Hank III Not sure whether spending our nation’s birthday with somebody other than Hank Williams’ grandson might be contrary to the Patriot Act, but I’ll look into it. Hank III’s live shows come in two flavors, of course: the country one that links him to his grandpappy like there never was a Williams Jr., and Assjack, Hank III’s brutal hard-core alter-ego. There’s nothing too original in either, but it’s all done like Hank III’s life depends on it. Given his partying proclivities, it just might. With Lucky Tubb. Amos’ Southend

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Loser Life If people aren’t sufficiently sick of seeing the whole Bastard Baby musical analogy yet, allow me to say that Loser Life could be the John Doe spawn of the Riverdales and Minor Threat, if, say, the Riverdales had also slept around with Black Flag circa My War, and maybe some random, mustached college kid with an armload of Suicidal Tendencies sides and the original vinyl of Zen Arcade. Fun shit, regardless. With Lowbrow, Meth Mountain. Lunchbox Records (Timothy C. Davis)

Benji Hughes Kid Crooner does a two-night stand at a venue that affords him serious home-court advantage. What that means live, as any who’ve seen him in Snug’s snug confines know, is a loosey-goosey Hughes free to wander off the script (and stage) because his crack East coast band – ex-Muscadine mate Stacy Leazar on bass, time-keeper extraordinaire David Kim, keyboards whiz kid Jon Phillips and guitar hero Peter Gray – is good enough to reel him back in. If you haven’t heard Hughes’ summer-iffic A Love Extreme yet – what the hell are you waiting for? With the Poontanglers on the 3rd, and the Troublewalkers on the 4th. Snug Harbor (John Schacht)

311 The rap rockers are returning on the band’s annual summer Unity Tour. This time around, they’re bringing along Ziggy Marley. While one hopes that an onstage collaboration would be done with some of the tour partners, I haven’t witnessed it the last two years. The band plays a variety of hits from their albums over a long set, but they’re sure to break out tunes from their new album, Uplifter, too. I can guarantee the new single, “Hey You,” will be in there somewhere. Now, if I could only guarantee that they would still end their show with “Fuck the Bullshit”… It’s just not the same without it. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Jeff Hahne)

Sugar Glyder Sugar Glyder is proof that UNCC can produce more than architects and business majors. Following in the footsteps of other UNCC alum, The Sammies, Sugar Glyder seem poised to become one of the next big things in music. Surely it won’t be long before we hear them in the background while one of our favorite TV characters has a revelation, dances around in their underwear, or well, something. You’ll hear some tunes off the band’s new CD, too, since this is the release party. With Terminal Reynaldo and Atriumantra. Tremont Music Hall (Sam Webster)

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Each Friday, we bring you 10 CD reviews done in 10 words each:

Cletus T. Judd Polyrically Incorrect —Kind of like country music with bad singing, cheesy humor.

Leslie Mendelson Swan Feathers — Her easy-going style kind of sounds like ‘adult contemporary.’

Sons of Bill One Town Away — A good bit of swagger and twang on this disc.

Enter Shakiri Common Dreads — Band’s sophomore album continues hardcore and drum ‘n’ bass combination.

Steve Meckfessel Under Beautiful Skies — Average, mellow folk singer/guitarist focuses on songwriting and storytelling.

Various Artists Public Enemies Soundtrack — Artists include Otis Taylor, Billie Holiday, Elliot Goldenthal … good stuff.

Escala Escala — All-female pop string quartet were on Britain’s Got Talent.

Placebo Battle of the Sun — Alt-rock band gets new drummer for its sixth album.

The Darkest Hour The Eternal Return — Band offers up own brand of growling vocals, speed metal.

Lemming Malloy The Return of the Norfolk Regiment — Newborn Chapel Hill quartet combines elements of Flaming Lips, Genesis.

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Typically, you see concert tours schedule a break for the bigger holidays, but there are indeed some live music options if you’re headed to the Carolina coast for the Fourth of July.

Myrtle Beach seems to have the best stuff with the Edwin McCain Band and Sophie B. Hawkins playing tonight at the House of Blues in North Myrtle. Singer/songwriter Corey Smith, who recently opened up the new Fillmore here in town, visits the HOB on Friday evening.

Funk rockers Ten Toes Up has three dates scheduled in the band’s hometown of Murrells Inlet, S.C., including the Hot Fish Club (July 2) and Spud’s (July 3-4). Soul Function plays the Boathouse on Sunday night.

