tornado bait

Happy to report that i was quite pleased with my decision to catch E.I.O. and Dead Voices at Davey's Uptown last night. E.I.O. (http://www.myspace.com/experimentalinstrumentorchestra)features Amy Farrand (of American Catastrophe) and Mark Smeltzer, who's epic beard and rotating collection of one of a kind instruments will be familiar to fans of The Brick's Monday night "Rural Grit" happy hour. They played about half a dozen songs, just enough to reel you in, get you interested and leave you wondering what just happened (or what that instrument was.) Slightly dissonant strings and percussion roughly rapped on the body of guitars form a hypnotic almost, dare i say, sensual, backdrop for Smeltzer's commanding if even jarring voice which can soar from an accusatory scream to a whisper of anticipation on a dime. Amy only sang a couple of songs but has a voice to be reckoned with as well. Definitely catch this totally home grown and daring duo! Dead Voices has now s...

I'd like to start this out by saying "booyah!" to all the folks who continue to talk trash on KC and whine about moving to the coast. Leave already, i'm sure California is missing an idiot or 3. Aggro moment over. Jardine's (4536 Main, KCMO) Mark Lowrey w. drums, 10 pm, $3 Davey's Uptown (3402 Main, KCMO)Dead Voices, Mikael Shapiro, E.I.O., 9 pm, $6 8th St. Taproom (Lawrence, KS) Fourth of July, Drakkar Sauna, 10 pm, $3 The Levee (16 W. 43rd St., KCMO) The Good Foot, 10 pm ($? maybe 5-8?) All this plus a birthday party and the Mutual Musician's Foundation fires up at midnight! Bordeom is for the boring.

Remember jazz? How much will you remember come 1 a.m. Saturday morning? Well test your mettle and plan on a visit to the Mutual Musician's Foundation. Originally the Black Musicians' Protective Union Local 627 A.F., now you can take part in a tradition that spans generations in this cozy hideaway located at 1823 Highland, KCMO 64108. Doors open and music begins at midnight! $8, unless you're a musician or music student then it's free!

February 18th - Jackpot Saloon - Eyedea & Abilities / Dosh (10 pm, $10-12) April 6th - Jackpot Saloon - Beach House / Bachelorette (10 pm, $10-14) (Lawrence, KS) April 17th - Record Bar - Zero Boys / Sex Offenders / Dark Ages / Der Todesking / Shred Scare (KCMO) April 7th - Bottleneck - Camera Obscura (Lawrence, KS) fuck trying to format this. i've been at it way too long.

"All i grew is disillusioned and a little bit older", sings Eamon Hamilton on the opening track of Brakesbrakesbrakes' third album "Touchdown". Though i'm late on this April 2009 release (hey, i'm catching up!) the sentiment is timeless. I'd call this indie rock if it didn't make it sound so boring. From angular and simmering, ala Jesus and Mary Chain, they move seamlessly into a more garage sound, best expemplified on the exciting and brief "Red Rag" and further still into warm, toe-tapping country tinged on tracks like "Eternal Return" and "Crush on You." The lyrics are clever, their harmonies are delightful, the songs are succinct and Hamilton's voice would please fans of Clinic or Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel.) If this band became a dude it'd be your friend's older brother circa 96 who always wears the same comfortable sweater and likes star wars but also rips at guitar. At their worst they have a...