Those Far Out Arrows at Petfest 2020 this past summer. They released a new album last week.
Trying to work my way through a backlog of email and other assorted news items….
Coming out of the blue, Those Far Out Arrows dropped a new LP last Friday called Fill Yer Cup.
“This album was recorded in December 2019 at ‘The Library’ with Adam Roberts in Omaha, Nebraska,” says the liner notes. “These songs were born in a pre-pandemic world but continue to resonate in life today, as we know it. We love and appreciate all who support us and take time to listen to these recordings.”
Anyone who caught the band’s performances at Petfest this past summer caught a few of these new songs (“Snake in My Basement” was a standout). Buy your digital copy at their Bandcamp page for just $5.
Unafraid of any stinking pandemic, TFOA’s is slated to play at Reverb Lounge Nov. 27 with Cat Piss — that’s the day after Thanksgiving.
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Not local news, but legendary Scottish indie rockers Teenage Fanclub announced their new album, Endless Arcade, will drop March 5 on Merge. Check out the opening song, “Home,” below…
Like being stranded in the desert and drinking an ice-cold ladel of water — that’s what it was like to finally see live rock music again.
The opportunity came at Petfest last Saturday — the first live music I’ve experienced since COVID-19 began kicking our collective asses this past March. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed rock shows. Watching a live band really underscores why live-streamed performances are a poor — but necessary — substitute for the real thing.
And while I know our COVID numbers around here are pretty bad, with the right precautions in place I don’t understand why there isn’t at least a few live outdoor indie shows happening somewhere. But I’ll get to that in a minute.
Just prior to organizers pulling the online ticket sales yesterday morning, there were only four of the 50 available tickets left for purchase, so if it wasn’t a sell-out it was close to it. After I posted my Lazy-i update Friday, organizers decided to nix the inside stage and host the entire event with two outdoor stages. Genius sound engineer Ian Aeillo cleverly pulled the in-door “stage” to the edge of the Petshop overhead doors, adding to the overall safety of the festival.
Before entering the snow-fence-bordered compound behind Petshop in Benson you had to be masked and have a temperature check. Once inside, there was plenty of room to roam, with a bar set up on one side next to the ProBlac tent and a merch tent.
I arrived at around 6 p.m., just in time to see And How’s entire set. A seven-piece ensemble that includes a two-piece brass section (trumpet and trombone) along with the usual keys, guitars, drums, I’d been told by a number of music folks how great they were, and they weren’t kidding. Fronted by vocalist/guitarist Ryan Menchaca, their sound is textured and melodic, floating and soaring like a plastic bag doing a ballet in an updraft between two skyscrapers. Some might say it borders on yacht rock, but these days, that’s a compliment, especially in an indie scene that’s infatuated with it.
Menchaca’s vocals, a perfect mid-range coo, wasn’t the least bit hampered by the mask he wore — in fact, the entire band wore masks throughout the performance, except of course for the brass players who dropped their shields when jams required. If there was a flaw it was in the enunciation — I’m not sure what these songs are about, but if their floating psych-rock sound is any indication, the topics are peace, love and understanding.
Mechaca said the band has only recorded one song, which is linked below. Methinks now would be a good time for them to get into a studio (perhaps Aeillo’s studio?) and get the rest of their set recorded for a debut album.
Those Far Out Arrows at Petfest, Aug. 15, 2020.
And How was followed by Those Far Out Arrows playing in the garage stage (appropriately). The time off due to COVID has only strengthened the four-piece psych-rock outfit, who never sounded more lean and mean. While playing what you could consider traditional garage/psych rock, it feels like they’re headed toward different places these days. I would get caught up in a song’s warm vibe and hope it would go on for another five minutes instead of capping at the three-minute mark, like any good rock song — not jamming as much as a trance-like rhythm and tone.
The masked crowd was having fun hanging with friends, probably for the first time in a long time. Groups of two or three stayed distanced from others (for the most part). I never felt like the space was crowded or dangerous. I guess we’ll find out in a couple weeks should anyone get sick.
The Petshop folks did everything right as far as I could see, and the fact that they essentially sold out this small show at $30+fees per ticket tells me there’s an appetite for more small, safe, socially distanced, outdoor rock shows. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more like this one, but no doubt it takes a lot of organizing. That said, with summer winding down, the opportunities to do more of this before fall and winter comes — and we’re all stuck back indoors — is only going to become more limited. Let’s get it while we can.
It’s looking like an all-Sydney weekend (when have I ever said that before?).
