Joe Pug

Shivering Timbers

Motel Mirrors

Scarlet Tanager

Thanks to everyone at KDHX for a job well done. Complete sets of photos from the four bands featured above can be found here.

Tonight, Joe Pug takes to the Duck Room stage at Blueberry Hill for the second evening of KDHX’s famous Twangfest, an annual celebration of rock, roots, folk, and Americana music in St. Louis. Providing support for Pug is Akron, OH’s husband and wife duo, Shivering Timbers (who often travel as a trio with a drummer and sometimes their kiddo, on toy piano). Also on tap for the evening: Motel Mirrors, a new-ish side project of STL favorite Amy LaVere, John Paul Keith, and Shawn Zorn, and STL’s peppy pop darlings Scarlet Tanager.

Poster by Jason Potter.

The Twangfest organizers have bestowed upon IWTAS a pair of tickets to tonight’s concert, which I obviously can’t recommend highly enough. The catch: This contest ends at 4pm, a mere 4 hours from now and 4 hours prior to the start of the show. 

Wanna go? Leave us a Joe Pug lyric in the comments section below that you love enough to put on a tattoo or a tombstone – there are plenty of gems in his catalog from which to choose. Good luck!

And yet, it still isn’t a stretch to find Pokey on off nights at any number of our city’s dark pubs shooting pool, or eating dinner at one of the Hill’s iconic restaurants (I’m not a stalker – his family’s table at Cunetto’s happened to be right next to my family’s awhile back), or showing up in the Mud House’s courtyard for a pop-up show.

A very limited run of these clear, blue-streaked vinyl will be available at Vintage Vinyl on the 31st, from 2-7pm, courtesy of the Third Man Rolling Record Store.

It’s not just the clothes and voice, the one that sounds warm as a brick on the Southside in the summer and smooth as a sip of bartered Missouri moonshine. It’s that feeling you get while witnessing the band’s live show, when they perform seamlessly and quite perfectly with Pokey steering the ship until those inevitable moments when he casts his eyes downward, smiles, and nods at one of his bandmates to solo. Then off they go on a trumpet or guitar or washboard and it’s something brand new, unique to that minute, that show.

Playing a special show for Arch City Radio Hour at St. Louis Public Radio (audio below).

   
Tomorrow evening, Pokey and Company will hit the stage at Casa Loma Ballroom, supported by The Loot Rock Gang and Mariachi Los Compadres. The show’s at 8pm, so treat yourself to a delicious Cherokee Street dinner beforehand. Boost your city! Tickets here.

Bonuses:

1. Rumor has it that The Third Man Rolling Record Store will be at Casa Loma for the show if you can’t make it to Vintage Vinyl between 2 and 7pm. Plus, stand by that truck and get your Instagram on, girl! Hella likes.

2. Our bros in HUMDRUM are playing their 100th show with Kid Scientist and There is No Mountain at Foam just down the street from Casa Loma. You can experience all kinds of people and music in one night if you want. If you dare…

*Okay, he’s really from Bloomington, IL, but when has simple geography stopped St. Louisans from claiming something as their very own? We know what we like and we like all the good things.

FRIDAY, MAY 24TH

Our pick: 

The Itch, Thee Fine Lines, & Kimi and the Underwires at CBGB – $FREE (donations encouraged)

Thee Fine Lines, have been an enticing garage rock staple in Missouri for over a decade. The Springfield, MO band includes Kevin Schneider, bassist extraordinaire for St. Louis pop princes The Blind Eyes. Along for the ride? The Itch out of Joplin, MO and new-to-me Kimi & the Underwires from right here. K & tU appears to be a five-piece , female-fronted garage outfit. Do we like female-fronted garage bands here at IWTAS? Indeed we do…

Other winners:

Drive-by Truckers and Old 97′s at The Pageant – $25/$27.50 dos

Skillful Americana in a town that just goes bonkers over Americana. And that Rhett Miller always seems to get the ladies’ (and dudes) hearts all aflutter.

