Last year, the Red Sneakers showed up outta nowhere to be the surprise heroes of Gonerfest Five. The Japanese duo, big garage rock fans who seemed to have walked straight off the celluoid of Jim Jarmusch’s Mystery Train, got to play an incendiary set at Murphy’s (listen to the gig here) when Jay Reatard bowed out of his slot, and endeared themselves to the hearts of Memphis when they stuck around for a week, playing shows all over town.
When Gonerfest Six started last week, everyone wondered if the Red Sneakers would return, but alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
They showed up this week instead, pulling off a move reminiscent of W.C. Handy’s arduous journey to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair — a year too soon.
The Red Sneakers’ mistake is Memphis’ gain: Tonight, the duo play Nocturnal (located at 1588 Madison Ave) with Digital Leather and Sector Zero. Doors open at 9 p.m.; admission is $5. If you go, be sure to stroll across the street to Murphy’s where River City Tanlines are playing a free show.
