The Weekend! (August 10-12)

Tonight (8/10), there are two noteworthy events happening:

First:

  A couple of weeks ago Ron Snyder of Peppermint Sun contacted me about a different show they were playing at The Poplar Lounge (2586 Poplar Ave.).  After listening to their record Oblivianation, I was quite blown away by them.  As I said a couple of weeks ago, their sound reminded me of Paul Westerburg’s later work (which from me is a complement).  Peppermint Sun will be playing again tonight, and they will be joined by another band I like Gasoline Grace!  By the way, Gasoline Grace also has an album out called Hearts of Fire which I also highly recommend.  Things should kick off tonight at 10:00pm with a $5 cover.  The Poplar Lounge is a 21 and up venue.

El Karaoke Grande Pulls Double Duty This Weekend

Apparently El Karaoke Grande has lost his mind.  He is gracing us with not one, but two karaoke parties this weekend.  The first takes place tonight (8/10) at Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.).  As a celebration of the end of the Olympics, tonight’s theme is the Olympiad of Bad Music.  Come out….get tanked…and sing some of the worst songs to ever grace the pop charts.  Then tomorrow (8/11) at Le Chardonnay (2094 Madison Ave.)  this will be happening…

That’s right….Karaoke is For Lovers makes it dramatic return.  Sing your favorite love songs, drink copious amounts of beer…and for God’s sakes…tip El Karaoke Grande.  Both events are free, and both Murphy’s and Le Chardonnay are 21 and up venues.

So in addition to El Karaoke Grande on Saturday night, it seems that pretty much every local band is playing.  We’ll begin with these guys….

After spending the summer on the road, not playing any Memphis shows, it is with great pleasure that I can say…Tiger High is back in action locally Saturday night!  They will taking the stage at The Poplar Lounge (2586 Poplar Ave.) and they will be joined by Sheiks, and Nashville, Tennessee’s Ranch Ghost.

Cover is $5, things will kick off at 10:00pm, and The Poplar Lounge is a 21 and up venue.

Capgun, Special Victims Unit, Our Own Cadence, 3, 2, 1, Blast Off!, and Chump Change

Tomorrow night at The Daily Planet (3439 Park Avenue), pop punk will be taking over.  Locals Capgun, Our Own Cadence, and 3, 2, 1, Blast Off! will be joined by Union City ,Tennessee’s Chump Change.  With five bands, expect to things to actually kick off at the 9:00pm starts time.  Cover is only $3 and The Daily Planet is an 18 and up venue.

Dead Soldiers, The Near Reaches

We all know shows at The Cove (2559 Broad Ave.) can be a blast!  Saturday night head there to catch Dead Soldiers and The Near Reaches!  Word on the streets is The Near Reaches will have their new 7″ available for sale, so don’t blow all of your money on booze so you can get a copy!  Things will kick off at 9:30pm, and cover is $5.  The Cove is a 21 and up venue.

Adios Gringos, Powers That Be

Honestly, I’m not sure what we’re calling them these days.  Are they just Gringos?  Are they still Adios Gringos?  Does it really matter?  The only reason keeping it straight is so difficult is because these guys have been absolutely owning Memphis music since the mid 90s.  They’ll be playing the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.) Saturday night with Powers That Be and Ritual Decay.  This show has a $5 cover and will kick off at 9:00pm.  The Hi-tone is an 18 and up venue.

Cities Aviv, Ex-Cult

Cities Aviv has been out on the road a lot recently spreading his hip/hop gospel to the masses.  Saturday night, he will be playing locally at The Beauty Shop (966 S. Cooper St.).  He’ll be joined by the trashy garage punk stylings of Ex-Cult.  Things should kick off in the 10:00 hour with a $5 cover.  The Beauty Shop is a 21 and up venue.

So at this point, I am absolutely pooped from listing all of this weekend’s shows.  Perhaps I should also mention that Relient K is playing at The New Daisy Theater (330 Beale St.)?  I dunno, I have a feeling that if you were a Relient K fan, you wouldn’t need me to tell you about this show anyways.  If you really need the full deets on that show, then look it up on the New Daisy’s website!

