The Cat’s Cradle continues 50th anniversary bash with Superchunk and 3 nights of shows
It’s another tip of the cap to Cat’s Cradle turning 50. Some unforgettable acts return to Carrboro. The former leader of Everclear also comes back to the Triangle.
Cat’s Cradle turns 50
The celebration continues. Last weekend, there were three shows. Three more will bring back venerable Triangle acts to the Cat’s Cradle stage.
The details: Cat’s Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro. Tickets start at $15. 919-967-9053 or catscradle.com
▪ Jan. 3, Night 4: Superchunk, Bandway, Lud, Zen Frisbee, Ben Davis & The Jetts, Michael Rank, Torch Marauder. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 6:30 p.m.
It’s always an event when Superchunk performs locally. It’s been over 30 years since the local heroes made an impact on the indie rock scene. Superchunk hasn’t lost a step when it comes to material and integrity. The only fault of the amusing and powerful Bandway, is that the duo wasn’t prolific enough. Count on an entertaining set from the charismatic act.
▪ Jan. 4, Night 5: The White Octave, Sorry About Dresden, The Popes, What Peggy Wants, The Mayflies USA, Big Fat Gap, Jon Shain and Mark Simonsen’s Flyin’ Mice Reunion, Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Show at 5 p.m.
The White Octave, which made a splash in Chapel Hill with 2000’s “Style No. 6312” and 2001’s “Menergy,” is back. Who doesn’t have a soft spot for former Cursive guitarist Steve Pedersen? Sorry About Dresden has reunited for the show. The alt-punk band, which shared a number of common denominators with Superchunk, scored some national play with its impressive debut album, “Let It Rest.” What Peggy Wants and the Popes are also on the bill.
▪ Jan. 5, Night 6: Mandolin Orange, Speed Stick, Pipe, Southern Culture on the Skids, John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff, Mellow Swells, Nikki Meets the Hibachi, Mickey Mills and Steel. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Show at 5 p.m.
It’s been a decade since the Chapel Hill duo Mandolin Orange formed. Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz have been touring behind their latest album, “Tides of a Teardrop.” The tandem expertly craft a combination of bluegrass, country and folk. The venerable Southern Culture on the Skids will deliver their quirky surf rock. Inventive percussive monsters Speed Stick is also part of the bill.
Art Alexakis
The details: Dec. 13, 8 p.m. Motorco Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave., Durham. Tickets are $20 to $30. 919-901-0875 or motorcomusic.com
Everclear’s Alexakis never received the credit for being an ace songwriter. Due to the muscularity of his band, he was tossed into the lunkhead pile, but it was so wrong. Alexakis offers real insight and emotion with such classics as “Heart Spark Dollarsign” and “Father of Mine.”
Alexakis revealed this year he is suffering from multiple sclerosis. “I was diagnosed in 2016,” he told Pop Matters in October.
“I didn’t hide it from anybody, but I didn’t make it truly public until this spring. I was ready to write about it, and if I was going to write about it, I wanted to have some say in how it was dealt with. I didn’t expect the response I got. Almost 100,000 people have reached out. But it took me a couple of years to come to grips with and start eating better, quit smoking cigars. I also had a double fusion in my spine, so I had back surgery. Now I find out I’ve got to get hip replacement surgery. I’m falling apart in my 50s! (Laughs.) I was never sick a day in my life. This is what you have to look forward to!”
Integrity
The details: Jan. 3, 7 p.m. Motorco Music Hall. Tickets start at $20
The Belgium hardcore band screams about such topics as philosophy, horror and the supernatural. If you like industrial or avant-garde tunes with some power, Integrity might be your thing. Fuming Mouth, Raw Hex, Joy and Blood Ritual will open.
Hillary Begley
The details: Jan. 4, 8 p.m. Motorco Music Hall. Tickets start at $17.
It’s a night of funny girls at Motorco. Asheville comic Hillary Begley, who played Aunt Lucy in the Netflix film “Dumplin,” will headline. Vivica C. Coxx, Lauren Faber and Stormie Daie will open.