I know this blog is called "Nightlife in Lawrence", but having several friends who have moved to Kansas City since I first met them in Lawrence, I often go to the city to see shows. Those shows are usually big bands playing at big venues. But tonight I had the rare treat of seeing a friend play with his band, at a small, intimate venue where the small crowd could really feel the music.
My friend Josh Inman plays the bass for the band Potbilly (previously called Potbelly). I've known Josh over a year now, and on top of being a good friend, Josh is a skilled Bassist. He and the singer, who also plays lead guitar, and the rhythm guitarist come together in a strong, steady harmony that is easy to sink into.
I was told the band was "a funky kind of blue-grass" but personally I thought their songs carried a blue-grass sound, with the beats, lyrics and attitude of the blues. Sitting right beside the band, in the small, narrow News Room, I could hear the intricate detail of every chorus and verse, solo and jam the three boys put into their songs.
The venue, a small bar in Kansas City, The News Room, was surprisingly small, to try and have a three-piece electric guitar band playing, but it made the music that much more concentrated and powerful.
I look forward to seeing Potbilly again, hopefully in a larger venue, with a bigger crowd. Josh told me they were scheduled to play twice in January. I believe the dates are the 17th and the 22nd. I believe one of those shows will be at the Granada in Lawrence, with Deadman Flats also playing! Deadman Flats is my favorite local blue-grass band, and they are all good friends with Josh. I'm positive that show will be ridiculous, and cannot wait to go!
More info as I find it and remember to put it on here.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Sonic Sutra rocks the Jazzhaus
My night began late, when I went over to a friends' to hang out. We considered going to the Jazzhaus for a show. A friend of ours was there and said it was good. I thought I might have heard of Sonic Sutra before, but I was not sure. We debated staying in and relaxing for the night, but my indecisive partner in crime left the final decision to me.
Despite a long day (I partied hard the night before, and only got 6 hours of sleep, and a long, steady hangover at work all day), the busiest Friday I've ever had, I still felt adventurous, so I said "Why not?" and we went.
Entering the comfortably filled in bar, I heard jam band music that I could easily get down to. Because the folks at the Jazzhaus were sensible enough to have a solid staff behind the bar, I had no trouble getting a drink. After a couple of songs the band was taking their set break. It seems we had really gotten there late.
The band was relatively large, with a bassist, guitarist, drummer, keyboard, and one of the bartenders from the Jazzhaus playing tambourine and other small rhythm instruments when she wasn't singing with her amazing voice (she basically rules Karaoke night on Mondays). The bassist played some funky lines that I could not stop following, because the guitarist's insane speed and range of notes was so hard to follow I thought I was drunker than I could have been.
All the band members were clearly talented, but the most impressive part of their performance was how they came together and made a long, beautiful, organic jam out of every song they played. Whether it was an original tune, or a cover of a famous song, the band made them their own.
But even as the band left the stage and the crowd dispersed to get drinks, seats, or cigarettes, I saw that the crowd was an interesting blend of old people (we're talking 60s) and kids my own age - many who I know, and was pleased to see at what turned out to be a fantastic show.
The band came back on and the music got even better! Some of the band's longer jam songs really remind me of the kind of lengthy, epic, upbeat, dancy songs I might hear at a music festival. Sonic Sutra did a cover of a Michael Jackson song that was fantastic too.
Over all I have to say that from the first few songs of the second set, I knew this was a band I need to keep my eye on. I want to make sure and hear them again, and I hope to show more of my friends next time too.
I was one the extremely luck few who received one of the 6 free CDs the band was giving away, and I can't wait to hear the rest of the CD.
I want anyone reading this to try and find Sonic Sutra's myspace, and find out when they're playing next. Be there. It is one of the best shows I've seen from a band I've never heard before in a long time.
Despite a long day (I partied hard the night before, and only got 6 hours of sleep, and a long, steady hangover at work all day), the busiest Friday I've ever had, I still felt adventurous, so I said "Why not?" and we went.
Entering the comfortably filled in bar, I heard jam band music that I could easily get down to. Because the folks at the Jazzhaus were sensible enough to have a solid staff behind the bar, I had no trouble getting a drink. After a couple of songs the band was taking their set break. It seems we had really gotten there late.
The band was relatively large, with a bassist, guitarist, drummer, keyboard, and one of the bartenders from the Jazzhaus playing tambourine and other small rhythm instruments when she wasn't singing with her amazing voice (she basically rules Karaoke night on Mondays). The bassist played some funky lines that I could not stop following, because the guitarist's insane speed and range of notes was so hard to follow I thought I was drunker than I could have been.
All the band members were clearly talented, but the most impressive part of their performance was how they came together and made a long, beautiful, organic jam out of every song they played. Whether it was an original tune, or a cover of a famous song, the band made them their own.
But even as the band left the stage and the crowd dispersed to get drinks, seats, or cigarettes, I saw that the crowd was an interesting blend of old people (we're talking 60s) and kids my own age - many who I know, and was pleased to see at what turned out to be a fantastic show.
