A Few Good Shows: 10/5/12
October 5, 2012
Before we get to the show listings, please enjoy this video from CITIZENS! for their single “True Romance.” It involves lots of people making out in bizarre places and situations. A perfect way to start the day if you ask me.
Now that you’re in the proper mindset, let’s see what’s in store this weekend in Nashville show-wise. Brace yourself, Saturday is utterly insane.
FRIDAY:
R. Stevie Moore, Dave Cloud & The Gospel of Power, and Action! @ Springwater. 10pm $5?? 21+
HUSTLE! the biggest dance party of the year, sponsored by Soundland, ft. the DJs of Y2K, Recognize, Keep On Movin’, the Boom Bap, and Whiskey Disco @ Cannery Ballroom. 8pm, first 199 get FREE admission via Grooveshark, otherwise $10 adv/$12 DoS.
First Aid Kit and Dylan LeBlanc @ 3rd & Lindsley. 9pm $15
SATURDAY:
The Shins w/ Low Cut Connie @ Third Man Records reopening celebration. 7pm $20
Soundland Presents: JD McPherson, Johnny (Corndawg) Fritz, and Nikki Lane @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $15 (includes admission to The High Watt) | $10 (Mercy Lounge only)
Soundland Presents: Generationals, The Tontons, and Devin @ The High Watt. 9pm $15 (includes admission to Mercy Lounge) | $10 (High Watt only)
The Stone Fox official Grand Opening ft. DJ Jonathan Toubin’s Soul Clap Dance-Off. 10pm $5
SUNDAY:
Bombay Bicycle Club w/ Vacationer @ Exit/In. 9pm $15
That’s all I got- have a great weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 9/28/12
September 28, 2012
Yet another show-filled weekend is in store for Nashville. We have a very good mix of touring acts and local shows to choose from, so choose wisely. Here’s what I recommend:
FRIDAY:
Wild Nothing, DIIV, and Ponychase @ Exit/In. 9pm $10
Polica and Canon Blue @ the High Watt. 9pm $12 adv/$14 DoS
QDP @ the 5 Spot. 9pm $1
Celebrate the City ft. Cherub, Rubblebucket, and Reptar @ War Memorial Auditorium. 7pm $15
The Blind Shake, Fancytramp, and Prince Coyote & the Dogmen @ The End. 9pm $7
SATURDAY:
Stars, Diamond Rings, and California Wives @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $18 adv/$20 DoS
Circuit Bender’s Ball @ Brick Factory ft. Roth Mobot, Blight Side of Life, Brain Lesion, Elegant Bassterds, Pineapple Explode & more. $15 (This is part of a very cool all-day workshop/educational experience/performance event. For full details check out the Brick Factory Facebook.)
PseudoMoto Rally @ Zombie Shop ft. daytime rally ride & bike contests, music at 6pm ft. Ranch Ghost, Ben Spinks Supermelt, Acorn Bcorn, Ri¢hie, and Lantern.
SUNDAY:
Sunday School Presents: NUDITY, The Maloneys, and Be My Doppleganger @ The End. 9pm FREE
Nick Waterhouse w/ The Allah-Las and DJ Jacob Jones of Keep on Movin’ @ the High Watt. 8pm $10
A Few Good Shows: 9/21/12
September 21, 2012
First of all, I want to wish Ben Todd & his crew at Nashville’s Dead a happy third birthday. They celebrated last night at Zombie Shop with Ty Segall, The Oh Sees, and a top-notch list of local support. I wish I could go to big shows like that on weeknights but my job schedule prohibits it most of the time. But if you didn’t party yourself silly with Nashville’s Dead last night, here’s a rundown of what looks interesting to me this weekend.
FRIDAY:
Mystery Twins, Grand Strand (ft. Kelley Anderson formerly of Those Darlins), Dirty Dreams @ The 5 Spot. 9pm/$5/21+
Maps & Atlases w/ Cory Brannan @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm/$12
SATURDAY:
Nick Lowe and Eleni Mandell @ Mercy Lounge. 8pm/$20
Majestico Love is God 7″ release party w/ Ranch Ghost, Promised Land, and Western Medicine @ The Groove Record Store. 4pm/FREE
SUNDAY:
Sunday School presents: Cry Baby, Tower Defense, Meadownoise, and NORM @ Exit/In. 7pm/FREE
That’s it. Have a great weekend!
Oh Shit: Soundland postponed till 2013
September 21, 2012
From the department of OH SHIT: Soundland is postponed until 2013. Straight from the horse’s mouth:
We’ve been so excited to bring you an all-new outdoor SoundLand experience in 2012 and have been working for months on creating a one-day extravaganza Oct. 6th at The Lawn at Riverfront Park. Unfortunately, issues out of everyone’s control have caused us to put this vision on hold until 2013.
Ticket buyers: check your email for details.
