Tranmission cancelled for one more week - Go see a live show

DJ Jake Rudh cancelled his Transmission DJ Night last Wednesday so he and his regulars could attend Voltage. This week he's cancelling again, because, in his words, "When there are bands like the Kaiser Chiefs and OK GO at First Avenue and Hot Hot Heat, Robbers on High Street and the Blue Van at the Quest, I'd be pretty darn optimistic thinking I'd have a decent crowd down at Transmission."

Jake didn't even mention that Pinback is at the Fine Line, and that also on the Kaiser Chief's bill at First Ave is the phenomenal London band Amusement Parks On Fire (creators of my current favorite chill out CD.)

Just another Wednesday in Minneapolis.

Tranmission returns to the Hex next Wednesday, June 8th.

Cities 97 Tunes @ Noon kicks off tomorrow

Cities 97 has lined up an awesome roster for Tunes @ Noon this year, kicking off Wednesday June 1st with Chris Koza. If you don't work downtown, this stuff is worth packing a lunch and making the drive in. HowWasTheShow can vouch for the quality of this lineup, which includes many of our personal favorites.

Tunes @ noon runs through June 22nd and takes place on Peavey Plaza along Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

June 2005
6/1 Chris Koza
6/2 Rich Matson of Ol' Yeller
6/3 Ryan Lee
6/6 John Richards
6/7 Tangine (Formerly Flavor)
6/8 Joanna James
6/9 Hillbilly Voodoo Dolls
6/10 Tim Mahoney
6/13 Andrea Rodriguez
6/14 Martin Devaney
6/15 Billy Johnson & George Scot McKelvey "35 South"
6/16 Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers
6/17 Adam Levey & Pete Sands of Honeydogs
6/20 Alicia Wiley
6/21 Dan Israel of the Cultivators
6/22 Dana Thompson and the Almost Canadians

Alive after 5 also kicks off tomorrow. See the full lineup and more details at http://www.cities97.com/events/summermusicseries.html

Tapes 'N Tapes and Bridge Club are cure for Voltage postpartum depression

[Photo by Dan Schultz: Attendees of Voltage 2005 line up outside First Avenue along 7th Street Wednesday evening. The show totally sold out.]

Okay, I admit it. HowWastheShow is just a front organization for Voltage: Fashion Amplified. But how can we help it? We live for live shows, and Voltage is one of the best of the year.

Read my full review on the main site.

I must admit to feeling a little postpartum depression after Wednesday night's Voltage event, if that's something that can be said to effect males. Though tired on Thursday night, the yearning to reach out and be with other people drove me into the cool night and ultimately to the Turf Club where Tapes 'N Tapes and Bridge Club did much to cheer me up. Tapes N Tapes has been making some of the most interesting rock in the Twin Cities for a while now, and Bridge Club continues to get better and better with age. This 3 piece plays garage rock where the melody still shines through as a result of the guitar and vocal virtuosity of frontman Joe Werner. Kind of like Led Zeppelin meets the Libertines, the band is tight, yet relaxed, and one of a handful bands in town that like Travis Bos latest project Chariots project arena rock star size auras while on stage. And I think drummer Mike Koch nicked that 28 inch bass drum from a passing marching band

Tonight

Happy birthday to our friend Rob Van Alstyne of the Pulse. Rob celebrates his birthday at the Hexagon with a lineup of some of the Midwest’s finest rock:

Vicious Vicious, Cowboy Curtis and Ela play the free event at 2596 27th Ave So.

That is where I will be.

