Thursday night Fatso's usually has a DJ to entertain the drinkers crowding around the bar for $1.50 drinks, but last night was special; the bar got to host the first-ever performance of a conglomeration of excellent local musicians. Imagine a combination of brilliant talent on a variety of instruments to make a new, fierce, formidable jam band.
First there's the powerful beats of Mark Hill (of The Floozies) on drums. Then there's the bold funk of Garrett McKinzie (of G.E.M.) on bass guitar. These two have already played together in G.E.M., and took their familiarity and joined the others to make a strong, intricate, flowing jam. Leading with wicked solos and jam styling was Billy Wassung (lead guitarist and singer for Sonic Sutra) on guitar. Martin Farrell added to the jam's collective harmony with his keyboard. Meanwhile a saxophonist who drives to Lawrence from Osage to play shows with The Floozies and other bands joined in with a jazzy voice to complete this genius ensemble.
Starting around 10:30 p.m. the improv performance quickly drew listeners to fill up the dance floor with catchy, dance-able layers of exciting beats and clever melodies. The collection of musicians had a natural synchronized harmony that could only work with great jam artists.
The only downside to this whole show was the venue. Fatso's isn't normally the place for a hip, funky jam band to make it's first appearance. Although it was certainly crowded for the $1.50 drinks, the majority of the crowd didn't seem to be there for the music. You could practically draw a line in the floor separating the bar area, crammed full of polo-shirts and bleach-blond split ends, and the folks on the dance floor and smoking outside the wide-open entrance to the back patio, who knew the band members or just knew there was good live music at Fatso's that night. "Venture" would be far better off at any of the usual funk, jam hangouts like The Bottleneck or Jazzhaus.
It's been said that the band had jammed and practiced together before, but this was the first live performance of "Venture". Hopefully it is the first of many shows to come!
Now for previews:
Tonight, May 14th, Mouth and Calamity Cubes will be playing their Festy Fest Preview Party at Jazzhaus for $4. The doors open at 9 p.m., but the show probably won't get going until about 10. Anyone who likes funk and/or Americana should be there. It's also Stephen Gunn's birthday tonight, so come out and celebrate with the drummer from Mouth!
Also tonight; Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 will be playing with The Spook Lights. According to Lawrence.com Labretta Suede and the Motel 6 is a New Zealand rock group with a '50s influence. They will be playing with the best Lawrence has to offer of that style in The Spook Lights and their intricate, psychedelic rockabilly and surf rock. The Spook Lights always put on an amazing, energetic show that everyone needs to see. Doors open at 8 p.m. and it will cost between $6-8.
But if anyone is just not in a music mood, there are other fun things to do out on the town on a Friday night. This Friday, Liberty Hall is playing the film "Dazed and Confused" starting at 11:30 p.m. Watching this classic party-lovers' movie at the antique theater will cost $5. Fans of Free State Brewery can get a cup of delicious beer from Free State at the movie theater!
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 15th, Checkered Beat will be playing reggae and ska back at Jazzhaus. Same deal as tonight at Jazzhaus: the show starts at 10 p.m., $4 for a night of great music at a great venue.
Sunday, May 16th, Mo Marma, Rocket Science, and Jason Phoenix will be rocking out at the Jackpot, reminding everyone that school is over, and Sunday nights are just another night to party! Rocket Science - the brilliance that is the combination of Ian Dumpert's bass and Evan Leitnaker's beats - is a fantastic show on its own, but there's even more! Mo Marma is featuring great musicians - and this writer's good friends - Mark Hill, Trevor Stout, Garrett McKinzie and Kyle Aller. With Jason Phoenix opening with his DJ, techno styling, this show will make everyone rock out Sunday like it's still Friday. Show starts at 10 p.m. and it will cost $3 for people 21 and older, and $5 for the young 'uns. This show is 110% worth it! Be there!
