The Whore Moans are a Seattle punk band that records on former Omahan Mike Jaworski’s Mt. Fuji Records — the same label that released the first two albums by our very own Little Brazil. They’re playing tonight at The Saddle Creek Bar with The Shidiots and The Upsets, and there’s no cover. Show starts at 9.

Also tonight, Slowdown is hosting its Sixth Annual “Goth Ball” with Cloven Path, Army of In Between, Strap On Halo, and Janus. I don’t know the specifics, but something tells me you may want to swing by Hot Topic beforehand and pick up some goth apparel. $15, starts at 9 and is 21-over only.

Tomorrow night, of course, is Halloween, and what better way to spend this fun-loving holiday than by heading down to Slowdown Jr. for a rousing set by David Bazan. If his website is any indication, it looks like the former frontman to Pedro the Lion will be backed by a full band. Opening is Omaha’s current “It” band It’s True and Say Hi. $10, 9 p.m. If I go out at all Saturday night, this is probably where I’ll end up seeing as I generally don’t partake in annual lets-get-fucked-up-in-costumes festivities.

There’s also a punk-flavored bash going on at The Brothers Saturday night featuring 138 and Cordial Spew. $5, 9 p.m. And Cat Island is playing at The Barley St. with Spiders for Love. $5, 9 p.m.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

Last night the “poets of our time” were up against the Yankees, and they didn’t stand a chance.

In their defense, there was more than a little uncertainty helping the Yankees in this battle. I’d had a conversation a few weeks ago with Monsters of Folk’s publicist about that Conor interview that never happened. At the time, the publicist said she was putting me on “the list” for the show, but it was spoken almost as an aside. I emailed her yesterday morning asking for confirmation, but never heard back.

Late in the afternoon I stopped down to the Holland Box office to see if I was on the guest list, but they said they wouldn’t know until an hour before the show, and that I could call down and find out. But when I did, the grunt on the other end of the phone said the only way I was going to find out was to drive downtown. A side note: I’ve had three bad experiences with The Holland box office. Every time I’ve gone down there they’ve treated me like shit. Good thing I rarely attend shows there.

Anyway, while I was on hold with The Holland, the World Series had already begun. So: Do I drive downtown and possibly get turned away at the Will Call window, or do I stay home and watch the Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series?

It didn’t take long to decide. The Monsters of Folk record is somewhat boring. The thought of sitting in Holland’s pine-box seating for three hours listening to yawn-inducing singer-songwriter fare just wasn’t appealing — that is, if I got inside the concert hall at all. But even had I made it in, I probably would have been glued to my iPhone the whole time keeping track of the score, and hoping they’d just wrap it up so I could at least catch the last inning. And that wouldn’t be fair to Conor and his pals.

Probably the only other person down at the Holland who gave a damn about the game was drummer Will Johnson. Johnson, who also fronts Centro-matic, is a huge baseball fan. We talked baseball before he played a solo set at The Ranch Bowl back in 2004. Johnson described sneaking into baseball parks after hours and running around the bases. One of his other talents is painting baseball stars from the past. You can check out some of his work at http://www.willjohnsonart.com/ You won’t find any Yankees in his collection, however.

The Yankees lost, by the way. They (probably) won’t be keeping me from seeing Little Black Stereo (who I’ve yet to hear) and Lawrence band Cowboy Indian Bear at The Sydney tonight. The show is $5 and starts at 9.

There’s also a big show going on at Slowdown tonight featuring Oh Possum, Carl Weathers Co-Operative, Conchance, & Sam Martin (Capgun Coup) with Sean Pratt. $7, 9 p.m.

Also tonight, Broken Truth plays at The Barley St. with Mitch Gettman. $5, 9 p.m. ; and Platte River Rain plays O’Leaver’s with Theodore and The Travelling Mercies. $5, 9:30 p.m.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

Tickets are still available for tonight’s Dinosaur Jr. show at Slowdown. I went the last time J. Mascis and Co. came through town, and can tell you it was plenty LOUD — which means it was plenty GOOD. How loud was it? “So loud that halfway through the set, I wondered what damage I was doing to my hearing (and I wore earplugs). I could feel my clothes rippling across my body, moved by the shockwaves of noise (think of the famous Maxell poster where the guy sits in front of a loudspeaker, holding onto the arms of his easy chair to keep from being blown backwards by the volume). Crazy, excessive, pure, necessary loudness.” Read the full review of that 2007 show here.