Well that sucks. I think the idea behind Next Big Nashville and Soundland is a great one, and I think their mission is not over. So don’t fear- I have no doubt they’ll be back next year with a bigger and better festival. Also, there are still plenty of good events happening on that weekend:
PS – we will still have some great shows happening over the original SoundLand weekend with JD McPherson, Jonny Corndawg, Generationals, The Tontons, HUSTLE: The Biggest Dance Party of the Year, and others. Stay tuned here in the coming days for details.
Personally, I’m a fan of Generationals and will make an effort to see them wherever they end up playing. And that HUSTLE dance party will be off the chain- it’s all of this town’s finest dance party producers all in one night/event. That’s an OH SHIT in the good way.
A Few Good Shows: 9/14/12
September 14, 2012
It’s a rock explosion, get it?
This weekend, specifically tonight, is a Nashville rock show explosion. Shit’s officially gettin’ crazy. But this is a good problem to have. I’d much rather be stressed about which awesome band or show to see, than be sad and depressed that no good tours are coming through town. Here are some shows that I’d see… now if I could only clone myself and see them all….
FRIDAY:
Built To Spill, Helvetia, Sister Crayon @ Exit/In. 9pm $20 (SOLD OUT)
Metric, w/ Half Moon Run @ The Ryman. 7:30pm $30
Makeup & Vanity Set, Sugar Sk*-*lls, Robocotopus, and Afrosaxon @ Richland Ballrom. (4208 Murphy Rd.) $3
Little Bandit EP release w/ Derek Hoke and Birdcloud @ The 5 Spot. 9pm $5 21+
The Biddies, Phil Hummer & The White Falcons, The Maloneys @ Zombie Shop. 8pm $???
SATURDAY:
Beach House and Dustin Wong @ Marathon Music Works. 8pm $22
Conestyle album release show w/ Yautja and No Christmas @ The End. 9pm $5
Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes, Lulu Mae, and Neulore @ Exit/In. 9pm $5
SUNDAY:
Turbo Fruits Big Shred/Album Release/party @ the Groove Records. 2pm/FREE. Their label Serpents & Snakes are throwing a big ass pig roast and party to celebrate the release of their album Butter. The band will play as well. More info on facebook.
Of course there’s the Americana Music Festival, which has been happening since Wednesday. My taste for what’s generally referred to as Americana is somewhat limited, so I’ve stopped short of posting all the various lineups and showcases here. Their website has the full listing and info on wristbands, etc… so please check it out if you’re interested in any of their offerings!
Have a great weekend!
R.I.P. Brad Baker, a.k.a. the sound guy at The End
September 6, 2012
Some very sad news came across my twitter feed yesterday. Brad Baker, the main sound guy at our beloved little rock club The End, passed away in his extended stay hotel room in the Super 8 on Spence Lane on Friday, August 31st. According to the Scene, he had been suffering from sleep apnea, which I know can cause a host of issues including heart and lung problems. He had also been suffering from other health problems the past few years from what I could tell. I, just like most musicians that have played The End, was initially confused and a little freaked out by his barky, fast way of talking, but I quickly realized that he really knew his shit and was actually a pretty nice guy. The sound quality of shows at The End both for the audience and for the band onstage was always great when he was working. He had a weird sense of humor and if you played there often, you eventually learned to “speak Brad” and not have to say “huh?” when he spoke to you. He also had a signature trick where right before the band onstage started, he would fade up the house music to blaring for just a split second and then cut it off. It took me a while realize why he did it, but it really did the band a favor. It grabbed the attention of the crowd, stopping their conversations and giving the band a chance to start their set with the crowd’s full attention.
My friend Jesse Baker, who also worked as a sound guy at The End, posted this video of Brad fronting a cover band in 1991. I really wish I’d seen this before his passing. No one really knows the details of his past but the Scene reported that he had stints as a touring crew member for REO Speedwagon and Chicago, as well as plenty of other concert production endeavors. But apparently he was also one incredibly badass singer in Hotel Bill & The Incidentals:
Brad was quite a character and in his passing we’ve lost a very special part of the Nashville rock community. Rest in peace Brad, we will miss you dearly.
A Few Good Shows: 8/31/12
August 31, 2012
This Labor Day weekend isn’t quite as insane as last weekend, but there are plenty of good shows to see. Here are my recommendations.
FRIDAY:
Screen Door Records presents Echo Group, The Joy of Painting, Self Help, The Dead Towns, Secret Shopper, and Norene @ The End. 9pm $5
Nikki Lane, Justin & The Cosmics, Hughbob & The Hustle @ The Basement. 9pm $7
Indie.Dance.Party.Nashville. Vol. 1 ft. DJ sets from Wild Cub, Lacey, Five Knives, Snap Acklen, Ugly Kids Club, Meth Dad, and more @ 12th & Porter. 9pm $6
SATURDAY:
Lightning 100/Miller Made Music presents Heypenny, Among Savages, Tyler James & The Cards @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $FREE
High Class Hillbilly presents Nikki Lane, Johnny Fritz (formerly Corndawg), Hugh Bob & The Hustle, and Promised Land @ 1505 Lischey Ave. DAY SHOW- Doors 3, show 4:30pm $6 BYOB.
