Whenever I was a child, I wondered what if my name had changed into something more productive, like Roscoe, been born in 1891, ponders Midlake singer Tim Smith on “Roscoe,” the first track from the band’s second full-length, The Trials of Van Occupanther. The truth is, it probably wouldn’t have mattered — time seems to have played no role in…
A former Cosby kid like Raven Symone is hard to overshadow, but if anyone can do it, it’s the one-two punch of James Taylor and Lynyrd Skynyrd. And what better place for these acts to square off than the traditional proving ground of rock and folk and (now) Cosby, the Missouri State Fair? Symone may have charmed us as Olivia,…
Dropping Daylight must suffer from low self-esteem because this pop outfit makes some puzzling relationship choices. After hooking up with the pestilent kiddy-punk group Simple Plan and the annoying Jason Mraz for road stints, the Minneapolis-based quartet is now swapping stage sweat with lumbering rock-radio lug Breaking Benjamin. Daylight’s debut, Brace Yourself, contains assertive choruses — all spiking volume and…
With a name from straight out of a Cormac McCarthy novel and the rumpled hair and tired eyes of a third-place demolition-derby driver, Slaid Cleaves had to be a Texas songwriter — even if he did grow up in Maine. In the tradition of James McMurtry and Guy Clark, his songs include stories. He even posts the ones that won’t…
Like their buy-’em-by-the-gross namesake, the Bottle Rockets have been up, and they’ve been down. After a few years marked by label struggles, members lost and gained, and songs that were audaciously quiet, this year finds them ascending with a new Bloodshot CD, Zoysia — named for that kind of grass that also keeps coming back. Their music originally sprang roughly…
Oklahoma’s The Stock Market Crash has created its sound by corralling its favorite ’80s new-wave and Britpop sounds — the Cars, Echo and the Bunnymen — while maintaining the theatricality and bravado shared by the best of the era. Looking like the love child of Alex from A Clockwork Orange and Morrissey, frontman Matthew Bacon sings with the sharpness of…
Cincinnati’s Scribble Jam is the largest annual hip-hop festival in the country, but it’s more than just a who’s who of underground rappers, B-boys, DJs and graffiti artists. The bragging rights associated with winning one of its competitions are priceless. The three-day event, hosted by Murs, kicks off Thursday night at Top Cats (2820 Vine, 513-281-2005) with a CD-release party…
In synth-pop circles, Gary Numan is the father, the son and the holy spirit — thanks to his work with Tubeway Army in the late 1970s and the indeli- ble (and inescapable) robotic retro-night staple, “Cars.” To celebrate the humanoid’s arrival in Kansas City, here are some of the more interesting Numan cover songs floating around. Kirb & Chris, “Cars”…
No question about it, Will Oldham is a tough nut to crack. He switches musical styles like Bob Ross switches paintbrushes, now a blues whiner, now a wandering minstrel. And just when you think one of his songs is perfect for that new mixtape or playlist you’re making for your girlfriend, he’s likely to say something about sticking his fingers…
The night began on a note of triumph. It was last Thursday, around 8:30 p.m. at the Pitch Music Awards Showcase in Westport. I was huddled with about 25 other music fans outside the Westport Beach Club, where Best Avant/Experimental nominee act Namelessnumberheadman was kicking off that corner of the showcase. Our tireless marketing pros had deftly arranged for the…
It smells like a party in the basement of SG’s stepmom’s house. Budweisers are popped. A beat fresh off the Veteran Click producer’s mixing board plays loud and on a loop — a surly, moody, funky, bass-thudding new joint. Joe Good wears headphones, spitting verses into the mic for a track for his upcoming solo album in SG’s homemade studio….
