L.A. ska band has reputation to live up to at WOW Hall.Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. ska-reggae band the Aggrolites is coming back to the WOW Hall with a new album. The 2 1/2 -star summary of the Rolling Stone rolling stone Noun a restless or wandering person review of the CD, "Reggae Hit L.A.," hardly seems to jibe with the praise-filled text: "This Los Angeles band does ska and reggae rather expertly - and without the boneheaded bone·head n. Informal A stupid person; a dunce. bone  head , party-hearty schlock schlock also shlock Slangn. Something, such as merchandise or literature, that is inferior or shoddy. adj. Of inferior quality; cheap or shoddy. that infested in·fest tr.v. in·fest·ed, in·fest·ing, in·fests 1. To inhabit or overrun in numbers or quantities large enough to be harmful, threatening, or obnoxious: the Cali version of those genres in the '90s," the reviewer writes. "The Aggrolites' third album is long on well-crafted summertime jams." The writer docked them stars because, although well done, he didn't think the songs were "particularly interesting unless you're seeing them live." Well then, no problem. Because the band is in Eugene on Tuesday with a local ska-punk outfit, Wetsock, as openers. The Aggrolites have been together since 2002. They call their style "dirty reggae." Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The show starts at 9 p.m. at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. Tasty Trio Saturday, Luna Thomas & Thomas have a business. Only instead of Band-Aids, they sling "jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. , free-groove funk flows" with their friend Spencer. Together, they are the Tasty Trio, made up of Spencer Finnan Noun 1. finnan - haddock usually baked but sometimes broiled with lots of butter finnan haddie, finnan haddock, smoked haddock haddock - lean white flesh of fish similar to but smaller than cod; usually baked or poached or as fillets sauteed or fried , Luke Thomas and Thomas Macaoidh. Two have music degrees, and percussionist Macaoidh knows how to play all sorts of bangy things. The group's main influences are Soulive and Medeski, Martin & Wood. Saturday's show is a CD release party for the trio's third album, "Serve It Up." The music starts at 9 p.m. for a $6 cover. Luna is at 30 E. Broadway. Jupiter Hollow, Bazil Rathbone Saturday, Wetlands For some of these Saturday shows at the Wetlands, there's not really a clear headliner. It's just a matter of which band you want to see, and if seeing both would keep you up past your bedtime. This week, Jupiter Hollow will go first at 10 p.m., and Bazil Rathbone will close the night out. Jupiter Hollow is, as a news release points out, a "relic" of the Eugene scene. But if you've never heard the band, try blending the Grateful Dead, Santana and the Allman Brothers Band in your mind. Bazil Rathbone does what it calls "experimental Celtic funk," with more emphasis on rhythm than your typical Celtic band. But it's also got the mandolin mandolin (măn'dəlĭn`, măn`dəlĭn'), musical instrument of the lute family, with a half-pear-shaped body, a fretted neck, and a variable number of strings, plucked with the fingers or with a plectrum. and fiddle playing minor key tones that "add specs of melancholy" and keep the mix interesting. The Wetlands Brew Pub & Sports Bar is at 922 Garfield St. There is a $5 cover. Abby Lappen Sunday, Cozmic Pizza Sunday's show will be the Northwest debut for singer-songwriter Abby Lappen. And she's celebrating with a CD party for "Soul Reasons." Lappen hails from Claverack, N.Y. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. her bio, she "displays passion for performance art with her quirky and innovative style and a collection of powerful, evocative songs." Portland's Kenny Lavitz will accompany her on slide and lead guitar. According the Cincinnati City Beat review quoted in her publicity materials, "Lappen doesn't limit herself stylistically, jumping through the worlds of jazz, blues, gospel and great American standards. But it's Lappen's sweet, soulful soul·ful adj. Full of or expressing deep feeling; profoundly emotional. soul ful·ly adv. vocals that are
the main draw."
The show starts at 7 p.m. at 199 W. Eighth Ave. There is no cover charge. Trolls Cottage Thursday, Cozmic Pizza A lot of bands with silly names have equally silly music. And by silly we mean unlistenable un·lis·ten·a·ble adj. Being such that listening with comfort or pleasure is impossible: an unlistenable operatic solo; an unlistenable diatribe. , jam band drudge that calls itself experimental but is really just self-indulgent. That's cool, you know. If you want to have a band, go for it - regardless of how you sound. And if you acquire a fan or two along the way, great. Trolls Cottage is not one of these bands. The singer actually can sing, and its island-flavored rhythms are controlled yet organic. It's not surprising that Spearhead is the group's No. 2 MySpace friend, because electric guitarist and vocalist Mike Marlatt has a bit of Michael Franti's urgent hush in his vocal delivery. Marlatt's voice makes it sound as if there's some wisdom behind the songs, and there is - even if it's mostly obvious, feel good-type wisdom. The group is made up five friends from Vashon Island Vash·on Island An island of west-central Washington in Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma. , near Seattle. The show starts at 9 p.m. for a $5 cover. |
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