Friday, November 28, 2008 |
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Shoot Out the Lights; Race for Titles tonight…
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So I'm driving north on 60th St. from Western Ave. Wednesday night and notice that the street lights are out. I turn on the brights and glance at the houses flying by and see that they're dark as well. Power outages are commonplace in my neighborhood. At least once a week I come home from work and all the digital clocks on the appliances are blinking. It's the price you pay for living in an old neighborhood with lots of trees. The lights stayed out all the way to Maple St. Every venue was dark, but I knew that it would take more than an outage to close these bars. Burke's Pub, where Kyle Harvey's CD release show was scheduled, was candle-lit and packed to the gills, too packed to get in. A couple smokers outside said that Kyle had already played (it was only 10:30), and now the Black Squirrels were playing in front of the bar. They didn't need power; they're a bluegrass band ferchrissake. I never stepped foot inside Burke's though. It looked too packed, and I knew that even if I could get in that getting a Rolling Rock would be a real challenge. So I walked down to The Barley St. (The Waiting Room looked dark and vacant from across the street). Landon Hedges was behind the candle-lit bar and handed me a Rock. Emergency lighting glowed in the music room. It took about 15 minutes, but Matt Whipkey found an acoustic guitar (lent to him by Kat of the Black Squirrels) and he and the rest of the Whipkey Three played an acoustic set to about 20 people. Right after the last song, the power came back on, ending the Great Benson Blackout of 2008. * * * Barring another blackout, tonight's big show is the Race for Titles CD release party at The Waiting Room. Opening is Anniversaire and Malpais. Expect a large crowd. $7, 9 p.m. Also tonight down at The Barley St. it's Slumber Party Records band Talkin' Mountain with Bradley Unit and the Members and Adam Haug. $4, 9 p.m. Saturday night has Fortnight at The Barley St. with No Blood Orphan, The Answer and Barometric. It's probably $4, 9 p.m. Also Saturday night, Lincoln's Ideal Cleaners is playing down at Slowdown Jr. with Knots and Yuppies. $5, 9 p.m. Finally, The Waiting Room has U2 tribute band Me2. $10, 9 p.m. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 3:05 PM |
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008 |
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Column 200 -- Looking back; Kyle Harvey's Chinese Democracy tonight…
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So, four years of Lazy-i columns are now history. My original intent was to write a retrospective that went back to Column No. 1, but one thing led to another and we didn't have time (This was actually written last Thursday -- an accelerated deadline for The Reader due to the Thanksgiving holiday). Anyway, we didn't need to go back that far because it's been a very good year for music stories, maybe the most important year for Omaha music since 2001, but we'll recap all that with the annual year-in-review article that'll be online in a couple weeks. This is just a snippet -- consider it the first of the series of year-end articles that you're about to be bombarded with from all corners of the media...
Tonight, another historic moment, this time at Burke's Pub where a crowded room of drunks will be celebrating the long-awaited release of Kyle Harvey's Truth is the Color of Teeth. More than four years in the making, think of it as Omaha's version of Chinese Democracy, with Kyle playing the Axl role. Opening the free, 9 o'clock show are The Black Squirrels and Ben Sieff. Shows are thin tomorrow night, which is odd since everyone will want to get out of the house after a day of family bullshit. A good way to unwind is with Satchel Grande at The Waiting Room. $7, 9 p.m. Down at Slowdown Jr., Sunny Day Real Estate frontman Jeremy Enigk takes the stage with Fine, Fine Automobiles (Landon Hedges' solo joint) and Adam Weaver. $13, 9 p.m. Gobble, gobble... --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 5:21 AM |
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008 |
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1% keeps busy (Kevin Costner?); Sebastien Grainger, Low Vs Diamond tonight…
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I'm sure if you read this and you're from Omaha that you probably also get the 1 Percent Productions "Upcoming Concerts" e-mail, just like I did yesterday. Despite this downturn in the economy, Jim and Marc have managed to book one of the busiest winters in recent memory -- a time when there's usually a downturn in touring. The standouts from the list: -- Kevin Costner & Modern West Jan. 29 -- Yes, that Kevin Costner, the guy that starred in Dances with Wolves, Waterworld and Fandango (my favorite Costner film that no one's ever seen but features a killer soundtrack by Pat Metheny). His band is another in a series of movie-star vanity projects that include everyone from Billy Bob Thornton to Keanu Reeves -- all of them sucking. I'm sure Costner's will suck just as bad, but that won't stop it from selling out, especially considering Costner visits Omaha whenever his Cal State Fullerton team is in the CWS. It's a smart booking, and further underscores Slowdown's willingness to allow anything on their big stage as long as it sells (especially at $30 a ticket). -- The Faint, Dec. 19 with Brimstone Howl and The Show Is the Rainbow; Dec. 20 with Capgun Coup and Son Ambulance -- both $18 at Sokol Auditorium. Just like you, I like going to Faint concerts. Apparently unlike you, I hate going to Faint concerts at Sokol Auditorium. Unfortunately, that's what we're stuck with since it's the only venue with a sweet-spot capacity of 1,400 that's also big enough to handle their AV requirements. I'd love to see the Faint at Slowdown, and would be willing to pay as much as people are willing to pay to see Kevin Costner. Three nights at Slowdown for $30 a ticket would likely sell out. But I'm sure there are other things that