Column for January 6, 2010

A quiet live music scene in Pocatello this week, I can only assume that everyone is still recovering from the holidays?

This afternoon, the locally-based Kratz Bros Band is playing at Kinport Coffee on S. 1st Avenue in Pocatello at 4:00 p.m. The entertainment is free and open to all ages. And on Saturday the 9th, the band will be playing at The Cellar, E. 17th Street, in Ammon, ID starting at 7:00 p.m.

The Kratz Bros Band started as a duo act with brothers John and Luke Kratz. Over time, they have evolved into a full fusion rock band that blends 60's- style folk songwriting with electric and acoustic world music sounds and rhythms. Find out more at www.myspace.com/kratzbrosband.

Tonight, Wednesday the 6th, a special show at Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1st Avenue in Pocatello: Thomas Paul is playing the pub’s stage from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m..

Thomas Paul is an indie folk musician based out of Boise, Idaho. He’ll be playing for tips at the brewery, so bring a few extra bucks. Locals may know and recognize Paul from his work with the locally popular folk band, Hillfolk Noir. For more on Thomas Paul, visit him online at www.myspace.com/thomaspaulmusic.

Tomorrow the 7th, the acoustic, punk rock band Tyranny plays a special set at Hot Topic in Idaho Falls, starting at 6:30 p.m. Hot Topic is located in the mall on E. 17th Street. They have a follow-up performance at the Idaho State University campus in Idaho Falls. For more on Tyranny, see www.myspace.com/tyranny13.

On Friday the 8th in Idaho Falls, 2am Logic plays the Peppertree Lounge on . The show starts at 8:00 p.m., is free and open to those 21+.

2am Logic is an alt. rock / post-grunge band who has seen enormous success with their freshman album. They are currently in the studio working on a follow up release. In the last year alone, the group has shared the stage with Alice Cooper, Great White, Rev Theory, Pop Evil, The Sammus Theory and more.

Fronted by vocalist Todd Thompson, this five-piece band has Cody Scheer and Dustin Thueson on guitars, bassist Kathy Brown and Shawn Ringel on drums. Find out more at www.myspace.com/2amlogic.

Portneuf Valley Brewing has a weekend of live music with Soul Full of Blues, featuring singer Ramona Awes on Friday the 8th. And on Saturday, Aaron Ball’s Somewhere In the Middle rocks the pub’s stage. Music starts at 8:30, free entertainment and open to all ages.

On the music industry, Aaron Ball said, “[It is] a very exciting time to be musicians; there are so many opportunities for independent artists to self-promote. The music industry as a whole is really evolving, and it will be interesting to see where it is in another couple of years.” Find Somewhere In the Middle at www.myspace.com/aaronballmusic.

On Saturday the 9th, Pocatello High School is hosting a fund raising dance for the Student Environmental Action Coalition. The dance is from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. Cost is $5, and everyone is welcome. Expect a variety of music and special performances by Blind Autumn and Seven Feet Below.

Blind Autumn is a locally-based fusion rock group with Isaac Frantz on alto saxophone, flute and keyboards, guitarist John Boy, Terran Engle on bass and Patrick Kennedy on drums. Learn more about the band at www.myspace.com/blindautumn.

Seven Feet Below was recently in the news for making the final rounds in a national road song competition. Although the band didn’t win, they made a fine showing in the competition, bringing much-needed national exposure to Pocatello’s live music scene, particularly for being comprised of musicians under the age of 18. Gentlemen, you did us proud. Find out more about Seven Feet Below at www.myspace.com/7feetbelow.

There are some great concerts in the area coming up in the next few months. Fans of the progressive rock jam band genre of music will be pleased to hear that Umphrey’s McGee is scheduled to play at The Depot in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, January 20, 2010.

Just a few days later at The Depot, Big Head Todd and the Monsters are scheduled to play on January 23, 2010. On January 22nd, the legendary Bellamy Brothers are playing an intimate concert at The Outlaw Saloon in Ogden, UT.

And in February, Jack’s Mannequin is booked to play In The Venue in Salt Lake City. Tickets for these Utah shows are available at smithstix.com.

Also on January 22, The Clumsy Lovers make a long-awaited return to the Pocatello area at the First National Bar.

Linda Alexander
a.k.a. Lana Banana for Idaho Live Music
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband
www.myspace.com/showmetheband