Bars & Nightlife
23 ‘must-see’ local bands for fans of live music in Myrtle Beach
For all the music lovers of live music in Myrtle Beach this season, we have got plenty of homegrown talent for you.
The Myrtle Beach music scene is full of talented musicians and though many people idenitfy our area with its Carolina beach music roots, there is much more to see than the traditional shag scene.
Country, rock and reggae, blues and alternative, or any kind of band you could think of, the Grand Strand has it. Even better than that, you get to see many of them all over the area playing at your favorite live music venues, or even on the beach!
Here’s our list of “must-see” local bands you should get to know while at the beach:
Austin-Mowery Band
Led by a pair of talented frontment in Alex Austin and Jimmy Mowery, the Austin-Mowery band brings a setlist full of country hits infused with a rock and roll attitude. This four-piece band packs a southern punch at each venue they rock out.
• See them live: The Austin-Mowery Band performs everywhere in the Grand Strand, but your best chance to catch them is at Wild Wing Cafe in Myrtle Beach or at Wahoos on the inlet.
Brad Long
With a strong country presence and even stronger pipes this talented musician is best-known around town as part of The Carolina Opry cast, but also performs gigs solo and with his band with his sights set on becoming the next big country star headed to Nashville.
• See him live: Find him nightly at The Calvin Gilmore Theatre as part of The Carolina Opry show and performing regularly at Bourbon Street Bar in Myrtle Beach and Country Roads Bar & Grill at Broadway at the Beach.
Bullfrog
Hailing from Myrtle Beach, this folk-rock band sings songs as if they were telling stories of their homeland while the sweet sound takes everyone there. Check these guys out and see the folky style of Bullfrog for yourself.
• See them live: Check them out all over town including dates at Plyler Park (under the Skywheel), Pawleys Island Tavern, Wahoo’s and many more places.
Chicago Bob and Digger T.
Old school Blues tunes and Rock ’n’ Roll is what Chicago” Bob Hess and Digger T. Tozzi do best. This seasoned duo knows how to get the most out of their instruments and hasn’t lost a step musically in many years of entertaining crowds.
• See them live: Catch them playing regularly on the north end of town, at spots like Key West Crazy in Little River.
Cornbread
This diverse and ever-changing trio specializes in performing a wide variety of acoustic tunes in with a unique jam band” style where the music never stops — members simply rotate out as the continue to groove throughout the evening. This flowing musical experience includes plenty of past favorites as well as modern hits and original tunes.
• See them live: This Murrells Inlet-based band can be found all over the Grand Strand including Creek Ratz and Wicked Tuna at the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk, and in Myrtle Beach at Oceanfront Bar & Grill, Mellow Mushroom and many other places.
Diversity
Diversity is a dynamic act that holds down Broadway at the Beach’s Froggy Bottomz live music club as the house band. Led by charismatic vocalist Abigail Storm, this party band covers hits from across the decades with expert precision and really knows how to get a crowd going.
• See them live: Find them performing nearly every night at Froggy Bottomz, located in the Celebrity Square area of Broadway at the Beach.
Incredibly Tall People
Formerly known as Below The Bassline, Incredibly Tall People have built a strong local following for their laid-back style of Reggae-tinged Pop-Rock — a group that’s continued to grow since the release of the band’s debut album Sleep Outside” in December.
Although they perform all over the Carolinas, you can see Incredibly Tall People at Hard Rock Cafe, Island Bar & Grill Surfside and Rockin’ Hard Saloon in Murrells Inlet.
Jim Quick and Coastline
Jim Quick’s personality on stage is just as his name describes him — quick! This versatile frontman has been named Entertainer of the Year” nearly a dozen time by the Carolina Music Awards and never leaves his fans disappointed. Along with his band Coastline, Quick brings a high-energy mix of classic Carolina Beach Music, R&B, Southern Rock and Country to the stage each night.
• See them live: This hard-working band plays 300 shows a year all over the east coast, and you’ll find them locally at Harold’s On The Ocean and various events through North Myrtle Beach.
Julio and the Saltines
If classic rock, 90s pop or modern rock are your thing you’ll definitely want to make room in your schedule for this energetic cover band. Julio and the Saltines put on a fun show that will have everyone on their feet and aims to please. It’s like their website says Julio and The Saltines will do anything to entertain you…..ANYTHING.”
• See them live: Julio and the Saltines are perfect for office parties or wedding receptions, but for a free show you can check them out at Wahoo’s or Hard Rock Cafe.
Lee Travis and the Bounty Hunters
With a complete repertoire of country covers perfectly tuned for the Redneck Riviera,” Lee Travis and the Bounty Hunters have the gritty down south sound every country fan loves and plenty of musical chops and on-stage charisma to keep the crowd lively.
• Where to find them: As the house band for legendary honky-tonk bar The Bowery, you’ll find the Bounty Hunters performing six nights a week just steps from the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
Oceans Orange
This 3-piece indie rock band is delivers soothing melodies with tons of power chords and more than a little 90s rock flair. They are known for strong live performances every time on stage.
• Where to find them: You can find Ocean’s Orange gigging around town, with shows scheduled at Hard Rock Cafe, Island Bar & Grill Surfside and Rockin’ Hard Saloon in Murrells Inlet this summer.
