'I Get My Kicks In Bars. Soft Lights, Loud Guitars'

Rockin week

2007-09-26T17:44:00.000-06:00

As per usual I have managed to get very lazy with the posts. I'm still going to a lot of shows but don't always take the time to write about them. But here goes on the last week or so.

Sunday Sept 16th at Stasiu's

I went to see The Diealones and The Last Vegas. I'm not sure if I've ever expressed how much I like rocking out to the Diealones. Johnny's sounding great and he's backed by a powerful duo in Dave and Chris. Despite having one guitarist the band puts out a massive, fast paced sound.

http://myspace.com/thediealones

The Last Vegas are a Chicago band I was able to check out at Big V's a couple of years ago when they played with Six Six Crush and Bible of the Devil. I have to say that the lead singer looks like a cross between Keith Partridge and Mick Jagger. Definitely an entertainer, kept me on my toes and into his voice. Evidently their song Raw Dog is in Guitar Hero II. Never seen the game so I can't say whether or not thats a good thing. But the dolls influenced rock was right up my alley and provided for a rocking Sunday night.

http://myspace.com/thelastvegas

Tuesday Setp 18th at Big V's,

Went to see my good friends in Mommy Sez No, The Lip Splitters and 30 Second Crash at Big V's. I have to admit Mommy Sez No's songs are catchy and I end up singing them for days after a show. And since they play so often, they're constantly running through my head. Got some great stickers from Jeff and always good catching up with Mike. The Lip Splitters were up next. Jamie and Aaron have taken over vocals since Peckerwood left the band. I think there's quite a few people swaying with the allegiance as he was one of the major drawers for the band. I've heard a lot of people refer to the line up without Peckerwood as simply the Coffin Cheaters. I won't go that far but there are definitely some similarities. Either way I think Aaron and Jamie have done a good job picking up on the vocals and Ben, well Ben is always going to be one of my favorites. 30 Second Crash was up next and I like those boys more and more everytime I see them. A lot of my friends have taken up saying the term "Lordy Pete" and I keep responding, "No, Whiskey Pete." If you don't know what that means, go see a show.

http://myspace.com/mommysezno

http://myspace.com/lipsplitters

http://myspace.com/30SECONDCRASH

Wednesday Sept 19th at Stasiu's

Back to Stasius for Gay Witch Abortion. What can I say? The same thing everyone says when they talk about Gay Witch Abortion, Shawn Walker has to be the best drummer in Minneapolis. I've heard people refer to him as the Keith Moon of Mpls. Well they wouldn't be wrong. I am time and time again mesmerized by his playing. But it does have to be noted that guitar player Jesse Bottomley is not being outshined. The guitar playing is for lack of a better term, phenomenal. Its almost like the drums and guitar are challenging each other only to end up crashing into one another with a grace that pulls you into the song. Yeah yeah yeah, like em alot, and I'll be seeing them again tonight.

http://www.myspace.com/gaywitchabortion

Thursday September 20th at Triple Rock

Well my friends in the Norsemen got to open for the ever entertaining Andre Williams. The Norsemen are one of my favorite local bands and their mix of garage rock and 70s ny punk always keeps me coming back. And I know they were all excited about playing with Andre. Doning a beautiful purple suit with white shirt and tie, Andre grooved his way on stage. At the ripe age of 71 he was working his magic and using what has become of his vocal talents to pull everyone in. The band backing him, the Goldstars, where a lot of fun on their own with dedicated guitarists and strong bass playing. One of the great lines of the night from Andre "If it weren't for you honkeys, this nigga wouldn't be here. Cause the niggas, they don't like me, and I couldn't give a fuck." You could tell Andre was very appreciative of the crowd, or lack their of, that showed up. I picked up a seven inch at the show of Andre covering "Its A Long Way To The Top If You Want to Rock and Roll" and "Fight For Your Right To Party." I'll I have to say is when he gets to "your mammy threw away your best porno mag" you have to love it.

Friday September 21st at Turf Club

The Sinks who's record should be coming out next month

Brimstone Howl from Nebraska was back in town. Their songs are mostly about the small town in Nebraska the majority of the town hails from. Bluesy punk songs about a cyclone hitting the town is one of the best on their latest LP. Also check out the song Heart Attack for a true showing of what this band is about. The band closed with the four members, instruments in hand walking around the floor in an almost chicken match fashion with the one guitar player on the others shoulders and the bass player holding up the drummer. Definitely got the crowd into things and showed St. Paul how the Nebraskans roll.

http://myspace.com/brimstonehowl

Up next was the Hipshakes from the UK. What can I say about this band other than fast, extermely fast. Their quick punk guitar sound and thrashing vocals really pulled me in. I wasn't sure whether to knock over the person next to me or attempt to dance. Both Brimstone Howl and the Hipshakes crashed at my friends place where I introduced them to my $9 a case Mountain Crest beer, check out that tab!

http://myspace.com/thehipshakes

Last but certainly not least, Birthday Suits were added to the bill as headliner and I couldn't have been more pleased to show up and find this out. I never get tired of seeing this band, especially watching them thrash about at the Turf. The drumming has an electric speed to it while Hideo slams from side to side using every inch of the stage. The songs range from catchy, melodic to in your face, flat out rock. The next show I'll be attending of theirs will be on Monday October 1st at the Triple Rock. If you have failed to check out this band yet, your are making very poor life choices.

Saturday September 22nd at Club Underground, Stasiu's and The Hexagon.

Yes this was a three show night for me. You know I was in my element. The evening started early with a set by Ouija Radio outside at Club Underground. This was a perfect night for outdoor music. I was impressed by the stage set up, slight sound issues but Ouija Radio overcame. I am going to fail at getting the song names right but I really dig the Ghosts in the Radio song and the always enthusiastic closer (maybe a sign that I should finally pick up a damn CD). I love the energy Matt puts out and the general demeanor and action he and Christy produce when on stage together. As always Christy was lookin lovely and her guitar playing continues to get better and better. After Ouija Radio was the Skullcranes. A band with humorous songs that I actually enjoyed, about time. I get their schtick and I can dig it. While I not become a follower of this band, I won't cringe to see them on the bill. While I was very into Ouija Radio there's definitely a few bands I would have enjoyed more in the Nord NE festival and am looking forward to outside rocking next year.

http://myspace.com/ouijaradio

The next show sent me to Stasiu's to catch the set by Madison's Screamin Cyn Cyn and the Pons. Love these guys and I have to say their show at Stasiu's was one of the best I've seen by them. The sound in that room really does the band right and the crowd really got into it. I live to see that band play the song "If That Bitch." Other greats from the set were "The Cowboy Song," "Slumber Party" and "Girls Night Out." They will be back at Stasiu's on October 20th.

After the Cyn Cyn set we headed over to the Hexagon for my beloved Mighty Mofos. Randy is the best bass player ever! I can't keep gushing about this band, you people just have to see them. They're top notch people and the garage rock is, well, renders me speechless, I love it.

Ok so this brings us to..

Sunday September 23rd at First Avenue

Yes I got into Paul Westerberg for 'The Craft' at First Ave. It was a very cool interview/solo performance. As always I would like more tunes but it was very fun seeing Paul in his laid back demeanor in front of a huge stage set up being interviewed for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you've read the first posts on this page you know I'm a fan. I got to hear a new tune, an old Replacements cast out and one of my favorites "Its A Wonderful Lie" along with quite a few others. It was the fix I needed. I really miss the tour I went on. Check out Man Without Ties or Paulwesterberg.net for more information on the show, video clips and some great pictures.

After the show I headed over to the Triple Rock for a movies and music event. My friends Chad and Tracy were DJing under the Rock The Monkey and the movie "Evil Aliens" was played courtesy of Scott from Cinema Apocalypse. If you've never checked out the CA show, I definitely recommend. Scott plays some great clips of movies you probably would otherwise not hear of.

http://myspace.com/cinemaapocalypse

And I actually spent Monday night in.....

Tuesday Sept 25th at Stasiu's

I know this goes beyond the week but I have to mention the band I checked out on Tuesday. My friend Doug is in Eric and the Savages and this band was right up my alley. Very Dolls and Oblivians inspired rock which is what I love. It was a Tuesday night so everyone was seated but I definitely look forward to dancing with a weekend crowd very soon. They're quickly becoming one of my favorite local bands, especially with the departure of The Sons of Yeah. Boys be ready to have me following you around from show to show!

Chooglin & Bridge Club @ The Entry 5/12

2007-05-16T19:42:00.000-06:00

Heading to the Entry on a Saturday night is always enough to put me in a good mood. Made it out in time to see two bands on the bill and they were Bridge Club and Chooglin. Both bands that I have seen before but I have to say Bridge Club was definitely the star of the show tonight. I really don't go see this band enough. I wish I knew enough about them to be able to tell you what songs they played and which one I enjoyed most but I haven't familiarized myself with them on that level, yet. And I do mean yet, I will be trying to get to more of their shows in the near future. There's just something this band puts in a song that keeps me interested. Going to so many shows I can get easily distracted. But I'm pulled in with the variety in the vocals and the melody and power that comes out of the guitar work. They really have the trio thing working well for them. Normally my first suggestion would be add another guitar, but right now I'm really happy with what I'm hearing, and seeing from this band.

As far as Chooglin goes, I've seen quite a few really great sets from this band so their performances are always held to a high standard and I just don't feel that the set held up that night. There was off timing and some vocal issues. Good guys and rockin tunes, just not one of their top shows in my books.

Naked Raygun @ Triple Rock 5/4/07

2007-05-08T14:21:00.000-06:00

Ok I'm going to be the first to admit that I wasn't extremely impressed with this show. I was glad to take advantage of the chance to see this band but they're not something I'd go out of my way for again. It is always inspiring to see a crowd so into a show but it couldn't get me any where as into the music as they were. Plus there was way too much audience participation on the vocals. Jeff looked very happy about how into things the crowd were but I did come here to hear you sing too. I also forgot that it would be an evening of "oooohh oooh ooooowhs." And honestly there's just a certain limit I can take of them. Especially with the band before them, The Methadones also having music filled with that. I've never been a fan of the Methadones, there's too much pop in their punk for me. Anyway. Again, glad I went, got a chance to see it, just wasn't really my thing.

Gore Gore Girls, Ouija Radio, Sons Of Yeah

2007-05-08T14:04:00.000-06:00

Another great night at the 7th St Entry on 5/3/07. I pretty much appreciated all bands on this bill for their talent and strong sound. Sons of Yeah started out the show and the crowd was pretty thin at that point. Really wish there were more people as I love dancing to this band but am not much for dancing by myself. If you're reading this and haven't seen this band I highly suggest it. Yes they are all my friends but its the music that brings me to every show. Its a great 50-60s style garage rock that always keeps my toes tapping. The ever talented Ouija Radio was up next which brought a lot more people into the entry. Very progressive, very hard rockin and hard working band. Last up was the Gore Gore Girls. It was so fun to dance to this band with some good friends. And the ladies definitely had the men in the room whiping drool from their chins. They're a great blend of garage rock, sixties girls groups, rockabilly and a punk influence that can't be denied. All bands worked really well together and of course it was the Entry. That always adds a little something.

Out of Towners

2007-05-01T17:53:00.000-06:00

So I've come to realize there may actually be more people out there that realize that I sometimes write about the shows I see. And my lack of posting does not equal lack of band watching because lord knows I've been out. Too much maybe. But thats a topic for a whole other meeting.

I've had the opportunity to see a number of really great bands in the plast month or two. I admit that I'm extremely stuck in my local scene and over the past month or so have seen Sons Of Yeah, Six Six Crush, Jehovah's Shitlist, Hypstrz, Bluebird, Come Ons, Virgin Whores, Birthday Suits, Lip Splitters, Ouija Radio, Norsemen, Bellevue Death Squad and 30 Second Crash (to name a few), many of them multiple times. But I've also seen a good lot of touring bands that deserve to be mentioned.

Let's start off with the Carbonas (atlanta, ga) and Pets at the Turf Club on 3.22.07. I worked until 930 and lets just say that the performance really made me kick myself for missing their earlier set at the Alamo house. I can't write a review to save my life but the energy, enthusiasm and danceability of this band really made for a grand time at the Turf. Most of the crowd consisted of the bands playing and the few fortunate enough to be out and catch the act, but there were quite a few hips shaking and I'll be looking forward to everytime they come back to mpls.

Next up I'd like to talk about Stinking Lizaveta at the Triple Rock on 4.2.07. I know I've written about this band before, but you'll keep reading it because this band is really one of my favorite bands to see live. And as always I'm amazed at the lack of people at their shows. The last three times I've seen them have been twice on tuesdays and one monday but still. This is Stinking Lizaveta people, get the fuck out to the show. And for those of you lucky enough to have caught this post, you'll be informed that they will be back on May 28th again at the Triple Rock. I promise you will not be let down. Its a prog, stoner, metal rock combination that is too fun not to experience

http://www.stinkinglizaveta.com

The next out of towners show was Madison's Screamin Cyn Cyn and the Pons teamed up with NY's Mathematicians also playing were the ever entertaining Ouija Radio. Cyn Cyn I think is a great band to get you in the mood to dance, rock out and just plain smile. Rockin tunes and great people, always a pleasure to have in town. And how do I describe Mathematicians, a little beastie boys, a little devo, a little, oh I don't know I suck at this, Elvis Costello? Yet the songs are well mathematic. They have songs that will have you moving your ass in a different way while feeling more than connected to each member. And this time they brought a light show. It was a swell time at the Hexagon that evening.

The Vicious @ Memory Lanes on 4.13.07. Yet again a band that made me wish I didn't have a 1-930 schedule because I'm sure they tore apart the Alamo. Even on a sound system at a bowling alley this swedish punk band fully lives up to their name. They're a group that I have come to adore. And with a self given description of "Graveyard Rock" you know the lyrics definitely rule, what I caught of them. I was very impressed by all musicians and all elements of this band. I really wish I had more cash to buy their 12in at the show, but in time it will come. For a great punk show, keep an eye out for The Vicious.

Two more, take a breath, bathroom break, grab some whiskey.

