An anniversary and a late live review…

Category: Blog — @ 6:48 pm March 5, 2007

My weekend was dominated by my parents’ 50th anniversary, a joyous occasion that kept me out of the bars Saturday and Sunday night. I did get out to Sokol Underground Friday night for Cap Gun Coup, Baby Walrus and Whatever Happened to the Dinosaurs?

The highlight was Baby Walrus, a trio featuring a drummer and two guitarists — with the frontman switching between guitar and keyboards. The guy sounded like a young Jim Morrison, especially on songs that had that weird Doors wonky flair. Their music was brash and bluesy and intricate bordering on experimental. They’re one of the best new bands I’ve seen so far in ’07.

Friday was Whatever Happened to the Dinosaurs?’ debut at Sokol, and you could tell. One funny comment from someone in the crowd: “They sound more like a Bright Eyes rip-off than An Angle.” There were definitely plenty of Conor-isms to go around, but like An Angle, WHD? also doesn’t have anything resembling Oberst’s songwriting chops. I’m told all the band members are transplants from Florida who made the trip to be near Nebraska’s burgeoning indie scene (or to be closer to Conor, whom I’m told they adore). Take the Bright Eyes adoration out of the equation and they come off as a very young band with a slightly skewed vision, which may or may not be misguided. With their preening frontman and stable of prancing musicians, they were more precious than Tilly and the Wall and would probably be eaten alive at rough-house bar like The 49’r. By the end of their set they exceeded their cuteness quotient when I noticed a young girl — maybe 17 — sitting on the floor next to the bass drum. Just sitting there, smiling like a stage prop.

Finally there was Cap Gun Coup, who I really came to see. I was told by someone who has heard them before that it wasn’t their finest moment. The set was sloppy and out of sync, and I have to wonder if it wasn’t just an off night. That said, the crowd of around 80 didn’t seem to mind. In fact, the whole evening had a house party feel to it and you could tell that the crowd consisted mostly of friends having a good time. Nothing wrong with that.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.

6 Comments

  • umm yea. i would say that Capgun Coup. was the overall worse band that played that night. Want to talk about young? they sounded like any other garage band that is around.. or heard. Whatever Happened to the Dinosaurs I believe have the most original sound that i have heard in a long time in Omaha. Atleast you could actually keep a beat unlike the Capgun Coup. who were just screamin and rantin, where are they muscially and lyrically? i’d really like to know. We are known for having a very open local band scene and i can understand why they would transport.. not transplant themselves here. I can see them playin in many more places.. such as the 49ers. or ps collective.

    Comment by musical04 — March 12, 2007 @ 6:21 pm

  • hmmmmmm, well thats nice but which member of what ever happened to the dinosaurs wrote that comment?

    Comment by Bear Country — March 21, 2007 @ 6:45 am

  • Baby Walrus was obviously the best band that night, but musical04 is retarded because you cannot say that what ever happened…is the most original sound in Omaha, they are a complete rip-off of bright eyes, except for the fact they don’t know how to party or have fun at all. At what house shows do you get kicked out by a bunch of pussies for smoking. The Dinosaurs house show, thats where. Omaha does have a great music scene i can see why they would want to come, but they have played 2 shows and bands like Capgun coup who fill up a house every three weeks and rock the fuck out of the crowd with other local bands joining them like flowers forever, coyote bones, eagles blood, flamboyant gods, the pistol brothers, barter the trigger, articulate, etc.. They play with a large variety of bands and they are a big part of the music scene. So musical04, you are an idiot.

    Go back to Florida! Dinosaurs, we have bright eyes here, and they surpass you on everything. Oh, and whats with the girl having orgasms on stage while playing a note or two? fucking freaky man.

    -ooo

    Comment by kinky_shift — March 24, 2007 @ 5:01 pm

  • Shows how much i really cared bout what you had to say.. completely forgot all info to get on here. but this is musical04

    wow. typical that you first off would think that i was one of the band members of Whatever Happened to the Dinosaurs. Second. i can’t believe how offensive that you guy seem to be gettin just because of one opinion and b/c i didn’t like one of your fave bands apparently. and umm yea thanks for being immature and callin me retarded b/c i don’t enjoy your college garage bands that have no original sound or lyrics. and for the dinos not bein fun.. i forgot that the only way to be cool was to do drugs and be disrespectful.
    I’m sorry that you take offense of one comment that i had made in response to a blog about a band i enjoy. They sound nothin like bright eyes to me.. unless you want to compare the vocalists.. whch are darker and deeper than the lullabys Bright Eyes plays. They are a ok band.. but not my taste of music.. i believe it’s an acquired taste. and well enjoy your music, and i’ll enjoy mine.
    oh and yea. and if i last recall I didn’t see a full house for capgun at that show.

    Comment by musical004 — March 26, 2007 @ 5:14 pm

  • also there is never enough bands in the world… we all have different styles and ideas, and if you want to get all offensive because i think that capgun was some sucky music.. then i’m sorry that it upset you, i thought that we all were open to free speech, apparently not.

    Comment by musical004 — March 26, 2007 @ 5:35 pm

  • that’s funny that you guys are bashin Whatever Happened.. yet compare them to Bright Eyes which you seem to love.. so in a way aren’t you bashin your own music?

    Comment by musical004 — March 27, 2007 @ 3:39 pm

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