Here are a couple other cool shows tonight:

• Leroy Smokes, Gold Standard, and The Rhythm Section are at the Uptown Bar $5
• Digitata celebrates their CD Release at 7th St Entry. With Thunder in the Valley, Mute Era and The Night Vision. (8PM, $6)
  
• It’s the 3rd Annual Ramones tribute at Lee’s Liquor Lounge featuring Plate o' Shrimp / Hot Rod Hearse / Umbrella Bed / Pound Cake / Trailer Park Queen / The Panty Huffers / The Fillmores / Man-O-Man (9PM, $5)
• And Alicia Wiley, who won Best Female Vocalist and Best Self-Released Recording at the 2004 MN Music Awards also celebrates a CD release at The Nomad World Pub. Her new disk is called Titled In Your Sight. Malo (formerly of Tribe of Millions), will open with an acoustic set and Moveable Feast will close the evening. ($8)

Voltage 05 is smashing success

"Wow, what a night," says Ross Raihala of the Pioneer Press about last night's Voltage: Fashion Amplified.

More details to follow, but read Ross's "Voltage in Full" here.

Kasabian cancels, Voltage doors are at 7PM

There's no relationship between tonight's incredible Voltage buzz and Kasabian cancelling their gig at the Fine Line tonight.

Voltage tickets have sold like crazy in the past 48 hours, but as of press time there should still be some available at the First Avenue door. But do arrive early.

The Voltage committee was up bright and early making final preparations for tonight's show. Doors are at 7PM. Show is at 7:30PM. Tickets are $8 in advance/$10 at the door.

Here's a roundup of some of today's final pre-event press:



"No need for beer goggles; this is bound to be the prettiest crowd First Ave's seen in a while," says Diablo Cody in the City Pages A-Listing for Voltage 2005. Read the full article here.

"This will likely be the most exciting Wednesday night of 2005, so don't miss it," says mnspeak.com. More here. And here.

Read a wonderful article by Allison Kaplan in today's Pioneer Press here. And pick up a copy of the paper (remember it's only a quarter!) to see a beautifully done photo of the Voltage 2005 designer team.

Voltage on Lori and Julia Show (FM107) today at 3:25PM

Tune in from 3:25 p.m. to 4 p.m. today (Monday) to FM 107 for the Lori
and Julia show.

Anna Lee and Kate Galloway will be talking about Voltage, now just 2 scarily short days away!

Northeast is the new Uptown

Just as I was looking forward to making a list of the top ten things to do instead of seeing The Killers Saturday night at the Quest--stay in and make sculptures out of cottage cheese, for example--it looks like they've saved me the trouble by postponing their show.

The gig has been rescheduled for August 9th at the larger Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Existing ticket holders will be admitted for general admission spots on the Roy Wilkins floor.

Northeast is the new Uptown

The Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) brings Art-A-Whirl to Northeast Minneapolis this weekend for the tenth straight year. It's become a howwastheshow tradition to spin through Northeast by Vespa during Art-A-Whirl (weather permitting) and take in as many galleries and music events as possible.

Art-A-Whirl includes more than 400 locations including artist studios, independently-owned galleries and alternative art spaces. Many Northeast artists open their doors to the public, and nearly 20,000 visitors are expected for the event, making it one of the largest of the year.

See http://www.art-a-whirl.org for a full schedule of events.

Selected music events are posted on the howwastheshow calendar.

Friday Night

There's too much tempting stuff again on Friday night. Here are a few recommendations. (For those stalking me, I'm going to try to see Romantica at the Uptown Bar and then end up at the Beatifics show at the Turf Club.)

• Joanna James / Sam Keenan / Pete Hoffman - Hexagon Bar
• Terramara CD Release Party - Fine Line (This is a quite listenable funky, jazzy, R&B influenced pop band from Bloomington, MN. Their CD was reviewed in Pulse earlier this month here.
• Redstart - Kitty Cat Klub
• Wes Burdine & the Librarians CD Release / Romantica / Reticence - Uptown Bar
• Beatifics / Lifestyle of Wigs / Get Up Johns - Turf Club
• Highway 61 Revisted Dylan Tribute - Cabooze
• Exile on 7th Street (Little Brian Evil & Friends perform Exile on Main St. in its entirety) – Where else? 7th Street.