Coming soon, I will have some pics up of Tanks and Daikaiju from Tuesday night’s show at Murphy’s.  I promise not to be such a slack ass, like I was for most of this summer, and I’ll also have the record reviews promised in previous posts.   

Also…It’s almost time for Rock for Love 6 and the online auction is already up and running with tons of awesome goodies you can bid on.  I highly suggest checking it out!

Want me to list your show on this site?  Contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com!

August 4th: Richard James, El Karaoke Grande

What?  A new Richard James and the Special Riders video covering Lee Hazlewood’s “My Autumns Done Come.”

Also…”Brown Liquor” available as a new single on Richard James’ Bandcamp page.

Now….If only they were playing a show tonight….

Excellent….and to top it all off, Richard’s wife Anne Schorr will be bringing her solo stuff to you with a full on band!  This is happening tonight at The Cove (2559 Broad Ave.)!  Richard James & The Special Riders haven’t played The Cove since May, and if you haven’t been to one of their shows there, expect it to be wild and to go late!  Things kick off at 10:00pm, there is a $5 cover, and The Cove is a 21 and up venue.

Also tonight…..

Memphis’ favorite lucha mask wearing karaoke jockey will be bringing his party to Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.) for Marianne Spengler’s birthday.  Sing awful pop songs, buy Marianne drinks, and for God’s sake….tip the hell out of your KJ!  This will kick off at 10:00pm, and has no cover (so you have more money to drink, tip El Karaoke Grande, and get Marianne drunk!).  Murphy’s is a 21 and up venue!

Want me to list your show here?  Contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com!

Peppermint Sun, Cory Branan, El Karaoke Grande, Buffalo Child

Alright!  The weekend is upon us….Here are some of the things you can get into!

Peppermint Sun, Curly Mojo at The Poplar Lounge

Since Ron Snyder of Peppermint Sun contacted me via e-mail about their show tonight (7/20) at The Poplar Lounge, I’ve been trying to listen to and digest their record Oblivianation via their bandcamp page.  I’m a part of that strange breed that prefers the later work from Paul Westerburg and The Replacements, so whenever I hear a band that reminds me of that, I am pretty much immediately won over.  Elements of power-pop, garage, and punk permeate this band’s sound.  They’ll be joined tonight by Curly Mojo!  Cover is $5, The Poplar Lounge is a 21 and up venue, and things will kick off at 10:00pm!

Cory Branan, Audra Mae, Adam Faucett

Born in Southaven, rocked out Memphis, and relocated to Austin, Cory Branan returns to Memphis tonight (7/20) for a show at the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.).  If you were hitting up shows at the Hi-tone and the Deli back in the early ’00s, then you probably fell in love with Branan’s music.  Tonight, he’ll be playing with Audra Mae and Adam Faucett.  If you haven’t already done, pick up a copy of Branan’s newest record Mutt at the show tonight.  Doors open at 9:00pm, cover is $10, and the Hi-tone is an 18 and up venue.

El Karaoke Grande’s Birthday Extravaganza

If there were ever a reason for me to plug a shindig for one of my favorite KJs karaoke parties, then this would be the one.  Tonight at Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.), El Karaoke Grande will be celebrating the day of his birth (or perhaps the day of his alter ego’s birth…I don’t want to mess up the legend here) by having you sing terrible pop songs off key while being heavily intoxicated!  While this event is free, remember that KJs like tips (especially on their birthday).  This will kick off at 10:00pm and Murphy’s is a 21 and up venue.

Buffalo Child, The Sheiks, Slut Hound

 Head to The Buccaneer Lounge (1368 Monroe Ave.) tonight, for Texarkana, Texas’ Buffalo Child.  It has been long overdue, that rock and roll make it’s return (don’t get me wrong, I love indie pop and everything), but Buffalo Child’s sound is reminiscent of the old school blues inspired rock sound of the 1970s.  Grab a beer and your lady and prepare to shake it.  They’ll be joined by locals The Sheiks, who also blow my mind, and Slut Hound.  This should kick off around 10:00.  Not sure about the cover (I assume it’s $5), and The Buccaneer is a 21 and up venue.