Showing posts with label G.E.M.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label G.E.M.. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Mardi Gras madness at the Bottleneck, Lawrence Kansas
This entry is pretty late. Been busy with work, and had a computer virus scare for a day and a half.
Thankfully that's all dealt with, and now I can return to what I love: previews and reviews of awesome music, entertainment and partying in Lawrence, Kansas!
So, Mardi Gras night I didn't get to the show I meant to go to. My friend's band, From Quiet Arms was playing at the Jackpot around 9. But at 9 exactly another friend of mine needed a ride home from a late-night test at school. It was freezing out, so I was happy to help him, and he was happy to return the favor by buying us both beers. We wound up watching Bruno, before I split for another friends' place.
My friend Lydia's boyfriend is in town for a week, so I went over to meet him and hang out for a bit. They told me about a show at The Bottleneck. My friends Garrett, Evan, Mark were reuniting their band G.E.M. (guess the name sake). It was a great opportunity to support some friends, hear great music, and party with my friends.
Better yet: it was only $2!
At The Bottleneck!
So, I couldn't resist. Lydia and her boy stayed home, but I went to the show, and sure enough, an army of my friends was on the dance floor. I think this whole last week, The Bottleneck has been my friend's source of great shows.
There we were, dancing around. The drummer from the band Mouth, and another guitarist switched places with the members of G.E.M. so the music kept going for quite a while.
G.E.M. sounds like an electronic jam band right out of a movie. They have a vibe and a harmony that you rarely see, even in big-name bands. Garrett plays the guitar like a master, Mark gets girl's booties shaking with his drums, and Evan makes beats and melodies with computers that could be mistaken for STS9 grooves. Altogether, they are a band to be seen. We danced out butts off.
For some reason when I arrived around midnight, the crowd on the dance floor was about four feet from the stage. I couldn't understand the perfectly evenly-spaced gap. I can only guess that everyone was reluctant to step into the spotlight, or be pressed near the stage, where they might feel like they had to face the band, instead of talking and dancing with each other.
After a couple of drinks, I decided to make a move, and led my friends to fill in the gap, dancing front and center, supporting our friends playing on stage.
It was awesome. Probably one of the coolest things I've ever done at a show, which isn't saying much I guess. But still.
After some great songs I decided this reunion was something worthy of a toast. Buying a round of shots for the boys, I got the extra one for myself. I hope G.E.M. will play together again, and if I hear about it in advance, I'll be sure to preview them here!
Now for PREVIEWS!
Galactic and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe are playing tomorrow night! The show is at the Granada, and according to Lawrence.com it will start at 9 and cost between $19-21. I have to be there. I've never seen Galactic, so I'm planning on focusing on the music, and letting everything else go. I remember the last time I wanted to see Galactic, I also wanted to see this girl I had recently met. She decided she didn't like electronic music, after saying she would go with me. So I went to her in Kansas City. What a waste. This time, no distractions. I can't wait! I'll be sure to tell you all about it after.
But if there's some kind of catastrophe, and they're sold out or something, there is another option. Both Friday and Saturday nights, there will be a fantastic combination of local electronic jam bands!
Friday and Saturday The Floozies, Mouth and Electronic Theory will be playing together at the Jazzhaus! The facebook event has 216 people have confirmed their RSVP. I said maybe, because I thought there might be another show each night, and sure enough there is. But the show is supposed to open at 9, and cost $4 each night. If I get bored, or a show ends early, I might swing by. It's hard to miss this awesome lineup, but it's just bad timing.
Then, Saturday night; Deadman Flats is playing at the Granada with Honey Suckle and Granny Tweed. The show's fliers said they were free admission, but that tickets cost $10, but Lawrence.com says 5. The website also says the show starts at 9.
Sunday I see on Lawrence.com that Alice In Chains are playing at the Midland Theater in Kansas City at 8 for $37.50. I doubt I'll go alone, but if I can persuade a friend, and fellow fan to go, that might be cool.
That's all for now. Tune in Saturday evening or Sunday...or Monday...for the next update, with reviews and more previews.
