Thursday, December 27, 2007

Q&A: Brett Ralph of Brett Eugene Ralph's Kentucky Chrome Revue

Q&A: Brett Ralph, leader of the Kentucky Chrome Revue, interviewed by LEO's Kevin Wilson

LEO: Tell me a little bit about your formative years...your first exposure to music...what led you to create your own ...

Brett Ralph: Most of the records around the house when I was growing up were my mom's: Barbra Streisand, Perry Como, Englebert Humperdinck, that kind of stuff. My dad had a few Buck Owens and Hank Williams records, but they didn't grab me until I got a bit older.

The one record that totally mesmerized me from the start — and that I played over and over — was Bobbie Gentry's Ode to Billie Joe LP. It was funny, it was dark, it was funky, it was sad, and it suggested complex stories with a minimum of words. That record, more than any other, shaped the songwriter I would become — minus the "minimum of words" part.

I probably never would've made music of my own, however, if not for punk rock, and I'll be forever indebted to Chris and Mark Abromavage for taking a chance on me, as well as Irvin Ross for hooking me up with Malignant Growth in the first place, not to mention driving me to practice three times a week until I got my driver's license.

I initially approached Mark as a songwriter, suggesting that the band might want to use some of my lyrics. "If you wrote 'em, you oughta sing 'em," he said. That was all I needed to hear.

LEO: Why is it that the difference between punk and country (when either is at its best) is smaller than most folks would imagine?
BR: Maybe because most good music has certain classic elements, like energy, authenticity, adventurousness and attitude. And, of course, most all of the finest country musicians were rebels and mavericks: Hank, Merle, Cash, Loretta, Waylon. They definitely shook up the Nashville status quo as surely as the Ramones or the Pistols shook up the rock landscape of the mid-1970s.

Let me say this, though: The last thing on earth I want to do is to make "cow-punk" music, crap like Jason & the Scorchers, where you just take a country song and speed it up so that it becomes a parody of Southern expression, a cartoon cowboy on crank. I prefer the trail blazed by my bandmate Catherine (Irwin) in Freakwater — take fairly straightforward country songs and update them by introducing contemporary lyrical themes or more bombastic arrangement elements. Or just play them with such simmering ferocity that it feels like punk rock even though, on the surface, it's quiet and sad.

LEO: How is this project different from your previous work?
BR: Well, ever since I saw footage of Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, I'd dreamed of leading a big band. Wink O'Bannon thinks that this is an attempt to create a maelstrom of music into which I can disappear. There's probably some truth to that — I definitely see my primary role as the songwriter, providing the blueprint for the gleaming cathedrals (or raggedy shacks) to be built by the musicians at hand.

This band represents the first time I've had free rein to realize my vision as a songwriter without having to wrestle with my bandmates over the direction of the project. Now, of course, we don't do every song I write, and if someone in the band hates a song, or simply isn't into it, we won't do that one. I don't mean to suggest that the songs aren't shaped by the contributions of the players. When we're working up the songs, everyone contributes to the arrangement, the approach we take to the song. But the band is called Brett Eugene Ralph's Kentucky Chrome Revue for a reason, you know?

LEO: How were you able to piece together such an impressive cast of like-minded musicians?
BR: I'd like to think that it's because I'm fun to work with, and that people like my songs and are excited about singing and playing them. But I am awed and humbled by the quantity and quality of musicians who have been willing to play on my record and/or in the live band.

Watching Will Oldham and Peter Searcy — who had never sung on a record together before — sing whoo-whoo-whoo's on "Grandpa Was a Hobo" was a magical moment. Being able to sweet-talk Jolie Holland into coming out to Shelbyville to lay down some fiddle mere hours after I'd met her amazed even me. Getting an approximation of the full breadth of Wink O'Bannon's lyrical gifts as a guitarist onto tape — not just the bad-ass gun-slinging he's famous for — is something I'm proud to have elicited. I guess I can be pretty persuasive when it comes to getting the music in my head out into the world.

LEO: Who will be in the ensemble for next week's show?
BR: Mark Hamilton: lead guitar. Catherine Irwin: acoustic guitar, vocals. Kirk Kiefer: keyboards, vocals. Brett Eugene Ralph: lead vocals, guitar. Chris Reinstatler: drums. Daryl Sullivan: bass guitar, vocals.

Catherine, of course, also plays in Freakwater and releases solo records on Thrill Jockey. Mark Hamilton does session work and plays with virtually everyone in Louisville; I most recently saw him backing Tyrone Cotton. Kirk Kiefer plays in Bad Blood and the Uncommon Houseflies; his primary creative endeavor, Yardsale, just released its third CD. Chris Reinstatler played in VRKTM until its recent demise and also plays with the Pet Pervs, Bad Blood and The Hired Hand. Daryl Sullivan has played previously with Dead City Rejects, Cherub Scourge and Sean Garrison's Five Finger Discount.

LEO: What does the future hold for Ky. Chrome?
BR: After replacing two members in our first six months, the new band really seems to be settling in. I think we all really enjoy playing together. I'm excited to keep exploring different rhythms; recent songs have had a Latin feel to them, mixed with a kind of circular Joy Division pattern. For the first time in my life, songs are coming to me as rhythms as much as melodies or lyrical ideas. I attribute this to working with Chris, whose drumming I've totally internalized by this point. I'm also hoping to do more with the vocals in the future — get everyone in the band to sing and turn Kirk loose to start coming up with arrangements for layered background vocals. He's got a really great melodic sense, and we haven't really taken advantage of Daryl's abilities as a singer yet. Hell, I've never even heard Mark sing! And I'm eager to get an electric sitar into Catherine's hands. We've been toying with the idea of "going electric" — that is, having both Catherine and I switch to electric instruments. Then we'll truly be in the grand three-guitar tradition of Love, Skynyrd and Moby Grape, though I imagine that we'll leave the soloing to Mark.

Also, I'm in negotiations with MayApple Records, an Americana label in Springfield, Mo., and it looks like they'll be releasing Brett Eugene Ralph's Kentucky Chrome Revue. Incidentally, MayApple was started by Mark Bilyeu, leader of Big Smith, who we're playing with at Air Devils Inn, along with my favorite Louisville band, Virgin Flame.


Catch Brett Eugene Ralph's Kentucky Chrome Revue, Big Smith and Virgin Flame on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008 at Air Devil's Inn.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Top 10 Quotes of ’07

--1. ''Don't tase me, bro.'' -- Andrew Meyer, a senior at the University of Florida, while being hauled away by campus police during a speech by Sen. John Kerry.

--2. ''I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us.'' -- Lauren Upton, South Carolina contestant in the Miss Teen America contest, when asked why one-fifth of Americans cannot find the U.S on a map.

--3. ''In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country.'' -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, speaking at Columbia University in New York.

--4. ''That's some nappy-headed hos there.'' -- radio personality Don Imus, referring to the Rutgers University women's basketball team.

--5. ''I don't recall.'' -- former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' repeated response to congressional questions about the firing of U.S. attorneys.

--6. ''There's only three things he (Rudolph Giuliani) mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11.'' -- Sen. Joseph Biden, speaking during a debate for Democratic presidential candidates.

--7. ''I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody who has a 9 percent approval rating.'' -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, referring to Vice President Dick Cheney.

--8. ''(I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom.'' -- Sen. Larry Craig, explaining why his foot touched the foot of an undercover police officer in an airport men's room.

--9. ''I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man.'' -- Sen. Joseph Biden referring to rival Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama.

--10. ''I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history.'' -- Former President Jimmy Carter, referring to the Bush administration.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

R.I.P Joel Dorn

JOEL DORN
(April 7, 1942 - Dec. 17, 2007)

Joel Dorn, a multiple Grammy Award-winning record producer who first made a name for himself while at Atlantic Records in the late 1960s and early '70s, died on Monday, December 17, from a heart attack, in New York City at the age of 65. One of the most prolific producers of his time, Dorn's discography stretches from the multi-platinum soul sounds of Roberta Flack to the black classical music of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. He helped introduce the world to Bette Midler's diva swing and the funky New Orleans' R&B of The Neville Brothers. His name can be found on the back of classic recordings by Les McCann and Eddie Harris, Mose Allison, Yusef Lateef, Leon Redbone, Peter Allen, Don Mclean, The Allman Brothers Band, David "Fathead" Newman, Donny Hathaway and Mongo Santamaria to name just a few. "It's impossible to pick a highlight," Dorn once said. "If one record was a highpoint because of great sales, there's another to match it for the incredible fun that went into making it and another that achieved its intended artistic vision."

From an early age, Joel Dorn knew he wanted to be in the music business, and not just anywhere in the business; Dorn knew he wanted to work specifically for Atlantic Records. At 14-years old, he began correspondence with the label's co-founder Nesuhi Ertegun. "I'd send letters telling him who I thought they should have duet with Ray Charles, what talent they were missing out on, all sorts of critiques and suggestions," remembered Dorn.

In 1961, he officially began his career as a disc jockey at the pioneering Philadelphia jazz radio station WHAT-FM. "The DJ gig was a great way to get to know all the record companies, and get involved in the business, but I had my heart set on producing the entire time," remembered Dorn.

Nesuhi Ertegun, who'd now been corresponding with Dorn for six years, finally began to take those opinions seriously. "My show had become popular in the Philly market, and I think Atlantic realized that I was becoming instrumental in breaking records for them on a regional level,” figured Dorn. "Before long the letters turned into telephone calls and I eventually met Nesuhi."

As fate in 1963 would have it, Ertegun offered Dorn the chance to produce one record by an artist of his choice for Atlantic Jazz. Dorn chose Hubert Laws, a young flutist he had seen in Philly performing with Mongo Santamaria's band. The resulting album, The Laws of Jazz, would become the first of countless record production credits to follow.

By 1967, Dorn joined Atlantic Records full-time as Nesuhi Ertegun's assistant. He was given the opportunity to sign artists, produce their records and become intricately involved with the promotion and marketing. Rising quick through the ranks, Joel, along with Nesuhi and Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin and Tom Dowd became part of the most formidable record producing team of all time. Focusing primarily on jazz and R&B recordings, Joel developed a production style that was unique to the time period. "I brought pop techniques and pop sensibilities to jazz and R&B records,” recalls Dorn. "As a producer I had two gigantic influences: Lieber and Stoller and Phil Spector. To this day before I go in and make a record, I'll throw on 'Be My Baby' or a Coasters' record."

His work at Atlantic Records with Roberta Flack on "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Killing Me Softly" won two consecutive Grammy Awards for "Record Of The Year." Additional Grammies were soon to follow including "Jazz Record Of The Year" for Keith Jarrett and Gary Burton. Joel also went on to sign Bette Midler and co-produce her debut album The Divine Miss M. "Some of the best times I've ever had involved recording artists who were completely unknown at the time like Roberta and Bette, and then watching them ascend to national prominence," Dorn exclaims. "It's a great feeling to put your faith in a young artist who you believe in and see them flourish."

