Any concert goer knows that opening acts can be a mixed bag….sometimes you get future stars who are cutting their teeth or trying to expand their audience. Sometimes you get the guy who is the headliners’ guitar player’s college roommate whose biggest contribution to the tour takes place in the hotel room not on the stage. Here are five support acts who you SHOULD absolutely come early to check out.

Elizabeth and the Catapult – Once heard them described as “Feist set to a carnival” – this is a great way to pigeonhole their sound but it doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Yes Elizabeth Ziman has a great voice, but her creativity is what sets this band apart. Her wit is on display as much as her classically trained piano skills, and the result is something like headliner Sara Bareilles – just a shade or two darker. A must see.

Celebration – When we found out that Baltimore’s own Celebration was opening for TV On the Radio we were stoked; not just because they are local, but because there is such great hype about them that it takes this already highly anticipated show to 11 on the buzz meter. They’ve been at it for awhile now, and this opportunity will hopefully give more casual music fans the chance to see why so many are talking about this outfit that refers to their sound as “psychedelic soul.”

My Darkest Days – It seems like they have been on every great rock show we’ve had here since last summer and they never disappoint. Poised to be headliners soon, this group has already landed one huge rock radio hit “Porn Star Dancing.” We’re betting it’s not their last. Check them out with Three Days Grace if you’re lucky enough to already have tickets.

Ballyhoo! – Another Maryland band breaking big on the national scene – this slot in front of Dirty Heads is a no-brainer for Ballyhoo’s reggae-infused rock sound. Anyone who has seen them, and that probably includes a lot of you, know that you won’t have to wait for the headliner to hit for the party to start.

Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – OK…this isn’t fair – they are basically a headliner themselves with two top 25 albums and three hit singles to their credit. If you were coming just for Seether though, you got a steal with these guys on the bill as well. A discernibly different band than Seether, but one worth checking out if you haven’t seen them. Chances are you’ll know the hits.

Sometimes I forget, in this climate of computers that can “read” facial expressions, that emails and texts don’t convey dry humor very well. You can write out knock-knock jokes without a problem in a text, but let’s face it, no one other than those 10-year-old kids carrying around cell phones (*sigh* I miss payphones) really does knock-knock jokes anymore.

When 3:00 pm hits around our office, and we’re on that third cup of caffeine, and we start to get slap happy and the puns just start rolling. We’ve been known to run through rounds of “what’s the worst possible band name for your imaginary band” or “let’s photo shop the booking agent so he has an owl body”. Basically we get a little silly. So when it comes time to put the headline on our email announcements, we generally revert to puns. It’s a game: do you know who we’re talking about before you open the email? Classics would include “Uncaged: A Beast of Show Announces” (Cage the Elephant & the 2011 Jam for the Animals), “Announcing Traces of the Windy City in Baltimore” (Trace Adkins and Chicago), and “Get The Lowdown on Sunday Funday” (because of Boz Scagg’s hit “Lowdown”) etc.

So when the Announces were Frankie Beverly & Maze and Owl City we thought it would be easy: “A-Maze-ing shows in the City”. But darn those spam filters if they don’t hate hyphens so the title to this morning’s email came out “Amazeing Shows In The City”. And hooo boy did the responses fly in. I think we caught everyone in the greater Baltimore area at their proofing but under-caffeinated best because we’ve been getting responses all morning about the correct way to spell amazing. So thank you, to all who have responded to gently (or not so much) to correct our spelling, we’ll make sure our puns are a bit more clear for you next time so that you can laugh as much as we have this morning!

And you thought I was just kidding about the Photo Shopping

If there was ever a band that served up a call to action just with their sound, then surely Scissor Sisters are amongst the ranks. Since having seen them open up for none other than Lady Gaga  I, personally, have not stopped dancing, giggling, smiling and acting like a total goofball, out to run the world with good times and an attitude so fierce you wouldn’t dare me to drop it like it’s hot.

Since announcing this show on the Rams Head Live schedule, there has been no shortage of obsessed, crazed, dazzled and delirious fans that can’t wait to get their hands on some tickets (tomorrow at 10am). To win your VIP pair before the stampede, comment at the bottom of this post with what call to action you hear every time you spin a little SS. And remember, keep it clean (ish).

A  good example is… “When I hear, “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing” it makes me wanna park perpendicular in the middle of Pratt during rush hour, pull out the Say Anything boom box, press play on this song and throw down like Fame part 3: The Hipster Generation.”

Now you.

Getting to announce a Brian Culbertson show is a special little treat. It’s the chance I get to indulge in watching his youtube performances, and he’s just adorable. I do get the urge to smooth down his hair when I watch him, but with that impish grin and pretty astounding stage presence it’s easy to get forget that when I’m watching him for hours!

