Column for April 14, 2010

Have you visited your local record store lately? If not, this weekend is the time to do it. Pocatello’s Budget Tapes & Records is celebrating national Record Store Day, Saturday, April 17, 2010 with food, drinks, live music and discounts. Budget Tapes & Records, in business now for 34 years and in the planning stages for a store re-model, is located at 416 S. 5th Ave.

On Saturday the 17th, Budget Tapes & Records opens their doors at 10:00 a.m. with a 25% customer appreciation discount on all merchandise. Live music starts at noon with acoustic musician John Austin, followed by the very popular ambient music of Nyr Lif. Next, the locally-based Rising Son takes the stage with rock music from the psychedelic seventies, including some brilliant covers of Jimi Hendrix.

Record Store Day continues in the afternoon with the folksy bluegrass music of Putnam Together, followed by a soulful performance by Pocatello’s Dan Hillebrant; Evan Norman follows. To finish out the day of live music, acoustic singer / songwriter Dr. Bob takes the stage, and the bluegrass band Portneuf Gap closes out the day.

This one-day event showcases many of southeast Idaho’s best musicians and bands, a full array of what our local live music scene has to offer. The event is free and open to the public; food and beverages will be available.

To find out more about Record Store Day, visit www.recordstoreday.com.

Also on Saturday the 17th, the locally-based metal band Neckbrace headlines a show, with Forgiveness Denied, Versailles, These Cities Passing and The Brave, at the Elks Lodge, Main Street in Pocatello. Show starts at 7:00 p.m., open to all ages and only $2 at the door.

These Cities Passing is a Pocatello-based metal band with influences from hardcore and punk to death metal. Listen for their best known songs, "Gheppetto and the Belly of the Whale," "Rectify and Rebuild" and "Last City on the Left." “Many of the compliments we've received include the fact that all of our songs sound completely different,” front man Neil Johnson said. “Each song has its own unique style and sound that makes it very easy to distinguish our songs and remember them.”

Johnson is backed by guitarists Casey Hawkins and Colton and bassist Shaun Walters. The foursome will be joined by guest drummer Riley Miller. The band formed in October of 2009 for Pokapalooza and looks forward to amping up the local live music scene.

“We're going to try and tour next summer,” Johnson said, “and once we solidify our line-up, we're going to hit the studio sometime in May.” For more on this up-and-coming band, visit www.myspace.com/thesecitiespassing.

Versailles, a metalcore band formed in May of 2009, is based from Boise, ID. Versailles pumps up the energy and humor on stage with a wacky bass player, Steve Collins. “We feel it's important to respect your fans and make a connection with them,” vocalist Tyler Blake said. “Standing around on stage isn't fun for anyone, and you're ripping people off who paid to see you.”

Blake and Collins are joined by guitarists Jordan Kuttler and Derek Pearson, and Jake Little on drums. Listen for Versailles’ most popular songs, "Consume Us All", "Let's Go Crazy Broadway Style" and "Weird Without the Beard." Their self-titled EP will be for sale at the show. Learn more at www.myspace.com/versaillestheband.

To learn about The Wacky Steve Move List, check out my full interview at slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

Also this weekend, the blues and funk band Phat Bone plays at Taps Bar on Garrett Way starting at 9:00 p.m., and Portnuef Valley Brewing has The Kratz Bros. Band on Friday night and Bender on Saturday night. Music starts at 8:30 p.m.

Bender has been a long-time area favorite band, appearing at many outdoor local events as well as on regular rotation at the pub. Formed in the Fall of 2008, Bender plays original material, written by Ken Aho, Will Peterson and Ed Bala.

Expect to hear groovy acoustic guitars, lap steel, harmonica and banjo with conga percussion and vocal harmonies. Bender’s influences range from the blues, reggae and roots rock. “The only rule we try to enforce in the band is that songs need to have a groove.” Bala said. “If anyone likes live music, they can find most any genre being played somewhere in town almost any time.”

Bender is also scheduled to play the ISU Earth Day event on the quad April 23rd and the Environmental Fair on the 24th. Find out more at www.myspace.com/benderpocatello.

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