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Showing posts from March, 2010

Chicago Spotlight: April, 2010

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Source: ChicagoJamScene.com Permanent Residency Sexfist Red Line Tap, 7006 N. Glenwood, 773-274-5363 or 773-465-8005 No cover, these guys play every Tuesday night at 9:00 ***a kickass bluegrass experience*** April 1 Bonobo Metro/Smartbar, 3730 N. Clark, 773-549-0203 $21 for entry to both rooms, show at 9:00 with two openers, Bonobo is playing twice April 2 Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western Ave, 773-276-3600 $13, show at 9:30 with 2 openers ***wild, fuzzed-out psychedelic rock from Japan*** Passion Pit, Mayer Hawthorne & the County Congress Theater, 2135 N Milwaukee, don't even bother calling $25, show at 8:00, Hawthorne is 1 of 2 openers Flying Lotus Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, 773-489-3160 $5-$10, show at 8:30 with 3 openers April 3 John Brown's Body, Toubab Krewe Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee, 773-489-3160 $15, show at 9:00, Toubab Krewe is the only opener ***it would be worth your $15 to see Toubab alone, they are

A Review: Henhouse Prowlers (Colorad Run Part One)

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I have been hearing wonderful things about the Henhouse Prowlers; a traditional bluegrass band from Chicago, for about a year and a half. Having only listened to them on the internet, I was really eager to get a chance to see them live and in person. In the midst of a whirlwind Colorado mini-tour, the band was playing The Bar SS, a small bar in Laporte, CO; nestled right in between Fort Collins and the Mountains. I had been to the Bar SS once before (also to see some bluegrass) and remembered it being more of a Locals Bar than a bonafide music venue. But, for bluegrass shows; sometimes this can be a good thing. I arrived about 15 minutes before showtime, and the crowd seemed to be pretty much split between locals and those of us who were there to see the music, maybe 60 people total. Not really seeing any familiar faces in the place, a decided to order a Fat Tire (I don't often drink), and claim a nice space directly in front of the soundboard, where I could get a good audio and

An Interview: Vince Herman

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J-man: I looked at the tour dates for Leftover Salmon, Telluride and Red Rocks were listed. Not to shabby, for a couple of dates… Vince: (Laughs) Yeah… J-man: What’s next for Leftover Salmon and are there any plans for a tour? Vince: None at all. It’s just like you were saying; a couple dates a year. Maybe some live compilations or something like that of stuff that would be released. As far as an album or something like that. But, no plans to go into the studio, no tours, no. Just a couple of occasional sets to pick with my ol’ buddies. J-man: Right on. What are some of the highlights from your twenty years of playing with Leftover Salmon? Vince: Oh man! Umm, god. Well, getting to play with Mark Vann all of those years was certainly a major treat. You know, Mark was an incredible banjo player and we lost him to cancer in 2002. So, that was definitely the was probably the most profound experience of getting to pick with a banjo player like that. Anyhow, all of the great friends we

Jam of The Day: Bela' Fleck & The Flecktones

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones Live at Telluride Bluegrass 2007 on June 22, 2007.

An Interview: Ben Combe (Particle)

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As I was eating breakfast I glanced down at my phone to see that "Ben Combe" had sent me a text message that stated that today was a good day for the interview. With that I finished up at the diner and headed home to prepare for what came out to be one of the more enjoyable conversations I have had in a while. J-man: You joined Particle with Scott Metzger after the exit of Charlie Hitchcock. That new era of Particle music was referred to as “Transformation”. Shortly after that, Scott left the band and a few years later; yourself. What was really going on? Ben: (Laughs) J-man: I’ll start off with a hard hitter… Ben: No, that’s ok… I’ve had a lot of time to weigh all of this stuff out. Well, it’s not like a simple one sentence answer. There were lots of things going on in everybody’s life at that time. There was… One of the things that I think was an issue for me… and those guys… Let me start by saying; We’re all cool. I’m playing with them again. I’m not necessarily offici

Jam of The Day: Heavy Pets

The Heavy Pets Live at Propaganda on January 1, 2010.

