Tonight: Blitzen Trapper At Off Broadway

You have two opportunities to see Blitzen Trapper tonight. The first is at Vintage Vinyl, at 6 PM, and this is your opportunity to see them for the low, low price of free! And then, later tonight, at Off Broadway, they will be playing with the Moondoggies from Seattle opening for them. Perhaps one is thinking about catching them at both places, being a BT glutton. I say I like the cut of your jib. Make it so.


Not in STL? Here are some other dates:
Mon 06/21/10
St. Louis, MO Off Broadway Nightclub
Tue 06/22/10
Kansas City, MO The Record Bar
Thu 06/24/10
Aspen, CO Belly Up Aspen

Appearing at "Telluride Wine Festival"
Sat 06/26/10
Telluride, CO Telluride Town Park

Mon 06/28/10 T
Tempe, AZ The Clubhouse Music Venue
Tue 06/29/10
Los Angeles, CA El Rey Theatre
Wed 06/30/10
San Francisco, CA The Fillmore

Appearing at "High Sierra Music Festival"
Thu 07/01/10
Quincy, CA Plumas County Fairgounds

Fri 07/02/10
Quincy, CA Plumas County Fairgounds

Appearing with Avi Buffalo
Fri 07/23/10
Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal Ballroom

Appearing with "Capitol Hill Block Party"
Sat 07/24/10
Seattle, WA Capitol Hill Festival Grounds

Appearing with Avi Buffalo
Tue 07/27/10
Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
Wed 07/28/10
Milwaukee, WI Turner Hall Ballroom

Appearing at "Beachland Concert Series"
Thu 07/29/10
Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom & Tavern

Appearing at "Newport Folk Festival"
Sat 07/31/10
Newport, RI Fort Adams State Park

Appearing at "Osheaga Festival"
Sun 08/01/10
Montreal, QC Parc Jean Drapeau

Appearing with Avi Buffalo
Tue 08/03/10
Toronto, ON Opera House Concert Venue
Wed 08/04/10
Detroit, MI The Majestic
Thu 08/05/10
Indianapolis, IN The Vogue

Appearing at "Lollapalooza" / Soundgarden
Sun 08/08/10
Chicago, IL Grant Park

Tue 08/10/10
Iowa City, IA Gabe's
Wed 08/11/10
Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre
Thu 08/12/10
Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Thu 11/11/10
Muenster, Germany Gleis 22
Fri 11/12/10
Berlin, Germany Comet Club
Mon 11/15/10
Munich, Germany Kranhalle
Thu 11/18/10
Cologne, Germany Blue Shell

Blitzen Trapper Coming To Off Broadway In June

Well, I may have to see if I can just live at Off Broadway this june. or maybe they will allow me to do odd jobs around the place to help pay for all the shows I'll be seeing there?

You'll first find me there on June 15, to see Mumford & Sons. I've already posted about them here, but you can also read about them on Paste's site, if you want to find out more about this up-and-coming band.

And then, six days later I will be back to see Blitzen Trapper, on Monday, june 21. I can not resist. The last time they were in town, November of 2008, I caught them at Vintage Vinyl, before they played an opening slot for Stephen Malkmus at the Pageant, and wished I could have caught them later, but commitments called. They were wonderful, even in the low-key record store setting. Their new album will be out on June 8 on Sub Pop, and you can download a free MP3 by going to their official site.

And then another six days later, just long enough time to re-charge the mind and wallet, I will be back to see Black Joe Lewis on Sunday, the 27th.

I eagerly await who I should be seeing there on July 3, six days after that concert. I'm thinking it will be good, no matter who is there...

God's Favorite Band Returns To Off Broadway

Yes, that's right, the Asylum Street Spankers are returning to Off Broadway this Wednesday, to play selections off their new release, (Surprise!) "God's Favorite Band". The release is an album of swinging gospel numbers, and will comprise the first set, with the second set covering some of the more... less gospel-y... numbers. Should be a fun time for a Wednesday.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to make it or not, but don't let that stop you. Go ahead, have some fun without Old Skool. He'll be at home warming up some milk to help him get his 8.25 hours of blissfully uninterrupted sleep. Just don't do anything O.S. wouldn't do...

Tonight: Neko Case At The Pageant

Should be a good show. I still remember seeing her at Off Broadway, and her voice was amazing. Here she is singing "Maybe Sparrow" to get you warmed up for the show:


And "This Tornado loves You" on Letterman:

Don't expect her to be wearing a black dress, though, She seems to be more comfortable in jeans and an old t-shirt.

