Whitey Morgan & the 78's Fri., 8:30 p.m. June 15 @ Off Broadway - $10-$13 By Roy Kasten If Waylon Jennings didn't exist, then Whitey Morgan wouldn't either. The same could be said for Johnny Paycheck and Johnny Cash, not to mention Buicks, twin fiddles and class struggle. The mold should have been broken with the passing of honky tonk's golden age, but somehow, against all the corn pone that still fuels much of the revivalist scene, Morgan is absolutely in that mold. With a rich baritone that stands up to Dale Watson and a hard-as-forged-steel band that stands up to pure shuffles and trucker stomps, Morgan is a heavyweight, hard-country hitter. Before You Go: Head to a dive where the jukebox still plays George Jones, but save enough drinking money for Off Broadway. It's going to be a six-shot and two-step kind of night.
S.L.U.M. Fest Sat., 2:00 p.m. June 16 @ Atomic Cowboy - $10/$13 By Kelsey Whipple The third time will definitely be the charm ― not that the first two weren't also. The city's most ambitious hip-hop showcase turns three this year with a return to Atomic Cowboy and a line-up of more than 70 area emcees, DJs, collectives, B-boys and street artists, many of whom have already made the rounds: Packed onto the overstuffed bill of local greats are names like Nato Caliph, Family Affair, Skiddalz and Midwest Avengers. Across twelve hours and four stages, both indoors and out, St. Louis' ever-growing hip-hop community will come together for an evening highlighted by producer, B-boy and emcee battles. Recommended If You Like: Juggling. In years past, the only bad thing about S.L.U.M. Fest was its scheduling, which makes it impossible to catch it all. Plan ambitiously, and plan early.
The Lion's Daughter CD Release Sat., 8:00 p.m. June 16 @ The Firebird - $5 w/ Everything Went Black, Jack Buck, Black Fast By Jamie Lees When the Lion's Daughter debuted last year, it was clear that this wasn't going to be the average Midwest metal band. First of all, it was loud as hell. The band is only three dudes, but it's absolutely thunderous. Rick Giordano, Erik Ramsier and Scott Fogelbach make songs that are dark, aggressive and even a little flashy. Giordano's metal growl is mixed with just a bit of goblin, adding a horror-vibe to many of the songs on its impressive first full-length release, Shame on Us All. The album is not just quality, it is all local ― it features art work by Coby Ellison, it was recorded by Brian Scheffer and Firebrand Studios and it's being released on the Pissfork label. Also: If you heard the Lions Daughter early on, check it out again now. It's gotten louder, faster and angrier.
Free Energy Sun., 10:00 p.m. June 17 @ Plush - $10/$12 By Ryan Wasoba Various music press outlets have touted everyone from Ted Leo to the Darkness to Kings of Leon as the saviors of rock. Free Energy is not part of most journalists' lists because the Philadelphia band's debut, Stuck on Nothing, confirms the notion that rock & roll never needed saving. The group channels Journey's triumph and T. Rex's flair with unbridled respect for the source materials -- a welcome respite from those in the revivalist game who turn guitar solos into punch lines. A semi-modern twist comes courtesy of vocalist Paul Sprangers, whose approach melds Stephen Malkmus' more cocksure moments with the sing-speak of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. Handling its influences delicately, Free Energy has managed to mix "Don't Stop Believin'" with "Gold Soundz" and, amazingly, strip both of irony.
