From this week’s Music Board:
METAL | Dokken
w/ Foul Weather Foe, Wed. July 16, The Music Farm, $17
Recently out of rehab for substance abuse — and recently recovered from sinus surgery — veteran rocker Don Dokken (pictured) seems genuinely grateful to be back on the road, doing the rock-star thing with renewed appreciation and vigor. The vocalist formed the band Dokken nearly 30 years ago in Los Angeles, well before hair metal started dominating MTV. Powered by Dokken’s recognizable howl and guitarist George Lynch’s buzzsaw riffwork and solos, the band enjoyed a string of hits in the mid-’80s, including “Into the Fire,” “Alone Again,” “In My Dreams,” and “It’s Not Love.” They broke up in the late ’80s. Dokken continued with a solo career before reforming the band in 1994. The lineup now features guitarist John Levin, drummer Mick Brown, and bassist Barry Sparks. Their latest is titled Lightning Strikes Again. WEDNESDAY
JAM-ROCK | Bobby Lee Rodgers & The CodeTalkers
Fri. July 18, The Pour House, $10 ($8 adv.)
The Atlanta-based CodeTalkers need no introduction, having secured a top-shelf status as a local jam band favorite in recent years. Led by the skillful, bespectacled Bobby Lee Rodgers, the main composer and guitarist/banjoist, the trio is celebrated and envied for their technical proficiency and unpredictable live shows. Rodgers is also a longtime collaborator with the notorious Col. Bruce Hampton (ret.) and electric guitarist Jimmy Herring (currently in Panic, formerly of the Allman Brothers, The Dead, and Aquarium Rescue Unit). “I’ve been writing tunes for a long time and I’m lucky to be around all these great musicians,” says Rodgers, who’s backed by bassist Andrew Altman and drummer Mark Raudabaugh these days. Expect a full two sets’ worth of eclectic and sophisticated blues/rock tunes and weirdo/Americana jams. 9 p.m. FRIDAY
INDIE-ROCK | The Unusual Suspects
w/ Starfish & Coffee, The Stellas, Sat. July 19, The Village Tavern, $5
Bassist Al Gardner and singer/guitarist Matt Megrue are situated here in Charleston. Drummer Brian McMickle and guitarist Matt Kelley are based over in Atlanta. Together they comprise melodic alt-rock combo The Unusual Suspects. The quartet spent plenty of time and effort touring this year behind its latest offering, The Coney Island EP. It’s solid, guitar-driven stuff, and worth a listen or two at the Tavern this Saturday, where they share the bill with Starfish and Coffee (featuring guitarist Ross Childress of Collective Soul fame), and Charlotte band The Stellas. FRIDAY
ACOUSTIC ROCK | The Larry David Project
Thurs. July 17, The Break Room, Free
Sun. July 20, Wild Wing Café—MP, Free
No, it has nothing to do with the writer from Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm. East Cooper rock duo The Larry David Project began as a “sometimes thing,” but quickly developed into a dandy two-man show. Singer/guitarist Dave Dunning (of The Diesel Brothers) and singer/percussionist Larry Strickland (of Spunjwurthi) play sets of classic rock faves and obscure tracks — from Cat Stevens and Neil Young to deeper stuff by the likes of The Fixx, Starbuck, Poco, and weird one-hit wonders. Dunning makes great use of his loop pedals while Strickland switches between congas, shakers, and tambourine. They perform weekly at the Break Room and on the patio at the Mt. Pleasant Wild Wing. Try to stump them; we dare ya. THURSDAY/SUNDAY
ACOUSTIC AMERICANA | Hayes Carll w/ Cary Ann Hearst
Sun. July 20, 6 p.m., Awendaw Green, $20 ($15 adv.)
You — you look like you could use a quick trip outta Dodge. Maybe you’ve been meaning to take in a little summer music under the stars but one of those big outdoor festivals is too much: time, money, gas! Still, a chance to kick back in the green grass and make some new friends sounds good. Here’s the ticket for you. Presented by Suncoast Promotions ((843) 568-6728), Texas singer/songwriter Hayes Carll will do a special outdoor show on Sunday at a barn up in Awendaw. He hasn’t been in town for a couple of years, and he’s got a tasty new album out titled Trouble in Mind (Lost Highway). With songs like “Drunken Poet’s Dream” and “She Left Me for Jesus,” you’ll think of Townes Van Zandt and Guy Clark. Far out! Well … not that far at all. Awendaw Green is located on Highway 17 in Awendaw, just past the Seewee Outpost, next to Hidden Ponds Nursery. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, and coolers (no bottles, please). Local songwriter Cary Ann Hearst will kick things off. Gates open at 5 p.m. —Jon Santiago SUNDAY
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