In 1974, after accumulating ten Gold albums, five Platinum albums and seven Gold singles, Joel Dorn left Atlantic Records. He'd produce for a variety of labels and artists during this period, including albums by Leon Redbone, Lou Rawls, Don McClean, Peter Allen, Mink Deville and The Neville Brothers. He was awarded yet another Grammy for "Best Country and Western Instrumental" with Asleep At The Wheel's "One O'Clock Jump," and received two more Gold records for the Leon Redbone albums On The Track and Champagne Charlie.

In the mid-1980s, Dorn scaled back the hectic production schedule he'd maintained for the previous two decades. He took time off to travel the United States from ‘86 through ‘89, and in the process gathered hours upon hours of previously unreleased "live" recordings from many of his favorite artists. Four collections documenting Cannonball Adderley, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Les McCann and Eddie Harris were subsequently released on Joel's own label, Night Records. He later referred to these albums as "audio verite." It was through this short-lived venture that Dorn began to reinvent himself within the industry. He was soon asked to consult for the likes of Rhino, GRP and Columbia, which were in the process of updating and reissuing their catalogs on CD. Joel produced a 13-CD historical overview of the Atlantic Jazz years for Rhino. His production on the 7-CD John Coltrane box set entitled The Heavyweight Champion earned him an additional Grammy-nomination, while collections by Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Oscar Brown, Jr. cemented Dorn's reputation as a preeminent audio documentarian and reissue producer.

In 1995, the Smithsonian Institute added Joel Dorn's works and papers to its collection in honor of his accomplishments as a record producer. By the end of that year, Dorn decided it was time to take another shot at running his own record label. He subsequently formed 32 Records, which focused on reissuing albums from the classic Muse and Landmark jazz vaults, as well as select titles from Atlantic Records. In the four years spent with the label, Dorn reissued over 250 titles, and produced the critically acclaimed Individually Twisted by the Jazz Passengers with Deborah Harry. His biggest commercial success of this period came after developing the Jazz For A Rainy Afternoon compilation series, which went on to become one of the best selling jazz sets in the history of the genre. "I'm proud of what we accomplished with 32 Records in such a short period of time. There was the continued effort to get all of Rahsaan Roland Kirk's albums back in print. There was a terrific Judy Garland box set and personally fulfilling Clyde McPhatter set. For better or worse, the Jazz For… series turned the industry on its ear, completely reshaping how jazz is marketed in this day and age," Dorn explained at the time. "I go into the record shops now and all these cats like Sonny Criss, Zoot Sims and Sonny Stitt are being reissued with intelligent price points and new packaging. To a certain extent, 32 tested the waters on that front and proved that these artists have an undying appeal. Nobody else was going there and now it's like every company in the world is looking for old jazz catalogs to reissue."

2007 marked Joel Dorn's 47th year in the record business. In a great loss to both American culture and music fans everywhere, it would be his last. Over the past decade, he'd produced albums by Jane Monheit, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, Leon Parker, Janice Siegel and The Frank and Joe Show (featuring guitarist Frank Vignola and percussionist Joe Ascione). In 2003, Dorn helped create HYENA Records. The independent label forged an identity with an intriguing mix of new and archival recordings, including those by Bobby Darin, Thelonious Monk, Dr. John and Joe Williams.

At the time of his death, Dorn was completing a five CD box set for Rhino Handmade entitled Homage A Nesuhi, serving as a tribute to his mentor Nesuhi Ertegun and their years together at Atlantic Records. He was also the voice of Sirius Satellite Radio's "Pure Jazz" channel and was producing a series of music infomercials for Time Warner.

"I don't know how to do anything else. It's like if I don't do this what am I going to do? Sit in the park? I love doing stuff with music, with records. I enjoy it," Dorn once said about being a producer. "I know that might not be the great spiritual answer, but I really love making records."

Dorn leaves behind three sons, Michael Dorn, who operates his own furniture store in Philadelphia, David Dorn, Sr. Vice President New Media for Rhino Records, and Adam Dorn (aka Mocean Worker), a musician, and his longtime girlfriend Faye Rosen.

Special thanks to Kevin Calabro for this announcement.—MH

El Roostars Taking Elm Street to Nashville

El Roostars will perform The Rolling Stones double album, Exile on Main Street, Jan. 5 at the Mercy Lounge in Nashville. This is a reprise of their Oct. 27 show in Louisville.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Martin Sexton tickets on sale now

Martin Sexton, who last performed during the AAA nonComm conference/listener appreciation concerts at the Brown Hotel/Theatre this past May, plays Headliners Music Hall on Sunday, Jan. 20. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets for the 18-and-over show are $20. David McMillan opens.

Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster's website or charge by phone via 502-361-3100.

Famed Amoeba Music store/label offers free Gram Parsons, Brandi Shearer downloads

Beginning today, Dec. 17, Amoeba Music, the famed record store-turned-label, will offer users the chance to download two songs every two weeks free of charge from Brandi Shearer and Gram Parsons.

The download series kicks off with Shearer's unreleased version of Parson's "Hickory Wind," which was recorded live at Amoeba's record store in L.A., as well as "Close Up the Honky Tonks," the lead-off track from cut from "Gram Parsons Archives Vol. 1: The Flying Burrito Brothers Live at the Avalon Ballroom, 1969."

Future downloads will be taken from Shearer's 'Close To Dark' and disc one of the Gram Parson Archive Vol. 1.

Drive-By Truckers return to Louisville March 1; Tickets on sale this Friday

Drive-By Truckers will return to Louisville Saturday, March 1, at Headliners Music Hall. Doors open at 8 p.m., show starts at 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 and go on sale this Friday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. 18+ welcome. Tickets can be purchased at ear X-tacy Records or Ticket Web. The Truckers are touring in support of their forthcoming album, Brighter Than Creation's Dark, due out Jan. 22. —MH

Philly Inquirer puts Krekel in Top 10 Country Albums of ’07

Philadelphia Inquirer Music Writer Nick Cristiano named the Tim Krekel Orchestra's album Soul Season one of his top 10 country and roots records of the year.

"Tim Krekel, Soul Season (Natchez Trace). Long an underappreciated singer, writer and guitarist, Krekel outdoes himself with this horn-fired rock-and-soul gem that can stand with the best of Eddie Hinton and Delbert McClinton. It narrowly edges out the suave, world-weary country-soul of Nick Lowe's At My Age."

Read the entire list here.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Jon Ashley's Walking Free CD release set for Dec. 28

Jon Ashley & the Little Triggers will be at Air Devils Inn in Louisville on Friday, Dec. 28 to celebrate the release of their new record, Walking Free. The show starts at 10 p.m. They also play an in-store at ear X-tacy records (1534 Bardstown Road, 452-1799) at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

The October, back from showcasing for Universal/Motown, plays Main Street Lounge

Calvert City, Ky., group The October is returning to Louisville’s Main Street Lounge (104. W. Main St.) Friday, Dec. 14, this time with with Johnny Walker’s Dead Horses and Von Guarde. The 18-and-over show starts at 8 p.m.

The October recently released its new EP, Lost Since Graduation, played a showcase in New York City for Universal/Motown, as well as a gig at Arlene’s Grocery.

More on them can be found hereMH

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Read it and weep

ITUNES BEST-SELLING ALBUMS OF 2007

1. Maroon 5 It Won't Be Soon Before Long
2. Amy Winehouse Back To Black
3. Kanye West Graduation
4. Daughtry Daughtry
5. Colbie Caillat Coco
6. Linkin Park Minutes to Midnight
7. Various Artists High School Musical 2 (Original Soundtrack)
8. Timbaland Shock Value
9. John Mayer Continuum
10. Various Artists Hairspray (Soundtrack to the Motion Picture)


ITUNES BEST-SELLING SONGS OF 2007

1. Fergie "Big Girls Don't Cry (Personal)"
2. Gwen Stefani "The Sweet Escape"
3. Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"
4. Avril Lavigne "Girlfriend"
5. Fergie "Glamorous"
6. Kanye West "Stronger"
7. Maroon 5 "Makes Me Wonder"
8. Akon "Don't Matter"
9. Timbaland "The Way I Are (feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.)
10. Shop Boyz "Party Like a Rock Star"

Monday, December 10, 2007

XM hearts WAKY


XM Satellite Radio is paying tribute to the city of Louisville and WAKY radio this Friday, Dec. 14, when it will dedicate their Sonic Sounds Salute and new show to WAKY from the 60’s!

DJ Terry “Motormouth” Young, will be interviewed, and there will also be chatter from WAKY in the 60s, as well as local news, commercials, high school news and music from back in the day.

Subscribers, tune into Channel 6 – The 60’s. Non-XM-subscribers visit listen.xmradio.com to check out the show online via a free three-day trial. Special thanks to Jaymie Presberg at Grand Communications for the heads up. —MH

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings: Tickets on sale this Saturday, Dec. 15

Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings will play Headliner's Music Hall (1386 Lexington Road, 584-8088) on Friday, Feb. 1. The concert is being put on by Production Simple Concerts & Events, LLC. Ivan Milev Band and DJ Kim Sorise open the show.

Tickets for the 18-and-over show are $12. They go on sale this Saturday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m., and can be purchased at Ear X-Tacy Records, (1534 Bardstown Road, 452-1799) or at Ticket Web. —MH

Nov. 8 My Morning Jacket show at Beacon Theatre (NYC)

My Morning Jacket's Nov. 8 appearance at New York City's Beacon Theater to celebrate the release of Todd Haynes's Dylan film, I'm Not There, is now available for free streaming at www.wolfgangsvault.com. —MH

El Roostars YouTube

El Roostars, the blues band behind the Exile on Elm Street concert at Headliners in October, has footage on youtube now.

Click here. —MH

Friday, December 7, 2007

2008 Bonnaroo Festival dates announced

2008 BONNAROO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL DATES ANNOUNCED

June 12-15, 2008 at the same, beautiful, 700-acre farm in Manchester,
Tennessee, 60 miles southeast of Nashville.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

"Halfway to Forecastle" benefit concert for Jimmy Levan

From J.K. McKnight, founder of the annual Forecastle Festival

"I’m proud to announce that "Band of Horses" will headline the 1st ever “Halfway to Forecastle” mini-fest Jan. 26th @ Headliners Music Hall in Louisville, KY. All ticket proceeds will benefit Louisville BMX legend and FBM-owner Jimmy Levan, currently recovering from serious injuries sustained after a recent skate boarding accident in New Jersey.

The line-up includes Band of Horses, Cass McCombs, Catfish Haven, How I Became The Bomb, Early Day Miners, Ferdinand Fox, Coltrane Motion, Jesse Jamz, and many more. Tickets will go on-sale Saturday, Dec. 15th @ 10 a.m. through Ticketweb, Ticketmaster and ear-X-tacy Records. 91.9 WFPK and Band of Horses will begin pre-sales next week, for what is an expected sell-out. For performance times and ticket information, please visit: http://www.forecastlefest.com/halfway

In addition to music, Red Bull North America will sponsor an outdoor skate park, with exhibitions from local and regional athletes who shared the ramp with Jimmy. Additional silent auction activities will take place inside, with all proceeds benefiting his rehab fees and road to recovery.

