Grand Rapids’ concert lineup for December’s first full week also boasts Lamb of God, Caravan of Thieves, Melissa Ferrick, GR Symphony Holiday Pops, Decembersongs and some beloved West Michigan favorites. (Videos)
Lamb of God gets the week started on a heavy, very heavy, note at The Orbit Room.
Lamb of God, In Flames, Hellyeah, Sylosis
7:30 p.m. Monday, doors open at 6:30 p.m.
$39
The Orbit Room, Grand Rapids
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If the blood-curdling, low-throated scream that launches Lamb of God’s latest album, “Resolution,” doesn’t scare you, then you’ll probably be in the front row of the “pure American death metal” band’s much-anticipated show at The Orbit Room on Monday night. Luckily for fans, the lead screamer/singer Randy Blythe will be there, too, though he still faces manslaughter charges in Czechoslovakia for a stage incident in which a concertgoer died.
Having seen this band perform previously, there’s one thing I can assure you if you’re not too scared: the drumming alone will amaze you. More details about the show here. And read more in John Serba’s story here.
Churchill brings its tour — and “Change” — to The Intersection this week.
Churchill, Skies Like Diamonds
7 p.m. Tuesday
$10 advance, $12 day of show
The Stache inside The Intersection, Grand Rapids
Catchy doesn’t begin to describe the title track from Churchill’s latest EP, “Change,” a pop-hued, indie-rock/folk soaring comet of a tune by the Denver-based quintet that’s rightly getting some national attention.
And the rest of the album – sort of a cross between Fleetwood Mac and the Avett Brothers – glows pretty impressively, too, especially considering it was entirely self-produced and recorded by the band, which brings its national tour to The Stache (The Intersection’s front lounge). Speaking of looking upward toward the heavens, California rock band Skies Like Diamonds opens the show. Details here. Check out thir “Change” video below.
Lee Brice trucks into Grand Rapids.
Lee Brice, Tyler Farr
Brian Lorente & The Usual Suspects
7 p.m. Thursday
$17.93 advance, $20 day of show
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
How about this string-together tune? “A Woman Like You is Hard to Love Like Crazy in a Truck.”
Lee Brice’s three highest-charting country songs are actually 2009’s “Love Like Crazy,” 2011’s “A Woman Like You” and 2012’s “Hard to Love.” Just this week, he released “I Drive Your Truck,” from his most recent album “Hard 2 Love.”
On Thursday, country station B-93 brings the country singer to The Intersection for a show that actually begins with a pre-party in The Stache (front lounge) featuring Centerfold. This is a 16-and-older show.
Kathy LaMar plays One Trick Pony.
Valentiger, Trapper Schoepp & The Shades, Antrim Dells
9:30 p.m. Thursday
Free
Potato Moon, The Extra Texture
9 p.m. Saturday
$5
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids
Kathy LaMar
8 p.m. Thursday
Troll for Trout Trio
8 p.m. Saturday
Free
One Trick Pony, Grand Rapids
This Thursday/Saturday combination at Founders celebrates two of West Michigan’s most beloved live acts: Valentiger’s pop-laced rock on Thursday night (with a couple of great openers) and the long-running family affair of Potato Moon and its Americana-hued, harmony-laced magic on Saturday (with another great opener). Details online at the Founders website.
The same could be set for the Thursday/Saturday combo at One Trick Pony: Highly regarded Grand Rapds singer Kathy LaMar brings her jazz, R&B and blues to the intimate confines of this venue on Thursday, while Michael Crittenden and his Troll for Trout trio perform their folk-rock faves for what’s certain to be a packed house on Saturday. Make reservations by calling 235-7669.
Caravan of Thieves returns to Grand Rapids on Thursday.
Caravan of Thieves, Fauxgrass Quartet
8 p.m. Thursday
$8
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids
Hailing from Connecticut, this gypsy swing folk band is a hard-touring ensemble that creates a truly memorable, throwback, toe-tapping musical clatter unlike any other group.
