30 Days Out, September 2021 #2: Schizophonics , Side Pony, Dirty Logic, Thievery Corporation
Lots of cool choices for live music in and around Asheville in the coming thirty days. By now, you know the drill: Most venues are requiring proof of vaccination or results of a legit test within 72 hours prior to entrance. These venues want to stay in business, and they want their patrons to stay alive. Cooperate, and do it with a smile, will ya? Keep our musicians safe too.
Artist: The Schizophonics
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Wednesday, Sep. 22, 8 p.m.
Door: $15
From San Diego comes this high-energy band, one that understands the power and vitality of rock ‘n’ roll. Garage vibes abound, and if your idea of a good time includes bands like King Khan the Shrines, then you won’t want to miss this band. They claim influences including the MC5 and James Brown, and yeah, I hear that and more. They also know how to write a song, and that quality sets ‘em apart from many of their contemporaries. Sane Voids open.
Artist: Side Pony
Venue: Isis Music Hall
Date: Saturday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Door: $14
The debut CD by this Nashville duo recently landed on my desk. Think Absolutely Fabulous meets Americana. Pop songwriting values, a heavy dose of fun and a bit of Music City twang. Note that – and this has nothing to do with the artist – per venue rules, purchase of a ticket obliges you to spend an additional $20 per person or more on food and drink for this outdoor “lawn” show.
Artist: Dirty Logic
Venue: Salvage Station
Date: Sunday, Oct. 10, 7 p.m.
Door: $20 advance / $25 day of show
This grand collective of top Asheville musical talent tackles the smooth, urbane sounds of Steely Dan. Anything less wouldn’t cut it, as the Steely Dan catalog is famously demanding. It sounds a lot simpler than it looks, and therein lies part of its genius. This is an outdoor show.
Artist: Thievery Corporation
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Sunday, Oct. 10, 9 p.m.
Door: $47
The late ‘90s saw the advent of a new sub-style sometimes called trip-hop. The style was exemplified by (the misleadingly-named) Massive Attack, Zero 7 and Thievery Corporation. Deeply hypnotic melodies, sophisticated arrangements, top-flight guest vocalist and an undeniably sexy vibe are among the hallmarks of the music. Decades later it still sounds fresh; Thievery Corporation was and remains better than most in folding world music elements into the heady mix.
See you at the show. Wear your mask already!
Scheduling Note: My standard practice is to post “30 Days Out” on the 1st and 15th of each month, but the five-part series on She Trinity deserved to go online in uninterrupted fashion.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4500-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.