Those of you who had gotten used to the idea that you could go to Bar Louie and see live music are just going to have to get un-used to it. Several shows already booked were canceled — every one through the summer, in fact – after a decision by the company Vice President. Local managers who had been given the go-ahead to book more shows were left with the unfortunate task of calling things off. This left many local bands hanging, some finding out just days before scheduled gigs. Fans showed up for a night of music to find nothing. Awesome move, company VP!
Moving on to places that will actually have shows this week: Murph’s got the beer garden going strong again this year over at Mike ‘n Molly’s. Tonight you can catch an early show (7 p.m.) with Terminus Victor, Tractor Kings and Water Between Continents. Cover is listed as TBA, but let’s guess it’s $5. For $5 you can sit outside and enjoy the nice weather, smoke right where you’re sitting and watch three excellent bands. Good work, Murph.
At 9 p.m., the Highdive will kick off a DJ set from Marky Ramone. I assure you, he’s a real Ramone. He wasn’t there at the beginning, but he was in there as the drummer for a lot of the good stuff (1978-1983, and 1987-1996, baby). The show is only $6, and you’ve got to imagine that the guy will be spinning some pretty cool stuff.
Over at Cowboy Monkey, the beer garden is also going strong. And while the shows there don’t actually happen right there in the beer garden, you can still hear what’s going on inside. Tonight’s show would be worth the listen. Treologic, a Chicago band that has made quite a splash here in CU, will share the stage with Animate Objects. It’s always nice to see full bands in the hip-hop vein, and tonight you can catch two. 10 p.m., $5.
Friday night is also action-packed, with my favorite show award going to the Iron Post, where The Beauty Shop will make an appearance with new bass player Eric Fisher (formerly Cousin Kickass of Lorenzo Goetz). Arrah and the Ferns are also on the bill, making the trip over from Muncie, Ind. The Ferns have been touring the country, and recently made a stop in CU to play with elsinore. Their quirky brand of indie pop will fit right in with The Beauty Shop, Scurvine and The Duke of Uke. The show is $5 (which jumps to $7 after 10 p.m.), with a $2 minimum at the bar. You do the math – I have no idea. 9 p.m. start.
OPENSOURCE Art will receive a hand from some local acts as a benefit is planned for Friday night – though someone submitted two shows in two locations with the same bands at the same time to openingbands.com, so who really knows what is happening. One thing is for sure, and that is that OPENSOURCE Art, at 12 E. Washington in Champaign, is worth checking out. And if you decide to check it out at 7 p.m. on Friday, you’re likely to catch some music from Mit’n, the Lix, Kang Drum and members of Dress Code. There is a $5 suggested donation. Check out some art and listen to some music.
Elsewhere on Friday, you’ve got perennial ’80s cover band The Brat Pack rocking the Highdive (9:30 p.m., $6), while Cowboy Monkey offers another shot to catch the Tossers, this time with JigGsaw opening (10 p.m., $10). And no, guy, standing at the front of the stage and screaming the name of some obscure Irish tune is not the best way to get a request in.
The Red Herring will turn another year older this week, and to celebrate, they’ve got a pretty awesome show happening on Saturday. They’ve got 10 bands going over 10 hours on two floors, kicking off at 4 p.m. You can pay $5 to see bands on one floor, or cough up $8 to catch the shows on both (the smart plan). The early acoustic show will happen upstairs in the chapel during the afternoon, which will be followed by the downstairs show at 8 p.m. There will be food, drinks, games and even some raffles. It’s a cool way to spend the evening while supporting a great space. Plus, the bands are good. New Ruins (I hear a certain band of modesty loves their new disc), Zmick, Triple Whip, Blanketarms, The Duke of Uke, Mondoro, Big Grove Zydeco, Corn Desert Ramblers and Santa (apparently pulling double-duty on the day) are scheduled to play.
Santa (one of the few bands lucky enough to be chosen to play this year’s Summer Camp festival) will carry their stuff down the block after the Red Herring show and play “The Last Party on Earth.” Tickets are $7 and the show starts at 7 p.m. Other bands announced: Watery Domestic, Roses and Sake, Hotter Than June and more!
And since Saturday is Cinco De Mayo, we must recognize the excellence of DJ Bris and DJ Delayney, as they will be spinning some hotness at Cowboy Monkey. (9 p.m., $5).
The rest of the week: Adam Wolfe plays marathon of shows at Potbelly’s! Nashville Pussy plays Cowboy Monkey on Monday; makes some girls uncomfortable just having to see the name in print! Nate Jones accepts the role of James Brown in a new biopic!
Mike Ingram can be reached at forgottenwords@gmail.com. Give it a try.
