A Nickel Bag of Funk
This locally-based funk/soul and R & B party band has gone through a few lineup changes since their inception a little over 2 years back, but they’ve persevered and have become one of the busier and well-liked acts on the area bar, club and restaurant circuit.
Fronted by lead vocalist Leslie Gadson (whose sultry and freeform approach to the band’s material has as much to do with their appeal as the loose-limbed and sympathetic backing she receives from her facile bandmates), they appear regularly at Tantra on Broughton St. and Casimir’s Lounge in the Mansion on Forsyth Park, but this laid-back, beachside Caribbean eatery in the shadow of the Tybee’s Lighthouse is where they got their start and it remains something of a home base for the group to this day.
One of the few places with live entertainment on Sunday nights, if the weather’s nice it’s a great, breezy place to hang, grab a beer or frozen drink and catch some of the area’s better party bands on an outdoor stage. Plus, it’s open to ALL-AGES.Sun., 6 pm, North Beach Grill (Tybee).
David Allan Coe
This living legend of outlaw country music is a prolific and respected songwriter. He’s also known for crass novelty numbers like “Don’t Bite The Dick.” It’s both touching and fitting that local artist Whiskey Dick and his band will open for DAC, as Coe’s a personal hero to WD frontman Tony Beasley. Tix are $25. Wed., 8 pm, Monkey Business (Hilton Head).
‘The Charleston 9 Benefit’
In memory of the brave Charleston firefighters who recently gave their lives in the service of their community, this Congress St. pub is hosting an afternoon and evening of libations, food and music. Here’s how it works: “DJ Big Daddy Jack” will take requests from a vast music library in exchange for donations — 100% of which are being sent to the surviving families of the fallen firefighters. For more info on how you can contribute to this worthy cause, call the organizers at 443-0855. Sat., 5 pm - 11 pm, Murphy’s Law Irish Pub.
The Roger Moss Quintet
This classically trained vocalist and thespian has found a wonderful group of foils in the versatile members of this jazz-oriented backing group. Anchored by the likes of drummer Josh Safer and guitarist Bruce Spradlin, they are capable of shifting gears from contemporary pop to standards from the American Songbook and into campy cabaret numbers with ease. Impressive, entertaining and tongue-in-cheek all at once, it’s a classier and more nuanced version of everything another sassy local jazz singer (who shall remain nameless) attempted years back — and so much more. Fri., 11:30 am, Johnson Square, 9 pm, Mansion on Forsyth Park.
Passafire
One of the better (and most promising) original bands to ever emerge from our local scene, this reggae and hip-hop hybrid rarely plays in town, because they’re busy on the road. Starting from the same basic templates as iconic innovators like 311 and Sublime, this rock-solid act works hard to put their own stamp on rasta-fied groove music, and the result is a distinctly contemporary vibe that —if anything— is reminiscent of the kind of world-beat vibe being mined of late by Michael Franti (whom they’ve jammed with) and Matisyahu. Sat., 10 pm, Wild Wing Café.
‘Rod-A-Billy Riot’
Anytime there’s a 5-band bill of cow-punk and rockabilly held alongside a car and motorcycle show —focusing on pre-’67 vintage vehicles— it’s certainly worth hyping. Sponsored by the newly-formed female bike club The Bomber Girls (who raise funds for military personnel and volunteer for the USO) with help from The Savannah Derby Devils, Jailhouse Choppers and the National League of POW/MIA Families, this all-day event features vendors, raffles and a donation box for items to be sent to our troops overseas.
Live music starts at 4 pm, including: local outlaw country singer Whiskey Dick; Raleigh, N.C.’s Hearts & Daggers; Atlanta’s own Red Rocket Deluxe and The Rock City Dropouts; and a solo set by Pee Wee Moore of The Tennessee Rounders. $15 admission. For more info: www.myspace.com/bombergirlslrc. Sat., noon, Yong’s Country Club (5115 Ogeechee Rd.).