The post-St. Patrick’s Day musical lineup gets bluesy, funky and folky this week, with national acts and a bunch of West Michigan stars: The Go Rounds, Steve Hilger, Vincent Hayes and more heating up the arrival of spring.
Crypt-Kickers Return: Here Come the Mummies will come alive with their funky, R&B assault at The Intersection this week.
Check out Spins on Music’s take-it-with-you WEEKEND BUCKET LIST at the bottom of this post. Just save the jpeg file on your phone or mobile device so you can plan your entertainment on the go.
For those who survived all that St. Patrick’s Day mayhem over the weekend (which you can check out in photos and a video here), there’s some deathly good musical stuff in store this week in the Grand Rapids area. For those who didn’t, well, I guess you won’t be reading this anyway.
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Scary Good: Here Come the Mummies
Here Come the Mummies, Soul’d Out
7 p.m. Thursday
$20
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
With that in mind, let’s start about six feet under. Believe me, there’s nothing quite like Here Come the Mummies. Garbed like, yes, mummies, this funk and R&B ensemble digs up a host of top-notch Nashville musicians, boasting the names Eddie Mummy, Java, K.W. Tut, Mummy Cass, The Pole, Midnight, Mummy Rah, and The Flu, with album titles such as “Undead Live,” “Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave” and “Hits and Mrs.” Clearly, they have a sense of humor, not to mention a devoted audience that’s packed previous appearances at The Intersection.
Speaking of albums, the band is on tour to promote a Kickstarter campaign aimed at financing release of their latest recording, “Cryptic,” described by Java as “sexy, scary, funny, sweet, low-down, hiked-up and basically kicks ass, baby.” Get details about the Kickstarter campaign here.
Grand Haven’s own Soul’d Out opens the show. Ticket details online here.
Jazzy Blues: The Steve Hilger Band plays Founders.
The Steve Hilger Band
9:30 p.m. Thursday
Free
Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids guitarist Steve Hilger fronts a jazz band and a blues band, so the versatile musician can really give progressive blues a jazzy twist in entertaining fashion, with a hefty assist from a who’s who of West Michigan muscians (John Gist, Steve Talaga, Bill Roelofs and more).
Also, on Saturday, Founders welcomes the return of progressive bluegrass band The Fauxgrass Quartet, with Ann Arbor’s The Moxie Strings opening the show. It’s $5 to get into the 9:30 p.m. Saturday concert but it will be well worth the price of admission what with the ultra-lively performances that both of these outfits tend to uncork. Details online at the Founders website.
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers,
Adversary, The Koh Kohs, Bennett
7 p.m. Friday
$5
Lemonjello’s, 61 E. Ninth St.
This eclectic lineup of up-and-coming Michigan bands makes for a musical smorgasbord at this Holland coffee shop/vegetarian eatery: the psychedelic, soulful indie-folk of mid-Michigan’s Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, plus Grand Rapids’ The Koh Kohs (melodic folk), Adversary (post-hardcore) and Bennett (folk-rock). More info at the Lemonjello’s site.
Mitten Marvels: Graham Parsons & The Go Rounds will headline this week’s Inside the Mitten concert in Muskegon.
Graham Parsons & The Go Rounds,
Lasso, Birdfingers
6 p.m. Friday
$10 advance, $12 day of show
Watermark 920, Muskegon (920 Washington Ave.)
Kalamazoo’s Graham Parsons is part of the Double Phelix musical collective/recording studio, a group of multi-instrumentalists who’ve recorded and performed together. As The Go Rounds, the band creates a dreamy, psychedelic version of folk, art rock and country music, as demonstrated on its most recent album, “feathername.” Lasso is Kalamazoo producer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Catlin; Birdfingers is another Double Phelix collaboration led by songwriter Bennett Young.
This Double Phelix showcase concert represents the March edition of the Inside the Mitten series hosted by Watermark Live at Muskegon’s Watermark 920 as a way of spotlighting the state’s burgeoning musical talent. And tune into my Local Spins Live show at 10 a.m. Wednesday, when Parsons and a couple of his band members will be my guests on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW). Details online at the Watermark website.
Jean Grae
LadyFest GR with Jean Grae,
Nite Jewel, Invincible
6:30 & 10:30 p.m. Friday, 6:30 & 10:30 p.m. Saturday
$6-$15
The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids
The return of this rap, rock and pop “festival” celebrating female artists stars New York hip-hop artist Jean Grae, who’ll headline Friday’s late show (with Brazen, Sarge Da Dame, Lady Ace Boogie and Invincible also on that bill). Once known as What? What?, Grae earlier this year released the “Dust Ruffle” compilation.
Los Angeles pop/rock musician and multi-media artist Nite Jewel will unleash her dance music-inspired, synth-based lo-fi during Friday’s early show, which will also feature Grand Rapids’ own Jes Kramer.
On Saturday, it’s two “variety shows,” with The Doctors’ Wives, Bermudas and Claire Fisher. Get the lowdown and tickets online here.
Reverend Raven (Photo/Chuck Ryan)
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys
8 p.m. Friday
$10
Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids
Of course, it starts with a name that says it all and gets your attention. But Chicago’s Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys also get smokin’ on stage, playing blues inspired by the likes of Freddie, Albert and B.B. King, Magic Sam and T-Bone Walker.
The award-winning band’s return to the confines of the Tip Top is liable blow the lid off the West Side joint. Get more ticket information at the Tip Top’s Facebook page.
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials
Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Jimmie Stagger
Junior Valentine, Crossroads Blues Band
Chilly Blues & Brews
Noon-1:30 a.m. Saturday
$5 after 7 p.m.
