Summer Solstice Playlist ~ 2013

The summer solstice occurred in the early hours of the morning, ushering in the beginning of the summer and the longest, most sun-filled day of the year. 

To help celebrate the season, and all of the humidity, rain storms, lightning shows and beach haze that it brings, here's a list of our Top 10 summer-inspired songs ~ enjoy!

1} "In the Summertime", Mungo Jerry
2} "Sunny Afternoon", The Kinks
3} "Walk, Don't Run", The Ventures
4} "Summer Breeze", Seals and Crofts
5} "Summertime Rolls", Jane's Addiction
6} "Cooper River Nights", Brave Baby
7} "Under the Boardwalk", The Drifters
8} "The Boys of Summer", Don Henley
9} "Summer in the City", The Lovin' Spoonful
10} "Summertime", Janis Joplin

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The Specs come home to the Tin Roof

One of Charleston's most enduring bands, The Specs, made their triumphant return to the Tin Roof last week in front of an enthusiastically packed house.

Blending the effects-laden, progressive sound of their earlier days with the more straight-forward indie songs of recent years, The Specs captivated the crowd from the first notes of their opening tune, "Spirits". Singer Eric Galloway sat behind the keyboard, wearing an unassuming, plain white t-shirt and a meek grin on his face, only to unleash one of the boldest and most controlled voices that I've heard in this town. 

"Lights will fade into the darkness / where your soul will escape out of your eyelids," he sang, veins crowding his neck and sweat soaking through his shirt. He seemed almost possessed by the music, and rightly so.

The veteran musicians that make up The Specs work with a range of dynamics that is often lost on less experienced bands, gliding from gentle to crashing all within one beat of a measure. Shawn Krauss navigates the drum kit like a true professional, adding texture to each song with his steady tempo and tactful fills, yet knowing when to drop back and let the carefully crafted tunes speak for themselves. Guitarist Steve Tirozzi has a cache of effects that he used throughout the set, allowing him to move fluidly from the finger pickings of "Those Eyes" to the more cathartic sounds needed for songs such as "Infinity", while bass player Brett Nash - the newest member of the band, but by no means a newcomer to Charleston's music community - was the constant of the night, guiding each song with his even pace and creamy tone. 

The rich vocal harmonies provided by Tirozzi and Nash cast a nostalgic veil over The Specs' lush sound, which only felt appropriate for a band that has sustained itself for more than a decade in the often fickle and sometimes turbulent Charleston musical climate. It was exciting to experience a band whose members are visibly moved by the music that they create together, and who still clearly enjoy playing with one another. And while Galloway, Krauss, Tirozzi and Nash have become increasingly busy with multiple other projects, work, and that little thing called life, The Specs are working on a new record and have earned their place as a fixture among Charleston's musical fabric, and should serve as the lodestar for which up and coming bands can learn.

Once upon a time, John Lennon said that "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." Sometimes, it appears, heartfelt music and an enduring legacy happen, as well. 

The Specs @ Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/TheSpecs

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Death to Dubstep - Loners Society hit the road with their Summer Tour

It's been a busy year for Charleston's boutique record label and music collective, King City Records. 

With their artists receiving heavy rotation on local radio, recording video shoots, having nightly performances around town, and making appearances at events such as the recent 7th Annual First Flush Festival and the upcoming Summer SOULstice Celebration - not to mention the first ever "Storytellers"-style King City Records Sessions last month - label manager and resident musician Matt Megrue has done one hell of a job spreading the King City word. 

And it has now been officially announced that KCR band Loners Society will embark on an 11-date tour across the Southeast, the Death to Dubstep 2013 Summer Tour, and will be kicking things off right here in Charleston with a July show at The Mill, in Park Circle. 

"This tour is all about being on the road and playing those sweaty, intimate, 4-piece rock n roll shows," Megrue says. "We wanted the opportunity to try out some new material before we hit the studio and we're so excited to be visiting some places and towns we haven't played before along with some old, familiar haunts."

