Indy Best Bets for Dec 13-19, 2007
VHS or Beta
INDY TOP 10 LIVE: Dec 13-19, 2007
No tag for this post.Weekly best bets for the Indianapolis music lover. The Indy Top 10 Live is compiled by a selection panel of local print, radio, and internet journalists and is new every Thursday online and in print in INtake Weekly.
Text by Steve Hayes
1. Rob Zombie w/ In This Moment
7:30 PM, Wednesday December 19, Murat Egyptian Room, $35
Rob Zombie has spent most of this decade splitting time between making movies and making records. On the music side, he’s known for his grooving metal sound. On the film side, he’s become a respected director of horror films, including his 2007 remake of “Halloween.” This tour finds Zombie splitting time in a different way. He’s headlining a number of dates, including this Indy stop, while also serving as an opener for Ozzy Osbourne on other tour dates.
2. Plain White T’s w/ Virgin Millionaires
8 PM, Thursday December 13, The Vogue, $12
Another radio station-sponsored holiday event, this one promoted by WRZX FM-103.3, brings Plain White T’s to Indy along with local favorites Virgin Millionaires. Plain White T’s rocketed to #1 with their acoustic hit “Hey There Delilah,” a single that was originally released in 2006 but found its audience this year. Virgin Millionaires return to the stage after spending much of 2007 recording their big label debut album, due to release next year.
3. Indy Uprising Christmas Party w/ The Elms
9:30 PM, Saturday December 15, Radio Radio, $7
It can be tough on a local band to go it alone. The work needed to get a crowd to a show cuts into rehearsal and writing time. To help focus more time on music, Indy bands are starting to form collectives to share fans. Indy Uprising is a collective of some of area rock acts. This showcase gathers The Elms, Mardelay, Win With Willard, The Last Good Year, and Henry French and the Shameless for a holiday event.
4. Birdy’s Christmas Party8 PM, Wednesday December 19, Birdy’s, $5
An annual tradition, the Birdy’s Christmas party brings together a lineup of local musicians who perform holiday classics along with their own seasonal fare. Though the lineup was still in “TBA” mode as of the writing of this list, the “who might show up” appeal of the show adds to the festive nature of the night. Proceeds benefit Gleaners Food Bank. A canned food donation will earn you a discount on cover.
5. Trans Siberian Orchestra
7:30 PM, Monday December 17, Conseco Fieldhouse, $34.50-42.50
The symphonic rock of Trans-Siberian Orchestra has earned a spot on the soundtrack of the holiday season. Their stage show features over 20 musicians and vocalists performing to an intricately choreographed light and laser show. The group won extra notoriety in 2005 when a video featuring an Ohio home decorated with a light show synchronized to the group’s “Wizards in Winter” became an Internet phenomenon.
6. Bulletwolf, Llange, Summon the Destroyer, The Cocaine Wolves
9 PM, Friday December 14, The Melody Inn, $5
The trend of bands including the word “wolf” in their names has gripped Indianapolis. Bulletwolf and The Cocaine Wolves, Indy’s contributions to the wolf front, team for a night of heavy rock. The two groups have a pedigree on the Indy rock scene with members of groups like About the Fire, Eyes of Jade, The Retreads, and The Common filling out their rosters. Death metal group Summon the Destroyer and down-tempo Llange round out lineup.
7. VHS or Beta w/ AutoVaughn & American Bang7 PM, Thursday December 13, The Bluebird, Free w/ Toy Donation
While Indiana University’s student population is stressing over finals week, you can take their place in Bloomington nightclub The Bluebird for a show that’s paired with a cause. This radio station WTTS FM-92.3 sponsored show benefits Toys For Tots. Admission is free if you donate a new, unwrapped toy at the door. New wave revivalists VHS or Beta headlines the show that also features Nashville, TN-based rock acts AutoVaughn and American Bang.
8. Jorma & the Movie Bare, We Are Hex, The Abner Trio
9 PM, Thursday December 13, The Melody Inn, $5
A trio of indie acts teams up for a show that should appeal to fans who seek unique music. Jorma & the Movie Bare features Marmoset’s Jorma Whittaker. They report they’re currently creating demo recordings. We Are Hex points to The Jesus & Mary Chain as one of their influences. The group is working on their debut release due next year. The Abner Trio gathers elements of folk, punk, and avant garde sounds in their experimental blend.
9. Save the Radio, Seamstress Scavenger, Sugar Moon Rabbit, Friday Night Video
10 PM, Saturday December 15, The Melody Inn, $7
The Punk Rock Night showcase at the Melody Inn diverts from their usual fare to bring together a trio of local acts. Save The Radio will be on hand to deliver straightforward rock & roll in the vein of AC/DC. Seamstress Scavenger comes from the opposite side of the musical spectrum with a noise/experimental set. Sugar Moon Rabbit bridges the two with a noisy take on the mystic side of rock. Friday Night Video rounds out the night.
10. Dixon/Rhyne Project
7 PM, Wednesday December 19, Jazz Kitchen, $5
The past and present of Indy’s jazz scene team up on Wednesday with a performance by the Dixon/Rhyne project. Melvin Rhyne made his name handling organ duties on four of Wes Montgomery’s records. Rob Dixon is one of the best known and busiest musicians on Indy’s current jazz scene, appearing each Wednesday at the Jazz Kitchen. The venue’s Web site promises “a blend of jazz funk and acid jazz tinged standards.”
