This week I stepped out on Thursday night and discovered a
musical gem – or 5 of them. I also stopped by one of our traditional summer
music festivals, and spent some time with friends. Make sure you read all the
way to the bottom to get the low-down on where to be for live music this
weekend!
I don’t go out during the week as often as I used to, but I
made a special trip to the Redstone Room Thursday night to see the Trishas. I
headed downtown around 8:00, for the show was advertised to start at eight with
the Dirt Road Rockers. I’ve seen them a couple of times, but I do like to catch
our local bands on stage at venues like the Redstone Room. I figured I would
catch a bit of their set, but was surprised when I got to the door and was informed
DRR was on their last song. Last song? But it was only 8:15. Apparently the
show kicked in a half hour earlier than advertised. I was bummed, but snagged a
couple of quick photos before the song was over. Sorry guys!
The Trishas, though promoted as a country band, are more of
the Americana genre. Their music has country undertones with a lot of folk and
a dash of rock. These ladies had surprises in store for us, from their covers
of country classics like Sixteen Tons to their newest original music. I’m still
in awe at 4-part female harmony on Sixteen Tons, one of my father’s all-time
favorites (normally heard in a deep bass voice). Everyone in the band played a
variety of instruments, and their vocal harmonies were quite amazing.
Saturday afternoon and early evening was spent at Gumbo Ya
Ya. After a trip to New Orleans a few years ago, I sometimes find myself hungry
for some Zydeco music and that spicy Cajun food. I was a little disappointed to
see very little Zydeco music on the menu for Saturday night (and the food
wasn’t all that spicy either). I adore Davina and the Vagabonds and love their
Blues/jazz/funk sound, but I was craving Zydeco. Davina, by the way, was in
great form – and I’ll be looking forward to seeing her and the boys again at
Blues Fest next month.
There was a lot of entertainment happening all over the
District at this year’s Gumbo Ya Ya. Street performances by members of the
Bottoms Up Burlesque troupe were unscripted and delightful.
I don’t go out during the week as often as I used to, but I
made a special trip to the Redstone Room Thursday night to see the Trishas. I
headed downtown around 8:00, for the show was advertised to start at eight with
the Dirt Road Rockers. I’ve seen them a couple of times, but I do like to catch
our local bands on stage at venues like the Redstone Room. I figured I would
catch a bit of their set, but was surprised when I got to the door and was informed
DRR was on their last song. Last song? But it was only 8:15. Apparently the
show kicked in a half hour earlier than advertised. I was bummed, but snagged a
couple of quick photos before the song was over. Sorry guys!
The Trishas, though promoted as a country band, are more of
the Americana genre. Their music has country undertones with a lot of folk and
a dash of rock. These ladies had surprises in store for us, from their covers
of country classics like Sixteen Tons to their newest original music. I’m still
in awe at 4-part female harmony on Sixteen Tons, one of my father’s all-time
favorites (normally heard in a deep bass voice). Everyone in the band played a
variety of instruments, and their vocal harmonies were quite amazing. 
Friday and Saturday evening I spent with my good friends The
Mississippi Misfits. It is rare that they book 2 shows in the same weekend, but
the two venues where they played drew two distinctly different crowds, so it
was a good weekend for Tom, Ren and Ziggie.
Saturday afternoon and early evening was spent at Gumbo Ya
Ya. After a trip to New Orleans a few years ago, I sometimes find myself hungry
for some Zydeco music and that spicy Cajun food. I was a little disappointed to
see very little Zydeco music on the menu for Saturday night (and the food
wasn’t all that spicy either). I adore Davina and the Vagabonds and love their
Blues/jazz/funk sound, but I was craving Zydeco. Davina, by the way, was in
great form – and I’ll be looking forward to seeing her and the boys again at
Blues Fest next month.
There was a lot of entertainment happening all over the
District at this year’s Gumbo Ya Ya. Street performances by members of the
Bottoms Up Burlesque troupe were unscripted and delightful.
Lindsay O’Brien of The Good Karma Shirt Company in downtown
Rock Island showed off some crazy hoop skills.
The Vladescu Vampire clan took up residence and wandered the
streets… looking for dinner maybe? Perhaps they like spicy Cajuns.
And I did find some Zydeco, complete with horns, washboards
and an accordion. Hurricane Gumbo played a little of everything, but it was
their Zydeco that had people dancing in the plaza, and even playing along on
the front board.
This week –
Holy Cow! Are you ready for this list? We’ll start out with
The Rally On The River, renamed and redesigned yet again. There will be fewer
bands and the rally is moving back to the riverfront… so here goes:
ROTR Thursday: Spike, Isaac James, Quiet Riot.
ROTR Friday: Pash –N- Brew, Dirt Road Rockers, Room 212,
Black Jack Billy
ROTR Saturday: Anamalia, Hap Hazard, Corporate Rock, Wikd
Likr, Cal Stage Band, Nigel Dupree, Jackyl.
Thursday – At 6:30, The Busted Chandeliers will be at Faye’s
Field at the Bettendorf Library, and there will be a free Jazz concert at Blackhawk College. At 7 The Dani Lynn Howe Band is at Bass Street
Landing, and the River Cities 6 is at Vander Veer. At 9, The MVBS presents Dave
Fields at The Muddy Waters, and at 10, Chuck Murphy is at RIBCO. There – I just
planned out your evening.
Friday – Friday Live at 5 at the RME- Natty Nation. David G.
Smith is on the Community Stage, while the Redstone Room boasts Ben Kenney (of
Incubus) with Almost a Triangle and the Performance Hall has Narrow Hearts, Of
Glaciers, Kings and Heavyweight. Rozz-tox has Anna Volgenang, Speaking of
Secrets and Subatlantic. The Multiple Cat CD Release is at RIBCO with Gloom
Baloon and Brooks Strause. Cosmic is at the River House, Martini’s on the Rock
has Simon Says Uncle, and Caught in the Act is playing the 11th St.
Precinct. The Muddy Waters is hosting James Armstrong, Phamily Berzerker is at
Mulligans and Gray Wolf is playing the Edje. Doug Brundies & the Big
Acoustic Show is at Barrel House 211, Rob Dahms is playing Rustic Ridge, and
the Wide River Tasting Room has Esme and Nick, and the Candymakers are at Bier Stubbe.
Saturday – Rozz-tox has Snogulated Pig, Code Orange Kids, Adventures,
and Haddonfield. The Funnies are at the River House, Daiquiri Factory has Trash
Martini and Caught in the Act is playing Generations. You’ll find Justin
Morrissey at The Rusty Nail, Smooth Groove at Martinis on the Rock and
Crossroads at the Greenbriar. Wes Weeber’s Brokeass Sellouts are at RIBCO,
Rascals has The Funktastic Five, and The Dawn is at Mulligans. Lynn Allen is
playing Purgatory’s, and Wild Oatz are at Jimmie O’s Saloon. The Dave Churchill
Band is at Cool Beanz, 11th St. Precinct has the Candymakers, and David G Smith is playing Rustic Ridge. I’ll be at
Creekside with Lee Blackmon for the early afternoon patio party, and in
Muscatine at the Brew with 1st Impression for an outdoor show.
That’s a whole lot of music! For more photos from this past
weekend or past live music events stop by my Flickr page, or check out the
River Cities Reader music section.
And, as always, get out and enjoy some live music this week!
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