If you're a music lover, the summer gets your adrenaline flowing with the big show, the rock concert, the place to be, the artists you've been dying to see.
The summer touring season is the bread-and-butter of the industry as outdoor music sheds (we have two in our area) shake off the winter rust and take advantage of warmer weather, quarrelling musicians put aside their beefs and get the band back on the road, and other sizzling acts head indoors for the air conditioned comfort of smaller, more intimate settings.
Whereas our market may not got the megastars out there on tour - Madonna, Dave Matthews Band, Metallica - there's still plenty of quality musical fare making its way to our shores - from Hangovers to the House of Blues to Hard Rock Park.
This week's appearances by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame groups the Eagles and The Moody Blues at Hard Rock Park have unofficially signaled that the onslaught of local summer concerts is upon us again.
And we had so much fun with this last year, we decided to do it again, as Surge proudly picks the Second Annual Must-See Summer Concerts - a 12-pack of select shows, including rock, pop, country, rap, reggae, Americana and metal - coming to the Grand Strand during the next four months.
Rock on, rock stars.
-Kent Kimes, Editor
Dangermuffin
Where: South by Southeast Music Feast at Myrtle Beach Train Depot
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
How much: $20 for yearly members; $25 for monthly members
Why you should go: This Charleston-based trio is MySpace friends with Band of Horses (and Ron Paul?), so that's gotta mean something. For fear of sounding like those generic Amazon.com recommendations, we're confident that if you like the Grateful Dead, Tom Waits, and My Morning Jacket, then you'd dig Dangermuffin. If you've never been to a SXSE Music Feast/show, you cannot lay claim to being up on - or down with - Myrtle Beach's diverse music scene. Plus, a potluck dinner and locally-brewed New South beer is included in your membership fee/cover charge.
-Kent Kimes, Editor
Third Eye Blind
Where: Sun Fun Festival, Grand Park across from The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
How much: Free
Why you should go: First of all: it's a free show featuring one of most successful alternative/post-grunge rock bands of the `90s which continues to sell out shows every year while on tour. Led by motor-mouth frontman Stephan Jenkins, 3EB has been recording and touring for more than a decade, and even with the occasional hiatus of certain members and recruitment of others, the band still continues to record and maintain its post-grunge sound that they started with back in the early '90s. Songs such as "How's It Going to Be," "Jumper'' and "Semi-Charmed Life" off of the band's self-titled 1997 album dominated new rock radio waves and were the catalyst for success that would continue for years to come. Second of all: it's an all-day event where you can bring the whole family; grab yourself a couple of cold ones and get the kids some funnel cakes to munch on while you enjoy the sun, half-naked chicks and live music.
-Ashleey Williamson, for Weekly Surge
Marion Country Music Fest featuring Hank Williams, Jr., Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sugarland and Gretchen Wilson
Where: Carolina Entertainment Complex (formerly Carolina
Amphitheater)
When: June 12-14
How much: $30 for single day lawn tickets; 3-day passes are $75-$155
Why you should go: Where else can you camp under the Carolina stars and also see performances by Bocephus, what's left of Skynyrd, sassy Jennifer Nettles and Sugarland and a "Redneck Woman?" Okay, don't answer that, but the point is, this multi-day fest has the potential to be a real shit kicker with two stages of entertainment, featuring some up-and-coming acts such as James Otto and Trent Tomlinson, along with some local and regional artists. Onsite primitive camping - i.e. in tents and not fancy dan campers or RVs - is $50 for the entire three day fest.
-Kent Kimes, Editor
Blue Dogs
Where: Boathouse Waterway Bar & Grill
When: 4 p.m. June 22
How much: Free
Why you should go: Besides the fact that it's free and you could ride a boat or a personal watercraft to get to this outdoor show, Blue Dogs is an S.C.-based outfit worthy of more praise. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the band's sound is a blend of roots rock, country (the old school kind) and bluegrass, and a sense of fun pervades Blue Dogs' gigs. Expect to hear a mish mash of material from the Dogs' nine CDs, plus some groovy covers ranging from Guy Clark's "Homegrown Tomatoes'' to The Commodores' "Brickhouse.'' In other words, it's a perfect excuse to get some sun, knock back some beverages, raise some hell and give some native Palmetto State sons their props. Is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?
-Kent Kimes, Editor
The Menzingers, The Leftovers and Sunday Sunday
Where: Hangovers Bar & Grill
When: 9 p.m. June 23
How much: $6
Why you should go: To get a d.i.y., non-corporate music hall experience right here in Myrtle Beach; and one that doesn't involve Jimmy Buffett covers, "Mustang Sally'' or shagging. The Menzingers are a pop/punk outfit on Go Kart Records (a punk and hardcore record label); The Leftovers is a band discovered by Ben Weasel of punk band Screeching Weasel and Sunday Sunday is a local outfit featuring former members of various Myrtle Beach bands, including The Beatholes. Check out the Sunday Sunday's track "Sad Songs,'' on the band's MySpace page - which sounds like a cross between Wilco and Mathew Sweet - and that's a good thing.
-Kent Kimes, Editor
Modest Mouse
Where: House of Blues
When: 7:30 pm June 26
How much: $30-$32
Why you should go: There are three main reasons you should go see this show:
1. Modest Mouse has been one of the most influential indie rock bands in the past 10 years with its signature sound: taking odd guitar leads and slightly drunken story-telling vocals and giving them amazing melody. But the band has a new addition that helps along with that. See reason number two. 2. Johnny Marr. Marr is the recent addition that makes this band well worth seeing. If you are not familiar with who this musician/genius/god is, he was a prominent member of The Smiths, The The, and Electronic. If you happened to see Morrissey at the H.O.B. when he came through, then go to this show to get one step closer to The Smiths. 3. Opening band, The Dirty Brass Dozen, featured on MM's latest record will also be joining the headliners on stage - a special treat aside from seeing MM by its lonesome.