Saturday at Grumpy's Northeast - Backyard Art-A-Whirl Bash

Grumpy's Northeast has assembled a kick ass lineup of local music on Saturday afternoon. Their press release invites you to kick back "with the miscreant punk of the Fuck Yeahs, sample the Sea Whores salty dissonance, repose with City Pages 2004 singer of the year, Alicia Corbett, then melt in Landing Gear's massive landscape pop." The lineup ends with Ear Candy, a group that has to be seen to be believed. (Sample a few of Ear Candy's songs here.)

1:00pm Fuck Yeahs
1:45pm Grant Johnson and the New Vintage
2:30pm Sea Whores
3:15pm Alicia Corbett
4:00pm NoiseQueanAnt
4:45pm Mach FoX
5:30pm Ouija Radio
6:15pm Landing Gear
7:00pm Kruddler
7:45pm Ear Candy

Saturday elsewhere

The Nomad World Pub has an awesome night of music Saturday starting out with Murzik (our current photo of the week). The man with the angelic and haunting voice you've been hearing on 89.3 the Current, and the Twin Cities own addition to the Kill Rock Stars roster, Jeff Hanson (pictured to the left) plays the middle spot. The night is rounded out by the sweet pop of HowWasTheShow favorites, The Vestals.

Over at the Hexagon Bar, Rich Mattson of Ol' Yeller and friends perform
Kansas City Southern: A Tribute To The Music Of Gene Clark.

Gene Clark (as opposed to Roy Clark, that's the guy from Hee Haw) got his start with folk-rock and psychedelic-rock pioneers The Byrds, but he also released several solo records, as well as two albums with Dillard & Clark. Some call Clark the father of country rock. His songs have been covered by artists, ranging from Roxy Music to Husker Du, Robyn Hitchcock, Salt N' Pepa and Tom Petty.

Saturday they'll be covered by Rich Mattson of Ol' Yeller and a band that includes Bill Quinn on pedal steel, Keely Lane (Trailer Trash, Ol' Yeller) on drums, Dale Kallman (Ol' Yeller), on vocals and bass, and David Beckey (The Autumn Leaves), on vocals and guitar. Three full sets Clark material will be peppered with special guests including Chris Dorn, Jeaneen Gauthier (Jan), Jon Hunt (Landing Gear), Chris Merski and others.

Next Week

Monday night, Ian from Drinking with Ian is special guest host at Lili's Burlesque's Industry Night and bake sale billed as "Pasties and Pastries." The bake sale hopes to raise money for the troupe's trip to Exotic World. Lili's is at 327 2nd Ave. N. Doors are at 8:00pm. $5.

Tuesday, Emusiccompany is putting on a show at First Avenue.

Here's the lineup and times:

McKinley Place - 12:00
Panoramic Blue - 11:00
Flavor - 10:00
Ladder El - 9:15
Dear Machine - 8:30

Cover is $6 in advance, $8 at the door or free if you wear your EMC Music Company shirt.

Wednesday, of course, First Avenue will host the 2nd Annual Voltage: Fashion Amplified

You're probably sick of me saying this, but buy your tickets early! A sellout is expected.

If you attended last year's show not knowing what to expect and were blown away, you may go this year thinking you know what to expect and be blown away yet again. The Voltage committee has been burning the midnight oil for six months now working on this show.

Pulse did a cover story on Voltage this week.

Tune in Sunday at 1 to Radio K, as I'll be the guest on Music Lover's Club playing Voltage artists and talking about the show with host Karla Klaustermeier.

Sunday night tune into Homegrown on Drive 105 for live performances by the Deaths and conversation with Voltage producer Anna Lee and Voltage band coordinator Kate Galloway.

Then Monday, Lori and Julia with talk to Anna and Kate on their show on afternoon show on FM 107. They'll be on from about 3:25 p.m. to 4.

As Voltage approaches, check the VFA news page (another blog, actually, updated by yours truly).

Robert Skoro

Rob Skoro is on tour. In a recent email, he said, "It's a big, lonely country out there (for three guys in a van, at least) and we need all the company we can get! So see his web page for dates and tell your out of town friends.