Tonight at The Sydney in Benson a sweet Benson First Friday show is headlined by Little Brazil (Max Trax Records) with Those Far Out Arrows (High Dive Records) and Eric in Outerspace. $5, 10 p.m.
And since you’ll be in Benson before the show to get some grub (or whatever), drop by The Little Gallery at 5901 Maple (just across the street from The Sydney in the east bay of the Masonic Lodge Building) for “Hatch” by artist Pecha. The opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Come by, say hi.
Also tonight, Lookout Lounge has an old-school punk show with The Shidiots, Cordial Spew, Old Empires and Wyldra. $5, 8:30 p.m
Tomorrow night (Saturday) it’s back to The Sydney for Leafblower (Max Trax Records) celebrating the release of a new 7-inch with Lincoln pals Her Flyaway Manner and Omaha grinders Living Conditions. $5, 10 p.m.
Also Saturday night, The Dive Kings return to fabulous O’Leaver’s with Side Piece and Faded. 9 p.m., $5.
And that’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend…
Back in June 2016, I got a chance to see Baltimore band Outer Spaces at the now defunct Milk Run with a handful of other fans. The band had just released its debut LP, A Shedding Snake, on Don Giovanni Records, which ended up being one of my favorites that year.
This morning Saddle Creek Records announced that Outer Spaces will be receiving the “Document Series” treatment — i.e, the release of a 7-inch single, “Teapot” b/w “Children Love to Run” May 3.
Rockaway Beach, NY, psych-rock band Blac Rabbit headlines tonight at Slowdown Jr. The 5-piece is led by identical twin brothers Amiri and Rahiem Taylor. They say their sound is influenced by The Beatles (what band’s isn’t?), and have covered Beatles tunes in the past, most notably at an event alongside Yoko Ono and Ringo Starr. But forget about the covers. The band’s original material is the reason to go see them tonight. Plus you get an opening set by our very own Those Far Out Arrows, who no doubt will be rolling out some new material. 8 p.m., $12.
Pretty hot Friday night line-up and one show on Saturday. Let’s get to it.
Tonight at Reverb Lounge Omaha act Bokr Tov celebrates the release of their new album Nothing Is Immune. The five-piece plays a laid-back style of indie folk that kind of reminds me of acts like Susto and Whitney. The album was produced by Nate Van Fleet and engineered by Matt Carroll, both of See Through Dresses. Opening is red hot local act Thick Paint and Bed Rest. $10, 9 p.m.
Also tonight, Lookout Lounge is hosting ’90s punk rockers Smoking Popes. The band blew up in ’95 with their debut, Born to Quit. Their new album, Into the Agony, was released in October on Asian Man Records. Opening is KC band Company Retreat, Omaha’s Wrong Pets and A Summer Better Than Yours. $15, 8:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, tonight over at fabulous O’Leaver’s, High Dive recording artist Those Far Out Arrows opens for KC garage/psych-rock act Momma’s Boy. Omaha’s Magu headlines. $5, 9 p.m.
Tomorrow night (Saturday) it’s back to Lookout Lounge for the return of Bloodcow. I thought these guys hung it up, but it turns out they’re only on hiatus and have dusted off their instruments for one night as a tip o’ the hat to headliner Super Moon who is calling it quits after this show. Trench and Night Push open at 8 p.m. $5.
Finally, if you miss tonight’s Bokr Tov show at Reverb, the band is opening Sunday night for Minneapolis singer/songwriter Nick Costa at Reverb. Minne Lusa opens this one at 8 p.m. $8.
And that’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.
This is the first album world premiere presented by Lazy-i in its 20+ year history, and it make sense that it’s for Those Far Out Arrows since I’ve been following the band for a number of years.
The album, Part Time Lizards (The name is more about attitude than anything),was recorded in January over three days at Omaha’s ARC Studios with the talented Adam Roberts.
“We took two days to record and used the final day as touch up and to do the mixing,” said Evan Keelan-White. who shares the guitar/vocals chores on the record with brother Ben Keelan-White. The band is rounded out on the recording by bass player Derek LeVasseur and drummer Tanner Rogerson.
The 10-track album reaches back to the psychedelic past for its influences from such bands as Them, Flaming Groovies, Crazy Horse, Velvet Underground and Brian Jonestown Massacre, while adding a modern twist that takes the sound out of the garage and onto the stage. It’s music to Frug to — or you can simply wag your head to its shaggy beat.
