Twin Peaks performing at Lincoln Calling Oct. 7. Photo by Lauren Farris, courtesy of Hear Nebraska.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

How about the fantastic weather this past weekend? No doubt it helped get people out to this year’s Lincoln Calling. Andrew Norman, the Executive Director of Hear Nebraska (who ran LC this year), said the festival was a hit.

“The turnouts exceeded our expectations in most cases,” he said. “The venues were all wonderful to work with. The artists, without exception, put it all out there, and many definitely gained new fans in the process. The Nebraska bands represented super well, and handled this year’s various logistical changes graciously and professionally (which was greatly appreciated).”

One of the weekend’s big surprises was a reunion of golden age punk band Sideshow, facilitated in part by frontman Bernie McGinn being in town for an LC workshop.

Despite how well everything went down, there’s room for improvement, Norman said. “There are definitely things we’ll do differently next year, and we will be sending out a survey soon to get artist/venue/fan feedback on what worked and what didn’t. Our volunteers made the whole thing work very efficiently, in my opinion, and handled many curveballs in stride.”

For the record, Norman’s favorite performance of the festival: A Giant Dog. “I’ve been listening to their new record, Pile, for that last few months,” he said, “but I had no idea how fun of a spectacle their show would be.”

All told, Norman said more than 2,000 people attended this year’s festival. Impressive, especially for HN’s first year of management. How will they top it next year?

Check out more photos from the event at hearnebraska.org.

* * *

It’s good to see Conor Oberst getting political again. He’s been somewhat quiet during this election cycle, especially considering that the election of a President Trump would set back immigration reform — a subject that’s always been near and dear to Oberst’s heart — more than anything he battled against with Desaparecidos a few years ago.

No doubt Oberst is aware of this. According to this review of last week’s concert at Dallas’ Granada Theater, Oberst made a “pointed” threat to the audience: “If any of you motherfuckers vote for this orange rat, I swear I will crawl into your house and slit your throat!” Not exactly subtle, but I’ll take it. BTW, if the Observer‘s comments are any indication, Oberst will be catching a lot of bouquets when his new album, Ruminations, comes out next week. Read the glowing review here.
* * *

Quinton and Miss Pussycat kick off your week tonight at Reverb.  Quintron plays a Hammond B-3 and a cache of homemade electronic gear. Miss Pussycat plays maracas, and sings. And then there are the puppets.  Check out their performance at Sonic Protest Festival from this past spring, below. Omaha’s own Sucettes opens. $10, 9 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Ceremony at The Sweatshop Gallery, July 11, 2015. The band plays Lincoln Calling Saturday night.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

It’s a Lincoln Calling weekend. You know the drill. Schedule and ticket info is at lincolncalling.com. If you’re planning on hitting the fest tonight and Saturday, you still save money with a $49 Festival Pass vs. the $29 day pass option. Just sayin’….

The hot bands to see tonight at LC: Everything at the Bourbon Theater (Eric in Outerspace, A Giant Dog, Twin Peaks and Real Estate); Eros & the Eschaton, Oquoa, White Mystery and Cloud Nothings at Duffy’s backlot; Bib at The Bay.

Saturday night Duffy’s Backlot is the place to be — the whole line-up is red hot: No Thanks, Once a Pawn, Better Friend, Bien Fang, See Through Dresses, Screaming Females and, in my humble opinion, the best band of the festival, Ceremony. That said, you also have High Up and The Mynabirds at Bourbon; and Domestica, White Mystery and Anna McClellan at The Bay.

If you’re staying in Omaha this weekend, you’ve got options as well.

FLOCK opens at the Little Gallery tonight.

In Benson, it’s Benson First Friday, the 1st Annual Omaha Food Truck Rodeo and the Grand Opening of the new Little Gallery, which just happens to be the gallery operated by my wife, Teresa. The debut show is FLOCK by the folks at Min Day (the people who designed the new Blue Barn Theater, among other things). Read about it here. We’ll have free beer and wine and Halloween candy while the gallery is open from 6 to 9 p.m. The new Little Gallery is located in the ground floor of the Benson Masonic Lodge building right off Maple St. at 5901 Maple St. See you there.

