by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Beyond the fact that Dinosaur Jr. is one of the most important, most influential bands of the post-punk ’80s and ’90s sitting right up there alongside Minutemen and Husker Du, and that this show marks the first time the band has played here since, what, 2009? is the fact that 1) Their new album, I Bet on Sky, is a tour de force return to the band’s glory days — right up there with the new Bob Mould album as among the best revival records of the year, and 2) J Mascis’ solo set at MAHA Music festival two years ago was among the day’s highlights — i.e., the guy hasn’t lost anything, and 3) Frickin’ Shearwater is opening, a band who would be an amazing draw by themselves.

Only $20? How much did you spend on movie tickets last week or booze or dope or dining out? $20 is nothing. I figured this one would have sold out a long time ago. 9 p.m. Go!

* * *

Okay, okay, so maybe you don’t have $20 to spare. What’s that you say? You only have $5? Well, $5 is all you need to get into tonight’s Yuppies show at Slowdown Jr. Also on the bill are Jealousy Mountain Duo and up-and-comers Worried Mothers (with a new release on Rainy Road Recs). $5, 9 p.m.

* * *

Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Two good shows tonight.

Over at The Barley Street Tavern it’s the return of Water Liars. The St. Louis band came through Slowdown Jr. last March and despite the lax crowd sounded heartfelt and full for a duo in the classic guitar-and-drums design. I loved Justin Kinkel-Schuster’s voice, which reminded me of Will Johnson on songs that also reminded me of Will Johnson. With Steps to Mars and Crown’s Folly. $5, 9 p.m.

Strangely, Lost in the Trees also played at Slowdown this past March. The Chapel Hill band returns to Slowdown Jr. tonight. They’re the epitome of intelligent, lush pop, and I mean lush. They’re often compared to Sufjan Stevens, I think they sound more like Tears for Fears. Their album, A Church that Fits Our Needs (Anti-), is No. 21 on the Album of the Year best of 2012 list. Gorgeous stuff. With Midtown Dickens. $10, 9 p.m.

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

No shows to speak of in Omaha tonight, so it’s back to Lincoln for SSION at the Bourbon Theater. When I first saw Icky Blossoms all those years ago, SSION was the band that immediately came to mind, and in fact Icky band members have said they’re all big fans of the KC band that pronounces its name “Shun” (for years I mispronounced it “psyon”).  Take a look at SSION’s latest video for “Earthquake” and see if you can spot how they’ve influenced Icky (if only in spirit). Also on the bill, House of Ladosha and Lincoln’s most twisted performer, Plack Blague. $15, 8 p.m.

Now can someone please get them to come to Omaha again?

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Trend Watch: The hottest new trend in air travel headgear is gigantic headphones. Wherever you go in airports or airplanes there’s always people wearing a pair of large, colorful cans on their heads. I guess we can thank Dr. Dre (who has his own line) and Michael Phelps (who was never seen without a pair of Sol Republics during the Olympics). I realize some of these have noise-cancelling qualities, but they can look ridiculous, especially when the airline waitresses have to consistently ask “Are those things plugged into a portable listening device. TAKE THEM OFF.”

Anyway…. I’m wasting time writing about headphones because there isn’t a whole helluva lot to write about musicwise in Omaha this weekend. All the best shows took place during the week apparently. The irony, of course, is that it’s a “bye week” for Husker football. You’d think the clubs would be loading up on rock bands to get asses in seats. Apparently not.

Needless to say, one man is taking advantage of this non-Husker weekend: Jeremy Buckley. Lincoln Calling 2012 is going full steam for the next three days. More bands, more venues, more fun! Here’s the sched for the balance of the week:

Friday, October 12

$10 for day pass (age restrictions may apply)

Duffy’s Tavern
8 p.m. The Betties (Lincoln/Omaha) http://Facebook.com/thebetties
9 p.m. Kill County (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/killcounty
10 p.m. The Kickback (Chicago) https://www.facebook.com/thekickback
11 p.m. Masses (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/massesmusic
12 a.m. DEERPEOPLE (Stillwater) https://www.facebook.com/deerpeople
1 a.m. Universe Contest (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/universecontest
$5, 21+

