The Foundation Free Fridays series at Tipitina’s continues tonight with the Revivalists. This fast-rising band features a charismatic front man, a horn section and a pedal steel guitarist. That’s right, an indie rock band with a pedal steel! I have seen them a few times and they have a fervent following. This should be another packed show, so get there early.
There’s a new club in town on St. Claude Avenue that I haven’t checked out yet. But tonight, two bands that both impressed me are playing at Siberia. Vagabond Swing is a rockin’ gypsy jazz-style band from Lafayette. I got a tip to check them out at the French Quarter Festival and was really impressed with their energy. This is not your grandfather’s jazz.
I saw Debauche at the Bayou Boogaloo. They play self-described Russian Mafia music and at first I thought the concept was a put on. But the singer is from the Ukraine and they really do play Russian songs. Their energy was through the roof and they had people slam dancing outdoors on a hot afternoon. The fiddle player climbed up on the upright bass while the bassist was jamming. It was crazed to say the least.
Saturday afternoon is the Hash House Harriers annual Red Dress Run and Saturday evening is Dirty Linen Night on Royal Street in the French Quarter. So if you have any energy left head back to Tipitina’s for Big Chief Monk Boudreaux’s CD release party for his latest recording, Won’t Bow Down. I have it on good authority that Reggie Scanlan, the bassist from the sorely missed Radiators, will be holding down the bottom end.
If you’re too pooped to pop and still want to hear some good music, Snug Harbor is the place to be for the city’s foremost jazz singer. Germaine Bazzle is incredible—she takes trumpet solos with her voice.