were considered when deciding to use Sokol, things we'll never know about. -- Neva Dinova, Ladyfinger, McCarthy Trenching and The 1989 Chicago Cubs, Dec. 27 at Slowdown. The big surprise here is The Cubs, who as far as I know, haven't played together in years. Is this just a one-off reunion? Probably. Call it a late Christmas present. $7. -- Criteria with The Beat Seekers and The Envy Corps, Dec. 13 at The Waiting Room. Will Criteria be rolling out new material? Wait and see. $7. -- Rock Movie Night featuring Joy Division (Documentary), Dec. 1 at The Waiting Room. I was at TWR last night for Under a Blood Red Sky -- along with seven other people (It sounded awesome, btw). In an effort to ratchet up the draw to these Monday night movie-watching parties, TWR will begin offering free chili and drink specials starting Dec. 1. A colorful aside: When I was going to school at UNO I literally had no money for food. My roommate and I used to scour the newspaper looking for free food offers at local bars -- taco nights, chili nights, whatever. This would have been on our radar screen. You cannot beat free food, especially if you've been living on a steady diet of baked potatoes. So what's missing from the schedule? The bigger touring indie bands. Some examples off the top of my head: Of Montreal, TV on the Radio, M83, Titus Andronicus, Deerhunter, Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon/Red House Painters), Rosebuds, Fucked Up, Belle and Sebastian, Ratatat, Black Kids, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, LCD Soundsystem. And where are the old stalwarts like Ryan Adams, Beck, Death Cab, Mogwai, Spoon, Yo La Tengo, Low and Interpol? Yeah, I know. A lot of them aren't on the road right now, but they have been and they've missed us. Still, considering everything we got this past year, we don't have room to complain. * * * Speaking of shows, there are a couple doozies tonight: At The Slowdown Jr., it's the debut of one of Saddle Creek Records' most recent recruits, Sebastien Grainger, former drummer from Death From Above 1979. Don't go expecting a DFA show, Grainger's style is straight-forward indie rock. With Josh Reichmann and Ladyfinger. $10, 9 p.m. Also tonight at The Waiting Room, it's Low Vs. Diamond, and no, this band has nothing to do with the Minnesota drone-band Low (someone asked me that very question last night). LVD is riding a wave having recently been featured in Filter. Their sound is run-o-the-mill indie, but with more of a pop edge. Not bad. With Barcelona and Akita Ken. $10. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 11:59 AM |
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Monday, November 24, 2008 |
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Live Review: The OEA Showcase; AMAs; U2’s Under a Blood Red Sky tonight…
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The OEA showcase Friday night looked like it was another success. Despite the cold and wind -- making the trek from one end of Maple St. to the other brutal -- the sidewalks were crowded with music fans bouncing between venues. The most crowded show I saw was probably Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies at Mick's or maybe The Song Remains the Same at the tiny Barley St. If I had to put my money on one act to clean up at the OEA's this year, it would be on Hoshaw, who might have the best turnaround story of the year. The most surprising set for me was Skypiper, who closed out The Waiting Room (introduced by OEA prez Matt Oberst, the man who sired The Conor). Their music wasn't terribly innovative – sort of an indie pop take on Wilco – but it was well played. And though it was the first time I saw the band on stage, their songs seemed familiar in a good way. Other acts I caught Friday night – Lucas Kellison, Confidentials, Mass Quantities and Midwest Dilemma (I didn't get started until 10). I assume I'll be receiving the final OEA ballot in the mail in the next few weeks, which will be followed by the awards show itself Jan. 8 at The Holland Center. Speaking of award shows, I'm watching the AMA's as I write this. Teresa said you know you're getting old when you don't recognize most of the musicians on the red carpet. Actually, I think the anonymity of these "stars" has more to do with the shift in the music industry over the past decade, essentially taking the boy band trend to the next level -- thank you American Idol and High School Musical. One of the announcers said this year's AMA's had the youngest performers in the history of the show. Few if any wrote the material they were performing. In the old days just 10 years ago most "popular" music could still be of some interest to people outside of the 14-18 female demographic. Not anymore. Apparently that demo is the only ones left buying CDs (except, of course, for old fucks and mullets who make it into Wal Mart for the latest legacy acts like AC/DC and Metallica). They've even managed to marginalize the term "rock" -- Chris Brown, for example, won "best rock/pop male vocal." After he left the stage along came Scott Weiland who wasn't just drunk, he was barely able to introduce Pink without passing out. That's when I changed it to the football game. I think today's current crop of pop stars, all under 18, are talented performers. They just don't have anything relevant to sing about, and apparently none of their fans cares. Then again, the guys in Journey and Styx weren't exactly poets, either. A final sidenote: Teresa asked why there wasn't an indie music award show. I told her most of the nominees probably couldn't afford to travel to the show or would be too busy trying to eke out a living on the road. That, and the fact that it would likely have the lowest rating of any award show in history (if you take into account how poorly indie music sells in comparison to the AMA acts, who consider any album that moves fewer than 100k units an enormous failure). It's Rock Movie Night tonight at The Waiting Room, and tonight's movie is special -- U2's Under a Blood Red Sky -- a film that I remember seeing on MTV back in the '80s. Shot at Denver's Red Rocks Amphitheater on June 5, 1983, it captures U2 at their career zenith, shortly after the release of War. The movie has been released for the first time on DVD and includes five previously unreleased live cuts, a director's commentary, digitally re-graded pictures and a 5.1 mix. As part of the night's festivities, TWR will be giving away a pair of tickets to Saturday's Me2 show. It's free and starts at 8. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 5:04 AM |
