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.

Ty Segall, Twins (Drag City, 2012)

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.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

UUVVWWZ, The Trusted Language (Saddle Creek, 2013)

It’s a big day at Saddle Creek Records. UUVVWWZ’s The Trusted Language and Ladyfinger’s Errant Forms both drop today. Interestingly, both are being offered as digital/vinyl releases — i.e., Saddle Creek isn’t offering either on CD from the online shop, though the vinyl comes packaged with a compact disc. So if you want the CD, you have to buy the vinyl at a higher price ($15 for UU, $17 for Ladyfinger).

Is this CD-with-vinyl-only format how Saddle Creek will handle all releases in the future? I wouldn’t be surprised. Interestingly, digipak CDs of Errant Forms were on sale at last Friday’s album release show. I wonder if UU will have digipaks at Saturday’s release show at The Waiting Room…

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If Jenny Lewis wasn’t busy enough with the upcoming Postal Service tour, today Rilo Kiley announced (via Press Here Publicity) that it’s releasing a b-sides and rarities collection called RKives April 2 on LA based indie Little Record Company, owned by Rilo Kiley’s Pierre DeReeder.

“The record includes nine never-before released songs, a variety of demos, b-sides, and previously hard to find tracks. The 16-song CD and double vinyl will be available in multiple formats including a special deluxe bundle personally curated by Rilo Kiley.”

Who remembers when RK was on Saddle Creek?

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The Slowdown is featuring some interesting garage rock bands tonight, headlined by Cali band The Growlers (Burger Records), Milwaukee Sub Pop act Jaill, Bluenote/Capitol act Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas and Twinsmith. $13, 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 © 2013 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

A quick follow-up on yesterday’s “Best of” lists, The Reader‘s “Next 15 of ’12” went online yesterday afternoon, here.

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Rollingstone.com posted a couple early tracks from two upcoming Saddle Creek Records releases.

The jolly guys in Ladyfinger take a load off.

“Dark Horse” is the first sounds off Ladyfinger’s upcoming album, Errant Forms, out on the Creek Feb. 5. You can download the track fer free right now right here. The album was produced by that crazy mofo who produced their last record, Matt Bayles (Mastodon, Minus the Bear, Isis), at ARC Studios, with mixing at Bayles’ Red Room in Seattle. Says frontman Chris Machmuller at the ‘stone website: “Simply put, Dark Horse is about growing up: A departure from selfishness and moral ambiguity. Despite the overwhelming urge to escape, the convivial main character, upon reflection, realizes he wants to stay with his pregnant girlfriend. Two months after I finished writing the song I found out my wife was pregnant with our first child.” What a coincidence, Mach.

Also at Rolling Stone, right here, is “Open Sign,” the first song off UUVVWWZ’s next Saddle Creek release, The Trusted Language, also out Feb. 5. Get it.

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BFF

Benson’s First Friday (BFF) event is going on tonight, which means art and music to be seen and heard all along Maple Street. One red hot show that’s part of this event is at Sweatshop Gallery 2727 No. 67th St. (just south of The Barley Street Tavern) where Digital Leather headlines with Killer Blow and the debut of Pleasure Adapter, a brand new band featuring some familiar faces: Jeff Ankenbauer (ex Shanks, Saudi Arabia) on bass/vocals; Annie Dilocker (ex-Digital Leather) on keys; Ben Allen (Watching the Train Wreck) on guitar and newcomer Joey DeRosa. An arm wrestling tourney will be going on between bands. Should be a real David Lynch-ian moment. Admission is free and so is the beer with a $5 donation. Facebook says start time is 8, but the bands tell me that they won’t get rolling until 9. Take your chances.

Also part of BFF, Rock Paper Dynamite headlines at The Sydney with HERS and Goon Saloon. $5, 10 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Slowdown, it’s the return of Of Montreal. I can tell you first-hand that if the show is anything like their last one a year ago last May, it’ll be well worth the $20 ticket price. Opening is the disco stylings of Brooklyn’s French Horn Rebellion. Show starts at 9.

On Saturday, Lincoln heroes Domestica return to Slowdown Jr. with The Sons of The Slowdown. $7, 9 p.m.

Also Saturday, Envy Corps returns to The Waiting Room with Field Club. $7, 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, down at The Barley Street Tavern Saturday night, Dirty Fluorescents plays along with Robo Dojo and Earlytown. $5, 9:30 p.m.

Have a damn fine 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 © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

A still from Icky Blossoms’ new video for “Heat Lightning.”

