Tag: Sheiks

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Local Show Roundup

CREDIT: Windy Mayes Sibberson

Local songwriter Lisa Mac will premiere her debut video for “Hurricane” this Friday at Studio688. Produced by Elliott Ives, a guitarist who has played with Justin Timberlake, “Hurricane” kicks off a productive spurt for Mac. The song is one of two singles (with music videos) that will be released before her debut EP drops later this year. Mixing elements of blues and hip-hop, Mac creates futuristic pop music with Ives that is more than likely far removed from the music she used to create in church.

Her song “Get Away,” featuring Project Pat, is especially interesting and seems to be as radio-ready as local pop music gets. Mac describes her relationship with producer/guitarist Ives as an “underlying vibe.” “We just have something in common,” Mac says. “He gets me — he gets exactly what I want. I want to surprise people, confuse them a little bit. Really, I write blues songs. They’re relatable and real and coming from a real place. But the sound is pop with hip-hop and rap influences. I want to catch people off guard.” Mac will be performing at the video premiere.

Lisa Mac, Friday January 29th at Studio688, donations are suggested.

Fresh off the release of a brand new album recorded with Jack Oblivian by Doug Easley, the Sheiks continue their musical onslaught with a show at the Lamplighter. While Sheiks guitarist Keith Cooper has been busy recording the second NOTS album and a new album for Time, his band has found time to keep their shows at an all-time high, recently performing at the “Memphis Does Bowie” benefit. Speaking of the “Memphis Does Bowie” benefit, the Sheiks’ drummer Graham Winchester organized the event in almost no time, and the money raised is reportedly over $20,000, all of which will go to St. Jude. Not bad, Mr. Winchester. Not bad at all.

Also on the show is Duma, a band that features local artist Langston Tayloe and Quinton-JeVon Lee, the recording artist known as RPLD GHSTS and frequent Cities Aviv collaborator. While the Sheiks and Duma probably have very little in common musically,

shows at the Lamplighter have been well-attended, and, as this show is free, there’s really no reason not to check it out.

Sheiks and Duma, Friday, January 29th at the Lamplighter, 11 p.m. Free

Windy Mayes Sibberson

Choke Chains

Choke Chains hail from different cities in Michigan, but their Memphis connections run deep, mostly due to Lindsay McConney being involved in No Bails, a band that played GonerFest and saw a release on the short-lived local label Orgone Toilet. While No Bails is still kicking, McConney now spends her time in Choke Chains alongside former Dirtbombs and Bantam Rooster member Thomas Potter.

Choke Chains recorded half of their debut album at Rocket Science Audio last year, and they are set to play the first Rocket Science Audio Variety Show of the year this Thursday with Richard James and the Special Riders. The main event goes down on Saturday, however, when Choke Chains finish their Memphis victory lap with a performance at Murphy’s with Manateees, Time, and Bloody Show (from Ohio).

To celebrate the release of their new album, Choke Chains enlisted Kevin Corrigan to appear in their video for “Safe Word.” You might remember Corrigan from the movies The Departed, Goodfellas, and Buffalo 66. According to Thomas, the two met when Corrigan attended a Dirtbombs show in Los Angeles, and they vowed to someday work together. That dream came true with the extremely bloody music video mentioned before. It’s worth checking out if you’ve got the stomach for it.

Choke Chains, Manateees, Bloody Show, Time, Saturday, January 30th at Murphy’s 9:30 p.m. $5

Lastly, the local hardcore band Thief’s Hand is playing a show at the Hi-Tone on Tuesday, February 2nd, with Syracuse hardcore band Bleak and local shredders Creux. Thief’s Hand recently opened for Power Trip at Murphy’s, and musically they sit somewhere between heavy hitters like Hatebreed and Integrity. Creux are also a newish band on the hardcore/metalcore circuit, and their EP Con Artist is worth a listen. If either local band sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll also enjoy Bleak, whose name isn’t exactly a fair representation of their fast and heavy music. Bleak, Thief’s Hand, Creux, Tuesday February 2nd at the Hi-Tone, 8 p.m. $7

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Music Music Features

Never Too Late

CREDIT: Lindsey Butler

Local filmmaker Clayton Hardee, aka Clay Otis, openly admits that he more or less stumbled into his musical career.

