January 6-12, 2005
musicpicks
Cigar Store Indians
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If their name alone weren't enough to delight, Georgia's Cigar Store Indians have a killer reputation as one of the South's hardest-working roots-rock bands. Founded in the early '90s by songwriter/guitarist Ben Friedman, the four-member CSI (as they're known to devotees) started out playing in barbeque shacks and quickly made their mark at Atlanta's Star Community Bar with their raging live shows. (One concert favorite, a kick-butt version of "Ring of Fire" with an "I Wanna Be Sedated" bridge, shows off the band's quirky humor.) An opening tour with Squirrel Nut Zippers helped cement their regional fame. In 2001, CSI — which plays about 200 live dates a year — released an indie concert disc, Guest List, recorded over two nights. In its more than 10 years, the band's sound has veered from rockabilly to swing to more rootsy ballads. And while CSI's current release, Built of Stone (Overall Records) , is more rock than billy, it retains their trademark redneck trucker groove.
Thu., Jan. 6, 9 p.m., $10, NXNW, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000.
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