Column for September 1, 2010

Tonight, the 1st of September, is the last session of the Bannock County Civitans’ 2010 Revive at Five summer concert series. Plain Jane, a Pocatello-based rock cover band, provides music entertainment at the Old Town Pavilion, N. Main Street in Pocatello (view on map). This last session runs an extra hour, starting at 5 and ending at 9:00 p.m. The Health Department Preparedness Fair sponsors and food is catered by El Herradero.

Plain Jane, with the motto “Fun Music for Fun People,” was a hit area band some 10 years ago. They reformed a few years ago. The current line-up has Jeff Hammer fronting the band on vocals, backed by Maurice Ross and Richard Henry on guitars, Darwin Edwards on bass and drummer Frank True.

Expect to hear covers of oldies and classic rock, blues and soul like “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Take It Easy,” “Long Cool Woman” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Find out more about Plain Jane at plainjanemusic.com.

On Thursday the 2nd at the Flipside Lounge, S. Main St. in Pocatello (view on map), Seattle’s folk / pop duo World History headlines a show with locals Nyr Lif and John Austin starting at 8:00 p.m. The FlipSide is open to those 21 and over.

World History formed in the winter of 2006 as a collection of songs written and recorded aboard several boats in Seattle, WA. The project evolved into a collaboration between Neil Campau and Jamie Menzel. Campau provides the majority of the vocals, also playing a rusty autoharp and guitar, while Menzel lends her soft vocals flute melodies and percussion.

Expect songs about historical characters and events and anarchist anti-politics, with strong vocals and entertaining, foot-stomping audience sing-alongs. BackForty Presents (Boulder CO) has this to say, “Neil Campau rocks the guitar and autoharp with strong vocal work. Jamie Menzel completes the duo with flute, melodica, drums and vocals. Neil’s voice possesses a warm and uncanny feeling of recognition but remains new and unique. Powerful and explosive at certain points, he has the ability to comfort and urgently bolt what he needs to say.” For more, visit www.worldhistoryband.com.

Nyr Lif’s music is a mix of indie rock and folk. There is acoustic layering of guitars, creative percussion, and great harmonies. They took first place in ISU’s Guitar Unplugged Battle of the Bands.

Listen for Nyr Lif’s popular singles, "Capoed," "Yani," and "The Bicycle of Fate." Casey Cathey and Shaun Barkdull form the duo, with other musicians filling in as needed. Find their recordings, “Experimentallation,” an EP released in 2007, and “Two Legs Broken,” a full CD released in 2008, on CDBaby.com. Find out more at www.myspace.com/nyrlif.

The Southeast Idaho live music scene has a number of regulars playing at their regular haunts this weekend.

Ray Rodriguez is playing acoustic at Marigolds Wine on Flandro Drive (view on map), Friday and Saturday the 3rd and 4th, 7 to 10:00 p.m. Marigolds Wine is open to those 21 and over, and they’re supporting ISU Back to School this weekend. Wear your orange and black to get some discounts.

At Rumors Bar on Garrett Way (view on map), Twisted Deuce takes the stage playing country and rock starting at 9:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday nights.

Portneuf Valley Brewing (website) welcomes back some favorite musicians to their stage this weekend also. Bluesman Fred Anderson performs on Friday night the 3rd, and the country, folk and rock band, Unstable Ground, plays danceable music on Saturday night the 4th. Music entertainment starts at 8:30 p.m. at the pub, free and open to all ages.

Unstable Ground is a four piece band, based in Pocatello. Gene Taylor and Mark Holbrook front the band on guitars, bassist Chris Willock and drummer Eric Stanley keep the beat. All four contribute vocally. For more, visit http://unstablegroundband.com.

And if a trip up to Lava Hot Springs is in order this weekend, check out the classic rock cover band, Easy Street, at the Wagon Wheel this weekend. Music starts at 9:00 p.m., open to those 21 and over.

Based from northern Utah, Joe Chintawan and Mark DeLaurier front Easy Street on guitars and vocals, and Greg Newbold on bass with drummer Dan Stephenson back them up. Expect them to play favorite hits from the 60’s to the hits of today. Find the band online at www.easystreetrocks.com.

The Eastern Idaho State Fair in Blackfoot, ID, starts Saturday, September 4 and runs through the 11th. Tickets are now on sale for Foreigner on Thursday, September 9 and Kenny Rogers and the Oak Ridge Boys on Friday, September 10. Visit www.funatthefair.com for ticket information.

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