by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Ty Segall and his four-piece backing band came on just after 9 p.m. last night at The Waiting Room, playing to a large (though not sold out) crowd. There was an olfactory preview of what we were about to see and hear as pungent pot smoke oozed from some hidden place behind the stage, presumably from the green room. 

Segall and his band ripped into a handful of songs from the band’s lastest album, Three Bells, that, when performed live, sounded more like ‘70s prog-rock than the psych/garage sound Segall is known for. Choppy, complicated riffs supported choppy, complicated songs.

Segall is first and foremost a guitar player, completing every song with intricate fills and stratospheric solos. In the ‘70s, for some guitar heroes just shredding at that level was enough – no need for vocals. But to his credit, Segall sings above whatever clever riff he’s invented. He doesn’t really have a rock voice, but unlike early in his career when he barked through static distortion, last night Segall’s vocals were unfettered — what you heard is what you got, mostly for the better. 

It wasn’t until the band ripped into a heavy, funky version of “I Hear” (so much better than the recorded version) that things really took off. Like the first time I saw him play back in 2013 at Sokol Underground, Segall set up in the stage-right corner and sang and played toward the drummer and rest of the band throughout the entire set, never directly facing the crowd. If you were standing stage left you had a view of his back all night, only briefly looking up or to the left through his thick, blond shag. 

After that song, his bass player complained about the stage lighting that was seemingly being beamed directly into his eyes. “Can you douse that; I can’t see shit.” The lights were cut with only dim rear stage lighting, until Segall asked, “Can you turn it up the light, I can’t see my friends?” *Light* “They’re back!”

Another set highlight was a tight version of “Whisper,” off 2021’s Harmonizer album.  Yet another was an intensely groovy version of “Ghost” off 2012’s Twins, which Segall said had been a request received before the set. It wasn’t until about 45 minutes in that the band ripped through a handful of the garage-rock songs.

That contrast in styles – from the intricate prog to dense rock to garage noise – kept it interesting throughout a loud evening that no doubt would have been even more enjoyable if I’d been high…

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Yesterday’s announcement that Roger Daltrey and Inhaler (a.k.a. Bono’s Son’s Band) are playing this year’s Memorial Park Concert June 28 was not the “imminent” show announcement I implied yesterday, nor was the announcement that Fontaines D.C. are playing Slowdown Oct. 5 – though both shows were a welcome surprise. 

No, the show to be announced tomorrow will take place at a much more intimate “venue,” but you’ll just have to wait to find out who – and were – it wil be…

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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 © 2024 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

By Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Look for a special show announcement later this week, probably on Thursday. The mystery artist is a former frontman to a couple notable indie acts, and sax player. Keep watching Lazy-i for details.

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Speaking of former indie frontmen, tonight at The Waiting Room, Ty Segall headlines. You’d have to go way back in his career to discover he was in the band Epsilons. Segall is better known for his solo work, which began with his self-titled studio album, released back in 2008 on Jon Dwyer’s Castle Face Records (and on cassette on Burger Records).  

Segall and Dwyer (who fronts Coachwhips and Thee Oh Sees) have a lot in common sonically; Segall’s first solo record had the same raw, psych guitar sound, complete with Segall’s Dwyer-like megaphone vocals. 

Fourteen studio albums followed. Through the years Segall refined his sound, vacilating between raw, gutteral noise and more nuanced glam, but always staying on the garage-psych-rock path. 2012’s Twins (Drag City Records) was the first time I heard Segall’s music as his band headlined a show at Sokol Underground with Digital Leather and Ex-Cult.  From the review of that show:

Well, Segall never quite reached Jack White level, but he’s persevered. Two years later he headlined in Omaha again, this time at The Waiting Room touring in support of Manipulator (Drag City). Then Segall and his band, Fuzz, rolled through town in 2022, playing The Slowdown with a then lesser-known David Nance Band. This time he was supporting III (In the Red Records), an album that honed his garage sound and replaced it with something that more closely resembled ‘70s heavy metal a la Montrose or Rainbow. 

Tonight Segall returns to The Waiting Room supporting his latest, Three Bells (2024, Drag City), which, for my money, is the most mature-sounding album of his career. The record features a variety of guitar styles, combining acoustic with electric, always showcasing the full gamut of Segall’s amazing talent. He’s put away the megaphone as well, providing an unfettered, unfuzzed look at his rather groovy voice. 

