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Due to the juxtaposition of Jazzfest and the inexplicable lure of Cinquo de Mayo, the live scene here in town was rather dead this week. Last Thursday, Righteous Buddha, with Dave Hinson switching from upright acoustic to upright electric bass, sounded fresh with a rockier sound. At times they recalled the psychedelic passages of the Doors (in a good way, I promise) but the mainline act DJ Logic started out with a smart collage that quickly devolved into an uninspired string of 80’s retro hits playing mostly to the two hippie guys occupying the empty floor at SoGo.

Despite my personal deep-felt identification with the Mexican victory over the French in the late 1800’s, I opted out of fighting the margarita crowd at La Carreta, which was spilling over into the street, to check out Low Country Audio at Spanish Moon, along with the two hippies from the previous evening. This was my second outing with this band and I saw a lot of growth, moving from a mostly instrumental to strong, heavy groove southern rock, with an older gentleman manning the saxophone. At points they sounded like what the Saturday Night Live Band would sound like if they were cool, other times they built up a nice swirling psychedelic miasma of grits-and-gravy sonic bliss.

The saving grace for the weekend was Fest For All, with the added blues tent and tons of great music in full effect. I caught the end of the Jackie Neal tribute which let a glorious noise into the air like they did at Buddy Stewart’s during Blues Week. Both Elsah and Michael Foster Project rocked the Budweiser stage with respective tales of whiskey and gigantic brass funk. The weather was less than cooperative, (when is it for a festival?) yet and the party went on.

It was good to see that there is still some fire going with the low turnouts at the shows this week, and the sad news that SoGo is closing later this month, and also that the Alligator Bayou Bar is no longer a bar. This town is on the verge of having a great scene, and I’d hate to see it erode due to lethargy and corporate short-sightedness. Get off the couch and go see some live music, people. It’s good for you.

Thursday, May 11: Hexes and vexations galore when Dimestore Troubadours and the Voodoo Organist appear at the Red Star, or get your third eye opened when the Spoonfed Tribe bring their multi-dimensional rock spectacle to SoGo.

Friday, May 12: If your girlfriend/boyfriend were a band, one hopes they would be the Eames Era, who will be at the Red Star with El Ten Eleven; if you are the bad boy/girl type, then Judge Genius will be having their CD release party at Spanish Moon, Finally, The Mike Waugh project and Turning Ground appear at the North Gate Tavern.

Saturday, May 13: Rock out when Lagerhead, Southern Whiskey Rebellion, and Wolf System tear it up at the North Gate Tavern , or experience a vast bouquet of "core" in all its rich variety is up at the Darkroom, namely Fake Problems, Baby Calendar, Subject Optional, Realicide, Passing Japan and Secret Annexe.

Sunday, May 14: I know you didn't forget about Mother's Day…

Monday, May 15: Should there be any doubt about your hipness level, attendance at Soul Position Featuring RJD2 and Blueprint at the Spanish Moon will erase them. And if you forgot Mothers day, perhaps a night out to see American Idol bad-boy Bo Bice (with The Mike Pinter Four opening) shake the rafters of the Varsity will get you back in her graces.