Live Music on the Run

I want to apologize in advance to the bands I saw last weekend. There was so much more I could say - but I ran out of room (and time). Last weekend was a whirlwind. Really it was. With a benefit, some great visiting artists, Record Store Day and more, I found myself totally exhausted - but happy. Kind of reminds me of that old saying about not wanting to go out of this life perfectly preserved, but sliding in sideways, disheveled, out of breath, margarita in hand... and shouting "what a ride!" ...yeah, that kind of exhausted. Don't believe me? Take a look at my weekend.

The Dunn Brothers coffee shop in Bettendorf has become a music venue of sorts, and Friday night Lee Blackmon and his flock of faithful followers descended upon the shop. This group tends to show up when Lee plays coffee houses. I’ve seen them at Cool Beanz and have heard some used to go to the now defunct Fireworks. I sang a few songs with Lee, and took a few photos/shot a little video.

Friday night was a special occasion for other reasons too. Tri-polar XXXpress  got together for a reunion show with a special purpose. They were part of a larger event – a benefit for Josh Hall. By the time I finished up with Lee and headed for the Milan Community center, the band was in a full throttle version of "Sweet Child of Mine". It was great to see them all together, and it sounded to me like they had been practicing a bit. The whole band sounded great. Christi's vocals were right on... and I have to mention that Vid's falsetto sounded much better than I had expected. Vid tried to tell me the week before that his voice was suffering - but I think maybe he told a little white lie.

It is difficult to describe the music style of The 4 on the Floor – and it’s not a bad thing at all. This

percussion-heavy band from Minneapolis switched genres faster than the bartenders were pouring drinks at RIBCO Friday night. Their songs were often bordering between genres, and the mix was well received (and pretty impressive as well).  With four bass drums (anyone wonder how they came up with that name?) the beat was stomped out and could be felt in the back of the RIBCO balcony. Expressive vocalist Gabriel Douglas poured his soul into every word.
 

I arrived at Ragged Records Saturday afternoon after the Record Store Day event was already underway. The Busted Chandeliers had just started their set. They introduced some new music Saturday, including a song that will be found on the new Hello Quad Cities vinyl due out next weekend. The Chandies get better each time I see them – and given that I liked them the first time (last year’s Venus Envy event), that’s putting them into the range of “amazing” by now. Their new music stirs something deep in the soul (really, no really – it was something in my eye). Catch them playing out when you can – they’re absolutely worth checking out.





 

 
The Busted Chandeliers were followed by AJ Landman, AKA White Zephyr. He played a great solo set - just a guy and a guitar.
















 

The Post Mortems finished off the day. This unusual duo absolutely rocked Ragged Records with just a bass and drums. By the time they finished their set, a crowd had gathered to enjoy the music. They put on a great show, and also previewed their original song from the Hello Quad Cities album. I'll be looking for another chance to see them.




 

I spent the entire evening Saturday at the Brady Street Pub. The bar had booked a 3 band extravaganza that included QCSlim, The Harris Collection and The Mississippi Misfits. Josh Kain is the blues guitarist also known as QCSlim. On Saturday night he was joined by a number of local musicians as he opened the three band show at the Brady Street Pub.  Kain’s music is an intense brooding blues style, and he backs his talent with a great deal of emotion.








 

I’ve been watching the Harris Collection evolve over the last year or so. The band, aptly named for a majority of Harris family members, has an unassuming blues style. As a whole, this group is very good. Individually, each is an outstanding musician. The first time I saw this band, they had a vocalist. Now, guitarist Shon Harris provides a good dose of vocals with a calm, almost spoken delivery. Bassist Leland has discovered his voice as well, and is taking on some of the vocal duties. The Harris Collection is entered in the Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge this year, and will be competing on Sunday, April 28^th.

I enjoy my time with the Mississippi Misfits – each time I see them play there is something that I had not seen before. I might have some of their original songs memorized, but they seem to have a new surprise with every show, and I hear they are writing new songs at nearly every practice. Due to a late start the Misfits’ set was short, and left us wishing for more. But we were in for a little more when musicians from the other bands joined them for a jam. Ziggie McQuay called it a “QC Collection of Misfits”.  So there you have it.  The Mississippi Misfits are competing in the Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge on Sunday, May 5^th.

