Column for September 30, 2009

There is a special mid-week live music show at Portneuf Valley Brewing, S. 2nd Avenue in Pocatello tonight, September 30th, starting at 9:00 p.m. The Wailing O’Sheas, a tribute band to the Dropkick Murphys, Flogging Molly and other legendary Irish punk-rock groups. Their entire set list comes from those bands.

The Wailing O’Sheas, a four-piece outfit based from northern Utah, consists of Jordan Olsen on Guitar, bassist Johyn Chatelain, drummer Ryan Smith and Andy Reiner on fiddle. Reiner, a recent graduate of the Berklee College of Music in violin performance, played fiddle on the most recent Dropkick Murphys album.

"Flogging Molly’s music is so closely connected to the struggle of the working class, some of their lyrics are so deep and sad. And they tie it all together with amazing melodies, emotion and rukus punk-rock,” said Olsen. “One of the funnest songs we play is ‘That Woman’s Got Me Drinking’ by Shane MacGowan of The Pogues."

The first show they ever played together was at 1st National Bar in Pocatello on St. Patricks Day 2007. Three of the four members of The Wailing O’Sheas play in the alt-rock band The Gorgeous Hussies, and while playing a show at 1st National Bar in the winter of 2007 the promoter at the bar asked if the band new any Irish punk-rock bands to play St. Patricks Day. The guys didn’t know any but figured they could put one together for their St. Patty’s celebration. In less than 6-weeks The Gorgeous Hussies learned a 3-hour set of Irish punk-rock and played their first show at 1st National Bar as The Wailing O’Sheas. So Pocatello has a close connection to the formation of this band.

Find out more at www.myspace.com/thewailingosheas.

On Thursday, October 1st, the College Market at 604 S. 8th Ave. in Pocatello is pleased to host a trio of indie folk bands, with A. W. Feldt, You & Yourn and Jon Fan Pelt. Music starts at 6:00 p.m.; cost is $3.

A. W. Feldt is a solo guitarist, singer / songwriter. Based locally in Pocatello, Feldt has recently returned to Pocatello after several months of touring to critical acclaim. Expect music in the genra of Sufjan Stevens; more at www.myspace.com/awfeldt. You & Yourn is an alt. indie band from Urbana IL. Find out more at www.myspace.com/youandyourn. And Jon Van Pelt is a new addition to the local music scene. Visit him online at www.myspace.com/jvpsoloartist.

On Friday the 2nd, Dan Hillebrant brings his soulfoul voice, blues and jazzy songs, songwriting and guitar to downtown Pocatello’s newest listening room, the Vinyl Perk on Main St., starting at 7:00 p.m. There is no cover. More at www.myspace.com/danhillebrant.

Also on Friday, Colter Wilson, another new musician on the local scene plays Portneuf Valley Brewing starting at 8:30 p.m. Wilson is a solo singer / songwriter, playing alternative acoustic folk music for the First Friday Art Walk at the pub. For more, visit www.myspace.com/colterwilsonmusic.

Starting at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, one of the area’s most popular rock n roll cover bands, Kaught Lookin’ is scheduled to play at Duffy’s Bar on Main Street in Pocatello.

And to end out a busy Friday night of live music in town, Mike Schikora, a modern country and blues man from Colorado brings his band to the stage at the Benton Street Bar & Grill, corner of Benton Street and S. 2nd Avenue in Pocatello. Schikora is Montana bred, Nashville trained and now influenced by the Colorado country scene. His most recent CD, “What’s Old Is New Again,” is the kind of music you can two-step, waltz, drink beer and party to. For more, visit www.mikeschikora.com.

Saturday the 3rd, a real novelty for music and football fans: the local youth rock band Seven Feet Below performs at the ISU Homecoming Pre-game Tailgate party in the parking lot of Holt Arena, starting at 1:00 p.m. See www.myspace.com/sevenfeetbelow for more information.

On Saturday night, Bandáge à Trois from Pocatello will be playing European folk music at Portneuf Valley Brewing starting at 8:30 p.m.

On Monday of next week, a new live music venue officially opens their doors with a metal show, brought to you by Flying Monkey Booking. Studio 208, located at 633 S. 2nd Ave. in Pocatello, brings Salt The Wounds, Graves of Valor, Within the Ruins, Neckbrace, Kryterium and more starting at 7:00 p.m. Cost at the door is $9.

And on Tuesday, the locally based Kratz Bros. Band plays Hooligans starting at 9:00 p.m.

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