I have to start this column with an apology. Bluesy, Florida-based folksters The Afterwhile returned to our hemisphere and played a wildly on-point set at the Doggery last Thursday night, but I neglected to mention it in last week's Dial Tones.
Luckily, the band will be playing around the area until October, so I'll have plenty of chances to rectify my mistake. For now, I'll alleviate some of my guilt by leaving you with the knowledge that The Afterwhile's next Rochester engagement is on Aug. 18 at the Taphouse. Until then, you can satiate your appetite for the band's airy compositions by streaming songs on the group's website, theafterwhile.com.
Now, on to this weekend's music.
Thursday night belongs to Rochester's president and first lady of blues, Annie Mack. Not only will she facilitate the party at 5 p.m. on the First Avenue stage of Thursdays on First, but she'll be headlining the after-party on the rooftop of Kathy's Pub starting at 8:30 p.m. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Mack's potent blend of blues, roots, and soul music, head over to her website, anniemackblues.com.
On Friday, Kathy's will keep some of the bluesy spirit going by hosting Minneapolis rockers Social Soundtrack starting around 10 p.m. The band plays blues-influenced alternative rock; you can check out their sound on at their Facebook page, facebook.com/SocialSoundtrackBand.
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The next night, Saturday, the Evergreen Grass Band, no strangers to Kathy's Pub, will take the stage for an evening of Wisconsin-bred indie-bluegrass starting around 10. The band's website, evergreengrassband.com, features a the option to stream some of their studio recordings, as well as a link to their past shows.
The North Star Bar goes all-in with local acts on both Friday and Saturday night this weekend. On Friday night, they've enlisted the talents of funky, ska-loving cover band After School Special. The band's Facebook page, facebook.com/afterschoolspecialmn, tells us that the band has an extensive list of songs to choose from, including "The Impression That I Get" by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Domino" by Van Morrison, "Brick House" by the Commodores, and "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel, among many others.
LP & the 45s will pick up where After School Special leaves off on Saturday night with their extensive catalog of classic cover songs, which you can peruse at their website, lp-45.net.
Broadway Pizza's Saturday Showcase this week will feature the rough-spun, straight-talking original music of local country artist and former Army Ranger JT Thompson. Thompson's Reverbnation page, reverbnation.com/jtthompson, features a handful of his covers and originals.
Speaking of local country music, KWWK 96.5 is holding an online contest to determine who gets a slot as an opening act at this year's Harvest Jam festival. Local country acts Emily Whitcomb, Home of the Brave, JT & The Gunslingers, and The Listings are going head-to-head in the online contest, which you can vote in daily: quickcountry.com/cast-your-vote-for-our-opening-act-at-harvest-jam.
Finally, Sunday night's Down by the Riverside concert, headlined by Sonny Knight & the Lakers, will get an extra dose of vibrancy thanks to opening act Suite, who have never failed to start a party. They'll be playing a 45-minute set that will range from their freshly-minted original material to their time-tested and groove-approved cover selections. For more, check out their website, inthesuite.com.
Other shows:
• Knufunk will bring the noise to the Rochester Civic Theatre's patio starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
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• Reunion Band and Downchilds will play Boomer's Lounge on Friday night starting at 8.
• Kinney Creek's Taproom will play hose to the After Hours Jazz Quartet on Saturday evening from 8 until midnight.