Saturday night Omaha has a festival of its own — Farnam Fest. Located in the heart of the Blackstone District, the block party will include food (including Blackstone Meatball!), booze (Scriptown, bitches, along with Farnam House and Infusion) and music by Head of Femur, Those Far Out Arrows, Twinsmith, Conny Franko (M34N STR33T), AF Jungle Cat and The Diplomats of Solid Sound featuring the Diplomettes. Music starts at 4 p.m. and runs until 10:15, followed by Benson Soul Society Vs. Obvious Funk. Oh yeah, and it’s free.

The weekend closes out Sunday at Reverb…

Cymbals Eat Guitars plays Reverb Sunday night.

Staten Island band Cymbals Eat Guitars got its name from a Lou Reed quote about Velvet Underground’s sound, which is kinda ironic considering their new album, the sublime Pretty Years (2016, Barsuk), sounds nothing like VU.

Instead, the record, one of the best of the year so far, is like Jane’s Addiction mixed with Archers of Loaf and your favorite modern post-punk band. The Jane’s comparisons comes by way of frontman Joseph D’Agostino’s throaty growl that sounds like a possessed, angry Perry Farrell. The record was produced by indie wunderkind John Congleton (Suuns, Swans, Tim Kasher), who gives it a raw power not heard on their previous albums.

I sent the Ten Questions survey to the band, and bassist Matt Whipple took the bait.

What is your favorite album?

Cymbals Eat Guitars: Bowie’s Low or Springsteen Born in the USA

2. What is your least favorite song?

“Nobody’s Gonna Break My Stride” or whatever it’s called.

3. What do you enjoy most about being in a band?

The four of us in a room playing.

4. What do you hate about being in a band?

Making more money than I know what to do with.

5. What is your favorite substance (legal or illegal)?

Advil

6. In what city or town do you love to perform?

NYC

7. What city or town did you have your worst gig (and why)?

Paris is kind of a nightmare to drive a huge van around for gig logistics. Let’s go with Paris.

8. How do you pay your bills?

Day jobs.

9. What one profession other than music would you like to attempt; what one profession would you absolutely hate to do?

Interior design; stand-up comedy.

10. What are the stories you’ve heard about Omaha, Nebraska?

Probably something about Saddle Creek or Warren Buffett? Not much to be honest, despite having toured extensively with Cursive and See Through Dresses.

Cymbals Eat Guitars plays with Field Mouse and Wildhoney Sunday, Oct. 9, at Reverb Lounge. Tickets are $12; showtime is 9 p.m. For more information, go to onepercentproductions.com

Also Sunday night — or Sunday afternoon to be more precise — Anna McClellan headlines the weekly Sunday Social at fabulous O’Leaver’s. Also on the bill are Little Ripple and Chris Engles. This one starts at 5 p.m. and runs until 8, and will cost you $5 (and includes a taco bar!).

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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Atmosphere at The Maha Music Festival, 8/15/15. He plays tonight at Sokol Auditorium.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Maria Taylor’s press people announced this morning that the former Omahan and member of Azure Ray will be releasing a new album called In the Next Life on her own Flower Moon Records label.

Says the press release: “Maria co-produced In The Next Life alongside Nik Freitas (Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band), which features guest vocals from Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes), Joshua Radin, Macey Taylor (Bright Eyes, Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Jenny Lewis, AA Bondy), Jake Bellows (Neva Dinova), Louis Schefano (Remy Zero, Suspicious Light), Morgan Nagler (Whispertown), and Tiffany Osborn.”

Quite a list of guest artists. No tour listed. Looks like Maria will be hosting her album release show at The Troubadour in LA. Very che’che’ …

* * *
This article written by The Thermals’ Hutch Harris has been making a lot of waves on social media. Harris outlines six reasons why he no longer will tour (which should be a bit of a downer for Saddle Creek Records, who released the last Thermals album).