The band came back on and the music got even better! Some of the band's longer jam songs really remind me of the kind of lengthy, epic, upbeat, dancy songs I might hear at a music festival. Sonic Sutra did a cover of a Michael Jackson song that was fantastic too.
Over all I have to say that from the first few songs of the second set, I knew this was a band I need to keep my eye on. I want to make sure and hear them again, and I hope to show more of my friends next time too.
I was one the extremely luck few who received one of the 6 free CDs the band was giving away, and I can't wait to hear the rest of the CD.
I want anyone reading this to try and find Sonic Sutra's myspace, and find out when they're playing next. Be there. It is one of the best shows I've seen from a band I've never heard before in a long time.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Emmitt Nershi Band with Deadman Flats at the Granada, Saturday, December 5th: Great times in a good venue
My weekend seemed to be fantastic considering the great shows I got to see, first getting my electronic fix on Friday night, and then jamming with some awesome bluegrass Saturday.
Emmitt Nershi, of The String Cheese Incident, played a hell of a long, kickass set, after Deadman Flats got the crowd shaking.
The Granada was a great place for the show that night. Although a bigger crowd always seems more exciting/desirable, the crowd that night was large, but in the Granada, we had room to ourselves. Room to pass each other, dance, stand, talk, drink...basically, room to mingle. And knowing random people scattered around, it was more pleasant to be able to go around and say hello, have a drink, and dance, without having to squeeze my way past a couple-dozen angry douches. Knowing one of the bartenders, who is really cool, and a couple of the door-guys, because they're in a friends' band also makes the venue more pleasant.
Deadman Flats are one of my favorite bands, and they're local! I've seen them quite a few times, and every show is great. They have a wide variety of songs of their own, but on top of that, I remember seeing them play some hilarious covers of songs you'd never guess a bluegrass band would play. Having hung out with the band, I know they're also fun, cool people. They played some of their best songs, and even though much of the crowd didn't come in until they had already gotten going, it was a great set.
Emmitt Nershi and his band came on quickly after Deadman, and the show just got better. People were cheering and drinking along to the tunes, a few people danced, but mostly the crowd just watched happily.
It was strange, feeling so content just to watch and listen and shake around a little, but it was a fun night, and I highly recommend that you see Deadman Flats as soon as they're back on stage. I heard they might not be playing for the rest of the month.
Emmitt Nershi, of The String Cheese Incident, played a hell of a long, kickass set, after Deadman Flats got the crowd shaking.
The Granada was a great place for the show that night. Although a bigger crowd always seems more exciting/desirable, the crowd that night was large, but in the Granada, we had room to ourselves. Room to pass each other, dance, stand, talk, drink...basically, room to mingle. And knowing random people scattered around, it was more pleasant to be able to go around and say hello, have a drink, and dance, without having to squeeze my way past a couple-dozen angry douches. Knowing one of the bartenders, who is really cool, and a couple of the door-guys, because they're in a friends' band also makes the venue more pleasant.
Deadman Flats are one of my favorite bands, and they're local! I've seen them quite a few times, and every show is great. They have a wide variety of songs of their own, but on top of that, I remember seeing them play some hilarious covers of songs you'd never guess a bluegrass band would play. Having hung out with the band, I know they're also fun, cool people. They played some of their best songs, and even though much of the crowd didn't come in until they had already gotten going, it was a great set.
Emmitt Nershi and his band came on quickly after Deadman, and the show just got better. People were cheering and drinking along to the tunes, a few people danced, but mostly the crowd just watched happily.
It was strange, feeling so content just to watch and listen and shake around a little, but it was a fun night, and I highly recommend that you see Deadman Flats as soon as they're back on stage. I heard they might not be playing for the rest of the month.
Somasphere and Big Gigantic Friday December 4th at the Jackpot: awesome choice of music, terrible choice of venue
For the preceding week I was checking with every friend I spoke with in Lawrence to see if they were aware of the great up-coming concert. Big Gigantic, the band that opened for one of my all-time favorite bands, Sound Tribe Sector 9, were playing, with Somasphere - a name I recognize, with good reason - playing before them.
The event was scheduled for the Jackpot, at 10 p.m. I remember upon first hearing about the venue, 'Hmmm, that's a pretty small bar, with a flat, long, narrow dance area, and few seats.' But I didn't dwell on it. The night of the show I arrived around 11, significantly later than I meant to, but was pleased to see that the door-men were so distracted that nobody stopped me from walking straight in. Although it meant I couldn't join my friends when they went outside for a cigarette, it was worth escaping the $10 or $11 cover.
As soon as I was in I saw a gang of my friends in one of the few booths in the Jackpot, thankfully they were able to help me buy a drink (another small inconvenience of getting into a show the cheap way was I could not buy my own drink). The bar had a solid two layers of people compressed over it, making getting drinks hard, and making it awkward to move along the narrow space - virtually an aisle - between the bar and the booths on the opposite wall.
The entire open area between the far end of the bar and the stage was cleared of tables and chairs to give more dance space, but sure enough, it wasn't enough to stand comfortably in.
People were packed, shoulder to shoulder, in the open square space, with some who might be considered lucky or trapped, leaning back against the surrounding walls.
