“All those doctors and those psychics/ they’re all right and they’re all wrong/ It’s like trying to sing every word/ when you should just hum along.” –Dawes
“I fell in love twice/ Once with sex and once with pain.” –Shannon Harney
“When a Ford man turns to Chevy/ the angel gets his wings.” –Jonny Corndawg
Just another day at the office in Davis, CA – soul snapping indie Americana lyricism with white-hot jams, Its a Wonderful Redneck Life, and sultry hippie chicks who will devour your head after mating (and you will gladly let her). What a night with these three gems at Odd Fellows on Tuesday.
My partner in crime Lindol French has you covered with a full recap of the show. It’s going to be hard to top that one this weekend, Sactown. Whatcha got…?
(And yes, one of these shows actually happens on Super Bowl Sunday).
The Aggrolites – Ska is a funny thing. You’d think that most of the loyal fans of the genre would be having way too much fun in their own one-man bounce house to take the time to argue about what is and what is not “ska.” Enter L.A.’s the Aggrolites, who seem to be on a crusade to establish and reaffirm that No Doubt is not real ska, and that the pop world ate up what was great about ska music, spit out the remains and called it the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (ah, the ‘90s!). Hey, there’s room for everyone in the quick-blast brass kingdom, but listen to songs like “Reggae Hit L.A.” and you’ll understand where they’re coming from; decidedly old school, purist, but no less festive. But who the heck has time for genre ball-busting on a Friday night anyway? 9 p.m. Friday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.
Michael Tobias & the Acidic Swamp Band – This is what happens when you leave a guy from Athens, Georgia alone in a garage in Marin County with a rack of strings, skins and amps and a little time to get crazy; we’re not sure if there were some open paint cans in there too that fumigated his creative zealotry, or if that was just all pent up energy, we’ll get back to you. Michael Tobias’ debut CD “High and Low” was recorded on four-track, laboriously cut and mastered by a trio of audio mechanics, and it has now taken the form of a full length album – that only took about three years! Now armed with a drummer and plenty of trickery, Tobias brings his band show to Sacramento for the first time after a string of solo acoustic gigs. Enjoy hearing our city’s name in song? Listen to Cake’s new CD, or just watch this video for “Go On.” The Acidic Swamp Band greases the stage for Campfire Crooners and Gracelily. 8:30 p.m. Friday. Naked Lounge Downtown, 1111 H St. $5. 21+. www.nakedcoffee.net.
Kill the Precedent – While most of us will be chowing down chips, fried cheese and B-Minuses while watching the Packers and Steelers (regardless of our allegiances to either team or to pro football itself), there is always a group out there who wants nothing to do with three million dollar bouts of BUY STUFF! and an esoteric “performance” by what used to be a hip hop group – and there’s little doubt that Kill the Precedent could serve as a soundtrack to just that demographic. They’re going to be bringing their raucous hardcore thrash wiles to the Blue Lamp during halftime of the Super Bowl, as an antidote to it all. Details on the show are sketchy (I got info from a text from a local promoter), so you’ll need to check the venue for start time and cover.
Badfish – Ace of Spades (formerly Empire and Venue), perhaps better known as “Boardwalk West” is getting their impressive slate of shows rolling in what was once the Great White Whale of Sacramento concert venues. This reporter hasn’t had a chance to check out the new digs, but lets hope it finally lives up to what it could be. Meantime, spend your Monday with a little Sublime retrospective, courtesy of this heralded tribute act. Sublime in winter…does it sound weird to anyone else but me? With Scotty Don’t, Arden Park Roots, Dogfood and Element of Soul. 6:30 p.m. Monday. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $15. All ages. www.aceofspacessac.com.
Mark Your Calendars – The Mother Hips – Welcome back to downtown, “California Soul,” we’ve missed you! For the record, MoHips’ BFF Jackie Greene has nothing on his calendar that day, and this band always sounds even better with a Hammond kicked in – just throwing it out there! March 5. Marilyn’s on K, 908 K St. $20. www.marilynsonk.com.
If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.
For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.
