Friday 6/1/18 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30) In For A Penny – Rail Pub (6p) Willie Jackson & The Tybee Blues Band – B&D Burgers Broughton (7p) Barefoot Movement – Randy Woods Guitars (8p, $28) Weather Warlock (Quintron), Controller! Controler! (Kylesa, Black Tusk), Banned In DC author – Graveface Records (7p) Winded, Cherry Blossom, Lakin Crawford, DJ Vicious Committee – El-Rocko Freeway Revival, Ivan Pulley Band – Barrelhouse South The Mercers – Molly MacPherson’s The Band AMAR – Prohibition The House Of Gunt’s BROOD – Jinx
Saturday 6/2/18 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Train Wrecks – Blowin Smoke (6p) Liquid Ginger – Boomy’s Jacob & The Good People – Barrelhouse South CLVLND, The Old Boy – El-Rocko Wood & Steel – Molly MacPherson’s
Sunday 6/3/18 Willie Jackson & The Tybee Blues Band – Wyld Dock Bar (1p) Savannah Songwriters Series – Sentient Bean (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 6/4/18 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 6/5/18 Skippy Spiral, Matty Troubles, Keith Baudry, Ford Natirboff – Sentient Bean (7p, $5 donation) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
Wednesday 6/6/18 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s
Thursday 6/7/18 Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe See Water, BOGO – El-Rocko
For this week, we have new work from:
CUSSES
Mighty Mighty Boss Tones
The Get Up Kids
Oh Sees
Wimps
Sleep
CUSSES Savannah
“Critical” off Golden Rat due late summer
CUSSES’ eerie and rocking new video was premiered recently by Revolver and heralds the impending release of the long anticipated album Golden Rat. CUSSES recently won Connect Savannah’s readers’ poll for best local rock band, but it’s worth adding that Brian Lackey and Angel Bond have recently moved to Nashville, which is a loss to the Savannah scene. But CUSSES has been adding fuel to the fire of the simmering local scene for almost a decade, and I’m sure we’ll see them again. – bill
Mighty Mighty Boss Tones Boston, MA
“Wonderful Day For The Race” off of the upcoming While We’re At It due out on June 15th.
It’s summer! Time for positive vibes and good music. And if there’s anything more upbeat than 90’s, third wave ska (no, it’s most certainly NOT dead), then I don’t know what it is! Jumping back in the game with their first album since 2011, Mighty Mighty Boss Tones are still serving up the awesome tunes we all grew accustomed to so many years ago. ~ Petey
The Get Up Kids Kansas City, MO
“Better This Way” off of the upcoming EP Kicker due out June 8th
I know I’m not alone in saying that I grew up with The Get Up Kids and that they played a pretty big part in my musical maturation. It’s easy to hear that they’ve been maturing too, especially with tracks like “Better This Way” which has a much more mellow touch than some of their earlier release but still manages to be a pretty emotional track all the same. ~ Petey
Oh Sees San Francisco, CA
“Overthrown”, no upcoming album announced yet.
Man, John Dwyer/Thee Oh Sees/Oh Sees/OCS do not let up, ever. Here’s a new psych/punk ripper seemingly unattached to an album, but the ever prolific outfit no doubt has one (or two or more) coming this year. You want a band that shreds, puts out tons of music in a bunch of genres, and tours pretty much non-stop? Oh Sees are your band.
tom
Wimps Seattle, WA
“Giant Brain” from Garbage People, due July 13th via Kill Rock Stars.
Another fun new wavey/pop/slacker punk gem from Wimps. If you like your tunes catchy, fun and to the point, this one fits the bill.
tom
Sleep California, USA
“Leagues Beneath” from Adult Swim Singles.
Imagine if Black Sabbath was younger, lived in a state where weed was legal, decided to combine said high test weed with codeine laced cough syrup and write a 17 minute long song. Does that scenario sound good to you? Yeah? Then just mash the play button, brah.
tom
Friday 5/25 Velvet Caravan – Prohibition Qwister – Service Brewing (5:30) Reed Willy – Sentient Bean (8p) Bottles & Cans – Jazz’d (9p) Offsides – El-Rocko (9p) Colby Deitz Band – Barrelhouse South General Patton & The Heads of State – Molly MacPherson’s The Unholy Four, The Ramages – Jinx Trae Pierce & The T-Stones – Congress Street Social Club
Saturday 5/26 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Velvet Caravan – Prohibition Breathers, Superbody – El-Rocko CBDB, Lady Love & The Losing Streak – Barrelhouse South Hitman – Molly MacPherson’s Rock n’ Roll Prom: Time Travel Edition w/ The Hypnotics, COEDS, The Wave Slaves – Jinx Freeway Revival – Congress Street Social Club
Sunday 5/27 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 5/28 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 5/29 Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
This week’s post includes work from Lucero, T. Hardy Morris, Big Ups, pronoun, and Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, plus “Old Old Fashioned” by Frightened Rabbit with Kayne’s thoughts on the passing of the band’s Scott Hutchison.
