Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Column for September 30, 2009

There is a special mid-week live music show at Portneuf Valley Brewing, S. 2nd Avenue in Pocatello tonight, September 30th, starting at 9:00 p.m. The Wailing O’Sheas, a tribute band to the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and other legendary Irish punk-rock groups. Their entire set list comes from those bands.

The Wailing O’Sheas, a four-piece outfit based from northern Utah, consists of Jordan Olsen on Guitar, bassist Johyn Chatelain, drummer Ryan Smith and Andy Reiner on fiddle. Reiner, a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music in violin performance, played fiddle on the most recent Dropkick Murphys album.

"Flogging Molly’s music is so closely connected to the struggle of the working class, some of their lyrics are so deep and sad. And they tie it all together with amazing melodies, emotion and rukus punk-rock,” said Olsen. “One of the funnest songs we play is ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’ by Shane MacGowan of The Pogues."

The first show they ever played together was at 1st National Bar in Pocatello on St. Patricks Day 2007. Three of the four members of The Wailing O’Sheas play in the alt-rock band The Gorgeous Hussies, and while playing a show at 1st National Bar in the winter of 2007 the promoter at the bar asked if the band new any Irish punk-rock bands to play St. Patricks Day. The guys didn’t know any but figured they could put one together for their St. Patty’s celebration. In less than 6-weeks The Gorgeous Hussies learned a 3-hour set of Irish punk-rock and played their first show at 1st National Bar as The Wailing O’Sheas. So Pocatello has a close connection to the formation of this band.

Find out more at www.myspace.com/thewailingosheas.

On Thursday, October 1st, the College Market at 604 S. 8th Ave. in Pocatello is pleased to host a trio of indie folk bands, with A. W. Feldt, You & Yourn and Jon Fan Pelt. Music starts at 6:00 p.m.; cost is $3.

A. W. Feldt is a solo guitarist, singer / songwriter. Based locally in Pocatello, Feldt has recently returned to Pocatello after several months of touring to critical acclaim. Expect music in the genra of Sufjan Stevens; more at www.myspace.com/awfeldt. You & Yourn is an alt. indie band from Urbana IL. Find out more at www.myspace.com/youandyourn. And Jon Van Pelt is a new addition to the local music scene. Visit him online at www.myspace.com/jvpsoloartist.

On Friday the 2nd, Dan Hillebrant brings his soulfoul voice, blues and jazzy songs, songwriting and guitar to downtown Pocatello’s newest listening room, the Vinyl Perk on Main St., starting at 7:00 p.m. There is no cover. More at www.myspace.com/danhillebrant.

Also on Friday, Colter Wilson, another new musician on the local scene plays Portneuf Valley Brewing starting at 8:30 p.m. Wilson is a solo singer / songwriter, playing alternative acoustic folk music for the First Friday Art Walk at the pub. For more, visit www.myspace.com/colterwilsonmusic.

Starting at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, one of the area’s most popular rock n roll cover bands, Kaught Lookin’ is scheduled to play at Duffy’s Bar on Main Street in Pocatello.

And to end out a busy Friday night of live music in town, Mike Schikora, a modern country and blues man from Colorado brings his band to the stage at the Benton Street Bar & Grill, corner of Benton Street and S. 2nd Avenue in Pocatello. Schikora is Montana bred, Nashville trained and now influenced by the Colorado country scene. His most recent CD, “What’s Old Is New Again,” is the kind of music you can two-step, waltz, drink beer and party to. For more, visit www.mikeschikora.com.

Saturday the 3rd, a real novelty for music and football fans: the local youth rock band Seven Feet Below performs at the ISU Homecoming Pre-game Tailgate party in the parking lot of Holt Arena, starting at 1:00 p.m. See www.myspace.com/sevenfeetbelow for more information.

On Saturday night, Bandáge à Trois from Pocatello will be playing European folk music at Portneuf Valley Brewing starting at 8:30 p.m.

On Monday of next week, a new live music venue officially opens their doors with a metal show, brought to you by Flying Monkey Booking. Studio 208, located at 633 S. 2nd Ave. in Pocatello, brings Salt The Wounds, Graves of Valor, Within the Ruins, Neckbrace, Kryterium and more starting at 7:00 p.m. Cost at the door is $9.

And on Tuesday, the locally based Kratz Bros. Band plays Hooligans starting at 9:00 p.m.

Linda Alexander
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Column for September 23, 2009

The big concert this week is at the El Rey Event Center in Blackfoot, ID. The national recording group Shinedown headlines, with the Sick Puppies and Cavo on Thursday, September 24. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., and the concert starts at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for Shinedown are $32.50 plus fees, available online at www.eastidahoconcerts.com.

Shinedown, originating from Jacksonville, FL, is a popular southern alt. rock, post-grunge band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed in 2001. The band has released three albums on Atlantic Records featuring the well-known and radio friendly singles "45," "Save Me," "Devour," "Sound of Madness," and "Second Chance," all of which have climbed into the Top 5 of the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

“Leave a Whisper” is Shinedown's best-selling album, certified platinum. “Us and Them” is their second studio album released in 2005, now certified gold. And in 2008, Shinedown released their third effort with three #1 singles. To date, Shinedown has sold over six million albums worldwide. For more, visit www.shinedown.com.