Clorox Girls at Triple Rock on 4.19.07. I spent the first half of the evening watching Six Six Crush at the Poodle Club that I regret I only made the last Red Dons song. This band features members of The Observers, a band I came to love after seeing at Big V's with the Clorox Girls. Anyway, sorry to miss the guys but of course got a great set from the C-Girls. Another night were I was very disappointed in the lack of attendance, but the Clorox Girls didn't lack in energy. Ryan Perry sums it up well by saying "Musically, Clorox Girls seamlessly blend strong pop beats, surf riffs, and bubble-gummy harmonies that evoke thoughts of (while from the wrong coast) some of the Ramones' sweeter love songs as well as hints of Chuck Berry and Ritchie Valens. "

Birds of Avalon at The Entry on 4.24.07. Was summoned down to the Entry when I found out the Sons Of Yeah (a band I am very devoted to) had been added to the bill at the last minute. I must say I'm definitely glad I had a reason to go to the Entry. I had sadly not heard of the Birds of Avalon and would have missed one hell of a show. They're a prog/psych band with a vocalist that I found to be exactly what I like. The band filled the stage and the Entry with a sound and show that you couldn't take your eyes off of. I really enjoyed the vocalist and had a chance to chat with him afterwards, very swell guy. Hope to see them back soon. Here's a quote off their myspace page that I found pretty truthful: "Led by a pair of guitarists who seem, by sheer force, to be powering their amplifiers rather than the other way around, Birds of Avalon make thunderous, precise rock with enough proggy smarts to keep you on your toes.” "

New York Dolls @ First Ave

2006-11-17T15:32:00.000-06:00

Yes there are plenty of arguments you can make regarding the status of this band. Obviously they're missing a few members. And it may be tough to continue on under that name but they are still playing music of the Dolls. And while it wasn't the most exciting show I've ever been to, I had a hell of a good time. Who wouldn't want to see David Johnasen with his sparkling costume jewelry and crotch bulge thats bigger than his legs. Plus Sylvain is still there rockin out and wearing that ever awesome Max's Kansas City Belt. The guitarist filling in Johnny Thunders role was pretty much a clone with more muscle. However, playing styles are completely different. Johnny's style was always all over the place and the replacement was way to clean and precise. Had too much of a format to his playing. Not that he didn't have talent, its just a different style. Here's a couple of pics my friend got on his cell phone.

Last weekend

2006-11-17T14:45:00.000-06:00

Friday night was Faggot at Station 4. Really don't care for that place but great people, and rockin' tunes so I decided to go. They were playing in conjunction with a peircing type convention that had people hanging from crosses that were hooked into their bodys. It was pretty intense, they looked in a bit of pain, but hey if that's their thing.

Saturday night was a drive to Madison to see Bible of the Devil at the High Noon Saloon. Now here's a place I dig, especially the $3 drink prices! And to top it off I got a room at the Hilton Monona Terrace for $66. So I got to stroll up to the lobby check in with my holey chuck taylors and a new york dolls tshirt, surrounded by people in suits and ties. I loved every minute of it. The place was very posh with an extremely comfortable bed and a most beautiful view of the capital. Dinner at Casa Lara included a 64 oz pitcher of margaritas and then on to the show just in time for Bible to start. They were definitely on that night, blistering straight through a set of aggressive rock. I even bought a tshirt. Lots of whiskey and wine later and that bed at the hilton was the right place for me.

The next day on the way home we stopped by the Land of Evermore and extremely cool sculpture garden located just outside Baraboo, WI. Anyone that makes that trip should check it out. Here's the web site: http://www.drevermor.com/ The coolest scrap metal sculptures I've ever seen. We'll definitely be going back.

"Big Girls Always Want More"

2006-11-06T19:32:00.000-06:00

The addiction is growing. With my new tattoo I can only think of more things I want done. I was discussing tattoos with a co-worker and was just about to say that I would never get anyone's face tattooed on me but stopped myself before I could finish the sentence. I simply adore this picture and wonder if my thoughts of putting it on my body are indicating a high level of insanity.

Bad blogger

2006-11-05T15:44:00.000-06:00

So a lot has happened since July but I haven't take the time to recap it here. Lots of local shows, and outsiders like Screamin Cyn Cyn and the Pons and Priestess. One day I'll see if my calendar has accurately reflected my shows and update a list. But rest assured I have not stopped going to them. Just stopped typing.

My most recent venture was a trip to Austin. Four days of rockin music, great food, beautiful weather and plentiful margaritas.

Started out there on a Saturday night with some awesome food and drink at the Iron Cactus on sixth. Caught Taylor Hollingsworth, King Khan BBQ and parts of the Detroit Cobras before crashing in the hotel room. All the sex, drugs and rock and roll the night before left me a little worn out.

Sunday started out with lunch and drinks at the Rio Grande. The Big Tex was definitely worth the cash and their 5.95 tostada is more than the light meal it advertises. Then hit the Austin book festival which was conveniently right by our hotel. We stayed at the La Quinta inn on 11th and San Jacinto, had a huge room for $100 a night that was close to everything. After the festival and chilling a bit at the hotel we took a cab to Barton Springs Road where we had anticipated dinner at Chuy's (more mexican). But it was so beautiful out and the patio at Shady Grove was calling me. So burgers, margaritas and mexican martinis it was. After that started a mini bar crawl. Went next door to Baby Acapapulco for a margarita. This place a bit crazy with a picture of Janis Joplin flying on the ceiling. From there we started our walk back towards downtown and hit the Barton Springs Saloon. Looked like a gas station turned into bar, had a drink and watched a bit of The Village with the bartendar. Our next bar was the Cedar Door. Eh, it was ok. Had a mexican martini and continued on towards sixth st. We stopped at Casino El Camino which had a pretty great jukebox. Points deducted though for having only the newest NY Dolls album and not an older one. After that we hit the Red Eyed Fly where I thought we were going to get a chance to stay with the people drinking after close, but no dice. All in all a fun jaunt.

Monday was a day of much activity. We started out taking a bus out to Rudy's BBQ. I adore that place. The brisket is so good and the cream corn can't be topped. I was never a huge fan of cream corn until I went there. I don't know they're secret, but damn good. After Rudys we took the bus to central market. Awesome grocery store. Lots of good samples, which was bad on a full stomach but I picked up some wasabi peas, and three kinds of salsa. From there we went back to the hotel to drop off the food stuff and right back out the door. We took the bus to the south congress area stopping in my favorite costume shop Electric Ladyland. It was packed due to being the night before halloween but I think that place is so great. We also hit some cool art shops sporting very elaborate day of the dead type peices. After hoofing it around congress and stopping by H-E-B for Big Red we walked to Waterloo records. Was very happy to see some Bible of the Devil in their stacks. I picked up used CDs by Priestess and Birthday Party.
Could have dropped a ton of cash in that store. After another stop at the hotel we hit Casino El Camino for burgers and then Emo's for the ever amazing Stinking Lizaveta (drummer pictured to the left). This band is just so fucking awesome and there was such a small crowd. Not fair at all. They have so much energy and every member of the three peice puts out such a stong sound. They're on of my favorite bands to catch live. Highly recommended. After the show we went back to the hotel where I decided it was a good idea to go swimming. Despite the weather being warm, the pool was freezing. Lasted about 10 minutes before we went in an polished off a bottle of wine.

This brings us to Tuesday, Halloween. Was great because we slept late, layed around watching a special on the Exorcist and just relaxed. Our hotel room had two tv's, we could have watched it in stereo. Nothing like hearing "Your mother sucks cocks in Hell, Karras, you faithless slime" and Linda Blair's endless spewing in surround sound. First stop on Halloween was El Arroyo. This awesomely divey mexican place with a very interesting sign seen below. And the waiters had shirts with pictures of the sign saying "Body By Queso." The outdoor seating was covered by tents that had chandaliers hanging and their wonderful happy hour gave us 2.75 margaritas and half off top shelf. The queso was great as were my fajitias. Could have spent the night there, ha! After stopping at the hotel and hanging outside in the beautiful 70 degree weather it was time to head out. First stop was a margarita at the Iron Cactus, then Beerland for a drink and to catch Mr. lewis and the funeral 5. From there we moved to Emos and danced the rest of the night away to Flametrick Subs and Satans Cheerleaders (pictured on the left). What a great show that was. I had so much fun rocking out to them, red lights, cheerleaders, stand up bass. It was just what the night called for. Got to take in all the costumes on sixth street while waiting for pizza. Austin is definitely the place to go on halloween.

Wednesday was our day of departure. But not before I stopped into True Blue Tattoo for my newest tattoo (picture soon to come) done by Scott Ellis. This is Scott Ellis, note that is not me in the picture.

Overall it was an awesome trip that went by way too fast. Now back to work. Last night was the Lip Splitters at the Uptown, always have a great time at their shows. Some of the coolest people the scene has to offer, and damn entertaining. And yes at work on a sunday, sipping coffee listening to Pink Moon.

June/July recap

2006-07-14T20:11:00.000-06:00

June re-cap
6/3 - Riverboat Gamblers w/ Birthday Suits @ Triple Rock. (no longer consider myself a Gamblers fan, too pop)
6/6 - Six Six Crush, The 86'd, Class of 86, Six Six Howlers, Six Pack Queen @ Spring Inn (awesome night of evil rock)
6/8 - Awesome Snakes (ex Soviettes), The Retainers @ Hexagon - Didn't care for either band
6/9 - Six Six Crush @ The Entry (Me, my guy and 5 strippers, that was the crowd, 66 Crush opened)
6/10 - Birthday Suits @ The Turf and Koalas @ The Spring Inn (two of my top local bands, great sets by both)
6/11 - Taping of Drinking With Ian saw The God Damn Doo Wop Band, Die Electric and Gay Beast (thumbs up for Die Electric)
6/13 - Faggot w/ Insect Warfare and Geargrinder @ The Bedlam. All sorts of awesomeness. I sang These Boots Are Made For Walking with Faggot. And it is on tape, well DVD.
6/15 - Some pop punk band in a basement two blocks away. Cops came before I saw the band that lives there.
6/22 - Mark Mallman solo show @ The Artists Corner. Just Mark and a grand piano, free newcastle, vodka and a free whiskey shot. Good times.
6/24 - Roky Erickson, The Boredoms @ The Intonation Music Festival in Chicago. Did I mention I love Roky?
6/25 - Tyrades, Bill Dolan, Panther @ The Intonation Music Fest. LOVED Tyrades, not so much the other three.
6/26 - Hank III w/Murder Junkies in Des Moines - My buddy is a huge fan, shorter set but small place, was pretty fun
6/27 - Hank III w/Murder Junkies @ First Ave - Longer set, packed crowd, people really into it, it rocked.
6/27 - Bellrays @ The Entry - Holy hell was this band awesome. Really stellar guitar player (broke strings on three guitars) matched with a beautiful soulful voice.
6/30 - Birthday Suits @ The Entry - Very energetic two peice that always puts on a great show.
7/2 - Dave Alvin @ The Turf - Hot as hell, rockin guitar, Dave rules, ask Wolf he was there
7/8 - Hank III w/Murder Junkies, Those Poor Bastards in Madison - Met the Hank III message board nerds. Kind of cool, they're a different breed. Hung out with singer from Assjack, rocked out, no injuries.
7/11 - Faggot and Voetsek @ Bedlam theatre.
7/12 - Chooglin @ The Foundry Pub in St. Paul. Always awesome to see a big rockin band in a small dive bar.

Here's some more info on the weekend and days surrounding Roky Erickson in Chicago:

We'll start with thursday night. Got in free to the opening of the Solstice Film Festival. There was free newcastle, kronenberg, and Shakers Vodka. Mark Mallman did a solo set on a grand piano. This was at the Artists Corner in St. Paul which is a jazz club and pretty cool setting for free and everything. Kind of odd though seeing a Mark Mallman show not packed with his hipster fans, most people weren't paying attention to him. From there went for free shots at Pizza Luce for a Drinking With Ian viewing party.

Friday night we left for Chicago at 11 pm and drove through the night. Arrived shortly after 6 in the morning with 6 and a half hours to kill before the hotel would let us check in. Ate at a greasy restaurant called the Golden Nugget while we got to listen to some awesome stereotypical cop banter. Later that day hit the Intonation Music Festival for my beloved Roky Erickson. The guy I was with was not familiar with Roky but went because he know's I'm so into him. He was blown away by the set. Roky was in top form, voice sounded great and his lead guitarist in the Explosives is just phenomenal. As always great hearing Starry Eyes, You're Gonna Miss Me, Zombie, Two Headed Dog and other classics. And to show the diversity of this fest, right after Roky, the Japanese band ,The Boredoms, played. That was an extreme set as well as the band consists of three drummers and a keyboardist that together can push to points of energy, speed and intensity that are unbelievable. While I was watching the boredoms, the guy I was with ran to the bathroom and came back with a ticket stub autographed to me by Roky Erickson. I flipped out. Just missed a chance to meet the man myself. He didn't come get me because he didn't want us both to miss out on the chance of getting something signed for me. Was very cool.

Sunday we went back to the Intonation Festival to see a local Chicago band called the Tyrades. Definitely a band I think a few boardies (hint zook and scooter) would get into. Unfortunately the band doesn't have a web site and its hard to track down when they're playing. They have a great punk female vocalist and guitar and bass player that punch their guitars and at the end of the set ended up smashing one and tossing the other into the crowd. Great way to open the day. Caught a bit of the NYC band the Panthers and was really not impressed. Though you could barely hear the guitar, the vocalist just didn't do it for me.

Monday we drove from Chicago to Des Moines to catch Hank III on our way home. Was very cool as the venue had a capacity of 300 people. Sound was okay, decor was definitely lacking but great to see the band in such a small area. The three sets of country, hellbilly and assjack, while shortened at this show, were very energetic. Not many people stayed for the assjack set which meant being even closer to the action. Though the last time Gary came at the crowd I got knocked into by many people and blew out my ankle. War wound definitely worth pain. We'll see if I agree with that if it doesn't go away soon.

Tuesday, got back to mpls just in time to be 20 minutes late to work. From work went to the Hank III show at First Ave. The Murder Junkies opened still featuring Merle, who was a great presence to see on stage. They were a rockin band but I wasn't as into them as many people there. Hank III came on and did a longer set this time with a packed floor. In most places the only moshing during a Hank III show is during the Assjack set. Not at First Ave. People were dancing and moshing all throughout the country set as well. And lighters lit for the song "Not Everybody Likes Us" which as cheesy as it sounds, brings tears to the eyes of the guy I was with. Just before Assjack finished I headed over to the Entry when the Bellrays went on. What an amazing band they are. One of their shirts has the line "Blues is the teacher, punk is the preacher" and how true that is to their set. Very rock/punk guitars that filled the Entry and fronted by a bluesy soulful singer who did the best cover of Highway to Hell I've ever seen. Really had the entry dancing and if I wasn't peg legged I would have danced even more. I'm disappointed in myself for never seeing this band before, and I won't miss another one of their shows in town. Highly, highly recommended.

