by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Congratulations to the Omaha World-Herald on its relaunch of its Go section.  They’re calling it “Go Magazine” now, though the  print format is no different than the paper’s old Go section. According to the article explaining the change, the section will include more quick reads because, “We know you’re busy and don’t always have time to read longer stories,” and “more of you,” which means they’re soliciting reader input via social media channels, because we all want to read what the person in the cubical next to us thinks about the latest Tom Hanks movie.

Those changes are inconsequential compared to the fact that the section appears to have more music coverage. They worked Kevin Coffey like a mule for this inaugural relaunch issue, and it shows especially with this fun story where people recount memories of bands playing Omaha before they made it big. The Nirvana stories are particularly interesting. The section’s music calendar is probably the best design improvement in the printed version of Go.

Unfortunately, the Go website (like the OWH website in general) continues to de-emphasize the content for the benefit of the horrific pop-up advertising. But maybe their strategy is to get you so infuriated with their lousy website that you’re forced to buy a printed copy of the paper to read the articles. Who knows. The OWH has never had a good website.

Regardless, here’s hoping Go continues to maintain its heavy music focus. You cannot have too many music news resources in a market the size of Omaha.

* * *

Meanwhile, in this week’s issue of The Reader (in addition to this Desaparecidos story), I’m characterized as a “naive lib,” and also talk about Lee Terry, heathcare.gov, the Goth Ball, The Book of Mormon, Avoli Osteria and Dundee’s impending parking problem. Like I said, it’s in this weeks issue of The Reader or you can read it online right here.

* * *

Tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s Twinsmith kicks off a sweet little Midwest tour. Opening is their pals Routine Escorts. $5, 9:30 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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Desaparecidos at The Waiting Room, Oct. 22, 2013.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The main point Denver Dalley made during our recent interview — and in most other interviews of his I’ve read — is that Desaparecidos is a playground for the guys in the band, a full-on good time where — no matter what else is going on in their lives — they can enjoy playing their music and just being together.

And it was obvious watching them on stage last night at a sold-out Waiting Room that they were having the time of their lives. But I have to admit, frontman Conor Oberst always looks like he’s having a good time on stage except when he’s clearly NOT having a good time (Like at some of those early Bright Eyes shows legendary for his unpredictable incendiary behavior). And really, when doesn’t Denver, Landon Hedges and Matt Baum look like they’re having fun no matter what band they’re playing in? (Is it even possible for a guy like Dalley to not have a good time?).

That said, last night’s set felt like an effortless party. Their strategy of releasing singles every few months has proven to be a smart one — it keeps their set sounding fresh, and makes the older material glow that much brighter. As big and bombastic as ever, Desa never sounded better. I credit the TWR stage and environment, which feels intimate while delivering full-on concert sound.

Oberst was in rare form, though his voice was hoarse at times, especially on those high notes. Good thing Landon was there to fill in the gaps. Here’s a secret: Hedges has a better voice, but when the material calls for screaming more than singing, it doesn’t really matter.

Like all Desa shows, there were the obligatory political comments between songs, but none were heavy handed. Oberst mentioned the Concert for Equality and how proud he was that those shitty Fremont housing laws got overturned.

He spoke in support of against-the-grain ideas. “Socialism isn’t a dirty word. Communism isn’t a dirty word,” he said as he introduced “The Underground Man,” the B-side of the band’s most recent single.

He pointed out that Omaha is a segregated town, a racist town. Paraphrasing, he said black people live in North Omaha. Hispanic people live in South Omaha and white people live in West Omaha “and the only time they look each other in the eye is when they drive by each other in their cars.” I think he knew he was stating the obvious. “I don’t know where I’m going with this… get to know someone who doesn’t look like you.”

The comments weren’t so much angry as matter-of-fact statements. Let’s face it, no one wants to be preached at, especially at a party.

