There are always plenty of shows to see in Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill, North Carolina area, commonly called "The Triangle."

Upcoming performances include shows from Eberhardt, Butane Variations, Leon Russell, Lotus, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Yeasayer.

Despite their relative popularity right now in the 'underground' music world, Tri-Cities music critic Grayson Currin isn't expecting much from Yeasayer (who made many best indie songs of 2007 blog lists with the release of All Hour Cymbals):

Sonically, Yeasayer isn't far removed from the Technicolor melodic phases of TV on the Radio or the hard rhythm-versus-smeared sound technique of Animal Collective, but its apocalyptic images emerge from its sonic mess without much punch.

(What do you really think!?)

And if that wasn't enough, the tell-it-like-it-is (TILIS), Yeasayer-naysayer Currin also slams the venue owners of MGMT @ Local 506 for booking Yeasayer:

New York nothings with major-label moneys who fall in the same why-does-this-matter genus. Chapel Hill's Soft Company is the better band on the bill

Currin has the raw wit and unapologetic sting of a good music critic, especially considering there is so much music available nowadays.

In the same set of pre-show reviews, Currin also dismissed aging alternative 'rockers' Big Head Todd and The Monsters with a grapefruit-sized slingshot to the head, attacking the band members' lack of progress as musicians over the last two decades by reverting to "overly cared-for guitars and recycled riffs," adding that "one can only hope" that the band's upcoming release, All the Love You Need, is "more inventive." Currin, surprisingly, isn't optimistic: "Your odds would be better if you'd just learn poker

Currin's less-than-positive critiques surely piss-off some of the artists, labels and local venue managers, but if it saves a college student from wasting $20 or more on a show, he's doing his job in more ways than just one.

And so do the other writers of the staff, who also need to be recognized for keeping a pulse on the local scene. On an up note, Currin does like Butane Variations, deeming it as a "great band with a bright future."

MP3: Angels - Butane Variations
MP3: Golden Hawn - Butane Variations


Read more show announcements and reviews for "The Triangle" by checking out the "Hearing Aid Guide."

Other artists from The Triangle area:

- Pressure Boys
- Superchunk
- Flat Duo Jets
- Southern Culture on the Skids.
- Polvo
- Squirrel Nut Zippers
- Ben Folds Five
- Archers of Loaf
- Corrosion of Conformity

Labels: 2008 Indie Shows, Chapell Hill, Durham, Indie Venues, North Carolina Concerts, Raleigh, The Triangle

One of the hottest and most underrated groups on the indie rock scene for years, Anti-Flag has announced concert dates, shows and venues for 2007. Check them out, they certainly put on a great show for rockers.

Are you going to one of these concerts? If so, and you'd like to write a review or shoot from photos, contact IRC with subject line "Anti-Flag Concert Review [or Photos, if you're a photographer].

[Note: We'll do the rest in getting you published. We expect some writers to become frequent contributors to IRC, and if you'd like to be one of them, check out our contributors' page.]

Thu 03/08/07 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Fri 03/09/07 Philadelphia, PA Theatre Of Living Arts
Sat 03/10/07 Boston, MA The Roxy
Sun 03/11/07 Buffalo, NY Town Ballroom
Tue 03/13/07 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
Wed 03/14/07 Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre
Thu 03/15/07 Milwaukee, WI The Rave / Eagles Club
Fri 03/16/07 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar
Sat 03/17/07 Minneapolis, MN Trocadero
Tue 03/20/07 Seattle, WA The Showbox
Wed 03/21/07 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Thu 03/22/07 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
Fri 03/23/07 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern
Sat 03/24/07 San Diego, CA SOMA San Diego
Wed 03/28/07 Tempe, AZ The Marquee Theatre
Thu 03/29/07 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue
Fri 03/30/07 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Thu 04/05/07 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights
Fri 04/06/07 Sayreville, NJ Starland Ballroom
Sat 04/07/07 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Sun 04/08/07 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
Tue 04/10/07 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Wed 04/11/07 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
Thu 04/12/07 Orlando, FL The Club at Firestone
Fri 04/13/07 Fort Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Sat 04/14/07 Saint Petersburg, FL State Theatre
Tue 04/17/07 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit
Wed 04/18/07 Dallas, TX Gypsy Tea Room & Ballroom
Thu 04/19/07 Lawrence, KS Granada Theatre
Fri 04/20/07 Cincinnati, OH Bogart's
Sat 04/21/07 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Fun House/Theatre
Sun 04/22/07 Pittsburgh, PA Mr. Smalls Fun House/Theatre

Stay tuned and hope to get someone to share a review or photos of one of their shows. IRC members plan to get together to see their San Francisco show at the famous Fillmore.

Labels: Anti-Flag, Indie Venues