What’s Going On: 2/23 – 2/26

The hardest part of writing the What’s Going On, is actually figuring out clever ways to ask What’s Going On in the introductory paragraph.

Thursday, February 23rd

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Parking lot jungle.

Brooklyn based duo Talk Normal whip heavy drums and guitar into a heady froth of minimalist art that would make Richard Serra proud. Drummer Andyra Ambrio wails from her gut to produce a poised yowl similar to the respected Karen O that goes down easy into a progressively percussive song like Transmission Lost.

The Luminary. 8 PM. $13 – $15. With Zola Jesus, who sings deceptively like Anna Calvi.

Friday, February 24th

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This is so Warhol-ian it ain't even funny.

Comprised of Theodore‘s former lead howler, Justin Kinkel-Schuster, and Oxford, Mississippi housed Andrew Bryant, Water Liars deliver a simple and studied take on folk-rock that cites The Black’s Keys‘ aggressive drum/guitar rampages ($100), and Harry Nilsson‘s knack for intimate, romantic vocals (Dog Eaten).

Thank Andrew Blank (OMG RHYMING) for the kick ass review of Water’s Liars’s debut LP, Phantom Limb in this month’s issue of Eleven. Not only was his assessment fair, it was accurate and intriguing. #JUSTSAYIN’.

Off Broadway. 9 PM. $7. With Bob Reuter’s Alley Ghost and Fred Friction.

Saturday, February 25th

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Dawg.

ONCE UPON A TIME…there was a baby monkey named Britches. He grew up hard, and he grew up fast in the cruel world of laboratory experimentation. It wasn’t until 1985 that he made his escape by personally phoning the Animal Liberation Front. An inspiration for captive stump-tailed macaques (pronounced: MAH-KAK!) everywhere, Britches went on to captivate the world with his woesome tale of sensory deprivation in the name of SCIENCE.

Whether his tale is one of animal cruelty, or one of a morally ambiguous science project for the betterment of mankind, remains unclear. Also on shaky ground: if the mask wearing, noise rock outfit Britches acquired their name from that little guy. For all we know, they could just be really into pants.

Lest I digress, Britches is a trio of possibly pro-furry lads who meld Lou Reed melodrama (“Stand Tall or Don’t Stand at All”) with the explosiveness of Brand New‘s f*$#ing great The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me (“The Good Years”) into a concoction of hyped up weirdness that’s been thrown into a dumpster only to be crushed into a cube a-la Wall-e, them become broken apart and strewn about into a segmented version of its former incarnation. Yeah.

Schlafly Tap Room. 9 PM. FREE. With Global Distance, and Radiator Greys.

Sunday, February 26th

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Biodome, anyone?

Safer than a tanning bed, a nature to nature, and a Pauly Shore allusion (?), The Climatron is STL’s own synthetic summer. Escape the winter blues by stripping to your June-July-August best with a bunch of strangers and enjoy what is being dubbed a “Beach Party”. Right on, sister.

Missouri Botanical Garden. 12:30 PM. $4 to get into MOBOT if you’re a St. Louis citizen, $8 if you ain’t!

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on February 23, 2012 at 1:43 pm, filed under News, Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged 2/23 - 2/26, britches, climatron, Talk Normal, water liars, what's going on, What's Going On: 2/23 - 2/26, zola jesus. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 2/16 – 2/19

Scotty‘s playing Lotus, and it’s making me sleepy, and yearn for a cuddle with Hector (the dog) who is NO WHERE to be found. What’s Going On?

Thursday, February 16th

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Call it a plague upon the House of Rock, but the epoch "bands with animals in their name" is not going anywhere. What would Mercutio have to say about this?

Bear Hive‘s 4-track EP A Mountain to Maintain is a trek through the lushest of indie-rock forests. On “Wigwam”, the band delineates catchy  synth into their undulating tempo to work itself into a sweat before taking a dip into the river of interlude.

Bear Hive will be playing at The Firebird with Union Tree Review, Grandkids, and SLOTHPOP. $5. 8 PM.

ALSO! If you dig what you hear and have the means, here are some upcoming dates for the Union Tree Review, Grandkids, and Slothpop tour!

Friday, February 17th

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Don't let your eyes deceive you, this photo was not taken by a visually impaired nine-year old.

Four score and seven year’s ago, or forty-five minutes ago, really, I have no idea, Dave Stone Trio became the tenured Friday night act at the notoriously chill South City bar, Mangia Italiano. Or, if you’re hip to Tower Grove’s colloquialisms, it’s the best 3AM bar in proximity to a post-office, Mangia.

