The rush is on to Go North and hear bands that pack their gear in order to play there

It’s nearing Christmas and what have you done? Maybe you should take in some music, other than the usual carols, by ranging northward, but not as far as the North Pole, (just further up and east than the metro, including the Medina, as the musicians stow their gear for gigs there not unlike The Gear Daddies might):
— They are local guys and have been at the heart of the Hudson music scene for years, and now are often headin’ up north with their act. That from Dave and the guys of the band Wawi, which head to Clayton (you know, travel to Turtle Lake and then backtrack south a few miles, as Dave put it), where they will play at Charlie’s on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 4-7 p.m. Dave made that pitch when brought up front by one-man-bander Jeff Loven, as most of what they play these days are charitable benefits, such as this one for someone who had a stroke. That Dave was soon followed by another Dave, who also was making a cameo, and this was unusual because he sang two songs in a row by the same artist, not diversifying, that being the Stone Temple Pilots. He apparently has more staying power, unfortunately, then their longtime lead singer who succumbed to drugs.
— Think of it as sushi rock ‘n roll and more. Sushi Roll is made up of equal parts driving rock band, light-hearted pop, and over-the-top theatrical verve, as their name brings to mind other groups such as Verve Pipe and Phish. They play the Smilin’ Moose on Friday night, and will show their easy transition between not only band names that are much alike, but revved-up versions of your favorite pop and rock hits.
— Hudson’s own Garret, best known for doing local solo and duo performances, is now the part of a full band that has been playing almost exclusively in the Twin Cities, such as a recent gig in St. Louis Park, because of the logistics of what those clubs are looking for. The band name is The Dead Wrens, which is fitting because the song I heard right before talking to him was about being responsible for a bird who “broke his back” by the Black Crowes. Maybe there is such bad karma for you if you don’t take in their performance, so don’t be Bah Humbug. There was such an opportunity on Thursday night at Dick’s Bar and Grill, when Garret was one of the hosts of an introductory open mic session, which may become yet another regular gig.
— And for the kiddies, there are breakfast with Santa events all over in the coming two weekends, but because Mr. Claus is working with some of his elves, I can’t disclose too many details because of labor restrictions involving kiddies with jobs, or other workers of similar short stature. But for the adults, there often are specials too, such as Bloody Mary’s to help them cope with the children who have too much sugary candy and are more ansy then those with simply sugarplums dancing in their heads.