Hello all. Glad you could make it. Henceforth, I will be providing an overview of the weekend’s upcoming shows so that you can more easily decide what to spend your hard earned cash on. In preparing this post for you, I’ve listened to all of the bands playing at over twenty venues in the Southside /Downtown region over the next few days. Let me know what you think. If you hate what I chose, yell at me! If you had a great time at a show I picked for you, let me know about it. The greatest return I could ever receive is a response from y’all. And now, without further ado:

Thursday 1/10
Bobby Lee Rogers and the Codetalkers @ The Nick
Admission: $10		Go time: 10 p.m.
		For a band that has been featured on NPR and who regularly perform in suits and ties, Bobby Lee Rogers and the Codetalkers sure do know how to play good-time music. Taking their name from a book by Sun Ra, they play a lighthearted mix of funk tinged jazz and rockabilly blues. The Atlanta based trio, are well-respected members of the southern Jam-Band scene, though their music is much tighter and more intricately arranged than the tunes usually associated with that moniker.
Honorable Mention:		Once @ Bottletree
Friday 1/11
The Whigs / Taylor Hollingsworth @ Bottletree
Admission: $10		Get Down: 9 p.m.
First of all, let me say that there was more good stuff playing tonight than Birmingham usually sees in a week. Four separate venues had shows I’d go see in a heartbeat. In the end Bottletree wins out for two reasons. One, the venue itself is worth checking out, even without music. Two, its got multiple bands worth the price of admission. Do yourself a favor though, and check out today’s Honorable Mention as well.
		Hailing from Athens, Georgia, The Whigs play exultant, hook-laden tunes. They pass the chair test, a sure fire way of picking good music. If I find myself out of my chair dancing like a fool the first time I listen to you, you pass. Rolling Stone called them “The best unsigned band in America.” Now, a thumbs up from Rolling Stone has never been the best barometer of good music, but you don’t need to take their word for it. Take a listen for yourself…
		Somehow, Taylor always manages to get on the bill with really great bands. Maybe it’s because he rocks so hard himself. His guitar speaks like a man with a mean streak and something to prove. This fella ain’t foolin’ around folks. He’s playing dirty in the garage, and he’s got the grit to pull it off. Besides, who doesn’t love a local rock hero? If you said “me”, you need to come to this show to get your brains scrambled a little bit.
Honorable Mentions:		The White Oaks @ Workplay Boombox @ Zydeco Groove Stain @ The Nick (btw, Groove Stain may be the worst band name ever)
Saturday 1/12:
Baak Gwai @ The Nick
Admission: $10		Be There: 10 p.m.
		There are a few other bands on the bill with Baak Gwai tonight, but I don’t really feel like talking about them. What I do feel like talking about is how much I like Baak Gwai. These guys play infectious, textured rock and are yet another check on the list of things that prove Birmingham has a vibrant music scene. Check out the song “fraggle” on their myspace page. It’s on heavy rotation in my sub-conscious.
Honorable Mention:		Lord T & Eloise @ Bottletree

This post was written by Sam George and brought to you by r3vrb.com and the letter “S”.