In case you’re wondering, the new Lou Barlow album, Goodnight Unknown, is plenty good, and the show would be worth $20 (or at least $12) just to see him. Also in tonight’s line-up is Aussie band Violent Soho (signed to Ecstatic Peace! Records, owned/operated by Thurston Moore). $20, starts at 9.

Also tonight, The Chinese Stars play at The Waiting Room with Sensitive Hearts. This is being billed as a “Goo Presents” event, which means Goo will be DJ-ing the show. $10, 9 p.m.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

I posted on Twitter/Facebook Friday night that Brimstone Howl’s set at The Barley St. had made me reconsider the band. Someone quickly asked in a comment if I meant that “in a good way.”

I’ve always liked Brimstone and thought they were a fun band to see live, but like a lot of other so-called “garage bands” all their songs generally sound the same to me. You could step outside the club, come back in and hear a song that sounded just like the one that was playing when you left. It’s a common criticism, and in the end, does it matter? Isn’t that part of the reason why so many people like the Ramones? You not only want but you expect all their songs to sound the same. It’s not so much about the music as it is about the energy. And if you’re not drunk, a little goes a long way.

That wasn’t the case with Brimstone Friday night — their set was was their most musically varied that I’ve ever heard them play. I point to the new album, Big Deal, What’s He Done Lately, which combines elements of garage with ’60s psychedelic and straight-up vintage rock balladry. It’s easily my favorite among their catalog thanks to how it combines styles and sounds that compliment each other, making each song even more interesting. And that’s what we got Friday night.

So the short answer was, yeah, I meant it in a good way. Brimstone Howl is dragging itself to the next level, whether they’re trying to or not.

Brimstone was the late show. Earlier that evening I listened to a set by The Answer Team at The Waiting Room and was underwhelmed. My enthusiasm was probably dampened by having to wait what seemed like a half-hour for them to take the stage after their pre-set soundcheck. Oh well. They were opening for Honey & Darling, who in a very short time have managed to generate nice crowds to their shows. There were about 100 on hand for their CD release party for their new EP, What Became of What I Love. The trio of Sara, Matt and Robert sounds like a cross between a riot grrrl band (Dresch/Huggy Bear) and Sebadoh, and aren’t afraid of drenching songs in feedback. Check out the EP if you can find it.

* * *

Tonight at The Waiting Room it’s Pennsylvania folkie Langhorne Slim with Dawes and the amazing Bear Country. LS, a.k.a. Sean Scolnick, just released a new album on Kemado called Be Set Free. $8, 9 p.m.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

Thanks to everyone who entered the first-ever Lazy-i Twitter tickets giveaway contest! We had 37 entries, and the winner, whose name was drawn from an electronic hat, was @k_to_the_t. Thanks to everyone for playing!

* * *

The OEAA (I always forget to add the last “A,” which stands for “Awards,” as in “Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards,” a name that implies that Arts and Entertainment are two always separate things)(and that they needed to make “Awards” an official part of the name)(screw it, I’m just calling it the OEA Awards) announced their list of nominees for the 2009 season. The full list has been posted on the Lazy-i webboard, here.

The list is derived from a public nomination process where first, anyone can nominate a musician/band for consideration. That list is then whittled down by the OEAA Academy (the OEAAA?), who picks three from the list for each category. The public nominee that got the most public votes in each category also makes it onto the final ballot.

For the sake of full disclosure, I’ve posted my own official ballot submission beneath the official nominees list. Some of my choices made it, some didn’t. Some weren’t even nominated on the public ballot, but I added them anyway. OEAAA members also were asked to nominate someone for induction into the Hall of Fame (have to be dead to be considered) and Lifetime Achievement Award. Both of my choices are included.

One other note about the OEA’s — I’m not the event’s organizer, nor am I responsible for its existence. I’m merely an “academy member.” Please do not stroll up to me at O’Leaver’s and complain about it. It’s not my fault, and I do not care. I’ve made my position very clear about the OEA’s from day one — I think it’s a fun diversion that means absolutely nothing, just like the annual Reader list of the Top 20 best in Omaha/Lincoln, which, btw, will be published in early December.

