“It’s a small road in a big world,” says Cactus, a rapper and lyricist for GFE. Cactus and the rest of the nine-member Asheville group are headed home to play a free show after an extended tour of both coasts that’s found them in venues ranging from inner-city hip-hop stages to out-of-the-way punk clubs. Long […]

Of note Filling the Void Asheville-based acoustic/heavy-rock group Off Centre has announced plans to release its debut demo in early spring. The project features Joey Wilton (guitar, vocals) and Koli (bass) performing with former MiniVoid alumni Brandon Lowery (guitar) and Grant Henry (drums). Though there’s no current contact info for Off Centre, the group plans […]

Richard Shulman sits on a comfortable-looking rolling chair placed next to a large black keyboard and two Mac computers. Sometimes, when he turns his head away in thought, the large lenses of his glasses catch a blue-tinted glare from one of the screens, rendering his eyes opaque and glowing. Shulman is a small-framed man, and […]

Of note Melodic bargain-bin rhinoplasty Local electronica-rockers Discount Plastic Surgery are working on a new full-length CD, currently titled Placebo. The effort, slated for release later this month, is a follow-up to the group’s eponymous four-song demo from last year. For more information, visit the group’s Web site (www.foreignbody.com/bands/dps/index.htm). Local vocals Hanging on the wall […]

Of note The artists formerly known as … The Asheville-based rock group last known as The Rugburners has just relaunched itself as The Licks. The band, largely inactive since Bele Chere, also recently announced plans to record a demo CD at Boogie Moon Studio in Fairview. For more information, visit www.licksplease.com. Front-row reviews What: Depravity […]

Front-row reviews Who: Amy Rae & Vitamin Love Where: The College Street Pub When: Saturday, Jan. 4 “Where is Steve Shanafelt? Steve Shanafelt, get up here on the stage!” I stepped one dazed, leaden foot over the other toward the brass rail-encased hardwood dais that serves as the College Street Pub stage. The crowd looked […]

Of note Kane wins fellowship Local singer/songwriter Christine Kane was recently awarded a fellowship by the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. Although no details about Kane’s upcoming residency were offered, the center’s program allows artists to work on their creative projects in relative seclusion for up to two months. For more information about Kane, […]

Of note PHS no more? Boone-based garage-rock duo The Port Huron Statement are now on an indefinite hiatus. Front man Chip Taylor is relocating to Raleigh, and the future of the project looks hazy. The group’s second album, Tory, was released this year. For more information, visit www.porthuronstatement.com. Local vocals We sit on the floor […]

Of note Granola Punk Express? In a very unusual musical development, Adam Strange and Cricket of local hip-hop powerhouse Granola Funk Express have recently announced a new side project: a punk band called Medicine, with former Blue Rags members Mike Rhodes and Bill Reynolds. The group expects to be performing gigs as early as next […]

Of note The elusive, listenable didj: Local didjeridoo player and live electronic-music performer John Vorus has announced plans to release a new solo effort under the guidance of Juno Award-winning producer and ambient-music legend Steve Roach. The currently untitled album is slated for release in late spring. (The Juno is the Canadian equivalent of the […]

Front-row reviews Who: Dick Dale w/The Makeout Room Where: The Orange Peel When: Sunday, Nov. 24 Opening act The Makeout Room performed their super-tight neo-British Invasion set around 9:20 p.m., prompting enthusiastic dancing and head-bobbing. The local five-piece did their stylistic ancestors proud, creating the atmosphere of an early-’60s concert-hall rock show inside the cavernous […]

In 1992, North Carolina native David Sedaris read a story on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition” about his time working as an elf named “Crumpet” at Macy’s Winter Wonderland. It was a clever piece describing Sedaris’ own jaded feelings on the current state of Christmas; and even though it was biting in its criticism of […]

Of note She sings Sidhe songs The all-female vocal-and-percussion group Sidhe has announced plans to release their first full-length CD this spring. The album is currently untitled. For more information, e-mail the group at bluvida@msn.com. Front-row reviews Who: Rudy Roberson Where: Soco Moon Tea House When: Saturday, Nov. 9 “Why on earth is someone like […]

The walls in this place are humming, buzzing with feedback and vibrating so heavily you can literally feel the music, not only in your ears but all the way down to your bones. It almost feels like if the band plays one more note, the walls will buckle and tumble down. From my vantage point […]

Listening room So there you are, sitting alone in your room on another post-break-up night. The love of your life and yourself are — how to put this gently? — splitsville. You don’t want to go out, which would mean leaving the pool of romantic self-pity you’re wallowing in. No, it’s far too soon for […]

Of note Celibate reaches out: Local indie label Celibate Records has recently added a new group to its roster. The Asheville-based punk band Bro-9 will release their first full-length album under the Celibate banner in early 2003. For more information, visit www.celibaterecords.com. Front-row reviews Who: The Sexpatriates w/Doom Ribbons Where: Vincent’s Ear When: Thursday, Oct. […]

Of note Words and deeds: The band The Dead Poets are currently working on their second CD of classic poetry set to a variety of musical styles. According to the group’s Web site, they plan to be finished with the as-yet-untitled project by early 2003. For more information, visit www.thedeadpoets.com. Front-row reviews Who: The Von […]

Front-row reviews About half an hour before “the absolute latest possible time” I told him I’d need his contribution to this column, local poet Greg Brown rushed into Old Europe, where I was waiting, and thrust two sheets of typed paper into my hands. It didn’t have a music review on it. Instead, it was […]