In addition to trying out new material, the Death to Dubstep tour will also feature the debut of the band's new drummer, Josh Beasley. The previous drummer and longtime friend of Megrue, Brian McMickle, parted ways with the band earlier this year in a very un-rock n roll manner - meaning it was a peaceful, supportive and heartfelt decision: McMickle wants to spend more time with his infant son and family.

"To say that we (Loners Society) are simply losing a drummer would be an enormous disservice to Brian and everything he has meant to me (personally and creatively) over the last twelve-plus years," Megrue says.

You can catch Loners Society on their opening night at The Mill on July 12th (FREE show, doors around 9:30p), and check out the rest of the dates below.

7.25.13 @ Rockin Hard Saloon (Murrells Inlet, SC)
7.26.13 @ Deep South (Raleigh, NC)
7.27.13 @ Satellite (Wilmington, NC)
8.04.13 @ British Bulldog Pub (Columbia, SC)*
8.08.13 @ The Saloon (Charlotte, NC)
8.09.13 @ Radio Room (Greenville, SC)
8.10.13 @ Conundrum Music Hall (Columbia, SC)
8.21.13 @ Awendaw Green (Awendaw, SC)
9.27.13 @ The World Famous (Athens, GA)
9.28.13 @ Vinyl (Atlanta, GA)

Loners Society website: www.LonersSociety.com
Loners Society on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LonersSociety‎
Loners Society on Twitter: @LonersSociety‎

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Melodic rockers LIVE BAIT reunite at the Windjammer

PRESS RELEASE - Live Bait "Reunion Show", feat. guests from the Jason Aldean Band, Spunjwurthi, Kemp Ridley

Friday, May 17, 9 p.m.

$7 - The Windjammer, Isle of Palms

Live Bait, an original Charleston roots-rock band who gained popularity in the late 1990s will reunite once again onstage at the Windjammer on Friday, May 17.

Vocalist/guitarist David Dunning and percussionist/vocalist Bruce Patrick initially formed Live Bait as a duo in 1996, but they soon morphed into full band status after winning an acoustic competition at the old Café 99 venue that year. With the addition of pedal steel player Jay Jackson, bassist John Krucke, and drummer Scott Price, the band independently produced and released a self-titled acoustic rock album that earned attention in the Lowcountry music scene for its sing-along songs and smooth vocal harmonies.

After Jackson moved to Nashville in 1998, electric guitarist Chris Barrineau joined the band, rounding the band to a full rock sound. With Barrineau, Live Bait recorded their second full-length, titled Second Hand. It earned rave reviews locally and regionally and sold more than 8,000 units without any label support.

After the release of Second Hand, bassist Ben Polk replaced Krucke and Live Bait hit the road for the next five years. Local radio stations 96 Wave, 98 Rock, and 95SX helped support the buzz around the band by adding their songs into regular rotation, including the singles "Second Hand" and "But I Do" from their third album, Single Slice.

After extensive regional touring and showcasing for major record companies, the name Live Bait no longer seemed to fit the heavier style of rock they'd developed over the years. In April 2000, the band officially changed their name to 210 Deluxe while performing the 96 Wave birthday bash at Joe Riley Park. Upon Price’s occasional absence to tour with punk band Cletus, multi-talented Keith Bradshaw (previously of the Groovy Cools) stepped in to play drums and transitioned to second electric guitar when Price’s tour was over.

210 Deluxe disbanded in 2003. Many of the former bandmates will reunite at this month's Live Bait reunion show at the encouragement of Jackson, who currently plays pedal steel full-time with Nashville-based country superstar Jason Aldean.

It’s no coincidence the Windjammer Bait reunion will follow the Aldean concert at the North Charleston Coliseum this same night. Jackson will work double-duty that night by playing full sets at both venues. He will bring along some of his Aldean bandmates to grace the Windjammer stage as well. When asked if Jason Aldean himself will make a special appearance, the band’s tight-lipped response was, “We don’t know.” They're certain, however, that this will be a special occasion with a few surprises. 

Admission to the Windjammer show is $7 at the door. Charleston rock band Spunjwurthi and Columbia-based act Kemp Ridley (acoustic) open the show. Doors open at 9 p.m.

Visit the-windjammer.com for more.

