When the organizers of purist rock ‘n’ roll fest Freaky Tiki started planning this year’s event, they knew some changes were in order. Rob Walsh and Todd Colberg, who also play in local group The Spinns, discovered there were too many Tiki-related things going on everywhere they looked. They never received a cease-and-desist order, but […]
Chris Toenes
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The future of Go! Studios
Only a month after venerable local music venue Go! Studios closed its doors, plans are in motion for the spaces therein to be used separately as a recording studio, rehearsal areas and a bar. Rooms One through Three will remain rehearsal spaces for rent by local musicians, coordinated by former Go! manager Ben Dunlap. Nick […]
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Guided By Voices motors away
“Everybody Thinks I’m a Raincloud,” the first track on Guided By Voices’ final record, Half Smiles of the Decomposed, says in its title what many music fanatics find in the band’s songwriter Bob Pollard. Songs have fallen in a downpour since he formed the band in the mid-’80s. The Dayton, Ohio native is currently leading […]
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Save the screen
In the aftermath of an accidental fire that destroyed the screen and power sources for Durham’s beloved Starlite Drive-In, people from around the Triangle are finding ways to help owner Bob Groves recoup and rebuild. Local musician Stephen Mullaney is rounding up bands for a benefit tentatively planned at Ooh La Latte in Durham. “I […]
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Brightleaf goes Offbeat
New record store In encouraging news, another non-chain record shop has opened its doors in downtown Durham. Just opened on July 12, Offbeat Music specializes in jazz, bluegrass, blues and classical CDs, though owner Patrick McKenna stresses that the store will stock all genres and is developing a very diverse collection. Located in a section […]
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NY to NC
Sonic Youth started their noisemaking over 20 years ago in a New York City that was in the throes of a cathartic, downtown musical renaissance. The main idea was transgression, by merging disparate styles like composition and rock and jazz; forget everything you know and experiment. Radical freethinking became the mantra. After releasing epic, forward-thinking […]
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Hot town, summer in the City
Look no further than the Durham Music Festival’s evolution for evidence of a resurgence in Durham’s musical activity and artistic pride. In three years, this annual event has gone from a one-day program with a dozen performers to a two-day, multi-venue festival with over 35 local–and branching out this year to include national–artists. This Friday […]
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Pittsboro calling
Nestled in the countryside of Chatham County near Chapel Hill, a small label quietly releases music by independent artists from this region and others marking another indelible Triangle imprint on the country’s musical landscape. Michael Willis’ Fractured Discs is going strong with three releases in the bag and a fourth on the way in September. […]
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Bass political instincts
When so many bands in this area and across the country are making the occasional political aside, Section Eight is pushing it right to the front, while at the same time creating a glorious, thundering racket. The Durham band played their first show almost exactly two years ago and finally have a CD coming out. […]
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Razzle’s last dance
This show is like one of those “last chance for gas” signs you see on the highway. Razzle is releasing their first full-length player, but they’re also breaking up. So, it’s your last chance to see them rip it up, and another shot to see a show at Go! Room 4, which is closing next […]
