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The
Woes
Valentine’s,
Thursday
All is quiet on New Year’s Day—usually. But 2009 kicks off
with some fine noise when the 2009 Underground Film vs. Underground
Music tour, presented by Slamdance.com, begins right here
in Albany. The tour is headlined by New York City band the
Woes, a quintet that would have fit nicely under the original
banner at CBGB; that is, they mix country, bluegrass, and
blues, with added flavors of New Orleans and the city they
call home, all brought to life by the haunting voice of head
Woe Osei Essed. Pseudo-Slang, a hip-hop group originally from
Buffalo, co-headline the festivities, and as the title suggests,
the night also will feature the work of some fine, up-and-coming
filmmakers. Giving Thursday a local ring will be Albany’s
own Bryan Thomas. (Jan. 1, 8 PM, $6, 17 New Scotland Ave.,
Albany, 432-6572)
Ashley
Pond Band, knotworking, Katie Haverly and Vox Celeste
Tess’
Lark Tavern, Friday
Celebrate the turning of a new year while celebrating all
things local (sort of) as Albany’s 1st Friday afterparty at
the Lark features two of our area’s finest acts, plus one
that would have earned such a distinction a few years back,
before the members migrated elsewhere. Ashley Pond recruited
a fine rhythm section to flesh out the songs from her Dala
disc, and their live shows have become brilliantly emotive
affairs. The same could be said for Katie Haverly, whose Around
the Bend was one of 2008’s best local releases; her new
band members are right at home driving those songs home or
just sitting back and letting Haverly sing the fuck out of
them. As for knotworking . . . what else is there to say about
one of the Capital Region’s best-loved Americana acts? Order
a beer and a shot and ask someone to dance, won’t ya? (Jan.
2, 9 PM, $5, 453 Madison Ave., Albany, 463-9779)
Coma
Valentine’s,
Saturday
It’s all about comings and goings this Saturday at Valentine’s.
Two members of Coma—Thomas Wilk and Mike Keegan—will be joining
the recent mass exodus this month, as Wilk sets off for NYC
and Keegan for San Francisco. Before they go, they’ll unveil
a new installment of their Pony series: Mega Pony reportedly
is a “harder hitting, Nick Cave-ier release than its sister
full-length, Mini-Pony, but the two ponies are equally
matched knights on a sonic chessboard unable to overcome the
other.” We assume that will make more sense when you hear
the record. On a quirky note, the group also will release
Mono Pony, which features monophonic remixes of Mega
Pony songs, as well as new tracks. So you can play it
on your Victrola. Dr. Kilgore, Small Axe, and Complicated
Shirt will help to usher in—and out—the Coma goodness. (Dec.
3, 8 PM, $5, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572)
Elvis
Birthday Bash with the Lustre Kings
The
Linda, Saturday; the Ale House, Sunday
At about this time every year, we gather to give thanks for
the coming of the king—that is, the jump-suited, hip-swiveling,
karate-chopping viceroy of rock: Elvis Presley. Had he not
fallen off his porcelain throne that fateful day and lived
to see 2009, he’d be 74 years young and, no doubt, still making
the girlies swoon. Whether or not he’d be rocking the rhinestones,
however, is another matter entirely. The Lustre Kings, the
closest thing we’ve got to the man himself, will be sure not
to overlook them. This weekend, you’ll have two chances to
catch their tribute act—just don’t step on their, um, galoshes.
And in case you’re booked, the festivities continue next Saturday
at Daisy Baker’s. (Jan. 3, 8 PM, $20, 339 Central Ave.,
465-5233; Jan. 4, 8 PM, $10, 680 River St., Troy, 272-9740)
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The
Holmes Brothers
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The
Holmes Brothers
Club
Helsinki, Saturday
Despite its tumultuous history—or, indeed, because of it—Harlem
has taken its place alongside Memphis, Chicago, Philadelphia
and New Orleans as one of the most soulful musical hubs in
the fifty nifty United States. But, without the revivalist
nostalgia that time has bestowed upon many of these places,
Harlem is still busy defining itself. Living legends the Holmes
Brothers are apt representatives. With one foot in tradition
and one firmly planted in the present tense, the trio have
been known to cover Blind Willie Johnson, Tom Waits and Cheap
Trick, all in the same set. (Jan. 3, 9 PM, $25, 284 Main
St., Great Barrington, Mass., 413-528-3394)
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Noted |
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Sirsy
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Here
we are. It’s New Year’s Eve, a good time to stay
at home and enjoy the company of family. What?
“To hell with that,” you say? Well then, here
are some of your entertainment options for this
evening, Wednesday, Dec. 31, the final night of
the calendar year 2008: Local jamboys Timbre
Coup double up on the festive by releasing
a new CD at Red Square (8 PM, $10, 465-0444).
. . . It’s songs and strings for the New Year
at Revolution Hall with Sirsy: The duo
will be augmented by a string quartet for a unique
acoustic set, then they’ll ring in 2009 with their
regular rocking; DJ Eric G will open the
evening (9 PM, $25, 274-0553). . . . At Valentine’s,
the confetti will fly with Beware! The Other
Head of Science and Sgt. Dunbar and the
Hobo Banned; as a bonus, the Deadbeats
will perform their regularly scheduled Wednesday
set on the downstairs stage (8:30 PM, $10, 432-6572).
. . . And at Michael’s Banquet House in Cohoes,
it’s a Motown New Year’s Eve Party with Solid
Smoke, who will be joined by Earl Thorpe
and Roslyn Mosby of soul group the Fidelities
(9:30 PM, $20, 785-8524). . . . Looking ahead
to the first weekend of 2009, the Parting Glass
will be home to the first Hair-a-Thon this Friday
and Saturday, with music from Hair of the Dog;
they’ll be there every weekend in January playing
stump the band, but make sure to call ahead for
reservations (8 PM, $13, 583-1916).
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