The Lowdown: Four (or Five) Roots/Rock Shows in Indy This Week

Know that I’m not going to declare status as a jam band dude; I like them when they rock a little. The Why Store, for example, earned some love with their rock sensibilities paired with their take on a Dead-ish/Phish-ish groove. But I’ve also got a “no noodling rule” – if a band sounds likes it is losing its way in the song, my disinterest surfaces and wish for them to find the song’s musical hook – quickly – and save themselves. But that’s me – you like whatever you want. Fortunately, Deputy’s pairing of unique loops and pushing his acoustic guitar as the foundation for the show do make him a good listen, and my Official Rob’s Roots Rock Crystal Ball likes the probability of jam happy musical love. Indy’s blues guitarslinger Max Allen opens, with Mikial Robertson also on the bill.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDROVFZ_1qA]
Thursday night (May 6), the Truth & Salvage Co., play Birdy’s and we will see if the live show is as good as I think it will be. Read my interview with Indy’s Tim Jones, the band’s LA-based guitar player and songwriter/singer. Their debut album is half Americana brilliant, and half simply really good. Not many albums would rate a four-out-of-five star rating from me, but this one does. Looking forward to the show. Andrew Bean and the Lady Apollo, and Endiana open. My prediction is T&S Co. will be elevated to Hold Steady/Gaslight Anthem status one year from now, by both critics and music fans – I think they are that good. And know that I really, really like Gaslight Anthem…
“Hail Hail” from the self-titled debut album from Truth & Salvage Co.

Friday night (May 7), in the glorious outdoor biergarten at The Rathskeller, the beautiful, soulful, and musically gutsy Jennie Devoe turns her show loose on the big plastic beer cup-totin’ crowd. She plays a lot of gigs that aren’t really beer hall type of shows; this one is. I am betting it will be a really good night to hang out under the stars and ease up to the front of the stage. And make note Southern Indiana Americana singer/songwriter Rusty Bladen opens around 7pm, and Down the Line, a Chicago roots band (reminds me of Sonia Dada) play at 7:30pm. Three good ones…
And for the cougars and 30-something pop/rock boys in the crowd, The Gin Blossoms will play a free show Saturday (May 8), at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The show starts at 7pm at Pagoda Plaza. It is part of the Centennial Era Balloon Festival, with fireworks and a hot-air balloon glow also on the schedule that night, following the rock and roll… you can get more info at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com. And again, just for the record, I like the Gin Blossoms too. “Hey Jealousy” = power pop hall of fame material.
And the fifth Show I didn’t talk about? Pearl Jam gets the Deer Creek (aka Verizon Wireless Music Center) going in a big way Friday night,and I am hoping Indianapolis rock music fans understand how good it is to have this band come to our in our city suburb exit 10.  They are as big a band that will come to our state this year – in terms of sheer number of fans across the world, they are U2-sized…