Saturday, July 21

The Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
He’s My Brother She’s My Sister, Golden Animals
9:00pm, 18 and up, $8

 Want me to list your show on this site?  Contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com!

Last minute adds for tonight (July 3)

Two new events for tonight!!! July 3, 2012…..

I can’t even remember the last time Chopper Girl played, but tonight she will be playing her final show at The Beauty Shop (966 S. Cooper St.).

Richard James and the Special Riders will also be performing this show.  Not sure about the cover, but The Beauty Shop is a 21 and up venue.

El Karaoke Grande

After his classy evening at Le Chardonnay, El Karaoke Grande is bring his show back to Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.) tonight. You know the deal…this event is free, but it never hurts to have dollars on hand to tip your KJ with.  Murphy’s is a 21 and up venue and things should kick off around 10:00.

While I listed it on yesterday’s post, don’t forget that Amy LaVere and Dead Soldiers are playing the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.) tonight.  This show has a $7 cover and doors open at 8:00pm.  The Hi-tone is an 18 and up venue.

Check yesterday’s post for more shows happening this week.  If you want your show listed on this site contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com.

Back in Action (of sorts)

Apologies for the spare posts in recent weeks.  Hopefully, things in my non-blogger life will slow down soon.  Anyways it would be silly of me not to put up a post today considering that this is happening…..

That’s right…The Flaming Lips take over Handy Park (200 Beale St.) in their attempt to break the record of most concerts played in one day.  If your tickets are on Will Call, you will be able to pick them up at 2:00pm.  Doors open at 3:30pm, and the show will start at 4:30pm promptly.  Remember…they have other stops to make today, so don’t be all Memphis about it and arrive fashionably late.  If you haven’t got your tickets yet, it looks like they are still available…click here!  New Fumes will be opening this show!

Speaking of The Flaming Lips’ other stops, if you feel like making the road trip to Clarksdale, Mississippi, they will be playing at Morgan Freeman’s Ground Zero Blues Club with Gary Clark Jr. and Memphis’ own Tiger High!  Doors for this show open at 6:30.  Gary Clark Jr. is opening the show, and Tiger High will actually go on after The Flaming Lips perform.  I’m not honestly sure if the Clarksdale show has sold out or not.  Tickets were available by phone or in person directly from The Ground Zero Blues Club, so it is difficult to say.  Still, if you feel like a change of scenery, this might not be a bad Flaming Lips show to catch!

The Young Dubliners, Deal Me In

Not sure how young they are anymore (these guys have been playing since 1988), but Celtic rockers The Young Dubliners will be taking the stage at the Hi-tone tonight!  They will be joined by locals Sin City Scoundrels and  Deal Me In (ex-Drawls, Angelsluts).  Doors open at 9:00pm with a $10 cover.  This show is 18 and up.

Guantanamo Baywatch, Manatees, Nots

Tomorrow night (June 28) at The Buccaneer (1368 Monroe) Portland, Oregon surf rockers Guantanamo Baywatch will be returning to Memphis for the first time since 2010.

They’ll be joined by locals Manateees (now with an extra e because there was another band out there called Manatees) and Nots (ex-Bake Sale).  Cover is $5 and The Buccaneer is a 21 and up venue.  Things should start happening in the 10:00 hour.

Witnesse, Handsome Mark

If a punk/surf rock show sounds a bit too wild for your tastes, then head to Mollie Fontaine Lounge (679 Adams) for DJ Witnesse and Handsome Mark’s Thursday night residency.  As usual, this event is free and kicks off at 11:00pm.  Mollie Fontaine Lounge is a 21 and up venue.

