finds DJ Analog Kid spinning industrial, techno and electronica while volunteers get flogged, waxed, pinched, and otherwise tweaked. Call it “debauchery lite.” Fri., 10 pm, Savannah Down Under Invasion Level 3.
The Graveyard Boulevard
I take pride in finding redeeming value in most any musical act that comes across my desk, but every once in a great while I find myself at a loss. This is yet another one of the dozens of abysmally lame Misfits knock-offs who somehow believe that bellowing “offensive” lyrics to derivative punk riffs while wearing amateurish Halloween makeup is in any way tough, threatening, shocking or even interesting. Actually, it’s some of the most boring, neutered crap you’ll hear in 2006. I can’t even believe there’s a market for this stuff anymore, but then again, I’m probably just a jaded old man who “doesn’t get it.” Whatever. This is like watching Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons spend a weekend at Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp. With kindred spirits (pun intended), Atlanta’s Spectremen. Sat., 10 pm, The Jinx.
Trae Gurley
Local thespian who pays tribute to the glory days of Sinatra’s big band era, by singing ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ hits to pre-recorded backing. Thurs., 7 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar.
High Velocity
Longtime players offering a huge and varied setlist of classic and Southern rock, modern country and roadhouse covers. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Tommy’s (Pooler).
Johnny Fever & The Frantics
Pop-punk quartet from Columbia, S.C., that makes up for their lack of finesse with a palpable determination and youthful exuberance. Fri., 7 pm, Metro Coffee House.
Jounce
NYC-Based jam-band with a diverse range of influences that’s opened for Derek Trucks and Particle, and whose bassist —get this— used to be “Little Pete” on TV’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete! Wed., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
Lurid Miscreants
Up-and-coming Tybee-based metal trio, featuring veteran guitarist/frontman Brian “Ragman” Dingess. Thurs., 10 pm, Wind Rose Café (Tybee).
Jude Michaels
Popular cover tunes sung and played on acoustic guitar and cello. Fri. – Sat., 10 pm, Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub.
Mighty McFly
Regional ‘80s tribute band that dresses in checkerboards and spandex to play cheesy hair metal and new-wave. Thurs., Wild Wing Café (formerly Malone’s).
Miles Ahead
Statesboro jam-band that appears often at this Broughton St. venue. Sat., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub (downtown).
The Alex Nguyen Group
Jazz combo led by local trumpet prodigy who’s been recognized internationally for his talents. Thurs., 9 pm, Tantra Lounge (formerly The Monkey Bar) + Fri. – Sat., 7:30 pm, The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head).
The Ricardo Ochoa Quartet
Explorations in both straight-ahead and Latin jazz, led by a classically-trained violinist who’s a key figure in the local art music scene. Free and open to ALL-AGES. Fri., 11:30 am, Johnson Square.
The Permanent Tourists
Killer R & B, funk and rock covers. Sun., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee).
G.E. Perry
Guitarist offering roadhouse blues with rock and jazz influences. Saturday’s show features blues harpist James Gay, and Sunday’s features Perry’s backing band Strange Brew. Sat., 1 pm, Sea Dawgs (Tybee) + Sun., 10 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.
Pocket Change
Energetic funk and R & B covers. Thurs., 10 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.
Red Eye Jedi
Funkified Rome, Ga. quartet that’s drawn comparisons to Phish, Joe Satriani and The Stray Cats (?!). Their toe-tapping instrumental workouts have charted extremely high on internet sites. Thurs., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub (Downtown).
“Georgia Kyle” Shiver
Guitarist and singer drawing on blues, folk, rock and country for inspiration. Wed., 9 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House (w/Fiddlin’ Scott Holton) + Fri., 7 pm, AJ’s Dockside (Tybee) + Sun., noon, City Market Courtyard (w/Fiddlin’ Scott Holton).
Silver Lining
Jazz trio (bass, guitar and drums) playing standards and originals. Thurs., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee) + Sat., 8 pm, Moon River Brewing Co..
Greg Snyder
Guitarist and vocalist with a vast repertoire, known for his renditions of timeless pop standards. Wed., 7 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar + Fri., 10 pm, Jen’s & Friends.
Sol Driven Train
Based out of Folly Beach, S.C., this sextet (with horns) will appeal to jam fans, but they pride themselves on song craft, and swear allegiance to such icons of world beat as Paul Simon, Bob Marley and The Buena Vista Social Club. Sat., Wild Wing Café (formerly Malone’s).
Turtlefolk
Local, percussion-heavy jam act that’s starting to tour regionally. Sat., 9 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.
Greg Williams
Prolific, guitar playing singer/songwriter drawing on blues, rock and pop genres. Thurs., 9 pm, B & D Burgers (Southside) + Fri. – Sat., 10 pm, Tubby’s (River St.).
This article appears in Jul 5-12, 2006.