Cole Wheeler
Yo Gotti thanking the crowd at Mud Island Amphitheater.
Yo Gotti celebrated his birthday this past sunday at Mud Island Amphitheater with five thousand of his closest friends. Flyer Photographer Cole Wheeler covered the night from start to finish, capturing shots backstage and of all the performers. Be sure to check out our review of the show in tomorrow’s edition of The Memphis Flyer.
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House of Lighting play the Hi-Tone this Wednesday.
WRONG (yep…all caps) and House of Lightning are newer names in the all-things-heavy underground, but boast impressive membership pedigrees that their respective sounds each expand upon. WRONG is a quartet some readers may have caught opening for Nothing and Torche at the Hi-Tone back in March. Torche’s drummer, Rick Smith, is in this touring version of WRONG, which also features Eric Hernandez, formerly of the great and sadly overlooked Capsule. WRONG covered Nirvana’s “Stay Away” on this year’s Whatever Nevermind tribute compilation, released by Robotic Empire, and that label is also responsible for last October’s four-song debut 12” EP, Just Giving. Freshly signed to Relapse Records, as per a press release issued on June 17th, WRONG is probably sick of reading references to early Helmet, but with a sound this reminiscent of the Strap It On (1990) and Meantime (1992) albums, from riffs to vocal delivery, what did they expect? They are clearly super-fans of the noise-rock/alt-metal pioneers.
House of Lightning is a duo (known to tour as a 3-piece w/ a keyboardist) that was founded in 2012 by Henry Wilson, longtime drummer for Floor, one of the many members that went through Cavity’s revolving-door lineup, and founding guitarist in the mid-00s band, Dove. Wilson, who covers guitar, synth, and vocals in House of Lightning, is joined by his former Dove band mate John Ostberg on drums. Though the band previewed tracks online as early as 2012, activity surrounding Floor reunion shows and the trio’s amazing comeback album Oblation put the House of Lightning debut full-length, Lightworker, on hold, though it was finally released last October on Fair Warning Records. House of Lightning recalls Floor and Torche only in the sense that the riffs are huge and the vocals soar with a golden-throated grace. While touches of Torche, Floor, Dove, and Capsule can be heard on Lightworker, the album is defined by what it miraculously manages to invoke while avoiding the high risk of overt, try-too-hard failure: Van Halen’s last three albums during the original David Lee Roth era, late-70s Rush, Thin Lizzy, the busiest riffing of original Bay Area thrash, the sadly overlooked and misunderstood late-90s/early-00s post-hardcore enigma Party of Helicopters, and more playful Melvins moments (along with that band’s rhythm section, Big Business). In truth, the band sounds unlike anything operating within the topical, forward-thinking heavy music scene.
House of Lightning and Wrong, 9 p.m. at the Hi-Tone Cafe. $10.
Chubby Carrier plays the Levitt Shell this Friday.
Don’t let a little rain get in the way of your weekend music plans, because all shows at the Shell must go on! This weekend there are three very different acts playing at the Levitt Shell, from the Bayou Boogie of Chubby Carrier, to the modern soul stylings of Gideon Luke.
Friday, June 19th:
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, 7:30 p.m. at the Levitt Shell, free.
This Weekend at the Levitt Shell: Chubby Carrier, Gedeon Luke, New Country Rehab (2)
Saturday, June 20th:
Gedeon Luke and The People, 7:30 p.m. at the Levitt Shell, free.
This Weekend at the Levitt Shell: Chubby Carrier, Gedeon Luke, New Country Rehab
Sunday, June 21st:
New Country Rehab, 7:30 p.m. at the Levitt Shell, free.
This Weekend at the Levitt Shell: Chubby Carrier, Gedeon Luke, New Country Rehab (3)
Yo Gotti celebrates his birthday this Sunday at Mud Island Amphitheater.
There are A LOT of shows this friday, as a whole crew of local bands take the stage at venues around town. But Friday night isn’t the only time to check out local music in Memphis, as Yo Gotti will be throwing his third annual Birthday Bash at Mud Island on Sunday. Welcome to the 21st edition of the Weekend Roundup. We are officially old enough to drink!
Friday, June 19th.
