From cool blues to face-melting metal

Thursday evening I started my weekend out in the usual fashion – Johnny O’s Jam session at The Muddy Waters. We saw some folks back from last week – and from what they told me, they’re loving Muddy’s and loving Johnny O, so they’ll be back again. It’s good to see the crowds growing on Thursday nights. And the more musicians, the more chances of finding some really cool new mixes.

Falling and Flying

A couple of weeks ago I met a young man and his girlfriend after watching him fly a super-giant kite that dragged him across the ground and lifted him into the air while he rode on a skateboard with giant wheels. Last Friday, he sent me a text that kiteboarding was on, and I dashed off after work, cameras at the ready.

Suprises At Every Turn - Local Live Music

I expected not to have much to talk about this week, as my weekend was pretty well tied up. But things really did pop! And it all started with a jam at my favorite haunt…The Muddy Waters…

Jam Night at The Muddy Waters

Thursday night (as my readers all know by now) is the Johnny O Jam at The Muddy Waters. I’ve seen some really cool musicians there, and every week it has been a different experience. This week’s jam took a turn I didn’t see coming, but it was a wonderful turn. When I pulled up and parked, I saw swarms (yes swarms!) of people entering the bar… and there was very little parking available. I already knew something very different was taking place. I walked in, and John O’Meara was buzzing around the crowded bar like a happy honey bee with sole possession of a very large field of clover. There were so many musicians that he had to bring out a sign-up sheet to make sure everyone was allowed play time.

I’m sure some of the bands that played were getting warmed up for Sunday’s Iowa Blues Challenge… which I wasn’t able to attend. The jams were great Thursday night. I didn’t want to leave and stayed past my bedtime. I got some great shots and video while I was there.  You can see a sampler of Thursday’s jam sessions on my Youtube channel. It was just too good not to share!

Friday night I spent the entire evening at Bleyart’s in the Village of East Davenport. Lee Blackmon was scheduled to play from 8PM til Midnight. Dave Kamp and Steve Steiner showed up and played the entire night with Lee. I found myself singing a few songs I’d never sung before (always a FUN exercise) and Steve’s girlfriend Carmen even joined in for a couple of songs. The Lee Blackmon (and friends) show was such a hit, we ended up playing until 1 AM. It was a great time. We had a cameo appearance from special guest harmonica player Detroit Larry Davidson. It was a great time!

I was in the Village Sunday afternoon for a softball game, and stopped in at the 11^th Street Precinct for a quick bite after the game. I was surprised to find a very good band playing there. I had never seen them before, and during their break I learned they are mostly local, but don’t play out much except for benefits. That day there was an American Cancer Society benefit being held in the bar. The name of the band was Borrowed Time. I didn’t get video or any decent shots of them, but be sure to keep an eye out for them. They had a great blues sound!

So what’s coming up this weekend? Tonight there’s another Johnny O Jam at the Muddy Waters – each week these things get better, so head down there and see something you haven’t seen before.

Friday night – Lee Blackmon is playing at Cool Beanz. This is an early evening show, starting at 6:30. Enjoy some dinner, or a glass of wine or a craft beer… and Lee’s show, all before you hit the party scene!

 Wicked Nature is playing at Rascals in Moline – this JUST IN: Friday will be Vid Genac’s last gig with the band. He says he might sing some rush Friday night…

Smooth Groove is playing at Martinis on the Rock, you can find Funktastic 5 at thePub  and Lynn Allen will be at the Rusty Nail both nights.

Saturday night, Evolution will be playing on the Racer’s Edge Stage.

As usual, more photos can be found on my Flickr page, and videos on my YouTube channel.  Head out this weekend and enjoy Local Live Music!

Impulsive? Me?

My mother has been telling me for years that I’m too impulsive. This weekend I proved her right, and did some things so unexpected, so random I didn’t even have time to tell people I was doing them! But let’s start with Thursday’s Johnny O Jam, shall we?

Pardon Me - I'm a Bit Scattered

If it hasn’t been obvious from my blog posts the last couple of months, here’s the truth – I’ve been a bit scattered lately. Yep – I’ll admit it. I’ve lost focus.

Slow down and enjoy the (live) music!

Friday night at Hero’s Pub in Davenport, my conversation with Danika Holmes went as follows:

Danika – Hey! Great to see you!

Me – Hey! I’m glad I came out!

Danika – So where are you off to next?