Zoo Bar
5 p.m. Tijuana Gigolos (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tijuana-Gigolos/48121983910
6:15 p.m. The Mezcal Brothers (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/mezcal.brothers
7:30 p.m. My Brother (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/mybrother402
$5, 21+
9:30 p.m. Manny Coon and the Spotlight Killers (Lincoln)
10:30 p.m. Lil’ Slim (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lil-Slim-Blues-Band/109836905744202
11:45 p.m. Black Cohosh (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/Black.Cohosh
$8, 21+

The Spigot
9:30 p.m. Haggard Mess (Lincoln)
10:30 p.m. Gallows Majesty (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Gallows-Majesty/124186304348546
11:30 p.m. Dope Pope (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dope-Pope/277326888967863
12:30 a.m. Wooden Coat (Lincoln) http://m.soundcloud.com/wooden-coat
$5, 21+

The Alley
9:30 p.m. Stonebelly (Lincoln) http://facebook.com/stonebellyband
10:30 p.m. Vibenhai (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/Vibenhai
11:30 p.m. FREAKABOUT! (Lincoln) http://www.freakabout.com/
12:30 a.m. Midland Trio (Lincoln) http://www.themidlandband.com/
$5, 21+

The Black Market
7 p.m. Mildred Bonk (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/mildred.bonk
8 p.m. Talking Mountain (Omaha) http://facebook.com/talkingmountain
No cover, all ages

The Fat Toad
Fusion (Lincoln)
Kronan (Lincoln)
No cover, 21+

Mix Barcade
Think 2wice Records showcase featuring
Brent Tactic (Kansas City)
B-Stee and Archie (Kansas City)
Ra Cailum (Kansas City)
Andrew Thomas Sinclair (Kansas City)
No cover, 21+
http://soundcloud.com/think-2wice

Yia Yia’s
11 p.m. Amy Schmidt (Lincoln) http://www.amyschmidtmusic.com/
12 a.m. Tie These Hands (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tie-These-Hands/21617498914
No cover, 21+

Saturday, October 13

$13 for day pass, does not include admission to Wolfgang Gartner show (age restrictions may apply)

Bourbon Theatre
Rad Kadillac nd HLN Productions present
Wolfgang Gartner’s “Love and War” tour w/ Pierce Fulton and Popeska
8 p.m. doors, 9 p.m. show, $10 w/ all access pass, $18 adv, $20 dos
https://www.facebook.com/djwolfganggartner

Duffy’s Tavern
6 p.m. Academy of Rock (Lincoln) http://www.academyofrock.org/
8 p.m. The Static Octopus (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/TheStaticOctopus
$5, all ages
9 p.m. Dastardly (Chicago) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dastardly/189638794663
10 p.m. Snake Island https://www.facebook.com/SnakeIslandarego
11 p.m. Ideal Cleaners (Lincoln) http://www.idealcleaners.com/
12 a.m. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles (Minneapolis) https://www.facebook.com/lapelles
1 a.m. The Killigans (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/thekilligans
$5, 21+

Zoo Bar
6 p.m. Academy of Rock (Lincoln) http://www.academyofrock.org/
7 p.m. Entendre Entendre (Lincoln) http://entendreentendre.bandcamp.com/
8 p.m. Everyday/Everynight (Kansas City) https://www.facebook.com/everyday.everynight
$5, all ages
9:30 p.m. Gerardo Meza (Lincoln)
10:30 p.m. Andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic Guitar Duo (Chicago)
11:45 p.m. JARANA (Lincoln) http://www.jaranamusica.com/
$10, 21+

The Spigot
8 p.m. Ghost Hollow Road (Springfield, IL) https://www.facebook.com/GhostHollowRoad
9 p.m. Saint Christopher (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saint-Christopher/115341298550310
10 p.m. Mob Action (Quincy, IL) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mob-Action/60459597350
11 p.m. SS Web (Milwaukee, WI) https://www.facebook.com/pages/SS-WEB/115275818521973
12 a.m. Beaver Damage (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaver-Damage/140747185977615
$5, 21+

