Smile Politely

The Overture: June 1 – 6

WHAT: Hadden Sayers

WHERE: Rose Bowl Tavern ($15 advance)

WHEN: Thursday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Though he recently relocated to Columbus, O., you can tell Hadden Sayers grew up in Texas as soon as you hear him on the guitar. He plays the kind of blues that only comes from all night jam sessions in Sugar Land and from spending several years playing with the BB King rhythm section in Austin. At this show, expect to hear a lot of songs from his forthcoming album. (Photo by Rick Booth Jr.)

 

WHAT: New Ruins, Tractor Kings, Soft Speaker

WHERE: Bentley’s

WHEN: Friday, June 4 at 10 p.m.

Locals New Ruins and Tractor Kings will both be unleashing their very different takes on psychedelic roots rock. Meanwhile Soft Speaker is a Chicago band that rocks at an easy, swooning pace, but with a nice twist here and there. Though they don’t sound like the National, they do seem to have the same ability to pick out of the best aspects of late ’80s and early ’90s alternative rock and create a wholly modern sound.

WHAT: Kyle Bruckmann & Rich O’Donnell

WHERE: IMC

WHEN: Saturday, June 5 at 8 p.m.

Kyle Bruckmann is willing to try anything on the oboe, taking on standard classical/jazz fare while also willing to bend avant garde post-punk and electronic experimentation. On Saturday night, he’ll be playing as a duo with Rich O’Donnell, who is a St. Louis based percussionist known for his groundbreaking techniques. You should probably leave your expectations at the door for this one and just enjoy the ride.

 

WHAT: Hawthorne Heights , The Story Changes, The Audition, Jiggsaw

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($11)

WHEN: Sunday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

This is a stop on Hawthorne Heights’ low-priced Get a Ticket Get an Album Tour, where the price of admission to the show gets you a copy of their new album Skeletons. As for the band’s sound (and the sound of the Story Changes and the Audition for that matter), it’s that heavy-handed-emo-punk-pop that must come off the musical assembly line at the same place they used to manufacture boy bands. So if you can appreciate the nuances between Bud Light and Miller Lite, you’ll be in your element at this one.

Remember that if you are playing, promoting, hosting, attending a show, you can add it to our events calendar.

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