The Christy Alan Band
Beach, dance, rock and funk hits from this Island stalwart, whose group features Ragman (formerly of local metalheads Rehab), and keyboardist Ramona Jeffries. Fri. – Sat., Fannies on The Beach (Tybee).
Samuel Adams
Spanish-flavored guitar tunes (both originals and covers) with vocals. Fri., 8 pm, Tango (Tybee).
The Back River Ramblers
Acoustic trio of local songwriters Darryl Wise and Kyle Shiver, plus Dobie Simmons on standup bass. Wed. – Thurs., 8 pm, Fannies on The Beach (Tybee).
Band In The Park
Polished, versatile local cover act tackling a wide range of danceable material (from Fleetwood Mac and Bonnie Raitt to Born-again Dylan). One of the best such groups around. Fri., 8 pm, City Market Courtyard.
John Banks, Alan Morris & Friends
Both Banks and Morris are perhaps best known as featured members of the 12-piece party band The Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love, but this weekly outdoor gig finds the two welcoming an ever-changing cast of talented acquaintances into their fold. Wed., 7 pm, Go Fish (deck party).
The Jeff Beasley Band
New side project trio from this Two Blue guitarist, flashy local drummer Jason Gecik (of Rye House and Under Mind), and Bassist of Fortune Mike Walker (ex-GAM). Sat., Mercury Lounge.
The Beer Parlor Ramblers
House band at this landmark eatery playing Dixieland-style jazz. No cover. Fri. – Sat., 8 pm, Crystal Beer Parlor.
Belle’s Wake
Up-and-coming local alternative keyboard duo. Tues., 7 pm, Bits Bytes & Coffee + Sat., Café Mucha.
Bluesonics
Long-running blues unit (offering Texas swing, Chicago shuffles and swampy rockers) with a new debut CD. Sat., 8 pm, City Market Courtyard.
Tim Brooks & The Alien Sharecroppers
Macon-based Southern rock outfit with a devoted following in Germany of all places. Fri. – Sat., Savannah Blues.
Bucky & Barry
Acoustic renditions of well-known radio hits from the 50s to the present day, delivered with sparkling vocal harmonies and programmed backing. Sat., 12:30 pm + Sun., 1 pm, City Market Courtyard.
Chris Cauley
20-year old Cumming, Georgia native, who recently won an open mic shootout at Atlantas prestigious listening room Eddies Attic. The songwriter/guitarist lists the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Edwin McCain as key influences. Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
The Courtenay Brothers
Real-life siblings playing popular country and soft-rock songs on acoustic guitars with sequenced backing. They are known for their easygoing rapport with the crowd, and have begun to add a few original tunes into their sets.Thurs., 7 pm, Tubbys Tankhouse + Fri., 9 pm, Fiddlers Crab House + Sat., 1 pm, The Grill Beachside (Tybee) + Sun., 6 pm, City Market Courtyard.
Eric Culberson Blues Band
Savannahs best-known electric blues guitarist, with two well-received albums to his name. Tues. (hosts Open Mic) – Wed., Mercury lounge + Thurs., JJ Cagneys.
Frank Emerson
Longtime Savannah fixture playing acoustic Celtic ballads and folk. Mon. – Tues., Kevin Barrys.
The Ex Lovers
Loose and boozey alt.rock (see Connect Recommends). Fri., The Jinx.
Gitlo
Hard-hitting regional blues and R & B band from Southern Georgia, featuring soulful organ and stinging lead guitar. Fri., midnight, Malones.
Frank Gordon
New York jazzman-turned local music educator, in a rare showcase (see Music Interview). Thurs., 8 pm, Starland Center for Contemporary Art (2428 Bull St.). Trae Gurley’s Sinatra Tribute
Meticulous and reverential interpretation of Ol Blue Eyes big band period, performed by an area actor/singer. Sat., 7 pm, Go Fish.
The Hayride
There used to be an extremely interesting post-punk band from Athens called Hayride which featured drummer Ballard Leesman (formerly of early 90s should-have-beens Rooselvelt). Their album (for the ill-fated nose candy phoenix Capricorn Records), is being reissued after years lost in a haze of contractual limbo. Could this be the same band, back in the ring to take another swing? No confirmation from either the club or the group, but unless theres another rootsy Southeastern group with the same name, these just might be the droids youre looking for… Sat., JJ Cagneys.
