Column for June 17, 2009

This is a busy week for local live music! Here’s an outline; for a full schedule, see www.myspace.com/showmetheband and for in-depth interviews, http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com.

Tonight, Wednesday the 17th, the experimental rock band Spawning Fondness is scheduled to play the Civitans’ Revive at Five concert, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Old Town Pavilion, corner of Fremont and Main Streets in downtown Pocatello. This week’s fundraising event is sponsored by Westmark Credit Union and catered by the Sand Trap. For more, see www.myspace.com/spawningfondness.

At 6:00 p.m. tonight, Andy Reiner, of Utah’s the Wailing O’Sheas will host a Fiddle Workshop in the loft of Portneuf Valley Brewing, S. 1st Ave. in Pocatello. This hour and a half workshop will explore cross-genre techniques and rhythmic playing strategies with a focus on fun for intermediate to advanced violin, viola and cello players. The workshop will be followed by a free Celtic punk rock concert by the Wailing O’Sheas in the pub from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Andy Reiner is a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Cost is $25. Call (208) 232-1644 for more information.

On Thursday the 18th at 6:00 p.m., Idaho State University Summer Programming is pleased to bring Jared Johnson & the Jackpines and Audio Moonshine to the quad for a free outdoor concert. Rain site is the Canoe Room in the Pond Student Union Building.

Audio Moonshine plays rock music with a northwest vibe, with a hint of folk/soul/country for fun. Although they are a new band, the individual band members have 15 years of experience in a variety of bands in the Boise area. They have fun when they play and love what they do. See www.myspace.com/myaudiomoonshine.

Jared Johnson and the Jack Pines play western rock – think of rock music with a hint of down-home country and the blues. Based from Utah, Jared Johnson released his CD, “Derailing Spiritual Death,” and has shared the stage with Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons, The Young Dubliners, The Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash and more.

On Saturday the 20th, The Greenway Foundation hosts their annual RiverFest at Taysom Rotary Park, just south of Old Town Pocatello. It's festival seating, so bring blankets, chairs and other items to make yourselves comfortable for the show. There will be a large tent for shade. The event is from 2:00 – 9:00 p.m., rain or shine.

At 2:00, Seven Feet Below (formerly Starbent) takes the stage, Bender at 3:30, Aaron Ball at 5:00 and Jeremy Buck & the Bang headline the event with a set from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. For more info, visit www.pgfweb.com/riverfest.htm.

Seven Feet Below plays classic rock songs and a few originals. The band is comprised of four young men from 12 to 14 years old – lead guitarist Joseph Bellegante, drummer Spencer Ruchti, rhythm guitarist Drew Ruchti and the newest member of the band Tristin Paz on bass guitar. All four add their vocals. Find them online at www.myspace.com/7feetbelow.

The roots rock and reggae band Bender has been a regular favorite at Portneuf Valley Brewing and around the area. They are new to MySpace, so add them as a friend at www.myspace.com/benderpocatello.

Aaron Ball’s band Somewhere In the Middle is made of a staple duo of singer, songwriter and guitarist Aaron Ball and drummer Jonathan Brownly together with guest musicians as needed. They play acoustic rock music that is modern, not too hard, not too soft, melodic, family friendly and entertaining. Expect humor, a few personal stories and a whole lot of toe-tapping music.

This August, Ball will take his band on a tour from here to Louisiana, Tennessee and back. While in New Orleans, Tom Drummond (Better than Ezra) will co-produce a sophomore CD with Somewhere In the Middle at Fudge Studio, where Howie Day, Better than Ezra, Blondie and the Family Guy TV Show have all recorded. “We hope to get some attention,” Ball said, “and continue establish ourselves as a serious contender in the independent music world….” See www.myspace.com/aaronballmusic.

And back by ever more popular demand, Jeremy Buck & the Bang are making a special trip to Idaho just for RiverFest. I’ve spent a lot of time with Buck over recent months; they were here over the Easter weekend, then I flew to L.A. in May to seem them on their home turf, and again last weekend in Mt. View, CA for the Great American Food & Music Fest. I am always thrilled by Buck’s ability to rouse a crowd and thoroughly entertain. For more, visit www.jeremybuck.com.

Linda Alexander
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com