The dangerous new country-rock band from Rob Cheatham of the Nice Jenkins.
Gunchux - Suburban Landscape
Gunchux - The Tour
Gunchux - Williamstown
Gunchux - You Crushed My Heart
Gunchux - Walk Up 21st St.
Bringing up the rear, a couple of Central VA’s younger up-and-coming rock bands: To Kill A Hero and The Great Eastern.
Traditional folk singer and southpaw guitarist known for his country ballads and occasional yodeling. Email for more information, and hop to it — if the past is any indication, this one might sell out.
Former Charlottesville-based rock critic Rob Sheffield, still mourning after the unexpected and way-too-young 1997 death of his wife, gave a reading last week reviewed this morning by the Cavalier Daily, which lauds “a real feel for early-90s Charlottesville, fishnet stockings and all.”
After several false starts, the long-awaited Van Halen reunion tour is finally happening, but unfortunately Charlottesville fans may have to wait until the next round — whenever that may be. Earlier today, a last minute cancellation was handed down from JPJ.
Rather than just crying into your beer, though, why not go to the Outback Lodge to catch opening act Ryan Shaw, a twentysomething soul revivalist of sorts?
Actually, come to think of it, you can do both!
“He came in for an interview earlier today, after the show had already been postponed, at around noon,” explains Brad Savage, the programming director of 106.1 The Corner, “and he was asking us on the air if there was someplace else he and his band could play tonight. Within a half hour, we had put it together with the Outback Lodge.”
This comes on the heels of last night’s Gravity Lounge performance by Brian Vander Ark and just a hair before the Deep Blue Something show coming up next week, both of which are also sponsored by the station.
buy tickets onlineBlue Man Group augments their simplistic techno-rock with exuberant performance art — think costumed drummers banging away on pitched PVC pipes. And hey, if you like the show, you can join the ensemble, just like that nutcase from Arrested Development!
buy tickets onlineThe Walkmen are a NY-based indie rock quintet and a critical favorite to say the least, thanks to albums like “Everyone Who Pretended To Like Me Is Gone” and its follow-up, “Bows+Arrows.” Happy local dudes In Technicolor open with retro pop, big smiles, and funny pants.
buy tickets onlineThe Whigs are a garage rock band which hails from the legendary Athens, GA and have become the newest hot Red Light property. Also featuring The Spinto Band and American Bang.
buy tickets onlineFormer Drive-By Trucker goes solo.
Also featuring Will Hoge and Dawn Landes.
Will Hoge - Dirty Little War
Dawn Landes - Bodyguard
Local music festival blowout featuring the local experimental and jazz groups.
Graboids - Coma Bear
Greg Howard - Tim Was Here
If Sarah White is the reigning local queen of alt-country, Jim Waive is the up-and-coming prince. How fitting, then, that the two worked together on Waive’s latest album, “Strike A Match.” Joining White on background vocals was fellow Acorn Sister Sian Richards, and the rest of Waive’s usual matrimonially-impaired quartet rounded out the lineup.
Waive says the new album’s ten new songs follow in the path set by his debut, “Trouble’s You,” but significantly up the production value. “This one has some more depth to it,” he says, “It’s kind of like the FM version — the other one was more AM. There’s more definition and distinction between the instruments.”
“I wanted it to sound bigger,” he continues, “When we play live, it’s kind of big and bouncy — there’s some low-end that wasn’t there on the first record. The frequency spectrum is much bigger on this one. My band does great stuff behind me, so it’s great to have it all there to be heard.” Naturally, there’s no more appropriate occasion upon which to pick up a copy than at CD release party.
The Acorn Sisters and Barling and Collins open.
Jim Waive and the Young Divorcees - Strike A Match
buy tickets onlineSparky’s Flaw checked in from Los Angeles to say that they’re hard at work on the next record, their first since signing with Mercury last summer. The next hometown show will be free thanks to corporate sponsorship; you know you’ve arrived when you can convince Scion to bankroll your performances.
This will also feature performances by Wale and Project Jenny, Project Jan — and then, at midnight, a dance party hosted by (seriously) dj Skeet Skeet. It might be wise to if you plan to attend.
buy tickets onlineThese two artists are visiting the UVA music department as part of a week-long residency sponsored by the UVA Arts Board. Frith is an experimental and improvisational guitarist currently teaching composition at the Mills College in California, and Glennie is a partially deaf percussionist — and yet somehow still reportedly the first full-time percussion soloist in modern history.
