May is an exciting month! Here's are some highlights of bands we love who are playing in town (scroll down for full track list and to hear the playlist).
Shaun Martin, “One Big Party”
(Founders Taproom, May 24)
When he’s not accepting Grammys or grooving with jazz-fusion band Snarky Puppy, Shaun Martin is leading his own jazz collective with funky pieces like “One Big Party.” This feel-good jam has no time for lyrics with all of its instrumentation, nor does it need any. People can be heard in the background of the song having a good time, even further conveying the feeling of being at one big party.
Primus, “Too Many Puppies”
(20 Monroe Live, May 20)
Perhaps you’ve heard Primus’ bizarre alternative sound before without knowing it. The band wrote and performed the oddball theme song for “South Park.” Even stranger, “Too Many Puppies” is a great example of what Primus has in store. On this funk-metal combination from 1990, Les Claypool slaps his aggressive bass riffs like no other while singing about metaphorical puppies.
Frontier Ruckus, “Visit Me”
(The Pyramid Scheme, May 5)
Michigan band Frontier Ruckus has nestled in and found itself a comfortable place on WYCE’s airwaves lately. This folk-rock tune is not just so much an invitation for a lover to visit as it is an articulate plea, with stand-out lyricism and soft guitars.
Meat Puppets with Mike Watt, “One More Drop”
(Founders Taproom, May 6)
Another veteran rock band has made its way onto the list. “One More Drop” comes from Meat Puppet’s 2013 album, “Rat Farm.” The singer makes an iffy promise to clean up his act and pull it together, after just one more drop, of course.
The Besnard Lakes, “Towers Sent to Her Sheets of Sound”
(The Pyramid Scheme, May 16)
This twirling track sounds like it was inspired by a kaleidoscope — not an uncommon theme from the progressive psych-rock The Besnard Lakes. This song is rich in harmony, with sparse but shiny lyrics floating over psychedelic melodies. The Besnard Lakes will perform at the Pyramid Scheme with local band Book of Symbols.
Full Track List:
May 3 — Davina and the Vagabonds – “Lipstick and Chrome” Tip Top Deluxe
May 3 — Overcoats – “Leave the Light On” Calvin College
May 4 — SF Jazz Collective – “Actual Proof” St Cecilia Music Center
May 5 — Frontier Ruckus (with Beth Bombara) – “Visit Me” Pyramid Scheme
May 6 — Meat Puppets (with Mike Watt) – “One More Drop” Founders Tap Room
May 9 — White Reaper – “Party Next Door” The Stache
May 11 — Caravan of Thieves – “Wasting My Time” Founders Tap Room
May 11 — Samantha Crain – “Oh Dear Louis” Bells Eccentric Café
May 11 — Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn – “Shotgun Blues” Kalamazoo State Theatre
May 13 — Birds of Chicago – “Real Midnight” Holland Park Theatre
May 13 — Trout Steel Revival (with Mark Lavengood Bluegrass Bonanza) – “Brighter Every Day” Pyramid Scheme
May 16 — Besnard Lakes – “Towers Sent to Her Sheets of Sound” Pyramid Scheme
May 20 — Angela Perley and the Howlin Moons – “Green Eyes” Founders Tap Room
May 20 — Primus – “Too Many Puppies” 20 Monroe Live
May 21 — Annual Bob Dylan Tribute Show – “A Hard Rain’s A-gonna Fall” Founders Tap Room
May 23 — Tall Heights – “River Wider” The Stache
May 24 — Shaun Martin of Snarky Puppy – “One Big Party” Founders Tap Room
May 31 — Gina Sicilia – “Crazy About You Baby” Tip Top Deluxe
June 1 — Flogging Molly – “Reptiles (We Woke Up)” & The White Buffalo – “Set My Body Free” 20 Monroe Live
