Carnival of Soul

Now, some of you may already be familiar with Tail Dragger and His All Stars, but the name is new to me. They will be performing Saturday night at Union Park Tavern.

As it turns out, I really should have heard of Tail Dragger — and you should know him as well. Tail Dragger is an authentic dirty Chicago blues player with a top-notch live performance to deliver. So the story goes, after legendary Howlin’ Wolf passed away, his longtime guitarist Hubert Sumlin teamed up with Tail Dragger and they took over “the westside Chicago ghetto blues clubs” (Tail Dragger’s words, not mine). None other than Howlin’ Wolf himself said of Tail Dragger, “One day this boy will take my place.” Hyperbole or real deal? It’s up to you to decide.

Tail Dragger and His All Stars perform Saturday (Jan. 25) at Union Park Tavern, 4520 Eighth Ave.

There will be a really good double bill Saturday night at Kenosha Fusion. All star group Rust Belt will be performing, along with Mountains on the Moon.

Mountains on the Moon is continually growing its fan base and credentials as a top funk-laced rock band with psychedelic and jam chops. Rust Belt, likewise, performs regularly, giving audiences a great set of rootsy rock and pop, all under the Americana umbrella. The band’s personnel is great, with Kevin Schultz on organ and vocals, Don Miller on drums, Paul Aceto on bass and vocals and Brandon Shilts on guitar and vocals. This will be a very fun, laid-back good time. You get all this great music for just $7.

Rust Belt and Mountains on the Moon perform starting at 7 Saturday night (Jan. 25) at Kenosha Fusion, 5014 Seventh Ave.

Have you heard the phrase “raising a ruckus”? Well, a ruckus is something a bit short of a “brew haha,” but in a good way. I bring this all up because there will be a “Rockabilly Ruckus” Saturday night at tg’s.

One of the area’s best ruckus raising rockabilly bands, Space Echoes, will perform at the northside venue. If you aren’t familiar with the type of music, think revved up rock ‘n’ roll performed by bands like Stray Cats and Reverend Horton Heat. It’s hot music for cold nights.

Space Echoes perform starting at 9 Saturday night (Jan. 25) at tg’s, 4120 Seventh Ave.

Its time for another trip north, this time to downtown Racine for some music many of you are familiar with already.

While being a bit hidden for a while staying busy recording, local rock ‘n’ rollers Donoma are amping up big time and will be performing Friday night at Evelyn’s Club Main.

The band has a whole new batch of songs plus some old faves ready to spring on audiences. They will be joined by Milwaukee’s noise rock icons ifihadahifi and a newer Brewtown noise rock collective called Primitive Broadcast Service. Evelyn’s is a great “misfit toys” type historic bar with a music and art loving crowd. This show will rock.

Donoma, ifihadahifi and Primitive Broadcast Service perform starting about 9 Friday night (Jan. 24) at Evelyn’s Club Main, 331 Main St, in downtown Racine. No cover charge.

Just in case you think the weather is too crummy to go out and catch a show in a club or bar (ha, really?), I am going to throw you a show you can stream from inside your nice warm house. Of course, I am talking about Jess the Ska Kid.

Jess is one of the most tuned-in people in the area when it comes to music. Her guest tonight is Chicago project Griefer. Griefer is a solo project that plays slow sludge type rock. I’m guessing Jess will be asking Griefer about the upcoming album “Copper and Rot.”

Griefer has posted that if the project is about anything, it is about boredom and anxiety. I’m sure a lot of folks can relate to that.

As for Jess the Ska Kid, you can catch her at the link below up to three times a week discussing underground music with live guests on Thursday nights. She also hosts a Music Revue every Sunday night at Union Park Tavern.

Griefer will be interviewed and perform tonight (Jan. 23) on Jess the Ska Kid’s Facebook live streaming show. https://m.facebook.com/Jesstheskakid/.