Mmm, Hot Buttered Rum 

[{
    "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle CC01 - 300x250",
    "id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250",
    "class": "inlineCenter",
    "insertPoint": "8",
    "component": "2963441",
    "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
    },{
    "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC01 - 300x250",
    "id": "AdMediumRectangleCC01300x250",
    "class": "inlineCenter",
    "insertPoint": "18",
    "component": "2963441",
    "requiredCountToDisplay": "22"
    },{
    "name": "Ad - Medium Rectangle LC09 - 300x250",
    "id": "AdMediumRectangleLC09300x250",
    "class": "inlineCenter",
    "insertPoint": "28",
    "component": "3252660",
    "requiredCountToDisplay": "32"
    }]

# Hot Buttered Rum has been described as a "rock band playing bluegrass instruments," which sounds about right when you listen to the quintet's newest offering Live in the Northeast. There's the reggae-tinged "Return Someday," or the psychedelica of "Desert Rat," as well as covers of rock classics such as the Grateful Dead's "Cumberland Blues" and Leo Sayer's "Feel Like Dancin.'" Those are some crazy-ass combinations, but then you'd expect nothing less from a band that mixes intricate musicianship with a refusal to follow traditional music orthodoxy. Yet, they have respect for American musical traditions as well as those from Africa and Europe. But while blues, folk, bluegrass, jazz, and rock permeate the group's performances, they're never slaves to the genres they're playing, instead relying on an audience ability to follow along on whatever long strange trip they're taking. Check 'em out on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. at Downtown Brewing Company (21 and over $12 advance or $14 at the door).

# Get Hy and Red Eye
What happens when you mix pomade and Pabst with cowboy hats and tats? You get a revved-up show of two smoking hot local bands at Downtown Brew this Thursday, Aug. 16 when Red Eye Junction opens for The Hydramatics. Red Eye Junction describes themselves as "outlaw country," but they're essentially honkytonk playin' cowpunks. Expect select covers by guys whose first names include Hank, Waylon, Johnny, Willie, and George, some original material, and cowboy'ed-up songs by the likes of punk act The Misfits. They got more twang than a broke-down banjo. The Hydramatics, on the other band, put the billy in rockabilly. They've also been making inroads into the West Coast rockabilly scene, with major gigs coming up in Ventura at The Primer Nationals Car Show. Speak softly and drive a big ol' loud car. The show's at 8 p.m. and costs $9.

 

# Outsiders
If you like your jazz in the "outsider" vein, you're going to want to check out Reno's The Jimdangles, a quartet of jazz aficionados whose debut eponymous album features whisper-to-a-screaming-saxophone jazz working the outside fringes of the genre. You'll hear elements of be bop and free jazz, but you'll also catch snippets of Middle Eastern and other exotic sounds. Featuring Paul Roth (alto sax), Aaron Wolf (alto and tenor sax), Sam Minaie (acoustic bass), and Caleb Dolister (drums), the group plays Linnaea's Cafe this Thursday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. Learn more about the band and hear a few tracks at myspace.com/thejimdangles. According to Wolf, "Dylan Johnson, a bassist from SLO who currently resides in New York, will be playing with us that week, as our regular bassist [Sam Minaie] will be in NYC himself."

 

Join the Clubhouse
The Clubhouse at This Old House (548-8500) has a bunch of shows lined up this weekend, including Thursday, Aug. 16 with Louie Ortega (R&B) at 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 17 with Lance Robison (classic hits) at 6 p.m. and Good Medicine ("pholkadelic") at 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18 with the Sunny Wright Trio (jazz) at 5 p.m. and Criticnue (acoustic rock/progressive) at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19 with Steve Tracy (rock/blues) at 6p.m.

Feel the force
Paso's Concerts in the Park series has the Mighty Croon Dogs coming to the City Park this Friday, Aug. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. As a warning, if you go see the Croon Dogs, you'll no doubt endure an uncontrollable need to shake your moneymaker. In fact, just for fun, you and all your friends should go and challenge yourself to stand stone-faced and immobile as Guitar Wiz Billy Foppiano and crew rip through two hours of upbeat dance music. Then for dessert, you can eat one and only one Lays potato chip. Only then, young Jedi, will you demonstrate total control over the force. The concert's free Lays are 99¢ for a 6 oz. bag.

# You rockabilly
The 5 Cities is going to get a serious dose of rockabilly this Friday, Aug. 17 when Strike Fire Productions presents headliners ZombillyZ (a San Gabriel psychobilly act), 5 Cities locals The Crown Vics (rockabilly), and another local newcomer, Marci Jean and the Vincents (rockabilly), at 9 p.m. in Mongo's Saloon (21 and over $2 cover). Jump in your sled, hit the gas, and do a four wheel drifter into the parking lot I dare ya.

