Head of Femur at Sokol Underground, Sept. 11, 2003. #TBT

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

This week’s #TBT Moment (above) is Head of Femur at Sokol Underground, Sept. 11, 2003. From the review:

You have to see this band to believe it. People who really dug the Bright Eyes orchestra last year will be the most entertained, although I think this ensemble is far superior. Bright Eyes thing was to create this dense, rhythmic experience (there was something like three percussionist in Oberst’s orchestra). Femur’s is more about creating an almost vaudeville-ian noise. I talked about their sound in the article, but the guy next to me put it more concisely. He turns to me, smiling, and yells “They sound like a 21st Century version of ELO.” Not bad. In fact, pretty damn close. Not quite the same melodies, but a similar intensity. Everyone is on top of each other during the songs, bouncing off one another both physically and musically, creating these large-scale, intricate pop songs that wander from different time signatures and keys and dynamics. For added effect and chaos, two small bubble machines haphazardly made bubbles during a few songs, sending glistening bits of soap around the band a la everyone’s favorite waltzmaster Lawrence Welk.–Lazy-i, Sept. 19, 2003.

If you missed that show, no worries. Head of Femur is scheduled to play at O’Leaver’s Oct. 4, just 12 years after the above show took place. I’m sure nothing has changed.

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You didn’t really think that was the last time you’d see Desaparecidos on an Omaha stage, did you? The band just announced one more gig, this time at fabulous O’Leaver’s Nov. 22 with So-So Glos and Digital Leather. All for a mere $20. I suggest you buy your tickets now to this very limited engagement.

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Tonight at The Slowdown (main stage) it’s the return of The Mynabirds, performing songs off their new album, Lovers Know (reviewed here). Opening is Minneapolis band Bad Bad Hats (Afternoon Records) and the amazing High Up. $10, 9 p.m. Expect a crowd.

Also tonight, Rock Paper Dynamite continues its month-long residency at O’Leaver’s. Opening for them tonight is Matt Cox and Sidewalkers. $5, 9:30 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.