The B.O.B., Grand Rapids
This chili cook-off also happens to boast some real stars of the blues scene, headlined by Chicago’s Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials. Lil’ Ed Williams may be small in stature, but this cat – who’s very familiar to West Michigan audiences after previous appearances at Blues on the Mall and Billy’s Lounge – plays a highly energized and entertaining form of electric blues that audiences absolutely love. He’ll take the stage around 7 p.m. Saturday for this free show.
Starting things off at noon will be Grand Rapids’ own legendary Jimmie Stagger, with influential West Michigan guitarist Junior Valentine performing at 3 p.m. Kalamazoo’s Crossroads Blues Band will wrap up the evening at 10:30 p.m. Tasty, for sure. Get more information at the Facebook event page.
The event benefits Michigan State University’s Gran Fondo for skin cancer research.
Keb’ Mo’
Keb’ Mo’
7 p.m. Saturday
$35 seated and $27.50 general admission (advance tickets)
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
Anyone who’s seen Keb’ Mo’ in concert knows that he is the consummate stage performer and musician, boasting a tremendous rapport with his audience and an impressive resume of more than a dozen albums.
The renowned bluesman and soulful singer-guitarist who’s won three Grammy Awards goes solo and acoustic on this 2013 tour as he continues to promote his 2011 album, “The Reflection.”
Dan Navarro
Dan Navarro
8 p.m. Saturday
$30 advance, $32 day of show
(Sofa, table seating also available)
Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
As part of the revered acoustic duo Lowen & Navarro, Dan Navarro has established himself as an in-demand songwriter who’s penned songs for Pat Benatar, Jackson Browne and Keb’ Mo’.
After releasing a dozen albums as a duo, Navarro has performed as a solo artist since 2009. Last year, he released the album, “Shed My Skin,” and has also toured with the Christmas revue, Decembersongs, which recently made an appearance at this pristine, Spring Lake listening room that insists on silence from the audience during concerts. Get tickets at pindropconcerts.com.
The Schrock Brothers
7 p.m. Sunday
$5
Salt of the Earth, 114 E. Main St., Fennville
UPDATE: North Carolina’s Lipbone Redding canceled his Sunday appearance and is being replaced by the Schrock Brothers.
Diversity, wide-ranging experience and exceptional talent: With three-part harmonies and soulful lead vocals, The Schrock Brothers cover a couple of generations, with brothers Andrew (bass, vocals) and Jasen (acoustic guitar, vocals), playing with their father, Mark (guitars, mandolin, fiddle, vocals), along with David Raffenaud on piano, organ and accordion and Michael Shimmin on drums, percussion. (Also, Salt of the Earth this week boasts a special Wednesday night show with Rachael and Dominic John Davis. Call 269-561-7258.)
TobyMac
Winter Jam with TobyMac, NewSong, RED
6 p.m. Sunday
$10
Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids
Christian music’s “Winter Tour 2013 Spectacular” boasts some big names as it swing into West Michigan once again: TobyMac, NewSong, RED, Matthew West, Jamie Grace, Sidewalk Prophets, Royal Tailor, Jason Castro, OBB, Capital Kings. Tickets will be sold at the door.
Classical Revolution (Photo/Jacalyn Wood)
Classical Revolution Grand Rapids
7 p.m. Sunday
Free
SpeakEZ Lounge, Grand Rapids
Bringing classical musicians into a bar setting is a new trend that’s starting to sweep the country. It started in Grand Rapids a couple of months ago at SpeakEZ Lounge with a boost from Detroit’s Rick Robinson and created quite the buzz, so this second edition of tavern-style chamber music at this cozy venue at 600 Monroe Ave. NW should be a real kick. Read the Spins on Music story here.
UNDER-THE-RADAR PICKS
“The Matrix Live” performed by the Grand Rapids Symphony at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at DeVos Performance Hall, $32-$90 – “Matrix” maniacs won’t be able to resist this one: The Grand Rapids Symphony will perform the soundtrack to the movie while the film gets screened in high-def on a giant screen. Get more information online at the symphony website.
Vince Hayes
Blues guitarist Vincent Hayes playing a solo show at 6 p.m. Thursday at Fricano’s Pizza, 5808 Alpine Ave. NW, free – Talk about a rare opportunity in an intimate setting to see one of West Michigan’s most electric blues players, this is it. Vincent Hayes will be as hot as the pizza coming out of those ovens as part of the restaurant’s Winter Blues Scene series. This is the next-to-last show in the series, so don’t miss out.
Acoustic Stew with Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Brant Satala at 8 p.m. Thursday at One Trick Pony in downtown Grand Rapids, free – If you’ve never seen or heard Brant Satala perform, it’s high time you did because he delivers insightful, melodic alt folk-rock material. Call 235-7669 for reservations.
The Weatherheads performing at 8 p.m. Thursday at Rockford Brewing Co. in downtown Rockford, free – The Americana-infused strains of Grand Rapids’ The Weatherheads are always a joy to behold, and maybe even more so in this brewery’s upstairs setting.
Schlitz Creek
Brett Mitchell and The Giant Ghost playing New Holland Brewing in downtown Holland at 10 p.m. Friday, free — Midland singer-songwriter Brett Mitchell’s indie-rock approach is catchy, rootsy and pop-flavored, as expertly demonstrated on his much-acclaimed 2008 album, “Small House.”
Schlitz Creek playing Zellie’s Opry House in Howard City at 7 p.m. Saturday, $8 – This Kalamazoo bluegrass group’s return to Zellie’s should make for a rousing, memorable evening of picking, grinning and foot-stomping. As usual, doors open at 6 p.m.
Zellie’s, by the way, welcomes gospel’s New Outlook Bluegrass Band to its cozy venue on April 6. Get information and directions online at Zellie’s website.
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Email: jsinkevics@gmail.com
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