The News & Observer, "What's Up" in Triangle Music

January 18, 2002

Author: David Menconi; Staff Writer

I almost hesitate to recommend Jucifer, because it's tough to imagine a normal person liking everything on the Athens, Ga. duo's new album, "I Name You Destroyer" (Velocette Records). But then again, you're certainly not normal, are you? "Destroyer" has the occasional pop hook, but mostly it's all about crushing, pulverizing volume. If you enjoy having the top of your head opened up by sonic shock waves, head on over to Local 506 on Sunday. Opening will be equally heavy locals Razzle.

To a certain extent, you can judge people by the company they keep -- and by scanning credits on record covers. Troy Young Campbell's very fine new album, "American Breakdown," was produced by Gurf Morlix, who also handled the board work on 1998's peerless "Lucinda Williams." That should be enough to get any sensible person to go see his performance, a house concert tonight at Cantina Cary (NAP2000@@earthlink.net for details).

Also from planet twang: a triple bill of Steve Howell Band with Brown Mountain Lights and Hobart Willis tonight at Kings; Acoustic Syndicate at Cat's Cradle tonight; mainstream country heartthrob Mark Wills at Longbranch tonight; chanteuse Tift Merritt at the Bynum General Store on Saturday (rescheduled from a snowed-out date this month); Vigilantes of Love Saturday at the Brewery; and Lou Ford with Grand National Saturday at Local 506.

Blues before and after: Roy Melton's Wicked Mojo plays Saturday at Tony's Bourbon Street Oyster Bar, in the group's last show before going on hiatus for a couple of months; and teenage blues prodigy Daniel Ballinger opens for former Muddy Waters sideman Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin on Saturday at the Pour House.

Elsewhere tonight: Regina Hexaphone heads up a triple-bill at Humble Pie with Dents and Port Huron Statement; Greensboro's Weekend Excursion brings pop craft to the Lincoln Theatre; Local 506 has something a lot heavier in mind with American Plague.

Saturday: The venerable Chairmen of the Board at Lincoln Theatre; a Vocal Folkus house concert with Terri Allard (gallica@@bellsouth.net for details); and Wali Ali, touring guitarist for legends including the Jacksons and Marvin Gaye, at the N.C. Museum of History.

And so on: Former Ashley Stove guitarist Matt Brown plays a show with a cellist Sunday at Vertigo Diner, while Pacer is next door at Kings. A-list pop band the B-Sides play the Cradle Tuesday. Ex-Gravity's Pull Suzanne Elliott plays Kings Thursday with Velvet and Marvel.