The Caravan of Thieves released its latest, appropriately titled album, “The Funhouse,” earlier this year. And Grand Rapids’ own hyper-energetic Fauxgrass Quartet opens the show.
Get ticket information here.
Grand Rapids Symphony Holiday Pops
Thursday-Sunday
$18-$90
DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids
The holidays revel in tradition, whether family or community. For many, the Grand Rapids Symphony Nestle Gerber Holiday Pops concerts – which also feature the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus and Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus – straddle both, with a visit from Santa Claus and performances of classics such as “Deck the Halls” and “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
New York jazz/pop singer (and pianist-songwriter) Tony DeSare, a jazz revivalist of sorts who’s earned attention for singing a wide pantheon of American standards as well as his own originals, guest stars with the Grand Rapids Symphony as part of the concert. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Read more about the show in Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk’s MLive.com story here and get ticket information at the symphony website.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra will unleash its elaborate rock-propelled holiday hoopla in two shows at Van Andel Arena.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
4 and 8:30 p.m. Friday
$31.50-$72
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra seems to up the ante every year with new high-tech bells and whistles in one of the music industry’s most elaborate and eye-popping rock touring shows.
But for those who may have grown weary of the same-old TSO Christmas story, which has been re-told on stage countless times, the 2012 holiday tour offers something different: “The Lost Christmas Eve,” a new production based on the band’s 2004 studio album. And if you’ve never been: grab earplugs and sunglasses because you’ll need them for this spectacle, which appeals to kids, adults and seniors not to mention heavy metal fans and traditional Christmas music devotees.
Another bonus: $1 from every ticket sold goes to charity, thanks to a longstanding partnership with WLAV-FM (96.9). Get tickets here.
Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown
Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown, Citizen Zero
7 p.m. Friday
$10 advance, $12 day of show
The Stache inside The Intersection, Grand Rapids
When young Texas guitarist Tyler Bryant opened for the legendary Jeff Back at DeVos Performance Hall in 2011, I must admit I was duly impressed by his confident, bluesy set. And when Beck invited the then-20-year-old Bryant to play on stage with him for a scintillating cover of Stevie Wonder’s “I Want to Take You Higher,” it was clear that even this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer appreciated the youngster’s burgeoning guitar talent.
Well, Bryant’s got his own band now and his own national tour, with his full-length debut album, “Wild Child,” set for release in January. Catch him now in the ultra-intimate setting of The Stache and I’m betting you’ll be impressed, too. Check out my video of his performance with Beck below.
Cloud Nothings boast one of the albums of the year … and a Holland show this week.
Cloud Nothings, Pistolbrides
8 p.m. Friday
$12 ($5 for Hope College students)
Park Theatre, Holland
Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings’ latest album, “Attack on Memory,” deservedly has been hailed as one of the best rock albums of the year by lofty media outlets Rolling Stone and Pitchfork due to its hard-edged, punky but melodic approach led by frontman Dylan Baldi.
Part of the Hope College concert series, catching this band in this venue is a real coup and one of the last opportunities to see the Cloud Nothings in a while because the group heads overseas early next year. Get more information about the show and tickets here. Grand Rapids’ own Pistolbrides will open the show, making this a true must-see event.
For more about Cloud Nothings and to listen to some of their music, check out their official website.
Melissa Ferrick is sure to deliver a passionate performance at Seven Steps Up.
Melissa Ferrick, Anne Heaton
8 p.m. Saturday
$30 advance, $32 day of show (sofa and table seating also available)
Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
I’ve long wondered why East Coast folk-rock singer-songwriter Melissa Ferrick hasn’t ascended to the level of popularity of such stars as Melissa Etheridge, Brandi Carlile and others who produce high-energy, thoughtful songs that really connect with audiences. With more than a dozen studio albums under her belt and more than two decades of performing on the road, Ferrick certainly has cultivated an uber-devoted audience of fans who rightly appreciate her musical passion.
