Two picks this week: one if you like music, and one if you like
noise. First of all, the Nashville pop combo Joe Marc’s Brother
plays Diablo’s on the Highland strip Saturday. They combine strong
melodies with just a bit of power and smart lyrics to put together
a smooth sound that would do Elvis Costello proud. Remember kids,
if you’re going to rip off the ’70s, be sure to steal from the
right places.
James Intveld
On the other hand, a band that shares none of these qualities, Miami’s Laundry Room Squelchers, make with the sonic abuse Friday at 296 Monroe downtown. Word has it that the Squelchers’ sets are very short, yet entirely long enough. “It’s like being in a jet plane that’s taking off for 20 minutes,” one inside source tells the Flyer. Can’t wait to see what that’s like. Local sonic sadists, the Diarrhea of Anne Frank, will also be along for the ride. – Jim Hanas
James Intveld, who’ll be playing the Young Avenue Deli this Friday, may be the most high-profile artist you’ve never heard of. He’s played lead guitar in the Blasters and bass in Dwight Yoakam’s band, appeared in the films The Thing Called Love and Indian Runner, and was Johnny Depp’s singing voice in the movie Cry Baby. As you might expect from someone with those credits, Intveld’s new eponymous CD is decidedly retro – mid-’50s, to be exact. While his vocals are obviously not up to the same level, Intveld is in “Hound Dog”-era Elvis territory, though at times his lovelorn lyrics and romantic melodies recall a more contemporary retro artist, Chris Isaak.
And on Thursday, go check out two of Memphis’ more underappreciated
artists – Steve Reid and Matt Tudor. Reid’s been a staple on the
local scene for years, and one note of his great, powerful rock-and-roll
voice will tell you why. Tudor, meanwhile, is a young player who’s
been getting a lot of attention for his guitar work, though he
plays a few too many notes for my taste. Anyway, the pair will
be playing at Side Street Grill Thursday as the Flyer helps that
establishment celebrate its one-year anniversary. So, if the music’s
not enticing enough, just think of the prospect of getting to
see yours truly get loopy on chocolate martinis. 
– Mark Jordan