Column for April 21, 2010

Tonight, the Idaho State University Jazz Big Band is playing a special concert at Portneuf Valley Brewing, S. 1st Avenue in Pocatello. The show, upstairs in the loft, is free and open to the public, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more in the ISU Jazz ensembles, visit www.isu.edu/departments/bands.

Portneuf Valley Brewing has two locally-based favorites scheduled for their stage this weekend. On Friday the 23rd, Elvis Has Left the Building will play original acoustic Americana, somewhere between bluegrass and rock and roll, starting at 8:30 p.m. The music entertainment is free and open to all ages.

Formed in 1996, founding members Angier Wills and Greg Mladenka are joined by Bill Chalmers and when available, Richard Inouye. Their original songs are written by guitarists Wills and Mladenka. Chalmers plays slide guitar and bass guitar responsibilities are shared among the three. Inouye has been adding cello to the mix for the last several years.

Available for purchase from http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ehltb, Elvis Has Left the Building released a self-titled CD in 2007. For more on ELB, visit site.elbinfo.com.

And on Saturday the 24th, the pub welcomes Unstable Ground to the stage starting at 8:30 p.m., no cover charge and open to all ages. The band is lead by Gene Taylor and Marck Holbrook on guitars and vocals, bassist Chris Willock and Eric Stanley on drums also contribute vocally.

Holbrook and Taylor of Unstable Ground started playing acoustic sets 2001. In 2007, the band became a classic rock cover band, now playing in pubs and bars around the region. Expect classic rock mixed with modern rock and a touch of country. For more, visit http://unstablegroundband.com/, or find them on Facebook.

Riggio’s is back, where the Benton Street Bar & Grill used to be, on the corner of 2nd Ave and Benton Street in Pocatello. On Thursday the 22nd, Volcano re-introduces the restaurant and themselves with a concert starting at 7:30 p.m.

Volcano is a six-piece dance band that combines the best of classic Jazz, soulful R&B, and infectious Latin rhythms, to create a sound that propels the listener to the dance floor. Guitarist Collin Miller, keyboardist Sean Jackson and percussionist Allen Ross front the band on vocals, backed by Doug Williams on bass and Rik Ballard on drums. Check ‘em out.

In Lava Hot Springs this weekend, a favorite rock cover band, American Steel, plays the Blue Moon Bar on the 23rd and 24th. No cover charge; the bar is open to those 21+. The American Steel lineup is guitarist Tracy Turner, Darrell Martin on drums, vocalist Kat Whitmar, Marci Ridley on keyboards and bass player Ray Rodriguez. Find them online at www.myspace.com/americansteel4u.

Jeremy Buck & the Bang make a triumphant return to the area this weekend with three shows: Thursday the 24th at Idaho State University in Idaho Falls, Friday the 25th at the Peppertree Lounge in Idaho Falls, and Saturday the 25th at the First National Bar in Pocatello. Visit http://www.jeremybuck.com/ for ticket prices and information.

Jeremy Buck & the Bang made their Pocatello debut in 2007, opening for Blues Traveler at Holt Arena. Since that time, the band has returned several times, making appearances at both outdoor and indoor events in Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Twin Falls.

Based from Los Angeles, CA, Jeremy Buck & the Bang is a 4-piece rock / pop band that entertains on all levels. Top notch musicianship, clever songwriting and an engaging and entertaining stage presence make for an evening of live music, dancing and fun for all.

In December of 2009, Jeremy Buck & the Bang released their second music video, “Just for One Night.” The song is currently on regular radio rotation; request it from your favorite radio station and view the video on jeremybuck.com.

Just a few weeks ago, Jeremy Buck & the Bang made an in-studio appearance on the syndicated radio show, the Bob & Tom Show. Buck wrote from his blog, “We had a blast performing live on the Bob & Tom Morning show. It was sort of a surreal experience.” A video of their interview is in their blog also.

Expect to hear new songs from the band; they are currently working towards recording their fourth record. Local fans who didn’t catch the Bang last time they were here will meet a new member to the group, Mark Dibenedetto a.k.a. “Mr. Deebs,” on drums. Jeremy Buck fronts the band on vocals, keyboards and drums, backed by Chris Hanna on guitar and bassist Joel Geist.

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