  All right…I’ll go ahead and say it now! There is a lot of potential awesome for you to get into this weekend!

Fast Planet, Future Unlimited, Strooly

In their short time together, Fast Planet has been making a pretty big name for themselves locally.  Featuring ex-members of Dora and This Is Goodbye, their sound has a bit more of an electronic feel than the member’s previous projects (think Aphex Twin).  They’ll be hitting the stage at the Hi-tone, Friday June 29 with Future Unlimited (who played here back in the spring when they were on their way to SXSW) and Strooly.  Doors are at 9:00pm, cover is $7, and the venue is 18 and up.

The Hoax CD Release Party

If you are a fan of the punk rock cover stylings of Memphis Killharmonic, then you might want to head to Murphy’s (1589 Madison) Friday night to check out Scott and Daisun’s newish original project The Hoax.  They’ll be celebrating the release of their debut album Call to Unity.  Local metal band Cult of the Flag will be joining them for this show.  This show is Friday June 29.  The cover is $5, show should kick off in the 10:00 hour, and Murphy’s is a 21 and up venue.

Saturday night is when things get really crazy!!!

Sock It To Me Burlesque with Broncho

I feel bad.  Chloë du Bois sent me an e-mail a month ago about this event, yet I am just now getting around to mentioning it.  Not sure if this event will cool you down, but head to the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.) Saturday June 30th to see some of Memphis’ finest burlesque from the likes of Lady Doo Moi, Madonna Putanna, Kissame Suga, Chloë du Bois, Aenya Little Fyre, and special guests Frankie La Femme and Mogli Nova.  Tulsa, Oklahoma garage rockers Broncho will also be performing. Things kick off at 9:00pm.  This event is 18 and up, and has a $10 cover.

  Bobby Joe Ebola & The Children MacNuggits, The Near Reaches, Christian Walker

At some point back in the 90’s, I remember walking into the now defunct Map Room and catching a set from Bobby Joe Ebola and the Children MacNuggits, and thinking they were awesome enough to at least buy a demo tape from (this was the 90’s so the cassette tapes weren’t being sold for ironic purposes.)  Truthfully, I was kind of shocked to hear these guys were still around when this show got announced.  One sign of getting old, I guess, is that you start keeping your ear to the ground less and less.  This show will be happening Saturday June 30th at Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave).  They will be joined by The Near Reaches and Christian Walker.  Cover is $5.  This show is 21 and up and will kick off in the 10:00 hour.

   Karaoke Is For Lovers

Never missing an opportunity to plug an event conducted by my good buddy El Karaoke Grande, he’s taking his show to a classy joint this Saturday night, June 30th.  Head to Le Chardonnay (2094 Madison Ave.)  for some of Memphis’ best karaoke.  Slow jams are highly encouraged!  Things kick off at 9:00pm.  Bring a few extra bucks to tip your KJ.

Other things to remember:

1.) In case I don’t get to post again before Sunday (which has been sort of the case lately) Flesh Lights, Mouserocket, and Modern Convenience will be playing the Poplar Lounge (2586 Poplar Ave.) Sunday July 1.  Cover is probably $5.  Things will kick off at 10:00pm, and the Poplar Lounge is 21 and up.

2.) Friday June 29th, is the South Main Trolley Tour!

3.) Roller Derby at the Pipkin Building on the Fairgrounds, Saturday June 30th! Doors at 5:00pm.  First bout at 6:00pm.  $12 for adults, kids 5-10 $6, kids under 4 are free!

4.) This Is What Love in Action Looks Like is on Netflix Instant Streaming!  Watch It! Its actually been on there for several weeks.  That’s how lazy I have been on this blog.

5.) Trashy Creatures Records has some exciting new releases on the way!  I’ll be writing about them soon!

If you want me to list your show or event on this blog, contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com!