* * *

Hot show of the evening is the Honey & Darling CD release show at The Waiting Room. I’ve been listening to the EP, titled What Became of What I Love, and dig it mucho. Also on the bill are The Answer Team, Everyday/Everynight, and Adam Robert Haug. All for $7, starts at 9.

Also tonight, The Third Men are playing at O’Leaver’s with Des Moines band North of Grand and Dead Girls from Lawrence, Kansas. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Over at the Barley St., Brimstone Howl will be tearing it up with JAIL, Mojomatic and Christopher Wright. $5, 9 p.m.

And finally, Michael Lee Firkins is down at Slowdown Jr. tonight with Gerald Lee, Jr. (Filter Kings). $8, 9 p.m.:

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

My first foray into the world of Twitter contests has been rather lackluster — only a dozen people have entered the drawing. That means the odds of you winning a pair of tickets to next Wednesday’s Monsters of Folk concert at The Holland Center are pretty good. To enter, go to Twitter and retweet the following message:

“https://lazy-i.com Enter a drawing for two Omaha 10/28 Monsters of Folk tix. Just retweet this, and follow @tim_mcmahan”

It’s that simple. Entries will be received via Twitter through tomorrow (Friday) noon, after which a name will be drawn from all the retweeters. That person’s name (plus one) will be added to “the list” for the Oct. 28 Monsters of Folk show. Tickets are being provided by Shangri-La Records and Filter Magazine/Creative Group. These tickets cost $47 each! So get on Twitter and and retweet. The winner’s name will be announced Friday afternoon.

* * *

There has been a mini-lull in shows this week. Not much going on until next week, however there is a show tonight at The Slowdown — a band called Lotus that one of The Reader‘s photographers told me is sort of a cross between a jam band and electronic rock show. He loves them. I’ve never heard of them. Opening is The Egg. $15, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Saddle Creek Bar, it’s Wichita indie band Japanese Game Show — check out their myspace page and drop by. The show is free, so what do you have to lose? Starts at 9.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

First, the ticket giveaway — those who follow me on Twitter (twitter.com/tim_mcmahan) already have seen the tweet:

“https://lazy-i.com Enter a drawing for two Omaha 10/28 Monsters of Folk tix. Just retweet this, and follow @tim_mcmahan”

It’s that simple. Entries will be received via Twitter through Friday noon, after which a name will be drawn from all the retweeters. That person’s name (plus one) will be added to “the list” for the Oct. 28 Monsters of Folk show at The Holland Performing Arts Center. Tickets are being provided by Shangri-La Records and Filter Magazine/Creative Group. These are $47 tickets, folks, so it’s a nice haul for a show that likely will go down as one of the best of 2009. So get on Twitter and and retweet. The winner’s name will be announced Friday afternoon. Fun!

* * *

As described below, Column 243 was to be a diatribe about my inability to land an interview with Conor Oberst for a cover story in support of the Monsters of Folk show. I actually wrote the column, but after showing it to a couple people, shelved it and replaced it with a column that draws from items from the past week’s blog. I feared the original column, which outlined the paper trail to attempt to get the interview as well as my history of interviews with Oberst and speculation as to why he no longer is doing interviews with the local press, sounded too harsh or petty. My “editors,” however, didn’t think that was the problem. They simply reinforced a comment that was echoed in the actual 243: Who cares? Why is this relevant? And so on.

One editor asked why I thought Oberst would ever do an interview with me or anyone locally again when he clearly doesn’t need us anymore. Maybe he won’t. Another asked how much a local artist who has “made it” really owes the local press. My answer: Not much, if anything. A musician’s or band’s success depends entirely on his/her/their talent. Period. If a musician is making great music, an audience will find him/her regardless of the press or circumstances.

Anyway, I haven’t given up on one day interviewing Oberst again. I think he hasn’t done interviews since Cassadaga because he feels his current projects are true team efforts and he doesn’t want to take the spotlight from the other members or generate a perception that the projects are Oberst solo efforts. I also think he hates doing press, and looks for any excuse to not have to do interviews. I can’t say that I blame him.

