By: David de Young
There were about six shows I wanted to see Friday night, so I did what any normal crazy person would do. I tried to see all of them. Here's a recap.
After spinning the latest Dames disk for the 3rd time in a day (damn, but that thing grows on you) we headed out (fortunately, my girlfriend is not only patient, and an excellent sober cab, but a top notch music fan in her own right.)
Whiskey #1: The Uptown Bar.
Leroy Smokes at the Uptown Bar - click for full size image
Leroy Smokes has been on my list to see for nearly a year, and it was serendipitous that I finally stumbled across them last night since I hadn't checked the Uptown's schedule before stopping in for an incredible strong whiskey drink and the cool sounds of what has been called "The illest live hip-hop funk band in the Midwest." I was immediately drawn to the front of the room and easily got into the jazzy and funky live sounds, featuring live keys, guitars, trumpets and dueling MC's including Greedy G, Barry J. Ruckus and Hashbrown. (At last count there were 6 MC's in this band.) If you've been paying attention, you've probably heard of Leroy Smokes. But have you seen them yet? If you were waiting for the word to get to one of their gigs: word. Look for a full live review of one of their shows coming up soon on this site.
More info? See their website or this article from Friday's PiPress: http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/entertainment/5708090.htm
http://www.leroysmokes.net
Whiskey #2: Lee's Liquor Lounge
2 Tickets 2 Paradise at Lee's Liquor Lounge - click for full size image
A full night of fun and foolin' with one of the Midwest's best live cover bands, 2 Tickets to Paradise. Again, if you weren't here, where were you? 2T2P hasn't been around for a while, so this was billed as a sort of a re-union gig. I've been seeing these guys for many years since their Rex Daisy days.
Highlights during our short stay included Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf" complete convincing cat calls that were eerily weird and spooky at the same time. Like any good caricature artist, 2T2P guys pin down their songs near perfectly, making them their own at times, but still giving you what you really want, the chance to actually sing along with a live version of the T Rex classic "Get it On." We were about to leave as the strains of Marc Bolan gave way to Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" so we clearly had to stay for another song.
A fan gets into the action to Hungry Like the Wolf - click for full size
Aside: Running into The Cities 97's Jason Nagel on the way out I asked about Chris Dorn's (Beatifics) upcoming (4/27/03) performance on his show. 3 songs, he says, were recorded on Tuesday. I can't resist a chance to plug Jason's show. Tune into Cities 97 on Sunday nights for a good overview of Minnesota Music. If you're not getting your ass out there to these shows, at least hear what you're missing.
Whiskey #3: The Terminal Bar
Anchorhead at the Terminal Bar (When are they gonna fix that gaping hole in the ceiling?) - click for full size image
We arrived at the Terminal for the absolute last strains of the last song by Willin' (http://www.willin.net.) Can't say much about them but that last chord was sweet and singer and guitar player Brett Anderson has a cool hat.
Anchorhead had brought quite a number of fans down and the Reverse Cowgirl fans and band were still roaming around. We sat for a bit while watching Anchorhead. (Read a ful review of them here.) Dave Wolf of the Vibrochamps and Reverse Cowgirl told me how much he really loved playing the Terminal. That's something I hear from more and more musicians lately. About 3 songs into Anchorhead it was time to head again.
Whiskey #4: The Cabooze for the George Harrison Tribute Show.
Randy Casey in the Tribute to George Harrison at the Cabooze - click for full size
This show caught me a little off guard. I guess it was the first time it really sank in that George is no longer with us, and I savored that sadness for a moment. It was made more bittersweet by the fact that in the car during this whole journey we'd been listening to Mondo Bizarro by the Ramones. Our generation is slowly watching our rock and roll heroes die of things other than drug overdoses, shootings and plane and car crashes. I don't have anything to add to that, but I feel it should be thrown out there as something to think about.
We'd missed Dan Israel's set, but I'm told that he performed a touching version of "Think for Yourself." A fitting cover for the at times outspoken Mr. Israel. Randy Casey and Adam Levy's version of "Taxman," which we did see, was also sweet. Unfortunately, it was nearly closing time, which may have saved us the $8 cover as we walked in, but cost us in unheard music. You'll have to make do with the photo above.
Whiskey #5? (Nope, it was after last call when we arrived.) The Turf Club
It was a vain attempt, but we did try to get to the Turf. We may have missed the shows entirely, but I'm told the Melismatics played a lot of new stuff, so time to get your butt back out to see them if it's been a while. If you missed Jessy Greene and Viovoom, remember Greene will be performing with the Minus 5 on Letterman on Wednesday (4/30), so be sure to tune in for that.
I'm listening to the Postal Service as I put the final touches on this roundup. Anyone get to the Entry to see them Friday? If so, howwastheshow?
Location Info:
Uptown Bar and Café
Artist Info: 2 Ticket 2 Paradise, Anchorhead, Leroy Smokes, Randy Casey, Willin'
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