Other exciting announces this week include A Subdude stepping out on his own, one of Britan’s founding prog rock bands, the lovely (and very talented) wife of Citizen Cope, a cowboy I’d kiss in the car, the lyrically gifted son of Lonesome Dove’s author, and an impressive lineup paying tribute to the late Pinetop Perkins. But enough of my random trivia… here’s what went on sale today:

04.23
A Tribute to Pinetop Perkins feat. The Nighthawks, Daryl Davis, and Andy Poxon Band

In the mid 1970s, when Pinetop Perkins replaced Otis Spann in the Muddy Waters Band he found himself a frequent visitor to the Washington D.C. area. Since The Nighthawks were the opening act for many of those shows, a great onstage and backstage friendship developed. This April The Nighthawks come together with longtime disciple and right hand man to Perkins, Daryl Davis as well as up-and-coming local blues band Andy Poxon Band for an evening honoring the Blues piano legend Pintop Perkins.

05.23
John Berry

John Berry began his career opening up for some of country music’s biggest stars, including Reba McEntire, Aaron Tippin, and the Mavericks. The Georgia tenor has been recognized by the Grammy Association, the Academy of Country Music, and the Country Music Association as a nominee in the Best Male Vocalist category and has scored hits such as “Your Love Amazes Me,” “Kiss Me in the Car,” and “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye.”

06.15
James McMurtry (Trio)

The son of acclaimed author Larry McMurtry (Lonesome Dove, Terms of Endearment), James grew up on a steady diet of Johnny Cash and Roy Acuff records. His first album, released in 1989, was produced by John Mellencamp and marked the beginning of his gritty roots-rock career. The Washington Post noted McMurtry’s live prowess: “Much attention is paid to James McMurtry’s lyrics, and rightfully so: He creates a novel’s worth of emotion and experience in four minutes of blisteringly stark couplets.”

06.18
Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep is one of a handful of important progressive rock bands to emerge from Britain during the 1970s. They combined the hard, guitar-focused sound of traditional heavy metal bands like Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin with extended jazz-like orchestrations and multi-part vocal harmonies which had great impact on later harmonic bands, such as Queen.

06.24
Alice Smith

Smith is the most promising female singer-songwriter to go her own enrapturing way in a very long time. Her voice, with its four-octave range, is luscious and powerful and nuanced and finely sensitive to rhythm. Yet it never makes a cult of its own abilities; for all its fantastic manners, Smith’s voice gets on down the road. Sometimes she sings with a booming intensity, yet Smith never loses the unlearnable balance and poise that separates good singers from great ones.

08.06
Tommy Malone Of The Subdudes

On stage, standing front and center, Tommy Malone exudes a laid-back, down-to-earth style that epitomizes the subdudes. But his self-assured exterior masks a songwriter who mines heartache and elation, the surreal and the everyday, and who crafts the experiences into instantly memorable tunes. As the subdudes’ lead guitarist, he punctuates soulful, heart-felt vocals with playing that is at turns joyful, incendiary, melancholic. He’s been writing and playing music for more than three decades and knows how to put on a show.

10.08
Brian Culbertson

Brian Culbertson’s steady stream of top albums and hit singles should come as no surprise since he began playing the piano at the age of 8, which he went on to master, along with the trombone, drums and bass. Since his debut album release in 1994, Culbertson has recorded on and/or produced over 25 chart-topping records in musical styles that have moved from R&B throwdowns to New Age lullabies. That rare eclecticism also informs the abundance of styles that animate his latest work, XII. One thing that this multi-talented man’s fans can rest assured of is that, with twelve albums and counting, Brian Culbertson always brings his very best – and the very best out of others – in all of his broad-ranging musical endeavors.

Rams Head Roadhouse is pleased to announce the celebration of seven successful years in Annapolis, Maryland. In celebration, Rams Head will open its doors at 7am on Saturday, April 9^th for a company tradition of “Kegs n’ Eggs”.

 “The party starts at 7am sharp. Music starts playing, the beers start flowing. And, the first fifty people through the door will receive a free ticket to a hot show at Rams Head Live” says Rams Head Roadhouse General Manager Michael Conroy.

Rams Head Roadhouse is on the border of Annapolis and Crownsville, Maryland. The Roadhouse opened in April 2004. The roadhouse features over 30 types of sandwiches, pizza and over 100 kinds of beer. “It’s hard to believe that seven years have already passed. We’re thrilled to continue to be part of the community and looking forward to celebrating our Anniversary with the Rams Head tradition of Kegs & Eggs” says, Rams Head Roadhouse General Manager Michael Conroy.