Opening tonight’s show for Segall is SF freak-rock duo Sharpie Smile, f.k.a. Kamikaze Palm Tree. 8 p.m., $26. 

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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 © 2024 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

SAVAK on the streets of Brooklyn…

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Mike Jaworski, a.k.a. Jaws by those who know him, emailed last week saying his current project – SAVAK — has a new album coming out called Flavors of Paradise on Brooklyn label Ernest Jenning Record Co.

Those of you who were around the Omaha music scene back in the day remember Jaws from his bands Hong Gyn Corp, The Cops, Virgin Islands and Hello from Waveland, as well as his Seattle-based record label Mt. Fuji, which in addition to releasing albums by The Cops dropped records by Omaha indie band Little Brazil. 

So yeah, Jaworski is something of a legend who hasn’t lived around here in ages, but is still remembered as an icon. 

Anyway, SAVAK is a three piece indie rock band that also includes Sohrab Habibion (ex-Obits, ex-Edsel) and drummer Matt Schulz (ex-Holy Fuck).  Joining them as part of the live version of SAVAK are indie rock veterans Jeff Gensterblum (Small Brown Bike, Her Heads on Fire) and Matt Hunter (New Radiant Storm King, Silver Jews). 

The new record was recorded at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio but without Albini and instead with Matthew Barnhart (Superchunk, Bob Mould). “No guests, no edits, no country and definitely no funk—the record is lean, spacious and lively,” says the press release. Undoubtably modern, the record also has some retro touches, among them the Byrds-like harmonies on “Let the Sunlight In” and the ‘70s acid guitar on “The New New Age.” It’s the most tuneful SAVAK album to date and a total gas. 

The band will be playing around Brooklyn this spring and have a tour of France slated for April (ah, April in Paris), but no Omaha dates planned (SAVAK would be the perfect fit for the Outlandia Festival!). Preorder the album here. 

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Tuesday appears to be the day when bands announce tours. 

Ty Segall is headed back to Omaha May 7 for a gig at The Waiting Room. Yesterday he dropped the final pre-release single from his upcoming full-length, Three Bells, which will be released Jan. 26 on Drag City.

Portland’s STRFKR announced they’ll play at The Admiral Theater April 28. Their new album, Parallel Realms, drops on Polyvinyl March 1.

Indie darlings (and personal favorite) Waxahatchee announced their new album, Tigers Blood, drops March 22 on Anti-. They also announched a slew of 2024 tour dates. Their closest pass to Omaha will be the usual Kansas City, St. Paul, Chicago swing April 18-20. See you on the interstate.

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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 © 2024 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Nice little mid-week show with Ty Segall’s heavy-metal band Fuzz tonight at The Slowdown. The band’s last formal album, III, was recorded by Steve Albini and was released on In the Red Records in 2020. This is the kind of music I would have loved to listen to back in high school driving up and down Dodge St. on a Saturday night in my best friend’s Maverick. It would have fit right in with my Montrose, Steppenwolf and Rainbow cassettes.

Opening is our very own psych-rock mastermind, David Nance and his band. I know they’ve been working on new material and no doubt you’ll get a taste of it tonight. $25, 8 p.m. Bring your ear plugs because you’ll need them.

Also tonight, Portland’s Typhoon plays at The Waiting Room with CARM. $23, 8 p.m.

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Read Tim McMahan’s blog daily at Lazy-i.com — an online music magazine that includes feature interviews, reviews and news. The focus is on the national indie music scene with a special emphasis on the best original bands in the Omaha area. Copyright © 2022 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

No updates since last week because there ain’t a whole helluva lot happening. No indie shows last night or tonight and not much on the horizon until the weekend (which is very crowded indeed).

A few things from today’s inbox…

Robert Plant announced his U.S. tour dates. His closest pass to Omaha is Chicago Feb. 20 and Minneapolis Feb. 22. I’d definitely go see him if he played Omaha. Plant has a new album out Oct. 13 on Nonesuch called Carry Fire.

Protomartyr today shared a new track off their Relatives in Descent album, upcoming on their new label, Domino, a song called “Don’t Go to Anacita.”