If I had to sum it up, I’d say Harris is just tired of the grind of the road after 14 years.  You can’t blame him. What I find ironic is that there are so many young bands who would kill for his situation — to be able to play their music for a living. A lot of young bands who desperately need to tour struggle because they either don’t know how to book a tour, don’t know how to promote a tour (or their band), and simply can’t afford it. Fourteen years ago, record labels played a larger role getting bands over those hurdles.

Well, no ones buying records anymore, and being on a label (especially if you’re a new band) provides few of those benefits. As labels decline, we’ve got to figure out a way to help bands get their show on the road. As for Hutch Harris, we’ll miss seeing you, bro, but something tells me we haven’t seen the last of you.

* * *

Lincoln Calling 2016 kicks off this evening. Some might say it’s the start of a new era for the festival, which has been going strong for more than a decade. This year, Hear Nebraska took over the reigns and expanded the band offerings to more out-of-towners than ever before. With its multiple venues/stages and A-list indie and local talent, could this be the start of a Nebraska version of SXSW?

The schedule for tonight’s line-ups is online right here. Highlights include performances by Conny Franko (M34n Str33ts), Icky Blossoms and Halfwit. It just gets better over the next two days. Get your one-day passes or three-day wristband (the best value) at the lincolncalling website.

Meanwhile, back here in Omaha, there’s a couple outstanding shows going on.

Matador recording artist Steve Gunn headlines at Reverb Lounge. Gunn’s new album, Eyes on the Lines, (which Pitchfork gave a massive 8.0 rating) has a similar laid-back feel as the last few Kurt Vile albums, which makes sense when you consider Gunn used to play guitar in Vile’s band. They’re calling this folk rock, but its more of a throwback to carefree ’60s rock that sounds like Jackson Browne fronting Grateful Dead, especially on tracks like “Full Moon Tide.” Opening is Omaha’s own Kate Berreckman. $13, 9 p.m.

The huge show is at Sokol Auditorium where indie hip-hop goliath Atmosphere will perform along with a slew of acts including Brother Ali, deM atlas, Plain Ole Bill and Last Word.  Atmosphere wowed the Maha Festival audience a couple years ago with the most upbeat set of the festival. $25, early 7 p.m. start time.

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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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Original SLAM Omaha logo.

Twenty-odd years ago, back when the internet was just getting started, when those of us who were “online” were using AOL and Netscape browsers, there was a little ol’ website called SLAM Omaha.

SLAM stood for Support Local Art and Music. The website was among the first online resources for band gig information, with a robust show calendar that was unmatched by anyone. Over time, the website became known more for its webboards than anything else. Both the Music and Cool Talk boards were hot beds for heated discussion, sometimes insightful, often hilarious. This was a time well before Facebook or Twitter when webboards were a preferred online resource for music information. Saddle Creek Records had a very robust webboard of its own; as did punknews.com and a few others that have long since disappeared.

Well, time finally caught up with SLAM Omaha, too. For the past few years, the site has been limping along with no updates and only a handful of people still chiming in on the webboards. Last week the site quit working, and users were redirected to a SLAM Omaha Facebook page.

Mick Messina, who was among those who ran the site, confirmed that SLAM Omaha is, indeed, dead. After the site’s budget dried up a couple years ago, he and his wife, Melissa, paid the service fees out of their own pockets. They finally quick paying. “Very hard for us to let go,” Mick said. “We peeled that band-aid very slowly.”

Mick said Hear Nebraska and its website, hearnebraska.org, helped them realize it was time to close SLAM Omaha for good.

It’s hard to pin down the significance of SLAM Omaha in the history of the Omaha music scene. There’s no question that it played an important role during a time when Nebraska was just emerging nationally. SLAM Omaha was the online water cooler where fans and musicians traded rumors, compliments and outrageous insults about everyone involved in the scene. Oftentimes, those comments were posted anonymously, and part of the fun or frustration was trying to figure out who was saying what about whom. It was a free-form environment that — for better or for worse — will never exist again in the Facebook era. It will be missed.

