Column for April 7, 2010

This week, the Dodge National PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeo is in town. There will be plenty to do and see in Holt Arena today through Saturday, April 7 – 10, 2010 from early in the morning through the evening hours. But the after-rodeo parties are officially at the Green Triangle, 4010 Yellowstone in Pocatello.

The Green T, as it’s known, is ready with local and regional country music bands and musicians to provide dancing music every night of the rodeo, from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Call the Green T at (208) 237-0354 or visit www.dncfr.org for more information.

Alternatively, there are two Hip Hop / Hardcore shows this week: the first, in Idaho Falls. Rezination and 3vilution headline with Mr. E and Universal Cipher at the El Toro night club, 921 Northgate Mile in Idaho Falls on Thursday the 8th. Cover is $5 at the door; show starts at 8:00 p.m., open to those 21+. Call (208) 522-3468 for more information.

Rezination is a rap / hip hop group based from Rigby, Idaho. The members perform under the names Mumblez, Xyle and Skitz. Find out more at www.myspace.com/rezination420.

3vilution is a hardcore rap group akin to the Juggalos of Psychopathic Records. Based in Pocatello, 3vilution formed in 2001. Their debut album, “The Autopsy,” was released in 2008 from Mediacraft Records. Visit www.myspace.com/3vilution for the latest.

In a similar genre, the Boise-based rap and hip hop groups 33 Deep, Universal Cyfer and United Brothaz are scheduled to play at The Icon on N. Main Street in Pocatello on Saturday the 10th. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; cost is $10 and open to all ages.

For more dulcet acoustic tones, on Friday the 9th, Greyhouse Effect is playing at the Vinyl Perk on S. Main Street in Pocatello. Music entertainment starts at 6:00 p.m., free and open to the public of all ages.

Based in Pocatello, the Greyhouse Effect is singer/songwriter Joe Hunt. A part of the local live music scene for many years, Hunt is currently working on recording a full length solo acoustic album of indie and folk rock, groovy guitar and vocals. For more, visit www.myspace.com/greyhouseeffect.

Also on Friday, a trio of local acoustic musicians, Picard, Byers and Mladenka, are set to take the stage at Portneuf Valley Brewing starting at 8:30 p.m. Music entertainment is free and open to all ages. And on Saturday the 10th, the Boise-based country / blues and swing group, Hillfolk Noir, is playing at the pub starting at 8:30 p.m, no cover and open to all ages.

HillFolk Noir started in the late 90’s when Travis Ward collaborated with Doug Martsch of Built to Spill. The successes from that recording inspired Ward to form his own band, with wife Ali and Mike Waite. The group performs all over the mountain region and has travelled to Austin, TX for the great SXSW music festival. For more, visit www.myspace.com/hillfolknoir.

If dulcet acoustic tones is too little, and hardcore rap is too hard, there are still some live music concerts out there for you this week, somewhere in the middle.

Pocatello’s Somewhere In the Middle is set to play on the Quad at Idaho State University on Saturday the 10th, closing out the rodeo week. Concert starts at 6:00 p.m., open to the public of all ages.

Somewhere In the Middle plays alternative rock – a mix of pop and acoustic rock, with lyrics ranging from humorous to tragic. They released a 4-song EP in March with the single, Second Gear, gaining airplay on local and regional radio stations. The band is fronted by Aaron Ball, with guitarist Jake Tolle, Chris McElprang on bass and drummer Johnathan Brownly. The group is also playing at the Icon on the 12th. See www.myspace.com/aaronballmusic.

The Icon, located on N. Main Street in Pocatello, is hosting a great pop rock lineup with Sleep for Sleepers headlining and support from A Current Affair, Josia James, Somewhere In the Middle and more. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; cost is $10 and open to all ages. Sleep for Sleepers has what I call that “Warped Tour” sound, pop rock with tight harmonies. Visit www.myspace.com/sleepforsleepers to preview their music.

And last note: on Tuesday the 13th, head up to Idaho Falls for a concert with the hard rock / almost metal bands Sammus Theory from Phoenix, AZ and The Unread, late of Idaho Falls and now based in Salt Lake City. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. at the Peppertree Lounge. Visit www.myspace.com/thesammustheory or www.myspace.com/theunread for more.

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