Drinks were spilled, and people were grumpily fighting their neighbors for space, but we were there for the show, and it was worth it.
Somasphere was already deep into their set, but I still caught several songs that impressed. The heavy beats, electric harmonies of sounds, and funky melodies made it impossible to stand still.
But unfortunately I didn't get to hear enough, before long they were done, and the intermission tidal wave/kicked beehive of people going to the bathroom, out to smoke, to get a drink, or find people, erupted in the tiny bar.
Tired from a busy day, I actually sat for the beginning of Big Gigantic, but it didn't take long for their thumping bass, and the brilliant sexiness of their more famous songs to pull me into the crowd. I liked their songs that I'm fairly sure I heard them play before STS9; High Life, Wide Awake and Light of Day. But I heard lots of other good stuff too!
I mean, come ON, it's an electric, dance band, with a SAXOPHONE! How cool is that? You might not be able to imagine the combination of that genre and that instrument. I know I had never thought of it before seeing them. But they have it down. It's really a hot, clever combination. You have to hear it to see. Their Myspace page does them only some justice, trust me, a live show is worth their price. I just got lucky.
In conclusion, the Jackpot was WAY too small for this show, the crowd was there, the music was great, it was just too small. Also, everyone I saw that night told me the next day their ears were still ringing. And so were mine.
But the music was amazing, and I had a lot of fun, I will definitely be watching for the next time either Somasphere or Big Gigantic are playing around here.
The event was scheduled for the Jackpot, at 10 p.m. I remember upon first hearing about the venue, 'Hmmm, that's a pretty small bar, with a flat, long, narrow dance area, and few seats.' But I didn't dwell on it. The night of the show I arrived around 11, significantly later than I meant to, but was pleased to see that the door-men were so distracted that nobody stopped me from walking straight in. Although it meant I couldn't join my friends when they went outside for a cigarette, it was worth escaping the $10 or $11 cover.
As soon as I was in I saw a gang of my friends in one of the few booths in the Jackpot, thankfully they were able to help me buy a drink (another small inconvenience of getting into a show the cheap way was I could not buy my own drink). The bar had a solid two layers of people compressed over it, making getting drinks hard, and making it awkward to move along the narrow space - virtually an aisle - between the bar and the booths on the opposite wall.
The entire open area between the far end of the bar and the stage was cleared of tables and chairs to give more dance space, but sure enough, it wasn't enough to stand comfortably in.
People were packed, shoulder to shoulder, in the open square space, with some who might be considered lucky or trapped, leaning back against the surrounding walls.
Drinks were spilled, and people were grumpily fighting their neighbors for space, but we were there for the show, and it was worth it.
Somasphere was already deep into their set, but I still caught several songs that impressed. The heavy beats, electric harmonies of sounds, and funky melodies made it impossible to stand still.
But unfortunately I didn't get to hear enough, before long they were done, and the intermission tidal wave/kicked beehive of people going to the bathroom, out to smoke, to get a drink, or find people, erupted in the tiny bar.
Tired from a busy day, I actually sat for the beginning of Big Gigantic, but it didn't take long for their thumping bass, and the brilliant sexiness of their more famous songs to pull me into the crowd. I liked their songs that I'm fairly sure I heard them play before STS9; High Life, Wide Awake and Light of Day. But I heard lots of other good stuff too!
I mean, come ON, it's an electric, dance band, with a SAXOPHONE! How cool is that? You might not be able to imagine the combination of that genre and that instrument. I know I had never thought of it before seeing them. But they have it down. It's really a hot, clever combination. You have to hear it to see. Their Myspace page does them only some justice, trust me, a live show is worth their price. I just got lucky.
In conclusion, the Jackpot was WAY too small for this show, the crowd was there, the music was great, it was just too small. Also, everyone I saw that night told me the next day their ears were still ringing. And so were mine.
But the music was amazing, and I had a lot of fun, I will definitely be watching for the next time either Somasphere or Big Gigantic are playing around here.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Jazzhaus Karaoke Night
Over the last couple of months, I've visited the Jazzhaus on Monday nights a few times, getting a feel for the Karaoke Night they throw there each week. I like to go with a few friends, have a few drinks, and enjoy the atmosphere. And if we have enough drinks, we might just sing a few songs of our own.
It might seem like Karaoke is a kind of S&M torture, where the singer humiliates themselves, even as they torment the audience with their never-perfect, often drunken rendition of whatever song they recognized in the song book. But if you have a few friends to enjoy the good, bad and ugly singing with, it's really pretty fun!
Karaoke in the U.S. is different from its birthplace in Japan. And by different I mean more embarrassing. I'm no singer, and I've always had stage-fright of the shivering, stammering, blushing, sweating variety. In Japan, you and your friends get your own private room, where you choose from huge - I mean HUGE - lists of songs, and sing them in front of or with your friends, while ordering drinks to be brought to your room by a waiter. Some places have food too. At the Jazzhaus, like every U.S. karaoke bar, has you step up on the stage that's used for the bands to perform, and you stand up before the crowd, spotlights glaring down on you, a computer screen showing you the words your supposed to sing, the crowd a black mass beyond the spotlights. The heat, the blinding light, the elevation, the pressure. But I digress. I STILL have fun at Karaoke Night, because it's okay not to sing, and after a few drinks, all that crap I just wrote above fades away and with a few friends by my side, singing becomes something doable.