Black Market
6 p.m. Windpants (Lincoln)
7 p.m. Green Trees (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Green-Trees/326981100675725
8 p.m. John Klemmensen and the Party (Omaha) http://www.facebook.com/pages/John-Klemmensen-and-the-Party/121528977870416
No cover, all ages

The Alley
9:30 p.m. All My Friends Are Dinosaurs (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/allmyfriendsaredinosaurs
10:30 p.m. Dude Won’t Die (Lincoln) http://www.dudewontdie.com/
11:30 p.m. Voodoo Method (Omaha) https://www.facebook.com/voodoomethod
12:30 a.m. AZP (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/GOAZP
$5, 21+

The Fat Toad
Ponce de Leon (Lincoln)
DJ Jab (Omaha)
No cover, 21+

Mix Barcade
The JHAM (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jham/107857432572633
No cover, 21+

Yia Yia’s Pizza
11 p.m. The Renfields (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/Renfields
12 a.m. Dark Satellites (Lincoln/Kansas City) http://facebook.com/darksatellites
No cover, 21+

Sunday, October 14

Duffy’s Tavern
9 p.m. Eli Mardock (Omaha/Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/elimardock
10 p.m. Life is Cool (Omaha/Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/LIFE-is-COOL/198212376975503
$3, 21+

Zoo Bar
6 p.m. Gooding https://www.facebook.com/goodingmusic
$8, 21+

***

So is there ANYTHING going on in Omaha this weekend?

Well, tonight local blues guy Kris Lager and his band is playing at The Waiting Room with Voodoo Method. Anyone else notice that in recent photos Lager is starting to look like Kid Rock? Is that by design? If not, someone should let him know. $7, 9 p.m.

More blues is happening at Slowdown for the Playing With Fire Fundraiser featuring Curtis Salgado, Joe Louis Walker, Tommy Castro and The Painkillers. $35, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday is the Zombie Walk in Benson. Dress up like a zombie and take a stroll through Lover Luxuries. The walk starts at 6 p.m, followed by the Zombie Ball at The Waiting Room at 7 p.m., where there will be a Zombikini contest. $7.

Also Saturday night in Benson, it’s Cass and Dylan’s Barley Street Wedding Party. I remember Cass when she was behind the bar at the ol’ Saddle Creek Bar and from her musical exploits. But even if you don’t know who they are, stop by for the music, which features performances by Brad Hoshaw, Reagan Roeder, Dylan Davis, Cass Brostad (Davis?!), Matt Cox and Underwater Dream Machine. The free show starts at 8 p.m.

Sunday Minneapolis rock band Motion City Soundtrack plays at The Slowdown with Jukebox the Ghost and Now, Now. $20 Adv/$23 DOS, 9 p.m.

Also Sunday, El Ten Eleven plays at The Waiting Room. You may know them from the soundtracks to Gary Hustwit documentaries Helvetica, Objectified and Urbanized. Opening is Boyfrndz. $8 adv./$10 DOS. 9 p.m.

So I guess there is stuff going on in Omaha. Go out and do something…

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Tilly & The Wall

There’s a nice feature in today’s issue of the New York Daily News about Tilly and the Wall and the band’s new album, Heavy Mood, as well as their upcoming show at The Bowery Ballroom this Saturday. From the article: “Tilly and the Wall’s songs make an insightful, and subversive, connection between the mania of punk-rock and the madness of toddlerhood.” That pretty much sums it up, along with the headline, which describes Tilly as “…children’s music for twisted adults.” Read the whole thing here.

Heavy Mood is the first Tilly album that I’ll likely keep on my iPhone after the hype has worn down. The record sounds like 21st Century B-52’s combined with Lykke Li and the usual tap dancing/hand-clapping action. I’ve always preferred their dance stuff over their ballads, and that’s the case this time as well. Heavy Mood is the most “adult” sounding album of their catalog. Now let’s see if the band and Team Love can turn it into a big fat hit. With press like this, along with this feature in the Chicago Sun-Times, they’re off to a good start.

