- T. Ballard Lesemann
Music Editor
Elegantly slobby Charlestonian, recently back after 16 years in Athens, Georgia. I remember the Killer Whales, the old Sonny Goldberg ads on TV, the "Happy Rain" kids show, and the Slip-Slidin' waterslide in Mt. P. I find high-quality beer, obscure rock records, and strong coffee irresistible. I edit and write for the City Paper's music section and play drums and make noise for fun.
Category Archives: music
UK punk act Bermondsey Joyriders to play Oasis, 10/16
October 15, 2008 – 2:56 pm
Wow, it would have been cool to know about this gig a week or two out … This just in: U.K. punk act Bermondsey Joyriders — a “loud, fast and furious, no-holds-barred rock ‘n’ roll power trio” comprised of singer/guitarist Gary Lammin (of Cock Sparrer), bassist Martin Stacey (of Chelsea), and drummer Steve Godoy (The [...]
Pick from Music Board: Grace and Wood Bros., 10/15
October 15, 2008 – 2:50 pm
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals w/ The Wood Brothers
The Pour House — Wed. Oct. 15. $17 ($15 adv.)
Bonnie Raitt recently referred to them as “one of the most soulful new bands around.” Taj Mahal calls them an “amazing band.” Local DJ The Critic plays their tune “Falling or Flying” on his Sunday morning Critic’s Choice [...]
Squirrel Nut Zippers at it again
October 14, 2008 – 12:50 pm
Stylish as ever, Chapel Hill swing/jazz/pop group Squirrel Nut Zippers — known best for their brassy 1996 breakthrough hit “Hell” — have recently reunited with most of the original and founding members. Vocalist/uke player Katherine Whalen, singer/guitarist Jimbo Mathis, drummer Chris Phillips, horn player Je Widenhouse, and bassist Stuart Cole are scheduled to perform at [...]
Filthy punk band The Dwarves to play Oasis
October 14, 2008 – 12:31 pm
It’s a good thing local punk rock fan Van Elliot phoned me up last week to make sure City Paper knew about the just-confirmed, all-ages Dwarves gig at the Oasis Bar & Grill (788 Folly Road, 843-225-2522) . We might not have known a thing about it. The gig is set for Fri. Oct. 24.
The [...]
David Byrne in concert at PAC, Dec. 9
October 9, 2008 – 7:21 am
Vocalist David Byrne (formerly of the Talking Heads) is set to perform a concert at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on Tues. Dec. 9 at 8 p.m. Billed as “An Evening with David Byrne: Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno,” the event will feature a mix of new music and dance, including renditions [...]
Evangelical rockstuff, 10/8
October 8, 2008 – 3:25 pm
Evangelicals @ The Tavern Village
It’s not a stretch to compare Evangelicals to their fellow Oklahomans The Flaming Lips. Both share a knack for euphoric psychedelia, lacing fuzz-blossomed guitar melodies with sonic doodads, and upwelling, climactic song structures. Both have frontmen with high, reedy voices that sound as spaced out as the music surrounding them. Where [...]
Trident United Way’s Battle of the Bands, 10/2
September 29, 2008 – 11:32 pm
Trident United Way Battle of the Bands is an annual event “serves to raise awareness about the work of Trident United Way and its nonprofit partners within the tri-county area that rely on volunteers and donors to make our community a better place for all of us to live.” Their third annual Battle of the [...]
Good-bye to legendary drummer Earl Palmer
September 29, 2008 – 3:44 pm
Drummer Earl Palmer — an inventive and influential New Orleans veteran who relocated to Southern California in the mid 1950s — died in Los Angeles on Sept. 19 at the age of 84.
A session man on recordings of such shuffly rock ’n’ roll classics as Fats Domino’s “I’m Walkin,’” Little Richard’s “Long Tall Sally,” Eddie [...]
Blue Dogs reach the 20-year mark
September 29, 2008 – 3:37 pm
Longtime Charleston act The Blue Dogs — a skillful rock/roots band with loyal fans who consistently vote them tops in City Paper’s “Best Local Band” category — celebrate their 20th year together this month. Known for their twangy original tunes, respectfully-rendered bluegrass traditionals, and heartfelt harmonies, guitarist/lead vocalist Bobby Houck and upright/electric bassist Hank Futch [...]
Charleston Music Hall welcomes The Platters, 9/27
September 23, 2008 – 3:39 pm
Fans of early-era R&B and rock ‘n’ roll might wanna catch this elegant show: Wilson Williams & His Platters are scheduled to headline a special fund-raiser concert at the Charleston Music Hall (37 John Street, 843-853-2252) on Sat. Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.
The original Platters formed in Los Angeles in 1953 and quickly found [...]
