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closeIt’s become something more than just nostalgia for The Beatles and British Invasion music where The Spongetones — playing tonight at Charlotte’s Visulite Theatre — are concerned.
Sure, they can nail the songs, the sounds, even the look and the feel of that other time and place. Part of the reason their renditions have always seemed so effortlessly real is because The Spongetones are big fans of the era, the bands and the music. But now, our overall fervor for this particular fab four — Steve Stoeckel, bass/ vocals; Pat Walters, guitar/ vocals; Jamie Hoover, guitar/ vocals; and Rob Thorne, drums — has evolved into affection for their own music.
Their own numerous songs have clearly managed the creative leap from parody and imitation to original and innovation. The influences are all there, nurturing that groovy Merseybeat/Brit wave of melodic rock into their own rich brand of power pop rock. The Spongetones have a new 18-track album, “Too Clever By Half,” and seeing them live is too much fun to miss. Go for that backbeat ‘n’ rhythm and the “beauty of the melody” with The Spongetones, along with The Doughboys, tonight at The Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte. Call (704)358-9200 or check visulite.com for show info. For more on the band, go to myspace.com/spongetones.
Look for a hot shot of cool rock with The Rockaholics tonight at The Long Branch Saloon in Rock Hill. Based in Fort Mill, The Rockaholics —- Scott Dowless, guitar/vocals; Foster Fegarsky, drums; John Griffin, guitar/mandolin/vocals; JT Layton, guitar/pedal steel/keyboards/vocals; Donny Martin, bass guitar; and Lou Lambruschi, keyboards; plus Eric Eggert, sound man — has been jamming around the area since the mid-198s0 with a song list that runs the gamut from classic rock to current with a dose of originals thrown in the mix for good measure. The Long Branch is at 761 Riverview Road. Call 366-5632 or go to longbranchrockhill.com.
The wait is over, hard rock entity Thee Unright returns to the music scene this Saturday at Charlotte’s Underground. The lineup of the "hard rock and thrash meets moody progressive metal" style band has changed.
Joining Jody Gibson, guitar; Lee Kinghorn, bass; and Wayne Hartsell, drums; now find Chris Tingley as front man/lead vocalist. “We’re looking forward to a rocking show and the chance to break out our new singer,” says drummer Hartsell. Expect a few surprises, new songs, including a cover of the Twisted Sister tune “Burn In Hell,” which Hartsell envisions as a fun-filled opportunity for audience participation.
Join in the hard, heavy, moody mischief of Thee Unright with Tramping Ground, Hephystus and Acquitted Of All Charges at Charlotte's Underground, 4205 Monroe Road, Charlotte. For more info, call (704) 398-0472 or go to myspace.com/charlottes_underground. Get band details at theeunright.com and myspace.com/thee_unright.
Strive to see lots of live music as a labor of love on this holiday weekend. Observe the offerings available out there to amuse and entertain.
• Tuesday: Wild Sweet Orange and What Made Milwaukee Famous at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Emotron, Mose Giganticus, Venomous Snacks and Randy Burke aka Nick Randberg at The Milestone, Charlotte; The Zealots at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; and Country Tuesday at Snug Harbor, Charlotte.
• Wednesday: John Oak Live Acoustic at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Tosco House Party Open Mic; Matthew Ryan vs The Silver State and Leslie at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Stacy Clark, Crash Boom Bang and Cement Stars at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; The Winter Sounds and Chops at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; and Powerhouse at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte.
• Thursday: NeedToBreathe with Andy Davis and Matthew Mayfield at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Open Mic with Dale at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Tift Merritt and Teddy Thompson at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Kyler and Ellery-8 PM and Sirsy at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Yardwork, Mystery of Two, The Lights Fluorescent and Bo White’s Ultimate Triumphants at The Milestone, Charlotte; Yarn, David Stein and The Ravens and Kennebec at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Bill Hanna Jazz Jam at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; and Nelly at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte.
And that was “all she wrote.”
E-mail to jetstar413@aol.com; send materials/press kits/photos/CDs to POB 13, Catawba, SC 29704; and get more info at myspace.com/jetrockmedia.
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