“I had no intentions of doing music. I didn’t do my first record until I was 30, and that was because a movie I was working on got turned down,” Hardee said. “I sang a song to Jake [Vest], and the next thing I know we started doing a record.”

Recorded at High/Low Recording over three days last spring, Hardee’s third full-length, Citizen Clay, sees The Sheiks joining his longtime backing band, Dream Team, providing more depth to the improvisational music that serves as the backdrop for Hardees’ vocals.

“From the get go, the Dream Team has been on everything I’ve ever played on,” Hardee said. “My backing band has always been Greg Faison on drums, Brent Stabbs on bass, and Jake Vest on guitar. But then I got to be friends with The Sheiks and fell in love with them a couple years ago, and they’ve been killing it since we asked them to join the band.”

Described by Hardee as his biggest sounding record yet, Citizen Clay is equal parts “bloated ’70s rock and the punk rock response to bloated ’70s rock,” which is Hardee’s way of saying it’s diverse. Lyrically, Hardee said that Citizen Clay unfolds like a news program, examining social issues like pharmaceutical drug abuse and wealthy excess. Approaching his lyrics the way he approaches film-making, Hardee said that Citizen Clay is also his most thematic album to date.

Clay Otis and The Dream Sheiks celebrate the release of Citizen Clay this Saturday at the Hi-Tone, with the recently reunited Chinamen and Perfect Prescription opening. Doors open at 9 p.m., and admission is $5.

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Sing All Kinds We Recommend

Sound Advice: The Week in Underground Music

Cleveland Avenue becomes the center for underground music in Memphis this week, as both the Hi-Tone and the Buccaneer are trading off shows Tuesday, November 5th through Saturday, November 9th. Here’s a guide (complete with videos!) to the diverse shows both venues are offering this week.

Tuesday, November 5th – Hi-Tone – Small Black, Dream Team, Grid. 8pm doors, $10.00 advance, $12.00 at the door, 18+.

Brooklyn’s Small Black play what is best described as chill wave, but don’t let that scare you off. Underneath the repetitive synth beats are carefully crafted songs, and though the band hails from Brooklyn, their latest video (above) was partially shot in Memphis. Opening the show are locals Dream Team (members of Tiger High) and the new band Grid.

Wednesday, November 6th – Buccaneer – Hunters, Paradice, Loser Vision. 9pm doors, $5.00, 21+.

Hunters have been on the road for most of 2013, touring with big name acts like Jeff The Brotherhood and Hunx and His Punx. With that much time to hone their sound, it’s no wonder Hunters are being heralded by music writers as one of the best live bands to see in 2013. Opening the show are locals Paradice (formerly Warm Girls) and the new band Loser Vision.

Thursday, November 7th – Hi-Tone – Nobunny, Moving Finger, Buldgerz. 8pm doors, $10.00, 18+.

The hardest working rabbit in garage rock returns to Memphis on Thursday, in support of his new album Secret Songs released on Goner Records earlier this month. Known for raucous energy, rampant nudity and killer power pop riffs, NoBunny’s live show is one that must be seen to be believed. Opening the show are locals Moving Finger (read more about them here) and the new hardcore band Buldgerz (featuring members of Hosoi Bros and No Comply).

Friday, November 8th – Buccaneer – Toxie, Trampoline Team, Toxie. 9pm doors, $5.00, 21+.

Local new wave group Toxie had a productive summer touring by themselves as well as opening for the chill wave group Toro y Moi on a string of East Coast shows. The group seems to be due for another single, as the “New Gate” single that was released on Goner earlier this year gained a lot of attention. Also playing the show is Trampoline Team (a new punk group from New Orleans) and 60’s Rock and Roll Revivalists The Sheiks.

Saturday, November 9th – Hi-Tone – Nights Like These, Crowlord, Holy Gallows. 9pm doors, $7.00 18+

After almost a four year hiatus, Memphis’ metal kings Nights Like These have decided to reform. The story of Nights Like These is an interesting one. The band went from the suburban underground label Smith Seven to one of the largest Metal labels in the world (Victory Records) seemingly overnight, only to fade back into obscurity after a behemoth of a second album. If the Nights Like These reunion show at Minglewood Hall this past summer serves as any indication, this group certainly remembers how to shred. Opening the show are local metal groups Crowlord (featuring members of the Unbeheld) and Holy Gallows.