Arts & Entertainment

Back To School Music Entertainment

Well, it’s back to school for many of us and the end of many summer concert series. The Civitan’s Revive at Five has its final concert tonight, with Band Gap making a repeat performance. The event is on the corner of Fremont and Main in downtown Pocatello, this week sponsored by Fort Hall Casino and catered by Sandy’s Ghett-oh Dogs. A real treat. Band Gap is a locally-based cover band with a set list that spans 50 years of music, including one original about Idaho, popular with the local crowd. Expect covers of Greenday, Tom Petty, Nirvana, The Beatles, Offspring, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, CCR, & Jimmy Buffett to name a few. Thursday morning, a fun indie band from Pocatello will be playing at Mocha Madness. You might remember Spondee from their show at the Bengal Café or more recently at the College Market. Be their friend at www.msypace.com/spondee123. Thursday night, all the way from Dallas Texas, the glam rock 80’s cover band Poison Cherry, "The Ultimate 80's Hair Metal Experience," hits Idaho State University. Expect tunes from Poison, Bon Jovi, Ratt, Guns ‘N Roses, and the like. The street party will be located on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd starting at 6 p.m. Formed about three years ago, the popular group is Nikki Lixx, vocals; D.D. Semons, guitar, vocals; Thrash, guitar, vocals; Rikki Slambora, bass, vocals; and Jakk Wylde, drums. About their show, Lixx and Semons said, “‘Hair Metal’ as a genre is about more than just the music; there is a certain energy that can only be found in late eighties metal. Other than the music we also present the entire stage show, choreography, outrageous outfits, big hair, guitar flips, make-up and everything else that sets this music and the bands that made it famous (and so much fun) apart from other genres. The whole era was known for decadence, partying, excess, and reckless abandonment. All these qualities, and so much more, are exemplified by this music. We want the fans to feel like they are f ..

'Bean' amuses, but inconsistently

By Mike Richmond Rubber-faced British comic Rowan Atkinson pratfalls his way through a trip to France in "Mr. Bean’s Holiday," a harmless but only occasionally satisfying follow-up to 1997’s "Bean: The Movie." For those unfamiliar with Atkinson’s Bean character, think Forrest Gump crossed with Charlie Chaplin – a simpleton of few words, mining comedy from visual gags. The character scored commercially and critically during a run on British television in the 1990s and was successfully exported around the world due in part to the series’ scarcity of dialogue. The first Bean movie was met with tepid critical notices, but it grossed $230 million worldwide on a mere $22 million budget. And therein, apparently, lies most of the inspiration for the follow-up. Not that there’s anything wrong with making a buck (or a pound) on a sequel, but there is something wrong with "Mr. Bean’s Holiday": it’s just not consistently funny, despite Atkinson’s nonstop clowning. The plot of "Holiday" is little more than Bean getting from Point A to Point B – in this case, England to France – during which he gains the companionship of a young boy on a train who’s been accidentally separated from his father. Because both Bean and the father are heading for Cannes, where the father is a judge at the Cannes Film Festival, Bean takes responsibility for getting the boy there – an intention as reassuring as entrusting Mr. Magoo to escort old ladies across busy intersections. Various transportation glitches vex Bean and the boy, setting up abundant opportunities for slapstick. But only a handful of them strike their marks with adequate forcefulness. The funniest features Bean at an open market, dancing, lip-synching, and hamming up an impromptu reenactment of an opera scene for money. Other good bits find Bean on a clunky bicycle effortlessly passing a pack of racing cyclists and Bean attempting to make off with a ridiculously slow motorized scooter. ..