The Forecastle Festival, named "One of the Top 101 things to do in America" by SPIN Magazine, will take place July 25th – 27th on the Riverfront Belvedere. The 2008 event will blend dueling East / West stages with a regionally-curated art exhibition, fifty environmental organizations, speakers, panels, films, expanded extreme sports park, eco-business expo, outdoor industry demos, and plenty more along the mighty Ohio River.

Thank you for your continued support of this growing, grassroots network ~ jkm"

"Louisville Punks: A Radio History" debuts

WPFK's Marion Dries unveils the first installment of her history of Louisville punk rock tonight! Listen to at 91.9 FM or stream the show, "Louisville Punks: A Radio History," at www.wfpk.org. Tonight's show features interviews with Tara Key, Tim Harris and Chip Nold from No Fun and The Babylon Dance Band. —Mat Herron

Contact the writer at mherron@leoweekly.com

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

Review: Rough Guides by World Music Network

Rough Guides: Salsa Clandestina, Latino Nuevo, Latin Funk
Various Artists
(WORLD MUSIC NETWORK)

I tend to anticipate the new crop of World Music Library’s Rough Guides with the same enthusiasm I anticipate the ripening of blood oranges. Unlike blood oranges, the Rough Guide series discs seldom taste like fruity toothpaste when unripe.

Sweet Jesus, the latest batch is no exception. These three selections focus on contemporary Latin music with an emphasis on danceable, modern, urban style. Thematically, they don’t stray too far apart, and there’s significant crossover in the artists included. Ozomatli, Bakú and the Spam Allstars provide common ground.

All the material is pretty consistent and accessible without sounding too commercial, so choosing a favorite is tough. Choice boils down to geography. If I had to throw a dart, I’d aim for “Latin Funk,” because I happen to be partial to Joe Bataan and Up, Bustle and Out.

¡Que Chevere! —Michael Steiger

Spottiswoode & His Enemies celebrate 10 years with east coast tour, Louisville stop

Spottiswoode & His Enemies
Spouse
D.W. Box & One Long Song
------------------------------
Tuesday, Dec. 11
Pour Haus
1481 S. Shelby St.
Louisville, Ky.
9 p.m.

By Mat Herron

Jonathan Spottiswoode has issues. Not drugs or drink, caffeine addiction or gambling.

“I can’t listen to very much music,” the Briton turned New Yorker says by phone. “If I listen to something that I like, I’m gonna write another 12 songs, and that’s not necessarily very good for me.”

The namesake of New York impresarios Spottiswoode & His Enemies isn’t kidding. For the band’s album, Salvation, Spottiswoode estimates they recorded 33 songs in six days, and 29 made the cut. That’s a healthy dose of music for a market dominated by iTunes and iPods.

“It really is a problem actually, and I’m thinking about getting counseling for it,” he says, his dry British wit searing through the conversation. “There are so many songs out there in the universe, and now with MySpace, everybody’s got at least four or five songs. It certainly doesn’t make a whole hell of a lot of sense.”

Once an intern for Foreign Policy Magazine, Spottiswoode lived in D.C. and spent six years in a band called The Zimmermans before relocating to New York and starting up his own project. Ten years into their career, the group is embarking on a tour with Massachusetts band Spouse, whom Spottiswoode met when the two shared a bill at the now-defunct New York club Brownie’s eight years ago.

Spottiswoode’s collective has been characterized as a quasi-jazz group, but he says whether they tap into that vibe depends on how they feel on a given night. “There are several jazz players in the band — the two horn players; the drummer went to Berklee School of Music (in Boston). There are definitely some jazz influences on some songs; probably right now, there are slightly less. I’d say it’s still there …”

D.W. Box & One Long Song joins Tuesday’s bill at Pour Haus in Germantown. Look up myspace.com/pourhaus for more information.

Contact the writer at mherron@leoweekly.com

Peter Bjorn & John w/ The Besnard Lakes

Peter, Bjorn & John
w/ The Besnard Lakes
Headliners Music Hall
Louisville, Ky.
11.30.07

By Roxann Slate

A year ago, the most pretentious boy I’ve ever known showed me an animated music video that included whistling and bongos. “This song is so now,” he said. The song played on repeat for days. Then we were done.

If my old friends knew that I was seeing Peter Bjorn & John, they would forget our initial enthusiasm and snub them as old news.

Putting my pretentious past behind me, I went with new friends to their Headliners show last Friday. The scene was the usual Louisville spectacle of “casually dressed up” couples with single males standing along the edges of the room. By the end of the evening, the place was so packed that the awkward special gap most people use to get to the bathroom or bar was filled in.

The opener, The Besnard Lakes, a six-piece group from Canada, struck me as a sign that maybe everyone in Canada is part of a large band that plays songs that grow exceptionally loud. Live, they came off as a generic, wall-of-noise band, but I do believe that perhaps on their albums, the instruments are more defined, and the songs have more character.

Watching Peter, Bjorn & John perform was fun in a playful, innocent way that only Swedish men in suits can pull off. The kind of glee I experienced made me feel that, if they had signed to a different label, they could have easily been targeting the ever-growing “tween” market. (How you would say teeny-bopper in Swedish?)

As performers, they ate up the crowd’s energy, jumping about the stage. They had come an awfully long way to play from their 2006 album Writer’s Block, and a few songs from their self-titled debut and second record, Falling Out.

My new friends and I had a great night. I kept most of my critiques to myself and instead of picking the band, apart I worked on my shoulder-based dance moves. The next time I speak with a snooty old friend, I’ll remember this show as an untold guilty pleasure.

Contact the writer at leo@leoweekly.com

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Ja Rule this Saturday at Club Villa Fontana

Murder Inc./Mpire/Universal Motown artist Ja Rule brings his 15-date club tour to Club Villa Fontana in Theatre Square this Saturday night (12/8). The two-story club is across the street from the Brown Hotel in the 600 block of South Fourth Street.

Ja Rule is out promoting his forthcoming album, The Mirror.

All things Rule at: www.jarule.com. The site says he's not on tour right now, but we just got word from Universal/Motown today saying otherwise. —MH

Universal Records' 90-Second Rule

According to the website MediaPost Communications, Universal Music Group, which runs Universal Republic and Universal/Motown, is prohibiting MySpace from streaming entire songs of artists on its label. Instead, UMG is only permitting 90-second samples of songs to stream.

MediaPost reported today in its "Just an Online Minute" e-release/blog that UMG actually instituted this policy several months ago, but only now is the media finding out, thanks in part to Wired magazine.

Wired posted a note from Colbie Caillat, a California singer-songwriter who played Nov. 28 at Headliners Music Hall in Louisville, to her fans, in which she says: "Due to circumstances beyond my control, I have to swap the songs out on my page for 90 second versions instead of full length versions." Full versions are on her website.

Universal handles distribution for the local Label X/Toucan Cove (www.labelx.us). the label, which releases for local groups Digby, The Muckrakers, Peter Searcy and Code Red, says its artists are not affected by this decision.

UMG is in litigation with MySpace, which it is accusing of copyright infringement.—MH

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Tim Krekel Orchestra hits No. 1 on XM

Soul Season, the album by Tim Krekel Orchestra that was released nationally in September, has hit numero uno on XM Radio's Channel 12, beating out Emmylou Harris, John Fogerty and Lyle Lovett, respectively. Soul Season was released by the Nashville record label Natchez Trace, and features members of the Whole Wheat Horns, who did time in NRBQ.

Channel 12 will interview Tim this coming Monday, Dec. 3.

Special thanks go out to Laurie Spezzano for the tip.

Feist w/ Jason Collett

Feist
w/ Jason Collett
Brown Theater
11.20.07

By Roxann Slate

There is much to say about Leslie Feist. About her life in general, her talent and her show at The Brown Theater. I have broken it down into lists.

Basic information about Feist:
1. She is part of the disjointed Canadian collective Broken Social Scene.
2. Her songs have been featured in various commercials that have subtly but significantly boosted her fame.
3. She is an indie female sex icon.

Facts Feist and I have in common:
1. We both have difficulty with the proper colloquial pronunciation of
“Louisville.”
2. We both have bangs are that getting out of control.
3. No one has yet to tell us to just give up on the bangs.

Things I found surprising:
1. Her recorded voice is not at all doctored, not even in the slightest.
2. She does drink bottled water despite an interview where she implied otherwise.
3. Although she had a bandaged leg, she couldn't help but stand to sing one of her songs.

Overview of the opener Jason Collett
1. Collett (as far as I know) has been opening for Feist for almost every tour she has headlined.
2. He told us a charming (but slightly inappropriate) story from his Canadian Catholic high school experience.
3. The people sitting behind me really didn't like him at all. They proceed to talk loudly about some CD of which they only like the first three songs.

Writing this concert review:
1. I have read countless reviews of Feist shows.
2. This is because there are numerous males in the 18- to 25-year-old demographic that write for obscure blogs that have an incurable infatuation with Feist.
3. Every complimentary word I have read about Feist (typed by some skinny indie boy) is true.

Contact the writer at leo@leoweekly.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

arcade fire

two years ago this spring, i bit the bullet and flew to the coachella festival in indio, calif., outside palm springs. a college buddy sprung for festival tix, so i couldn't say no. besides, gang of four was on a reunion tour at that point, and coachella was the closest i was gonna be to seeing these brits.

if you haven't been to coachella, go. yes, bottled water is $7 (give or take), yes smokes are about as much, and yes, you'll probably wind up with a sunburn. but, next to bonnaroo, you'll won't see more cutting edge bands huddled together in one sitting.

the empire polo fields double as the festival grounds every year, with roughly six stages, some DJ tents, some open-air, strategically placed so the sound from one stage doesn't bleed into another.

gang of four was on the main stage, and they know how to make an introduction. the sound men cued up a tape of native american drumming until one of their crew, their manager, can't remember which, walked out before their set began and addressed the audience. loosely paraphrased: "you are about to hear the most musical thing to come out of punk, and the most punk rock to come out of england, but for now, listen to the sound of your own cultural imperialism."

this wasn't white guilt. this was fact. gang of four holds sway like few other punk bands do. they were the fugazi of their day, and everyone was paying attention.

45 minutes in, GOF is off to the races, proving its mettle. they're older, fatter and generally wiser, but no one can deny their stamp on every band, large and small, indie or not.

then, east of the main stage, the dirge guitar of arcade fire's "wake up," off 2004's funeral, compelled a tidal wave of bodies to jump ship on legend. writhing and galloping, the crowd flew to the front of the stage, stripped of all inhibition, watching win butler, regine chassagne and the rest of these montreal troubadours put on a clinic. it was, simply put, unforgettable.