The Potomac Accord w/ JR Rudd at The Livery Company – $FREE
       

SATURDAY, MAY 25TH

Our Pick:

5th Annual Crawfish Boil feat. The Monads, Fattback, & The Deadstring Brothers at Off Broadway – $12, 21+/$15, -21

Jason Monad wants you to ask him about his crawfish. Well, even if he doesn’t, you should, because each year the story of gettin’ the hundreds of pounds of those things from the coast to the Midwest for this event is a hoot and everyone should hear it. His band, The Monads, along with the Deadstring Brothers and Fattback will entertain us as we stain our clothes with secret sauce and douse the fire with Stag tallboys.

A couple of things to sweeten the pot: Not too many years ago the St. Louis music scene lost one of its coolest and kindest guys, Fattback’s Dave Hagerty. Today, there’s a memorial garden in his name outside of OB and there’s a Fattback reunion on deck for this Saturday. Also, Matt Monad just informed us that they’ll be selling a bunch of special merch and donated items (good stuff like Cardinals tickets, bottles of booze, vinyl, crafts) with 100% of proceeds going to their pal Emily Stum, who’s battling cancer. The fifth year of “The Boil” will have certainly include an extra dose of South City heart.

Other winners:

The Brainstems Goodbye Tour at Blank Space - $5

The deal was always that if one member of The Brainstems moved away or quit the band, that would be the end of the group as they/we know it. Sure as shit, one of the dudes is heading toward greener pastures (and out of state), so the guys are throwing one last party to send him out in high style.

Post Performances hosted by The Luminary  – $FREE

Another innovative season of Post Performances begins on Saturday evening, with musical sets by DJ Nune, Mikey Wehling, and Thelonius Kryptonite in front of an art installation backdrop. These things take place in Old Post Office Plaza Downtown, and speaking from experience, it’s one of the most laid back and coolest recurring events in the city. Stop by or stay all night.

Tower Groove Records 7″ Release for Kisser and Tone Rodent w/ Black James and Hoonbag Moonswag – $7

I haven’t ever heard of a Tower Groove Records show that wasn’t a total blast. If you’re unfamiliar with the collective, get to know ‘em on Saturday at Heavy Anchor. Expect rad tunes and radder company, whether you choose the “loud” side of the house or if you sidle up to the bar and order one of H.A.’s signature mason jar cocktails.  Things kick off a bit early (around 7) with Tower Groove singles art displays and videos from Bill Streeter.

The Pat Sajak Assasins w/ Other People and Triceratops at the Tap Room – $FREE

SUNDAY, MAY 26TH

Our pick:

Rockabration III feat. The Ottomen, Aquitaine, and Picture Day at Off Broadway – $7-$15, w/ ticket package options available.

This show gets an IWTAS nod for a double stage set-up (the aforementioned bands inside, three acoustic artists outside on ‘The Smoking Porch’). The Ottomen, Aquitaine, and Picture Day are each local acts that, while great, you can’t go out and see every weekend, and six bands for seven bucks is always going to be a hell of a deal. Bonus points to the die-hards who show up Sunday and drink off their crawfish hangovers.

Other winners:

Memorial Day BBQ feat. Shooter Jennings w/ Lions of Hazelwood, Blackwater 64, High Fashion Kings, The Bob Band, and Trophy Mules at The Bootleg (Atomic Cowboy) - $20-$25

Ain’t nothing more ‘merican than an BBQ with a guy named Shooter. Atomic Cowboy has you covered on Sunday afternoon and evening with a stacked line-up of rock ‘n roll and twang. The stage is outside; the bar is outside; and the snacks are outside. This one has all the makings of a true Sunday Funday. Heehaw.

Something intense, as always, at Apop – $5 and 8pm SHARP(!)

MONDAY, MAY 27TH

Our pick:

Memorial Day Weekend BBQ (Part II!) feat. Big Boi and D?M-FunK and a monster local hip-hop line-up, Presented by Connector + Loyal Family + Leisure Studies at Atomic Cowboy – $30/$100 (VIP, Meet n’ Greet)

Some of you all are going to be saving up all weekend for this one (including a couple IWTAS-ers), and you can get your party on starting at noon. “I can go to work well-rested/sober every Tuesday until death, but seeing Big Boi in my own city could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” you’ll reason, and wander into Atomic’s new and improved outdoor concert space. Just like the Shooter show at Atomic Cowboy mentioned above, the hosts of the event will be catering to all your traditional Memorial Day Weekend needs with friends, food, and booze all at the ready.

