Column for July 29, 2009

Revive @ Five will rock tonight when Ande Conda takes the stage at the Old Town Pavilion in downtown Pocatello - map. Music from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., sponsored by the Idaho Food Bank and catered by Out to Lunch. (full 2009 schedule of Revive @ Five)

Ande Conda plays classic rock and hard rock covers from the 80’s, 90’s and today. The group is fronted by Jeff Beery on vocals, with guitarists Ronnie Moore and Richard Green, Brian Miera on bass and drummer Chris Anderson.

This band is all about guitars - great, big guitar sounds with a great, big classic hard rock tenor vocalist to back it up. You’ll see Moore rip through lead solos, effortlessly reproducing guitar licks from Eddie Van Halen and Slash, while Beery nails tenor vocals on “Sweet Child.”

Ande Conda also plays at Taps Bar on Garrett Way this weekend, starting at 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Find out more at www.myspace.com/andeconda

Doors open at The Icon on Main Street - map - at 6:30 for the eagerly anticipated concert by Drop Dead, Gorgeous. Watch that comma folks – it completely changes the meaning behind the name of the band. I met DD,G at Warped Tour two years ago, and they were perhaps my favorite act of that entire long day. Tickets are $10 advance, available at smithstix.com.

Idaho State University wraps up their summer concert series on the Quad - map - on Thursday the 30th, with Anodyne Red at 6:00 p.m. and Cary Judd closing the show at 7:00 p.m.

Cary Judd is a solo guitarist and performer, cranking out loud rock & roll – louder than you’d expect from just one person. Born in the Czech Republic, Judd has lived many places, “the last 6 years mostly in my car,” he says, “hotel rooms, miscellaneous couches and camp sites across the USA.”

Judd recently released a CD, "Goodnight Human," a few months ago. It will be available for sale at the concert. Find out more at www.caryjudd.com.

Anodyne Red recently played at the Icon and the Vinyl Perk downtown. The 3-piece, formed six years ago and based in southeast Idaho, plays acoustic rock with exciting harmonies and vocals. They switch the instruments they play, guitar, bass and drums, which keeps things fresh and entertaining.

Randy Bishop of Anodyne Red said, “Musicians live off of the crowds that show up to listen to them. Support the small guys because that's what pushes the music industry to new heights.” Their CD, “My Heart,” will be for sale at the show. Find out more at www.myspace.com/anodynered.

On Friday the 31st, the Benton Street Bar & Grill - map - has their Grand Re-Opening with guitarist and singer / songwriter “Downtown Dan” Hillebrant performing on stage. The Classic Car Club will make an appearance in the parking lot, so bring your hot rods. The event starts at 6:00 p.m., is free and open to the public. More at www.myspace.com/bentonstreet.

Dan Hillebrant has spent thirty-five years as a singer/songwriter and is a full-time musician, working in several local bands over the years, hosting the First National Bar’s Thursday night open mic and running the sound board on nights when he isn’t performing. A true story teller in his songs, he’s perhaps best known for his song, “Trailer Trash,” a light-hearted ode to an unworthy woman.

Hillebrant is perhaps best known for his work in two very successful local bands, Greybeard and the Shape Shifters Blues Project. But more than that, Dan is known all over Pocatello as a local celebrity - an institution in our local live music scene. Find out more online at www.myspace.com/danhillebrant.

On Saturday, August 1st, Aaron Ball band Somewhere In The Middle plays at the Benton Street starting at 9:00 p.m. For a full calendar, visit www.myspace.com/aaronballmusic.

Also on Friday, Tia Velasquez plays at J’Annas Bistro on Main St. - map - starting at 6 p.m. She has been playing at coffee shops, open mic nights, and more for five years. She is also scheduled to play at The Icon on September 19th; tickets are $10 at the door. Visit www.myspace.com/tiahopesmusic.

At Portneuf Valley Brewing - map - this weekend, Swingshift plays on Friday night, and Benyaro makes a return to Pocatello on Saturday night. Music starts at 8:30 p.m.

Lastly, on Monday, August 3rd, The Fling, Thee Fine Line and Warbonnet play a fund raising concert for KISU at the Bengal Café in the Pond Student Union Building at Idaho State University. Cost is $3 for the general public and $2 for students. For more information, write to Levi Keller at beatcityradio@gmail.com.

Linda Alexander
http://slowloosegravel.blogspot.com
www.myspace.com/showmetheband