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Vibes for the Mind By james s. houck Upcoming Performances Show Reviews Local Talent Spotlight

Vibes with James on Air! Friday Mornings 9:30 a.m. on 103.1 FM

Live Wire: Upcoming Performances

I'm a touch unsure of how, exactly, to put into words how big this month of music is-it's big, super big. Like, bigger than yo momma big. Like, Mr. Big big. Like, oh…my…god, this is totally awesome, big. Like, in three years Oprah's back to…big. Like Ticketmaster big-der the ones to call for your stubs: 410.481.SEAT (MD), 202.432.SEAT (D.C.).

Can't think of a bigger way to start than a sneak peek of Rams Head's latest venture, Rams Head Live!, located in Power Plant Live! in Baltimore, on the 1st. The Violent Femmes will perform in the courtyard outside and concertgoers will have the chance to check out Rams Head's progress inside. The newest addition to Baltimore's live music scene, Rams Head Live! will accommodate 1,500 heads and feature 6 bars. Other notables kicking off the month include pop-rockers, The Samples, at the 9:30 Club in D.C., crafty craftswoman Michelle Shocked at the State Theater in Falls Church, and the Okayplayer Fall Tour featuring the NC-based hip-hop trio Little Brother at the Ottobar in Baltimore.

On the 2nd, Easton gets dosed with the R&B-inflected rock of NRBQ at the Avalon Theatre. On the 3rd, it's Billy Cobham's Culture Mix at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis (he's like, only one of the biggest drummers out there). Cool mix of acts on the 5th at the 9:30 Club: intimidating rocker/poet Henry Rollins, prog-rock guitarist (and yes, DJ) Bob Mould, and Sandra Bernhard performing a mix of comedy and music, among other artists, get together for a benefit show, "Freedom to Marry." For the big-swing sound, you can't do much better than Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, who'll be at Rams Head On Stage, the 6th-7th (P.S. Look for a new Christmas album from them Oct. 12). Couple more "be there" shows on the 7th: R. Kelly & Jay Z team up for a tour billed as "Best of Both Worlds" at the MCI Center in D.C. (and 1st Mariner Arena on the 8th)-guess that means retirement is work for Jay Z (what's up with him announcing retirement anyway?)-and Marillion, mythic new-prog rock 'n' fusion Brits, are at the 9:30 Club.

Tasty batch of shows follows suit on the 8th. Reggae greats Steel Pulse be at da Recher Theater in Towson mon. Hip-hop greats the Beastie Boys are at the Patriot Center-call it a root down? Tony Furtado will be at Fletcher's in Baltimore-guy's a sick bottleneck slide guitarist, and banjoist to boot (new album These Chains in stores now). In the heat of it all, jazz/fusion guitarist Mike Stern begins his three night run (8th-10th) at the Blues Alley in D.C. (202.337.4141). Things are just starting to warm up folks.

A great act returns to the area in The Funk Brothers at the Gordon Center in Owings Mills on the 9th. Yep, they were the guys sitting behind all the great Motown acts/hits of the 60s-this is an incredibly moving and lively show, lots of fun. More flashbacks on the 10th: folk favorite from the late 60s, early 70s, Fairport Convention is still at it, this go-round playing the Birchmere in Alexandria, while Brian Wilson, perhaps the most musically well-rounded of the Beach Boys, is at the Warner Theatre in D.C.

Horizons of difference take us to Merriweather Post Pavilion on the 11th for the smash-mouth hip-rock of Incubus. One night later, the 12th, Camper van Beethoven continues to stretch the horizon with their multi-genre-inclusive approach to indie rock, an approach they've honed since the late 80s-catch 'em at the 9:30 Club (coincidentally their newest, New Roman Times, has just been released). Other options this evening include Melissa Etheridge at Constitution Hall in D.C. and Wynonna Judd at the State Theatre…hmmm.