The Jazzhaus is one of my favorite venues in Lawrence, because of the cool staff, neat decorations and set-up of the patio, bar and venue. That definitely helps make Karaoke Night more fun for me. The Jazzhaus is kept relatively dim-lit with music, and singing loud enough to hear, but also easy to talk over with the people around you. Lounging in the booths along the walls, at the tables in the middle, or on the soft seats at the bar, my friends and I chat over a few good drinks - typical bar prices for most drinks - including some great special shots or drinks that are usually a delicious bargain.
The choice of songs on Karaoke Night is limited, but sure to have at least a couple of favorites, or familiars for anyone. The crowd on Karaoke Night is below 20 before 11:00 most nights, but that makes it easier to get a drink, and sing a song if you're really self-conscious about who's listening. But after about 11, things get going, a stream of people runs up the stairs into the front door, with a few coming from the back door too. What may very well have started as a sausage-fest always gets more mixed up and exciting as groups of people occupy tables, and thirsty folks crowd around the bar.
Luckily I'm familiar with most of the bartenders and door-guys at the Jazzhaus, which helps when it comes to getting a drink, and getting around.
I used to go to the Jazzhaus for shows, or on Dollar-Fifty Night, but those are for other Posts, yet I think a few drinks with some friends on a Monday Night, and the tragic-comedy of Karaoke, is a good way to spend a night sometimes.
It might seem like Karaoke is a kind of S&M torture, where the singer humiliates themselves, even as they torment the audience with their never-perfect, often drunken rendition of whatever song they recognized in the song book. But if you have a few friends to enjoy the good, bad and ugly singing with, it's really pretty fun!
Karaoke in the U.S. is different from its birthplace in Japan. And by different I mean more embarrassing. I'm no singer, and I've always had stage-fright of the shivering, stammering, blushing, sweating variety. In Japan, you and your friends get your own private room, where you choose from huge - I mean HUGE - lists of songs, and sing them in front of or with your friends, while ordering drinks to be brought to your room by a waiter. Some places have food too. At the Jazzhaus, like every U.S. karaoke bar, has you step up on the stage that's used for the bands to perform, and you stand up before the crowd, spotlights glaring down on you, a computer screen showing you the words your supposed to sing, the crowd a black mass beyond the spotlights. The heat, the blinding light, the elevation, the pressure. But I digress. I STILL have fun at Karaoke Night, because it's okay not to sing, and after a few drinks, all that crap I just wrote above fades away and with a few friends by my side, singing becomes something doable.
The Jazzhaus is one of my favorite venues in Lawrence, because of the cool staff, neat decorations and set-up of the patio, bar and venue. That definitely helps make Karaoke Night more fun for me. The Jazzhaus is kept relatively dim-lit with music, and singing loud enough to hear, but also easy to talk over with the people around you. Lounging in the booths along the walls, at the tables in the middle, or on the soft seats at the bar, my friends and I chat over a few good drinks - typical bar prices for most drinks - including some great special shots or drinks that are usually a delicious bargain.
The choice of songs on Karaoke Night is limited, but sure to have at least a couple of favorites, or familiars for anyone. The crowd on Karaoke Night is below 20 before 11:00 most nights, but that makes it easier to get a drink, and sing a song if you're really self-conscious about who's listening. But after about 11, things get going, a stream of people runs up the stairs into the front door, with a few coming from the back door too. What may very well have started as a sausage-fest always gets more mixed up and exciting as groups of people occupy tables, and thirsty folks crowd around the bar.
Luckily I'm familiar with most of the bartenders and door-guys at the Jazzhaus, which helps when it comes to getting a drink, and getting around.
I used to go to the Jazzhaus for shows, or on Dollar-Fifty Night, but those are for other Posts, yet I think a few drinks with some friends on a Monday Night, and the tragic-comedy of Karaoke, is a good way to spend a night sometimes.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Bassnectar vibrates downtown Lawrence
Every night in Lawrence there's something for me to do, whether it's a show downtown, friends at the bars, or a party at someone's place, it's never boring. But in such a social-activity saturated setting there are still special occasions that get everyone excited.
This Saturday night was such an occasion, as Bassnectar performed at the largest, best venue in Lawrence, Liberty Hall.
November 21st was saved on my calendar far in advance, and I'm glad I bought my ticket early, because I heard rumors the show was sold out, and it certainly looked that way by the time Bassnectar got on around 11.
If you've never heard of Bassnectar before, let me give you a quick introduction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jhnxgJOrnM
That's my favorite song, available thanks to youtube.com. Bassnectar played that song about half-way through his 3 hour set last night, blowing my mind, as well as a few hundred others.
