Tag Archives: AL

Bottletree scores Oxford Collapse

Posted on August 25, 2008 by | Leave a comment
Tonight, Brooklyn-based Oxford Collapse is playing Bottletree! These guys have toured with one of my Top 5 favorite bands, We Are Scientists, so that’s good enough for me. If you — like most intelligent people — aren’t an easily convinced fangirl, then you should listen to a few of their tracks and decide for yourself if you want to join in and show some Birmingham love to these guys.

They are here with Love is Laughter. For those of you that caught the Modest Mouse show in the Ham, you’ll remember these guys as the opening band. Described as “almost funk” and “very psychedelic”, I think I wanna give these guys a chance. Any band prefaced with that should be on my radar.

Details: Doors open at 8 tonight, but if you buy advance tickets before 6 p.m. today, you can save yourself 2 bucks. [$8 adv, $10 at the door] 18+

It’ll be rainy all week, so enjoy everything that this indoor show has to offer. I’ll be making an appearance, so see you guys there!

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Meet the Art Before ArtWalk

Posted on August 25, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Photo: Checking out the art at last week’s Artwalk Preamble held at Rojo. Andrea Walker

For seven years, Birmingham has hosted ArtWalk, a juried art show that features all types of artwork on display for the public to enjoy and purchase. Each year, Artwalk organizers have held a Artwalk preamble fundraiser, to raise money for the event. However, this year organizers tried something different. Instead of just one night where donated art is showcased, it’s been broken down into four separate nights during the month of August. On each night, a different type of medium is on display. For instance, on this Thursday night at Rojo, participating artists contributed their photography.

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Who’s playing Stokin’ today?

Posted on August 23, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Bob Farley photo of Stokin the Fire

Bob Farley/f8Photo

The Dexateens and Manchester Orchestra (click here to see their performance at Coachella) are both playing the Hog Wild Stage at Stokin’ the Fire tonight. So, go to Sloss Furnaces (now), stuff yourself something ridiculous full of BBQ and find a good seat to take in some of my favorite bands. Bob’s already staked it out and has the pics to prove it. We’ve even got one here from last night.

Ticket prices are like $15 for a day pass for adults and $5/child if your kids are into really good music and ribs. Man, that’s making me hungry!

Let’s hope the rain gets lost on the way into downtown today.

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Got plans this weekend? 8.22 – 8.24

Posted on August 22, 2008 by | 2 comments

New for this week. In the comments, please tell me A. what you doing this weekend and B. what you already have on your calendar for September. Just curious … now on with the dispensing of free weekend advice.

The big deal this weekend is going to be out at Sloss Furances. It’s the fourth annual Strokin’ the Fire BBQ
and (newly named) Music Festival. If you like BBQ, you’ve already got your tickets. This is not your average backyard grilling (though there is an amateur competition); This is professionals who take their pork very, very seriously. And yes, there will be BBQ to eat and fun stuff for the kiddos. And while there has been music in the past, apparently the music is taking more of a center stage this year, hence the new “Music Festival” name. Headliners are Todd Snider and The Whigs. Day passes are $15 so you might as well pony up another $10 and get the weekend pass. Children (5-12) are $5 a day or $8 for the weekend. Under 5, free. Don’t forget parking, that’s another $3. Competition kicks off Friday at 4 p.m. with the entertainment beginning at 5. Saturday gates open at 11 a.m. Both nights, festival over at 11. I think that’s all the details I can possible give you for this event except to mention that Sloss can be located at 20 32nd St. North. But really, didn’t you already know that?

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Take a detour onto Arkadelphia

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Arkadelphia - Photo by Jolyn Picard If you’re looking to chill out and enjoy some good old fashion rock and roll in the process, check out Speakeasy tonight. Here’s what happened with Whitney got together with the members of the headlining band for tonight’s show, Arkadelphia:

Growing up on the outskirts of the Western metro, I am very very familiar with Arkadelphia Road. For most folks, it means Birmingham Southern College, a corridor to Memphis and miles and miles of the country scenery Alabama is known for, but for me it’s home.