The set closed with “Greater Omaha,” which he introduced saying “This song is about where we’re standing right now

.” Is it? I always thought that song was about the miles and miles of beige houses spread out across the freeways and traffic lights and drive-through windows west of 120th Street. Maybe not.

Like I said, the band sounded especially good last night. It was the first time I really noticed Dalley’s blazing guitar work — he handled the difficult stuff, the technical intros and the counter solos that cut through all the chopping going on around him. Drummer Baum did his usual between-songs madman yelling from back of the stage. When he egged the audience on to “move around more,” Oberst cut in with, “No, just stand there as still as possible and try to send as many texts as you can.”

After the obligatory exit stage left, the band returned for an encore that included the single “Anonymous,” before Oberst called opening band, Brooklyn’s So-So Glos. to join them for a cover of The Clash’s “Spanish Bombs,” which strangely was the one song that stuck in my head as I walked back to my car. (The set list pretty much matched their show in Lawrence the night before, which is online here).

Afterward I chatted with a guy outside who said Desaparecidos is the best thing Conor has ever done. Well, it’s certainly the funnest music he’s ever played, the most sonically violent. Whether Oberst finds Desa to be the most satisfying thing he does only he can say. Which brings up that question: Will they really keep it together this time like Denver said in the interview

? It’s hard not to be skeptical considering every temptation that Oberst has dangled before him.

Concert notes: Though a sell-out, The Waiting Room felt nice and roomy because they removed all the tables. Moving around was a snap. The sound at TWR just seems to get better and better. And thanks to the Lazy-i reader who bought me a draw of Rolling Rock! I’ll get you back at the next show…

* * *

The party continues tonight at The Waiting Room as LA funkmeisters Orgone returns with support from Satchel Grande. $9, 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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Desaparecidos rock the Holy Name Fieldhouse in April 2001.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

First, Desparecidos is playing tonight at The Waiting Room and believe it or not, there’s still tickets available as of noon today. If you have any interest in going, you should go to the this e-tix page right now and buy your $25 tickets.

Next, you should read my interview with Desaparecidos’ Denver Dalley where the guitar-playing blond wonderboy testifies that the current incarnation of Desa ain’t no reunion gig, it’s the real deal. The boys are back for good this time, and that means new music and (maybe) a new album.

The story was written for The Reader, which means you’ll have to go here to The Reader website to read it. Just click this link. DO IT NOW.

Okay, if you don’t want to do it now, you can wait until tomorrow when the story appears in the printed version of The Reader. Yes, I know this should have come out last week, but there was a snafu with the deadline and, well, JUST GO AHEAD AND READ IT NOW

.

And then go to tonight’s show, which should be a freakin’ blast. The So-So Glos are opening. Show starts at 9.

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Built to Spill at The Waiting Room, Oct. 18, 2013.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

I received the following message via my Twitter page

after last Friday night’s Built to Spill  show at The Waiting Room:

“So what B2S showed up tonight? Jam or album?”

My answer: “The album version. The hits. The best B2S set that I’ve seen

.”

In fact, last week’s nearly sold-out show edged its way to the top of my list of Omaha B2S shows. Doug Martsch and company played a sharp, measured set that combined the best songs from his classic albums with heavy stuff from the band’s latest. Martsch was in particularly good voice (Is it me or is his voice getting higher as he gets older?) and the band was tight as a tic. The best part, there were virtually no extended jams or drawn-out noodling like we got the last couple times B2S came through town. Instead, it was bam-bam-bam from song to song.

The high point was the encore. Forget about “Cortez the Killer,” instead Martsch rolled out a lush version of The Smiths’ “How Soon Is Now,” (complete with the trademark tremolo guitar effect). Knowing that he likely whetted our appetite for classic ’80s post-punk, he followed with a bouncing version of New Order’s “Age of Consent” before closing with his own B2S classic “Car.”
The full setlist is here.

Lee Ranaldo and the Dust at The Waiting Room, Oct. 18, 2013.

