If Dr. Jeckyll’s ferocious alter-ego Mr. Hyde were to take an interest in Hip Hop, Super King Armor would be his favorite rapper. Off-stage King is unassuming, soft-spoken, and quick to laugh. On-Stage, however, he amazes audiences with a transformation into a beast of pure rap magnificence. Performing with “The Werewolf Lullabies Band,” King will bark and howl at you with expert delivery of storytime raps with venomous bravado, at Sullivan Hall on June 20th. The show is “Wrath of the Written,” but knowing this bill, there will be some phenomenal freestyles as well. Stop shaving now, and dig up your plastic fangs. -=brokeMC
Two Teasers for the Road, Courtesy Of JEFF the Brotherhood
Great news to all fans of the Nashville duet: There’s not long left to wait before the release of JEFF the Brotherhood‘s new material, and to tease us a touch more, they’ve just revealed the upcoming album’s cover art. Cool, right? Out on the 17th of July, this most anticipated seventh record, Hypnotic Nights, explores further the psychedelic edge of The Brotherhood’s sound, although rest assured, it is as catchy, alive, and fuzzy as ever before– maybe more summer-adequate even– so y’all can get ready to rock out! Meanwhile, after a series of shows with L.A.’s Best Coast, the band are back on the roads again for a headlining tour, with over 20 dates across the U.S.
Now, to the slightly more impatient ones always waiting for something to leak over the web, here’s something for you (and the hint is right there in the title): Three of the four tracks featured on the Hypnotic Knights EP will figure on the forthcoming album of the same name… and there’s your teaser number two! — Tracy Mamoun
Free Download: Daytrotter Session – Cold Fronts
Little Berlin & BITBY Kickstarter Campaign
If you haven’t heard, Little Berlin and BITBY have teamed up to start a Kickstarter campaign to help make a community accessible outdoor visual art, garden and performance space in Kensington dubbed the “Fairgrounds” and get BITBY’s monthly episodes on vinyl come to fruition. Yes, we know. You are probably numb to Kickstarter pleas these days, and you might be thinking, “Didn’t Little Berlin just get a $10,000 grant from the Knight Foundation?” Yes, they did. But what you probably didn’t know (and neither did we until chatting with Little Berlin’s Marshall Cavanaugh) is that you only receive the grant money from the Knight Foundation if you are able to raise the same amount on your own to match it. They’ll also need a helluva lot more cash to complete this project. You can check out their Kickstarter video and page with more deets HERE.
ONSLO — March 9, 2012 @ The Dirty Douglas
The plan was to meet the guys from ONSLO at The Dirty Douglas in Lowell and chat before their set. I fell in love with ONSLO after reviewing their 2011 EP, Quartumdimensio AEdificium, with its utterly crazy melding of Weezer, Descendents, and Frank Zappa (I know… it feels strange even typing those bands in the same sentence).
Ethan warned me that “it’s kind of a DIY space” when he gave me the address. I drive by the address once, then twice, then again a third time…
Click here to read the rest of George Dow’s interview with ONSLO.
Show review: Soft Reeds/Be/Non/Broncho, 6.15.12
(Pictured above: Brodie Rush of Be/Non)
Friday night The Riot Room saw two of Kansas City’s finest take the stage in preparation for the music of Broncho, the evening’s headliner. This reporter didn’t stay long enough to hear their set, but judging by the sound check, they killed it. Without a doubt.
After patiently waiting for Nik Wallenda to complete his historic tightrope walk over Niagara Falls, Soft Reeds took little time to re-establish themselves as one of the area’s leading practitioners of danceable indie rock. Their sound has gotten tighter and more radio-ready with each gig, their covers of Talking Heads and David Bowie songs were most enjoyable, and the new material they presented proved once again to be a tantalizing tease of that which is yet to come. Their next record is being tentatively targeted for an October-ish release date, so in order to save time this reporter highly recommends that you go ahead and put "buy the new Soft Reeds album" on your autumn to-do list. Judging by how they sounded Friday, it’s going to be a monster.
Following this opening set would be a formidable task for any band, but Be/Non was more than up to the challenge. Be/Non led off with "Space," the music behind the brilliant three-and-a-half-minute animated preview of A Mountain of Yeses, the movie based on the album of the same name. Performing their first gig with their new guitarist (who this reporter will refer to as "Nate" because … well, that’s his name), there didn’t seem to be any hesitation about tackling a set filled with Be/Non’s usual grandiose approach to avant-garde rock, with a heavy dose of psychedelic sounds that Messrs Rush, Ruth, and Shank tackled as a three-piece in last month’s KC Psychfest. These two bands targeted their audience with two different brands of music which had the same goal: get the people moving. Judging by the dancing that this reporter witnessed in front of the stage, that mission was successfully accomplished twofold.
