The self-titled, self-released EP by The Evinrudes has sold more than 1,000 copies in the past two months alone, fueled by the unexpected radio success of the group’s single “Drive Me Home.” Last week the song was the third most frequently played song on KDF’s playlist, beating out the likes of Matchbox 20, Blues Traveler, and Oasis. Easy to see why: The song has a sweeping chorus, pointedly ironic vocals by Sherry Cothran, and snidely funny lyrics by songwriter Brian Reed that reel off a litany of un-PC fantasies. (Sample: “If I were a man, I’d rule this planet/I’d beat up Michael, hang out with Janet.”)
Despite such less-than-warm homilies, the group headlines a benefit for the Second Harvest Food Bank Thursday night at Caffé Milano. (They share the bill with a group called Presently Known As Prince, led not by The Artist but by local vocalist Jennifer Prince.) The Evinrudes will be joined by violinist Conni Ellisor, who’s being filmed by the Bravo network for an upcoming documentary. The first show is sold out, but there are still some reservations available for 10 p.m. Call 615-255-0073. (JR)
Veteran saxophonist Jim Hoke premieres his new 10-piece band, Hoke and the Jump Daddys, this Thursday in an early-evening performance at 3rd & Lindsley. The well-regarded reed player and arranger once led a California jump-blues band called the R&B Bombers, and he hopes to build a similar reputation with the Jump Daddys. The group features a five-piece horn section, and its set list will include a house-rocking combination of blues, jazz, swing, and New Orleans tunes.
A Nashville resident since 1985, Hoke has worked with NRBQ (as leader of the Whole Wheat Horns), Emmylou Harris, Wynonna Judd, Steve Earle, Jill Sobule, and Webb Wilder. The band will feature Hoke on tenor and alto sax, Randy Leago on tenor sax, Steve Hermann on trumpet, Roy Agee on trombone, and Doug Moffitt on baritone sax. Singer C.C. Miller has toured with James Brown and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and guitarist Mel Deal has backed Gatemouth Brown and Groove Holmes. The band is rounded out by drummer Michael Clark, bassist Charlie Chadwick, and pianist Kevin Madill. Hoke expects guest stars to drop by regularly. (MM)
Avast, me hearties, and hoist the Jolly Roger for Nashville’s hottest new supergroup: Swag! Months ago, we’d heard that Mavericks bassist Robert Reynolds and piano-pounder Jerry Dale McFadden had formed a power-pop side project with Cheap Trick bassist Tom Petersson and Wilco/Courtesy Move drummer Ken Coomer. The group actually surfaced in public recently at Billy Block’s Western Beat Roots Revival, and on Oct. 9 they’ll play their first official gig opening for the Glad Hands at 12th & Porter.
“The big problem has been getting everybody in town at the same time,” admits McFadden, who was a solo attraction in Nashville clubs in the 1980s. Even though the Mavericks spent the year off the road, McFadden toured briefly with Jill Sobule; Petersson embarked on a summer tour to support Cheap Trick’s new album; and Coomer has been on the road with Wilco, opening for the Sheryl Crow tour. But they’ll all be in town week after next, and they decided to take the opportunity to book a gig and do some recording.
McFadden is also excited about the upcoming Mavericks album, which is said to have some Latin songs, some ’60s pop, some gospel, lots of horns—and little overt country. Early listeners have called it the group’s best record, but it’s not due until the first quarter of 1998. All McFadden will say is that “it sounds a lot like War’s ‘Low Rider.’ ” In the meantime, to hear how some of the Mavs spent their summer vacation, turn up Oct. 9 at 12th & P. (JR)
Elliptical dispatches: Shhhh, don’t disturb BR5-49, which is angling to become the hardest-working band in show bidness. During its rare moments off the road—the group just got back from touring with Bob Dylan and Ani DiFranco—the band is under the gun to record and complete its new album for Arista Records by the end of the year. The group still managed to play two Ryman dates on Monday and Tuesday opening for John Fogerty, who’s reportedly a big fan....
The Raybon Brothers, who recently scored a hit with their version of Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses,” are among the featured performers at the 2nd annual Concert of Hope to benefit the Madison Children’s Home and Domestic Violence Program. Also on the bill are Linda Davis, Mila Mason, Rhett Akins, and Craig Morris. The show takes place Oct. 20 at the Goodpasture Christian School Fine Arts Center, and tickets are $25 and $15....
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