The Ocelots celebrate the release of “If Lightning Strikes Us Both” tonight at The 5 Spot. Their sophomore effort was recorded by Jeremy Ferguson at Battle Tapes and finds the 3-piece tightening the reigns on their brand of bare bones rock n’ roll. While borrowing from Pavement, fIREHOSE and Modest Mouse, they still make the music their own with their bouncy but angular rhythms and Chris Hargrove’s unique matter-of-fact vocal delivery. Come out tonight and see how it translates live. They’re joined by Nashville garage-rockers The Clutters and Murfreesboro indie-poppers Velcro Stars.
9:00 pm $5
Come on out tonight to the Radio Cafe for the East Nashville To New Orleans Benefit. This is your chance to see the singer/songwriters from all your favorite East Nashville rock bands. It’ll be like VH-1 Storytellers for freaks, drunks and stoners. Performers include Caldwell Dunlap of Bubblegum Complex, Ryan Ervin of The Carter Administration, Doug Lehmann of The Clutters, Jeff Meltesen of D. Striker, Richie Kirkpatrick of Ghostfinger, Matt Moody of Hands Down Eugene, Casey Sanders of Ole Mossy Face and Andy Schenck of The Squibs plus surprise guests. Each performer will play for about 20 minutes. All proceeds go to Preservation Hall New Orleans Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund and other displaced musicians.
9:00 pm FREE but donations are recommended
If metal is your thing and helping Katrina victims is your game, head out to The Muse tonight. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross. According to our sources, this is Nashville’s only all-ages benefit show. If you’re in that boat, this is your chance. Bands include Fall With Me, No Party, 3 Mile Island, Buried Under Broken Glass, Vesta Rose, Unpress and Black Hearted Renaissance.
6 pm $6
If you’ve ever wanted to talk to Brian Wilson, here’s your chance. For a mere $100 donation to Katrina victims, the music pioneer will match your donation and personally call you up and answer one question. This is for real. Make it snappy because the offer ends on October 1.
In order to benefit the Red Cross there is going to be a slew of bands at the mercy lounge tonight.
In the ballroom:
Bobby Bare Jr, David Mead, De Novo Dahl, The Features, Matthew Ryan, Jason White
Upstairs:
Bill Lloyd, Chuck Mead, Gary Bennett, Paul Burch, Robert Reynolds (of the Mavericks), Thad Cockrell
7 p.m.
$20(it’s a benefit!)
A bunch of rockers are painting big guitars for the streets of Phoenix. So who the hell painted our guitars?
WRVU hosts their Fall Benefit tonight at The 5 Spot. Weaklazyliar from Atlanta play as well as locals C.J. Boyd, lylas, and The Golden Sounds.
9pm
$5
Tonight The Bang Up will grace the stage of Wallstreet along with a few other favorites. Water Melancholy Flower will give us another hopefully improvised and completely mind blowing performance. Playing as well is Frontman, a local hip- hop group featuring 24/7 of Spooky Johnson. Looks to be one hell of a show, and bring plenty of money for booze. Show starts at 9pm.
ROAD TRIP!
Get your lazy asses off the couch, get in your car, drive to Indiana and spend the day on a farm drinking beer and eating barbecue while listening to live rock n’ roll. Got it? Good. The 2nd annual Gene Wilder Open is upon us. Swearing At Motorists is the headliner this year. Nashville bands The Carter Administration, Hands Down Eugene and Skills Like This (GBV cover band) will perform as well as Brando, Gentleman Caller and The Humans. There will be ample space on the farm for camping. Beer, BBQ and all the fixins are provided. Donations are highly recommended. It’s only 5 hours away. What are you waiting for? Go here for more detailed information.
— 