Four Idaho bands, with shows this week

Rather than write about all the live music shows this week, I’d like to introduce four artists in the area, with concerts on Thursday and Friday of this week. Crucial777, a locally-based Christian hardcore rock band, is playing on the ISU quad Thursday the 23rd at 2 p.m. Formed in 2006, Crucial777 is Caleb Fadness, vocals, guitars; Colton Carbol, drums, vocals; and Quinn Carbol, bass. “We are a Christian band and our goal is to let kids know that there is hope! That true life can be found in Jesus Christ,” said Fadness. “That is our message; that is who we are.” Fadness, originally from Anaheim, California lived in Russia for 14 years with his family as a missionary. He and his wife moved to Pocatello last year, when he joined with the Canada-bred Carbols. The band hopes to have a CD recorded this fall or winter. Fans can contact Crucial777 at their website, www.crucial777.com, and can pick up t-shirts and stickers at the show. Also on Thursday, Separation of Self, Neckbrace and the Marada Project perform at the Booth Barn in Pocatello at 7 p.m. Neckbrace, formed in 2004 and based in Pocatello, plays hardcore death and thrash metal. The band is Nick Poppleton, vocals; Pat Moran, guitar; Dave Stevens, bass; and Dan Ditto, drums. Neckbrace also has a message. Poppleton told me, “The two things we hate most in life are meth addicts, because they lie, cheat, steal and have no self worth or aspirations in life to do anything but get high on dope, and sex offenders.” Three members of Neckbrace are fathers, and as such, have a vested interest in securing a safe community for their children. The band has a strong following in the Pocatello area, and they love their fans who come out to sing and dance. Three fan fav’s are Large In Charge Marge, Punish Them All, and Curbstomped. Check out Neckbrace’s website at www.myspace.com/neckbracemusic for more information and to drop them a line. The band has a 6-song EP that will be available ..

'Superbad' is hilarious, crude

By Mike Richmond In a truth-in-advertising sort of way, it’s necessary to scrutinize the terms “super” and “bad” when assessing the film "Superbad." “Bad” can mean crude, immoral, or naughty – all of which "Superbad" is. But “bad” can also mean lousy, of inferior quality, or inaccurate – all of which "Superbad" is not. And then there’s “super.” Modifying “bad” (the crude kind), “super” conveys the film’s nature, proclaiming, “It’s not just crude, folks – it’s ‘super’ crude.” For some, in fact, it’s walk-out-and-get-a-refund crude, to be followed by sneaking into "Ratatouille" for a wholesome, G-rated cleansing. On the other hand, “super” also describes the film’s hilarity. It’s “super” in its provision of non-stop, off-color humor, and if you’re not offended by the coarseness, "Superbad" will splinter your funny bone. The film chronicles one night of misadventure for three high-school seniors named Seth, Evan, and Fogell, a trio of schlemiels with nothing on their minds but scoring – scoring booze with a fake ID, thereby scoring points at a party, and, ultimately, scoring in a copulatory manner with some of the comely lasses at the party. But their plans go immediately awry. Just as ultra-geek Fogell (hilarious newcomer Christopher Mintz-Plasse) brandishes his fake ID to a liquor-store cashier, he gets punched in the face and knocked out by a thief who robs the register. Meanwhile, Seth and Evan (Jonah Hill and Michael Cera) miss the robbery because they’ve temporarily vacated their parking-lot vantage point to ogle an attractive female they’ve spotted nearby. When they return, they witness Fogell being driven off in a police car and assume he’s been busted. Quite to the contrary, Fogell is getting the joyride of his life by the pair of dimwitted cops who responded to the robbery. With Fogell in tow, they arrest a barfly, drink on the job, blow in the breathalyzer for ..

