Sometimes things just aren't what you might think they are on first
blush.  Tonight's double header of Uncle Monk and The Demolition String
Band at Banjo Jim's sounds like it's going to be a strictly country
night.  And that simply is not the case.

Uncle Monk is a duo with Tommy Ramone on vocals, mandolin, guitar,
banjo and dobro, and Claudia Tienan on vocals, guitar and bass.  They
call their music alt-country punk-bluegrass.  The
music is based on bluegrass but adds some alt country and rock
flavoring to the mix.  And the punk?  That refers to the DIY process
through which this music came together.  And yes, you guessed it. 
Tommy's old band was The Ramones.

When any band has string band in its name, you expect old-timey
country.  Well, you are just not going to get that from The Demolition
String Band.  There's twang and alt country, but the DSB rock hard as
well.  The band is led by front woman Elena Skye and guitarist Boo
Rainers, and whatever they are playing in their self described genre of
hardcorn grindgrass fullbarn stompdown twangadelix, your ears will
definitely be pleased.

Uncle Monk, 9pm, Demolition String Band, 10 pm, at Banjo Jim's, 9th Street and Avenue C (F Train to 14th Street, take the M14D bus eastbound to 11th St. & Ave. C and walk 2 blocks south)

 –Eliot Wagner