Through thick and thin

About 10 years ago Jon Westhaver and Dave Aardvark brought Slim Cessna's Auto Club to town, and ever since they've been about as close to being a local musical institution as you can get without actually being from here. They've drawn a sellout crowd for the shows I've seen at Babylon and The Dominion. They've already sold out tonight's show, barring a dozen tickets at the door.

Dry River Caravan, who play a Eastern European folk style sound, a la Beirut, on accordion, clarinet, bouzouki, trumpet and standup bass. I recognize bassist Dan Grewal from The Dusty Drifters, the rest of the folks I don't know. Bouzouki player Matt Smith definitely gets points for enthusiasm. He was so enthusiastic he accidentally unplugged himself a couple of times.


Dry River Caravan at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

And here's accordionist John Cockburn, clarinetist Robin Meyer-MacLeod and a mystery trumpeter Craig Pedersen, who due to late-night brain cramp I did not recognize from his gig with Mike Essoudry's Mash Potato Mashers. Drummer Liam Smith rounds out the combo.


Dry River Caravan at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

As for Slim and company, they put on their usual killer set. They had a super new drummer for this show, alongside the familiar faces. Rev. Pentecost was really working the feedback this time around.


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

More fuzz!


Slim Cessna's Auto Club at The Dominion, November 4, 2011

Want tickets for their show tonight with The Band Whose Name Is A Symbol? Good luck!

• Show reminder: the Nummies, the Donner Party, Knives and Forks for Freedom, The Chest Hair Eagles and The Mudplots' Thomas White play Cafe Dekcuf; Currents, Jet Black and Milanku are at the Avant-Garde Bar; Hey Ocean!, Whale Tooth and Loon Choir perform at Ritual; Sheezer and Camp Radio rock Zaphod's; Wicked Grin and DoubleDouble serve it up at the Rainbow; Irene's hosts Kelly Prescott and Lou Canon.