Eddie Spaghetti
Tuesday, March 22, 9 p.m. One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361 Eddie Spaghetti will be rolling into New Orleans to drop off a big haul of outlaw country goodness to fans promoting his third solo album, and first release for Bloodshot records, Sundowner. Eddie is best known as the frontman for the infamous Supersuckers – a four-piece band of cow-punk road-warriors that have been spreading the gospel of their unique blend of country-infused rock since 1988. The band’s self-described “sacri-licious sounds” were an oddity on Sub-Pop records in the late 1990’s, and to the current day, both Eddie and the Supersuckers refuse to be pinned down to any specific genre. At the solo show, you can expect to see less of the teethclenching volume and fury of Supersucker classics like “Born with a Tail,” “Creepy Jackalope Eye” and “Pretty Fucked Up” and more of the rowdy twang of numbers like “Non- Addictive Marijuana” and “Road Worn and Weary.” Also, it would not be surprising to hear Eddie’s spin on Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues” or any number of the Nick Lowe and Steve Earle tunes that have worked their way into his repertoire. There will likely be a few surprises as well – Eddie Spaghetti and the Supersuckers have been known to cover everyone from Madonna to Ice Cube. This is the kind of music that sounds like dirt and diesel and feels like soft thunder – a celebratory riot of sex, drugs and liquor befitting of the “City That Care Forgot.” Be sure to make it out to One Eyed Jacks to catch the best bloodyknuckled country music that a $10 cover can buy.—Garrett Pittman
Bluerunners
Friday, March 25, 9 p.m. Rock N’ Bowl, 3000 S. Carrollton Ave. 861-1700 After a nearly six year hiatus, the Bluerunners are reuniting and their distinct variety of Cajun-Rock fusion is as original as it is inimitable. Lafayette natives Steven Le Blanc and Mark Meaux have been the rock upon which the Bluerunners were founded, with a revolving cast of players providing accompaniment.
The band has cited influences that include artists as diverse as X, the Blasters, Dewey Balfa and Canray Fontenot and one can definitely hear all these elements in their music.
Think about distorted guitars and feedback over driving bass lines punctuated by prodigious fiddle and accordion licks pumped out by the multi-instrumentalist Mark Meaux and you will start to get an idea of what this band is all about. With the country-rock party band, the Creole String Beans, opening, pull out your dancing shoes (or bowling shoes) and head into the nether-regions of Uptown New Orleans to witness the rebirth of a oneof-a-kind musical experience, all for only $10.
—Garrett Pittman
“The Real Davis” CD Release Party/All That Reunion and 16th Birthday Party Featuring DJ Davis Rogan
Saturday, March 26, 10 p.m. Tipitina’s Uptown, 501 Napoleon Ave. 895-TIPS Where there’s an R&B beat, there’s a Big Easy layover of wits ever ready to spring forth from the tarnished silver tongue of DJ Davis Rogan. “The Real Davis” brings it, Ben Folds Five to Steely Dan style, satire running amuck in the legendary styles of Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint, Earl King and Ernie K Doe. Born in the Carrollton neighborhood, Davis lives in Treme. He studied piano under Jon Cleary, Ed Frank and Tom McDermott. At the tender age of 10, Rogan began broadcasting on WTUL. He went on to DJ at WWOZ for 13 years and taught music at Orleans Parish public schools. Remember the brass/funk/ hip-hop sound of ALL THAT? Davis was lead singer, band leader, principal songwriter, arranger and producer. This three-album band toured North America and Canada, selling 10,000+ albums, including sales in Japan, before disbanding after a ten-year run. Rogan’s previous solo CD, The Once and Future DJ, was completed shortly before Katrina. The masters had to be rescued from flood waters and the album was released late 2005. His much-anticipated The Real Davis will be on sale at the venue. This latest release brings Davis back to his R&B roots. Rogan is currently working as a script consultant for “Treme” co-creators David Simon and Eric Overmyer. The show’s character Davis is based on Rogan. This 16th All That birthday party and CD release party promises “many surprise special guests”. Tickets are $12 in advance and $14 at the door. —Dionne Charlet
Excene Cervenka
