music | Ken Lackner Photography

Unplugged in the Park at Park Tavern with The Ballroom Thieves, Bonnie Bishop, and The Instructors, August 10, 2014

Unplugged in the Park at Park Tavern has been a summer time tradition in Atlanta now for 12 years. Local jazz/funk trio The Instructors kicked off this season’s 15th week at Park Tavern. They were followed by Bonnie Bishop, who traveled down from Nashville with her band mates to perform. Headlining the show were a trio from Boston who call themselves The Ballroom Theives. Of course no Unplugged in the Park would be complete without radio station giveaways. Host Matt “Organic” Jones from Atlanta’s Rock Station, Rock 100.5, had DVDs, concert tickets, and Atlanta Braves tickets to hand out to lucky fans in attendance.

311 Visit Atlanta for Two Sold-Out Shows at The Tabernacle

Touring in support of their latest release, Stereolithic, 311 stopped in Atlanta for two intimate sold-out performances at The Tabernacle. Many fans may not have had the opportunity to see the band perform in such an environment, as they typically play large amphitheaters when they tour. DJ Soulman warmed the crowd up Thursday evening for 45 minutes before 311 took the stage, opening the set with two of their early hits, “Beautiful Disaster” and “Do You Right.”

The quintet from Omaha, Nebraska are widely known for mixing hip hop, reggae, and rock with their own unique style. The band’s performance at The Tabernacle was energetic from start to finish. Front man Nick Hexum shared the spotlight with Doug “SA” Martinez, who performed vocals along with Hexum when he wasn’t spinning the turntables. Hexum and SA were joined on stage by lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Wills, and drummer Chad Sexton.

Rush tribute Permanent Waves open for “Big Four” thrash tribute SciaticA at The Local in Marietta

Cover bands. Ugh. So do not dig. As with most rules, this one has an exception. Two exceptions, actually.

It takes a very talented and impressive voice to recreate the vocal styling of Geddy Lee. Matthew Trautwein — better known to some as String of the Renaissance rock-and-roll group The Lost Boys — has the necessary talent. His newest band Permanent Waves covers the early career of Canadian rock legends Rush, from the ’70’s through the early ’80’s. The set opened with “Working Man” off Rush’s self-titled debut album. Near the end, fans were treated to the entire Side A (anyone still remember what that even means?) of Moving Pictures. Permanent Waves closed with one of my all-time favorite Rush tracks, “Subdivisions,” from the 1982 album Signals. I can never get enough of that record.