Thankfully that's all dealt with, and now I can return to what I love: previews and reviews of awesome music, entertainment and partying in Lawrence, Kansas!
So, Mardi Gras night I didn't get to the show I meant to go to. My friend's band, From Quiet Arms was playing at the Jackpot around 9. But at 9 exactly another friend of mine needed a ride home from a late-night test at school. It was freezing out, so I was happy to help him, and he was happy to return the favor by buying us both beers. We wound up watching Bruno, before I split for another friends' place.
My friend Lydia's boyfriend is in town for a week, so I went over to meet him and hang out for a bit. They told me about a show at The Bottleneck. My friends Garrett, Evan, Mark were reuniting their band G.E.M. (guess the name sake). It was a great opportunity to support some friends, hear great music, and party with my friends.
Better yet: it was only $2!
At The Bottleneck!
So, I couldn't resist. Lydia and her boy stayed home, but I went to the show, and sure enough, an army of my friends was on the dance floor. I think this whole last week, The Bottleneck has been my friend's source of great shows.
There we were, dancing around. The drummer from the band Mouth, and another guitarist switched places with the members of G.E.M. so the music kept going for quite a while.
G.E.M. sounds like an electronic jam band right out of a movie. They have a vibe and a harmony that you rarely see, even in big-name bands. Garrett plays the guitar like a master, Mark gets girl's booties shaking with his drums, and Evan makes beats and melodies with computers that could be mistaken for STS9 grooves. Altogether, they are a band to be seen. We danced out butts off.
For some reason when I arrived around midnight, the crowd on the dance floor was about four feet from the stage. I couldn't understand the perfectly evenly-spaced gap. I can only guess that everyone was reluctant to step into the spotlight, or be pressed near the stage, where they might feel like they had to face the band, instead of talking and dancing with each other.
After a couple of drinks, I decided to make a move, and led my friends to fill in the gap, dancing front and center, supporting our friends playing on stage.
It was awesome. Probably one of the coolest things I've ever done at a show, which isn't saying much I guess. But still.
After some great songs I decided this reunion was something worthy of a toast. Buying a round of shots for the boys, I got the extra one for myself. I hope G.E.M. will play together again, and if I hear about it in advance, I'll be sure to preview them here!
Now for PREVIEWS!
Galactic and Karl Denson's Tiny Universe are playing tomorrow night! The show is at the Granada, and according to Lawrence.com it will start at 9 and cost between $19-21. I have to be there. I've never seen Galactic, so I'm planning on focusing on the music, and letting everything else go. I remember the last time I wanted to see Galactic, I also wanted to see this girl I had recently met. She decided she didn't like electronic music, after saying she would go with me. So I went to her in Kansas City. What a waste. This time, no distractions. I can't wait! I'll be sure to tell you all about it after.
But if there's some kind of catastrophe, and they're sold out or something, there is another option. Both Friday and Saturday nights, there will be a fantastic combination of local electronic jam bands!
Friday and Saturday The Floozies, Mouth and Electronic Theory will be playing together at the Jazzhaus! The facebook event has 216 people have confirmed their RSVP. I said maybe, because I thought there might be another show each night, and sure enough there is. But the show is supposed to open at 9, and cost $4 each night. If I get bored, or a show ends early, I might swing by. It's hard to miss this awesome lineup, but it's just bad timing.
Then, Saturday night; Deadman Flats is playing at the Granada with Honey Suckle and Granny Tweed. The show's fliers said they were free admission, but that tickets cost $10, but Lawrence.com says 5. The website also says the show starts at 9.
Sunday I see on Lawrence.com that Alice In Chains are playing at the Midland Theater in Kansas City at 8 for $37.50. I doubt I'll go alone, but if I can persuade a friend, and fellow fan to go, that might be cool.
That's all for now. Tune in Saturday evening or Sunday...or Monday...for the next update, with reviews and more previews.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)