Just as solid was the opening set by Lee Ranaldo and The Dust. Like I said last week, this is as close as you’re going to get to Sonic Youth around here (including Steve Shelley on drums as a member of The Dust). Ranaldo’s music is akin to the more melodic, psychedelic stuff from SY, and featured some amazing guitar solos held together with a tight rhythm section. Gorgeous, dense rock songs, beautifully played. If you haven’t already, seek out Ranaldo’s solo stuff on Matador.

I expect this show will be on my personal “best of ’13” list…

* * *

Rock band Electric Chamber Orchestra (members of Gus & Call and McCarthy Trenching) is playing a set tonight at Pageturners. It’s a warm-up of sorts for a brief Boston tour the band is launching this Thursday. Actually, the band will be providing the “thematic accompaniment” to a couple Boston performances of Mac Wellman’s Wu World Woo.

One problem: The band needs cash for air fare, gas, food and lodging. That’s why they’ve launched an Indiegogo page to raise money to support the tour (Indiegogo is just like Kickstarter). The premiums are pretty sweet, and include McCarthy Trenching vinyl and unreleased Gus & Call material.

Lea Thompson and Dave Foley were in Omaha back in 1999 making the film Out of Omaha (above), which wasn’t released until 2007, renamed California Dreaming (The film also featured a young Nik Fackler of Icky Blossoms fame). While in town, they hung out at Sokol Underground during an infamous 1999 Built to Spill show. Something tells me they won’t be at The Waiting Room for tonight’s show…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Whenever discussing Built to Spill with anyone who remember the Sokol Underground days, the band’s smoky 1999 show inevitably comes up, the one where Dave Foley and Lea Thompson — both cripplingly inebriated — were hanging all over people in the crowd. That show is described in this 2007 interview with frontman Doug Martsch, a story set up by this seminal question: Which version of Built to Spill will show up for the concert — the poppy version or the jam-band version?

That same question applies to tonight’s show at The Waiting Room, though I have a feeling I already know the answer. The last two times I saw Built to Spill (that 2007 show and the Slowdown’s outdoor parking-lot gig (and why doesn’t SD do those outdoor gigs anymore?)) both were very jam-heavy affairs, with songs that featured long, drawn-out Martsch guitar solos. B2S is still touring on 2009’s There Is No Enemy, the same album they were promoting at that outdoor Slowdown gig.

But just as much of a draw as Built to Spill tonight is the opener, Sonic Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo and his band, the Dust. His new Matador release, Last Night On Earth, has that same trippy style that SY’s slower grinders are known for. If you’ve heard Thurston or Kim’s latest efforts, you already know that this is the closest thing you’re going to get to Sonic Youth other than Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship. Opening is fellow PWN band Slam Dunk. $22, 9 p.m.

That’s not the only thing going on tonight. House of Loom is hosting a very cool indie/garage show featuring PNW band Chastity Belt. The band’s latest album, No Regrets, carries on the spirit of ’90s college indie (i.e. early Liz Phair, etc.) and is pretty fantastic. Also on the bill is Seattle garage duo Pony Time (Per Se Records). The show is being promoted as a costume thing, which will keep me away, but shouldn’t keep you away, especially since it’s only $7. Starts at 10. More info here.

Also tonight, Phantom Scout plays at O’Leaver’s with Portland band Genders and local boys Let Alone making their stage debut. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Holy shit, it’s like the Pacific Northwest is invading Omaha tonight…

And of course Lincoln Calling is in full swing all weekend. Get the full schedule before you head to the Star City from Lincoln Calling website.

* * *

Tomorrow night’s pretty busy, too.

Pro-Magnum headlines a punk show over at The Brothers Lounge with The Bugs. $5, 9 p.m.

Over at fabulous O’Leaver’s Oquoa returns with Water Liars. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Down at Slowdown Jr. Skypiper headlines a show with The Kickback and Canby. $7, 9 p.m.

