Wed Nov 19

The members of the Providence Rhode Island band Barn Burning know that there is an arsonist lying in wait inside each of us, and it takes but a spark to bring it all to flame. So they bring the ache and the melancholy and only their good taste and restraint keeps things just this side of spontaneous combustion. They smolder, they don't burn. Also on the bill, RVA's Jonathan Vassar, who has a new record out, and the .357 String Band, the band that permanently ruined Milwaukee's reputation, in a good way. At The Triple. 

In the Why, God, Why? Category …  The band Yes is still around, only now they are closer to Maybe. They are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a tour. Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman are sidelined with health problems, so a singer with a Yes Tribute band and Wakeman's son are filling in on vocals and keyboards respectively. That reminds me of a movie starring one of the worst actors of his generations, Mark Wahlberg, and boy did that movie suck. At The National.

Thurs Nov 20

Yeah, hearing a band is great. But there is still power in a man or woman standing alone behind a guitar, singing into a microphone plugged directly into your heart. My evidence? Charlottesville's Sarah White who sings like she is talking only to you, and you are worthy of the hearing. Need more? JoAnna Lynne gives the lie to the idea that nothing good can come from Virginia Beach. Also playing are Chesterfield lovers of tight harmonies Jack Meets the Giant, who sound like Simon and Garfunkel fighting with the Beach Boys over who gets to sing lead. It's at The Camel.

You want three chords and the truth? Ashland Coffee and Tea is hosting New England sensation Mark Erelli. He frequently tours with other artists as a guitar slinger, but he's also released several very good records himself. Can't we all use some truth?

Fri Nov 21

What would a Friday night be without some culture? Well, it's southern culture, two words that sometimes sit awkwardly beside one another. But they'll get over it, get drunk together and end up in compromising positions -- this is the terrain of Southern Culture on the Skids. They are playing with Demolition String Band (best band name of the week) and Gojira X (not so much) at Alley Katz.

Fans of Bruce, Steve Earle and other songwriters of their ilk will not want to miss Chris Knight at Ashland Coffee and Tea. He's touring behind his excellent new record "Heart of Stone." Knight is a rough and ready singer, with a bit of drawl and stories on loan from drifters, grifters and down and outers. One of his songs has been at the top of my list for favorite song titles for some time - "Love and a .45." Goes like this, "love and a .45 are all you need to get through the night, one will kill you one will keep you alive, love and a .45." God I love that.

Sat Nov 22

There are saints and lord knows there are sinners. Sometimes sinners of the lesser variety are called rats. Well tonight you get the whole shebang, The Rats and the Octane Saints. These saints don't go in for any of that mamby-pamby-cloud-reclining-lyre-playing crap. These saints smell of gasoline, and though their hearts are pure, they have dirty minds. The Rats are from NYC and are possibly the illegitimate progeny of Johnny Thunders. Also playing are Fist City's own Twelve Step Revenge, in recovery from recording their new CD. At Plaza Bowl, home of duckpin bowling.

Here's a hot tip for the Vegas police if they are still seeking to serve Mos Def with a warrant for assault -- on November 22nd he'll be in Richmond, Virginia playing at Toad's Place. Sorry Mos, just doing my civic duty.

Over at The Camel it's a Hootenanny Jamboree with Special Ed trailing his Shortbus, Pickin Buds who hail from the Moonshine Capital of Virginny and Alison Self who shall remain eponymous.

Sun Nov 23

Here's the skinny on Seattle band Aiden -- their first record was called "Our Gang's Dark Oath" on Dead Teenager Records, and their second record was called "Nightmare Anatomy." They are currently on their "Suffer Little Children" tour. Any questions? At the Canal Club with Civet and God or Julie (if you're smart you'll pick Julie).

Mon Nov 24

Lamb of God. Three little words signifying the most uncompromising, the heaviest, the most punishing thing ever to stalk out of the capital of the Confederacy. World famous as shredders par excellence, they are back and playing in their hometown. Weren't you missing the heavy in your life? At The National with Fist City favorites Municipal Waste, and a band intimately familiar with the I-95 corridor, This Time It's War.

Tues Nov 25

Someone finally did the Dusty Springfield songbook and boy am I glad it was Shelby Lynne. Her latest record reprises Dusty's hits with cool sophistication. She's at Toad's Place with Jim Bianco, whose music you might know from the movie "Waitress."