Ticker: News Bits from Charleston’s Music Scene

Dan’s Tramp Stamp and the Money Bags Snag Round Two

On March 11, the second round of Charleston’s 98 Rock’s “Locals Rock the Roof” series at the Tin Roof featured three local contestants — alt-rock quintet Dan’s Tramp Stamp and the Money Bags, riffy rock foursome Savage Tongues, and trippy indie-pop combo Carnaval. Metronome Charleston was there with their judge sheets alongside radio personality Nikki (from the Bridge at 10.5.5), Eric Rickert (of Ocean Industries Studio), 98 Rock’s evening disc jockey Box, and the Tin Roof crew.

Box and Nikki at 98 Rock’s ‘Locals at the Roof’ competition (photo by Ballard Lesemann)

Each judge scored the bands in three categories: originality, performance, and audience reaction. The final scores were very close on March 11, but Dan’s Tramp Stamp and the Money Bags (pictured above) eked out the win.

The winners from each round will compete in the finals on April 1. Prizes for the top winners included recording time and CD production at Charleston Sound, a $1,000 gift card at Encore Music, a live recording courtesy of Encore Music, airplay on 98 Rock, and a headlining gig at the Tin Roof. Round Three is set for Mon. March 18 (stay tuned for the band lineup). Visit my98rock.com for more.

Explorers Club Will Record a Farewell Album

Charleston pop experts Explorers Club quoted George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass” in an announcement posted on Facebook last week. The group told fans they “will cease to be an active entity as you know it.” The post added, “We love you all, we thank you so much for all of your support. We made these records for you guys and we hope you will embrace our final chapter.”

Metronome Charleston caught up with guitarist/songwriter Jason Brewer this week. “We had such a great adventure making our classic pop styled recordings and performing many concerts over almost the last 10 years,” he said. “I met many of my musical heroes and got to work with some thanks to my work with Explorers Club. I’ve had the chance to play with all the very talented members of each phase of the band, and I’m forever thankful for that.”

The Explorers Club (photo by Matthew Carter)

The Explorers Club formed in Charleston the mid 2000s. Their 2008 debut album Freedom Wind was a carefully arranged collection of Beach Boys-esque ditties and mellow pop-rock in the vein of Herb Alpert and Burt Bacharach. In 2011, the Explorers Club released three EPs in a row: The Californian Suite, The Carolinian Suite, and The New Yorker Suite. 2012’s breezy album Grand Hotel drew heavily from the A.M. radio pop of the early 1970s.

“True, we may have been derivative at times, but we were the only band doing what we did with those arrangements and those harmonies,” Brewer says. “Lineups changed and management changed over the years, but we still did our best to keep our sound through all of that. It was very tough trying to convince folks to market our stuff because we were a one-of-a-kind in the music market place.”

“The last year or so has been the highlight for me, musically speaking but it has been so fulfilling musically the whole time,” he adds.

Brewer and his bandmates — David Ellis, Michael Rogers, Justin James, Paul Runyon, and Kyle Polk — plan to record a final collection of tunes, though. They already have studio time booked with acclaimed producer Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Let’s Active, A Fragile Tomorrow) in N.C.

Brewer says that he already has a new project in the works with Runyon and Polk. Ellis, Rogers, and James are reportedly working on an acoustic-based project called Honeysmoke.

“Despite a lot of great opportunities and hard work from those working with us, we never found that major push out in the open. We had songs on TV and movies and considerable satellite radio support, but there was just some piece missing marketing-wise. It’s a major gamble to put it on the line for such a specific sound, so I get that. We did the best we could. It was a great run.”

Visit rockridgemusic.com/explorersclub and facebook.com/explorersclub for more.

Charleston Record Expo #5 at Monster Music

West Ashley record shop Monster Music & Movies will present the bi-annual Charleston Record Expo on Sat. March 16 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The exposition with feature a giant sidewalk sale along the storefront at the in the West Ashley Shoppes (next to Citadel Mall). Numerous local and visiting collectors and vendors will be on hand with stacks of vintage and rare LPs, 45s, imports, CDs, and music collectables. Food trucks will be on-site. Parking and admission are free and open to the public. Visit monstermusicsc.com for updates.

