Consider this tasty trifecta of performances for a tempting weekend of live musical frolic.
Reel in Kradlefish tonight at Tropical Escape Café in Rock Hill. With classic rock, progressive rock and the blues as their musical bait, this five-piece ensemble features the talents of Ian Carmichael, keyboards/harmonica/vocals; Lauren Pepin, vocals/percussion; Ryan Richard, guitar/vocals; Paul Romanowski, drums/vocals and Lance P. Taylor, bass guitar/vocals.
Based in the Rock Hill area, Kradlefish was formed in September 2009 by veteran musicians aimed at having fun while performing "anything that rocks." It's always a party as reflected by their choice of hits and favorites found on their playlist ranging from Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Grand Funk, Jimi Hendrix, Mountain, Ted Nugent and much more. With the promise of "bringing the party everywhere we go," join the fun tonight at Tropical Escape Café, 564 North Anderson Road in Rock Hill. Call 366-3888 for show details, and go to kradlefish.com to peruse their playlist.
"Legend," "icon" and "renowned" are words routinely thrown around to describe performers or artists, often without compunction. However, Arlo Guthrie - live Saturday at McGlohon Theater in Charlotte - is the real deal, a true legend for all the right reasons.
The eldest son of America's most beloved singer/writer/philosopher Woody Guthrie, his inherited talent and line of ascension were fated as well as heavily influenced by the folk era musicians he grew up with in the 50s/early 60s in New York City.
He was surrounded by and witnessed that first folk phase. Then he saw how it transitioned into the next generation of singer/songwriters, which included Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Jim Croce and others while learning from all, developing his own style and sound.
Skip to the late 60s when Guthrie found his own fame through the 18-minute epic "Alice's Restaurant" in 1967, his Woodstock classic "Coming Into Los Angeles" in '69, then his version of "City of New Orleans" in 1972.
His music exemplifies a rare ability to speak for his generation as well as those who came before him.
You'll find an assortment of kin and friends with him for this current gig tagged as "Arlo Guthrie Boys' Night Out," featuring his son Abe Guthrie, grandson Krishna Guthrie, and longtime collaborator Terry a La Berry, among others.
Journey through time and topic with the quintessential ease of Arlo Guthrie, Saturday at McGlohon Theater at Spirit Square, 345 North College Street, Charlotte. For more details on the concert, call 704-372-1000 or visit blumenthalarts.org. Find a wealth of information about the music of Arlo Guthrie, The Guthrie Foundation, The Guthrie Center and much more at arlo.net.
Third up is the late 80s/early 90s rock band Tesla - live Sunday at The Fillmore in Charlotte. Borrowing their name as well as many titles and references from visionary inventor/engineer/scientist Nikola Tesla, this California-based outfit built their musical persona on '70s hard rock with a shot of blues.
Straightforward and unfussy in style and appearance, Tesla produced three consecutive platinum-selling albums.
The band currently features Jeff Keith, vocals; Frank Hannon, guitar; Brian Wheat, bass; Troy Luccketta, drums and Dave Rude, guitar.
Their best-known hits include "Modern Day Cowboy" and "Love Song," along with a crafty cover of the 1971 hit "Signs' originally recorded by the Five Man Electrical Band.
Unpretentious, blue-collar roots and all, Tesla keeps the rock relaxed, bluesy but thoroughly energetic Sunday at The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Boulevard in Charlotte. Call 704-916-8970 or visit fillmorecharlottenc.com for details, ticket information, directions and more. Find more on the music at teslatheband.com; twitter.com/tesla_the_band; and on Facebook.
Get your motor running and hit the road all around the area for lots of live musical antics and adventures.
Tonight: Threshold at Luke's Sport's Bar and Grill, Rock Hill; Little Johnny Trailer Trash at The Ponderosa, Rock Hill; Matter of Fact at McHale's On Main, Rock Hill; Sol Driven Train at Community Performance Center, Rock Hill; Blair Crimmins and the Hookers at The Edge-DiGiorgio Center-Winthrop, Rock Hill; Live Big at McHale's Irish Pub-Tega Cay, Fort Mill; All Get Out, One Another, Spivey's at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Shoot To Thrill - AC/DC Tribute, Jupiter Tide at Amos Southend, Charlotte; Abbey Road Live at the Visulite Theater, Charlotte; Eric Lindell at the Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Gideon Smith and The Dixie Damned, Poontanglers, Hoodsnake, The Chop Shop-NoDa, Charlotte; Sinners and Saints, Shovels and Rope, Old Milwaukee at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Mindelixir Presents Bass Church 21 at The Fillmore, Charlotte; Franc and Woody at The Saloon-NC Music Factory, Charlotte; John Earle Band Shakedown, The John Earle Band, more at Dixie's Tavern, Charlotte; Cement Stars, Modern Man, Human Pippi Armstrong, Knives and Daggers at the Milestone, Charlotte; Josh Carter at Small's Food and Spirits, Charlotte; Jill Dineen Band at Puckett's Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Delbert McClinton, Lightnin' Malcolm at the Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte; The Stereofidelixs, Michaela Anne Trio, Dark Water Rising at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; and Colt Ford, Matt Stillwell, Out of the Blue at Coyote Joe's, Charlotte.
Saturday: Astrid Haven, Pop Scar at The Money, Rock Hill; Outlaw Symphony at The Ponderosa, Rock Hill; Alan Barrington at Amici Lovin Oven, Rock Hill; Steel Wheels at McHale's On Main, Rock Hill; Square Roots at McHale's Pub-Tega Cay, Fort Mill; Twice Shy at Mac's-Steele Creek, Charlotte; Takeover Concert at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Who's Bad-Michael Jackson Tribute, The Go-Getters at Amos Southend, Charlotte; Josh Carter, Matt Irie, Redemption, Tidal Vibe, more at The Chop Shop-NoDa, Charlotte; The Shack Band at the Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Nita B and Swingin' Soiree at Common Market-Plaza-Midwood, Charlotte; Roy Daye Jr., Cookie Band at Small's Food and Spirits, Charlotte; Early Ray with The Piedmont Boys CD Release Party at Puckett's Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Temperance League, Andy the Door Bum, Bobby Childers at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Trioscapes, Hectagons, Great Architect, more at the Milestone, Charlotte; Franc and Woody at The Saloon-NC Music Factory, Charlotte; and Jennifer Daniels, Montana Skies, David Marfield Parade at The Evening Muse, Charlotte.
Sunday: Dirk Quinn Band, Sun Dried Vibes at The Money, Rock Hill; Next Up Artist Showcase at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; and Dr. Cirkustein, Megan Jean and the JKFB, Funky Geezer, more at the Milestone, Charlotte.
Monday: Monday Night Allstars at the Double Door Inn, Charlotte and Open Mic at the Evening Muse, Charlotte.
Tuesday: Heroes at Last at Mac's-Steele Creek, Charlotte; Bill Hanna Jazz Jam at the Double Door Inn, Charlotte; Thought Criminals at the Milestone, Charlotte and Celtic Woman at Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte.
Wednesday: Jimkata at the Double Door Inn, Charlotte and Ghost Wolves at The Evening Muse, Charlotte.
Thursday: Same As It Ever Was-Talking Heads Tribute at The Visulite Theater, Charlotte; Delusions, Legion, This Fallen Empire, Call Me Captain at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; and Brody and Choch, Shinobi Ninj, Soul Khan, Mr. Invisible, more at Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte.
"And that was all she wrote."
