R.I.P. Grant

It's been confirmed that former drummer and co-vocalist of Husker Du Grant Hart has passed on today and to say that it's deeply saddening to myself is an understatement.

That song right there is the song that got me into Husker Du and to this day remains honestly one of my favorite pieces of music to ever be put to tape and the fact that the man responsible for belting that awe inspiring piece of work is no longer with us tears me up because Grant spent his whole post Husker Du career battling addiction and life threatening diseases that no person really deserves to deal with and at the very least I can accept the fact that he's in a better place not having to live with the demons that haunted him his whole life but still one of my musical icons is now gone and watching that performance just makes me swell up in a way that I haven't in a long time I'm listening to Sorry Somehow as I type this out and I'm at a loss for words.

It's a sad day indeed and I'm for lack of a better way to put it shook up and ready for a drink or 7 but I can at the very least know that Grant Hart your music is truly some of the most important discoveries of my life and I very much appreciate your life's work and will continue to hold the songs and the memories attached to them close to me and as I willow in a pool of sadness tonight I'll know for sure that he'll continue to be a source of not only inspiration but joy.

R.I.P. Grant you were an underappreciated legend of your time and I can only hope that people will now take the time to truly come to appreciate the phenomenal catalog of music you've made.

Announcement Time people

Damn I suck at keeping this thing updated don't I? 

In all seriousness though Sam's Birthday Bash 2 was a RESOUNDING SUCCESS!!! and to all the bands that played you the best but with that in mind I'd like to announce that I'll be laying dormant for the next few months with maybe some potential for post on here if the right thing comes up but I have other endeavors that must be meet before I can really devote much thought to music at this time but I will say that December will be the month to follow for sure because those who've been following me for years will most certainly know what's to come but until then for slightly better updates I'll link you to the Facebook Page for this blog because it's a bit more active in terms of updates:

OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE!!!!

but to round this out nicely here's a few pics that I managed to get from the show enjoy the sight of a very drunk Sam

Birthday Bash Featured Artist: The Holidays

The Holidays



(Image Courtesy of bands Facebook)

I can't lie I've wanted to write about these guy's ever since I first saw them open this year's Homegrown Buzz showcase I just kind of got a case of writers block and other distractions that kind of went on until I managed to only recently decide to get out of my writing rut as I was booking bands for this little gig of mine and that's when I managed to finally get around to hitting these guy's up and since then aside from a self titled EP they've released a new single, “We'll Never Change,” which according to lead singer George McMillian is something he wrote in the midst of last years election as a reactionary piece to the increased hostility in the world as a tune to express how you need to be proud of who you are and never change who you are.

It's a tune that along with a lot of their self titled EP gives off this early to mid 90's alternative rock vibe that for some reason makes me think of an episode of The Adventures of Pete and Pete this timelessly nostalgic tinged rock and roll that showcase a good sense of wonder and worthlessness while giving a youthful sense of wanting to see how things roll.

You can actually download all of their music for free on their website which is a hell of a steal if you ask me with the link to their website down below so you can give them a listen and if you like it maybe you should order a t-shirt or something because these guy's plan to get around to recording their first full length record completely independently here within the next show and if you're curious to see them before my birthday show they're having a show at Prohibition Hall August 18th which all the details should be available through their various social media and you should totally go to if you can.

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Birthday Bash Featured Artist: Second Hand King

So now that we've had some time to get the news out there that I'm having a show at my place for my birthday I figured I'd take the time to write about some of the people kind enough to bless me with this wicked opportunity so without further ado here's my highlighted act of the week in anticipation for my birthday bash... 

Second Hand King

   

 Kansas City's own self professed Doo-wop rapper Second Hand King is one of many examples of and artist thinking outside the box with a style that blends two genre's of music that you never realized aren't that far apart in terms of how they actually flow you have an artist using samples and an overall style that's a refreshing change of pace. 

 I just have to highlight this cut from his upcoming concept album, Frankie “Go So Wrong,” a decidedly old school tinged straight up doo-wop number that's one of many a heartbreak themed tunes that this man seems to know how to just expertly craft, this snap along jam is one oddly addictive little number that's not so much an expression of master class vocals but rather an example of how delivery is everything and this songs blending of light rapping and a chorus that's so stupid simple that you can't help but think this songs pretty damn brilliant. 