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Slackin'

dammit.

no one told me blogging is such a bitch. i feel like i'm doing jumping jacks or stuck on some sort of virtual obstacle course sucking wind. a proverbial rat scampering in the proverbial wheel, proverbially speaking. it's homework.

enough whining. LEO sprung for smoketown bbq, and i wolfed down my weight in swine. if you're not from louisville, google for directions and get your carnivorous chops to the corner of oak and logan streets. sweet, sweet 'cue, not the processed BW3's crap you drown in hot sauce in order for it to kick. yeah, smoketown ain't exactly gentrified, but trust me, this is an oasis. yet another reason i refuse to go vegetarian.

my roommates and i bought showtime last week, which is akin to giving patchouli to a deadhead. horrible for my motivation to do practically anything. paying bills, working in the yard, reading about post-9/11 conspiracy theories. NOPE! on saturday, my white irish ass was up at 9:30 a.m. devouring "californication" episodes. eight in, duchovny kills. brash, sarcastic, irreverent, insert superlative. makes great use of the entourage model: half-hour tops (more like 22 min.), no filler, fluff or hackneyed crap. best of all, nobody's sacred. and like i have to tell you natasha mcelhone's attractive …

in short: duchovny sheds geek-chic persona in favor of schleppy writer status, hates l.a., barely but still loves new york, can't shit a word out. his ex (who really isn't his ex-wife) shacks up, plans to marry his boss, who wants more words, less hang time with fiancee.

the only thing more annoying and cliche than a tortured writer is an actor who plays a tortured writer, but duchovny embraces self-deprecation so enthusiastically, i'm not left gagging on hyperbolic cliches. especially after this dart, thrown during drinks with an unwitting foil: "now you're giving me this look like i just finger-banged your cat."

i broke off my visual crack addiction mid-day saturday and soaked up civilization until sunday night, when the second season of "brotherhood" premiered. a bartender friend of mine says it might be better than "the sopranos." bold prediction. sopranos beat brotherhood to the punch as far as mob-family dynamic first, but let's put it this way, HBO's gonna have to do a lot more than pile on psychodramas to survive in The World Without Tony. "tell me you love me" isn't bad. It moves like a turtle, and so far, skews feminine. I doubt many men like it. But couple this with the forthcoming "In Treatment," and you can't help but wonder: how many times are you gonna sit on the couch (literally) to sit on the couch (metaphorically)?

they've gotta be careful. beat the sex motif to death and people tune out. one is enough, two's a stretch. we know what three is: when you start channel-surfing, and where i live, that usually means flipping over to ESPN. —MH

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

How I Exchanged Books With a Rock Star

By Remington Smith

Late May, while in Rome, I heard about Papa Roach coming to Louisville. Finally the concert is here and I'm super pumped. The day before the concert I've planned everything out: I was going to give Jacoby Shaddix (the lead singer) two books that we had discussed when he was last in Louisville.

The first one was "Blue Like Jazz" a book that my friend Bethany gave me because she is a Pez dispenser for Donald Miller books. So I felt that this book should travel as well. The other book, of course, was "The Perks of Being a Wallflower." However, I would have to buy it from the Borders downtown, but it was a block from the venue, so no biggie.

The final touch to all of this was the picture of Jacoby and I from the last show. I slipped it into "Blue Like Jazz" and wrote a little note explaining the significance of our conversation last November: "It has become one of my favorite anecdotes, not because it was ‘crazy fan’ talking to ‘famous rock star’ but one person sharing with another. In a world that feels so disconnected, that counts for a lot."

Lastly, I was going to be waiting in line for a while to get good seats. I planned to take my backpack with me, full of water, music, reading material, and have my friend Megan pick it up before they opened the doors.

July 17, 2007
Concert day. With only 4 hours of sleep I crawl out of bed feeling the hangover of exhaustion until I crank Papa Roach so that it fills the entire house and all of a sudden I'm running around, air guitaring, jumping up only to slam down right when the guitars kick back in.

I pack up, Paul Mick giving me a lift around 2:30. I was surprised to find people in the 90 degree heat already waiting in line, but I was still one of the first 20. With general admission shows the earlier you arrive the better guarantee for a front spot.

I locate the tour buses and in hopes of getting the books to Jacoby before the show, I wander to Borders, buy Perks and circle the buses a bit, asking roadies and other bands where Papa Roach is. I must have talked to 6+ people saying, "Do you know where Jacoby is? All I want to do is give him some books?" which must have sounded strange.

:this becomes important later...:

So I'm chillin, talking with people, reading a little bit here and there. I give Megan a call and she's to come by at 5:30 to get my bag before they open the doors at 6pm.

Too bad the doors opened at 5:20pm

I'm freakin out, I have my backpack so I can't go in, so I'm going to lose my spot, I'm going to have a bad view of everything, my life is over at this point.

I call Megan, "Can you be here, like, now?"
"Uhhh, no, I'm going to need another 10 minutes."

By 5:30 everyone has already been wanded by security, all my time has been wasted waiting in line to now be in the very back.

5:40 I recognize a friend from high school and begging, I ask her if she parked nearby? It turned out a couple of her buddies were working concessions for the event, so they put my bag behind the counter for me. I quickly got wanded, slipping in without giving up my camera or the Borders bag that held my presents. I then get bold and just walked to the front of one of the two lines to get into the actual arena, finding the people I had been chatting with and stood in line with them.

I was two people away from the doors. All was right with the world. I stopped bugging out.

They opened the doors and of course everyone is racing to get to the front. I ended up behind two middle aged women and I had to say to myself, "You know what, you're lucky you're even this close. One person away from the railing is not bad." Soon afterward I found out they were only staying for the first opening band, The Exies.

The lineup was:
The Exies
Buckcherry
Papa Roach
Hinder
:why Hinder was headlining, I have no idea since they sound like a crappy Nickelback knock off and don't really have any energy OR the history of hits like Papa Roach, but whatever:

So now I am going to be front and center for Papa Roach REGARDLESS of all the things that were tripping me up!


The Exies were pretty good. I had seen them open for Everclear some years back. Buckcherry was just funny because prior to the show I had talked to the guitarist briefly and he seemed gay or bi or he could have just been very metro. The idea of this rock band that talks about sleeping with girls and being all rock star as something not as "Marlboro Man" was amusing. On another note related to sexuality, the lead singer of Buckcherry gave the crowd a speech:

"We're all savages. Society doesn't want you to believe that. But we have three functions. To eat. To sleep. and TO FUCK! That's it!"

Of course, I found this really amusing after just finishing "Sex God" which discusses how sexuality is linked to our emotional and spiritual needs. This guy was saying sex for fun was okay because we're just animals and that was the exact argument “Sex God” disagreed with. Amusing.

And then, of course, Papa Roach comes on stage. Jacoby is running all over the place, jumping off of platforms, and by the second or third song GOES OUT INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE CROWD! He went full circle up into the stands on the right, cuts through the crowd on the floor, goes up to the stands on the left and then comes back on stage after two songs of wandering. When you see Papa Roach live you know they're jiving to the music, but then they look at you and then they're even more pumped because you're pumped and then you see how excited the band is to see you enjoying it and it makes you even MORE crazy, nuts, happy, pumped, excited and it just continues, back and forth, back and forth.

The lead guitarist Jerry kept taking notice of me, as I was throwing my head and arms around, screaming lyrics; locking eyes and both of us singing along.

Now for this show I decided to see what my digital camera could do in a concert environment and I have to say it was less than satisfactory. It was taking too long for the camera to flash and process the image, so my pictures weren't as great as previous shows.

Furthermore, I took a lot less photos because I had small fists digging into my kidneys and lower ribs for most of the show. The pressure from people behind me was immense and restricted my movement quite a bit. So I thrashed from the torso up trying to show as much love as a human being squeezed like a tube of toothpaste is capable of. This uncomfortable situation and the crappy lag time on the camera just made me forget the shutter bug in me and focus on enjoying the show as much as possible.

For the last two songs, "Between Angels and Insects" (which is based on "Fight Club," Jacoby confirmed when we chatted last time) and "Last Resort" I disregarded the anonymous hands snaked across my waste trying to find a hold on the railing and let the music flow through me, riding the waves with jumps, headbanging and pumping fists. For most of the show it was a battle to keep your place, but with it coming to a close it no longer mattered.

The show ended, Jerry threw guitar picks out to the crowd and I was able to snag one : ) I immediately hopped over the railing to get the hell out of there. Hinder was next and I would suffer for Papa Roach, but not a band I didn't even want to see. So I left the venue and went out to buses. Meanwhile, I check my cargo pants’ pockets and both books have made it through the show no worse for the wear.

I waited for an hour, giving props to the guys from The Exies as I saw them and shrugging off the appearance of people from Buckcherry. Then some of the guys from Papa Roach came out. Jerry came out with the bassist Tobin, but Tobin is not into the fans like the other guys, so he walked right through us carrying a small bottle of Jack Daniels. Jerry is kind of shy, but he seems to be very humble and gracious about fans wanting autographs and pictures.

"You guys were great tonight. I was trying to show you some love, but I had fists and elbows in my back," I told him, feeling like the inability to display my usual enthusiasm (complete jumps into the air, etc.) seemed like I wasn't really into it.

But all he said with a slight smile was, "Yeah man, I could tell." I got a quick picture, thanked him. It takes a very humble person kind enough to not only to travel across the country to rock us out, but say hello to fans hanging out afterwards.


:first picture here:


Dave, the drummer, is a big dude with black hair who has the appearance and aura of a big kid. He loves to chat with people and hang out, so he strolled out a bit after Jerry, signing tickets and then making his way to his bus to clean up.

Finally

Jacoby came out another half hour later. I let these people from Frankfort chat with him first as I get my books ready for presentation. The other people got their pictures.

I approach Jacoby.

"So..." I start as I'm taking the books out of the Borders bag.

"Yeah!" he interjects, "People were telling me that some guy was trying to give me some books." He was looking at the books and then he looks at me, "I remember you!"

Of course on this I’m grinning ear to ear that he heard about my search to bring him gifts AND that he remembered me without giving any other information. I plow straight ahead.

"Okay, so here is ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower‘," and he moves to stand next to me to get a better look as I explain, "this is my favorite book, period," and he's nodding as I pull out the next book. "And here's Blue Like Jazz."

"Yeah, I remember you mentioning that,” and before I can go on he says, “Actually, I've got a book you should read, it's in the bus, come with me I'll get it for you, I'll just buy another one."



I asked for a quick picture before walking over to his bus


:second picture here:







His wife and son walked with us. I asked his wife about the tour, if she was staying for the entire thing.

"No, just a few shows, but he," pointing to her son in a black t-shirt, shorts and riding around on a metal scooter, "he's going to stay for a bit. It's actually our 10 year anniversary."

"Tonight?!"

"No, on the 19th."

"Does he have a show then?"

"No, I almost wasn't going to come but he said 'Come on, I don't have a show, you have to come out.'"