Sick Puppies are an Australian alt. rock band from Sydney, formed in 1997 and Cavo is an American post-grunge/hard rock band from St. Louis, MO.

On Friday the 25th, three metal bands take the stage at the Benton Street Bar & Grill, corner of S. 2nd Avenue and Benton Street. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. with Final Underground from Boise, followed by the wildly popular local metal bands Haxsaw Ridge and Neckbrace. The concert is open to all ages; cost is $7 for those under 21 and $5 for 21 and over.

The weekend concerts at Benton Street coincide with their week-long Great American Dine Out fund raising effort for the charity, Share Our Strength. 5% of all food and drink sales will be donated towards ending childhood hunger in America. For more, visit www.myspace.com/bentonstreet and strength.org.

On Saturday the 26th, Pocatello’s Oktoberfest Block Party gets under way starting at 4:00 p.m. on the 600 block of S. 1st Avenue in the warehouse district. Festivities continue until midnight. Oktoberfest is a sixteen-day festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September, running to early October. In American culture, it is without a doubt the most famous event celebrating German heritage and, well, beer in general.

Musically, Pocatello’s Oktoberfest features three bands: the Oompah Loompahs, the locally popular American folk band Bender and The Shook Twins, from Sandpoint, Idaho.

Tickets for Oktoberfest are $8 at the gate or $6 in advance, available at Portneuf Valley Brewing, Barrie’s Ski & Sports, The Raven’s Next, Budget Tapes & Records and at The Grapevine; children under 12 are admitted free. Proceeds from the event benefit the Pebble Creek Ski Patrol. For more information, call 637-8984.

The Shook Twins, Katelyn and Laurie Shook, play acoustic folk, rock and pop with breath-taking harmonies. Forming their band some three years ago, they opened for Ryan Adams at the well-known Festival at Sandpoint music festival, and their career has taken off since.

The Shook Twins take a twist on folk music with Laurie’s beatboxing and looping her guitar and vocals. Listen for one of their biggest crowd-pleaser, “Beatbox Medley,” where they mix R&B and rap together.

The Shook Twins feel the best way to get their music out to the fans is through MySpace. “As far as all of Idaho goes, we feel very accepted and appreciated.” The duet will have their CD, “You Can Have the Rest,” for sale at the show. For more on The Shook Twins, visit www.myspace.com/shooktwins.

The roots rock and reggae band, Bender, has been a regular favorite at Portneuf Valley Brewing, the recent concert for Riverfest and around the area. They are relatively new to MySpace, so add them as a friend at www.myspace.com/benderpocatello.

Also on Saturday, acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter Dan Hillebrant performs at The Sandpiper on Bench Road in Pocatello starting at 7:00 p.m. Keep up with Hillebrant’s performance schedule at www.myspace.com/danhillebrant. And Ande Conda, found online at www.myspace.com/andeconda and one of the area’s best-known rock cover bands performs at the First National Bar on W. Center Street in Pocatello starting at 9:00 p.m.

And on Tuesday of next week, the Vinyl Perk on Main Street in Pocatello is pleased to host The Hand That Bleeds, an Americana, indie rock band from Portland, OR, on their stage starting at 7:00 p.m. Find out more at www.myspace.com/handthatbleeds.

Risingson, the locally-based blues and psychedelic rock band known best for their incredible Hendrix covers, plays at Hooligans just off Center Street on Tuesday starting at 9:00 p.m. Find out more at www.myspace.com/risingsonlive.

Linda Alexander
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband
http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com

Dirty Penny at the new FlipSide Lounge in Pocatello

From their Myspace page:

Pocatello's Hot New Spot! Located at 117 S. Main St., in the old Mustang Sally's / The Dugout. (map) Currently a beer, wine & sake bar.

www.myspace.com/fliplounge

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Oktoberfest - Pocatello

Who: Several bands
What: Oktoberfest - Pocatello
When: Saturday, September 26, 2009 4pm - midnight
Where: 600 block of 1st Avenue, Pocatello, ID
Why: Cuz beer is good!

Portneuf Valley Brewing's Oktoberfest Street Party is Saturday, September 26th on the 600 block of 1st Ave. The annual Oktoberfest block party helps raise funds for the Pebble Creek Ski Patrol.

Festivities run from 4pm - midnight and include live music by The Shook Twins (website), Bender and The Oompah Loompahs. The Ski Patrol will be there cooking hamburgers and bratwurst outside and PVB will be open inside with Oktoberfest food and beverage specials for the occasion as well as their full menu (including the Bavarian Bun or bierocks. Hand crafted beverages will be available inside and out including the Oktoberfest Fall Seasonals. Tickets are available at PVB, Scott's, Barrie's, The Raven's Nest, Budget Tapes & Records and The Grapevine.

The Youth Training Center next door will be open for business that evening in case you need a safe and fun place for your kids. Call 637-8984 for pricing information.

Tell Your Friends

Bookmark and Share