Wednesday
Brendan James — Brendan James, a former college a cappella singer turned piano-pop troubadour, hits New Brookland Tavern under an MTV banner. The long-running cable network’s lingering cultural relevance owes far more to the pseudo celebrities of The Hills than it does to alternative rock, but that suits James and his subtly dramatic, mostly mellow smooth jams just fine. His songs practically beg to soundtrack a sweeping panoramic shot that zooms into a crying blonde being consoled by her best friend — which is to say if you like Zach Braff movies, Frappuccinos or dudes in cable-knit sweaters, this’ll be right up your alley. B. Reed
New Brookland Tavern: 8 p.m., $6; 791-4413, newbrooklandtavern.com.
Friday
 |
| Hollywood Undead |
Hollywood Undead — Presumably, the masks worn by Hollywood Undead’s six members serve not only aesthetic purposes but are worn as physical manifestations of apology for the L.A. atrocity’s steaming pile of eight-years-too-late nu-metal excrement. The band’s best riff (from “Undead”) is stolen from Papa Roach’s “Last Resort.” The sextet’s (hurr, hurr, I said sex) rampant misogyny, homophobia (Aside: Where the hell is flippant use of the word “faggot” still acceptable?) and sophomoric sub-frat humor turn mindless songs into exercises in aural endurance. Now I’m just stuck debating whether Limp Bizkit or Insane Clown Posse makes a more apt reference, as though it even matters. This might well be the worst music I’ve ever heard. B. Reed
Headliners: 8 p.m., $12 ($10 advance); 796-2333, headlinerscolumbia.com.
Free Times, 11/12/08
Posts
