FRIDAY, Aug. 22
Saints fans know him as the Whistle Monster , the vocal uber-fan who wears a helmet shaped like a referee's whistle.
But around the Maple Leaf Bar he's Leroy Mitchell, a "rear admiral" in the godless Krewe of Oak.
A few weeks ago, Mitchell severed the tendons attached to his both knee caps spell playing kickball. Surgery followed, and he has been unable to work (though he sat in the handicapped section at last weekend's preseason game). Tonight the Maple Leaf hosts a benefit for the Whistle Monster featuring such performers as Ivan Neville, Russell Batiste, members of the Rebirth Brass Band and Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes.
Also tonight, acclaimed Athens, Ga., major power trio The Whigs, touring in support of their ATO Records debut "Mission Control, " rocks Republic New Orleans. Veteran hard rock candy quintet Tesla hits Tipitina's for a Tipitina's Foundation benefit. Southwest Louisiana roots rock and Cajun band The Bluerunners does the late set at d.b.a. Hear guitarist Anders Osborne, saxophonist Tim Green and drummer Simon Lott at Le Bon Temps Roule. Gutbucket blues mouth organ man J. Monque'D and rockabilly combo Johnny J & the Hitmen share a beak at the Mid-City Lanes. The Irene Sage Band is at the Banks Street Bar. The Soul Rebels kick at the Blue Nile. Reggae/R&B band The Revealers jam at Cafe Negril. Reggae triplet Zion Trinity is at Club Caribbean on Bayou Road. Drummer, singer and songwriter Jason Schell's band is at Carrollton Station with Robin Kinchen.
SATURDAY, Aug. 23
Will Gilbert, drummer for local instrumental avant-rock band Metronome the City, is a major fan of 720 Degrees, the arcade skateboard game issued by Atari in 1986. Gilbert even dropped $720 on eBay for a 720 Degrees unit, then hauled it home from North Carolina wedged into his Honda CRV. He and band mates Patrick Condon, Brad Theard and Marc Laporte "have loved that game since we were kids, " Gilbert said. "We're obsessed."
So a lot so that Metronome the City has recreated 11 of the game's sound cues with full-on rock arrangements on a 10-minute, red vinyl 45 revolutions per minute record. "This music has taught us a peck, " Gilbert aforesaid. "To play blips and bleeps on guitar, synthesizer, bass and drums has forced us to find new shipway to create sounds. It's only 10 minutes, just it took us a long time to get it depressed." Hear the results -- as advantageously as material from the band's uncut "Electric Elements Exposed" CD and new compositions -- on Saturday when Metronome the City headlines a four-band express at the Howlin' Wolf. Copies of the new 45, "The Music of 720 Degrees, " will be given away.
Also Saturday, guitar collective Twangorama is at Carrollton Station. Fredy Omar con su Banda does a free point at Tipitina's. Jason Marsalis logs two sets at Snug Harbor, followed by a free Mario Abney Quintet establish at midnight. Paul Sanchez plays early at d.b.a., followed by the Lost Bayou Ramblers. Eccentric pianist Bobby Lounge celebrates his new "Somethin's Wrong" CD with a rare show at the House of Blues. Kermit Ruffins & the Barbecue Swingers are downstairs at the Blue Nile spell the Honey Island Swamp Band is upstairs. Johnny Sketch & the Dirty Notes are at the Maple Leaf. Rockin' Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters see the Mid-City Lanes.
SUNDAY, Aug. 24
Acoustic blues singer Owen "Big Daddy O" Tufts is at Palmettos in Slidell for an afternoon show. Linnzi Zaorski sings early at d.b.a., followed by harmonica man Andy J. Forest.
MONDAY, Aug. 25
The Washboard Chaz Blues Trio is at d.b.a.
TUESDAY, Aug. 26
The Joe Krown Organ Combo grooves at d.b.a.
THURSDAY, Aug. 28
Tipitina's hosts a hip-hop-heavy benefit with Mos Def, Sunni Patterson, Truth Universal, Sess forty-five, Gabrilla Ballard and Elegguae. See guitarist Jonathan Freilich's avant-jazz Naked on the Floor at Snug Harbor. L.C. Ulmer is featured at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Otra visits d.b.a. Go "Round and Round" with '80s pop-metal band Ratt at the House of Blues. It's Zydeco Night with Keith Frank at the Mid-City Lanes.
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