 

 

 

 

# Give a Hoot
The Hoot Road Show has another amazing acoustic concert lined up at the Steynberg Gallery when Deb Gessner and Don Charles, better known as D-Squared, rolls into the venue for an 8 p.m., $10 show on Friday, Aug. 17. "Every chance I get, I pack up the truck and head to the quiet and desolate west side of Death Valley National Park. When I choose to break from the awesome silence that surrounds the place, I listen to the music of D-Squared," said show producer Steven R. See. "I'm delighted to bring them back to town."

 

 

 

 

 

# Got blues?
Got the mean reds but want the blues? Check out the Jeff Jensen Band this Friday, Aug. 17 at O'Reilly's. The So-Cal quintet won first place in the Santa Clarita Valley Blues Society's battle of the blues bands last Oct. 14.ÜNow they're ready to win over you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City Nights
Karin Carson will be performing with the Mike Raynor Group at the Inn at Morro Bay this Friday, Aug. 17 from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Carson has been a vocalist since a young age. Having studied choral, classical, musical theatre, jazz, folk, R&B and listened to a variety of music, her palate tempts any listener. She's performed with artists such as Christian McBride, Gregory Hutchinson, Carl Saunders, and many more. Get your jazz on, people.

Get right with Buddha
Larissa Stow and Shakti Tribe are coming Friday through Sunday, August 17 to 19, to SLO's Tridosha Healing Center for a series of events that promise to get your chakras aligned, set your mind at peace, and balance your whole system. There's an Ecstatic Concert on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ($15 advance $20 at the door) preceded by a 5:30 p.m. Indian vegetarian dinner ($10). On Saturday there's a Yoga & Mantra sessison from noon to 4 p.m. ($45 advance or $50 at the door $5 discount for concert-goers!), where you can unlock the keys to your inner power, health, and wellbeing, exploring the chakras with sound and movement and learning the power of mantra with Shakti Tribe weaving music into the teaching. Finally, on Sunday you can attend a brunch at 11 a.m. ($10) and music at noon ($15 advance $20 at the door). For tickets and more info, call 544-8120.

# Going fast
Peppino D'Agostino, who was voted "Best Acoustic Guitarist" by Guitar Player Magazine Reader's Choice Awards this past May, returns to the Central Coast. Unfortunately, by the time you read this, both his shows may be sold out. His Friday, Aug. 17 Coalesce Bookstore concert is sold out, but there may be a few tickets left for his Saturday, Aug. 18 show at Castoro Cellars, where he'll be joined by John Evans (bassist for Tori Amos), John Seppla (keyboards), Omar Aran (drums), and a special guest sax player, Andrew Beal from America's Got Talent. The 7 p.m. show costs $20 call 238-0725 for reservations. There will be a catered dinner offered by Guiseppe's & Li'l Red Espresso, served at 6 p.m. Bring chairs and dress for an outdoor concert.

 

 

 

Extra Crispy
The Crisptones bring their country-tinged rock'n'roll to Mongo's Saloon this Saturday, Aug. 18, starting at 9 p.m. Mark Crisp of the Crisptones was recently a top 20 finalist in the Durango Song Writing Contest of 2007 and a winning finalist in the 11th Annual 2007 Unisong International Song Writing Competition. This is Americana-type stuff, so if you like John Mellencamp, Jackson Browne, or John Hiatt, you'll probably enjoy The Crisptones.

woO! Who?
The woO!, Sunday morning's free-dance event (not "free" as in no money it costs $15), which happens at SLO's Monday Club from 10 a.m. to noon, will feature 4AZ1, a jazz group with Scott Andrews (of Body) and friends delivering a trance-funk-matrix of sound to move and groove to this Sunday, Aug. 19. If you've never been, The woO! is basically a bunch of cool cats and kittens bopping around in a fun, alcohol-free environment, getting some exercise and getting in touch with their inner dancer. A free gathering for teas in the garden follows each session.

'80s icons
How far would you drive to catch a double bill featuring ex-Plimsouls frontman Peter Case and ex-X frontman John Doe? Hopefully 90 minutes north up Hwy. 1 to Big Sur's Henry Miller Library, where these two '80s icons will perform this Sunday, Aug. 19. Both Case and Doe have new records out on Yep Roc this summer. Tickets for the 3 p.m. show are just $15, available in advance on the library website henrymiller.org. You can also buy tickets for the library's Saturday, Aug. 25 Ramblin' Jack Elliott show.

Laube job
San Francisco-based folky singer-songwriter Anna Laube sounds like a glass of lemonade on the back porch of a Southern plantation. If you like Emmylou Harris or an emotionally lighter Lucinda Williams, hit Linnaea's Cafe this Monday, Aug. 20 at 8 p.m. and check out Laube. The multi-instrumentalist has an arresting voice, a keen ear for penning immediately affecting folk tunes, and the kind of crisp albeit unobtrusive musicianship that'll knock you back on your heels.

