local music news

Two CD release parties are going down on June 5th. Over at Freebird Live Dancell will unveil Where I Hope to Belong, their latest EP. Inside the Target Car, Almost Hollywood and Select Start will also be there to show their support. You could also head to the Ocean Club for The Picture Show’s shindig in honor of their new CD. The Embraced and the Skraelings are scheduled to open. • Southern rock godfathers Molly Hatchet are releasing Justice, their 13th record, on June 1st. In honor of the auspicious occasion, the band will be performing live at the Eclipse on the 11th. • Enjoy a true First Coast sing-off at Jacksonville Harmony’s 2010 Catch a Rising Star contest. The top five female contestants from Northeast Florida high schools will compete to win $1200 and the honor of being this year’s Rising Star. The audience decides the winner so come out and cast your vote. The show takes place on June 19th at the Times-Union Center. • The Jacksonville Public Library will hold their 5th Annual Battle of the Bands at the Main Branch on Saturday, June 26th. The event will feature local teens from all genres and is sure to give us a glimpse into our city’s bright musical future. • Area band merch illustrator Steve Burnell is launching a new clothing line dubbed “Scream Bloody Metal” and is throwing a party at Jack Rabbits to celebrate it. Mauled By A Bear, Late Spring Donkey, Devour the Dead and Dissonant are all scheduled to perform at the June 27th show. See Burnell’s designs at www.cryfacedesign.com and www.screambloodymetal.com
venue of the month
european street
1704 San Marco Boulevard,
5500 Beach Boulevard
www.hackingcat.com,
www.europeanstcafe.com, 399-1740
In addition to the vast array of sandwiches, pitas, wraps and salads on the menu, European Street also serves up a wide variety of music at their two Listening Room locations. Each month local, national and international artists perform their original tunes at E-Street. Folk, Americana, Bluegrass and Jazz acts most commonly take the stage, but the venue also books musicians with a more rockin’ edge from time to time. The eatery is a local favorite and home to one of the best beer selections in town. Each of location features 20 domestic and imported beers on tap and they carry over 150+ different bottled beers for your sipping pleasure. To peruse European Streets menu and beer list visit their website.
coming this month
June 3 Allen Shadd / Bryan McDowell (San Marco)
June 5 Larry Mangum / Laurie McClain / Roy Schneider (Beach)
June 8 Peggie Black (San Marco)
June 12 David Pooler (Beach)
June 17 Panama Red / Jim Carrick (San Marco)
June 22 Bill Prince / Dot Wilder / Ricky Ravelo (Beach)
June 24 The Dundies (San Marco)
get outta town
Sometimes good bands don’t come to us, so we have to go to them! Here are a few road trip-worthy shows to check out this month:
June 1 Jimmy Gnecco Vinyl (Atlanta, GA)
June 3 Leatherface / Young Livers / Ninja Gun EATHERFACE Common Grounds (Gainesville, FL)
June 3 Miniature Tigers / Free Energy The Star Bar (Atlanta, GA)
June 4 I Am Abomination / Jamie’s Elsewhere / Memphis May Fire Transitions Art Gallery (Tampa, FL)
June 4 Cheap Trick House of Blues (Orlando, FL)
June 5 Savannah Wine & Jazz Festival The Westin (Savannah, GA)
June 5 Backstreet Boys Wild Adventures (Valdosta, GA)
June 11 Broken Bells / Morning Benders 40 Watt Club (Athens, GA)
June 11 Andrew Belle / Trent Dabbs / Andy Davis Smith’s Olde Bar (Atlanta, GA)
June 14 Passion Pit / Tokyo Police Club The Ritz Ybor (Tampa, FL)
June 15 Silversun Pickups / Against Me! / Henry Clay People Hard Rock Café (Orlando, FL)
June 19 Good Old War / Yukon Blonde / Audra Mae Blackbooth (Orlando, FL)
June 23 Jeremy Messersmith Smith’s Olde Bar (Atlanta, GA)
June 24 Wintersleep / Matt Pond PA Earl (Atlanta, GA)
spotlight: the dundies
In the past few months, the Dundies have been popping up in lots of different places: at Art Walk, Murray Hill and Jack Rabbits. This month they’ll be at European Street and Murray Hill. In August, they’ll be performing at the Riverside Arts Market.
The Dundies count the Decemberists, Sleeping at Last, Arcade of Fire, Monsters of Folk and Coldplay as influences. But there’s a vintage quality to their music too, as though it wouldn’t be out of place in a 1970s folk fest. The band is down with the banjo and the mandolin. They’re also quite catchy. They share all of these qualities with the Rewinds, who also have the same sort of pop-folk sensibility.
As is common in the folk tradition, these band members take pride in being able to play everything, so they shift the instruments around. The mandolin might be played by Justin Wofford or Levi Speights, the bass can be played by any member and Ashley Speights and Chad Kirkpatrick could be found playing the drums, tickling the keys or strumming the guitar. One thing that seems to stay the same is that Levi tends to take the lead vocals. Switching instruments helps to make them a true ensemble, so they like to do a little improvisational jamming.