There’s some eclectic live music options in the Twin Cities early this week.
Wednesday night, Buckethead is playing First Avenue.
It’s been five years since Buckethead was last here. I can’t believe it’s been that long.
I like to tell Guns N’ Roses fans that Buckethead is the greatest guitarist ever to play for GNR.
I’m not wrong, all respect due to Slash.
Buckethead, the bucket-masked Brian Patrick Carroll, was lead guitarist for GNR from 2000 to 2004.
He play more notes per second than any guitarist that I have ever witnessed. But it’s not just the number of notes he plays, but the way he plays them. He shreds the gnar.
Buckethead, a virtuoso, has collaborated with a lot of famous players, including Primus frontman Les Claypool.
I’m pretty bummed I’m missing this show — because I’ll be out in Dover, Dela., for Phish’s Mondegreen festival.
Also Wednesday, comes guitarist Dweezil Zappa, son of the late Frank Zappa.
Zappa will be performing at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.
Don’t sleep on Ghost Funk Orchestra at the Green Room tonight (Tuesday).
If you haven’t already checked out my interview with Ghost Funk frontman Seth Applebaum, please do. Here’s a link to that story.
Hip-hop heads will want to see Smif-N-Wessum, the Brooklyn-based rap duo that will be at Fine Line Thursday touring the 30th anniversary of their 90s classic Dah Shinin’.
Here they are at NPR’s Tiny Desk back in 2019.
And that’s all before the weekend hits!
Graham Nash is at Pantages Theatre in Minneapolis Friday.
And Charley Crockett is at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul that night, as well.
Pryes Brewing’s two-day Summer Festival is Friday and Saturday.
I’m almost not surprised that they were able to land Lotus as the Saturday headliner.
That lack of surprise is because the brewery has demonstrated a commitment to live music the past few years, booking other top national-touring talent.
Also in Saturday’s Summer Festival lineup is local jam act Mikel Wright and the Wrongs.
A recent gig they played at Bunkers impressed me and a long-time friend, my bro that got me into Phish. It didn’t hurt that they had gifted keyboardist Kevin Gastonguay sitting in.
But I went from a casual Mikel Wright and the Wrongs fan to one looking for their next show.
They’ll be back at Bunkers on Aug. 24, the first of a few shows I’ll point ahead to here.
That same day has two other shows worth mentioning now.
High & Rising plays at Schell’s Stage at the Minnesota State Fair.
And Icehouse hosts Jerryapolis, a tribute to Jerry Garcia, featuring guitarist Javier Trejo, keyboardist Kevin Dorsey, multi-instrumentalist Martin Dosh (whose credits include a stint playing with Andrew Bird) and drummer JT Bates.
Look out for my interview with JT Bates. The prolific drummer, who has long been associated with Icehouse, is now doing the booking for that gem of a venue/restaurant on the Eat Street end of Nicollet Avenue.
Last but not least, I mention King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Sept. 3 at the Armory in Minneapolis.
That day marks my return home to Minnesota, as I’ll be following the Australian psych rock band after Phish’s Mondegreen festival. I do plan to keep this weekly column up from the road (Sorry to anyone who missed it last week).