All the out of town shows are with the new trio which has Robert playing some keys and a bit more of the electric guitar. James Buckley plays standup bass and bass guitar; and Adrian Suarez (Haley Bonar, Vicious Vicious) plays drums.

Ticket Alert

Rolling Stones tickets go on sale tomorrow for their September 6th appearance at the Excel Center.

KQ Homegrown moves to Sunday night at 10PM on Drive 105

For the past 8 years the award winning, local music specialty program "KQ Homegrown" hosted by Mei Young and co-host Dave Campbell has featured live in studio appearances from Minnesota bands and musicians on KQRS at 92.5 FM.

Starting Sunday, May 22nd, the program (which will now be called just "Homegrown") moves to Drive 105 at 105.1, 105.3 and 105.7 on the FM dial at the new, more school-night friendly time slot of 10PM.

Homegrown's very first show on Drive 105 will feature a live performance by The Deaths. And special guests Anna Lee, Kate Galloway, and David de Young (yup, I'm writing myself into the news again) will stop by to talk about Voltage: Fashion Amplified which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 25th at First Avenue. Sunday's Homegrown show will include Voltage compilation CD and Voltage 05 ticket giveaways.

Why the change?

Last night's KQ Homegrown was part of Mei Young's final shift at KQRS where she has been for the past 18 years.

Today Young started a new position at Drive 105 as Promotions Director and Midday Personality (10 AM to 3PM). It was agreed that in Young's move from KQ to Drive 105 that the popular Homegrown program would come right along with her.

In a press release sent out Friday to friends and colleages, Young included a top 10 list of the differences between working the overnight shift at KQ and her exciting new DAY job (emphasis on the DAY.)

Here are the last four items:

7. You can now call me before noon.
8. You can’t call after 2am anymore.
9. Might have to add more daytime minutes to my cell plan.
10. Happy Hours aren’t just for breakfast anymore!

Until listeners catch on to the the Homegrown move, the program will be a rebroadcast on tape delay on KQ at midnight.

Local radio listeners may note one drawback is that Homegrown now airs at the same time as Jason Nagel's Minnesota Music on Cities 97 (Sunday's at 10PM.) From a community perspective, scheduling these two programs on top of each other effectively decreases the number of hours devoted to local music in this market. For now, I'll be taping one program and listening to the other live, as both remain required listening for the local music fan.

A new and improved Homegrown website is in the works and its e-mail address remains Homegrownmail@comcast.net.

HowWasTheShow in Pioneer Press front page story today

Pop Music critic Ross Raihala has an article on the front page of today's Pioneer Press called "Sound Recovery," which makes a good case that the Twin Cities music scene is indeed in the early stages of another massive heyday.

For the article, Ross interviewed musicians, music biz folks, and journalists around the community, including me, Erik Appelwick of Vicious Vicious and Olympic Hopefuls, Sean McPherson of Heiruspecs, Steve Nelson of 89.3 The Current, and Kate Galloway of Vamp Music Source. Those interviewed cite increases in live show attendance, sizable chunks of money raised to support public radio, and more local bands achieving national exposure through tours, television and national label contracts.

I am honored to have been quoted on three separate occasions, and even being granted the closing quotation for the piece, "I think we're going to start to see more local acts get recognized and get national contracts. It's the start of a renaissance."

And anytime the papers print the HowWasTheShow.com URL, we are happy.

You can read the full article online here, but do pick up the messy paper and ink copy of the paper too while it's on stands as that's the only place you'll see the photos. (The paper is only a quarter, big spender.)

This Week's Music Mishmash

I'd seen Snow Patrol in Ireland last summer, so I passed on their sold out show at the Quest Wednesday. I was also still recovering from Tuesday's Gang of Four show.

Ross Raihala has some interesting observations about Snow Patrol in his blog here.

Mercury Rev and the Doves, as you may know, postponed their Minneapolis appearance while Doves' lead singer Jimi Goodwin recuperated from an illness. They cancelled several dates including yesterday'ss show at The Quest and tonight's show at the Old Vic in Chicago. But they resume tomorrow in Detroit at the Magestic Theatre. A friend of mine will be at that show, and I hope to get a full report from her upon her return from the Motor City.