A little over a month ago, Tom Zick told me, “You need to see Victor Wooten. Get your ticket right away”. It’s so unlike me to just take someone’s word for anything, but I did just that. A few days before Sunday's show, my son told me he was so very disappointed that he already had a gig

booked that night before he found out Wooten was coming to the Redstone Room. (For reference: My son Jeff plays bass – he started out playing jazz at the age of 13) It seems Mr. Wooten was Jeff’s idol. I was now very glad I was going to see this fellow. Then I learned the show was sold out. Thank you Tom, for suggesting I get a ticket right away. Wooten’s workshop was not only informative, but the man was very approachable. He taught, he answered questions – basically he opened himself like a book to the audience…

…then there was the concert. I didn’t know what to expect. Wow! This was some show. Wooten has assembled the finest lineup of bass players you will see anywhere. And each of them plays other instruments as well – so the concert was not at all bass overload. His two drummers were top quality – and the singer was absolutely amazing.  But beyond the instruments and obvious talent of the players, there was more. These folks understand how dynamics take music to greater heights.  The vocalist was amazing and had a tremendous range, but she never had to force her voice - when  she needed quiet,  the band was so quiet, you would almost swear they weren't playing through the sound system. And maybe they weren't.  I didn't ask.  What a tremendous way to end a great weekend.



Coming up this week:

Tonight - there are happenings tonight, so I'm thinking Thursdays might become a regular addition.  Chuck Murphy is playing at Barrel House 211, RIBCO has Jason Carl and the Whole Damn Band, and Shadow Stone is shooting a music video at Rascals. There's a Hip-Hop Open Mic at Rozz-tox, and there are jam sessions at The Muddy Waters and Rascals.

Friday - Rozz-Tox has Bob Bucko Jr, Aru and Mija, and Minus Six and The Real Quaid are playing at RIBCO. The RME has Playlist QC in the Redstone Room and in the Performance Hall: The Easy Mark, Dream Anabelle, Remiss and Snogulated Pig. The Hitman is playing at Rustic Ridge, Chuck Murphy is at The Docs Inn, and North of 40 is playing Martini's on the Rock. Mound St. Landing has Two Peace, and Corporate Rock is playing 11th Street Precinct.  Hal Reed and the Ray Wood Jr. Band with Gary Allegretto are playing at The Muddy Waters...
... Ok - that one deserves a little more - The Ray Wood Jr band includes Curtis Hawkins (visiting from Colorado) and Gary Allegretto is part of the Blues in the Schools program, visiting the QC this week. I got to see a sneak preview of this last night - if you like blues at ALL this promises to be one jammin' show.
Now, back to our programming: Night Light is at Bleyarts, The Funktastic 5 is at Mulligans, and The Rusty Nail has The Hooks with Sugar Nipples. Also - check out Machine Gun Willie at Generations.

Saturday - RIBCO has Lucero and Langhorne Slim, while The Steepwater Band, Jim the Mule and Rusted Hearts are playing the Redstone Room. North of 40 is at Hero's Pub, The Greenbriar has Gray Wolf, and the Night People are playing Ducky's Lagoon. Vodkaseven is at The Rusty Nail, Purgatory's has Pash N Brew, and Crossroads is playing The Mound St. Landing. Smooth Groove is playing Martini's on the Rock, Rascals has The Funktastic 5 and The Dani Lynn Howe band is at Hollars. Karl Beatty and Mike Miller are playing at Barrel House 211, while The Muddy Waters has Scott Holt.

Sunday - There's a benefit concert for Matt and Danielle Parise at the Rock Island Eagles Club. Concert starts at 5, tickets are available online for $10 or $12 at the door. The QC Hardcore music scene has really pulled together for these folks, and some of the bands are reuniting just for this show. Bands include: Preacher Gone to Texas, Bled for Days, King of Clubz, Straight UP!, Iron Rain and Kings.

Also - Sunday is the first round of the Mississippi Valley Blues Challenge. Bands are competing for a chance to compete at the International Blues Challenge. In this round, we see The Harris Collection, The Chris Avey Band, The Jared Hughes Band and the Rock Island Rollers. Show starts at 6 PM.  

There is so much music to hear in the QC.  It keeps me running - what about you?