Multi-instrumentalist PJ Harvey chases any number of genres on a given night (blues-rock-metal-alt-whatever), playing the 9:30 Club on the 13th. A few streets away, the Insane Clown Posse will be at the Nation making good use of the mike, same night. On the 15th, the Hippodrome in Baltimore hosts one the most blazing and technically proficient guitarists of his generation, Joe Satriani. For two nights, 15th-16th, Several Species delivers the Pink Floyd experience at the Recher Theatre. Another 60s throwback, The Zombies, Brit rollers known for their melodic shifts between major and minor keys, hit the State Theatre with L.A.'s psychedelic folk hipsters Love on the 16th. Amplifying the bigger is better approach, Tower of Power, all ten members, will be at the Birchmere for two evenings, 16th-17th.

Picking big shows this month is like shooting fish in a barrel, but this one clearly defines B.I.G.: Metallica, with openers Godsmack, at the MCI Center on the 17th. So you're not a fan of metal (or maybe you are)-wake up man! You gotta witness the best in the business at least once in your life when it comes to hair raising arena-rock with all the theatrics. If ya haven't seen 'em yet, buy the damn ticket. If you have, then maybe change is good. In that case, try Bruce Hornsby (just released his strongest album, Halcyon Days, since his debut imo) at the Hippodrome or Brooks & Dunn with Montgomery Gentry at Nissan Pavilion in Bristow-both shows on the 17th as well.

Slam! The foot hits the metal pedal. Social Distortion, 20+ year vets of the O.C. punk scene, are releasing their first studio album in 8 years (release date was 9/28) and touring like hell in its support-the Nation is the place to be on the 18th. But there's good competition for Social this night: Ozomatli, L.A.'s Afro-Latino rock based 10-piece, will be at the Recher, creating one helluva party. And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead… conquers the Recher one night later, the 19th, incorporating a variety of instruments not commonly associated with hard-rock: viola, sax, harpsichord, ukulele. Stan Ridgway, songwriter/crafter, guitarist, Americana-guru, will be at Rams Head on the 19th-he also used to score low-budget horror films-should be a purty darn cool show. The 20th sees Willy Porter & Martin Barre (Jethro Tull guitarist) at the Rams Head. Porter has been hooked up with Tull for a couple years now, opening shows for them, so it comes as little surprise to see these two on the same bill.

Ehh, soo what decade am I in anyways? Smokey Robinson & Gladys Knight continue the run of 60s artists this month, performing at the plush Constitution Hall on the 23rd-good for another Motown fix. Yonder Mountain String Band will play the Recher on the 24th-good for a bluegrass/newgrass fix. '80s industrial rock legends Ministry, are running the States with the EVil DoER Tour and will be at the 9:30 Club on the 25th. Acoustic troubadour Richard Thompson will be at the Birchmere for two evenings, the 25th-26th, which will most likely sell out. Acoustic Alchemy explores the lighter side of jazz at the Blues Alley for two evenings of their own, the 27th-28th, while Gov't Mule explores the harder side of southern rock psychedelia and blues at the 9:30 Club, a two night stand as well, 27th-28th.

Particle, a 4-piece instrumental trance rock outfit featuring bass, keys, guitar and drums, has the right formula to get you moving at the Recher on the 28th. Folk icon Joan Baez has actually been touring like crazy over this past year and will be at the Birchmere on the 28th-29th. Jam-nation favorites moe. will up the ante, playing a bigger venue for a change in Constitution Hall on the 29th-the result of Phish's absence from the scene? At Jaxx Nightclub in W. Springfield, Blue Oyster Cult, also the 29th.

Rounding out a full bodied month are a few big parties. Local favorites Jimmie's Chicken Shack and the All Mighty Senators tag team the Recher on the 30th for an evening of rock, punk, and funk. Inside the B-more Beltway at the Funk Box, PBS experiments with da funk, also the 30th-think the Funky Meters minus Art Neville (George Porter, Jr., Russell Batiste, and Brian Stoltz). On Halloween night: jazz/bebop/Motown session legend Joe Sample lights up the Birchmere with his warm enthusiastic piano playing and Green Day, the hard hitting 90s-punk, 3-piece, is the real deal at the Patriot Center in Fairfax. Feeling B.I.G. yet playa? Have a good one y'all.

