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Artists on Trial: Dream Wolf

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Imagine being able to soar across the night sky, weaving your way in and out of celestial bodies and dodging meteors. Listening to Dream Wolf is sort of like that—a refreshing trip through the atmosphere, with the help of bright synth hooks, propelling guitar solos and layered vocals. This 5-piece outfit has found local success and looks ahead to releasing its self-titled debut album this weekend. Let’s hear what they have to say.
 
The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Dream Wolf: Catchy, quirky, space rock… or a laser beam hitting a gong!
 
The Deli: Let’s talk about your debut full-length album. What can we expect?
 
DW: Synths, guitar solos, the mother of all vocal harmonies, arena rock disco jazz, and a story about a boy named Crook who was raised by wolves and falls in love with a girl named Baby and then flies to the moon.
 
The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?

DW: Seeing some shows, kissing hands, shaking babies, and sharing the stage! It’s a big musical world in Kansas City right now.
 
The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?

 
The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

DW: Dirty Projectors, Dr. Dog, Sparks, Van Halen, Deerhoof.
 
The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?

DW: Dirty Projectors, Dream Wolf, Steel Panther.
 
The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
 
DW: On stage!! Recording studios get really smelly after a while.
 
The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

DW: Brent: Ginger, Posh, Baby, and Scary. Why? Because I never cared for sporty spice.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?


The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?

DW: Take it seriously like it’s your job or something. Avoid the clap, eat a lot of fiber, and thanks for reading! Hope you like our music!
 
Dream Wolf is:
Megan Zander – lead vocals
Chris Tady – guitar
Tess Jehle – drums
Katelyn Boone – synth/keys
Brent Jamison – bass
 
Dream Wolf is throwing a big party at The Brick this Saturday, and you’re invited. The group will be celebrating the release of its first full-length album, along with The Ned Ludd Band and Molly Picture Club. If this show doesn’t get you dancing, nothing will. 
 
 
–-Michelle Bacon
 
Michelle is editor of The Deli Magazine-Kansas City. She plays in Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. She is really grumpy today and has nothing prolific to put here.

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New tracks: “#fire” and “#16monkies” by Everyday/Everynight

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Since emerging in 2009, Everyday/Everynight has managed to make a lot of noise in the Kansas City scene. With a full length release in 2011, a two-week tour and a best emerging act nomination under its belt, the band has effectively punched the clock and done the necessary time needed to grind out a respectable reputation as a working-class band.

Assuming that the Mayans don’t fuck us over, the band will ride that reputation into 2013 on the strength of their new single “#fire.” The track positions itself nicely with plenty of build and atmospheric noise to gather mystique. Easing in with passive drums over porno sounds, “#fire” climbs upwards into a full Radiohead frenzy. Perfectly paced and patterned flawlessly underneath mellow and melodic vocals, the song takes a simple approach to its structure with repetitive guitar and bass riffs blended with reasonably adjusted floor tom drumming.  If time travel were possible, “#fire” could easily spark up the flux capacitor and find its way snuggled into the set list of several classic 1990’s movie soundtracks. Local nerds: think Flick’s The Perfect Kellulight with this track.

As a bonus, the release packages “#fire” with a free t-shirt and an additional cut titled “#16monkies.” The bonus track takes on a heavier demeanor than the single, opening with straightforward and aggressive drum and guitar beats before shifting into a 2004-era Modest Mouse-like jam session. However, the track jumps ship, bolting at the vocal break for a Purple Rain-inspired rant that effectively swells into an epic arena rock chorus. The song absolutely doesn’t fuck around and pairs with the single in a manner that makes it just as worthy a purchase as “#fire.” While it might be the free toy in your Happy Meal release, it absolutely is not a throw away.

Overall, I only have one minor complaint regarding the release. Collectively coming in at 10 minutes, the tracks are a little on the long-winded side considering most full-lengths linger around 35 to 40 minutes. However, considering the sound and manner in which the time is used, the tracks deserve a free pass for this. They’re efficient in their aim and gather enough momentum to stir excitement toward whatever project the band tackles next.

