Column for November 11, 2009

The Vinyl Perk, a smallish coffee shop located at 150 S. Main Street (map) in Pocatello is fast becoming a center for the local live music scene. This week, two regional travelling music acts of interest are playing free shows at “the Perk.”

Tonight, Wednesday the 11th, The Lucas Cates Band from “Mad Town” Madison, Wisconsin are in concert at the Vinyl Perk, seating at 7, music at 8:00 p.m. This is perhaps the third time Lucas Cates has played in the Pocatello area, previously at Revive @ Five, Idaho State University and at the First National Bar.

The Lucas Cates Band plays groovy, acoustic rock, blues and pop a la John Mayer, Maroon 5 or Matchbox Twenty. You can also expect to hear some alt. country, funk and a little reggae mixed in, keeping the sets interesting and fresh with each song.

The band is led by Lucas Cates on acoustic guitar and vocals, now over three years with thisband. Kenny Leiser on electric guitar and violin, bassist mark Noxon, and an incredibly impressive drummer Jesse Warmka round out the touring band. And tour they have.

In the last 18 months, the Lucas Cates band has travelled from New York to Atlanta, Dallas, Phoenix to Seattle and points in between. The group has sold over 1000 CD’s in the last 12 months while on tour.

Cate’s has produced three CD’s to date, two full-band records and one "live" duo cd from their perfornace at the Stephens Performing Arts Center, right here in Pocatello. “We mixed and mastered a show we did there last Sept,” Cates said. All CD’s are available at their live performances, on iTunes and CDBaby.com. For more on this band, visit www.lucascates.com or slowloosegravel.blogspot.com for a more in-depth interview.

Also tonight, the ISU Jazz Band is making a special performance at Portneuf Valley Brewing (map) starting at 7:00 p.m. The event is part of a scholarship fund raising effort on the part of the Pinks, owners of the brewery. For more information, call 208-232-1644

On Thursday the 12th and Friday the 13th, Robert Meade from Eugene, Oregon makes an encore stop at Senang’s Tapas on S. 1st Ave. (map) and the Vinyl Perk on Main, respectively; music starts at 7:00 p.m. Although playing solo on this tour, Meade fronts the band Cambio in Oregon, a progressive R&B /rock band.

Performing and writing music for 12 years, Meade is heavily influenced by the classic and folk rock of the 60’s and by the Motown sound. He says, “The music I am most compelled to compose loosely fits into the category of progressive rhythm and blues, rock & roll, and folk. Originality and passion generate style that I would like to attribute to my experiences.”

Expect to hear Meade’s original songs, “In a Moment,” a funky, high energy and danceable song, “Holla,” with undeniable hooks, and the emotive and lyrical “Cambio.”

Cambio has been hailed has “one of Eugene’s favorite bands,” and played at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon for the regional track finals of 2008. This year, the band opened for Everest at the W.O.W. Hall in Eugene and released their freshman CD in late May 2009. Meade performed in Pocatello in September of this year. For more, visit www.myspace.com/cambiousa.

At Portneuf Valley Brewing this weekend, Gene Galloway and Bruce Bowman play acoustic folk music starting at 8:30 on Friday, and Bender performs American folk and bluegrass on Saturday the 14th. Both shows are free and open to all ages.

The big concert of the week was going to be MC Hammer with Vanilla Ice at the Idaho Falls Civic Auditorium, but the hip-hop / R&B artists have canceled their engagement for November 14th. If you are a ticket holder, you may hold on to it in exchange for any 2010 Red Tie concert; visit www.eastidahoconcerts.com or email info@redtieconcerts.com for more information. Or you can request a full refund from CD World in Idaho Falls between November 15 and 30, 2009; call 208-522-7826.

The First National Bar on W. Center Street in Pocatello is hosting three rock bands on Saturday the 14th, starting at 9:00 p.m. Senseless Obscure, Conscious Thief and Hearsay There are scheduled to play.

On Sunday the 15th, Sherwood, We Shot the Moon, Jon Van Pelt and more play at Frazier Hall on Pocatello’s Idaho State University campus.

And a metal show on Tuesday of next week is scheduled at the Bannock County Fairgrounds (map) with Throwdown, Bury Your Dead, For Today Abacabb and more.

Linda Alexander
"Lana Banana" for Idaho Live Music
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband