Swing South: American Aquarium cd release and dates

Takes something special for me to post on the weekend. Weekends are for rest and not remembering anything.

But that something special is the release of American Aquarium's new album, Small Town Hymns on Last Chance Records.




CD release party is tonight at The Pour House in Raleigh.

Maybe alt-country, maybe bar rock, maybe your new favorite band. Usually I don't get into stuff like this, but their live set totally wins me over every time.

If you're wondering what Lucero was like before they were LUCERO, then listen to American Aquarium.

All southeast dates after the jump (and there are a bunch of them....)


May 1 2010 10:00P CD RELEASE PARTY @ THE POUR HOUSE Raleigh, North Caro, US
May 2 2010 9:00P New Brookland Tavern w/ Sons of Bill Columbia, South Caro, US
May 3 2010 10:00P The Jinx Savannah, Georgia, US
May 4 2010 9:00P Skippers w/ Sons of Bill Tampa, Florida, US
May 5 2010 9:00P Jack Rabbits w/ Sons of Bill Jacksonville, Florida, US
May 6 2010 9:00P Peachtree Tavern w/ Sons of Bill Atlanta, Georgia, US
May 7 2010 7:00P The Windjammer w/ Sons of Bill Charleston, South Caro, US
May 8 2010 12:15P Beaufort Music Festival Beaufort, North Caro, US
May 8 2010 9:00P Evening Muse w/ Sons of Bill Charlotte, North Caro, US
May 13 2010 9:00P The 8X10 w/ Sons of Bill Baltimore, Maryland, US
May 14 2010 9:00P The Studio at Webster Hall w/ Sons of Bill New York, New York, US
May 15 2010 9:00P The State Theatre w/ Sons of Bill Falls Church, Virginia, US
May 16 2010 10:00P The Triple Richmond, Virginia, US
May 17 2010 9:00P Clementine Cafe Harrisonburg, Virginia, US
May 18 2010 10:00P Rhythm & Brews Chattanooga, Tennessee , US
May 19 2010 9:00P Zydeco w/ Sons of Bill Birmingham, Alabama, US
May 29 2010 7:00P Private Event Elkin, North Caro, US
Jun 1 2010 9:00P The Garage Winston Salem, North Caro, US
Jun 2 2010 9:00P The Blind Tiger Greensboro, North Caro, US
Jun 3 2010 9:00P LOCAL 506 CHAPEL HILL, North Caro, US
Jun 4 2010 9:00P The Soapbox Laundro-Lounge Wilmington, North Caro, US
Jun 5 2010 9:00P Hot Summer Nights Myrtle Beach, South Caro, US
Jun 10 2010 9:00P Sky City Augusta, Georgia , US
Jun 11 2010 9:00P The Hummingbird Macon, Georgia , US
Jun 12 2010 9:00P Rafters St. Simons, Georgia, US
Jun 14 2010 9:00P The Engine Room Tallahassee, Florida, US
Jun 16 2010 9:00P Chelsea’s Baton Rouge, Louisiana, US
Jun 18 2010 9:00P The Boiler Room w/ Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers Denton, Texas,
Jun 19 2010 9:00P LaGrange Dallas, Texas, US
Jun 21 2010 9:00P Woody’s Tupelo, Mississipp, US
Jun 22 2010 9:00P The Blind Pig Oxford, Mississipp, US
Jun 23 2010 9:00P Hi Tone Memphis, Tennessee , US
Jun 24 2010 9:00P White Water Tavern Little Rock, Arkansas , US
Jun 25 2010 9:00P Landry’s Fort Smith, Arkansas , US
Jun 26 2010 9:00P George’s Majestic Fayetteville, Arkansas , US
Jun 27 2010 9:00P Fat Jacks Texarkana, Arkansas , US


More after the jump...

Swing South: Chuck Ragan and The Revival Tour

Chuck Ragan: "Rotterdam"

I always liked Hot Water Music. Not really sure about Chuck Ragan as a songwriter himself and his Americana-binge. Seems like he's one of the guys that kind of set this "alt-country is the new punk rock" thing in motion. So here's credit where credit is due. I like punk. I like alt-country. I probably would like Chuck Ragan. His new record, Gold Country popped in September.

