If you haven’t been out in the Pocatello nightlife recently, this weekend will be a good time to do it. Several locally-based bands offer a wide range of music styles within the Pocatello city limits. And if you’re traveling this weekend, I have tips on where to be when for your favorite live music.This Friday and Saturday, the 17th and 18th, Bender plays at Marigolds Wine on Flandro Drive (view on map), starting around 7:00 p.m. Music entertainment is free and open to those 21 and over.
Bender is a 7-piece eclectic collection of instruments and styles. They play a blend of American roots music, rock and reggae. Formed in 2008, Ken Aho and Will Peterson lead on guitar and vocals, with Dan Lauer on harmonica, percussionist TJ Latour and guitarists Ed Bala, Dave Jones with Rick Williams on banjo. Everyone is based from southern Idaho.
Expect original music, written by Aho, Peterson and Bala, who draw influences from blues, reggae and roots rock. “The only rule we try to enforce,” said Bala, “is that the songs need to have a groove.”
Regulars at the brewery, Bender has also played many outdoor fairs, fundraising events and at Marigolds. Bala commented, “We’ve actually never had a gig anyplace in Pocatello we didn’t really like, because audiences here are so receptive, and the bars and other venues are great.
“The local music scene is awesome. If anyone likes live music, they can find most any genre being played somewhere in town almost any time. From a band’s perspective, the local music scene is fantastic because everyone knows one another and are very supportive.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/benderpocatello or on Facebook.
Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1st Ave. (view on map) also has local favorites gracing their stage this weekend. On Friday the 17th, The Desert Flyers play folk and Americana. And on Saturday the 17th, Pocatello-based singer / songwriter Father Bob plays acoustic at the pub. Music entertainment is free and open to all ages, starting at 8:30 p.m. For more, visit www.portneufvalleybrewing.com.
And at Rumors on Garrett Way (view on map) this weekend, Plain Jane plays classic rock covers on Friday and Saturday nights starting at 9:00 p.m. There is no cover, and it is open to those 21 and over.
Plain Jane recently closed out the Revive at Five summer concert series downtown. Lead vocalist Jeff Hammer said they went until 9:00 p.m., and in spite of some power failures at the end, the band was determined to get through that last song. The audience was dancing and had lots of fun. “It’s great to see Pocatelloans getting out in the sunshine, with great food, great drink and great company.”
Hammer fronts the 5-piece band, with guitarists Maurice Ross, Richard Henry, Darwin Edwards on bass and Frank True on drums. For more on Plain Jane, visit www.myspace.com/plainjaneinfo.
And to finish out a locals-only weekend, Shawn and the Marauders provide music entertainment for a masquerade party at the First National Bar on W. Center St. (view on map), Saturday the 18th starting at 8:00 p.m.
Shawn and the Marauders play a blend of folk rock southern style, pop, rock and roll. Some songs have a bluesy feel, and some a hip-hop funk groove. Listen for some fan favorites: “Scarface,” a tribute to the 90’s gangsta rap artist, “Hot Corn Cold Corn,” a beefed-up folk song about moonshining, and “Hoodrat Love,” a groovy, 70’s-sounding pop song about a hot girl who plays hard to get.
Shawn Barnby, a long-time solo artist in Pocatello, leads the Marauders on vocals and guitar, with drummer Casey Johnson, James “Bird” McCoy on bass forming the rhythm section. The power trio has played many times at the Flipside Lounge, The Nash and Hooligans in Pocatello, as well as in Island Park, Alpine, Victor, Twin Falls and Salt Lake City.
“Although our music is all original,” McCoy recently said, “the sounds are all very familiar to people who are used to hearing cover songs. We draw on influences from popular songs from the last 50 or 60 years.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/shawnbarnby or on Facebook.
Elsewhere in the region, Dala, a folk Duo from Canada, is in concert at the Carr Gallery in Idaho Falls, Thursday the 16th. On Friday the 17th, 2am Logic plays at the Peppertree Lounge in Idaho Falls, Great White is in concert at Cactus Pete’s in Jackpot, NV, and Smashing Pumpkins plays In the Venue in Salt Lake City.
And on Saturday the 18th, Royal Bliss plays the “Summer Decompression Festival” at the Ogden Amphitheater.
Linda Alexander
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