From rock to metal to acoustic music

Tonight’s Revive at Five concert features the DC Power Band. The Wednesday night weekly concert is on the corner of Fremont and Main in downtown Pocatello. Based in American Falls, The DC Power Band is Mike Spangler, bass; Neil McGraw, lead guitar, vocals; Jason Carney, drums; and Ron Lee, rhythm guitar, vocals, entertaining with a fun blend of classic rock and a few originals. DC Power band has opened for the King's Men (Louie Louie) and has twice played for Phil Meador's Fourth of July Show. They frequent the Blue Moon Bar and Grill in Lava Hot Springs every three to four months each year. Thursday night the 16th, the hardcore metal band Kohabit headlines a concert open to all ages at The Oasis in Pocatello. Locals Neckbrace and Abcent Myndid, Terrorist from Nevada and Riots of Eighty from Utah open. Formed in 2003 and based in Salt Lake, Kohabit’s current lineup is Chris Hussey, guitar; Justin Rodabaugh, bass; Jared Rodabaugh, vocals, Ryan Roybal, guitar and the newest member, Joe Arrington, drums. One of Kohabit’s most popular songs is Black, a heavy but melodic song with plenty of sing-along parts that the crowd enjoys. Another favorite is Cease To Exist, with airplay on XM satellite radio. Locally, Kohabit appeared at the First National Bar last year and played the Warped Tour in 2006. Kohabit will have their full-length CD “Beyond These Confines” for sale, as well as T-shirts for all and booty shorts for the ladies. Kohabit will also appear at the Peppertree in Idaho Falls on August 26. Fans can contact the band at www.myspace.com/kohabit. Friday the 17th at Tony’s Billiards in Blackfoot, a double-header of metal mania is open to all ages. The local band Acardia opens for Boise’s Ripchain, starting at 8 p.m. Ripchain is lead by David Sean Ford, vocals, guitar; Joff Stone, guitar, vocals; Dan Garrett, bass, vocals and Ryan Anderson, drums. The band formed in 2004 in Boise with attitude. Ripchain has a sound ..

Country, folk, bluegrass and rock in Pocatello

Country fans will be pleased to hear that tonight’s Revive at Five concert features Country Drive, sponsored by Kruse Insurance and catered by Grecian Key. The weekly Wednesday evening fund-raiser is located at the corner of Fremont and Main, at the Old Town Pavilion. Also tonight, the local acoustic folk rock band Greyhouse Effect is playing a free concert at the College Market on S. 8th in Pocatello, at 6:30 p.m. Greyhouse Effect is Joe Hunt, rhythm guitar, vocals; Matt White, bass, keyboard; and Seth Kasunick, drums. For sample songs and more information, visit www.myspace.com/greyhouseeffect. Although coffee and acoustic music is hard to beat, a Friday night of beer and acoustic music is also appealing. The acoustic alternative rock artist Zico takes the Portneuf Valley Brewing stage at 9 o’clock. From Kansas City, Missouri now based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, Zico has been touring as a solo artist nationally and internationally since the summer of 2000. Zico has four recordings, the most recent release is “Recovering Failure.” Zico has shared the stage with such varied artists as David Allan Coe, the Gin Blossoms and more, playing as many as 200 shows each year. Zico also has performances nearby in Idaho Falls August 4, Park City UT August 24 and in Boise ID on October 11. For more information on Zico, including his music and tour dates, please visit www.myspace.com/zicomusic. For the rockin’ 21+ crowd, Duffy’s Bar on Main Street is the place to be Friday night, starting at 9 p.m. Kaught Looken is one of the area’s favorite rock cover bands, with Ed Horn, vocals; Rick Veilleux, guitar; Jody Andersen, bass; and Tony Roberts, drums. This southern rock / modern rock band is based in Pocatello and features two of the founding members of the late lamented band, Exit 69. They cover a broad range of classic southern rock and blues, including Lynard Skynard and Stevie Ray Vaughn, grunge favorites from Stone Temple Pilots and Alice in ..

Shannon Curtis on the quad and Blue October in I.F.

