the hum / By Mark Shikuma

Mr. LaFarge’s Blues

On Monday, aside from the aforementioned Pokey LaFarge show at the Jambalaya, Round Mountain, an eclectic band from Santa Fe, featuring brothers Char and Robby Rothschild, whose background ranges from Balkan and West African styles to Appalachian and other American musical roots music, will be performing an assortment of instruments at Muddy’s Hot Cup. The show’s free, starting at 5 p.m. Hockey, a Portland-based quartet, will be holding court at The Lil’ Red Lion with singer/songwriter Chase Pagan (all the way from Wynn, Ark.), Eureka’s finest surf zombie band, the Invasions, and the Erns, an experimental trio who named their band after a mythical bird: “Bermuda Ern,” created by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. in his novel Breakfast of Champions. Between the Erns and Hockey — who named the 19th century English poet William Blake, U.S. poet Frank O’Hara and Sri Lanka/Brit rapper M.I.A. as their influences — this could be a rather surreal and heady musical experience. At the Six River’s Brewery, Bitter:Sweet, an electronic/trip hop duo from fashionable West Hollywood, will be striding into McKinleyville, as part of their summer tour, promoting their latest release, Drama. Vocalist Shana Halligan and mastermind Kiran Shahani were recently featured on Nic Harcourt’s public radio show, KCRW-FM’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic.”

Local acclaimed musician Chris Wixson will be performing a solo performance at Muddy’s Hot Cup on Tuesday, from 5-7 p.m. Heavy headbanging will be the special of the day at the Lil’ Red Lion, who will be hosting to the hardcore metal band, Sourvein (pronounced, “sour-vein”), originally formed in Cape Fear, N.C. They describe their pounding music as Black Flag (My War-era) meets the Melvins. Bayside-based Machete, featuring Jed Watts, original drummer for Mr. Bungle, and former Buffy Swayze guitarist, John McManus, and Annihilation Time, punk/metal band from Oakland, will be providing the support bashing. For the time being, it appears that Eureka’s Lil’ Red Lion, located at 5th Street between N and S Streets, has been the new haven for Eureka’s music scene, for both touring and local bands, especially since the demise of the Vista, Synapsis and Eureka’s Vet Hall. It is encouraging. Sustain this recent musical venue with your support.

After the breakup of Thee Shams, three former members created the Buffalo Killers, a hard rockin’ trio from Cincinnati. They’ll be bringing their 1970s influenced, guitar-heavy garage sound, to Arcata’s Big Pete’s Pizza, promoting their new record, Let It Ride. They’re akin to 1970s bands like the James Gang (yeah, Joe Walsh’s early Midwest band) and Mountain (with literally heavy Leslie West), combining it with psychedelic sprinklings. And, in case you missed the Ravens rip the Alibi recently, you can have a second opportunity. Arcata’s premier rock band will be opening the show for the Buffalo Killers. Fasten your seatbelts for this show, it’ll be more than a bumpy ride. Or, order your pizza early.

Thanks again to Bob for allowing me to fill in for him while on hiatus. Hope his batteries are re-charged, so to speak. Cheers.

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