by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

On this Throwback Thursday (#TBT), from the blog 10 years ago:

Conor Oberst charts at No. 15, The Faint at No. 45… – Aug. 13, 2008 –

So how did Conor Oberst and The Faint do in their first week’s sales of their new albums? Here’s the skinny by way of Homer’s General Manager Mike Fratt:

Conor Oberst’s self-titled album sold 28,546 copies last week, plus 354 copies prior to street date for a total of 28,918 copies. That’s good enough for the album to chart at No. 15 on Billboard. Conor Oberst also was the No. 3 best-selling download on iTunes, moving 9,941 digital units.

The Faint’s Fasciinatiion sold 11,333 last week, plus 222 copies before street date for a total of 11,584 copies — good enough to claim the No. 45 position on the Billboard charts. Fasciinatiion also was the No. 15 best-selling download on iTunes, moving 3,250 digital units.

FYI, digital downloads are included in the overall total sales number. Thanks again to Mr. Fratt for the data. Overall, an impressive first week by both artists. I think you could see both albums continue to climb the charts, but especially Fasciinatiion, which has had less pre-release media attention, and is only now getting the notice it deserves.

And the original reviews from the Lazy-i posted a week later:

Conor Oberst, self-titled (2008, Merge)

Conor Oberst, Conor Oberst (2008, Merge) — It differs from Bright Eyes in its more minimal production, though it’s far from stripped down (just Mogis-less). Song wise, it’s not a stretch at all, though Oberst does seem more relaxed, even resolved to his stricken condition of being ordained the rambling “voice of his generation.” Call him that if you want to; he’s not listening. Unlike Lifted or Wide Awake, there’s no need to block off your afternoon or give it your undivided attention to enjoy it. Like he says on album opener “Cape Canaveral”: “There’s no worries, who’s got time?” No one, Conor, no one. And while there’s nothing as striking as, say, “Lua” or “Waste of Paint” or “I Must Belong Somewhere,” it has its moments of absolute clarity, including country stomper “I Don’t Want to Die (in the Hospital)” and rock anthem “Souled Out!!!” Oberst is too smart to do either. Rating: 4 stars.

The Faint, Fasciinatiion (2008, blank.wav)

The Faint, Faciinatiion (2008, blank .wav) — It’s no wonder that the album’s best song, “The Geeks Were Right,” also is the most straightforward and least dependent on technology to “make it sound different.” You see, I like frontman Todd Fink’s voice just the way it is. And with all of the electronic bleep-blooping going on elsewhere, Dapose’s opening guitar riff feels downright organic. But a straight-up rock band is not what the throngs of stylish, sweaty youth are looking for. Give them the robot-voiced dance machine with its dense bass and thump-thump-thump rhythms. They want to bounce, not think. What are they singing about? Who cares as long as there’s a thick-ass beat and plenty of strobes. Which makes me wonder what would happen if these guys stepped away from the synths, vocoders and effects pedals and picked up traditional instruments once again. They could be that great rock band we’ve all been waiting for, if they wanted to be. But they never will, not now, not when they don’t have to. With a slew of classics already in their quiver, it makes you wonder why they even bother making new CDs in the first place. Rating: 3 stars.

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Tonight at Lookout Lounge Portland doom-metal band Witch Mountain headlines. When it comes to the grind, they’ll have stiff competition from opener Ocean Black, Omaha’s stoner-rock satans. Super Moon is also on the bill. $12, 7 p.m.

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Cursive’s next album, Vitriola, comes out Oct. 5 on 15 Passenger.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The last line of the press release announcing Cursive’s first new album in six years reads:

Cursive is: Tim Kasher (vocals/guitar), Ted Stevens (guitar/vocals), Matt Maginn (bass), Clint Schnase (drums), and Patrick Newbery (keys), with Megan Siebe on cello.

The two surprises here are Schnase and Siebe. Schnase, as all old-time Cursive fans know, is the band’s original drummer and an absolute beast on a kit. It’s good to have him back. But apparently he’ll only be heard on the record, as Ladyfinger drummer (and exceptional print maker) Pat Oakes will be the band’s touring drummer when they hit the road for a month starting Oct. 18. That tour ends with a show at The Waiting Room Nov. 18 with label mates Campdogzz.

(I wonder if Cursive could be the “secret” of the just-announced “secret show” at O’Leaver’s Aug. 19?)

Megan Siebe is a fixture of the Omaha music scene having performed with a number of acts including Simon Joyner’s Ghosts, Anniversaire and live with Cursive (Seems to me someone suggested back in 2013 that Siebe would be a great addition on their next album…)

Enough about personnel. The new album, Vitriola, was recorded at ARC with studio wizard Mike Mogis and drops Oct. 5. According to the press release:

(The album) finds the band struggling with existentialism veering towards nihilism and despair; the ways in which society, much like a writer, creates and destroys; and an oncoming dystopia that feels eerily near at hand.

Holy shit that sounds depressing. But no Cursive (or Good Life) album is ever a joyous walk through the daisies.

Check out the first single, “Life Savings,” below and pre-order at the 15 Passenger website.

While we’re talking about 15 Passenger, some thoughts on the new Campdogzz record, In Rounds

. The 15P debut dropped last Friday..

The has a creamy, twangy sound mixed with throaty-beat indie rock; it can be quiet, it can be hard, and falls in the same mood-circle as Angel Olson or Big Thief or Mitski. Let’s face it, women-fronted acts are making the most interesting music in indie rock these days, they’re dominating the genre.

Campdogzz and frontwoman Jess Price can add their names to that rather long list. Price, a Tulsa native, has a weary, prairie-worn voice that sounds like a mix between Stevie Nicks, Bonnie Raitt and a bourbon hangover. There is a desolate nature to this collection of songs that reflect a strange longing and loneliness, with arrangements that in a heartbeat can veer from bending-in-the-wind lullaby to storm-bracing rock — quiet, ferocious, quiet.

Highlights include the torrid, pumping “On My Own,” crunchy rocker “Southern,” which sounds like classic Stevie Nicks, and smoldering hammer-beat track “Souvenir” with the lines “Did you want to get me gone / Did you want to get me / Well that train is going by.” Yikes.

Price’s lyrics are simpler and somewhat more obtuse than, say, Adrianne Lenker’s lyrics (of Big Thief), which are more intimate, personal, straight forward — you always know what Lenker’s singing about, whereas Price, not so much. On the other hand Campdogzz’s music is consistently more compelling and hook-filled than Big Thief’s static confessions (Exceptions, such as “Paul” and “Shark Smile,” are the exception rather than the rule). Regardless, the bands have more similarities than differences.

The Chicago act, which started as a duo with Price and Mike Russell and is now a five-piece, has been kicking around since before 2014. The fact that 15 Passenger lucked into them says a lot about the future of a label that’s built on a bedrock of Kasher-infused quality. How could it go wrong? * * *

They’re practically The Waiting Room’s house band — The Melvins — return to the bar tonight. WE Are the Asteroid opens at 8 p.m. $20.

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Saddle Creek Records announced this morning that it’s releasing the solo debut by Big Thief’s Adrianne Lenker, titled abysskiss.

“Songs can be slippery and following a 2+ years on the road with Big Thief, Lenker felt a growing need to document this particular time in her life in an intimate, immediate way. The result is her new album, abysskiss, out October 5,” sayeth the press release.

The album was co-produced with Luke Temple (Here We Go Magic) and recorded by Gabe Wax (Soccer Mommy, Ought, Palehound). This looks like another big score for Saddle Creek. Pre-order it here.

Speaking of Saddle Creek releases, the next one out of the gate is the Tomberlin’s LP At Weddings, which comes out Friday. Sarah Beth released a new video, “Any Other Way” this morning.

No shows tonight!

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Conny Franko plays the crowd as DJ Kethro looks on last Saturday at Beer Nebraska at The Slowdown.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Pretty durn good turnout at Beer Nebraska Saturday night at The Slowdown considering that Chvrches was going on at the same time up in Benson.

I’m not a beer connoisseur but I know what I like, and for me, Zip Line’s Sticky Blossoms

and First Street Brewery’s Freakastout got the gold medals in the Lazy-i Taste Test. Drinking five samples of local microbrews made for a different kind of listening experience than my usual Rolling Rock tallboys.

But what about the music? I caught sets by Mesonjixx, Freakabout, Conny Franko and Icky Blossoms.

Franko and DJ Kethro (who was terrific, playing tracks by Thundercat, Kids See Ghosts, Mayer Hawthorne, J Cole and Sade, among others) were the evening’s highlight. That said, as much as I like The Slowdown’s sound system, I couldn’t make out a word Franko rhymed, which is problematic when you’re talking about an art form that emphasizes words as much as beats. Still, you caught the vibe, and his a cappella reading that closed his short set was impactful.

Icky Blossoms at Beer Nebraska at The Slowdown, Aug. 4, 2018.

Icky Blossoms had their usual strong performance (with a few technical glitches early in the set). They play so infrequently that every time I see them I hear something different, though I’m still waiting anxiously for their next album (if one is even in the works).

Mesonjixx rhythm section is what floored me about their set, along with some tasty guitar solos. Their drummer slayed. As did the drummer for Freakabout.

Fun night and a fun crowd there to support Rabble Mill.

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Tonight Chicago singer/songwriter Sam Vicari headlines at Reverb Lounge. Magu and Win/Win open. $7, 8 p.m.

Also tonight, former indie starts Portugal, The Man headline at Stir Concert Cove. 8 p.m. show, tix are in the $40 range…

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Icky Blossoms at Farnam Fest, Sept. 16, 2017. They play Saturday night at The Slowdown as part of Beer Nebraska.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Just a few shows worth mentioning this weekend.

The Sydney (which is now under new management) is hosting a show tonight as part of Benson First Friday (#BFF). The line-up: Bed Rest, Bokr Tov and Sean Pratt. Bokr Tov will be rolling out some new material. This could be fun. $5, 10 p.m.

And if you’re in Benson for BFF festivities, be sure to stop by The Little Gallery, 5901 Maple (in the bottom of the Masonic Lodge building), where we’re opening a show of the works of ’80s/’90s Antiquarium artist Melvin Usher. The opening reception runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Booze and treats provided. See you there.

Tomorrow night is the big Beer Nebraska benefit for Rabble Mill at The Slowdown, which I wrote about yesterday. We’re talking five local brewers matched with five local bands that include Icky Blossoms, Conny Franko and Satchel Grande. Beer is 5 to 9 p.m. outside, music starts on the big stage at 7 p.m. Tix: $25 Advance/$30 Day of Show with Beer Tasting; $15 Advance/$20 Day of Show without beer tasting.

Also tomorrow night (Saturday) Oquoa headlines at fabulous O’Leaver’s. Joining them are Minneapolis prog/metal act Straya and Putter & Co. $5, 10 p.m.

Finally, Saturday night at The Waiting Room indie pop band Chvrches headlines. Local folks Field Club opens the show at super-early time of 7:30 p.m. Tix are $28 Adv/$32 DOS.

And that’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Beer + Bands = Beer Nebraska. Here’s the list of exclusive-release brews…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The next pseudo music festival is this Saturday at The Slowdown — it’s a benefit for non-profit Rabble Mill, which, if you didn’t know, is the umbrella organization that houses good ol’ Hear Nebraska (Yes, Hear Nebraska still exists. In fact, they have offices in the Slowdown complex in a shared space with Saddle Creek Records and Maha Music Festival personnel).

This benefit concert is a bit different in that it features both bands and

beer — specifically five local breweries who have made exclusively released beers inspired by the performing bands. It’s weird and cool. Local brewers are Zipline (who’s co-hosting this even with Hear Nebraska), Brickway, Farnam House, First Street and White Elm.

The inspired beer I’m most looking forward to is Zipline’s Sticky Blossoms, which is “honey plus orange blossom IPA.” Mmm-mmmm.

According to the Facebook invite, beers will be served outside from 5 to 9 p.m. The beer-tasting ticket gets you five samples plus a commemorative glass.

Event pricing :

$25 Advance/$30 Day of Show with Beer Tasting
$15 Advance/$20 Day of Show without
Tix here or at Zipline’s drinking room in the Slowdown complex.

And here are the set times:

7-7:40 – Mesonjixx
8-8:40 – Freakabout 8:00- 8:40
9 to 9:40 – Conny Franko
1- to 10:40 – Icky Blossoms
11 to midnight – Satchel Grande

As mentioned proceeds go to Rabble Mill, which has a lot of exciting programs in the works, including music-related ideas that (hopefully) you’ll be hearing more about in the near future.

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Tonight, Omaha punk band Crease opens for Minneapolis screamo band Sleep Debt at Brothers Lounge. $5, 9 p.m.

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I thought I’d drop in this just-released Ron Gallo track. He’s playing Lincoln Calling in September. Something about the guitar effects reminds me of The Oh Sees…

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Omaha’s Those Far Out Arrows have signed to KC label High Dive Records.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

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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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Wrong Pets at O’Leaver’s Oct. 21, 2016. The band returns to O’Leaver’s tonight.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Lots of shows happening tonight; not much the rest of the weekend.

Let’s start with the show at The Waiting Room: Drive-By Truckers. The Athens band that’s been kicking it since the late-’90s is out supporting their latest release, American Band (2016, ATO). I gotta believe they’ll be playing some new stuff tonight. Joining them is our very own High Up. $30, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at The Brothers Lounge, Digital Leather headlines with Cult Play and Satanic Abortion. $5, 10 p.m.

The Sydney tonight has Shreveport band Ghost Foot along with Rusty Lord, Lincoln act Sweats and a late-night DJ set by David Nance. $5, 10 p.m.

Finally, Wrong Pets, the band fronted by Reagan Roeder with Landon Hedges (bass), Danny Maxwell (guitar) and Ryan Haas on drums, opens tonight for a Nirvana cover band at fabulous O’Leaver’s. $5, 10 p.m.

Tomorrow night (Saturday) Guster returns to The Slowdown. Their latest is Evermotion

(2015, Nettwerk). Van William a.k.a. Van Pierszalowski of the band Waters opens. He’s been opening for First Aid Kit on thier 2018 tour. 8:30 p.m. $28 Adv/$30 DOS.

The Indie is Sunday morning in Benson.

I’ll be skipping Guster this time because I’ll be running in The Indie Sunday morning in Benson. It’s arguably the toughest urban 5k/10k event in the area, boasting a course consisting of one insane hill after another — they don’t call them the Alps of Benson for nothing. It also has the coolest trophies of any local races — winners take home gold records.

You can register for the run right up ’til the day of the event. Registration is taking place today at 1912 in Benson from 3 to 7 p.m., tomorrow at the 1912 booth at Benson Days after the parade, and the day of the run starting at 7 a.m. Those who register will receive a handsome Indie shirt designed by Pat Oakes of Ink Tank while supplies last.

Race start time is 8 a.m. Sunday at 60th and Maple. For more information, go to theindieomaha.org.

And that’s all I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a great weekend.

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Lincoln Calling is Sept 19-23.

Lincoln Calling released an updated line-up a few days ago. There’s a couple new names and Criteria has been moved to an already-packed Friday night schedule. If you’re only going to drive to Lincoln one night, Friday’s as good a target as any.

Thursday Sept. 20

Japanese Breakfast, Waxahatchee, Joey Dosik, Ought, Rad Trads, Kind Country, Dead Horses, Jared and The Mill, Keli, Emily Bass, A Ferocious Jungle Cat, Matt Whipkey, Hammersaw, Anna St Louis, Night Shop, Twinsmith, FREAKABOUT, Couch Jackets, Evening Glow, Stacey Barelos, Quince Ensemble, Sam Scrabton, Rangbrook Ensemble, Mighty Vitamins, Blet

Friday Sept. 21

Parquet Courts, Ron Gallo, The Nude Party, Criteria, Radio Galaxy, Ohmme, Hyborian, Jim Schroeder Band, Juiceboxxx, Cesar Comanche, BXTH, Christopher the Conquered, Universe Contest, Stephen Sheehan, Jack Hotel, The Bottle Tops, Matt Cox, Seasaw, Hi-Lux, Dilla Kids, Halfwit, Bogusman, Le Grotto, Better Friend, Gymshorts, Laughing Falcon, Lip Gym, Bryan Day, Jay Kreimer, Darkwood, Gerardo Meza and the Dead of Night, Kenny Barz

Saturday Sept. 22

Lion Babe, Leikeli47, The Kickback, The Grahams, REYNA, Alfred Banks, Adam + Kizzie, The Lagoons, Mad Dog and the 20/20s, Ronnie Heart, Disastroid, Mesonjixx, Dan McCarthy, Bonehart Flannigan, Dr. Joe, Harry Paradise, Y god Y, Digisaurus, Staffers, Sweats, Adam and the Figurines, Moodie Black, Pixel Grip, Ro Hempel Band, Evan Bartels and the Stoney Lonesomes, I Forgot to Love My Father

LC says venues and times will be announced in mid-August, but I’ve heard there will be a couple large outdoors stages (behind Duffy’s and at The Zoo) that will handle some of the larger acts in an effort to make sure people can see as many bands as possible. Nothing sucks more than having two bands you want to see play at the same time.

There’s been talk for years about setting up a SXSW-style festival somewhere in Nebraska. Lincoln Calling has evolved into something that’s pretty close. The difference is that at SXSW some acts play as many as seven times during the week in an effort to make sure as many people as possible can see them. It doesn’t look like that’s going to happen at LC, but wouldn’t it be great? If you missed The Nude Party or Gerardo Meza or Parquet Courts on Friday night, you could always catch them somewhere the next day. I have no idea how something like that would evolve, however. Are bands that play seven showcases at SXSW getting paid for seven gigs?

Anyway, tickets can be purchased at lincolncalling.com. $35 discount tickets end July 31, so you may want to get on it right now.

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Haunted Gauntlet drops its new cassette today titled OM3G4 G3N3SIS. The credits read: Composed, Written, Performed, Produced, Mixed, Mastered, Designed and Manifested by HAUNTED GAUNTLET
FT. Conny Franko, S1SW(r0t), Keii, Jason Steady, Vahnevants, Sleep Sinatra, Misiu, Cousin Kyler & INFNTLP & Many Other Cousins of Blessence.

Purchased the cassette or digital album at the Haunted Gauntlet Bandcamp page through Aug. 7.

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Little Brazil at The Sydney, Feb. 4, 2011. The bar goes under new management beginning Aug. 1.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The big news is that The Sydney in Benson is changing hands.

The bar that was once the home of Mick’s (who remembers those days?) became The Sydney in January 2009, with an ownership team that included Jamie Massey of Race for Titles/Ladyfinger fame.

Starting August 1, a new team takes over The Sydney, which is located at 5918 Maple St. I originally heard 1% Productions was the new owners. “It’s not really 1% buying the Sydney,” said Marc Leibowitz, who is part of the 1% team along with partner Jim Johnson. “Revamp (our real estate company) is buying the building and business. The New Sydney is Jim, myself, and Jon Tvrdik.” Tvrdik is co-owner of Krug Park (as well as a member of musical outfits Routine Escorts and Back When).

Leibowitz said the new management isn’t planning on changing much at the bar, especially in the beginning. “We might replace the sound system and POS system, but no real overhaul,” he said.

So will 1% Productions book the live music at The New Sydney? “In terms of booking, we’re not sure yet,” Leibowitz said. “Zach (Schmieder)

does a good job and we want him to continue doing it. We might throw some shows down there.”

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You already know Har Mar Superstar as that crazy half-naked dude who sings like Justin Timberlake. Well, Har Mar is actually singer/songwriter Sean Tillmann, and he’s taking a break from the Har Mar hi-jinx to perform covers of Sam Cooke songs backed by a full band. The tour has been getting raves, and rolls into The Waiting Room tonight. Tickets are $15, and the show starts at 8 p.m.

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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 © 2018 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.