Column for June 3, 2009

The Revive @ Five summer concert series, hosted by the Bannock Civitans, is every Wednesday at 5 p.m., at the Old Town Pavilion, corner of Fremont and Main Streets in downtown Pocatello. The three-hour long concert this week is sponsored by Bang's Office Supply and catered by Taste of India. And Plain Jane takes the Pavilion stage.

Plain Jane is one of southeast Idaho’s most sought-after bands, scheduled most weekends out through the end of the year and beyond. Plain Jane, with the motto “Fun Music for Fun People,” was a hit area band some 10 years ago. It has recently reformed with one member change - Maurice Ross and Richard Henry on guitars, Darwin Edwards on bass and drummer Frank True. Add newcomer Jeff Hammer (Rukkus) to front the band, and Plain Jane is anything but plain.

Expect to hear classic covers of classic rock, blues and soul from the 60’s and 70’s like “Brown Eyed Girl,” “Take It Easy,” “Long Cool Woman” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” With decades of stage experience, Plain Jane knows how to entertain, knows how to throw a party and knows how to please a crowd.

Hammer recently commented how pleasantly surprised he was at Plain Jane’s New Year’s Eve show, when a large number of fans from “the old days” showed up in support of their renewed efforts. Now that’s a fan club with a long memory! The band also commented that Pocatello offers a wide range of live music options, from rock to country to bluegrass and folk, especially in the summer months.

Taps Bar on Garrett Way has booked Plain Jane for the weekend, too. So whet your appetite on Wednesday and come back for more Friday and Saturday. Find out more at plainjanemusic.com.

Thursday evening’s Concert on the Quad at Idaho State University features one-man showman John Rush, with locals Nyr Lif opening. Music starts at 6 p.m.

Touted as the human iPod, Rush is practiced in over 55 hours of songs, almost daring the audience to stump him in a request. He uses loop technology to turn one man into a full band. Depending on the song, he’ll play guitar, bass, harmonica, piano, sax, keyboard and percussion. Based from Grand Rapids, MI, Rush is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist, having won Campus Activities Magazine Entertainer of the Year and Campus Awards Musician of the Year.

Also a songwriter, Rush has released three CD’s to date. He says, "I write some songs with some real depth to them, but my goal as a performer is to help people have a good time. If I'm lucky maybe I can make them think a little during the process." Find out more at www.johnrush.com.

Also on Thursday the 4th, the Pocatello-based roots rock and reggae band Bender performs at J Anna’s Bistro at 140 S. Main St., downtown Pocatello. Bender will play outside on the deck. For more information on Bender, call Ed Bala at (208) 235-1352.

Early evening on Friday, the Vinyl Perk on Main St. brings the Kratz Brothers Band into the store at 7 p.m. for a performance starting at 7 p.m. See www.myspace.com/kratzbrosband. Fill up on some caffeine, because there are two great shows later on Friday night.

Viktor Wilt’s Birthday Spectacular starts at 8 p.m. at the Benton Street Bar & Grill on S. 2nd Avenue. On the billing: locals Neckbrace, Dr. Seuss Is Dead and The Reptilians, with Foolsbane from Jerome and Fault Paradox based from Boise. The event is open to 18 and over. Wilt is a member of both Dr. Seuss is Dead and the Reptilians.

Foolsbane, a six-man progressive rock band, formed last November and has released “The Curse of the Third Man---Alpha,” with its second-part, “The Curse of the Third Man---Omega,” due out at the end of the year. More at www.foolsbane.com.

And at 8:30 p.m., Star Anna and The Laughing Dogs from Ellensburg, WA return to Portneuf Valley Brewing on S. 1st Ave. for the June First Friday Art Walk in the loft. See www.myspace.com/starannakrogstie.

On Saturday the 6th, Benton Street raises (what’s left of) the roof with Evolucid, Statick and more, starting at 8 p.m. Expect a fusion of rock and hip hop with local and regional artists. Open to 18 and over.

And at 9:30 on Saturday, the Harmed Brothers, a folk rock / Americana group from North Carolina, takes the stage at the First National Bar, W. Center St. in Pocatello. Find out more at www.myspace.com/theharmedbrothers.

Read in-depth interviews at slowloosegravel.blogspot.com. And full schedule of local live music at www.myspace.com/showmetheband.

Linda Alexander
a.k.a. Lana Banana for Idaho
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com