He already had a bunch of southern shows, but The Revival Tour has a little steam left. In addition to Ragan, there is Jim Ward of Sparta and Sleepercar, and Jon Snodgrass and Chad Price of Drag The River among others.

Remaining ATL & Florida dates after the jump...



Nov 19 2009
The Masquarade Hell Stage- The Revival Tour 2009 Atlanta, Georgia

Nov 20 2009
Common Grounds- The Revival Tour 2009 Gainesville, Florida

Nov 21 2009
State Theatre- The Revival Tour 2009 St. Petersburg, Florida

Nov 22 2009
The Social- Last Show of The U.S. Revival Tour 2009 Orlando, Florida

More after the jump...

review: Lonnie Walker's These Times Old Times w/ tour dates & vid

It was a name whispered in my ear..."You gotta hear Lonnie Walker." Then Brian over at Bootleg mentions them and books a show. Huh. Then the Ninja Patrol starts it up. And finally I get to hear the Lonnie Walker goodness. Man, he's good. Oh, snap! Not a one-man band anymore, and no one was ever named Lonnie! Ho Ho Ha Ha! Made up of originator, Brian Corrum, Lonnie Walker's new disc got to me the old-fashioned way, making me savor its tasty delights. For These Times Old Times the debut by Lonnie Walker is amazing, great and wonderful, wham bam, thank you ma'am. Lonnie Walker is the apex and culmination of the cultural momentum, one that includes alt-country (Lucero), another one that includes folk-punk (Against Me!/Avett Brothers), and another that loves everything Tom Waits. This is the album that makes every other alt-country band wannabes turn their heads and pick up hardcore again. Because Lonnie Walker does it right and does it true.



"Compass Comforts" with its crowd-pleasing Dixie punk-stomp and fast-pickin. And another that can't be denied is "Summertime." Its quick spittle about corndogs and "wasting gas to go fast in reverse" is the transcendent traditionally structured song that all the kids will love and "Pendulum's Chest" will woo the critics, just as Dead Confederate did last year. With backing from The Annuals' Terpsikhore Records, Lonnie Walker is that amazing awesome thing to burst forth from North Carolina that you will now go and tell all your friends about. You will, yes you will. Tour dates and a vid of "Pendulum's Chest" below.

Jun 16 Charlottesville @ IS Venue w/ Motel Motel
Jun 17 Richmond @ The Triple w/ Motel Motel
Jun 18 Greensboro @ Green Bean w/ House of Fools(acoustic) and Motel Motel
Jun 19 Chapel Hill @ Local 506 w/ House of Fools and Motel Motel
Jun 20 Greenville, NC @ Spazzatorium w/ Howlies, House of Fools, and Motel Motel
Jun 21 Wilmington, NC @ the Soapbox w/ House of Fools and Motel Motel **Bootleg Mag Show**
Jun 22 Charleston, SC @ Ashley Street House
Jun 23 Atlanta @ Criminal Records
Jun 23 Athens @ GoBar (w/ Werewolves, Trashcans)
Jun 24 TBA Sumwarsin, Tennessee
Jun 25 Knoxville @ Pilot Light
Jun 26 Asheville, NC @ New French Bar w/ Nat’l Geografics
Jun 27 Charlotte @ Dugg Dugg Gallery w/ Nat’l Geografics




More after the jump...

More alt-country: American Aquarium

Don't mean for this to turn into an alt-country rant, I'll try and dig up some mellow electro-shoegaze very soon. Despite the obvious name reference, American Aquarium has more of a classic country/honky-tonk feel that makes it hard to believe they played a few dates with Against Me! Fronted by a piano this is a mellow Uncle Tupelo, but some gruffer vocals puts the "alt" and Lucero references in play. No matter, the Raleigh band is playing a ton of shows in Georgia, Florida and even hitting the no man's land of touring groups: Mississippi and Alabama. Video of "Louisiana Beauty Queen" and tour dates after the jump:

More after the jump...