Fred Frith - Dancing In The Streets/My Enemy Is A Bad Man
Fred Frith is an experimental guitarist who has worked with Brian Eno and Bill Laswell, among others, and this is the last event scheduled for his week-long visit to UVA.
Fred Frith - Norrgarden Nyvla
Fred Frith - What A Dilemma
35,000 MySpace friends have allegedly earned Corey Smith the title of hottest unsigned country-rock artist. With his song “21″ winning over the college kids and “I’m Not Gonna’ Cry” making it into over 200 high school graduation ceremonies last year, Smith has cornered a demographic that will stick with him for decades.
buy tickets onlineWe think this is going to be jazz, but you never really know with these guys.
The celebrated trumpet player steps away from his usual project to lead this five-piece jazz combo.
The Chickenheads are a legendary local blues band which is constantly picking up new guest musicians.
Week after week, these local folk-rock equivalents of Tenacious D skewer Dubya, Trent Lott, and stupid people in general.
The Bourbon Specials play bluegrass and old-time music and are totally worth the hangover you’ll get from Miller’s. Former American Dumpster frontman Christian Breeden opens.
The erratic rock of Straight Punch To The Crotch hits like… well, you know. Local duo Birdlips opens.
Folk singer Arlo Guthrie is best known either for the epic 20-minute narrative “Alice’s Restaurant” or possibly for the accompanying film, but his abilities as a live performer should probably come in second. He’s played Charlottesville before, but the current string of shows ditches the band and places Arlo alone on stage with nothing more than a couple of guitars, a piano, and a harmonica. Plant tongue in cheek and repeat after us: “Solo reunion tour - together at last.”
buy tickets onlineThe piano soloist performs Bach, Schumann, and Mozart.
CUSO’s latest concert features works by Brahms, Stravinsky, and Mozart.
CUSO’s latest concert features works by Brahms, Stravinsky, and Mozart.
George Melvin wears many hats (not all of them as cool as this one), and his long-standing gig at South Street even has him wearing several at the same time. For the “Group Sound” format, Melvin plays several keyboards at once, using his left hand for walking basslines that match up with jazzy drum loops and working the sustain pedal to give the illusion of multiple right-hand parts.
George Melvin wears many hats (not all of them as cool as this one), and his long-standing gig at South Street even has him wearing several at the same time. For the “Group Sound” format, Melvin plays several keyboards at once, using his left hand for walking basslines that match up with jazzy drum loops and working the sustain pedal to give the illusion of multiple right-hand parts.
George Melvin wears many hats (not all of them as cool as this one), and his long-standing gig at South Street even has him wearing several at the same time. For the “Group Sound” format, Melvin plays several keyboards at once, using his left hand for walking basslines that match up with jazzy drum loops and working the sustain pedal to give the illusion of multiple right-hand parts.
George Melvin wears many hats (not all of them as cool as this one), and his long-standing gig at South Street even has him wearing several at the same time. For the “Group Sound” format, Melvin plays several keyboards at once, using his left hand for walking basslines that match up with jazzy drum loops and working the sustain pedal to give the illusion of multiple right-hand parts.
Many an eyebrow perked up when hot new wine bar Siips posted a notice indicating that it would be selectively extending its hours to match up with events being held elsewhere, and now your ears have cause to join them. Local piano master George Melvin will pound out some jazz standards, piggybacking on the performance by the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra taking place across the mall at the Paramount.
Local piano virtuoso George Melvin can always be found performing somewhere around these parts, but more often than not it’ll be a solo keyboard gig or require a road trip out to Keswick. Considerably rarer are the Miss Lucy gigs, where he carts out the anthropomorphic Hammond B3 organ to jam out with fellow leaders like guitarist Jamal Millner and drummer Johnny Gilmore.
Richie Havens is a folk singer who emerged alongside Bob Dylan from late-60’s Greenwich Village and was the first act to perform at Woodstock in 1969, closing his set with the anthemic “Freedom”
buy tickets onlineNatural Breakdown plays upbeat dance-ready party tunes. And who cares what Mingo Lodge does, exactly? He’s in a band called Big Boss Sausage. That’s good enough for us.