As a bass-oholic, I can never get enough of that deep, vibrating bass. That low, shivering, shaking feeling that you can feel echo in your ribcage. Bassnectar gives me all the bass I can ask for, better than any other band, dj, performance, mix, whatever. You name it. Bassnectar is the best.
I missed the first opening dj who supposedly started at 9, but I was busy pre-partying with my friends (like I said, this was a very special occasion). Even some friends without tickets to the show agreed to come over and hang out for a bit while those of us walking to Liberty Hall had a few drinks before the trek.
My main home-slice, and concert-buddy Nikki had just introduced our friends Rachel and Robert to Bassnectar, and the couple was quickly on board to go to the show. Sadly they pre-partied a little too hard, and stumbled away into the night on our way up the alleys from my friends' house to Liberty Hall. Nikki and I made it to the show intact, and Nikki bravely led the way into the already-thick crowd of people.
The second dj was on when we got there around 10:30 or 10:45. He wasn't bad by any means. I got down to his last few songs, which was the perfect warm-up for Bassnectar.
What first impressed me about Bassnectar was that Lorin Ashton came on immediately after the second dj finished his last song. Not a minute between. It was perfect.
The crowd was riled up already, and I had a great spot on the right wall, up on the small, narrow rise that gives room for about 5 or 6 people to dance.
From my fantastic perch I could watch the crowd getting down to the funky grooves, I could see Ashton rock and bounce to his sick beats, and best of all, I had room to get down as hardcore as I ever have. Bassnectar played a great combination of his own songs, and sweet remixes of famous songs everyone gets excited when they recognize.
The show wasn't over until just about 2:00, and Bassnectar played from 11 until the end, non-stop. While I was determined to make it through the show from my epic spot, Nikki wandered through the venue and even took advantage of the comfortable seats with the fantastic view of the stage from the upstairs balcony. So needless to say, afterward we were tired, and staggered back to the house to relax. There were a couple of after-parties I was invited to, and both sounded fun. MOUTH was playing, a local band that I enjoyed greatly when I saw MOUTH at the Jazzhaus a couple of weeks ago.
Looking back on the show, I felt like that was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time, except for one basic component. It wasn't the music. Bassnectar threw down just as well as he did last time I saw him perform last year at the Granada. Bass was what the crowd was craving and Bass is what he gave us.
It wasn't even the crowd. The even mix of chill people you know are cool, and fakers who were there for their ONE cool concert of the year, was just decent enough that I couldn't really complain. Basically at any big show I go to I know that as a boy I'm going to have to fight for every square inch of my personal dancing, moving, breathing, existing space. Girls and guys alike will try and get in my face, bump and nudge from behind and the sides, and always, always there are the budgers, who think "I've pushed by about fifty people already, I can get ahead of one more dude and stop in front of him and take his space." Fortunately my stone-cold heart, energetic dancing, and hard-headed determination meant bad news for every douche and slut that tried to take my place. Yep, it was just another concert, and everything I could expect from that kind of crowd.
The lights, and the smoke machines made the experience a little more epic. When the houselights would all come on, everyone was eagerly looking around them at the rest of the audience, marveling at our own awesome mix of beautiful, ugly, sweaty, happy faces, flinging arms, bouncing, swaying bodies. When the songs took deep paths the lights followed in suit, cutting rays of neon green, electric blue, in swathes and sharp lines, while clouds of amber and magenta wafted over the crowd, and small, short puffs of grey smoke rose up from the crowd, like so many little steam-whistles from the hot, endlessly grinding machine that was the audience.
No, the only thing really missing from that show, was the most important thing to me. My friends.
Not enough friends were at this show. I recognized a few people, ran into a few friends on my way into and out of the venue, but really, I just wish I had my crew around me when I was getting down to those songs.
So, next time you hear about a Bassnectar show, or the next time you hear he is playing at a festival, let me insist that it is more than worth the money, but it's always better with a friend.
This Saturday night was such an occasion, as Bassnectar performed at the largest, best venue in Lawrence, Liberty Hall.
November 21st was saved on my calendar far in advance, and I'm glad I bought my ticket early, because I heard rumors the show was sold out, and it certainly looked that way by the time Bassnectar got on around 11.
If you've never heard of Bassnectar before, let me give you a quick introduction:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jhnxgJOrnM
That's my favorite song, available thanks to youtube.com. Bassnectar played that song about half-way through his 3 hour set last night, blowing my mind, as well as a few hundred others.
As a bass-oholic, I can never get enough of that deep, vibrating bass. That low, shivering, shaking feeling that you can feel echo in your ribcage. Bassnectar gives me all the bass I can ask for, better than any other band, dj, performance, mix, whatever. You name it. Bassnectar is the best.
I missed the first opening dj who supposedly started at 9, but I was busy pre-partying with my friends (like I said, this was a very special occasion). Even some friends without tickets to the show agreed to come over and hang out for a bit while those of us walking to Liberty Hall had a few drinks before the trek.
My main home-slice, and concert-buddy Nikki had just introduced our friends Rachel and Robert to Bassnectar, and the couple was quickly on board to go to the show. Sadly they pre-partied a little too hard, and stumbled away into the night on our way up the alleys from my friends' house to Liberty Hall. Nikki and I made it to the show intact, and Nikki bravely led the way into the already-thick crowd of people.