Toy Trucks, Ross Johnson and Jeff Evans, Alicja Pop, 6 p.m. at W.C. Handy Park, free.
Weekend Roundup 21: Beth Israel, New Orleans Suspects, Yo Gotti
New Orleans Suspects, 8 p.m. at Minglewood Hall, $15.
Dead Soldiers, Cotton Clifton and the Pickens, 8 p.m. at the Young Avenue Deli, $10.
Beth Israel, Toxie, 9 p.m. at The Hi-Tone Small Room, $7.
Weekend Roundup 21: Beth Israel, New Orleans Suspects, Yo Gotti (2)
The Kickback, 9 p.m. at the Hi-Tone, $5.
Holy Gallows, GryScl, Anodes, Strengths, 9 p.m. at The Buccaneer, $5.
James and the Ultrasounds, 10 p.m. at Bar DKDC, $5.
Saturday, June 20th.
The Sidewayz, 10 p.m. at the Hi-Tone Small Room, $10.
Joecephus and The George Jonestown Massacre 10th Anniversary Show with The Fast Mothers, 8 p.m. at Murphy’s, $5.
Weekend Roundup 21: Beth Israel, New Orleans Suspects, Yo Gotti (3)
Blackberries, Friends of W.C. Scotland, No Mam, 9 p.m. at The Buccaneer, $5.
Alvin Youngblood Hart, 9 p.m. at the Young Avenue Deli, $5.
Sunday, June 21st.
Dan Montgomery, 4 p.m. at Lafayette’s Music Room.
Yo Gotti’s Birthday Bash, 7:30 p.m. at the Mud Island Amphitheater, prices vary.
Weekend Roundup 21: Beth Israel, New Orleans Suspects, Yo Gotti (4)
Cranford Hollow, 9 p.m. at the Hi-Tone, $7.
The Steepwater Band, 10 p.m. at Lafayette’s Music Room.
Weekend Roundup 21: Beth Israel, New Orleans Suspects, Yo Gotti (5)
The Reatards.
Jay Reatard’s extensive catalog continues to get the reissue treatment from Goner Records. The label released a gatefold reissue of The Reatards’ Teenage Hate (complete with demo recordings) in 2011 and it’s just been announced that Grown Up Fucked Up will be reissued as well (and pressed at Memphis Record Pressing). Originally Released in 1999 on Empty Records, Grown Up was the follow up to the classic album Teenage Hate, and saw the band taking on a much more aggressive song-writing approach, resulting in the closest thing to a hardcore-punk record that Reatard ever recorded. Hey, Goner Records, how about an Angry Angles re-issue next?
More Jay Reatard Reissues
More Jay Reatard Reissues (2)
Flyer reporter Bianca Phillips spent the weekend at Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Here’s a slideshow recap.
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Bianca Phillips
Hozier performing Saturday at Bonnaroo.
Bonnaroo Recap, Saturday:
Saturday at Bonnaroo was hot. Like sticky, muggy hot. It was so hot and the daytime line-up was so weak that the idea of venturing out of our shaded campsite to hear bands seemed like a daunting task. But I decided to brave the heat for Hozier. I missed the Irish indie-soul singer at Memphis in May (MIM) because I didn’t know who he was. But when I learned post-MIM that Hozier was the guy who sings the haunting hit “Take Me to Church,” a statement song on Hozier’s frustration with the Catholic church’s stance on homosexuality, I was pretty sad that I missed him. So I was glad to have a second chance at Bonnaroo. Sadly, I only caught the first bit of his set — and missed “Take Me to Church” — but I liked what I heard.
Because I was shooting photos for the Flyer, my work took me away from Hozier’s set to shoot Americana indie rockers The War on Drugs since they were playing at the same time. I’d never actually listened to The War on Drugs before Bonnaroo, and I’m not sure what I expected but what I saw was not it. Our music editor Chris Shaw recently described them as “dad rock,” and that seems about right. Their music just sounded generic to me. Hate that I missed “Take Me to Church” for them.
Bianca Phillips
Adam Granduciel of the War on Drugs performing Saturday at Bonnaroo.