This Week’s Shows-May 7-13 2012

Did everyone have an amazing weekend at Music Fest/Dick Dale/Melvins and Unsane?  This week more awesome shows are coming your way…

Coral Legs, Aster, and Nouteka

Tonight (5/7) at The Lamplighter Lounge (1702 Madison Ave.), Minneapolis experimental/noise duo Coral Legs will be playing!!!  Almost every track that these guys have available up on the web sounds different, but I think the unifying theme for their music is that there seems to be a heavy outsider art influence in their sound (I think that if Daniel Johnson were to start an electronic project, it would sound something like Coral Legs).  Coral Legs will be joined by locals Aster and Nouteka, who are back from a bike tour of Arkansas!  Things will kick off at 10:00pm, and donations will be taken for Coral Legs.  The Lamplighter is a 21 and up venue!!!

Also tonight

The Beauty Shop (966 S. Cooper St.)
Witnesse: Ode To MCA
10:30pm, 21 and up, No Cover

The Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
Marbin
9:00pm, 18 and up, $7

Tuesday, May 8

Sometimes when doing this blog, I can be pretty bad about missing some shows.  It dawned on me recently that I have been completely overlooking David Cousar’s Tuesday night residency at The Buccaneer (1368 Monroe Ave.).  Cousar is sort of like Memphis’ own personal Tom Waits.  Some songs have country and folkish leanings, some songs have a psychedelic feel, and some songs have a very 90’s college rock aesthetic to them.  Unless he is on the road, then Cousar can be found every Tuesday night at the Buccaneer.  His Tuesday night residency is free, but The Buccaneer is a 21 and up venue.

   The Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
Cowboy Indian Bear, The Lion’s Science
9:00pm, 18 and up, $7

Thursday, May 10

The Poplar Lounge (2586 Poplar Ave.)
Moving Finger, Magik Markers
10:00pm, 21 and up, $5(?)

Friday, May 11

It seems like forever ago that Megan Reilly left Memphis for New York.  Well this Friday, she returns to play the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.) in support of her new record The Well.  Reilly will be joined by locals Wuvbirds.  Things will kick off at 9:00pm with a $10 cover.  The Hi-tone is an 18 and up venue.

 Saturday, May 12

Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.)
El Karaoke Grande’s Karaoke Madness
9:00pm, 21 and up, No Cover (but tip your KJ)

The Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
Can’t Touch This: Tennessee Tease Tackles the 90’s with Kaleidophonix
9:00pm, 18 and up, $25 (VIP Seating)/$15 (General Admission)

Sunday, May 13

The Poplar Lounge (2586 Poplar Ave.)
Gary Wrong Group, The Manatees
10:00pm, 21 and up, $5(?)

These are the shows, I know of for now.  I’ll update as I find out more.  If you want me to list your show on this site, contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com.

Photos of Richard James, Everything Is Terrible, This Week’s Shows

Sorry for the scarce posts this week.  A lot has been going on in my non-blogger life that’s kept me away from the computer.

Saturday night, Richard James & The Special Riders celebrated the release of their new 7″ in style with a record release show at The Cove (2559 Broad Ave.).  Unfortunately I got there too late to catch Fresh Flesh or Gasoline Grace (though Angela Horton was kind of enough to give me a copy of their CD Hearts On Fire which I will write about on this site soon).  For this show, The Special Riders included Richard’s wife Anne Schorr on bass (who has lately been sitting out of Special Riders shows to focus on her solo career), Patrick Glass on guitar, Jake Vest on guitar, and Greg Faison and Ross Johnson on drums!

Last night at the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.), the folks from Everything Is Terrible came through for their current tour of found footage/video art titled Doggie Woggiez Poochie Woochiez: All Dogs Go On Tour.  In addition to showing their current dog themed DVD, they also played some of their more well known video hits (like Duane) and also featured a full show involving dog costumes!

The Bombay Alleys

Tonight (4/12) The Bombay Alleys will be playing The Buccaneer Lounge (1368 Monroe Ave.).  This is being dubbed as an open rehearsal.  Not sure if anyone else will be joining them or if there is a cover (keep a fiver in your pocket just in case).  If you like 1990’s style slacker rock, head up to the Bucc around 9:00pm.  The Buccaneer is a 21 and up venue.