The second dj was on when we got there around 10:30 or 10:45. He wasn't bad by any means. I got down to his last few songs, which was the perfect warm-up for Bassnectar.
What first impressed me about Bassnectar was that Lorin Ashton came on immediately after the second dj finished his last song. Not a minute between. It was perfect.
The crowd was riled up already, and I had a great spot on the right wall, up on the small, narrow rise that gives room for about 5 or 6 people to dance.
From my fantastic perch I could watch the crowd getting down to the funky grooves, I could see Ashton rock and bounce to his sick beats, and best of all, I had room to get down as hardcore as I ever have. Bassnectar played a great combination of his own songs, and sweet remixes of famous songs everyone gets excited when they recognize.
The show wasn't over until just about 2:00, and Bassnectar played from 11 until the end, non-stop. While I was determined to make it through the show from my epic spot, Nikki wandered through the venue and even took advantage of the comfortable seats with the fantastic view of the stage from the upstairs balcony. So needless to say, afterward we were tired, and staggered back to the house to relax. There were a couple of after-parties I was invited to, and both sounded fun. MOUTH was playing, a local band that I enjoyed greatly when I saw MOUTH at the Jazzhaus a couple of weeks ago.
Looking back on the show, I felt like that was one of the best shows I've seen in a long time, except for one basic component. It wasn't the music. Bassnectar threw down just as well as he did last time I saw him perform last year at the Granada. Bass was what the crowd was craving and Bass is what he gave us.
It wasn't even the crowd. The even mix of chill people you know are cool, and fakers who were there for their ONE cool concert of the year, was just decent enough that I couldn't really complain. Basically at any big show I go to I know that as a boy I'm going to have to fight for every square inch of my personal dancing, moving, breathing, existing space. Girls and guys alike will try and get in my face, bump and nudge from behind and the sides, and always, always there are the budgers, who think "I've pushed by about fifty people already, I can get ahead of one more dude and stop in front of him and take his space." Fortunately my stone-cold heart, energetic dancing, and hard-headed determination meant bad news for every douche and slut that tried to take my place. Yep, it was just another concert, and everything I could expect from that kind of crowd.
The lights, and the smoke machines made the experience a little more epic. When the houselights would all come on, everyone was eagerly looking around them at the rest of the audience, marveling at our own awesome mix of beautiful, ugly, sweaty, happy faces, flinging arms, bouncing, swaying bodies. When the songs took deep paths the lights followed in suit, cutting rays of neon green, electric blue, in swathes and sharp lines, while clouds of amber and magenta wafted over the crowd, and small, short puffs of grey smoke rose up from the crowd, like so many little steam-whistles from the hot, endlessly grinding machine that was the audience.
No, the only thing really missing from that show, was the most important thing to me. My friends.
Not enough friends were at this show. I recognized a few people, ran into a few friends on my way into and out of the venue, but really, I just wish I had my crew around me when I was getting down to those songs.
So, next time you hear about a Bassnectar show, or the next time you hear he is playing at a festival, let me insist that it is more than worth the money, but it's always better with a friend.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Beginning Reviews
Hello, my name is David, and this is my first entry in my new blog; Nightlife in Lawrence.
I'm a very socially active individual, who spends most, if not all of my spending money at shows, in bars, and anywhere out on the town. I thought I might as well share what I experience, for anyone interested in what's going on in my neck of the woods. Nothing is set in stone here, but my idea is to write reviews of the concerts I go to, the bars I visit, and the other fun stuff I see, including previews of upcoming events. Hopefully I don't say anything to offend anyone, and someone out there finds this interesting.
I've just created this blog, so I don't know if there's some other place in it for me to introduce myself more, so let me just give a brief introduction, and save more for later.
My name is David, I'm 22 years old. I graduated from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas, this last Summer, '09, with a degree in Journalism. I hope to write for a newspaper or magazine someday, but for now, I am working as a delivery driver at Yello Sub, which pays the bills and gives me just enough money to enjoy myself at concerts, bars, and with my friends.
I love music.
I mean I really love it. I go to at least one concert a week, I cannot leave the house without my ipod, and I am trying to learn the bass guitar. My dream is to be in a band someday. Way up high on my bucket-list, I want to perform at least one show with a band, on stage, before I croak.
After that, I love socializing.
I may live by myself, but I can only just barely go one day without hanging out with friends, or checking out a bar, or show downtown.
I get texts and calls from friends most days of the week, asking me what's going on, where I'm going to be tonight, or where the party is at. If you're looking for things to do in the Lawrence, Kansas, area, this blog might just help.
I don't have a special ear for music, I'm not a really talented or experienced reviewer of music, or anything, I'm just an average guy with a journalism degree, looking for something that interests me to write about.
This last week has been a wild one. Last weekend, October 23rd-25th, I went with three of my friends to Spookstock, at Camp Zoe, outside of Salem, Missouri, to see the last music festival (at least in this region) of the season. We watched several bands we've seen before, as well as some that were new to us. We met dozens of nice people camping around us, and explored the almost-Ozark hills of the area. It was great!