Patrons are invited to spend the day at Rams Head Roadhouse with reduced drink pricing and an “egg” cellent breakfast special while enjoying the tunes of the local musicians and prizes given away every half hour. This is Rams Head’s small way to say “Thank You” for years of loyalty from both their customers and the community.

Rams Head Roadhouse

1773 Generals Hwy 

Annapolis, MD 21401 

P: 410.849.8058

Saturday, April 9^th, 2011

Celebration schedule of events are as follows:

Drink Specials

50 cent Fordham drafts (7-8am)

$1 Fordham (8-9am)

$3 Fordham (9-1pm)

$2 Stoli’s Bloody Marys, Screwdrivers, Cape Cods and Mimosas (7-1pm)

***

Food Specials

Anniversary Breakfast menu served from 7am-11am only $7

***

Music

7am-9:00am: The Geckos

9am-11:00am: Damien Wolfe

11am-1:00pm: Dan Haas

***

Prizes

1^st 50 people through the door get tickets to a show at Rams Head Live in Baltimore

Prizes given every ½ hour (7am-11am)

Growing up listening to 90’s music meant bands like Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blind Melon ,Weezer,Rage Against the Machine, and many more.  If you went to high school in the nineties, these groups and their songs are probably burnt into your mind, and when they happen to play on the radio you’re taken back to some memories you might want to remember or wish you don’t.  If you’re like me, these songs take me back to the HFSitival concert, remember wearing jeans with one of these band shirts or  being out on Friday nights or all summer long, and singing along with these artist popular songs.

One of my favorite artist growing up was Stone Temple Pilots. I mean every girl crushes over Singer, Scott Weiland. And, every dude wanted to be him. The band’s early hard rock, grunge- reminiscent style of music found them immediate success in 1992 with the release of their debut album Core. That same year, the band won a Grammy for “Best Hard Rock Performance” for the song “Plush”.

You can turn up the volume all the way up to songs like  Vasoline, Wicked Garden, Down or Sex Type Thing. This band has been rocking it up live since 1986. And, we’re excited to announce that we’re kicking off Pier Six Pavilion this summer with STP on Tuesday, April 26th. And, since we know that tons of you love the 90′s just like we do.  We wanted to give you a chance to show why you should win a pair of VIP tickets to see STP with us! Read below the contest rules, and remember to rock on!

Contest Rules

1. Remember you must love the 90′s to enter this contest!

2.You need to prove to us that you are the #1 90′s fan by providing us a picture of you rocking out at a 90′s concert.Please send all pictures to contest@ramsheadtavern.com and title the email – ” I love the 90′s”

3.Please incude in the email your Name, Age, email address, and what 90′s act you are rocking out at

4.You must be in the photo

Details

We will pick the top (10) 90′s rockers. And, will post the pictures on our Pier Six Pavilion Facebook page. The person with the most “likes” will win a pair of tickets to see Stone Temple Pilots at Pier 6 on Tuesday, April 26th.

Contest ends Friday, March 25th @ 4pm! So, whatca waiting for… start sending those pics!

Wow!  The Rams Head had another fun St. Paddy’s day thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. The day was filled with food, fun, beer, and lots of green. We tooks some pictures just in case you missed the party or maybe you might even be in the pictures! But, enjoy…….

Rams Head Roadhouse

Rams Head Shore House

Rams Head Tavern Savage

Rams Head Tavern Annapolis

Just announced and on sale today at Rams Head On Stage:

05.25
Sarah Jarosz

Sarah Jarosz has as rich a skill set as anybody in acoustic music. She plays enough instruments to be a one-woman string band: mandolin, octave mandolin, clawhammer banjo and guitar, she sings in supple tones that transcend the boundaries between folk and pop, and she writes: old-timey ballads and modern singer-songwriter ruminations alike. In 2011, Jarosz channels her ever-broadening musical horizons onto her second album, Follow Me Down, which again showcases her songwriting, offers two tasty covers and includes a number of top-notch guests from the Punch Brothers to Shawn Colvin.

06.05
Tom Tom Club

Conceived during downtime from Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth’s other band, Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club celebrates their 30th anniversary this year by playing shows around the world, reinforcing why their funky musical style has been a staple of the dance music world since the early eighties. Tina and Chris were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002 and have continued to play and tour the Tom Tom Club ever since. In 2010, Nacional Records released a new, live double-album that featured select tracks from classic album ‘Live At The Club House’ as well as a Latin alternative remix tribute to the smash hit, “Genius Of Love” by such artists as Ozomatli and Money Mark.

