GIG OF THE WEEK

Photo by Bryan C. Reed

Aug. 24

REIGNING SOUND with LAST YEAR’S MEN @ NIGHTLIGHT, CHAPEL HILL

It’s almost a shame that Greg Cartwright’s name is almost universally appended with some comment on his influence within the garage rock scene. It’s fair and accurate, sure, but in its honesty, it highlights the unfortunate truth that Cartwright’s influence rarely spreads beyond the garage rock scene. This is a craftsmanlike songwriter whose best work is a masterclass in simplicity, economy and profundity. Even with the ragged and reckless Oblivians, Cartwright managed to pen to immortal kiss-off “Bad Man,” which appears to this day in Reigning Sound sets. He mentored a young Jay Reatard, and steered a number of acclaimed projects from the aforementioned Oblivians to the more easygoing Compulsive Gamblers. These days, he’s leading a new Reigning Sound lineup, drawing more of the organ-fueled soul from his thoroughbred rock ‘n’ roll. Hopefully, with the next Reigning Sound record rumored to bear a Merge Records imprint, Cartwright and his legacy, will finally garner long-overdue recognition on a wider scale. But if any band recognizes the adrenaline-injected rock ‘n’ soul template Cartwright’s spent a lifetime carving, it’s Chapel Hill’s Last Year’s Men. Last year, the Men shared a split 7-inch and a series of gigs with Reigning Sound; tonight, they’ll play the apprentice again to a hometown crowd.—Bryan C. Reed

CALENDAR

August 23

• Lightning Bolt w/ Clang Quartet, Yohimbe @ Kings, Raleigh
• Jon Dee Graham w/ Mike June @ Evening Muse, Charlotte
• Dangermuffin w/ Old You @ Soapbox, Wilmington
• The Fairy God Muthas @ Tin Roof, Charleston
• Dirty Names w/ Wild Adriatic, Mechanical Branches @ Radio Room, Greenville, S.C.
• Crowfield w/ Black Lillies @ Handlebar, Greenville

August 24

• Modern Man @ Radio Room, Greenville, S.C.
• Dethklok w/ Lamb of God, Gojira @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre, Charlotte
• Grip Tapes Label Showcase: Gross Ghost, Old Bricks, Head on Sticks @ Krankies Coffee, Winston-Salem
• Vess w/ WAZU, Mercies @ Snug Harbor, Charlotte
• OJ Da Juiceman @ Ziggy’s, Winston-Salem
• Torch Runner w/ SickSickSick @ One Unit Art Space, Columbia
• Malcolm Holcombe w/ Ed Snodderly, Grey Eagle, Asheville

August 25

• My Morning Jacket w/ Band of Horses @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Charlotte
• Unknown Hinson @ Visulite Theatre, Charlotte
• Wood Ear w/ Last Year’s Men @ The Pinhook, Durham
• All Get Out w/ Junior Astronomers @ New Brookland Tavern, Columbia
• Chatham County Line @ Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro
• Toxie w/ Chemical Peel @ Conundrum, Columbia
• Jews and Catholics w/ Uzzard @ The Garage, Winston-Salem

August 26

• My Morning Jacket w/ Band of Horses @ Raleigh Amphitheatre, Raleigh
• Bo White (LP release) @ Snug Harbor, Charlotte
• Toxie w/ Spider Bags @ All Day Records, Carrboro
• Fang Island w/ Adebisi Shank, Wooden Toothe @ Asheville Music Hall

August 27

• Wino & Conny Ochs @ DIVEbar, Raleigh
• Okkervil River @ Visulite Theatre, Charlotte
• Fat Face Trio @ Snug Harbor, Charlotte

August 28

• River City Extension @ New Brookland Tavern, Columbia
• Fang Island w/ Adebisi Shank @ Kings Barcade, Raleigh
• Puffy Areolas w/ Great Architect, Meat Group @ Milestone, Charlotte
• Andy D w/ Dables @ Radio Room, Greenville, S.C.

August 29

• Thollem McDonas w/ Crowmeat Bob @ Nightlight, Chapel Hill
• Scowl Brow w/ All Them Witches, Velvet Elvis @ Snug Harbor, Charlotte

August 30

• Bombadil @ Grey Eagle, Asheville