Certainly those stories will help offset last week’s dreaded Pitchfork review, which gave Heavy Mood a ho-hum 5.9 rating, negatively compared it to last year’s tUnEyArDs album (apples v. oranges?), and concluded with, “Where are the characters, and what became of those kids passed out on the lawn? The heart of Heavy Mood is lost its in own sloganeering.” Oh those kids are still there, they’re just older and are starting to have kids of their own, but one assumes they’re as high as ever.

Under the Radar gave Heavy Mood a less-than-complimentary 5/10 rating, here.

* * *

In this week’s column, how the presidential election won’t affect me, why I’d make a perfect Romney supporter, and why I’m not one. You can read it in this week’s issue of The Reader, or online right here. Tonight is the VP debate, which I’m sure the Prez is hoping will erase all memory of last week’s debacle. Expect a circus.

* * *

Speaking of debates, tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s I foresee a number of debates taking place between piss-soaked patrons, including PBR vs. Old Style; Rumplemintz vs. Jagermeister and maybe most crucial of all: hold it vs. wet your pants, while everyone’s favorite bar keep, Chris Machmuller, strolls out from behind the bar to stand (or sit) behind a microphone backed by the rest of The So-So Sailors for an evening of personal, evocative rock and roll. Joining them is Lincoln band Kill County for what promises to be a memorable night of Midwest-style soul music. $5, 9:30 p.m.

* * *

Also tonight: Lincoln Calling Day 3. Here’s the sched:

Thursday, October 11 — $13 for day pass (age restrictions may apply)

Bourbon Theatre
* 9:30 p.m. Cowboy Indian Bear (Lawrence) https://www.facebook.com/cowboyindianbear
* 10:30 p.m. UUVVWWZ (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/uuvvwwz
11:30 p.m. Laetitia Sadier (Paris, France) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Laetitia-Sadier/111944478831848

$8 adv, $10 dos 18+

Duffy’s Tavern
9 p.m. Shipbuilding Co. (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/ShipbuildingCo
* 10 p.m. The Lepers (Omaha) http://www.newlepers.bandcamp.com/
11 p.m. Christopher the Conquered (Des Moines) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christopher-the-Conquered/32754596859
* 12 a.m. Poison Control Center (Des Moines/Ames) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Poison-Control-Center/98639736292
$5 for 21+

Zoo Bar
8 p.m. Bonehart Flannigan (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/bonehartflannigan
9 p.m. The Big Deep https://www.facebook.com/thebigdeep
10 p.m. The Bears of Blue River (Chicago) https://www.facebook.com/thebearsofblueriver
11 p.m. The Spring Standards (New York) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Spring-Standards/22313881085
12 a.m. Low Horse (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/lowhorse
$5 for 21+

The Spigot
9:30 p.m. Discourse (Lincoln) http://discoursehc.bandcamp.com/
10:30 p.m. Skullskowski (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/pages/SkullSkowSki/221262994614504
11:30 p.m. Diamondz R 4Eva (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diamondz-R-4Eva/137403893010744
12:30 a.m. Piss Poor (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/PissPoor
$5 for 21+

Black Market
7 p.m. Guilty is the Bear (Omaha/Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/GuiltyBear
8 p.m. Fraternal Durango (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/fraternaldurango
No cover, all ages

The Alley
9 p.m. Alex Walker (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alex-Walker-The-Revival/110816322379631
10 p.m. Intergalactic Fu (Lincoln) http://soundcloud.com/intergalactic-fu
11 p.m. Zed Tempo (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/ZedTempo
12 a.m. Drum and Disorderly (Lincoln) http://www.drumanddisorderly.com/
$5, 21+

Fat Toad
Nick the Quick (Lincoln)
Adam A (Lincoln)
No cover, 21+

Mix Barcade
Grindhouse presents Digitalove featuring
$pencelove (Lincoln)
Cocky Cat (Lincoln)
Cake Eater (Lincoln)
No cover, 21+
http://www.facebook.com/grindhousecrewofficial

Yia Yia’s
10 p.m. Professor Plum (Lincoln)
11 p.m. Powerful Science (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Powerful-Science/139781829399076
12 a.m. Time Hammer (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/timehammermusic

No cover, 21+

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I remain on the road, speaking at a Social Media conference in Philadelphia. All you SM wonks can follow along on Twitter at #CSMB2B. Or you could. The conference just ended, and I’m now cooling my heels at Philly International, which resembles a shopping mall more than an airport. I’m sitting in the food court next to Sbarro’s watching people carelessly toss away years of their lives eating the mucous-covered glop they call “pizza.”

