Category: Music This Week

Local music news & events

• Hip-hop health: A benefit concert for suicide prevention stars J Gramz and several other acts, part of the Tour For Life Fundraiser series. The Brockton rapper is a good choice to headline, as his lyrics and beats reflect a hard-won survival through street life, depression and addiction. Also appearing are Ty Hunt, Paranormal Adam, Vad33m, Diastro and five others. Thursday, April 15, 7 p.m., Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, $12 at the door, 21+, more at gramzgtp.com.

• Celtic crossing: A Seacoast microbrewery welcomes Erin’s Guild, a favorite of regional Irish music fans. The trio of Sean Fell on guitar, Patrick Bowling, who competed in the All-Ireland championship on flute and bodhran, and mandolin player Scott Sutherland weaves traditional jigs and reels with American folk songs and a few of their own originals. They have released three CDs, including their most recent, Lost In The Game. Friday, April 16, 7 p.m., Stripe Nine Brewing, 8 Somersworth Plaza, Somersworth, erinsguild.com.

• Out standing: Sometimes the only way to deal with fear is to blast past it. For years Nick Drouin was chided when he tried to sing. Stay behind the drum kit, people told him, and he did — until one day he didn’t, and began writing his own songs. It’s a good thing, too, because Drouin’s instinct for what makes a good country record matches his sense of where he should fit into the creative process: front and center. Friday, April 16, 8 p.m., Bonfire Country Bar, 950 Elm St., Manchester, bonfire.country/manchester.html.

• Rocking return: It’s been five months since Truffle played in public, though front man Dave Gerard has kept busy with solo shows. Being idle is uncommon for the group, which boasted on Facebook that they’ve never even gone five weeks without a gig. The year is shaping into a busy one for the “New Hampshire Soul” band, together over 30 years with no slowing down in sight. Saturday, April 17, 2 p.m., Stone Church Beer Garden, 5 Granite St., Newmarket, tickets sold in two-, four- and six-person blocks, $50 to $150 at stonechurchrocks.com.

• Brunch bunch: Art, cuisine and music combine, the latter provided The Incidentals, a fun cover band that touches on everything from the Ramones to Frank Sinatra. The newly launched brunch, offered in the Currier’s Winter Garden, now includes table service, house bloody mary and mimosa flights, and a rotating chef-curated micro menu. Reservations are not required, but timed tickets for a gallery visit are. Sunday, April 18, 10 a.m., Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Manchester, currier.org.

Local music news & events

• Decked out: Weather postponed the return of outdoor music last week, but Jamie Cain will perform a makeup date to kick off the season, one of several planned by a restaurant-bar chain. Expect an island vibe from the Boston-based singer and guitarist, who released his first album, 1Love, last summer. Cain’s cover of Zac Brown’s “Toes” is a particular treat, as well as providing a good indication of where his head and heart are at. Thursday, April 8, 5 p.m., 110 Grill, 27 Trafalgar St., Nashua. See Facebook.

• Dynamic duo: Fine dining is paired with soulful music from Family Affair, the father-daughter combo of Pete and Yamica Peterson. Together and on their own, they are staples on the regional music scene. Yamica has several side groups, while Pete performs at so many venues it’s hard to count. Together they share a passion for the art they create. “I’m just grateful I get to do what makes me happy,” Yamica once said. “Getting paid for it is just a bonus. Friday, April 9, 7 p.m., XO Bistro, 827 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/XOonElm.

• Vintage laughs: A triple bill of comedy is led by Paul Gilligan, who riffs on family life and his pale Irish heritage. “On summer vacations,” goes one joke, “I hide under the deck in a ski mask with 68 sunblock, wrapped in a towel.” Carolyn Plummer and Mike McCarthy also appear, the latter a Celtic comic who does his act in a traditional attire, giving a new twist to the popular standup expression, “he kilt.” Saturday, April 10, 5:30 p.m., Fulchino Vineyard, 187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis, tickets $58 at fulchino-vineyard-inc.square.site.

• Lakeside tunes: Beechwood plays at a restaurant near the edge of Lake Sunapee. The Henniker natives play an acoustic mix of old-school folk, country, bluegrass, rock and blues, even a little jazz, led by guitarists Dann Foster and Jerry Richardson, who also handles vocals. Set highlights include Anders Osborne’s “Me and Lola.” Saturday, April 10, 6 p.m., The Anchorage, 71 Main St., Sunapee. See facebook.com/beechwoodband.

