TUESDAY
Isle listeners will be treated to Thompson Square’s tender tunes
Chart-topping country duo Thompson Square brings its romantic slice-of-life tunes to the Republik on Tuesday.
Keifer Thompson and Shawna McIlwain met at a singing contest shortly after both moved to Nashville. Tenn., to pursue musical careers, and it’s been pretty much a love story ever since. Married for 17 years now, they’ve produced three No. 1 tunes on the Billboard country charts, all of them on the romantic side: “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” a Grammy-nominated song about a couple’s first kiss; “If I Didn’t Have You,” which has become an anthem for fans who’ve encountered health problems; and “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About,” which contrasts household chores with thoughts of passion. Even their tune “Let’s Fight” is about a couple who are getting along so well that a good fight is what they think they need.
The duo has twice been named the Vocal Duo of the Year by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music. They’re working on a third studio album, in which they promise to show their “more aggressive” side, Thompson said in an interview with Rolling Stone. An early single of the album, “Trans Am,” is about a muscle car. But there’s likely a touching side, too — their 4-month-old son, Rigney, appears on the video for the lead single, “You Make It Look So Good,” released in May. Awww.
THURSDAY
Night of metal, post-punk to hit Hawaiian Brian’s
It’s metal night on Thursday with Canadian post-punk band Silverstein and up-and-coming Ohio metalcore group Beartooth coming to Hawaiian Brian’s.
Led by bassist and lead vocalist Shane Told, Silverstein blends sections of moody darkness with hard-driving, screaming verses about lost love, substance abuse and other morbid topics. The band has been making music since 2000, gaining notice with their 2003 debut album, “When Broken Is Easily Fixed,” which got them on the 2005 Van’s Warped Tour. The band also played at the Van’s Warped Tour in 2013 and 2015.
The band reached the charts with its third album, “Arrivals and Departures,” peaking at No. 25 on the Billboard 200, while two other albums, 2013’s “This Is How the Wind Shifts” and 2015’s “I Am Alive in Everything I Touch,” peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hard Rock charts.
Beartooth, led by Caleb Shomo, just had its first No. 1 hit with “Aggressive,” which topped Billboard’s Alternative charts in June. It’s a screamfest that serves as an anthem for disenchanted youth. The album of the same name, the group’s second since its 2014 debut, “Disgusting,” was described as a “compelling statement” for the validity of heavy rock music in 2016 by altpress.com.
SATURDAY
Byrne, Ogata and Phan
lead benefit comedy event
Get laughs and get insults — for a laugh — at the 10th anniversary of Laughs for Lions, the benefit comedy show.
This year’s show is headed up by Steve Byrne, pictured, star of the TBS sitcom “Sullivan & Son,” Hawaii native-turned-touring comic Paul Ogata, and Vietnamese-American comedian Dat Phan, a local favorite.
You’ll also get a good belly laugh, along with a belly full of soup, from actor Larry Thomas, who was nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of the “Soup Nazi” on “Seinfeld.” He’ll be serving Portuguese bean soup and dishing out caustic comments for a donation to the Kamehameha Lions Club Foundation. Give! Or no soup for you!
Also on the comedy bill are Tony Calabrese, a banker-turned-comedian who discusses middle-age maladies and current affairs; Kurt Swann, host of the San Diego-based comedy show West Coast Funnies; and local comedian Michelle Welch, who comments on family and daily life.
Come early and place a bid at the silent auction, which will offer celebrity items, art, tablet computers, jewelry and vacation packages valued at more than $10,000.
SUNDAY
Throwback concert to help local artists
Local musicians will combine their talents to help out their colleagues in need in the Throwback to Give Back benefit concert Sunday.
Sponsored by the Kuleana Breakfast Club, an impromptu organization of musicians, the concert will raise funds for Kalapana saxophonist David Choy and Olomana bassist Wally Suenaga, both of whom recently suffered a stroke; and guitarist-vocalist Kuki Among, who is battling cancer.
The concert will feature an all-star lineup of local musicians, including Willie K, at far right, Henry Kapono, at right, A Touch of Gold, Sam Solatorio & Harmony, Rolando Sanchez Salsa Hawaii, Josh Tatofi, Jeff Rasmussen, Robi Kahakalau, 808 Caravan, Pule Kakou Band, Nueva Vida and Shakka the Band.
This is the second Throwback concert. Previous fundraising by the Kuleana Breakfast Club has benefited several Hawaii musicians and artists.
“This effort is a fellowship. We’ve played many times to help many great causes. We now play for the purpose of helping our fellow musicians,” said Kuleana Breakfast Club member Solatorio.