So, for posterity’s sake, here’s what we ended up printing in The Reader as Column 243, which regular Lazy-i readers already have seen most of:

Column 243: Monsters of News
Ragged Company, Cursive, Ladyfinger, Conor…

This week’s column is a real grab bag, so stay with me…

* * *

People ask me why I go to so many shows every year, a number that’s just north of 100 (that’s a lot of late nights, folks). Part of the reason is to see bands I know and love do their thing, but just as enticing is the chance to discover something altogether new and special — something that’s become more and more rare these days. That said, the highlight of the past weekend was finding the four-piece folk-rock act The Ragged Company, who played a show at The Saddle Creek Bar Saturday night with Cass Fifty and the Family Gram.

While the entire band swung bravely with its twangy Americana story-telling folk-rock, the centerpiece was Dave Downing a.k.a. Cello Dave — one of the most talented guys I’ve seen on an Omaha stage. You may remember Downing from his work in Midwest Dilemma, Tomato a Day and who knows how many other ensembles. He’s becoming something of a local legend, elevating every band he performs with as he did Saturday night, pouring his heart out leaning over his instrument, his hair hiding his eyes from the crowd of around 50 — one of the larger crowds I’ve seen the Saddle Creek Bar, which, by the way, is officially for sale once again.

* * *

Some old news that just got confirmed: A few weeks ago I was told that Ethan Jones no longer is playing bass in Ladyfinger. Sure enough, he isn’t listed on their Myspace page, and last week Saddle Creek confirmed that Ethan no longer is in the band, and that Ladyfinger is working on finding a replacement. It’s been a while since Ladyfinger’s organized chaos was heard on an Omaha stage, and the band has no shows scheduled in the future. Frontman Chris Machmuller has been splitting his time slinging Cubans at the recently expanded Worker’s Sandwich Shop next to O’Leaver’s, playing guitar in Dance Me Pregnant, and –rumor has it — working on a new rock project. Stay tuned…

* * *

Cursive announced last Wednesday that it’s headlining Christmas for Pine Ridge – The 6th Annual Lash LaRue Toy Drive Dec. 13 at The Waiting Room.

According to a post on the event’s Facebook page, the toys are for the children of the Porcupine District of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. “According to the 2000 census, Pine Ridge’s Lakota Sioux community is one of the most poverty stricken communities in the United States,” the page says. “The children of the reservation are desperately in need of some sunshine and cheer, especially during a time of cold, harsh winds and immense desolation like winters on the reservation can be.”

The annual concert is one of the more successful fundraising shows of the year, but with Cursive on the bill, this could actually sell out in advance. Joining Tim Kasher and his crew will be Brad Hoshaw and Vago. The $14 tickets went on sale last Saturday.

Also on sale last Saturday were tickets to the Mousetrap reunion show Dec. 23 at The Waiting Room. The line-up will include original members Craig Crawford and Pat Buchanan, but on drums will be a new guy. “The drummer’s name is Mike Mazzola,” Crawford said. “He played in a band called ‘The Lost’ with Patrick. Pat thinks that he will be perfect for the show. We’ve all been working individually on our parts and will start rehearsing as a group shortly. Should be good and loud!”

Opening the show is the reunited Mercy Rule and what I’m told will be the final performance of Beep Beep, whose line-up for the evening will include original member Chris Hughes. At $8, this also will sell out, so if you haven’t already bought your tickets to either event, you better get in the digital queue before it’s too late.

* * *

Speaking of shows that should sell out (but at $47, probably won’t), reviews of Last Sunday night’s Monsters of Folk show at Los Angeles’ Greek Theater report that the indie-folk supergroup played for nearly three hours covering 35 friggin’ songs. Featuring Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Jim James and Mike Mogis, the band (which is scheduled to play at The Holland Center Oct. 28) also had Will Johnson of Centro-matic on the drum kit. “In a sense, Monsters of Folk’s live show was like a mini-festival, since the crowd was treated to solo performances by all of the principal players, but it was when all four besuited players were on stage together that they shined the brightest,” said critic Craig Rosen on livedaily.com. Three hours seated in the Holland Center? I hope the lobby bar will be open during the performance (something tells me it won’t be).