-Michael Wood, for Weekly Surge
Dethklok with Chimaira and Soilent Green
Where: House of Blues
When: 7 p.m. June 29
How much: $21.50-$40
Why you should go: Dethklok is the real-life band behind
the animated Adult Swim hit series "Metalocolypse" on Cartoon
Network. The band recently came out with a double CD "Dethklok: Dethalbum," which has sold more than 120,000 copies and charted in Billboard's Top 200. The show will feature the live band, not a bunch of cartoons on a video screen, led by "Metaloclypse" creator Brendon Small. If you're an Adult Swim lover, this is a must-see. The cheapest tickets are $21.50, so we hope the music can translate properly from cartoon to reality.
-Chris Raposa, for Weekly Surge
Matisyahu
Where: House of Blues
When: 6:30 p.m. July 14
How much: $24 in advance, $27 at door
Why you should go: Because Matisyahu is the only Jewish man in America who has two Gold records to his credit and also named the top reggae artist of 2006 by Billboard Magazine. He is by far one of the greatest explosions into today's genre of reggae rock music. His unique appearance and highly spiritual lyrics make it impossible not to recognize the roots and beliefs of a man whose career was jumpstarted thanks to Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio at Bonnaroo in 2005. Since then, Matisyahu has climbed to the top of the charts with songs such as "Warrior," "King Without a Crown," and the title track off of his second album, "Youth." Another incentive for you: Passafire, straight out of Savannah, Ga. will be opening for him. If you like reggae music, this is a show you can not afford to miss.
- Ashleey Williamson, for Weekly Surge
George Jones
Where: The Alabama Theatre
When: 7 p.m. July 18 (additional dates Oct. 3-4)
How much: $44.50, $51.50 and $58
Why you should go: How much longer can the living legend carry on extensive touring? You have the opportunity to nab "The Possum,'' he of the dark-lens glasses, whitish/blonde locks and unmistakable voice, which has powered 14 no. 1 hits on the country charts. You're bound to hear many of them, including "He Stopped Loving Her Today,'' "When Country Wasn't Cool,'' "I Always Get Lucky with You,'' and "Tennessee Whiskey.'' Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood - that ain't county. Want to hear real, Hall of Fame country? Then head to Jones' show at 'Bama Theatre. While you might associate Jones' music with hard-drinking, be forewarned that alcohol is not sold at the venue. You might want to plan a pre-concert party at one of the neighboring watering holes at Barefoot Landing.
- Kent Kimes, Editor
Snoop Dogg
Where: House Of Blues
When: 8 p.m. July 25
How much: $38.50-$92
Why you should go: He is a true hip-hop legend. The Doggfather is making his way back to North Myrtle Beach (presumably with a cloud of smoke billowing from the windows of his tour bus) for a night of hip-hop classics. Snoop Dogg has been knocking out hit tracks since he broke out with Dr. Dre on the "Deep Cover" soundtrack, and his E! network reality show "Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood" is one of the most popular shows on cable. He almost never travels alone, so you could see anybody from Dr. Dre to Nate Dogg and Warren G make guest appearances. His onstage weed smoking antics are legendary and the dude can flat out rap.
- Chris Raposa, for Weekly Surge
Boy George
Where: House of Blues
When: 8 p.m. July 29
How much: $29.50-$74
Why you should go: Because it's Boy George, by George! George (O'Dowd) is not just a campy `80s singer, he/she has an amazing voice, and the songs are downright good. With hits such as "Karma Chameleon," "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me," and "The Crying Game" you just can't go wrong. In recent years, Boy George has just been doing DJ gigs - which can be disappointing to show up expecting to see a live show and just get George behind two turntables. So this is a rare occasion that George will actually be playing with a full band and playing all of the old Culture Club songs. You simply just can't miss this. And unless you've only listened to Slayer all of your life, you can't deny the great songwriting and skill behind every Boy George tune. Let's hope he/she throws in his/her version of Iggy Pop's "Funtime" for a rare treat.
-Micheal Wood, for Weekly Surge
My Morning Jacket
Where: House of Blues
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 31
How much: $36
Why you should go: Because MMJ is one of the preeminent practitioners of the new Southern rock sound, combining Bic lighter Skynyrd-meets-Allmans guitar riffs with a neo psychedelic feel and sprinkles of reggae, alt-rock, funk and old school country. Group leader Jim James and crew have recently come up with another batch of killer cuts on the soon-to-be released disc, "Evil Urges" (in stores Tuesday) on the heels of the incredibly successful "Z'' in 2005 and the live CD/DVD "Okonokos" in 2006. Truthfully, in most big cities, this show would have already sold out. Grab some MMJ tickets so our market can continue to get shows such as this and so we won't be forced to only stomach the same retread acts year-in, year-out. Also, you've got to like a band that can tackle The Who's seven-minute-plus mini-opera "A Quick One" on occasion.
-Kent Kimes, Editor
Sam Bush
Where: Pawley's Island Festival of Music and Art/Brookgreen Gardens
When: 7 p.m. Sept. 12
How much: Ticket info not available at press time
Why you should go: To see the man - and the mandolin - that's credited with helping originate the newgrass style, a subgenre of bluegrass, which involves electric instruments and bluegrass arrangements of rock and pop songs. He is a founding member of New Grass Revival, leaders of the progressive bluegrass movement. Without Sam Bush, you could argue that there'd be no Nickel Creek, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Yonder Mountain String Band, and pot smoke wafting in the air at bluegrass concerts. If you get there early enough, you can wander around the lavish sculpture gardens - it's a scene that would make Edward Scissorhands jealous.
-Kent Kimes, Editor