Get your Fill: Scott Pemberton, Moon Hooch & more
ChickenJam West presents the Bozeman return of Scott Pemberton Band to the Filling Station on Thursday, February 28th at 9pm. Tickets to this 21+ event are $9 in advance and $12 at the door. Doors at 8pm.
Frontman Scott Pemberton’s sound is much like the vibe of his native Portland: freaky, fun, and just the right amount of weird. The best way to categorize his music is with the moniker “Timber Rock,” also the title of his latest album. Pemberton naturally applies his own lens/stamp to the sounds of the Pacific Northwest, the region he has always called home. The deep jazz, NW rock/grunge, blues roots, and the West Coast funk. It’s all there, and often all in the same song. The mastery of his guitar playing combined with the fun recklessness of his songwriting show that the rules of songwriting and playing the guitar no longer exist for him. Pemberton plays with the uninhibited joy and intensity of someone who recognizes that every time we make music is an honor and a gift.
The top of next month sees a double-header at the Filler. On Friday, March 1st, John Craigie brings an early show with the help of Hanna Haas at 6:30pm. Tickets are $12 in advance and $17 at the door. Following at 9:30pm, Laney Lou & The Bird Dogs perform after an opening set by The Sweet Lillies. Tickets are $14 in advance and $18 at the door. Doors to these 21+ shows are at 6pm and 9pm, respectively.
Renowned for his eloquent Americana style, engaging live shows, and off-the-cuff clever observations, John Craigie carries on the legacy of classic singer-songwriters, while blazing a trail of his own. Dubbed “the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg,” the Portland performer’s music speaks loud to both audiences and fellow artists. Todd Snider notably hand-delivered a gift on-stage, and Chuck Norris has sent fan mail. His fifth full-length, No Rain, No Rose boasted two collaborations with Gregory Alan Isakov, namely “Highway Blood” and “I Am California.” His knack for a captivating narrative and rustic aural palettes powered the 13-track offering together. When Craigie plays, it’s one of those special shows that can make you laugh and cry in the same song. It’s a musical journey that can’t be denied. Scarecrow, Craigie’s 2018 release featuring No Rain outtakes, and his Jack Johnson-featured live track “I Wrote Mr. Tambourine Man,” are available now.
The Bird Dogs’ live shows are highlighted by unbridled energy, punctuated by songs performed with fervor and swagger. Fusing old time folk songs with a rock n’ roll attitude, the group push the envelope of what a string band would generally be described as. Having shared stages with Corb Lund, Hayes Carll, Hurray for the Riff Raff, The Mavericks, Wynonna Judd, Mark Chesnutt, and The Lil’ Smokies, they released their eponymous debut in the spring of 2016. Recorded live at Basecamp Studio, the album is one that reflects their live show and makes you want to stomp your feet and crack open a beer. Headed back into the studio this spring, their latest album, The Vigilante Session, is available now.
The Hooligans bring their “Dead of Winter” show to the Filling Station on Saturday, March 2nd at 8pm. Tickets to this 21+ event are $9 in advance and $12 at the door. Doors at 7pm.
Formed in 1990, Hooligans are Bozeman’s longest running roots rock/Americana/blues/jam band. Hooligans are inspired by the improv-driven music of the San Francisco scene as well as early folk, blues, and great rock n’ roll. Prepare to hear tunes from the likes of Bob Marley, Muddy Waters, John Hiatt, Grateful Dead, Traffic, Bob Dylan, Hot Tuna, Van Morrison, and The Band, as well as a handful of originals. The Hooligans’ album Beggars & Thieves is available now.
Brooklyn-based groovematers Moon Hooch return to Bozeman with a Filler show on Sunday, March 3rd at 8pm. Tickets to this 21+ event are $13 in advance and $17 at the door. Doors at 7pm.
If any band is a poster child for turning the power of positive thoughts and intention into reality, it’s this explosive horn-and-percussion trio. In just a few short years, the group has gone from playing on New York City subway platforms to touring with the likes of Beats Antique, They Might Be Giants, and Lotus, as well as selling out their own headline shows in major venues around the country. On Red Sky, their third and most adventurous album to date, the band uses everything they’ve learned from their whirlwind journey to push their sound to new heights, bringing together the raw, transcendent energy of their live performances and the sleek sophistication of their studio work into a singular, intoxicating brew that blends elements of virtuosic jazz, groovy funk, and pulse-pounding electronic dance music. Recent singles “Acid Mountain” and “Mon Santo” are also available now.
Advance tickets for these and other shows are available in-store at Cactus Records and www.cactusrecords.net. For more information, visit www.chickenjamwest.com. •
