Vulgar Boatmen together again
It’s confirmed: Formal local musician standout Jake Smith (of Mysteries of Life and Vulgar Boatmen fame), who left for England nearly a couple of years ago with his wife Freda Love and kids, is in town for the weekend, thanks to a U.S. VB fan. In between a private event, local fans can catch Smith on stage at Radio Radio in Indy on Friday night doing a solo set, before performances by the Vulgar Boatmen and Gentleman Caller. Then Sunday, Smith returns to one of his favorite local venues (he mentioned in an ‘06 article that it was one of the things he would miss most). He’ll perform with the Vulgar Boatmen at Crazy Horse — two sets, starting at 8 p.m., no cover.
UPDATE (5:28 p.m.): I was just able to get a hold of Jake and send him some questions via e-mail, since I’m busy putting tomorrow’s Get Out section to bed. See his answers after the cut.
Clayton Anderson, Red Eye Max bands on the way up
A bit of local music news: Bloomington-based Clayton Anderson Band won a regional “The Next Big Star” competition out in Cincinnati. The group performed in the battle of the bands per an invite from a radio station out there, B105. As the regional winner, it’s now entered into the grand prize runnings, and will open for Kenny Chesney (who sponsors of the contest) on July 31 at the Riverbend Music Center. They’ll do a 15-minute set before LeAnn Rimes takes to the stage, followed by Chesney.
Here’s where you come in: Fans can catch the show and raise money for charity at the same time. Last they checked in, the group is planning to auction off 2 tickets on eBay, with proceeds going toward St. Jude’s and Abijak Management (who’s partnering with Chesney for the contest) matching the money raised.
Also, local blues/rock and country outfit Red Eye Max won the “Fight for Fame” contest hosted by WHCC-FM 105.1. They play out at the Monroe County Fairgrounds on Saturday (July 26). The band celebrates the release of its new CD at the Bus-Chum in September. They just opened for Brooks and Dunn in Indy, and will open for James Otto early August in Evansville and have a few local gigs sprinkled throughout.
Tonight: BIAS show arrives, more Total Trash
Head down to the Cinemat tonight to hear some improv, avant-jazz, courtesy musicians from Chi-town and Cali.
The fine folks at BIAS (short for Bloomington Improvising Artist Series — we’d link their page but it seems a little out of date) are bringing Aram Shelton and Arrive (pictured above) to town. The concert features the group of four cutting-edge recording artists, with opening groups Wick/Salas/DeRobertis and the DMC Improvisers Trio, plus special guest reeds player Vicki Alexandra.
The all-ages show starts at 8; doors open at 7:30 at the film screening room, 123 S. Walnut St. Cost is $6.
Paraphrased from an e-mail posting by BIAS’ intrepid promoter David Miller: All the artists in Arrive are leaders of their own groups and have multiple recordings on their own, including Aram Shelton (’Arrive’), Jason Adasiewicz (’Rolldown’), Jason Roebke (’Rapid Croche’), and Tim Daisy (’Festival Quartet’). Arrive, which has been performing together since 2001, is influenced by the music of Ornette Coleman, John Tchicai, and Steve Lacy. Some of the members play and record with such Chicago improvisers as Ken Vandermark Five, Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra, Jeb Bishop, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Dave Rempis’s Percussion Quartet, Fast Citizen’s and Adasiewicz’ new group, Rolldown.
Also tonight: The latest and greatest in local music, courtesy Total Trash Night at the ‘Bird.
SIDE NOTE: Rumor has it that the Vulgar Boatmen will play at the Crazy Horse this weekend, and that Jake Smith is in from the UK performing with said group at a show in Indy Friday. Perhaps he will make the trip down here to visit?
News of the Weird time
While I sort myself out and try and recover from moving, here’s your weekly dose of Wierdness, courtesy Chuck Shepherd.
Tonight: Coke Dares show among many to rock to
After the jazz quiets at the IU Art Museum and people start to head indoors (or downtown) when the sun goes down, the show’s just beginning at Uncle Fester’s. Namely, with the Coke Dares, who have a CD release show tonight. Music kicks up at 10, cover is $5.
Lord Fyre’s Sound System offers waves of psychedelic fervor before, between, and after the bands, which also include The Touchists.
