Tav Falco’s Panther Burns at Fuzzy Cactus on Thursday, Sept. 22
If you’re reading this you may already know about the connection between punk and rockabilly blues, a la the Cramps. Originally from Memphis, Tav Falco’s Panther Burns came along right behind that legendary band in the late 1970s, and they’re still kicking out jams of the Southern Gothic-tinged, roots and country blues variety today.
A lot of great musicians have been counted as personnel of this band, from Big Star’s Alex Chilton to Jim Duckworth of the Gun Club, to Will Rigby and Peter Holsapple of the dB’s. But the main constant has been singer, Tav Falco, who was raised in rural Arkansas and still belts out that raw, primitive garage blues sound with intensity and veteran theatrical flair.
In 2017, the band got political when it cut a series of originals and covers from 80 years of popular music in response to the election of President Donald Trump, who Falco dubbed “the puppet head orangutan of malignant rage.” Come enjoy the ramshackle, down-and-dirty fun of Falco and the Panther Burns at Fuzzy Cactus. Opener TBA. 8 p.m. $15. Tickets available here.
Bier-Garden event at Maymont, Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24
Raise ‘em up! Hold up your steins for this two-night, Bavarian-style festival to toast the arrival of autumn at Maymont, the city’s gorgeous 100-acre park. Indeed, the weather looks nice: Get into the Oktoberfest spirit at this weekend long event which runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, plus kids are welcome on Saturday, when the event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (note: there will be games and crafts in the Kinderzone from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.). Live entertainment will be in the big Festhaus tent and features the Pay Rent Brass Band on Friday night; polka from the Original Elbe Musikanten German Band on Saturday, with a German dance troupe Hirschjäger Bavarian dancers from 1 to 8 p.m.; plus local ensemble Dalton Dash on Saturday night.
General admission is $10 (Capital Alehouse 16oz stein upgrade for $18). Kids 3 to 12 are $5. Visit maymont.org for more information. Also they’re still looking for volunteers here.
Big Freedia at Virginia PrideFest at Brown’s Island on Saturday, Sept. 24
Weekend temps in the mid to high 70s? Come through and celebrate with the LGBTQ community all weekend long, enjoying that live-azz, booty droppin’ fire music, plus drinks, drag and food trucks. First up on Friday night is Animal: the official pre-Pride party at River City Roll featuring three deejays, dancing and special performances. Organizers say come dressed in your favorite sexy animal prints or leather; it’s ages 21 and up and all are welcome.
Then on Saturday at Brown’s Island, it’s the main event: The fun starts at noon, but later in the day, the Truist main stage will feature the one-and-only Queen of Bounce, Big Freedia from New Orleans, along with rapper Leikeli 47 and Rosé from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Also on the bill: Zach Benson, Edixio, Sam Reed, Maria Rose, Cassidy Snyder and the Wranglers, and more. The fun runs until 8 p.m. ‘Lawd have mercy,’ as grandmama used to say, this stage should be buckling from the weight of all that talent, including local drag artists and main stage deejay, Amy Alderman. Then on Sunday, chill out and bring it back down to earth with the official closing party takes place at Bingo Beer Co. ($5 charge) from 3 to 11 p.m. For more deets, visit www.vapride.org.
But wait, there’s more:
Southern Culture on the Skids at the Broadberry, Friday, Sept. 23
We have a soft spot for this veteran, surf guitar party trio that’s been spreading the gospel of rock-and-roll ever since forming in Chapel Hill, NC way back in 1983. The band, featuring Rick Miller on vocals/guitar, Mary Huff on bass/vocals and Dave Hartman on drums/vocals, are true road warriors known informally as SCOTS. Their closest thing to a hit, “Camel Walk,” came during the mid-‘90s and still sounds great today – just try not stomping the dance floor all funky like to that one (you might recognize it from the indie comedy film, “Flirting with Disaster” starring Ben Stiller and Lily Tomlin). The “Dirt Track Date” album it came from was on DGC, which made them label-mates with the likes of Nirvana, Beck and Sonic Youth.
Not many groups stay together for some 40 years and still look like they love what they’re doing. Their latest record, “At Home With Southern Culture on the Skids” (2021) was recorded at home during the pandemic and includes some sweet covers, like Nancy Sinatra’s “Sugar Town” and Traffic’s “Dear Mr. Fantasy.” Check it out. Doors at 7 p.m. $18.
Bitch with Katie Cash and (Eli)zabeth Owens at Richmond City Music Hall, Sunday, Sept. 24
Anybody a fan of Kill Rock Stars label from the Great Northwest? They’ve had some memorable artists over the years, from Bikini Kill and Bratmobile to Elliott Smith and Sleater Kinney in the old days, to artists like Bitch today, whose new pop album “Bitchcraft” has been described as “like Joni Mitchell set to a click track” or a “queer Cyndi Lauper.” The singer relied on Anne Preven (Beyonce, Madonna) and God-des to help her with writing and production on the new album; also Roma Baran (Laurie Anderson) produced the violins on the song “Polar Bear.” Here’s an official video for her song, “Easy Target,” which was written during the Kavanaugh trials. Doors open at 7 p.m. and show is at 8 p.m.
