WEEKEND WATCH 7/11-7/13
It’s the first full week of the smoking ban in Charleston area bars, as the non-smokers have vanquished the smokers to the nether regions, and can now see cool bands without having their clothes smell like it was rolled in a blanket of wet cigarettes.
Now, we here at the Gatecrasher know Ms. Maurice at the Daily Mail would not agree with us as to the politics of the ban. But, she cannot deny the rocking nature of the bands that will be playing in area bars from Charleston to Huntington to Morgantown this weekend.
The Weekend Watch series, after taking the perfunctory 20-day holiday for the 4th, is back…
FRI
We’ll start where we so often do — at The Empty Glass (410 Elizabeth St.) Friday, where they’re hosting a blues summit with Blind Terrance, Leon Waters, and The Diablo Blues Band. You cannot deny the power of the blues. And you cannot deny the power of the law — so you smokers will have to go out to the conveniently-located patio on the side of the Glass. Be there around 10 p.m., and be sure to bring money.
Mark Bates and the Vacancies (Huntington power-pop) play The Blue Parrot (14 Capitol St.) in Charleston Friday night. We got to catch these guys a few months back at the Glass, and were duly impressed with their soulful rock stylings. Last time we checked Aaron Fisher of Sissonville’s 101 Studios fame was rocking the drums, and Bates’ musical versatility (as he switches from guitar to piano) and emotive vocals will hook you. 10 p.m., like $5.
Up in Morgantown, Treasure Cat and The Stonewall Jackson 5ive (that’s right) will rock 123 Pleasant Street. We just got hooked up with Treasure Cat’s most recent 15-song CD “Choice Cuts” (thanks Dina Brewer) — an impressive, punishing effort it is, and the best thing is you don’t have to worry about being insulted by the vocals, there are none! SJ5 just had a CD out, so ask them about that if you go to this show. 10 p.m., cash.
SAT
Columbus rock invades Charleston Saturday as TheDAMNits (that’s how they spell it; Columbus alt-rock) and Razorbliss (Columbus industrial rock/metal ala Marilyn Manson) come to the Glass for a stop on their Music Mind Control Tour. Not sure about the whole mind control thing, but if something bad happens to you blame them, saying they had brainwashed you or something. 10 p.m., Euros.
SUN
Okay so you’ve finally got your stimulus check — it wasn’t a scam after all! — and it’s burning a hole in yer pocket? Well, take the cash and go to one more (punk rock) barbecue at The V Club in Huntington. Huntington’s Black Knots will join The Dig-Its, Sarasota and The Big Bad as they converge around 7 p.m. looking to lay the lighter fluid and the rock heavy for the first annual V Club Punk Rock BBQ.
The Knots have been staying busy, touring through Detroit and Cleveland and working with labels, and are getting ready to release their new CD “Guitarmageddon” later this year. The Dig-Its have a new singer and re-recorded songs up on their MySpace page, so check those out and see what you think. Oh, okay you’re a vegan and stuff? You can have a bun. 18-and-up, $5. This BBQ is way more punk than you.
