Weekend Loaded With Folk, Blues, Rock, Ghoul

You lucky music listeners you. Just look at all the options laid out before you. You’d think we were in Seattle or something.

Naaaw.

North Idaho home boys

Sean Michael Devine’s music has that down-home folk aura - a feel which was perhaps implanted in him growing up in North Idaho and Montana.

But his music also has the crackle of big-city lyrical smarts. Chalk that up to time spent strumming the guitar in New York City’s clubs and cafes.

Now living in Livingston, Mont., singer/songwriter Devine is making a return trip to Coeur d’Alene - where he went to high school - for a performance at Tubs Cafe Tuesday.

Devine’s music combines rootsy acoustic guitar with story-telling smarts. Think Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie and Lyle Lovett. His debut CD “Walking Down The Road” finds him deftly setting scenes both rural and urban and weaving tales of human greed, soul searching and lost love.

Listen to his musical tales at Tubs Cafe Tuesday. Music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $6.

For a dose of blues rooted in the greats, check out Brother Music Power House when they celebrate the release of their new CD Saturday at The Fort Spokane Brewery.

Led by Jesse “Brother Music” Warburton on vocals and electric, dobro and slide guitars, this Sandpoint-based band plays a blend of blues standards, rock classics and original tunes wrapped in the era of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Warburton is joined by bassist Gary Lawrence and drummer Al Meyers. Their CD “Wow” was recorded live at The Blues Bouquet in Boise in May. It’s filled with tunes penned by the likes of B.B. King, Robert Johnson and Johnny Winter. It also contains Warburton-written blues originals.

Chuck Berry’s “Dear Dad” and Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” sound a bit on the thin side. But the guitar work on “Dear Jill” and “Life Is Hard” is a treat as it simmers in slow and warm. And Warburton’s own “G-National Jam” is a cool intro into his fine rendition of Robert Johnson’s “Stones In My Pathway.”

The Brother Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Fort Spokane Brewery. Cover charge is $4.

Citing influences like The Cure, U2 and REM, it’s no wonder Coeur d’Alene band Gil’s sound takes me back to the pop of a previous decade.

Lead by singer Robert Dilley’s emotive vocal work, the band forgoes bombastic rock in favor of hooky pop that soars and dives through emotions and melody.

Dilley is joined by guitarist Mac Hege, bassist Thad Larimer and drummer Ryan Booth. The foursome has just completed their first CD - a five-songer - done completely out of their home. And while it bears the flaws of a low-budget production, Dilley points out “We are dedicated to becoming professional musicians on our own terms.”

“Lost” is a driving song with an interesting and haunting melody and “The Mirror Breaks” is an upbeat toe-tapper. But both “Suicide” and “Hundun” find Dilley needing to reign in his dynamic voice. As he wails, “I won’t scream, I won’t cry,” I just wish he had decided “I won’t whine.”

Gil performs at the Spotlight all-ages club in Coeur d’Alene Thursday. Music starts at 9 p.m. Admission is $4.

Swack week

With three solid national acts taking the stage, it’s another big week out at Swackhammer’s new concert club.

Long-time blues rocker Pat Travers performs Saturday night. With two decades in the business and more than 20 albums recorded, he is a guitar hero known for songs like “Hot Shot,” “Snortin’ Whiskey/Drinkin’ Cocaine” and “Killer.” Show starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.50

Texas country singer Doug Supernaw performs Sunday night starting at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $17.50.

On Thursday, the Boxing Gandhis bring their dance-inducing brand of hippie funk and roll to the club. This seven-piece band hails from L.A. and counts Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and the Talking Heads among their influences.

“There’s something here for just about anyone,” says Brie Darling, percussionist and lead vocalist. “You can think about what we’re saying, sing along with the choruses or just shut down your brain and shake your butt.”

Music starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $13.50.

Tickets are available through G&B Select-ASeat.

Take a gamble

The Havanas Club at The Ram will celebrate the grand opening of its new casino tonight and Saturday with music from one of Spokane’s most talented, and long-time, jazz performers.

Arnie Carruthers will play the piano in the Havanas Club starting at 9 p.m. both nights. The casino features 15 tables with blackjack, poker, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud and Let It Ride games.

The casino is located on the second floor of The Ram Restaurant southeast of the Spokane Arena.

Groovie baby

Too bad it’s not Halloween yet. ‘Cause The Groovy Ghoulies are just the thing for that time of year. Spooky, creepy, fast and fun - just like a mouth full of candy corn.

Known for tossing toys at the audience during their live shows, The Groovie Ones fondly refer to their perky blend of spook and roll as “pep-punk.” This trio from Sacramento has been freakin’ people out since 1989 and has gigged with the likes of The Cramps, Rancid, X and Matthew Sweet.

Their latest album “Re-Animation Festival” features songs such as “Zombie Crush,” “Chupacabra” and “Graveyard Girlfriend.” You’re my graveyard girlfriend/one day I’ll lay next to you/in a beautiful coffin built for two. Makes me want to do the Monster Mash.

They crash Ichabod’s North on Thursday. Santa Monica punk combo Cheeter joins them. Mark Phillips, who previously played guitar for Youth Brigade and Joykiller, leads the band. Spokane band The Deadbeats open the show. Music starts at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5.

Tribute deluxe

Break out your Judas Priest and Black Sabbath T-shirts and ready your horned hands.

Three tribute bands are gonna jar your ears with fond memories of your favorite hard rock bands of yore.

This Saturday at Johnny Rockets - the newest club to host live music in Spokane - the bands British Steel, War Pigs and Cherry Bomb will rawk, rawk, RAWK the house.

British Steel is a Judas Priest tribute band, War Pigs is a Black Sabbath knock-off and Cherry Bomb will pay homage to The Runaways. (They also claim to be the Northwest’s only all-girl tribute band.)

Squeeze TV will be on hand to videotape the bands. This Seattle-based independent music television show will replay the performances on their weekly show - which will be coming to a local cable station in this area soon. (Stay tuned for more details.) Squeeze TV films every Saturday at Johnny Rockets as well as at clubs in Seattle and Portland.

This weekend’s rock and roll starts at 9 p.m. Cover charge is $6.