* * *

Yesterday it was reported that bluesman Charles Bradley has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and is cancelling his upcoming shows, including this week’s Lincoln Calling festival appearance.

In a statement, Bradley said: “In the past few months, I have had to cancel a number of shows due to illness, taking me away from my beautiful fans. My doctors recently discovered a cancerous tumor in my stomach. I’m getting the best medical care and we are all extremely optimistic. I will fight through this like I’ve fought through the many other obstacles in my life. My upcoming tour dates will be postponed so I can concentrate on healing. Thank you all for understanding. Music is how I share my love with the world, and the love that my fans have given back brings me so much joy. I look forward to seeing your gorgeous faces soon, and to continue to share my love through music.”

Hear Nebraska, who is organizing Lincoln Calling, quickly filled Bradley’s LC spot with The Mynabirds. No doubt front woman Laura Burhenn will have a special tribute to Bradley during her band’s performance.

Lincoln Calling kicks off tomorrow. You best get your tickets now at lincolncalling.com.

* * *

Canadian musician/producer Jay Arner headlines tonight at Reverb Lounge. Arner releases music on Mint Records. Opening is Routine Escorts. $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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Charles Bradley headlines this year’s Lincoln Calling Festival.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

If you are an Omaha music fan, you’d have to be living off the grid (or lost on a Pokemon-fueled dumb-rush) to not know that Hear Nebraska released the list of primary artists for this year’s Lincoln Calling festival.

Heading up the 100+ list of musicians (and comedians?) performing on eight Lincoln stages Oct. 6-8 are Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires, Real Estate, Kali Uchis and Cloud Nothings. With my indie-focused music myopia, I had no idea who Charles Bradley was, and quickly discovered he’s currently signed to Daptone (which also releases music by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and The Budos Band).  I did know (of course) Real Estate and Cloud Nothings. And someone described Kali Uchis to me as “Columbia’s Lana Del Rey.” No doubt this first tier shows how broadly LC is casting a net for its audience.

The next tier is more indie-centric: Twin Peaks, Ceremony, Screaming Females, Allan Kingdom (Peanut Butter Prince), White Mystery and Icky Blossoms. I think all of these have played in Nebraska before (and recently).

Smaller-font bands include Esmé Patterson (who’s playing at Reverb in August), Megafauna, a reunion of local faves Neva Dinova (who saw Jake Bellows on TV the other night backing up M Ward?), David Dondero, Simon Joyner, A Giant Dog, Gosh Pith, The Kickback, HIDE, Twinsmith, Shy Boys, Modern Vices, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal, See Through Dresses, The Architects, Plack Blague, Uh Bones, Conny Franko (a.k.a. Conchance), Both, Bib, Cory Call (Arliss Nancy), Echo Beds, Lloyd McCarter and Little Brazil.

The press release says this is “the initial line-up,” so expect even more names, but these are the big ones. Early-bird and “later bird” tickets are gone. General admission 3-day passes are $49. Being from Omaha, I won’t be driving to Lincoln for three days, so I’ll be strategically picking my one day to make the trek. I’d have to look long and hard at that one-day schedule to see if it’s worth $50. On the other hand, one-day tickets might available, maybe… This festival could conceivably sell out. Certainly that’s Hear Nebraska’s goal…

* * *

A Go Fund Me campaign has been set up to help cover funeral expenses for the family of Frank Maxwell, who passed away this week. For decades, Frank and his brothers, Kelly and Danny, have played important roles in the Omaha music scene, which is still in shock from his unexpected loss. Click this link and open your wallet and remember the good times…

* * *

Tonight at Milk Run, Connecticut indie band The Most headlines. The band just released its latest album, At Once. Check it out below. Also on the bill are Trevor Rothanzl and Doom Lagoon. $5, 9 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Frigs take the Ten Questions survey. They play at Brothers Lounge tomorrow night. Photo by Caitlin McLafferty.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Toronto 4-piece noise punkers Frigs (formerly Dirty Frigs) play a dark, growling, acidic style of indie rock that either chugs angry and hot, or drags lethargically like a Robitussin-fueled nightmare.  On the band’s debut EP, Slush (2016, Arts & Crafts) the fast ones showcase front woman Bri Salmena sounding like a young Shirley Manson or Polly Jean Harvey as the band cranks like the reincarnation of Elastica. On the slower tracks, it’s all guitar chimes under water, backed by hypnotic, throbbing drums and Salmena spitting out the vitriol.

We asked Frigs to take our Ten Questions survey, Salmena and band member Edan Scime Stokell took the test:

What is your favorite album?

Bri Salmena: I hate this question because it changes, right all I want to listen to is Post Plague by Odonis Odonis.

Edan Scime Stokell: Rumors by Fleetwood Mac

2. What is your least favorite song?

Bri: Anything by Elvis Costello

Edan:  Anything by Janet Jackson

Bri: Edan you are insane.

3. What do you enjoy most about being in a band?

Bri: I think if the answer isn’t playing music something is wrong.

Edan: Feeling cool and getting attention.

4. What do you hate about being in a band?

Bri: I don’t really hate anything about being in a band…

Edan: Road poops

Bri:  Oh ya, maybe that.

5. What is your favorite substance (legal or illegal)?

Bri: Ummmm Pepto Bismol. It helps me tolerate all my favorite “other” substances.

Edan: beer

6. In what city or town do you love top perform?

Bri: Hometown shows are always fun, but it’s also nice to perform in front of a bunch of strangers. There is a certain amount of freedom for me to be as weird as I want. But i don’t really have an answer to your question.

Edan: New York City baby!

Bri: lol

7. What city or town did you have your worst gig (and why)?

Bri: Hmm, not sure. I feel like our first show in London, England, was pretty brutal. We had a lot of technical difficulties that made it really hard to play, but everyone was really nice.

Edan: Definitely London, yeah it was bad.

8. How do you pay your bills?

Bri: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Edan: I make pizza.

9. What one profession other than music would you like to attempt; what one profession would you absolutely hate to do? 

Bri: I studied Art History and want to go into art restoration if music is a bust. I would hate to do my job now as a real “profession” (sorry Mom, it’s just not for me!).

Edan: I’ve always dreamed of being an architect. I would hate to work in a hospital. I cant stand blood or guts or cuts or veins or stuff, ew.

10. What are the stories you’ve heard about Omaha, Nebraska?

Bri: I really like that song “Omaha” by Waylon Jennings, and I’ve heard really great things about Nathan Ma, the guy who booked us

Edan: Only the ones told by Bruce Springsteen on the album named after your glorious state.

Frigs play with Anna McClellan and Collin Duckworth & the Transcendental Lovers at Brothers Lounge, 3812 Farnam St. Tickets are $5, showtime is 9 p.m. For more information, go to facebook.com/brothersloungeomaha

* * *

Over the weekend Hear Nebraska released a handful of performers who will be playing the three-day Lincoln Calling festival Oct. 6-8. I told you there were some big names:

Real Estate
Twin Peaks
Ceremony
Icky Blossoms
Esme Patterson
David Dondero
See Through Dresses
Plack Blague

There’s a shit-ton more (and bigger names) that will be announced Wednesday. Their plan to release names incrementally is working, apparently. Passes at the “early-bird” rate have sold out. Three day general admission passes are now $39 and will likely follow suit. Get them while you can at lincolncalling.com.

* * *

Pageturners continues its summer music series tonight with Thick Paint, Graham Ulicny of Reptar’s one-man project. The 10 p.m. show is free.

While we’re at it, here’s the full calendar for Pageturner’s summer series. Impressive!

7/11 — Thick Paint
7/13 — Sam Martin / Pat Mainelli
7/18 — Digital Leather
7/20 — Closeness
7/22 — Phil Schaffart / Dan McCarthy
7/27 — Pro Magnum
8/1 — Noah Sterba / Ruby Block
8/3 — MiWi La Lupa / Justin Ready and Echo Prairie
8/6 — Tyrone Storm
8/8 — Chemicals
8/10 — Michael Favara / Mike Schlesinger
8/17 — Linemans Rodeo / The Shrinks
8/22 — Nathan Ma and the Rosettes

All shows are 10 p.m. start times and are free.

