By Niki D’Andrea
Here are a handful of shows that were just announced this week.
Hillstomp With Mikel Lander Tuesday, October 14, 8:30 p.m. Rhythm Room $8 www.rhythmroom.com
This duo from Portland (described as playing “down ‘n’ dirty gutbucket blues” by SF Weekly) makes their own instruments; sings about outlaws, sin, and BBQ; and puts on a hell of a live show. Henry Christian plays slide guitar, while John Johnson thumps on buckets, and somehow the pair manage to inject the energy of a debauched army into their sets.
Random band fact: Hillstomp requires up to eight microphones for their stage setip, depending on venue size.
Below: Hillstomp performs “John Henry” live.
HorrorPops With Beat Union, and 7 Shot Screamers Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m. Marquee Theatre in Tempe $16 www.luckymanonline.com
Danish psychobilly band HorrorPops was born from Nekromantix, the psychobilly band HorrorPops co-founder Kim Nekromantix was in when he met future HorrorPops singer Patricia Day. The sultry, raven-haired Day and Nekromantix eventually married, making HorrorPops a family affair. The band’s latest album, Kiss Kiss Kill Kill, showcases the HorrorPop’s dark, layered, psychobilly sound, and they’ve been touring in support of the album since early spring.
Random band fact: Patricia Day’s first band was a punk band called Peanut Pump Gun.
Below: The HorrorPops video “Heading for the Disco.”
Hotel Café Tour 2008 With Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, Brooke Fraser, Jaymay, and Erin McCarley Tuesday, October 14, 7 p.m. Martini Ranch in Scottsdale $15-$17 www.martiniranchaz.com
This tour, founded by singer-songwriter Cary Brothers, is now in its fourth year. The original concept was to mimic the community vibe at shows at California’s Hotel Café venue, where many of the singer-songwriters on the tour got their starts. The tour’s been so successful stateside that musician Tom McCrae took it to the U.K., and then across continental Europe. This year’s tour includes rising star Meiko, and several other up-and-coming singer-songwriters.
Random band fact: Meiko will perform on Late Night with Conan O’Brien on September 11.
Below: The video for Brooke Fraser’s “Shadowfeet.”
Keller Williams Friday, October 17, 7 p.m. Marquee Theatre in Tempe $20-$22 www.luckymanonline.com
One-man jam band Keller Williams has toured with everybody from the String Cheese Incident to Ratdog, and his brand of folk (mixed with jazz, reggae, bluegrass, and every other roots genre imaginable) has made him a popular performer among jam band fans.
Random band fact: Williams hosts a radio show called “Keller’s Cellar” on kellerwilliams.net
Below: Keller Williams performs “Love Handles.”
