The Eastern Idaho Fair in Blackfoot is in full swing, and one of the most eagerly anticipated concerts will be on Thursday night when Chicago takes the stage. Playing almost non-stop for forty years and with record sales in the hundreds of millions, it is safe to say Chicago is one of the most successful bands ever.
According to the band's website, www.chicagotheband.com, 18 of their albums are gold, 13 are platinum, 12 have reached the top ten, and 5 have hit number one. Of their singles, Chicago enjoys 20 top ten hits, 5 number one records and 5 gold singles. In addition, they have also received Grammy Awards and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Chicago continues to donate a portion of each ticket sold to the Parseghian Medical Research Foundation, which is seeking a cure to Neimann-Pick Type C disease. Tickets are $27, including the Chicago Concert, Track Standing Admission and Gate Admission, available online at www.funatthefair.com/store. Concert starts at 8 p.m.
Friday the 7th in Idaho Falls, The Sammus Theory, The Unread and Hate Locker are playing at The Tropics starting at 7 p.m. This is the area's best chance to see three of our best heavy rockers. Tickets are $8 advance at Budget Tapes & Records in Pocatello or $10 at the door.
The Sammus Theory has a great local following, with music that might be compared to Seether or Tool. The songs Pillbox, Something Special and Counterfeit off of the new album "See It Through" have gotten a great response so far.
Sammus grew up in Idaho Falls but moved to Phoenix to further his musical career. "The biggest thing is that I don't ever want to forget where I came from. As long as S.E. Idaho supports The Sammus Theory, we'll always bring a show there when we can."
The Unread is based in Idaho Falls and also has a great local following. They've had several shows this summer – I caught the one at the First National Bar in June. We couldn't get enough of the heavy grungy riffs and soulful vocals.
These two bands paired up earlier this summer when sharing the stage with Smile Empty Soul and The Exxies. This time, they're joined by Hate Locker, a Pocatello-based hardcore metal band. Band websites are www.thesammustheory.com, www.myspace.com.theunread and www.myspace.com/hatelocker.
More locally, Spittin Lynt, Greyhouse Effect and Nyr Lif, all Pocatello based, will perform a free concert at the Bengal Café on the ISU campus, Friday night the 7th, starting at 7 p.m.
Spittin' Lynt is an energetic funk jam band with a definite jazz influence. Fans of Spittin' Lynt range in age from young to old – younger fans dig the old funk grooves as if hearing them for the first time, and older fans love to hear young musicians playing the tunes they grew up with.
Derrick Strang, drummer for Spittin Lynt told me, "We just think that everyone needs to come out and support the local music scene whenever they see that there is a band playing." He continued, "The fans just need to know how important they are to the music scene. If there weren't people there to enjoy it there would be no scene."
Greyhouse Effect has gained popularity by moving around in the coffeehouse circuit and with some outdoor shows this past summer. They're music has an acoustic rock feel with syncopated rhythms. The band can be found online at www.myspace.com/greyhouseeffect.
Nyr Lif plays gentle ambient music with guitar, beats and some electronica. It's rather experimental, but from what I've heard, quite promising in its talent and conception. I'll be looking forward to hearing more. Check out www.myspace.com/leafintherain
My pick for your live music Saturday night would have to be at Portneuf Valley Brewing. Acoustic blues guitarist Steven Swift is coming up all the way from Cedar City, Utah for this performance, starting at 8 p.m.
Swift puts on a fun, live, throw back to the old days of the one man band, and it's so hard to beat a good blues jam. Come prepared to buy a CD. Swift says the way to get his music out there is by "… selling CD's and playing shows. I think that downloading is killing the music industry, one kilobyte at a time."
Fans can visit Steven Swift online at www.stevenswift.com.
L Alexander
slowloosegravel@yahoo.com
myspace.com/showmetheband