Dave Stone composes free jazz and experimental mood music that urges the boozing and conversation despite their propensity for getting loud, which is all in the nature of a night at Mangia, which reaches its zenith just beyond 1AM when all those chased out of closing establishments wobble through the door.

Free. 10PM.

Saturday, February 18

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After encountering the band live, Lotus fans are known to experience bouts of flashbacks where light beams come out of their partner's eyes when they make love.

Tara Mahadevan got to the past, present, and amorous intentions Lotus has for the Midwest in the feature Sound & Vision from Eleven’s latest publication. By placing their  feet in the pools of jam and electronic, Lotus has evolved from an improvisational rock duo into a sensory overload with a compass pointed towards the direction of  dance music.

Their prints are still in the sands of live instrumentals, but their heads are in the clouds of a groovy version of heaven. Check ‘em out at The Pageant. $25. Openers Goodness Gracious and Conspirator start at 7:30 PM.

Sunday, February 18th

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My kingdom for a good photo!

It’s a three-day weekend, and the most important holiday of them all practically spooning us. Why not celebrate President’s Day by heading to the East Side for some local H-E-A-V-Y M-E-T-A-L from Fight for Midnight, fungonewrong (IT DOES WHAT?!), We Could be Kings, Ideal Weapon, and K9 Squad (WHERE THE F&%$ IS HECTOR?!).

Pop’s. $6. 6 PM.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on February 16, 2012 at 8:47 am, filed under Uncategorized and tagged 2/16 - 2/19, what's going on, What's Going On: 2/16 - 2/19. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 2/9 – 2/13

No, but for real, What’s Going On?

Thursday, February 9th

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Harry Bertoia, Untitled, 235, ink on paper, c. 1950s

When taking the metrolink to UMSL, post-departing the platform and hesitantly crossing the tracks, a weary traveller will happen upon Gallery 210 and promptly walk past it. If you have time today, tomorrow, this weekend, whenever… check out the worm hole that is 210. Pocketed carefully by UMSL as a craftly means of capitalizing on contemporary art, as Curator Terry Shure chooses a variety of artists for his disparate galleries. Separated by inches, Galleries acutely labeled A, B, and C house national and local artists in objectively disparate roles. Shure rarely melds his  galleries together. He tends to have them stand on their own as his own means of making artwork.

See Harry Bertoia‘s 40 Years of Drawing, an original permutation of his monoprints, sculptures, and furniture at UMSL’s 210 until March 17th from 11 AM – 5 PM.

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Lone ranger, Dave Beeman.

David Beeman is the poster-child for music St. Louis. He’s fronted numerous bands, most recently Old Lights. There’s a little but of Tom Petty in Beeman’s delivery. The same concentration on the frontal lobe, he nasally woos the microphone. The kinda sound you wanna listen to after a stressful day.

See him play with Kit Hamon (of the recording studio Native Sound and Old Lights), for freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, at PLUSH. 8:30 PM.

Friday, February 10th

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From their melancholic "Blue Period"

Before I had seen them, I had read about, heard about, and been bitched at about Little Big Bangs. Suffice it to say, they have penchant for mayhem. And if the rumors are true,  Little Big Bangs might just embody the danger missing from local rock n’ roll both on and off the stage.

Churchill Downs would be equal parts shocked and appalued by this comparison, but the band tears into each song like it’s the last turn before home at the Kentucky Derby. The intensity makes the audience roar louder after every song, push each other around, demand that the band play harder, and the band will return such feral behavior by running itself into an oblivion of muddy grunge riffs and coyote howls. If you want sweaty flanks, flared nostrils, and a drummer that beats. the. shit. out of his ride until it crosses the finish line, you have come to the right place.

Catch ‘em come unbrideled at The Boulder (3200 block of Knapp St.) with Scripts n’ Screwz and 18andcounting. 8PM.

Saturday, February 11th

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She's got leeee-eeeehhhhggggsssss. She knows how to uuussseee ttthhheeemmm!!!

Thought Hollerlujah was a riot? Wait until you see what we have up our sleeves this time around… We’re turning The Skatium into a discotheque complete with faux-70s garb, music, and the right to boogie down.

…and I’m just ganking the rest of this off our Facebook…

“Presented by Eleven Magazine, DJ Invisible Cola, & DJ Boogieman, with special guests M.S.I.F.

It’s cold outside. Stay warm in a pair of roller skates, as Eleven Magazine teams up with the city’s most in-demand disco DJ duo to bring you a night of grooves, moves, and booze.

That’s right, we’re getting down roller disco-style.