Ty Segall dropped a new single today called “Alta,” recorded at Electrical Audio with Steve Albini during a break on tour this past spring.

And Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile today released a new single, “Continental Breakfast,” off their upcoming joint album Lotta Sea Lice, which drops Oct. 13 on Matador.

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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 © 2017 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Sounds like the time Landon Hedges has spent playing in Desparecidos over the past few years has had an impact on his own band, Little Brazil. At least judging from two tracks Hedges recently let me preview from the band’s forthcoming album, Send the Wolves.

Both songs — “Making a Mess” and “You” — sport that classic Little Brazil guitar-fueled bombast we’ve all come to expect after years of releases dating back to 2004’s self-titled EP. The “Desa difference” can be heard in the sheer power of the songs and the choices made with melodies. These songs sound unlike anything else Little Brazil has recorded, and are among their best.

Another difference in their sound could be due to the band’s new line-up. While Hedges and Danny Maxwell remain at the core of Little Brazil, veteran Matt Bowen (The Faint, Commander Venus, Lullaby for the Working Class, Race for Titles, The Third Men, to name a few) has taken over on drums while one of the city’s most talented guitarists, Mike Friedman (The Lupines, Simon Joyner) now handles leads.

Hedges says you’ll have to wait until this fall to get your copy of Send the Wolves. Little Brazil is working with old compadre Mike Jaworski, who is managing the band and helping shop the album to labels and booking agents. Jaworski released three previews Little Brazil albums on his own Mt. Fuji Records imprint.

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Get ready for the weird tonight at The Waiting Room when Ty Segall returns with his band the Muggers. Segall has been tearing up the TV lately with a number of appearances where he goes shit-crazy, usually wearing a creepy baby mask — a tie-in to his latest album, Emotional Mugger (Drag City, 2016). Expect the usual over-the-top garage rock mayhem. Feels and Oquoa open the show 9 p.m. show. $17.

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Also tonight, See Through Dresses warm up for their trip to this year’s South By Southwest Festival (it’s next week!) with a set tonight at fabulous O’Leaver’s. Opening the show tonight is Lincoln band Better Friend and Omaha trio The Sunks. $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.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

The last time Ty Segall came through town there was maybe 50 people at the show. Last Saturday night The Waiting Room was packed for his return in the guise of his heavy metal psych-rock trio Fuzz. Not sure what happened between that first Fuzz album and his second, but things have certainly blown up.

Right before Fuzz, fellow So Cal garage rockers Walter played a set of refined psych metal. Refined in that these guys were as tight as any touring blues or jazz band. Frontman Patrick Noland was an absolute beast on his left-handed Fender electric, effortlessly playing riffs and fills like the second coming of Stevie Ray Vaughan but with his own special brand of sass.

But like any great power trio, no one piece is stronger than the next. Bassist Misha Lindes was rock solid and drummer Ross Chait put on a clinic, right down to a Whiplash-quality drum solo toward the end of their set.

I went home afterward and downloaded Get Well Soon, the trio’s latest (available from the Bandcamp link below this entry). Great record but nowhere near as precise or powerful as what was heard on stage. It’s as if these So Cal garage bands go out of their way to make their recordings sound dirty, which I guess is exactly what they do, but in this case it merely blurred the lines when they should remain laser sharp. I left a fan.

Next came Fuzz. Before I go on, let me point out how much time went into their (and Walter’s) pre-set soundcheck, much more than most touring indie acts who walk up to their instruments, play a couple notes and give a thumbs up. Segall and Co. were meticulous, spending at least 10 minutes adjusting different things in their monitors, their mics, etc. And as ironic as it seems considering this is a heavy-metal garage band, it made perfect sense. They we’re going for a specific sound that required everything be just right to sound authentic.

In the end, the Fuzz’s futzing was worth it. The Waiting Room once again proved Saturday to be the best sounding rock concert room in Omaha. Fuzz blazed right out of the starting gate, blowing out a style of rock with a simple formula centered around Chad Ubovich’s rugged, bluesy bass lines made all the more majestic by Ubovich’s bronze face paint — he looked like a golden tin man beneath a shoulder-length shag. Despite guitarist/vocalist Charlie Moothart’s solid riffs or Segall’s blazing stickwork, it was those bass lines that mattered most with these songs.

