By Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Dave Dondero is making the rounds in Omaha today and tonight. He’s playing a free instore at the Saddle Creek Shop today at 2 p.m. with Kelly King & the Radio Sweethearts and Bobby Rubalcava. Then tonight, Dondero will be playing at The Sydney with Simon Joyner and Mechanical River. That show is $10 and starts at 9.  The shows are brought to you by Slow Burn Productions, a new (or at least new to me) production company that is bringing indie and punk shows to a number of venues in town, including The Sandbox, The Brothers, The Sydney and Sokol Underground. Judging by their Facebook page, they have a connection with Black Heart Booking..

* * *

The Mynabirds at The Slowdown, June 8, 2012.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

So maybe you were right giving me shit about my warnings of Mynabirds’ CD release show selling out. It didn’t, though there were at least 400 people there for Friday night’s show. OK, maybe I was hyping. So what. If you were there, you probably had a good time.

Laura Burhenn came out with her signature dead fox head gear, stood on her box and belted out about an hour’s worth of new and old material. I thought I’d hear at least a little political diatribe to coincide with her album’s perceived political themes (more on that later), but instead Burhenn stayed focused on the music, and wishing Slowdown a happy 5th birthday.

And I have to admit, her new record is beginning to grow on me, which is good since I apparently am the only one in America who wasn’t bowled over by it on first listen. The upbeat numbers (like “Body of Work”) are  fun, but it’s the slower, tonal pieces, such as “Mightier Than the Sword,” that are the real show stoppers.

Whereas most of the her backing band are competent-though-faceless musicians, Burhenn is blessed with an amazing drummer. I have no idea who she is, but her big, dynamic, throaty sound stands out above everything (but Burhenn’s vocals, of course).

My only disappointment was with her set structure — it was as if Burhenn figured out the set list about five minutes before the show. Or maybe I’m just hypercritical about these things, but a good set list is like a great DJ set — it rises and falls, each song blending naturally into the other like perfect transitions in a seamless story taking you for a ride that culminates in a big finish. It’s about dynamics. Burhenn instead merely plays the songs, one after another with little interest in transition. Even the set ender and prerequisite leave-the-stage-followed-by-the-encore moment was more awkward than usual.

online pharmacy robaxin no prescription

online pharmacy buy zoloft with best prices today in the USA

Jake Bellows & Co. at The Slowdown, June 8, 2012.

I caught the last half of Jake Bellows and his unnamed band (I call them “Jake Bellows and the Dying Embers”… think about it). Where Jake solo is interesting, it also can be boring. With a band backing him, Jake’s songs are given new life, new dynamics, new muscle. I understand that this particular collaboration of musicians may never play together again, which is a pity. That shouldn’t stop Bellows from surrounding himself with players for future shows.

Under Water Dream Machine at The Sydney, as part of the OEAA Summer Showcase, June 9, 2012.

Saturday night was Day 2 of the Omaha Arts and Entertainment Awards Summer Showcase in Benson, and yes it was fun but scheduling issues also made for disappointments. The first act I saw was 20 minutes late to start. The second act was more than a half-hour late. That meant missing a band that I otherwise would have caught. But I guess those things are to be expected when you’re juggling five venues and around 30 bands.

Touch People at The Barley Street, OEA Summer Showcase, June 9, 2012.

Highlights of the evening were Under Water Dream Machine at The Sydney and, of course, Touch People at The Barley Street Tavern. UWDM was backed by two musicians, giving his songs the backing meat they need to work on stage. Bret Vovk has a perfect stage voice on songs that feel like upbeat Simon and Garfunkel pop folk. Keep an eye on him. Touch People a.k.a. Darren Keen’s frenetic electronic music is both throbbing and jittery, chaotic and groovy, with the added attraction of Keen’s unique brand of humor. It’s impossible to not be entertained.

* * *

Robb Nansel, left, and Jason Kulbel stand in front of Slowdown waaay back in June 2007.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The weekend’s hottest ticket is The Mynabirds CD release show tonight at The Slowdown. Joining Laura Burhenn and Co. are Jake Bellows and Honeybee & Hers. And it’s also Slowdown’s fifth birthday. Has it really been five years since Jason and Robb opened the doors to this esteemed club? I guess it has been.

