The first annual WPGU-Buzz Local Music Awards was a fashionable affair akin to a movie premiere, with many musicians dressed to the hilt and programs and popcorn for all. After accepting the award for Best Overall Band, Lorenzo Goetz launched into a short set that started with an elaborate cover of “The Break (It’s Been There All This Time),” which in 2003 made Absinthe Blind the second local band this decade to have a hit radio single and paved the way for myriad more. Seth Fein and Joe Funderburk joined, freeing Lorenzo Goetz drummer Jess Greenlee to handle those high vocals. The set concluded with “Jesus Elephant,” the title track off the current Lorenzo Goetz album, and “Heavy.”
Best Roots/Americana Band nominee Green Mountain Grass was the first act of the night, but the ceremony officially commenced with a sneak preview of the new lineup of Best Rock Band nominee Triple Whip. “Butcher” and “Triads” preceded “I’ll Kill You,” a Hot Glue Gun cover and collaboration with Hot Glue Gun and Mad Science Fair frontman Mike Clayton. Triple Whip later debuted its new lineup with drummer Jane Boxall (and revived an old Marvin Nash song) at a birthday party at the Kung-Fu for Holistic Health Center. Earlier this month, Triple Whip conceded any indie cred with a public statement of once having owned an Ace of Base album. Indie cred is overrated, and Triple Whip next performs April 24 at The Highdive.
Several other acts are ready to announce lineup changes. Pulsar47 has a drummer in time for its shows April 30 and May 1: Aroon Karuna, a law student who also does programming. Meanwhile, Colonel Rhodes has an interim bassist, as regular bassist Shane Cochran just left for a year of study in Japan. His replacement is David Gerkin of The Red Hot Valentines.
Tonight at 8, G. Lee comes officially off hiatus and plays at Aroma. At 10, Nargile presents jigGsaw, Kate Hathaway Band, FCAB and Sincerely Calvin; cover is $5. Also at 10, at Cowboy Monkey, St. Louis trio Riddle of Steel opens for Captured! by Robots; cover is $6. This is the second show here for Riddle of Steel, whose new album Got This Feelin’ comes out June 21. A pre-sale through Ascetic Records and a special vinyl release (red or white wax) through Robotic Empire Records are on schedule for May.
Fresh from an appearance at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Cuban band Sandunga plays tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Aroma in connection with Boneyard Arts Festival. At 8 p.m., Angie Heaton performs solo at Borders. Also at 8 p.m., Owen, Snake the Cross the Crown and Colonel Rhodes return to Courtyard Cafe to play with Decibully. And at 10 p.m., Emotional Rec Club, The Greedy Loves, Mock Romeo and Killjoy Confetti share a bill at Nargile; cover is $5.
Saturday, OpeningBands.com band of the month Relenter and i:scintilla will appear as a double header on a rescheduled episode of Distant Signals. Hostess Jana Robert will interview Relenter, with emphasis on keyboardist Robert Martz’s work experience, and i:scintilla will play acoustic for the second time ever. Distant Signals airs on 88.7 FM from 2 to 4 every Saturday afternoon.