If you have ever heard of Schwagstock, Spookstock is the Halloween edition. Schwagstock is a music festival at Camp Zoe, several times a year, starting in the Spring. Thousands of people gather to camp on the private land in the middle of the beautiful countryside, and listen to great performances from bands from around the country, featuring the Schwag, a Psychedelic / Rock / Jam band, also called a Grateful Dead tribute band, led by the bassist for the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Tebeau.
The Schwag are always amazing, and often play two of the nights of the festivals.
If you are interested in music festivals, look Schwagstock up, there are sure to be several great festivals this coming Spring and Summer, not to mention next year's Spookstock.
After a weekend of music and fun, I came back to Kansas, only to see one of my all-time favorite bands, The Raveonettes, playing at the Beaumont Club, in Kansas City, on October 28th. They came on the outdoor venue despite the chill, and played a great set, including my very favorite song, Lust, along with some of their songs from their newest album, my favorite off of that was Last Dance. I loved every minute of it, but I don't think the audience (a sea of North Face jackets, if that means anything to you) appreciated the fantastic art they were listening to.
Then A Flock of Seagulls came on, and once again, the crowd stared agape at them, only clapping and cheering every few minutes, when the bands' bassist would childishly wave at the audience for more applause. I found the band's desperate need for more applause both annoying and pathetic. Worse; I did not recognize a single song they played, and neither did the rest of the audience, it seemed. After their set, I saw the bassist walking through the audience, apparently disappointed to find not a single fan pleading for an autograph.
Finally, Jet came on. The Australians put on a good show, and they were definitely what the audience had been waiting for, but I was a little let down that they were only playing songs from their new album, and I was freezing, so I shrugged and left early, having been able to say that at least I've seen Jet.
Thursday, the Floozies, a local band in Lawrence played at the Jazzhaus. The crowd was small at first, but the 5 piece band, (which I heard had never been all together at one given show before, so this was like a musical alignment of the planets) got us dancing early and before long the bar was getting busy. As a friend of one of the band members, Mark, I sat up close with many of his other friends and relatives, showing the audience how to get down to the Floozies funky, jam-band, dance music. Whether it's only two of the band members playing, or five, the Floozies always put on a good show. Last week they opened for Lotus at The Granada, and there is talk that they will tour with them.
Finally Friday and Saturday, Yonder Mountain String Band played at Liberty Hall. Some of my friends went to the first night while the rest of us hung around sipping on a keg of Free State beer, (the best beer in Kansas). They told us it was a good show, but they didn't get all the songs they wanted.
The second night, Halloween night, many of my friends and I went to the show. The opening act was good, and Jeff Austin even played with Danny Barnes. Yonder was great, their first songs all kept a fun dancing beat, with epic solos and choruses that got the whole crowd screaming and cheering.
Having worked a busy day of Halloween deliveries, I was too tired to even dance through the whole show. Fortunately there was just enough room in the balcony to sit with some friends.
After the show my friends returned to their nearby house. From there I went on to Eoto, which I got into for free, because two friends had extra tickets. I love my friends.
Eoto threw down some sick bass lines that had everyone bouncing and hollering. The lights, fog machines, glowsticks and the general vibe of the already-pumped crowd (a lot of the people were coming from the Yonder show, or a Halloween party, dressed up and twisted) made the place feel like the hottest cross between a bar, club, rave and concert that I've seen in a while.
I can only assume I was entering just as the second set began, because the band did not stop until they had to at 2 a.m. I could not believe my good fortune. My friends at the show were all dancing around front and center, with the best view of the entire show. I saw at least a dozen other people I knew besides my close crew who I danced with. The whole show felt more like an epic party, full of cool friends, and cool friends of friends.
I'm expecting to feel the same on November 21st, when Bassnectar plays at Liberty Hall!
My friends and I returned to the house of our friends' near downtown, and heard about a kid having a seizure at some other party around 17th and Louisiana.
So, that's a quick review of my last week, and from now on, I hope to make entries every few days, when I have something worth writing about.
Hope someone enjoys this.
I'm a very socially active individual, who spends most, if not all of my spending money at shows, in bars, and anywhere out on the town. I thought I might as well share what I experience, for anyone interested in what's going on in my neck of the woods. Nothing is set in stone here, but my idea is to write reviews of the concerts I go to, the bars I visit, and the other fun stuff I see, including previews of upcoming events. Hopefully I don't say anything to offend anyone, and someone out there finds this interesting.
I've just created this blog, so I don't know if there's some other place in it for me to introduce myself more, so let me just give a brief introduction, and save more for later.
My name is David, I'm 22 years old. I graduated from the University of Kansas, in Lawrence, Kansas, this last Summer, '09, with a degree in Journalism. I hope to write for a newspaper or magazine someday, but for now, I am working as a delivery driver at Yello Sub, which pays the bills and gives me just enough money to enjoy myself at concerts, bars, and with my friends.
I love music.
