Calgary based ’70s inspired power trio the Static Shift returned to the Slice, Saturday, Jan. 20.

 The Slice was packed, though not as packed as their past Halloween show, but The Static Shift delivered a solid set of huge riffs, an unstoppable groove and  adenoidal vocals reminiscent  of Led Zeppelin , ’90s blues rock revivalists like the Black Crowes and new classic rock revivalists like Greta Van Fleet.

They were winding up a hot and sweaty, and early  show  as I arrived in the middle of “ Pay the Piper.” They were in the mood to try out some new music on  the receptive audience.

 They slowed things down for  the grinding, mid-tempo rocker “ Don’t Bring Me Down,” which segued into “Elephant in the Room,” which in turn turned into a jam with solos for everybody including a  brief bass solo from Kyle Tenove.

 Tenove and frontman/ guitarist  Mitchell Brady and bassist stepped off the stage so the audience could focus on a thunderous drum solo from Taylor Miles.

 The trio wound down their show  with their hot cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child ( Slight Return).

 They wore their influences on their sleeves. Their last  official song  was reminiscent of  Foghat.

 They were called back for an energetic cover of Led Zeppelin’s “ The Immigrant Song,” winding up the show at a quarter after 11 p.m.

 I missed the Decadent Phase’s opening set.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. beat Editor

The end of January rocks, with several excellent and rock and roll shows happening this week.

 But first, if you want to rock the Owl Acoustic Lounge stage, their weekly open mic is tonight at 8 p.m.

 Ease into the week with some smooth jazz at the Watertower Grill with Paul Holden and James Oldenburg playing from 6-8 p.m. They will also be hosting the monthly jazz jam at the Owl Acoustic lounge on Thursday as part of HBO3 with saxophonists Ryan Heseltine and  Michael Carter.

 If you think you’re funny, Megan Windle hosts pro-Amateur night at Good Times, Wednesday, Jan. 24. Natalie Norman brings the ha ha to Good Times on Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $19.95.

The Slice’s weekly open mic rocks on Wednesday, Jan, 24 with host Mandy Fox.

 The Kingsman Ale House celebrates Robbie Burns Day , Jan, 25 with live music, haggis, bagpipes and Scottish fun. Tickets are $34.75. The evening begins at 6 p.m.

 Celtic Routes celebrate Robbie Burns Day at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Jan. 27 with The Scottish Country Dancers. The free celebration begins at 7 p.m.

The weekend will be full of rock and roll.

 Dave Chomiak’s hot new David lee Roth era  Van Halen  tribute  Runnin’ With The Devil returns to the Place on Friday, Jan 26. Tickets are $20 at the door. The rock begins at 9 p.m.

Local funk rock band 21st Avenue brought a touch of the funk mixed with rock   for an energetic show at the Slice, Saturday, Jan. 16.

 They’ve been drinking heavily from the well of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and even tackled a cover of “Under the Bridge” which got a lot of applause.

 Most of their set was original funk tinged rock with a few covers mixed in.

 They played a new song due out Feb. 7.

 Throughout, bassist Tristan Smetana, guitarist Dayton Jans, drummer Quinn Schmick  and frontman/ guitarist Oztin they laid down a solid goove, that got the toes tapping and some seet bass and guitar solos.

  They were trying their hands at rap rock by the time I left.

— By Richard Amery,L.A. Beat Editor

 Richard Inman played an intimate solo set of mostly original country/ roots music at the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Saturday,  Jan. 16.

 A good sized crowd got out of the cold to warm up to Inman’s affable personality and stories of drinking, gambling and truck troubles.

 I usually miss the original set and catch his country covers set, but was glad to catch most of the originals at this show.

 He delivered stories and  songs in his big resonant, mellifluous  baritone voice, reminiscent of a blend of Fred Eaglesmith and Todd Snider.

  He is usually backed by a crack band, but held the stage on his own this time.

 He sound up his set with a few favourite covers including a cover of a new Turnpike Troubadours song “ Brought Me.”

 I missed Noeline Hofmann’s opening set, but Inman welcomed her back to the stage to sing a couple duets including Corb Lund“ Run This Town,”  and a request for the Turnpike Troubadours’ “ Pay No Rent.”

— By Richard Amery, L.A. beat Editor