Highlights for May 22-29, 2008
Bang Camero, Claire Holley, hot picks
Bang Camero
Flashback to the time of air guitar and head banging, music when a Camaro, not a Smart Car, was the ride. Flash forward to today, when a band called Bang Camero is bringing back that hard driving sound that sent herds of fans to the clubs of the ‘80s.
If ‘80s rock is your thing, hang on, because Boston’s five piece band, that claims it has up to 20 lead singers, Bang Camaro, will be at George’s on Saturday night to demonstrate why Rolling Stone, Blender and Spin have all given them some ink.
The Boston Phoenix described them as “Headbanger’s Ball meets Polyphonic Spree” and the Boston Music Awards gave them the Outstanding Rock Band and Best Local Song awards.
Bang Camero’s song “Push Push (Lady Lightning)” put the band on the map when it was included in the Guitar Hero II ™ package. They were also tapped to film a segment for American Chopper and the MTV video game Rock Band.
Word on the street is that some local singers will be joining the band for their NWA performance, but we couldn’t confirm who or if it was really happening, so you’ll just have to go to find out.
Claire Holley
The urge to make music hit Claire Holley at a young age when she was growing up in Mississippi. She took a ukulele to church and ruined her dad’s classical guitar by replacing the nylon strings with steel strings while charting her path.
Holley left Mississippi for Chicago and during her college years there began performing at coffeehouses and writing songs. She next moved to North Carolina, where she recorded “Sanctuary,” a collection of traditional hymns and gospel songs in 1999.
Since then, Holley signed with the venerable Yep Roc Records, moved to Los Angeles and added some sweet country rock to her acoustic folk style. Her songs have appeared on TV’s “Men in Trees” and she earned a nomination fro Best Original Music from the LA Weekly music awards.
She has just released a new album, “Hush,” and it’s a good one. Holley is a true, clear-voiced soprano who can hit the high notes without a whine.
Claire Holley will play GoodFolk at 229 N. Block Ave. in Fayetteville on May 29. Call 521-1812 for tickets.
Local picks
There are a couple of noteworthy shows by local musicians happening this week. A relatively new singer songwriter hitting the scene, Brad Hahn, is definitely worth getting out for on Friday night. He’ll be at Arsaga’s on Crossover.
Hahn says his formative years were heavily affected by cattle yards, mobile home explosions, 18-wheelers, frequent moves and Dr Pepper. He left NWA In 2000 for Los Angeles, but came back to NWA and was the front man for the alt-rock Pleasure Seeking Animals. He dropped out to work on his solo career. Hahn’s first solo album, “Two Halves of Nothing” came out in January, and you can pick up at the show. Anyone who names Mark Sandman and Woody Guthrie as major influences, is A-OK in our book.
Also, on Friday night, Max Recording artists The Good Fear will host a CD release party at George’s. This is one of the very best bands coming out of NWA these days. The band is made up of former members of Lucero, All American Rejects, Paper Hearts, Fulton, Woods Afire, The New Amsterdams and others. Putting it all together are: Zach Holland, Tim Campbell, Jason Rich, Bryan Brown, Dustin Bartholomew and Todd Gill. We guarantee you will be impressed if you’re not already a fan. Take money to buy this CD. Also on the bill are more great NWA players: The Odds and Memphis Pencils and Texas country rocker Wade Bowen.
At the Green Door on Wednesday night, singer songwriter Paul Boatright—formerly of Punkinhead (and what is this we hear about a Punkinhead reunion..somebody please tell us!)—will bring in two talented ladies: Singer and saxophonist Opal Fly who’s been ringing bells in Eureka Springs for a while now and the velvet voiced Tiffany Christopher, a recent transplant from Springfield, Mo. These three could be wowing audiences on national stages, so get out and find out what fabulous musical talent is brewing right here in NWA.