And don’t forget the Almost Music grand opening celebration Saturday at 7 with in-store performances by Simon Joyner and Noah Sterba of The Yuppies. It starts at 7 p.m. and is free, though you’ll probably part with some ducats when you see the store’s selection of fine vinyl.

That’s all I got for the weekend. If I left anything out, put it in the Comments section. Have good one.

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The story of Almost Music, the vintage record store that just opened at 6569 Maple St. in Benson, is the story of a guy who escaped a life caged in a cubicle to pursue a dream he’s held for 20 years.

Brad Smith got into the record business way back in 1993 at age 20 when he joined the staff of the legendary Antiquarium Record Store in the Old Market. Tucked away in the basement of a massive bookstore on Harney Street, The Antiquarium was the touchstone of the Omaha music scene throughout its heyday in the mid-‘90s.

Smith joined a staff that included Chris Deden, singer/songwriter Simon Joyner and The Antiquarium’s legendary frontman, Dave Sink.

“Dave was the mouthpiece, the spokesperson,” Smith said. “That’s what he liked to do — drink coffee, smoke cigarettes and BS with people. Chris and I actually worked really hard because we had to make up for the fact that Dave didn’t.”

While Smith, Deden and Joyner broke their backs keeping the shelves stocked, Sink stood behind the counter and shared what he knew about the music business (and baseball) with young bands, young record labels and, yes, young music journalists. Sink and the store played a central role in creating a scene that spawned Saddle Creek Records and bands such as Bright Eyes and Cursive.

Technology eventually drove Smith out of The Antiquarium in 2000. He and Deden had set up a website called Starsailor Records and began selling rare albums on a new online marketplace called eBay. Smith said Sink viewed the Internet as a passing fad.

“Dave’s quote was, ‘This is the new CB radio. It’s hot right now, but you’re wasting your time.’ The whole idea of cyberspace was a hard concept for someone Dave’s age to grasp.”

As you might guess, a career selling records isn’t exactly lucrative. Smith said his years at the Antiquarium brought in just enough to pay the rent. “I was single and so were Chris and Dave,” he said. “It was enough to make a meager living for a single person. I would have made a better living if I hadn’t spent so much on my own record collection.”

Needless to say, things changed when Smith had his first daughter, Matilda, in 2001. Now with a child to support, he felt he needed a more substantial career, one that actually supplied health insurance. Smith had earned a degree in Business Administration from UNO while working at The Antiquarium, which helped him land an insurance job and eventually a credit analyst position at Hewlett-Packard in 2007. By then he’d met his current girlfriend, Sarah Gleason, who had two kids of her own, Nora and Jack. Together, the couple had Dorothy, who just turned 3 and a half.

Even with a “regular job,” Smith said there was no real security at H-P. Shortly after he joined the company, the bottom fell out of the economy and the layoffs began. “We went from four floors of employees to two,” Smith said. “We had waves of layoffs every nine months. I survived four of them.”

His number finally came up in April of this year. By then, he already had the idea of opening Almost Music. “I knew a record store could be successful if I did it right,” Smith said. “Even before I got laid off, Sarah said, ‘You have to do it.’ She knew I hated sitting in a cubical all day. Once I got laid off, there was no excuse not to.”

Smith already had begun accumulating inventory when the storefront became available. Located a few blocks west of the heart of Benson, Almost Music shares the space with Solid Jackson Books, a satellite location of Jackson Street Booksellers. The bookstore’s name is an homage to ‘90s rock band Solid Jackson, which released a record on a label run by Deden and Joyner.

“I really wanted to do something like The Antiquarium, where it’s not just a retail shop, it’s a place to hang out and have discussions and have a cup of coffee,” Smith said. “That wasn’t feasible without the bookstore.”

Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6, Almost Music sells an eclectic mix of vinyl — everything from high-end collectables (a Sun Ra album from 1968 is priced at $350) to clean, cheap copies of albums by bands like The Go Go’s and Fleetwood Mac.

