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Shinedown,
Puddle of Mudd, Like a Storm
Washington
Avenue Armory, Friday
Color us incredulous that the band we’ve jokingly referred
to many times as “Muddle of Pudd” are still, somehow, selling
records. The Fred Durst-endorsed “post-grunge” (read: grunge)
act made a killing as a Nirvana knockoff at the turn of the
century, and they’re currently riding high on an album bearing
the head-spinningly self-important title Vol. 4: Songs
in the Key of Love and Hate. Slightly humbler are headliners
Shinedown, a Florida “post-grunge” band who have managed to
register millions in album sales and a long string of rock-radio
hits despite (or perhaps because of) sounding exactly like
dozens of other bands—though we suspect that the 78 million
plays on their MySpace page were padded by at least 70 million.
Christian rockers Skillet and New Zealanders Like a Storm
open tomorrow’s (Friday) show. (Jan. 22, 7:30 PM, $30,
195 Washington Ave., Albany, 694-7160)
Willie
Nile
The
Linda, Saturday
As Willie Nile was busy forging his early career in Greenwich
Village during the late ’70s, he earned the distinction as
a “one-man Clash.” It wasn’t long before he found himself
opening for the Who. Armed with a Stratocaster and a sneering
punk ethos, Nile has spent his 30-year career behind dark
sunglasses and in the company of Richard Thompson, Lucinda
Williams, Elvis Costello and Bruce Springsteen. Last year’s
House of a Thousand Guitars features Nile the guitar
rocker and the piano-playing balladeer, both of whom will
be present Saturday night. (Jan. 23, 8 PM, $23, 339 Central
Ave., Albany. 465-5233)
Dan
Zanes
The
Egg, Saturday
One of the lesser-touted benefits of parenting is the child-induced
erosion of hipness. Yes, “benefits.” However impervious to
fun you may once have been, however firmly you may once have
crossed your arms while arguing the influences of the headliner
(“Byrds!” “Beefheart!” “Big Star!”), however stoically you
may once have refused the call of the dance floor, parenthood
will weaken your resolve. And when you give in, a Dan Zanes
show is a fine place to find yourself. For just about a decade
now, the former Del Fuego has been plying his trade as a troubadour
for tykes (and those who love ‘em), racking up loyal fans
of various sizes—not to mention a Grammy. So, when the man
and his band hit the Hart Theatre at the Egg this Saturday,
strip your kid of his Clash T and head on over and make dancin’
fools of yourselves. (Jan. 23, 3 PM, $20, Empire State
Plaza, Albany, 473-1845)
Vetiver
Jason’s
Upstairs Bar, Saturday
With a band name from a type of Indian grass—no, not that
kind of grass—it’s no surprise that Andy Cabic’s music
is of the lazing-around-in-the-weeds variety. The San Francisco
band’s fourth release, 2009’s Tight Knit, was produced
by longtime collaborator (and former Monsterland and Pernice
Brothers bassist) Thom Monahan in the band’s home state, and
it doesn’t even attempt to rock the boat. That is to say it
rocks, but lightly. The music, much like past Vetiver output,
has been described as “dreamy,” “gentle,” “ethereal” and,
yes, “light.” If you missed out on all the Woodstock anniversary
hubbub last year, this Saturday is a fine time to get in on
the peace and love vibes. (Jan. 23, 9 PM, $10, 521 Warren
St., Hudson, 828-8787)
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| Dr.
Dog |
Dr.
Dog
Revolution
Hall, Wednesday
They
had to leave the house eventually. After recording their first
five albums in their West Philadelphia home, Dr. Dog signed
to the well-respected indie label Anti and enlisted producer
Rob Schnapf for their upcoming sixth release, Shame, Shame.
The record, due out April 6, reportedly finds the band in
a more introspective mood than on past releases, though this
comes at no cost to the ever-present full-band harmonies and
hot guitar work that define the band’s sound. This week, Capital
Region fans get the first look (and listen) at the 2010 edition
of Dr. Dog as the band kick off a 10-week tour, leading up
to the album’s release, right here in Troy. The Growlers open.
(Jan. 27, 7:30 PM, $14, 425 River St., Troy, 274-0553)
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| Also
Noted |
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|
Uglysuit
|
Jackie
Washington and Bill
Staines team up to kick off Caffe Lena’s 50th-anniversary
celebration—which runs all year, as it should—tomorrow
(Friday, 8 PM, $25, 583-0022). . . . Grace
Potter and the Nocturnals continue their never-ending
tour with a stop at the Bearsville Theater in
Woodstock on Friday; Oklahoma City band the Uglysuit
will open (8:30 PM, $25, 845-679-4406). . . .
It’s a roots-rockabilly rock-out with Slick
Fitty and JD and the Teaser Studs at
Tess’ Lark Tavern on Friday (10 PM, $5, 463-9779).
. .. U2 won’t be back in the States until later
this year, and they sure as hell won’t be playing
rooms the size of Revolution Hall when they get
here, so check out tribute band Unforgettable
Fire on Saturday—it’s somewhere between blasting
War in your bedroom and watching an ant-sized
Bono from the cheap seats at a New Jersey football
stadium (7 PM, $15, 274-0553). . . . Fans of Palatypus
should get they selves to the Bread and Jam Cafe
in Cohoes on Saturday for what looks to be a one-shot
reunion of the great local duo (8 PM, $5, 326-2275).
. . . Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem bring
their, um, mayhem to the Iron Horse in Northampton,
Mass., on Saturday (7 PM, $19, 413-586-8686).
. . . And Sunday at the Egg, it’s a big-time twofer:
Jorma Kaukonen and David Bromberg,
together (7 PM, $34.50, 473-1845).
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