Saturday night’s line-up featured Mumford & Sons and My Morning Jacket, but I’m not a fan. So I spent most of Saturday evening chilling at the campsite. I needed to conserve my energy for a big night of acts that I actually really wanted to see.After the sun went down, we ventured out for the tail end of indie-pop duo Belle & Sebastian and then headed over to see SBTRKT, the post-dubstep musical project of Aaron Jerome. Jerome prefers to use the band name even though he’s a one-man act because he’d rather let the music speak for itself. His set was synth-heavy and poppy and just what I needed. I spent most of his set staring at the rainbow flashing lights on the Ferris wheel near the stage. I swear the lights were moving with the music. And no, I wasn’t on drugs.
I really had my heart set on seeing ’80s thrash metal band Slayer, which was scheduled for midnight. But there was a last minute schedule change, and Slayer was moved to 10 p.m. The public relations team at Bonnaroo did send an email alerting the media of the change, but the internet connection is spotty at Bonnaroo late at night. And I didn’t get the memo. Bummer.
Finally, my night closed out with the one act I’d been waiting all weekend for — dubstep/trap DJ.Bassnectar. I’ve seen him a number of times, and his shows are always so energetic and magical. This one was probably the best I’ve seen. Bassnectar killed it with bass drops so insane, they seemed to make my heart stop for a moment. His light show was beautiful, and the crowd was filled with all manner of glowing light sticks, glow ropes, and LED hula hoops. Toward the end of his set, a massive cloud of smoke shot out from the stage, and as it dissipated, it uncovered a cloud of glitter confetti that washed over the crowd. It was one of those fantastical Bonnaroo moments that make the heat, the crowds, and the stress of camping all worth it.We left Sunday before the music started, so we missed Florence + The Machine and festival headliner Billy Joel. But that’s okay. I’d rather have that Bassnectar show be my final ‘Roo music memory for this year.
Bianca Phillips
Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! performing at Bonnaroo.
We weren’t going to let the biggest music festival in Tennessee slip between our fingers! Long time ‘Roo fan Bianca Phillips gives us the details. -Chris Shaw.
Bonnaroo Recap, Thursday and Friday:
The 13th annual Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival is underway in Manchester, Tennessee, and about 80,000 people from all over the world have descended on the rural town to see a bevy of musical acts spanning multiple genres — rock, rap, folk, punk, EDM, etc.
We got a bit of a late start leaving Memphis on Thursday morning, so we didn’t arrive to Manchester until about 3:30 p.m. After setting up camp, we’d already missed several acts, including the teen thrash metal act, Unlocking the Truth. We’d never heard them, but the premise was intriguing. By the time we ventured into Centeroo, the festival’s main grounds with five large stages and a number of smaller performance tents, we were just in time for indie rockers Glass Animals. But the sound was off, and from our spot just outside their stage at The Other Tent (Stages at Bonnaroo are named This, That, Other, Which, and What), all we could hear was the bass. We wandered around Centeroo, but failed to find anything else that held our attention.
Bonnaroo has taken some flack this year for its weak line-up, and Thursday’s lack of big-name acts made for, perhaps, the worst opening day since the Flyer began covering Bonnaroo six years ago. At least, that’s my opinion anyway. Friday had more on offer though, including a guest appearance by 1980s teen actor Corey Feldman. This is the 30th anniversary of The Goonies, and they were screening the film in the air-conditioned Cinema Tent, where cult classics and newer films are shown all weekend.
Feldman was there for an audience Q&A, and while we missed that, we did arrive just in time for a performance by Feldman’s weird ‘90s band, Corey Feldman and the Angels. The lyrics sounded like they’d been written by a 15-year-old, and Feldman admitted that, in fact, some of the songs were written when he was a kid. He was backed by some scantily clad ladies in angel wings. Next up was anarcho-punk band Against Me! I was most excited to see them perform because lead singer Laura Jane Grace recently transitioned, and she’s become quite the role model for trans teens. The last time I saw them at the Hi-Tone, the band’s lead singer had not yet made her transition and was performing as a man. But at Bonnaroo, Grace seemed to have come into her own. She commanded the stage and brought an amazing amount of energy to my personal favorite Against Me! Song, “I Was a Teenage Anarchist” (It’s my favorite because I, too, was a teenage anarchist).
