Rum, Ivey, Boxes

RIDE THE RUM TRAIN: Hot Buttered
Rum leads an existence tailor-made for cartoon adaptation.
Cruising the country in a veggie oil-fueled bus, the five bluegrass
minstrels come across with such overwhelming positivity, one might
question whether they’re for real. Leaving a wake of good vibes
onstage and off, these guys have established themselves as
ambassadors of a bluegrass renaissance. Only a handful of years
removed from their High Sierra hatching, HBR has developed a lofty
reputation across the country, exposing a new generation to the
joys of string music and pioneering — with tasteful rock, pop, and
funk inspiration — a trademark sound delicious enough to butter
anybody’s bread. Touring in support of their breathtaking new album
Well-Oiled Machine, the fun-loving quintet is known to
transform concert venues into cauldrons of frenetic bliss. Come to
SOhO this Saturday, May 27, and throw yourself in the mix.  
— Tyler Blue

POISON IVEY: Borders Books is hosting a free
in-store performance of Melissa Ivey on Sunday,
May 28, and Monday, May 29, at 2 p.m. This show is part of a pre-CD
release series, effectively incorporating the buzz of a CD release
into the length of an entire tour. Renowned nationwide for her
self-sustaining business sense, infectious personality, and killer
live performances, Ivey won the Denver Westword Showcase
singer/songwriter award in 2005. She’s performing at the downtown
Borders with Coles Whalen. — Rebecca
Riley

SONGS FOR YOU: Trinity Backstage never
disappoints with its monthly concerts, which this weekend features
John McVey, whose 1996 debut Circle of Friends
earned him the National Academy of Songwriters’ Acoustic Artist of
the Year Award. In addition to writing, recording, and performing,
McVey is a producer and engineer at Coupe Studios in Boulder,
Colorado, adding a different dimension to his involvement in the
music biz. If you’re lucky, Trinity organizers Doug
Clegg and Kate Wallace might also take
the stage to accompany McVey. Get backstage at the Trinity
Episcopal Church this Saturday, May 27, at 8 p.m., for $8. Visit
trinitybackstage.com. — Felicia M. Tomasko

HER MAGiSTiR’S SECRET SERVICE: Santa Barbara’s
newest supergroup, MAGiSTiR, is ready to unleash a
whole lotta sweet sounds at Rocks on Thursday (yes, tonight, May
25!). Formed from the nucleus of perennial songster Robin
Howe McIlrath’s eponymous band, MAGiSTiR has added
Dave Loeppke on keys and Darin
Fiechter on second guitar, plus a shiny new drummer,
bassist, and lead guitarist to fill out their classic Santa Barbara
sound, which brings to mind Toad the Wet Sprocket, but brings with
it a gust of fresh pop-rock breeze that’s all their own. Check out
their Myspace (myspace.com/magistir) for some sample tunes, then
come to Rocks at 7:30 p.m. for the real deal. Also appearing are
power-rockin’ Entoven and kooky-rockin’
Earl. A splendid time is guaranteed for all.
— Brier Random

STEADFAST WARRIOR KING: Continuing to be a
breath of fresh air with the new release of his sophomore CD, Hold
the Faith, Warrior King exercised a lyrically
heartfelt, spiritual, and lovers-rock approach during the
KJEE-sponsored Reggae Tuesday, May 23, at Cooney’s. Backed by the
Bay Area’s conscious hip-hop-inspired Wisdom Creation
Band, this young roots and culture Rastafarian appeased
the audience with his international smash hit and debut song
“Virtuous Woman” as well as “Everyday,” which is on Bob Marley’s
“Forever Loving Jah” riddim. Once known as Junior King, Warrior
King’s energetic and engaging style, alongside
Reuben, his enduring Ethiopian flagman, certainly
left a distinguished impression on reggae fans, as did Wisdom, who
is set to release second album soon, titled, Growth &
Elevation. No doubt, truly a night satiated musically!
— Lady J

OTRAS COSAS: Tonight, Thursday, May 25, Reds in
the Funk Zone is hosting a night of experimental music, with
influences ranging from Brian Eno to Merzbow. … Danceable indie
rock overtakes the Velvet Jones this Friday, May 26, with the
arrival of the Tender Box, whose debut The
Score on Swing House Records has popsters itching for more.
The L.A.-based quartet was set to play with Mon
Frere, but that band canceled due to the high price of
gas. Regardless, it’ll be a blast-off show, so check it out. … The
Durango Songwriters Expo comes to town on June 1
(see next week’s Indy for a feature), and it’s involving SOhO on
Wednesday, May 31, for a preview, with the likes of
AM, Warren Sellers,
Alyssa Moreno, Amanda Williams,
Amelia White, and Randi
Soyland-Vamos playing short acoustic sets. … Santa Barbara
son Gabe Lackner is back in town for some shows,
including a Thursday, June 1, gig at SOhO, where fans can expect
his homemade offerings of urban soul, original R&B, and
roots-tinged rock. — Matt Kettmann