From an old-school perspective I was reminded of Sabbath, Deep Purple and Robin Trower; modern-day comparisons include John Dwyer and the dreaded Jack White, two long-time garage-rock veterans who you must acknowledge whether (certainly in White’s case) you admit  liking their music or not.

By mid-set much head-banging ensued; there was even a small mosh pit in front of the stage and a few folks tried crowd-surfing. If there’s a downside to Fuzz music it’s that it all sounds very similar, especially when songs evolve into extended heavy-metal jams. But who gives a shit when you’re lost in the moment (or in the pit)?

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Thanksgiving week is always slow music-wise and this year is no different. There’s virtually nothing going on until See Through Dresses return to Reverb Lounge Wednesday night with La Guerre, and then Miwi La Lupa and Landon Hedges Thanksgiving night at fabulous O’Leaver’s. I guess it makes it that much easier to catch up with the relatives…

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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.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

We knew this f***ing weather had to arrive eventually, right? It was only a matter of time.

No doubt crappy weather will hamper this weekend’s musical festivities, of which there are many. Dig out your winter coat and your ice scraper and give one (or two) of these a shot.

Tonight at The New BLK at 1213 Jones St. it’s the Bigger than Beef Book Party. The event is essentially a book launch and signing for the book Omaha Food: Bigger Than Beef (The History Press/Arcadia Publishing, 2015) by Omaha’s very own Rachel Grace. I have not seen or read the book, but I’m making a guess that it focuses on Omaha food, something we’re all familiar with.

But even if you can’t read (which means you’re probably not reading this) you’ll want to drop in on this free event because the always unpredictable garage band Worried Mothers is playing, along with Dojorok and Black Jonny Quest. Plus free food (from Noli’s and Kitchen Table) and free booze from Brickway Brewery. Reception at 7 p.m., music at 8.

Also tonight, The Derby Birds headline at fabulous O’Leaver’s. Also on the fight card are Wichita band The Travel Guide and The Brigadiers. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Tomorrow night garage-rock kingpin Ty Segall returns to The Waiting Room in the guise of his psychedelic/stoner/garage band Fuzz. Their latest album, Fuzz II, came out last month on mighty In The Red Records. This will be a noise dreadnought. Opening is Walter and local heroes Sucettes. $12 today/$14 tomorrow, 9 p.m.

Also Saturday night, The Lupines return to O’Leaver’s. Joining them will be KC band Berwanger and Des Moines’ North of Grand. It’s a tri-city rumble! $7, 9:30 p.m.

Finally, down at Slowdown Jr., Flight Metaphor celebrates the release of their self-titled debut CD. Joining them are Rock Paper Dynamite, Through the Stone and Pelican Rodeo. $8 today, $10 tomorrow. Starts at 9.

That’s what I got. If I missed your show, put it in the comments section. Have a frigid 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 © 2015 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Digital Leather frontman Shawn Foree confirmed the band’s line-up change about a week ago. I’d heard about it from someone who knows the guys in the band who e-mailed me simply to say that Todd Fink of The Faint had been practicing with DL in what would likely be a return of synthesizers to an act that had dropped them from their live performances years ago. Foree in the past has explained that his synth-driven recordings are a different animal than DL’s stage performances, which for the last few years has been a guitar-driven power trio.

Anyway, Foree confirmed the rumor, but said he wanted to keep it on the down low at least until this show. Sure enough, last night on stage this new version of Digital Leather was unveiled with Fink behind a keyboard. And the result was, to say the least, satisfying, but not a night-and-day difference from what we’ve been hearing from these guys for the past few years. DL is still fueled by the rhythm section of bassist Johnny Vrendenburg and drummer Jeff Lambelet — the best bass & drum duo in Omaha — as well as Foree’s voice and guitar (and his spleen-bleeding songs), but Fink’s keyboards add that element that’s been missing for a lot of the band’s fans — a sinister, other-worldly quality that underlies the neo-futuristic nature of DL music. They also sound pretty cool. Fink’s backing vocals were an added bonus.

So what’s this addition mean for future Digital Leather set lists? Well, for the most part, last night’s set wasn’t much different from the Nov. 28 set, when DL opened for King Khan at Slowdown. Both included a rousing version of fan favorite “Studs in Love” (well, at least it’s one of my favorites). That said, I don’t remember DL playing “Styrofoam” last November, a song in which the synths take the anthem to a whole ‘nother level.