Charleston has a few shows on the calendar as well. If you like the Windjammer in Isle of Palms, check out The Design tonight, The Blue Dogs tomorrow or Playlist on Saturday. The New Mastersounds has back-to-back gigs scheduled at The Pour House (July 3-4), while Kevn Kinney serves up a double dose of gritty folk at Red’s Icehouse in Mount Pleasant (July 2-3).

I’ve never been to Fiery Ron’s Home Team BBQ on Sullivan’s Island, but it just sounds awesome. Guilt Ridden Troubador is there tonight, WILX tomorrow and T-Model Ford & Gravel Road on Saturday.

Not much in Wilmington, it appears. The New Mastersounds are at The Soapbox on Sunday, July 5.

If you’re making the longer trip to Hilton Head, you can see Gary Pfaff tonight at Wild Wing Café. Or, if you’re headed to the Havelock, N.C. area, country singer Darryl Worley performs at the Havelock Recreation Center this evening.

Oh and wear sunscreen.

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311
Uplifter
Volcano; Release date: June 2, 2009

The Deal: Now in its 21st year of existence, 311 has released its ninth studio album and first disc in four years.

The Good: Throughout the years, the one constant has been the message of positivity and love of music which is apparent right off the bat with the first single, “Hey You.” The band continues with the lack of the rap-rock that they helped originate on the second track, “It’s Alright.” They find time to bring more of a metal edge in moments, but for the most part they’ve abandoned the heavy sound for more of a reggae feel. The lyrics were never something unbelievable in the arsenal of 311. The band’s always been about having a good time and I’m sure some of these tunes will be getting the crowd going during a live show. “Mix It Up” builds into a nice groove at the end that is ripe for a sing-along. “India Ink,” “Jackpot,” “Something Out of Nothing” and “Never Ending Summer” try to capture the distortion-fueled groove of Grassroots.

The Bad: It seems like ever since the band recorded “Amber,” they’ve slowed things down in an effort to appeal to the masses instead of sticking with the upbeat funky rap-rock that brought them legions of hardcore fans. The band’s recent albums have had a good single or two, but the rest sometimes sounds like filler. It’s not bad filler — even some of the less unique 311 tracks are better than a lot of the crap that’s on the radio these days.

The Verdict: Definitely not one of the band’s best efforts, but fans will be happy with a handful of the tracks. Check them out live on July 3 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre on the annual Unity Tour, with Ziggy Marley supporting.

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Matt & Kim Not a lot of subtlety here, as this Brooklyn duo pairs ’80s synth-pop rhythms with a pop-punk ethos and a high-octane (and high-fructose, given their fondness for food fights) live show to create danceable mayhem. Matt Johnson’s bubbly melodies and the hyper-kinetic beats of (adorable) drummer Kim Schifino create a simple framework for songs about … well, it doesn’t matter what they’re about, does it? The idea here is fun and from that standpoint M&K fulfill the mission statement. With MSTRKRFT and A-Trak. The Forum

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There’s a trio that’s in the studio after being a rumor for the last four years. And after hearing word that it’s finally happening, I can’t wait to hear it.

Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones and Josh Homme are working together in what could be considered the ultimate power trio. Grohl, of Nirvana and Foo Fighters fame, is back on the drums; Jones, of Led Zepplin fame, on the bass; and Homme on guitar.

Wow.

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From the Web site textsfromlastnight.com:

(704): i wore my purity necklace wen we fucked. but its ok cuz simplified was blasting in the background
(1-704): hahahaha. im glad listening to simplified justifies breaking ur promise to god

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So, at U2’s concert in Barcelona last night, they paid tribute to Michael Jackson by performing bits of “Man in the Mirror” and “Don’t Stop Til you Get Enough” during their song “Angel of Harlem.”

While many people will praise the rock group for their actions, can I just point out that it sounds like Bono has no clue what the lyrics to “Man in the Mirror” are.

Sounds like he keeps repeating, “I’m looking at the man in the mirror/I’m asking him to make a change.” The actual lyrics are “I’m starting with the man in the mirror/I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer, If you wanna make the world a better place Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”

I guess it’s the thought that counts.

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Nas and Damian “JR Gong” Marley will release Distant Relatives this year.

NAS & DAMIAN “JR GONG” MARLEY DISTANT RELATIVES preview from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

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