Around 'n' Around: Live Reviews

Bruce Hornsby
Wolf Trap, Vienna
08.19.04

When Bruce Hornsby performs, you're going to relax. When Hornsby performs at Wolf Trap, you're going to relax in style. A wine and cheese crowd filled the lawns of Vienna's earthy tree laden retreat, just outside the confines of Beltway politics, for Hornsby's annual soothing 'n' simmering concert of taste. With a mellow voice that's still able to pull the full band together in collective harmony on such neo-classics as "The Way it Is" and Don Henley's "End of the Innocence," Hornsby fed a reserved crowd what they came to hear-Hornsby at his best, performing a recognizable setlist. "White Wheeled Limousine" heeded the call, as did "Rainbow's Cadillac," both showcasing the lilting feeling-groovy melodies central to Hornsby's leading grand piano. Mid-way through set one, Hornsby gave the nod to his newest single, "Gonna Be Some Changes Made," freshly released on Halcyon Days. The song proves his capabilities as a strong composer of original, inspiring, smooth singles. Obvious inspirations were visited in two numbers, "Loser" (Grateful Dead) and the show-ending "That Would Be Something" (Beatles). The evening's bonus was the prodigious guitar playing of Hornsby's nephew, R.S. Hornsby-the kid can play. All the while, this show was danceable…if you felt like putting on a show yourself.

Grassroots Festival
Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia
08.29.04

Rural bluegrass aficionados saddling up beside suburban jam band youth. It was a culture mix (kind of) at Merriweather this Sunday afternoon 'n' evening for high-time, high-strung bluegrass-taken straight, ala Del McCoury band, or dirty, ala Yonder Mountain String Band. Rounding out a potent lineup of bluegrass, new-grass, slam-grass, green grass performers were Sam Bush, Keller Williams, and Bela Fleck & The Flecktones-each taking their allotted time seriously enough to appease the sit-down crowd, but with just enough loose-knit jamming to keep the dancing crowd at their feet. No kidding-midway through YMSB's fast and furious set, this reviewer was asked to sit down by a retired couple who'd driven all the way up from Virginia to see Bela Fleck perform (he was onstage with the younger YMSB). No worries-the music proved palatable, standing or sitting. Del McCoury was a gem to behold, a real icon of the genre and reigning International Bluegrass Music Association Entertainer of the Year. Sam Bush provided the closest resemblance to a rock performer when he amplified his mandolin with distortion and grit. Keller Williams improvised and looped his way through an exploratory set of organic polyrhythm, incorporating multiple acoustic guitars, electric bass, drum machine, theremin, and himself (trumpet impersonations count for something). Fleck and company solidified the evening's run of performers with their banjo-based jazz-funk. In the end, everyone joined forces for interesting takes of "Come Together," "Stairway to Heaven," "All Along the Watchtower," and "Foggy Mountain Special" eliciting all to their feet, even retired couples from Virginia. This year's festival was fun for a day, if not memorable.

Town Shakedown: Local Artist Bryan Ewald

Hardest working person in Annapolis other than Mayor Moyer? Guitarist Bryan Ewald? Yeah, methinks so. Seriously, this guy has more bands kickin' around town than Zachary's Jewelers (please tell me ya got that one). Let's see, there's Starbelly, Jarflys, Non-Fiction, The Invisible Band, Meg & Bryan, Bryan, Dana & Mikey, the Dan Haas Band. On top of that, he occasionally works with Pat Dinizio, Warren Zanes, Bens Bones, and the Greg Phillips Trio. I think Ewald works more nights than Annapolis Police Chief Johnson (just kidding sir). Though the styles of the bands differ, there's the guarantee that you'll enjoy smooth, fluid lead lines from Bryan. Polished and intriguing would be another way to put it. You'll want to pay attention. The only nights Ewald doesn't perform are Mondays and a few random days sprinkled throughout the month. Every Tuesday he plays with the Jarflys at Armadillos (nice set at the MD Seafood Fest gents). In fact, Ewald's home away from home is Armadillos: Thursdays it's Meg & Bryan, Sundays it's Bryan, Dana & Mikey. More info and dates can be yours by visiting his well-done website, www.bryanewald.com.

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