Bianca Phillips
Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes at Bonnaroo 2015.
The Alabama Shakes rocked it out on Roo’s largest main stage, the What Stage. The roots band’s lead singer Brittany Howard led the band through a powerful set that made me realize that I should really give the band another listen. I’d dismissed them as “just another band that hipsters like.” But I think they may actually be pretty good. Compton-based hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar tore it up late into the night. As he made his entrance, the bass from his speakers literally made my ears vibrate, and I could feel my nose hairs move. Seriously. I’ve never considered wearing ear plugs at these events until Lamar’s energetic set.
The night closed out with glowsticks and LED hula-hoops shimmering all over Centeroo’s grounds as headliner Deadmau5 played his chilled-out style of progressive house music. We expected the set to have a little more energy, but that’s only because, in the past few years, Bonnaroo has boasted a heavy dubstep line-up. Deadmau5’s music is more trance-y and laid back. But that didn’t keep the people from dancing. And once Deadmau5’s hour-and-a-half set was over, the raving festival-goers just kept dancing since the EDM lasted until about 4 a.m. last night with sets from Odesza and STS9. I caught a few minutes of each of those performances and called it a night though since we have to do it all again today. I’ll write about what Saturday had to offer in the next recap.
Unknown Hinson plays the Hi-Tone Cafe on Saturday, June 13th.
We have made it to the 20th Weekend Roundup! All of the blood, sweat, and tears that get put into this ongoing blog post have hopefully turned you on to tons of new music, and to celebrate I think I’ll do more damage to my ears by checking out as many of these shows as possible.
Friday, June 12th.
Reverend Horton Heat, Whiskey Shivers, Necromantix, 7 p.m. at The Hi-Tone, $20.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson (2)
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Zoltars, Switchblade Kid, Wray, 9 p.m. at Murphy’s, $6.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson (3)
American Fiction, 10 p.m. at Lafayette’s Music Room.
Marcella and her Lovers, 10 p.m. at Bar DKDC, $5.
Toy Trucks, Graham Winchester, 10:30 p.m. at the Buccaneer, $5.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson (4)
Saturday, June 13th.
Unknown Hinson, Buckles and Boots, 9 p.m. at the Hi-Tone, $15.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson (7)
Faux Killas, Day Creeper, 9 p.m. at the Lamplighter.
Roxy Roca, 10 p.m. at Lafayette’s Music Room.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson (5)
Mighty Souls Brass Band, 10 p.m. at Bar DKDC, $5.
Sunday, June 14th.
Hannah Star, James and the Ultrasounds, 6 p.m. at the Harbert Avenue Porch.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson
Dream Ritual, 8 p.m. at the Hi-Tone Small Room, $8.
Destruction Unit, Manateees, Aquarian Blood, Water Spaniel, Low Cult, 9 p.m. at Murphy’s, $8.
Weekend Roundup 20: Reverend Horton Heat, Wray, Unknown Hinson (6)
Jane Pain
Institute play the Hi-Tone tonight, kicking off a wild week of shows in Memphis.
Australia’s Low Life had to bow out of tonight’s festivities at the Hi-Tone, due to their singer not being able to enter the country. But even without Low Life, this week is still one of the best in recent memory for noise-rock, post-punk and whatever else the kids are calling loud and aggressive music these days. Ear plugs are encouraged, especially on Sunday night at Murphy’s. You’ve been warned.
Tuesday, June 9th.
Iceage & Institute, 8 p.m. at the Hi-Tone, $14.
Sonic Assault: Iceage, Institute, True Sons of Thunder and Destruction Unit. (2)
Sonic Assault: Iceage, Institute, True Sons of Thunder and Destruction Unit.
Wednesday, June 10th.
True Sons of Thunder, 7 p.m. at the Brooks Museum, free.
Sonic Assault: Iceage, Institute, True Sons of Thunder and Destruction Unit. (4)
Sunday, June 14.
Destruction Unit, 12am at Murphy’s, $8.
Sonic Assault: Iceage, Institute, True Sons of Thunder and Destruction Unit. (3)