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Friday, November 21, 2008 |
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Guitars 101; OEA Showcase tonight, No Blood Orphan tomorrow…
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I wanted to take a moment and point out a writing project that isn't going to be posted here in Lazy-i. As part of The Reader's annual "Music Issue" I wrote a cover story that's sort of designed to be an "Electric Guitars for Dummies" article. As I say in the lead:
Also discussed are three "wildcard guitars" -- the Flying V, ES-335 and Jazzmaster. The article is rife with photos of electric guitars, but also includes nine local guitarists' stories about their favorite guitars, how they got them and why it's their favorites, along with some rockin' action photos. Those guitarists are Lash LaRue, Ted Stevens, Jon Taylor, Jamie Massey, Mike Saklar, Matt Whipkey, Matt Rutledge, Corey Weber and Sarah Benck. An online version of the story may or may not appear at thereader.com (it's not there now), so your best bet is to pick up a copy! * * * Tonight throughout Benson it’s the annual Omaha Entertainment Awards showcase. For a $10 wristband, patrons can stroll from one venue to the next and check out performers nominated for this year's OEA awards. Here's the schedule:
All showcases begin at 8 p.m. Also tonight at Slowdown Jr. it's The Republic Tigers with Malpais and Roman Numerals. $8, 9 p.m. Saturday night's marquee event is the No Blood Orphan album release show at The Waiting Room with Jake Bellows, Brad Hoshaw, Ben Brodin, Steve Bartolomei, Landing on the Moon & special guests. Just $2. 9 p.m. Also Saturday night, at O'Leaver's it's Fromanhole, Self-Evident, Traindodge and Techlepathy. $5, 9:30 p.m. Finally, on Sunday, it's Calexico with Simon Joyner and Mal Madrigal. 9 p.m., $15.--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:46 AM |
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Thursday, November 20, 2008 |
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The Reader Top 20/Next 20; Slowdown history, Darker My Love tonight...
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So here's The Reader's official list of the Top 20 bands of '08, along with the next 20:
Like I said, it's pretty close to my list (here). Again, the list is created by all the music writers submitting a list of their Top 20 and next 15 to the editor of The Reader. She compiles them, and then we meet at a location and hash it out (This time the meeting place was Blue Line Coffee down at the Slowdown complex). The discussion was animated and fun. As I said the other day, The Reader changed the rules after we started, interpreting "the next 15" to mean local bands that are not in the top-20 that will have the biggest impact in 2009. They also expanded that list from 15 to 20. That being the case, if I expanded my list, I would add Perry H. Matthews, Ladyfinger, Dim Light, Bloodcow and Capgun Coup. One of the most common criticisms of lists like these also overlaps to the whining heard about the Omaha Entertainment Awards (OEA's) nominees -- that Saddle Creek artists like The Faint and Bright Eyes (or this year, blank.wav artist The Faint and Merge artist Conor Oberst) shouldn't be considered in the discussion because "they have a national following" or "they already have enough publicity," etc. That's like saying that a band is "too good " or "too successful" to be considered for a Top 20 list or an OEA nomination. In other words, we should only be recognizing the mediocre acts -- not the ones that have gotten off their asses, taken risks, gone on the road and toured and are now reaping the benefits of their hard work. Hogwash. There are those who say Oberst shouldn't be considered because "he doesn't live here anymore." If that's so, than who was the guy I saw pushing a shopping cart down the produce aisle of the Peony Park Hy-Vee a couple months ago? Who owns that mansion in Fairacres next to the ARC studios? Yet another criticism is that "the list is the same every year." Obviously that's not true, though there are a number of artists who are on it every year because they produce significant work every year. A better argument -- the one I use anyway -- is that there's no place for competition in art or literature. These kinds of things are generally divisive, and do more to split a community than build one. Unfortunately, lists and awards are the most convenient way to provide recognition to artists and musicians -- especially in these digital MySpace days when there are a million bands and no way to find the ones worth your time (especially with the current state of radio). That said, I'll be at the OEA showcase in Benson tomorrow night to check out some of the under-the-radar acts that have been nominated for this year's awards. More details about the showcase tomorrow. Tonight there's another special event, this time on the campus of UNO. Michael Seman of Denton, Texas, indie band Shiny Around the Edges (I met him when they played at O'Leaver's way back in 2005) is in town tonight to present his thesis on the Slowdown project as part of a program titled UNO 100: Central to our city since 1908. Seman is a research associate at the Center for Economic Development and Research at University of North Texas and will be discussing the "present" portion of the program focused on Slowdown, while Dr. Harl Dalstrom will talk about "the past" -- the politics of the creation of UNO -- and Connie Spellman of Omaha By Design will talk about "the future" -- specifically the Midtown Crossing and Aksarben Village projects. Sounds exciting, doesn't it? The free lecture starts at 7 p.m. at Rm. 115/116 of the Durham Science Center on the UNO Campus. Afterward, with your head all swollen from gaining so much knowledge, drive on down to Slowdown Jr. for Darker My Love, The Strange Boys and Eulogies. $8, 9 p.m.--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:41 AM |