“I try to make it a well-curated selection,” Smith said. “The Antiquarium did the same thing. We had our cheap section and kept the good stuff separate. Ninety-eight percent of our albums is really clean and in nice shape. You don’t have to check the condition.”

On a trip to Almost Music last weekend I picked up a rare copy of a Smiths 12-inch single (“Barbarism Begins at Home” b/w “Shakespeare’s Sister”) and Richard Thompson’s Hand of Kindness LP, while Teresa snagged Claudine Longet’s debut album and Queen’s The Game, both for $2.

It’s only been open three weeks but the shop is already doing well. Smith said the store isn’t the couple’s only source of income. Sarah also has a part-time job, and they both intend to take advantage of insurance available through the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. Obamacare).

Still, was opening the store scary?

“Oh yeah,” Smith said. “I kept looking for a job I couldn’t say ‘no’ to. It never happened because my heart was never in it. My heart was in this.”

Almost Music and Solid Jackson Bookstore celebrate their official Grand Opening this Saturday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 10 p.m. . Festivities include live performances by Simon Joyner and Noah Sterba of The Yuppies. Come on down, have a cup of coffee and listen to some good music.

Over The Edge is a weekly column by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, the media and the arts. Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@gmail.com.

First published in The Reader, Oct. 17, 2103. Copyright © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

* * *

The bar-hopping begins tonight at Lincoln Calling as the festival will be in full multi-venue mode with acts performing at six venues throughout the Star City.

Here’s tonight’s Lincoln Calling sched:

Bourbon Theatre
Early show
Huntress
Ezra
Gallows Majesty
Haggard Mess
6 p.m., $5 for 21+, $7 for 18-20

Late show
Desert Noises
Rock Paper Dynamite
The Kickback
Skypiper
9 p.m., $8 for 21+, $10 for 18-20

Duffy’s Tavern
Masses
The Whipkey Three
Tie These Hands
Ouqua
8 p.m., $5 for 21+, $7 for 18-20

Zoo Bar
The Renfields
John Klemmensen and the Party
Christopher the Conquered
Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies
Tsumi
Jack Hotel
The Bottletops
5 p.m., $5, 21+

Yia Yia’s Pizza
Burning Down the Villager
Domestica
10 p.m., no cover, 21+

Mix Bar and Arcade
Bass Invaders w/
Bassthoven
Wrekafect
Trill Ferrell
9 p.m., no cover, 21+

Fat Toad
DJ JAB
Nick the Quick
9 p.m., no cover, 21

For more info go to lincolncalling.com.

* * *

Also tonight, Rig 1 headlines at The Waiting Room. The hip-hop project is led by Ian McElroy of Desaparecidos fame. Backing him as part of Rig 1 is Clark Baechle (The Faint) and Dustin Bushon (FVTHR^). For a taste, check out “Walking Zombie” from the North of Maple release. Openers are Nuit and Touch People. $7, 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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

The ironically named duo BOY headlines Lincoln Calling’s Day 2 festivities at The Bourbon Theater.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A few days ago Brad Hoshaw launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production of his new album with his band the Seven Deadlies. You can read the details here (including some sweet premiums). Seems like Kickstarters is for presales more than anything these days, a way to pre-pay for an album and get the money in the hands of the artists when they need it most. Kickstarter takes some of the risk out of making records. Some.

Hoshaw is an enigma to me and has been since I first saw him perform all those years ago. His band’s debut album is one of the best collections of songs to emerge from our fair city. The sad part is that it never caught the attention of anyone outside of Omaha. It should have. So who’s fault is that? Well, I guess it’s Hoshaw’s, right? Why didn’t he get this record in the ear holes of the industry people who make decisions in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, Hollywood, etc.? It’s easier said than done, and virtually impossible without the right connections. Maybe he tried.