Live Bait on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Live-Bait-Band/216388988168

Fundraiser for Jordan Igoe ~ feat. Brave Baby and Black Top Desert

The Royal American, the refurbished and repurposed hot spot tucked away on Morrison Drive, is hosting a fundraiser this Saturday (5.11) to help the lovely and talented Jordan Igoe record her debut album. 

On nearly any night of the week, Jordan can be found playing a show around town, whether it's with her duo Happy Story Hour or her Wednesday mash-up at Juanita Greenberg's, but this weekend she will be sharing the Royal American's austere stage with rising Charleston darlings, Brave Baby. Signed to the local label Hearts & Plugs, Brave Baby released their debut record earlier this year and quickly established a dedicated (and steadily growing) fan base, touring the Southeast throughout the month of January and hitting the local circuit hard with their thoughtful lyrics and dreamscape guitar work.

Rounding out the bill will be Black Top Desert, a relative newcomer to the Charleston community, but already a welcome addition. Having spent his childhood among the empyrean landscape of the Southwest, singer Johnny Delaware reflects this astral upbringing in his music. "My faded eyes don't shine bright in the sun," he sings in "Planetary Systems", while the song "Sarahlina" - a gently swaying tune with a mellow brass line running throughout - includes lyrics such as, "There's gotta be a secret way / it tries to pull me away and under / But tugging me another way / I gotta try just a little bit longer." The words tell the story, but it is Delaware's voice, perhaps above all else, that gives the band its passion. Combining the haunting romanticism of Alex Ebert with the strength of a young Jackson Browne, Black Top Desert is sure to bring a new, fervid energy to the scene.

Show Details:
The Royal American - 970 Morrison Drive
Doors 9p - $5

Jordan Igoe on ReverbNation: www.revernation.com/JordanIgoe
Brave Baby on Bandcamp: www.BraveBabymusic.bandcamp.com
Black Top Desert on SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/BlackTopDesert


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The Dubious Battles - A Showcase of Songwriting and Friendship

cross-pol*li*na*tion (n.): The transfer of pollen from one flower to another, producing stronger and more vigorous plants. These genetic diversities often result in the evolution of new species.

The same can be said of music.

Blending the sweet sounds from some of Charleston's rock royalty, The Dubious Battles is evolution at its finest: a homegrown supergroup born from a collaboration among friends. Originally formed during the 2011 charity tour "How the Other Half Gives", The Dubious Battles features Luke Cunningham, Ryan Bonner and Tyler Mechem, each solidly successful with their individual projects but coming together again out of a mutual appreciation for one another's talents.

"We enjoyed being around each other," Cunningham says, "singing each other's songs and playing music together so much that we knew we'd have to get together again and do something collectively."

So when Cunningham was invited to perform at this weekend's Jail Break Festival, he saw it as a golden opportunity for The Dubious Battles.

"I thought that, given Jail Break's focus on art and creativity, it would be the perfect event to showcase this side project that we've been itching to unveil."

The performance will include original songs composed by all three members (they currently have close to twenty in various stages of progress), unreleased solo material and favorite tunes from each of the guy's other projects: the Luke Cunningham Band, Ryan Bonner and the Dearly Beloved, and Crowfield. And while there are no concrete plans to record a full album, The Dubious Battles have been working on ideas for an EP and have released their first single, "Bad Deal (Goodbye, Tuesday)", a nostalgic folk tune with an irresistible cadence and sweeter-than-honey string section, riding the vocal harmonies like a warm summer breeze.

"Luke, Ryan and I have known each other for a long time...but we were always creating our own music, separately," Mechem says. "Now, we're all in it together. No matter who brings the song to the table, we all need to be proud of what we perform. There's a lot of trust that goes into that."

The Dubious Battles take the stage at the Jail Break Festival this Saturday (4.27) at 6pm. For tickets and other festival information, visit www.jailbreakcharleston.com.

To download "Bad Deal (Goodbye, Tuesday)", visit the iTunes Store. 