 
Therefore this release has done its job. Gold stars will be had by all.
 

You can download "#fire" and "#16monkies" at the link right here. The songs were recorded by Ross Brown at Rock Jack Studios.

–Joshua Hammond

After stints drumming for both The Afternoons and Jenny Carr and the Waiting List in the Lawrence/Kansas City music scene, Joshua Hammond found his footing as a music journalist, launching the national publication Popwreckoning. After running the show as Editor in Chief for 6 years, Hammond stepped away from the reigns to freelance for other publications like Under The Gun Review and High Voltage Magazine. This shift allowed the adequate amount of time for him to write passionately, allow the Kansas City Royals to break his heart on a daily basis and spoon his cats just enough that they don’t shred his vinyl. 

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Apply for MidCoast Takeover 2013!

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Midwest Music Foundation is presenting the fourth annual MidCoast Takeover from March 13-16 at Shangri-La in Austin, TX. This event promises four days of music, mayhem, and general debauchery—the definitive Midwestern musical throw down. MidCoast Takeover will showcase bands from Kansas City, Lawrence, and the Midwest region on the national stage during South by Southwest.

This is also a free showcase—no wristbands or badges are required. Last year’s event was featured in USA Today and The Deli SXSW. This year’s will be bigger and better than ever! If you would like to apply, click on the link HERE to register. The deadline for registration is January 10, 2013 (yes, the graphic above has an incorrect date). 

We’ll see you there!

The Midwest Music Foundation is proud to support the DIY spirit of Kansas City’s intrepid and inspired music community. Up from the gut, out from the middle, we are the sound of the heart of American music.

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John Velghe & The Prodigal Sons: New single and benefit concert 11.23.12

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This Friday after you’ve sufficiently stuffed your face with turkey, join John Velghe & The Prodigal Sons at The Brick with Band 13 for a good cause. 100% of the proceeds from donations and merch sales will go to the New Jersey Sandy Relief Fund.

Additionally, Velghe & The Prodigal Sons recently recorded a single, "Love’s No Place," and b-side "Affection" (cover from The Lost Boys) soon to be released. "Love’s No Place" will be part of the band’s upcoming full-length release in 2013. The single features Velghe’s polished songwriting driven by a strong brass section. With catchy hooks and hand-claps accompanied by Velghe’s honest vocal delivery, this is a single to hear and to witness performed by the eight-piece band.

Both of these songs are available to listen and purchase at the Bandcamp link below. Proceeds from the purchase of "Love’s No Place" will go to The Best Friends Animal Society—Sandy Shelters through the end of December 2012. 100% of the proceeds from the purchase of "Affection will also go to the New Jersey Sandy Relief Fund.

If you’re able, do your part to help out for a few more-than-worthy causes and enjoy some great music while you’re at it.

–Michelle Bacon

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Album review: Dolls on Fire – Ladies and Gentlemen…

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As its title suggests, Ladies and Gentlemen… is an introduction, as well as a dialectic declaration of the gender wars we’ve been waging since we were knee-high in sandboxes. Dolls on Fire lets its geek flag fly on a brisk seven-song debut that’s heavy on hooks and harmonies, hearkening back to the (dis)comforts of adolescence.

Our guide on this synth-pop rollercoaster is Zach Hodson, who embraces his frontman role with the enthusiastic charm of a carnival barker and the hamminess of a Vegas showman. Rachel Jaggard is right there with him, sharing lead vocal duties or layering on confectionary harmonies. They are joined by the tight, muscular rhythm section of Mark Johnson and Michelle Bacon, who form a two-headed bass-and-drum monster.

There are swirling synths. There are crunchy guitars. There are layers upon layers of pop harmonies and new wave influences all around, as well as a heavy dose of intelligent nerd punk, ‘90s nostalgia, and lounge music theatricality.

It’s a bit like The Cars being driven by Neil Diamond, with early Weezer riding shotgun, and a bunch of Squirrel Nut Zippers in the backseat—particularly on tracks like “Give Me A Reason To Love,” “GFY (300 Hands),” and “Hosanna (On The Radio).”

“Hosanna” is the jungle-gym time-capsule anthem of the bunch, with its “na-na-na’s” and auto-tuned talkbox vocals, theremin, and references to Atari, Ninja Turtles, Gwar, Hot Topic, and ear gauges. When Hodson swears, “That bitch is on the radio!”, it’s at once a kiss-off, dumbfounded disbelief, and begrudging pride.

The girls get their rebuttals too, as Jaggard narrates “Minotaur,” a torch song for mythical wintry forests after dark. “Jem Vs. The Volcano” is a call-and-response adventure between Hodson and Jaggard of its titular heroine, who evades tormentors by escaping into her imagination. She declares that “these should be damn good times for me!” It’s manic and melancholic and carthartic for Jem, and for us listeners too.

Beneath the humor and whimsy is the frustration of adolescence. The finely-tuned duet “A Boy Like Me” pleads, “Would you wait for me? Would you dare to see / The celebration that is me? The transformation that will be / From a boy like me?”

Similarly, “No One Will Love You Unless You’re A Man” implores, “Don’t be a boy, child, please be a man” and presents the crux of the battle between the fairer and rougher sexes: “Take all your regrets, darling / Set them three by three / Multiply and see / All the pain that you caused for me.”

So it goes with the battle between boys and girls. Dolls on Fire excavates the long passage from youth to adulthood and rappel the large chasm between ladies and men. For as long as we can remember, we’ve been fascinated and frustrated by the opposite sex. Ladies and Gentlemen… frames the gender war in the fun and fantasy of the farther recesses of our early memory and imaginations, reminding us of the pain and wonder of growing up.

Join Dolls on Fire with The Electric Lungs, The Sexy Accident, and Deco Auto this Saturday at Club 906. The group will be playing at 10:00 after The Electric Lungs.

 –-Vi Tran 

Vi Tran is a singer-songwriter, actor, and arts advocate who plays his own songs in Vi Tran Band and other people’s songs in Hot Caution.

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Artists on Trial: The Latenight Callers

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(Photo by Mat "Slimm" Adkins)

Five shadows emerge from a table in the corner of a dark room. The table is littered with empty liquor bottles, half-smoked cigarette packs, Zippos, playing cards, guitar picks. A Gretsch baritone crunches and rings out, followed by swaggering rhythms and vocals, dripping with sexual overtones. The sights and sounds you’re hearing are characteristically those of The Latenight Callers, Kansas City’s favorite noir band. We feature them in this week’s Artists on Trial, so pour yourself a glass of bourbon and read on.

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

The Latenight Callers: "The house-band at David Lynch’s pool-party…and is that a Walther PPK?"

The Deli: Let’s talk about your upcoming shows or recordings. What can we expect? 

TLNC: We’ve got lots of shows in the next few months, but we’re REALLY excited about hitting the studio during the dark days of winter. We’re planning on 2013 being a lucky number for us.

The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?

TLNC: These days, it seems that the best definition would be to GO SEE bands performing live! It’s great that you can download anyone’s music, anywhere, anytime, online, but truly the only way to literally support the local scene is to be part of it by putting yourself in front of the bands, themselves!

The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?

TLNC: We’re quite fond of a pretty broad variety of music, including The Quivers, The Cave Girls, Steady States, Federation of Horsepower, Victor & Penny, The Silver Maggies, The Hillary Watts Riot…but honestly, there are just too many to mention!

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

TLNC: We’re in love with The Royalty (El Paso), which have an incredibly catchy 60s garage-soul-pop sound, and Overcasters (Denver), who have this huge and doomy Americana rock sound. Check them out when they come to town again!

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?

TLNC: Oh, the two bands listed in the prior question! The Latenight Callers, The Royalty, and Overcasters would be crazy awesome, and as different as those two bands are, TLNC is sort of a crazy halfway point between them!

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

TLNC: It’d be easy to do both, but the stage is really where we really have the most fun… plus, no one can see you all dressed up in the studio, right?

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

TLNC: Tom Waits, Billie Holliday, Nick Cave, Patsy Cline… because you’d have to have big personalities up there that you’d never get tired of their influence.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

TLNC: thelatenightcallers.com

http://www.facebook.com/TheLatenightCallers

Pretty much anything anyone needs to know about us.

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?

TLNC: Stick with brown liquor.

The Latenight Callers are:
Julie Berndsen – lead vocals
Ellen O’Hayer – guitar, vocals
Nick Combs – keyboards
Gavin Mac – bass
Krysztof Nemeth – baritone guitar

You’re in luck, because you can catch TLNC tonight with two of their favorite local bands, The Quivers and The Cave Girls. KC Rockabilly is presenting this great show at Aftershock (FB event page). The Quivers take the stage at 8:30, TLNC follows at 9:30, and The Cave Girls at 10:30. Then, on Saturday, December 1, TLNC will be at recordBar with Deco Auto, Now Now Sleepyhead, and In Back of A Black Car (FB event page).  

–-Zach Hodson

 
Zach Hodson is a monster. He once stole a grilled cheese sandwich from a 4-year-old girl at her birthday party. He will only juggle if you pay him. I hear he punched Slimer right in his fat, green face. He knows the secrets to free energy, but refuses to release them until "Saved by the Bell: Fortysomethings" begins production.

He is also in Dolls on Fire and Drew Black & Dirty Electric, as well as contributing to various other Kansas City-based music, comedy, and art projects.

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Artists on Trial: Dolls on Fire

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Dolls on Fire is one of the newest bands to hit the Kansas City music scene—a group of local music veterans with a penchant for melody and a collective ear for sound song structures. We talk to the foursome about what we can expect from its music, including its upcoming debut release Ladies and Gentlemen…

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?

Dolls on Fire: Zach: Vocally-driven, high-energy synth rocktastic explosion of dramatic merriment.
 
Rachel: Singy, synthy disco necktie rock out!
 
Mark: Buzzy, fuzzy, synth-rock diversity.
 
Michelle: A vocally-driven synth rocksplosion.

The Deli: Let’s talk about Ladies and Gentlemen… your upcoming debut LP. What can we expect?

DoF: Zach: Lots of sing-along hooks and dynamic rock n’ roll performance. It’s a big, bursting rock record, yet still tastefully crafted and arranged.
 
Rachel: Sass. Lots of sass.
 
Mark: The only thing you can expect…is the unexpected. Ever.
 
Michelle: Stellar songwriting and unicorns.

The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?

DoF: Zach: Everyone will say "Go to shows. Buy merch. Yell loudly." Those are very true and appreciated, but in these technological times, I would also add social media support. Like and share statuses, retweet, actually follow a band on the Interwebs. We know nobody can afford to go to every show in the city on every night, but people can (more or less) freely navigate the web. The more people that know how much awesome stuff is going on artistically in this town right now, the better. It’s the whole "they tell two friends, then they tell two friends, then they tell two friends" kind of thing. Community is more than just trying to impress the people that are already there listening. It is helping others find new people to listen. In turn, they will do the same for you.
 
Rachel: Screaming “WE LOVE *band name*!!!” during a quiet moment from right in front of the stage.
 
Mark: Show up, yell and scream, and be unafraid to go outside your musical comfort zone.
 
Michelle: Unicorns (note: Michelle has answered these questions before, so her answers will likely make no sense).

The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?

DoF: Zach: She’s a Keeper, Maps for Travelers, Molly Picture Club, Tiny Horse, Thee Water MoccaSins, Radkey, Antennas Up, and seriously, so, so, so, so, so many more.
 
Rachel: My fellow Dolls, of course! Those guys are the bee’s patella.
 
Mark: Zacrachelle (as I will now call my bandmates), Kara Taylor (of Shudder), Julie Berndsen (of The Latenight Callers).
 
Michelle: Since I already answered this last time, I will just say that I get to work with my two favorite female vocalists in Kansas City, and that makes me feel cool.

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

DoF: Zach: The Rentals, Nada Surf, The Neon Trees, They Might Be Giants, Lollipop Factory, the Avett Brothers, the Civil Wars, Ben Folds (and his Five).
 
Rachel: Aesop Rock, Utada Hikaru, Jem and the Holograms.
 
Mark: Les Claypool and Danny Carey.
 
Michelle: Due to recent concerts, I’m currently in a Regina Spektor and David Bazan phase. I won’t kill myself, don’t worry.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?

DoF: Zach: They Might Be Giants, The Get Up Kids circa Yahoo Outloud tour, the Who circa Who’s Next?, Queen (really any time for them).
 
Rachel: Jon Bush-era Anthrax, Morning Musume, and Bjork.
 
Mark: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Weather Report.
 
Michelle: One Direction! I actually don’t know what this band sounds like, but they sold out Sprint Center in minutes! That must mean they’re great.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?

 
DoF: Zach: The studio. I love playing live, I really do, but I am a crafter. A refiner. A polisher. Put a coffee pot and a cot in the back corner of the control room and I’ll see you in six months.
 
Rachel: Stage. It’s the only time I get to wear my hair in pigtails.
 
Mark: Contrary to "studio-owner" bias, I prefer stage lights and bandmates to hours of mixing and mastering.
 
Michelle: Does the studio have nice black or red leather couches? If so, studio. I really like to nap. The couches have to be black or red leather.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

DoF: Zach: Pete Townshend—the work that man did with synthesizers is still just stupid impressive. John Lennon—Plastic Ono Band is probably the pinnacle of songwriting as far as I’m concerned. Michael Jackson—say what you want about any of the non-music crap, that man had absolutely no holes in music repertoire. And John Linnell, for proving that even quirky, slightly goofy-looking white guys can be rock stars.
 
Rachel: Keyboard Cat, Maru, Lil’ BUB, and Hello Kitty because… cats.
 
Mark: Jaco Pastorius, Buddy Rich, Jimmy Page, Ella Fitzgerald—for unique, timeless, unquestioned talent.
 
Michelle: My last one was silly so this one will actually be serious—Beethoven, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dave Brubeck. All musicians that will transcend time.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?

Twitter: @dolls_on_fire

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?

DoF: Zach: You can always, always, always try harder. "Good enough" is neither good nor enough. Life is short, so get on with it.
 
Rachel: The turkey vulture’s main defense mechanism is to projectile vomit. So, always carry a poncho.
 
Mark: Always forgive, never forget. Every minute is precious—spend each one accordingly, as it is forever gone afterwards.
 
Michelle: More Ovaltine, please.
 
Dolls on Fire is:
Zach Hodson – lead vocals, guitar
Rachel Jaggard – lead vocals
Mark Johnson – drums/bass, vocals
Michelle Bacon – drums/bass
Kelly – background noises and things (Kelly could not be reached for comment)
 
Dolls on Fire will be releasing Ladies and Gentlemen… this Saturday at The Brick. The show kicks off with The Hillary Watts Riot at 10, followed by Dolls, then The Quivers. (Facebook event page) Sure to be damn good times for all.
 

–-Terra Peal

Terra is a musician who has been around the Kansas City music scene for over 22 years. She is the singer and bassist for The Quivers and holds down the low end for Drew Black and Dirty Electric. She is also the official calendar girl for The Deli Kansas City. She’s a lil pep, a lil spice, and a lil Ginger.

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Album review: The Ned Ludd Band – Spacebar

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The Ned Ludd Band has no desire to be put into your box. They’re well-rehearsed and practiced in the art of blowing smoke. With Spacebar stacked seven songs deep, the band manages to score one hundred percent in reinvention class. Track for track, the album darts and turns, alters and reforms, shifting significantly from the previous. There are no road maps on this trip and you for damn sure better pack some motion sickness pills. Why? Well, because this path is more slippery than a used car salesman short on cash the week before Christmas. 

“Why Did It Have to Be the Furniture Store Misty,” the album’s opening track, is a writer’s best friend, upping the word count every time it is mentioned. With an upbeat and frantic feel to it, the band channels great 1990s structuring. An open-minded listener could hear the likes of The Presidents of the United States of America shoving this track between “Peaches” and “Boll Weevil” on their 1994 self-titled cut.
 
However, directly following the mouthful of an opener, we find “In a Duel,” a darker and more tormented track than the kickstarter cut. Channeling Tom Waits, the layered vocals give the album a completely different feel. “Jump” follows suit, twisting ever so slightly to a Sub Pop records Ugly Casanova sort of experience. The song’s soft lingering dynamics are lent to the album well, serving as the high point of the album’s seven tracks.
 
Shifting gears yet again, the album’s next two tracks “Never Leave Your Lady With Your Best Friend” and “Tell You Why” are made for pot-addicted hula hoop girls. With Blues Travelers harmonica and jam band qualities, The Ned Ludd Band not only kicks open the door to the stoner-friendly dance party, they also kick open the door to a wide array of possibilities for the population wearing straw hats and hemp bathing suits tap dancing down the beach. While it isn’t quite Ween, that demographic should be all ears. Why? Because if there were ever a secret handshake to the long and winding road tripping on anything you can smoke soundtrack, these two songs would make the cut.
 
So, what else can you possibly add to an already indie-meets-grungy-meets-hippie filled album? Blues, of course! “An Evening with Bannister Mall” focuses on its inter-18th and Vine. With a chill foundation and extremely overwhelming focus on the lyrics the track flows flawlessly into the guitar heavy “Catalog.” While I found myself shying away from the epileptic word vomit in the middle region of the track, the song’s core existence is to prove the band’s ability to go bat shit crazy on the axe. The riffs on this track are not to be fucked with and slam a pretty pointed exclamation point on the end of Spacebar.
 
In the end The Ned Ludd Band’s lack of compromise turns out to also be their saving grace. There is nothing boring about this seven-track EP. Like the ADHD child in the back of the classroom, it never sits still long enough to be ignored. It is in constant need of attention.

SCORE: 7.5/10

Catch The Ned Ludd Band in action next Saturday, November 17. They’ll be playing at Coda at 9 pm with Cadillac Flambe at The Inwards. Facebook event page.

–Joshua Hammond

After stints drumming for both The Afternoons and Jenny Carr and the Waiting List in the Lawrence/Kansas City music scene, Joshua Hammond found his footing as a music journalist, launching the national publication Popwreckoning. After running the show as Editor in Chief for 6 years, Hammond stepped away from the reigns to freelance for other publications like Under The Gun Review and High Voltage Magazine. This shift allowed the adequate amount of time for him to write passionately, allow the Kansas City Royals to break his heart on a daily basis and spoon his cats just enough that they don’t shred his vinyl. 

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Photos from Apocalypse Meow 5, 11.2 and 11.3.12

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This year was the biggest yet for Midwest Music Foundation’s Apocalypse Meow benefit—a fundraiser for the musician’s emergency health care fund. The event kicked off with a pre-party on Friday, November 3 at Midwestern Musical Co. with Dead Voices and Tiny Horse. 

Dead Voices

Tiny Horse

The main event kicked off on Saturday at The Beaumont Club with School of Rock, consisting of more than a handful of tweens and teens masterfully playing covers from bands like Rush, Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, and many more. The band’s stellar performance set an energetic tone for the rest of the evening, which ranged from acoustic Americana to power pop, surf rock, country, indie rock, and ballistic punk rock.

School of Rock

Amy Farrand

Deco Auto

The Empty Spaces

The Blue Boot Heelers

Clairaudients (formerly The Atlantic)

The Architects

And finally, a big thank you from all of us at Midwest Music Foundation for supporting our fifth year of Meow. We’re so very grateful for your support of Kansas City and our musical community!

All photos by Todd Zimmer. Please do not use without permission.

–Michelle Bacon

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Show review: Sonic Spectrum Ramones Tribute, 10.28.12

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Four bands came together to pay tribute to legendary punk band, the Ramones, as a part of Sonic Spectrum’s tribute series at recordBar. For all intents and purposes, the Ramones saved rock n’ roll. When they released their self-titled debut in 1976, the radio was jammed pack with long-winded keyboard solos, disco beats, and mini-operas. The Ramones went back to the original blueprint, designed by the early rock n’ rollers and doo-wop groups of the ‘50s. Only the Ramones’ songs were faster, louder, tougher, and weirder; punk was born. Their sound continues to influence countless bands to this day, four of which showed up that night.

If there was a secondary theme to the night, it was that covering these three-chord simplistic songs looks much easier than it actually is to pull off. Nearly each band recognized that on stage. The first band, UFT!, kicked off the show right with the shouts of "Hey! Ho! Let’s go!" in "Blitzkrieg Bop,” quite possibly the most recognizable tune in the Ramones catalog. Bassist Steve Tulipana shared a funny story about meeting the artist behind the iconic Ramones logo, and his surprise on how getting prepared for the show had been. They played other Ramones classics such as "I Wanna Be Sedated" and "Rock N’ Roll High School.”

Next, Rockets to Russia took the stage (members of Bleachbloodz, The Uncouth!, Hobo Zero, Appropriate Grammar, The Bad Ideas). Consisting of the largest group of the night, the five-member band tore through songs about as fast as the Ramones would perform them live. Songs like "Glad to See You Go" and "Cretin Hop" were accompanied by boundless energy that seemed to run back and forth on both sides of the stage. Two songs in, vocalist Mitch Clark convincingly told the crowd he’d have to slow down for a song or two or else he was bound to have a heart attack on stage. Still, the band continued through their set this way.

Gene Kreamerz and the Pussycats (members of The Quivers, The Latenight Callers, Drew Black & Dirty Electric, Deco Auto) played their songs closer to how the Ramones sounded on the albums. It’s not at the breakneck speed of their live performances, but still animated enough for a crowd to bounce around to. Highlights included "(Do You Remember) Rock N’ Roll Radio?" and a personal favorite, "Danny Says,” the true ballad of the night (surprisingly, the Ramones were great at writing those, too).

True evidence of the Ramones influence in even today’s world came when Radkey finished the night off. The band consists of three brothers, all of whom were born well after the Ramones had their heyday. The spirit, energy, and rock n’ roll the Ramones championed during their career came through the band. Highlights included the seasonally appropriate "Pet Cemetery" and campy "Somebody Put Something in My Drink.” The band ended their set with the anti-political song "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg", a song most fans would consider to be a favorite. The night was a great tribute to the Ramones, and in turn, a great tribute to rock n’ roll.

All photos by Todd Zimmer. Please do not use without permission.

–Travis Stull  

Travis is a technical writer who loves rock n’ roll. Give him a hug sometime.

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Artists on Trial: The Architects

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By putting out four successful albums, playing national tours like Warped Fest, and delivering gigantic riffs and reverberating rhythms to fans over the past 8 years, The Architects have established themselves as THE rock band of Kansas City. And this year, Midwest Music Foundation is pleased to have this four-piece group headlining Apocalypse Meow this Saturday. Today, we talk with bassist Zach Phillips and get some insight on what the group is up to. 

The Deli: Gun to your head, 1 sentence to describe your music. What is it?
 
Zach Phillips: The new recordings are all over the place as far as style. My favorite songs so far are really fast, tight punk beats with melodic chord progressions and my brother Brandon howling some witty banter about being a cowboy and keeping his gun clean. Think Rancid with brains and a bar of soap meets Queen live at Wembley.

The Deli: Let’s talk about what you have coming up. What can we expect?

 
Zach: The new recordings are coming in 2013. We have been working hard on them for 2 years and it’s wonderful to see the project finally come together. That’s all the information I’m at liberty to divulge right now. It’s not going to be your typical Architects release though.

The Deli: What does “supporting local music” mean to you?
 
Zach: Every town has a different local music scene. KC has always had a lot of great groups of people creating art, music, small businesses, etc. If you take an interest and participate then you’re supporting it. Buying music and art from the artist/band always helps us make it to the next town or pay our rent!

The Deli: Who are your favorite “local” musicians right now?
 
Zach: I love Lauren Krum from The Grisly Hand, Chris Meck from Tiny Horse, and Beckie Trost from Soft Reeds. Lauren’s got some great pipes and she’s fun to be around. Chris plays a mean guitar and if you ever get a chance to hold his Strat, you’ll notice the neck he plays on is bigger than a baseball bat! Beckie’s the perfect match for Soft Reeds; she has great feel. I didn’t realize she was such a great bass player!

The Deli: What bands are you most excited to see at Meow?
 
Zach: I’ve been recording an album with Tiny Horse and it’s been great working with the people Chris and Abby (Henderson) picked to be in that band. I will be performing with them this Friday, November 2 at Midwestern Musical Co. and I’m and very excited for that one.

The Deli: Who are your favorite not-so-local musicians right now?

 
Zach: I love The BellRays. Someday I will have the chance to play bass with them, and then I will be able to die happy.

The Deli: What is your ultimate fantasy concert bill to play on?

 
Zach: The Replacements / Makers / The BellRays / Architects or Cramps / Black Flag / Bronx / Architects would rule also.

The Deli: Would you rather spend the rest of your life on stage or in the recording studio?
 
Zach: On stage. I like recording a lot, but nothing beats the bright lights, smoke machines, laser beams, and screaming girls that live performances have. I’m better at performing too.

The Deli: A music-themed Mount Rushmore. What four faces are you putting up there and why?

 
Zach: Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Freddie King, and Ron Wood (Faces/Rolling Stones). Phil is one of my bass heroes and Thin Lizzy is my favorite rock band ever. I love Phil’s lyrics, his voice, and the way he sings and plays is perfect.
 
Billy Gibbons is another amazing guitar playing and ZZ Top is a close second to Thin Lizzy for favorite bands. I don’t think Eric Clapton would’ve existed if Freddie King wasn’t around for him to rip off.
 
Freddie was a monster on the guitar and his band was always bad ass. My favorite things about the state of Texas are ZZ Top and Freddie King.
 
Ron Wood has been the new guy in the Rolling Stones for the last 30+years and it’s not fair. He also has a handsome face and would look nice chiseled out of stone next to Phil, Billy & Freddie. Ron’s band before the Stones was The Faces w/ Rod Stewart. Ron is a great guitar player and another hero of mine.

The Deli: All right, give us the rundown. Where all on this big crazy web can you be found?
 
Zach: ARCHITECTS are everywhere! I don’t use the computer for much and I don’t know anything about our web presence. I’m the bass player, what do you expect?
(If you’re interested, which you should be, you can check out The Architects’ Facebook page here.)

The Deli: Always go out on a high note. Any last words of wisdom for the Deli audience?

 
Zach: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Stay in school and don’t use drugs.
 
The Architects are:
Brandon Phillips – lead vocals, guitar
Keenan Nichols – lead guitar
Zach Phillips – bass, vocals
Adam Phillips – drums
 
Go see Zach lay down some wicked bass lines as The Architects headline Apocalypse Meow this Saturday, November 3 at The Beaumont Club (and he’ll also be performing with Tiny Horse on Friday, November 2 at Midwestern Musical Co). You won’t want to miss one of The Architects’ few performances this year; they will take the stage right around midnight.
 
 
–Michelle Bacon

Michelle is editor-in-chief of The Deli – Kansas City. She also has a weekly column with The Kansas City Star and reviews music for Ink. She plays with Deco Auto, Drew Black and Dirty Electric, and Dolls on Fire. Her grandpa has a street in Malaysia named after him. Really.

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On The Beat with Adam Phillips

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(Photo by Todd Zimmer)

Nobody in Kansas City—and I mean nobody—hits harder and more precisely than Adam Phillips of The Architects. In anticipation of their upcoming show at Apocalypse Meow next Saturday, we sit down with the drummer and find out more about his technique, his favorite drummers in town, and why Van Halen is better than Van Hagar. Catch the beat right here!

–Michelle Bacon

On The Beat is a weekly Q&A with some of the best drummers in Kansas City. If you’d like to be considered for this interview, please send us an email at kceditor@thedelimagazine.com.

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