Don’t worry though: no previous skating experience necessary, only a willingness to boogie. If you’ve got a bad case of skate-fright, there’s plenty of room for roller-less foxy trot hustlin’. Be sure to wear your finest threads. Sequined and polyester clothes STRONGLY encouraged.

The magic maestros DJ Invisible Cola and DJ Boogieman will lay down the groove sound while you get funky and do the body-to-body boogie. M.S.I.F. will take center-rink at 10 PM for a special music & dance performance guaranteed to get you caught up in a one-night love affair.

Tickets are $8 at the door and include the cost of unlimited skate rental. Once you’re in, it’s $2 beers and $3 well drinks.

This is a 21+ event, so sorry to all the underage groovers and shakers!

M.S.I.F.’s choreography by Jo Morris. Special shout-out to Zoë Scharf for laying down the poster.”

//2//

"Nature is a mutable cloud which is always and never the same." - Emerson

Navigator doesn’t sound like the same band live that they do on their record Bad Case of theVisions. Quiet, confused, and sentimental, when placed in a live setting, the band explodes out of the confines a 7-inch like an atom bomb. They blew the roof off Hollerlujah, changing the molecular chemistry of the night. We’re still brushing the atomic dust off out of our hair.

Accept the radioactivity and watch ‘em level Lemmon’s with Estevan, Potomac Accord, and I.O. Media at 9PM. $5.

//3//

Cayetano Valenzuela licks starburst flavored colors onto canvases with the benevolence of a Lisa Frank spiral notebook. His brushwork is flimsy, his pencil work is flimsier, if not sophomoric. The whole deal is common, colorful, and a little pretentious. It’s almost like his unrefined hand lacks the know-how, or realization of its own rudimentary aesthetic. The only work that hints at formal training is Static Radio Behind the Train Tracks which incorporates acrylic under pencil to delicately maneuvers the folds of the subjects sweater. The clothing is done with such tenderness, it initially appears malleable. With that fraction excellence so confined within the bend of an elbow, Valenzuela eliminates the trivial motifs that charge Aisle 1 Gallery‘s walls. Nighttiming, halos, skulls, stiffly drawn figures are common within the work of uncommon Valenzuela. Overall, the exhibit is unimpressive, but, that minute moment of tenderness caught between the softness of a sleeve’s wrinkles, is enough of a reason to glimpse Valenzuela’s work and ponder its future.

//4//

Presented: the allegorical transformation of Anarbor's extracurricular activities.

Anarbor is, above all things, a pop-rock band. More so, they are a cooperative of five friends who have been playing music together in the badlands of Phoenix, Arizona since middle school. Rare long-term compatability aside, Anarbor also happens to be one of the most potential-ridden bands to access the mainstream in a while. When listening to their major label debut The Words You Don’t Swallow, Cheap Trick charisma, and The Kink’s knack for smirk-inducing subject matter, make for an arresting aural experience.

Lead singer and bass player, Slade Echeverria slings two syllable words like “women” (wuh-mhhhnnn’s more like it) out of his gullet with a wild west passive-aggressiveness that a secure talent can provide. He just sounds like the guy who purrs into your ear all night, then leaves the bed cold in the morning after he’s done cleaning his pistol in the sink. If a one-night-stand had a voice, it’d be Echeverria’s.

When performing live, he brings the same Jesse James-swag to his front-man position while members Mike Kitlas, Adam Juwig, and Greg Garrity comfortably handle the stage terrain like mustangs that have managed to escape the clutches of fun sucking cowhands.

Notes are hit, guitars are swung, fun is had. See Anarbor at The Firebird around 8 PM with these people and ask yourself why they aren’t the headliners.

Sunday, February 12th

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Where's the E?

I watched a lot of the documentary Hoop Dreams when I was trying to figure out whether or not I wanted to quit basketball in my Junior year of high school. The tale of two boys struggling to access the higher floors of the sporting industry was more relatable for me, an underfed-over aggressive giraffe with a daring J, than Basketball Diaries or He Got Game. Given my familiarity with the doc of Chicago players William Gates and Arthur Agee, I never thought I’d see the film’s title, a postcard for their troubles as poor, young African American men become a track for synthful- electronic act Teen Girl Fantasy.

See ‘em for $5, or free if you have the money to attend Wash U, at The Gargoyle. 8PM.

Monday, February 13th

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That poor penguin.

If being previewed in this month’s Eleven wasn’t enough,  it’s time to brace the “why” in “why you need to see” Talkdemonic.

A grind-producing hybridization of folk and electronic, Talkdemonic are a muse for a smokey-night by the pond in summer. Their live show rest lax restraint on the ambient echoes of a slow moving current towards floatation. Get a raft, lay down, mold to it in the water, and you have Talkdemonic’s loving sound.