Making a good record has never been enough to break through to something bigger than playing well-attended Omaha shows, especially if your music is written to appeal to something broader than an indie music audience. At least there’s a path with indie. There’s a chance of getting reviews of your record in the handful of “important” indie websites, and if you’re lucky, in Paste or Pitchfork. And then on from there. There is no similar path for mainstream-targeted music, and Hoshaw’s songs certainly fall into that category.

At the very least, his music is picture-perfect for use in commercials, film or television. Who else thought “Carpenter” was the perfect song for a Sherwin-Williams commercial? But for that to happen, someone in charge first has to hear the song. I’m not sure how you do that. Hire an agent? Maybe, maybe…

Anyway, the first step is still to create the music, and this Kickstarter is where you come in. Check it out and give ol’ Brad a hand.

* * *

Speaking of songwriters who deserve to be heard by a larger audience, Jeremy Messersmith is playing Day 2 of Lincoln Calling tonight at The Bourbon Theater. Messersmith — like Hoshaw — is a mastercraft songwriter who knows his way around an infectious hook and a clever lyric.

And Messersmith is breaking through. He recently signed with Glassnote Records, whose stable of acts includes Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, Chvches and The Temper Trap. Messersmith used to just give his music away

via his website. I don’t think that’ll be happening with any new material, nor should it.

Messersmith opens for German duo BOY, whose music has been compared to Feist. Check it out below.

That Bourbon show is $15 and starts at 8 p.m. The rest of the Lincoln Calling line-up is at their website, here.

Meanwhile, back here in Omaha, there is virtually nothing interesting going on except for the Record Club at the Saddle Creek Shop, which tonight features Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger. Hosting tonight’s installment is none other than Dan McCarthy of McCarthy Trenching, who will lead the discussion after the album’s play concludes. The needle drops at 7. More info here.

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Future Islands at The Waiting Room, Nov. 2, 2011.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

So here’s the deal: If I didn’t have a “real” job and didn’t have to get up at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning I would be driving to Lincoln tonight for the kick off of the 10th Annual Lincoln Calling Festival.

More specifically, I’d be driving up to see Future Islands, who is playing at The Bourbon Theater with Life Is Cool and Powerful Science. Future Islands’ sound reminds me of Factory Records-era post-ambient rock a la Joy Division. The trio’s sell point is frontman Samuel T. Herring, who is absolutely mesmerizing with his over-the-top theatrical performance. Or at least it was when the band played to a small audience at The Waiting Room back in 2011. You can see more detailed descriptions of that show online right here. Needless to say, tonight’s show, which starts at 9, is well worth the $10 tickets, but not worth me losing my job.

The only other show on the Lincoln Calling slate for tonight is “Troubadour Tuesday” at The Zoo Bar featuring Lucas Kellison, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns, Cory Kibler and Virtuopath. That show is $4 and starts at 9.

More details on Lincoln Calling is available from their website.

Back here in Omaha, Portland singer/songwriter Todd Snider headlines at The Waiting Room with The Coal Men. The $20 show starts at 8.

And speaking of The Waiting Room, I just noticed in the One Percent blast email received this morning that Lee Renaldo and The Dust has been added to Friday night’s Built to Spill show. Renaldo’s new album, Last Night on Earth (Matador, 2013), is about as close as you’re going to get to Sonic Youth these days. It’s a dynamic double-bill, priced at a mere $22.

Anyway… O’Leaver’s also is hosting a show tonight with Las Vegas band Rusty Maples and local act Morning at Sea. $5, 9:30 p.m.

While down at Slowdown Jr. it’s singer/songwriter Andrew Belle with Neulore and our very own Brad Hoshaw. $12, 8 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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

The only content you’ll find at pornmusic.com…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

One of the most influential bands from Omaha’s pre-Saddle Creek Records era was Ritual Device.

Ritual Device was a tortured, monolithic punk rock band from the early ’90s whose sound has been described as “gutter groove;” a sort of combination of Jesus Lizard, Ministry and Nine Inch Nails (but without the synths). Ritual Device on record and on stage was a hyper-kinetic hyper-violent rock band, with frontman/maniac Tim Moss supplying the psychic pain.  Read a brief history of Ritual Device here.