It’s fun to reread this article

and see how far the bar has come since opening day. But in all honesty, not much has changed. The club is still primarily a music-themed bar (Though its Science Cafe and Pub Quiz nights have become popular). It beat the rest of Omaha to the punch as a smoke-free facility (Can you even remember what it was like to smoke in a bar?). Dan Brennan and Val Nelson are still there (Well, Dan’s there when he isn’t on the road doing sound for Cursive or another big-name national act). There are still no TVs in the bar (Except, of course, for College World Series weeks and other major sporting events, such as Husker Saturdays). And it’s still all-ages (As long as you have a note from your parents). Slowdown is recognized as one of the best live music venues in the Midwest, hosting some of the best touring indie bands in the country. We’re lucky to have it here in Omaha.

Slowdown’s birthday celebration continues tomorrow night in Slowdown Jr. (i.e., the front room) with Howard, Lightning Bug and Family Picnic. Cover is $5 both nights, and both shows have the usual 9 p.m. start time. Drop down and help the Slowdown crew blow out the candles.

The Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards (OEAA) Summer Showcase (oddly named, as summer doesn’t start for a couple more weeks) also is happening tonight and tomorrow. Showcases are being held throughout Benson at The Sydney, The Waiting Room, The Barley Street Tavern and the DP Muller Photography Studio, 6066 Maple St. (one of Saddle Creek Records’ former HQ locations). Tomorrow night PS Collective also is participating. The full band schedule is here. A one-day pass gets you into all the clubs for $10; a two-day pass is $15. As in years past, attendees will be able to vote for their favorite band, and the band with the most votes gets to open the local stage at this year’s Maha Music Festival. Always a good time.

Celebrating nothing but the ability to continue to pour alcohol down people’s throats is O’Leaver’s, who tonight is hosting Snake Island with Across Tundras and Dim Light. Snake Island has been showing off their boss new band T-shirts on Facebook. I might have to swing down there to buy one. $5, 9:30 p.m. This show has been CANCELLED.

Saturday night, Millions of Boys is playing at Studio Gallery, 50th and Dodge, with Jewel Beast, a new band comprised of members from InDreama, Human Pudding, New Lungs, Kathleen Turner Overdrive, and Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship. Also on the bill is Ian Douglas Terry. 9 p.m., $5, 21+, BYOB, more info here.

* * *

Still from The Mynabirds' new Love Drunk video for "Buffalo Flower."

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

As the world goes crazy for The Mynabirds, Love Drunk and Hear Nebraska today posted a new video for the song “Buffalo Flower.” You can view the video, which was shot in a Dundee basement, right here.

There’s already rumbling that tomorrow night’s Mynabirds’ CD release show (which also is a 5-year anniversary show for The Slowdown) could sell out, especially at the “Nice Price” of just $5. Better get your tickets now

.

* * *

The Mynabirds isn’t the only female-fronted local band with new music. Fronted by signer/songwriter Marta Fiedler, Blue Bird began streaming its entire debut via Spotify yesterday. You can listen from the band’s website, bluebirdlovesyou.com (but you have to have Spotify). Blue Bird’s album release show is June 16 at The Waiting Room.

* * *

Tonight’s Icky Blossoms/Dead Wave show at The Sydney was originally supposed to be a pseudo “secret show,” that was only going to be promoted via word of mouth. But apparently someone spilled the beans, and word of the show began filtering through the internet on via Facebook yesterday evening. Sounds like Howard now also is on the bill. This one could get crowded. 9 p.m., $5.

* * *

Tim Guthrie, right, receives his copy of the Flaming Lips' "blood vinyl" from Jake.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

This week’s column in The Reader has some obvious musical overhang. It’s the story of how artist/professor/adventurer Tim Guthrie came into possession of a copy of the ultra-rare Flaming Lips “blood vinyl,” and what he plans to do with it. You can read the column in this week’s issue of The Reader or online right here.

* * *

As detailed on Monday (here), tonight is the debut and presumably only local performance by the “unnamed Jake Bellows band” at O’Leaver’s. It will be a madhouse. The band consists of Bellows (Neva Dinova, Whispertown), Todd Fink (The Faint, Depressed Buttons), Ben Brodin (Mal Madrigal, Our Fox), Ryan Fox (Our Fox, The Good Life) and Heath Koontz (Neva Dinova). Hear Nebraska’s Embedded Music Journalist Michael Todd did an interview with Bellows back in May that mentions this project, which you can read here. Simon Joyner opens. $5, 9:30 p.m., I ‘spect you should get there early…

* * *

A screen capture from The Mynabirds' "Generals" video.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s another big day at Saddle Creek Records (Do you think maybe that’s how they answer their phones?). Two of the label’s expansion acts, The Mynabirds and PUJOL, drop full-length releases today.