It's Going To Be A Jam-Packed Tuesday

I've mentioned this before, but Tuesday in the Lou is a great night. First, Jenny Owen Youngs will be here opening for Mae at Off Broadway. I've posted about her previously here and here.

And, also on Tuesday, White Rabbits return to the Firebird. Old Skool musicological scientists may need to take a nap Tuesday afternoon. We suggest you do the same. And I'll see you out and about. Here's the band on Letterman, after their first album came out. It's good. They've gotten better.

Jenny Owen Youngs Update: Good News/Bad News- She's Coming To STL

So after I posted last about Jenny, I checked to see if she is touring, and GREAT NEWS, SHE IS! Specific to my little corner of the world, she's coming to Off Broadway on Tuesday, October 27, opening for the band mae.

But BAD NEWS, she's coming the same night that White Rabbits are playing at the Firebird. Oh cruel gods of fate, why do you taunt me? Ah, perhaps I can pull a Beatle Bob and hit Off Broadway first, catch Jenny, and then hightail it to the Firebird to see those White Rabbit boys. Yessss, it just might work.

Here's her whole schedule:
Tue 10/13/09
Louisville, KY Skull Alley

Wed 10/14/09
Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle

Thu 10/15/09
Richmond, VA The Downstairs Lounge

Fri 10/16/09
Baltimore, MD Sonar

Sat 10/17/09
New York, NY Blender Theatre At Gramercy

Sun 10/18/09
Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes

Mon 10/19/09
Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs

Tue 10/20/09
Philadelphia, PA Trocadero Theatre


Appearing with Mae
Thu 10/22/09
Denver, CO Marquis Theater

Fri 10/23/09
Kansas City, MO The Record Bar

Sat 10/24/09
Minneapolis, MN Triple Rock Social Club

Mon 10/26/09
Fargo, ND The Aquarium

Tue 10/27/09
St. Louis, MO Off Broadway Nightclub

Wed 10/28/09
Chicago, IL Reggie's Rock Club

Thu 10/29/09
Newport, KY The Historic Southgate House

Fri 10/30/09
Akron, OH Musica

Sat 10/31/09
Grand Rapids, MI Mixtape Cafe

Sun 11/01/09
Columbus, OH Skully's Music Diner

Mon 11/02/09
Pittsburgh, PA Club Cafe

Appearing with Mae
Tue 11/03/09
Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar

Wed 11/04/09
Philadelphia, PA North Star Bar

Thu 11/05/09
Cambridge, MA Middle East Downstairs

Fri 11/06/09
New York, NY Fillmore New York At Irving Plaza

Sat 11/07/09
South Hackensack, NJ School of Rock East

Sun 11/08/09
Washington, DC Black Cat

yooouuutuuube: Have you seen it?

Maybe you should. It lets you put multiple youtube videos in a row, creating this interesting, trippy effect. It's pretty cool.

Here's the Living Things video for "Let It Rain", in honor of their gig tonight at Off Broadway here in STL.

Hide Your Dollar Bills: Living Things Coming To St Louis

You may have read my post about seeing the Living Things play an afternoon show at SXSW. They were very good, in the vein of T-Rex, or perhaps Louis XIV, and they were wearing all leather, even though it was a fairly warm Texas afternoon. The thing that got everyone talking was when singer Lillian burned a dollar bill in front of the stage, talking about how the government was taking his tax money for the rich no more. It was effective, but then when it was reported that he did the same thing at their next show, maybe a little less so.

But, hey, they really bring a good rock show, so it would be a shame to miss them when they come to STL. Even though they are from here, they haven't actually played a show here in years. They'll be at Off Broadway on May 12, and also playing a free show earlier in the day at Vintage Vinyl, at 4 PM.

As a little background, the Living Things formed in 2003 and consists of three brothers, Lillian Berlin on vocals and guitar, Eve on Bass, and Bosh on drums. Rounding out the group is Corey Becker on guitar, who is not related to anyone else in the band, and is NOT, contrary to the arbitrary rumor that I decided to start here, the love-child of Steely Dan's Walter Becker and gravel-voiced Marianne Faithfull. Their new release is Habeas Corpus, and they have toured with Velvet Revolver and the Vines.

SXSW Spotlight: Chuck Mead

Chuck Mead is the founder of BR5-49. It seems that they are on hiatus and/or defunct, so he will be playing the festival as Chuck Mead and His Grassy Knoll Boys. I've seen BR5-49 a few times, and they always put on a fun show. The last time I saw them was at Antone's after Chris Scruggs had come in to replace Gary Bennett. We were right next to Chuck and his clear guitar style sounded very good indeed.

And to make this come full circle, the FIRST time I saw the Avett Brothers, who I will hopefully see on Wednesday night, was when they opened up for BR5-49 at Off Broadway here in St Louis.

