Kelly Kerr is what most would call a “veteran” of the Murfreesboro music scene. This guy has been around for years, played in tons of bands, was involved with the now-defunct Vacant Cage Records, and had a steady stream of solo projects. He even started a small brewing company called Bucket City Brew (which is part of the reason I started brewing). His latest project is called Kelly Kerr & The Distractions, and it’s easily his most notable endeavor. They are about to release their 2nd album, titled Chronological Disorder: How to Pass History in 13 Easy Steps, next week on May 11th. The album is comprised of songs all about various topics in US history, and is his best work to date. The recording quality is better than anything I’ve heard from him before, and the songs are all well-produced. Snag the track “Eli Whitney” below, and go to their Bandcamp page to get two other free tracks. Also check out their official website for some clever video commercials, show listings, etc… The album release show is May 22nd at Foobar, and will feature supporting acts Superstar Machine (Seth Graves’ official new chillwave project), and Streetlight Allstars.
Kelly Kerr & The Distractions- Eli Whitney
This weekend has a lot of good shows, most of which are benefits for victims of the recent flood disaste:
First of all, I have to plug my own band’s show this Saturday at the End. It’s Powerbrrrd’s first show in many months and while I’d like to say that we’ve been holed-up recording all this time, that is not the case. We’ve just been lazy, and getting a new drummer (I moved to bass and guitar), Jesse Baker. This show also serves as Diarrhea Planet’s EP release. Also playing- Frank the Fuck Out, Spanish Candles, and Bad Cop. Seriously, this one y’all don’t want to miss! Of course, it IS a flood benefit, so that $5 you pay at the door all goes to Hands on Nashville.
Tonight: The art space/zine shop/venue collective known as Little Hamilton is having some money woes, and are thus having a benefit show tonight to help raise $$$ so they can pay their rent. It’s a dance party featuring DJ Jade Payne and others, and starts at 9pm. 1318 Little Hamilton St.
Also tonight- Space Capone’s CD release party w/ Mikky Ekko @ Mercy Lounge.
Sunday there’s another great flood benefit show happening at Rocketown. This one will feature a shitload of bands, including Heavy Cream, Daniel Pujol, So Jazzy, Ben Steine’s Money, Big Surr, and many more. Important: this one is at Rocketown’s NEW LOCATION of 522 5th Ave South.
If you missed the awesome flood benefit show this past Wed. night at Mercy Lounge as I did, check out Nashville Cream’s Spin review of it. They also have some nice footage of it there, too.
Have a great weekend!
POWERBRRRD signs to Merge/tours with Superchunk
April 1, 2010
I’m happy to announce that my band POWERBRRRD has signed a deal with Merge Records. We will be releasing our debut album sometime this fall, followed by a tour of the US opening for Superchunk.
In other news:
1. Pithchfork gave MGMT’s new album Congratulations a perfect 10.0, as reported by Hipster Runoff.
2. The Rolling Stones played a secret show last night at the End, as reported by Nashville Cream.
Random news/Ke$ha covers Radiohead/weekend stuff
February 26, 2010
This somewhat old news by now, but if you haven’t seen this video of Ke$ha singing “Karma Police” by Radiohead at a junior high talent show, go do so now. (Via the whole internet)
Speaking of Ke$ha: Nashville’s own Justin Kase, who recently had a stint as her live DJ, is now on Twitter. Go follow him immediately, because when he hits 666 followers, he’s going private. Word is that he’s planning some secret dance parties this spring:
looking to reach 666 followers by march and then going private, tell everyone to getinb4 lck dwn. secret parties coming this spring.
The list of Nashville acts headed to SXSW this year keeps growing. So far Those Darlins, We Were the States, How I Became the Bomb, Glossary, Heypenny, Protomen, The Ettes, Madi Diaz, The Young Republic, and Matthew Perryman Jones are what I’ve seen/heard, but I’m sure there are plenty more.
Now for what’s going down this weekend:
Tonight I will be running the Generation Domination photobooth at Happy Valley, taking place at the usual downtown location- Aerial.
