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HHM Indie Music Showcase on March 19 to feature 3 top notch bands

HHM Indie Music Showcase on March 19 to feature 3 top notch bands

HHMlogoWith the 11th Hell’s Half Mile season in full gear, it’s time to prepare yourselves for the next installment in the HHM Indie Music Showcase series. On Saturday, March 19 — that’s one day before the 62nd annual Bay City St. Patrick’s Day Parade, mind you — HHM is presenting a night of indie rock dabbling in the funk, jazz, art, electro, and prog realms. There is also a slight St. Patty’s theme, coming in the form of Brooklyn Boyz Pizza,  507 E. Midland St., graciously providing some green garlic knots and green pizza for the gig.

Coming back for their first time in 10 months in support of their latest EP “norepinephrine + dopamine” is Odd Hours. Bookending them are two acts new to the HHM banner — Earth Engine and VSTRS. All three bands are known for their refusal to be pigeonholed into any single genre, Frankensteining disparate elements into new concoctions.

Equal parts post-punk, industrial, and glam rock, Odd Hours are experimental to the core, but pepper their songs with myriad earworms. They’re a spectacle to behold on stage, with the commanding presence of vocalist Natasha Beste and guitarist Timothy Jagielo’s performance-art approach.

Earth Engine, a sextet releasing their debut five-song EP in February, merge funk, jazz, and prog rock into a savory stew. Think Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band, but with more groove.

VSTRS also have penchant for sonic experimentation. Spacey and grinding, psychedelic and pummeling, shimmering and murky, they’re like Radiohead mixed with Tool mixed with Smashing Pumpkins, without being too self-serious. They released their marvelously evocative eponymous LP in July 2015.

The show is at BeMo’s Bar, 701 S. Madison Ave., and doors are at 8 p.m. Lightnin’ Licks Vinyl Preservation Society will be spinning before, between, and after the bands. As always, there’s no cover.

Check out the event’s Facebook page here to RSVP.

Also, stay tuned for HHM’s first all hip-hop/rap showcase in April and the third annual all-day showcase in May.