T.J. Greever sports a green tutu during The Communicators' show at Riverbend. The group will be at Rhythm & Brews on Tuesday night.IF YOU GO* What: That '90s New Year's Bash with The Communicators and The Power Players Show Band.* When: 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.* Where: Rhythm & Brews, 221 Market St.* Admission: $20.* Phone: 423-267-4644.* Website: www.rhythm-brews.com.
ON THE SETHere are a few songs from The Communicators' 34-song set for Tuesday night:* "Hey Jealousy" by The Gin Blossoms* "Hit Me Baby, One More Time" by Britney Spears* "Genie in a Bottle" by Christina Aguilera* "Big Pimpin'" by Jay-Z* "Song Two" by Blur* "The Distance" by Cake* "Bulls on Parade" by Rage Against the Machine* "California Love" by 2Pac* "Gin and Juice" by Snoop Doggy Dogg* "Waterfalls" by TLC* "My Name Is" by Eminem* "Longview" by Green Day
For two years, local music tribute collective The Communicators has made a name for itself through tight re-creations of well-known albums, from Beck's "Odelay" to Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Blood Sugar Sex Magik."
To help push 2013 out the door and usher in 2014, however, they'll present a show at Rhythm & Brews on Tuesday night that founding member Jonathan Susman describes as a whirlwind of different styles.
The 34-song set should last from two and a half to three hours and will cover everything from Gin Blossoms pop-punk and Nirvana grunge to hip-hop artists such as 2Pac, Dr. Dre and Jay-Z.
"We jump genres in this show more than anything I've ever done," says Susman, a drummer with indie rock trio Glowing Bordis. "It's all over the place, but it's all songs that people typically know. It's just a big party."
As is usual for Communicators shows, the stage will host a motley group of local musicians. The lineup includes Susman and Glowing Bordis bandmates TJ Greever and Dan Pinson, Digital Butter's Bexy Ribeiro, pianist Brett Nolan, Red Necklace's Bill Robinson, pop singer/songwriter Ryan Oyer, The Outfit's Jordan Hallquist and emcee DJ X'PhakDer.
The Communicators also will share the stage - and perform several songs with - opening act The Power Players Show Band, a funk/blues/rock ensemble composed of MoTown expats and regional musicians.
This year marks the second time The Communicators have served as Rhythm & Brews' New Year's Eve entertainment. Last year's performance was a sell-out, and Susman says early sales for Tuesday night are promising an equally packed house.
Despite their reputation for album shows, Susman says he and his bandmates appreciate opportunities to present a more wide-ranging set. So long as they have open minds, the audience should, too, he says.
"If you do a Red Hot Chili Peppers album or a Beastie Boys album, you're speaking to people who know that music," he says. "This show is for anybody who wants to come out to dance and likes all genres of music.
"It just speaks to everybody."
Contact Casey Phillips at cphillips@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6205. Follow him on Twitter at @PhillipsCTFP.
For a full list of New Year's Eve happenings, go to www.chattanooganow.com/nye2014