Tonight

Tonight I am going to Bright Eyes to help out a poor friend who had an extra ticket and wanted the company. I'm like that.

Conor Oberst and company play an early show (with The Faint opening) so where else might I go?

• Hanz Solo is calling it quits. “What we resurrect as remains to be seen but the band you know and love as HanZsolo will be forever gone by 2 am tomorrow," Hans himself said in an email message yesterday. They're at the 400 Bar tonight with Gutta Percha and Hi*Test (9:30, $7) Hans adds, “The 400 Bar is at Cedar and Riverside on the West Bank" for those who did not know that.

• Olympic Hopefuls headline The Fine Line tonight on a great lineup featuring Leroy Smokes, Sunday Runners and Kalgren.

• Rank Strangers, Kruddler and Blame are at The Hexagon Bar in a show that's bound to rock and be fun. If I don't die of sleep deprivation by midnight tonight, that's where I'm likely to be found (for those of you who are stalking me.)

Tomorrow night

Here's that Mach Fox reminder I promised you last week.

Mach FoX headlines the Kitty Cat Klub Saturday night and promises a "lights, attitude, action style show." And they'll be giving away free Mach Fox sox at the door with your paid admission (while supplies last, of course.) Princess Wishingstar, and Lady Hard-on (who were voted T.C. best polka band recently by the City Pages) open.

The Mike Doughty show at The Cedar is sold out, but Doughty will be playing an in store at the Electric Fetus for those who want to see him. His solo album is possibly a must have for Soul Coughing fans. I'm sure there will be plenty of copies of the disk on hand at the Fetus if you are so inclined.

Next week

Voltage: Fashion Amplified revs up with a pre-party Wednesday, May 18th at the Hexagon Bar as they finalizes preparations for the fabulousness of their full-scale event the following Wednesday, May 25th at First Avenue. (Disclaimer: I've mentioned before that I'm the Voltage publicist, so when I say “they" I really mean “us." But I know the show is going to be great because I'm privy to all the exciting inside details too sensitive to be shared with the GP.)

Stop by the free event at the Hexagon for your chance to win Voltage CD compilations and tickets. DJ Jake Rudh will be spinning past and present Voltage bands in addition to his usual fare. And make up artists and hair stylists will be on hand to do rock star makeovers.

The Voltage committee, many of the bands and designers and even some of the models will also be on hand. There are well over a hundred people of people involved in this show, so this promises to be a busy night. (And here's a reminder to buy your Voltage tickets early, as we fully expect a sellout this year.)

Also Wednesday, May 18th is the 3rd Annual Joy Division Tribute (JDIII) at the Triple Rock. The show is a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota.

The event marks the 25th anniversary of the suicide of Joy Division lead singer Ian Curtis. Curtis suffered from epilepsy, and the condition might have contributed to his depression and suicide.

In honor of that event, here's a poem (an imitation of e.e. cumming's “Buffalo Bill" ) I wrote about Ian many years ago.

Ian Curtis
Hanged himself
Who used to
Write onetwothreefourfive songs about death justlikethat
Jesus
He was a scary man.
And what I want to know is
Is he happy now that he is dead
Mister Death?
- David de Young (1985)


Gone Out Gone, Dallas Orbiter and Copterboy play the event at the Triple Rock.

Ticket alert

Green Day tickets go on sale Saturday, May 14th for their show at the Excel Center on Friday, September 16th.

Gang of Four Roars at Quest Club

My full review of the Gang of Four's appearance at the Quest Club last night will be on the main site in a day or so. I must say it was one of the best Quest shows I have seen in some time.

If you didn't go, you missed a hell of a time. This is one show that should have sold out in minutes. And didn't sell out at all. A shame.

