JeWop
If you’re easily offended by politically-incorrect language or misogynistic lyrical conceits, then avoid this Fla. duo of electric bass and trap drums. However, if you’re adept at discerning when someone’s got their tongue in their cheek — or you like having your face blown off by manic, near-virtuosic mayhem, these ace players with mad technical chops and stamina devote themselves to making as much furious ruckus as a full-on hardcore band. Former N.C. beach rats-turned Warped Tour riffmasters ASG close. Fri., 11 pm, The Jinx.
Ruby Dee & The Snake Handlers
This retro roots-rock and swing quintet from Seattle plays everything from Bakersfield-style C & W to Tex-Mex and rockabilly straight from the Sun. Vocalist Dee’s lived and worked everywhere from South America to Alaska, and that wandering spirit informs the band’s attitude toward musical inspiration. They’ve won several awards in the Northeast both before and after signing to respected twang label Dionysus. Fans of Buck Owens, Billy Riley, Los Lobos or The Knitters may appreciate this group. Tues., 10 pm, Mercury Lounge.
Paul Geremia
To give you some idea of how special this blues artist is at what he does, John Hammond —himself a traditional Delta blues icon— once said he’d “drive a thousand miles to see Paul Geremia perform.” Geremia’s a scholar of the genre, and one of the finest finger pickers in the country. His sets include originals as well as timeless tunes from titans such as Robert Johnson and Blind Willie McTell, played on 6 and 12-string guitars, mouth harp and piano. Anyone who cares at all for blues would be foolish to let this show pass them by. Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 for Savannah Folk Music Society members. Wed., March 28, 7:30 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church (520 Washington Ave.) - ALL-AGES.
The Mad Tea Party
One of the most difficult groups in the entire Southeast to pigeonhole, this wonderfully entertaining and downright captivating Asheville trio’s name just about says it all. Echoes of acoustic ragtime, Old-Time C & W, creaky carnival themes, early rock and roll (think Ricky Nelson), and R & B all swirl in and out of the mix. Quirky and precocious, they’re an anachronistic version of the sampling aesthetic which fuels alternative hip-hop — but they’re using upright bass, ukulele, fiddle, guitar, kazoo and toy instruments rather than turntables and digital keyboards. It’s a like a mashup between The Mississippi Sheiks and Little House on The Prairie. Fri., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean - ALL-AGES.
Thunderlip, Christine, I Am Sound
A triple-bill of sludgy guitar overload. Wilmington, N.C.’s Thunderlip has honed the ol’ Skynyrd-meets-Sabbath bit far better than most. Nashville’s Christine plays slightly more by-the-numbers twangy stoner melodrama. And, while up-and-coming locals I Am Sound are still honing their disparate influences (grunge’s glory days, the shoegaze movement, spacey psych-metal) into a cohesive package, they’re one of the more intriguing Savannah rock acts of late. Sat., 11 pm, The Jinx.
Tybee Skatepark Benefit
The move to fund a public skateboarding park on Tybee for area youth continues with this show. Members of locally-based touring metal and punk acts Baroness and Blacktusk will play a set of tunes by Glenn Danzig’s famed band The Misfits — in addition to a rare appearance by Savannah’s own Black Flag tribute act The 10 1/2 (featuring an all-star cast of local players). Wed., March 28, 11 pm, The Jinx.
Vanity
Not to be confused with Prince’s former squeeze, this fetishistic Athens blooze duo nicks from other two-person raw po-mo roots combos (like The Black Keys), but within that already trite format they’re doing their own thing. It’s a bent, raunchy, Fat Possum-esque stomp through deconstructed Led Zep attitude and primitive Chickasaw Mudpuppies hambone. Fans of Jennyanykind’s later stuff should dig it. Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean - ALL-AGES.
“Wine & Song” Showcase
A monthly event pairing an intimate, acoustic, “in-the-round” showcase of original singer/songwriters with a sampling of fine wines — this installment features Tybee’s own blues and soul-inspired songstress Jan Spillane (accompanied by Ben Wells) and her friend, Nashville’s Markham Brown. Call 232-3323 for tickets. Sat., 7 pm, Savannah Wine Shop.