Other winner:

Pretty & Nice w/ Aquitaine, Media Ghost, & Fiona Wild and the Midnight Lights – $10/$12

HAVE FUN AND BE SAFE OUT THERE, EVERYONE, AND RETURN TO US ON TUESDAY. XO.

Last Wednesday, upon entering The Firebird, I spoke words to exactly two adult humans before ambling my way up front to take photos and thereby encountering a young man (Hi Jake!) who posed the following question as soon as I stepped next to him:

Jake [dancing to the house music]: Hey, would you rather be sober or on PCP?

Me: Well, Jake, I haven’t heard that acronym spoken conversationally since, oh, 1996? And that was by my 5th grade D.A.R.E. officer, soooo needless to say, I guess I’d choose sobriety. I’m not really a risk-taker when it comes to those kinds of things…

Jake [taking tiny repeating steps forward and backward at a rapid pace]: RIGHT?! That’s totally what I’m saying! I would never mess with angel dust or anything like that. I mean I’m on uppers right now, but………….So when did you graduate?

Me: You mean college right?

Jake [laughing with the subtle superiority complex of youth]: No, high school!

Me: Oh um, 2003?

Jake [expressing genuine disbelief]: Oh em gee, I graduated in 2010!

Me: I’m going to go get something to drink. Or a couple things probably. Catch ya later buddy.

And then I patted him on the head.

Oscillator Bug at The Firebird.

Such was the beginning of a Wednesday night filled with young crowd energy and pleasant surprises, just like Jake himself. Chicago’s Oscillator Bug took stage many minutes after 9pm and got right into a loud and synth-drenched experimental set. The best part about this formidable solo artist is the contrast between hearing and seeing the guy, who most reminds me of one particular ‘cool dad’ I knew growing up. Mustached, probably ironically but it doesn’t take, sportin’ a wedding ring and just flying around about four square feet of space, filling the whole room with noise, a decent enough challenge with the kids anxious for perhaps something weirder (Black Moth), or something more familiar (Hood Internet). Oscillator Bug pounded that synth with abandon, a microphone flung pragmatically around his neck for easy access. It was a perfectly brief set after a day and evening spent in anticipation over whether or not the show would even go off.

The Hood Internet at The Firebird.

See, the night before, Black Moth Super Rainbow had paid what I’m sure was an otherwise pleasant visit to one of the South side’s most revered bar/restaurants. While they were hanging, their tour van was broken into and their very necessary and very specific equipment was stolen. But the good people of Firebird and the St. Louis music scene took it to the Internet and found the gear for BMSR in the 11th hour and the show when on.

The Hood Internet at The Firebird

The Hood Internet as advertised was actually one half of the duo, with Steve Reidell performing a solo set of HI’s signature mash-ups. You can have your Girl Talk, children, but this grown ass woman would like to keep the Hood Internet thankyouverymuch. Nuance might not be the traditional sticking point for a upper tier DJ mix, but that’s exactly what Reidell delivered, learning his audience as he went (Mase + Biggie Smalls + Puff Daddy…what up 8th grade?!) and winning the crowd over with samples from Whitney Houston and other R&B/Hip-hoppers That White Kids Like. I’m a believer.

It’s fun to have fun.

I had to cut out of the show “early” (I turn into a pumpkin at midnight on week nights), so I didn’t shoot Black Moth and missed most of their set. They came out to ‘Hairspray Heart’ from 2012′s Cobra Juicy and it was as fun as I imagined it would be live. Comrade Bryan Sutter *did* shoot BMSR and provides a hearty review of their set over on his site. And my besties from Haikulou managed to – as they always do – put my thoughts into a short poem that is both accurate and succinct. It was a weird, wonderful night. Thanks to the ‘bird.

 More Oscillator Bug and Hood Internet photos here. 

The wild and fun crazies in Eagles of Death Metal are playing a Jack-sponsored, invitation only concert “in the shadow of the Gateway Arch” this Saturday with doors at 7:00pm. It should be a pretty sweet night for anyone who is a fan of EODM, large metal structures, or being outside listening to music for free under a major American landmark. [And if you don't like one or all of those things...what are you? A robot?]

These could be yours!

