Many years ago when I was relatively new to writing about music I penned a short piece on the Florida pop-punk band Spider Monkey in which I stated, “Spider Monkey hits the stage like a human explosion.” The band picked up that quote and used it in their promotional materials for a long time, probably because it was such a spot-on description of what their shows were like. Spider Monkey singer Todd Horn has a new band these days called HORNIT, and while they are considerably more polished than his previous outfit there is still plenty of energy in the songs. HORNIT plays Charleston, where I first saw them and wrote the quote above, on June 10th at the Windjammer. For free downloads of three new HORNIT songs, check out the link on the band’s Reverb Nation site here:
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Category Archives: Live Music Alerts
Patrick Davis Celebrates NYE Gamecock Style
(As published in this week’s edition of the Columbia Free Times)
For the second year in a row Nashville songwriter and Camden native Patrick Davis will be home for New Year’s Eve, but this time around is special for a couple of reasons—He’s part owner of the new Camden venue he’s playing, and the Gamecocks are playing a bowl game before the well-known USC fan’s set.
“Travis Maynard (local promoter and White Mule owner) came to me with the idea that the two of us should consider renovating, renaming and reopening a once popular spot in my childhood hometown of Camden,” Davis says. “With Camden’s rich history we decided to name it The Old Towne Tavern and concentrate on a high quality atmosphere with the occasional live music event.”
Davis has had success in Nashville as a co-writer of hits with Pat Green, Jason Michael Carroll, and others, but he says this past year was a ‘year of cultivation.’
“What I worked on in 2010 won’t reap rewards until next year or even later,” Davis says. “Most of it was spent writing and producing for future projects.” Those include writing sessions with Lady Antebellum and Jewel, and producing Jason Michael Carroll’s upcoming release for the Cracker Barrel restaurant chain’s record label.
One of the most popular songs Davis has written is his ode to the University of South Carolina football program, “Big Ole Cock.”
“The response to that song has been overwhelmingly positive,” Davis says. “The title does scare a few folks but once listeners realize it’s just a nice little ditty about the trials and tribulations of being a big ole Gamecock fan most of them really enjoy it.”
Since he’s such a big USC fan and the team is playing in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl the same night of his New Year’s Eve show, here’s a list from Davis himself of his personal “Top 5 Gamecock Football Moments”:
#5: Brad Edwards returning an interception for a touchdown against Clemson in 1987: I remember watching this game with my late grandfather & just being so excited when Edwards picked this pass off & slid into the end zone.
#4: Erik Kimrey’s fade to beat Mississippi State in 2000: This was one moment when the heavens smiled down on The Gamecocks. What a play!
#3: Beating untouchable Florida State in 1984: This is my very first real Gamecock memory. I was a wee lil’ Gamecock fan but I vividly remember us winning this game on national TV and having the overwhelming feeling that I had helped the Cocks beat the Seminoles.
#2: Beating Alabama in 2010: I flew down from Nashville for this game and it is one that I will never forget! What a moment to be a part of. The entire stadium was in shock, we had witnessed something we had been told was only a pipe dream, but luckily some dreams do come true.
#1: Taneyhill Signing The Tiger Paw in 1992: I somehow managed to talk my parents into letting their 15 year old son make the long trip from Camden to Clemson with a few buddies for this game and it was one of those high school moments you live for and then spend a lifetime reliving. We scored tickets in the student section of Death Valley and I sat there surrounded by ugly orange and beautiful college girls as the Cocks beat down the Tigers and Steve Taneyhill signed his way into Carolina folklore.
Tickets and info about the NYE show at Patrick Davis Music–here.
The Return of the church
I make no secret of my love for all things Australian when it comes to music, and the church is right up there with the best of the Aussie rock contingent. While they really haven’t had a U.S. hit since “Under the Milky Way” the band has never stopped playing and touring, and last spring they played an acoustic tour in the States dubbed “An Intimate Space.”
Following that up in 2011, the band is coming back around for a special show, “Future Past Perfect” where they’ll continue their 30th Anniversary observances by performing three classic albums in their entirety in one night: Untitled #23, Priest=Aura, and Starfish, in that order (backwards chronologically but saving the biggest U.S. hit for the end of the night, apparently.). Too bad they are not coming anywhere close to South Carolina, or I’d be there. The reissue process that started last year will reportedly continue in 2011 also, with the older two albums featured in this tour getting the deluxe treatment.
“Future Past Perfect” Tour Dates
Feb 2 – Los Angeles, CA. – El Rey Theatre
Feb 4 – San Francisco, CA. – Great American Music Hall
Feb 7 – Seattle, WA. – Triple Door
Feb 8 – Seattle, WA. – Triple Door
Feb 11 – Chicago, IL. – Park West
Feb 13 – Alexandria, VA. – The Birchmere
Feb 15 – Philadelphia, PA. – The Trocadero
Feb 16 – New York, NY. – Highline Ballroom
Feb 17 – New York, NY. – B.B. King’s
Feb 18 – Foxboro, MA. – Showcase Live
The Musical Saw Has Its Own Festival?
I posted yesterday about banjo music and the love it or hate it reaction to that instrument; those who find the banjo the most annoying instrument just haven’t heard a musical saw yet, I’d bet. it’s an unearthly sound, like a cello that has been possessed by demons, or a really warbly violin. There have been a few bands which have made use of a musical saw, including Trailer Bride and the Flatlanders, but thankfully it’s still a rare sight on most stages.
It won’t be so rare next month in New York City, because that is where you’ll find the Musical Saw Festival on August 7th.
According to the event website, the festival will include the following:
NATALIA ‘SAW LADY’ PARUZ, founder & organizer of the Musical Saw Festival, will present the musical saw as a band instrument in jazz/pop/world-music, with AmeriKlectic the band.
* AmeriKlectic – a 10 piece jazz band featuring the musical saw as the lead instrument. AmeriKlectic is an acoustic chamber music group featuring musical saw, vibraphone, strings, horns and rhythm section, performing original music with a disinct sound that seemlessly blends styles from classical and jazz, to pop, newage and ethnic musics.
* World premier of new compositions for the musical saw, commissioned for the Musical Saw Festival, including a piece for three musical saws and piano by Eyal Bat.
* A musical saw art exhibit
* Solos by saw players from around the world
* The ‘Chorus of the Saws’ (all participating musical saw players playing together)
* Musical saw workshop
Here’s a couple of clips from last year’s Musical Saw Festival:
They even set a world record for the largest musical saw ensemble last year with this performance:
