by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

After a weekend dominated by local shows, we’ve got two nationals going on tonight.

Over at The Waiting Room Sacramento ambient band Tycho headlines. A.K.A. Scott Hansen and Co.’s new album, Awake, came out a couple weeks ago on Ghostly International. People have been geeking out about this show for months (and I’m not sure why, as I think Tycho is a bit of a snooze).

Opening for Tycho tonight is the debut of a new line-up for Oquoa. Joining members Max Holmquist (guitar, vocals) and Roger Lewis (drums) is Patrick Newberry on keys/synths and Jim Schroeder on guitar. That means J.J. Idt has shifted to bass full-time. Roger says the changes “are taking the sound of the band to a different place.”

This is an 8 p.m. show, so get there early. $17.

Also tonight Okkervil River returns to The Slowdown. This show feels “under the radar” as it’s received zero hype. The band has been on the road touring their new concept album The Silver Gymnasium (ATO, 2013), an album that’s been equally overlooked. I do love this band live, though I have to admit I haven’t listened to their latest record. Opening is Austin band Hundred Visions. $18, 9 p.m.

Fischer, Emergency Chorus (1994, IBB Records)

Speaking of under the radar, there’s been a ton of chatter about One Percent’s latest show announcements, some real humdingers like Guided By Voices June 3, Peter Murphy June 21 and Black Flag June 14.

But missing from the conversation is one of the bigger shows of the early summer: The Omaha Punk Rock Reunion 2014 at The Waiting Room May 17.

The line-up include the return of Omaha legends Mousetrap, RAF, Cordial Spew and (according to the One Percent website) Fischer (Really?). They’re joined by modern-day punkers Bullet Proof Hearts, The Broke Loose & Drop A Grand, among others.

I knew Mousetrap would be headed back our way one of these days, but I never expected to see Fischer or RAF again. This could be a special night…

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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 © 2014 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.