Bob Dylan to Play Daniel Island

The unstoppable Bob Dylan is back on tour, and he is heading to the Family Circle Magazine Stadium on Daniel Island this spring. The 71 year-old troubadour received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama last May. This May, Dylan and his band will headline shows across the country in support of his 35th studio album Tempest (released last spring on Columbia). Los Angeles rock band Dawes is set to open for Dylan on Daniel Island on Sat. May 4 at 7 p.m. Advance tickets go on sale this Friday (March 15) at 10 a.m. Visit familycirclecup.com and bobdylan.com for more.

Big Boi and Killer Mike bring It to the Music Farm

Big Boi (provided)

Word has it that Big Boi and Killer Mike are heading to the Music Farm on June 8, but neither the venue nor the acts have that date on their calendars yet. Numerous online ticket agencies are already selling tickets though.

Antwan André “Big Boi” Patton first performed solo in Charleston during a concert at the U.S.S. Yorktown in the fall of 2010 behind his solo debut, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. Purple Ribbon/Def Jam Recordings released his latest collection, Vicious Lies and Dangerous Rumors, in December.

Big Boi was scheduled to co-headline a concert at the Gaillard Auditorium in June 2011, but the show fell apart at the last minute. The Music Farm gig (once it’s officially confirmed) will likely go on without any snags. Visit musicfarm.com and bigboi.com for more.

R.I.P. Sam Partridge

Former Charleston musician Sam S. Partridge, known best in old-school local scene as the drummer for jangly power trio Kudzu Kin, passed away on Feb. 23 in local hospital in Deatsville, Alabama. Partridge was a skillful drummer during his student years at the College of Charleston. He played alongside singer/guitarist Sully Johnston and bassist Tyler Crockett in Kudzu Kin from 1988-1990. Partridge had been practicing law in the Montgomery area for years. He was 46.

DIG SOUTH Presents ‘Sideshow’ Concerts

Dangermuffin (photo by Gately Williams)

The inaugural DIG SOUTH Festival — a local multimedia conference scheduled for April 12-14— will host several “sideshow” after-party style concerts at the Charleston Music Hall, REDUX Contemporary Art Center, and the Alley.

On Fri. April 12, local roots-rock trio Dangermuffin will headline the Music Hall with support from Mississippi-based seven-piece Rosco Bandana. N.C.-born soul singer Lee Fields and his band the Expressions will play the venue on Sat. April 13.

Local indie acts Rachel Kate, Brave Baby, Elim Bolt, the Bushels, and Heyrocco are scheduled for late-night sets. Visiting acts Those Darlings (Nashville), Yarn (New York), Hurry for the Riff Raff (New Orleans), Sam Doores & Riley Downing with the Tumbleweeds (New Orleans), and the Barefoot Movement (N.C./S.C.) are on the roaster as well. Visit digsouth.com for the full lineup and details.

Super Deluxe and Friends Celebrate Funk Legend George Clinton

Local saxophonist and bandleader Wilton Elder has been putting the final touches on a massive list of funk faves and deep cuts for the George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic Tribute Show at the Pour House on Sat. March 30. Nicknamed “Everybody’s Got a Little Light Under the Sun,” the funk showcase features 10 skillful Charleston singers and musicians on the bill.

Wilton Elder at the ‘Taste of D.C.’ in 2012 (provided)

Last September, Elder organized a similar funk-themed, all-star concert called “A Taste of D.C.” at the Brick House Kitchen on James Island. Members of Elder’s local variety band Super Deluxe will welcome special guests on March 30 as they did before.

The roster features Elder on lead vocals and saxophones with backing from Charlton Singleton on trumpet, Simon Harding on tenor sax, Steve Spaulding on trombone, Gerald Gregory on keys, Kenny Shider on bass, A.J. Jenkins on drums, and Tommy Gielingh and Lee Barbour on guitars. Special guest vocalists will include Zandrina Dunning and Manny Houston. Members of DanceFX Charleston will be there, too.

Tickets are available for $7 in advance and $10 at the door. Visit superdeluxelive.com for more.

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About the Author

Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.