I guess everyone has their American flags at the ready for this weekend, preparing to wave them in celebration of Independence Day. Probably not.

There still seems to be a certain simmering anti-Americanism in New Zealand, which I once merrily subscribed to but now see as a bit of a shame. A shame, that is, for people to be anti-American simply because their government does illegal objectionable things around the world. It's like pillorying everyone French for their secret service bombing of the Rainbow Warrior, or blaming the people of Burma for the actions of their military junta.
Leonard Cohen called America 'the cradle of the best and the worst” and Lenny's a smart chap. These days I find it too hard to be rabidly anti-American in the face of all the irreplaceably wonderful things that have spread from that continent around the world. Sure there's been McDonalds and Coca Cola and KFC and beanies and Oprah Winfrey and a lot of other disposable stuff. But without America there'd be no jazz or blues or rock ‘n' roll or soul music, and life would be – at least musically – a little less worth living.
So, even if you're in the middle of protesting against the latest outrage perpetrated by the US government in the name of truth, justice and the American way, take a little time out to raise a glass to the country that gave us all that good music.
The B-Side band will be out celebrating on Sunday. They will be at Astrolabe at the Mount on the afternoon of July 4 for a ‘Bourbon and Blues' Independence Day bash.
If you haven't caught them at the jazz festival or one of their occasional gigs, they are a rockabilly band who specialise in the sort of songs you'd forgotten you remember, lost bits of blues and roots music with a Kiwi connection – they are adept at digging up semi-obscure old rock ‘n' roll tunes that were hits here in the 50s or 60s. They also do a good line in original songs as evidenced by their debut album from a couple of years back, Pilot Bay Blues.
The band actually could have featured in last week's column about recent local recording as they have been nearly constant visitors to the Boatshed Studio for most of the year, slowly chipping away at a new release, Down Under and Blues. I've heard an advance master and it is certainly a step forward for the band, blending tough harmonica R&B with sweet harmonies and a very Kiwi sensibility. Expect it to be released in August.
They kick off at 3pm and entry is free.
And, before we move on from this weekend, I should mention that Katchafire are playing at the Brewers Bar on Saturday. These guys don't need any extra push from me – they're fantastic. If you haven't had a shot of their reggae-love yet you've missed out.
And on to next weekend, because I know that people need time to prepare for longish gigs and this should be of particular interest to those who pine to hear more original music around town.
On Saturday, July 10 it's time for the annual Tauriko Hall gig, taking place, not surprisingly, in the hall at Tauriko. I went along to the last one of these and it was a blast. Also, now that the Plug & Play nights have gone, there is very little other chance to hear a multi-band original music show.
Heading the line-up are the Mellow Drops, who haven't played much live this year so this will be a treat for their fans. The twin vocal and guitar attack of Irishmen Derek Toner and Cian Cinnseala is one of the more distinctive sounds in Tauranga music and the band has a swag of good songs.
Also on the bill are Dakota, Carolyn and the Elements, and All Due Respect. I mentioned the latter in last week's column as they have been recording at Colourfield Studio. Singer Megan Sidwell also plays around town with 80s cover band Max Headroom, but this is her original outfit. You can hear their music at www.myspace.com/allduerespectnz
The gig starts at 7.30pm. Doors open at 6.30pm - there is a $5 cover charges and a free sausage sizzle.