Oh the Places We Have Been - Live Music QC and Beyond

I spent my weekend in some very diverse worlds. I enjoyed folk music in a barn on Friday night, and punk and hardcore in a warehouse on Saturday. But I stopped by an air-conditioned bar and checked in with a local tribute band as well. Let me tell you about it...

By now you have probably already read my special edition post featuring the Barnstormer experience. If not, here is a link to find that story. I highly recommend the experience, but be warned – it is a barn. Don’t expect it to be the iWireless Center. Just go with the flow. And enjoy the experience.

Hello Ramona on stage at The Shop

Saturday I entered an entirely different world when I parked my car outside a place called “The Shop”. I had already missed the first band of the night, and it was just 6 PM. This was an all-ages show, so things get started a little earlier. The Shop really is just a warehouse. They have added a stage, sound system and lights though, and it is quickly becoming a popular venue. There is no bar – no beverage sales take place there. The rule is BYOB, but you had best be over 21 to imbibe. The Shop staff are watching. Just like with Friday night’s barn experience, one must remember – this is a warehouse. There is no AC, and for the most part, you expect to stand. On warm days, crowds move outside during breaks in performances. It doesn’t take long to figure out why.

 

 

 

 

 

Kings

As I mentioned, I missed the first band. Kings were setting up as I arrived, so I waited outside with the rest of the concert-goers, staying as cool as I could before entering the warehouse. You might remember a few months back I went to their CD Release party but was unable to stay until their set. I’ve been looking for an opportunity to catch this band ever since. Kings are a hardcore band – pounding drums, deep bass, metal guitars and screaming vocals. Kings has two members dedicated to vocals – the only band of the night to do so. They definitely put on a high energy show – in fact, all of the bands at the Shop had high energy performances.

Next up was Dividing the Masses. This was the only band on the roster that wasn’t from the Quad Cities. With a home town of Muscatine, and a base of Iowa City/Cedar Falls (just where are these dudes?) this polished deathcore band has a HUGE following. Expect to see more of them in the QC area.

 

 

 

Straight Up! is a pop punk band based out of the Quad Cities.  Vocalist Andrew Grimes connects with his audience, often reaching out to them from the very edge of the stage. Dylan Sipes is a lightning fast drummer. Bassist Jeff White and guitarist Derek Esp join in with backing vocals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

This was Hello Ramona’s CD release party. Pop punk rockers Hello Ramona have a fantastic following, and you’ll find their fans singing along to the music while crowd surfing. Vocalist Micah not only reaches out to his audience, but offers them the microphone. I’m looking forward to catching a bit more of this band.

 

 

 

 

After baking in a barn and wilting in a warehouse, I thought I might find some place to cool off for a while. Have Your Cake, a Cake tribute band, was playing the Brady Street Pub. It was time to pay them a visit. By the time I arrived, Have Your Cake was to the part of the night where they were taking requests. Or maybe they were taking requests all through their show - as it seemed the requests were sporadic, but they had plenty of music planned as well. The bar was packed the whole time I was there, so I took a table near the back and mostly just listened to the music. There is a lot going on at a Have Your Cake show, and the band interacts very well with their audience. I particularly enjoy the uniqueness of the Cake sound – including Karah Underwood’s trumpeting. Their well-polished vocals complete that sound.

For more photos from last weekend’s bands, please check out My Flickr Page.

This week:

Tonight – Minus Six is playing at Faye’s Field at the Bettendorf Library and Sin City can be found at Moline’s Bass Street Landing. Head out to the Rock Island County Fair for North of 40. It’s Bebop Jazz Night at Rozz-Tox. With any luck, I’ll be singing with Lee Blackmon tonight at It’s On The River in Port Byron.

Friday – The River Music Experience has a full night, starting with Jason Carl and the Whole Damn Band in the courtyard for Friday Live at 5. The Redstone Room will be hopping with the second installment of the Rock Wars preliminaries as The Atlantis Dialogue takes on Dynoride. And there will be a big gathering in the Performance hall with Sunset 4Ever, I Cry Wolfe, TV Magic, and Jacob Nutt. Who Cares is at the Rock Island County Fair, while Caught In The Act is at the River House and Funktastic 5 is playing at Martinis on the Rock. Keep Off The Grass is gracing the stage at the Rusty Nail, Night Light is playing Rustic Ridge, and the Franti Project can be found at Barrelhouse 211. Pop in to The Muddy Waters for Kent Burnside and the New Generation.

Saturday – It’s Rock the District with Theory of a Dead Man, Three Years Hollow, Candlelight Red and Three Pill Morning.  The Redstone Room has the music and photography of Bill Payne of Little Feat, whie the Socialists play the RME Community Stage. The Muddy Waters has Tony Brown and Earth Riddim Band, while Crossroads is at Purgatorys Pub and The Hard Ball Band is at The Rusty Nail. Identity Crisis is at the River House, Martini’s on the Rock has Timespan and The Knock Offs are out at the Rock Island County Fair. Stop in to Rustic Ridge for Bob Burns and Rob Dahms.