Crib Notes

See CL photographer Joeff Davis’ photos from the Silver Jews’ final performance at Cumberland Caverns near McMinnville, Tenn. on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 31st).

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Leave it to the kids to let you know when the cool shows are happening. Had it not been for Facebook, I would’ve missed Café Tacuba’s upcoming gig on the 29th. The show’s being billed as a “Festival de Rock,” featuring a handful of local Spanish rock groups with the legendary Mexican rockers capping the night. Having been to a few of these Festivales myself, I can tell you that Cafe Tacuba’s draw will multiply the audience by the hundreds.

According to the Facebook invite, the show will take place at the Far West Rodeo in Doraville see update below, with doors opening at 9 p.m. Tickets are available at Discolandia record stores or by calling 404-553-5479.

Last time the Tacubos where in town (promoting their latest release, SiNo), they blew past the two-hour mark with plenty of energy for an extended encore. Their local counterparts don’t hold back either. I went to Rompan Rock early last year (one of said Festivales de Rock), and couldn’t keep up, heading home at 2:30 a.m. while the last band was still on stage.

Two veterans of the local Spanish rock scene are scheduled to play. La Suegra play straight up punk-ska, while Stereozur concentrate on aggressive prog rock.

With six (possibly more) bands on the bill, not counting the Tacubos, expect a long night of Rock en Español.

UPDATE: My bad for posting this a few hours before the show, but I was just able to confirm that the venue has changed. The concert is now set for the Palladium Arena in Norcross. Don’t trust Google maps as it says the place is south of Jimmy Carter, when it’s actually about a quarter mile north on Live Oak Parway/Dawson Blvd. If you are on I-85, take Jimmy Carter East. Make a left on the first light.

UPDATE #2, 11:36 pm: I just got home from going both to the Palladium Arena and Far West Rodeo. Both places were shut tight. A few people were parked in front of the Palladium place, looking bewildered, as to why the doors were locked.

There was a huge, empty tour bus parked alongside the building. A woman told me that she heard the concert had been canceled, but there was no official notice; nothing posted on the door. Calls to the above phone number are met with a full voice mail inbox.

UPDATE #3, 12:13 am: Alright, someone is giving information at the Palladium as to why the show was canceled. Something about the venue not being able to secure enough equipment for the band on such short notice. The show was originally scheduled at the Far West Rodeo, but there was a last minute change to the Palladium Arena in Norcross.

Word on the street is that a little while ago, Rubén Albarrán himself, Cafe Tacuba’s lead singer pulled up to the place and shook hands with some of the fans that were there. He seemed visibly upset that the show had been canceled.

Bummer that the show was scrapped due to some technical issues. It would’ve been a big opportunity to showcase some of the local Latin rock talent.

UPDATE #4, Monday, Dec. 1

From what I’ve been hearing, there are conflicting reports as to why the show got canceled, but again, nothing has been made official. For the record, Discolandia is refunding tickets. Contact the store at which you got yours and they should refund your money. I’ll post any new information as it comes in.

Anyone with any info feel free to email me: alejandro.leal@creativeloafing.com.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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“I can feel you feelin’ it,” Charles Walker declared from the stage toward the end of his show Saturday night at The Earl. Walker and The Dynamites had just whipped the audience into a mad frenzy of spiritual funk bliss with Walker as the preacher, arching and bending his body to emit sounds not heard live since James Brown left the planet. The Dynamites backed Walker with organ and horns, drums and guitar and bass coming right at you with full force. In the middle of it all The Earl’s soundman Curt Wells shouted in my ear “You are about to get your ass kicked by a flute solo” and sure enough seconds later in the middle of another fury of electric funk and human emotion Dynamites saxophonist Chris West plays a beautiful flute solo. It was that kind of night — one of pleasurable surprises, like local soul singer Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics opening the show with a great set of passionate bluesy retro soul music. You knew it was going to be a good show when audience members were practicing dance moves during the break between the opening band and the headliner. “He tells us he’s 65 but he could be 67,” said guitarist and band leader Leo Black. But after seeing him Saturday night, I’d swear he’s 25.

For a gallery of images from this concert, click here.

(Photo and text by Joeff Davis)

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