Lucero Memphis, TN
“To My Dearest Wife” from Among the Ghosts’out August 3rd.
It’s been a minute since Lucero or Ben Nichols solo has played Savannah, but at least there’s new Lucero on the horizon, and that’s very, very, good news. This doesn’t sound like a huge departure from their recent winning formula of Nichols world weary vocals in front of their signature blend of Americana, soul, and country rock, but why mess with perfection?
tom
T. Hardy Morris Athens, GA
“Homemade Bliss” from Dude, The Obscure out June 22 via New West Records/Normaltown Records.
This second peek at the upcoming T. Hardy Morris album is damn near as good as the first, “Be”, which I’ve listened to pretty much daily since it came out a couple of weeks ago. I’m not sure there’s currently an upcoming album I’m more excited for.
tom
Big Ups Brooklyn, NY Two Parts Together, out now on Exploding In Sound Records
The only thing more chaotic than a new Big Ups record may be the mayhem that happens on stage during their live shows. The NY band delivers a carefully curated blend of crushing post-punk guitar work interlaced with Galarraga’s sometimes softly spoken, sometimes violently shouted lyrics. Tune in and get ready for a sonic pummeling. ~ Petey
pronoun Brooklyn, NY
“wrong” off of pronoun’s upcoming debut album pronoun is back with a new single off of her upcoming debut album on Rhyme & Reason Records. More of the slightly lo-fi, dreampop goodness we’ve come to expect from the NY native. Here’s hoping the album isn’t too far in the future! ~ Petey
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks Portland, OR
“Bike Lane”
Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus’ 7th solo album Sparkle Hard dropped on Friday. Three singles from the album have been trickling out over the last few months and I’ve loved them all (particularly “Middle America which really does feel like a lost Pavement track) so I was excited to hear the rest of the album. “Bike Lane” is a standout track that musically rocks a little harder than most of the album and lyrically deals with the subject of Freddie Gray’s death at the hands of the Baltimore police back in 2015. It’s a controversial move by Malkmus because the lyrics make you very uncomfortable while the music sublimely pushes you forward. My guess is that that’s the whole point as I can’t stop thinking about this track. -Kayne
Frightened Rabbit Edinburgh, Scotland
“Old Old Fashioned”
This isn’t new music but perhaps it’s new to some of you. I’ve been reeling from the news last week that Scott Hutchison from Frightened Rabbit was found dead outside of Edinburgh from an apparent suicide. Truly one of my favorite bands, I was so lucky to see him perform many times, most recently in Atlanta in 2016 at Terminal West. When people would ask me who would I most want to bring to Savannah Stopover, my answer was always Frightened Rabbit. Scott’s music, which often dealt with the issues of depression and anxiety, helped support and comfort people the world over. If you don’t know this band, take some time to dig deep into the their canon. It’s a treasure. RIP Scott. -Kayne
Thursday 5/17
Eric Culberson Band – Bayou Cafe
Shoplifters, The Woggles – Jinx ($10)
Rare Creatures, Dead Swells, Cole Collins – El-Rocko
Friday 5/18 City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30) Pluff Mudd – Rail Pub (7p) Atlantic City Boys – Randy Wood Guitars Sister Hazel – Stage On Bay (8p, $29) Stan Ray’s Soul Satisfaction – Jazz’d (9p) Whitehall, City On Down, DJ Precisa – El-Rocko Prime Real Estate – Molly MacPherson’s Big Something – Barrelhouse South Hanging Judge, Bastard Brigade, Jeff Two-Names & The Born Agains, Hale Bopp Astronauts – Jinx ($7) Listen 2 Three – Congress Street Social Club
Saturday 5/19 Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Chicago – Savannah Civic Center (8p, $55) Allman Brothers Tribute Show – Southbound Brewery (7p, $20/25) Sondorblue – El-Rocko Just Ford – Molly MacPherson’s Ike Stubblefield – Barrelhouse South American Lesion, Minor Nine – Wormhole Versatile – Congress Street Social Club
Sunday 5/20 Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 5/21 Flipturn – Sentient Bean (7:30) Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 5/22 Clouds & Satellites – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe
Wednesday 5/23 Ben Keiser Band – Boomy’s Lost In Society, Jeff Two-Names & The Born Agains – El-Rocko
Big Ups Brooklyn, NY
“Imaginary Dog Walker” from Two Parts Together out May 18 on Exploding in Sound.