Hazel Virtue
Slowly but surely, this regional pop band (whose members are split between Savannah and Charleston) is becoming a steady-draw throughout the area. Their radio-friendly sound is equal parts modern rock, jangle-pop and retro-psychedelia yet through it all, there is an ever present Southeastern vibe. Fri., OConnells Irish Pub.
The Heavy Sandwich
South Carolina jam band whose setlist includes their own originals plus plenty of Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic, etc… Fri., Locos Deli & Pub.
Leslie Helpert
Locally-based singer/songwriter/guitarist who tours frequently and recently played the annual AthFest in Athens, Georgia. Fri., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
High Velocity
Local Southern rock quintet featuring Ray Thomasino and other veteran players from such established area groups as Medusa, The Home Wreckers and Bounty Hunter. They play high-octane renditions of tunes by everyone from Billy Preston to Brooks & Dunn. Fri. – Sat., Silver Dollar Bar & Grill (Hwy 204).
Hitman & The Blues Boys
Local electric blues act thats become something of a house band at this basement-level nightclub. Tues. (hosts Open Mic) – Wed., Savannah Blues.
Adam Hood
Alabama songwriter (see Connect Recommends). Wed., JJ Cagneys.
Liquid Ginger
Female-led modern pop group named Best Local Rock Band in our latest Readers Poll. Fri. – Sat., 9:30 pm, The Oyster Bar (Wilmington Island).
Mandible
Art-rock unit from Columbia, South carolina that lives to screw with their audiences expectations. With an in-your-face attitude and a harsh metallic tone, they combine the quick tempo and meter shifts of Mr. Bungle or Primus with the goofy absurdity of Ween. Also on the bill is Charlestons Genrevolta, a brainy post-punk group that drawn comparisons to both The Butthole Surfers and Les Savy Fav, but whose drastic shifts between noise and melancholy also recall The Fall and locals The Flam. Sat., The Jinx.
Rev. Jeff Mosier & The Ear Reverents
See Connect Recommends. Fri., JJ Cagneys.
Phantom Wingo
Intense, wailing Southern jam band from Savannah (think Widespread meets the Allmans) formerly known as The No Exit band featuring Ronnie Keel. Thurs., OConnells Irish Pub.
The Positions
High-energy party band with a female keyboardist. Their setlist ranges from Al Green to Carl Douglas (now which of his songs would they know?). Wed., 6 pm, City Market Courtyard.
Jeremy Riddle
Solo show from a key member of local alternative rock band Argyle. Thurs., 9 pm + Sat., 10 pm, B & D Burgers (Southside).
The Bobby Ryder Quartet
Well-received fixture on the Hilton Head jazz scene, whos known for an affinity for big band music, and a special grasp of Sinatras repertoire. Thurs., The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head) + Fri. – Sat., 9 pm, Jazzd Tapas Bar.
Nate Saraceno
Solo set from the leader of local psychedelic group Pretty Shady Chicken. Thurs., 8 pm, Bits, Bytes & Coffee.
Savannah Gold
Seasoned vets playing shag music, oldies and Elvis hits. Fri. – Sat., Bogeys.
Senatobia
See Connect Recommends. Sat., OConnells Irish Pub.
Randy “Hatman” Smith
Beach, boogie and blues. Wed., 8 pm, The Oyster Bar (Wilmington Island).
The Christian Tamburr Quartet
See Connect Recommends. Fri. – Sat., The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head).
Two Blue
Primitive blues trio of guitarist/percussionist, classic-style harp player and electric bassist. Thurs., 9:30 pm, Malones + Fri., 5 pm, City Market Courtyard Uncle Sam’s Medicine Kabinet
New local acoustic trio (led by Jason Bible), playing folk-rock covers and similar originals. Thurs., Locos Deli & Pub.
The Greg Williams Band
Original blues-rock and jangle-pop from one of the regions most prolific and celebrated songwriters and guitarists. Sat., midnight, Malones.
This article appears in Jun 23-30, 2004.