So much to do, so little time

Thumbs Up

The Pour House is one of the better local live music venues, and when Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears hit town last week, the place was packed--on a Tuesday night. You may have heard the single "Sugarfoot" on The Bridge (105.5 FM), and apparently enough people in Charleston have, as they showed up en masse to enjoy this incredible live touring act. Making their second Lowcountry appearance (the first was opening for the New York Dolls at the Music Farm in June 2009), Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears sound about as close to James Brown as you're going to get.

This eight-piece band from Austin, Texas, lays down the R&B thick, complete with horns, a funky rhythm section and one heck of a frontman. In addition to his Godfather-of-Soul-style vocals, Lewis plays a mean lead guitar and writes catchy, fun songs, the titles of which, many are just too saucy to print (what kind of language do you use with your lover when angry? Such songwriting is Lewis' forte). If Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears come back to town -- and given the large and enthusiastic crowd at the Pour House, they probably will -- do yourself a favor and check out this amazing band.

Thumbs Down

Two days after Black Joe Lewis tore the Pour House down, Jason Isbell, initially of Drive By Truckers fame and now a successful solo artist, commandeered the same stage for a two-night stint. Not surprisingly, both Thursday and Friday were packed, and the latter night was extra special because local trio Leslie--arguably the best rock band in Charleston--opened the show. Unfortunately, I didn't get to make this show for two reasons. One, because I was at the Tin Roof in West Ashley to see the Genrevolta/Cusses double bill.

Two, because the laws of physics do not allow me to be in two places at one time. As for the Tin Roof, the always entertaining Genrevolta (is this not the best local band name ever?) fired on all cylinders, and frontman Phil Estes was in wild and rare form. The Cusses are a female fronted act from Savannah who also put on a good show and sound like a cross between punk legends Siouxsie and the Banshees and New York City indie rockers, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs. Sometimes, in this wonderful little town of ours, there are just too many cool things happening at once.