Local music news & events

• Maine man: Even with a socially distanced crowd, comedian Bob Marley can fill a room with laughter. From his Upta Camp jokes to riffs on his home life, like inventing nonexistent tools and terms to weasel his way out of home repair jobs, Marley is a top draw in the region. never doing the same show twice. He made the Guinness Book of World Records a while back for longest set — no repeats. Thursday, April 1, at 5 and 8:30 p.m., Dana Center, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets $36.50 at anselm.edu.

• Sing along: When he’s not performing as one half of Acoustic BS, Shane Hooker plays solo gigs like one upcoming at a New Boston restaurant and bar. Hooker has a wide range of material to draw from; he played with the heavy rock band GFY in college, and can really liven up songs like Sister Hazel’s “All For You.” His band’s name, in case the question came up, is a combination of his and mate Bob Fillion’s first names’ initials. Friday, April 2, 5 p.m., Molly’s Tavern, 35 Mont Vernon Road, New Boston, facebook.com/shane.hooker.

• Guitar magic: Enjoy Easter brunch and tasteful music from Phil Jakes, a guitarist who lets his instrument speak instead of vocalizing. He gives expression to songs like 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love” and Tool’s “Sober” that reveal them in ways not heard in the originals. The only thing more enjoyable than listening to Jakes’ intricate arrangements is watching his fretwork, fingers fluidly moving up and down his custom guitar’s neck. Sunday, April 4, 11 a.m., Copper Door, 41 South Broadway, Salem, facebook.com/philmacrakken.

• Game playing: Those looking to flaunt their College of Musical Knowledge bona fides will enjoy Music Bingo. Patrons receive a card with 25 squares, a DJ from Florida-based Musical Bingo Nation starts playing songs, everyone listens carefully to a short snippet and crosses off matches, until someone gets five in a row and jumps up to yell (or sing) the winning phrase. Wednesday, April 7, 8 p.m., Shoppers Pub at Indian Head, 18 Lake Ave., Manchester, more at shoppersmht.com.

Local music news & events

• American stream: Talented multi-instrumentalist and singing duo Green Heron closes out a virtual concert series. The evening will be a tonic for fans who hoped to see them in person a few months back at Zinger’s. That event fell to Covid concerns. The Milford performance venue just announced its permanent closure, leaving a void in the region’s comedy music and comedy scene. Thursday, March 25, 6:30 p.m., Bell and Brick Virtual Coffeehouse, streamed on the Belknap Mill’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel.

• Good cause: A benefit event for a youngster battling brain cancer, Bash For Nash features music from Southern Breeze, covering the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet and the Outlaws, but the big deal is a car, truck and heavy equipment show designed to delight boys of all ages; it’s specific request of Nash Rogers, the day’s beneficiary. Other fundraising includes a 50/50 raffle and auction. Saturday, March 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., New England Dragway, 280 Exeter Road, Epping, facebook.com/EpicAutoNH.

• Country rock: A downtown country-themed bar welcomes Nick Drouin playing solo. The drummer turned front man has a well-tuned instinct for crafting good songs, exemplified by “Small Town,” an autobiographical paean to growing up in Candia made in Nashville with Jason Aldean’s III Kings rhythm section. “It’s a real song,” Drouin once said, “straight from the heart every time I sing it.” Friday, March 26, 8 p.m., Bonfire Restaurant & Country Bar, 950 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/nickdrouinmusic.

• Triple laughs: One of Boston’s quintessential comics, Dave Russo headlines a strong lineup that includes Amy Tee and Jason Merrill. Russo is familiar as co-host of NESN’s Dirty Water and Denis Leary’s annual Comics Come Home benefit show. Prior to his comedy career, he attended UNH on a wrestling scholarship, winning a gold medal at the Bay State Games. Then Wayne Newton discovered him, and the rest is history. Saturday, March 27, 8 p.m., Cello’s Farm House, 143 Raymond Road, Candia, tickets $30 at eventbrite.com.