By the way, with the show slated for next Wednesday, where’s our interview with Conor? Well, we tried, friends, we tried. Just like we tried so many times before. But Conor ain’t talking and hasn’t talked to us poor indigent local media since back in his Bright Eyes days, circa Cassadaga. The spigot that ran so robust just two years ago was shut off for reasons we can only speculate. The editors of this fine publication wanted me to write a diatribe about my/our inability to land a Conor interview. But in mulling it over in my somewhat cavernous head, I couldn’t muster the necessary anger/outrage. In other words — I just didn’t care.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

Last Friday night was spent at The Saddle Creek Bar with Cass Fifty and The Family Gram. I heard a few minutes of Cass’ new album while out at Grubb Inc. last week (He’s recording it) and wanted to hear more. An accordion plays a central role on the recording, but there was no accordion to be seen (or heard) on Friday night as the band decided to instead use the house organ. Not bad, but why not switch between the two instruments throughout the set? Maybe he simply didn’t bring the accordion with him. Who knows. Regardless, Cass and the band played a nice set of rustic indie folk that bordered on Americana, fronted by a girl who sounds like a midwestern version of Grace Slick with a touch of Janice Joplin (and maybe some Bonnie Raitt thrown in for good measure).

They were followed by the four-piece folk-rock of The Ragged Company, a band featuring Dave Downing a.k.a. Cello Dave — one of the most talented guys I’ve seen on an Omaha stage. Downing has become something of a local legend, and I have no idea what’s true and what isn’t. The only thing I know is that he elevates every band he performs with to another level, and that was evident Saturday night. The guy is amazing, which is not to say that the rest of the band is chicken soup — this is a band to keep an eye on. Nice stuff all around, played to a crowd of around 50 — one of the larger shows I’ve been to at the Saddle Creek Bar (see photo), which, by the way, is officially for sale once again.

The Yankees kept me hostage for 13 innings Saturday night, making me miss Blitzen Trapper at The Waiting Room.

Tonight at The Waiting Room it’s the return of Little Brazil with Weatherbox and We All Have Hooks for Hands. $7, 9 p.m.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

Cursive announced yesterday that it’s playing at Lash’s 6th Annual Toy Drive Dec. 13th at The Waiting Room — that’s quite a coup for a benefit concert that has really picked up steam over the years. Pollstar is showing Capgun Coup also on this show; I’m pretty confident that it’ll sell out. The $14 tickets go on sale this Saturday.

Also going on sale this Saturday are tickets to the Mousetrap reunion show Dec. 23 at The Waiting Room with Beep Beep (their final show ever, and Chris Hughes is playing, too) and the recently reunited Mercy Rule. Only $8!!! Better get in line…

* * *

Some old news that I’m not even sure is newsworthy: A few weeks ago I was told that Ethan Jones no longer is playing bass in Ladyfinger. Sure enough, he isn’t listed on their myspace page, and yesterday Saddle Creek confirmed that Ethan no longer is in the band and that Ladyfinger is working on finding a replacement. It’s been a while since Ladyfinger played, and they have no shows scheduled. Frontman Chris Machmuller has been splitting his time playing guitar in Dance Me Pregnant, and I’m hearing rumblings that a new project may be afoot. Stay tuned…

* * *

It’s another busy weekend for shows…

Tonight at The Waiting Room, Ames Iowa indie band The Envy Corps (Vertigo Records) plays with Anniversaire and Skypiper. $8, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Saddle Creek Bar, it’s Cass 50 and The Family Gram with Ragged Company and Nick Carl — all for FREE.

Saturday night’s big show is Blitzen Trapper at The Waiting Room with Omaha super group Our Fox (members of Neva Dinova, The Good Life). $12, 9 p.m.

Down the street at The Sydney, Lincoln’s Dean Armband (members of Her Flyaway Manner) is playing with Unites Sons of Toil and The Lepers. $5, 9 p.m. After they get done with their set, The Lepers will have to high-tail it down to Slowdown Jr., where they’re also opening for Ruskie rock band Mumiy Troll. $12/$15, 9 p.m.

Finally, Baltimore band Le Loup is playing at Slowdown Jr. Sunday night with Nurses. $8, 9 p.m.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—

Looks like it’s going to be a long night at O’Leaver’s. The four-band bill includes Reagan Roeder’s new band Hubble (with a new member debuting tonight), Mt. Fuji Records band Black Whales, completely unknown Minneapolis band Ex-Lover and headlining Omaha super group Our Fox (ex-Neva Dinova). All for $5, 9:30 p.m. Also tonight, Kyle Harvey opens for Minnesota singer/songwriter Chris Koza and Edge of Arbor at The Saddle Creek Bar. Show starts at 9 and is absolutely free.

–Got comments? Post ’em here.—