A Nickel Bag of Funk
Female-fronted cover act laying down poly-rhythmic dance grooves. Sat., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee) + Sun., 10 pm Vero 44 (above Il Pasticcio).
The Christy Alan Band
Longtime area bar band playing a wide variety of rock, pop and soul hits. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Fannie’s On The Beach (Tybee).
John Banks
Instrumental jazz, blues and rock from an ace electric guitarist from local R & B revue The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love. Fri. – Sat., 5 pm, Cobblestone Conch House.
The Beer Parlor Ramblers
Old-school Dixieland jazz on a small stage in the corner of this local landmark burger joint and seafood restaurant. Fri. – Sat.,7:30 pm, Crystal Beer Parlor.
Bluesonics
Energetic electric quartet known for upbeat, danceable Chicago-style blues. Sat., 7 pm, The Warehouse.
Bottles & Cans
Lowdown R & B that’s a cross between Detroit soul, Tom Waits’ unhinged preaching, and Fat Possum-style juke-joint blues. Fri., 9 pm, The Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Carroll Brown
Touring acoustic guitarist and singer who plays a mixture of twangy pop, Celtic and beach music that he terms “Coastal Country.” Wed. – Sun., Kevin Barry’s.
Chaos Inc.
Young, energetic, local psychedelic rockers known for long-winded, hard-driving jams. Fri., 9 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.
Thomas Claxton
Brash singer/songwriter who cut his teeth playing acoustic guitar versions of classic rock, and now focuses on original material. Sun., 5 pm, The Warehouse.
Deep Blue 3
Tight and versatile regional electric blues combo formerly known as Mama’s Mojo. Sat., 9 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar.
The Robbie Ducey Band
Keyboard-heavy South Georgia band that plays blues-rock crossover material typified by that of Robert Cray and late-period SRV. Sat., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
Dueling Pianos
Two talented keyboardists with a wide-ranging repertoire of pop, rock, soul and showtunes interact with audience members who try to stump the duo with oddball requests. It’s one part music, one part standup comedy, and one part audience participation. Tues. – Sat., Savannah Smiles.
From Exile
Wickedly impressive Atlanta group that combines the trappings of symphonic composition with the speed and technicality of thrash metal. With Hope and Suicide, a new Fl. metal band featuring members of Bloodlet, Measured In Grey and Bibleoftheself. Fri., 10 pm, The Jinx.
The Norm Cagne Trio
Mainstream, hard bop and cool jazz from a talented pianist, backed by bassist Dave Keller and drummer Billy Hoffman. Sat., 9 pm, The Mansion on Forsyth Park.
“Gods of Rome Toga Party”
As the name implies, this event finds sheet-clad revelers getting their decadence on as DJ Analog Kid spins a neverending stream of dance music. Fri., 10 pm, Savannah Down Under Invasion Level 3.
High Velocity
Longtime players offering a huge and varied setlist of classic and Southern rock, modern country and roadhouse covers. Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, VFW Club (Hinesville).
The Hitmen
Led by guitarist and singer Brett “Hitman” Bernard (who was recently named Best Blues Artist in our annual Readers’ Poll), this local power trio is known for a hard-hitting, in-your-face approach to straight-up blues. Tues. (hosts Open Mic) – Wed., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
I Am Sound
New local “psychedelic metal” quartet that cites Placebo, QOTSA and Jucifer as influences. With Tusk and Milledgeville’s Flames of Troy. Sat., 10 pm, Guitar Bar (348 MLK Jr., Blvd).
Jah Creation
Roots-style reggae from Wilmington, N.C. (covers and originals). Fri., 10 pm, Dolphin Reef Lounge (Tybee).
Eric Jones
Facile and tasteful jazz pianist who’s one of the shining lights on our local scene. Fri., 5 pm, The Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Keith & Ross
Acoustic guitar duo known for country-tinged vocal harmonies and popular tunes. Fri., 6 pm, Wild Wing Café (formerly Malone’s) + Sat., 9 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House.