May recap

2006-07-14T20:04:00.000-06:00

5/4 - Last night I saw one hell of an awesome rock show at the Entry. And only one of the bands was local. Openers were Huge Rat Attacks. I was a lot more impressed with them than I thought I would be. I really liked the vocalist. Some of their songs were a bit long for my taste but stellar guitar work and catchy tunes. Second up was a band from New York called Diamond Nights. Very awesome Dolls style 70s era rock. They really got the audience involved as well getting everyone down on the floor appreciating all that is the Entry. Very energetic singer that had me thinking Freddy Mercury without the falsetto. Nice guy as well. Last up was the non stop rock of Priestess. You can check out some of their songs at preistessband.com. I went to the show on recommendation of a couple of rockers that caught them at SXSW. I am now sad I've missed shows by them here in the past. They had a fantastic drummer and the guitars did not stop for just under an hour and a half. Wonderful majestic rock! I bought a tshirt and a shot glass. And yes the tshirt does have a skull. Its quite awesome I assure you.

5/7 - Sunday night I went to see a friends band play a fashion show at the Varsity theatre. The designer was one of the people in the band, and her line is called "Total Crap Unincorportated." And while some of the close were pretty much that, it aided in being one hell of an awesome night. I walked in and Skoal Kodiak was playing a very beat heavy rock band and there were ladies in tribal wear and paint, many topless, dancing all over the runway to some pretty cool music. Next up was my friends band Faggot, an interesting style of hardcore and rock. Lead singer was clad in a jock strap and a very puffy pink and purple bow and train set. Again more models strutting their stuff in a clothes this time a lot more fashionble, but still a little short in the top area. Lining the runway was different pillows and cushions and while my friends band played a massive pillow throw/fight began. It was a blast. Throwing pillows at people across the room and rocking out. Last up was the Demolition Dollrods from Detroit. I thought they were a really fun band, awesome female vocalist with a sound that was a mix of punk, garage and 70s dolls style. The one thing I couldn't get over though was the lack of drums. Yes there was a drummer with a simple set up of one bass and one snare. I thought the songs would have been a lot better with a full drum kit and a more complex drumline. Either way, I danced and had a great time. After the dollrods finished everyone at the show jumped up on stage and danced to "Shake It Up" twice. It was quite the disco ending and very very fun.

5/9 - Tuesday I went to on of the boards favorite bands, The Panty Huffers with the Abusers and Reverend Pokey Bunge @ Club Underground. RPB is a little more electronic/gothy/punk/rock. With a guitarist that dresses like an evil teletubby. Pretty fun. The other two I've posted about before.

5/10 - Wednesday I caught Drag the River at the Triple Rock. I'm sure RJ will be shocked at whats to come, maybe it was the night, the mood, the lack of crowd, and large mixture of alcohol but I just didn't get into the band as much as I thought I would. I thought the steel guitar was under used and for some reasons one of the singers reminded me too much of the Eagles. I kept imagining him breaking out into Peaceful Easy Living. The band definitely has some talent and knows what they're doing but they just didn't seem to into it. And I was really shocked at the lack of crowd for a Wednesday, but hey I guess that happens.

5/12 - Friday I saw Six Six Crush at an awful St. Paul bar called Noose. Ask Wolf about the name. They were opening for Impaler, only reason they were playing it. Six Six Crush ruled as always. Unfortunately my ride was in as crabby of a mood as possible so I didn't get to stay for Impaler.

5/13 - Last night I checked out a band called Harsh Reality which had members of the band All The Pretty Horses. Guitars weren't bad, drummer was awesome, but vocalist just kind of pissed me off. Kind of a let down. Decided not to stay for Dumpster Juice.

5/18 - Koalas w/bang bang and some weird comedy type guy at the Triple Rock
5/20 - Faggot with an awesome band (name will be found later) that consisted of an amazing drummer with two rockin violas.
5/21 - Stinking Lizaveta w/ Trailer Park Queen at the Triple Rock. STINKING LIZAVETA IS AMAZING. GO SEE THEM NOW!!!!
5/22 - Captured By Robots @ the Triple Rock. There were crazy robots, some of them monkeys of the clergy, there was a wedding. But the covers the band did were only funny for a few minutes.
5/26 - Chooglin' / Stnnng @ Triple Rock
5/27 - Marked Men, Birthday Suits, Mute Era @ Triple Rock
5/30- Calusa @ Club Underground

April

2006-07-14T19:59:00.000-06:00

Oh well lets see if we can recap.

4/21 - Two show night last night. First I stopped by the Spring Inn to see Jehovah's Shitlist. First sober show for singer so it was a support thing. Not a very big crowd and had never heard of the other bands so I didn't stick around. But Shitlist was rockin as usual. From there went over to the Triple Rock to see The Melismatics and Mark Mallman. I think there's some board members that would really dig the Melismatics. I like them in the same way I like Perfect. Great pop music. Mark Mallman I don't like as much but he's definitely an entertainer and always packs the place. Half of the time he plays his keyboard he's standing on it.

4/22 - Saturday night I hit the Nomad. The first band I saw were The Lie Ons who I was more impressed with than I thought. They fit well with Ouija Radio who was up second. Good pop rock on both parts, both with a little more of a punk edge but nothing I would call punk rock. Koalas headlined and they are one of my favorite local bands. And yet again they did not disappoint. They do a punk version of a Brother Ali song that is really fun all sped up.

After that show went over to a warehouse party where there were bands playing. By the time I got there I was only able to see Dumpster Juice. Not my favorite band but the people there were fun to hang out with and I got some free wine.

4/24 Last night I caught The Deaf and Jucifer at the Triple Rock. The Deaf are a local band that I really dig. They have two really good vocalists and a very strong rock guitar with a punk edge.

Jucifer is a duo from Athens, GA thats kind of a noise, punk, rock, glam, just all together awesome. With a wall of sound behind them thats over 7,000 watts of power behind one guitar.

4/28 - Friday night was spent at the 7th St Entry with Black Strap, Six Six Crush, Holy Ghostriders and Chooglin. Three of the bands I've confessed my love for on many occassions. The fourth, Holy Ghostriders, I wasn't much impressed with. They played rock music, and it wasn't bad for the bill, but after a couple of songs I got bored. No offense to the guys in the band but they were definitely playing with the cream of the crop, in my eyes, and weren't holding up.

4/29 - Saturday I went to the Minne-Mad fest at the Hexagon and what a great night it was. First up was Madison band Sleeping In The Aviary. I was pretty damn impressed with this band. I would call them a garage rock type band but I checked their site and they think themselves more classic rock. Bought their CD for $1 and have been enjoying that since the show. They even have the Price Is Right theme on it. Second up was the band I would call the worst of the night. Minneapolis band Fort Wilson Riot. There is such a thing as too much cow bell. And they just weren't my style. Third was a band from Madison that I adore called Screamin Cyn Cyn and the Pons. I had seen them twice before and the third time was just as awesome as the first two. Very fun songs with a strong guitar and amazingly cool front man. After the Pons was the Birthday Suits. If any of you locals have picked up the City Pages best of the Twin Cities, they were voted best live band and they deserve. Seen this band probably half a dozen times and each time it gets better. Very energetic punk duo that just will have you rockin out everytime. They have a CD out too that I would recommend. I also have a bootleg DVD of their CD release show in November if anyone's interested. After Birthday Suits was Awesome Car Funmaker. Not a bad band but another one that couldn't hold my attention too well. Especially when it competed with yelling PORN with Mark Mallman and watching two members of Chooglin fight over my best friend. It was quite the entertaining evening. Last up for the night was Ouija Radio. Who yet ended the night with a very rockin set. This is another band that I think members of this board would really dig. A very cool female vocalist/songwriter influenced by many bands, including the Who. Everytime I see them I like them a little bit better. After the show was the party at the Ouija house. Yeah it was a shocker to up when I left the house to go drink somewhere else, but very good time partying with the bands from Madison and some great locals as well.

Agent Orange @ Station 4

2006-04-22T13:31:00.000-06:00

Yes the only reason I went to this show was because Six Six Crush was an opener. And unholy blood were they loud. The only way to play that venue is as loud as possible, and they were told to turn down. Up after Six Six Crush was Build or Burn. I thought for sure I would not be into that band but they had a high energy level and the female vocalist definitely carried her own. Last was Agent Orange. So cal surf punk that while on most nights would have me rockin out, I just wasn't feeling as much and left before the set finished.

Bible Of The Devil 4/14

2006-04-22T13:25:00.000-06:00

Bible of the Devil was back in town on 4/14 at the Spring Inn with The Nerds of Inferno from Italy, Straight Six and Six Six Crush. What a great line up and amazing night of rock. The Nerds started it out and set a good precedent for the evening. While I wasn't the biggest fan of the vocals the guitars were quick, hard and the band full of energy. Straight Six was next and as always had the hip shaking rock and roll. Bible played third and rocked every one as they always do. Great motorhead influenced hard rock/metal and very cool guys. I've seen them the last three times they came to town and they have never disappointed. And Six Six Crush was on last. If you've ever read this page before you don't need to be reminded how much I love this band. And another great performance by them indeed. Completed a stellar line up that should have had a much bigger crowd. Some people just don't know what they're missing.

Panty Huffers @ The Uptown Bar

2006-04-14T18:35:00.000-06:00

Last night I went to see the Panty Huffers with a band called Sheep. I stayed by the bar for sheep but it was pretty fucked up. Singer guy had an insane clown posse type make up on, blow up sheep, weird confetti shit he was throwing around. It was all sorts of odd. The band also had the Panty Huffers sign one of the blow up sheep afterwards. Another great performance by the Huffers. Cowboy hats and tighty whities, they definitely pulled it off. Not much of a crowd there but definitely appreaciated that it was free. Tonight they'll be unleashing their abilities on Superior, WI.

Gogol Bordello 4/7

2006-04-14T18:34:00.000-06:00

Friday night I checked out Gogol Bordello at the Fine Line. Other than being reminded how much I hate the Fine Line, the band had some great energy. I watched most of the show from a spot that had me viewing the back of the band. It was so fun to see the crowd jumping to every song. I wasn't very familiar with the music, just scene a boot dvd of a show at the Fine Line last year but was very pleased with the display. The band is known as Gypsy Punk and they definitely have the gypsy spirit and attire. Some people give the band crap because they seem to try to give off a european vibe but are from new york. I guess I just figure its all part of the show.

Club Underground 4/4

2006-04-14T18:33:00.000-06:00

Panty Huffers, Trailer Park Queen, Pitch and Faggot. Missed Faggot which pissed me off a bit but I'll get another opportunity. Trailer Park Queen is a parody band doing raunchy covers of your favorite Sabbath songs among others. Panty Huffers did not disappoint. I obviously knew they started when the guitars kicked in, but also the appearance of the lead singer at the door of the bathroom stall I was in singing through his wireless mic was a pretty good indicator. The guy crowd surfed, broke a table and was generally just all over the place. The energy is awesome.

Hank III in Chicago

2006-04-04T18:59:00.001-06:00

Saturday I left for Chicago. Just hit bars Saturday night and then Sunday night went to Hank III. Awesome show of course. The country set was mostly songs from the recent release "Straight to Hell" which I thoroughly enjoy. Hellbilly set was fun and quick and rocked everyone. Then of course there was Assjack. A set of metal fury complete with a bloody front man who was constantly in the crowd. Two thumbs up, fun had by all.

Club Underground 3/31

2006-04-04T18:59:00.000-06:00

Friday night I went to Black Strap, Straight Six, Belles of Skin City and The Abusers at Club Underground. Drunken night of punk rock fun. Well except for Belles. They were pissed about the line up of the show for some reason and insisted on getting their set over with early. Kind of art rock. Got up on stage saying they're not rock and roll.

Straight Six was almost the favorite of the night. Less punk then black strap, and features members of the Squabs. The Abusers were joined on stage by the front man of Amish Armada for a cover of Danzig's "Mother." Great great fun

Chooglin @ The Turf 3/30/06

2006-04-04T18:57:00.000-06:00

3/30 - Tonight was chooglin bridge club and cockfight at Turf club.

Cock fight opened and I had yet to see this band. A little surf, a lot of rock, a very good time.

Bridge Club is up second. And in this scene their name makes them sound like some indie semi emo band but they rock hard. Been a while since I had seen them play and it reminded me how much I enjoy them.

Chooglin, was awesome as per usual. A little loose but always fun. They just got back from playing Chicago, Tuscaloosa and I think nashville and am happy to report that they have been recording. A record should be out in the next few months, depending on lable backing of course.

Neko Case @ First Ave 3/29

2006-04-04T18:53:00.000-06:00

Neko can make you sway with her voice alone. Add a bass so smooth it could be in a jazz lounge and the sweet subtle pluckings of a banjo and you've got a good show. My only complaint would be that she got in about a five song set that seemed to keep the same slow pace and this rocker would have liked it mixed up a bit but overall damn good time.

St. Patricks Day

2006-03-28T15:09:00.000-06:00

Six Six Crush played with the Abusers and the TC Howlers at Big V's. It was a bit of heaven for me on St. Patricks Day. I'm big into all bands and there was great people, lots of whiskey and rumpleminze and of course rocking out. The Howlers headlined the show and didn't disappoint. Great dancing to that band. Six Six Crush and the TC Howlers are going to be playing South Dakota together in April. Should be a great way to show SD how Minneapolis rocks!

Exene and the Original Sinners @ The Entry

2006-03-28T15:07:00.000-06:00

3/14- I haven't checked the tour schedule but if you get a chance to check out Exene and the Original Sinners I would highly recommend it. The set wasn't the longest but the songs are great to rock out to and her voice still sounds awesome. Her backing band is pretty much all in the openers called the 7 Shot Screamers from St. Louis and they were a fun rockabilly/punk band with a lot of energy. Great to see both bands on the Entry stage. And I don't wants wrong with people, but there were very very few people there.

Koalas CD Release show

2006-03-28T15:05:00.000-06:00

3/10 - Friday I hit the Koalas at the Entry for their CD release show. Wasn't interested in the opening bands so I didn't get there til late and hung out outside during Doomtree. But the Koalas as usual were smokin'. I picked up the CD and have been listening to it non stop since. So glad to finally get a recording of theirs.

Six Six Crush at the Nomad

2006-03-08T14:13:00.000-06:00

Do I have to say anything? If you've read this site, you know I love this band. They rock hard, and last night was no exception. Thanks to the guys for another great show.

Triple Rock 3/3/06

2006-03-08T14:11:00.000-06:00

Friday I hit the show at the Triple Rock.

Opening was Screaming Cyn Cyn and the Pons from Madison. I really like this band. Lots of energy, fun songs and just an overall rocking guitar sound. Up second was Mute Era. First time I'd seen these guys and I very much enjoyed the set. A guitar drum duo that in my opinion was a bit more noise punk. In the final song the singer/guitarist recorded an array of backround vocals and songs right on stage. Was very cool.

