Danny Barnes bucks tradition in Bend

Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 3, 2019

Moving on from death metal to punk-rock banjo, virtuoso player Danny Barnes will perform at McMenamins Old St. Francis School on Wednesday. Barnes, formerly of the Bad Livers, started out fascinated by the punk scene of the 1970s and has explored everything from electronic sounds to noise rock on the humble five-string in his two-plus decade solo career, earning praise from Dave Matthews, comedian-turned-bluegrass-bandleader Steve Martin and more. With his most recent album, 2017’s “Stove Up,” Barnes took a turn toward the traditional, exploring with typical acumen and accuracy the music the banjo is still most known for: bluegrass. However, if you’re expecting a traditional-minded performance, you may be disappointed.

Danny Barnes: 7 p.m. Wednesday; free; McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend; mcmenamins.com or 541-382-5174.