Hothouse Flowers
A benefit for Soulseedz
One Trick Pony, Grand Rapids
Mar. 14, 7 p.m.
$20 in advance
soulseedshothouse.eventbrite.com

If you're trying to get in the mood for St. Patty's Day, but prefer Bono to Lord of the Dance, try Hothouse Flowers. An Irish rock n' roll band rooted in Irish folk and infused with the sounds of American gospel and soul, Hothouse Flowers guarantees to get its audience wearing green and drinking Guinness without the fancy footwork. Beginning as a ragtag bunch of high school friends playing on the streets of Dublin, the band took off after receiving the 1985 Street Entertainers of the Year award and scoring a flattering article in Rolling Stone. Hothouse Flowers hit another stroke of luck after Bono, the lead vocalist of that other famous Dublin-based rock band, watched them perform on a late-night TV show and produced its single "Love Don't Work This Way" on U2's label, Mother. The band's first album, People, was released in '88 after striking a deal with PolyGram Records and rose to No. two in the UK charts. Its latest album, Into Your Heart, was released in 2004. This intimate benefit concert will open with native Grand Rapids folk-rock musician, Ralston Bowles, and all proceeds will go to support Soulseedz, a spiritual, non-religious, social media company. Tickets should be reserved in advance due to limited seating. Reported by Rebecca Lee.

www.hothouseflowers.com