Scarlet Begonias - Dangermuffin

06.06.08 - The Pour House, Charleston, SC

Just like in all of your towns across the nation, we have our little Thursday night post work happy hour thingy here in Columbia. After a stellar dinner celebration at Blue Cactus (Korean Mexican joint), we went down the block for the festivities and weekly tension breaker. This week’s band was Dangermuffin, out of Folly Beach, SC (Charleston). As would be expected, they’re like a lot of beach bands, only about 40 times more inventive. They lay down a lot of Marley and Sublime feeling stuff (and great originals), and it’s clear that they have been playing together for a long time. They’re a tight unit. Check them out in Relix mag. this month - they are on the insert disc, and a band you should know about.

They also play Scarlet like no other cover of it I’ve ever heard. Check out their Pink Floyd “Breathe”, too. It’s hot.

I was in DC today with Graham on business. On the way back to Charlottesville, we stopped outside Nissan Pavilion for lunch. Over lunch, we realized that one year ago we survived a monsoon to see Radiohead perform just down the street from where we were eating. It was one of the best shows either of us has ever seen. This is a video I took with my flip from the back of the orchestra pit. I took one more of Weird Fishes/Arpeggi. Cheers!

Ruby - Amber Collins and No Speed Limit

Grahamfest ‘08 - Blue Ridge Mountains, VA

I was sitting at home Saturday night nursing Friday’s good time. While flipping through the channels, I came across these guys on one of those local access shows. I found myself mesmerized by great musicianship. No question about it, Amber Collins got pipes and Steve Barr’s banjo chops are out of control. The story I hear is that Stevie grew up hanging around his dad’s rural Virginia fiddle shop. Surrounded by bluegrass players on a daily basis he honed his chops practicing banjo daily starting at age 3. Don’t discount the other members, fire flies from their fingertips, too. Give ‘em a listen. 

Music’s Only Outlaw - Yarn

12.04.08 - Arlene’s Grocery, NYC, New York

I really like this clip, because it takes place on home turf. It’s a view of the jazzier side of the band.

Start Wearing Purple - Gogol Bordello
4.27.08 - Coachella Festival, Indio, CA

With Coachella only two days away, TBR bring you hightlights from previous festivals as well as some tracks from artists featured in ‘09.  To start things off, here is an energy packed “Start Wearing Purple” from a standout set by Gogol Bordello in 2008.

Bread and Water - Ryan Bingham

02.23.08 - Workplay Theater, Birmingham, AL

How ‘bout a little Texas slide to get your Monday morning started? Ryan, I personally am glad that you decided to play guitar instead of ride bulls the rest of your life. This song makes me want to take shots of jack and drink PBR’s all day, then go out and shoot things. To be played loud.

Jam>Love Tractor - Widespread Panic

07.04.08 - Rothbury Festival, Rothbury, MI

Creepy, spooky, goodness before the launch into tractor from the six-headed monster.