An unusual, but genuinely talented group of musical acts invade our area this Thursday evening...
Guy Clark at The Kessler Theater
Legendary country/folk
singer-songwriter Guy Clark is the (perfectly suited) second guest in the ongoing "Storytellers at the Kessler" series. Clark's been writing
great songs longer than I've been alive--and I'm no spring chicken.
Beginning in 1975 with "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a
Train," Clark has created as impressive a body of work as any country
songwriter not named Johnny Cash or Hank Williams. At 68, the guy shows
little sign of slowing down. Clark's 2009 effort, Somedays The Song
Writes You, was yet another elegant, stirring collection of acoustic
music done ragged but right.
The Bloody Beetroots at The House of Blues
Producer
Bob Rifo and DJ Tommy Tea formed the Italian electronica duo The Bloody
Beetroots in late 2006. Since that time, the duo has released a handful
of EPs and one excellent full-length, 2009's Romborama. Each release
has demonstrated the band's aptitude with multiple forms of dance music.
On this tour, the band has added drummer Edward Grinch along with the
"Death Crew 77" addendum to the band's moniker. Whatever you want to
call them, Rifo and Tea put on a hell of a show--while wearing Venom
masks no less.
VersaEmerge, Anarbor, The Dangerous Summer and Conditions at The Loft
Florida's
VersaEmerge features the vocal talents of Sierra Kusterbeck, a gal so
sure that she was right for the band that she lied about her age
just to get an audition. That was back in 2005. Since then, VersaEmerge
has garnered a descent following with an emotionally charged, emo take
on alt-rock. Comparisons to Paramore and Evanescence are not only
expected, but also warranted. The members of VersaEmerge know that they
are not doing anything new, but they also know that they got the
anthemic modern rock thing down pat. Arizona's Anarbor add a bit of
punky pop to the emo equation while Maryland's The Dangerous Summer
takes a more traditional New Wave route to over-earnestness. Add in
Virginia's Conditions and you have a big fat, quadruple-bill of
seriousness that might just collapse the venue's floor.
Maroon 5, One Republic and Ry Cuming at Superpages.com Center
Wait,
how did this get here? OK, I have to admit that Hands All Over, the
Robert John "Mutt" Lange-produced third album from mega-superstars
Maroon 5, is not too shabby of a collection of glam-inspired, white-boy
R&B. Word is that Adam Levine and crew are planning to record just one
more album before riding into the alt-rock sunset. If so, this fine
October evening is a nice chance to catch these guys while they still
matter.
Hoyotoho, Novaak and Darktown Strutters at City Tavern
We mentioned this show of local electronic-infused acts on the blog yesterday. One addendum: Museum Creatures has dropped off the bill. Still a strong all-local bill of up-and-comers on this otherwise crowded night, though.