Sunday, December 29, 2013

Eric Mardis looks forward to Split Lip Rayfield's show on New Year's Eve at The Bottleneck!

The best night to rock out at a concert has got to be on New Years Eve. This year The Bottleneck sold out well before the big night, with a stellar lineup of bands, including headliner Split Lip  Rayfield!

"We love playing the Bottleneck for New Years...been something of a tradition for us over the band's lifetime," Eric Mardis of Split Lip Rayfield said, "It's probably the best gig of the year. The energy is always fantastic. The Bottleneck is one of my very favorite venues in the U.S. to play...of course, I'm a bit biased. That's our home bar...I've lived in Lawrence since 1990 and there's nowhere else I'd rather celebrate anything!
 
According to Eric, Split Lip has several new songs they have been working on in preparation for a new record. They plan on playing those along with fan favorites on NYE.

Fans of Split Lip were missing the band for a while in 2012, but thankfully the guys are back at it!
"We had a nice break in 2012 for sure, but we had no intention of being DONE. New Years seems like a perfect date to start our 2014." Eric said.
 
Eric says there is a new album in the works as well as more shows to look forward to. As for New Year's Resolutions: "Resolutions? Heh heh, I always quit smoking and drinking...maybe this time it will stick."

When asked to describe the NYE show, Erica said, "Hmmm, I think it will be like the Bill Hicks 'wax dart'." Haha!

At Split Lip's last show at the Granada, I heard the guys reference the show Metalocalypse, which is hilarious and also made me wonder if the band has any metal influence in their music. I had to ask Eric about it.

"Oh yeah. We joke about 'Grandpa's Guitars' and speak in fake Swedish accents at times. Old school metal influences like Iron Maiden, Dio, Deep Purple, Priest, Big 4 etc. Punk rock stuff too; Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, Dag Nasty."

The Bottleneck is definitely the place to be this New Year's Eve. Split Lip Rayfield will be playing along with Granny Tweed and The Sunflower Colonels! It is so exciting to get to see Split Lip again!



"We enjoyed our time off, but we can't wait to get back to it," Eric said. "What a way to get the ball rolling... NYE at the Bottleneck!"


Saturday, December 28, 2013

Mouth and 3 Son Green get super freaky at The Bottleneck + Previews!

The Bottleneck got wild and funky last night with 3 Son Green and Mouth playing all night. The dance floor was full and the bar was cheering on throughout the jam sessions. Mouth's set featured singer Bayley of Ashes to Immortality and the show reached its highest climax when both bands joined together on stage for an epic finale.

The night started off right with 3 Son Green jamming out to a good-sized crowd of fans and friends. The young musicians put together some clever funky renditions of popular holiday songs that had people laughing and dancing along. These guys always put on a great show and sure enough, last night their set was a full, satisfying exhibition of talent and good vibes.

Mouth came to the stage with some familiar hits of their own as well as a few fantastic covers. The tunes got down and dirty with heavy bass and drum action that drew an ever larger crowd onto the dance floor. Bayley joined the guys to sing some Rick James which had everyone moving to the groove. Mouth is a helluva band!

Last but not least after a short set break, both bands combined for a climactic third set of intricate, funky jams. The Bottleneck was fit to burst with energized dancing party people. Not to mention a fantastic lights show going on throughout the concert! This show was a great time for all - the kind of party that just does not want to end. I guess that's why we have after-parties!

Tonight Mouth will be playing at The Riot Room in KC with Brother Bagman, Ian Thumpur Leftwich, and Taste Bud G-Spot! The music starts at 8 p.m.!

Tuesday night is New Year's Eve! Split Lip Rayfield will be playing at The Bottleneck with Granny Tweed and The Sunflower Colonels! Doors open at 7 p.m. music at 8 p.m.!

If you couldn't get tickets to Split Lip, do not despair, there are other great shows on NYE!

Spud Patrol is playing a tribute show to DEVO at The Replay Lounge with Stay Sick! a tribute to The Cramps, and Dean Monkey & The Dropouts.

Bear Club is playing a special show at The Eighth Street Taproom; Midnight Kiss. Doors open at 9 p.m.

The Granada will be hosting #Assjamz New Year's Eve edition. Doors at 9 p.m.

At the Jazzhaus you can catch The Majestics ringing in the new year with covers. The show is $10.

Whatever you decide to do for NYE, have fun and be safe!

See you out there!



Monday, December 9, 2013

December heats up with awesome concerts!

Stave off the cold this month with some fantastic shows in Lawrence!

This Thursday The Brody Buster Band will be jamming with Electric Theory at Fatso's! Blues, rock and electronic dance party, all wrapped up...sounds too good to be true, but this is happening! Stop Day Eve, this will be the place to be!

Friday the 20th, there will be a FREE show at the Granada with Dumptruck Butterlips, featuring Free State Brewery's beer! Music starts at 10:30 p.m. and did I mention it's FREE?!

The Friday after that, the 27th, Mouth will be playing with 3 Son Green at The Bottleneck! This electronic jam session will be the most epic rager between now and New Year's Eve, don't miss out!

Finally, the night of the year, New Year's Eve! And there are two tempting shows in town.

Any fans of folk and blugrass? Split Lip Rayfield will be playing at The Bottleneck with Granny Tweed and The Sunflower Colonels! Doors open at 7 p.m. music at 8 p.m.!

More in a mood for punk this New Year's Eve? Spud Patrol is playing a tribute show to DEVO at The Replay Lounge with Stay Sick! a tribute to The Cramps, and Dean Monkey & The Dropouts. I love The Cramps and I enjoyed Dean Monkey & The Dropouts the one time I saw them a while back, so this is a tempting opportunity. Either way, it's going to be a good night!

See you out there!