Ouija Radio was next. I've been getting into this band more and more lately. Strong guitar sound, bass player is extremely fun and the drumming is as tight as can be. Always something I can bob my head to. Finally was zZz from Amsterdam. They're a keyboard and drums duo that I liked live a lot more than I thought I would. It was definitely music you can dance to which worked for the state I was in at that point.

EGFC and the Abusers @ Big V's 2/23

2006-02-27T16:34:00.000-06:00

EGFC took the place of Degeneration

Abusers/EGFC show was a great time. Scabs were pretty decent as well. Always fun to see the snow suits and Hamm's beer hats that make up the Abusers. Was very glad I got to see EGFC. You know the show was not planned when they had me picking out songs for them to play. And I also hope there are no pictures of me doing the rock and roll pose with the bass player. Yikes.

Undertow Orchestra @ First Ave 2/19

2006-02-27T16:32:00.000-06:00

I'm enamored with Vic Chesnutt and the fact that they closed with one of his tunes made me the happiest I could be at that show. He played the song 'Iraq' which I adore. Honestly I liked it better when it was just he and guitar at the Turf, but the song still sounded wonderful tonight. And I will same I don't have the hugest knowledge of Mark Eitzel and AMC, but I really dig his voice and his songs had a very good range which I enjoyed immensly. Also the songs of Will Johnson really make me want to check out Centro-Matic. I've noticed that I missed quite a few shows over the last year or so but hopefully can catch them next time.

Ouija Radio @ The Nomad 2/17

2006-02-27T16:29:00.000-06:00

I caught two bands at the show. The first was Screaming Cyn Cyn and the Pons. A Madison band with a great stage show that keeps the audience into it at all times. I met the singer and thought he was a very cool guy. Will be seeing them again on March 3rd.

Ouija Radio is always a fun show. With Christy doing keyboards and guitar now the rock hasn't slowed one bit. There was drum solos and bass passing, all in all a great evening.

Black Strap 2/16

2006-02-27T16:27:00.000-06:00

Black Strap show was just what I needed. Hard rockin, very fast and very short. Songs about drinkin and tractor pulls. Good drinkin, good people, good times. And if anyone likes Surf Rock, even just a little bit, should check out the Awkwards they definitely do it right.

Faggot, Black Market Fetus and Impaler

2006-02-27T16:23:00.000-06:00

2/13 @ the Triple Rock:

Very awesome night of metal mayhem. I know that was cheesy as shit but I had a great time at this show. Faggot always puts on a great show and is entertaining as hell. I think Tim is a great guy, fun to dance with. And the shot of Rumpleminze didn't hurt! Next up was Des Moines band Black Market Fetus. Pretty stellar, and definitely worked for the sound of the evening. Finally was Impaler. Bringing the rock for the past 20 years in Mpls and they never fail. Yes I did end up with fake blood on my face and hands, and I'm ok with that.

2/3 and 2/4

2006-02-10T14:06:00.000-06:00

Friday:

Chooglin and the Mistreaters at the Triple Rock. What can I say? I love me some Chooglin'.

Saturday:

Six Six Crush, The Bullets and Like Hell at the Uptown bar. As always Six Six Crush ruled. The Bullets are a pretty good band, fast, but far from original. LikeHell, was pretty much was that, Hell. When they started meowing I almost puked. At that was followed up by a La Bamba cover.

Turf Club 2/2

2006-02-10T14:01:00.000-06:00

Got there about halfway through Chambermaids. First time seeing these guys and was pretty impressed. A little Pixies like but I dug the vocals and very strong bass sound.

As always, Maps of Norway and Divebomb Honey rocked the place. I couldn't rock out purely because I could barely stand due to lack of sleep but I still had a very good time. Maps of Norway is finishing up their single so I hope to hear some local radio play soon. Great band, should have a bigger draw. In time, it will happen.

The Abuser's 2/1

2006-02-10T14:00:00.000-06:00

"Punk Rock Wednesday" as they call it at Club Underground. The Spring St Bar and Grill. Tonight featured the musical stylings of The Abusers. These guys are hilarious but their rock is fast in an almost Zeke manner. Two in their snowmobile suits and one in his silk pajamas, they fired through a great set of tunes last night. Plus there was quite an impressive showing for a Wednesday night in NE mpls.

Before the Abusers I caught a band called The Ugly Fat Kids. A little too Emo punk for me but they had their own following there. Could have been worse. Could have been that band that covered EMF on Saturday. Sheesh

Jehova's Shitlist - 1/28

2006-01-31T14:29:00.000-06:00

Got to Club Underground just after they started. Be saved by Reverend Phil. Always a good time when the Shitlist is on stage. The band after them was from duluth, and all that needs to be said is that they did a cover of EMF's Unbelievable. Yeah.

Birthday Suits, Koalas, Chooglin' - 1/27

2006-01-31T14:20:00.000-06:00

What a bill. Had a great time at this show. Chooglin' opened and completely lit up the Entry stage. Next up was the Koalas and as always a very stellar performance. The Entry was a perfect place to see this band. Its pretty much the perfect place to see any band in my opinion, but Rita seemed so at home and was in top form. One of the best shows I've seen by them. Birthday Suits, were up last and as usual kicked everyone's ass. There's so much energy in their set, they impress me more and more with each show I see.

2006-01-31T14:17:00.000-06:00

Three show Saturday night. Started off going to Camper Van Beethoven at First Ave. I only went because I got in free, and I have discovered that I'm not a Camper fan. Oh well, lesson learned.

Next up I went to see Mr. Whirly. Power pop band that was sort of a mix between Gin Blossoms and Posies. They covered Left Of The Dial as they said they would which is a song thats always great to hear. I only stayed for their set to run over to the Nomad.

Chris Mills at the Nomad was the best of the night. His backing band the New Miserables are pretty tight and Chris has some great songwriting. I went to this not knowing much about him aside from a mix a friend made me, but I really enjoyed it.

DEMO Thursdays at Acadia Cafe

2006-01-20T12:48:00.000-06:00

Last night I volunteered for DEMO at the Acadia Cafe.

"Make Acadia your new Thursday night spot with family friendly acoustic showcases. Great music, a full menu, coffee, wine and beer, and friends. Who needs the weekend?

This week:

Thursday, January 19th, 7pm $5 (kids under 12 FREE)"

Robert Wilkinson and Terri Isachsen
Joel Schaan
Caromia
Dan Israel
Somtimes Y (featuring Dave Reiss, Sue Reiss, Dave Stanoch & Eric Thomas)

The Acadia Cafe 1931 Nicollet Ave. So. Minneapolis. 612-874-8702

I met Robert Wilkinson for the Flamin' Oh's tonight. Really happy those guys are playing again. His set with Terri Isachson was cool because it was the only one that had an electric guitar as well as acoustic and they played some old and new Oh's and some of Roberts solo stuff. Which I may end up picking up when I have more cash.

This is a weekly event and next week's line up is including:

Kate Nelson
Roger Green
Logan Heftel
Marlee McLeod
Phil Bayer

Best New Bands of 2005 1/18

2006-01-20T12:47:00.000-06:00

So I caught a few bands at the Best New Bands of 2005 show at First Ave. I got there for the end of the set by Digitata. This is a somewhat electronic band with a synth, and no guitar. So yeah, didn't score high on my list. But I would think of them as a good band to have playing in a dance club instead of half the shit out there.

Next up, Birthday Suits. They were a wall of punk rock fury. So much energy in their set. I'm not big on their vocals as they are a little high pitch for my taste and you can easily tell this band is English as a Second Language (they're Japanese). But the set is so much fun. I highly recommend this band.

Next up Chooglin'. I have posted how I love the Chooglin. And another great set from the boys tonight. Really looking forward to their show next Friday with Birthday Suits and Koalas at the Entry.

Friday the 13th

2006-01-20T12:41:00.000-06:00

All American Cheapshots, Six Six Crush, Build or Burn, Living Daylights.

Post work, it started like this. I went to see a friend do a performance art thing she does. She's retiring after this event, which got A-Listed in the city pages.
Rosy Simas Guthrie wraps herself up in the stars and stripes--literally--in a work that challenges the complicated issues surrounding patriotism, power, and duty in an era marked by an unpopular war and a dishonest government. Accompanied by a cast of seven dancers including Kellie Brandt, Kristina Graber, Leslie O'Neill, Anna Resele, Dawn Strom, and Galen Treuer, Simas Guthrie combines elements of contact improvisation, theater, and modern dance to explore both the personal and societal implications of being soldier, citizen, and/or artist. It's a protest dance of sorts, but subtle enough to transcend the limitations of current events and political ideology. $10/$12 at the door. 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:00 p.m. Sunday. --Caroline PalmerJAN 13-15, 2006

Because of this we missed the Living Daylights last show. Never saw them but from what I hear they are probably not something I was into anyway. Next up was Build or Burn. Didn't like it at all. They were having some sound issues but they would more fit into a 93X local show than say a Radio K or KFAI show. Not my taste.

Six Six Crush rocked everything in that place. The stage, your cup, the pin on your jacket, they rocked it all. One of the best performance I've seen the guys do. The All American Cheapshots were fun as usual but we didn't get to stay for the whole set cause my ride wanted to leave.

The Unstuck 1-7

2006-01-20T12:40:00.000-06:00

The Unstuck at Big V's. Fun band featuring Mike from the Quincy Punx. Punk sound with a hint of pop and street, but nothing of the image. They do a punk version of the National American University song that whenever I hear them play it, it gets stuck in my head for ages. I was sad to hear the guys will be taking a bit of a hiatus, should have made it out to more of their shows this fall. Will definitely be looking forward to their return.

Maps Of Norway, Lonely Assassins Club, The Deaf at The Entry - 1/6

2006-01-20T12:36:00.000-06:00

All the bands are a little arty but I'm a fan of pretty much everyone of them. I got there a bit late and missed Lazer Forever but have heard some really good things about that band. I don't think I've seen them. I'll have to check.

First up for me was The Deaf. I'm going to go ahead and say that I'm a fan of The Deaf. Haven't seen them since their show with Six Six Crush and Rent Money Big in March. A show no one was at but I absolutely adored. Anyway, I like the combination of mail and female vocals of this band. They don't sing at the same time but I would consider both very talented. I would consider this band, kind of art rock with a bit of noise and a bit of black flag style punk. I like them.

Next up was the Lonely Assassains Club featuring a new drummer who did fairly well for only having practiced four times with them. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I really like Marty's deeper vocals. And her bass playing is stellar as well. Always a rockin sound with these guys. I hope they record something soon.

Closing the show was Maps of Norway. I dare say that I raise my like of Maps to my love of Maps of Norway. This band has yet to disappoint me and has such a great rock/punk with a bit of new wave sound. Rebecca has beautifully rockin vocals, and Matt is an amazing bass player. He inspires me to play more. The whole band is really tight and I'm looking forward to the recording they are currently working on.

New Years Eve

2006-01-20T12:31:00.000-06:00

Went to a warehouse party that Six Six Crush played at. It go to a slow start so a couple of guys did acoustic sets. The first doing a very throaty rendition of Wreck of the Edmond Fitgerald among a couple of more covers. The second guy, who looks like George Harrison on the cover of All Things Must Pass, I'll admit was pretty good. Played about 4 or 5 songs that did actually consist of originals. Next up was his band Bloodshot. The band wasn't that band, but these guys played for what seemed like eternity. For the first act on the bill they played their stoner rock for over an hour. At midnight they could barely get them to stop for the countdown. They were given the minute warning and the guy started playing a song and you know there's no way they had a one minute song. After a few more songs the singer said "ha, have we gone over our scheduled time?" And proceeded to play not just one or two more songs but six more songs.

So thankfully, Six Six Crush went on next. And of course, rocked the place hard. Blew the first guy away with half the set time. The sound was better than I expected and it was a very cool setting to see these guys in. Someone actually made Seth sing into the microphone too, which was nice. So the party was ok but you had to walk to a separate building to use a bathroom with no toilet paper and no light so we didn't stay long after six six crush.

The show I've been waiting for

2006-01-02T11:26:00.000-06:00

Six Six Crush, Chooglin' and the TC Howlers at Big V's 12/30/05. What a bill!

Holy mother! Seriously a night of pure unadulerated rock at Big V's. It held up to my every expectation of what a rockin evening it was going to be.

The TC Howlers, I've loved since the first time I saw them at the Terminal Bar but damn were they on tonight. Very tight sounding guitars, all over the stage and just flat out rocked. If this first band is an indicator of how the night would be, it would definitely be a memorable one.

Chooglin'. Well what can I say, Chooglin is amazing on that small stage. So much better than their performance at First Ave last Friday. SO MUCH BETTER. And they really rocked that show. They were more in synch tonight and just really made that floor shake. Can't thank the guys enough for that.

Obviously, if you check out this page, you know I like Six Six Crush. And by like I mean love and go to just about every show of theirs. These guys never let me down. Their worst night is ten times better than a lot of bands great nights. I hope someday, they get the recognition they deserve.

Soul Asylum and Chooglin' -12/23

2006-01-02T11:20:00.000-06:00

Its always nice to a sold out show for a band like Soul Asylum.

I got there just after the first guy played to make sure to catch Chooglin'. This was my second time seeing the band and it keeps getting better. I could tell they had impressed the crowd as there was some movers and shakers in a crowd that normally consists of standstills. I really think Brian's vocals fit this band very well with the bit of soul he adds to his rock. But the combo of him and Jesse on guitar is always fun to watch. I was pretty much there to see these guys and they didn't disappoint.

Soul Asylum was pretty good but its hard to top the show in October. The guys just didn't seem as relaxed as that show. There was one point, a few beers in, where I had a zen moment. No I'm not a hippy and I said beers not joints but, I was standing in my favorite venue, looking at it packed for a somewhat local act and look up to see the edge of a wreath with lights that was bordering my view of Tommy Stinson on stage and thought, this is a damn fine way to bring in Christmas.

First Ave Anniversary Show

2005-12-22T18:15:00.000-06:00

Did I just see Craig Finn (of the Hold Steady) sing I Wanna Be Your Dog with Mike Watt on bass? I believe I did. Did I also see Grant Hart later join them on stage and play a mean keyboard? Yes I think I saw that too.

I got there just before Jesse Greene who does a great job filling a larger stage. I like her voice and she of course has her mean violin. The X-Boys featured quite a few guys from the Suburbs and Chris Osgood from the Suicide Commandos. Pretty fun jammy set. I hear they play together almost every week at a VFW somewhere. I'm going to have to check that out.

