Monday, January 30, 2012

January 30, 2012

Neil Mauney (Pullman Strike), Alex Kastanas (Cherry & the Tramps), Waxahatchee (ex PS Eliott), Old Milwaukee, and Greg Ellis (Motel Glory)
Show at Lunchbox Records
Reviewed by Kristen Leake


On Thursday, January 19th, Lunchbox Records opened its doors after closing time. A small crowd of people piled into the record store around 9pm. I have attended shows at Lunchbox Records numerous times but this time was different. You know the coffee shop atmosphere created by musicians playing acoustic guitar in the corner? Lunchbox had a very similar ambiance with its dimmed lighting, small group of people and soft chatter but it was very suitable for this type of show.



The show began thirty minutes after its original start time due to the small crowd. Once a few more people trickled inside the record store Neil Mauney from Pullman Strike played. I have seen Pullman Strike play many times so I looked forward to seeing Neil play solo. He played a lot of songs off his recent demo such as, “Son of a Public Servant” as well as Pullman Strike covers. Similar to Pullman Strike, his lyrics are very sincere and carried by strong vocals. You can check out his demo at http://neilmauney.bandcamp.com/ and as well as Pullman Strike at http://pullmanstrikenc.bandcamp.com/



Alex Kastanas, who is a member of the band Cherry and the Tramps, played second. I have heard of Cherry and The Tramps but have yet to see them live. I was very curious about seeing Alex’s set and I was not disappointed. Alex has a beautiful, soulful yet flirtatious voice. I loved her cover of “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse. I’ve never heard the song before but when I went home to listen to it I realized Alex nailed it. She also did a wonderful job with her Gillian Welch covers and a few of her own songs. I asked her about Cherry and the Tramps and she said they played at Snug Harbor on New Year’s but should be playing another show at the Milestone sometime soon.



Waxahatchee (Katie Crutchfield), a former member of PS Eliott, played next. I know a handful of PS Eliot fans attended the show just to see her. The set consisted of songs from the album, “American Weekend” such as “I Think I Love You.” Katie continues to sing with the same delicate yet passionate voice that PS Eliott fans adore. Towards the end, she played a Guided By Voices song “Game of Pricks,” but in her own style. I never had the opportunity to see PS Eliott, but I am glad I finally got to see her live because there are remnants of PS Eliot in her lyrics and voice. You can listen to “American Weekend” at http://waxahatchee.bandcamp.com



Afterwards, Old Milwaukee shook things up. They are a three-piece band inspired by the alternative country music movement. Although they played an acoustic set, they were very lively and captured everyone’s attention with their catchy lyrics and three person harmonies. They played a great cover of Wilco’s “Passenger Side.” The guys joked about how the best songs they played were not their own but they did a great job executing them while keeping their Old Wilwaukee sound. I also enjoyed their original songs such as “Gospel Ship” and “Bad Times.” I have seen them live before but I absolutely love their acoustic set that includes their drummer playing with just a snare drum and a tambourine on his foot. You can listen to a song off of their EP at, http://oldmilwaukee.bandcamp.com/



By then it was getting late for a week-night show and most of the crowd had slipped out of the store but there was only one act left, Greg Ellis from Motel Glory. I saw Greg perform with his full band on New Year’s at Petra’s Piano Bar in Plaza Midwood. I liked his stuff then, so I knew I wouldn’t feel any different about his solo performance. This time around his set was cut short, but it was still fun. The majority of his songs were upbeat and originals influenced by punk and alternative country. My favorite songs from his set were “1st Second Wind” and “Swine Flu”. From what I know, Greg doesn’t have a bandcamp account but his band, Motel Glory definitely does. You can check it out at http://motelglory.bandcamp.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

January 27, 2012


Once again I post on this more than 6 months after the last post. I don't know why it is so hard to keep up with a little blog. Well who knows. As all of the previous posts say, I am going to try and do a little better when it comes to updating this blog. Mainly because this will probably replace the physical zine of Self Aware and we will begin to post interviews, reviews, columns and what ever crap I normally would have cut down trees for in the past.
I'm bummed about the reality of the situation but with the record label (Self Aware), planning a fest (Treasure Fest), being married, and being in two bands, Pullman Strike and Late Bloomer, something has to give. I am currently transcribing two awesome interviews as we speak but for the time being check these Charlotte, NC area bands out...

Young and in the Way
Calormen
One Another
Old Milwaukee
No Power
Hungry Girl
Andy the Doorbum
Blossoms

(p.s. Andy the Doorbum has a double LP coming out Feb. 4th, if you are interested then follow the link, he is also the model for this entry).