Very unlikely that I’ll be home in time — or in the right state of mind — to enjoy tonight’s musical offerings. Chief among them is Night 2 of Lincoln Calling. For reasons known only to organizer Jeremy Buckley, the LC schedule isn’t at Lincolncalling.com, but rather at the Lincoln Calling Facebook page. It’s also below:

Wednesday, October 10 — $10 for a day pass (age restrictions may apply)

Bourbon Theatre
6 p.m. Homegrown Film Festival showcase https://www.facebook.com/groups/homegrownfilmfestival/
$3 all ages

8:30 p.m. Classes (Lincoln) http://facebook.com/classestheband
9:30 p.m. Minor Birds (Twain Harte, CA) http://minorbirds.bandcamp.com/
10:30 p.m. Gayle Skidmore (San Diego) http://www.facebook.com/GayleSkidmoreMusic\
11:30 p.m. Flashbulb Fires (Denver) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Flashbulb-Fires/111976458200
12:30 a.m. Orion Walsh (Lincoln) http://www.orionwalsh.com/
$5 for 21+, $7 for 18-20

Duffy’s Tavern
9 p.m. Good Show Great Show (Lincoln) http://goodshowgreatshow.com/
10 p.m. Tenderness Wilderness (Omaha) http://tendernesswilderness.bandcamp.com/
11 p.m. Hume (Baltimore) https://www.facebook.com/HUMENOW
12 a.m. Carrot Carrot (Lincoln)
$5 for 21+, $7 for 18-20

Zoo Bar
6 p.m. Jazzocracy (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jazzocracy/107272432624817
7 p.m. Emily Bass (Lincoln)
8 p.m. McCarthy Trenching (Omaha) https://www.facebook.com/mccarthytrenching
$3, 18+
9:30 p.m. Omni Arms (Lincoln) http://omniarms.bandcamp.com/
10:30 p.m. Touch People (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/pages/touch-people/129288513764265
11:30 p.m. THEMES (Portland, OR) http://www.themesmusic.com/
12:30 a.m. Dirty Talker (Lincoln) http://www.facebook.com/dirtytalkerdirtytalker
$5 for 21+

Black Market
7 p.m. Demos (Lincoln) http://facebook.com/demosrock
8 p.m. Domestica (Lincoln) http://domesticanebraska.bandcamp.com/
$5, all ages

Fat Toad
DJ Aim (Lincoln)
Christian Brabec (Lincoln)
No cover, 21+

Mix Barcade
Moeglie (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/moegliejunglebastard
Shark Week (Lincoln)
Bassthoven (Lincoln) https://www.facebook.com/bassthoven
No cover, 21+

* * *

If you don’t live in Lincoln or don’t feel like driving there, you’ve got a couple choice shows going on right in your back yard.

At The Waiting Room, it’s the return of Brother Ali. He’s grown quite a bit in popularity since I interviewed him in 2003. Opening is Blank Tape Beloved, Homeboy Sandman with DJ Sosa, & The Reminders. Unlucky $13, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Slowdown, it’s the return of Dr. Dog, with Cotton Jones. $15, 9 p.m.

* * *

The Dodos at The Waiting Room, Oct. 6, 2012.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Did the Huskers bite into the draw for Saturday night’s Dodos show at The Waiting Room? Maybe. Probably. There were 70 people tops in the crowd when the band went on stage after 11.

I’m traveling today so I only have time for a brief review…

Maus Haus at The Waiting Room, Oct. 6, 2012.

With a projection system that featured (at times) ’70s animation from Robert Abel (the guy who created those funky old Levi’s and 7up commercials — look him up on YouTube), Maus Haus played modern indie rock that while well performed, didn’t stand out as much as the films they were standing in front of. Two members switched between guitars and keyboards. I kept waiting for something to grab my attention, instead I got lost in the animation.

