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Sactown Rundown - Oct. 15-21
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Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers invade the Blue Lamp Wednesday
Whew! Hopefully everyone’s cars and roofs are still in tact after Mother Nature’s little temper tantrum thwacked us earlier this week. Undoubtedly you all have leaves and branches to rake out of your front yards, but doesn’t a weekend of live music sound way more fun? I thought so! The theme of this week looks like a pair of legendary performers you may never have even heard of, and some new and different projects for a few of Sactown’s most celebrated musicians of this decade.
Nicki Bluhm – If you’re thinking that that last name sounds familiar, you’re probably right; she is the better half of Mother Hips front man Tim Bluhm, and Tim is happy lend a hand to his wife’s band the Gramblers, which also features Mike Curry of Jackpot and ALO bassist Steve Adams. Despite the NorCal star power in her crackerjack backing band, Nicki Bluhm is not one to rest on the laurels of the cult followings of her hubby or the rest of the Gramblers; she’s wielding the vocal chops, seasoned songwriter’s grit and just the right amount of ‘tude of a Joni Mitchell or a Gillian Welch, as she packages a delicious platter of blues, Americana and dirt trail rock. Mike Curry won’t be the only piece of Jackpot in attendance at this one; Rusty Miller on electric guitar and kick drum and James Finch Jr. on upright bass join vocalist Sarah Nelson as the soulful and pleasantly clunky Prairiedog, a cheeky trio that sounds of Mazzy Star and Tom Waits making whoopee in a moonlit junkyard. 9 p.m. Wednesday. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. $8. 21+. www.myspace.com/bluelamp.
(To dry hump the Jackpot connection for a third time, it’s just been announced that a mini Sacto tradition will be revived when the group performs at Old Ironsides on November 25, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, along with Mike Farrell and Lite Brite. It didn’t happen last year, but all of Jackpot’s previous pre-turkey shows at Old I’s have been nothing short of epic, so be prepared to show up at Grandma’s house red-eyed, smelling of whiskey and whistling a few narcotic alt-country jams. Keep your eyes on The Rundown for details in November)
The Streets – As a music writer, getting random, unsolicited comp CDs in the mail (one of the great jealousy-inducing perks of the job) would always have one of two effects; either excitement over finding a new hidden gem, or the desire to sit in a dark living room and drink alone. British emcee Mike Skinner’s sophomore offering at The Streets, “A Grand Don’t Come For Free,” elicited the latter response from this reporter, as on first listen, he comes off like an over-privileged bloke whose biggest problem was having his advances rejected by a girl in Trafalgar Square or getting too much head on his last pour of Boddingtons at the pub. But, first impressions can be wrong. Skinner’s unique two-step hip-hop approach, his almost speak-rapping style, and production that’s as barren as a 22 year-old bachelor’s vegetable crisper take some getting used to, but with an open ear, he’s one of the more unique imports from across the pond we’ve seen since the second British Invasion. With JJ & the Robot and Human Temperament. 8 p.m. Friday. The Boardwalk, 9428 Greenback Ln, Orangevale. $20. All ages. www.boardwalkrocks.com.
Doom Bird – There’s something missing in the Sacramento indie rock scene these days, and it is undoubtedly An Angle. The departure of Kris Anaya’s former outfit came as somewhat of a surprise, as less than five years ago, they appeared ready to go ka-boom after ditching the emotionally searing, Bright Eyes-esque moroseness of “We Can Breathe Under Alcohol” for the brand-new-day Beatle pop of “The Truth is That You Are Alive” (you don’t really have to dig too deep beyond those album titles to find the changes in latitudes and changes in attitudes). Even though their catalog may lie permanently dormant, Anaya is back with his new indie chamber outfit Doom Bird. With his partner in crime Joseph Davancens flanking him, Anaya’s songwriting skills shine brighter than ever with this new bundle of tunes and a stripped down instrumental format. Doom Bird will say hello to Sacto on Friday night at Luigi’s Fungarden, along with Touchez and San Kazakgascar. 8:30 p.m. 1050 20th St. (MARRS Building). $5. All ages. www.myspace.com/luigislice.
Mike Watt & the Secondmen – Whether you’re aware of it or not, you’ve most likely been to at least one of promoter Brian McKenna’s shows here in Sacramento (if you haven’t, you might want to reconsider that “Tainted Love comes first” schedule when it comes to live shows). Under the moniker of Abstract Entertainment, McKenna has been bringing yearly handfuls of big name acts and mid-level up-and-comers to the 916, making him one of the most consistent local promoters in town for traveling acts. McKenna is celebrating not only 20 years in the music biz, but also his 40th birthday at this “20x40” concert, starring the daringly inventive bass thumping madman Mike Watt and the Secondmen, one of many groups in the legacy of one of the forefathers of alternative music and off the beaten path rock and roll (including time with the Stooges). He’ll be joined by quirky Canadian punk rockers NOmeansno, experimental psychedelic punk outfit Triclops, and local favorite alt-rock wizards Kai Kln. 9 p.m. Saturday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.
Adrian Belew – To borrow a line from Al Pacino in the Devil’s Advocate, Adrian Belew is “the hand up Mona Lisa’s skirt.” He’s a Da Vinci of the six-string, and you might have to crack a code or two to follow the path of his storied career. He is perhaps best known for his work with pioneering prog rockers King Crimson, but he has also been the unsung hero on guitar in sessions with such acts as Frank Zappa, David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails (most notably “The Downward Spiral”), Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” and Talking Heads, his vocal chops most often compared to those of David Byrne. Nowadays, the sorcerer of the Stratocaster keeps himself busy with the Adrian Belew Power Trio, allowing the unknown legend to take center stage. 9:30 p.m. Thursday. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $20. 21+. www.harlows.com.
Floater – Did they take their name from the floating candy bar mistaken for a dookie in the pool in “Caddyshack?” Or is the name better fit to describe the ethereal alternative power pop chops of this Portland outfit? Either way, Floater’s most recent offering “Stone By Stone” is earning the band a coast to coast rep for their twisted daydream of psychedelic pop, mixed with overtones of reggae, and spearheaded by lead vocalist Robert Wynia’s post-Robert Smith vocal meanderings. Prieta are slated to open the festivities. 9 p.m. Thursday. Marilyn’s on K, 908 K St. $12. 21+. www.marilynsonk.com.
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