Nathan Reusch and Mike Russo co-own a local label called the Record Machine, so it’s safe to assume they boast decent vinyl collections. But they won’t actually spin wax during Switched On, the first in a proposed series of dance parties organized by Reusch and Queens Club singer Daniel Eaton. They’ll let Record Machine artist Max Justus make his own…
“Paisley Pattern Ground” by the Black Hollies, from Casting Shadows (Ernest Jenning): First, melt down your favorite Who, Kinks, Stones, Motown and regular ol’ Hollies records, run them through a blender and toss the goo in your freezer. Wait 30 years to pull it, then put it in the microwave. Three minutes later, presto — the Black Hollies. Sounding more…
“Under NY Trees” by Park Ranger, from Safe Without Sound (Parrot on a Porch Records): If Death Cab for Cutie can put Bellingham, Washington, on the map, there’s no reason that Park Ranger can’t do the same for New York’s Hudson Valley. Both exurb-rocking bands languish in slower tempos and produce more pronounced crescendos than their big-city peers, emphasizing clean…
When founding member Lowell George died in 1979, no one would have thought that some form of Little Feat would still be functioning nearly 30 years later. Yet Richie Hayward, Paul Barrere and Bill Payne, three guys who helped establish the band’s boogie-rock credentials back in the day, are out on the road once again, performing chestnuts such as “Fat…
“Dear Honey” by Dusty Rhodes & The River Band (Side One Dummy): Ever since Gogol Bordello became a big deal, the term “gypsy rock” has become far too commonplace. Dusty Rhodes and the River Band and Sterilize Stereo are two bands that have probably been done a disservice by such catchall descriptions. Yeah, they play accordions and violins, but they…
Last week, I listened to my friend Necia tell a story about her mother. When Necia was grown and took trips home, her mother always made the same special meal for her. It was a fabulous dinner and a big one — baked ham, collard greens and peach cobbler, along with a few other things. When Necia’s mother died, Necia…
We’re guessing Blueprint doesn’t get a lot of sleep between juggling a solo career, collaborative projects (Soul Position, Greenhouse Effect) and running a record label. Last week, the Ohio rapper and producer showed his appreciation for George Clinton-era backdrops with Blueprint vs. Funkadelic. “I had been collecting records for a long time but wasn’t as familiar with them as I…
“German Studies” by the Breeders, from Mountain Battles (4AD): The Breeders release albums so infrequently (this month’s Mountain Battles makes just four in the past 18 years) that guitarist Kelley Deal may be better known for playing caretaker to her twin sister, Pixies bassist and Breeders leader Kim, than for her musical abilities. This was particularly evident in loudQUIETloud, the…
Dear Mexican: In the television show Cops, the white folks pull over and hope that no one finds the concealed syringes. The black folks are pulled over for leaving the scene of a domestic dispute or are reported for slapping the bitch and kicking her new man in the crotch, regardless of the fact that they have been separated, divorced…
After I recommended in an April 10 column that Kansas City get a rock venue that’s bigger than the Record Bar but smaller than the Beaumont Club, Chip Mitchell called to say this town already has a club that size: Crosstown Station. Mitchell owns it. At 1522 McGee, it’s just across Interstate 70 from the Sprint Center, distinctly apart from…
I have a friend who lives in California and comes to visit once a year. She’s fond of Kansas City’s iconic restaurants (Stroud’s, Arthur Bryant’s, Plaza III), but she’s particularly thrilled if we can squeeze in a visit to the 12-year-old Peachtree Buffet (6800 Eastwood Trafficway) for what she calls a “soul-food extravaganza.” The buffet was created by James and…
Here’s something I never thought I’d say. Last Saturday night, I spent two-thirds of an opera trying to peer around the head of the husband of the great-great-great granddaughter of John Brown. That John Brown. The bearded tombstone, the Calvinist ass kicker, the abolitionist butcher of Pottawatomie with a rifle in his right hand and a Bible in his left….
Biographical Landscape: The Photography of Stephen Shore, 1969-1979 American photographer Stephen Shore’s exhibition includes more than 150 images of ’70s-era parking lots, motel rooms, restaurants, highways and other familiar road-trip images from across the country. Anyone who has been on a road trip knows these images by heart. The exterior photographs of filling stations, desolate dirt roads, billboards and other…
By CRYSTAL K. WIEBE Apparently, being KC’s most hyped indie rock band can be slightly uncomfortable, especially when the whole stinkin’ scene is gathered in your honor. The Republic Tigers, you know, that local indie rock band whose song got played on Grey’s Anatomy last week presented their album “Keep Color” to Kansas City last night during a free listening…
More cross-state love: The RFT shares their exclusive interviews with Nelly here. Shut up about Kingshighway and talk about the time the Cardinals lost the World Series to the Royals! Categories: Music Tags: nelly
Our sister paper, the Riverfront Times, was kind enough to share some of its indie rock plunder: a signed copy of Mogwai’s Young Team. How do they sign their names? How will you ever find out if you don’t enter? Click here for details!! Categories: Music
Soul Providers 1st Friday Soul Providers take back the streets for last week’s First Friday. Friends shake their ass, yuppies watch on, bemused. Nadia Pflaum says, “The best part is when a ballroom dancing class let out and the students started dancing in the streets with the DJs”. Agreed! Dear Kansas City, please host more street parties and less arenas….
By Justin Kendall Some in the anti-abortion movement are not happy with Kansas U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback’s endorsement of Steve Howe for Johnson County District Attorney. In her World Net Daily column, Jill Stanek wonders if Brownback is betraying the anti-abortion movement and trading the Howe endorsement for support from moderate Republicans in his expected 2010 gubernatorial bid. Anti-abortion types…
By CHRIS PACKHAM Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton, Will You Please Go Now? So, last night, Barry Obama wiped out all of Hillary Clinton’s Pennsylvania popular vote gains. %{}%After weeks of nothing but Rev. Wright, bitter gun clinging, fake gasoline populism and then the well-timed return of crazy old Rev. Wright, Hillary Clinton actually managed to lose ground, while Obama made…
%{}% By CHRIS RASMUSSEN Trey Hillman gave the night off to two players last night. 1. Tony Peña Jr. Stated reason for night off: in slump. Possible alternative reason for night off: cannot hit, which is a good thing to do if you’re a major-league position player. 2. Jose Guillen. Stated reason for night off: some rest, as he is…
%{}% By CHRIS RASMUSSEN Trey Hillman gave the night off to two players last night. 1. Tony Peña Jr. Stated reason for night off: in slump. Possible alternative reason for night off: cannot hit, which is a good thing to do if you’re a major-league position player. 2. Jose Guillen. Stated reason for night off: some rest, as he is…
Tonight the Tivoli showcases recent work of UMKC film students, including a video for Devil Blare’s “The Journeyman” directed by Chris Menown. Devil Blare summarizes: After years of sweeping up kid’s crap, a school janitor finds Devil Blare’s “The Journeyman” cd in a pile of trash, picks it up, plays it, which then totally inspires him to tell off his…
30 Rock by ANDY VIHSTADT Sloan’s Never Hear the End of it went criminally underrated when it came time for last year’s best of lists. The Canadian outfit will release LP number 10 on June 10 via Yep Rock. Unlike its 30-track predecessor, Parallel Play will be streamlined down to only thirteen. Grab a couple below, thanks to Stereogum and…
Featured artist the Khrusty Brothers present their hybrid indie rock just in time for springtime bongouts: “Whittle Down” by the Khrusty Brothers, from The Khrusty Brothers (self-released): Download: “Whittle Down” MP3 More junk after the jump! Categories: Music
