Radmaker’s continues to be great rock venue

Here’s something you might not know about Marty Casey, the runner-up from the CBS show Rock Star: INXS — Marty attended and graduated from UIUC, and while he was here, he was a part of Star Course. Well, according to Wiki, at least. Who knows … I could have made that up and just put it on there. Casey, who had been a part of touring rock band the Lovehammers before his tenure on the show, is now the frontman of ’80s rock band L.A. Guns. He will play a one-off date this Friday at Radmaker’s in Tolono. Casey will play a solo acoustic show with CU band Caminos performing an acoustic set to open. Doors open at 8 p.m., and there is a $5 cover charge (no advance tickets). For more info, visit http://myspace.com/radmakers.
Friday also offers great choices for those planning on staying in town. The Canopy Club is hosting sketch comedy group Fishing with Dynamite starting at 7 p.m. for $5 (with a DJ dance party to follow), while Cowboy Monkey will host two of CU’s biggest rock powerhouses, Terminus Victor and Scurvine — not a show for the faint of heart, that’s for sure (10:30 p.m., TBA cover). There’s also Mike ‘n Molly’s, where the Tractor Kings will anchor a show also featuring the Great Crusades (featuring members of Suede Chain) and Hyacinth House (9 p.m., TBA cover).
The Iron Post on Saturday will be the spot for the CD release show for the new Hathaways release, Hand Me Down, which was recorded by Adam Schmitt. The brother/sister duo of Kate and James Hathaway is set to play first (at 8 p.m.), followed by Big Grove Zydeco at 9:30.
On Sunday, there is a very special event set to take place at the Canopy Club. Mark Cornell, trumpet player for the Tons of Fun Band, and his friends have organized a show set to help raise awareness about bone marrow donation. The show will feature an area where attendees can get a quick cheek swab to see if they might be a match for someone in need. All of this is close to the heart of Cornell, who has long been a player in bands around CU and who is currently battling cancer. His bandmates and friends came together to help organize the event, which kicks off at 4 p.m. with a set from the Tons of Fun Band (the high-energy R&B/soul cover band recently seen opening for REO Speedwagon at the Assembly Hall), followed by Doxy (5:15). Another project involving Cornell, Dr. Wu’s Rock & Soul Revue, will play at 6:30 ahead of Weapons of Mass DisFunktion (laying down some funk and jazz fusion covers and originals) at 7:45. Connor Grant (seemingly the same Connor Grant from Chicago bands Pangea and Treologic) is slotted for 9 p.m., and Stone Creek will wrap up the show starting at 10:15. This show is completely free with the hope that many of you will attend and take a quick swabbing. The program is in need of all types but is especially in need of non-Caucasian and mixed-race donors. Please take a minute to check out the information area at the show. Stick around after the show, as well, as the Canopy Club will offer a free showing of The 40-Year-Old Virgin as part of the club’s weekly movie series.
I:Scintilla, the very popular female-fronted industrial band formerly based in CU (now in Chicago), will make a tour stop at the Highdive on Tuesday as part of a package that includes headliner the Cruxshadows. The Cruxshadows hail from Florida and have been a touring force in the U.S. and Europe since the early ’90s, gaining a large fanbase in the Goth community with their dark new-age sound. They haven’t stopped in CU since 2002 and this time around are paired nicely with I:Scintilla, who match well musically. Opening the show is Toronto electro-pop trio Ayria. The show starts at 9 p.m., and tickets will be $10 at the door (grab them in advance for $8 at thehighdive.com and the other usual places). The evening will also feature music spun by DJ Evily.

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