Check ‘em with locals Navigator (I though fishes could hibernate?) at The Gramophone. 8 PM. $12.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on February 9, 2012 at 3:59 pm, filed under News, Uncategorized, Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged 2/9 - 2/13, wgo, what's going on, What's Going On: 2/9 - 2/13. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 2/2 – 2/5

Anybody else hear about Madonna getting that special half-time gig and wonder to themselves, What’s Going On? If she doesn’t bust out that pointed bra deal then there’s no hope for this civilization.

Thursday, February 2nd

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Is this not a fantastic photo? Golly!

Jubilee is not only a badass player in the X-Men game, but the stage name for another righteous lady coming to STL to bring a special blend of authentic hot jazz and swing music. Miss Jubilee combines playful stand-up bass with vocals that sound like they come right off your record player. Songs like “All of Me” bring energetic vocals akin to Miss Patsy Cline (think “Stupid Cupid“) with a the constant rhythmic trotting of a Hackney Pony.

See her 8 PM – 11 PM at The Schlafly Tap Room. Free, or so it seems.

Friday, February 3rd

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 The Skekses are a duo of Elly and Evan who bring the sleepy-pretty to Nashville sound. Acoustic compositions like “Mattress Truck” have the quiet composure of timeless country music without the cacophonous twang associated with contemporary songs. Just don’t ask me how to pronounce that name! Need more music? Peep their 9-track album, Collapse of an Alternate Universe here.

Also playing: Spoken Nerd (“satirical indie hip hop” = deft white man’s rhymes) and HUMDRUM. At The Schlafly Tap Room from 9 PM – midnight. Fo’ Free!

Saturday, February 4th

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Yeah, their lives shows are kinda like that...but bigger.

Bo and the Locomotive have garnered a lot of attention from STL music connoisseurs. To site a few recent instance: they make a video for STL.today’s LISTEN, their drummer Steven “interviews” Pretty Little Empire for KDHX as part of the ongoing Show Me Shows project,…oh!, and some publication I’ve never heard of called The Riverfront Times deemed their album “On My Way” as one of the best local releases of 2011. Not to mention, some of us (OKAY ME) at Eleven have this super professional propensity for getting drunk and seeing them live while simultaneously having the time of their lives…but whatever. Passionate, loud, exciting, and pretty damn talented, the group has a relatability and pervasive energy that make you feel at so at home, that you forget they’re not your house.

If you haven’t seen them live, you kinda owe it to yourself to get on the bandwagon and get down to The Firebird at 8 PM. It’s a $5 show so bring enough money for beer and celebrate The Firebird’s 3rd Anniversary with Bo and the Locomotive, Mutts, The Blind Eyes, and Sleepy Kitty.

 //2//

These team names are unreal...M-80s?! I love it!

Are you a fan of Drew Barrymore‘s feature length directorial debut, Whip It but always questioned the legitimacy of roller derby? Pontificate no more. STL’s Arch Rival Roller Girls are heading into their playoffs and demand you to come screaming and cheering for the packs of women haulin’ around a rink crackin’ skulls and scorin’ points in order to make their championship dreams come true.

See the action in Queeny Park’s Midwest Sport Hockey Rink around 7:30 PM for $15. No one said watchin’ chicks sweat and kick ass was free!

Sunday, February 5th

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I'd date Donald.

Head on over to CAM to check out Christodoulos Panayiotou‘s One Thousand and One Days exhibit. Themed on what cultural ceremonies says about a place, the exhibit of mainly black and white photographs (including some stunning full-color sunsets) explores different rituals of our domestic cultures and those foreign to us.

The photos are strikingly literal, you’ll wander around and see some familiar faces (Santa Clause, for instance), and moments of foreign tendencies that’ll make you scratch your head. A little incongruous, mostly intriguing, the photographs spark a conversation about how our cultures can relate to one other through what were commonly thought of as idiosyncratic moments of custom.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on February 2, 2012 at 3:13 pm, filed under News, Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged 2/2 - 2/5, wgo, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 1/26 – 1/29

With all the rain and crap-ehhhh weather, it’s pretty easy to lose track of the weekdays. Thank goodness gracious for the weekend. Four days of bliss. Now, if you have any further inquiries, they better be asking What’s Going On.

