Neverending Music in the QC

Busy seems to be about normal for me anymore. This week, I saw bands on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On Thursday I photographed a style show and on Sunday, a softball game. However, as a whole I didn’t see nearly as much action as I saw last week – and I AM dialing back.

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.

A Battle and a Farewell

I took a little unexpected break Saturday night, but did manage to get photos Friday night of a band that’s been on my list… and said goodbye Sunday to a local favorite moving on to new adventures.

Original Music Quad City Style

I’ve been trying to highlight some local original music bands lately, as well as visiting bands and, of course, our fine crop of cover/tribute bands. This week RIBCO began their February Battle of the Bands. Each Friday there is a battle round, with three bands battling each of the first 3 weeks, and the winners of those rounds duking it out the final weekend. I won’t be attending all four weeks, but I was there on Friday for the first round.

 

A Little Of This And A Whole Lot Of That

I'm mixing things up these days - Local and regional acts, cover bands and bands with original music... and all sorts of genres.

A Birthday Bash and New Venues

A couple of weeks ago, Hal Reed celebrated his birthday. For those of you not in the know, Hal is the owner of The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf.  The Muddy Waters celebrates in grand style – with a weekend-long birthday bash!

I attended Saturday night’s party, as I spent Friday evening at 2 venues with 1^st Impression and Lee Blackmon. A few musicians from local bands got together and started out the evening with a jam.  With Hal on harmonica and vocals, and the likes of Jimmy VanHyfte and Curtis Hawkins, it was a memorable opening act. Afterwards the Kinsey Report took the stage for their set and made the evening complete.

I heard this week that a new bar has opened in Downtown Davenport. In the space that used to be the 811 Lockdown, meet… Zero to Sixty. Chuck Murphy posted on my timeline this week that he’ll be playing there tomorrow night from 10-2.  I also wanted to mention that I’ve been hearing rumors that The Firehouse on Hickory Grove Road is serving up live music every other Friday night – opposite the Fridays they have karaoke.  I’m going to be checking that out too – but I haven’t heard of any local bands that have played there.

 

This week:

Friday night – Barrel House 211 is running a double feature this week, with MER at 5:30 and The Blackstones at 10. Funktastic Five is at Rascals, Cobalt Blue is playing 11^th street Precinct, and Brady Street Pub has The Lowdown. Simon Says Uncle can be found at the Rusty Nail, and Grand Larsony is playing Purgatorys. Jason Carl’s band is playing Generations, and The Edje Nightclub has Smooth Groove.

Saturday: Smokehouse is playing a benefit Saturday afternoon and early evening at Racers Edge, and 1^st Impression will be following them at 9:30. The Karry Outz are playing Rascals, The Candymakers are at 11^th Street Precinct, and the Odeon in Clinton has Pash n Brew.  Curtis Hawkins band is at The Muddy Waters and Cosmic is playing Mulligans. Justin Morrissey can be found at Bleyarts and you can find Machine Gun Willie at Ducky’s Lagoon.

There’s plenty of live music this weekend – so get out and enjoy some!

I Need a Clone For All This Live Music

Sometimes I wish I could be in two places at once. Or three or four even.  This weekend was one of those times.  Yes, that was pretty much the story for the entire weekend.  Of course, I started Thursday night at The Muddy Waters. Things started off slow, but were heating up really well about the time I needed to head for home.  Most of the usual characters were there – and we were dancing in the aisles by 11 PM.

Cool Blues on a Warm Night – live music in the QC

Hot is a relative term. I love warm summer nights – and I love cool blues. That is a good part of why I really enjoyed Blues Fest a couple of weeks ago.  But in the Quad-Cities, it isn’t necessary to limit your blues listening to one weekend a year.  Every Thursday night there’s a blues jam at The Muddy Waters.  Yes, sometimes musicians who don’t play blues get up and play too, but the majority of the Thursday night Johnny O. Jam is blues.  And the Muddy Waters provides us with blues entertainers on other nights too.  This week I checked out the Friday night show… more on that later.