Also tonight: Zach Ives of Sharp Balloons will be djing at The Lamplighter (1702 Madison).  This is part of the Achtung residency that will be happening every Thursday this month at The Lamplighter. This will kick off at 9:30 and is 21 and up.

Other events for Thursday 4/12

The Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
Hackensaw Boys
9:00pm, 18 and up, $12

Friday, April 13

The Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
These Wolves Are Robots, Heavy Eyes
9:00pm, 18 and up, No Cover

The Buccaneer Lounge (1368 Monroe Ave.)
William Stull, Dead Soldiers
10:00pm, 21 and up, $5

Shangri-La Records (1916 Madison Ave.) will be having a record swap this Saturday April 14th at noon! Naan Violence, Moving Finger, and Sheiks (who blew me away at The Beauty Shop on St. Patrick’s Day) will all be performing.  Buy some records and listen to some great music outside! The weather is supposed to be amazing Saturday!

 

Saturday April 14th, Montreal’s Plants and Animals will be playing the Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.).  Opening for them will be This Is The Kit (who are from Bristol and Paris).  Cover will be $10 and doors open at 9:00pm.  Let’s pack the Hi-tone out and show these guys some Southern hospitality.

Back in February, Plants and Animals released their third full length LP, The End of That, on Secret City Records.  Despite the fact that they are Canadian, don’t expect for their sound to be reminiscent of many of the other indie rock bands that came from our neighbors in the North during the previous decade.  I suspect that these guys are only referred to as an indie rock band due to lack of a better term to describe them.  The songs from The End of That would seem less out of place on classic rock radio stations than on most college radio programs.  (They’ve been compared to The Arcade Fire and Grizzly Bear, but I don’t hear it at all).  These guys have their credentials in check: nominated for two Juno Awards in 2009, shortlisted for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize, and tours with Frightened Rabbit, Gnarls Barkley, Broken Bells, and Wolf Parade, and an opening spot for The National in Central Park. Hearing The End of That, what I find most surprising is that these guys are only a three piece.  They have a very full sound, and I’m quite interested to see how this will translate in the live setting.  Favorite tracks from the album: “Control Me,” “Song For Love,” and “Runaways.”  Not as poppy as bands like Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros or The Polyphonic Spree, not as pretentious as The Decemberists.  This porridge is just right.

Also Saturday night….

Our favorite curmudgeony KJ El Karaoke Grande returns to Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.).  The theme for the evening…Couple’s Skate Only.  Sing your favorite cheesy love song or go completely off theme.  This event is free and 21 and up (but bring money to tip El Karaoke Grande with!)  This will kick off at 9:00pm.

Sunday April 15th at The Lamplighter….Wintercreeper will be playing their first show.  Wintercreeper is a new incarnation of The Young Greys and features Alice Buchanan of The Magic Kids. They will be joined by Atlanta’s Waverly and Nouteka, a relatively new Memphis band who are about to kick off a bike tour of Arkansas! This show is free, but bring some money to tip the out of town band.  Things should kick off around 10:00pm and the Lamplighter is a 21 and up venue.

If you would like me to list your show on this site, contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com.

Rabbit! Rabbit!

And February begins!  Here are some ways to keep yourself entertained as we begin the new month!

Wednesday, February 1

Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.)
El Karaoke Grande’s Karaoke Madness
10:00pm, 21 and up, Free

Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
Good Luck Dark Star Early Show
8:30pm, 18 and up, $5

Thursday, February 2

Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
The Lyricist Lounge Feat. Cerioso, Pat 24Seven, Ray Rebel, Preauxx, Jason Da Hater, Vee Ayee, Dutchess, Jeditruth, Ra Ra Superstar and Sunny Marx
7:00pm, 18 and up, $5

Friday, February 3

The Lamplighter (1702 Madison Ave.)
The Turn It Offs, Nightmare Boyzzz, The Vignettes, William Stull
9:00pm, 21 and up, $5

Saturday, February 4

Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.)
Tiger High, MouseRocket
9:00pm, 18 and up, $5

The Cove (2559 Broad Ave.)
Richard James & The Special Riders, The Turn It Offs
9:00pm, 21 and up, $5

Did I miss your show?  Shoot me an e-mail at memphisrockcity@gmail.com, and I’ll add it to the list.

