Night sounds
Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish:
With a baritone voice and swift harp hooks, Johnny leads this tight and raw barroom blues band. They wrote the soundtrack to those hot Vineyard nights when your shirt sticks to your skin and you're still dancing. With The Mercy Beat: Lead singer "Rock 'n' Roll" Rick Padilla delivers triumphant, pulse-pumping anthems, channeling the gothic sensuality of Nick Cave and the epic cry of Bono. Bliss and cascading guitars. Saturday night at Nectar's by the airport. The Bluefish also continue Wednesday nights at Mediterranean in Oak Bluffs.
The Zoo:
Something magical happens when you mix a hot chick in leather pants, a cherry-red fauxhawk, and a furious tambourine. They put on pyrotechnical performances, bridging the gap between Korn and Fergie. Winner of MTV's cover band competition and you'll see why. Wednesday and Thursday (Aug. 12 and 13) at The Lampost in Oak Bluffs.
Jon Zeeman:
Guitarist Zeeman plays with a fine touch and texture that suggests a long, healthy axe obsession. He composes adventurous jazz, funk, and blues, which can get seriously smooth. A tidy sound, even when distorted or rhythmically ornate. Fridays at Atlantic Fish and Chop House in Edgartown, and Sundays and Mondays at the Mediterranean in Oak Bluffs.
Mike Benjamin:
Possibly the most nuanced of the Island's cover bands, Benjamin and his boys breathe new life into rock 'n' roll, funk, and Americana songs. Their delivery - energetic and effortless - makes every song feel like they wrote it yesterday and practiced all night in the garage. Come ready to dance. Tonight at Atlantic Fish and Chop House in Edgartown.
Sultans with J-Crak:
New Bedford wild child and former "America's Got Talent" contestant, Crak brings star sass to 80s and 90s covers of Weezer, Sublime, Beastie boys, and others. And if you want to watch a grown man channel Kelly Clarkson and Cher, don't miss this. He fronts Jerry Bennett's Sultans of Swing, the up-scale Vineyard party band. Monday at The Wharf in Edgartown.