The two word version of my review reads simply, "They roared!" They sounded great, they looked great, and the image of Jon King beating on a microwave with a baseball bat for almost the entirety of "He'd Send in the Army" is an image that will probably linger in my brain for the rest of my life.

And oh, the catharsis of singing along on the "I'm kissing you goodbye goodbye goodbye" closing lines to "Damaged Goods," which came as the second encore. Christ. About the only thing that beats that is singing along with the Buzzcocks until you're hoarse on the "There ...is...no...love...in...this...world...a...ny..mo-ore" at the end of "I Believe."

Radio 4's opening set was not shabby either.

Here's the set list. If anyone there can tell me what the fourth song was it will be greatly appreciated.

1. Return The Gift (Entertainment)
2. Not Great Men (Entertainment)
3. Ether (Entertainment)
4. ????
5. Paralyzed (Solid Gold)
6. What We All Want (Solid Gold)
7. Anthrax (Entertainment)
8. Why Theory? (Solid Gold)
9. At Home He's A Tourist (Entertainment) (Dedicated to Bruuuuuce -- This ones for bruuuce)
10.He’d Send In The Army (Solid Gold)
11.Natural’s Not In It (Entertainment)
12. To Hell With Poverty (Another Day Another Dollar EP)

Encore

1. We Live as We Dream Alone (Songs of the Free)
2. Damaged Goods (Entertainment)
3. I Found That Essence Rare (Entertainment)

Weekly local music roundup - tons of shows and new CD's

First Avenue's weekly newsletter reports this week that now that the minimum wage is going up from $5.15 to $6.15 per hour their "Staff Will Finally be Able to Afford Non-Ripped Clothing!" This quip and the club’s revamped website shows the club is not only increasing its level of professionalism, but still has time to poke fun at itself.

Tonight

Here are 7 shows I would go to tonight if I could. (I will likely end up at the Mallman show.)

• Arcwelder - 7th Street Entry $6 8PM
• Immortal Technique, Akir, Doomtree - First Avenue $10/12 6PM
• All the Pretty Horses / Filthy Divine / Stateline Motel - Triple Rock 10PM $6
• Mark Mallman - Turf Club
• Mike Lane / Dan Israel and the Cultivators - Hexagon
• Blame / The Rakes / Fuller - Terminal Bar
• The Centurions / Lifestyle of Wigs / Sam Keenan - Big V's

Next Week


Chris Koza - Publicity Photo by Ryan Lemery

One of HowWasTheShow's favorite performers, Chris Koza plays with his full band at the Fine Line on Wednesday, May 11th. He plans to tape for a mini documentary for his video press kit. Download your free tickets from this link. The bill also features the J Project, Rusty Trombones and Sasha Band. Koza plays at 8PM, so don’t be late.

Also, remember Koza’s on the HowWastheShow Birthday show Saturday, June 4th at the Turf Club. (Koza was the guest on Chris Robert's weekly music program this past week. That show is still archived for your listening pleasure here.)

Also, another favorite of ours, JoAnna James (who sang with Jessy Greene just last night at a wonderful and packed show at Mario’s) plays Thursday, May 12th with her full band at the Nomad World Pub. Same drill. She’ll be taping for her video press kit. That one’s $5, and James goes on at 11p.m.

Mach Fox Sox

Remember when Doc’s Kid’s sent me blue jello in a press kit a few years ago? This week Mach Fox sent me a pair of official Mach Fox sweat socks. (Haven’t worn 'em yet, but they look comfy.) Mach Fox's CD Futurepast came out earlier this year, and it’s a great listen for lovers of bands like Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode, but with a modern twist. The band headlines a show next Saturday, May 14th at the Kitty Cat Klub. (I’ll remind you again next Friday.)

Lots of New CDs

The Ashtray Hearts new CD Perfect Halves (their second full length) sounds terrific from the bits I’ve heard. One of the songs the band played while guesting on KQ Homegrown this past week broke my heart. And really, that’s all I ask of music from time to time. The Ashtray hearts celebrate the release of their CD Saturday night (5/8) at the Turf Club with Walker Kong.