The Dodos were another story altogether. A drum-and-guitar duo, frontman/guitarist Meric Long played over on-the-fly loops controlled via pedals. I’ve never seen it done quite as well or effortlessly. Fantastic layer upon layer, performed by one of the best guitarists I’ve seen on TWR’s stage. Drummer Logan Kroeber, who apparently usually plays with only a limited kit, had a full setup Saturday night and used every inch of it.

Long has a high, young voice that would be right at home singing Vampire Weekend songs instead of their more intricate, angular indie rock that bordered on post punk. You might even call it “proggy.” I couldn’t tell you what he was singing about, but he sounded good. The band was at its best when Long simply leaned back and fragged his guitar, sending brightly colored sound flares into the crowd. Probably the fullest two-piece I’ve ever heard.  Too bad there were so few people on hand to see it, but I have a feeling it’s going to be this way through the balance of football season.

* * *

It’s a virtual battle of the rock shows tonight. Which will you choose?

Down at Slowdown it’s the return of Beach House. Last time they were here they were nothing less than sonically amazing. Opening is Poor Moon. $20. 8 p.m. start.

Meanwhile, over at The Waiting Room, it’s indie darlings First Aid Kit, whose last album was produced by Mike Mogis and featured a tune with Conor Oberst. Opening is Dylan LeBlanc. $15, 9 p.m. If I were in town, I’d probably go to this one.

Also tonight, a very special show at The Side Door Lounge featuring Simon Joyner and The Ghosts, Noah Sterba and out Brooklyn band Woods. $5, 8:30 p.m. Actually, I’d probably go to this one, too. Hell, go to all three!

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Big music weekend. Let’s go!

Tonight at The Slowdown it’s the return of Saddle Creek prodigal sons Two Gallants. If you haven’t heard their new CD, The Bloom and the Blight (ATO), which Lazy-i called “the best of their careers,” do yourself a favor. With PAPA and The Dead Ships. $15, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile tonight at The Waiting Room it’s Mike Watt + The Missing Men. If you don’t know who Mike Watt is, well, I don’t know what to tell you. Start by checking out his website, hootpage.com, or just run out and buy yourself a copy of Minutemen’s Double Nickels on the Dime. Opening is LITE. $10, 9 p.m.

But that’s not all. Tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s, McCarthy Trenching celebrates the release of its new Slumberparty Records release Plays The Piano. Also on the bill are Sam Martin (Capgun Coup) and Anna McClellan. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Tomorrow night it’s back to The Waiting Room for indie/psych/rock duo The Dodos (Frenchkiss Records) with SF four-piece Maus Haus. $12, 9 p.m.

Also tomorrow night, Philly-based indie band Hop Along plays at The Sandbox with Places We Slept, Seadrill, Arms Aloft and The Fucking Party. $7, 9 p.m.

Finally along comes Sunday and the Rainy Road Records release show at The Barley Street Tavern for new ones by Baby Tears and Worried Mothers. As the invite says: “We will start off the party at 6 p.m. with free grilled hotdogs and other goodies (while supplies last) and bands will get started around 7 p.m. (so all you old geezers can get to bed at reasonable hour).” Think he’s talking about me? Also on the bill are Lenguas Largas and Peace of Shit. $5!

And finally, finally, Sunday night at O’Leaver’s it’s the return of System + Station. No word on the openers…yet. $5, 9:30 p.m.

* * *

Hospitality at Slowdown Jr., Oct. 3, 2012.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The presidential debate was still on the club’s big screen when I arrived at around 9:15. I guess it was the socially responsible thing to do, though there’s little doubt who most people performing on stage and in the audience will be voting for in November. About 20 people sat around and flipped through their smart phones, waiting for the debate to end, which it did at 9:30. Moments later, Teen walked on stage and said, “Hi, we’re Teen.”