Lyrically, the songs’ inspirations were drawn partly from Ben’s own personal life and road experiences; meeting and observing people and places all over the country. “Some songs have politically introspective elements about the state of current affairs; I guess just as a natural response to the times we live in,” Ben said. “Overall, the songs to me are intended to make people think positively, as well as feel good and possibly allow people to project their own perspectives onto them.”
Kansas City’s High Dive Records announced it signed the band back in July. The label originally focused on KC and Lawrence bands, but has expanded its focus with a roster that also includes such acts as Dressy Bessy, Shy Boys, The Burning Peppermints and The Whiffs. TFOAs connected with High Dive through Arc Flash and Psychic Heat, who also are on the label.
“We were able to get Jeff McCoy (at High Dive) to take a chance and put this record out for us,” Ben said. “It was a lot of work in the making, but really showed us what it takes to work side-by-side with a label. Everybody is working and putting in long hours to make this release go as smoothly as possible.”
The record drops tomorrow, Nov. 2. The official album release show is Saturday night at The Brothers Lounge with Rusty Lord and Tyrone Storm, where you can pick up your copy on vinyl.
The band also is having album release shows in Kansas City: Nov. 9 at The Brick and Nov. 10 at Mills Record Co.
Of course you can just order it online here at the High Dive Bandcamp page. Comes in limited edition green splatter vinyl, black vinyl, compact disc and cassette. Without further ado, here’s Part Time Lizards:
“American Trap,” the second track from the upcoming Those Far Out Arrows album, Part Time Lizards, dropped yesterday.
Sayeth Arrows’ member Evan Keelan-White, via Anchr Magazine: “American Trap’ sends a clear message about what’s happening in our world today. There’s no hiding the content and the intentionality of the lyrics. We encourage everyone to avoid the American trap, which can manifest in unique ways from person to person. The ‘American dream’ has failed so many generations of Americans…lies, deceit, and broken promises.”
Part Time Lizards comes out via High Dive Records this Friday.
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If you haven’t heard by now, The Faint is back with a new track released via Saddle Creek Records called “Chameleon Nights.” With three dates slated for the balance of the year, could we see a new album by the lads in early 2019? Time will tell.
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I stand corrected for a statement made in yesterday’s blog post. I said the new Young Jesus album received the highest rating of any Saddle Creek Release from Pitchfork (BTW, I tried to confirm this Sunday night). Well yesterday the label reminded me Twitter that Big Thief’s Capacity album from last year earned an 8.3, while Hop Along’s Get Disowned, a reissue from 2016, earned an 8.5.
Who remembers the old days when Saddle Creek releases had to beg for anything above a 6?
Apologies for not mentioning last night’s get-out-the-vote program at The Sydney (something came up). From what I’ve read in social media, it sounds like it went over well, though I’m told there were some notable no-shows by politicians.
There’s another voter rally coming up, this time at The B. Bar, 4330 Leavenworth St. (the old Castle Barrett), and Conor Oberst will be among the performers. It’s a couple days before the election, Nov. 4. Also on the bill are Miwi La Lupa and Edem Soul Music according to Kevin’s article in the OWH.
The event is sponsored by Kara Eastman, who is running against Don “Frying Pan” Bacon (I don’t know if that’s his real nick-name; I only know him from his frying pan ads. Is that a wrought-iron skillet, Mr. Bacon?).
Elections are 19 days away, people.
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Dark. Majestic. Metal. Omaha 4-piece rock band Pro Magnum released a new 3-song 7-inch opus earlier this month designed to fry your head off.
The band consists of Alex Kinnerk, guitar; John Laughlin, guitar; Pat Oakes, drums and frontman John Vredenburg on bass and vocals. Recorded and mixed by Ben Brodin at the world-famous ARC Studios, the 7-inch also features eye-burning artwork by Devin Ferguson.
This is some heavy shit, but its crazy melodic. If you’re a Maiden/Priest devotee, you’re in luck. Get your copy of “Knight Speed” b/w “Easy to Sin” at Max Trax Records.
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The first song from the upcoming Those Far Out Arrows album, Part Time Lizards (2018, High Dive Records), dropped Oct. 10. The track “Be Alright” is “an acknowledgment of the fact that not everything will work out the way you intended, but in the end works just fine; it’s all up to you,” said band member Evan Keelan White in this New Noise article.
The Arrows are in the middle of a lengthy U.S. tour, playing tonight in Lafayette on their way back to Omaha for a gig at O’Leaver’s Oct. 25. You can pre-order the new album, which comes out Nov. 2, from the High Dive Bandcamp page.
