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The biggest hurdle we have in life is not our inability to do things, or our lack of ideas, it’s our slack attitude toward follow-through. This problem permeates every thread of the cosmic tapestry but is very prominent in the music field. I’ve known a lot of people in a lot of bands over the years and the main thing that kept each and every one of them from making it (whether it is signing a deal, playing a gig or just maintaining existence as a band) was no follow-through.

Take Meriwether for example: here is a scrappy little band that over their three years of existence has consistently played almost weekly shows at the Caterie, piled into a van risking day jobs and credit card balances to tour the country and get their music heard. If the capacity crowd at the Varsity last Thursday night is any indication, Meriwether has made it. Fans were wearing the band’s shirts and singing along with every word and Meriwether owned the stage with the authority a more seasoned band might wield. Plus on top of that, they are really nice guys that are just excited to be playing their music to people who like it. So many groups get caught up in an ego/integrity spiral that mostly serves to keep them from being a band, so it’s great to see a local band push past that and take the next step with a major label deal.

Signing is no guarantee for success, but there is no reason they shouldn’t make it. They have the sing-a-long heavy modern rock vibe as do many of their new label-mates at Suretone/Interscope that sound spot-on boom out of the stereo of your mom’s car as you and your crew rebel gently against the tethers of suburban life. Excellent guitar work, good rhythm section, deft use of “Na-na-na-na” and hooks that get the crowd singing. I will be very happy if somewhere down the line three years from now, someone asks me why I am wearing a Meriwether shirt since they are such a popular band, and I can say, “I knew them when…” Determination, albeit on a smaller scale, is working to make the Saturday night Indie Rock Dance party at Red Star a success. Early on, one of my favorite local bands Shark Attack! played a high octane surf set that summoned the ladies to the floor and set the momentum for the DJ that followed. I love surf music. It has a deceptively simple structure developed by Dick Dale and the Ventures almost half a century ago, but it leaves enough room for any group to put their own indelible stamp on it. Whereas groups like Man or Astro Man? and Messer Chups lean more to a sci-fi bent, Shark Attack! injects their tidal onslaught with little doses of Black Sabbath and Slayer, no too much, but just enough to underscore the fact that the ocean is a very sinister place. It is great stuff.

Weekend update, except with no Amy Pohler

Wednesday, August 30: Direwood and Epic get things rolling at Spanish Moon. Mike Dillon’s Go Go Jungle gets funky at Chelsea’s.

Thursday, August 31: Pin-tor and the Snowdog debut their rock-n-roll onslaught at the Red Star.

Friday, September 1: The Eames Era and Harlan are at Spanish Moon. Elsah and Zenbilly throw down at Red Star. Fugitive Poets are at Chelsea’s.

Saturday, September 2: Colour Revolt and Reception is Suspected are at Spanish Moon. George Porter Jr, Joohnny Vidacovich and Robert Walter flood the stage at Chelsea’s with thick torrents of funk.

Monday, September 4: The Winter Sounds with the Zydepunks at Red Star.

Want more suggestions for live music this weekend? Click here.