Chuck's new release comes out on 5/12/09. Here's the first video single from it, "I Wish It Was Friday":



He'll be playing here for SXSW:
Thursday, March 19 3:00 p.m.
Jovita's (1617 S. 1st St)

Thursday, March 19 7:00 p.m.
Mother Egan's (715 W 6th St)

Future Clouds And Radar: Peoria & Live

Two quick comments on FCAR:

1. The release "Peoria" is a tasty slice of indie-pop, heavily influenced by the Beatles with a George Harrison leaning. Besides the Beatles, I hear shades of Jason Falkner, Radiohead, and Jon Vanderslice. I recommend it, even though the band sometimes wanders into semi-noisy musical landscapes that to these ears get in the way of the songs. Best song: Feet on Grass.

2. Seeing the band at Off Broadway was a nice treat. All of the musicians seem to be seasoned veterans and bring it without overly dramatizing things. Tight, tight, tight. Interestingly, the meandering that threw things off for me on "Peoria" seemed to work much better live. This is a solid band and I'm glad that I missed some precious sleep time last night to check them out.

Side note: While the O's, who played right before them were fine, I felt that they lacked that magical x-factor that pushes a band into your cortex and won't let go. Mining similar territory as the Avett Brothers, they lacked that surprise and delight of the slightly unexpected, both lyrically and musically, that I get when seeing those Avetts. Here's hoping that the O's keep pushing, and find that thing that makes them stand out from the crowd, rather than blend in.

Remember, there is still time to catch Future Clouds And Radar before they leave the Lou, both at a house party on Saturday, and at Euclid Records Sunday at 3 PM.

Future Clouds And Radar: Off Broadway, Euclid Records, and SXSW. Take Your Pick.

One may be closer than the other but this is a band that bears closer watch. The Austin-based Future Clouds and Radar will be in St Louis this Thursday, Feb. 19 at Off Broadway. Then they will be at Euclid Records This Sunday the 22nd at 3 PM and a couple of songs they perform are slated to appear as a limited edition (300 copies) 45 rpm single. Cool stuff. And then when I am in Austin for SXSW (Friday, March 20, 1 AM, Wave) I will hopefully catch them there, also. Here's what Euclid's blog has to say about them:

Those who have seen either of the band’s St. Louis performances at Off Broadway have spent the bulk of the last two years breathlessly telling their friends and family that Future Clouds and Radar are one of the most exciting and exhilarating rock bands to turn up in years. Their songs are unforgettable, melodic, densely arranged with exotic and delightful touches. Or, as Amplifier magazine put it, “In a perfect world the government's $700 billion bailout package would include buying a copy of Future Clouds and Radar's sophomore album Peoria for every man, woman and child in America...”

Here's a video to whet the appetite:


And a link to an MP3 of "Feet On Grass", my favorite so far, courtesy of the fine folks at SXSW. And thanks to Jeff for the heads-up.

Detroit Cobras Tonight At Off Broadway

If you go see them, I bet they will look and sound just like this, and I bet you will like it:



Here's their myspace and web site to learn more.

I Think It's Gonna Work Out Fine

I recently saw Black Joe Lewis at Off Broadway and enjoyed the showmanship of the performance. Everyone in the band wore white shirts and vest, some with ties. BJL wore all black, and worked the stage while the backing musicians worked some (semi) synchronized moves behind him. The red curtain behind them made for a great image. And they looked like they were having a blast.

Black Joe Lewis reminded me of a combination of James Brown and Prince, musically, but what really struck me was how I thought he resembled Ike Turner. That leads me to my favorite Ike and Tina Turner song, "It's Gonna Work Out Fine". I found this medley on Youtube. Check out those fine moves by Tina and the Ikettes at the beginning of "Work Out Fine". Oh, yes:



One more Black Joe Lewis tidbit: it seems he has this label on his tour van: "St. Joseph's Catholic Church". Says BLJ on his flow of logic:

"There are only two kinds of groups that ride in those types of vans: bands and churches. We're trying to get the cops to just keep going when we drive by and all of the thugs that want to jack our stuff. Who wants to steal from a church?"

Gentleman Auction House- Tonight at Off Broadway STL

Gentleman Auction House is coming on strong. It's great to hear so much quality STL music out there right now. Can we officially call it a scene?

If you get a chance, go see them tonight, they are playing with What Made Milwaukee Famous and Black Joe Lewis, both from Austin, TX. And be sure to pick up their latest full-length, Alphabet Graveyard. It is surprisingly muscular and has a nice indie-rock edge to it. Here's a video from it, for Book Of Matches: