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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v5n38 (09/21/2006) » Section: Calendar Spotlight


Kid Congo Powers

Described by Time Out Magazine as the “coolest looking guy in New York,” Kid Congo Powers started out in the late 70s as co-founder of the seminal Gun Club, whose twisted fire and brimstone take on the blues has influenced bands such as The White Stripes and The Black Keys. Kid Congo also played briefly with The Cramps, and did time with Nick Cave in The Bad Seeds. Since then he's worked on his own material, in the dark cabaret-themed Congo Norvell, and also in the Knoxville Girls. A few years back he formed Kid Congo and The Pink Monkeybirds —arguably the hippest band in NYC right now. Their debut, Philosophy And Underwear (Trans Solar), is an abrasive mix of punk, glam, and dark theater. Lyrically, the album is a snapshot of a New York where prostitutes, transvestites, and junkies make their way, all looking for a way out, or at least the next fix. Kid plays at Mohawk Place on Friday (Sept. 22), with the Irving Klaws, 11pm.



Sugarcult

Bursting onto mainstream radio with their 2001 release Start Static, which included the hit songs “Pretty Girls (the Way)” and “Bouncing off the Walls Again,” Sugarcult started as something to tap your foot to, even sing along with, but maybe forget as soon as the next song popped on the radio. Now, with their latest release Lights Out (Artemis Records), the band has made the transition from pop-punk to mature alt-rock. Lights Out is their third album­ and it boasts a decidedly polished sound. The band is currently on tour promoting their latest effort, making a stop at the Buffalo Icon on Saturday (Sept. 23) at 6pm. Also performing are The Spill Canvas, Halifax, Maxeen and So They Say.



Extra Golden

Extra Golden is an international effort between two guys from Nairobi and two guys from D.C.: Otieno Jagwasi and Onyango Wuod Omari of Kenya began in a popular benga band called Orchestra Extra Solar Africa, and Washingtonians Ian Eagleson and Alex Minoff are members of the DC-based rock band Golden. A world beat crossover that sounds like electric rumba, Extra Golden is a bi-lingual dance band with serious lyrics, made more powerful in light of last year's passing of Otieno Jagwasi due to complications from HIV. The three remaining members of Extra Golden will perform at Kitchen Distribution on Sunday (Sept. 24) at 8pm. The CD, Ok-Oyot System (Thrill Jockey), was released this year and remains a testament to this unique and innovative project.



Yellow Swans

Emerging from the Bay area underground circa 2001, electro-noise duo Yellow Swans (Pete Swanson and Gabriel Mindel Saloman) draw layers of abstract noise from disjointed drum machine rhythms, guitar feedback and all manner of broken electronics. The result is a weirdly inclusive brand of mangled glitch disco that elevates the listener rather than locking him behind impenetrable walls of noise. Befitting of DIY anarchists with an avowed idealist agenda, the group’s arcs of reverberating pulses open doors to a shared experience, which is meant to serve as a figure for cultural and political Utopia, not mere mindless banging and scraping. The duo plays at Soundlab with Grouper and Post this Sunday (Sept. 24), 9pm.



Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers

In the past two years, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers have traveled across the country on the “Homecoming Queen Conspiracy Tour,” playing almost 300 shows to promote their self-titled debut album now out on Foundations Records. Performing is nothing new for front man Kellogg, who has been a rocker since his high school days after music trumped his other ambition —to be an actor. His lyrics speak of the hardships of relationships in plain words, sung with an honesty that truly captures listeners. The Sixers back him up with subtle but captivating sounds that complement Kellogg’s lyrics perfectly, not to mention the album’s special guest appearances by the likes of Braddigan from Dispatch, Mike Daly from Whiskeytown, and Rich Price and Rob James from the Clarks. Kellogg and the Sixers play an 8pm show at Mohawk Place on Tuesday (Sept 26). —lisa cialfa



Cursive

If music history works the way I think it should, in twenty years when folks talk about the influential Omaha music scene, Bright Eyes will be more of a footnote and Cursive will be the band that stands the test of time. Tim Kasher and company have had six albums of impassioned, arty rock that trumps their Saddle Creek-mate Conor Oberst even at his whiny best. The upbeat, postcard cover of Cursive’s latest, Happy Hollow, is a deceptive wrapper for the songs within. The record plays like a screed from a middle America tormented by religion gone bad and twisty characters looking for salvation. It is the band’s finest work to date. Supporting Cursive at the Icon on Thursday (Sept. 28) are the ecstatically fun and cool Portland trio the Thermals and another Saddle Creek outfit, Ladyfinger. Doors at 7pm.





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