FRI 7/2: Art, Comedy, American Music

So it's Independence weekend, and there is still typical cheap fun to be had. Hopefully I have something posted soon.

In the meantime, there are two rockabilly (old and new) shows tonight along with some soul music and blues.

As far as the Fourth of July, I'm wondering if there are rooftop bars that might have a view of the fireworks. Will get back to you on that.

Or you could join a group of rafters on the Charles to watch the fireworks for $45 or less...

This is a true story:

Last night, I met my lady and some of her friends outside at Charlies Kitchen. I thought I was going for a quick pint (two maximum), but I tried to fix a wobbly table and accidentally poured a large water on my back side.

After my honey yelled at me, I popped out to get some dry clothes. So I bought a t-shirt at Newbury Comics and shorts at Hootenanny.

I looked like dumbass with my work shoes to complete the ensemble, but I stayed for more than a pint. More than a quart too. I couldn't leave after buying a new pair of green-striped Hurley shorts...

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FRI 7/2

5pm to 9pm
First Friday Open Studios
at SoWa Arts Bldg, 450 Harrison Ave, Boston (South End)
FREE

Unless you actually spend a full 4 hours, it's doubtful that you'd get to all of the approx. 50 artist studios. Maybe some artists will be away; I don't know.

I've gone a couple times (since you don't go to every studio in one visit), and I always see a bunch of cool stuff. You can feel a little cultured, but not too much...

FRI 7/2

7:30pm
Anderson Comedy: The Gas
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5 / 18+

Feat: Joe Zimmerman, Will Noonan, Sanjay Salomon, J.P. Rivera, Erika Kreutziger, Laura Crawford, Morgan Smith, Natalie Baseman

Hey, there's not many $5 comedy shows. It's not hard to get more than your money's worth of laughter, especially when the drinks aren't overpriced. I guess tonight's subtitle is "Ladies & Nerds Night". It looks like half of the scheduled performers are female, and I'm guessing the total nerds may exceed 4... (Am not sure why I could only find only Twitter accounts for some of the above.)

Besides the local comedians, Joe Zimmerman hails from North Carolina and is taking a slight detour from doing nights at places like "Giggles", etc.

You can go do something else by 9:30 or stay to dance with "The Pill" at no extra cost. "America, what a country!"

FRI 7/2

9pm
Nick Curran & the Low Lifes, The Swinedells
at The Midway Cafe, 3496 Washington St, Jamaica Plain
$10 / 21+

Both acts play their old-school rock 'n roll/R&B/rockabilly with modern punk sensibility, and both happen to describe their sound in recipes that would be volatile musical cocktails. Former Mainer, Nick Curran, moved to Austin years ago where he wowed quite a few with his guitar-playing such as Jimmie Vaughn. Apparently Nick ended up playing with The Fabulous Thunderbirds for a few years. (Maybe you also saw him in a "True Blood" episode a couple years ago?)

Unfortunately, this might be the last gig for the Swinedells. I hope they go out with a big, loud, honking bang. The plan is for The Swinedells to play at 10pm, and Nick Curran to play two sets starting at 11pm.

Yes, people may be dancing. You could show up early (8-ish) and get a few pointers from "a bop/jive/stroll lesson with Miss Ariane and Miss Beck." Easy Ed will likely play appropriate music to keep it jumping between bands.

FRI 7/2

9:30pm
Sleepy LaBeef
at Johnny D's, 17 Holland St, Somerville (Davis Sq)
$10 / 21+

This rockabilly giant will be turning 75 later this month, but he hasn't slowed down much.

Born in Arkansas, Sleepy moved to Texas in his teens and has been on the rockabilly/country scene since the late-50s as a contemporary of Elvis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, George Jones, and others. His deep bellow doesn't scrape the bottom like Johnny Cash, but big and round like bouncy, red rockabilly ball.

He may not live locally anymore, so we don't have as many chances to hear Mister LaBeef in person.

FRI 7/2

10pm
Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I don't know how Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents did it when they played at Toad last month. Of course, most of the soul extravanganza can't fit on the tiny stage -- I'm just wondering how much room is left for the audience.

I'm not even sure if I could handle 3 sets of gigantic neo-girl-group/soul awesomeness. Expect some guests joining in and probably a sweet selection of covers. And it's friggin' free!

FRI 7/2

10:30pm
Jinx Brothers, Brownbird Rudy Relic, Marc Pinansky
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Last, but not least. The volume may not be loud at this show, however I get the idea that it's going to be a high-intensity night of old-time blues and killer tunes.

Beside The Jinx Brothers doing a bunch of early country-blues, I think the wild card may be Brownbird Rudy Relic who is a "greasy-haired-blues-playing-vegan" that whips up a frenzy like he's got a mongoose in his pants. (I'm not sure that would be exactly, but you get the idea.)

I've called Marc Pinansky a "big hairy dude of song", and I mean that in the most complimentary way. He's been in a bunch of awesome rock bands (currently Township), yet he kicks butt even when it's just him and an acoustic guitar.