Introduced to the world via an emo comp several years back, Bradenton hometown heroes the Chase Theory have built up quite a rep since, thanks to that most elusive of star-making apparatuses: actual talent. Marrying alt-crunch and flailing vocals may not blow minds with its originality, but the band is nevertheless always a contender for one of the Suncoast's tastiest. Singer-guitarist Matt Burke recently locked himself away and popped out a stunning 20-minute solo album of back-country folk, christening the solo project Have Gun, Will Travel. He's performing the tunes this Friday, one of your first chances to hear the guy's new direction live. You'll be shuffling your feet rather than banging your head, which, for an area oddly devoid of quality country bands, sounds like a damn good time. This one's definitely worth a brief road trip south.
Have Gun, Will Travel, Fri., May 26, Fogartyville Café, Bradenton. $5, $3 for students.
This article appears in May 24-30, 2006.