Save Our Arts Benefit, 1/28/12

Megafaun, Save Our Arts Benefit, Motorco, Durham NC, 01/28/12, originally uploaded by Ash Crowe.

Great night at Motorco on Saturday for the annual Save Our Benefit for Central Park School’s art programs.

A packed house full of really excellent energy.

After the 3 bands made up of kids from the school played (which I missed, sadly), three of Durham’s best bands took the stage, starting with The Beast.

Then Mount Moriah.

With Megafaun closing out the night.

But, as was the case last year, the real stars of the show were the young poets from Poetic Justice who came on between each band.

Great poems, intense bravery.

The night’s highlight for sure.

full photo set here

Onward Soldiers, Monsters, 1/26/12

Onward Soldiers, Pour House, Raleigh NC, 1/26/12, originally uploaded by Ash Crowe.

Great crowd last night at The Pour House for Onward, Soldiers’ release of their new CD Monsters.

It takes a certain amount of chutzpah for a band not from the Triangle to play their CD release show in Raleigh on a weeknight. But last night’s crowd was proof of how hard the Wilmington band has worked to cultivate a local audience.

And it was also a testament to how long they’ve been working on the record, because at least the front three or four rows of the crowd were not only dancing along, but singing along to the new songs.

The songs on Monsters are a great progression of their sound and the album’s been a long time in the making.

You could see it in the crowd last night, singing along to new songs they already knew the words to. But now, at the CD release, everyone could finally buy those songs on CD (everyone reading should too).

Hammer No More The Fingers & JKutchma opened and both were good to see, as always.

full photo set here

Prison Book Club, 1/25/12

Prison Book Club, Motorco Garage, Durham NC, 1/25/12, originally uploaded by Ash Crowe.

Last night at Motorco’s garage stage, Prison Book Club played a really great set.

Super nice guys, and their brand of classic rock influenced alt country is a really blend of a bunch of the music I love.

If you missed their set, they are playing at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh tonight.

Sinful Savage Tigers & Jeff Stickley opened. And both played really strong sets. Personally, it was great to finally see Sinful Savage Tigers after hearing alot about them.

Overall, it was a well run & on time show (8:15 start, done at 11:15, a+), with the Duke/Maryland game on in the main bar during the show. Good night.

full photo set here

Best View in the World

Isle of Palms, SC, 1/20/12, originally uploaded by Ash Crowe.

Note, this picture was taken and posted all from my hammock looking out on what I think is the best view in the world.

I’m obviously out of town.

But if you are in town this weekend, you should go see JKutchma & the 5/5ths at Casbah tonight, watch the Luchadoras and eat from food trucks at Motorco tomorrow, and then dance all that food off at the Homoground dance party at Pinhook tomorrow night.

Me? my weekend includes long walks on the beach, napping in the hammock, grilling some tasty fish, enjoying the warmth.

Inky Skulls, 1/16/12

Beloved Binge, Pinhook, Durham NC, 1/16/12, originally uploaded by Ash Crowe.

I’m not quiet about my preference for shows that start on time & run without any delays. (And if the show also happens to start early, say 8 or 7, all the better).

So, when I saw Monday’s Inky Skulls/Harvey Sue/Beloved Binge show promoted as a show that would start on time, move quick, and have short change overs between sets – I was sold.

Beloved Binge started promptly at 9 with their charming duo.

Inky Skulls were already set up in the back of the room, so it was just a few quick minutes before they started their set. I was delighted to shoot a band playing in a different part of Pinhook’s space and impressed with the music as well.

Harvey Sue closed out the night by starting with two on the Pinhook’s piano – which I don’t see played nearly often enough.

Before moving to the stage for the rest of the set. I hadn’t had the chance to see Harvey Sue, the one-person band side project of Midtown Dickens’ Catherine Edgerton, yet and it was great to hear the solo songs.

All and all a delightful night of music that, as advertised: was charming, started on time, with little downtime between bands. We could all use more shows like this, particularly on Mondays.

full photo set here