THE MEAT PUPPETS, THE STATE ROOM, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 8 p.m., $17
There’s no mincing words when it comes to my feelings about the Meat Puppets. Simply put, they are one of my Top 5 all-time favorite bands, a desert island pick, a must-listen every time they put out a new album–and they have been all that for me for more than 20 years. And even though I started listening to them heavily while I was in college, even then I felt like I was late to the party because they were one of the important American punk bands on SST Records in the early ’80s, touring alongside The Minutemen, Husker Du and Black Flag, and had already delivered their acknowledged classic, Meat Puppets II. Some of the songs from that album were covered by Nirvana on their Unplugged in New York set, accompanied by the Puppets’ Kirkwood brothers, and the band had some mainstream/MTV success when “grunge” exploded thanks to that Nirvana assist and the catchy-as-hell “Backwater.” I’m of the opinion that Curt Kirkwood is one of the best rock guitar players I’ve ever seen, and albums like Up on the Sun, Too High to Die and the more recent Lollipop and this year’s Rat Farm show that II was no one-shot classic. I go see the band every chance I get, and I suggest if you’ve never seen them, The State Room is the perfect place to change that. The might fine local cat Cory Mon opens the show.
KRCL POLAR JUBILEE BENEFIT PARTY, SALT LAKE HARDWARE BUILDING, Friday, Nov. 22, 7 p.m., $15 advance/$20 at the door
For the past three years, KRCL has hosted one hell of a holiday party/fundraiser, and this year’s version of the annual Polar Jubilee looks like it should live up to past editions. Working with a “Rockin’ Roundup” theme, the station has an excellent lineup of live music, including Mad Max and the Wild Ones, Utah County Swillers, Man in Black tribute act Jackson Cash hosting a campfire sing-a-long and DJ Pearl Harbour spinning tunes, too. As always, the main highlight for many of us will be Bad Brad Wheeler’s Hanukkah Harmonica Army, and you can also get into some tasty food and drinks, get your picture taken with Santa and pick up some great stuff at the silent auction. The party is all-ages, and the proceeds go to help the community radio station that helps make living in Salt Lake City worthwhile. Tickets are available at the door, but you can get them in advance for $5 less right here.
ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO, PARK CITY LIVE, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 8:30 p.m., $20
Regular readers know how I feel about Alejandro Escovedo. The Austin-based singer/songwriter has had a long and storied career, taking him from punk rock of The Nuns in the ’70s, to the pioneering roots-rock band True Believers in the ’80s, to his incredible solo career the past couple decades. His ballads hit with an emotional impact few can match, and when he wants to cut loose and simply rock out with his regular touring band The Sensitive Boys, he does it with style and grace, and an authenticity of voice that much younger performers can only dream of. I was lucky enough to see Escovedo perform a reunion show with the True Believers at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in October, and while that was thrilling, I’m more of a fan of his solo work, which will be showcased at this Park City show Wednesday night. Amy Cook opens the show.
THE HOLLERING PINES, THE GARAGE, Friday, Nov. 15, 9 p.m., $5
You might not yet know the name The Hollering Pines, but chances are you’ve heard the members of the band play at some point or another if you spend much time seeing live music in Utah. It’s particularly true if you’re a fan of heartfelt country, folk and rock, as well as angelic harmonies. The band is made up of sisters Kiki Jane Buehner and Marie Bradshaw, formerly of long-running fave The Folka Dots, on guitar and bass and those mesmerizing harmonies, as well as Dan Buehner on drums and vocals and guitar ace Dylan Schorer coloring around the edges with his stabbing electric and smooth lap-steel guitar. In the past several months, they’ve shared stages with fellow roots-based acts like Dwight Yoakam, Neko Case and Dave Alvin, and the honing of their chops comes through on their debut album, Long Nights, Short Lives and Spilled Chances. This gig is an album-release celebration, and it’s definitely one worth joining. And don’t be late–opening up is Jay William Henderson, formerly of Band of Annuals and a wickedly talented fellow on stage as well.
JESSIE WARE, IN THE VENUE, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 8 p.m., $18
A lot of dance music gets a bum rap for being utterly manufactured, a mere studio contrivance lacking the musical heft of “real” sounds made by “real” musicians, and the vocalists who sing on club-focused dance tracks are certainly dismissed quickly by many music snobs–myself included. Consider Brit-pop up-and-comer Jessie Ware a breakthrough artist, then, in the sense that her rise in the public eye via a bevy of Brit electronic hits led to a burgeoning career as a soulful pop artist more in the vein of Sade or Whitney than folks she’s worked with like SBTRKT. Her debut album, Devotion, has earned rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork and The New York Times, and now she’s on her first headlining tour of the states, where her live shows are similarly blowing minds of pop and dance fans alike.
FASTER PUSSYCAT, THE ROYAL, Monday, Nov. 11, 9 p.m., $12
One sure sign of aging? A band you loved during your misspent youth comes rolling through town on a Monday night, with a lineup that includes only one original member, playing at a venue you’ve never been to–and you’re still all over it. So it goes with Faster Pussycat, a ridiculously cheesy glam-metal ’80s band, when they were at their best. And it’s been a loooong time since they were at their best, landing songs on MTV and opening for the Crue’s Dr. Feelgood tour in SLC. Even so, something about their rudimentary pop/hard-rock nuggets like “Bathroom Wall” and “Where There’s a Whip There’s a Way” still convince me to spin their CDs a couple times a year. And thankfully the one remaining original member is singer Taime Downe, and really, do we care who is playing the guitar or drums for Faster Pussycat in either 1985 OR 2013? Not really. Consider this a fun, funny and potentially fantastic excuse to hit the bar on a Monday night.
Daniel Nailen 