On The Radio: The Henhouse Prowlers

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Check out the Henhouse Prowlers in-studio on the Old Grass, Gnu Grass show at KGNU in Boulder, CO. GNU Radio. (03-27 OldGrassGnuGrass) The Henhouse Prowlers Segment Begins At 02:05:00. henhouseprowlers.com

Jam of The Day: New Mastersounds

New Mastersounds Live at Quixote's on June 1, 2007. 33(A Fine Year to Die) Zambezi Hey Fela! 102% Power Struggle All I Want (Right Now) The Minx Six Underground In the Middle This Ain't Work(Part 1) Talk is Cheap Coming Up Roses Baby Bouncer Carrot Juice Unknown 3 Better Off Dead You Got it All Bus Stop No.5 Give Me a Minute(Part 2) Return to Gijon Who's Making Love Eazin' Down Nervous (E)One Note Brown

An Interview: Brock Butler

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J-man : Can you tell me a little bit about Perpetual Groove and what it is you guys do? Brock: Well, I’d like to think that we travel and the music we make for our own artistic satisfaction and happiness; we try to pass that around to people. To serve as a catalyst… A social thing, for people to enjoy the music itself and I also think it’s the case with any band; if people get into something really hardcore, it explains a lot about a person. Like if I’m meeting someone for the first time, I always feel that’s a really good way to gage someone. You know, if you meet someone that likes Phish, you can kind of tell that they are a little bit more relaxed and certain things… J-man: What festivals do you guys have lined up for this summer? Brock: We’re doing All Good, for sure… and Bear Creek… J-man: How did you guys get involved in Bear Creek? … And two sets at that… Brock: Yeah, Paul who puts that on… J-man: I’ve heard from several artists as well as my good friend Rex; that Paul is

A Review/Interview: Perpetual Groove (Syracuse)

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The Night Prior To The Show: I glanced down at my phone to see a text from "Brock Butler". I then called him to discuss happenings in Syracuse, as they had arrived in town a night early and were looking for something to do. I re-affirmed their decision on where to go; a bar/restaurant that had come recommended to me. We then discussed arrangements for the following night. He offered an invite to join them, but alas I had other plans. I was caught off guard by his friendly/openness. The Day Of The Show: Sometime mid afternoon Brock dropped me a text letting me know they were loading in at The Westcott. Again, I thought to myself; this cat has gone out of his way to accommodate me. I deal with a lot of musicians, and accommodations are one thing, but how down to earth Brock was, impressed me. Perpetual Groove at The Westcott Theatre; Syracuse, NY 3.23.10 I arrived at The Wescott Theatre to find a parking spot right out front of the venue; a reminder that it was a Tuesday night

Jam of The Day: Aquaphonics

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Aquaphonics Live at Funky Buddha Lounge on March 20, 2010.

An Interview: Anders Beck (Greensky Bluegrass)

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Photos By Rex Thomson J-man: Anders, I appreciate you taking the time to do this. So you went from playing in Broke Mountain, to playing in the Wayword Sons, to Greensky Bluegrass; tell me a little bit about each of those projects and what they’ve down for you musically. Anders: Yeah. Well, with Broke Mountain, that was a traditional Bluegrass band that we started in Durango, CO and it actually involved a lot of people that sort of went on to be in much bigger projects. It was kind of like a farm team, for a lack of better words. Sort of, as far as the bluegrass/jamgrass kind of thing. Travis Book played bass, he’s now in a band called the Infamous Stringdusters. Andy Thorn was the banjo player in that band, and he now plays with the Emmit-Nershi Band, Leftover Salmon… He played with Larry Keel for a while. John Stickley was the guitar player, he plays with Shannon Whitworth who is an amazing singer/song writer. Robin Davis played the mandolin. He played with the Wayword Sons for a l