"How old is he?" I asked about her son, thinking of my youngest brother Tobias.

"He's 4, but we have another one back at home who is 2."

So they piled into the bus, Jacoby calling back to me to wait for a sec while he grabbed the book.

He came back out and handed me his book, “Conversations With God: An Uncommon Dialogue.” The book was pretty new, a white dust jacket with a laminated set of stamps as a bookmark in the center that I would find later. I started to feel real adrenaline hit me as my hands grasped the hardback novel. The reality of the situation is finally hitting me and I start mumbling out to him what I had already written on the back of the photograph he was going to discover tucked away in one of his new books. I look at him dead in the eye and just launch into it.

"The conversation you and I had the last time you were here was really memorable for me, not because it was ‘fan’ talking to ‘rock star’ but-"

"Person to person," Jacoby finished. I guess he remembered it for the same reasons I did.

I thanked him for the book, told him that my e-mail address was in the books and that I'd love it if he would let me know what he thought of them. I gave him a hug, wished him good night and I let him retreat into his bus.


I exchanged books with the lead singer of one of my favorite bands.

:sinking in:

:insert explosion of excited words that probably include various bits of "foul" language here:

I can't think of a better thing to take away from a concert as a memento! And the guy remembered me, he remembered our chat.

There is something absolutely wonderful about being able to give back in this way. The usual set up is performer giving to audience, but the band only receives an anonymous feedback.

He gives me music that enriches my life and I was able to give him books that will hopefully do the same. After this concert there has never been a better truism than ‘tis better to give than to receive.

I love that we can leave impacts on people like this. Person. To person.

Friday, July 20, 2007

The Talented Mrs. McBride


Last night, country belter Martina McBride dazzled the packed-in crowd at Freedom Hall. It’s interesting and rare when you get to experience true talent firsthand. Her voice is among the best in today’s music — all genres included. I’d love to see a battle of the vocal chords between McBride and Streisand.
Anyway, the concert was amazing. She sang a few gems off her newest album, Waking Up Laughing. And naturally, she peppered her two-hour set with hits from her previous nine albums, including “Independence Day,” “This One’s For The Girls” and her cover of Lynn Anderson’s “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden.” During the encore, McBride brought the crowd to its feat with her take on Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” and Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” Bravo! —Sara Havens

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Ryan Adams makes good


As Ryan Adams & the Cardinals took the stage at the Brown Theater Wednesday night, crowd tension, nervousness and anticipation hung heavy in the air. This was his last chance to make good with Louisville. To patch up a friendship so rightfully earned.

A few years ago, Adams took the Brown stage a bit under the weather. He was grumpy, feverish, annoyed. Which is understandable, but is something a paying Louisville audience doesn’t forget. Then came May’s WFPK Listener Appreciation debacle. Some speculate he was again grumpy and in pain from a recent skateboarding injury to his wrist. Others claim it was Ryan being Ryan. The closing act for the second night’s concert, Adams came out with his band, hiding underneath a hooded sweatshirt and shower cap. The subdued blue-lit hue never turned to a spotlight. No one member of the band was ever lit up. They sat all in one row, and you could hardly tell which was Adams. They played a handful of songs from the yet-to-be-released Easy Tiger, then abruptly exited the stage, leaving the audience aghast, then angry.

So here we were — anticipating the worst but hoping for the best. As Adams stepped in front of the mic, a roar of approval cut the tension. This was Ryan Adams, after all.

He started in to a song off his new album, Easy Tiger, and browsed through his 10-album catalog for a solid two hours. There was applause. There were standing ovations. There was Adams’ amazing voice.

Though some (drunken) members of the audience continued to annoyingly shout requests to a musician known for sticking to his playlist, Adams seemed giddy, breaking in at times to a deep Southern drawl as to poke fun at where he was playing. Heckling the hecklers, so to speak. It was all in good fun.

When the last note of “Cold Roses” was sung, Adams thanked the audience and left the stage. This time, instead of boos and fury, the audience rose to their feet and welcomed back a friend. —Sara Havens

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

$2 Grolsch + rock = love

The only beer that's better than $2 beer is dollar beer. Slugger Field has this nice little promotion going on on Fridays, where they're selling $2 Grolsch (you can buy more than one ata TIME!) plus live music. A couple weeks back, I caught Your Black Star, which has a new EP out, Beasts, on Hawthorne Street Records. The Grolsch flows again Friday, and Edgehill Ave. plays. Rock starts at 5 p.m. (weather permitting), and the $2 special lasts from 5-7 p.m. Coincidentally, YBS plays the Pour Haus the same night with The Ladybirds and AM Syndicate. —M.H.

Phantom Family Halo tour with Slint

Psych-rock-experimental homies Phantom Family Halo head out west for two weeks beginning July 17. On the books are two shows opening for Slint in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Then in August, PFH treks back east for two weeks with Pittsburgh's Midnite Snake. PFH's album The Legend of Black Six, originally released on vinyl, will be re-released on CD July 31 via Cold Sweat Records, which put out Dead Child's five-song EP earlier this year. Dead Child, which includes PFH singer/drummer Dahm on vocals, Slint guitarist Dave Pajo and Michael McMahan (Slint's second guitar player) also on git, heads to the studio in November to record a full-length on Touch and Go Records.

The Halo kicks off the tour Friday night at Lisa's Oak St. Lounge (1004 E. Oak St., myspace.com/germantownlive). Rock starts at 10 p.m. VRKTM and Gaj Mustafa Cell provide more than ample support.

Tour dates are here: check out myspace.com/thephantomfamilyhalo

Stub Hub and The Police

Stubhub.com is touting itself as an epicenter for deals and discounts on concert tickets. And since tix for The Police are selling for $225 and up, Stub Hub wants to keep at least some of your hard-earned cash in your wallet and out of Sting's, Stewart's and Andy's bank account.

So to speak.

I logged onto http://www.stubhub.com/the-police-tickets and looked at the prices. The range is $50-$1,500 (Ouch!), but if you click on "Buy," it pulls up a scrolling menu that shows breaks down the price range even further, with notes on what's included (some tix include "free parking" for example). One seller's asking $84 each for section 317, (stage left, five sections back), and you can buy up to six. Not bad. The sweetest deal, though, has to be the ones selling in section D13 in the eighth row in level closest to the stage at $111.98 each (Seller: "These won't last long.") Section 122, dead center in the third level back from the stage are going for $169 a piece. Food for thought. —M.H.

Monday, June 18, 2007

Bonna-roundup


The best aspect of Bonnaroo, in this music-lover’s opinion, is the opportunity to see bands I probably wouldn’t have checked out otherwise. It does get hard to keep up, but even if you see only a fraction of the artists performing, it’s well worth the trip. It’s a melting pot of music, with everything from Bluegrass to Indie to metal, and a comedy tent to boot. And about the comedy tent, I think Lewis Black said it best when he proclaimed people ought to go see whatever piece of crap is performing in there just to get some air conditioning. But when you’ve got Black, David Cross and Dave Attell performing, the choice is pretty easy to make anyway.

The mass of people is a sight to behold, and considering the heat, were in pretty good spirits. I didn’t expect to see so many women walking around topless (and no, body paint doesn’t count as clothing), but to each her own. There were also tons of empty balloons lying around in the parking lot- I guess there was some kind of balloon-animal-making competition I missed…. The most interesting encounter was with a dude who sat down next to me under a tent with a glazed look in his eyes and asked, “Are we dead?” I didn’t think so I answered, and continued to eat my meal. “Hey, I’ve got a burger in my pocket!” he proclaimed a few minutes later. I somehow managed not to spit out my food in laughter.

What a weekend. Thanks Bonnaroo.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

The Police don't disappoint at Bonnaroo


I grew up listening to The Police. I was too young in the '80s to make the pilgrimmage to one of their shows, but marveled at the videos. I stared in wonder at the television as Sting ran through a darkened room lit only by rows of candles. Years later, when I could appreciate their music on a deeper level, the band was long since gone, and there seemed virtually no chance of a reunion. Saturday night the unimaginable became real, and I was treated to stunning versions of my Police favorites while standing among a crowd of 80,000. It's easy to guess what songs were played, but none were performed in the usual way, with new arrangements that dare I say are even more interesting than the originals. Walking in Your Footsteps and King of Pain were spectacular in their new versions. Here's hoping a live album is released.

The performance was spot on with a distinct simpatico between members, though there were a couple of brief instances where they left the stage, returning a few minutes later. Some joked the guys must be back there fighting- if so, it didn't show. Sting and Andy Summers appeared to be playing the same guitars they had 25 years ago. Nice touch. Stewart Copeland was the most enthusiastic of the bunch, his energy seeming endless. Half way through he prompted Sting to remove his clothes for the rest of the show; Sting settled for just losing his shirt, to the delight of many female fans.

This fan was hoping to hear Syncronicity, but Summers seemed to be lacking in the backing vocals department, which probably explains why Don't Stand So Close to Me was also omitted. The show was slotted for 9-11:30 p.m. but ended an hour early- though after this amazing show, how could anyone possibly complain?

Catch The Police at Churchill Downs July 14. You won't regret it. -Mary Q. Burton

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Bonnaroo- A taste of reggae, Generation Y


It's difficult to know where to start. There have been some pleasant surprises along the way. As I was gearing up to see Ziggy Marley, I heard this sprite of a voice emanating from another tent. She was using her voice as an instrument, making various odd noises, while pounding away on the keyboard in front of her. Turns out it was Regina Spektor, once upon a time from Moscow, and more recently from the Bronx. She's the Tori Amos for the next generation of fans- she even evokes her father adamantly during a tune, as Amos is wont to do.

What can I possibly say about Marley? The man is a living legend, and he radiates peace, love and happiness from the stage. The audience was the most blissed I have seen, with their own expressions of serendipity- non-stop smiling, swaying and singing along. Maybe we should all add a little Ziggy to our diets.

Various other bands have played today- Fountains of Wayne, Ween, Spoon, Damien Rice- but Keller Williams, in my humble opinion, topped them all with his earnestness, guitar and skat singing. Rock on.

Bonnaroo, meet Tool


So I've heard a lot of raves about this band. The crowd, in the thousands, was psyched. The main stage, normally adorned with the huge, blazing green Bonnaroo sign atop it, remained dark. It was an ominous feeling, to be sure. Suddenly the crowd goes wild as Tool walks onto the stage, and we are immediately hit with a wall of sound that doesn't quit for two and a half hours.

Rather than shots of the band, the massive screens on either side of the stage project various Tool videos, which, well, are disturbing yet entertaining in their own special way. The light show was amazing, and definitely added an element of the extreme to the show. The intensity these guys have makes an impession- the crowd remained in a frenzied trance (I know, sounds like an oxy-moron) the entire time.

Singer Maynard James Keenan chided the crowd about their funny-smelling cigarettes, declaring them all under arrest. He also took the opportunity to brag how he had recently had a shower, which to this sweaty crowd (the temp was in the 90s), sounded pretty enticing. I have a feeling these guys never fail to make an impresson. Catch their show June 17 in Evansville, Ind. while there's still tickets left. -Mary Q. Burton

Friday, June 15, 2007

Who knew the tuba could rock?


