– Some dude named Bucky Covington covered Garth Brooks‘s Thunder Rolls on American Idol last night, proving that songs by professional hacks that don’t seem like they can be any worse actually can be in the hands of amateur hacks. (Saving grace: “I don’t see Bucky as the star attraction,” said Simon Cowell, “I see him as the supporting act.”) . . .
– The new issue of No Depression reports on the return of Golden Smog. The alt-country supergroup, which includes Jeff Tweedy among other luminaries, is scheduled to release Another Fine Day in early summer, on Lost Highway. This will be the first Golden Smog record since 1998 . . .
– It would be well worth your effort to get your hands on a WXRT recording of a Golden Smog show at Lounge Ax in 1996. Includes a cover of Rosanne Cash‘s “Seven Year Ache” . . .
– The Hideout reports more news on the Gary Schepers front: “Early-90’s indie-rock phenoms Phantom Helmsmen, who broke up in 1993, and haven’t played a reunion show since 2000, will play a long goddamn set of rock music for our friend Gary Schepers on Thur. Mar. 9th at Empty Bottle along with another early-90’s sensation, Falstaff, and tentatively, Boom Hank” . . .
For more information including how to donate to the Gary Schepers Trust, go here.
– Check out Robbie Fulks‘s monthly XM radio show, “Robbie’s Secret Country,” on “X Country” (XM12). Next broadcast is on Monday, March 27 . . .
– Bloodshot Records artist Kelly Hogan has joined The Eclectic Company, the WXRT radio show hosted by Jon Langford and Nic Tremulis. The show airs on Tuesday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight. Hogan will debut a newly recorded cover song each week toward the end of the show . . .
Bloodshot has posted the schedule for its South-by-Southwest Showcase. You can check for updates here, but here’s the lineup for now.
Thursday, March 16 :
Bloodshot Records Label Showcase at Bourbon Rocks, 508 E. 6th St
Sponsored by the Onion and KDHX 88.1, St. Louis
8:00pm: Mark Pickerel
9:00pm: Cordero
10:00pm: Deadstring Brothers
11:00pm: Scott H. Biram
12:00pm: Bobby Bare Jr.
1:00pm: Bottle Rockets
Friday, March 17:
Devil in a Woodpile @ Habana Calle 6 Patio, 709 E. 6th: 9:00pm
Saturday, March 18:
The Meat Purveyors @ Copa, 217 S. Congress: 12:00am (midnight)
Waco Brothers @ Bourbon Rocks, 508 E. 6th St: 1:00am
Jon Langford @ Opal Divine’s, 700 W. 6th St: 10:00pm
Parties and Unofficial Events:
Wednesday, March 13:
Industry of Music party at The Tap Room, 311 Colorado
Cordero: 4pm
Scott H. Biram: 6pm
Friday, March 17:
Bloodshot 12th Annual SXSW Party @ Yard Dog Gallery, 1510 S Congress Ave
Festivities begin at 12 NOON. 10+ Bands! Free beer, sponsored by PBR.
Saturday, March 18:
Industry of Music party at The Tap Room, 311 Colorado
Deadstring Brothers: 4pm
Sunday, March 19:
Alejandro Escovedo hosts the annual SIMS benefit at Continental Club, 1315 South Congress Ave.
with Sally Timms, Jon Langford and more, time tba.
Posted on March 2, 2006