Also tonight, Atlanta garage band The Black Lips return to Omaha, this time to The Waiting Room. Not sure why they’re touring, as their last album came out a couple years ago. Trying out new material? Sounds like it could be a messy show, if this review of their gig last month at the 40 Watt Club is any indication. Chain and The Gang are opening. $15, 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Kristin Kontrol plays SumTur tomorrow night.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Kristen Kontrol is the new project by Kristin Welchez, formerly known as Dee Dee, leader of indie rock band Dum Dum Girls, who you may have caught when they played a rainy Maha Music Festival in 2012. Garbage headlined that festival, just like they’ll be headlining Friday night’s show at SumTur Amphitheatre, which Kristen Kontrol opens. Some might argue after hearing each band’s new album that the promoters accidentally reversed the order.

X-Communicate (2016, Sub Pop) sounds nothing like Welchez’s last band. Rather than indie punk, Kristen Kontrol’s songs — rife with synths, huge beats and fist-pumping, anthemic melodies — recalls such ’80s acts as Blondie, ‘Til Tuesday and The Motels, with Welchez in the Debrorah Harry/Martha Davis role. These are songs that would be right at home heard on ’80s MTV as they are on today’s Sirius XMU.

I caught up with Welchez and asked her to take my Ten Questions survey. Here’s what she had to say:

1. What is your favorite album?

Kristin Welchez: Right now I’m listening to The Durutti Column’s Chronicle on repeat. I can work over it without being distracted, but it moves and motivates me.

2. What is your least favorite song?

The worst thing I’ve heard lately is the jingle from a White Castle commercial. Fuck all of that.

3. What do you enjoy most about being in a band?

I make music because I can’t not. I play in a band because it’s the only way to transcend the creative process into something more visceral.

4. What do you hate about being in a band?

Bad A/C in hotels and lack of leafy greens. Not much else.

5. What is your favorite substance (legal or illegal)?

Coffee-and-hash

6. In what city or town do you love to perform?

So many places surprise you, good or bad. Boston has somehow moved to top of the list.

7. What city or town did you have your worst gig (and why)?

Too many to name for essentially esoteric reasons.

8. How do you pay your bills?

Via cheque.

9. What one profession other than music would you like to attempt; what one profession would you absolutely hate to do? 

Customer service for elitists is my nightmare. Social work is probably where I’ll end up.

10. What are the stories you’ve heard about Omaha, Nebraska?

I haven’t heard any, but I’ve definitely contributed to some while in town.

Kristin Kontrol opens for Garbage Friday, July 8, at SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 So. 108th St., Papillion, Nebraska. Showtime is 7:30 p.m., tickets are $45 reserved; $35 general admission. For more information, go to ticketmaster.com.

* * *

Today Milk Run posted a graphic on its timeline under the heading NEDIY. According to Sam Parker, who runs Milk Run, NEDIY is a collective that includes Milk Run, Reverb, The Brothers and O’Leaver’s in Omaha, and The Commons in Lincoln.

“We’re all in this together, so why not act like it?” Parker said. “We want to start really supporting each other’s shows. Not just our own.” Sounds like a grand idea to me. Check out the NEDIY July ’16 schedule below.

* * *

Tickets to Lincoln Calling went on sale today at lincolncalling.com. You’ll notice LC dropped separate all-ages tickets, and for good reason: The Bourbon and Vega have been added to the list of all-ages venues that already includes The Bay and Tower Square — that’s a big coup for LC. So, all three-day general admission LC festival passes are available at one price, which right now is a mere $29 — a price that will steadily rise over the coming weeks to $49. Better get your tickets while they’re at the “Nice Price.”