Big Ups have been plugging away at it for years now, and have perfected their singular introspective post hardcore. A tense, spoken, grinding buildup leads to at least a bit of release at the end. Cool stuff. I’ve enjoyed their first two full lengths, I’m betting I’ll dig this one, too.
tom
Mitski New York, New York
“Geyser” from Be The Cowboy out Aug. 17 on Dead Oceans.
You guys, Mitski is playing El Rocko on June 23. Holy shit. Wait, you don’t know who Mitski is? Umm, ok, wow. Wait, just check out this new song. See, no biggie, you’re up to speed now.
tom
The Pauses Orlando, FL
“Digital Detox” from Unbuilding out June 22nd via Arctic Rodeo Recordings.
The Pauses are no strangers to Savannah, and that’s rad because they’re…well….rad, too. They deal in indie/pop/rock and this new single pushes all those buttons hard. Synths, distorted guitars, immediately catchy melody, this deserves WAY more airplay than it will probably get. Bonus indie cred for the J. Robbins production.
tom
Young Widows Kentucky
“Checked In/Checked Out” from DECAYED: Ten Years of Cities, Wounds, Lightness, and Pain, out June 8 on Temporary Residence Ltd.
Young Widows have covered a lot of ground in their 10+ years of cranking out something somewhere between post punk and post hardcore. Don’t let that scare you, it’s a little dark, maybe in a heavier Joy Division way, but plenty melodic and accessible. The new album is a b-sides and rarities kinda thing, but if you dig this track, definitely check out their Old Wounds lp. Classic.
tom
Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks
“Refute” from Sparkle Hard, out May 18 on Matador Records.
The third great pre-release single from ex Pavement frontman Stephen Malkmus, this one a country flavored jam featuring some guest vocals from indie icon Kim Gordon. If the lead singles are any indication, I expect Sparkle Hard to be a contender for album of the year for me. Just a few more days……
tom
In between SUSTO‘s sets at the band’s awesome performance for Stopover in the Yard at The Grey, a good friend of mine wondered aloud what songs the band had yet to play. After all, we had heard so many great ones — and we had known every word, as most in the audience also did.
But then we started listing some of the songs that SUSTO hadn’t played yet, and we knew we were in for a killer closing set too.
I love the whole concept of Stopover in the Yard — the combination of booking and production by Kayne Lanahan and her Savannah Stopover team, the beautiful and slightly funky outdoor space at The Grey, a casual lunch menu from Chef Mashama Bailey, and Chatham Artillery Punch too, plus a portion of the proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit (Planned Parenthood this time around). There have been some wonderful bands, but the space has rarely filled and many patrons would leave before the Saturday afternoon music ended.
But not this time. SUSTO, led by the intense and talented Justin Osborne, sold out the show in advance, and the audience stayed till the end and wanted even more. The band seemed to know they’d be called back for an encore, so they slipped outside the gate into the lane through which random characters pass all day, and then came back for gorgeous renditions of “Smoking Outside” (I’ve put this post off for too long, so I’m pretty sure on that one) and “Chillin’ On The Beach With My Best Friend Jesus Christ,” a brilliant bit of songwriting. I’ve been lucky to hear that live before.
I don’t know how many more chances I’ll have to see SUSTO in a small-ish venue like the Yard at The Grey, but I’ll take advantage of whatever chances I get.
I took a lot of photos — I’m still struggling to take photos on bright days outside rather than in dark clubs at night, but here are a ton anyway. Great band, great day, great punch, great grilled chicken sandwich, great everything. Click on through for more.
This week we’re listening to new work from:
Now, Now
Yoke Lore
Taken By Trees
American Aquarium
Family And Friends
Enjoy!
