Most recently, Junior Astronomers (Charlotte-based, but here often) stood out among four area bands at, of all places, a campus party. Taking ’90s rock influence from Pavement’s infectious riffs through Modest Mouse angst and early At The Drive-In brute force, Junior Astronomers made up for a not-too-original set with great energy, structure and homage to its heroes. Plus, for a band this young with a foundation this stellar, great things are in its future.
With this in mind, another local showcase is coming up, and I’m in the mood to discover more bands that will fill the eminent void of this spring’s concert lineup.
After a night spent exploring several bands I’ve only heard of in passing (or not at all), this column is dedicated entirely to a showcase happening Saturday at Cat’s Cradle.
Yes, Junior Astronomer’s set (“I Had Plans For Us” EP is worth a listen if any of their influences sound appealing) might have re-ignited a local music flame, but this upcoming show is important for another, far more important reason.
As a benefit concert for Haiti relief, it’s an urgent cause. For $10 at 6 p.m. Saturday, eight bands will explore all angles of the folk/Americana side of the local scene.
Each band on the bill attacks a unified sound from a different angle, and there’s something for everybody, so I’m hoping this detailed preview will get each reader excited enough for at least one band to spend the time and money where it counts.
Kitty Box and the Johnnys aren’t so much folk as they are soul, with a strong, powerful female vocalist rocking through a smooth backing band. Through exploring bluesy undertones, Kitty Box creates danceable music capable of evoking real emotion in listeners.
HWYL! had the most positive initial effect on me (remember, I’m as new to all these bands as you are). An oddly distinctive voice (imagine Belle & Sebastian attempting ’70s classic folk-rock) presides over a retro, mystical feel. Self-described as alternative Celtic rock, these guys are capable of instantly captivating anybody who ever listened to Jethro Tull within seconds of “Dream.”
An up-tempo Americana band battling punk urges, Puritan Rodeo dances between traditional numbers like “Fool’s Gold,” and more driven, genre-blurring ones. “Whiskey Stains” takes the same high-energy vocal style and adds a more straightforward beat, bringing Puritan Rodeo close to Dead Kennedy’s-style early punk rock.
Charles Pettee adds a religious spin to classic folk, but what goes on around him makes it far less of a cliché. Backing vocals add so much to religious lyrics and imagery, and funky drumming on “Refuge” provides a clever, enjoyable juxtaposition. On other tracks, Pettee turns straight-up country, which might be exactly what listeners want after being teased for a few hours.
New Town Drunks contribute a weird, stream of consciousness side to folk rock that makes them a bizarre type of jam band. While the most quintessential folk rock band on the bill, tracks like “Fishy Song” show a carefree attitude that stands out from the rest of the bill.
Headlining act The Moaners describe themselves as folk, rock and experimental (big surprise, right?) but the punk influence is stated to the point where it’s more than just an influence. “Foxy Brown” starts this all-girl band off with a very Sleater-Kinney riff, and a Pixies-inspired drum track, mixed with Sonic Youth dissonance, makes “Dreamin’ About Flyin’” a standout.
Also playing will be The Bipolar Bears (featuring Debra DeMilo, Terry Anderson, Jack Cornell and Terry McInturff) and Kick The Future (Robert Kirland, Scott Davison, Terry McInturff and Ron Bartholomew). Who doesn’t love supergroups?
As wrong as it feels to compare the humanitarian benefits of supporting fundraisers to selfishly learning about new local bands, this show will be great for both reasons.
J.J. Lang hits the high notes of the local music scene each week for The Chapel Hill Herald. Send e-mail to JJLang@email.unc.edu
