Phuzz Phest 2016: Some of the Locals...

I'm a local music guy, so I usually approach these festivals (Phuzz Phest & Hopscotch) as a boon; so many of the great local bands all in a couple of days!  There are too many to list here, and I won't be able to see them all.  But below are a handful of videos I've accumulated over recent months/years of some of the better ones playing; a mini-video playlist if you will.  They're listed with the whens and the wheres for this weekend, April 14th-16th.  The wristband shows start on Friday, 15th.

Free Clinic (Thursday, 7:00pm; Texas Pete's Phuzz Phest Kickoff Party, FREE):


Teardrop Canyon (Friday, 7:45pm, The Garage) :


Skylar Gudasz (Friday, 9:30pm, Krankie's):


Naked Gods (Saturday, 7:00pm, Bailey Park):


Zack Mexico (Saturday, 10:45pm, The Garage):


Brett Harris (Saturday, 11:40pm, Test Pattern):


Other NC bands that will be great, because they always are (and I know I'm leaving some good ones out):  Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, Lacy Jags, Jphono1, The Tills, and Body Games.

Later, I'll post my picks for a few of the national/international acts (or locals I haven't seen yet) that I'm particularly looking forward to.  Check out PhuzzPhest.com for the full schedule.

Here Comes the Summer, Darlin’: Free Clinic – Wait It Out

I don’t know what it is.  Being from a beach town (Wilmington, NC), maybe it’s in their blood.  Maybe they absorb the salt from the air, osmotically.  But when I hear FreeClinic, I instantly think waves and sun and sand.  I, too, have saltwater in my veins, so I have a nose for these things.  Oh, maybe it’s also the “ooohs” and “aaahs” that bubble up from underneath Diggin’ My Own Grave and Hide Around, two cuts from their new release, Wait It Out.  Or the beautiful reverb, as on Young.  Or that singer Benjamin Rose outright sings “Here comes the summer, Darlin’” on Better. 

But the WAY he sings it, the WAY it’s played, you feel it.  It becomes summer right in your ears, all around you, in your personal space.  Regardless of that late-season cold snap, or that it’s still not quite warm enough for a day out the waves in a kayak.  But you want it to be.  Wait It Out makes you really want it to be.  But summer’s coming soon enough, and with this album, no worries… they’ve already got yer soundtrack picked out for you. 

Free Clinic definitely has that beachy/retro feel, albeit mixed with a raggedy, slightly garage-y edge.   But unlike many others worshipping at the altar of Brian Wilson, they don’t sound derivative.  Probably because they practice as much or more in the churches of the Descendents and the Strokes (but hey, I thought the Descendents made some damn fine beach tuneage!). 

But back to derivation… or lack thereof.  Free Clinic just has a real way with a hook, a melody.  Generally, they’re making pop music that’s pretty simple – nothing revolutionary.  Not to downplay that.  It’s mu’fuggin’ CATCHY simple pop music.  You have to walk a mighty fine line to create melodies that are austere and unfussy, yet don’t sound like something you’ve already heard.  There are at least 3 or 4 genuine pop gems on this album.  I mean songs that you could see getting picked up and played anywhere -- in that movie, on that commercial – and enjoyed everywhere, by everyone.

Rose’s voice is a highlight.  He’ll switch from a punk-room wail to a bedroom warble, or back, at the right time.  Even when he's revving it up, there’s a sadness about it.  Maybe that’s where the bittersweetness in the band’s overall sound comes from.  This music is drenched in a wonderful heartsickness.  As poppy as it sounds, it’s also a little wounded. 

Part of that is the lyrics of lovesickness and yearning running throughout.  “I’ll be right there if you want me to”, “With you is always better / just want you to remain”.  But I’m not much of a lyrics guy, and I’m a decade or two and a divorce past my ability to wallow in lovesickness.  Part of it is maybe also the descending melodies and off-kilter keys.  Even when happy sounding, these songs have a wonderful sting.  And it’s great that you can feel that in music.

It starts with the upbeat All Over, which definitely has that sting.  It soars, reveling in a flood of feelings, before crashing in desperation with “please tell me when it’s all over.”  After a couple of more down-tempo charmers, one of the afore-mentioned pop gems, Better, grabs you.  It’s a really great song.  Simple strumming and dejected-but-hopeful opening lines climb to a more optimistic tone, backed by chiming double guitars.  And for the life of me, Rose sounds like a young Billie Joe Armstrong here (not usually, though).    

Off My Rocker and No More Problems are two more carat-laden cuts.  They bounce all over the place (as you probably will when you listen).  Both of those were on earlier demo releases by the band.  I have to admit I still like the demo versions of these two songs better (more atmospheric backing vocals and a “softer” feel).  But this album is great on its own merits.  If the worst thing you can say about a band is you like their demos better, they’re doing pretty well.  On these versions, I hear more layered guitar melodies.  That’s where their sound appears headed for now… especially live, with the recent addition of a second guitarist.  Tight, energy-laden rhythms from drummer Wesley Hewett and bassist Morgan Roberts keep pushing those geetars.  On the whole, I’d say Wait It Out is a little more stripped down and cleaner sounding than the band’s earlier releases.

I just got feelz for this album.  Deep feelz.  I don’t know about you, but my summer has begun.

P.S.:  As for those demo versions, I highly recommend getting any of the MixGrotto compilations on the MixGrotto Bandcamp page (the band had a full B-side Demos album up on their page, but it’s unfortunately no longer there).  MixGrotto, also out of Wilmington, makes sort of millenial “mixtapes” with an NC bent; they’ve put out 18(!) so far.   The last couple have those two Free Clinic demos, as well as tunes from other great coastal NC bands such as Astro Cowboy and Zack Mexico, and piedmont bands T0W3RS, Less Western, Echo Courts, Silent Lunch, Daddy Issues… etc. etc.  If you want a good sampler of current NC music, MixGrotto is a great place to start.

Hopscotch Saturday Day Parties (9/6/14)

The day parties are always a highlight of Raleigh's annual Hopscotch Music Festival, and this year was no exception.  Among the plethora of these free daytime mini-fests, the Phuzz Sounds Day Party (now in its third year) is proving to be consistently one of the best.  Thrown at the Hive by the Phuzz Records/Phuzz Phest bunch from over in Winston-Salem, it's my choice as the place to settle in if you just want to pick a single spot to hear lots of great music, without trekking all over downtown.  And maybe to get over your Friday night Hopscotch hangover with some good food (or have a little hair of the dog).

This year had a great line-up, starting with Wilmington's Free Clinic.  I am loving everything these guys put out, including their supposedly "rough" B-side Demos comp.  It's got some great tracks, including the beachy, breezy Wasting Time, which for the life of me I don't remember if they played!  I know they played the (impossibly) even better Off My Rocker, from the MixGrotto Tape 17 Compilation (GET IT HERE!).   Listening to this bands' blissful pop will extend your summer at least a few months, and having missed their nighttime set on Thursday, was the ideal way to start my Hopscotch Saturday.

Free Clinic (at the Hive)

Another great day party was at Slim's.  While I didn't attend it directly, I caught some of it second-hand.  I'd heard Raleigh's Naked Naps was a last-minute add to their Spazzscotch III line-up, which suited me just fine.  Between Free Clinic songs, I caught some of their angular, simple-yet-complex punk from above, on the rooftop at the Hive.

Naked Naps (at Slim's)

Then it was back inside to see See Gulls.  The crowd was beginning to load in for this one, so I opted to stay back and enjoy mostly the sounds (seen them many times lately).  These sounds are truly worthy of the buzz they've been getting, and worthy of the crowds they attracted at Hopscotch (both here and for their show later that night).

People waiting for SeeGulls (which would become a theme for the day)...

See Gulls (at the Hive)

After seeing See Gulls gulling, it was our magnanimous hosts' turn.  Phillip Pledger and Drew Braden (guitar and drums in the first photo below) not only play in Estrangers, but run Phuzz Records... which is developing a habit of signing the buzziest bands around.  They themselves were the first, and their 60's-influenced big melodies and hooks had the crowd warming up for the evening.

Estrangers (at the Hive)

If I was gonna make it to the next day party, I needed sustenance.  So I popped back out to the rooftop again to grab a bite (I shoulda pitched a tent back there).  No sooner do I sit down to order does a crowd begin to build on the roof.  As it turns out, ANOTHER surprise last-minute booking at Slim's down below was setting up and about to start:  Lonnie Walker!  They've been a favorite since I first saw them some time ago, so this was a real lagniappe for me (translation for non-NOLA-folks: "bonus", "extra").  I heard they're finally about to put out their second album, and had a few copies at their opening gig for St. Vincent and Spoon the night before at City Plaza.  This made me doubly disappointed that I missed their City Plaza gig.  But they played a great song (Teenage Poem) that I hope will be on it, and I promise to post a video of it later.

In short, the two shows I accidentally witnessed from the Hive's back deck made the Slim's day party one of the best, if unpredictable, of the festival.

Lonnie Walker (at Slim's)

Back in the Hive, the crowd had swelled even more from the See Gulls set, sardine-like now, to catch t0w3rs.  Raleigh's Derek Torres was becoming the talk of the festival even before (and in anticipation of) the big band set he was planning for his night show at Pour House.  But this was his more typical recent solo set.  Again, I stuck near the back, since I'd seen and photographed t0w3rs many times lately, was fully planning on being at the nighttime set, and wanted to skip out to see what was left of a few other day parties.  As usual, Derek killed; palms of his hands.

t0w3rs (at the Hive)

t0w3rs literally raging against the towers, performing Ours...

I would miss only one band of this great "Phuzzy" line-up at the Hive (Asheville's The Tills, on Phuzz along with Estrangers and t0w3rs).  I caught them at Phuzz Phest in April, and their trash-rock take on Beatlesque sounds was great.  But other sounds beckoned, and my feet were ready to head north (well, to find a pedi-cab to head north).  But here's a shot of them anyway!

Most of the Tills hanging out on the Hive rooftop... 
(I swear the Till on right is Will Clinton's -- of Wichita Falls -- doppleganger.  I even called "Will" to him from behind at the show... I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy.)

So, I hopped some carbon-neutral transpo over to Legend's for the Let Feedback Ring! day party, which (like Slim's) alternated between inside/outside shows.  I had heard good soundz from this DC combo, The Caribbean, on the Hopscotch site, and needed to expand beyond just my milieu of just local bands for at least one day party show.  Online, they sounded sort of breezy/jazzy Euro-pop, which I was in the mood for.  Live however, they reminded me more of 90's guitar-indie, but from a mellower place, which was fine by me.

The Caribbean (at Legend's)

Then it was outside and back to the local thing to see Some Army.  Hadn't seen them in a while (they play far too little since flooding local clubs after releasing their excellent self-titled EP).  Frontman Russell Baggett tells me an album's in the works; yes, please.  As for Hopscotch, the psychy/jazzy/indie take on Americana was a a great segue between the punkiness of earlier shows to the country sojourn I was about to take.  It was a nice setting, outside in a beautiful courtyard, surrounded by green, with a few wafts of air to go with the musical breeze.

Some Army (at Legend's)

As for my sojourn to the country... well, it was really only a few blocks back south (and towards my hotel, which was another bit of lagniappe).  But it was to see best practitioners of the art of country music in these here parts, and that would of course be John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff.  It's been too long since I've seen this bunch; they are always a good time.  The Guitartown Day Party at Berkeley Cafe was a good setting for this:  shotgun room, gotta squeeze to the back (if you want to see the band), just about enough space for dancing to bump into everyone nearby (including the band).  With songs like Everything Except Goodbye and Handfull of Heartaches, Howie hits all the right lyrical notes.  But he has the kind of guitar-slingin' authenticity in his singing and stage presence that only comes from being deeply studied in the roots of country and western music.  Howie's not borrowing from the tradition, he's adding to it (contrary to most current country "stars").

And the band are some genuine players:  Tim Shearer on lead guitar, Billie Feather on bass, Nathan Golub on slide, and (for this show at least) SCOTS drummer Dave Hartman.  Feather takes control of a standup bass bigger than her in a way that is, quite simply, impressive.  And Golub's slide makes everyone I've seen him play with twice as good... always a highlight.  I hear great things about his solo album.

John Howie, Jr., and the Rosewood Bluff (at Berkeley Cafe)
(I didn't go sepia on these because they were country -- well, maybe partially -- it's just that the color versions were just so damn colorful it distracted from the musicians!  Maybe I'll post the color ones on the Facebook page later.)

As the sun began to wane, so did my day party experience.  The Guitartown party was another indoor-in-the-front/outdoor-in-the-back party, and Michael Rank played a sublime set of his dark roots-rock-Americana on the back patio.  The single accompaniment of mandolin lent a sweetness to the outlaw edge that's more apparent when he's with his band Stag.  Equal parts Merle Haggard, Steve Earle, and Keith Richards, No Depression calls him "a contender for the King of DIY Americana".

Michael Rank (at Berkeley Cafe)

The sun sets on a great series of day parties at Hopscotch...

The Berkeley was a pleasant way to end my day partying.  Plus, I was only a short walk from my hotel (for a much needed break before the night shows).

Between Friday night and the day parties Saturday, it had already been a great Hopscotch.  Maybe I was just choosing wisely from the musical buffett, but I hadn't seen a bad show yet.  But keep your eyes on this page; next up, Saturday night! (talk about yer lagniappe)

Free Clinic - "Young"

As I already said on the Facebook page, I know I've been referencing and writing about Wilmington's Free Clinic and Raleigh's GHOSTT BLLONDE a lot lately.  But between them, they give NC two of the best bands ANYWHERE doing the beachy, indie-pop thing. Whereas most bands treading similar territory just ape 50's-60's styles in a slightly updated homage (see Best Coast), these two temper ragged, punk edges with much more original melodies and song structures. This makes them infinitely more interesting and fun.

While GB is a bit more trashy and thunderous, FC are more a kind of breezy punk; their songs  just make y wanna melt into the music.  But they both can  write the heck out of a melody.

So following the GHOSTT BLLONDE video just posted, here's one of Free Clinic from across town the same night.    My camera doesn't quite capture their sound as well as seeing them live, or their recorded stuff.  Go to their bandcamp page and givem a proper listen.