Will DL now dig back to other early material where synths play a central role? Will we finally get to hear songs like “Modern Castles” and “Gold Hearts” (both from Warm Brother)?  I doubt it. It also will be interesting to hear if Fink will add anything to future DL recordings — a process that Foree has always commanded by himself. And what’s the lifespan for this collaboration now that The Faint are back together? Does it matter? Just enjoy it while you can, and that includes March 8, when Digital Leather is slated to return to one of their favorite stomping grounds — fabulous O’Leaver’s.

OK, what about the rest of the show? Opener, Memphis band Ex-Cult (formerly Sex Cult) was bad ass, a five piece that played a refined, aggressive indie garage punk that had a few kids in front of the stage shoving each other.

But the night’s centerpoint was Ty Segall and his band — a well-honed noise machine, easily the loudest thing I’ve heard on a stage in a few years. Playing songs off a number of his albums, including Twins and Slaughterhouse, Segall blazed through one monster rocker after another, leaving a wake of bleeding ears in front of the stacks. I stood on a chair along the wall and watched the crowd writhe in ecstasy to the knuckle-bleeding music.

You got a sense that you were seeing this guy at the height of his power, still flying under the radar, ready to explode. Something tells me in the next few years Segall could blow up to become as big as Jack White. If it happens, we’ll look back at this show and say “I saw him back when he played Sokol Underground.”

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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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Might as well just get right into the weekend.

Tonight at O’Leaver’s Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship headlines a gig with Ego Death (the band formerly known as Sun Settings) and Killer Blow. $5, 9:30 p.m. Get there early for KB.

Also tonight, a special Slow Burn Productions $2 showcase at Slowdown Jr. headlined by Omaha hip-hop artist Conchance with The Fucking Party, La Brood and Radkey. All for just $2! I just listened to The FP’s 7-song debut EP again this morning. There is something inherently bleak and unsettling about this music. Let it disturb you. Show starts at 9.

Finally, over at The Barley Street Tavern, The Ground Tyrants headline tonight with Ft. Collins band SHEL and Daniel Christian. $5, 9 p.m.

Saturday night’s all right for CD release shows, and there are two to split your attention.

Over at O’Leaver’s, it’s a party for New Lungs’ debut 5-song EP You’re Not Gonna Recognize Me. New Lungs is Danny Maxwell (vocals, guitar), Craig Fort (bass), and Corey Broman (drums). The EP was recorded throughout the course of 2012; engineered and mixed by Matt Carroll at Little Machine, and tape/tube mastering was completed by Mike Saklar at Ant-Records. The band says they dial in their sound from the heyday of Archers of Loaf, Pavement, Dinosaur Jr. and Polvo, and I’d say that’s pretty right on. This is a fantastic debut. Headlining is our old friends The Photo Atlas. See Through Dresses rounds out the bill. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, over at The Waiting Room, UUVVWWZ celebrates the release of its sophomore Saddle Creek release The Trusted Language. You either get UU or you don’t. With the demise of Beep Beep, it’s easily the most challenging music on the Saddle Creek roster. That said, this new record is more accessible (and less dissonant) than their debut. Opening is The Renfields and Touch People (Darren Keen, formerly of The Show Is the Rainbow). $7, 9 p.m.

If Lungs’ indie/math/slacker rock and UU”s art rock ain’t your thing, check out the black-leather rock of Bullet Proof Hearts at The Brothers Saturday with Chromafrost. $5, 9 p.m.

And then comes Sunday and the show of the weekend (maybe the show of the year?): Ty Segall headlines at Sokol Underground. This show is part of Ty’s first full U.S. tour in support of Twins, his third full-length of 2012, which was released via Drag City last October. Check out Kyle Eustice’s interview with Segall in this week’s issue of The Reader or online right here.

Right before Segall, it’s Digital Leather as you’ve never seen or heard Digital Leather before. I have a feeling we’ll be talking about this set all next week. First band of the night is Micro Knife (members of Sun Settings and Capgun Coup), followed by Chicago thrash metal band ZATH (Captcha Records) and Goner Records garage heroes Ex-Cult, who have been on the road with Segall throughout this tour. Tickets are $13, show starts at 8.

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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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.