What the "and more" ultimately meant

This week I wrote about the sold out Love Language show along with other upcoming shows.  Little did I know what the "and more" would ultimately mean.

After a forgettable opening act an unnamed band came out.  Thrashing, loud 2 minute songs.  I had no idea who they were but most of the audience did.  At first I thought they were some obnoxious headbanger thrash metal band.  Then I started listening to the lyrics and music and realizing that these guys really knew what they were doing.  Only after their set was over did I figure out that they were the legendary Archers of Loaf!  (Thanks to my iPhone and Twitter.)  They broke up the year I moved here (1998) but I'd never gotten around to listening to them.  All I can say is wow.  A video (not mine) below.

So I went for The Love Language and I was not disappointed.  Going big in music involves lots of things:  talent (sometimes), luck, promotion, exposure and serendipity.  Well, I think this band has the potential.  Hooks, suitably Indie but with a real feel for Phil Spector and mid 80s Smiths.  Terrific songs and a good band having fun doesn't hurt.

First though Mumblepop's vid of the Loaf doing Wrong.



And here's my vid of The Love Language doing Brittany's Back.

Love Language and more.....

The Triangle Music Scene has the scoop on the Love Language tour with two cool videos (one I'll link to below).  More importantly, Carrboroites, is that the LL are playing at our beloved Cat's Cradle on Saturday, this Saturday, January 15th.  Be there with tickets in hand.  UPDATE:  Ack, if you don't have tix you are out of luck as it's a sellout!  Well done folks!  (But then again I have my ticket.)

Still there's plenty of good music coming up.  At the Cradle, Yo La Tengo Saturday Jan 23 is sold out (you can't have my ticket to that one either) but the Sunday show is still available.  Alejandro Escovedo, who lived in the area for a while in the late 90s, early 00s, is back on Jan 27th.  Down the road, our own Superchunk will play Mar 4th followed by Greg Brown the following night.  Then there is a solo acoustic show from Citizen Cope (tix on sale this Friday the 14th) for an Apr 14th show.

At Local 506 Mandolin Orange plays Jan 22 followed by the wonderful, oddball Jonathan Richman who returns on Feb 25.  In between, on Feb 5th, you've got a chance to see Ted Leo (of the Pharmacists) and Mac McCaughan (Superchunk and Merge Records).  (Due to a family emergency the Ted Leo concert has been postponed/canceled.)

At the ArtsCenter you've got Solas on Jan 28 followed by Bettye LaVette the following night.


Okay, that's enough for now so I leave you with the Love Language doing sparxx on Wrightsville Beach under the pier....

Big Star's Third

Went to the "The Fully Orchestrated Live Premiere of 'Big Star's Third'" Thursday night, December 9th, 2010 at the Cradle. It was a sloppy, manic, touching, wonderful night held together by the Maestro Chris Stamey. Highlights included Big Star founding member Jody Stephens singing "For You", a blistering "Kanga Roo" and a beautiful "Take Care". Whoda thunk the biggest crowd response would go to "Holocaust"? I'm betting last night's show was cleaner and even more crowded.

Well done guys and girls! Here's a little video of Big Star's Jody Stephens from Thursday. A larger version is available at Youtube.

A panorama of the Coming Abstractions show at the Carrboro Century Center

Here is a panorama of the art in the Coming Abstractions art show at the Carrboro Century Center. Click on the icon at the bottom right of the photo (sort of an arrow pointing up and right) and it will go into full screen mode.

The panorama was created using a free and very cool online site called Dermandar 360.

Coming Abstractions: A Group Show at the Carrboro Century Center

Please join us for an artists' reception during 2nd Friday Artwalk

Friday, November 12th, 2010,     6 - 9 pm     

Carrboro Century Center.

www.2ndfridayartwalk.com


"Coming Abstractions"   

An eclectic exhibit of artwork in different media, from rugs to collage to paintings, all focused on abstract elements. Artists include:  Chris Beacham, Ben Gunter, Helen Henry, Collan Kneale, Steven Silverleaf, Sydney Sobol, Eric Starke, Karen Stone and Maggi Grace.

This exhibit will be on display from November 3, 2010 - January 3, 2011

The Carrboro Century Center

100 N. Greensboro St.
Carrboro, NC  27510

919-918-7385

   (call for hours of operation)