The all-female 4-piece (guitar, bass, drums, keys) from Brooklyn, USA, plays a distinctly indie-style of VU-influenced rock that at times borders on shoegaze, though it’s not quite as droning and atonal as your run-o’-the-mill shoegaze (and ratchets up the tunefulness with strong vocal melodies from frontwoman Katherine Leiberson (ex-Here We Go Magic)). What it shares with shoegaze, however, is a knack for drawn-out cool sequences that repeat themselves, especially toward the tail-end of songs. It’s kind of jammy, though there’s no jamming going on, just tight, repeated riffs.

TEEN at Slowdown Jr., Oct. 3, 2012.

Hospitality’s set was plagued with a myriad of technical issues. Lead singer Amber Papini broke a guitar string on the first song, and then effectively cursed the rest of their set by saying, “I guess it’s bad luck.” Two songs later the input jack broke on the bass. Then the lead guitarist began having problem with his microphone. “That’s okay, I don’t sing much anyway,” he said.

Despite all these handicaps, the band roared through a fantastic set, raising the intensity of the songs on their debut album to an edgier, more angular level. Hospitality songs seem to come in two flavors — mild and wild. The mild stuff are straight-forward pop songs; but the wild stuff boils over on breakneck guitar riffs that are infectiously groovy. More “wild,” please. I planned on staying for only a few minutes of Hospitality but got drawn in well past my bedtime. Now all they need to do is capture the edge of their live show on their records.

Club note: Slowdown Jr. added a new velvet floor-to-ceiling side curtain to their small stage, cutting off the sight lines from stage left (toward the patio exit, the pool table, etc.). The curtain, which was being used to hide band gear, appears to be retractable. It’s an odd addition, though it does do a good job “framing” the stage…

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This week’s column is a look at the iPhone 5, or more accurately a look at why having an iPhone — or any smartphone — makes life a little easier for us loners. You can read it in this week’s issue of The Reader, or online right here.

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Tuesday night’s Desaparecidos performance on Last Call w/Carson Daly went online yesterday. You can view the clips via the links below:

“MariKKKopa”: http://videobam.com/pzUXf#.UG2xBL0i3fc.email

“Backsell”: http://videobam.com/DWJuU#.UG2xF16_T68.email

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They’re calling it “Occustock 2.” The event, hosted by Occupy Omaha tonight at Slowdown Jr., features Capgun Coup, Quantum Method and 3rd & Delaware as well as handful of comedians. Proceeds generated from the $10 tickets will go toward funding Occupy Omaha’s expenses, such as printing and supplies and food for Occupy Omaha’s food day, according to theslowdown.com. Show starts at 8 p.m.

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by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I haven’t watched Last Call With Carson Daly in years. Seems like the last time I watched it, the 1/2-hour program sported a late-night chat show format. The new format is a collection of filmed segments, and is a vast improvement. It looks better, it’s better edited, and it takes the rather lifeless Daly out of embarrassing live interview situations.

All of this is an aside to the fact that Desaparecidos “performed” last night on Last Call, though it was really just a broadcast of the band’s recent gig at The Troubadour in Los Angeles. There they were on stage belting out their new 7-inch single, “MariKKKopa,” and its B-side, “Backsell.” Ol’ Carson didn’t bother to give the backstory behind the single, merely stating that Conor has been heralded as his generation’s Bob Dylan and that Desa was an Omaha “supergroup,” which was both accurate and amusing.

The performance itself, which has yet to be uploaded to Hulu, was your typical Desa frenzy and sounded quite good, though Conor’s voice was shot on “Backsell.”

I don’t remember Desa playing on a nationally televised late night TV show back in the band’s formative years. Again, it helps build the band’s momentum, but toward what, I do not know…

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Speaking of late-night chat show appearances, Morrissey is on Jimmy Fallon tonight.

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Tonight at Slowdown Jr. it’s Brooklyn indie band Hospitality. The band is on the road supporting its self-titled debut release, which came out this past January on Merge Records. Opening is fellow Brooklyn band TEEN. The all-female combo features Teeny Lieberson, formerly of Here We Go Magic. Their debut full length, In Limbo, was released last month by Carpark Records and is a keeper. $10, 9 p.m. See you there.

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