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008 |
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Column 199 -- Harvey Vs. Saklar…
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The key to both of these efforts is the number 100. Do unsigned indie bands who are self-releasing their CDs really need to press more than 100 copies of their record? Especially when they can always simply press 100 more? Yes, there are exceptions, specifically local bands that have a fan base that regularly sells out TWR, but those are few and far between. The other exception has to do with sending discs out to radio or media -- specifically bands that have deals with promotion and distribution companies or that plan to go out on multi-week (months) tours. I think Kyle's label idea is spot-on; and I have no doubt that Mike will sell out his tri-disc release...
All right, so where's The Reader's Top 20 + 15 list? Well, I do have the list, but I haven't seen what they printed -- there could be some differences, specifically with the "+15" part. So until I see a printed version, I'm holding off on publishing anything online. It'll be here tomorrow. In the meantime, go out and find a copy of The Reader's special "Music Issue," which should be dropping around town this evening. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:42 AM |
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008 |
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Let the controversy begin: 2008 Top-20/Next-15 preview; Heartless Bastards tonight...
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There's a good reason why I'm showing you this list a day before the actual Reader Top-20 List is released and in print. Every year I usually write a companion column about how stupid and unnecessary "best of" lists are, while at the same time saying that they can be fun if you don't take them seriously (which is hard to do if your band didn't make the list). Here and here are the past examples of that column. This year I didn't write a column/comment about the list because: 1) I dedicated this week's column to two CD release shows going on Saturday and next Wednesday, 2) I killed myself this weekend writing the "guitars" cover story along with a handful of band profiles, and 3) I didn't think I could improve on what I've already said about lists -- they piss off more people than they please, they're also dreadfully entertaining and generate heated discussions. Certainly that was the case when The Reader writers got together and hammered out the list this year (and every year). I know there are bands on the final Reader list that I don't agree with, but ultimately it's all about the art of compromise (plus, I know I can print my own list on this site). Keep in mind that "Top 20" means something different to everyone. To me, it's the 20 most significant and/or "important" local bands performing in Omaha over the past year, not necessarily the bands that I like the most or think are the best (though most of them are). This year, The Reader switched things up and made "the next 15" the bands to "watch for in 2009." That's not how I approached it, however, so my next 15 are the ones that didn't make it into the Top 20. So in the spirit of disclosure, here it is, in alphabetical order. Again, THIS IS NOT THE OFFICIAL READER TOP 20 LIST; this is what I submitted as my list:
I'll probably post The Reader's list tomorrow, and you can see how much we differed. It wasn't by much. *** A couple shows are going on tonight that may be of interest to you. At The Waiting Room Fat Possum Records band The Heartless Bastards (from Cincinnati) are playing with The Whipkey Three. $10, 9 p.m. Meanwhile, down at Slowdown Jr., Brooklyn band The End of the World is playing with Jake Bellows (Neva Dinova). $7, 9 p.m. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:51 AM |
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Monday, November 17, 2008 |
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Live Review: Bombardment Society; more Azure Ray news; Slumber Party emerges; Edie Sedgwick tonight…
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I'm home sick today, but not too sick to blog, apparently... Bombardment Society rolled out a set of new music Saturday night at O'Leaver's. It's the third band I've seen in the past week working on new material that's better than the last stuff they've put out. I know bands are supposed to improve over time, but it's still a surprise when it actually happens. Bombardment's new material is heavier but more coherent, more streamlined, more tuneful, i.e., they're playing songs. Part of the credit goes to bassist Lincoln Dickison sitting at the core of the action. The weight is unavoidable. I caught the last couple songs by Perry H. Matthews. It didn't even sound like the same band -- very prof. Now if they can only get their act into the studio... Pitchfork is finally reporting about that Azure Ray reunion -- old news. The new news is that both Maria Taylor and Orenda Fink have new solo albums on the way. BTW, Tim Kasher has been added to that show, along with Andy Lemaster. Tix are still available -- too bad it's at the Troubadour. When Slumber Party Records launched about a year ago, the label was poised to be the city's hot new thing with the hottest new bands. And then... nothing. After a year of nothing, Slumber Party appears to have launched a new website (at least it's new to me) at slumberpartyrecords.com. The site includes news (Capgun Coup's West Coast tour got cancelled due to "van troubles"), show calendar (Bear Country, Capgun Coup and Honeybee will be playing at The Bemis "Open Studios" event this Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. All three bands are current musicians-in-residence), and promises of new "weekly things" on the site including videos and downloads. They even have a new "press" site, but I can't tell you about it because you ain't press. Tonight at The Waiting Room it's transgender pop diva Edie Sedgwick with The Stay Awake and Perry H. Matthews. $7, 9 p.m. I'm feeling better already... --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 11:48 AM |
