Notable Noise: This Week’s Best Shows [Man Man, Father Figure, the Cult, Larry Coryell, more]

Monday, June 11

• Man Man [Social] – This Philly band’s reputation as an exceptional live band is well-warranted. Their music drives me up the fucking wall, but their concerts are definitely worth checking out.

Tuesday, June 12

• Childish Gambino [Hard Rock Live] – Come on guys, really? I love Donald Glover as much as the next guy, and I think he’s pretty damn hilarious, but this Childish Gambino thing has gone a bit too far. We’re really paying $25 to see an actor/comedian do … oh, wait. You probably like Tenacious D too. Sorry. As you were.

• Afrojack, R3HAB, Shermanology [Beacham] – Did you read the other day about how Michael Rapino, the president of Live Nation, was going on and on about how EDM is basically the only thing that company’s going to be investing new resources in? It was MIND-BLOWING, especially if you’re over the age of 17 and care about music. One of his many money quotes: “You don’t want to be the rock guy when everyone else is talking about Swedish House Mafia.” Um, actually, Mr. Rapino … I kinda do.  (Seriously, you need to read this article now.) Because you know what I remember? I remember Fatboy Slim. And Moby. And the Prodigy. And how hilariously awful and silly that stuff seems now. And this new wave of electronic music – Afrojack’s bullshit, bro-tastic tech-house being a prime example – actually prides itself on being stupid and lowest common denominator. At least the last time electronic music was going to take over the world, there was at least some attempt at quality and originality and innovation. (And even the house-music DJ’s had good record collections.) Now … well, now I sound like the old guy who just doesn’t get it. And I am and I don’t, but what I do know is that, in one way, Mr. Rapino is right on target: Just like Live Nation and Clear Channel completely commodified and exsanguinated rock ‘n’ roll by promoting only the simplest, most boorish, and least challenging iterations of it, they’re about to do the very same for electronic music. Have at it. (This rant will continue throughout the summer, because it looks like there’s gonna be a whole shit-ton of this junk coming our way … you know, because the kids are on summer vacation.)

 

Also playing:

• Driver Friendly [Will’s]
• Emily Kopp [Natura]

 

Wednesday, June 13

• Abuse, Fortune Howl [Back Booth]
• Puscifer [Hard Rock Live]

 

Thursday, June 14

• Hundred Waters [Social]
• Yogurt Smoothness, the Lunars, 8 Track Automatic [Will’s]

 

Friday, June 15

• Father Figure, Golden Pelicans, Basements of Florida [Stardust] – It’s a Father Figure reunion! You should go, especially if you want to see an exact expression of the amount of potential art our city loses every time someone says “Yeah, I’m moving to New York.”
• FMLY Fest with Thee Wilt Chamberlain, Ghost Fields, Trails [Will’s]
• BoDeans [Plaza]
• Curren$y [Beacham]

• Lost in the Trees, Daytona [Social]

 

Saturday, June 16

• Slingshot Dakota, Rational Anthem, You Blew It!, the Areolas, Jr. Meowzer [Sip] – Jr. Meowzer is the best band in Orlando right now. JR. MEOWZER IS THE BEST BAND IN ORLANDO RIGHT NOW.
• Roger Waters’ The Wall [Amway]
• Ben Prestage [The Alley]
• The Cult, Against Me!, Icarus Line [House of Blues] – I recently reviewed the Cult’s new album for this fine periodical, however the format didn’t allow room for one essential sentence: This new record is way better than it should be, and probably ranks among the three or four best albums by this band. Also: Against Me! One can only hope that we get an awesome duet like this (but we won’t):

Also playing:

• Orgone [Social]
• EG Kight [McWells]
• ZZ Top, 3 Doors Down [Universal Studios]
• Adrenaline (Deftones Tribute) with Ring of Scars, (A)knew [The Haven]

 

 

Sunday, June 17

• Larry Coryell & Friends [Timucua] – Here is why living in Orlando is cool. This show at the intimate and unique Timucua White House is free. Given the environment, it’s somewhat likely that Coryell will feel somewhat at ease with launching his guitar into outer space and jamming on some of his more interesting ’70s work. This will probably be a very memorable show. OR, you could go see Larry Coryell the night before. He’s playing in Melbourne. At a steakhouse. For $100/person. Your call.
• Father’s Day edition of Southern Fried Sunday: Husky Burnette, RJ Harman & Company, Los Bastardos Magnificos, Kevin Maines Band & Brownbird Rudy Relic [Will’s]
• Bouncing Souls, the Menzingers, Luther [Social]
• The Queen Extravaganza [Plaza]

This article appears in Jun 6-12, 2012.