CDs’ CD skinny:
It’s official. After three years of tweaking, mastering, remastering, deleting accidentally, undeleting, doing, redoing, undoing, and then doing it all again, The Coke Dares have officially decided to release our ‘new’ record. ‘Feelin’ Up’ officially hit the racks at your favrorite record store in America on July 8. However, we have a few copies lying around, and if you want it early come see us play at one of the venues below and to the left. …
‘Feelin’ Up’ is 33 tracks in less than 30 minutes, recorded live, no mixing, to analog tape at Russian Recording by Mike Bridavsky. ‘Feelin’ Up’ is coming out as a split release by Essay Records and Reibenbach Records. On one of the songs Beach Dog sounds like he has just eaten a bunch of razor blades. On another, Pill Bottle drums and sings at the same time. Skye Miles, on bass, keeps it tight by wearing sunglasses, virtually, for the entire length (pronounced ‘lenth’) of the record. It must be heard to be believed. As a special incentive we will be offering our documentary of the recording of ‘Feelin’ Up, In The Studio With… The Coke Dares,’ for only $2 with purchase of ‘Feelin’ Up!’ It’s $5, otherwise, and with this mortgage crisis it’s better to invest at a lower interest rate and then sell the DVD on Ebay in ten years.
“Also, available for the first time, is our split CD release with Racebannon. Racebannon=Nirvana and The Coke Dares=The Jesus Lizard on our combined cover of the classic Jesus Lizard/Nirvana split from years passed. ‘Puss’ b/w ‘Oh the Guilt’ can be yours if the Price is Right is hosted by Drew Carey — and it is.”
Local music fans or to-be-fans, stop by Fester’s tonight to check it out. Many more options can be found here.
WarGames? Hit “enter”
Celebrate “WarGames” on its 25th anniversary, and its, um, new relative, a sequel with “Dead Code” in it (glimpse the original’s trailer below).
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. July 24
WHERE: Showplace 11, east
COST: All seats, $10.
Catching up…
July means moving time, and a couple days off to scramble to fill in. Among notable notices:
- Landlocked is now open at its new North Walnut Street home.
- Another BIAS show comes to Bloomington Tuesday, featuring Arama Shelton and Arrive.
- Lotus‘ summer nights went well (Friday’s crowd below — courtesy photo by Chris Huntington), even when it turned pitch black on Saturday.
From LuAnne Holladay of the Lotus staff: “Our first collaboration with the Bloomington Park and Recreation summer concert series — the free Friday concert in Third Street Park — really surpassed our expectations. By Parks and Rec’s own estimates, attendance was around 1,500. Even half that number would have made us very happy, since it’s mid-summer and the Bloomington vacation dead zone. The Saturday concert was another emotional high point due largely to Dobet Gnahoré’s spectacular performance. Also exciting on Saturday: two power outages because of a heavy thunderstorm. And the artists on stage — Luminescent Orchestrii — played on, even in the pitch dark. Now *that’s* commitment! As the audience filed out that night, people kept telling Lee and me that Dobet’s was the best performance they’d ever seen, period. All in all, a great launch for Lotus Festival ‘08.”
Look for the coming festival’s lineup to be posted here soon.
Arts, a game and benefit
“Windows of Perception” by John Eric Hawkins. Courtesy photo.
This is one of dozens of original artworks that you can see on the gallery walls around town today during the Gallery Walk, what translates to a handful of receptions all happening 5-8 p.m. See yesterday’s Get Out section for the full skinny.
Other events to note:
- a benefit concert to help a local tattoo artist who was injured in a motorcycle accident; and
-a grand scale interactive dinner theater-style game.
More behind the cut.
Psst … lesser known art event: CooKout II
Depending on your point of view (or your connections in town), you may view these events as “under the radar.” Point and click to learn more, because I’m headed out the door and will post more details tomorrow.
Metal in the Microwave exploding
Next Saturday (July 19), Metal in the Microwave will have a CD Release Party at Uncle Fester’s. As the new album is shared with the crowd, so will goodbyes be.
From the Bloomington music forum: “This will most likely be Metal in the Microwave’s last show ever in Bloomington, as one of our members is leaving town indefinitely. Our second full length album ‘Come Talk To Me’ will be available for
purchase.”
Joining them on the bill are Prizzy Prizzy Please, Push-Pull, Naomi Rae and Elliot Denning.
Get your punk rock on while you can.
These just in
Lots of news to post about today.
Fireworks on Friday?
Judging by today’s rainy skies, it’s iffy if the weekend will be clear enough for patriotic light shows. But Bloomington Speedway announced that its gigantic ariel fireworks display has been rescheduled from July 4th for this Friday, July 11. Pit gates open at the track at 5185 S. Fairfax Road at 4:30 p.m., with grandstands opening at 5:30 p.m. Hot laps happen at 6:30; racing begins at 7:30. Admission is $12-$25.