I mean I really love it. I go to at least one concert a week, I cannot leave the house without my ipod, and I am trying to learn the bass guitar. My dream is to be in a band someday. Way up high on my bucket-list, I want to perform at least one show with a band, on stage, before I croak.
After that, I love socializing.
I may live by myself, but I can only just barely go one day without hanging out with friends, or checking out a bar, or show downtown.
I get texts and calls from friends most days of the week, asking me what's going on, where I'm going to be tonight, or where the party is at. If you're looking for things to do in the Lawrence, Kansas, area, this blog might just help.
I don't have a special ear for music, I'm not a really talented or experienced reviewer of music, or anything, I'm just an average guy with a journalism degree, looking for something that interests me to write about.
This last week has been a wild one. Last weekend, October 23rd-25th, I went with three of my friends to Spookstock, at Camp Zoe, outside of Salem, Missouri, to see the last music festival (at least in this region) of the season. We watched several bands we've seen before, as well as some that were new to us. We met dozens of nice people camping around us, and explored the almost-Ozark hills of the area. It was great!
If you have ever heard of Schwagstock, Spookstock is the Halloween edition. Schwagstock is a music festival at Camp Zoe, several times a year, starting in the Spring. Thousands of people gather to camp on the private land in the middle of the beautiful countryside, and listen to great performances from bands from around the country, featuring the Schwag, a Psychedelic / Rock / Jam band, also called a Grateful Dead tribute band, led by the bassist for the Grateful Dead, Jimmy Tebeau.
The Schwag are always amazing, and often play two of the nights of the festivals.
If you are interested in music festivals, look Schwagstock up, there are sure to be several great festivals this coming Spring and Summer, not to mention next year's Spookstock.
After a weekend of music and fun, I came back to Kansas, only to see one of my all-time favorite bands, The Raveonettes, playing at the Beaumont Club, in Kansas City, on October 28th. They came on the outdoor venue despite the chill, and played a great set, including my very favorite song, Lust, along with some of their songs from their newest album, my favorite off of that was Last Dance. I loved every minute of it, but I don't think the audience (a sea of North Face jackets, if that means anything to you) appreciated the fantastic art they were listening to.
Then A Flock of Seagulls came on, and once again, the crowd stared agape at them, only clapping and cheering every few minutes, when the bands' bassist would childishly wave at the audience for more applause. I found the band's desperate need for more applause both annoying and pathetic. Worse; I did not recognize a single song they played, and neither did the rest of the audience, it seemed. After their set, I saw the bassist walking through the audience, apparently disappointed to find not a single fan pleading for an autograph.
Finally, Jet came on. The Australians put on a good show, and they were definitely what the audience had been waiting for, but I was a little let down that they were only playing songs from their new album, and I was freezing, so I shrugged and left early, having been able to say that at least I've seen Jet.
Thursday, the Floozies, a local band in Lawrence played at the Jazzhaus. The crowd was small at first, but the 5 piece band, (which I heard had never been all together at one given show before, so this was like a musical alignment of the planets) got us dancing early and before long the bar was getting busy. As a friend of one of the band members, Mark, I sat up close with many of his other friends and relatives, showing the audience how to get down to the Floozies funky, jam-band, dance music. Whether it's only two of the band members playing, or five, the Floozies always put on a good show. Last week they opened for Lotus at The Granada, and there is talk that they will tour with them.
Finally Friday and Saturday, Yonder Mountain String Band played at Liberty Hall. Some of my friends went to the first night while the rest of us hung around sipping on a keg of Free State beer, (the best beer in Kansas). They told us it was a good show, but they didn't get all the songs they wanted.
The second night, Halloween night, many of my friends and I went to the show. The opening act was good, and Jeff Austin even played with Danny Barnes. Yonder was great, their first songs all kept a fun dancing beat, with epic solos and choruses that got the whole crowd screaming and cheering.
Having worked a busy day of Halloween deliveries, I was too tired to even dance through the whole show. Fortunately there was just enough room in the balcony to sit with some friends.
After the show my friends returned to their nearby house. From there I went on to Eoto, which I got into for free, because two friends had extra tickets. I love my friends.
Eoto threw down some sick bass lines that had everyone bouncing and hollering. The lights, fog machines, glowsticks and the general vibe of the already-pumped crowd (a lot of the people were coming from the Yonder show, or a Halloween party, dressed up and twisted) made the place feel like the hottest cross between a bar, club, rave and concert that I've seen in a while.
I can only assume I was entering just as the second set began, because the band did not stop until they had to at 2 a.m. I could not believe my good fortune. My friends at the show were all dancing around front and center, with the best view of the entire show. I saw at least a dozen other people I knew besides my close crew who I danced with. The whole show felt more like an epic party, full of cool friends, and cool friends of friends.
I'm expecting to feel the same on November 21st, when Bassnectar plays at Liberty Hall!
My friends and I returned to the house of our friends' near downtown, and heard about a kid having a seizure at some other party around 17th and Louisiana.
So, that's a quick review of my last week, and from now on, I hope to make entries every few days, when I have something worth writing about.
Hope someone enjoys this.
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