Opening the show will be Chicago singer-songwriter Anne Heaton, who recently released her new folk-pop album, “Honeycomb,” which has earned a fair amount of praise. Get tickets for this Pindrop Concert here.
Greg Nagy plays the West Michigan Blues Society benefit on Sunday.
Greg Nagy, James Reeser & The Backseat Drivers, Dick Nixon
West Michigan Blues Society Winter Fundraiser
1 p.m. Sunday
$5
Billy’s Lounge, Grand Rapids
Embrace some powerful Michigan-bred blues at Billy’s Lounge on Sunday afternoon, during the West Michigan Blues Society’s annual winter benefit show. Guitarist Greg Nagy and harmonica whiz James Reeser lead the way in an afternoon that will also include a raffle of a guitar signed by Johnny Winter, Janiva Magness, Rod Piazza and many more blues greats, not to mention food from Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop.
Proceeds from the raffle will go to support the society’s fabulous Blues in the Schools program, so it’s a cause definitely worth embracing. Get more information at the WMBS website.
Maia Sharp aims to be in tip-top musical shape at the Tip Top this weekend.
AG and Maia Sharp
6 p.m. Sunday
$10
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Maia Sharp first drew widespread attention about a decade ago when she collaborated with Art Garfunkel on the critically acclaimed “Everything Waits to be Noticed” album. Sharp released her fifth solo album, “Change the Ending,” in August, and recently completed a series of concert dates with Bonnie Raitt and will be heading back out with Raitt early next year.
L.A. singer-songwriter AG, meanwhile, has made quite the splash of sorts with her genre-bending rendition of The Beatles’ “I Wanna Be Your Man,” which has well over 100,000 page views and counting. AG, aka Adrianne Gonzalez, actually recorded an entire EP of Beatles covers. Check to see what the buzz is about this video by watching it here.
By the way, the AG and Maia Sharp tour heads to Ann Arbor’s The Ark after its stop in Grand Rapids, so this is a terrific chance to catch this duo now in a cozy setting.
UNDER-THE-RADAR PICKS
The Koh Kohs
The Koh Kohs CD-Release Concert with The Wealthy Orphans, Just Married, Rusty and Kelsy Vining at Stone House Recording at 7 p.m. Friday ($3) — Much like a house concert setting, this intimate recording studio at 731 Front Ave. NWcould be the perfect way to introduce yourself to The Koh Kohs, an Americana-infused folk-rock outfit led by Alexis and Joshua Kohns, not to mention the bonus of listening to performances by The Wealthy Orphans, Just Married and Rusty and Kelsy Vining. The event will include sales of art by local and national artists, homemade goodies and refreshments. Learn more at the Facebook event page.
And tune into my Local Spins Live radio show at 10 a.m. Wednesday on News Talk 1340 AM when the Kohns will be my guests, chatting a little more about their debut album and performing a song in-studio.
Decembersongs at Spring Lake’s Seven Steps up at 6 p.m. Sunday ($30 advance, $33, day of show) —
Check out this top-notch acoustic holiday show: four nationally acclaimed singer-songwriters – Dan Navarro, Amy Speace, Jon Vezner and Sally Barris – playing original holiday songs in a “Bluebird Café-styled writers-in-the-round” format. Each one of these artists/performers would make a compelling concert in and of itself. The show in this listening room benefits the Greater Ottawa County United Way to help feed the county’s hungry.
Rawk for Tots at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Log Cabin (2401 S. Division Ave.) — Unwrapped toys or a cash donation gets you into this show featuring Hattrick, Union Guns with Small Town Son, Glamhammer and more. The event is a benefit to collect toys for needy West Michigan families.
Fred Knapp Trio featuring jazz pianist Terry Lower at 7 p.m. Sunday at SpeakEZ Lounge (no cover) — With Randy Marsh and Organissimo playing a Christmas party in Chicago this weekend, Fred Knapp and company fill in for what promises to be a fine evening of jazz. And Organissimo returns for its annual Christmas show on Jan. 16.
Churchill
Jeff Beck and Tyler Bryant
Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