Singer/songwriter Jeremy Mercy plays at The Barley Street Tavern tonight with Ian Lund. 9 p.m. and free!
I’ve seen Closeness a few times at O’Leaver’s and have always been moved/impressed with their music, but last Friday night’s show at Slowdown Jr. was next-level in its drive and intensity and overall sound; best set I’ve seen/heard from this duo.
Todd and Orenda Fink set up in their usual face-to-face format aglow in floor floods and LEDs, looking like a couple Amish goth hipsters in their Recapitate headgear (I need to get one of those, sans big-round brim). There’s always a deep density to their sound but Friday’s set felt, well, denser, and had a better flow, enhanced by two new songs (or at least a couple numbers that aren’t on their EP) that were dramatic and dancible, breaking up the monotony of their usual mid-tempo onslaught.
I may be imagining this, but it seems as if Todd is taking more of a lead on the vocals these days, and if there’s a quibble it’s in the overuse of vocoder/digital effects (It was funny hearing him ask for less drums in the monitors in robot voice). Todd has a damn fine voice when it’s unincumbered by techology. But maybe Orenda is supposed to be the “human” to his “robot” on these futuristic duets?
With two new songs, you have to wonder if there’s a new release on the horizon for Closesness. But at the pace in which Todd writes, it could be awhile until we get something in hand, especially if The Faint are also back at it again (They’re slated to play at Cloak & Dagger Fest in LA Nov. 10).
Net at Slowdown Jr., Aug. 10, 2018.
Opening act Oklahoma City’s NET played a strong set of post-rock songs that reminded me of early Devo without their quirk. Fast, spazzy, stacatto rock augmented with synths, they fancy themselves an electronic act, but the guitars dominated from where I was standing. Too often the synths sounded like they were filling in gaps, adding to the clutter rather than enhancing the sound. Because of that, they felt stuck between being an electronic act and a prog-punk band.
Good crowd, though disappointing in size (around 60?).
Those Far Out Arrows at Petfest, Aug. 11, 2018.
Saturday’s Petfest crowd was small but mighty as well, at least when I was there around 7 p.m. to see Those Far Out Arrows play a bad-ass set behind the Petshop in the parking lot.
Bed Rest at Petfest, Aug. 11, 2018.
This is a fun to see a small fest, with a vibe that’s a cross between a SXSW day show and 1968 minus the LSD — laid-back people hanging out with beers behind an orange cyclone fence while some guy sprayed graffiti across the way. Bands played alternating sets inside the Petshop garage, including a roaring Bed Rest, who impressed me with their post-punk bordering on emo rock.
TFOA’s set consisted almost entirely of new songs from their soon-to-be-released High Dive Records debut that is bound to make your best-of-2018 list. I can’t wait to see what happens after these guys hit the road…
Kansas City’s High Dive Records today announced they’ve signed Omaha psych-rock band Those Far Out Arrows.
“Hailing from the Great Plains of America, Those Far Out Arrows reject the vacuous slogan of ‘Nebraska nice’ and deliver a bipolar pounding that is equal parts Crazy Horse and first wave punk,” said the release. “High-fiber grits served with a wink and a smile. Lyrics that question the status quo, shouts for answers, and declarations of indifference. Realizing that the only thing that matters is bringing the rock and leaving stains.”
High Dive Records was founded in 2013 by Jeff McCoy and originally focused on KC and Lawrence bands, but is in expansion mode. Their roster includes Dressy Bessy, Shy Boys, Fourth of July, The Burning Peppermints and The Whiffs.
TFOA’s Evan Keelan-White said they knew of the label through their friends’ bands, Arc Flash and Psychic Heat, both of which are on the High Dive roster. “I thought we’d give it a shot. (Jeff) dug the music and is really helping us out,” Keelan-White said.
He said the band’s High Dive debut was recorded in January and plans call for its release in October followed by work on a follow-up LP in November.
So is he excited about the signing? “Yeah for sure,” Keelan-White said. “I’ll be more excited once I finalize this October tour. But it’s getting there.”
If you haven’t heard these guys, you really need to. They’ve been kicking around since at least 2014 with an ever-evolving sound that would be right at home on the In the Red/Goner labels. Their low-fi approach combines styles as diverse as Them, Velvet Underground, Brian Jonestown Massacre and Flaming Groovies.
They’re scheduled to play Pet Fest at the Petshop Aug. 11, and Brothers Lounge Aug. 23 with Jason Steady and Okie act Cucumber & The Suntans.
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