In honor of Kenny Wright
The H-T got a phone call yesterday about two events honoring the late, longtime local musician Kenny Wright.
Performing in Bloomington for more than 25 years, Wright was a drummer and member of a number of local bands, including Blue Jaz, King Bee and the Stingers, Akoustikats, Jerry’s Kids, Long Branch, Double E, Blue Bees and Prime Suspects. He also participated in various recording projects including The Basement Collaboration. He was a good father, husband and friend.
Celebrate “his life, music and the wonderful gifts he shared with so many of us” (as said on the flier) at two functions on Sunday. The memorial service and wake will start at 1:45 p.m. at the House of Prayer, 4100 N. Hartstraight Road in Ellettsville. Call 876-9002 for info. Then later that afternoon, people who knew Kenny will be sharing stories and music during an open mic at Player’s Pub at 4 p.m. Music and story telling will alternate the entire session. Bands as well as story sharers should contact Mark Menefee at 855-7248 or Jerry Farnsworth at 336-1184 for more information and scheduling.
“Kenny radiated good vibrations in both his life and music,” Farnsworth said in an e-mail. “A good friend to
many in life, he always would light up the stage. Just looking at how much he enjoyed playing gave pleasure to us all. I and many others will miss him.”
Mellencamp on TV
Local rock star John Mellencamp walks back into the press spotlight this month with the release of his new CD (see Sunday’s Attractions in the H-T). What you might not know is that among Mellencamp’s upcoming TV spots is his life story.
“Biography: John Mellencamp” will premier on the Biography Channel July 10 (tomorrow) and is its comprehensive look at John’s career. See it at 10 p.m. ET, repeating at 2 a.m. From the Mellencamp e-newsletter: “If you miss it, don’t panic, there will be subsequent future airings; be sure to check their Web site for a complete schedule.” See The Mellenblog for other reports coming in, including an early “leak” of the album’s songs.
News of the Weird time
This week’s bizzare roundup starts off with Olympic proportions, courtesy Chuck Shepherd and his wildly popular syndicated column.
House shows…
Today I start the day seeking input. In particular, I’m asking you local Scene-sters for your thoughts. It’s not that we’re not getting info about house shows or basement shows; it’s just been a thorny issue about publicizing semi-public events, which can’t necc. handle crowds (or too much chaos). It’s part of the local legacy, and it is in full swing over the summer months. What would you like to see here, or in the paper, in terms of these? Readers, the ball’s in your court.
Lotus’ summer romp
Coming up this weekend: The Summer Night of Lotus has expanded to two — one free Friday world dance party with Slavic Soul Party,
the second a more traditional snapshot of the paid showcases, with Saturday’s performances at the Bus-Chum with folk singer Tracy Grammer, Balkan-flavored Luminescent Orchestrii and dynamic Ivory Coast singer/dancer/percussionist Dobet Gnahore.
Here’s her singing and doing percussion:
and her dancing:
On day 1, the Lotus crew will unveil this year’s pin and T-shirt design (which should draw applause, judging from a sneak peek at it), with Day 2’s big announcement being this year’s lineup (also a crowd pleaser, imho).
Whatever your wallet allows, it should be a fun way to tip off the weekend, spilling over with events as usual for a town our size. (One example being Terry Evans at the Pub on Saturday…)
Lupe Fiasco in Bloomington
Union Board just announced that it and the IU Residence Halls Association will be bringing Lupe Fiasco to campus for Welcome Week 2008. The rising hip-hop superstar will perform Aug. 30 in the IU Auditorium, and tickets go on sale Monday. “Collaboration on Kanye West’s ‘Touch the Sky,’ as well as his own hits ‘Superstar,’ the Grammy-nominated ‘Kick Push,’ and ‘Daydreaming,’ have already garnered much attention for the 25 year old,” the press release says. More on the H-T site shortly.
area event calendar
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hot upcoming events:
| 1. Bryan Park Neighborhood Association Block Party - 20080822 2. Tunes on the Terrace - 20080822 3. The 7th annual Forecastle Festival - 20080727 4. GreenStock Music Festival - 20080810 5. Raw Material - 20080809 6. Theatre of the People presents "Peace on Terror" - 20080808 7. Aphrodesia - 20080730 8. Special Exhibition: Plant Portraits-The California Legacy of A.R. Valentien - 20080801 9. Karaoke with Tami - 20080819 10. Dark Star Orchestra - 20080727 |
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