After Crawl Ft. music from The Maloneys, VITEK, Marc Scibilia, The Future, Eric Phillipi, and The Dandy Lions. “Heat Wave” art installation ft. Emily Clayton, Nina Mayer, Greg Pond, Angela Burks and Mandy Rogers-Horton. Free Jackalope beer, not free Pizza Buds, Honeybean mobile boutique and Tricycle Sweets Co. @ Brick Factory. 9pm. Phew, that’s a lot of shit going on!
SUNDAY:
NOT MUCH.
MONDAY:
Seth Graves presents 8 One-Offs-Off 8th, ft. 8 bands that formed specifically for this show as a one-off. @ Mercy Lounge, 9pm, FREE. Full details on facebook.
That’s all I got. Have a great 3 day weekend!
A Few Good Shows: 8/24/12
August 24, 2012
As usual, there’s not shortage of good music to see this weekend in Nashville. In fact, this weekend is completely insane. Here are my recommendations.
FRIDAY:
Oh My Me, Ponychase, and Ancient Warfare @ Exit/In. 9pm $7
Ezra Furman, No Regrets Coyote, and Reid Magette @ The End. 9pm $10
Fox Fun 7″ release party, with Dirty Dreams and Aboriginals @ 306 McCall St. 7pm, FREE, All Ages.
My So-Called Band @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $10 adv/$12 DOS
SATURDAY:
Nashville Cream’s 6 year anniversary party ft. PUJOL, Natural Child, Nikki Lane, Sparkle City DJs, Wild Cub, Future Unlimited, Y2K @ Mercy Lounge and The High Watt. 9pm $8. (Mercy Lounge lineup: Natural Child, PUJOL, Nikki Lane, Sparkle City DJs. High Watt lineup: Future Unlimited, Wild Cub, Y2K afterparty.)
The B-52s w/ Brandon Jazz & His Armed Forces @ The Ryman.
SUNDAY:
Sunday School Presents: Scale Model EP release show w/ Magnolia Sons and Sound & Shape @ Exit/In. 7pm FREE
A Few Good Shows: 8/17/12
August 17, 2012
Prepare to see some good shows this weekend- Nashville’s rock clubs are full of both local (East Nashville Underground!) and touring goodness. Here are some shows that piqued my interest.
FRIDAY:
Caitlin Rose, Andrew Combs, and Dirt Heavy @ The Basement. 9pm $10 21+
East Nashville Underground night 1 ft. Chancellor Warhol, Blackfoot Gypsies, Sex Bombs, Roots of a Rebellion, The Joy of Painting, and Kim Logan @ The East Room. This venue is new to me, but it appears to be in or near Matty’s Alley. Address is 2412 Gallatin Rd. $12 nightly wristbands/$20 full weekend wristbands which includes free drinks. More info on facebook.
QDP @ The 5 Spot. 9pm
SATURDAY:
Cio Cio San & The Half-Japanese Girls (my Weezer cover band), Foxcore (Sleater-Kinney covers), How Cozy! and Calicocat @ The End. 9pm $5
East Nashville Underground night 2 ft. Fly Golden Eagle, Oh No No, H-Beam, Hello Kelly, Mr. Jitters, and The Young International @ The East Room. $12 nightly wristbands/$20 full weekend wristbands which includes free drinks. More info on facebook. ENU also has a day party from 1-7pm- check that info here.
Archers of Loaf @ Mercy Lounge. 9pm $18
Ttotals, Dirty Dreams, and Gangly Youth @ Brick Factory. 9pm $5??
SUNDAY:
Shonen Knife, White Mystery, and Heavy Cream @ Exit/In. 9pm $10
Sunday School presents Honey Locust, the Hardin Draw, and Copper into Steel @ The End. 8pm FREE
Weezer and Sleater-Kinney tribute bands this Saturday at The End
August 16, 2012
Pardon me for the shameless self-promotion here, but there’s a great show this Saturday happening at The End and I’m proud to be part of it. My Weezer cover band, Cio Cio San & The Half-Japanese Girls, is playing, along with Foxcore (a Sleater-Kinney tribute ft. members of Heavy Cream and Take The Power Back), Calicocat, and How Cozy!. I believe Foxcore will also be covering some That Dog songs. CCS&THJG formed over a year ago as a one-off project to play a benefit show for Southern Girls Rock & Roll Camp, but it was much fun that we decided to keep doing it every now & then just for fun. I basically learned to play guitar by learning Weezer songs, so this is possibly one of the funnest things I’ve ever been a part of. We will play last, but please come early and support all the bands on the bill. And if you’re heading to the Archers of Loaf show at Mercy Lounge, why not pop on over to The End afterward and fuel the already burning 90s nostalgia buzz you’ll have going? The AOL show will no doubt be over by 1130ish, and we will probably go on around midnight, so come on over afterward and belt out El Scorcho with us!
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/394449223943974/
steve cross loves music and science 