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Friday, November 14, 2008 |
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Live Review: O'Death, Triggertown; Bullets and Mohawks tonight…
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There's nothing more annoying than seeing someone texting during a show, I know this. That's why I usually hide in a corner if I need to type out notes on my iPhone -- I don’t want the band to think I'm so bored or jaded that I'm passing the time SMS'ing or Twittering or whatever (which reminds me of a story I heard about a Kansas City duo who were out on a coffee-shop tour. Their biggest problem -- most people in the coffee shops didn't know (or care) that they were going to be playing a set on a given afternoon/evening, so the duo often played to rooms filled with people drinking coffee, reading and listening to their iPods. Can anything be more demoralizing to a performer than someone sitting five feet away listening to an iPod?). I mention this only because I did tap out some notes during last night's O'Death show at The Waiting Room, but it didn’t matter where I stood because there were so few people there -- maybe 40, which seems empty in TWR (especially when no one gets out of their chairs). O'Death wasn't complaining -- the band's frontman, who looks and sounds just like David Cross (but with more hair), said they played to six people the night before in Iowa -- and that all six were in the opening band. Life on the road can be lonely, especially on your first trip "out west." I got there halfway through the opening set by Lincoln bluegrass band Triggertown -- these guys are amazingly good. The combo included banjo, guitars (one horizontally), fiddle and a guy playing a washtub bass or "gutbucket" (upside down washtub, large mop handle, string tied from top of handle to center of washtub, really all you need). Gorgeous three-part harmonies, including from the fiddle player who looked like a younger, cuter version of Amy Pohler. There are quite a few quasi-traditional country and bluegrass bands playing around here these days -- Triggertown is on top of my list (at least until The Shorttimers get back together). Triggertown was traditional bluegrass. O'Death was anything but. They did have a fiddle, banjo and guitar, but also a rhythm section that looked like they walked off the cover of Metal Hammer magazine -- long-haired and shirtless with plenty of snarl and tats (and gut), they supplied a metal attitude to O'Death's bluegrass folk rock, that during its hardest moments sounded like DeVotchKa meets Primus with banjos. In fact, those moments were a bit too proggy for my taste. The best parts were when they pulled back and played more linear numbers that accentuated traditional structure along with their harmonies. I have no doubt that their high-energy set would have gone over better in a more-crowded room, say at O'Leaver's or The 49'r, where 40 people is a packed house and you're playing right inside the crowd. O'Death in front of 300 would be a sweat-soaked party, but the only way I'm going to see that is if I go to Brooklyn, where I'm told they have quite a following. * * * These days it seems any night that you get home alive is a good night. Eight murders so far this month, including a few in my neighborhood makes for lots of looking out the corner of your eye when dark-windowed SUV's drive by. The recent rash of shootings also means more cops on the streets -- or at least more visible cops. No one knows for sure what's going on, but it's spooking people, as it should. I don't know anyone who doesn't use that ATM located in the heart of Dundee where someone was shot and killed a couple nights ago. It makes going out at night a little more… interesting. Speaking of which… I think it's safe to say we're in the middle of another punk revival here in Omaha, judging by tonight's shows, most of which are punk-oriented in one way or another. O'Leaver's, Saddle Creek Bar and The Waiting Room are all hosting punk shows that will be fighting for the same crowd. Someone is bound to lose. I doubt that it'll be The Waiting Room, which is hosting a Guinness Book of World Records event -- The World's Tallest Mohawk. The night is a benefit for Locks of Love and Project Nightlights, and will, in fact, feature a big friggin' mohawk sported by Eric Hahn of The Filthy Few. There also will music by The Filthy Few, along with Bloodcow, '80s punk pioneers Cordial Spew, Live Wire and Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell. $7, 8 p.m. Over at O'Leaver's, the sound isn't so much punk as revival garage rock with Brimstone Howl, who just got back from a European tour. Opening is Minneapolis band Blind Shake. $5, 9:30 p.m. Finally, over at The Saddle Creek Bar, it's more punk by way of The Shidiots, The Upsets, Jealous Lovers and Officially Terminated. $5, 9 p.m. Not in the mood for punk? Slowdown Jr. is hosting Fancie, Alas Alak Alaska and Lurk Late. $6, 9 p.m. Saturday night Bombardment Society rolls out a shitload of new material at O'Leaver's. I'm sure someone else is playing, but I don't know who. Brendan? $5, 9:30 p.m. As they used to say on Hill Street Blues: Be careful out there…--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 11:44 AM |
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Thursday, November 13, 2008 |
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Column 198 -- The Sound of Change; O'Death tonight; Twitter…
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I wrote this week's column in conjunction with The Reader's cover story on Obama, a collection of where-were-you comments from writers and others, limited to 150 words. Here's what I submitted:
That comment leads into this:
An addendum to last week's column: Reports are circulating about the 7 percent cut in Omaha World-Herald staff that went down yesterday. The layoffs include 15 newsroom staff. I haven't been able to confirm any names. These are indeed dark days for the folks in print media... * * * Tonight at The Waiting Room, Brooklyn folk-punk band O'Death plays with Lincoln band Triggertown and a 4-piece version of Midwest Dilemma fresh from the road. Here's a rave review of a recent O'Death show. Sounds pretty good to me, especially for a measly $8, 9 p.m. * * * Also, for those with Twitter, Lazy-i is now Twittering at http://twitter.com/tim_mcmahan. Consider it a social media experiment. I know I do. Comments will be mostly music in nature -- brief reports from live shows, micro-comments on music playing on the iPhone, tinyurl links to relevant content, etc. Follow me by clicking the "follow" button.--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:48 AM |
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Wednesday, November 12, 2008 |
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Live Review: Ladyfinger, Little Brazil; and *yawn* Oberst on Conan last night…
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Nothing like a charity event to bring out a crowd on a Tuesday night. Actually, I didn't talk to anyone who really knew who Lori Wirth is, though all sympathized with her horrendous plight. With around 200 on hand and folks throwing extra green into the pot she'll at least have a little more cash to help get the bills paid. I got there just before Ladyfinger took the stage (Notice that, anymore, no one mentions the "NE" that's supposed to be tacked onto their name? I doubt that anything "legal" has been resolved, just a general reticence by the fans to acknowledge the ridiculous lawyer tag). The set was mostly (if not all?) new material that they just recorded as the follow-up to Heavy Hands. As much as I liked that record's plodding, crack-of-doom indie-metal, this one will be a better. The songs are more focused melody-wise and riff-wise, while maintaining their singular devotion to the head-pounding rhythms. There was some strange (as in different) stuff going on as well -- a clear shift from their usual straight-four shriek rock -- drop-outs and breaks, parts where only Mach and drummer Oakes were playing, insidiously sexy riffs by Massey layered beneath the melee. I assume the separation will be more noticeable on the recording, and hopefully, so will the vocals. Machmuller's voice was mired in the mix, its anonymity helped along by his own mumbling way of singing that can twist instantly to shrieks when everyone comes in on the chorus. We'll see. Saddle Creek will be putting out their new record probably early next year. Little Brazil frontman Landon Hedges has successfully entered the ranks of the "Beard-o's" -- his scraggly facial hair now fully, crazily realized into something that only Gimli the Dwarf would be proud of. I'm sure he was tired of being mistaken for a 14-year-old version of Bobby Brady. Now Landon looks like a less-bald version of AJ Mogis or like a wizened clock maker (or bomb maker) thanks to his tiny eyeglasses that hang on the very tip of his nose. I've always fancied LB as an indie-pop band defined by a traditional emo style (yes, I said emo) and Hedges' boyish croon. Like Ladyfinger, last night they played new material just recorded at ARC for a release on their new label, Anodyne, in February. Also like Ladyfinger, this record will probably be better than the last one, thanks to simpler song structures. Though there's still a lot of Sturm und Drang, I have a feeling that Son (that's the new album's title) will consist mostly of simpler pop songs, pulled together into a concept arc about fatherhood, or so I'm told. We're going to have to wait for a lyric sheet to find out. Even though Hedges sings more clearly than the majority of Omaha's harder rocking acts, it all gets lost in the mix, except for a brief moment during one song when the music broke to nothing and Landon speaks the lyrics. But even then, I don't know what he's talking about. I can't wait to find out. Ladyfinger and Little Brazil make a great pair. Members of both bands are longtime friends, almost like family. If I was a booking agent, I'd figure out a way to get them on the road together -- a dynamic double bill consisting of two acts from successful indie labels. You'd think it would be a sure thing. * * * After I got home last night I watched a DVR'd rebroadcast of Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (If you missed it, it's online here). Conor wore his new trademark Panama hat, surrounded by the usual cast of long-hairs. Overall, the appearance was uneventful, other than the fact that whatever song they played isn't on the new album, a vinyl copy of which O'Brien held up during his rushed introduction. Oberst's TV appearances are so numerous these days that they've become matter-of-fact, no longer gee-whiz events (no one I talked to at the bar last night even knew he was going to be on). It's these numerous appearances that probably will keep him off Saturday Night Live. I've been told that SNL has an exclusivity arrangement with their "special musical guests." I don't know if I believe that, but I do know that they strive to present something unique. Looks like my annual SNL predictions will never come true...--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:51 AM |
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008 |
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Ladyfinger, Little Brazil together again tonight (for a good cause)…
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I don't know who Lori Wirth is but she sure has a lot of talented friends. Wirth suffers from cystic fibrosis and needs a lung transplant. Proceeds from tonight's show at The Waiting Room -- featuring Ladyfinger, Little Brazil, It's True and Kyle Harvey -- will help pay for the surgery. Great show, great cause. $7, 9 p.m. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:41 AM |
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Monday, November 10, 2008 |
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Live Review: Matt Cox, Between the Leaves…