Natural Breakdown plays upbeat dance-ready party tunes. And who cares what Mingo Lodge does, exactly? He’s in a band called Big Boss Sausage. That’s good enough for us.
DC-area jazz orchestra
buy tickets onlineThe local songwriter performs with a backing lineup of local talent.
Unfortunately, the members of The Falsies, Charlottesville’s premier stupid-rock band, have grown up and actually learned to play their instruments. Somehow they still manage to keep things interesting, though.
The Nice Jenkins jam out with material from their most recent release and staples from the Cotton Candy Rent Party era. Also featuring Quiet My Dear.
The Nice Jenkins - Sweet And Filthy
40 Dollar Mule claims to play both crunk and bluegrass. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
The Chickenheads play straightforward blues, but with a heavy improv element — you never know who’s going to show up and sit in. They played at Durty Nelly’s every week for years before calling it quits a few months back, making this a homecoming show of sorts.
Third Party play funk rock and blues, but the bassist is a dead ringer for Claudio Sanchez.
As you’re on your way out of town, stop off just before Route 250 to catch some killer blues from one of Charlottesville’s rising stars.
Beleza Brasil plays Latin jazz and samba as usual, but the duo will be backed by a full band for this show.
Dean Fields plays acoustic Americana with a touch of Buckley and a hint of Croce. Don’t miss Richmond dynamo Daniel Clark on keys. Travis Elliott opens.
A local musician who has already performed with some of the world’s greats: Jethro Tull, DMB, and— most recently— Ringo Starr, still finds that she has to resort to unusual tactics to get noticed. Violinist Ann Marie Calhoun has landed herself among the semifinalists in an online competition that could put her into the Foo Fighters’ lineup for the upcoming Grammy Awards presentation.
The competition, hosted by YouTube, asks viewers to watch videos and vote for the performer who should go to L.A. and perform on the national broadcast. Fans of Calhoun, who formerly was part of Charlottesville-based Old School Freight Train, are invited to vote early and vote often. All they have to do is visit http://www.youtube.com/mygrammymoment and click on the “Vote Now!” button and search for “theboggster” to find Calhoun. Voting for this stage closes February 1, and the Grammys are awarded February 10.
January 26 Update: WINA radio journalist Chris Callahan says he recalls that Stewart and family dwelt during that era in Buckingham, near the Yogaville ashram that drew them to Central Virginia.
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Around 1991, about a year before I bought it, I attended a concert at the Jefferson Theater by John Stewart, the former Kingston Trio member who was said to live at least part-time in Central Virginia. Stewart died last weekend at a hospital near his California home at the age of 68.
Although the screaming success of the Beatles and other British invaders dimmed some of folk music’s light in the mid-1960s, plenty of fans still remember both the Trio and Stewart, who was a member of the group in 1962 when they scored one of their biggest hits, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”
Stewart left the Trio in 1967 for a successful career as a songwriter, penning works for such artists as Joan Baez and Albemarle County’s (more)
After long delaying official confirmation, John Paul Jones Arena officials have announced that Kid Rock is indeed coming to Charlottesville. Tickets– priced between $25 and $45– go on sale Saturday, February 2, at 10am and can be purchased at the box office, online, or at 1-888-JPJ-TIXS. #
Get ready to get rowdy, Charlottesville. Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd will bring their “Rowdy Frynds” tour to John Paul Jones Arena Friday, May 16, according to concert industry publication Pollstar. No word yet on when tickets will go on sale for this hoe-down to end all hoe-downs, as JPJ officials have yet to confirm Pollstar’s report.
Even with such musical heavy hitters as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, and Justin Timberlake failing to fill the 16,000 seat arena, “The Jack” has had considerable box office success with country acts like Kenny Chesney and George Strait, both of whom sold out the venue. Additionally, the possibility of a sell-out is enhanced by the fact that the JPJ date is the show closest for residents of Washington and Tidewater.