 From what I've noticed this guy's really growing into his role and really making some genuinely interesting tunes that are showcasing some overarching story of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness and I'm starting to really enjoy this show. Aside from the tune above some other excellent cuts of his you should check out would be Cold Shoulder, Glass Houses, and my personal favorite Before the Bomb Drops and if you like what you hear you can of course see him at my birthday show and also at the Riot Room on September 9 as well as checking out the links to his various social media where you can maybe purchase some stuff from him. 

Social Media:

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I also manage to find this interesting interview that I don't know who to credit beyond the channel itself that's also a good place to get to know this guy.

 Interview courtesy of Jamieson Edwards:

 

Yeah it's going down people...

If you're a fan of the facebook page you already know but for those unaware it's the reason I've been quite for the past few months people proud to say the tradition continues...

The KC Showcase: Vigil and Thieves, "Heroin and Automobiles"

AH YEAH SON one of my favorite bands from this little city of mine has released a new song today and I am incredibly pumped because I remember seeing them debut this a few months back at a show they were having and have seen it grown and morph as they continue to get more and more comfortable with the track and now it's finally here so I can 1. Quit having one line of it stuck in my head and 2. Finally know what the Drummer is screaming near the end of the song so I can possibly maybe sorta most likely one of these day's scream along with him.

Rambling thoughts aside what exactly do we have here with this new tune well this song is dedicated to the memory of one Anthony Saluto a Kansas City native who was tragically killed last year and lyrically this song is loaded with very introspective lyrics that are performed in a surprisingly contained manor which is different of Sarah Storm which is quite different in a pleasant way because she's seemed to really put forth a performance that showcases a lot more maturity and self control to help her echoing cry's of, "I keep counting the day's I've wasted," really ring true at least to this listener I really can feel every ounce of agony and emotion she delivers.

This song is quite an excellent little cut and I very much advise all of you go out and buy it now because this band is not only one of the nicest group of people I've ever meet they also are some truly talented musicians that put on an excellent live show and really make some quality music for emotionally distraught people and for the low low price of a dollar this song is a steal go buy it yesterday OH and also if you're in the Chicago, Wisconsin, Minnesota, or Kansas City area this week you owe it to yourself to make a trip to see these guy's live you will be as hooked as I was the first time I saw them.

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The KC Showcase 3 new tunes for you

Fuck it's been like 3 months since I've written anything and in that 3 months I've kind of been a bit of a hermit in all honesty I seemed to of developed a bad case of writers block and I've been completely and utterly devoid of original or well constructed thought to provide all of you and in that time but you know with a few exceptional shows seen recently and a bad ass announcement on the horizon I figured I'd inform you guy's of one of my favorite topics on here Kansas City's thriving and excellent music scene and here's 3 bands that recently just unleashed some new music that you should make a part of your rotation starting with a group I've covered on here before....

Pink Royal-Bring it On Back

This band is a tour de force of awesomely funky grooves and energy that's managed to only get better and better the longer they keep on keeping on and this song the first with their new lead singer the bad ass keytar wielding Vik Govindarajan just utterly throwing everything and the kitchen sink with a nice shot of Ass Whooping soul infused funkiness that's part Hall and Oats part true indie rock glory you have a cut here that's a true showcase of what you expect this band to be making but with a renewed sense of focus and much tighter playing than ever so if you haven't gotten down with these pink Flamingos then you really should because this will get ya body a grooving and a moving mother fucker...




OH and they have a show coming up for the release of this new effort if you're cool and want to see a spectacular live show then here's a link to it's event page so you can get reminded to go and be blown the fuck away...

Fiction Department-Bad Idea

Do you like early 2000's angst ridden emo ala Taking Back Sunday or At the Drive In? If you answered yes than this is your jam in the form of this rowdy group of youngsters Fiction Department and their newest single Bad Idea which evokes all those memories of all those angst ridden high school years but in a way that we can all enjoy and the new video seems to fit well with the lyrics about a guy and a girl in a tight situation.

This isn't a complicated jam just a solidly good one for those looking to kind of throw back and listen to something new that's a lot like day's of old.





Modern Day Fitzgerald-Forsaken Echo

I love me some 60's tinged surf rock jams people and aside from their bad ass name this group has released one bad ass surf rock tune. This song is kind of dark in a way with a very eery echoing coo in the way the vocals are stacked and how this steady drum beat and use of a full on string section make things move along in an oddly rapid pace that hits a sudden wall to slow down at points only to then punch you in the face by increasing things tenfold.

This song is just coolness personified and a damn excellent cut from a group looking to make a rise out of themselves and if you get the chance go see them live they're a good show.





There's some new tunes for you to give a listen now back to the shadows to work out my next announcement for you people this time in less than 3 months.