Band Websites
The Dubious Battles
Luke Cunningham
Ryan Bonner
Tyler Mechem

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Wrapping up April

There are some pretty sweet shows going down around town this last week of April - enjoy the spring while you can, because the summer sweats are right around the corner! 


MONDAY- April 22nd
- "After School Special" w Rachel Kate + Antoine Dukes
Charleston Pour House, on the deck
6p - FREE
- South Carolina Broadcasters
Yo Burrito
6:30p - FREE
- ELIM BOLT, Scott Dense and Water Liars (Oxford, MS)
The Royal American
9p - $5
- Sarah Cole + the Hawkes
The Drop-In
9:30p - FREE

TUESDAY - April 23rd
- "Eclectic Evenings" feat. Happy Story Hour, Port City Prophets + Hibachi Heroes
The Royal American
7p - FREE
- Happy Story Hour
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley)
8:30p - FREE
- Matadero backs J. Roddy Walston + the Business (Baltimore)
The Rec Room
9p - FREE
- The Nobody Brothers (a Ryan Bonner project), Tuesday residency
Loggerhead's Beach Grill
10p - FREE

WEDNESDAY - April 24th
- Barn Jam feat. Heartfelt Hinges, 72nd Central, Ryan Boss, Georgia Slim, Josh Haskins and Dean Johanesen
Awendaw Green
6p - donations
- Charleston Blues Review
Mad River Bar & Grille
6p - $50 adv/$65 dos
- Guilt Ridden Troubadour
Home Team BBQ (Sullivan's Island)
8:30p - FREE

THURSDAY - April 25th
- Graham Whorley
Juanita Greenberg's (Mt. Pleasant)
6:3op - FREE
- Folly Beach Bluegrass Society
Folly Crab Shack
7p - FREE
- Guilt Ridden Troubadour
The Southern Bar & Grill
9p - FREE

FRIDAY - April 26th
- Aaron Firetag + Friends
Charleston Pour House, on the deck
6p - FREE
- The Dead 27s and TJ Jazer (Greenville)
The Windjammer
9p - $7
- Jordan Igoe
Cutty's Elliotborough Establishment
9p - FREE
- Versus Angels, Fusebox Poet (Charlotte)
Tin Roof
9p - $5
- Ryan Bonner Band
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley)
9p - FREE

SATURDAY - April 27th
- Fifth Annual Strap-On Face Funk, feat. The Dead 27s, OldYou, Yellowknife, Shonuff, Gaslight Street + more
Charleston Pour House
3-10:30p - $5 adv/$10 dos
- "Rhythm is My Business" local female talent showcase, feat. Jordan Igoe, Lily Slay, Stefanie Bannister + Dorothea Hudson
Main Library Auditorium
3-4p - FREE
- JAIL BREAK music, arts + funhouse street fest, feat. Brave Baby (5-6p); The Dubious Battle (Ryan Bonner, Luke Cunningham + Tyler Mechem, 6:30-7:30p); The Royal Tinfoil (8-9:30p); Steven Fiore (10-11p)
Old City Jail
4p - $15 adv/$20 dos

SUNDAY - April 28th
- "Girls Rock!" Charleston Volunteer Interest Party
Andolini's, downtown
3p - FREE

MONDAY - April 29th
- "After School Special" w Rachel Kate + Antoine Dukes
Charleston Pour House, on the deck
6p - FREE
- South Carolina Broadcasters
Yo Burrito
6:30p - FREE
- "Willie Nelson's Birthday Tribute", feat. Lyndsay Holler, Lesley Carroll, Fairy God Muthas, Jimmy Snyder + more
Tin ROof
7-11p - donations

TUESDAY - April 30th
- "Eclectic Evenings", feat. Skwirl Grinda and Godwin Falcon (Savannah)
The Royal American
7p - FREE
- Co. plays w Modern Man and Besnard Lakes (Montreal)
Charleston Pour House
8:30p - $10
- Whiskey Diablo
Home Team BBQ (West Ashley)
9p - FREE
- Scott Dence
The Rec Room
9p - FREE
- The Nobody Brothers (a Ryan Bonner project), Tuesday residency
Loggerhead's Beach Grill
10p - FREE


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