Thursday, January 26

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In the Locals get LOUD feature of last month’s publication, we educated you on the ways of the STL LOUD crew. The LOUD Label is an extension of R&R Music Labs, a home-grown studio with its hand in the cookie jar of accessibility. Every so often they put together these compilations of unreleased music by local artists and have a release show per compilation. These local advocates have a goal to give St. Louis peeps and outsiders a taste of the music STL has to offer. Well, their latest release is up and ready to be celebrated. Look for Rum Drum Ramblers, Rev. Matt, and The LuLus can be found at Off Broadway. 7:30 PM. FREE!

Friday, January 27

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Last shows are always kind of a bummer, but at least this one brings hopes of a rekindling. Jailbox‘s Andy Tranz and Joseph Bassa have a relocation in the works, so they’ll be absent from the St. Louis music scene for a while.  Favoring “more slow songs than fast songs” (or so their FB says), tracks like “Baltimore” favor fragile guitar and a sweet vocal delivery. See ‘em at Plush. 8 PM. $5.

//2//

I’m confused and frightened by this image.

Promising what seems like fun, “down and dirty drunken rock & roll from SPACE”, to be exact, The Browncoats‘ music certainly alludes to the extra terrestrial. “Space Age Loser” takes on Beck‘s token theme of loneliness and loser-dom and turns it into a reason( littered with grunge-inspired classic guitar riffs) to celebrate. See them at The Crack Fox with Gold Tooth and The Krank Daddies. Show 9 PM. $8.

Saturday, January 28

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I bet that thing still flies…

The enigmatic band formerly known as Ping Pong, Pillow Talk describe themselves as “noisy, weird, weird”. Good enough for me. The Winchester. Shaved Women. Black Panties.

See ‘em at Lemmons. 8:00 PM. $5.

QUICK QUESTION: Who, when they read “Black Panties”, thinks about this scene from 10 Things I Hate About You? BB JGL 4 LYFE!).

//3//

The hat and pallid epidermis seal it for me.

Our Editor Tara has been blasting Michael Franco all afternoon after interviewing venue mate Cartweel for Eleven’s blog. From what I’ve gleaned, he’s worth a look and listen. Ambient hip-hip beats under Billy Holiday vocal samples? Heck yes! Watch him work at Off Broadway (and in this video) tonight at 8:30 with Adult Fur and Cartwheel. $7.

Sunday, January 29

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Nice space, Adam!

With a unique set of pipes (think a restrained Tim McIlrath), flowing acoustic guitar, and a base of ambient tones, Adam Arcuragi is a nice reprieve from the cloying clutches of most singer-songwriters (with the exception of Drake Bell, dang it!).

See him at Cicero’s. 8PM. $8.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on January 27, 2012 at 11:28 am, filed under Uncategorized, Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged 1/26 - 1/29, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 1/20 – 1/23

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, weekend! Thank goodness you’ve arrived! How I always miss you when Monday comes. Tell me, what’s going on?

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“Farfetched is an independent music and art imprint based out of St. Louis, MO. We specialize in creating thought provoking, honest, and innovative content for all.”

via FarFetched’s Tumblr

OFFICIALLY. FREAKING. OUT. ABOUT. THIS. PARTY.

No, really. I am. In order to properly celebrate to release of FarFetched’s {Prologue}, we’re throwing a jubilee.

The acts featured will be: 18 and Counting, Adult Fur, Standing Sleep, Scriptz n Screwz, Thelonius Kryptonite, Helen Marie, Scrub, Whiteout, and Blank Generation.

FarFetched also incorporates other forms of art, such as the tactile. An example would be the installation from Matt Strom and Davis which will also be in attendance at the party.

You can catch the show, for free, January 20th. Festivities will commence within the space of2720 (2720 Cherokee) with doors opening at 9 PM and music starting at 10 PM.

//2//

Julien Denoyer

New art? Don’t mind if I do…

Los Caminos, the brainchild of Cherokee wunderkind Francesca Wilmott, is having a one-night-only exhibit. Catch undergrad art students (think of this as the preview for epicness to come) question the real world (post-St. Elmo’s Fire and pre-graduation style).

Children of the End of the World Present: Are We There Yet? is slated for 7-10 PM. Remember: this is exhibit is ONE NIGHT ONLY.

PS. I have a wicked crush on Andrew McCarthy circa ’85 because of that movie. Long live the love-jaded writer!

Saturday, January 21st

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This looks legit. Yeah.

I always wanted to listen to live music in a basement…

Harmonies and acoustic guitar galore: Falsetto Boy, Kid Counselor, Heavy Weather, and Tommy and Sam of Family Might (all homies) play at the Bowen House (4107 Bowen St). 8 PM. Free!

//2//

Melvin Theater? Do you have to go down a rabbit hole to find this place?

