2011

Cooper McBean

Eddie March 3, 2011 No Comments

Luigi’s Fun Garden, 8 p.m., $6

Luigi’s Slice and Fun Garden1050 20th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 552-0317

The Devil Makes Three has made quite the name for itself along the greater West Coast. As evidenced by its sold-out shows and inclusion on high-profile festivals (insert Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival), the band has been enjoying a run that most bands of their ilk would die for. Cooper McBean, guitarist of said group, is playing solo shows while the band takes a hiatus until touring resumes in April. As luck would have it, the fine folks at Folk Yeah have thrown together a bill of considerable interest with Kevin Lee (Silver Darling) and Portland’s Weinland. 1050 20th Street, www.thedevilmakesthree.com.
(SN&R)

Sat, Feb 26, Daphne Loves Derby

Eddie February 24, 2011 No Comments

UC Davis Coffee House, 6:30 p.m., $10-$15

UC Davis Coffee House

347 Memorial Union
Davis, CA 95616

(530) 752-6622

Seeing any type of concert at a university campus is always a spectacle. Shows run differently, concerts start much earlier and people don’t typically partake in any mischievous activities due to heightened security. Expect all the above when Washington’s Daphne Loves Derby, a trio who owe much of its success to new media, play one of UC Davis’ more intimate venues. Although www.purevolume.com may have earned the band a new legion of fans, the band’s sporadic touring and 2007 release Good Night, Witness Light are more than enough reason to make the trek. 347 Memorial Union in Davis, www.myspace.com/daphnelovesderby.
(SN&R)

Fri, Feb 18, Cobra Skulls

Eddie February 17, 2011 No Comments

Luigi’s Fun Garden, 8 p.m., $10

Luigi’s Slice and Fun Garden1050 20th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 552-0317

There are some quality acts from Reno, Nev. While the scene changed drastically from the ’90s era where seemingly every club thrived, Cobra Skulls is proof positive that a DIY ethos and solid songs are all you need. It’s about crisscrossing the United States playing small rooms like Luigi’s Fun Garden and spreading love for unabashed punk and rockabilly. For the better part of six years, the Skulls have released a handful of records, toured with various headliners and even signed with Fat Wreck Chords. Grab a leather jacket, a slice and a beer. It’s going to be sweaty. 1050 20th Street, www.cobraskulls.com.

(SN&R)

Sat, Feb 12, Young Dubliners

Eddie February 10, 2011 No Comments

PowerHouse Pub, 10 p.m., $12

Powerhouse Pub614 Sutter St.
Folsom, CA 95630

(916) 355-8586

If you’re planning on catching one of Southern California’s greatest proponents of both Irish music and rock, you best show up early. For some ungodly reason, the Young Dubliners are opening (yes, opening) for cover band Superlicious. One would think that the band’s years of touring experience would make them a veritable headliner in any town by default. However, given the economic downturn that has greatly affected the live-entertainment sector, it’s no surprise that these billing fiascoes happen. While their most recent output is 2009’s Saints and Sinners, the band is anything but idle. 614 Sutter Street in Folsom, www.youngdubliners.com.
(SN&R)

Fri, Feb 11, Bill Frisell Trio and John Scofield Trio

Eddie February 10, 2011 No Comments

Mondavi Center, 8 p.m., $12.50-$49

Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts

9399 Old Davis Rd.
Davis, CA 95616

(530) 754-2787

tickets@ucdavis.edu

There are few guitar-based double-bills that can rival the pairing of John Scofield and Bill Frisell (pictured). While both guitarists have great bodies of work, it’s the juxtaposing of their styles that’ll make for one helluva spectacle. Frisell’s straddles the mellow yet contemplative side of the musical spectrum while Scofield’s output showcases him as the forerunner of fret board calisthenics. This is one event that’ll draw a crowd of listeners, guitar students and teachers alike. If you haven’t heard either artist, pick up Ghost Town or Nashville by Frisell, and simply anything by Scofield. 1 Shields Avenue in Davis, www.billfrisell.com, www.johnscofield.com.
(SN&R)

Fri, Feb 4, The Aggrolites

Eddie February 3, 2011 No Comments

Harlow’s, 9 p.m., $15

Harlow’s2708 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95816

(916) 441-4693

Through sheer determination, sweat and a whole lot of road miles under their belt, Southern California’s Aggrolites are a DIY success story. One listen to “Free Time” or any of the band’s signature tunes is proof that this isn’t just another Sublime-esque throwaway. Hearkening back to the sound of the Trojan Records ska/reggae label, this is one band who manages to meld the old with the new. It’s doing some one-offs around California with Social Distortion and has already moved up to headliner status at Harlow’s. If you’re looking for solid, working-class reggae, this band delivers. 2708 J Street, www.aggroreggae.com.

(SN&R)

Thurs, Feb 10, Rob Zombie

Eddie February 3, 2011 No Comments

Ace of Spades, 7:30 p.m., $35

Ace of Spades

1417 R St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

(916) 448-3300

aceofspadesca@gmail.com

During its short-lived heyday, White Zombie’s No. 1 DMA—that’s record-distribution lingo to describe what markets artists were selling or performing well in—was Sacramento. For those who witnessed the double bill with Pantera back in July of 1996, it’s no secret that Rob Zombie had fans in the Valley. Rob’s touring cavalcade of horror, shock and awe will play the intimate Ace of Spades, formerly dubbed Venue for a short while, and previously Empire. Horror movies and over-the-top stage show aside, Rob Zombie’s immense body of musical works are worth the ticket price alone. 1417 R Street, www.robzombie.com.
(SN&R)

Fri, Jan 14, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys

Eddie January 13, 2011 No Comments

Center for the Arts, 8 p.m., $20

For more than 22 years, Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys have been dishing out heaping portions of country, swing and just about anything else in between. For the uninitiated, this touring troupe not only looks like a vintage act, they also play well-worn gear that lends to the band’s authentic sound. Although seemingly relegated to smaller capacity venues, this group has earned many accolades during its storied career. If you’ve yearned for a place and time to don that ’50s-era dress or to simply put that old hat to good use, simply pack up the car and head to the hills (Grass Valley, that is) this weekend. 314 West Main Street in Grass Valley, www.bigsandy.net.
(SN&R)

Sat, Jan 8, Left Hand

Eddie January 6, 2011 No Comments

The Distillery, 10 p.m., $7

The Distillery2107 L St.
Sacramento, CA 95816

(916) 443-8815

Come early for the awesome French dip sandwich, stay for the punk onslaught. Folks looking to hear some local or national punk rock need to visit this L Street staple. Although seemingly off the radar for quite some time, this eatery/live-music venue has survived the economic crisis in Sacramento by sticking to the genre they do best. If you’re a fan of sloppy punk rock done with gusto, this four-piece delivers. They’re rounding out a five-band bill which also features Get Shot!, Dead Panic, Machine City and Zero for Zero. Cheap drinks and a cheap cover. What more do you need? 2107 L Street, www.myspace.com/thelefthandband.

(SN&R)