Asides from promoting and supporting a lot of amazing local talent, Icehouse on Eat Street also manages to host some of the best improvisors.
Wednesday’s LaMP show is the latest in what I refer to as Icehouse signature shows — and there have been many over the years, including Skerik’s Bandalabra, repeated shows featuring John Medeski, Todd Clouser and JT Bates, and recently Charlie Hunter, to name a few.
Fans of psychedelic instrumental music won’t want to miss LaMP’s show which tops my weekly roundup of live music in Minnesota.
This week’s edition also includes the International Reggae All Stars, Old Town Tuesday Night Jam, TWINE, Saltydog, Bob’s Not Dead, Jon Sullivan Band, Shoeless Revolution, Brotherhood of Birds, Mark Joseph, TH3, Shotgun Ragtime Band and Dr. Mambo’s Combo.
But back to LaMP.
Check out the interview I did with guitarist Scott Metzger here. Here’s one more nugget from that conversation:
Metzger noted that he and bassist Dave Driewitz went on a side quest back in October, when they were in town for their Joe Russo’s Almost Dead gig at the Palace Theatre in Saint Paul.
“We went out walking around Minneapolis, just the two of us,” Metzger said, adding that Driewitz wanted to check out First Avenue’s Wall of Stars.
There was one star in particular, that of late First Avenue stage manager Conrad Sverkerson.
“Dave knew (him) really well,” Metzger said. “So, Dave wanted to go and see this. … It was very sweet. So, me and David, like one in the morning, went walking around, but I was so happy to see that huge mural of Prince.”
Metzger mentioned that he’d seen Prince more than any other artist.
“Prince for me is like the beginning, middle, and end,” he said.
One side thought I had was the last time I side quested over to the Wall when a friend was in town. She wanted to see Ween’s star, and of course she ended up taking pictures of the Prince mural.
Tuesday, March 17
International Reggae All Stars keep up their Bunkers residency every Tuesday night starting at 9:30 p.m.
Graydon Peterson’s Old Town Tuesday Night Jam at Whitey’s Old Town Saloon starts up at 10 p.m. It’s an open, jazz-forward jam.
TWINE at Bunkers. PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA@jaminthestream
Wednesday, March 18
Doors for LaMP’s show at Icehouse open at 6 p.m., with music slated for 8 p.m.
TWINE’s weekly Bunkers residency kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and continues until about 1 a.m.
Duluth’s Saltydog at Bent Paddle Brewing. PHOTO BY JAVIER SERNA/@jaminthestream
Thursday, March 19
Saltydog continues their Hook and Ladder Theater residency every Thursday with post-punk band Lamellas opening this week. The doors are at 7:30 p.m. and show is at 8 p.m.
Bob’s Not Dead performs a Tribute to Bob Weir @ Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis. Non put on by Minneapolis Parks but via a permit. Show is free and scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m.
WE Collective this week features members of Feed the Dog at the weekly Gluek’s show, which kicks off at 9:30 p.m. and runs until 1 a.m.
Friday, March 20
Jon Sullivan Band and Shoeless Revolution share a bill at The Hook and Ladder, with Brotherhood of Birds in support. Music starts at 8 p.m.
TH3, a funk trio, plays Animales BBQ Co., the recently opened restaurant that puts on live music. The free set is from 7 to 9 p.m.
Saturday, March 21
Mark Joseph performs the music of James Taylor with special guests Steph Devine and Jill Mikelson at Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West in Plymouth. The doors are at 5 p.m., and show starts at 6 p.m.
Shoeless Revolution and TWINE share a bill at No Name Bar in Winona, with doors at 8 p.m., and show at 8:30 p.m. There’s a $10 cover.
Sunday, March 22
Dr. Mambo’s Combo keeps the funk alive every Sunday at Bunkers in North Loop, starting at 9:30 p.m.
Shotgun Ragtime Band turns over show No. 770 at the Driftwood in South Minneapolis this Sunday, with Phine and Friends kicking things off at 6:30 p.m.
As always, for more info, including ticket links, for any of these shows and more, head to my Minnesota Music Calendar here.