Local music news & events

• Character: Rhode Island based singer-songwriter Tequila Jim has a John Mellencamp vibe going on his latest original song, “And I Still Love You,” along with a long catalog of originals amassed over decades of performing. He counts influences across a diverse spectrum of music, from Herman’s Hermits to Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. Thursday, March. 18, 5 p.m., To Share Brewing Co., 720 Union St., Manchester, facebook.com/ToShareBrewing.

• Coolness: Soulful, insightful singer and keyboard player Yamica Peterson is joined by scene veteran Nate Comp on guitar and backing vocals for a post-dinner show in downtown Manchester. The NEMA-nominated performer headlined the final pre-winter intermission show with a live audience at Concord’s Bank of NH Stage a few months back, an inspirational evening that will hopefully be repeated soon, as the sun comes out and herd immunity takes hold. Friday, March 19, 7:30 p.m., XO on Elm, 827 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/XOonElm.

• Tuneful: Enjoy an eclectic selection of cover songs and quality food as Bob Pratte performs solo. A look at the singer and guitarist’s schedule for this year gives one encouragement that things will get better, as it grows longer with each passing month. Pratte plays a lot of classic rock and country songs, everything from Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” to “X’s & O’s” from Elle King. Saturday, March 20, 8 p.m., The Pasta Loft, 241 Union Square, Milford, bobpratteband.com.

• Vocalize: Lateafternoon music from Bobby Lane is on the menu at a pizza place doing a lot to support local music. With a set list that includes ’90s rockers like Matchbox 20, folk music, modern and classic country, Lane is a natural performer who recently marked two years of playing out. He’s the restaurant’s regular Wednesday night entertainer — this is a special event. Sunday, March 21, 5 p.m., Lynn’s 102 Tavern, 76 Derry Road, Hudson, facebook.com/lynns102tavern.

• Mainstay: As his band Truffle marks 35 years together, front man Dave Gerard performs solo as he waits for the regional club scene to flower again. Truffle is perhaps the longest-running band in New Hampshire, a constant presence. The secret? “We keep writing music and bring back things we haven’t done in a while,” Gerard said once. “We’re always blowing the rust off of something and changing up the set list.” Friday, March. 12, 8 p.m., Telly’s Restaurant & Pizzeria, 235 Calef Highway, Epping, 679-8225.

• Interplay: Always a fun evening of music and comedy shaped by audience participation, Dueling Pianos is served up in Celtic green with a side of shamrock for a St. Patrick’s Day themed performance. The formula is simple: Two piano players play requests dropped in a tip jar — and occasionally pre-empt a song when someone’s friend outbids, say, “She’s Got A Way” into silence (or, in this case, “Danny Boy”). Friday, March 12, 8 p.m., Chunky’s Cinema & Pub, 151 Coliseum Ave, Nashua, $20 at chunkys.com.

• Countrified: In the early days of the pandemic lockdown, Maddi Ryan hosted weekly Couch Sessions with drummer and guitarist Charles Greenwood, playing everything from Dolly Parton to Buffalo Springfield, along with many of her own twanged-up originals. She and Greenwood are playing out again, Friday, March 12, 8 p.m., Bonfire Restaurant & Country Bar, 950 Elm St., Manchester, facebook.com/MaddiRyanMusic.

• Reunited: Even a three-fifths JamAntics reunion is cause to celebrate, as The Special Guests — guitarist Lucas Gallo, bass player Eric Reingold and singing drummer Masceo — perform in the Capital City’s own cellarful of noise. The power trio promises a musical stew of rock, blues and funk, an extension of the genre-bending, “high energy, tasty licks” jammy, jazz-inflected sound the band established its reputation with in the late Zeroes. Saturday, March 13, 8 p.m., Penuche’s Ale House, 16 Bicentennial Square, Concord, 228-9833.

• Greenery: 2020’s first Covid cultural casualty was St. Patrick’s Day. The Cam McMaster Irish Trio is one of several performers trying to keep the spirit alive this year at both branches of a pub that in past times would have a line wrapped around the building to feast on corned beef and cabbage washed down with a Guinness, but these are different days. Mark Lapointe kicks things off in Manchester at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, 4 p.m., Murphy’s Tap Room & Carriage House, 393 Route 101, Bedford, murphystaproom.com.