A word of advice- never, ever make fun of a tuba player again. Reporting in from Bonnaroo-- after checking out The Roots on the main stage, I was blown away. Don't get me wrong, Kings of Leon were great. I'll admit to not being a big fan, but seeing them live they proved they can rock with a setlist (see speed metal meets power ballad meets straight-on rock) as eclectic as the crowd (see hippy meets reggae meets average beer swilling Joe). On another stage Michael Franti played some reggae-inspired tunes that got the tie-die, hoola-hooping crowd moving. But The Roots rocked Bonnaroo like no other. Take your standard rock instuments and add a horn section which includes a trumpet, sax, trombone, and yes, you guessed it, a tuba. Mix in some hip hop style with a little taste of Hendrix, and you've got The Roots. "Tuba Gooding Junior" jammed with guitarist Kirk Douglas like I never knew a tuba could. Damn, the two of them even ran into the audience to play. The bass rattled my bones and their cover of a Bob Dylan tune was inspired. This ain't your average jam band. Check them out at www.theroots.com. -Mary Q. Burton

Up next- what kind of TOOL will Bonnaroo encounter?

Thursday, June 14, 2007

I, Sleepwalker Album Stream

I, Sleepwalker's Snake River will be released by Harvest Earth Records on July 10. The label has both a pre-order and full-album stream active.

Pictures from Wild And Woolly Video 10th Anniversary Party

Veloctiy Weekly has posted a photo album from the Wild and Woolly Video 10th anniversary party.

Ex-Haste The Day Singer Forms New Band

Jimmy Ryan, former vocalist of Indianapolis' group Haste The Day, has formed a new band called Trenches. They've recently finished writing for their debut LP, and plan to record in September.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

The Redemption Song! Calls It Quits

The Redemption Song! (Strike First Records) have silently disbanded. Their website promises one last show, possibly in their native Kentucky or Indiana, but no final details have emerged. We'll keep you posted.

D.W. Box Solo Show

D.W. Box will play a solo show on June 13 at Jenicca's in Louisville.
D.W. plays one (and only one) "solo" show per year. This year it will be with London based recording artist Sharon Lewis, and Rosie Polenzani ...

Monday, June 11, 2007

God's Lonely Man Currently In Studio

God's Lonely Man, a Nashville based band with Louisville ties, is currently in studio working on new material. There have been a few changes to their sound and lineup since their last release. They've posted one new song, along with two re-worked older numbers, on their website for a preview of the new line-up.

Second Story Man to Play "Late Night Salon"

On July 6, Second Story Man will be playing twenty songs as part of the Jazz Factory's "Late Night Salon" in Louisville. The band recently posted the following update via their Myspace page:
"The show will start at 11 pm and we'll be the only band playing. There will be a lot of songs from our first three records as well as new songs, covers, and some long-lost tunes we're in the process of re-learning and re-interpreting. We plan to have several special guests sitting in with us, as well. It should be a lot of fun and we hope you'll mark your calendars to join us!"

Sean Michel in Owensboro, KY

American Idol fans will recognize Sean Michel as the Fidel Castro look-a-like that wowed judges with a soulful rendition of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" early this season.

On June 23, Michel and his band return to Kentucky for a show at Owensboro's The Brothers Pizza. with support from Redfoot and Deas Vail. This will be a worthy road trip for those in the Louisville area.

Friday, June 8, 2007

Foxhole and Questions In Dialect on Tour

Kentucky based instrumental act Foxhole (Burnt Toast Vinyl) will briefly tour the Midwest with Questions in Dialect. The following itinerary is taken from the group's website:
Jun 29 2007 8:00P
TBA St. Louis, Missouri
Jun 30 2007 8:00P
TBA Chicago, Illinois
Jul 1 2007 8:00P
TBA Cincinnati, Ohio
Jul 2 2007 8:00P
The Listening Room Louisville, Kentucky

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

LEO goes to Bonnaroo!

Beginning June 13, LEO freelancer Mary Burton will be our correspondent to this year's Bonnaroo festival, which takes place on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tenn. The lineup is the biggest, craziest, maniacal musical orgasm in all of festivaldom. The Police, Tool, Widespread Panic, The Flaming Lips, your cousins, — they're all playing. Mary will file periodic musings, ruminations and other notes about the four-day bonanza. Will she make it out alive?? We can only hope. —M.H.

Friday, May 25, 2007

Wooden Tit, The Touched, Suspected Terrorists

Thanks to Kris Abplanalp for the writeup:

Well color me giddy, ’cause there is one hell of a dirty-ass rock ’n' roll show this Saturday. Hopefully you already know about it, but either which way, pass the word around to those who favor heavy drinking and loud music.

WOODEN TIT (11 pm)
This is the new Asheville, N.C., group lead by Don Howland of the Bassholes, Gibson Bros. & Ego Summit, etc. It is a self-evident truth that Don is a king among the deepest layers of the Midwestern DIY punk world, not to mention modern music period.
Despite compiling one of the richest catalogs of music over the last 30 years, despite everything from Jon Spencer begging his way into the Gibson Bros after Pussy Galore broke up. Or the Bassholes doing records for Matador and John Fahey's Revenant. Or the Los Falanas collaborations with Southern Culture on the Skids. Or mediocre bands like the White Stripes getting so much exposure. Or the Ego Summit record being one of the best records of the last 20 years. Despite all of these things, Don Howland is not the house-hold name he deserves to be. He sort of walks down the path started by The Cramps and Tav Falco, in that he marries punk rock with a twisted roots-deep understanding of some of the best music of the last 120 years: ’77 punk, ’31 blues, '53 R'n'B, '66 punk and '71 soul. He's too dark and twisted to be some old-time revival act or garage rock, and way too ROCK to be in with average "weirdo" music niche. Consider this a god-damn pleasure, this type of thing doesn't happen in town to often.

Mp3's here: http://www.kissnrun.com/woodentitmusic.html

THE TOUCHED (midnight)
Easily one of the best live bands in town and certainly one of the only bands that can be DANGEROUS. This band is the antidote to all of our boring ass indie-rock bands with singers that mumble along as they stare at their shoes and all the scenesters get moist over that great God MEDIOCRITY. Last time I saw them at Lisa's Oak Street Lounge there was 5 inches of standing beer/water/piss/broken bottles whatever that their singer (who had a tip jar over his head) was wallowing through as he wrestled various members of the crowd, it was sort of like doing the worm at Altamont. This show is sort of their 7" RELEASE PARTY. It spins at 33rpm, has 4 songs and is their debut. To these ears it's a god damn beautiful saddle straddle somewhere (but in its its own thing kinda way) between mid70's Cleveland proto-punk and early 80's Texas acid punk. The venerable Brian Turner played them on his most recent WFMU broadcast here: http://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/23165

THE SUSPECTED TERRORISTS (10pm (sharp))
If Reagen fueled an endless fount of great punk bands, why hasn't the Bush Dynasty? Perhaps it's because we're all fucked? The Suspected Terrorist are not only a helluva punk band driving some demented hardcore Flipper type of horse power.. they are also RELEVANT (well damn, how often does that happen these days?) with songs such as: Patriot Act, Torture Island, Fuck Your Stupid Civilisation, Fight Song!, Suspected Terrorists, Mr. America and of course Henry Ford is Dead (and I'm Glad). They recently finished up recording their debut full length, soon to be released so prepare yourself for ST finally getting the recognition they deserve.
Mp3s, etc here: www.suspectedterrorists.com

LISA's OAK STREET LOUNGE
1006 East Oak Street

SATURDAY MAY 26th
10 pm SHARP
$5

Monday, May 14, 2007

Jim James Concert at The Rudyard Kipling

A few tickets are still available at ear X-tacy (1534 Bardstown Road, 452-1799) for the solo concert by Jim James (My Morning Jacket, Mont de Sundua) at The Rudyard Kipling, (422 W. Oak St., 636-1311) on Sunday, June 3. Jim will be joined by poet Ron Whitehead and Sarah Elizabeth Whitehead for the evening.

Here's the itinerary:
Doors open: 6 p.m.
7 p.m. Ron & Sarah Elizabeth Whitehead (Jim will join Sarah & Ron for much of their set)
8 p.m. Jim James of My Morning Jacket

Tickets are $34, and all the proceeds go to benefit The Rudyard Kipling.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Concert Listings

Fri 5/18
Moe
Martin Sexton
Angelique Kidjo
Keller Williams
The Nightwatchman
BROWN THEATRE - 7 p.m.

Sat 5/19
Ryan Adams
Suzanne Vega
Paula Cole
Charlie Louvin
Vietnam
BROWN THEATRE - 7 p.m.

The Glasspack
Bible of the Devil
Blade of the Ripper
Arch
THE RUD - 10 p.m.
$5

The Town Criers
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Mon 5/21
Kings of Leon
Albert Hammond Jr.
The Features
HEADLINERS - 8 pm
$25

Thu 5/24
Jamie Barnes
Brooks Ritter
JENICCA'S - 9 p.m.
free

BENEFIT FOR MIKE WELCH
Landmines
Sunday Valley
THE RUDYARD KIPLING - 9 p.m.
$5

Fri 5/25
!!!
The Holy Fuck
HEADLINERS - 9 p.m.
$12

Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 p.m.

Lucky Pinapple
Mock Orange
Vampire Squid
POUR HAUS - 10 p.m.
$5

Sat 5/26
Ganthet
Posi Bear
Mountain Asleep
When Animals Eat Other Animals
Grimewar
BRICK HOUSE - 6 p.m.
$4

Wicked Tit
The Touched
LISA'S - 10 p.m.
$5

Wed 5/30
Teneia Sanders
STEVIE RAY'S - 8 p.m.

Thu 5/31
Suspected Terrorists
THIRD STREET DIVE - 10 p.m.
$3

Sat 6/02
Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 p.m.
$5

Sun 6/03
IamIs
Jamie Barnes
Chemic
MOLLY MALONE'S - 7:30 p.m.

Sun 6/10
BENEFIT FOR KOSAIR CHARITIES
Bonnie Prince Billy
Blowfly
HEADLINERS - 8 p.m.
$5

Tue 6/12
The National
Shapes 'n Sizes
talkdemonic
HEADLINERS - 9 p.m.
$12

Wed 6/13
Bobby Bare Jr.
The Slip
HEADLINERS
$8

Fri 6/22
Tyrone Cotton
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Fri 6/29
Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 p.m.

Sat 6/30
People Noise
KESWICK- 6 p.m.
$5

Sat 7/07
Metroschifter
TBA

Lucky Pineapple
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 p.m.
$5

Sat 7/14
The Police
Fiction Plane
CHURCHILL DOWNS

Fri 7/20
"Lebowski Fest" with
Dr. Dog
Vietnam
EXECUTIVE BOWL - 8 p.m.

