Thursday, Feb. 04, 2010

Myrtle Beach Area Concerts

Kent Kimes -

LOCAL

Responsible for bringing the piano back to rock in the '90s, Ben Folds will tickle the ivories at the House of Blues on March 13 with tickets going on sale at 11 a.m. Friday. On the venue's Web site, the show is listed as "Ben Folds and a Piano" so we guess it won't be a Ben Folds Five gig. Advance general admission tickets are $21.50 and advance loge seating is $35.50. Call 272-3000 or visit www.houseofblues.com or www.livenation.com.

Are you a servant to H.I.M.? No, not Him, but Finnish Goth rock export H.I.M. (His Infernal Majesty) which is coming to the House of Blues on May 4. For those of you not in the know, H.I.M. (which hit the charts with a heavy, rockin' version of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game'') is the first rock band from Finland to score a gold record in the U.S. Tickets are $22.50 for general admission and go on sale at 11 a.m. Saturday. For more information, call 272-3000 or visit www.houseofblues.com or www.livenation.com.

The inaugural Love and Laughter Comedy and Concert Showcase, featuring "Tom Joyner Morning Show" co-host J . Anthony Brown, R&B crooner Carl Thomas and Conway native Zoe, is set for Feb. 12 at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Tickets are $30 for general admission, $50 for VIP, available online at www.iamdhustle.com.

Soldiering on in the absence of its recently passed director Jeff Roberts, the South By Southeast Music Feast's next concert at the Myrtle Beach Train Depot on March 6 will feature heavy-hitter Randall Bramblett, who was a member of well-regarded fusion act Sea Level and has played with the likes of Widespread Panic and Traffic. Tickets are $20 for yearly members; $25 for monthly members. Don't be confused, monthly memberships are in essence tickets for March 6's show only and will be available at the door. For more information call 455-6499 or visit www.southbysoutheast.org.

We can't fight this feeling anymore, it's not worth fighting for...Because Kevin Cronin and his cronies in R.E.O. Speedwagon will make a pit stop at the House of Blues on March 12 and tickets are $32 in advance, $35 day of show. For more information, call 272-3000 or visit www.houseofblues.com or www.livenation.com.

You won't need tickets for this one, but we've got it on good authority (including concert industry publication Pollstar) that '90s alt-rock heroes Cracker ("Teen Angst," "Low") will perform March 13 at a free downtown Myrtle Beach Irish-themed festival. Stay tuned.

Also listed on Pollstar's Web site is a March 16 gig for metal mavens W.A.S.P. at Suck, Bang, Blow 4 Corners in Murrells Inlet, but we couldn't track down any ticket info on this one yet.

The Alabama Theatre recently released its 2010 concert schedule and it includes many of the usual suspects including two dates by legendary country performer George "The Possum" Jones on April 24 and Oct. 2, with tickets ranging from $41-$54.70. Call 272-1111 or visit www.alabama-theatre.com.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

If you haven't heard of Them Crooked Vultures, we'll state unequivocally that them dudes rock. How could they not? TCV is a power trio of mammoth rockosity, featuring Dave Grohl, of Foo Fighters/Nirvana fame, Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age/Eagles of Death Metal/Kyuss pedigree and if that wasn't enough, John Paul Jones, bass guitar/keyboardist for Led Zeppelin, and they're swooping toward the Carolinas with a gig on Wednesday at The Fillmore Charlotte and tickets ($44.50) are on sale. Call 704-916-8970 or visit www.livenation.com.

N. CHARLESTON

"American Idol"-turned-earnest-arena-rocker Daughtry, featuring lead singer Chris Daughtry, makes a stop at North Charleston Coliseum on June 6 and tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Also on the bill are Lifehouse ("Hanging By a Moment," "You and Me") and Cavo. Tickets are $29.50 and $39.50. Order by phone at 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.