So, we have many pairs of tickets to give away to the show!!! Here’s what you do to win:

1. Leave a comment below with why you’d like to see Eagles of Death Metal at the Arch by TOMORROW AT 1:00PM. (This is a 24 hour contest, because I’m average, not good or great, at time management.)

2. Include a valid email address when prompted. 

3. I’ll choose 10 winners (TEN!), and notify them by email tomorrow afternoon (that’s May 15th). You’ll then provide me a mailing address, and you’ll have your tickets on Thursday or Friday, like magic. 

Oh, and you have to be 21 to win. The rules are the rules. Get to it and good luck!

In fact, play the entire 2012 album, Cobra Juicy, front to back wherever you can find a spot of sunshine and a bowl of…whatever you’re into.

COBRA JUICY.

And just when so many music lovers in our region begin to reassemble their backyard Wilco shrines and get set for another season of outdoor Americana worship, Pittsburgh’s wacky, enigmatic, and experimental Black Moth Super Rainbow will take the stage at Firebird this Wednesday with mix monsters The Hoot Internet and Chicago’s Oscillator Bug.

IWTAS is giving away a pair of tickets to this sick ass show because we believe in loud noises and dancing hard on weeknights. Leave us a comment below and tell us why you want to go. We’ll randomly select a winner on Wednesday morning. 

Now PUJOL is a Tennessee garage rock act who cut their teeth alongside the likes of JEFF the Brotherhood and Heavy Cream. (Remember when those gals stole the show opening up for Those Darlins at Off Broadway last year?) So yeah, dude can rage pretty hard, but a quick stop anywhere on the Internet where Daniel Pujol exists will leave you with the impression of a politically outspoken, articulate, and often hilarious young man who has something smart and satirical to say about being an artist right now in the ol’ U-S-A.

On April 29th, PUJOL the band was back at OB, this time opening for J. Roddy Walston and the Business and following the bigger, faster, stronger version of STL rockers Via Dove. I witnessed a tight set from Pujol and his more than capable backing band as they rocked a room full of folks who showed up to see J. Roddy Walston. Below are photos from a night that allowed me to put another check mark on my show bucket list and left me anxious for PUJOL’s next headlining St. Louis stop.

Entire photo set here. 

And yeah, more often than not, no one knows said touring band here in St. Louis yet. The best case scenario is that we pull our friends off to the side after they’ve had a couple and talk their ears off about them for as long as our friends’ beer-soaked attention spans will allow, then we hope that some fans of the venue or friends of the people putting on the show will come to see a group they’ve never heard of, because it’s interesting to try new things and it surely beats letting your couch further form to the shape of your body because sitting on one’s ass is easier than being adventurous.

Yellow Red Sparks is from LA and you don’t know them yet because you keep watching The Bachelorette instead of going out.

You’ll enjoy Yellow Red Sparks if you locally dig Old Lights, The Skekses, Union Tree Review, Grace Basement,  or Dots Not Feathers. If you’re looking for a more broad sample, the band did this little session at a place called Daytrotter that I’ve heard is a kind of a tastemaker. Our openers for the evening are David Beeman of the aforementioned Old Lights and The Feed, both on Tower Groove Records’ roster, so expect the quality that comes with being a part of that line-up. Attend the concert, and for your generosity, be treated to a night of pop, rock, and whatever indie music is from one of Gramophone’s many comfy seats. “What a nice way to spend a Wednesday,” you’ll think, and resolve to do this sort of thing more often.

This is all to say that The Gramophone hooked us up with a pair of tickets to give away – we’d love to see some IWTAS readers representing there on Wednesday. Leave us a comment below, RT us, or write on Ye Olde Facebook Wall for a chance to win. I’ll randomly select someone the morning of the show, so hit it. 

Deer Tick playing Firebird last year. Photo by I Went to a Show.

Come for the party, stay for the legit talent of Deer Tick’s musicians and the occasional antics of nonchalantly charming frontman John McCauley, one of modern music’s few remaining real rock n’ roll lifers. The always generous guys at Firebird gave us a pair of tickets to give away to our loyal IWTAS readers. The show’s sponsored by Euclid Records and features STL’s Union Electric opening for the Ticks, a bonus for the likely sell-out crowd.

The rules: Leave a comment below with your favorite Deer Tick (or Union Electric) lyric for a chance to win. The contest ends this Friday (May 3rd) at noon. Get on it.