The upcoming weekend looks to be as busy as last weekend was slow. There are multiple good shows all weekend, beginning on Thursday night. Vince Thompson and friends will be playing their semi-regular fifth Thursday of the month show at Sneekers Cafe in Groton. Vince will have Bob Metzger on guitar, Bill Morrison on bass, and Steve Peck on the drums. The Thompson family is quite talented, and there are a few of them in the area, so you might see brother Curtiss (from the Village Jammers), daughter Anna, or sister Cecile join him for a song or two as well. The band will play from 7:30-11 pm, and there is no cover.
Also on Thursday night, there's a really cool show happening out of town (but not that far) in New Haven. Roots rock legend Webb Wilder will be playing at Cafe Nine, with Hugh Birdsall and Micky Williston of Dogbite opening the show. Webb Wilder released his first album after moving to Nashville in 1985, although he was born in Mississippi. He has released nine albums, with his most recent release, More Like Me, coming out in 2009. Webb has worked with artists such as Ben Folds, Jason Ringenberg (of Jason & the Scorchers and Farmer Jason fame), and William Shatner, and he also appeared in the 1993 Bogdanovich film “A Thing Called Love” with Sandra Bullock and River Phoenix. It's going to be a good show. Music starts at 8 pm and tickets are $12 at the door.
On Friday, there's an original rock show at 33 Golden Street with three bands. On the bill are Lucky United, a two piece guitar and drums punk band from Rhode Island, New London band We Got Mouths, and Sourpunch, from Providence. Sourpunch is a band that broke up last year, also featuring Jenn from Lucky United. This show will be a one-time reunion for them. I've never seen We Got Mouths, and it's been a long time since they played out, but as far as I know the band members are Adam Brandt, Tim Sparen, and Jay Curland. I might be wrong, or the lineup may have changed, so take that with a grain of salt. Cover is $5 and the show starts at 9 pm.
Also on Friday night, The Hoolios will be doing a full band show at Sneekers Cafe in Groton. It's been a long time since I have seen them do anything but an acoustic show, so I look forward to hearing them play loud with drums and electric guitars. Slide guitarist Bill Light has left the band to pursue a bright-looking future with Steve Broderick and the 100 Watt Suns (read on for more), and he will certainly be missed. But there's still a lot of talent on that stage, with every member of the band contributing expert playing and vocals. It's a good bet that Jim Carpenter's singer/songwriter son Jake will sit in for a few with the band as well, and that's always a treat. The band starts at 9 pm and there is no cover.
If you're in the Westerly area on Friday night, Steve Broderick and the 100 Watt Suns will be playing at the Windjammer. They were recently voted one of “10 Connecticut Bands You Should Listen to Now” by Paste Magazine. The band just got back from a trip to Cleveland where they played a big music festival, so you can bet there will be some good stories. I'm still trying to catch this band live, but I know it will be worth the wait when I finally do. The show starts at 9 pm.
Finally on Saturday night, one of New London's favorite new bands, Wolfghost, will be at 33 Golden Street in New London. This will be (I think) only their third show, but word is already getting out about these guys. The band is a who's who of New London music, with Joey Macrino (Royale) on vocals, Dave Anderson on bass, Mike Desmond on guitar, and Bobby Crash on drums. Also on the bill will be Westerly band indie/psych/improv band Wild Sun. The show starts at 10 pm and cover is $5.