Column for December 2, 2009

There’s a little something for everyone in the local live music scene this week, from hardcore rock to a cappella vocals. Here’s where to be when to catch your favorite style of music.

Tonight, December 2, I See Stars, We Came as Romans, Of Mice & Men and more perform a one-night concert at The Icon on N. Main Street in Pocatello. The concert is open to all ages, and doors open at 6:30 p.m.

I See Stars is a post-hardcore / screamo band with shades of emo. Based from Warren, Michigan, the group released their debut EP two years ago and signed with Sumerian Records last year. They are touring in support of their first full-length CD, “3-D,” which peaked at #176 on the Billboard 200. For more, visit www.myspace.com/iseestars.

We Came As Romans is a pop-infused hardcore screamo band based from Detroit, MI. This six-piece band creates a full, almost symphonic rock sound with positive and inspiring lyrics. Their latest album is appropriately called “To Plant A Seed.” Learn more at www.myspace.com/wecameasromans. Of Mice & Men, more hardcore screamo, is based from Southern California. Visit them at www.myspace.com/ofmice.

If acoustic solo or duo music is more your style, then your Friday night on the 4th is all worked out. Starting at 7:00 p.m., the Vinyl Perk on S. Main Street is pleased to bring Jordan Peterson to the stage to play acoustic rock from Johnny Cash to Nirvana. The music entertainment is free to the public.

Then at 7:30 on Friday night, The Wild Coyotes host a concert and CD release party as the First Friday Coffeehouse entertainment at the First United Church of Christ on Garfield Street, just behind Pocatello High School. “Coyote Tracks” is the band’s third CD release.

The Wild Coyotes are a favorite in the area, frequenting the brewery and several outdoor concerts in clement weather. They play a wide range of old-time, blue grass, cowboy and original folk. Sallie Sublette fronts the band on guitar, backed by Vince Crofts on fiddle and mandolin, Rick McCracken on clawhammer banjo and Carrie Bean on the stand-up bass. All sing leads and great harmonies. Find them online at wildcoyotes-stringband.com.

A $5 donation at the Coyotes’ concert will go to support Aid for Friends, a private, non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and other supportive services to individuals and families facing homelessness in Pocatello. Aids for Friends is kicking off their Caldwell Park Encampment Fundraiser and Awareness project this weekend, December 5th and 6th. Visit them online at aidforfriendspocatello.org.

Starting at 8:30 p.m. on Friday night, local singer / songwriters Dr. Bob Fisher and Father Bob Forrest play humorous acoustic songs at Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1st Avenue. Then on Saturday the 5th, Soul Full of Blues, featuring singer Ramona Awes, takes the pub’s stage at 8:30. Both concerts are free and open to the public of all ages.

If it’s good old rock n roll you’re looking for this weekend, then head over to Taps Bar on Garrett Way where Plain Jane is on stage. Music starts at 9:00 p.m.; no cover at the door and open to those 21+.

Plain Jane plays classic rock from the 60’s and 70’s and a few more recent tunes; the kind of music to which we all know the words. With the motto, “Fun Music for Fun People,” it’s hard to go wrong. They’ll be back at Taps for New Year’s Eve.

Plain Jane is locally-based, fronted by Jeff Hammer on lead vocals and guitar and backed by guitarists Maurice Ross and Richard Henry, bassist Darwin Edwards and Frank True on one of the biggest drum sets in the local live scene. Find out more at www.myspace.com/plainjaneinfo.

A real highlight in the local scene early next week: A Rockapella Holiday at the Jensen Grand Concert Hall on the Idaho State University Campus on Tuesday the 8th. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and tickets are $28 to $32, available at www.isu.edu/tickets.

Rockapella is perhaps best known for their participation on the long-running PBS children's geography game show, “Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?” and for the show’s theme song. They formed in 1986 in New York City and have since seen several member changes, but no change in the quality of their a cappella singing performances.

Currently, the vocal group is Scott Leonard, Jeff Thacher, Kevin Wright, George Baldi III and John K. Brown. Expect Rockapella to perform covers of popular tunes and many holiday favorites. Find out more at www.rockapella.com.

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