Deadman Flatts makes the Granada into a humongous party, and Mouth and The Floozies fill the Jazzhaus to bursting point with people

I knew I would have a long, adventurous weekend, but I don't think I ever could have guessed how crazy it would be.
My friends and I had an easy time finding free tickets to the Deadman Flats show, they apparently were trying to have a virtually free show. But before that, those of us old enough, or equiped with fake IDs stopped at the Jazzhaus for a little time with Mouth. Everyone was there, and the music was superb.

Mouth is a local funky electronic jam band, that has the skills to pay the bills. Their leader, the bassist, rocks out on a really bad-ass looking black bass, and puts on a show of his own with his hot beats and righteous solos. Altogether the band put on a show that people couldn't stand still for, and it was a great warm-up for the rest of the night.

Around 11 my friends and I finally got our rears in gear to move on to the show at the Granada. Unfortunately we missed the opening bands, but we made it just in time for the main event.

Deadman Flats has an interesting style of bluegrass music that feels like it takes some cues from punk or something else that's fast and hard. The four-piece band is an all-star lineup of talent. Mandolin, banjo, guitar and stand-up bass give energy to an already energetic sound, making you want to jump and spin, head-bang and stomp.
A harmonica player from one of the opening bands came up and joined in for a couple of songs. It was a nice idea, but I could only hear him some times.
The crowd was already pretty pumped by the time I got there, it certainly felt nice getting in for free, I'm sure I'm not the only one that thought so.
The new New Belgium IPA, Ranger, was on sale at the Granada for the first time, for $3 a cup. It's worth it to get one, because this flavorful beer lasts you a while.
So many friendly faces were wandering the big venue for this show, it was hard to keep track of anyone I wanted to talk to, but by the last few songs most of us had gathered in the big open space around the right of the sound-control booth. There, we all danced and talked and had a few laughs, and it was pretty much one of those special moments you want to remember forever, where everyone was together, and happy, and having a great old time.
I look forward to the next time like that.

But wait, the adventure didn't end there!
Deadman Flats "ended" on a not-so-good-for-ending songs, because sure enough there was a huge demand for an encore, and they played more of teir classics afte that, which made everyone very happy.
But even after the encore, it was only 1:30, and sure enough, some of my crew was still up to rage it, and the Jazzhaus was still going.

The Floozies were on now at the Jazzhaus. Some friends had stayed there and enjoyed a fantastic show, but the only problem was, by the time we left the Jazzhaus the first time around 11, it was starting to feel crowded. Returning, the small venue was completely packed. The dance floor was a sardine can, the spaces between tables were jammed and the bar was utter chaos.
There were rumors that the Floozies sold out. I'm not so sure that that's exactly the case, but the Jazzhaus was easily WAY beyond capacity.
On our way from the Granada, my friend Nikki slipped on the ice, and caught herself on her arm. She seemed okay at the time, albeit in a lot of pain, but her arm and wrist looked fine. When we got to the Jazzhaus I immediately grabbed bartender's attention for some ice for her, but Nikki wandered toward the stage, because the music was just that good.
The Floozies are a local band, with members who have moved to Denver, Colorado, but they still remember where they came from, and show Lawrence love every once in a while. Some of the guys in the band are good friends of mine, so we always try to rage their shows and support them. Their music is a dance-y kind of electric rock that reminds me of STS9 in the way they start with one fantastic groove, switch to some crazy solos, or a special climax, before jumping right back to that familiar groove, with seamless precision.
Sadly, Nikki was feeling worse from her fall, so I escorted her home, where she got another ice-pack and hit the hay. It wasn't until the next day that she decided to got to the hospital and found out she broke her arm. The larger of the two bones in her forearm. She must be one tough lady to have broken it without crying. Respect.

So, the weekend ended, and I'm kind of relieved. It was fantastic of course, but I'm wiped out. Thank god I have Monday off work!

Now I've got one upcoming show that I know I'm already planning to go to:

This coming friday, the 26th, I hear Mountain Sprout is playing at the Bottleneck.

Tune in soon for more previews of all the great shows coming up within the next month!