# Bid her bon voyage
Lovely and lyrical Allison Milham will perform one more show before departing for the great Pacific Northwest, so get her while the getting's good. The mainly solo performer works in the experimental singer-songwriter vein, looping her sounds and voice, playing keys, and singing in her lilting/haunting/mesmerizing way. See her on Tuesday, Aug. 21 at the Steynberg Gallery, when she may have a few friends on hand to fill out her Spartan sound. Johanna Kunin will also perform. This 7 p.m., all-ages show costs $6.

Funny business
How do you kill a circus? Go for the juggler! Har har de har har! Okay, I know that sucked. If you want some real comedy, may I suggest going to SLO's Embassy Suites this Thursday, Aug. 16 when radio station New Rock 107.3FM will host "Summer Comedy Jam," part of the "Every Station in the Nation" tour that's bringing nationally known comedians Geechy Guy and Pat Godwin to town.

You might remember Geechy Guy from the original Star Search where he beat Ray Romano and many others to become the winningest comic in that show's history. While on the show, he coined the term "joke grenade" to explain jokes that triggered a delayed audience reaction. He went on to perform on over 75 national TV programs including three appearances on The Tonight Show. He's also been called "the new king of the one-liners." (Take that, Henny Youngman!)

Pat Godwin (aka Paddy G) has been entertaining audiences for

# years and has been featured on every major radio morning show in the country. Besides his standup career, Godwin has blossomed into one of the most clever and prolific comedy songwriters in the business. His CD Under the Bed contains the Bob and Tom Show's number one most requested song, "Gangsta Folk."

Tickets are $20, available at newrock1073.com or by calling 545-0101. The show starts at 8 p.m.

(Here's a Henny Youngman one-liner for your amusement: "There was a girl knocking on my hotel room door all night! Finally, I let her out." Take that, Geechy Guy!)

Public service announcement (for late night party animals)

We've all been there. After a long evening of listening to live music and drinking copious amounts of fermented beverages, it's time to go home, "But gee whiz, ossifer (hic), I know I shouldn't be driving (blaaauuurgh)." Don't be embarrassed. Lots of people throw up on the police. But there is a way to avoid it!

Now there's a new place to get your feed on and regain your sobriety before heading for the ol' homestead. On Thursday through Saturday nights, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. (and yes, you read that correctly, 4 a.m.), you can head to the Higuera Street Cafe (1074 Higuera, across from Uptown Espresso) to grab a late night, alcohol-soaking-up snack. Philly cheesesteaks, burgers, grilled cheese, egg sandwiches all within staggering distance of downtown. That, my friends, is a damn fine idea.

(Editor's note: The "damn fine" ideas and opinions expressed in Strictly Starkey are only those of the obnoxious author. New Times does not endorse staying out late, drinking alcoholic beverages, or listening to live music no matter how much fun it is. And definitely no premarital sex! with that hot hottie you met at the club even if he/she buys you the aforementioned late-night meal. If you do, wear a condom and for God's sake, call a cab!)

 

 

CD Reviews

#

Miss Alex White & The Red Orchestra - Space & Time

With a lip snarl that could rival a young Joan Jett, Miss Alex White & The Red Orchestra spit out pure garage rock'n'roll fuzz.

Everything is recorded to the bone: no lavish production values and an album that just barely breaks the thirty-minute mark. Instantly it is something you'd hear on Little Steven's Underground Garage and no doubt reckon it was a misplaced 7-inch from the '60s. Nope.

Miss Alex White has been resurrecting the sounds of Velvet Underground, Modern Lovers, and hints of the MC5 for some time now, and her new album Space & Time is an equally impressive artifact. From the reverb-drenched bubblegum pop of "She Wanna" to the hefty guitar fuzz and drum blitzkrieg of the opening track "In The Snow," everything has been recorded in the red and is spiked with enough brash attitude to make you question authority.

Malik Miko Thorne, of Boo Boo Records and KCBX's "Night Train."

 

 

#

Now-Again - Re:Sounds Volume One

Besides being the general manager of hip-hop indie label Stones Throw, Egon (Eothen Alapatt) also runs a side label entitled Now-Again. Its focus is on the forgotten gems of funk and soul that have often been sampled by DJs but overlooked by the general public. It was only a matter of time before these two interests converged, like chocolate discovering peanut butter, to deliver a special treat.

On Re:Sounds, Egon has collected a slew of funk remixes culled from Now-Again's back catalog of vinyl-only 7-inches and 12-inch releases, along with a few exclusive tracks to fill out this impressive release.

Featuring the nimble hands of J.Rocc, Kenny Dope, and Cut Chemist, they re-edit old tracks into new DJ-friendly affairs. Aloe Blacc and Guilty Simpson both ride the funky instrumental and gift them with new vocals. But really, the spotlight is on the old masters whose sound is just as contemporary today as it was three decades back an instant classic.

Malik Miko Thorne, of Boo Boo Records and KCBX's "Night Train."

---

Glen Starkey says do as he does, not as he says. Explain to him how that's a conundrum or circular reasoning or just plain dumb at [email protected].