Saturday, September 24th
Kellie Pickler
Spirit Mountain Casino, 27100 Salmon River Highway (Highway 22)
8 p.m., $15, 16-and-older with adult, 21+ otherwise
It’s nuts to think that stars from American Idol can already be has-been casino dwellers. Pickler was even on the fifth season (I had to look that up on Wikipedia)! Goes to show that pop music – unless you have a devoted, geeky cult following, or reach a legendary status like a non-Ringo Beatle – is a cruel industry that burns through stars quicker than most people over 18 can keep up with them. Pretty soon a lot of these American Idol stars will have to package their tours together to muster casino gigs.
Friday, September 30th
Counterfeit Cash
Roxxy Northwest, 1230 State St.
9 p.m., $5, 21+
The first show scheduled for Roxxy Northwest is Counterfeit Cash, a Johnny Cash and June Carter tribute band. When Roxxy Northwest owner Henry Dudley was interviewed by Salem Weekly about the talent the venue expected to host, he emphasized the presence of quality tribute acts. That being said, the presence of Counterfeit Cash on Roxxy Northwest’s calendar should come as no surprise. It’s also a smart booking, since Counterfeit Cash is pretty great at what they do, and Johnny Cash seems to be pretty big around these parts.
Saturday, October 1st
$100 Jayhawks
Pete’s Place, 356 State St.
9 p.m., free, 21+
Popular Salem-based musician Mick Bare – known locally as the front man for bands “The Falcon,” “Righteous Animal,” and most recently “$100 Jayhawks” – made his return to Salem in mid-September after a couple-year stay back on his family’s farm in rural Idaho. Though the classic rock-inspired combo has played occasionally around town since Bare changed his home address, this show will serve as a sort-of-official homecoming (at Bare’s favorite local watering hole, no less). This show also will serve as an excellent warmup for the $100 Jayhawks performance with John Doe at Dante’s in Portland on Saturday, October 22nd.
Tuesday, October 4th
Big Jugs, The Mutineers
Papa G’s Blacklight Bar
610 Marion St. NE
9 p.m., $3, age requirement pending
Depending on whether Papa G’s receives their liquor license in time, this show could be 21-and-older or all-ages. At any rate, it’s a fun bill with beer-swillin’ country punk from California. The two bands have a fair amount in common musically, but defer greatly lyrically. Big Jugs – from Camarillo, CA – rely on (very) brash sex jokes (hence the name), while The Mutineers – from Santa Barbara, CA – dwell on social and political problems. The latter band had an excellent track called “Nihilistaria” that was featured on the Tender Loving Empire compilation “Friends and Friends of Friends” in 2009.
