Column for July 1, 2009

Tonight, Wednesday the 1st of July, American Steel kicks off America’s independence weekend at the Civitan’s Revive @ Five concert at the Old Town Pavilion (map), downtown Pocatello. American Steel plays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., sponsored by the AV Center and catered by Texas Roadhouse. (Revive @ Five 2009 schedule)

American Steel plays rock covers in local bars around the area. They have fun with their crowd, with small costume changes (70’s wigs and beards for “Play That Funky Music” and “Tush”) and sound effects for the show (crickets chirping for a quiet audience). They play classic rock, funk, blues and country rock; expect to hear “Rebel Yell,” “Mustang Sally,” and a recent addition to the set list, “Low Rider.” (Full interview with American Steel)

Led by guitarist Tracy Turner and fronted by vocalist Kat Whitnah a.k.a. Pat Whitmar, American Steel includes Darrell Martin on drums, and two new members: keyboardist Marci Ridley, who also plays flute and sax, and Ray Rodriquez (watch for an Elvis impersonation) on bass.

The members of American Steel are based in Pocatello; they will be playing at the Blue Moon in Lava (map) on Pioneer Weekend, the July 24th weekend, starting at 9:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. They have played in Island Park, Montana and Wyoming, For more, email americansteelrocks@yahoo.com or find them online at www.myspace.com/americansteel4u.

On Thursday July 2nd, the modern alt. rock band to watch from Idaho Falls, 2am Logic headlines Idaho State University’s concert on the Quad (map) with soloist Michael Sullivan opening. Music starts at 6:00 p.m., free and open to the public.

2am Logic released their freshman recording effort, “Shattered,” earlier this year, a twelve-track full-scale view of 2am Logic as a band; it’s something that could be described as 3 Days Grace meets Seether, with a touch of blues / jazz thrown into the mix. (Full interview with 2am Logic)

Guitarist Todd Thompson fronts 2am Logic, with Dustin Thueson and Cody Scheer on guitars, Kathy Brown on bass and drummer Shawn Ringel. They’ve shared the stage with Pop Evil and Rev Theory, and in July will open for Great White and Firehouse at Sandy Downs in Idaho Falls. Find out more at www.myspace.com/2amlogic

Michael Sullivan plays a mixture of pop, jazz, funk and what he calls “a few secret ingredients.” Originally from Chicago, IL, and now living in southern California, Sullivan plays in a 5-piece band, but is traveling for this show as a duo with a saxophonist / guitarist. (Full interview with Michael Sullivan)

I asked Sullivan if he’d recorded a video of his music. Friends wanted to help shoot a video for his song "Stay for a While," filming the emotionally darker images on the first day of a two-day shoot. But his friends “got sick on the last day … so we never got to shoot the light material to balance it out.” The resulting video showed a much deeper, darker visual, which does not accurately fit the song. “I learned a very valuable lesson: to make sure whoever offers to help you sees what you see concept-wise, so you end up with your vision, not theirs.” Find out more at www.mikesullivanband.com.

And on Friday the 3rd, PAKT House Productions presents Hollywood Undead with guests Mest and The Sleeping at the El Rey Events Center in Blackfoot, ID (map). Doors open at 6:30, music starts at 7:30. Tickets are $18.50 in advance or $20 day of the show, available at www.ticketweb.com or charge by phone at (866) 468 – 7624.

Hollywood Undead is a rap rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2005. Their most popular song, "Undead," is featured on the Madden NFL 09 soundtrack, reaching #2 on Billboard’s U.S. Main Rock chart. The single, "Young," is featured as one of the bonus tracks in the video game Rock Band 2. More at www.hollywoodundead.com.

Mest is an alt. rock punk band from Chicago, Illinois and The Sleeping is an alt. rock band from Long Island, New York. Find them online at www.myspace.com/mest and www.myspace.com/thesleeping.

Also on Friday, Gene Galloway and Bruce Bowman will be on tap for acoustic folk music entertainment at Portneuf Valley Brewing (map) on Friday starting at 8:30 p.m. The pub will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 4th of July, but no entertainment is scheduled for the evening.

Speaking of 4th of July, at 8:00 p.m., Aaron Ball’s band Somewhere in the Middle performs at The Biggest Show in Idaho, the Independence Day celebration at Bannock County Fairgrounds (map). It’s the place to be on Saturday. (Full interview with Aaron Ball)

Tuesday the 7th, the Kratz Bros. Band plays at Hooligans, Center St. (map) in Pocatello at 8:00 p.m.

Linda Alexander
a.k.a. Lana Banana for Idaho Live Music

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