Most of my evening was spent in the Entry which seemed like a competition of great guitar players. It was truely inspiring. Ernie of the Mofos, Gerard of Rifle Sport and Curtiss and Vern. The guitar playing was simply phenomonal. The Mighty Mofos as always rocked my socks off. I don't know if you've seen a bigger grin on my face then when I talked to Ernie Batson about it afterwards (well other than that whole bus, head scratching incident in Orlando). Love the Batson brothers, and Randy is one hell of a bass player. Next up was Rifle Sport. Awesome kind of melodic punk. I don't know how I'll go through a Christmas season again without hearing that band play Little Drummer Boy. Was really really cool. And then Curtiss A, doing a lot of his Beatles tunes and a Stones tune, him and Vern just tore apart their guitars.

Back to the mainroom for Mike Watt. The set was only a few songs but all star. See comments above about Grant Hart and Craig Finn. I prefer Watt in the Entry but this was a good time. The Koalas headlined and by that point there was no one around. No band wanted that slot but the Koalas did better on the big stage then I thought they would. And as usual Lori's drumming was stellar.

Dillinger Four and Falcon Crest 12-9

2005-12-22T18:14:00.000-06:00

Dillinger Four and Falcon Crest in the Entry.

Ummmmm......

Yeah.....

There were/are:

Bruised knees

kicked forearms

bloody noses (not mine)

bare asses

sweat pants

farewell dances

free whiskey

Christmas tree

And someone wrongfully being kicked out of the 7th St Entry (which sounds bad but its probably good)

John Lennon Tribute: 25 Years

2005-12-22T18:13:00.000-06:00

John Lennon tribute was fucking smokin'! Curtiss A is a major rock star. I've always known this but its nice to be reminded every Dec 8th. Who else could sing Imagine and include the term cocksucker? John, the drummer from the Hypstrz is one of the three drummers that played through out the night but he's the one that played on every song. They had two drum sets up, a string bass, and easily 12 people on stage at different times. Jim Boquist, Slim and his kid joined for I'll Cry Instead, I Don't Want To Spoil The Party and I'm A Loser. My Dad and I go to this every year and its really fun to dance my ass of with some of these hippies. Some lady hugging me and saying "love everyone." They all throw their arms in the air and groove a bit. It was so fun. And I think I've decided that my theme song is Rock and Roll Music.

Six Six Crush @ The 400 Bar

2005-12-08T13:07:00.000-06:00

Last night was Six Six Crush at the 400 Bar. Its been a while, I think I may have been suffering a brief bout of Six Six Crush withdrawl. Something was different last night though. They picked up the pace a bit and their vocals were very loud which is not normally the case. I had a hell of a time.

They opened for Useless whom I did not stick around to see. This is for one major reason. The singer/lead guitarists is one best guitar players I've ever seen. I'm not joking on this one. The problem is that he limits himself. The sets mostly consists of covers and not very challenging ones at that. I would love to see him doing more of his own songs and really shredding the guitar like I know he can. I'm starting to wonder if maybe, he just can't write songs.

Updates

2005-12-07T17:26:00.000-06:00

I've been slacking on the posts but not on the shows. Here's updating shows for most of November and pretty much brought things up to date. Tonight is the ever awesome Six Six Crush at the 400 Bar.

Chicago Invasion 12/3 - Triple Rock

2005-12-07T17:24:00.000-06:00

Loved the Effigies. They are nearing 50 and don't look anything like the punk they play. I thought the bass player was very talented and the guitar riffs were fast and rockin. The singer has a very strong voice and almost competes with the guitar in a good way.

The Methadones were a bit too pop punk for me. My head was bobbing, my foot was tapping but it just didn't hold me. I probably would have been more into it if I knew their songs better. They spent way too much time talking about emo bands between the songs. Though I have to say I was very surprised by the cover of "He's A Whore."

Hypstrz CD Release Show 11/25

2005-12-07T17:19:00.002-06:00

Friday was of course the Hypstrz CD Release show. Was greeted by one of my favorite local musicians, Billy Batson, right away who thanked me for coming and we chatted a bit. Very nice guy. The openers were Nikki Corvette and her band. Now I saw them last Sunday and thought it was because I was in a bad mood but I'll have to say I like that band but I don't care for her all that much. Her vocals just don't do it for me and her little dance seems almost forced. Supposedly she's very well loved, but I wasn't all that impressed. Second up was the Conquerers (sp?). Good band that does covers but makes their own sounds. Played some classic tunes with very solid guitar playing. The Hypstrz were flat out brilliant. Rocked us from start to finish and I danced my ass of. Loved that set, every minute of it. Played a couple of encores and you could tell the guys were having a blast. So much fun and a good size crowd. I bought a Hypstrz tshirt and a copy of their original 45 which is a hot commodity. I still highly recommend the CD that can be ordered on amazon. 37 tracks for $13, can't beat that. I also managed to walk home with a dozen roses from the bass player of the Hypstrz. Really sweet guy and he deliveres flowers for a wholesaler and brought in a bunch of flowers for the ladies in the crowd. A great show and only $4 cover. Couldn't ask for much more than that.

Hypstrz CD Release Show 11/25

2005-12-07T17:19:00.001-06:00

More Koalas, 11/23

2005-12-07T17:19:00.000-06:00

Wednesday I went and checked out the Koalas for the second time. Definitely still held up as one of my new favorite local bands. For people who have never seen Lori B. on the drums, its really something to check out. She also sings a song as well. I love her but I'd have to say I like their front person better but its cool that the band mixes things up like that. They will be playing the First Ave Bootleg Release show on December 14th along with the likes of the Hold Steady and many others. Going to be a great show.

Hypstrz/Nikki Corvette 11/20

2005-12-07T17:16:00.000-06:00

First show was an instore performance by the Hypstrz at Treehouse Records. Not many a better Sunday than one where you can roll out of bed, grab a coffee, walk two blocks and see great garage rock for free. I loved every minute of it. And seriously I don't know where else I've had so many of my favorite people in one room (and they were all sober).

That night I went to see Nikki Corvette play with the Divebomb Honey. Divebomb, is fun synth new wave that as always I enjoyed. Nikki Corvette is one of my buddies favorites and while she was fun, I just wasn't in the mood. Her nasaly voice turned me off a bit. I can see when I'm in a better mood, that I would dance all night to this, so maybe Friday when they open for the Hypstrz.

Plate - O- Shrimp Club Underground 11/19

2005-12-07T17:15:00.000-06:00

went to see my friends band Plate-O-Shrimp play their last show of 2005. They say they'll be back for the Ramones tribute in May but the hiatus will be a long one. The band was definitely on. One of the best performances I've seen by them. John's vocals sounded the best I've heard them in a while and he seemed to be looking to prove how much he could rock. The crowd was a lot of friends so even their originals were sing alongs. But some great covers included Makes No Sense At All, Chinese Rocks and You`re Gonna Kill That Girl were right on. Glad I decided to hit this show despite everything else going on that night.

Detroit Cobras 11/18

2005-12-07T17:13:00.000-06:00

Friday I went to see the Detroit Cobras with the Reigning Sound and Chooglin'.

Chooglin is my friends band that consists of members of the Midnight Evils. Yes they are named after a CCR song. And you can obviously see their influence on this band. What they play is very classic rock ala zz top, thin lizzy, with a splash of seger and they do it very well. Jesse the guitar player was the drummer for the Evils and its scary how good he is at two instruments when I can't even master one. I also really like Brian as a vocalists as he adds a perfect bit of soul to the rock sound.

Reigning Sound is a band I really enjoy. Though I'm going to go ahead and say their set was a bit long. I found myself getting bored with it too quickly. I loved everything they played off of "Too Much Guitar" and I think its a perfect pace for the bill they were on. The Reigning Sound is some damn good memphis garage rock.

Next up the Detroit Cobras. I enjoyed the show but the band didn't seem to into it. They even told the crowd they were a day away from home so they were trying to get through it. Rachel's voice is as awesome 2 months into a tour as it is on the record. She's a beautiful bad ass. The show was not as rockin as I hoped but after breaking up fights and keeping drunk people standing I was able to dance my socks off and thats always a plus. It was a sold out show at the triple rock which doesn't happen all that often.

Koalas @ Shaw's 11/17

2005-12-07T17:12:00.000-06:00

I got a last minute notice that the Koala's were playing at Shaw's and since I had never seen them, I headed over. The Koalas feature Lori Barbero on drums from the fantastic Babes In Toyland. Wonderful drummer, amazing person.

First I sat through this band that I don't know their name and the only reason I would want to would be so I could avoid seeing them in the future. They had a song that was supposed to be dark and depressing. But the singer sang "mama's into razors and dope" like she was in the Patridge Family singing C'Mon get happy. She also sang a song about a girl who was doing dirty deeds and was pretty much in the gutter. "In a taxi with a guys hand down the front of her skirt and drugs up his nose." You can tell that this is far from anything this singer has ever experienced. No feeling behind any of it at all. The song that had the most emotion in it was called "Britney Spears Got Married Last Night." And of course they had to have a song calling Bush the anti christ, which could have been funny but they sang it in the same sing song way as every other tune. They were all together crappy.

But the Koalas kicked ass. Their vocalist has an even more punk PJ Harvey sound with an echo. And the music is a perfect grunge/punk/straight rock sound. I was really impressed and really mad that I had waited this long to see the band. I will hopefully be checking them out this wednesday as well.

Birthday Suits 11/12

2005-12-07T17:08:00.000-06:00

Started out at the Urban Wildlife for the $2 beers and no cover. I walked in to a pretty shitty ska band who's every song sounded like the annoying Reel Big Fish song about working at Burger King or something.

Next up was Fighter Heyabusa was up. Sorry, but fuck did I not like this band. I was so discouraged I decided I couldn't sit through it to see if the headliners were any good.

So I ran to the Entry and caught the last song of the Divebomb Honey, who I've seen a number of times. Fun new wave band with two keyboards, really strong bass and thick female vocals. The show was to celebrate the cd release by the Birthday Suit. Now I had not seen this band before but they are a two peice of members that were in the band Sweet J.A.P. so I knew this had to be good. This band is so strong that its hard to believe its a two peice. Normally I'm not a big fan of higher pitched vocals (note my love of Nick Cave and Tom Waits for example) but the guitars more than make up for it. And Hideo Takahashi was thrashing about on stage during solos and even ended up playing atop bar stools. Was more than happy to see this performance.

More on Sweet JAP, Birthday Suits and Divebomb Honey:

http://www.citypages.com/databank/26/1301/article13851.asp

11/11 - Big V's

2005-12-07T17:04:00.000-06:00

Friday night I went to Big V's for the Panty Huffers, All American Cheapshots and the Abusers. Stellar line up for a great night at Big V's. The Abusers opened and I haven't seen them since a show at the Terminal where they played with Plate O Shrimp. They were snowsuit clad, Hamm's hat wearing and in full force. The rock was strong and punk and made me realize how much it sucks that I haven't seen them in almost a year. Hope they do some more dates soon.

Next up were the Cheapshots. Pretty much everyone left the floor for this band which made me sad. They were having some sound issues, but I really like the All American Cheapshots. They're a good blend of the early 70s pre punk that I love and the greatness that is 80s Ramones style punk. Not to mention Chad is just a great great guy. He and his lady go on the greatest rock adventures and know everyone. Always have a good time with those people.

Last but not least the all might Panty Huffers. Rob of the Huffers is a crazy frontman who is all over the place and I love every minute of it. He walked the full bar, sang on University Ave in St. Paul with pants undone, writhes on the floor, visits the ladies room and stops ceiling fans with his head. Which is usually doable, but this night, there was some blood shed by one of the blades. They have pretty hardcore ceiling fans at Big V's. Pool table dancing and piggy back riding all over quick riffs and fun get you moving music, if you can keep from staring at Rob, aka peckerwood. I love the energy this band has and they're all around great entertainers. Looking forward to seeing them with Bloodcow and Black Strap in about two weeks.

Beach Party

2005-11-10T12:18:00.000-06:00

The first of three bands I saw at the beach party was Faggot. Now this is the first time I've seen this band and it was pretty much all I expected. Very energetic and despite not having the greatest voice, Tim is an awesome front man. Their music is definitely punk but with a hint of classic rock. The whole band, scantily clad in bikinis and speedos was all over the small stage and kept the crowd rockin.

The next band was Kites. I was in back and couldn't see much of what was going on but I'm pretty sure that this was just one person. And the music, is pure noise and distortion. It seemed at some points to try and make a melody but it was more a wall of sound and gyrations. I wouldn't necessarily call them songs but there were three groups of music to the set. I probably wouldn't go to a show soley on this guy but it would be interesting to see how sets differ.

Last up was USAISAMONSTER. I was very impressed with this band. Described as "gnarly nomadic psychedelic warriors," "a brilliantly fried two-piece guitar and drums band of sun spotters hailing from Brooklyn, NY."

And to continue quoting reviewers, because I'm not a writer (from their website http://www.loadrecords.com/bands/usaisamonster.html) "The sound of the record is a synapse firing melt of rock and other-wordly whisper. The rock goes from balls out to a gentle, massaging hand reaching into your cortex. Think astral plane hitchhikers like MEAT PUPPETS and SABBATH in the same mental fart as LOAD two piece terrorists. The fidelity of this record is total."

Needless to say I'm very glad my friend convince me to stay and check out this band. Despite the songs sometimes running on a bit much the sound was wonderful and I'll be keeping an eye out for anytime they play.

Tornavalanche

2005-11-08T14:28:00.000-06:00

So Saturday night I went to Big V's to see this band I heard was so great called Tornavalanche. Signal To Trust and Plastic Constellations were opening. Now Signal to Trust, are a very decent band. The Plastic Constellations are what caused the art school contingent that was the audience at Big V's. For one Big V's is never crowded and if it is I expect it to be full of black, maybe some leather jackets, tattoos and peircings. Well no, that night it was full of afghan wearing chicks with bad dye jobs and rainbow covered scarfs. And I also felt as though I was not a member of the club because I didn't not bring a messenger bag to a rock show. Silly me. And you can tell they had never been to Big V's before because so many of them missed the step to the area at the right of the stage and tripped and fell into a bunch of mic stands, to my entertainment. Seriously, you would think they learned but I say about 5 or 6 people do that. Tornavalanche, despite being on a Milwaukee Hard Core festival list a few weeks prior were not hardcore at all. And it was obvious that they cared more about their vocals than their guitar. When they played their cords and did their shit they had a rockin sound, but that would stop when the guy started singing, and I didn't care for it at all. If they kept the rock through the whole song, I might have been more into it.

Halloween

2005-11-01T13:05:00.000-06:00

After parties on Saturday night and being hung over on Sunday night it was back to the music on Monday. I rocked out to the Toxic Avengers at the Triple Rock, did the Hip Shake with Eleganza in the Entry, busted a move in the First Ave mainroom and the Safety Dance in the VIP Lounge. It was quite the night.

The Toxic Avengers were very fun ripping through some great Avengers covers all while The Toxic Avenger played in Fast Forward. After that I hit the Entry. Eleganza played Suspicious Minds which had been in my head for the past two weeks so I sang my heart out with them. As usual a strong set of some good old rock songs.

