click to enlarge L.A. Guns plays Homespun Republic on Friday, July 10.
L.A. Guns plays Homespun Republic on Friday, July 10.
Per usual, the music calendar is bursting at the seams like a fine fellow finishing off a bacon-bettered food item, such as those available downtown this weekend.
Friday brings Indiana singer-songwriter Bill Price back to the Walnut Street Winery for a night of thoughtful and provocative songs. Backed by Bill’s guitar and Grover Parido on cello, the sounds are sweet and the message mighty. In a complete turnabout, Homespun Republic and Tom Hart Concerts host 80s metal band L.A. Guns with guests Dead Till Dark. The concert poster description says, “Legends of the Sunset Strip rock scene delivering high-octane rock-n-roll that is L.A. Guns,” telling the tale in words far beyond my meager ability to relate.
Allow me to proudly announce my return to the legendary round bar, George Ranks, on Friday (6-9 p.m.) after a two-week absence playing gigs elsewhere. On Saturday I’m at the colorful Cafe Brio, as the famed downtown eatery begins a weekly live music performance series featuring local artists starting after the dinner hour. Sunday we celebrate Grover Parido’s birthday at the beautiful Brewhaus. Yippee!
Hosted by Downtown Springfield, Inc. as the replacement for the annual Taste of Downtown festival, the Downtown Bacon Throwdown features food items featuring bacon served by various city restaurants. While the bacon sizzles, live music happens with a great lineup of some of the best area groups on Friday and Saturday, culminating with classic country-pop rockers Pure Prairie League on Saturday night.
Last week I spoke with Mike Reilly, bassist for PPL since 1972, the year Bustin’ Out, their second album, was released. Best known for the song “Amie” (“what-chu gonna do, I think I’m still in love with you”), the band entertained several years of success, took a break in the late 80s, then got back in the game in 1999. Still going strong as a working unit with several original members, Mike enthused, “the band sounds better than ever” and promised to keep performing “as long as people keep coming out to listen.” The musicians are “bringing out songs from 40 years ago” to “keep it going for the fans,” performing about 40 to 50 shows annually, not bad, as Mike says, for guys in their late 60s and early 70s. He noted that at nearly every show someone says they were named after the song “Amie,” including, once, a three generation set of “Amies.” This band should go well with bacon.
The Black Sheep Cafe folks are offering a fun alternative to the downtown event with a vegan potluck at the Southtown venue at 6 after a workday on the BSC grounds. Then inside we go to participate in the 2015 Battle of the Bands for a full day of Black Sheep-ing it.
The Route 66 Hotel & Conference Center hosts a No More Victims 2 fundraiser all day Saturday to support this engaged organization working with victims of abuse. Along with family fun stuff, there’s a free concert with Black Queen, Ted Keylon’s Something or Other and Jay Brook Lipe and the Terrible 2’s to help out NMV2.
On Saturday night, Fault, a band of old friends, including Robert Holland and Nick Beal, are reuniting musically to play the Brewhaus at 9. Nick, the co-host, along with Hector Roman of Mind Grenade, a weekly podcast (available online) about all kinds of things, had me on this week as an interviewee. Check out “Saucy Aussie,” Ms. Anni Piper, for this week’s Tuesday Bluesday night at Coz’s Pizza. The bass-playing blueswoman travels the country and always makes a Springfield stop when possible.
Eat, drink and be merry with some music, my friends.
Contact Tom Irwin at [email protected].