For those about to rock

• The Black Crowes have broken up about as many times as they’ve referenced angels in their songs. But this time could really be it, and — if last year’s Asheville concert is anything to go by — the band has hit its stride. The Robinson brothers serve up Southern rock with a side of LA cool; Chris Robison is likely to rock a poncho as well.

Catch the farewell tour at the Asheville Civic Center on Sunday, Sept. 19. 8 p.m., $41.50.

• Blitzen Trapper takes the stage at The Orange Peel on Tuesday, Oct. 5. 9 p.m., $14 advance/$16 doors.

Seems like it wasn’t so long ago that Portland’s Blitzen Trapper was headlining the Grey Eagle and a little known band called Fleet Foxes was opening the show. Tickets for this show (opener TBA: Anyone want to throw their hat into the ring for that kind of mojo?) go on sale Friday, Aug. 16 at noon.

Watch “Black River Killer” here:

 

• Primus seemed to leap, larger-than-life, from the late ‘80s/early ‘90s monotony of neo folk and faded grunge. The kinetic rush of songs like “John the Fisherman” and “Tommy the Cat” introduced Les Claypool to the world. Earlier this year, original Primus drummer Jay Lane — who had been touring with hippy band Further — rejoined Claypool and company for a tour that includes opening acts Gogol Bordello, Wolfmother, and The Dead Kenny Gs.

Primus will be at the Asheville Civic Center on Wednesday, Oct. 6. 8 p.m., $36.50. Gogol Bordello opens.

 

• Social Distortion has been around since 1978. (Probably longer than Blitzen Trapper’s Eric Earley has been alive.) The California-based punk band has only released a half-dozen albums in its three-plus decades, but they have a lot of rocker cred, what with time off for drug addiction, troubles with the law and band member death. But frontman Mike Ness, now pushing 50 and looking good for it, too, has been with the band the whole time. Press states, “On April 16, 2009 Ness joined Springsteen and the E Street Band on stage at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Songs played included Social Distortion’s ‘Bad Luck’ and Springsteen’s ‘The Rising.’ On May 18, 2009 Mike Ness and Social Distortion played a benefit show at the House Of Blues in Anaheim, California called ‘Rock to Recovery’ and his son joined him on stage and played lead guitar for the song ‘Ball and Chain.’”

Social Distortion plays the Orange Peel on Monday, Nov. 8. 8 p.m., $33 advance/$35 doors.

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About Alli Marshall
Alli Marshall has lived in Asheville for more than 20 years and loves live music, visual art, fiction and friendly dogs. She is the winner of the 2016 Thomas Wolfe Fiction Prize and the author of the novel "How to Talk to Rockstars," published by Logosophia Books. Follow me @alli_marshall

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11 thoughts on “For those about to rock

  1. Dionysis

    Who are The Black Keys mentioned in the first sentence of the home page, that no one can get tickets for?

  2. Stella Blue

    Aug 25: Mondo Generator, feat Nick Oliveri from Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Dwarves, w/Tweak Bird, Skull Thunder, Flopchopper!

  3. Aug 25: Mondo Generator, feat Nick Oliveri from Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, and The Dwarves, w/Tweak Bird, Skull Thunder, Flopchopper!

    Skull Thunder features an Orbit employee, great stuff and we’re stoked about this show. Oliveri scares me.

  4. Piffy!

    I hate hip white people music, but the Black Keys are the exception to the rule.

  5. Geoff Fobes

    Those bands are a little bit too unfashionable for Alli to mention here.

  6. Doug Sahm

    Asheville is getting some stellar music coming through this Fall with some rumors of even bigger news to come from a few very popular bands.
    Moogfest really has the potential to put Asheville on the national music map in a big way (especially if LCD Soundsystem or even *gasp* Daft Punk are added to the bill).
    Also, for anybody who has kind of disregarded The Black Crowes the last decade or so, I highly recommend their last two albums (Before The Frost, Until The Freeze and Croweology). Really opened my eyes (or ears).

  7. ashevillain7

    Asheville has been on the “national music map” for years….I’d go so far as to say international too.

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