Ritual Device disbanded sometime in the late ’90s when Moss moved to San Francisco where he went on to form Men of Porn (or just Porn). Porn’s music was sludge-rock/stoner rock/depraved genius. Grim and loud and heavy. The band made its way to Omaha in 2000 on a tour that turned out to be a brutal nightmare. You can read the road stories online here.

Over the years, Porn continued to perform in various incarnations, and now is reforming again, this time to play an event in conjunction with the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival

in England Nov. 25.

Joining Moss for this version of Porn will be Bill Gould (Faith No More), Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and Balázs Pándi (Merzbow). Quite a line-up. Moss said though the personnel has changed, Porn is still based on the same band I saw in 2000 “though the music I’ve been doing lately has shifted some,” he said. “Usually the music is based off of what players I have with me at that time.”

So how did he get Thurston Moore to take part?

“Thurston has played with Porn before,” Moss said. “He sat in with us at an ATP in 2008. He approached me at the festival and said Porn was one of the bands he was really looking forward to seeing. He had our last album. So, I asked if wanted to sit in rather than watch.”

Moss said Porn will be doing a short European tour around the ATP gig, and Moore will play at the ATP and London shows.

So what’s Moss been up to when he isn’t “dabbling in Porn”? He says that he’s the artist manager for Faith No More and tour manager for various other bands. While I had his ear, I asked him about those Ritual Device reunion rumors that have been circling around Omaha lately. Moss said that “There’s been some talk, but I like living in the present and future.

“It’s always fun to relive old memories and conquests,” he added. “I’m happy with what became of that band. (It) helped create what I do today.”

I can’t blame him for not wanting to relive those brutal days of yesterday, but I’d sure love to see him and the band perform “Charlie Jones” again…

Here’s some Ritual Device from the old Capital Bar & Grill circa 1994…

And here’s some Men of Porn at New Haven, circa 2008.

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Man Man’s Honus Honus wearing a Wolf Blitzer tunic featured on Anderson Cooper’s recent Ridiculist segment on CNN.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Onward to the weekend.

Tonight’s (and this weekend’s) marquee event is Man Man at The Slowdown. I interviewed Honus Honus the last time the band came through Slowdown back in May 2011 in support of the Mike Mogis-produced Life Fantastic (read it here). Ol’ Mogis was behind the knobs again for the band’s new one, On Oni Pond, which is more of the same pumped-up fun with dark lyrical overtones. Honus sounds just as emotionally haunted as he was back then. Will the Mogis brothers (who play on the new album) make a stage appearance tonight? Opening is Brooklyn’s Xenia Rubinos (Ba Da Bing! Records). $15, 9 p.m.

Here’s Man Man’s latest video. Pretty catchy.

While were at it, here’s what CNN’s Anderson Cooper has to say about Man Man track, “End Boss”:

Also tonight Pleasure Adapter is playing at O’Leaver’s. This will be a good opportunity to catch the band’s new bassist, some guy named Matt Maginn (yes, that Matt Maginn). Crystal Stilts was originally booked for this show, but cancelled (boo.). Opening is the comic stylings of Winslow Dumaine. Everyone’s on the list for this one, because it’s free! 10 p.m.

Saturday night is an indie music wasteland. How’d that happen?

Chris Aponick will kill me (or at least he’ll try to kill me) if I don’t mention his Super Sounds of Quentin Tarantino party at House of Loom Saturday night. The evening features DJ Kobrakyle, VJ Dinan and a twist contest (just like in the movie). This one’s free and starts at 9. What else you got to do? More info here.

Sunday night Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship returns to O’Leaver’s with Maps for Travelers. $5, 9:30 p.m.

That’s all I got. If I missed anything, put it in the comments area. Have a good weekend.

* * *

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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.