Actually, that’s the same conversation we had the week before. Hmm…

So much to do so little time – live music in the Quad-Cities

 

What a busy weekend for the music scene! Technically it’s becoming more like there is music happening somewhere in the Quad-cities every night of the week. My music week started Thursday night with the Johnny O Jam at the Muddy Waters. The usual suspects were there, including John T. O’Meara and Perry Hultgren. This week we saw some talented young musicians, including bass player Johnny Pena. The Thursday night jams at Muddy’s are great listening, especially if, like me, you love blues. I could listen to that all night… if I didn’t have to get up in the morning to go to work!

Friday night I checked out Rootless Experience at Brady Street Pub. Rootless Experience is quite the collection of musicians. On Friday, there were 6 people on stage. I suspect this is one of those bands that I’m going to have to check out more than once to get a true feel, but I found the sax to be sweet – and the two female singers intriguing. From conversation overheard, I had the impression that one of the singers was new to the band. Lighting at BSP is limited – mostly to the neon beverage signs in the windows behind the band. Oh – and music stand lights.

Sweet Sax Music with Rootless Experience

After a taste of Rootless Experience, I made my way out to the Rusty Nail to get a good dose of good old fashioned Rock and Roll with Simon Says Uncle. The guys were in good form Friday night, and a solid crowd at the Nail seemed to be enjoying the music. I enjoy their sound, their presence and Mark Schrupp’s enthusiasm behind the keys. Give that guy some light, will ya?

Jeff and Jerry rockin' harmony

Saturday night started out with Danika Holmes at the Grape Life. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy sipping wine and listening to good acoustic music at the Grape Life? The place was packed and they were setting up folding chairs (just like every other time I’ve been there for live music).  I got up to take a few photos and the owner nearly gave away my seat. Thanks to the couple sitting to my right for letting her know I was still there! To my left there was a fellow with a camera – who insisted on taking flash photos the whole time I was there. Musicians – when I come to your show, I promise NOT to get out my flash! If I can’t get a good photo without it, I won’t get a photo. That’s super distracting.

Danika’s acoustic show was beautiful, as usual. I hope to catch her band soon!

Next stop was The Muddy Waters and the Avey Brothers. These guys have been around for a long while, but I’ve never had the opportunity to catch their show. They sounded great – good old rock and roll with some blues mixed in. They have a good following, as Muddy’s was packed with no place to sit. I stood for the hour and a half I was there. But the music was great and the time flew by.

After I posted my blog last week, I learned there was a Drophammer reunion show at Rascals. Now… I never once saw Drophammer during their heyday… but I heard they put on a good show, so I decided to check them out. Not only was this “reunion” my first Drophammer gig, but it was also my first time at Rascals. The. Band. Was. Awesome! We’re talking heavy hitting hair band – and nearly 20 years later these guys are still doing it that way. They really rocked! 

Drophammer still rockin!

The venue… well… it wasn’t what I was expecting.   Somehow I had imagined the new Rascals Live venue would be larger. Maybe it was just because Drophammer packed in such a huge crowd. It felt really cramped. In fact, except for stepping inside a couple of times to take photos (over my head), I stayed out in the hall where the bar was located and there was less congestion. The music sounded great from out there, and I didn’t have to worry about being stepped on or knocked over. I bought a soda at the bar – that was it, after spending $7 just to get inside. Rascals had advertised a $5 admission, but decided to make it $7 at the door (but didn’t change the advertising). I arrived a half-hour after the headlining band started, and long after the first 2 bands quit playing, but they still charged me $7… an hour later I watched people filter in and still pay that much. 

Sunday I made a stop by The Muddy Waters for Sunday Funday with Dave Ellis. Dave was out on the patio. Brave man… I sat out there with a friend for 2 songs before we hurried back inside out of the cold wind. Dave – your music was great, and we felt sorry for you, but it got really cold, really fast!

Tonight – Danika Holmes is playing Hero’s Pub in Davenport. She’ll have her band, so I’m making a special effort to be there. Simon Says Uncle will be rocking thePub out on Brady street, and Smooth Groove will be at Martini’s on the Rock in Rock Island. The Muddy Waters has Kent Burnside and New Generation.

Tomorrow – You can find me at Purgatory’s Pub with 1^st Impression. The Dirt Road Rockers and Danika Holmes will be at Mulligan’s in Coal Valley, and the Muddy Waters is hosting OSG.

Sunday (yes, Easter) – Lee Blackmon is hosting Sunday Funday at the Muddy Waters. If you haven’t been out to see Lee in action, you really should give it a whirl. He often has guest musicians playing with him, and he always has that spare microphone. Request a song from his extensive list – and then you can even get up and sing it with him if you want. That’s so much MORE fun than karaoke! Sunday Funday starts at 6 and runs til 9. Bring a jacket – just in case.

On a side note – I’ve moved my information security and business continuity posts to a new blog this week. So stop by and check out Information Sanctuary.

And support live local music!