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Slow news Thursday, so here’s a peek in my e-mail box…

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“Heat Lightning” just happens to be my favorite song off Icky Blossoms’ self-titled Saddle Creek Records debut. And despite the fact that there’s no sex and/or destruction, this video for the song (exclusively at RollingStone.com) is my favorite vid from the band so far. Icky currently is out on the road with Tilly and the Wall, playing the Great American Music Hall tonight in San Francisco.

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I recently got into an awkward discussion about another Saddle Creek Records band — UUVVWWZ. A guy was complaining that the Lincoln band gets too much attention for an act that makes “art noise.” Needless to say, his complaints didn’t come as a surprise as the guy is really into Americana music and mainstream rock. Nothing wrong with that, but he doesn’t hear me complaining about how boring his band is, does he? Anyway, you either “get” UUVVWWZ or you don’t. I’ve dug their music since waaay back in 2008 when I first saw them perform at the long-gone Saddle Creek Bar. Based on this brand-spankin’ new Love Drunk video for the song “No Apart,” I figure they must be working on a new record. Hat’s off to Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler for providing his office (and being a helluva drummer).

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Congrats to Satchel Grande, who were named in the first wave of acts invited to play at South By Southwest in 2013. Which reminds me, I gotta get my lodging figured out if I’m going back to Austin again next year.

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Matador just announced that Cat Power has cancelled her European tour for health reasons. I mention this only because I’d love to see Cat Power play at the Maha Music Festival next year. Wishful thinking I know, especially if she can’t stay on top of this health issue.

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Speaking of cancelled tours, according to his official fan site, Morrissey will announce his rescheduled U.S. Tour dates next Monday, including the Lincoln date.

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There’s another Tim Kasher interview that just went online at Phoenix New Times.  Golden quote:

So, you don’t have a metal album coming out any time soon?
We should, that’d be great. The other band name is Crucifix.

Ha ha! Awesome…

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Every month Reader music editor Chris Aponick busts my balls because I forget to mention the “Sock Hop” event he hosts at Loom. Well, tonight’s the night. In addition to playing sock hop hits of the ’50s, Noah Sterba and the Cocktails will be in the house. “Expect folk-tinged retro-pop nuggets perfect for any chilled house party or in this case, a relaxed Thursday night of music and dance.” At Loom, 9 p.m., free. More info here. Now get off my back, Aponick.

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Also tonight, Michigan-based indie-folk troubadour Small Houses, a.k.a. Jeremy Quentin, plays at Slowdown Jr. with Field Club and Great American Desert. 9 p.m., $7.

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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 © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Huey, in better days...

Imagine how much fun it would have been if UUVVWWZ had been chosen to open tonight’s Huey Lewis & the News concert in Memorial Park. It could have been the ultimate punk rock video moment: Place video cameras throughout the crowd and capture the reaction the moment Double U goes on stage and begins playing, say, “Jap Dad” or “Hum Jam” — the crowd looking up from their soiled blankets, from their cheap fold-into-a-bag lawn chairs, from the long, clenched lines in front of the electric-blue porta-johns to say “what the f***’s this noise?” Shots of children crying, covering their ears and angry parents calling the Mayor’s office to see “whose bright idea it was to book this band of art degenerates.” Shots of people chanting “Huey! Huey! Huey!” and “Get off the f***ing stage!” Shots of drunks throwing half-empty Miller Lite cans. And while all that’s going on, a small crowd of kids and hipsters and the rest of us forming a pit up front, oblivious to everything going on around them, knowing better… And as the song concludes and the band strolls off stage with waves and thumbs up and “We love you Omaha,” the UU fans turn and walk out of the park before HL&TN launches their tired set of suburban diaper music.

Ah, it would have been a helluva rock video.

Instead, a couple unknown, out-of-town yee-haw acts will be opening for Mr. Biggest Cock in Rock and his crew of geriatrics, and maybe that’s for the best because no one gives a shit who opens that show. The only thing they’ll be waiting for in the sauna-like heat is “The Power of Love” and the fireworks. Channel 7 says the blanket count this morning was the largest in Memorial Park Concert History! As for me, I’ll be taking my usual position tonight, sitting on the front porch, shotgun across my knees, staring down the youngsters walking past my house with a sour eye thinking almost out loud “Just keep on walking, human trash can.”

But I keed… I love the concert in the park. Really…

But I love UUVVWWZ more, and so will you when you swing by The Slowdown tonight for their curated Maha Music Festival / Hear Nebraska showcase featuring Dirty Talker and Bus Gas. It starts at 9 and is absolutely free.

What else is going on this weekend?

Skypiper is playing at The Barley Street Tavern tonight with Anniversaire, Gentleman Savage and Diamonds for Eyes. I’m guessing $5 and 9 p.m.