Whether waxing with his guitar on Success or strumming gaily on a track like Barriers, Owen Pye has enough of an innocuous vocal delivery and a practiced tepid style that could have him rubbing elbows with Ben Kweller. See him at the Melvin Theater with Sons, So Save Me, and Palace. 7PM.

Sunday, January 22nd

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Did you say… String Cheese Incident?

“Chances are if you’ve been to a bluegrass festival, the memories most prevalent in your mind are not so much that of the “scheduled” performers but more of the impromptu jams and unscheduled collaborations. It’s with that spirit that the McCoury family decided to embark on a traveling bluegrass festival that they are calling The Bluegrass Ball. Ask most string musicians young or old and they will mostly likely tell you that sharing a stage with the McCourys is at or near the top of their list…if they have not already. The McCourys are known for not only their ability to play with just about anyone but also for actually doing it! Anyone who has attended the McCourys’ highly acclaimed DelFest can tell you that the McCourys are on stage all throughout the day and night playing with many of the bands in attendance. These jams are what make DelFest unique, and The Bluegrass Ball will be akin to the epic late night jams that have become a DelFest highlight. Along for the ride are mandolin player extraordinaire Jeff Austin (Yonder Mountain String Band), Billy Nershi (String Cheese Incident), and bluegrass up and comers Mountain Sprout. With this particular line up there are sure to be some phenomenal collaborations and each show will certainly be unique from the next!”

via Do314.com because I wouldn’t be able to come up with anything as succinct.

7pm. Old Rock House. $25.

Monday, January 23rd

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IS THAT A F*ING VELVET JACKET?!?!?!

Say what you will about Nickelodeon/Disney stars-cum-musicians, but this cat is the real thing. Drake Bell put out what has to be the most entirely underrated and under-heard pop album of ever 2006. If you added up It’s Only Time‘s hitgrediants (see what I did there?) you’d get the sweetest, most lovingly made carrot cake with non-fat frosting EVER. Additionally, that album could literally make you want to adopt Bell over orphan baby wombats. It’s THAT cute.

Not to mention, it’s THAT good and THAT self-aware. Bell knows he’s creating pop songs. For Christ’s sake, he can’t stop smiling when he performs. Lyrically, Bell has enough dexterity as a pop-rock musician to name drop his influences (Fallen For You), make Yellow Submarine allusions (Up Periscope) as he details his usual morning after with a lady-of-the-moment, and cash in for writing the catchiest theme song to ever grace a television show centered around two odd ball brothers with nothing in common but a penchant for mischief (Found a Way). Please click that not only to listen to the song, but watch the sweetheart give his sweaty towel to a fan.

So, with all those credentials I just listed and hyper linked the shizz out of, it’s safe to say that I’m totally championing the hell out of this cat. Catch Drake Bell and all his well-manicured, and coltish glory at the Old Rock House. Doors at 7 PM. Show at 8PM. $17.50 in advance and $20 day of.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:46 pm, filed under Uncategorized and tagged 1/20 - 1/22, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 1/12 – 1/15

With all these songs caught in my mind, and me being desperate for a reprieve, I can’t help but ponder what’s going on this week!

Thursday, January 12th

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It must be said, that a community is nothing without collaboration. In order to let teamwork and community prevail, members of this community must work together in order to form a concrete whole. In St. Louis, we have a rather large network of musicians willing to work together and bring to our ears unique projects that illustrate the beauty and genius of STL’s brightest music minds.

Yankee Racer is the brainchild of musicians Aaron Greber and Riley Meek. Gathering multiple local artist, Greber and Meek created an album of the collaborative sounds of local musicians, many stretching with maximum dexterity in genres outside of their comfort zone to bring an interesting disparity to the tracks that comprise the album Doulogue.

Friday, January 13th

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South City has plenty of uncharted territory in terms of nightlife. Often the red-headed step child of St. Louis, South City is normally bypassed on the weekends in favor of its neighbor, Tower Grove . An underrated source of decent venues and cheap booze, South City is charming, hospitable, and a little dirtier than most would like to admit.

Invest a night visiting one of South City’s best bars, The Heavy Anchor. Known for its Hemingway meets nautical decor (completely with framed photos of the ex-patriot author), The Heavy Anchor is slowing building up steam toward becoming South City’s most venerable bar-venue. Stop in to see local indie-rock outfit, Fight for Midnight. The lead singer, Mr. Leif Johnson, has an issue with believing he’s a better singer than he actually is and ever will be, yet when he coasts within his range, and utilizes his esophagus, not nasal passages to produce sound, the band comes together with a pretty and promising sound.

Also playing are Mona Grooves and Highway Heat. Show starts at 9. $5.

