After a long wait, locals Mayflies USA (pictured above) are releasing their third Yep Roc album, Walking in a Straight Line. After making two records here in Chapel Hill with Chris Stamey, the four-piece went to Chicago’s Playland Studios to record with Keith Cleversley (Flaming Lips, Spiritualized), and the pairing yielded the group’s most organic, representative outing to date. Like many guitar-pop bands with an edge, the energy of the Mayflies’ live shows–the three-part harmonies and squalling guitars–never really jumped off their recordings. Until now. Songwriters Adam Price, Matt McMichaels and Matt Long write songs that recall ’60s/’70s guitar rock, much in the vein of Superdrag or early Teenage Fanclub. But don’t lump these guys in with the power-pop crowd. The attitude is pure rock ‘n’ roll. Openers Waxwings are the Detroit pop band that got drunk and shambled through their CD release party, eliciting the best label owner rant (e-mailed, no less) ever. Sounds like a party. Call 967-9053 for details.
The Patty Hurst Shifter celebrates the release of Beestinger Lullabies (reviewed in last week’s Indy) at The Brewery this Friday. The disc, rootsy rock ‘n’ roll, has a guest list comprised of reps from darn near every alt-country band that ever graced the Raleigh scene. Singer-songwriter Chris Smith, says Indy critic Rick Cornell, projects a certain “ruralness via his old-soul voice and booze-hounded, occasionally snarling lyrics.” But the trio, rounded out by Chris’ brother Marc on guitar and drummer Johnny Williams, are hardly honky-tonkers; they play ragged guitar anthems in the grand tradition of True Believers alumni Alejandro Escovedo and Jon Dee Graham. Also on the bill: Regina Hexaphone, Sara Bell’s (Shark Quest) group, and a “comedian friend” (Chris’ description). See them this Friday, July 19, at The Brewery in Raleigh. Call 834-7018 for details. –Angie Carlson