Mynabirds’ Generals is getting a favorable launch, thanks to a big 7.5 rating at Pitchfork — one of the highest ratings a Saddle Creek act has received in recent memory (with the exception, of course, of the recent Bright Eyes Fever & Mirrors reissue). The review concludes with: “Burhenn bookends the record with the plea, ‘I’d give it all, for a legacy of love,’ signaling that she’s willing to sacrifice personal gain for the broader good, instead of setting the whole thing ablaze. Maybe it’s just her voice (and god, that voice), but I believe her.” Nice, very nice. This one has received a boatload of media attention, including stream hosting at Team Coco (Conan O’Brien’s website) and a video launch at IFC (which you can view here

. The video features some of the Saddle Creek Records staff in Mad Men/Matrix-Agent Smith costuming, and Burhenn backed by yet another version of The Mynabirds — this time an all-female band). Is Laura Burhenn positioned to be the next Jenny Lewis? We’ll have to wait and see.

We’re still waiting for that PUJOL Pitchfork review. Called United States of Being, this release has been on heavy rotation at K-TIM (That’s what I call my iPhone)(Yeah, I know, that’s pretty sad). Consequence of Sound gave it a 4-star review, calling it “the appropriate soundtrack to both an existential meltdown and a rowdy, beer-heavy night out-or maybe both at the same time. It’s in this precarious balance that PUJOL has hit a stride that shows no intention of slowing down.” Hear-hear! In fact, you can “hear” it streamed right here at Rolling Stone.

Saddle Creek has one more big release slated for this summer — the full-length debut by Icky Blossoms — set for July 17.

In other Saddle Creek Records-related news, one of the label’s first “expansion acts” — Two Gallants — has apparently flown the coop. The band announced today that it has signed a deal with ATO Records, who will release their fourth LP, The Bloom and the Blight, Sept. 4.

* * *

The Sons of O'Leaver's, June 2, 2012.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Before we get started, thanks to everyone who imparted birthday wishes upon me over the weekend, whether in person or via Facebook. The ability to get and receive birthday greetings from legions of people you haven’t seen or talked to, sometimes in years, is an unforeseen benefit to Facebook that we never saw when we joined the online service. The cynics will say it’s just more proof of the ongoing de-personalization caused by the internet — but I say it’s just the opposite.

I got a few “happy birthdays” Saturday night when I dropped in at Omaha’s home of booze debauchery, O’Leaver’s, to catch a set by The Sons of O’Leaver’s and Ideal Cleaners. As is their style, the quartet of Tulis, Maxwell, Loftus and Rutledge (a more fearsome law firm name I cannot imagine) were dressed to the nines for this special event, which also happened to be someone else’s birthday party, judging by the cupcakes stacked on the table along the far wall.

This being their first show in about a year and a half, the band took the occasion to roll out some new material as well as a shift in style. Whatever inherent twang they used to have has been drastically diminished. Maxwell still has that slightly muted, raspy croon on music that now sounds influenced by early Spoon and Blue Sky Blue-era Wilco. Rutledge glowed on lead guitar. He can get lost in the mix in some of his other bands. Not so here, revealing some of the best lead solos from him (or anyone in town), just gorgeous stuff that accents every song. As a whole, this was one of the most satisfying sets of music I’ve seen so far this year. So what’s the future hold for the Sons of…? One hopes we’ll be seeing a Sons of The Brothers or Sons of The Slowdown gig in the near future, along with recording of that new material…?

Ideal Cleaners continues to provide the usual pummeling that only the Lincoln trio can provide. The Bad Religion/Fugazi comparisons still seem to fit but are blurred by how Dan Jenkins and the boys put their own stamp on their abrasive, muscular sound.

* * *

It’s a quiet week for shows, though there is one highlight worth mentioning. Ben Brodin from Mal Madrigal and Our Fox, wrote to say that this coming Wednesday a new Jake Bellows band will be performing at O’Leavers with Simon Joyner.

“The band doesn’t have a name yet, so we’ve been unsure about how to announce this show, but it is a special one in that it will be the first time we’ve performed these songs in public,” Brodin said. The band consists of Bellows, Todd Fink, Ryan Fox, Heath Koontz and Brodin, who said the music they’ll be playing was actually recorded last winter/spring.

