Almost a year ago this weekend, the flow that would bring touring bands into the Charlotte music scene got cut off at the source. It’s hard to think that it’s been that long, but as the virus of the 2020 “Blip” year caused us to separate ourselves, shows at many of our local stages also started to be postponed as the lockdowns for each venue fell like dominoes.
There is nothing that can easily replace the feeling of the speakers hitting the audience in the face, nor the energy that comes from the artist-fan interaction, but we’ve all waited, fought, all for 2021 to be upon us. Coming down from the North this Saturday, East-Coast Punk-Reggae Legends the Bumpin’ Uglies take the stage at Unknown Brewing, as a first good sign of things to come once again.
While the previous year was mostly devoid of tours, little time was spared when it came to the band taking their day-to-day lives and siphoning the moments into new tracks, a big chunk of which culminated into their first album since 2018, Keep your suitcase packed. The title alludes to an optimism that whether or not the industry was at a standstill, the BU was ready to hit the road at a moment’s notice, reflected in the opening track, but as the album truly opens, misdirection ensues as audible images appear depicting the temptations of a simple life “You & Me”, the illusions of suburbia “Suburbia”, and the possibility of the end “When I Die”.
The 2020 album shows the complications that, along with the current trio Brandon Hardesty (vocals, guitar), Dave Wolf (bass, vocals), & T.J. Haslett (drums), an entire world around them had to endure when hit with a red sign labeled “Stop”, relating as people caught off guard in an industry that has a hard time sleeping.
Not to be slept on outside of June’s release are the 3 tracks that rounded out the end of the year, combatting the divisions within our society “Fear”, the problems with healthcare “Underinsured”, and the lack of life that many have felt being kept out of what was once considered a normal existence “Serotonin”.
For the trio & the audience coming to see them, there is much to celebrate, similarities to speak on, and relief to exhale. Saturday’s venue will be a small start to what will hopefully snowball into greater gatherings again, but if you’re feeling “short on Serotonin”, grab a mask, one of the few remaining tickets, and come out to Unknown Brewing for a night audiences are seeking to relive again in music scenes the world over.
Event Details: Bumpin’ Uglies at Unknown Brewing Company this Saturday 3/13.
Online ticket sales have ended and a few tickets will be available at the door for $20.
Door: 8pm | Show: 9pm
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Jonny Golian is a contributing author & reviewer of everything indie. You can find him continuously building hype for the Charlotte Scene at his main site, ReportingFrom20XX.com. Readers can also follow him as well as the artists spotlighted weekly at the 20xx Twitter (@channel_20xx), Instagram (@channel_20xx), and on Twitch where he reviews videos & occasionally games to a theme (twitch.tv/rf20xx_clt)