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Bad Mannered Zombies & Grateful Hermits
April 6, 2011 by
Wierenga
So 98 Rock fans already know about the Coolest Thing Ever contest, but in case Rock isn’t your thing, let me throw up the ‘ol spoiler alert and just tell you that those listeners love Zombies. More than shark attacks, duct tape, day-drinking and tanks. Of course, I’d like to point out that Zombies are the coolest thing ever (if you disagree you’ll just have to start your own official bracket) because we’ve just announced that The Zombies will be coming to Rams Head On Stage this September! Then you throw in a show added by popular demand, possibly the most memorable ska band to come out of the UK, Nickel Creek’s mandolin, Paste Music’s “Best of What’s Next”, The Hermit who is “Into Something Good”, and more and we’ve got a pretty other-worldly batch of shows that went on sale yesterday. See what I mean…
05.02 Bad Manners
Bad Manners, is one of the many bands to take their inspiration from the Specials and the ska revival movement in England in the late ’70s. They quickly became the novelty favorites of the fad through their bald, enormous-bodied frontman’s silly on-stage antics, earning early exposure through 2-Tone Records package tours and an appearance in the live documentary Dance Craze. In the early ’80s, they managed several U.K. hits including “Ne-Ne Na-Na Na-Na Nu-Nu,” “Lip Up Fatty,” “Special Brew,” and “Can Can.”
05.21 The Civil Wars All Ages Matinee
In some ways, music doesn’t get much more modest or minimalist than it is in the hands of The Civil Wars, a duo comprised of California-to-Nashville transplant Joy Williams and her Alabaman partner, John Paul White. They travel without a backup band, and on their first full-length album, Barton Hollow, the bare-bones live arrangements that fans hear on the road are fleshed out with just the barest of acoustic accoutrements. Each song is an intimate conversation, and no third wheels or dinner-party chatter are going to interrupt that gorgeous, haunting hush.
05.22 Chris Thile & Michael Daves
Sleep with One Eye Open is an impassioned collaboration/conversation between mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile and guitarist Michael Daves in which the subject is bluegrass, specifically how this upstart duo can acknowledge history and tradition while exuberantly defying convention. Though it was recorded in four feverish days of sessions at Jack White’s Third Man studio in Nashville, the album has deep roots in a serendipitous side of New York City that reveals itself at certain times of the night, when strangers become kindred spirits as clubs empty out, and only the hardiest souls stick around to keep the music playing.
07.17 Cracker
Cracker, the group that veritably introduced brash irreverence and irony into alt-rock, are back and in top form on their 429 Records debut, Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey. This rich new trove of sharp-witted songs showcases a bristling, late 70′s – early 80’s power pop punk aesthetic which hits as hard as it did at the band’s formation 17 years ago. Eight albums (one platinum and three gold) and a barrel full of anthemic hit songs later, Cracker endures, using their ability to weave decades of influences into an album that is seamlessly riveting.
07.24 In Gratitude A Tribute To Earth, Wind & Fire
With their rhythmic musical melodies and lyrical storytelling, In Gratitude sends you back in time to visit one of the most prolific musical ensembles in history. Musically embracing EWF founder, Maurice White’s delivery of diverse elements including, African, Latin, Funk, Soul, Pop, and Rock, and Jazz. The 14 piece band led by three exceptional male singers, honors EWF’s impressive body of work, nostalgically spanning their classic familiar tunes of 1973-1985.
08.12 Art Sherrod Jr. feat. A Surprise Guest
As a solo artist, smooth and urban jazz saxophonist Art has shared the stage or co-headlined with world-class artists such as Natalie Cole, Angie Stone, Raheem DeVaughn, Roy Ayers, Slim Man, Cuba Gooding Sr and the Main Ingredient, to name just a few. Art has shown himself to be not just a great musician, but also a true entertainer and a definite crowd pleaser. So get ready to go on a roller coaster of sonic emotions from an artist we should all keep our eyes on as he rises to the top while serenading us through the seasons.
09.19 The Zombies w. The Acoustic Strawbs
Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone, two true stalwarts of classy English pop, have reunited after three decades under the moniker of their former outfit, The Zombies. Their reunion has been enthusiastically embraced by the public, thanks to a hot band, some superlative new material, and a stage repertoire that draws heavily upon their much-cherished catalogue of Zombies and solo hits. The popularity of the Zombies’ music, in keeping with their name, shows no sign of dying. Their unsurpassed oeuvre continues to influence musicians around the world, whether they be original fans the stature of Tom Petty or Pat Metheney, or relative youngsters like REM, Beck, Pavement and Paul Weller.
10.07 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
At the age of fifteen, Peter achieved international fame as “Herman”, lead singer of the legendary Sixties pop band Herman’s Hermits. Producing a hitlist as notorious as Henry VIII’s homelife, Herman’s Hermits ultimately sold over sixty million recordings, and has been classed as one of the bands of the “British Invasion”. In all, fourteen singles and seven albums went gold. The Hermits were twice named Cashbox’s “Entertainer of the Year”.
10.08 Brian Culbertson second show added by popular demand!
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.
Mangold
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