30 Days Out, September 2022 #2: Cheeksters, The Explorers Club, GA-20, Stereolab
I’ve interviewed three of the four acts spotlighted in this roundup of live music. But I’d recommend them all regardless.
Artist: The Cheeksters
Venue: The Grey Eagle
Date: Saturday, Sep. 17, 6 p.m.
Door: $12
This Asheville-based band is always a delight. Their albums are filled with original songs sporting ‘Small Faces meets David Bowie’ tunefulness, with a dash of Dusty Springfield. The group rarely plays in public, though, and the pandemic certainly didn’t help on that score. So this outdoor gig at the Grey Eagle’s patio is not to be missed. Word has it that they’ve cooked up some new (as in, never heard live) material as well. Lots of features and interviews on the band here.
Artist: The Explorers Club
Venue: The Outpost
Date: Friday, Sep. 30, 7 p.m.
Door: $15
I’ve been following this group for more than a decade; in fact I’ve seen them on every one of their visits to Asheville. Thing is, that makes two or three in 12 years. They nail the AM Gold sound stunningly well, both on note-perfect readings of classic and on their own every-bit-as-delightful original material. Watch for news very soon on an interview with leader Jason Brewer, in glorious stereo! Chelsea Lovitt opens. Multiple interviews and features at this link.
Artist: GA-20
Venue: Salvage Station
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 9:30 p.m.
Door: $25 advance / $30 day of show
I recently reviewed the latest album from this superb blues outfit for Living Blues; it’s not in print yet (hint: it’s great). And I interviewed Matt Stubbs, too; that one’s not out yet, either. But don’t wait for those; go see ‘em. They prove that the two-guitars-and-a-drummer configuration need not be a bore. Monophonics are actually the headliners; Kendra Morris opens.
Artist: Stereolab
Venue: The Orange Peel
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 p.m.
Door: $32
Imagine if a few of your nerdiest music friends put together a band that drew from obscure inspirations like lounge/exotica, French yé-yé and even krautrock. Now imagine that they wrote really good songs and were fun onstage. Now imagine that after 30 years they’re still going strong (albeit without releasing records of new material). That’s Stereolab. Fievel is Glauque opens.
See you at the show!
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.