Friday, May 25

PROGRESSIVE ROCK the bimm quaid

In my ongoing search to find bands that are atypical and who defy the norm, I ran across the Bimm Quaid on MySpace and was instantly impressed as their first song belted out of my speakers. With a blend of jazz-fusion and psychedelic rock with a smidgen of punk thrown in for good measure, the band’s style is complex yet accessible at the same time.  Bimm Quaid formed in 2006 when vocalist Todd Maneman was added to the original group of Jason Moseley (guitar/vocals), Mike Houk (bass), and Chad Bair (drums). The Raymond, Wash., quartet added Olympia keyboardist Rupert Wild at the end of the year and hit the ground running.  Not your typical rock and roll band, their words are about the music itself and the need to create something unique, while musically the band is aggressive by nature. With off-the-cuff drumming and solid bass lines, the music is open to improvisation and can be interpreted in many different ways in a live setting.  The complexity of Moseley’s riffs rivals anything Zappa ever laid down as he confidently freestyles his way up and down the fret board.  Check out the demos at www.myspace.com/thebimmquaid and see if you don’t agree.



[The Cedarwood Sports Bar & Grill at the Dome, 10 p.m., 7404 Pacific Hwy. E., Milton, 253.922.5727]

 

Saturday, May 26

BLUES randy oxford band

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Randy Oxford has to be the hardest working band leader in the Northwest.  Since leaving Little Bill and the Blue Notes and Junkyard Jane, the trombone man hasn’t rested.  The first incarnation of the Randy Oxford Band released All the Buzz! in 2004, which was celebrated at the BB Awards and received positive reviews across the board.  Now with a new line-up, Oxford and company is set to drop their new disc at Jazzbones on May 26. Amply titled Memphis to Motown, the record runs the musical gamut. From the gospel tinged “I’ll Be Glad” to the mid-tempo shuffle of “Evil Gal Blues” to the Joan Osborne penned “Safety in numbers,” the band leaves no stone unturned.

Wanting to make this an event to remember, the evening will include multiple bands, clowns, jugglers, dance routines, surprise guests and much more.  Things kick off at 8 p.m. with the Jude Dugan Band featuring 18-year-old guitar virtuoso Ian Crawford, after which the main attraction will play selections from the new CD.  Oxford is pleased to feature up-and-coming band Interstate Soul Code in its Northwest debut before returning to the stage to close things out.



[Jazzbones, 8 p.m., $10-$12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]

Sunday, May 27

FOLK ROCK chris bramble band

Political awareness and social consciousness were the driving forces behind the majority of the ’60s and early ’70s music scenes.  Singers and songwriters were outspoken critics of the unjust war in Vietnam, women’s rights and environmental issues.  What happened? Why don’t artists today speak to the pressing issues that plague the world?  Even U2 has gotten lax.  With a moppy head of hair and Lennon-esque spectacles, Chris Bramble lets his freak-flag fly while he pens tunes with messages that would make Pete Seeger proud. However, rather than spewing out protest songs, his music has an exceedingly positive vibe, both lyrically and musically.  Influenced by such diverse artists as Bob Marley, John Coltrane and early Grateful Dead, the Chris Bramble Band is self-described as danceable, improvisational, inspirational folk-rock.  The psychedelic quintet of Terry Ann Gillette (violin), Paul Lamb (bass), Bradley Leach (drums), Paul Best (percussion) and Bramble on guitar, vocals and unisonix released its debut, Laugh at the Wind, in 2006.  The disc effortlessly blended reggae, folk, traditional Appalachian and Celtic, and jam band flavors together.  While they might be out of step with pop culture, they are a refreshing change of pace from the superficial mainstream.



[Doyle’s Public House, 8 p.m., 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.7468]