MusiCal (November 2012)

By Don Allred

Assemblage 23/Espermachine

Assemblage 23 and Espermachine apply modern beat science to classic 80s synthpop and industrial rock. A23’s Tom Shear, a longtime video editor, structures dynamically inclusive atmospheres, connecting mind and body music for private and public consumption. Solo studio artist Shear is engagingly up front and armed only with a mic on stage, while backed by A23’s multiple keyboards and live drumming. Another strong voice, James Esper, morphs his own Shear-produced tracks into the touring Espermachine band, with rich, shadowy layers of melodies and grooves to further electrify what Esper calls “the dark dance floor.”

11/05 @ Skully’s, 1151 High St., 8 p.m.

Dethklok/All That Remains/Machine Head/Black Dahlia Murder

In concert, vast images of eternally animated Metalocalypse stars Dethklok rule the screen above the stage, where a live soundtrack is generated by band creator/singer/guitarist Brendon Small, Gene Hoglan, whose drums drive all Dethklok albums, bassist Bryan Beller, who materialized on Dethalbum II, and gets resurrected on the brand new III, plus their longtime touring companion Mike Keneally, once Frank Zappa’s stunning “stunt guitarist.” All That Remains and Machine Head celebrate recent releases For We Are Many and Machine ****ing Head Live!  Black Dahlia Murder flaunt new bassist Max Lavelle, unsanitary shard of Despised Icon.

11/09 @ The LC, 405 Neil Ave., 6 p.m.

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Black Moth Super Rainbow’s 2006 Dandelion Gum conjured suburban meadows and wooded lots touched by a homegrown electronic haze, periodically invaded by the sound of hippies learning to ride motorcycles. It wasn’t surprising to learn they were from Pittsburgh, currently a lovely town, transcending heavy industrial karma. Nevertheless, BMSR’s studio sorcerer/vocalist Tobacco now melts mellow moments into the garage gusto of 2012’s Cobra Juicy. Still, Tobacco’s sonic mask reflects some truly cosmic constellations. BMSR’s live incarnation also includes steadfast guitarist Ryan Graveface, keyboardist Seven Fields of Aphelion, drummer Iffernaut and bassist Bullsmear.

11/09 @ Skully’s, 1151 N. High St., 8 p.m.

She Bears/Sidekicks/Saintseneca

She Bears moved from Athens to Columbus in 2010, as the cascading, complex momentum of the six-piece band’s debut album, I Found Myself Asleep, proved itself to be realistically, resourcefully responding to emotional peaks, earthquakes, everyday plot tweaks, and simple twists of fate. Their influences include: "...deep sleep, no sleep, literal walls of fire, cigarettes...” Now slimmed down to the original quartet, She Bears currently tend to zing with succinct complaints, curveball commentary, sneaky guitar, and restless, robust rhythm. Sidekicks merge punky urgency with power-pop flair; Saintseneca’s folk-rock is fortified by their sharp-eyed Appalachia-to-Columbus saga. 

11/10 @ Ace of Cups, 2619 N. High St., 9 p.m.

Whitey Morgan & 78s/Slim White & Averys

Two Midwestern crews brew the honky tonk blues tonight. Whitey Morgan and the 78s are from Flint, Michigan, also home of Michael Moore. Like Moore’s documentaries, Morgan’s “Buick City” graphically follows Flint’s lost wages, although his sing-along theme song is the equally stubborn, living truth, “Waylon’s Still The King.”  Merle Haggard is another inspiration, shared with Columbus’s Slim White & the Averys, who can take Haggard and Buck Owens’ migrating Cali-visions further afield than Morgan’s backstreet outlaw jukebox. Both bands find the party in classic country, so let your history books have the night off.

11/15 @ Woodlands Tavern, 1200 W. 3rd Ave., 8 p.m.

Caravan of Thieves

Fuzz and Carrie Sangiovanni kept their Caravan of Thieves shows relatively simple at first, with both singers/guitarists faithful to basic early swing. Having added violinist Ben Dean, double bassist Brian Anderson, secondary acoustic stringed instruments, and kitchen percussion, CoT’s unplugged electricity now incites dancing and other spontaneous behavior, onstage and in the audience. Django Reinhardt’s gypsy jazz time-travels with Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and  CoT’s “The Funhouse Exit”: “Don’t go outside, dear/There’s goblins, monsters and politicians everywhere.” We’re invited to bring seasonal ornaments and “odd decor” for the stage (the band will post pictures).

11/18 @ Woodlands Tavern, 1200 W. 3rd Ave., 7 p.m.

Tim Lee 3/Wussy

At least two veteran mom ‘n’ pop indie rock operations grace the stage tonight, with a third band still to be announced at presstime. Taking a caffeinated break from recording, Knoxville’s Tim Lee 3 bring studio-sharpened focus to the stage, tuning up punky blues and catchy jangle. Tim Lee plays guitar, Sara Bauer Lee plays bass, Bill Van Vleet plays drums; all three sing. Cincy’s Wussy is co-led by guitarist/songwriter/sometime singer Chuck Cleaver, whose Ass Ponys gave us the lonesome, active “Little Bastard” (even on MTV), and Lisa Walker, whose piloting vocals vividly shade Wussy’s commitment to attitude and romance.

11/25 @ Ace of Cups, 2619 N. High St., 8 p.m.

Aerosmith/Cheap Trick

At the cracked dawn of the 70s, Aerosmith were sometimes busted for being Stones-wannabees, but that just gave the glammy upstarts more motivation. While most arena rock settled into the mid-70s, Aerosmith’s albums delivered increasingly distinctive excitement. This fall’s all-new Music From Another Dimension reaches to tap the motherlode of their rhinestone prime, as advance tracks boldly suggest. Cheap Trick continue to combine tastefully chiming melodies with bash-it-out showmanship. They seem like alternate universe Beatles, ones who never stopped touring, while going from being cheeky chappies, to old and expansively sarcastic. Looks good on ‘em.

11/25 @ Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., 7:30 p.m.

Trampled By Turtles/Spirit Family Reunion

Duluth’s Trampled By Turtles began in 2003, as the acoustic side project of alt-rockers from several bands, some with metal tendencies. Still acoustic, TBT is now full-time, playing self-described “speedgrass.” Starting with a few bluegrass tunes, pre-bluegrass folk, and tradition-bound originals, they’ve learned to move “out of our comfort zone” when writing, taking it all their own way ‘round the mountain. Also converging via various musical routes, Brooklyn’s Spirit Family Reunion sing and stomp with an old-time, street-corner gospel influence, while testifying to whatever they instigate, witness and hear about, so look out.

11/28 @ Newport Music Hall, 1722 N. High St., 7 p.m.