Samuel Adams Spanish-flavored guitar tunes (originals and covers) with vocals. Fri., 8 pm, Tango (Tybee).
Argyle Local act playing an original mixture of ska, punk, reggae and groove music. Fri., Locos deli & Pub + Tues., Fiddlers Crab House.
The Beer Parlor Ramblers House band playing Dixieland-style jazz. Fri., 8 pm, Crystal Beer Parlor.
Bluesonics Muscular electric blues group that works in a variety of genres (Texas swing, swamp blues and Chicago shuffles). They are one of the best such groups in the area. Fri. – Sat., Mercury Lounge.
Bonepony This Nashville-based band has been plying their unique brand of stomp music for many years, both in the major label world and outside of it. They blend equal parts roots-rock, bluegrass, country and percussion-heavy worldbeat with an almost messianic fervor. Its won them a small but devoted international cult following. Fri., 12 midnight, Malones.
Boomerang Local dance-oriented cover band specializing in Motown, shag, and soul hits from the 60s to the 80s. Sat., Fusion/The Monkey Bar.
Mark Carter Solo acoustic guitarist playing popular covers and his own originals. Fri., Driftaway Café (Wilmington Island).
The Chris Chandler Trio Jazz standards and explorations from a new group led by one of the areas most well-known jazz pianists. Sat., 9 pm, Jazzd Tapas Bar.
Chief Known around town for his encyclopedic knowledge of pop, rock and country tunes, Chiefs easygoing manner and varied setlist have made him a fixture on the local bar and restaurant circuit. Fri. – Sat., Scandals (Tybee Island).
Thomas Claxton Sometimes billed as The Music Daddy, this young guitarist/singer is one half of local cover act The Dynamic Duo. Thurs., Driftaway Café (Wilmington Island) + Fri., 5 pm, City Market Courtyard.
The Dynamite Brothers Chapel Hill, North Carolina trio that works up a sweat thats equal parts rotgut blooze, British Invasion rock, Stax soul music and screaming punk. They tour frequently and while their live show can get a tad monotonous, they put their all into it. Fri., The Jinx.
Erickson/Strong Light and buoyant groove music with a tropical feel (featuring former members of Souled Out). Thurs., 6:30 pm, Snapper Jacks (Whitemarsh Island).
Freedom Grove Debut local show from this relatively new regional rock group that features members of Mad Poet. Their sound is refreshingly unpretentious and straightforward. Sat., Savannah Blues.
David Harbuck Local singer/songwriter who accompanies himself on guitar, and has released several indie CDs of original material. Sat., B & D Burgers (Southside).
(Liquid) Ginger & Rick Ever wondered what local group Liquid Gingers songs would sound like stripped to the bone? Catch this rare unplugged duo gig from their guitarist and vocalist to find out… Thurs., 6 pm, Tubbys Tankhouse (Thunderbolt).
Gods of Mars Stoner metal in the vein of Black Sabbath or Dio, with a tongue-in-cheek Southern Rock twang. Fri., The Jinx.
Jeb Hard-touring Indiana jam quartet that mixes Southern rock, funk and heavy music influences. Sat., JJ Cagneys.
Jet By Day Buzz-worthy Athens group mixing thunderous rock riffs with smooth vocals. They list 70s influences such as Yes, Thin Lizzy and Zeppelin alongside Nirvana and Dinosaur, Jr.. Sat., The Jinx.
The Kilpatrick Project New indie-rock quartet from Augusta thats been compared to both The Violent Femmes and Jeff Buckley… Sat., The Jinx.
King Hippo Excellent Columbia, South Carolina jam band (with a growing Zappa influence) promoting their 2nd LP. In 2002, they toured with James Browns horn section. Thurs., Savannah Blues.
Stewart Marshall Acoustic originals and covers from one half of the popular Americana duo Stewart & Winfield. Sun., Driftaway Café (Wilmington Island).
Kristy Mitchell Solo acoustic guitarist/singer, back in town, playing covers and originals. Thurs., OConnells Irish Pub.
Murphy’s Law. The Pietasters See Connect Recommends. Tues., The Jinx.
Permanent Tourists Tight, polished party and dance band playing covers from Barry White to The Rolling Stones. Fri.- Sat., Fusion/The Monkey Bar.
Phantom Wingo Formerly known as The No Exit Band, these local Southern rockers have shifted into a more freeform vibe (think The Allmans, Widespread Panic) with the addition of a more versatile drummer. They are close to releasing their second indie album. Sat., 12 midnight, Malones.
The Bobby Ryder Quartet Big band standards, shag, oldies and Sinatra from a New Jersey native whos played Radio City Music Hall many times. Fri. – Sat., The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head).
Sam Shaber Impressive acoustic guitarist/singer who has won several national songwriting contests, and recently released an indie album produced by Shawn Mullins. Tues., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
The Shadow Agency New Jacksonville, Florida melodic hardcore quintet featuring ex-members of Yellowcard and Digger. Sat., The Jinx.
Shady Deal See Connect Recommends. Fri., JJ Cagneys.
Jen Shamro This female songwriter got her start at 16 in the Florida spoken word scene, and it shows. Her songs are more accurately described as declamatory poems that have been awkwardly hitched to rudimentary guitar riffs. However, just because it doesnt rhyme doesnt mean its a poem, and just because her subject matter is often intense doesnt mean its fully-developed. While she proudly claims to have spent the last five years on the road playing gigs and challenging everything anyone has ever tried to tell her about anything, she might do better to realize that its not enough to loudly reject the rules of your game you have to understand and be conversant in them as well. Shamro says shes never one to be shy, because whats the point. Well, sometimes keeping quiet has its merits. Thurs., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.
Shrimp City Slim Charleston-based act playing Coastal Blues, a danceable take on electric R & B. Thurs., The Jazz Corner (Hilton Head).
Stitchfork In addition to their own loud and heavy originals, this tight local metal band has added a number of old-school covers, and an acoustic set, just like Tesla. Fri., 9:30 pm, The Oyster Bar (Wilmington Island).
The Chris Talley Band Straight-up heartland rock from an Athens-based group thats a favorite at this venue. Fri., OConnells Irish Pub.
Top Dead Center Bludgeoning local nÜ-metal group, which seems close to making the leap into regional touring. Wed., 10 pm, Phat Kat Lounge (at Ibiza Nightlife).
Two Blue Electric guitar, blues harp and bass. Thurs., 9:30 pm, Malones + Fri., Jazzd Tapas Bar + Sat., OConnells Irish Pub.
Uncle Sam’s Medicine Kabinet Local Americana string trio (mostly covers) featuring singer/songwriter Jason Bible. Thurs., Locos Deli & Pub.
Urge Overkill See Connect Recommends. Wed., 9 pm, The Jinx.
Vermillion X Female-fronted alt.rock act that draws on the ethereal moods of 80s bands like The Church, Concrete Blonde and Romeo Void for inspiration. Sat., Savannah Blues. The Original Voodoo Soup Over the past year or so, this jam-oriented outfit (featuring members of popular local groups like The Permanent Tourists and The Greg Williams Band) has finally begun to come into their own. Their setlist ranges from blues to funk to classic rock, and is apt to change on a whim. Thurs., JJ Cagneys.
The Greg Williams Band Organic, deep pocket rock, blues and folk from one of Savannahs best songwriters. Sat., 9 pm, The Oyster Bar (Wilmington Island).
The Jimmy Wolling Band Excellent local bluegrass (both traditional and hell-raising). Fri., The North Beach Grill (Tybee) + Sat., Snapper Jacks (Whitemarsh Island).
This article appears in Jul 21-28, 2004.