06.09
Henry Butler

An eight-time W.C. Handy “Best Blues Instrumentalist – Piano” award nominee, Henry Butler knows no limitations. Although blinded by glaucoma since birth, Butler is also a world class photographer with his work displayed at exhibitions throughout the United States. Playing piano since the age of six, Butler is a master of musical diversity. Combining the percussive jazz piano playing of McCoy Tyner and the New Orleans style playing of Professor Longhair through his classically trained wizardry, Butler continues to craft a sound uniquely his own. A rich amalgam of jazz, Caribbean, classical, pop, blues and R&B influences, his music is as excitingly eclectic as that of his New Orleans birthplace.

07.31
BAD COMPANY former lead singer Brian Howe

Long regarded as one of rock’s legendary voices, Brian Howe started his career in 1983 as lead vocalist for Ted Nugent. In 1984, Simon Kirke and Mick Ralphs of Bad Company courted Brian to replace Paul Rodgers as their lead singer. Brian decided to accept the offer and continue the legend of Bad Company. Millions of records later, Brian is back and ready to unleash his awesome vocals upon his audiences and fans performing all of Bad Company’s hit songs including such classics as “Can’t Get Enough,” “Bad Company,” “Holy Water,” “Ready For Love,” and many other Bad Co. hits.

REVISED DATE: 08.10
Peter Mayer Group

Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter Peter Mayer brings a multi-faceted writing style, distinctive voice and inspired musicianship, along with a group of musicians that are electrifying in live performance to his Ram’s Head debut. With 12 CDs to his name, including his latest arrangements of a selection of The Beatles timeless songs called ‘Goodbye Hello,’ Mayer has culled influences that range from traditional Indian music to The Beatles, and from his studying and teaching Jazz guitar. Add influences such as Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny, the many years that he has shared the stage with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band, James Taylor, Mac McAnally, Sonny Landreth, Ringo Starr, Don Henley and others, and you begin to trace the musical storyline of the Peter Mayer Group.

08.11
Euge Groove

Saxman Euge Groove is the hottest act to hit contemporary jazz in a long time. The session veteran and ex-Tower of Power bandmate made a name for himself in 2000 via the internet, knock-out live shows, and rockin’ radio singles. The accolades soon followed and Groove was named R&R’s Breakout Artist of the Year, JazzTrax Debut Artist, and earned a Prism Award nomination.

St. Patrick’s day celebration is only 6 days from today. And, ”Rams Head bars are known for their fantastic celebration” says the Capital Entertainment.  The Rams Head Restaurants will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with drink and food specials on Thursday, March 17^th, 2011 starting at 2pm.          

The Rams Head restaurants are serving a special St. Patrick’s day themed menu along with the regular menu to make it a true St. Patrick’s Day event. The Rams Head restaurants chefs came up with unique dishes, making this celebration simple, tasty and affordable. I mean… who doesn’t love corn beef and cabbage?

All Rams Head restaurant locations will start the St. Patrick’s Celebration with $.50 Guinness draft beers from 2pm-3pm, reduced drink specials, green beer, St. Patrick’s Day decorations and giveaways, featuring live music from Maryland’s favorite local bands.

Rams Head Tavern Annapolis and Rams Head Roadhouse will both feature a tent party opening at 2pm with music and beer.

“Rams Head invites everyone to rally up their friends to celebrate the biggest party of the year.” says Rams Head Tavern Annapolis General Manager, Corky Fertitta. Follow the party by following us on twitter @RamsHeadGroup using the hashtag #RamsHeadStPaddys.

Locations:

Rams Head Tavern Annapolis | 33 West Street, Annapolis MD | P: 410.268.4545

Rams Head Tavern Savage Mill | 8600 Foundry St, Savage MD | P: 301.604.3454

Rams Head Roadhouse | 1773 Generals Hwy, Annapolis MD | P: 410.849.8058

Rams Head Shore House | 800 Main Street, Stevensville MD | P: 410.643.2466

Cost: No Cover

Drink Specials: All Specials start @2pm

$.50 Guinness Draft Beer from 2pm-3pm

$ 3 Green Beer (while supplies last)

$ 5 Jameson Drinks

$ 5 Car Bombs

Music Schedule:

Rams Head Tavern Annapolis (Tent)

2pm-4:30pm: Swamp Candy

5pm-7:30pm: Mixed Business

8pm-10:30pm: Sweet Leda

Rams Head Roadhouse (Tent)

2pm-:Peterbuilt

5pm: Dave DeMarco Band

10pm: Kajun Kelley Band

Rams Head Shore House

4pm-6pm: Sean Pelan

7 pm-11pm: Bling

Rams Head Tavern Savage Mill

2pm-4pm: Corey Jenkins

4:30pm-6:30pm: Van Meter

7pm-10pm: Captain Jack Duo

10:30pm- Close: Just a Thought

More info check out www.ramsheadtavern.com