News - Entertainment

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

Local rockers dominate the weekend

Stellas to the right, Stellas to the left, Stellas just about everywhere, starting with The Stellas tonight at Scandal’s in Rock Hill. In a surprisingly short period of time, this frolicking foursome — Adam Middleton, vocals/guitar; Jacob Worden, drums; Josh Knight, bass guitar; and Shaun McFall, guitarist — has rocked, popped and rolled from anonymity in rising renown.

Fueling this rise is a potent blend of power pop and alt-edged rock filtered through a retro/classic filter. Mingling music influences from several decades — charismatic ’60s British pop, the more accessible up side of grunge, tasty modern rock tidbits — the band renders a sound that is simultaneously familiar and fresh. A new CD, “Wrapped in Cellophane,” is set for September release, but some copies might have already arrived and be available tonight. It’s The Stellas and Young Tom Fury at Scandal’s, 527 Cherry Road, Rock Hill. Call 329-4266 or check myspace.com/scandalsrockhill. Go to thestellasband.com and myspace.com/thestellasband for more on the band, including a Saturday encounter with The Stellas as guests for Athenaeum at Amos’ Southend in Charlotte, as well as a savvy match-up of The Stellas with Drownout Tuesday at The Evening Muse.

Also midweek, it’s time to be hip and happening by hanging out with singer/songwriter Rayen Belchere and Friends at Amos’ Southend. Look for classic craft and plenty of rock/pop, even alt-rock magic in the music and mannerisms from this personable, extremely palatable performer, self-anointed as the one and only “acoustic rockstar.” His solo CD in 2007 “A Thousand Bars, Two Stars, and One Guitar,” was produced by Michael Raphael and Jamie Hoover. An accompanying music video, “When,” directed by Rob Zombie bassist Piggy D, features Belchere and co-stars Calico Cooper, daughter of legendary shock rocker Alice Cooper.

Cool and congenial, Belchere’s ability to connect with his audiences is easy, breezy, and celebrated world-wide, but he calls this area home. So, it’s should be no surprise he’s bringing along a bunch of his best buddies — Livalie, Parallel, Chad York and Jon Watkins — to the Wednesday gig. Amos’ Southend is at 1423 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. Call (704) 377-6874 or click on amossouthend.com for show info. Get more on the performers at myspace.com/rayenbelchere, rayenbelchere.com, myspace.com/livalierocks, livalie.com, myspace.com/parallelbandmusic and parallelband.com.

Take a short ride for a hot time with Seasoned Critters tonight at Bugsy’s in Lancaster. Along with band regulars Wes, Lou, Wane and Kristie, this evening’s lineup includes Barry Webster on guitar /vocals and Scott Hallman on drums. Shake, rattle and roll at Bugsy’s, 1618 Memorial Park Road. There’s no cover and get details/directions at (803) 289-1234.

Keep summertime alive and well with much more music all around the area….

• Tonight: The Stellas with Young Tom Fury at Scandal’s, Rock Hill; Tone Deaf at Uncle Charles’ Oasis, Richburg; Seasoned Critters at Bugsy's, Lancaster; Leisure McCorkle at PlanB Restaurant, Charlotte; Stephanie’s ID at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Michael Wolf and The Voodoo Brothers at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Bullship and Great Lakes at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Channing Wilson at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Virginia Coalition with Alternate Routes at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Cary Ann Hearst and The Coal Men at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Ride the Lightning — Metallica Tribute with Audacity at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Jellico at The Milestone, Charlotte; Millionaires, Hypercrush, Brokencyde and The Arrival at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Sugar The Band at The Double Door Inn at The Lake, Cornelius, N.C.; Scoot Pittman Trio at Fifty-One South, Charlotte; and Black Glass at NV Nightclub and Lounge, Charlotte.

• Saturday: Atheneaum with The Stellas at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Neighbor’s Acres at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Scoot Pittman at McKoy’s, Charlotte; Poetry in Motion at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Jeff Clayton and The Mongrels and Babyshaker at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Gator Gumbo and The Stragglers at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; The Whigs, The Old Ceremony and Trances Arc at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Bain Mattox Band with The Brilliant Inventions at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; The Lights Fluorescent, Jews and Catholics, Red Collar and The Have and Havenots at The Milestone, Charlotte; Streetwise and School of Rock at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; and The Logic at The Double Door Inn at The Lake, Cornelius, N.C.

• Sunday: Stone Temple Pilots and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte; American Idols Live 2008 at Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte; Anchorage and My Friend Autumn at Snug Harbor, Charlotte.

• Monday: Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; The Monday Night All-Stars at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; and Scoot Pittman Duo at T-Bones, Lake Wylie.

• Tuesday: The Stellas with Drownout at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Country Tuesdays at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; and John Mayer and Paramore at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte.

• Wednesday: Rayen Belchere and Friends at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Trouble Walkers and Sex Tapes at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; John Oak Live Acoustic at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Tristan Prettyman at the Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; and Gongzilla at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte.

• Thursday: Shiprocked DJ-Scott Weaver at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Open Mic With Dale at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; The Not Likelys, Big City Bombers and IED at The Milestone, Charlotte; Audioform and Reverse X Rays at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Bill Hanna Jazz Jam at the Double Door Inn, Charlotte; and Kenny Chesney and LeAnn Rimes at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte.

And that was, “all she wrote.”

E-mail to jetstar413@aol.com; send materials/press kits/photos/CDs to

PO Box 13, Catawba, SC 29704; and get more info at myspace.com/jetrockmedia.