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Matt Cox has managed to pull together a solid following for his acoustic singer/songwriter balladry. About 20 of those followers showed up Friday night at The Barley Street Tavern where Cox was backed by a full band -- bass, drums, electric guitar. This was the first time I've seen him with or without a band. Cox has a bluesy style and a voice that reminded me of Eric Clapton's Unplugged album -- laidback and tuneful. The band sounded like it's played together for years, with guitarist Ben Zinn adding gritty slide licks that made everything sound that much bluesier. Seems like The Barley Street is trying to fill a void that's opening with O'Leaver's doing fewer and fewer shows (There are only three O'Leaver's dates in November, according to their myspace page). Both rooms have a similar capacity and PA set-up. The difference lies in what they book -- O'Leaver's has always had an indie / garage / rock history, while BST seems to focus on acoustic singer/songwriters in the Kyle Harvey / Brad Hoshaw vein. I like going to both clubs for the same reasons -- the relaxed vibe. Plus, it's cheap. Last night Between the Leaves played for around 30 people at an early show (8 p.m.) on Slowdown's small stage. BTL consists of vocalist Stephen Sheehan (ex-Digital Sex), guitarist Richard Schultz, and the newest leaf, noisemaker Evan Blakley. It's been a couple years since I've seen the original duo on stage. Not a lot has changed. They played a few songs from their debut album as well as covers by Dead Can Dance, Tim Buckley, Jefferson Airplane and Depeche Mode. Blakley's feedback machine/noise box (I have no idea what it's called) provided a layer of atmosphere without getting in the way of the music -- a nice, needed addition. Schultz's acoustic guitar (and keyboards) were first rate, and Sheehan's voice has managed to stand the test of time, sounding as well as it did when I saw him in DS back in the early '90s. Overall, the set was cast in dark tones and shadows -- as if Sheehan was reliving moments best remembered alone and with eyes shut. Instead, here he was surrounded by friends who likely lived these moments alongside him. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday night. * * * NYC rockers Earl Greyhound returns for an under-the-radar show tonight at Sokol Underground with Wasilla band Portugal. The Man and Halifax band Wintersleep. $12, 9 p.m.--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:54 AM |
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Friday, November 07, 2008 |
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Oberst in Filter; The Weekend…
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There's a feature story on Conor Oberst in Filter (here). I mention this only because this is the first detailed story with Oberst since his solo record came out earlier this year. He talks about all the usual stuff, UFOs, Mexico, the new album, but also mentions Britney Spears, Omaha and again reiterates that there has been no falling out with Saddle Creek. I've never read the printed version of Filter. Actually, I've never even seen a copy. I might try to find one this weekend. I've had a subscription to Rolling Stone for eons, and have put up its shift to celeb-gossip just because it's Rolling Stone. But I can't put up with its recent print-format change from its classic slightly oversized print edition to a new standard-size slick format. If I wanted to read Us magazine I'd buy Us magazine. So I'm searching for a replacement. Maybe it'll be Filter… * * * Speaking of rumors… I'm hearing that there's a new music venue being put together -- down in the Mutual area -- by a guy with a history of opening successful restaurants. More to come when I find out more… * * * All right, let's look at the weekend music calendar… Friday night (tonight!) Danielson is at The Waiting Room with Cryptacize -- both bands are affiliated with Sufjan Stevens (Sufjan apparently was once part of Danielson). Opening is our very own Talkin' Mountain. $10, 9 p.m. Meanwhile, down at Slowdown Jr., it's the return of Capgun Coup with Boo and Boo Too, and Perry H. Yuppies (they explain it here). $7, 9 p.m. Over at The Saddle Creek Bar, it's Chicago folk/bluegrass/rock band Haywood Yards with Lincoln acts Tsumi and Son of 76. $5, 9 p.m. And finally, over at The Barley Street Tavern, it's The Matt Cox Band. $4, 9 p.m. Saturday night The Diplomats of Solid Sound -- including The Diplomettes -- will be playing at The Waiting Room with Satchel Grande and The Third Men. Expect a flat-out party. $7, 9 p.m. Also, Scott Severin's band is playing at The Barley Street with Western Electric. $4, 9 p.m. Sunday night Stephen Sheehan (ex-Digital Sex) has rejoined with Richard Schultz as Between the Leaves, a project that self-released a collection of songs earlier this decade. Joining them for the reunion Sunday night at Slowdown Jr. is filmmaker Evan Blakley. BTL plays at 8 p.m., opening for Kansas City accordion combo Alacartoona and Schultz's other band, the Miracle Men. $5, 8 p.m. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:51 AM |
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Thursday, November 06, 2008 |
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Column 197: The Music Writers; XYZ Affair tonight…
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The rumors of Niz's departure from the music section of the Omaha World-Herald actually began at least six months ago. I flat out asked her about her status back then, and she denied that a change was imminent. And then a few months ago, I started hearing about people "from the outside" applying for her job. It seems none of them passed muster. I don’t know anything about Kevin Coffey except that publisher John Heaston told me Coffey did a brief internship at the Reader and used to edit The Creightonian (He graduated from Creighton in 2006). He got his start at the World-Herald in '06 working on their online media. And now he assumes the position of Music Reporter. Will we be seeing him at shows (other than those at The Qwest)?
