Local Spin: Can’t miss music this weekend

Last Thursday night I made the trek up to the Pickle Barrel with my buddy Jimmy to check out Schutefurmunde and Twiddle and was not disappointed.

It’s great to watch bands develop and both of these bands sound better every time I hear them.

I can honestly say that when I first met the “kids” from Twiddle, they couldn’t have shared three facial hairs between the four of ‘em.

These days they’re a little scruffier and actually old enough to get into the venues they are playing. Their sound keeps getting tighter and they continue to develop songs they’ve been playing for years, which is refreshing. As for Shute, I know I was one of many who went through withdrawals after Dr. Jones faded. Shute has enough Dr. Jones for those of us to reminisce, but is definitely a creature all its own. As long as Casey’s got those guitar faces going on, I’m there.

Aaron Audet let me know that this Friday night you have the opportunity to check out the Green Mountain Music District V concert happening at Mount St. Joseph Academy at 7 p.m. Check out www.gmmdv.org to see all the schools participating.

The kids auditioned in the fall to be accepted to this festival that features a high school wind ensemble, a high school concert band, a junior high chorus, junior high jazz band, and a string orchestra. All proceeds go to the Green Mount District V account, which in return is used for scholarships and future festivals. It is a great way to support music education, and is a great experience for our very talented and dedicated students.

Aaron is also playing at Center Street Saloon with Adam Falco around 10 p.m. Saturday.

The DC report has Duane traipsing around the area once again. Tonight he’ll be at South Station from 5 to 8 p.m. This is a great place and way to unwind on a Thursday evening. You can follow him up to Jax in Killington later tonight where he starts at 9:30 p.m. Friday Duane’s at Charlie B’s in Stowe. Saturday is a double header – Pico from 2 to 5 p.m. with Tim Lynch, then at The Clear River Tavern at 10 p.m. Sunday he’ll be at Grizzly’s in Stratton from 2 to 5 p.m., then Tuesday I’ll be back at Jax with Jamie Livesy.

I got an e-mail from my friend, Aaron Chesley’s band, Clayton Sabine & The Blackout Lottery that contained the following message that I thought had to be shared – “If you enjoy live, original, music performed honestly to an enthusiastic and inebriated crowd, then you should not miss this gig.”

He’s speaking of their gig this Friday at The Weathervane Music Hall in Brattleboro. If you check out www.theweathervanemusichall.com it certainly does look like a hopping place. Check it out in person and you won’t be disappointed as the band is top-notch. I caught them at last year’s Roots on The River festival in Bellows Falls and was impressed.

Also this Friday, up in the woods of Chittenden at the Church of the Wildwood the First Friday Open Mic Night will be happening from 7 to 9 p.m. Desserts/coffee available and a portion of freewill donation benefits Rutland County Humane Society. Contact Donna Martin at 483-2234 or dmartin@sover.net for a spot or further info. Come to listen and sing along.

You can also come to listen and sing along and heckle the hippy at Saints ‘N Sinners on Saturday, when the one, and certainly only, George Nostrand takes the stage, (OK there’s no stage — I just stand in the corner). Saints in a great place to play and a cozy venue for hearing live, local music. Would love to see some friendly faces.

… and by George, keep supporting live, local music!

George Nostrand is a supporter of live, local music in multiple formats and a proud member of the Jeff “Typo” Poremski Fan Club.

Give me some Spin! What’s going on with your band, your venue, or your cousin’s uncle’s brother’s band? If it’s musical and it’s happening in the Rutland area I want to hear about it. Send me an e-mail at localspin@gmail.com.