SETLIST
Vaya con Dios by Collin Yeo
music@northcoastjournal.com
O
ne aspect of this gig that I haven’t relished over the years is reporting when another member of the Humboldt music scene has passed away. I try to keep things light here (mostly) and there is generally nothing light about death, particularly the death of an artist. And despite my own especially mordant sense of gallows humor, I don’t enjoy human suffering any more than your average, reasonable citizen. This guy was a real beacon, too. Sadly, John McManus lost his struggle with ALS last week. As my beat is music, I knew him only as a member of some truly great local bands like The Buffy Swayze and Apocalyptic Music Brigade. I didn’t know McManus personally beyond that, however, the tributes and obituaries floating around right now present a portrait of a humanitarian who genuinely loved his community and was duly loved right back. It’s not like there’s a surplus of people like that so, in whatever capacity I have as a writer and representative of the local music scene, I’d like to wish him safe travels to “the undiscovered country.” And for the rest of you, have a lovely week.
Thursday, Cinco de Mayo I’m happy to see that shows are happening again at the Old Steeple. It’s a lovely venue and unique in its atmosphere (intimate, yet large enough to host some fairly prestigious shows). Tonight is a good one: Micah Nelson, one of Willie’s sons, is bringing his experimental folk act Particle Kid up from Los Angeles to entertain us. I’ve written about this act before when he played at Humbrews and, from what I understand, Micah is well liked in this neck of the woods. Starhopper opens at 7:30 p.m. ($30, $25 advance). And if this one isn’t to your fancy, consider checking out Absynth Quartet here tomorrow night. Same time in the evening and only $15.
Friday
Portland’s Roselit Bone is back in town at Siren’s Song at 8:30 p.m. ($10).
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I really like this group and have always enjoyed the live show. It has a wild and frenetic sound worked out by a large ensemble cast of musicians on diverse instruments, sort of like the E Street Band if they came from David Lynch’s Black Lodge instead of Jersey. Also on the bill are one of my favorite local Clean Girl and the Dirty Dishes play the Siren’s Song Tavern at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 6. Courtesy of the artists acts, Clean Girl and the Dirty Dishes, whose ary Band, a group of local musicians tion for your own personal perambulatolatest record I reviewed favorably during ry meditations (free). who play Jerry Garcia Band covers. This the height of the pandemic (“Hungry for all-ages event kicks off at 3 p.m., is an Love,” Dec. 3, 2020). It still has a place eminently affordable $10 and, like many in rotation in my truck’s collection. Idle Moon Hooch sure is a wild name for a of the all-ages Sunday Humbrews gigs, Spurs opens. band, right? My best guess at reverse-enkids 12 and under are free. So, if you can’t gineering the thought process behind it find a babysitter, the problem is solved. One of my all-time favorite films from is that it’s a portmanteau of sorts arrived Huzzah. the silent era is coming to the big screen at by mixing two slang terms for alcohol but I’m likely wrong. Either way, this tonight with a brand new score, written This is something that I’ve been Brooklyn duo (plus a touring drummer) and performed live by multi-instrumentalist Gregg Moore’s group Greenhorn. wanting to write about for a while but of formerly busking saxophonists make Buster Keaton’s classic 1926 stunt-filled, have held out, waiting for just the right infectious, experimental groove music Civil War-era train flick The General will gig. Well friends, that gig has arrived. featuring uniquely augmented horns that play at the Eureka Theater tonight at 8:30 Savage Henry Comedy Club has been certainly plays well to the festival/dance p.m. with the aforementioned accompahosting Metal Monday nights for a hot crowd. You can check it out tonight at niment ($10). This movie really has everyminute and tonight’s show is gonna be the Arcata Theatre Lounge at 7 p.m. if thing and is basically the equivalent of a smoking. My favorite local power trio you want to get a little taste of what Michael Bay film from the pre-talkie days. of doom The Sturgeons will be sharing NYC’s been enjoying for more than a I’m almost afraid to juice this one up too the stage with Insomniac Syndrome and decade ($18). much because I want to score a ticket. Nan Elmoth, a local black metal group Contact venues for COVID protocols And so, I will mention that there will also of some caliber. This all-ages event gets l be a showing at the Arcata Playhouse the going at 6:30 p.m., and is only $5, so you night before (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. ($20). can tip the bands or maybe even buy Collin Yeo (he/him) would like to some merch. suggest that people of all genders keep I haven’t had a mother since I was a their hands to themselves at shows, Word Humboldt has really built a nice teenager so I’m not sure what people are especially when you’ve been drinking. little scene for itself with its shows and supposed to do with this day. However, Most of us would prefer not having our open mics, and its resilience through the for those of you who have a deadhead cake mashed by strangers, no matter pandemic is certainly laudable. Come see mom, one answer presents itself rather how attractive you might think that is. for yourself at Northtown Coffee at 6 handily. Humbrews is hosting a matinee He lives in Arcata, which, unfortunately, p.m. and maybe grab a little bit of inspirashow with the Magnificent Sanctuhas a few licentious heathens.
Wednesday
Saturday
Monday
Sunday, Mother’s Day
NORTH COAST JOURNAL • Thursday, May 5, 2022 • northcoastjournal.com
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