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Zox,
Tally Hall, Ryan Montbleau Band, Making April
Revolution
Hall, Thursday Zox are a rarity in today’s music industry,
in several ways. They sold tens of thousands of CDs on their
own before signing a distribution deal with SideOneDummy Records.
Until recently, they booked all of their own tours, designed
all of their own merchandise, and somehow found a way to make
their band a self-sustaining business. And, believe it or
not, they’re one of very few rock bands to include a violin
player and not totally suck. They’ll play Rev Hall tonight
with Michigan-based nerd-rockers Tally Hall; we’re not sure
if those guys actually look like the Lego characters they’re
portrayed as on their Web site, but we’re willing to check
’em out and see. The Ryan Montbleau Band and Making April
will open. (Nov. 9, 7:30 PM, $14, 425 River St., Troy,
274-0553)
Rock
for Choice
Red
Square, Thursday We’re always happy to support our community-based
nonprofits, including Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood. This
Thursday, local and regional bands will gather at Red Square
to help raise some funds for UHPP so they can continue to
do what they do best. Appearing to support UHPP is Marc Von
Em, a New York City-based singer- guitarist who recently toured
with (and opened for) Matchbox 20, but who is probably better
known for singing the jingle “This Bud’s for You” in Budweiser
commercials a few years back. Also lending their talents to
the cause are Cooper Union, Christina Abbott & Hot Bitch
Arsenal, Palatypus, and comedian Erick James. The $15 cover
includes one drink ticket. (Nov. 9, 8:30 PM, $15, 388 Broadway,
Albany, 465-0444)
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| Audra
McDonald |
Audra
McDonald
Colonial
Theatre, Saturday; Proctor’s Theatre, Sunday You will have
two chances to see Tony award-winning, Juilliard-trained chanteuse
Audra McDonald this weekend, in a pair of historic regional
theaters: the Colonial in Pittsfield on Saturday, and Proctor’s
in Schenectady on Sunday. McDonald is one of those rare Broadway
stars who has made herself a successful concert and recording
career, thanks to—as The New York Times wrote—“an ideal
blend of gorgeous sound, emotional engagement and interpretation.”
Her new CD, Build a Bridge, finds McDonald singing
works by some seemingly unlikely composers: Nellie McKay,
John Mayer, Elvis Costello and Neil Young. McDonald has a
solid local following; she was the last performer at Proctor’s
before the big renovations, so get your tickets sooner than
later. (Nov. 11, 8 PM, $35-$75, 111 South St., Pittsfield,
Mass., 413-997-4444; Nov. 12, 7 PM, $29.75-$42.75, 432 State
St., Schenectady, 346-6204)
Ralph’s
World
The
Egg, Sunday The Egg’s Family Wonders series con tinues with
a Sunday concert that’s appropriate for the entire family.
Ralph’s World, billed as “children’s music that adults can
enjoy,” is a creation from Chicago-based indie-pop-rocker
Ralph Covert, who used to be the bandleader of that city’s
Bad Examples. Last month he released a CD-DVD on Disney Sound
called Welcome to Ralph’s World, a follow-up to last
year’s Grammy-nominated Green Gorilla. David Edelstein
of The New York Times said of Ralph’s World, “Forget
sickeningly sweet ditties. Ralph Covert makes indie rock for
music fans who still hold their parents’ hands. It is possible
that Mr. Covert will turn out to be [the] genre’s Elvis Presley,
or at the very least its Elvis Costello.” (Nov. 11, 3 PM,
$8, $12, Empire State Plaza, Albany, 473-1845)
Angels
and Airwaves, the Sounds, Envy on the Coast
Northern
Lights, Tuesday Now that the three members have split into
two camps, we’re finally able to cement our argument that
Tom DeLonge was the reason Blink 182 kinda sucked. Case in
point: The other two Blink guys started +44, and that band
actually seem decent (except for the name). DeLonge’s new
band Angels and Airwaves isn’t the worst thing in the world—their
layered alt-rock pushes our buttons from time to time—but
we’ll never get over that damn voice. (If you’re not
a 13-year-old British kid, don’t try to sing like one!) Angels
and Airwaves come to town this week for an all-ages event
(read: no alcohol) that includes opening sets from Swedish
rockers the Sounds and Long Islanders Envy on the Coast. Note:
This show has been moved from the Washington Avenue Armory
to Northern Lights. (Nov. 9, 8 PM, $25, 1208 Route 146,
Clifton Park, 371-0012)
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Classifieds