Same goes for the newest bassist for local band Arkadelphia, Justin. He’s a native of Curry (My kid sis is #31 for the Lady Jackets basketball team!) and was an excellent translator of my thick accent when I met up with him and the two founding members of Arkadelphia Wednesday night. Lead singer and guitarist Lee Baines III grew on Birmingham’s Southside and knows a thing or two about classic soul, country and rock & roll.  I don’t just say that, it’s in his voice. The southern hospitality, the white tee and cowboy boots and the Jerry Lee Lewis-esque swagger that he emits during performance is all very Alabama, in the best way possible. Drummer Ra-Jaan Parmely has been calling Birmingham home since his transplant from Sacramento, California eleven years ago. All of these guys are legendary in town for being vital players for bands like Duquette Johnston‘s Rebel Kings, Model Citizen, Dan Sartain‘s band and the Grenadines.

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a (mandatory) dance party

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | Leave a comment

Let’s all be serious here. We love to dance, just not out on the street or, for that matter, anywhere in the general public. Maybe it’s just my gangly white femaleness, but still. ALAS! I think I met someone this week that will change my, err your, mind concerning all things “cuttin’ a rug” related.

Rebecca Davis started ROCK PAPER ROCK, a local booking agency that is responsible for a healthy percentage of Birmingham’s recent lucky streak when it comes to getting good bands (i.e. nationally known) to play our great city. She’s also a local girl who moved away, only to return with more love and affection for our great city. So, who better an ambassador to the indie music scene than her to introduce one of the best ideas I’ve heard about it a while?

KIDS GOT THE DISCO!

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/A09PbCXYQsc" width="400" height="329" wmode="transparent" /]

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Speakeasy deals in the Black Market

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | 2 comments

The lede’s up on the front page; I’ll wait while you go check it out…

OK, I sat down and talked with George about a great upcoming development.

WHITNEY: Give us a quick description of what’s happening in Georgeland lately.
GEORGE: The Black Market Bar (BMB) is located at the Colonnade on Highway 280. It is somewhere you would find in the pages of a graphic novel or on screen in a detective noir film. The walls are dark with mood colors and low lighting. The staff is friendly, hip and well-versed on signature drinks, beer and wine. Coffee drinks too. The food menu is to the point and original. Our hours of operation are 4 pm to 5 am. (closed on Sundays & Mondays) The BMB is non-smoking, thankfully, BUT has a huge covered patio that is available for cancer causing habits. My theory is… If you go out late, then you want to go somewhere nice…

W: How did this idea for a new Birmingham bar come about? Was it a long time in the making?
G: I came up with the concept back in the fall of 2007. Since I opened the Speakeasy in ’06 I knew I wasn’t going to sit still with just one bar. I like the idea of a different location to try new things without betraying the atmosphere people are accustomed to at the Speakeasy. Black Market Bar + Speakeasy + Firefighting = no sleep, but thats ok. Continue reading →

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Got plans this weekend? 8.15 – 8.17

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | 1 comment

Details, here are the details.

Tonight is the last Art on the Rocks for the 2008 season. Your $20 gets you live music by Stoll Vaughan, food, art activities and there’s free parking in the deck on the corner of 8th Avenue North and Richard Arrington. Check out a video clip from our AOTR preview post to hear how he sounds. The Birmingham Museum of Art event is scheduled for 5-10 p.m. Buy tickets online or call 328-7628.

After you stroll around the BMA, head over to Workplay for the annual Birmingham Chicks Rockfest. And that’s exactly what it is … chicks who rock. Taking the stage are Kip Taylor, The Rowbuxx, Chrys Black, Kathyrn Delacruz, Peanut & Mother May I, Ava Garland and Something N Between. That’s a lot of music yet tickets are just $15.

More after the jump…

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Jubal and Kendra Jam on Friday!

Posted on August 15, 2008 by | Leave a comment

For those of you familiar with local jazz/country siren Kendra Sutton, you’ll know that she’s more than just breaking into the business, it’s bending over backwards for HER.

Recently linked to possible development deals with country stars Big & Rich and complete with production by legendary session musicians Wayne Perkins (Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd), recent news about a show with her musical partner Jubal John at Java & Jams has spread faaast.

In fact, with the show starting at 8 p.m. and no cover, this is the perfect opportunity to see some real talent at work in one of The Terminal’s favorite hangout spots.

Check out the J&J website for directions (they are insanely convenient at the corner of 4th Ave. and 20th St. N. downtown) and more details about upcoming shows.

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Whitney visits with 13ghosts

Posted on August 14, 2008 by | 1 comment

I talked with local (gone big time) band 13ghosts earlier this week and decided to share the spoils with you guys before they play the Mellow Mushroom in Tuscaloosa on Friday night.

For more info, check out their website or their MySpace profile.

Do you want to hear what their designated frontman (for this interview at least) Brad Armstrong had to say? Click on the “read more” link to find out…

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