Sat 7/21
"Lebowski Fest" with
The Legendary Shack Shakers
The Ladybirds
Kentucky Prophet
Lucky Pineapple
Squeeze-bot
EXECUTIVE BOWL - 4 p.m.

Sun 7/22
Permant Black
Redhanded
Casket & Flower
Minnow
BLACK BEAR LAIR
6 p.m. - $5

Fri 7/27
"Forecastle Festival" with
De La Soul
Chicago Afrobeat Project
How I Became the Bomb
Cheer-Accident
SKL
The Old Ceremony
Kelley McRae
Parlour
Noizejoi
World Wide Wojo
Captain of Industry
Scourge of the Sea
Lucky Pineapple
John Boy's Courage
Geoff Koch
The Fervor
THE BELVEDERE

Sat 7/28
"Foreastle Festival" with
Girl Talk
Particle
Mucca Pazza
Wax Fang
The Features
Early Day Miners
The Impossible Shapes
Odawas
The High Water Marks
De Novo Dahl
The October
Ghostfinger
Black Diamond Heavies
The Glasspack
The Pennies
The Hiders
The Harry Pickens Band
Stephen Simmons
Todd Coyle
THE BELVEDERE

Sun 7/29
My Darling Asleep
CLIFTON'S PIZZA - 7 p.m.

RESIDENCIES:
Sundays - Bluegrass Brunch - Monkey Wrench
Mondays - Steve Cooley Bluegrass Band - Gerstle's
Mondays & Tuesdays - Duncan + Hildreth + Tiemann + Wagner - Jockamo's
- 8:30 p.m. - $3
Tuesdays - Kings of Love - Lisa's - 9:30 pm - $2
Wednesdays - Duncan + Stevens + Tiemann - Nachbar - 9 p.m.
Thursdays through Saturdays - Boogie Morton - Vincenzo's
Thursdays through Saturdays - Randy Meyers - Executive West
Fridays and Saturdays - Dick Sisto - Seelbach Bar - 10 p.m.

JAM SESSION / OPEN MIC
Mondays - open mic with Teneia Sanders - Stevie Ray's - 10 p.m.
every other Wednesday - open mic with Dave Bird - Bearno's Highlands - 10 p.m.
Wednesdays - bluegrass jam - BBC St. Matthews - 8 p.m.
Thursdays - bluegrass jam - Nachbar

DJs:
Tuesdays - Ease Off with Jesse Jamz - Monkey Wrench - 10 p.m.
Wednesdays - Midweek Rager with Scott Ritcher - Monkey Wrench - 10 p.m.
Thursdays - The Mighty Barret Avenue Shake with Woody Chancy & Matt
Anthony - Monkey Wrench - 10 p.m.
Thursdays - Roots Rock Night with Graham & Shadwick - Third Street Dive - 10 p.m.
Thursdays - Hello Sound with Jason Clark - Pour Jaus - 10 p.m.
Thursdays - The Get Off with Dwight Johnson - Maker's Lounge - 10 p.m.
Fridays - Lifted Soul with Dwight Johnson - Maker's Lounge - 10 p.m.
Fridays - Global Grease with Kim Sorise - North End - 10 p.m.
Fridays - Jesse Jamz - Asiatique - 12 a.m.
first Saturday - The Good Life with Dwight Johnson - Raw - 10 p.m.
Saturdays - TemptationX - Exile - 10 p.m.
last Saturday - Kim Sorise & BlackOut - Monkey Wrench - 10 p.m.

LOCALLY PRODUCED RADIO ON WFPK 91.9 FM:
Wednesdays - "Kentucky Homefront" - 8-9 p.m.
Thursdays - "Louisville Lost & Found" - 8-9 p.m.
Fridays - "Sound Clash" - 8-11 p.m.
Fridays - "World Force Reggae" 11 p.m. until midnight
Saturdays and Sundays - "Woody's Roadhouse" - midnight until 6 a.m.
Sundays - "Best Coast Jazz" - 10 until 11 a.m.
Sundays - "Inner Ear" - 11 a.m. until noon
Sundays - "Roots 'n Boots" - 6 until 8 p.m.
Sundays - "Sunday Bluegrass" - 8 until 11 p.m.

REGULAR VENUES:
Air Devils Inn
BBC (St. Matthews)
Black Bear Lair
Brick House
Brown Theatre
Clifton's Pizza
Exile
Headliners Music Hall
Hideaway Saloon
Jazz Factory
Jenicca's
Jim Porter's Good Time Emporium
Jockamo's Pizza
Keswick Democratic Club
Lisa's Oak Street Lounge
Longshots Tavern
Mix Things
Monkey Wrench
The 930 Gallery
Palace Theatre
The Pink Door
The Pour Haus
The Rudyard Kipling
St. John's Church
Seidenfaden's
Stevie Ray's
Third Street Dive
Uncle Pleasant's
Za's Pizza
Zena's Cafe

Friday, April 13, 2007

Concert Listings 4/13/07

CONCERTS:

Thu 4/12
The Todd Hildreth Trio
JAZZ FACTORY - 7:30 & 9:30 pm
$5

Ronnie Mack + Joel Henderson
JENICCA'S - 9 pm
free

Avett Brothers
PHOENIX HILL

Fri 4/13
The Welfares
Ultra Pulverize
BRICK HOUSE

The Decemberists
My Brightest Diamond
BROWN THEATRE - 8 pm
$27

Arch
Blacklight Barbarians
Black Skies
THE RUD - 10 pm

Button Masher
EXILE - 10 pm

Kentucky Chrome Revue
Pink Nasty
The Black
AIR DEVILS INN - 10 pm
$5

Paradigm
LONGSHOTS - 11 pm

Sat 4/14
Sarah Elizabeth & Ron Whitehead
THE RUD - 7 pm

Antibalas
Chin Chin
HEADLINERS - 9 pm
$12

Jamie Barnes
Century of Aeroplanes
Siberia
THE RUD - 10 pm

Wed 4/18
Mono
World's End Girlfriend
The Drift
HEADLINERS - 9 pm
$10

Thu 4/19
The Commonwealth
The Town Criers
The Parade Schedule
THE 930 - 7:30 pm
$5

Fri 4/20
"Daydream Fest" with
Morning Belle-Western Transit-August Moon -Casket & Flower-Caleb
Jehl-The Pledge-Acute And Obtuse-Viking!-Rival Mountains-Daniel
Grunner-The Word Play-Realms-I Choose Danger
BRICK HOUSE - 4 pm
$6

Son Volt
Magnolia Electric Co.
HEADLINERS - 9 pm
$18

Button Masher
Kinsey
Halfway Hollow
Hark the Herald
Subrosa
UNCLE PLEASANT'S - 9 pm
$7

Wolverine Brass
The Teeth
Brain Banger
POUR HAUS - 10 pm
$5

Bootsie Anne
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 pm
$2

Sat 4/21
King Kong
QUONSET HUT - 8 pm

Sunday Valley
Bodeco
Shinerunners
HEADLINERS - 10 pm
$8

Ronnie Mack
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 pm

The Ladybirds
Dubious Duo
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 pm
$3

Sun 4/22
Century of Aeroplanes
U OF L COMSTOCK HALL - 7 pm

Goatwhore
UNCLE PLEASANT'S - 8 pm
$10

Tue 4/24
Lucinda Williams
Carrie Rodriguez
BROWN THEATRE - 7:30 pm
$35

Wed 4/25
Los Straitjackets with Big Sandy as Rock en Espanol
Tony Furtado
The Last Town Chorus
WATERFRONT PARK - 5 pm
free

Fri 4/27
Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 pm

Ut Gret
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 pm

Sat 4/28
Early Day Miners
Second Story Man
Love Story
She Keeps Bees
Kangaroo
KESWICK - 6 pm
$6

Century of Aeroplanes
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 pm

Sun 4/29
The Big Diggity
Tyrone Cotton
Andrea Davidson
Ebony and Ivory
HEADLINERS

Wed 5/02
Tub Ring
Foxy Shazam
The Show Is the Rainbow
Button Masher
Bu Hao Ting
KESWICK - 6 pm
$8

Thu 5/03
Unknown Hinson
The Ladybirds
JIM PORTER'S

Wax Fang
The Slow Break
POUR HAUS

Fri 5/04
Liberation Prophecy
JAZZ FACTORY -
$10

Cannibal Corpse
Job for a Cowboy
Psyopus
HEADLINERS - 8 pm
$18

Ultra Pulverize
Lucky Pineapple
Venus Trap
THE RUD
$5

Broadfield Marchers
The Fervor
Odawas
UNCLE PLEASANT'S - 10 pm

King Kong
POUR HAUS - 11 pm

Vrktm
Nixon
LISA'S - 11 pm

Sat 5/05
Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 pm
$5

Fri 5/11
CocoRosie
Busdriver
Tez
HEADLINERS
$12

Minnow
Kangaroo
GLASSWORKS

Fri 5/18
Martin Sexton
Angelique Kidjo
Keller Williams
The Nightwatchman
BROWN THEATRE - 7 pm

Sat 5/19
Ryan Adams
Suzanne Vega
Paula Cole
Charlie Louvin
Vietnam
BROWN THEATRE - 7 pm

Bible of the Devil
The Glasspack
Blade of the Ripper
Arch
THE RUD - 10 pm
$5

Mon 5/21
Kings of Leon
Albert Hammond Jr.
The Features
HEADLINERS - 8 pm
$25

Thu 5/24
Jamie Barnes
Brooks Ritter
JENNICA'S - 9 pm
free

Fri 5/25
!!!
The Holy Fuck
HEADLINERS - 9 pm
$12

Tara Jane O'Neil
BUTCHER BLOCK - 9 pm

Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 pm

Lucky Pinapple
Mock Orange
Vampire Squid
POUR HAUS - 10 pm
$5

Wed 5/30
Teneia Sanders
STEVIE RAY'S - 8 pm

Sat 6/02
Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 pm
$5

Sun 6/03
IamIs
Jamie Barnes
Chemic
MOLLY MALONE'S - 7:30 pm

Tue 6/12
The National
Shapes 'n Sizes
talkdemonic
HEADLINERS - 9 pm
$12

Wed 6/13
Bobby Bare Jr.
The Slip
HEADLINERS
$8

Fri 6/29
Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 pm

Sat 6/30
People Noise
KESWICK- 6 pm
$5

Sat 7/07
Metroschifter
TBA

Lucky Pineapple
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 pm

Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 pm
$5

Sat 7/14
The Police
Fiction Plane
CHURCHILL DOWNS

Fri 7/20
"Lebowski Fest" with
Dr. Dog
Vietnam
EXECUTIVE BOWL - 8 pm

Fri 7/21
"Lebowski Fest" with
The Legendary Shack Shakers
The Ladybirds
Kentucky Prophet
Lucky Pineapple
Squeeze-bot
EXECUTIVE BOWL - 4 pm