//2//

Blending intelligent humor with sentimental alt-folk singer song writer aesthetics, Todd Snider effectively weaves factual tales of the Billy the Kid kinda antics of D.B. Cooper, with the realism of a frat-boy laden late night beer run.

The Portland native and Nashville based singer plays The Sheldon. 8 PM. $15 – $25.

//3//

With album tracks christened “Poop”, “Masturbate”, and “Cheetos, why the hell would you not want to check out the punk outfit called Stinkbomb? Apparently conscious of the issues plaguing uneducated modern punk-rock, Stinkbomb maintains a cantankerous and humorous approach to their lyrics’ subject matter. Never do they delve into tricky, sometimes pretentious topics like politics or corporate fuckery. Stinkbomb keeps it real. Really real. Like bowel movement real. The music carries with it a void in the realm of “noise”. Never cacophonous, always aware of rhythm and timing. Stinkbomb is an interesting band worthy of your time.

See ‘em at Fubar.  Doors at 7 PM. Free show.

Also playing: SCENE OF IRONY, GANG CONTROL, THE BASEMENT, PETCOCK, Captain DEE & THE LONG JOHNS, ALL THINGS AQUATIC, SNOOTY & THE RATFINKS, AL BUNDIE’s ARMY, LEFTOVERS, 431, and VIVISECTIDE.

Saturday, January 14th

//1//

Pay attention to the shirt, not the melancholy expression on his little pre-pubescent face.

The Hibernauts, easy-to-shimmy shimmy shake-to indie rock, may have a peculiar marketing strategy (see the ennui victim above), but can definitely brighten up an other-wise overcast sky. Honest, bittersweet, and antagonistic lyrics manage to covet the spotlight on tracks like “People Better Than You”. While “Throwing Rice” is a colorful allusion to the musicianship starry-eyed  brit-indie pop bands like The Kooks.

Catch them at Off Broadway with Kishi Bashi. Show at 9 PM. $8/$11.

//2//

Jack Buck might make your ears bleed. But, maybe you shouldn’t be such a wuss and just handle it like a man. Coward is all instrumentals, all the time (as a voracious proponent for Fantasia, this sounds sweet to meeeee). Magic City incorporates a Leonard Cohen/Lou Reed style vocal delivery with tepid Strokes-esque arrangements for a surprisingly complete and intriguing sound.

Catch all three at The Heavy Anchor at 9 PM. $5.

 //3//

The Heartbreakers Rock and Roll Saloon might not be the most well known and it might not be where one would expect a band like Steepwater to play (I mean, how many more T&A themed bars does this world need?), but Chicago bred Americana-rock n’ roll troupe The Steepwater Band doesn’t seem to mind. After opening for the likes of The Black Crowes, Wilco, and Gov’t Mule, The Steepwater Band is in town to play a benefit show with the proceeds going to help Steve and Shaunna Eaton. Doors open at 8 PM. $5.

Sunday, January 15th

//1//

Local psychedellic alt-indie rockers, Troubadour Dali, are getting in the swing of this residency idea that’s spreading through St. Louis. First it was So Many Dynamos at Foam. The band’s last record, Let’s Make It Right, sounded like a hybrid between a lucid version of Grandaddy and, what Scotty says is, Brian Jonestown Massacre. I agree. But, don’t take my word for it. Seriously. Do not take my word for it. Just go see them this Sunday, fo’ free at Off Broadway. Show starts at 8 PM.

Correction: Troubadour Dali’s first residency at Off Broadway was 2 years ago.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on January 12, 2012 at 1:49 pm, filed under News, Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged 1/12 - 1/15, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 1/5 – 1/8

Now that it’s officially the weekend, I can’t help but wonder, What Going On?

Thursday, January 5th

//1//

Esoteric impressions of sunrises, noon skies, sunsets, haystacks, and landscapes are all bound permanently to his canvases. Even within the walls clothed with ivy, he found inspiration inside of his garden at Giverny. Now, for the first time in 30 years, Claude Monet’s monumental Lilies exhibition has found its way back to St. Louis. Present until the 22nd of this month. Almost a century after his death, Monet remains one of the most prolific painters, not only of the Impressionist epoch, but of all time. Presented by SLAM against gray walls, his paintings vibrate with an intensity only true passion and genius can create.

Friday, January 6th

//1//

Every Friday Cafe Sebastienne posts a new menu for The Kemper Musuem’s patrons to feast on. This Friday prepare to mange on starters like Moroccan-spiced carrots and beets, gorge on an entree like the lamb and duck sausage cassoulet. Prior to eating to quell your tummy’s desire, stroll through the Kemper’s Companion Pieces exhibition. You’ll see the likes of platonic and romantic couples whose art inspired one another. Willem De Kooning and his wife, Elaine, are presented in addition to artwork by Neil Welliver and Alex Katz, and colleagues Jules Olitski, David Smith, and Kenneth Noland.