Missed Smitty DJing cause I was in the Entry. There was some hip hop stuff in the mainroom, I danced a bit and was glad to see a good crowd there. Then up to the VIP Lounge for some 80s music including Milli Vanilli and the Safety Dance. An all around movin' sort of night.

2 Show Friday Night

2005-10-31T18:57:00.000-06:00

Friday night started off with myself being in a little bit of hell. I went to the Quest to see Six Six Crush in the Ascot Room. After wanting to murder four different Quest employees before even making it in the room, I had to go through the main room to get to the Ascot. Yeah whatever shitty Quest for Mayhem band was on at that time was playing a Bon Jovi cover. Like I said, HELL. As soon as Six Six Crush finished I bolted for the door. Despite a stellar performance by one of my favorite locals, I needed to get the fuck out of there. Heading toward the exit sign someone at the Quest of course had to stop and ask me if I was leaving. No I though exit mean bathroom.

Then I headed over to the Urban Wildlife for Hot Rod Hearse and members of the Squabs. Always good to go to a free show with $2 PBR tallboys. Missed quite a bit of the Squab boys set but I've always enjoyed their music. Hot Rod Hearse as usual played a very strong set. The boys put all they've got into that music and their performance shows it. If you're at all into Rockabilly and you haven't checked out this band, there's something wrong.

Sir Paul

2005-10-27T12:06:00.000-06:00

Last night I went to see Paul McCartney with my Dad. My Dad is a huge Beatles fan and dished out $250 a piece for our tickets, I knew this meant a lot to him. He showed up in his Beatles shirt and was singing before we even left for the concert.

Being that he is so into this band, it is the music that I was raised with. Every Sunday morning we listened to Beatles albums, and the Beatle Brunch as he made breakfast, read the newspaper and spent the day just as he pleased often times pulling out a guitar to jam along. It was very cool to see him in his element dancing and singing along to songs that I've been hearing all my life. His eyes lit up and he shouted "Magical Mystery Tour" as the first chords of the evening came roaring out into the packed crowd.

We heard lots of Beatles songs including Blackbird, Drive My Car, Please Please Me, She Came in Through the Bathroom Window, Good Day Sunshine, Back In The U.S.S.R., The Long and Winding Road, I'll Follow The Sun, Eleanor Rigby, Penny Lane, Yesterday, Let It Be, Hey Jude and Helter Skelter.

Though I'm not a Wings fan Maybe I'm Amazed and Band On The Run got a great response from the crowd despite the fairly stand still approach that was taken during most of the show. Live and Let Die of course had the pyrotechnics of a Kiss show with large booming balls of fire followed by streams of blue, green and orange colored flames.

His backing band was pretty good, nothing really too impressive but that didn't matter. Paul mixed things up with rockers, solo acoustic numbers and piano driven songs. His voice still sounded great which was such an added bonus when hearing these songs.

While it's not a concert I would pay $250 to attend I was happy to be able to share the music and the show with my Dad who probably had one of the best nights he's had in years. Was very nice to see his excitement.

Jonathan Richman/Vic Chesnutt

2005-10-27T11:59:00.000-06:00

Tuesday night was Jonathan Richman and Vic Chesnutt at the Turf Club.

Vic opened up the show and I think he's a pretty talented songwriter. He's in a wheel chair and has limited use of his right hand and uses a thumb pick. But he's got a voice that is very cool in that deep yet a perfect hint of nasal that not many people can pull off. I need to spend more time taking in the lyrics to his songs and the music overall. I was really digging one of his final songs that talked about saving a woman from a man that beat her and being her hero, which is not what she wanted. If anyone knows the proper name to this song please let me know.

Jonathan despite having some laryngitis put on a strong performance. His songs are very fun and I love his guitar playing. He is a very animated person that can always put a smile on his face. To me his eyes look sad and then he smiles and it just makes me giggle. An all around entertainer who knowingly couldn't keep his voice up so he danced and really got the audience into it. Very fun set at a great club.

Soul Asylum

2005-10-25T18:57:00.000-06:00

Last night Soul Asylum was supposed to play the 7th St Entry which I was looking forward to so much. Well there were PA problems and the set got moved over to the First Ave Mainroom. It was still a very good show but I was really looking forward to seeing those guys with Tommy Stinson on the Entry stage. They let more people into the show for the mainroom, some free and some paid $12. But the crowd was not as moving as I thought they would have been in the Entry.

Tommy on bass and Michael Bland on drums helped create a huge sound at the show. Dan Murphy was in top notch form and was very focused throughout the set. Dave sounded very good and was having a great time rockin out with Tommy. His chant of "Karl, Karl, Karl" at one point seemed a bit cheesy but you know the guys are going through hard times. The sound came out strong on songs like Bittersweat Heart, Somebody To Shove, and Just Like Anyone. Other strong points were the cover of Summer of Drugs, Cartoon and Closer to the Stars. Their new songs came out loud and rockin and I'm really looking forward to their next release.

Bible Of The Devil back at Big V's

2005-10-25T18:53:00.000-06:00

Bible of the Devil (from Chicago) at Big V's. Really cool metal rock with a great stage presence and a fast quick guitar sound. I missed the first band and the second was a singer/songwriter guy from NYC named Mishka Sobalis (not sure on the spelling of the last name). He had depressing songs that he tried to make you laugh with. There were some good lines like "my love is as big as the titanic, is that an iceberg between your thighs."

There was a lot going on in Mpls that night so it meant very few people at the show. Which is sad cause Bible of the Devil rocks. Was cool to chat with the guys afterwards as well as they had just gotten back from Europe. I wouldn't mind checking them out in Chicago sometime.

Who?

2005-10-25T18:51:00.000-06:00

Why Six Six Crush of course:

Six Six Crush at the Urban Wildlife. The Urban Wildlife has closed their stage side for reconstruction or some other reason so the band just plays in the corner of this bar. And its a small corner, but the sound has been improving, its free and there's $2 PBR tallboys. Throw Six Six Crush into that mix and its a very wonderful evening in my books. The band was the only one playing so they did two sets. They played a lot more songs than usual which was awesome. Because they're in the window corner on 4th St downtown there were some people rockin out outside while they were smoking. And we got some great looks from the goth crowd coming from the HIM concert down the street at the Quest. Also due to this lighting was briefly provided by the mpls pd who stopped a car that was going the wrong way down 4th. The extended jam during Evil Gobblins ended the night very well.

Zeke/Nashville Pussy

2005-10-14T12:33:00.000-06:00

Saw this duo at the 400 Bar last night. Zeke of course was on. Fast metal meets 70s rock. Sure they've slowed down a tiny bit since quitting the Speed but still a rockin show. There was a pretty good size contingent there to just see them (I was one of them).

Nashville Pussy was pretty disappointing. I had never seen this band before but from my friends accounts, they're missing their fire breathing bass player. They replaced her with someone with no personality that got the job because she's a chick. All the band had was their schtick and it ain't there anymore. Ruyter is pretty good at what she does and was at least working for stage presence. We left after about 5 or 6 songs.

Because we left early we still had time to run over to the Triple Rock for the Rank Strangers. Always like checking out the Rank Strangers great rock sound with the perfect hint of pop. Wasn't too many people in attendance lost night which wasn't an issue for me. Always love a night when I can catch two shows, especially two so different in style.

Sound of Urchins

2005-10-12T12:46:00.000-06:00

Sunday night my friends band supported the Sound of Urchins show at the Entry. Opening the show was a band called Demolition Factor. Pretty standard punk in the Ramones style, which was ok. Six Six Crush was the second band and as always put on a stellar performance, kicking ass on the Entry stage. I herad them described as ZZ Top meets Black Flag, which does work.

Sound of Urchins is a band that consists of members of the Moist Boyz (One of the Ween brothers side project) and they hail from NY. The set started out kind of rockin but couldn't really keep my attention. They seemed to have way too many songs where the singer/drummer started out with this rowdy countdown that would make you think the song would rip and it didn't. So yeah, didn't even finish the set. Liked the vocals though. Check em out, make your own decision.

Drinking, Once Again

2005-10-03T14:10:00.000-06:00

Yet another spectacular taping of Drinking With Ian in the Entry on Sunday.

Interviewed was former Low bassist Zak Sally, who now is in the comic book business, Paul F. Tompkins of the Mr. Show fame and Gerard of Rifle Sport who is a cook at the Bakery on Grand. He made Poutine, which was the first time I've ever tried. Pretty good snack for canadian junk food.

The music was more than awesome. It started out with a set by Maps of Norway, a band I rarely miss. It was probably the best set I've seen them do yet. Very strong female vocalist over a joy division influenced rock. Not as dark and slow as joy division but you definitely tell that the songwriter digs them.

Die Electric and Thunder In The Valley also put on the strongest sets I've seen from them as of late. Die Electric is a rock band with a punk nature. They played their asses of last night. Thunder In The Valley has a sort of new wave/punk/garage sound to them and have seemed to move more towards the straight rock ethic. Only second time I've seen that band and I'll definitely be trying to make more shows.

One of the added bonuses of being in the Entry last night was the surprise set we got. In the mainroom Against Me, The Soviettes, The Epoxies and Smoke or Fire played. I missed the show being that I was at the taping. Well one of the guys that puts on the show knows the key board player from the Epoxies. At about 12:30 the Epoxies carted their gear into the Entry and rocked the crowd that was down to about 30 or 40 at that point. Complete with fog machine, white lights and guitar lazers this band ruled the Entry.

Talked to Fritz afterwards a bit and thanked them for the extra set. Saw some kid ask him to spit beer in his face, which he obliged.

Very rockin evening that included 4 free shots, and here and only here could I be rockin out to Die Electric while eating Poutine!

Grudge Match!

2005-10-03T14:01:00.000-06:00

Friday nights festivities featured a "Grudge Match" between the Mighty Mofos and Kruddler. Advertised as Loser Leaves Town. Going into this everyone, including Kruddler knew the Mighty Mofos were going to hand them their ass on a silver platter. As much as I enjoy a Kruddler show, there is no one, that can out perform the Mofos. And they were in top form on Friday night. There was pretty much nothing of a crowd which is odd being that its the Mighty Mofos but I guess there was not much advertising for the show. This was a show of all shows, rocking guitars, bloody lead singers and dancing provided by me. Can never express my complete love for this band. Hope to never miss a show of theirs. Great guys who chatted with a friend and I afterwards as well. Being the dork that I am, I took a flyer, a set list and a pic that Ernie tossed my way. If there is anyone in Mpls that has not seen the Batson Brothers perform, do something about it, soon.

Austin City Limits Festival

2005-10-03T12:16:00.000-06:00

When I saw the Roky Erickson was playing the Austin City Limits Festival, I knew I had to go. I found a friend in Dallas that was going with a couple of other people and booked my flight and festival ticket. I had planned on flying into Dallas and then riding with my friend to Austin as the ticket was much cheaper. So the day before I'm supposed to leave we get a call that our hotel reservations have been canceled due to hurricane Katrina evacuees. There was available in a 2 hour radius because of the Galveston and Houston evacuees as well. So pretty much everyone canceled. And I couldn't get to Austin without my friend in Dallas. So I was bummed to say the least, canceled my flight and everything. At about 1pm on Friday I got an email from the friend in Dallas that said, if you can get down here tonight I found us a place to crash. I was on a plane at 4:45 and heading to Dallas which cost me an extra $140. We drove to Austin from Dallas on Saturday morning and spent all day in 101 degree weather. But when Roky went on it was all worth it. The set was great, his voice has really held up and you can tell he was really into the show. The backing band the Explosives were very stellar with a set list that included Don't Shake Me Lucifer, You're Gonna Miss Me, Two-Headed Dog, I Walked With A Zombie, Bermuda, The Beast, Starry Eyes, Splash 1, White Faces and Creature With The Atom Brain.

I made two days of the festival so yes I did see other bands. Bob Mould's band was another highlight for me. He seemed in such a great mood and the band was tight and quick. The addition of Brendan Canty on the drums was a strong move. The guy just rocks. The Husker and Sugar songs came off really well and his newer stuff sounds a lot better live.

Other acts I saw:

Kacy Crowley
Split Lip Rayfield
Mike Doughty
Built To Spill
The Frames
The Walkemen
Ambulance LTD
Eisley
Doves
Arcade Fire
Dave Alvin and the Guiltymen (Another highlight, such a great guitarist)
Wilco

Over the Weekend

2005-09-19T14:47:00.000-06:00

Ok for this weekend:

Friday I was at the Turf Club for the Kruddler CD release show. Lots of bands on this bill, the Rockford Mules, a cool band called Canvas I believe (out of towners) and the Rank Strangers. They add a perfect amount of pop to a strong rock sound. I've really liked this band for a while and hope to see them much more frequently in the near future. Kruddler is definitely has a pop element with their high pitched vocals but puts on a fun show, and really great guys.

While at the Kruddler show I saw a flyer for a show on Sep 30th that EVERYONE should go to.

Grudge Match

The Mighty Mofos
vs
Kruddler

Loser Leaves Town

Its going to be sooo great. I love the Mighty Mofos

Saturday:

The Legendary Shack Shakers with Scott H. Biram. Lets preface this by saying I hate the 400 Bar with impunity. $5 for tap beer is god damn ridiculous. And if you go outside, they take your ID so you can't sneak next door in between bands and drink for cheaper. Bastards.

I was very very impressed by Scott H Biram. His show has been called a "one man show of hellfire blues." To further quote the Austin Chronicle " a yelping good time of talking blues, foot stomping, the occasional yodel and harmonica, and between-song rants about prison, the devil, wild women, and whatever else pops into his head." Very cool set that had us all dancing and rocking along. When I get more moeny I'll buy his cds too.

The Legendary Shack Shakers, a great psychobilly band with Col. J.D. Wilkes at the helm. The crowd was going nuts and the shack was more than shaking. Despite a few assholes in the crowd the show was awesome. They have so much energy and the Col. Wilkes is a great frontman. Ripping hair from his chest, spitting and crowd surfing he made sure everyone was into it.

Sunday:
Kung Fools and the Unstuck at the Triple Rock. Not too many people out on a Sunday despite the fact that this was the first time the Kung Fools had played together in 8 years. The Unstuck are a fun punk band with a bit of a pop element and featuring Mike from the Quincy Punx on drums. Would have been more fun if the crowd got into it but these guys always put on a strong set.

The Kung Fools I was just not feeling last night. Too many issues with the guitars and just not getting me in the groove. Most people there had a great time and I imagine they put on a really decent show in their day. But the lack of energy in the place did not help keep my attention.