Check out Soft Reeds’ video for "This Affair," off Soft Reeds Are Bastards:
And the animatic for "Space," off Brodie Rush’s upcoming film A Mountain of Yeses. Song performed by Be/Non under this album.
-Michael Byars
Michael is the host of The Mailbox, a weekly podcast that offers new music, concert info and news about the Kansas City area and more. In his spare time you might find him looking for some good live music, particularly at a certain bar that has lots of records. |
Rock (or Zone) Out w/Bardo Pond at The Level Room June 18
Are you the type who understands the word “edible” as a noun more so than an adjective? If so, you might be interested in what’s going down tonight at The Level Room, as psych-rock vets Bardo Pond bring their space-rock drones to Market St. Formed in 1991, the sextet are led by the vocal shadings of Isobel Sollenberger and the guitar haze of the brothers Gibbons, making music comparable to what My Bloody Valentine might sound like after a week of smoking with Boris. Bardo Pond keep no secrets about their influences; many of their albums are named after “esoteric psychedelic substances,” and the way their instruments blend into a wall of white noise puts listeners under such influences as well. With openers Creepoid and Suishou No Fune, the atmosphere this evening is sure to be chill, so if you happen to have a dynamite brownie recipe you learned from a guy at college, get baking and come by The Level Room to rock (or zone) out. The Level Room, 2102 Market St., 8pm, $8, 21+ – Adam Downer
New Video: “Polish Thuggz” (Live – Acoustic) – The Homophones
Check out one of our favorite characters/musicians in the local music scene The Homophones’ Jason Ferraro performing a solo acoustic version of “Polish Thuggz” in Johnny Brenda’s downstairs men’s bathroom! It was filmed and edited by the guys from Out of Town Films. (Photo by Shadowscene)
Dry Feet and Sunny Ali & the Kid Added to JEFF the Brotherhood Show at FUC June 16
Looks like there will be a last minute change in the lineup for the JEFF the Botherhood show this evening at the First Unitarian Church. The Nashville duo will be joined by Philly surf rockers Dry Feet (who are led by the Brotherhood’s roadie extraordinaire Perry Shall) and the country-tinged garage rock of Sunny Ali & the Kid. This is going to be a killer show, and will be the highlight of your weekend so don’t sleep on it! You’ve been warned. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 8:30pm, $12, All Ages (Sunny Ali & the Kid Photo by Meredith Edlow) – Alexis V.
Boogie Down w/Toy Soldiers at WCL June 16
Bar room boogie music – that’s what Toy Soldiers will bring to World Café Live tonight. All the individual pieces required for a good time are united in a complimentary effort. The steady downhill ramble of the bass and piano in “Heart in a Mousetrap” hints at a bluesy-Americana vibe that is truly established when the backing vocal harmonies enhance Ron Gallo’s straightforward, earnest vocals. The use of steel guitar place yet another worthy item in the band’s overflowing toolbox and lyrics such as “you got my heart in a mousetrap, you’re like a brick thrown at my head” provide a common ground level of relatability that seals the deal. You’ll also want to catch opener Thom McCarthy (and ask him for a little Elvis). A portion of ticket sales will benefit the Sophie Jane Darr Children’s Foundation, an organization that provides financial assistance to families with children affected by cancer and other diseases. World Café Live 3025 Walnut St., $10 adv (+fees)/$15 door (+fees), 8pm, All Ages (Photo by Seth Klinger) – Michael Colavita
Goodnight Lights CD Release Party at JB’s June 16
Goodnight Lights are having the CD release party for their latest LP, As Far As The Moon, tonight at Johnny Brenda’s. The Philly by way of Collingswood, NJ five-piece has been creating songs with pretty harmonies and fuzzy guitars since their self-titled debut in 2009. The band is comprised of a brother-sister combo, the sister’s boyfriend, old neighbors and a college roommate, leading to an intimate bond which shows in their music. Also on the local’s only bill are indie rockers The Quelle Source and dark folk-rockers The Bailey Hounds. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9pm, $10, 21+ – Dan Brightcliffe
“There’s Still Time Left”- Keepin’ it Grunge with Glassbones.
Soft yet upbeat and bubbling, hopeful in their world of angst… all up to the very name of the band suggests a fragile balance, which is how Glassbones‘ soothing sound fails to ever turn into background noise.
Formed in 2010 in Portland, the quartet fronted by Colin Johnson blend on their much critically acclaimed debut EP “There’s Still Time Left”, released earlier this year, a polished ensemble underpinned with Johnson and Ricky Wilkins’ clashing guitars, and Mathieu Lewis-Rolland’s offbeat punk infused drums. Grunge in the depth of the vocals, as a subtle reminder of a not-so-long-lost 1990s scene, Glassbones are ready with this record in their back-pocket to reach out beyond the confines of their homeland. Let their effervescent waves of freedom tickle your ears whilst awaiting new shows to be announced! – Tracy Mamoun