“Also, since we live in different cities, this will be the only show in the foreseeable future,” Brodin said. “We’d be stoked for people to hear it while everyone is in town. Swing down if you haven’t got anything going on Wednesday.” Bellows apparently did an interview with Hear Nebraska that outlines what the band is and how it took shape, but the story isn’t online yet. Keep an eye on their website.

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Before we get to the music, Benson is hosting its first First Friday (BFF) event this evening. It’s basically an artists’ open house at different locations along Maple St. A good rundown of participating Benson businesses is online here. I think there will be some music associated with BFF, but mostly of the hippie variety.

Now back to regular Lazy-i programming:

Tonight at O’Leaver’s it’s Bullet Proof Hearts (guitarist/vocalist Kevin Moran (Nuns With Guns, The Criminals, New Ave. Kings), drummer Mark Blackman (No Heroes, Apathy, Nuns With Guns, Bad Luck Charm) bassist Tammy Gun (Chicken Hawks, Blue Collar Bravado, Vermins, Take Agent) and guitarist Aaron Schmitz (The Rundowns, The Upsets)) take the stage with Chromafrost (Lincoln Dickison and Co.) and Des Moines band North of Grand. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at The Side Door Lounge (3530 Leavenworth) it’s All Young Girls are Machine Guns with Skypiper, In Love and Field Club. And I believe this one is free. Starts at 9 p.m.

Tomorrow night, it’s the long-awaited return of Omaha legends The Sons of O’Leaver’s. The Sons of… is a veritable supergroup consisting of Kelly Maxwell, Mike Loftus, Mike Tulis and Matt Rutledge. You can read about them circa this rare 2004 interview

, but you’re better off just going to the show, which also features Lincoln proto-punkers Ideal Cleaners. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Also Saturday night, The Brothers Lounge continues to host live music, this time with Baby Tears, Blind Shake and New Lungs. No idea on the cover charge, but probably around $5. Brothers shows usually start around 10.

Which brings us to Sunday night and alt folkers Langhorne Slim & The Law at The Waiting Room. No opener is listed, which is kind of weird. 9 p.m. $10.

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A non-musical tangent: This week’s column in The Reader is about Yelp. You can read it online right here. (BTW, it looks like Over the Edge has stuck as the column name.)

A brief addendum to the column: Within 24 hours of posting my review of Lot 2 in Yelp, I received an email from the restaurant’s owner/operator, Brad Marr, thanking me for the criticism and wishing I had talked to him personally so he could address the issues. Marr said they’ve taken measures to address problems with heat and noise (though beyond stapling carpet remnants on the ceiling, I’m not sure what they could do). After asking that I come back and try Lot 2 again, Marr added that he took offense at my description of our server as being “elfin,” which he called “offensive.” I guess in Marr’s world elfin means “trollish” or “ogre-like.” I’ve always considered “elfin” a term of endearment for people who are strangely, unworldly attractive. I guess Marr was thinking of the Keebler type of elf rather than the Elrond/Arwen type as seen in The Lord of the Rings films. Regardless, I struck “elfin” from the write-up. These days any physical description of anyone is considered unacceptable, at least in more sophisticated circles than I travel in. You can read the Lot 2 review here.

Marr’s almost immediate reaction to the review sort of proves the strange power and reach of Yelp, and how much restaurants pay attention to it. On the other hand, it may also reflect the almost total lack of critical discussion outside the social media arena. That said, there are 19 reviews of Lot 2 in Yelp, and almost all of them give the restaurant a rating of 4-stars or higher, which would seem to indicate that my 2-star experience was unique. Everyone in Benson wants Lot 2 to succeed (including me), and what better way to help them along than by writing a 5-star review…?

There’s nothing quite like Yelp in the local music world — a place where fans can throw bouquets or turds at bands and their music. The closest thing we have is SLAMOmaha.com, but no one takes it seriously, as almost all of the comments on SLAM are anonymous, and as a result, useless.

Speaking of anonymous comments, yesterday’s blog post attracted a couple real doozies, which you won’t be reading on my website. While I do allow anonymous comments on my blog, I don’t if they include personal attacks or make direct accusations. Anonymous criticism is okay, but it’s spineless to call someone a name or accuse them of something without putting your own name behind the comment.

* * *

Tickets are still available for tonight’s Shins show at Stir Concert Cove at Harrah’s in Council Bluffs. Opening is The Antlers and Blind Pilot. Tix are $35, and the show begins at 7.