Fri 7/27
"Forecastle Festival" with
De La Soul
THE BELVEDERE

Sat 7/28
"Foreastle Festival" with
Girl Talk
THE BELVEDERE

Sun 7/29
My Darling Asleep
CLIFTON'S PIZZA


RESIDENCIES:
Sundays - Bluegrass Brunch - Monkey Wrench
Mondays - Steve Cooley Bluegrass Band - Gerstle's
Mondays & Tuesdays - Duncan + Hildreth + Tiemann + Wagner - Jockamo's
- 8:30 pm - $3
Tuesdays - Kings of Love - Lisa's - 9:30 pm - $2
Wednesdays - Duncan + Stevens + Tiemann - Nachbar - 9 pm
Thursdays through Saturdays - Boogie Morton - Vincenzo's
Thursdays through Saturdays - Randy Meyers - Executive West
Fridays and Saturdays - Dick Sisto - Seelbach Bar - 10 pm

JAM SESSION / OPEN MIC
Mondays - open mic with Teneia Sanders - Stevie Ray's - 10 pm
every other Wednesday - open mic with Dave Bird - Bearno's Highlands - 10 pm
Wednesdays - bluegrass jam - BBC St. Matthews - 8 pm
Thursdays - bluegrass jam - Nachbar

DJs:
Tuesdays - Ease Off with Jesse Jamz - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm
Wednesdays - Midweek Rager with Scott Ritcher - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm
Thursdays - The Mighty Barret Avenue Shake with Woody Chancy & Matt
Anthony - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm
Thursdays - Hello Sound with Jason Clark - Pour Jaus - 10 pm
Thursdays - The Get Off with Dwight Johnson - Maker's Lounge - 10 pm
Fridays - Lifted Soul with Dwight Johnson - Maker's Lounge - 10 pm
Fridays - Global Grease with Kim Sorise - North End - 10 pm
Fridays - Jesse Jamz - Asiatique - 12 am
first Saturday - The Good Life with Dwight Johnson - Raw - 10 pm
Saturdays - TemptationX - Exile - 10 pm
last Saturday - Kim Sorise & BlackOut - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm

LOCALLY PRODUCED RADIO ON WFPK 91.9 FM:
Wednesdays - "Kentucky Homefront" - 8 until 9 pm
Thursdays - "Louisville Lost & Found" - 8 until 9 pm
Fridays - "Sound Clash" - 8 until 11 pm
Fridays - "World Force Reggae" 11 pm until midnight
Saturdays and Sundays - "Woody's Roadhouse" - midnight until 6 am
Sundays - "Best Coast Jazz" - 10 until 11 am
Sundays - "Inner Ear" - 11 am until noon
Sundays - "Roots 'n Boots" - 6 until 8 pm
Sundays - "Sunday Bluegrass" - 8 until 11 pm

REGULAR VENUES:
Air Devils Inn
BBC St. Matthews
Black Bear Lair
The Brick House
Brown Theatre
Butcher Block Gallery
Clifton's Pizza
Exile
Headliners
Hideaway Saloon
Jazz Factory
Jenicca's
Jim Porter's Good Time Emporium
Jockamo's
Keswick Democratic Club
Lisa's Oak Street Lounge
Longshots Tavern
Main Street Lounge
Mix Things
Monkey Wrench
Palace Theatre
The Pink Door
The Pour Haus
The Rudyard Kipling
St. John's Church
Seidenfaden's
Stevie Ray's
Uncle Pleasant's
Zena's Cafe

Wednesday, April 4, 2007

Kids prefer Slayer

From The Independent (London):

UK REPORT STATES THAT SLAYER IS A MUSICAL CHOICE OF CHILD PRODIGIES

In a 1992 Slayer profile, Esquire magazine wrote, "Five out of five kids who kill love Slayer."
Times change.
According to a report just last month in the UK's national daily newspaper The Independent, a study reveals that "death metal and thrash bands such as Slayer and Slipknot produce the music of choice for today's brightest youngsters."
The report is based on an online survey conducted with students at Great Britain's National Academy for Gifted and Talented Youth, representing the top five percent of the country's students.
The report further states that "this intellectual elite often [finds] themselves facing situations and issues not encountered by less able students." Researchers associated with the study admitted their surprise that "intelligent" genres traditionally associated with the precociously bright, such as classical and jazz, were the least populaar.
For all the honor students in Australia and here in North America, Slayer kicks off their first Australian concert tour in five years on April 21, and will co-headline a North American summer tour with Marilyn Manson beginning July 25.

Monday, April 2, 2007

Concert listings

CONCERTS:

Tues., 4/03
Ayin
The Juan Prophet Organization
Vampire Squid
THE RUD - 9 p.m., $5

Wed 4/04
The Town Criers
HIDEAWAY SALOON - 10 p.m.

Thu 4/05
Manhatta
Tiger Shark
The Catalyst
I Choose Danger
BLACK BEAR LAIR - 6 p.m., $4

Thu 4/05
Black Fur
Naive
Piss Alley
Black Walls
THE RUD - 9 p.m., $5

Fri 4/06
Bill Frisell
THE 930 - 8 p.m., $15

Fri 4/06
Sebadoh
The Bent Mustache
HEADLINERS - 10 p.m., $12

Fri 4/06
Lucky Pineapple
THE PUB - 10 p.m.

Fri 4/06
King Kong
The Slow Break
Knife the Symphony
Kangaroo
LISA'S - 10 p.m.

Fri 4/06
Jamie Barnes
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m., $2

Sat 4/07
Lucky Pineapple
PINK DOOR - 10 p.m.

Sat 4/07
Tyrone Cotton
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Sat 4/07
Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 p.m., $5

Wed 4/11
River City Tanlines
Young Widows
Akimbo
Engineer
Tides
KESWICK - 6 p.m., $5

Thu 4/12
Ronnie Mack
Joel Henderson
JENICCA'S - free

Thu 4/12
Avett Brothers
PHOENIX HILL

Fri 4/13
The Decemberists
My Brightest Diamond
BROWN THEATRE - 8 p.m., $27

Fri 4/13
Button Masher
EXILE

Fri 4/13
Kentucky Chrome Revue
Pink Nasty
The Black
AIR DEVILS INN - 10 p.m., $5

Fri 4/13
Paradigm
LONGSHOTS - 11 p.m.

Sat 4/14
Antibalas
Chin Chin
HEADLINERS, $12

Sat 4/14
Century of Aeroplanes
THE RUD

Wed 4/18
Mono
World's End Girlfriend
The Drift
HEADLINERS - 9 p.m., $10

Fri 4/20
Son Volt
Magnolia Electric Co.
HEADLINERS - 9 p.m., $18

Fri 4/20
Bootsie Anne
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m., $2

Sat 4/21
King Kong
QUONSET HUT - 8 p.m.

Sat 4/21
Sunday Valley
Bodeco
Shinerunners
HEADLINERS - 10 p.m., $8

Sat 4/21
Ronnie Mack
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Sun 4/22
Century of Aeroplanes
U OF L COMSTOCK HALL - 7 p.m.

Sun 4/22
Goatwhore
UNCLE PLEASANT'S - 8 p.m., $10

Tue 4/24
Lucinda Williams
Carrie Rodriguez
BROWN THEATRE - 7:30 p.m., $35

Fri 4/27
Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 p.m.

Fri 4/27
Ut Gret
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Sat 4/28
Early Day Miners
Second Story Man
Love Story
She Keeps Bees
Kangaroo
KESWICK - 6 p.m., $6

Sat 4/28
Century of Aeroplanes
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Sun 4/29
The Big Diggity
Tyrone Cotton
Andrea Davidson
Ebony and Ivory
HEADLINERS

Thu 5/03
Unknown Hinson
The Ladybirds
JIM PORTER'S

Thu 5/03
Wax Fang
The Slow Break
POUR HAUS

Fri 5/04
Cannibal Corpse
Job for a Cowboy
Psyopus
HEADLINERS - 8 p.m., $18

Fri 5/04
Broadfield Marchers
The Fervor
Odawas
UNCLE PLEASANT'S

Fri 5/04
King Kong
POUR HAUS - 11 p.m.

Sat 5/05
Johnny Berry and the Outliers
SEIDENFADEN'S - 11 p.m., $5

Fri 5/11
CocoRosie
Busdriver
Tez
HEADLINERS, $12

Sat 5/19
Bible of the Devil
The Glasspack
Blade of the Ripper
Arch
THE RUD - 10 p.m., $5

Mon 5/21
Kings of Leon
Albert Hammond Jr.
The Features
HEADLINERS - 8 p.m., $25

Fri 5/25
!!!
HEADLINERS - 9 p.m., $12

Fri 5/25
Tara Jane O'Neil
BUTCHER BLOCK - 9 p.m.

Fri 5/25
Tyrone Cotton
SEIDENFADEN'S - 10 p.m.

Fri 5/25
Lucky Pinapple
Mock Orange
Vampire Squid
POUR HAUS - 10 p.m., $5

Wed 5/30
Teneia Sanders
STEVIE RAY'S - 8 pm

Tue 6/12
The National
HEADLINERS, $12

Sat 6/30
People Noise
KESWICK- 6 p.m., $5

Sat 7/07
Lucky Pineapple
JAZZ FACTORY - 11 p.m.

Sat 7/14
The Police
Fiction Plane
CHURCHILL DOWNS

Fri 7/27
De La Soul
THE BELVEDERE

RESIDENCIES:
Sundays - Bluegrass Brunch - Monkey Wrench
Mondays & Tuesdays - Todd Hildreth Trio - Jockamo's - 9 pm
Tuesdays - Kings of Love - Lisa's - 9 pm
Thursdays through Saturdays - Randy Meyers - Executive West
Fridays and Saturdays - Dick Sisto - Seelbach Bar - 10 pm

JAM SESSION / OPEN MIC / KARAOKE:
Mondays - open mic with Teneia Sanders - Stevie Ray's - 10:30 pm
every other Wednesday - open mic with Dave Bird - Bearno's Highlands - 10 pm
Wednesdays - bluegrass jam - BBC St. Matthews - 8 pm
Wednesdays and Saturdays - karaoke - Seidenfanden's - 11 pm
Saturdays - karaoke - Pour Haus - 10 pm

DJs:
Tuesdays - Ease Off with Jesse Jamz - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm
Wednesdays - Midweek Rager with Scott Ritcher - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm
Thursdays - The Mighty Barret Avenue Shake with Woody Chancy & Matt
Anthony - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm
Thursdays - The Get Off with Dwight Johnson - Maker's Lounge - 10 pm
Fridays - Lifted Soul with Dwight Johnson - Maker's Lounge - 10 pm
Fridays - Global Grease with Kim Sorise - North End - 10 pm
Fridays - Jesse Jamz - Asiatique - 12 am
first Saturday - The Good Life with Dwight Johnson - Raw - 10 pm
Saturdays - TemptationX - Exile - 10 pm
last Saturday - Kim Sorise & BlackOut - Monkey Wrench - 10 pm