Briefs

Cheap Trick

Date: Thursday, July 19 with doors at 7 p.m.

Venue: Hard Rock Casino

Tickets: $20/$30 available through Ticketmaster and www.hardrockbiloxi.com

In late August of 2005, the Hard Rock Casino Biloxi was in the final stages of preparation for their grand opening. When Katrina was finished, the only reminder the casino had ever been there was its sign (resembling a giant guitar) jutting out of the wreckage.

On July 7, 2007 the Hard Rock Casino Biloxi will prove rock-and-roll never dies when legends Cheap Trick arrive. The classic line-up of guitarist Rick Nielsen, bassist Tom Petersson, drummer Bun E. Carlos and front man Robin Zander will be present.

Formed in Rockford, Ill., Cheap Trick developed an extremely impressive work philosophy, playing over 200 shows a year, including quite a few free shows. With Zander’s unique voice, Nielsen’s endless talent and an intense stage presence, Cheap Trick found success. Songs such as “Surrender,” “Dream Police,” and “I Want You to Want Me” became eternal American rock anthems.

Cheap Trick maintained credibility with releases throughout the years and these days, the guys in Cheap Trick are busy running their own label Cheap Trick Unlimited, which later joined with Big3 Entertainment. Under this new partnership, they released “Rockford” in 2006 proving that they had no plans of leaving the game.

Will Hoge w/ The Lonely Hearts

Date: Saturday, July 7 with doors at 9 p.m.

Venue: Soul Kitchen, 219 Dauphin St., www.soulkitchenmobile.com

Tickets: $10 at the door

Nashville-based singer/songwriter Will Hoge has his own brand of organic, blues -infused southern rock. Confident in his impressive live performance, Hoge’s solid work ethic has him touring constantly and gathering fans.

That bravado is all over “Again Somewhere Tomorrow,” a release documenting a performance at the The Exit/In in Nashville. This includes performances of favorites such as “Bible vs. Gun” and “She Don’t Care” as well as songs off his 2006 release “The Man Who Killed Love.”

Joining Hoge will be Nashville’s The Lonely Hearts. A band in the tradition of such musical acts as Neil Young and Gram Parsons, they have been touring in support of their 2006 release “Paper Tapes,” which is filled with their original and admirable take on rock-and-roll.

Justin Fobes Band

Date: Wednesday, July 11 at 9 p.m.

Venue: Metropolitan Groove Martini Bar, 5821 Old Shell Rd., 344-9914

Tickets: FREE

The WeMo martini bar Metropolitan Groove has become quite the venue for local musicians. Justin Fobes returns to Met Groove with his own brand of local rock for the public.

Fobes has been working on his craft from an early age. He picked up the guitar at the age of 10, and it wasn’t long until he began composing original music.

His sound allowed him to open for such acts as Don Henley, Live and Counting Crows.

Fobes classifies his music as a mix between “folk, rock, blues and pop.” In its locomotive beats and steady strums, he shows excellent vocal control with his song “4 Leaf Clover.”

Fobes can also slow it down as seen in “The Prince of Tides Etude” and should be a perfect soundtrack for the Met Groove martini scene.

The Rundown

This was one of the best years ever for the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival as well as a definitive turning pointing in its future. In its infancy, this camping/art/music festival in Manchester, Tenn., boasted a June weekend of camping, eclectic music and any chemical enhancement one desired. Bands such as Mars Volta, Sonic Youth and Liz Phair were included, but the spotlight seemed to be focused on the jam scene with headliners such as The Dead, Trey Anastasio and Widespread Panic.

When Radiohead was scheduled as headliner for Bonnaroo 2006, many began to see the festival taking a turn and some were skeptical.

When Bonnaroo 2007 hit, the skepticism in thecrowd grew as bands such as Tool, the White Stripes, The Police, Clutch and Wolfmother joined the ranks. However, 80,000 people still braved the wasteland conditions of a pasture scoured by drought, mind-warping narcotics and Trustafarians to experience this festival and several left thinking jam had met its demise thanks to many excellent performances.

Mute Math kicked off the festival on Thursday night with one of the most energetic and impressive performances at the festival and a sound reminiscent of old Jane’s Addiction.

On Friday, the Brazilian Boys (Brazilian Girls minus the girl) set the Sonic Stage on fire with their Big Apple funk that had everybody knowing why “pot could lead to other things.”

There were mixed feelings concerning Saturday night’s performance from The Police. They performed all of their radio standards, but refrained from popular, obscure songs such as “Synchronicity Part 1” and “Canary in a Coal Mine.”

Sunday had to be one of the best days for music at the festival. The sun unmercifully beamed on the audience at the Which Stage as Wolfmother pummeled the crowd with their vintage sound. Bodies contorted, women shed their tops and voices rejoiced with the crowd frying in the sun, mentally and physically. The White Stripes kept the audience going as Jack White took turns singing both to the audience and Meg White with new cuts as well as fan favorites. Their take on the blues classic “Death Letter” was unforgettable.

With such an awesome festival this year, it’s hard to see how they will top it.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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