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Feeling lucky this weekend? There’s no punk to be heard, but plenty of pop.
— What makes the Lucky Dog so lucky? Simply that there is an annual party in its honor, drawing all its friends, and a great and established band will be playing. This celebration of Lucky Dog beer, the house variety at Dick’s Bar and Grill, and customer appreciation night, will be held there on Saturday, Nov. 14, with free appetizers and drink specials. The band from 6-9 p.m. is the local trio Jawsy, which continues to evolve, and now has three musicians contributing to vocals, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by audience members, who say that has become one of the band’s strengths. Initially a showcase for the singing of Amanda Fagerlund, the group now adds to its vocal stylings Will Reinhardt, a founding member from back in early 2013, and John McConville, which allows “even bigger harmonies,” according to the band’s online bio. A sign at Dick’s advises patrons to “get there early,” and has the trademark heart symbol that accompanies references to Amanda at the end of the phrase.
— When the group Tripwire brought its varied array of music and instrumental to the Smilin’ Moose last Friday, one thing noticable was the bright purple spotlight that at times was awash over the band. Can you say Deep Purple? (When I got in my car to drive home, the classic Knocking on Your Back Door was played on the radio). What also makes this all fitting is that the last time I saw Ronnie James Dio, of Rainbow-Deep Purple-Black Sabbath fame in concert before he died, he admonished the guy on lights to stop shining them brightly on his face, but rather focus on members of the audience. That may have been blinding Dio, who stood 5-foot-4, especially since the Twin Cities venue where this took place, The Medina, is known for its very low ceiling.
— If you go to The Moose THIS Friday, you will hear Junk FM, which has a play list that doesn’t have any Deep Purple or other hard rock, but lots of current (mostly) and older pop songs on its about 100-tune play list.
— Guitarist Steve Holt played at Big Guys BBQ Roadhouse on two different nights right before Halloween, and according to someone who should know, Geno who was formerly the guitarist for Saving Starz, said that this past player with the Stevie Ray Vaughn band and now in a featured role, was the best he’s heard. With that kind of praise and the fact that he was on for consecutive nights, expect him to be back in the area soon to crank out the blues. As for the former singer for Saving Starz, Anthony, he has now teamed with Marcus Lere to form a duo appearing around the area.

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