After beginning his career in his famous father’s shadow, Williams has (more)
Ungdomskulen isn’t a rare gastric affliction — it’s a Norwegian rock trio which formerly boasted the arguably even unwieldier name “goddamnit.” If the name alone gives you the willies, though, this show might not be for you — as you may already know, Scandinavian rock bands generally shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Ungdomskulen - Modern Drummer
Chris Barron is best known as the former lead singer of the Spin Doctors.
buy tickets onlineGuitar players know that Fender Telecasters are notoriously unforgiving when it comes to even the most minor screw-ups, so it’s become sort of an unwritten code that when somebody whips one out, you can reasonably conclude that he or she is an excellent player.
They also know that Guitar Player is the only one of the instrument’s many niche magazines worth any attention whatsoever.
Guitar Player has called Bill Kirchen a “Titan of the Telecaster.” You do the math, man.
Bill Kirchen - Hammer of the Honky Tonk Gods
Bill Kirchen - Rocks Into Sand
buy tickets onlineJoel Rubin is the UVA authority on Klezmer music, and Pete Rushefsky will be joining him hammered dulcimer for this show.
buy tickets onlineThe local song-slash-lovebirds play their usual Valentine’s show a little early this year — presumably because they have something better to do on the 14th. Imagine that.
buy tickets onlineBenyaro is an acoustic trio from Brooklyn.
Benyaro - Humble Child
Grammy-nominated Cherryholmes is the modern version of the classic bluegrass family band — and in fact, they’re signed to the label started by the Skaggs clan. The band came together as a healing exercise in the wake of the eldest daughter’s sudden death in 1999 and has been lighting up the festival circuit ever since.
buy tickets onlineFor fifteen years, Old Blind Dogs has led the world of Scottish folk. The band has changed significantly over the years with the revolving door cast — fiddler Jonny Hardie is now the only remaining founding member. The lack of stability hasn’t slowed them down, though — they just took “Folk Band of the Year” at the Scots Trad Music Awards late last year. A new live album is in the works for 2008, but there’s no way it’ll stack up against the real deal — and this way, your $15 will go to support the Blue Ridge Irish Music School.
buy tickets onlineIn a way, jazz singer Paulien embodies “big in Japan syndrome” — her tune song “Dominique” dominated the charts overseas around the same time as Jesse and the Rippers.
buy tickets onlineNutty fringe instruments like ukulele, kazoo, and washboard converge on every set by The Wiyos, who play all of the above along with the usual spate of folk instruments and three-part harmony.
The Wiyos - Dying Crapshooters Blues [live]
buy tickets onlineQuirky songwriter Orion Rigel Dommisse delivers a set which will involve Wurlitzer, electric piano, omnichord, Univox, Mini-Korg, Metallaphon, electric violin, acoustic and electric cello, acoustic and electric guitar, bells, and (gulp) bones. Also featuring the Evangelicals, Wes Swing, and the Headlights.
Orion Rigel Dommisse - Fake Yer Death
Beleza Brasil plays samba and Latin-jazz.
The brand spankin’ new Chamber Orchestra of Charlottesville, an offshoot of the Charlottesville Symphony Society, launches with performances of Mozart’s “Symphony No. 12 in G major,” Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto,” Puccini’s “Chrysanthemums,” and Schubert’s “Symphony No. 5.” Order tickets to the ritzy $75 kickoff reception by calling 924-3139 if that’s your scene.
Songwriting duo Gene and Gayla Mills celebrate the release of their new album, “Waiting For Rain.”
The members of Americana duo The Honey Dewdrops are former winners of the Rapunzel’s annual songwriting contest.
The latest version of Clarence Green’s ongoing project is a quartet that delivers island-infused pop which might very well warm up your dreary winter — and on top of that, Bill Cardine of The Biscuit Burners will be sitting in.
The Chameleon Project - I Want You
This local bluegrass band started its comeback with a reunion show a few weeks back and continues it with this rare and unusual electric performance.
Singer-songwriter and White Hall native John Wyant fronts this five-piece rock outfit
Local high school and college students perform pieces by Mendelssohn, Bach, F.W. Ferling, Gabriel Faur��, and more
Violinist Bob Gross performs pieces by Dohnanyi and Bruch with help from Brian Helmke, Connie Muscenti, Karen Pearce, Ray VanAusdal, Beverly VanAusdal, and Daniel Pinkham.