Now, Now Minneapolis, MN
“MJ” off of the upcoming Saved due out on May 18th
Minnesota locals, Now, Now, have really started to hammer home the growth that they’ve gone through the 6 years since their last album. Their latest track has a markedly more pop-laden feel than the indie-rock releases they’ve put out in the past. The vibe has switched in a much more Lana Del Ray direction and I’m totally stoked to see what else the new album entails. ~ Petey
Yoke Lore Brooklyn, NY
“Fake You”
Yoke Lore first fell onto my radar thanks to a stellar performance at a previous Savannah Stopover and I’m so glad they did. The NY based alt-indie project combines storytelling, synths, and killer, reverb laden vocals. ~ Petey
Taken By Trees Sweden
“Vibrant Colors”
The latest single from the group’s fourth studio album is a soothing ode to a love that encompasses more than yourself and the lengths you’ll go to for it. The layered vocals, bongos and repetitive lines of “Vibrant Colors” make this song a fun one to blast on a road trip or a lazy Saturday. Taken By Trees album Yellow to Blue was released on May 4. – Caila
American Aquarium Raleigh, North Carolina
“The World Is On Fire”
The latest offering from American Aquarium aptly demonstrates frontman BJ Barham’s growth as a musician, songwriter — and human. He says it best:
“I wrote the first two verses of “The World Is On Fire” the morning after the [election] results came in and quickly realized where the song was going. It was heading toward the same darkness and negativity that I was condemning. The song was becoming the exact thing I was writing to combat.Those verses sat in my notebook until mid-summer 2017, when I found out that my wife and I were expecting our first child in April. I came across the song at a moment of clarity and my point of view completely changed. Hope replaced hate. Certainty replaced confusion.”
– Caila
Family And Friends Athens, Georgia
“Winding Roads”
This new live video from Studio 1093 in Athens has me more hyped than ever for the upcoming album Felix Culpa. Family And Friends is becoming more effective at harnessing their energy at critical moments — and that makes the songs even more powerful and effective when they let that energy loose. – bill
Hey everybody,
It looks like there are some pretty good shows going on this weekend. I hope to start the weekend with some City Hotel at Service Brewing, then jump over to the Rail for a bit of the Danielle Hicks Band. From there, I will probably bounce up and down Congress Street until I find a thing (or three) that I like. I am not familiar with many of the bands playing on Saturday, so I am not sure where I will end up. I do plan on making it by Molly’s to catch the Train Wrecks that night. There is one show during the week that I would recommend trying to make it out to see, Joe Nelson at the Foxy Loxy Cafe. He is one of Savannah’s most talented guitarists, it’s not often you see someone play six different string instruments in one night. If you are a fan of old-time music, you will not be disappointed. I hope to see you make it out to some live music this weekend, be sure to say “hello” if you see me around.
Friday 5/4
City Hotel – Service Brewing (5:30)
Danielle Hicks Band – Rail Pub (7p)
Waits & Co. – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p)
Thomas Claxton, Jon Lee & The Hextones – Bayou Cafe
Pussy Launcher, Baby Born at the End of the World, She Blinded Me with Box Cutters – Wormhole
Fooligans, Eagle Eye Williamson, Kudzu – El Rocko
Ember City Album Release Party w/ Dylan Swinson, Lilakk – Jinx
The Mercers – Molly MacPherson’s
Waiting On Mongo – Congress Street Social Club
Universal Sigh, LITZ – Barrelhouse South
Saturday 5/5 Sound Experiment – Bull Street Taco (2p) Americana-O-Rama – Driftaway Cafe (6p) Damon & The Shitkickers – Jinx Happy Hour Porch 40, Tenth Mountain Division – Barrelhouse South Daas & Future Culture Showcase – El-Rocko Damon and the Shitkickers – Jinx Jacob Evans – Prohibition Train Wrecks – Molly MacPherson’s Liquid Ginger – Boomy’s
Sunday 5/6 The Temptations, The Four Tops – Savannah Civic Center (7p) Voodoo Soup – Congress Street Social Club
Monday 5/7 Open Mic – Abe’s On Lincoln
Tuesday 5/8 Joe Nelson – Foxy Loxy Cafe (7p) Ben Keiser Band – Bay Street Blues Eric Culberson Open Jam – Bayou Cafe Open Mic – Molly MacPherson’s
And this week brings new tracks from:
Omni
Sleep
Pile
Enjoy!
Omni Atlanta, GA
“Sunset Preacher b/w Confessional” 7″ out now on Chunklet World Industries.
