Night sounds: Edit yourself into a good sound at McHale’s

By Debby Jet Jennings - Special to the Herald

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While “ruby-colored activities” might be an intriguing notion, it doesn’t have anything to do with The Redaction, playing Saturday at McHale’s on Main in Rock Hill.

Rather, we discover that “redaction” (re-dak'-shun), from “redact,” actually relates to editing and/or preparing something for publication.

Interesting and good to know, but doesn’t exactly explain the music of this Atlanta-based trio of Mike Jeter, bass/keys; Jared Lace, drums; and Andy Yates, vocals/guitar.

A little digging reveals the band has just released “When I'm Through Making Peace,” its first full-length album of “radio-ready pop/rock” rooted in the rock sounds of the ’60s and ’70s, but solid and savvy enough to hang with contemporary groups like Foo Fighters, Switchfoot and Lifehouse.

Growing up in the South, the band views the Southern experience as “a tapestry of contradiction and harmony” as well as the birthplace of America's greatest music — jazz, blues, gospel, rock and roll — so the music combines those influences. According to Jeter, the record is “who we are — crafted by us, written by us, and produced by us.” He’s cited that the guys are, first and foremost, songwriters and they “bring these songs to life with your basic rock arrangement — guitar, bass, drums and a little organ or piano.” Witness how this trio edits the fundamental rock formula for their own purposes at Saturday’s show. Call 329-8580 for details. Check out the band at myspace.com/theredaction and theredaction.net.

Creativity and design, even in concept form, absolutely drives The Never, playing tonight at Charlotte’s Evening Muse. The band is influenced by magicial musical sounds of The Beatles, Danny Elfman, The Zombies, ELO, David Bowie, T Rex, Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones, then fueled by dual goals of making compelling pop music blended with orchestral tendencies.

The Never features Noah Smith and brothers Joah and Jonny Tunnel. They’re touring in support of “Antartica,” an epic concept album that includes a 50-page, fully-illustrated storybook. Yes, that’s right; it’s an album and a storybook — a full- length CD with a fully-illustrated storybook relating a tale about a boy on a journey with a mission.

Before backing away from something that might sound odd or unusual, bear in mind this appraisal by Billboard Magazine: “There's something instantly endearing about a band that intentionally bucks trends. The inherent bravery required to step apart from the pack can be irresistible, especially when the music by the band in question is top-shelf quality.”

See for yourself tonight at The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St. Call (704) 906-3112 for show details and learn more about the band at thenever.org.

Go for the cool combinations of familiar favorites with the unknown and unusual to keep your live music experiences vital and vigorous. Peruse the various possibilities.

• Tonight: David Wooten All Stars at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; DeVilles at Whispers Lounge, Rock Hill; Robin Rogers at McHale’s Pub, Fort Mill; Acoustic Syndicate at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Luego, Dylan Gilbert, Caleb Caudle and the Bayonets at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; L-Shaped Lot at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Alternative Champs with guest Benji Hughes at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; David Lindley and The Never at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; The Dave Matthews Tribute Band at Amos’ Southend, Charlotte; Rekless Youth with Steve E. Nix and The Cute Lepers, The Power Chord and Avenue Rose at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; Rick Estrin and The Nightcats at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; and Diesel at The Double Door Inn at The Lake, Cornelius, N.C.

• Saturday: Brendan Bengal at Scandal’s, Rock Hill; The Redaction at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; The Belmont Playboys, Jem Crossland and The Hypertonics, and Tommy Ray and the Rayguns at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte; The Amy Broome Trio at The Pewter Rose, Charlotte; GenerationEngage Convention Party at The Neighborhood Theatre, Charlotte; Harvard and Surprise! Arizona at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; Skeeterz Monkey at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; String Cheese Incident at Red Rocks at The Visulite Theatre, Charlotte; Peter Bradley Adams with Dean Fields at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Matone at The Double Door Inn, Charlotte; The Tim Clark Band at The Double Door Inn at The Lake, Cornelius, N.C.; Contagious Blues Band, 4 to 8 p.m. at Carolina Harley-Davidson, Gastonia, N.C.; and Rekless Youth, noon at Battle Slam Jam at Grayson Skate Park, Charlotte.

• Sunday: Xiu Xiu with Evangelista, Common Elder and King Elder at The Milestone, Charlotte; Red Letter Blue with Moanuh Greazuh at Snug Harbor, Charlotte.

• Monday: Find Your Muse Open Mic at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; Scoot Pittman Trio at T-Bones, Lake Wylie; and Keaton Simons with Curtis Peoples and Todd Carey at The Evening Muse, Charlotte.

• Tuesday: John Oak Live Acoustic at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; Country Tuesdays at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; and Keaton Simons, Curtis Peoples and Todd Carey at The Evening Muse, Charlotte.

• Wednesday: Kevin Mattingly and Friends at Puckett’s Farm Equipment, Charlotte; and Killwhitneydead at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte.

• Thursday: Shiprocked DJ Scott Weaver at Snug Harbor, Charlotte; “He Said, She Said” Tour with Sue Foley and Peter Karp at The Evening Muse, Charlotte; and Valencia at Tremont Music Hall, Charlotte.

And that was “all she wrote.”

E-mail to jetstar413@aol.com.