I recently read the Backwash column about the Sprint Center webcam posted on top of City Hall. The city actually owns and hosts the webcam directly, and a more up-to-date visual of the construction of the Sprint Center, as well as the Power and Light District, can be found directly on the city’s Web site at http://www.kcmo.org/cimo/webcam1. htm. Since the…
When Sally Cauble filed to run against Connie Morris, the anti-evolution Kansas School Board member who makes Rush Limbaugh look like a tie-dye-wearing war protester, she named her Web site caubleforcommonsense.com. In terms of what the Kansas School Board needs, we couldn’t agree more. The former elementary school teacher came out of nowhere to challenge Morris. (Well, OK, so actually…
More than 50 pit bull owners in Kansas City, Kansas, have turned in their dogs — ahead of Friday’s deadline to give up their pets without punishment. The owners know that afterward, it will be open season on all stocky-bodied, wide-mouthed, gummy-smiling dogs in KCK. The owners probably hope the dogs are destined for a nice family on a…
Dear Gabachos: Bienvenidos to the world’s foremost authority on America’s favorite beaners! The Mexican can answer any and every question on his race, from why Mexicans stick the Virgin of Guadalupe everywhere to our obsession with dwarves and transvestites. Awright, cabrones: laugh and comprende! Dear Mexican: I just don’t get Mexicans and their grooming. The men slick their hair…
The Strip knows how it feels to have flames licking its backside. And like other folks around the country this sizzlin’ summer, it’s been worrying about the environment. There are a lot of things one little meat patty can do to make a difference, so the Strip’s been buying compact fluorescent light bulbs, taking the Max to work and, like…
Beth Barham is quite finicky when it comes to what she puts on her plate. During winter months, for instance, organic California spinach will suffice for a proper salad. But come spring, when it is harvested locally, that green veggie simply must come from a farm near her home in Columbia. She won’t touch processed foods. She shops at…
Just a couple of quick things, y’all. 1. It’s way easier to post comments on this blog now. No mailing address, blood type or genitalia descriptions required. So, let the feedback begin. OK Jones searches the skies for a new drummer. 2. OK Jones is looking for a drummer. Contact Richard Gintowt at ok_jones@hotmail.com if you’re interested in beating the…
Wuhhhh. Someone please tell me exactly when I became a child of Satan. Unless you’ve been living in a cocoon, you know that last night brought the Pitch Music Awards showcase to Westport. It was my goal to stay sane through the night, but this morning, my head hurts, my ears feel like they’ve recently received surgery, and my favorite…
It’s here, kids, the best night of the year for local music in Kansas City (IMHO). And even though your favorite group may not have made the cut, there’s more than enough action down in Westport to satisfy even the snobbiest scenester. Namelessnumberheadman hits the Beach tonight. First, note that some of the venues and lineups have changed. Despite what…
It’s hard to pick a flavor at Sylas & Maddy’s (11925 South Strang Line in Olathe, 913-393-3500), an ice creamery that first opened in Lawrence. We’re tempted to go the everything-but-the-kitchen-sink route with Gold Dust (a Snickers, Oreos and caramel concoction) or Da Bomb (which combines cookie dough, chocolate flakes and Oreos). The usual suspects await traditionalists, but there’s also…
During its song “Laser Show,” Fountains of Wayne giddily references Pink Floyd (We’re going straight to the dark side of the moon) and Metallica (We’re gonna sit back, relax, watch the stars/James and Jason, Kirk and Lars). Traditionally, progressive rock and metal accompany laser shows, with the former catalyzing cosmic trips and the latter reinforcing the awesome power of a…
Don’t let the lack of a partner keep you from the tango — Argentine Tango Thursdays don’t even require dance experience. (Good news for us, perhaps not-so-good news for the person whose toes we step on later.) Tango teacher Kim Papineau gathers the experienced and the amateurs at 7:30 p.m. for a free lesson, then sets everyone loose on…
Beavis & Butt-head: The Mike Judge Collection, Volume 3 (Paramount) Blind Beast vs. Killer Dwarf (Panik House) Broken Saints: The Animated Comic Epic (Fox) Dallas: The Complete Fifth Season (Warner Bros.) Elvis: ’68 Comeback (BMG Heritage) A Fish Called Wanda: Deluxe Edition (MGM) Girls Next Door (Fox) The Graduate (MGM) How Art Made the World (BBC Warner) Mr. Moto Volume…