Another impossibly cool pair of tracks from Atlanta’s post punk trio Omni. Think Wire and that type of clean, tight post punk and you’ll be in the neighborhood. Cool stuff, you know, if you like cool stuff.
tom
Sleep California, USA
“Marijuanaut’s Theme” from The Sciences, out now on Third Man Records.
It’s no accident that Sleep dropped a new album on 4/20, but it sure was a surprise. 20ish years after the epic stoner metal masterpiece that is Jerusalem/Dopesmoker, the trio have released a follow up and, well, it may have been worth the wait. If you like doom metal you’ve already listened to this a bunch, but if not expect Sabbath grade riffs, tone for days and some awesome nonsense about….uhhh….weed mostly, it sounds like. Pretty sure there’s a line about a hashteroid in there. Anyway, I’m guessing you already know whether this is for you or not, but you can always check out this song if not.
tom
Pile Boston, MA
“Keep the Last Light On” from the Musicians Take Aim to End Gun Violence compilation.
I don’t know how many people are as big a fan of Pile as I am, but those who are will definitely want to check out this plaintive, previously unreleased song featuring some banjo picking in the background. God, I love this band.
tom
What a beautiful day for the 8th annual A-Town Get Down Festival. Like in 2017, the festival took over the end of Indian Street — a tremendous combination of spaces for A-Town’s celebration of the visual arts, music, and community.
I got to A-Town a little after 5 p.m. last Saturday, just in time to enjoy some of Bloodkin from Athens and then great sets from Webb Wilder (who played the indoor stage at Ghost Coast Distillery); Walter Parks, Vivian Sessoms, and legendary drummer Bernard Purdie; Randall Bramblett; and Chuck Leavell, who has done some compelling solo work but is best known for his decades as the keys player for The Rolling Stones.
Along the way, I also had some stellar fried shrimp and the world’s best peach cobbler from the Platinum Pizza food truck.
Because I arrived about halfway through the event, I missed a number of bands as well as many of the day’s art happenings, so regrettably this photo gallery doesn’t capture the full breadth of the festival. Click on through for lots more.
We really have some great stuff for this week’s post:
T. Hardy Morris
Courtney Barnett
Prince and The Revolution
FIDLAR
Wimps
Enjoy:
T. Hardy Morris Athens, Georgia
“Be” off the forthcoming Dude, The Obscure due out June 22
What a beautiful surprise. This rich and sublime first track off T. Hardy Morris’ upcoming Dude, The Obscure, which is a clear nod to Thomas Hardy’s tragic and fatalistic novel Jude the Obscure, suggests a significant shift from the southern grunge of the brilliant 2015 album Drownin’ on a Mountaintop. We loved that record and the live shows it spawned — and we can’t wait to hear more of this new work. – bill
Courtney Barnett Sydney, Australia
“City Looks Pretty” off of the upcoming Tell Me How You Really Feel due out on May 12th
Courtney Barnett, one of 2016’s best indie rock acts. is back again and prepping for the release of long awaited sophomore album, Tell Me How You Really Feel. Featuring Barnett’s signature deadpan singing style as well as her aloof and slightly stream of consciousness lyricism, the track is everything and more that fans have come to expect from Barnett. ~ Petey
Prince and the Revolution Minneapolis, MN
“Nothing Compares 2 U”
It certainly doesn’t feel as if it’s been two years since we’ve lost one of the greatest performers and musicians of a generation. The world won’t be going on without Prince for a very long time as bits of the artist’s extensive catalog that never saw the light of day is slowly released by his estate. Most recently, we’ve been gifted Prince and the Revolution’s original recording of “Nothing Compares 2 U” which gained popularity via a cover performed by Sinead O’Connor. ~ Petey
FIDLAR Los Angeles, CA
“Alcohol”
FIDLAR may seem like a bunch of degenerate, rock and rollers, but when it comes down to it, they really are a bunch of nice guys. Don’t let that convince you for a second that their raucous brand of garage rock won’t get a party started in 3 seconds flat. Time to crack open a cold one and get ready for the weekend. ~ Petey
Wimps Seattle, WA
“Garbage People” from an album of the same name, due out July 13 on Kill Rock Stars.
Another crazy catchy tune from the seriously endearing Wimps, this one an upbeat ditty about trash. Neat. Seriously, though, if you’re bummed The Thermals broke up and need some minimalist but catchy and fun rock to fill the void, check out Wimps.
tom
