Column for April 1, 2009

The First National Bar, 232 W. Center St. in Pocatello, has (unprecedented in recent memory) four nights in a row of live music this week with acoustic folk, hard rock, experimental rock an 80’s glam rock, open to those 21+.

On Thursday, Father Bob Forrest is the featured performer for open mic; be there at 8:00 p.m. And on Friday night, 2am Logic hosts their CD release party with support from The Unread, Haxsaw Ridge and Scratch. Doors open at 8:00 p.m. with a $5 cover.

2am Logic is a modern alt. rock band, not too heavy, melody-driven with thick guitar riffs and throaty vocals. Their freshman release, “Shattered,” is a 12-track, full-scale view of what this band has to offer. If you’d like 3 Days Grace and Seether to collaborate with a touch of blues and jazz thrown into the mix, you’ll like 2am Logic.

Based in Rigby and Idaho Falls, 2am Logic is fronted by Todd Thompson on guitars and vocals; guitarists Dustin Thueson and Cody Scheer, bassist Kathy Brown and Shawn “Piklz” Ringel on drums round out the band.

2am Logic has shared the stage with Pop Evil and Rev Theory, and in July they open for Great White at Sandy Downs. They will be back in Pocatello April 18 at the brewery and April 19 with Broke City at Barrie’s in the Westwood Mall, open to all ages. Preview 2am Logic’s music at www.myspace.com/2amlogic.

Saturday night, The Nash welcomes back Finn Riggins with Low Red Land and the locally-based Warbonnet. Show starts at 9:30. Finn Riggin’s most current CD, “A Soldier, A Saint, An Ocean Explorer,” is a bright, fun and lively jaunt with creative songwriting and experimental structures. A brilliant and skilled effort, Finn Riggins is an area favorite. Don’t miss it.

And Sunday, Ladies Night at the Nash hits the 80’s and hits ‘em hard with Dirty Penny from San Diego. Show up at 8:00 p.m. with big hair and spandex pants and revel in old-school classic metal.

For the all-ages crowd, head over to Barrie’s at the Westwood Mall on Garrett Way Friday night for Cromwell in concert, with Kill the Mockingbird, Somewhere in the Middle and Riots of Eighty. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; cost is $7.

Cromwell is a metal band, but don’t think screamo metal. Their music is much more melodic and diverse, one of the things that makes them so popular with their fans. Listen for crowd favorites, "Better Days," "Cry," and "Almost Midnight," from their most recent CD, "Illusion and Obsession."

Formed four years ago in Rialto, California, Cromwell has played at the Whiskey A Go Go and the Key Club in Hollywood. This is their first appearance in Pocatello. Vocalist Kenny Russell said, “There are many amazing bands coming out of the local music scene. There are tons of them also coming out of California; we were glad to be one of them.” Find out more at www.myspace.com/cromwell.

Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Danielle French has two S. Idaho performances: on Thursday, 7:30 p.m. at Vino Rosso in Idaho Falls and on Friday, 8:30 p.m. at Portneuf Valley Brewing, S. 1st Ave. in Pocatello.

French’s music has been described as "beautiful strangeness, cruising through the ether and the underworld,” comparable to Tori Amos or Tom Waits. “I strip it down to the essence of the songs and perform solo/acoustic, me and my beautiful 1935 Martin Archtop, Miss Kitty!”

Last year French received a grant to self-produce and direct a short film, recently accepted into the Sedona International Film Festival in Arizona. “I found out about this in early January and thought, maybe I can tour my way down?” She has 35 dates in ten different states spanning over 2 1/2 months.”

With the Calgary leg of Lilith Fair and an appearance on the TV show “Rita McNeil and Friends” under her belt, French had an unofficial showcase at this year's SXSW music festival in Austin.

French believes in a DIY (do-it-yourself) mentality. “You are running a business and have to treat it as such. Be prepared to do your own marketing, bookings, publicity, fundraising, radio tracking, management, everything! ... But when you get on the road, meet amazing people, get to see the country and share your music, it makes it all worthwhile.”

Danielle French will have three recordings available for purchase at her shows: “me, myself & i,” “Piece,” and her most current CD, “Shadows.” For more, visit www.myspace.com/daniellefrenchmusic.

For more in-depth interviews, visit slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

L. Alexander
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband