And now I present to you, just a few of your musical entertainment options in Memphis this week!
Tonight, April 17
Cursive, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Conduits
Tonight (4/17) at the Hi-tone, Omaha, Nebraska’s Cursive will be rolling through town. Cursive was formed in the late ’90s out of the ashes of Slowdown Virginia (the band that pretty much launched Omaha, Nebraska’s current indie rock scene and the entire Saddle Creek Records family). While they never quite received the mainstream attention that some of their label mates like Bright Eyes, The Faint, and Rilo Kiley did, Cursive has been going strong since their inception and maintaining a loyal following. I have to admit that I still have not picked up a copy of their most recent record, I Am Gemini, but their albums Domestica and The Ugly Organ are two of my absolute favorite indie rock records from the ‘oos. Lately it has seemed that Tim Kasher has been making it a point to bring his projects through Memphis (he performed a solo show at the Hi-tone back in September, and both Cursive and The Good Life have made frequent stops here in recent years). Apparently, Memphis has been showing these guys something they like, so let’s keep that streak going!
Cursive will be joined by Staten Island, New York’s Cymbals Eat Guitar and fellow Omaha, Nebraskans Conduits. Doors open at 8:00pm and the cover is $15. The Hi-tone is an 18 and up venue.
Wednesday, April 18
Paul Caporino, Slate Dump, & Los Psychosis
Tomorrow night (4/18) at Murphy’s (1589 Madison Ave.) Paul Caporino of M.O.T.O. will be playing! The last time Paul Caporino performed at Murphy’s, he was backed by members of the River City Tanlines, so it just came across like a full on M.O.T.O. set anyways! Not sure what his live line-up will be like for this one, but this is a show that will be well worth seeing even if Caporino is on stage by himself. There is no cover for the ladies, and dude’s pay a $5 cover. Check out Caporino’s ReverbNation page here to get an idea of what you are in store for tomorrow night if you are not already familiar with M.O.T.O.’s music. Caporino will be joined by locals Slate Dump and Los Psychosis. Things should kick off at 10:00pm and Murphy’s is a 21 and up venue.
Friday, April 20
Freaquewave Records 4/20 in the Park
While I can’t really say that electronic music has ever been my thing, or that 4/20 is a holiday I’ve ever gotten too terribly excited about, it would seem rude not to mention local electronic label Freaquewave Records’ 4/20 in the park this Friday (4/20 if you haven’t picked up on that yet!). Featuring local djs Loki, Mary Jane, Jeff Williams, Jack B Goode, Foster Tanner, Brian Hamilton, Benergy, and Free Will. This event is at Overton Park in Midtown. While I guess this would technically be an all ages event since it is at a public park, keep in mind the festivities being celebrated (essentially don’t bring your kids and then get pissed off about what the other attendees at this event are doing!) This event kicks off at noon and will continue on until the early evening!
El Karaoke Grande’s Karaoke Madness
Once the folks from Freaquewave Records have gotten you on that special plane, then head to Murphy’s (1598 Madison Ave.) for El Karaoke Grande’s Karaoke Madness!!! El Karaoke Grande does not provide your typical karaoke night (meaning if you are feeling down on yourself and want people to praise your singing abilities by delivering an impeccable version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” then stay at home! This is where you come to sing Gary Puckett and the Union Gap’s “Young Girls” while doing no less than three humping motions on stage!) Want to see a retired luchador kj a karaoke night? Then this is where you need to be. This kicks off at 10:00pm and there is no cover (but please tip your KJ). Murphy’s is a 21 and up venue, and in the spirit of the holiday, songs about drugs are encouraged!
Saturday, April 21
Two Amazing Shows at the Hi-tone
Saturday night at the Hi-tone, come early and stay late!
Domincan Republic hardcore punk band La Armada will be headlining an early show at the Hi-tone (1913 Poplar Ave.) this Saturday (4/21)! Memphis’s own Fat Sandwich records released the band’s newest self titled record back in March! They will be joined by Fat Sandwich label mates Deal Me In (ex-members of The Drawls) and the Hosoi Bros! The Hosoi Bros are another one of those Memphis bands, who due to lack of time on my part, I have been unable to cover as thoroughly as I would like to on this blog. They released an awesome 7″ earlier this year called Wine Witch. Maybe you’ve seen the video?
The early show is all ages and kicks off at 6:00pm! The cover is listed as $5/$10. Not sure if the $10 is to pay for both shows on Saturday, or is the cover that the underage folks have to pay.
At 9:00 the later show kicks off featuring The Dirty Streets and Tiger High! The recent CD release of Tiger High’s Myth Is This has been taking the blogosphere by storm! (Look for a review on this site soon!) The late show is 18 and up and has a $5 cover!
Also on Saturday!
Bayou Bar & Grill (2094 Madison Ave.)
Jack Oblivian
9:30pm, 18 and up, No Cover
The Beauty Shop (966 S. Cooper St.)
Richard James & The Special Riders, Fresh Flesh
9:00pm, 21 and up, $5
I’ll have more updates with more shows listed here later this week! Also don’t forget that Saturday is Record Store Day!!! Want me to list your show on this page? Contact me at memphisrockcity@gmail.com!