Monday, March 28 One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St., 569-8361 Prolific punk princess, Excene Cervenka, will be rolling into town on March 28 and indulging our aural appetites on the stage of One Eyed Jacks. Since her early days as singer for the LA punk band, X, Cervenka has covered a lot of ground, from releasing alt-country recordings with X bandmate John Doe and the great Dave Alvin as the Knitters, to writing commentary for a collaborative photographic exposé on the Iraq War. This time Cervenka is touring to promote her third solo album and her second release on Bloodshot Records, the Excitement of Maybe. When taking her profuse stylistic range into consideration, it is difficult to know exactly what to expect from Cervenka. Nevertheless, the progressive-country/folk leanings of her newest label and her last album, Somewhere Gone, may provide some clue—think somewhere in the neighborhood of Neko Case meets Jason and the Scorchers meets the Sadies topped by a voice that is at once defiant, ethereal and distinctly Cervenka. With the new-wave Americana guitar-poet Kevin Seconds opening, be ready for an absolutely ambrosial evening with two of the most innovative artists around. $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
-Garrett Pittman
407 North’s Dinner & Show featuring Debbie Davis and Tom McDermott
Saturday, April 2, Door 6 p.m., Show 7 p.m. 407 North, 407 North Columbia St., Covington, 985-809-3131 The delightful Debbie Davis (vocals) and ivory-twinkling Tom McDermott (keys) will thrill audience members at one of the Northshore’s latest hidden gems, 407 North, in downtown Covington. Davis and McDermott plan on giving the audience a few jazz numbers, a little pop, some ole’ classics, and whatever the house is in the mood for which usually means it can easily be a wild evening before 8 o’clock! Experience a dinner show New Orleans style without crossing the Causeway Bridge, and indulge in upscale American cuisine while Davis belts out some tunes that will soon have you swooning for more. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $55 and includes a special chef prepared 4-Course Dinner consisting of appetizer, soup, choice of entree and dessert. Tickets can be purchased at restaurant location or by phone.—J.J.
Bayou 95.7 Walton n Johnson Bash n Boil featuring Kyle Turley Band, Morning Life, 5 Finger Discount, Pig Pen n The Porkchops and more! Saturday, April 2, 5 p.m. Southport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave. 835-2903 Get ready for the annual Bayou 95.7 Bash and enjoy some great new music from former Saint Kyle Turley, along with local favorites 5 Finger Discount and Morning Life. Kyle Turley is rocking the music lifestyle with Gridiron Records and will be touring the state on his special Louisiana Boot Stomp Tour promoting his latest iTune release “We Ride” which is driving bad-ass-kicking rock n’roll. Be sure to check out www.gridironrecords. com and give it a listen since his sound is cut like a diamond and polished to perfection. With local cover band 5 Finger Discount nailing rock covers and The Morning Life said to have some new tunes in the works, this event will easily make for a great time through the early morning hours as long as the cold beer on tap keeps flowing.—Sheri Bleuler McKee
Harry Connick, Jr.
Monday, April 4, 7:30 p.m. Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts, 1419 Basin St., 287-0351 Singer, actor, composer, pianist, Broadway star, American Idol mentor, heartthrob—and not necessarily in that order—Harry Connick, Jr. is, was, and ever shall be a New Orleans treasure. Blue eyes, a certain swagger, and that voice! His charms alone make him beloved, but he takes the time to give back and pay it forward. He helped give us the Krewe of Orpheus and the Musician’s Village, champions charity causes including many NOLAbased nonprofits, and though he currently splits his residency between Connecticut and New York, his ties to the Big Easy resound through his music. Known for his Christmas albums, his more recent Your Songs and Oh, My NOLA, and his soundtrack for When Harry Met Sally, Connick has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. He’s won three Grammys and one Emmy. He’ll be returning to Broadway this fall in “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”. But locals won’t have to wait long at all for a Connick fix. There’s a special seat waiting for ya’ll at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for the Performing Arts this May, and a certain tall dark crooner just might make you fall “In Love Again” with big band music, N’awlins style.