Of course the other big show happening tonight is My So-Called Band at Mercy Lounge, with Dozen Dimes. These guys have enough glorious 90’s nostalgia to have you jumping around doing beer-spews into Dave Paulson’s face… not that I’ve done that before or anything…
Saturday there’s a great Haiti relief benefit show at Blackbird Tattoo & Gallery, featuring Powerbrrrd (my band), the Admirals Club, Julia the Menace, Woodgrain, and supposedly some sort of Holly House supergroup. The $10 cover goes toward the UN World Food Program. Rumors Wine & Art Bar are also involved. Come on out and support a good cause!
Cassino, Korean Is Asian, and Tristen will be rockin the 5 Spot. *Correction- this show is at the Basement!*
Akron/Family, Warpaint, and HP Witchcraft will be rockin the Exit/In.
On Sunday I’ve heard rumors that American Bang will be filming a music video… so take that for what it’s worth.
And last but not least, I must do a little more shameless self-promotion and mention that I’m hosting Rock the Block at Exit/In on Tuesday. If you’re unfamiliar- it’s a bit like 8 off 8th at Mercy Lounge, except it’s on Tuesdays and not strictly 8 bands. Mine will feature 6 bands with 20 minute sets each, and I just confirmed Jenn Ross to do a couple of bellydances between acts! The lineup will be (not in performance order): We Were the States, Bows & Arrows, Cody Blaine & the Whole Fam Damnly, Powerbrrrd, Tristen, and Jordan Caress.
Have a great weekend!
WOTT podcast/weekend stuff
October 30, 2009
First and foremost, I must plug my band’s show at the 5 Spot tonight. I know, there’s a lot of shit going on tonight… but we (as in all the bands playing) promise to make your attendance worthwhile. First of all, check out Patrick Rodgers’ description of Heartbeater in his critic’s pick this week. If that isn’t good enough for you, then let me personally attest to the awesomeness of Bad Cop. These dudes have a youthful stage energy that matches their raw, explosive brand of garage-punk quite well. The frontman is obviously channeling some Iggy Pop, and in a really REALLY good way. Hammertorch was originally also on this bill, but had to drop off at the last minute. So come on down to the 5 Spot tonight!
This All-Hallows Eve I will be doing the Generation Domination photobooth at the Nightmare in Music City party at Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom. It promises to be a huge party, with DJ’s not only in those two rooms, but also in 4 large tents which will be in the parking lot. The party is sponsored by Hustler Hollywood, and since Halloween has long since devolved into nothing more than an excuse for girls to dress as slutty as possible, this party is sure to please those who applaud said devolution… and also those who like to make fun of it.
We Own This Town posted a new podcast earlier this week, so if you haven’t already, go grab it now. It features unreleased tunes from Eureka Gold, Tristen, Caitlin Rose, Glossary, and many more. Also, mucho thanks to Michael for plugging my photo exhibition on there as well.
Now for something just to make you smile. The unofficial Hey Jude flow chart, via Flux-Rad:
Have a great Halloween weekend, and please be safe: use a DD, use a condom, all that…
POWERBRRRD debut tonight at Mercy Lounge
August 31, 2009
Hey people. I’ve been slacking lately… mainly because work/life/everything got 150% busier over the last couple of weeks. But I’m taking 5 min today to make sure you know about two awesome things.
Tonight is the official debut of POWERBRRRD, my new band. We’re playing the 8 off 8th at Mercy Lounge hosted by Ashley Spurgeon. We’re celebrating her birthday (which also happens to be the day Caligula’s birth…). It’s still Seth Graves and me, but we’ve added Brandon Jazz from the Armed Forces to the lineup. Josh is still around, but about to be a new daddy, so at the moment we’re a power trio while he focuses on family. Josh’s mojo will be added back into the mix soon enough. Our sound is really nothing like Tigers Con Queso, so wash any preconceptions you may have based on the old band. The only similarity is Seth’s voice. So please do come down to Mercy Lounge tonight. It’s FREE, and will feature other acts such as Daniel Pujole and Some Beaus (former Meemaw frontman), Denny and the Jets (members of Meemaw and JEFF), Max and the Wild Things, Electric Mayhem (Matt Friction, Dave Paulson, and some others…), and Gunslinger. A good time is guaranteed.
The other awesome thing to report is that I made a trip to All Seasons on saturday and picked up my first home brewing kit. Yesterday we did the boiling/brewing process and the fermentation has now begun. The recipe I used was for an American-style Pale Ale, so hopefully in a couple of weeks I’ll have a ton of beer to give away.
steve cross loves music and science 