the hum / By Bob Doran

Red Hot Country

Meanwhile around the corner at Arcata Theatre Lounge, Panache presents an alt. pop showcase featuring John Dwyer‘s pop-folk-psyche band Thee Oh Sees, two San Fran noise pop groups (Sic Alps and The Baths) plus our favorite boy band, Eureka Garbage Company, who were once erroneously declared disbanded here. (Sorry Chris, how was I to know you were just on an extended hiatus?)

Also on Saturday night, the first of what’s planned as an annual event: Redwood Rhythm Review at Redwood Raks is a benefit for Samba da Alegria, the dance/drum troupe that parades around the Plaza every year for the North Country Fair (coming up Sept. 19 and 20). Drummer/band leader JesseJonathon put the showtogether, modeling it after percussion prof Eugene Novotney’s year-end ensemble shows. This one will feature young brother and sister duet Taj and Mira Obarr, Trask (a marimba soloist), marimba duo Behind Bars, African drum ~~~n’ dance by Dun Dun Fare with Company of African Dance Arcata, and a grand finale samba showdown with Janky Mallets and Samba na Chuva vs. SambAmore.

Remember the freaky funk bassist called Freekbass? He’s back at Humboldt Brews Saturday night. Sunday HumBrews has Taarka with David Tiller and Enion Pelta-Tiller playing music they describe as “toxic acoustic explosions splattering off the wall.” HumBrews keeps rolling with a Monday show featuring Flogging Molly bassist Nathen Maxwelland the Original Bunny Gang, a reggae-rock combo that sounds pretty cool. Extra bonus, Ishi Dube and Massagana open. (Ishi also plays Friday night at the Pearl Lounge.)

Over in Eureka Saturday night the Lil’ Red Lion has drunken punks The Barfeeders plus semi-Irish punks The Smashed Glass, hard rockers The Hard Ride, Straitjacket Striptease and one-man-punk-band The Bored Again.

For the danceaholics you have Deep Groove Society at the Red Fox Saturday with electro-grooves by Jsun, The Middle Agent and Jan Van Lier.

Nocturnum has a double shot of dance music that night, a new monthly thing with different sounds in each room that they’re calling Northern Nights. This week Opio from Hieroglyphics, Z-Man, Bay Area hip hoppers Bored Stiff and Equipto and Nocturnum’s regular VJ Itchie Fingaz are all in the big room, with DJ Daneekah and DJ Green B, two SF-based “hot gyal selectahs” (female reggae DJs) in the reggae room.

Coming to Nocturnum on Wednesday, Aug. 26 — a Bad Kitty show with Eureka native dirty bluesman Lightnin Woodcock on tour with Bloodhook. Says Norm from Bad Kitty, “When I told Lightnin Bill he would be playing at what used to be OH’s Town House, he chuckled and said ‘Wow, my grandma used to manage that place for like 25 years.’ Well, I guess now it’s Bill’s turn to work the room. I’m hoping grandma will show up too.” Norm adds, “Bloodhook is tearing it up big time right now. Their drummer, Dusty Watson, plays with many notable acts, including Dick Dale, the Supersuckers and Agent Orange.” The band has recently been touring with Agent Orange, Fear and Total Chaos, aka the SoCal Punk Invasion Tour. The local gig sounds like a wild night, although it’s actually “nights”: Next Thursday, Aug. 27, Lightnin Woodcock and Bloodhook move over to The Boiler Room, then on Friday they’re at the Jambalaya, helping to kick off a weekend with too much music.

Benbow’s Summer Jazz Series is back, bringing two more weeks of jazzy music to SoHum. It starts Thursday, Aug. 20, with the Daugherty, Maez and Wilde Trio. That’s bassist Geoff Daugherty, trumpeter Sam Maez and guitarist Jim Wilde, who works at Benbow and helps put the series together. Friday it’s a “Blue Note Tribute” with saxophonist Francis Vanek and Dent Hand Quintet. Saturday, bassist Chris Amberger returns with Magenta. Sunday, S.F.-based drummer Jimmy Gallagher plays with a quartet. There’s more next weekend: SoHum faves Humboldt Time on Thursday, Aug. 27; Sam Maez Quartet with special guest Lisa Baney on Friday, Aug. 28; a Charlie Parker Birthday Tribute on Saturday, Aug. 29, with sax queen Yolanda Nickell. Closing things out Sunday, Aug. 30, sultry chanteuse Mary Jo Casasanta.

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