Every Wednesday night from now through the end of August, the local Civitans host a three-hour concert from 5 to 8, complete with food and beverage vendors on the corner of Fremont and Main in downtown Pocatello. This week, the band Rockin Horse is featured, sponsored by Ireland Bank, catered by Dough Boyz Pizza. Rockin Horse is based here in Pocatello, but they travel all over the region playing rocking covers from grunge to hard rock and a bit of country. For more information on Rockin Horse, visit www.myspace.com/rockinhorseryan. Idaho State University’s Wednesday night concert series comes to a close tonight with an exciting conclusion. One of ISU’s favorite performers Shannon Curtis is back on the quad, bringing her own roots-rock opener from Northern California, Nick Bearden. Show starts at 6 o’clock. The last time Curtis was in Pocatello was last spring, and before that she performed here several times with her former rock band Paradigm. Curtis told me, “Each time we had such a great time because the people were so enthusiastic. Over the course of my touring history, I think I've stayed in Pocatello more nights than any other city on the road.” Curtis, a northern California native recently transplanted to Los Angeles, plays piano and sings love songs. Some of them are poignant love songs, but more of them are the jilted lover kind of love songs. She is touring in support of her new CD, “Boomerangs & Seesaws” released in July by Curtis’s own label, Saint Cloud Records. As a performer, she endears her audiences with her living-room demeanor and sparkling humor. As a songwriter, she is unflinching. Curtis welcomes contact from fans at www.myspace.com/shannoncurtismusic, at her website www.shan ..

The Clumsy Lovers and more this week

There’s something for everyone this week in Pocatello’s local live music scene.

Sponsored by Drive for the Cure, this Wednesday night’s Revive at Five in downtown Pocatello features the jazz-based group Swingshift. Expect great music from rock to romantic, grand ballroom to Grand Funk. Route 66 is one of their signature tunes, but also keep an ear out for Mustang Sally and Take Five (Dave Brubeck).

Swingshift is Ramona Awes, vocals, sax; Mike Banks, vocals, bass; John Anderson, drums; Terrel Merkley, keyboards; and Mahdi Underwood, vocals, horns. The group formed two years ago and has been playing steadily since in Sun Valley, several outdoor venues promoted by the Idaho National Laboratory and several local benefits, notably the Free Clinic in Pocatello. Swingshift regularly performs at Portneuf Valley Brewing and Vino Russo in Idaho Falls.

CD’s will be available for sale at the show, or contact Swingshift at www.geocities.com/swingshift_jazz.

The Clumsy Lovers are welcomed back again to the Idaho State University quad, also on Wednesday. The locally based rock and blues band Graybeard will start the show at 6 o’clock.

Clumsy Lovers is touring in promotion of their seventh album, “Smart Kid.” This is the second ..

The best rock albums of all time

By Skip Carter This summer marks the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love. Our country went through a lot of changes in the 1960s (war protests, flower power, love-ins, psychedelic drugs, etc.) and so much of it was reflected in the music that was released in 1967. With all that was going on in the country and the world, there was an amazing burst of creativity in popular music. Besides the great “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by the Beatles, the list of albums in ’67 included debuts by the Doors, the Grateful Dead, the Velvet Underground, and Pink Floyd, and new releases by the Who, Bob Dylan, Cream, the Rolling Stones, the Moody Blues, the Byrds, and the Beach Boys. Songs that were heard for the first time included “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix, “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum, “Somebody to Love” and “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane, “Mellow Yellow” by Donovan, and “Respect” by Aretha Franklin. The Summer of Love discussion sparked a debate at Pocatello Arts Council member Jesse Robison’s recent birthday party. In the past 40-plus years, what are the best rock albums of all time?

Plenty of Indoor and Outdoor Concerts for All Ages

There are plenty of concerts this week for live music fans of all ages, some indoor and plenty of outdoor shows.

Wednesday, the Armed Forces Band is the featured act at the Revive at Five in downtown Pocatello, sponsored by New Day Products and Resources. The concert starts at 5 o’clock at

420 N. Main Street

. And Zane Williams is the headline act on the ISU quad, with local favorites The Jory Dax Band opening at 6 o’clock.

Singer songwriter Zane Williams has been touring the college circuit since 2001. Originally from Abilene, TX, he’s made a name and a home for himself in Nashville when not on the road. He plays country music with a folk / bluegrass / americana feel.

Williams’ songs tell stories and range from slow and somber to quick and bright. The single Back Porch Band is my favorite of the samples I’ve heard, reminding me of a Steve Miller Band tune, sung with a Tennessee twang. For more information on Zane Williams, visit his official website at www.zanewilliams.info.

The Jory Dax Band, led by guitarist Jeff Young, plays a mix of rockin’ blues covers and originals. Please visit ..