Going Outta Business show

2005-09-12T15:33:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite local bands the Midnight Evils played their last show at the 7th St Entry on Saturday. Out for the show was a great bill of TC Howlers, The Akwards, Six Six Crush and Gee as in Jesus.

Unfortunately I missed the Howlers set but thats always a great band to check out. The Akwards have a great surf rock set that can get anyone moving. Six Six Crush was their usual amazing rocking self proving why they deserved a spot on this bill. I never get sick of seeing this band and they were definitely in form. Gee as In Jesus is such a fun band to see and sing a long with. The last time I saw these guys was at the Evils record release show. Can't thank enough for getting these guys to play.

The Evils were more than on. They rocked that packed Entry room with so much power, I didn't stop moving. It was hot crowded but I that didn't hold back my dancing. I was sad to think that it was my last time hearing them play Twin City Lights and Got My Mojo Workin among others. And the finale with Curan smashing his bass on his amp head and the fight that insued over the peices of the bass was just beyond me. And to add a bong being broken over the drum set. It was a perfect rock n roll ending.

Love the Hex

2005-09-12T15:25:00.000-06:00

Thursday 9/8 was an evening at the Hexagon. Falcon Crest played with the Lonely Assasins Club, Build My Gallows High and Mayday Mayday Mayday. I'm going to skip right to Build My Gallows high because I can't wait to say how much I enjoy seeing this band. I literally get lost in the music and I think thats the greatest feeling. You can easily pick out different beats to bob your head to in any song and the drumming is some of the best in the twin cities. I like Lonely Assasins Clubs deeper vocals and Falcon Crest is great in almost the opposite way with their fast hard hitting rock. Always a good show when Falcon Crest is on stage. This was a great bill and free none the less. Gotta love the Hexagon.

Eleganza!

2005-09-07T13:30:00.000-06:00

The Rolling Stones post show party was at the Turf Club last night. No Keith didn't show but the band still put on a great performance. Great Stones covers along with songs by Creedence and the great cover they do of ZZ Top's Thank You. Love hearing that song. The large band filled that stage but it didn't take away from a great sound coming out. Always fun to check out this band they're probably the only band that I see that does strictly covers. And the $1 cover made it a lot easier.

Back To The Triple Rock

2005-09-06T12:20:00.000-06:00

Sunday 9/4 was Danko Jones, All American Cheapshots and the Koalas at the Triple Rock. I arrived late and missed the Koalas which I was really disappointed about because I've heard great things about the band. Plus watching Lori B drum is never a bad thing. The Cheapshots had a strong loud set and got the place warmed up for Danko Jones. I had never seen Danko before but it was a really fun show. Good old hard rock almost in an AC/DC sense. Strong vocals and great drumming and bass. And Danko's guitar playing definitely brought the rock. It had me moving the whole show. If you like hard rock, this is a band that you shouldn't miss. http://www.dankojones.com/

Sicbay at the Triple Rock

2005-09-06T12:18:00.000-06:00

9/3 was Sicbay at the Triple Rock. Also playing was Valina from Austria. Pretty good band in the art rock sense. I'm not really into art rock but I was glad I saw there set. Getting a sample of foreign music is never a bad thing. Sicbay too is a bit art rock but they have enough of an edge to keep my attention. Its been a while since I've checked out a Sicbay show but I'm glad I went.

Quick Rock Trip

2005-09-06T12:05:00.000-06:00

Friday 9/2 I headed to Madison with three other people to check out Cheap Trick and Alice Cooper. Cheap Trick is a band I have extreme love for, but I have seen them put on a better show. Still I'll never ever get sick of hearing Robin Zander sing, he's definitely one of my top five vocalists. We got Big Eyes, Southern Girls, Voices, Dream Police, and of course I Want You To Want Me and Surrender, just to name a few. They played "that 70s song" and that was one I could have done without as well as The Flame. Lucky for the people around me they didn't play "Tonight Its You" because I can't hear that song without a stroke enducing sing a long.

Alice Cooper proved that he can still rock. The set was great and the theatrics were still hot. I got to witness the guillotine execution which lead to a Frankenstein resurrection. It was so cool. His daughter was a part of the show as well in which she danced around with his head after it was cut off. I was so glad we made the drive down to Madison. I hadn't been to an arena show in a long time and this was certainly one of the few reasons to go. We drove back right after the show, but what a great night.

Its the first of the month

2005-09-06T11:58:00.000-06:00

No I'm not singing welfare carols. Sept 1st was spent at the Turf Club with Six Six Crush, Dirty Johnny and the Makebelieves and the TC Howlers. Very fun show. The Howlers with their rock spiced with rockabilly and country can easily get you moving. Dirty Johnny and the Makebelieves, despite their technical difficulties put on a pretty good set and fit the bill well. Six Six Crush, as always, rocked the Turf. By now I should be getting sick of seeing this band, but I don't see that happening, especially now that I'm starting to catch on to some of the lyrics. Great music, great guys, great band.

In The Garage

2005-08-29T13:01:00.000-06:00

The Divebomb Honey and Maps Of Norway played the last Radio K "In The Garage" show at the Dinkytowner on Sunday. Also playing was Superdanger who I missed but have heard good things about.

I've always thought these two bands needed to be on a bill together. The Divebomb Honey are great new wave and always entertaining. Vocals are strong and the keyboards are very fun. Maps of Norway as always was rockin. Rebecca's vocals are outstanding. Matt's bass playing sets a great tempo and the guitar gives them a sound that sets them aside from a lot of local bands. I'm really hoping these guys put out a record soon.

Midnight Evils @ First Ave

2005-08-25T13:59:00.000-06:00

For their second to last show the Midnight Evils played the First Ave Mainroom. Also on the bill were Death To Our Enemies, Seawhores, The Deaths and Chariots.

I missed Death To Our Enemies but was blown away by Seawhores sound. They were the loudest band of the evening and you felt their it run through you. I think that loudness may be covering something up but I'll have to check them out again as I it was something I couldn't get past to focus on the music as much as I should.

The Deaths were a very slow rock band and didn't seem to fit the bill at all. I spent the majority of their set going between the Entry and outside. It was beautiful night to hang out.

Chariots I've seen once before and that was for their CD release show in the Entry. I was a little concerned that the big stage wouldn't work well with this band. Being that the singer also does some keyboard playing, their set up works perfectly on the Entry stage creating a smaller pocket for the singer to thrash around. But the band sounded very good coming through the speakers of the mainroom and I was glad to see them do well. I think quite a few people got into it. They really warmed things up for the Evils.

As always, the Midnight Evils did not disappoint. It was a really fun night of rockin music but also a sad reminder that this will soon be done. I'll never get sick of hearing that band rip through their cover of Muddy Water's Got My Mojo Workin or the song Twin Cities Lights which is almost impossible to not rock out to. I of course, did in fact, rock out.

Movies and Music In The Park

2005-08-23T17:32:00.000-06:00

Monday night was Arcwelder in Loring Park for Movies and Music in the Park. Arcwelder is a great rock band who mix it up quite well. By that I mean they switch off vocals with the guitarist and drummer ala Husker Du. Also the Guitarist and Bassist take turns on each instrument. As far as vocals go I think the drummer has more of a Bob Mould sound to him and the guitarist more like D. Boon. I love their bass heavy sound and how the bass seems to lead the melody. I wish this band would play more often being that the last time I saw them was opening for Shellac this past spring. I realize that bands gain more by not playing as often and therefore getting a bigger crowd, but every couple of months would be nice. Either way, I can't get enough of them. And it was so beautiful out last night in MPLS that it was just the perfect setting. The movie playing was Johnny Guitar but I didn't stick around due to a friends birthday and cheap PBR night at the Tower.

Sunday Evening at the Triple Rock

2005-08-22T13:23:00.000-06:00

Last night (8/21) was Six Six Crush, Mitra and Red Desert at the Triple Rock. I arrived a bit too late to catch anything other than the last few cords for Red Desert.

Mitra features ex member's of Speeddealer andwas definitely along the same lines. Their sound is tinkering a bit close to nu-metal but the fast pace kept my head bouncing. I'm really not sure what was going on with the singer, he seemed to have started the show with a raging hard on and I believe end up pissing himself before the set was over. I guess he was just that into it.

Six Six Crush, well yeah. Love the band, and I don't know what I can say that I haven't said before. I go to pretty much every show they play and will not stop doing so. Its sad there were so few people at the show, the band is so good and should have a larger crowd. It will happen, time will tell.

Its about time!

2005-08-18T14:59:00.000-06:00

The return of the Amish Armada. They haven't played in minneapolis in two years. The bill as odd as it was, consisted of great bands. The object of many gushing posts, Six Six Crush, were the openers. They sounded so good last night at the Triple Rock. As do most bands, the rooms got a great sound. They switched the set up on me a little bit, which I guess was good, but when I walked into the venue and heard the song they normally close with I thought I had missed the show.

Next up were two bands that fit the bill with each other but not so much with Six Six Crush or the Armada. They were good bands, just different sound. After Six Six Crush was The Lonely Assassins Club. Their songs are a bit long for my taste but the sound is really good. I met the singer and she has a great deep voice and is a very stellar bass player. Its a slower rock, but definitely rock. I'd describe them as maybe a Maps of Norway/Kontrol Panel mix. I KNOW I'll be checking this band out again.

After LAC was this band from Salt Lake City called UME. I was very impressed with this band. Great female vocalist and guitar player. Had a Carly Simon look and sound. But the music was loud, quick and hard. I'll be looking for more info on them and should I ever again have money, pick up a release of theirs.

And the headliners, the fucking Amish Armada. What can you say about this band other than that they're all over the place. The stage has around 10 people on it or more at any given moment. And when the extra hands aren't on stage singing they're all over the place beating each other up and wrestling, with fake blood a plenty. The vocal stylings of "Elijah Damned" are never to be missed but back up when the hammer comes out, some computer is going to be no more. And to end the set, a tarp is set out, drenched in fake blood and the guys all do a slip and slide type action to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. And people wonder why I go see this band?

Evil Block Party

2005-08-18T14:51:00.000-06:00

Sat 8/13 -- The Midnight Evils played the Pizza Luce Block Party. Started the evening off with 241s at the Leaning Tower and headed down to Luce around 6. When I arrived it was just as Die Electric was finishing up, fun generic rock band who I would probably see again. Especially if its free like this block party. Next up was Ouija Radio. I think this band has some good potential. Its takes me a while to get into the vocalist but when she puts forth the effort it sounds really good. Though I'd have to say they should cut out the cover of Boris the Spider. Just doesn't sound as good with a high pitch voice. Next up, the Midnight Evils. Rockin as always. And even better that it was outside on a beautiful night. The crowd was huge and very into it. Never get sick of hearin those boys cover of Muddy Waters' Got My Mojo Working. Between bands there were performances by the ladies of Lili's Burlesque. The guys went nuts, and I love the classy style of it all.

Har Mar Superstar was up after the Evils, and yeah, decided not to stay for that one. Returned to the Tower for more 241s.

Triple Rock and Turf Club

2005-08-05T14:22:00.000-06:00

Wednesday was the Dillinger Four show at the Triple Rock. The only opening band I caught was Cardinal Sin. I knew I had seen the band before but couldn't remember it until a fellow audience member yelled out "Bastards of Young." One of the band members answered with "we play other songs good too." The guy kept yelling for Bastards of Young and when the band said they had two songs left he asked "is one of them by the Replacements." I guess he pushed to hard because we were denied the Mats cover. Other than that, not a band I would go to a show just to see. They have a bit of that emo punk vibe thats getting oh so popular with the kiddies and is just not for me. Dillinger Four on the other hand rocked the house as the always do. I love when a band has so much energy that you can't help but get into it and jump around. The crowds always very into it at a D4 show which helps as well.

Thursday night back to the Turf for another Maps of Norway show. I really like this band. The vocals are very cool and fit the music so well. I've had an issue lately with seeing bands whose vocals don't seem to match with what the music is doing. The sound behind the vocals of Maps is great. Higher toned guitar and a tight bassline that really keeps everything in line. The have those songs that seem almost like their on the verge of going over the edge, but don't, and I mean that in a good way. Definitely one of my favorite local bands. Looking forward to seeing them play with the Divebomb Honey on August 28th. I think thats a perfect bill.

The Knitters @ First Ave

2005-08-05T14:19:00.000-06:00

What a great show this was on Tuesday night (8/2/05). Dave's guitar playing was so great. John Doe said "Dave Alvin plays the guitar so hard that my guitar is out of tune." So true. Those two were flat out ON last night. And Exene's voice sounds beautiful singing these country songs. They have never been to mpls and I hope they come back.

One of the night funniest moment last night. They were introducing their bass player Johnny Ray and he's from MN. He said he was from "Minnetonka Beach." Anyway some drunk girls started yelling:

Drunk girls: I LOVE BIG ISLAND!
John Doe: Big Island, whats Big Island? Is that a place young girls go and get drunk and shout stuff??
Exene: Well I never..!

Some highlights for me were:

Poor Little Critter On The Road
Walkin' Cane
Rank Stranger
Poor Old Heartsick Me
Cryin' But My Tears Are Far Away
Call of the Wreckin' Ball
Skin Deep Town
Give Me Flowers
Someone Like You
Burning House of Love
and the smokin guitars on Rock Island Line

An oddity of shows

2005-08-02T12:43:00.000-06:00

So kind of a different week for me as far as music goes.

Thurs 7/28 -- Hit the Uptown Bar for the free show of Spank Ray and Sofa Kingdom. There were a couple of other bands but I honestly wasn't paying the most attention. Saw half of Spank Rays set and its up beat guitar rock. Should have watched more. Sofa Kingdom is a good live band but I had a CDR of theirs and wasn't as impressed. Only caught a couple of their songs before leaving but have seen them more than a few times. Overall could have been a pretty damn good free show if I concentrated a bit more. I don't usually spend more time socializing outside htan in front of hte band, but thats kind of what happened.

Fri 7/29 -- Teenage Fanclub at First Ave. This band can get a pretty loud sound for being a pop band. Never get tired of the in between song banter because I love the scottish accent. I actually prefer Raymond's voice to Norman's but all three are very talented. Highlights of the show were Alcoholiday, Sparky's Dream and Your Love Is The Place Where I Come From. All the new stuff sounded great and it was defintely worth the ticket price.

Sat 7/30 -- Two shows actually. Started out at the free show at the Foundry. There I was able to catch Falcon Crest, RentMoneyBig (aka Supergender) and the Stnnng. Because of the time I thought this was going to be an outdoor show. I was wrong, they just set up in this cool dive bar and the regulars had to cross the bands to hit the bathroom, a couple of accidents almost happened. Falcon Crest always puts out a great sound. That band is always on and I enjoy catching them any chance I get. I'm a fan of RentMoneyBig and they are the main reason I went. Out of Lincoln, NE they have a great sound, lots of energy and an overall great preformance every time I've seen them. Wish I had more money to finally pick up the CD, one day it will happen. The Stnnng was the last act I saw and while I don't like them as much as the other two bands their still an act to catch. Chris is always all over the place with his vocals and energetic demeanor. The drums and guitar are very tight.