Also tonight, it’s the return of Against Me! at The Slowdown with The Icarus Line and Sky Road Fly. Against Me’s front person, Tom Gabel, performed for the first time as Laura Jane Grace this past weekend in San Diego. Read the Rolling Stone review of the show here. From the write-up: “I was worried that some people expected me to come out looking like Little Bo Peep or something,” Grace said after the show while hanging out at the merch table with her wife, Heather. Talk about courage. $15, early 8 p.m. start time.

* * *

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Comments from a blog post on Lazy-i last week raised the eyebrows of one Mike App, the gentleman responsible for booking the local stage at this year’s Maha Music Festival.

The blog post outlined Maha’s announcement of the remaining main stage acts, along with the local stage line-up: Icky Blossoms, The Mynabirds, UUVVWWZ, Universe Contest and Eli Mardock. A sixth band will be selected by popular vote from performers at an Omaha Entertainment and Arts (OEA) showcase to be held in the near future.

Among those commenting was a Lazy-i reader named “Jake” who had issue with the local band selection, saying that many bands who have played OEA showcases “for free” in the past have never made the Maha cut. “To see so many Saddle Creek acts is just a poor choice,” Jake said, adding, “Once again Maha has picked their friends to play along with Garbage (yuck) and left out all the bands who have played their fundraiser and supported them…” You can read his comments and others’ at the bottom of this post.

Before we get to Mike App’s response I should point out that Maha is never going to please everyone, and shouldn’t try. There always will be bands in the line-up that someone doesn’t like, whether on the local or national stage. Jake’s larger complaint is that some bands he likes (and he lists them) have yet to play Maha (and Jake has pretty good taste).

But such is the way of the world. I’ve asked Maha to book Digital Leather on the local stage for a few years. It’ll likely never happen, and it’s (probably) partially my fault because I’m the one who pointed out DL’s content (especially on earlier albums) isn’t exactly “family friendly,” with songs like “Slut” and “Studs in Love” and the irresistible “Please Be Quiet” (with its lovely chorus, “Shut the fuck up.”). But who ever said rock ’n’ roll should be safe? In the end, I have no idea why DL isn’t playing Maha, but I never thought it had anything to do with App or any of the Maha people “picking their friends,” and App inasmuch reiterates that in his response:

“The local stage (selection) started out as a battle of the bands format, but based on input from the music community — including two of the most vocal opponents, Tim McMahan and Kevin Coffey — we responded and shifted course to the format we employ today,” App wrote. “This year we allowed six different organizations the opportunity to make those selections.

— “OEAA ‘popularity contest’ format during the Benson showcases each summer selects the Maha opener.

— “Maha board selects the local stage closer/headliner, which is based on lots of input from the likes of (Tim McMahan), Chris Aponick, Kevin Coffey, Andy Norman, Kent Wolgamott and anyone else who wants to weigh in. We listen. In our four years that’s been It’s True, Satchel Grande, Somasphere and Icky Blossoms.

— “The managers at Waiting Room, Slowdown, Duffy’s and Bourbon each suggest 3-4 bands, from which Maha and Hear Nebraska representatives sit down to discuss and select. The input received when making the Maha board selection also goes into this decision. BUT, if the tavern manager does not suggest a band, we don’t have the ability to discuss it.

— “Maha is underwritten and driven by the community. We have tried our damnedest to engage broad swaths of that community when forming and shaping Maha. This present format provides Maha with more stakeholders than if we selected all the bands ourselves. We think this works.”

App pointed out that bands chosen by Maha local stage acts to play curated showcases get free tickets to Maha, but no assurance that they’ll be considered for the local stage in coming years. He agreed that he digs the bands that Jake lists. “All are crazy good bands that represent Omaha and Lincoln at such a high level,” he said. “We might be able to tweak our process to figure out how to get these bands and others like them engaged in Maha.”

He’s open to suggestions, but the fact is, as I said, he and the rest of the Maha board will never please everyone. No “process” will ever do that. As a whole, I think it’s a strong local stage line-up, albeit slightly heavy on Lincoln bands, but so what? Yes, three out of the five bands are Saddle Creek acts, but it would be hard to argue against any of them and the size of their fanbase compared to some of the bands Jake lists. Maha is trying to sell tickets, after all, and while none of the local acts by themselves will generate ticket sales, they may be enough to tip the scale for those on the fence trying to decide whether to drop $35 per ticket.

* * *

Tomorrow, some off-topic comments about Yelp, restaurant criticism (and criticism in general) and Lot 2.

* * *