Badfish, Passafire
Over a decade has passed since Brad Nowell, lead vocalist of the California-based reggae/rock crossover band Sublime died of a heroin overdose. Yet, in that time, improbably, the band (and its back catalog) have become ever more popular, year after year. Hell, they even had a brand of alcoholic lemonade named after them, if memory serves. Badfish is one of the more well-known Sublime tribute bands on the road these days and they have been for ages. They routinely pack clubs and theaters with folks who either never got to see Sublime in their heyday, or did, but still need a fix. Local favorites (and budding national phenoms Passafire open with their own original take on this continually evolving genre. $18 advance tix available now. Wed., June 6, 8 pm, Monkey Business (Hilton Head). ****
Kate Campbell
Enoch Hendry of Trinity UMC is a diehard music fan — especially when it comes to acoustic singer/songwriters. As such, he’s occasionally arranged for standout talents in this field to play gigs in the beautiful and acoustically impressive confines of his church. This free show is sponsored by The Foundry Fellowship, and coincides with the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church. Campbell’s voice and songwriting gifts are well-known among fans of the burgeoning Americana genre. She gets comparisons to Lucinda and Emmylou, and this veteran of the folk festival circuit’s latest CD finds her interpreting tunes by songwriters who have inspired her the most. The acoustic guitarist will be joined by veteran bassist Don Porterfield. For more info, call Pastor Enoch Hendry at 233-4766. Tues., 8 pm, Trinity United Methodist Church - FREE TO ALL-AGES.
Dan Deacon
Part motivational speaker, part high-on-life motivational speaker, part budding slacker cult leader, and part Radio Shack low-tech electronics geek, Baltimore’s own Dan Deacon is not for everyone, but those who like him act like Lola Heatherton: they want to bear his children. His silly, sweaty, vaguely dance-oriented “gigs” are as much pieces of bizarre performance art with copious amounts of freeform audience participation as they are traditional concerts — even in the contemporary world of electroclash. Deacon has a solid following of SCAD kids, which is owed in part to a viral internet video of an on-air, Borat-style prank he pulled on local TV personality Lindy Brannen some time ago. With avant-garde opening act Video Hippos, and this club’s resident DJ D-Frost and friends. Thurs., 10 pm, The Jinx.
Lando
This is being billed as the last local show for some time from this melodramatic piano-driven, modern alt.rock act which formed in Savannah, but is now relocating to Chicago in pursuit of bigger and better things. Their DIY recordings and slick promotional videos (courtesy of connections to SCAD’s impressively equipped video and film department) bode well for the group, whose music and approach has drawn comparison to acts as disparate as Arcade Fire and U2. The Winter Hours, rising stars in the latest wave of Athens, Ga. indie-rock bands opens with a set of moody, richly-layered guitar rock, as does local, synth-heavy experimental pop combo Unsolved Mysteries. Fri., 11 pm, The Jinx.
Ziggy Marley, The Nevilles
In less than 5 years, SCAD’s “New Alumni” concert in Forsyth Park has become a hotly-anticipated annual tradition. Their first headliner for this massive, free, public concert was P-Funk mastermind George Clinton. The following year they brought the late, great funk icon James Brown. Last year’s appearance by Blues Traveler was a let down to many, but that didn’t stop locals from voting it Best Concert of 2006 in our recent Readers’ Poll. Now things seem to be back on track with this double bill from two of the biggest families in the history of rock, funk, reggae and soul music. Ziggy has taken the music his late father Bob pioneered into a more dancey vibe than might have been expected, while The Neville Brothers are internationally known ambassadors of Louisiana music. Bring a lawn chair and get there early for the best view. Fri., 7 pm, Forsyth Park - ALL-AGES.
The Sapphire Bullets
A rare public gig from this 13-piece R & B revue featuring several of the most experienced and respected players in town. This rustic but swanky restaurant and bar is right on the water and only about 30 minutes from Savannah. Admission is $10 at the door. Sat., 9 pm, Sunbury Crab Company (Sunbury).