And how about this for an out-of-the-box evening: New Lungs is playing at The Marylebone — yes, that Marlylebone — with 3D Jupiter, Swamp Walk and Sean Fagen. It’s free and starts at 9. More info here.

Tomorrow afternoon it’s another installment of Songs at Shop featuring Slumber Party Records bands performing at the Saddle Creek Record Shop downtown in the Slowdown complex. Featured artists are Mortals (John Svatos of Noah’s Ark Is a Spaceship) and Noah Sterba (of The Yuppies). Music starts at 3 p.m. and it’s free.

Finally, The Waiting Room is hosting a benefit for Heartland Family Service this Sunday where the bands will be covering music by Canadian artists. Among the performers: The Whipkey Three, Vago, Midwest Dilemma, Gerald Lee (Filter Kings), Korey Anderson, Lesbian Bus Crash, and 24 Hour Cardlock. $8, early 7 p.m. start.

What did I miss? Post ’em in the comments area. Have a good 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 © 2012 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

Another weekend without a national touring show. But as info, I just glanced at the last issue of Time Out New York and they didn’t have too many touring shows this first week of the year, either. So things are tough all over, as they say. At least we’ve got a couple good local shows going on this weekend to tie us over until the spring thaw.

Starting tonight at The Waiting Room, with Filter Kings, Dim Light and Snake Island. It’s the kind of show where one of Benson’s many tattoo artists should ask Marc and Jim if he can set up a both in the corner and sell some ink (now that’s good marketing). $7, 9 p.m.

And what better place to show off that new tattoo than Saturday night at The Brothers, when Omaha’s favorite punk lounge hosts one of its rare rock shows, this time featuring Lincoln art/noise rockers UUVVWWZ (Saddle Creek Records) along with Iowa City shredders Solid Attitude and our very own garage heroes Yuppies. $5, 9 p.m. More info here.

Last but not least, if you’re out and about early this evening, drop by House of Loom and get your mind blown by DJ Chris Aponick — yes, that Chris Aponick, the music editor at The Reader. Chris will be running the tables (and hence, the dance floor) from 5 to 8 p.m. tonight as part of Loom’s new Friday Afternoon Club program, which, in addition to good music, also includes free food from Casablanca Moroccan Cafe as well as happy hour drink specials… and it’s free.

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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 © 2011 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.

by Tim McMahan, Lazy-i.com

As NYPD detective John McClane said, “Welcome to the party, pal.”

Former Reader editor turned-environmental journalist-turned music writer Andrew Norman yesterday launched a new music column on the starcityblog.com website called Hearing Lincoln.

And he’s already got a prime-time Lincoln scoop:

“A collective groan welcomed news that UUVVWWZ is going on an indefinite hiatus as drummer Tom Ambroz leaves to work in Australia. Bummer. Catch their secret last show Tuesday night at Duffy’s Tavern, 1412 O St., at 9 p.m. Free.”

That show is tonight, btw. Seems like only yesterday (instead of back in Feb. 2008) that I first heard UUVVWWZ playing at the now-closed Saddle Creek Bar and declared them (in this review) “the best local band I’ve heard play live in a couple years.” I also said that if I had a label, I’d sign them. Instead, It Are Good and Saddle Creek Records both signed them and released their debut album. And now, it’s over…

Starcityblog.com is a temporary home for Andy’s blog until his music website, hearnebraska.org, launches sometime next month. Organized as a non-profit entity (he’s going all 501c3 up in there), the site is being designed to communicate all things music in Nebraska — not just Lincoln, not just Omaha. It’ll do this via a conglomeration of blogs, feeds, video, streams, and of course, social media. The hearnebraska Facebook page, vimeo page, and Twitter feed have been live for weeks now.

Full disclosure: Yours truly is on the Hear Nebraska board, along with a handful of other “movers and shakers” who are — in some way — involved in the music scene. Stay tuned…

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Aussie performance/noise artist Justice Yeldham is doing his thing tonight at The Hole, 712 S. 16th St. According to the gig page, “this dude is amazing! uses broken glass on his mouth to make music/noise, not for the faint of heart (i.e. BLOOD!)” Ugh! Also on the bill is Bad Speler (Darren Keen project); Solypsis (experimental/grindcore/breakcore) from Denver/Phoenix/Chicago; Plack Blague (black metal/techno/house) from Lincoln; Violator X (experimental/metal/noise) from Lincoln/Minneapolis, and Seeded Plain (experimental/noise) from Lincoln. It’s a veritable Lincoln noise Invasion. $6, 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 © 2010 Tim McMahan. All rights reserved.