30 Days Out, June 2023 #1: Knifeplay, Bnny, The Discs, Yob
We’re all over the place with this edition of 30DO. There’s excellent local-based new (old) wave, as well as touring blues, hard rock and harder rock. Grab some ear protection and head out to dig some live music.
Artist: Knifeplay
Venue: Fleetwood’s
Date: Thursday, June 1, 9 p.m.
Door: $10 advance / $12 day of show
Record labels tend to gravitate toward acts that can be easily pigeonholed: “They’re this or they’re that, so if you like that style, dig this (or that).” So it’s a bit outside-the-box for Topshelf Records to describe Philadelphia-based quintet Knifeplay as “a band that eludes definition.” Happily, they follow that description by mention shoegaze and folk. Hey, you decide. Usually and Haunt3d are on the bill as well.
Artist: Bnny
Venue: Different Wrld
Date: Thursday, June 1, time TBA
Door: TBA
This Chicago five piece released its debut EP, Sucker, in 2017. Fronted by twin sisters Jessica and Alexa Viscius. The band’s well-received long player Everything followed in 2021. Their sound will appeal to listeners who appreciate La Luz, Dehd, Automatic (who’ll be in Asheville soon as well for the Anno X Festival) and similarly indie-leaning rockers. The songs on the new album explore loss, anger, romance and disillusionment, subjects with which Jessica Viscius has firsthand knowledge.
Artist: The Discs
Venue: The Grey Eagle (Patio)
Date: Friday, June 2, 6 p.m.
Door: $10 advance / $12 day of show
The late ‘70s and early ‘80s were an exciting time, with artists stripping away what they viewed as some of rock’s excess. They made sleek, straightforward and highly-charged music. But eventually things went the direction of big hair, shoulder pads, makeup and synthesizers. But Allan Day and his pals remember what was special about that earlier, brief new wave era, and Day’s original music brings it all back in vivid fashion. I interviewed him about it awhile back.
Artist: Yob
Venue: Asheville Music Hall
Date: Thursday, June 15, 8 p.m.
Door: $25 advance / $28 day of show
I haven’t spent a lot of time in the Pacific Northwest, but I suspect there’s something about the atmosphere there that breeds doom metal band. Yob are from Eugene, Oregon, and they’ve been plying their trade – one that pays dividends of the critical acclaim variety – since 1996. Call them doomers, sludge metallers or progheads; they combine it all and make it work. Pallbearer and Toneworthy are on the bill as well.
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.