ROCK N ROLL HANGOVER featuring The New Variants, Jesse Velvet, Andrew Thelston Band
ALL AGESSTANDING ROOM ONLY THE NEW VARIANTS The New Variants play your hard rock favorites: Zep, AC/DC, ZZ Top, VH, Skynyrd and Sabbath. We’re rock and roll veterans assembled from regional groups over the last 20 years. A good time is guaranteed. JESSE VELVET Jesse Velvet crafts a dynamic fusion of funk, rock, and psychedelic exploration, powered by blazing guitar solos, slick keyboard work, deep-pocket bass lines, and an infectious dual-percussion groove. This Asheville-based sextet unites veteran players from Pyletribe, Scratchdog Stringband, Get Right Band and Pronounced Heroes, delivering original compositions that range from soul-drenched gritty funk and feel-good grooves to face-melting rock anthems. While rooted in tight songcraft, Jesse Velvet isn’t afraid to stretch out into uncharted territory, with instrumental journeys that showcase the band’s growing appetite for psychedelic exploration. Their recent single “Jeans” perfectly captures their essence – soulful vocals and playful lyrics wrapped in a serious musical punch. With the addition of percussion expanding their sound, the band continues to evolve, bringing new rhythmic dimensions to keep the dance floor moving. Currently, Jesse Velvet is preparing to release their first live album in early 2026, capturing the raw energy and musical interplay that’s making them a standout in the WNC music scene. Whether laying down hard-hitting rock grooves or diving into improvisational passages, Jesse Velvet delivers a fresh sound that’s both adventurous and accessible. ANDREW THELSTON BAND The Andrew Thelston Band, voted #1 favorite rock band in the 2023 Best of WNC contest by Mountain Xpress, has been stunning audiences in the WNC region (and beyond) for 5 years. Frontman Thelston, voted #1 best guitarist in the same competition, is the creative force, bringing high-energy, funk-infused original rock n’ roll that draws influence from Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin, and Queen. In 2019, Thelston’s original music was featured on the hit Netflix show “Lucifer.” Thelston is widely known for his guitar virtuosity and soaring vocals, and leads the 4-piece band with a dynamic stage presence. Bassist Roddy Wilder and drummer Jeff Lott create a rock solid rhythm for Thelston’s guitar and vocals. Singer-songwriter/keyboardist Carrie Morrison fills out the band’s sound with powerhouse vocals and technical prowess.
The Dirty French Broads: Album Release Show
– ALL AGES- LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLETHE DIRTY FRENCH BROADSThe Dirty French Broads are an Americana Grass band from the mountains of Western North Carolina bringing you heart-stirring ballads and lively cut-a-rugs with the energy of a thousand golden retriever puppies in their first snowfall. Lead singer Kate Thomas draws the audience with her rich, smoky timbre and leaves them laughing beer up their noses, wishing they’d worn their dancing shoes. 
This lively crew plays just about everything that has strings, but usually graces the stage with a guitar, mandolin, fiddle, banjo, bass, and when the weather’s right – the occasional kazoo. Authentic and endearing with a little spice, they’re a few shades apart from the established Americana scene, and you’ll definitely want to join their book club.BARRETT DAVISBarrett Davis is a Western North Carolina singer-songwriter/guitarist who chose the life of a ragged troubadour. That small, glowing ember of inspiration and creativity, which has always remained at the core of Davis, is now a burning, eternal fire — bringing forth an honest sense of self through the prism of his perceptive lyrics and heartfelt melodies. His latest album “The Ballad of Aesop Fin” is a vibrant tapestry, meandering from modern Americana to classic country, indie-folk to the “high, lonesome sound” of bluegrass.
Pedal Stroke Benefit Concert for Asheville on Bikes and the United Stroke Alliance
– ALL AGES- LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE Pedal Stroke Benefit Concert for Asheville on Bikes and the United Stroke Alliance Proceeds to benefit Asheville on Bikes, cultivating urban & commuter cycling culture through advocacy & events, and the United Stroke Alliance, dedicated to uniting and educating people about the prevention, awareness, and recovery of stroke for survivors, caregivers and their families. Several Dudes got together to write and play groovin’ music for a loyal following in Atlanta while most of the Dudes were in law school and medical school. Now lawyers, doctors, and musicians on the back ends of productive careers, the band has reformed to honor founding lead guitarist Nick Stevens after his tragic death in a cycling accident. The band will be releasing its tribute album of new original material, “Our Brother Nick” for this show. We are excited to raise funds for cycling advocacy and Stroke awareness, and to once again gig with the Karma Dogs! You can learn more at severaldudes.com Come on out for great music for great causes!! The event is sponsored by ARA Health Specialists- Committed to improving lives, creating value, and staying on the cutting edge of science.