The Foundry show was an early one and was done around 10. From there I caught the last of Mark Mallman's 7 nights at the Hexagon. Again another free show only this one was packed. With them was Vicious Vicious. Both bands are the power pop type. Vicious Vicious' singer has a voice that reminds me of a cross between John from Cake and Kevin from Better Than Ezra. The vocals are good but the backing music is pretty bland for my tastes, though I see why people really enjoy their sets. Their show starts out a bit slow and eases into some more rockin songs that show the true potential of the band. Now if they can just take that and run with it, they could really make something of themselves. Mark Mallman puts on a pretty good show for that type of music. Climbing around while still playing piano and really pushing all he's got into it. I'm glad I was able to check out one of his nights despite being around a bunch of people that you could tell pretty much just wanted to be seen there.

July 19-23

2005-07-27T14:05:00.000-06:00

As time goes I'm less and less creative with posts. Pretty much just state the band and maybe whether or not I think you should go see them. Here's another week long update.

7/19 -- The last Coffin Cheaters show at the Uptown Bar. Not necessarily a great band but fun, fast songs and I'm really glad I made their last show. Not a huge crowd but the people there were very into it.

7/20 -- Back at the Uptown Bar for Six Six Crush. Missed openers Black Strap and heard they were great. Stateline Motel in my opinion has some real potential. I think their guitar player/back up vox has a good rock voice. Wouldn't mind hearing him front a side project. And of course Six Six Crush. Well I've said it all before, they rock, go see them, NOW.

7/21 -- Since I missed Black Strap the night before I headed to Big V's. I was able to see them with Bloodcow who were fucking awesome. My friend described them as Pantera with a sense of humor, but damn so much fun. Very energetic great quick vocals with a more metal guitar. And a great drummer keeps them together well. Black Strap's set was almost chaos on stage but in a good way. Their songs last maybe a minute long but are fast and loud with some very mixed up vocals. Rich's guitar playing really stands out in this band and its great to see this kind of action on stage. A MUST SEE.

7/22 -- Friday night I ventured to the Nomad and checked out Steve Poltz. A nice acoustic set which was a break from what I've been seeing lately. Cool laid back PBR guzzling time. Guy does a good cover of "Skyway" as well. Supposedly he was pan handling out front before the show. Cool down to earth guy.

7/23 -- Went to the Panty Huffers show at the Uptown Bar. Missed the Squabs which sucks but I hope to check them out again soon. Jehovah's Shitlist is ok but not what I was there to see. I was outside when the Panty Huffers started and walked in to a thong clad Rob running out the door. He was in his normal rock star form that night. All over the uptown bar he was outside singing, climbing on tables slithering across the floor and just exuding energy. So much fun to see Rob perform. The Panty Huffers are definitely a local favorite of mine.

Yes, more shows

2005-07-20T12:15:00.000-06:00

Friday was Six Six Crush at the Urban Wildlife. Obviously, I go to see this band a lot. They're really good. But it was weird being at the Urban Wildlife. Their venue isn't open so it was just the band playing in a corner. It worked out cause Six Six Crush can rock any venue, but it was just a very up close tight situation. They didn't let it get to them and rocked anyone who happened to be in the area. Tonight they're playing the Uptown Bar and it should be a great fucking show.

Sunday was Blowfly at the Triple Rock.

The original Dirty Rapper. Lets just say he was all I expected him to be. Fly flashy suit, young white guys in his band and all about the pussy. I've never heard more songs about pussy in one night before. He's into the ladies and he'll tell everyone of them about it. It was a little weird with the crowd being pretty smally so it was easier for him to point people out, plus he's getting up there in age (how many times can you watch an old man grab himself? The answer is many!) but I was definitely still entertained by it.

Tuesday night was the Coffin Cheaters last show. Not the greatest band out there but their songs are fun, their guitars quick and we will miss them. They played their punk sped up version of Dead Flowers but for some reason was hearing Color Me Impressed in the guitars. I kept hearing "Intoxicated lover ending our french kiss. Can you stand me on my feet?" Not a huge turn out but definitely a crowd that appreciated them for who they are and that made it great.

Framin', Spittin', Gamblin'

2005-07-15T16:55:00.000-06:00

Last night was the Riverboat Gamblers at the Triple Rock with The Spits and The A-Frames. I missed most of the A Frames set but have always liked what I've heard from those guys. The Spits had me movin and I was into their sound. Vocals a little Joey Ramonesque but the music wasn't as much of a knock off. Ski masks, robot suited keyboard players and loud guitars really got me into their show. I'll be looking forward to seeing these guys again. The headliners, of course the Riverboat Gamblers were a mass of energy as normal. Mike was all over the Triple Rock jumping at the crowd running toward the bar, standing on railings. Even climbing walls which lead to a gash in his arm due to a run in with an Exit sign. The two fine ladies I was with are an EMT and an ER nurse. They stitched him up and brought him to the ER. Such a fun show and the crowd was definitely into despite that heat and humidity that has been Mpls for the past week or so. Seven days in a row of 90+ degrees. Its pretty much just gross. Overall great show, great Thursday night. Well worth the $10 to get in.

Catching Up

2005-07-12T14:49:00.000-06:00

Ok so I haven't been motivated to post anything, which doesn't seem to matter a whole lot. I left off with the Drinking With Ian taping on Sunday June 27th.

Wed 6/29: Took a couple of nights to myself and got back to the music with the Acoustic Garage Sale. This is a garage sale for charity that usual features quite a few vendors as well as a long list of musical acts. It wasn't very advertised and there were very few vendors. I was able to pick up some cool vinyl and a couple of posters. Grant Hart went on with a rant regarding his thoughts on our Governor and of course the President. He also stated for the record that he himself is an asshole and wanted to make sure everyone was aware. It was quite interesting. Other good performances I caught were Rich Mattson and Whorehouse, featuring members of the Midnight Evils and TC Howlers. Great acoustic cover of ZZ Top's Thank You.

Thur 6/30: Groovie Ghoulies at the Triple Rock. Got their late so I only saw the Ghoulies but as always a really fun show. I catch these guys everytime they come to town.

Sun 7/3: Crazy as it sounds, actually took Friday and Saturday off and just hit bars and did a movie night. Kind of relaxing but by Sunday I was going through withdrawl. And lucky I had Bob Mould to help out with that. He played at the Taste of MN and did a solo plugged in set. It was great to hear his new stuff as well as some great Sugar and Husker Du songs. Will never get sick of hearing Husker Du songs. Really looking forward to him bringing the full band in September to First Ave. Also planning on hitting Austin City Limits where he will be playing.

Monday 7/4: Dillinger Four at the Triple Rock. Great way to celebrate the 4th of July. Missed Metallagher who does Metallica covers with a guy dressed as Gallagher who between songs spouts lame jokes and smashes melons. Heard it was pretty damn funny. They came out for D4s encore and rocked on Master of Puppets. Off With Their Heads and Heads and Bodies were both rockin live as well. The guys in D4 announced that they found out there were only three squad cars on duty in the area so it was fuck the smoking band that night and everyone lit up. A very fun energetic show.

Wed 7/6: Took Tuesday as my only night off this week and was back to the Turf Club on Wednesday to see Maps of Norway. The bill was really wierd with some god awful jazz fushion thing that couldn't get their timing right as openers. Then Maps rocked in their normal fun as hell get you moving sort of way. After them was a sort of neu metal band called Angelic Animosity. Yeah its in the name. Their drummer though did have a bit of a resemblance to Walter Sobchak. We didn't stay for the final band, we found out they had horns and a manual lawn mower and that was enough for us to hit the door.

Thu 7/7: Wayne "The Train" Hancock at Lee's. A nice mellow hillbilly kind of a night. The rockabilly scenesters were definitely out for this one though too busy wanting to look cool and be scene to actually dance, but thats a whole other issue. Always a good time seeing Wayne. He too will be at the Austin City Limits Festival.

Fri 7/8: Tonight was the night of all nights. I love it when I can get in two shows. Six Six Crush was opening for the TC Howlers and The Spokes at the 400 Bar. We were able to see Six Six Crush, than the Howlers and head over to the Triple Rock where we caught Velcro Lewis and headlining was the Midnight Evils. Great performances by all bands and a rockin Friday evening.

Sat 7/9: Signal to Trust and the Stnnng at Big V's. Haven't seen these two bands play together since the lunch show in the Entry just after First Ave reopened. Signal had a new drummer and he proved to fit in perfectly. Always great to see these two high energy bands show their stuff. Especially in a cool place like Big V's.

Mon 7/11: Another night of two shows. Started out with a free ticket to see The Subhumans with From Ashes Rise. Both bands are hard, fast punk rock. From Ashes Rise is rumored to be on their last tour and it was great to be blown away by them once more. The Subhumans who's last show here was canceled due to visa problems was definitely in form. Always look forward to hearing Reason For Existence and was not disappointed. The whole set was tight, fast and loud. All ages show with a great crowd fully into it. After that show it was over to the Turf club. Celebrating the birthday of Vandy from the Midnight Evils with sets from Guided By Budweiser (GBV cover band, Pollard would be proud) and a plugged in set from Vandy and Co who were called Whorehouse at the acoustic garage sale but I'm not sure what last night. Some great covers of tunes by Dylan, ZZ Top, Stones, etc.

....and I'm spent. Ha, that should get me caught up

DWI

2005-06-27T17:40:00.000-06:00

Last night was a filming of Drinking With Ian. Its a cable access show hosted but the ever entertaining Ian Rans. Three episodes were filmed giving us a free shot per episode (or two in some cases). The musical guests were POS, Building Better Bombs, and the always rockin Midnight Evils. The interviews were informing and the shorts and haikus hilarious. A great evening of taping and a good group of people there. The show can be seen on MCN channel 6 Thursday nights at 12:30 and Tuesday nights at 10 on MCN 16. There were no drunken appearances by me this time but still a good time to be had. Everyone should check out the show and the next taping at the 7th St Entry.

Afterwards there was a party at the house the host lives in as well as others that work on the show and work at First Ave. Free beer and a birthday too be celebrated it was a great time despite being a Sunday night. These people definitely know how to have a good time. Thanks for everyone involved.

TC Rock @ The Terminal

2005-06-27T17:29:00.000-06:00

A great line up at the Terminal Bar on the 23rd which consisted of The Shockers, Six Six Crush and headlining was the TC Howlers.

The Shockers were stellar and definitely fit the bill. I'm not in a very descriptive mood but they brought the rock and had some pretty good vocals backed by a loud guitar (yeah I know thats pretty vague). Supposedly I knew the guy on vox but don't really remember that.

Six Six Crush, what can I say that I haven't already said? These guys are great. Cool people and hard rockin. Plus the mixing of Seth and Bob on vox just works so well. They were on Out of Step on radio K this past Saturday. Future shows are July 8th at the 400 Bar (with TC Howlers) and July 20th at the Uptown Bar. I'm sure I'll be in attendance at both.

TC Howlers were the headliners and definitely brought the rock in Midnight Evils fashion. The guitars were quick and loud and they had a member sporting a Keith Richards hairdo and the tightest pants I've seen on what looked like a 15 year old. Desite the age issue he kept up well and the band sounded great. I'll be seeing these guys any chance I get. A rockin good time.

Chicks and Cellos

2005-06-27T17:22:00.000-06:00

So I went to see Matson Jones and Maps of Norway at the Triple Rock on the 20th. Maps of Norway were their usual kick ass selves. They have some great vocals but I see them just wanting to explode. They want to just dive in and rock their asses off. They hold back but not in a way that hurts their music at all. They have a lot of energy and strong sets and enjoy seeing them as much as possible.

Matson Jones is a band from a town just north of Denver, CO. I was told about this band by a friend in the Denver area. They're a four peice that consists of two lady cellists, and guy on the stand up bass and a great male drummer. Its been quite a while since I've seen a band without a guitar and really dug it. These ladies knew how to rock their cellos and definitely had beautiful vocals. But it was really all held together by a very talented drummer who was a force on the skins. I have their self titled cd and would recommend it to most people.

It's Gettin Out Of Hand

2005-06-17T16:43:00.000-06:00

Wednesday night was Plate O Shrimp at the Triple Rock.

The line up had Mark of the Underdog headlining who were a younger group of guys that Plate O Shrimp and the Unstuck gave the headline spot to for support. Also on the bill was a band called 4130.

4130 opened and I wasn't very impressed with this band. Their vocals didn't seem to match up with the speed and sound their guitar was pulling off and it never really synched for me.

Plate -O- Shrimp played next followed by the Unstuck. These two bands have a split 7" out right now that I know for sure is at Treehouse Records and possibly Extreme Noise.

Mark of the Underdog is genuine pop music and they definitely had my foot tapping. Their songs have some good guitar backing with keyboard that subtle in the best way. I'm sure these guys are going to do very well in Minneapolis.

"And I Know The Only Change Is A Bullet In Your Brain"

2005-06-17T16:17:00.000-06:00

Tuesday night was a great line up at Big V's with Falcon Crest headlining followed by the Observers, the Clorox Girls, The Fuck Yeahs and a fifth opening band, who's name escapes me at the moment.

The openers (name will be corrected later) were from Atlanta, GA and the first impression was a good one. They had a noisy guitar sound that kept you very focused on what was happening on stage. Their songs were longer than the average 2 minute punk song and a few seemed to drag but overall a good performance. Though the drum solo while very long and well lit was a bit much for my taste. One day the drummer will do his solo justice.

Next up were The Fuck Yeahs who as usual played a quick tight punk rock set. Complete with Paddy losing his shirt. They did what they do best and never cease to entertain me. The switching up of vocalist really works for this band, A great addition to any bill, yeah ANY bill.

I had heard a lot about how great the Clorox Girls are and have listened to an album of theirs but wasn't extremely knowledgable on their music. After what I had heard I was expecting to be blown away. Good music, good guitars though I have to say the album was more rockin than the show. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy their set, I did but I had gone it with a pretty high standard for these guys. That being said I would still recommend their stuff to most anyone.

I was there to see The Observers and was not disappointed. Their guitars are powerful and they had great energy. Both bass player and vocalist were all over the place and really put everything they had behind their sound. I almost didn't go to the show because a friend had bailed on me and I would be going solo but I'm so glad I didn't miss their set. I was very impressed and hope they come back soon. They have a couple of California dates then they're actually heading to Europe. I'm sure they'll do great there.