—Dionne Charlet
Aquarium Drunkard presents The Pains of Being Pure at Heart with Twin Shadow
Thursday, April 7, 7:30 p.m. One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St. 569-8361 With Alex Naidus on bass, Kip Berman on guitar and vox, Kurt Feldman on drums, Peggy Wang on keys and vox, and Christoph Hocheim on guitar, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart have become a sound force to be reckoned with. New release and second album Belong debuted March 29 on Slumberland. The sophomore power punch of the band was enough to enlist producer Flood (Smashing Pumpkins, U2, PJ Harvey) and ace mixer Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain, Ride). Pre-release “Heart in Your Heartbreak” broke to rave reviews for this coed tribe from New York. Kitschy, edgy, soft and focused, the music resonates with a youthful mastery. Since the band’s formation in 2007, TPOBPAH has knocked the “it factor” out of the park, earning awards and acclaim all the way. Tickets are $14. Twin Shadow will open the show. —Dionne Charlet
Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band
Saturday, April 9, 10 p.m. Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., 866-9359 The Asheville based six-piece funk monsters, Yo Mama’s Big Fat Booty Band, known for their off the wall live performances and dance floor heroics will be setting the stage on fire at the Maple Leaf. As one of the countries favorite up and coming touring acts, the band has a huge buzz surrounding their sell-out shows and owes the success to their award winning and critically acclaimed debut studio album, Now You Know. The Booty Band melts elements of hip-hop, reggae, ska and latin soul into the mix behind a pure foundation of funk, thus creating a musical entity that is entirely their own. Catch this hot band in town while you can! —J.J.
HardDrive Live “Spring Fling” Tour featuring Saliva Thursday, April 14 The Hangar, 1511 S. Rendon St., 821-2215 United Stations nationally syndicated radio show HardDrive will host its third national concert tour, HardDrive Live Spring Fling featuring Saliva, Rev Theory, Emphatic, Madam
Adam and Seven Day Sonnet. HardDrive Live Spring Fling, HardDrive host Lou Brutus believes it’s their usual mix of superb bands by turning people on to the music from both new and established acts. Saliva, being one of the most recognized acts on the tour with double platinum albums, will be wowing fans with songs like “Always”, “Click, Click, Boom” and “Your Disease.” Having released their greatest hits album Moving Forward in Reverse: Greatest Hits March 23, 2010, and latest album, Under Your Skin, with first track “Nothing” digitally released on February 1, 2011, fans can expect an array of classic and new material from Saliva rocking The Hangar. Madam Adam also has their debut album out in April, and has chosen to celebrate their new release on the road with the HardDrive family and friends. Bring earplugs if you can’t take the noise since this show will surely be heart pounding rock all night long. —Sheri Bleuler McKee
Carlos Malta
Friday, April 15 Snug Harbor, 626 Frenchmen St., 949-0696 Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Carlos Malta, known as the “sculptor of the wind” will at last be back in New Orleans. His first appearance on the New Orleans scene was in 1999 and Snug Harbor was the first New Orleans club to open the door for Malta, through our dearly missed friend, George Brumat. Malta is an experienced arranger and instructor. Each time he has come to NOLA, as a performing musician, he has also taught several workshops at NOCCA, UNO, Loyola and Delgado, sharing his professional experience with students. Be sure to catch this amazing artist as he communicates through the international language of music.—J.J.
MC Know One CD Release Party
Saturday, April 16 The Wolf’s Den (The Howlin’ Wolf) MC Know One is back in the limelight once again with a killer new CD out entitled Sound Track The Ballad of Know One & DamNathan. As founding members of Media Darling Records, these local hip-hop innovators have put together an intriguing album that touches your inner being and mind with emerging hope and quick to the tongue lyrics that fly like random darts into a bull’s-eye target. “2 Dumb 4 Dances” has an incredible beat that will have you swaying immediately and several local artists like DJ Quickie Mart and Able Chris appear on the album. Check MC Know One out in an intimate setting that brings the freshest beats alive. —Sheri Bleuler McKee