One Bad Apple
Drawing influence from Indie Rock mavens such as The Avett Brothers, Drive-By Truckers and The Lumineers, One Bad Apple brings a sincerity and beautifully-written tunes along with a folky southern vibe. But don’t get lost in the subtle acoustic sounds, because these veteran rockers can do it all from 90s pop and rock to unique covers of current tunes too.
• Where to find them: You’ll often find different pairings of this five-piece band playing together around town, but it’s best if you can catch them in full force at spots like Pirate’s Cove, HOTOs, Wet Willies or OD Lounge.
Painted Man
So sweet, so smooth, and so entertaining, Painted Man’s funky sound and knack for playing a fun variety of tunes is truly one of a kind. This veteran Myrtle Beach band is one you absolutely should make a point to see when you’re in town.
• Where to find them: Painted Man performs weekly this summer at Compass Cove hotel in Myrtle Beach and you’ll also find them regularly at Dead Dog Saloon in Murrells Inlet.
Paperwork
This hard-working group of friends from the Pawleys Island area has grown into one of the the best live bands in Myrtle Beach with a mix of new-age funk, classy vocals and a setlist full of favorites that will make you want to get up and groove the night away.
• Where to find them: You can find Paperwork performing live every Tuesday at Good Time Charley’s at Broadway at the Beach (weather permitting). They also play around town at spots such as Pawleys Island Tavern, Island Bar & Grill Pawleys and Pirate’s Cove Lounge.
Paul Grimshaw Band
Amazing classic rock renditions and a catalog of cover tunes that will outdo any jukebox make The Paul Grimshaw Band a ‘must see’ act anywhere on the Grand Strand.
• See them live: Catch the full band live at Hard Rock Cafe, Wild Wing Cafe, Dead Dog Saloon and various other spots around town or see Grimshaw solo at regularly at Sea Captain’s House restaurant.
Sawgrass
This homegrown string band plays hillbilly music” with a mix of Bluegrass and acoustic tunes that keep your night rolling and your feet a steppin’. These veteran Myrtle Beach musicians specialize in pickin’ and grinnin’ with vocal harmonies that are the stuff of dreams.
• See them live: Playing at south end hot spots like Pawleys Island Tavern and Dead Dog Saloon, Sawgrass always puts on an authentic one of a kind show.
Stevie Woodward
After leaving the Grand Strand to follow her career as a musician in Nashville, hometown girl Stevie Woodward is back at the beach this summer honing her craft for local crowds. This talented young singer has country crossover” written all over her with plent of pop and rock sensibilities to go with her downhome southern sound.
• See her live: You can catch her all over town this season including spots like Hard Rock Cafe, Margaritaville, Hot Fish Club, Oceanfront Bar & Grill and Pirates Cove, among others.
The Doc Simons Band
The Doc Simons Band is full of Americana classic rock covers of the greats like Bob Dylan and The Band that everyone can jam out to.
• See them live: Find them regularly at the Pawleys Island Tavern as well as other south end spots like Wahoo’s and Hot Fish Club.
The Izm
With an out-there” vibe that combines grungy alternative and hard rock sounds with the powerhouse vocals and pure charisma of frontman Jaesen Moore, The IZM is one of the most unique original bands in Myrtle Beach. You’ll rarely find a cover tune among their set, but you will find a well put together setlist of self-written songs that have earned them plenty of local fans and acclaim — including this year’s Hard Rock Battle of the Bands crown.
• See them live: Mixing out of town shows with local gigs, you can find them periodically at venues like Hard Rock Cafe, Island Bar & Grill Surfside, The Boathouse and the House of Blues.
The Mullets
The closest thing we have to a group of local rock ‘n’ roll legends, The Mullets have been entertaining local crowds for more than 30 years. This five-piece group is part classic rock supergroup and part original jam band with a sound that’s well-honed and timeless, yet endlessly entertaining.
• See them live: The Mullets are the heart and soul of the Myrtle Beach music scene and have played nearly every live music venue on the Grand Strand at some point. These days you can find them at south end spots like the Hot Fish Club, Dead Dog Saloon and Pawleys Island Tavern.
The Necessary Band
The name says it all here. Of all the groups on this list, none are quite as necessary” as frontman Mark Necessary and his 3-piece band. Known as the house band at Broadway at the Beach’s Margaritaville for several years, this band now performs all over the Grand Strand bringing a mix of southern rock, soul and a great variety of cover tunes.
• See them live: One of the busiest bands around you can still find them at Margaritville ocassionally, not to mention spots like Creek Ratz in Murrells Inlet, Wild Wing Cafe in North Myrtle Beach, along the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk at Plyler Park and at the Garden City Pier.
Treehouse!
One of the best original acts to call the Myrtle Beach area home in recent years, this Reggae Rock band has been touring all over the East Coast since 2010 and continues to grow their following with every jammin’ festival they headline.
• Where to find them: Despite a busy schedule of touring, you can catch them monthly at the Pirate’s Cove JAMS! Series in North Myrtle Beach and occasionally at The Boathouse and House of Blues.
Tru Sol
Based in nearby Conway, S.C., Tru Sol is truly a band for all. This veteran party band recently celebrated 10 years of entertaining local crowds with a complete package of cover songs spanning the decades from high-energy Motown hits to the chart-topping pop hits of today.
• See them live: Tru Sol performs regularly at places including Harold’s On The Ocean in North Myrtle Beach and Pawleys Island Prime and Seafood, as well as at various festivals and events.