2nd Annual Fundraiser for The Foundation Skatepark
– 6PM DOORS- ALL AGES- 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO BENEFIT THE FOUNDATION SKATEPARKFeaturing performances from: NEGATIVE APPROACHCANDYEND ITUPCHUCKDSHK
Read Southall Band
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYREAD SOUTHALL BANDA very isolating 2020 needed shifts in musical direction to get to a place where new music, let alone the Read Southall Band’s crowning achievement could even exist. Their third studio album, For the Birds, is ambitious and captures vigorous, rock ‘n’ roll energy with elements of country and southern rock. From classic to contemporary rock, these are songs that could appeal to the disparate fanbases of Gary Stewart, Joe Walsh, Rival Sons, or Chris Cornell.American Songwriter called For The Birds, “Exploratory… Traversing through uncharted sonic territory” and Raised Rowdy proclaims, “There is a ton of excitement building around Read Southall Band at the moment.” Riff Magazine notes, “Read Southall Band combines the heavy guitars of the late- and post-grunge era with southern rock vocals and a country music sensibility to create a sound outside the expectations of any of those genres by themselves.”“I don’t think we would be a band without this album,” says frontman Southall. “I think for a while we were just focused on touring, getting out there and we didn’t take care of the music as needed. In a way, we needed that year off the road. We made an album and just worked. We refocused and decided this is what we want to be doing.”Southall and his bandmates understand that the album’s long gestation and their sonic shifts may take some adjustment for fans. But that excited uncertainty is reflected in the new album’s title. “We came up with For the Birds because it’s been so long and we were worried that nobody’s waiting for us,” says Southall. “So maybe this record is ‘for the birds.’ If you like it, you like it. It is what it is. For us, it’s six individuals making tunes.”GEORGIA THUNDERBOLTS Whether it be on the banks of the Mississippi River or deep in the heart of the English countryside, rock ‘n’ roll lives, breathes, and burns on the outskirts. Hailing from Rome, GA at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Georgia Thunderbolts rise up with a scorching signature style steeped in soulful southern swagger, blistering blues, and raw rock. Released October of 2021, the quintets full-length debut for Mascot Records ‘Can We Get A Witness’ conjures a tried-and-true spirit through a fresh fire. With a wide swath of inspirations, ranging from southern gospel and Hank Williams to Neil Young, Little Feat, Ozzy Osbourne and Lynyryd Skynyrd, the band cut their teeth performing with everyone from Black Stone Cherry and The Kentucky Headhunters to Blackberry Smoke. Shortly after, they hit the iconic Barrick Recording Studio in Glasgow, KY to record with producer Richard Young. The resulting EP comprises undeniable anthems steeped in anthemic riffs, wild harmonica, and pulse-pounding drums.
Thelma and The Sleaze
– ALL AGES- STANDING ROOM ONLYTHELMA AND THE SLEAZEThelma and the Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band from Nashville, Tennessee. The group is the brainchild of lead vocalist and guitar player Lauren “LG” Gilbert and features an evolving cast of A-team players to back her up for an unforgettable live experience.LG is the embodiment of hustle. As the driving force behind Thelma and The Sleaze, she is the songwriter, the visionary, the take-no-shit-from-anyone front woman that is single handedly keeping rock and roll alive. Thelma and The Sleaze has been touring the US for years building a legion of fans, affectionally called her creepers. The growing social media presence, the hit podcast, the features with Yamaha Guitars are really all the result of her incredible songwriting, visceral guitar playing, and the guts to deliver on her vision of what Rock and Roll should be.LG has also launched two successful seasons of their Podcast “Queen of Shit Mountain”. Each episode features legendary musicians such as Tanya Tucker, Brittany Howard, Juliana Hatfield, Kate Pierson, Lori Barber, Patty Schemel, Mary Ramirez and Margo Price.DIAMOND AND THE CUTTERS Diamond and the Cutters erupted from the underbelly of Asheville’s music scene, fusing multiple genres into a pressurized concoction for the sharpest of ears to dissect. The four facets of this sonic gem are Travis Lundsford (of Sister Ivy, Magenta Sunshine and TakeOut) on bass, Jeff Caldwell on lead guitar, Micah Thomas (of Brushfire Stankgrass and Fresh Locals) on drums and vocals, and Jessica Korn (of the Daydream Creatures) on rhythm guitar and vocals. Diamond and Cutters are set to sparkle, bringing doomkountryschmaltzrock from core to crust of the musical strata.MONSOONMonsoon is a two-piece indie rock band from Athens, Georgia who weave together unorthodox styles to create music that dips between the conscious and subconscious. “Ghost Party” is now available on all streaming services.
Grayson Capps & Corky Hughes
– ALL AGES- SEATED SHOW- PREMIUM SEATING AVAILABLEGrayson Capps is relaxed. You can hear it in the tone of his voice when he speaks, in the thoughtful, laconic way he reflects on the sometimes-tumultuous course of his life and work. It’s not the sound of complacency or comfort, but rather of personal growth and understanding. Capps is not without worry or darkness in his life, but he’s reached a kind of peace with it, an unhurried acceptance that enables him to write with unflinching honesty and remarkable humanity. His long-awaited new solo album, ‘Scarlett Roses,’ is his first in six years, and it showcases the kind of understated brilliance that can blossom when creativity is detached from expectation, when songs are truly given the space and time to find their writer. Grayson Capps is relaxed, but it wasn’t always this way.“Up until 2011, I was expecting myself to come up with a new record every year,” says Capps, “but then something just clicked. I told myself, ‘Man, you don’t need to worry about the timing. Just let these songs and your career catch up with you.’”——–Corky Hughes began his professional career playing throughout the South in the 70’s with R&B artist Theodore Arthur Jr. and then later with his own rock group, Excalibur.In 1984, he became lead guitarist for legendary rockers, Black Oak Arkansas and toured throughout the U.S. After moving to Atlanta Georgia the next year, he played and recorded with Tone Poets, Chris Edmonds, and Darryl Rhoades and the Mighty Men From Glad (with whom he appears on the Brendan O’Brien produced album No Glove, No Love).Since returning in 1992 to his home in Mobile, Alabama, Corky has played guitar for a diverse group of artists including Kung Fu Mama, Carlos Washington’s Giant People, Star Cullars, Molly Thomas, Jimmy Hall and Wet Willie, and Bo Diddley.Corky can also be heard on Beverly Jo Scott’s Coming Home CD, Lisa Mills’ I’m Changing, and violinist Tom Morley’s recent release, Raven’s Wing (A Curious Collection of Fiddle Tunes), as well as various projects with former Kung Fu Mama band mates, the Lost Cause Minstrels.