* * *

Clarification is in order regarding yesterday’s Under the Radar post. I said that Nik Fackler’s new film will premiere this Saturday as part of the Kaneko event. In fact Nik’s film premiers next Saturday, July 23, at Kaneko, a program entitled Meaning in Movement. That event will include a performance by the .tbd dance collective scored with live original music performed by Graham Ulicny of Reptar. Again, that’s July 23. This Saturday .tbd dance collective performs at The Slowdown as part of Under the Radar. So look at my screw up this way: You’ll get a double dose of .tbd this Saturday and next Saturday.

* * *

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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

Refrigerator at O’Leaver’s, July 1, 2016.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Refrigerator is a literate indie rock band that puts its guts out there for everyone to see, but still doesn’t take itself that seriously. Case in point: Halfway through their set Friday night at O’Leaver’s, guitarist Dennis Callaci decided it was a good time to form a congo line and bounce on out to the beer garden with his brother, frontman Allen Callaci, while the bassist and drummer kept the beat in the club. And out they went doing the usual bunny hop with grins on their faces (along with the dozen or so people who joined in, hands on hips).

The show had been promoted as a special occasion based on the fact that Refrigerator has never played in Nebraska before, despite having close ties with some prominent Nebraska musicians — Simon Joyner chief among them. To me, the band is identified with The Antiquarium, which was where you’d find their albums and cassettes, along with other releases on Callaci’s label, Shrimper. Their music has the same pleasantly abrasive style of a few of my favorite ’90s indie bands like Silkworm, Grifters, a more refined Guided by Voices — smart, earnest rock with a crashing beat that gets you moving. It was a great set.

The band had a big spread of their releases available at the show — lots of cassettes and some vinyl. But with only $20 to spare, I bought a copy of Allen Callaci’s book, Heart Like a Starfish, a handsome tome and a challenging read that I began tackling this weekend. The story recaps Allen’s medical struggles involving his heart. I’m just 40 or so pages into it and it’s getting rather grim, but I know the book has a happy ending because I saw it being lived out on O’Leaver’s stage.

Simon Joyner at O’Leaver’s, July 1, 2016.

During the opening set, Simon Joyner on electric guitar, accompanied by a drummer, ripped through a number of new songs as well as some chestnuts like “Joy Division” (or at least part of that song) and “Javelin.” Always a good time.

* * *

Lincoln Calling Oct. 6-8

As you may or may not know, Lincoln Calling is getting a rather massive facelift this year. The primary change: Hear Nebraska is now putting on the three-day festival, which is being held Oct. 6-8 in venues throughout downtown Lincoln. Believe me, you will be impressed by the line-up, which HN will begin to announce July 13 (they’re doing incremental lineup announcements).

That said, tickets go on sale this Thursday, July 7. Early bird, three-day general admission festival passes will be available at a discount price of $29. Once those sell out, 3-day passes will increase in price to $39 for a limited time, and will eventually sell for $49.

Sales of all-ages 3-day passes that allow entrance only into two venues — The Bay and Tower Square — also go on sale Thursday for $25. Comedy-only passes will be sold for $25.

And then there are the two specialty passes:

— Trustee passes at a cost of $250 includes a three-day festival pass, access to a lounge area with comfortable seating and tables, food and drink tickets, and additional perks to be announced.

— SPEED! passes at $150 (only 10 available) gets the bearers to the front of the line at every concert, and allows access even when shows are at capacity.

One-day passes may be available day of show — subject to availability. In other words, at these price points, they’re expecting to sell out those 3-day passes.

No doubt Hear Nebraska is going for a South By Southwest-type event. The difference is they’re combining national touring acts of various genres with some of Nebraska’s finest bands, all playing in multiple venues for multiple days.

BTW, I have seen the initial line-up, and yes, it rivals this year’s Maha Festival. Get your tickets Thursday morning at lincolncalling.com.

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Tonight Detroit disco-punk-new wave-garage-metal band Electric Six makes its annual pilgrimage to The Waiting Room. Joining them are In the Whale. $15, 9 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 © 2016 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.