The Flight Out
This newish SCAD-based indie-rock band took top honors at that art school’s recent Battle of The Bands, and features a former key member of the little-known Mumblelily. Also on this bill, the progressive, guitar and keys-based experimental rock of Jeanne Flight, the pleasantly retro Dinosaur, Jr-esque power trio Flamin’ Yawn, and alt.rockers Lando. Fri., 10 pm, Guitar Bar (348 MLK, Jr., Blvd).
Little Brown Peach
Valdosta-based acoustic jam band. Fri., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub.
Lurid Miscreants
Local, original modern metal and hard rock act. Thurs., 10 pm, Wind Rose Café.
The Magic Rocks
New local power trio playing rarely-heard rock, new wave and Americana cover tunes — featuring members of The 8-Tracks. Fri., 7 pm, The Warehouse.
Moonshine Still
Excellent Middle-Georgia jam-band that plays Hammond organ drenched “Macon music” close to 200 dates a year. Fri., Riders Lounge (Hilton Head).
One Leg Up
Up-and-coming Asheville, N.C. gypsy jazz group playing hot, French acoustic music in the style of the late Django Reinhardt. Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
G.E. Perry & Strange Brew
Rock and blues cover band led by a veteran and versatile guitarist. Fri., 9:30 pm, Luna Lounge @ Il Pasticcio + Sun., 6 pm, Belford’s (G.E. Perry solo).
Phantom Wingo
Fiery and passionate Southern jam-rock that takes its musical cues from Widespread Panic, The Allman Brothers Band and the looser moments of The Black Crowes. Fri., 10 pm, Savannah Blues.
The Positions
Acoustic gig from this established local pop, rock and soul cover group. Sat., 5 pm, Wild Wing Café (formerly Malone’s).
Roy & The Circuit Breakers
Solo artist playing popular covers on guitar with sequenced backing. Sat., 2 pm, Dewey’s Dockside (Tybee).
“Georgia Kyle” Shiver
Acoustic rock, country and blues from this self-described “gypsy boy.” Wed., 9 pm, Fiddler’s Crab House + Fri., 7 pm, AJ’s Dockside (Tybee) + Sat., 7 pm, Uncle Bubba’s Oyster House (Wilmington Isl.) + Sun., 10 pm, Café Loco (Tybee).
Silver Lining
Happenin’ jazz trio (bass, guitar and drums) playing standards and originals. Fri., 9 pm, Jazz’d Tapas Bar + Sat., 8 pm, moon River Brewing Co.
Randy “Hatman” Smith
Guitarist using sequenced backing on a mix of blues, pop and shag he calls “Tybee Music.” Fri. – Sat., 7 pm, Stingray’s + Sun., 2 pm, Fannie’s On The Beach (Tybee).
Superhorse
Popular Savannah garage-rock septet featuring members of GAM, City of Lindas, Hot Pink Interior and The Hall Monitor. They play infrequently, and appeal to fans of The VU, The Stooges and The Ramones. Sat., 10 pm, The Jinx.
The Train Wrecks
Increasingly in-demand roots-rock trio led by singer/songwriter Jason Bible. They’re known for putting on fun, no-holds-barred live shows. Thurs., 7 pm, The Warehouse + Fri., 7 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee) + Sat., 10 pm, Murphy’s Law.
Turtlefolk
Locally-based percussion-heavy jam-rockers. Sat., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub.
Greg Williams
Prolific, guitar playing singer/songwriter drawing on blues, rock and pop genres. Fri., 10 pm, Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub + Sun., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.
Robert Willis
A versatile singer and guitarist offering a wide variety of popular tunes to prerecorded backing tracks, and who’s known for altering his vocal delivery to emulate the artists he covers. Fri. – Sat., 7 pm, Dewey’s Dockside + Sun., 3 pm, Stingray’s (Tybee).
This article appears in Jul 19-26, 2006.