The Voltage: Fashion Amplified compilation CD comes out today. (I'm about to drive over to Noiseland Industries and pick up several cases of disks as soon as I get this dang column published.)

This year's Voltage compilation is a great disk if I don’t say so myself, since for the second year running I put it together (with some help from my good friends Greg Reierson at Rare Form Mastering, Andrew Volna at Noiseland Industries and Melanie and Barrett Haroldson from Skycrusher. (And of course the bands --The Soviettes, Olympic Hopefuls, The Violettes, Ouija Radio, Melodious Owl, Mike Gunther, The TV Sound and The Deaths -- without whom the CD would be very, very quiet.)

Ask at your local indie record store for the disk. If they don't have it in stock, they'll be able to get it from OneStop, the hand CD distribution arm of The Eclectric Fetus.

Eclectone Records gains distributors

Big news at Martin Devaney's label Electone Records. The entire Eclectone roster will now be distributed digitally by our friends at Red Eye Distribution (John Doe, Robbie Fulks, Robert Skoro, Bob Mould and many more). All of the Eclectone music will also be available on iTunes, Napster and many other sites.

Eclecton also has two releases scheduled for the summer of 2005: The sophomore release from Big Ditch Road (tentatively titled Suicide Note Reader’s Companion) as well as the latest solo offering from Bob McCreedy, his first for Eclectone. Bob told me the working title of the disk is Threshola.

Devaney sent out an email thanking everyone who has shown support for the label lately. “It’s been a hard few months trying to figure out what (if anything) to do. I really appreciate the kick in the ass.” Martin, here’s another kick. Keep up the great work.

Lonesome Dan Case and Crush Collision Trio have a new CD out (as of last night they had copies at their regular gig at Dusty’s.) The disk is called Leave Here Walkin’.

Jack Norton and the Mullet River Boys’ new album (in stores this week) is called Bound for Glory. The band plays tonight at 8PM at The Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul for Minnesota Public Radio's "Morning Show Ukulele Gala" with hosts Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole. Also on the bill: Jumpin' Jim Beloff and Kari Larson. 8:00 PM. Tickets ($20, $25, $29) This show is sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio and 89.3 FM The Current.

Ticket alert

Neil Diamond tickets go on sale Monday, May 9th for Neil's show August 31st at the Target Center. If you’re gonna go, remember that since several generations of people are likely to be fighting over tickets, it’s probably best to dive in early on that one.

Two Shows at Mario's this week - Raven's Birthday (Wednesday) and Jessy Greene (Thursday)

Tonight

It's Raven's birthday (May 4th.) The man once called the "world's oldest living teenager" will play with his full band and special guest Apryl Electra at his weekly "London's Calling" event at Mario's Keller Bar. He promises free UK Cake. UKake? Worth showing up just to find out what that might be. And, of course, to wish Raven another happy 19th birthday.

Tomorrow

(Also at Mario's)

This following report comes to us from HowWasTheShow's Nancy Jane Meyer.


Jessy Green

Jessy Greene and members of Hieruspecs (including this site's Steve McPherson's brother Sean McPherson on bass) will play their first show this year (Hieruspecs have been busy on tour) at Mario's Keller Bar this Thursday at 9:30. Multi-instrumentalist Greene, who has performed on Twin Cities stages with everyone from the Jayhawks and Golden Smog to Chan Poling and Soul Asylum, will debut new material, which she says "sounds hip-hop with a definitive rock edge." Since last fall, Greene has been experimenting with her style and sound, opening for Joseph Arthur with her acoustic ensemble of John Munson (Semisonic) Joanna James and...the aforementioned Steve McPherson (Yes, we're as inbred here at howwastheshow as an Appalaichan shack clan...but it's a small town, what can we say.) In the past few months, Greene has been back and forth to L.A. to work with a producer who had been working on a J. Lo project, and she hopes to release her second CD soon. Landing Gear will follow at 11, and Mario's beer tent will be open for business. Brost! - NJM