* * * XYZ Affair tonight at The Waiting Room. I really dug their recordings. Their live set? Well, when they came through here in February, it was somewhat disappointing. Here's my review of that show: I wonder if they've down-scaled their cheesiness over the past year. We'll find out tonight. Opening the show is Omaha/Des Moines/Omaha transplant Adam Haug. $7, 9 p.m --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:52 AM |
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Wednesday, November 05, 2008 |
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'Ballot Result' or The Politics of (our) Time…
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Yeah, I know this is a music blog, but really, how do you not talk about what happened last night? I skipped Malkmus at Slowdown because I didn't want to miss O's speech, which I assumed would take place right in the middle of a set. Maybe Malkmus would have let them cut in or even wait to start, but I didn't want to take the chance. Though it won't make a difference to the outcome, Nebraska's Second District (Omaha, me) is still up in the air (http://tinyurl.com/57jqll). McCain is a few hundred votes ahead, but there are thousands of provisional ballads yet to be counted. Could there be enough last-minute mailed-in early votes to push Obama over the top? Like I said, ultimately it doesn’t matter to anyone but me and everyone else who pinned their hopes on this guy. We want the rest of the country to see a blue dot amidst the sea of Nebraska red. Now comes the business of reinventing a country and repairing its reputation among the world's nations. I fear that too much hope has been placed on Obama, that no one can live up to the demands that have been placed on his shoulders. We're all aware of his list of "honey-do's" -- end a couple wars, fix the economy, figure out healthcare. It ain't gonna get done in one term. It took eight years of neglect by an absentee landlord to get where we are today. Slapping on a coat of paint isn't going to cut it. Will this country have the patience to let him do his job (and finish it)? Tomorrow, back to music with this week's column: A look back at the Omaha World-Herald's music reporter lineage, and a look ahead.--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 11:05 AM |
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Tuesday, November 04, 2008 |
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Vote even if it's a pain in your ass; Stephen Malkmus tonight…
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The hot question of the day: Should I vote now or wait until after work? Will there be lines at the polls? Just how much of a pain in the ass is this going to be? You'd think with so many people pre-voting that the lines wouldn't be that long. Right. I'm waiting until after work. Maybe I should bring a change of clothes, eh... So obsessed am I with this election that I'm considering not going to Slowdown tonight for Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks. I want to watch the returns as they happen. But just now I received an e-mail from Jason Kulbel at Slowdown saying that there will, in fact, be a big-screen television in the bar tuned to the election results. I wonder if it'll be running during Malkmus' set. Opening is Blitzen Trapper. $15. Doors are at 7, the rock show starts at 9. Get ready to watch history being made. --Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 10:54 AM |
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Monday, November 03, 2008 |
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Live Review: It's True, Coyote Bones goodbye; Wolf Parade tonight…
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So, I stayed home on Halloween. Thankfully all the costumes were gone by Saturday night, at least at O'Leaver's where the walking wounded told turgid tales of their night-befores involving fake blood, make-up and booze. The mood was definitely low key. Adam Hawkins' new band, It's True, opened the show right after the close of The Husker game. Hawkins sounded nice even in O'Leaver's. He and his band played a short set (6 or 7 songs?) of laid-back indie folk rock that was pretty and, at times, lush in a Tears for Fears sort of way. Someone told me afterward that they'd make a nice prom band -- sure enough, one couple slow danced during their set. * * * Tonight at The Slowdown Sub Pop band Wolf Parade takes the stage with fellow touring act Listening Party. I like Wolf Parade (they remind me of Eagle*Seagull, or Eagle*Seagull reminds me of them) though I haven't been following the band for the past couple of years. Expect a nice crowd. $17, 9 p.m.--Got comments? Post 'em here.-- |
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posted by Tim at 12:39 PM |
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