The Manatees Tonight!

Okay….I promise a bigger post is coming soon.  But in the meantime, I would never be able to live with myself if I didn’t inform you that……

The Manatees are playing the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.) tonight!  They’ll be joined by Flamin’ A’s and The Vignettes.  Doors open at 9:00pm, $5 and 18 and up!

Also El Karaoke Grande will be returning to Murphy’s (1589 Madison) to bring his signature brand of karaoke!  This will start at 8:00pm, is 21 and up, and FREE (but bring some rock dollars to tip your KJ)!

Want me to list your show on this site?  E-mail me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com!

So Long 2011

As we enter 2012, there a lot of awesome things happening this week:

Wednesday, December 28th

Artist: Richard James and the Special Riders                                                                                                                                           Venue: Mollie Fontaine Lounge (679 Adams Ave.)                                                                                             

Richard James and the Special Riders have been so good to you in 2011.  Frankly, I’ve never seen a band who plays so prolificly, consistently put on such bad ass shows.  They’ll be kicking things off at 9:30pm, and this show will be FREE!  Mollie Fontaine Lounge is a 21 and up venue though.

Karaoke: El Karaoke Grande’s Karaoke Madness                                                                                                                                           Venue: Murphy’s (1589 Madison  Ave.) 

Yes, I know it’s strange for this blog to be pimping a karaoke night, but there aren’t many karaoke nights like El Karaoke Grande’s Karaoke Madness.  You wanna sing G.G. Allin? The Shaggs? “Disco Duck”?  He has all of those as well as your regular karaoke fare.  Karaoke Madness starts at 8:30 pm and is free (through bring some dollars to tip your K.J. if you wanna sing.  El Karaoke Grande is using that money to buy new songs and lucha masks).  Karaoke Madness is 21 and up.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Artist: Good Luck Darkstar, The Allied Standard, The Warm Atlantic                                                                                                    Venue: Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.) 

                                    Long time Memphis music fans might remember Brett Krock from his time with Eighty Katie or The Lights, but he’s been doing Good Luck Darkstar since 2008.  Good Luck Darkstar plays straight up rock music with elements of power pop. (They’re huge ELO fans).  They will be joined by locals The Allied Standard and The Warm Atlantic.  The show starts at 9:00pm, is $5, and 18 and up.

 Other options for Thursday

Mollie Fontaine Lounge (679  Adams Ave.)
Witnesse, Handsome Mark
11:00pm, 21 and up, Free

Juicy Jim’s Pizzeria (551 S. Highland St.)
Gaddafi Girls, Modern Convenience, Rubrics
10:00pm, 18 and up, $5

Friday, December 30, 2011

Artist: Dirty Streets, Booyah! Dad, Hi-Electric                                                                                                                                     Venue: Hi-tone Cafe (1913 Poplar Ave.) 

I probably owe the genius that is the Dirty Streets more coverage on this blog than I’ve given them.  They are definitely not a whiny indie rock band.  These guys play the sort of music that your dad used to get drunk and high to in the 70s.  Add Little Rock, Arkansas’ Booyah! Dad (pictured above) to this bill, and I can assure you that your ears will still be ringing well into 2012.  Memphis’ own Hi-Electric will also be performing.  Doors at 9:00, cover is $7, 18 and up.

Other options for Friday:

Otherland’s Coffee Bar (641 S. Cooper St.)
Rob Jungklas Trio, The Memphis Dawls, Molly Ray
7:00pm, All Ages, $7

Check in later in the week for your New Year’s Eve options.  Also check out Tennessee Trash for a much more thorough show listing.