//2//

The Bad Plus have been combining uncompromisingly pretty piano strings, harmonious upright bass, and energetic drums for a decade. Catch them at Jazz at the Bistro around 7:30 PM.

Saturday, January 7th

//1//

Andy Leicht is a St. Louis based painter whose artwork will be ending its exhibition tonight at Fort Gondo. The series, Recent Paintings, is comprised of oil on canvas work mostly incorporating abstract and figurative subjects.

//2//

Eleven brought you news this month’s issue about PLUSH, the next big venue in STL. Get a feel for the place by checking out Bay’s Bash. Celebrating the end to his corporate matters, Bay is focusing on what he loves (KDHX) and inviting you all to come kick it for free. From 8 PM until whenever, expect music from Beth Bombara and Karl Eggers, beer at half price, and party hats.

Sunday, January 8th

//1//

Featured artist Buzz Spector

Kick back and listen to Bad at Sports. BaS is a weekly contemporary art talk podcast. Featuring national and local artists, BaS is an approachable glimpse to the art world. This week’s guest is local writer, artist, and the founder of San Francisco’s WhiteWalls urban gallery, Buzz Spector.

Spector’s work is currently on exhibition at The Bruno David Gallery.

//2//

I never could quite comprehend the fascinating nature of Jack White until I saw The Raconteurs at Bonnaroo a few wet and HOT summers ago. Even when he appeared on stage, and my eyes appeared to cloud over in awe (was it really ‘awe’? The world may never know), I still pondered the irreverent position he took on stage. Maybe if I had watched Under Great White Northern Lights, the White Stripes documentary following them during one of their final tours, I would understand. Well, now I have the chance to comprehend, as do you. Schlafly Bottleworks is hosting the film at 8 PM tonight. Be aware, you might be tempted to dress like a peppermint.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on January 5, 2012 at 7:02 pm, filed under Uncategorized and tagged 1/5 - 1/8, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 12/15 – 12/18

Hey everyone! As you finish up your finals or getting ready for an overdose of family for the holidays, you might be wondering what’s going on. Well, here are some options for you this weekend.

Thursday, December 15

//1//

I don’t really know where to begin with this graphic…but Black James, The Chill Dawgs, Ellen the Felon, and The Mattronome are in town!

Where: El Leñador

When:

How Much: $5

//2//

NastyNasty, Griz, Tekfro, Molecule = “Live Electronics/ Dub Step/ Bass Music“?

Um, YES PLEASE.

Where: 2720

When: 9PM

How Much: $10

//3//

CAM Night!

Laumeier‘s 2012 Composer in Residency, Eric Hall will be DJing under the pseudonymn, DJ Lil’ Daddy Reba McEntire.

Where: Contemporary Art Museum

When: 8 PM

How Much: $5

Friday, December 16

//1//

I have no idea who Dan Kelley is. His name makes me think “Used Car Salesman.”

Yet, the man can party.

Where: 2720

When: 7 PM

How Much: $10

Saturday, December 17

//1//

Need some X-mas gifts for your cronies/family/sig figs? Do go to the Old North Holiday Market. Everything from wood furniture (!!!) to jewelry will be available to buy. While you’re in the neighborhood, check out nearby shops like Closet Repeats, Poor Souls Society Art Gallery and Therapy Boutique for more options.

//2//

Let’s get real here: St. Louis is a sometimes a seriously pretty city. Part of her beauty is the brick architecture that studs homes throughout the city. Unfortunately, she’s just encrusted with the vandalism of apathetic denizens and burdened by a reputation that is in dire need of rehabilitating. Support STL by attending a screening of “Brick by Chance and Fortune“. The film centers around the history of brick-theft, neglect, and urban renewal, and the promise of a brighter future.

Trailer.

Where: The Historic Orpheum Theater at 416 North 9th Street

When: 3:30 – 6:30 PM

How Much: $10

//3//

And now, for your Saturday dose of music.

FOAM is hosting Union Tree Review, Bo and the Locomotive, Volcanoes, and The Mhurs tonight. After a full day, Foamoffers the perfect bands for a chill night accompanied by various libations.

Where: Foam Coffeehouse

When: 8 – 11 PM

How Much: No cover, but donation will be accepted.

//4//

It’s gonna be a busy night…

Ou Ou, Kid Counselor/Sean Brown and Corpse Kid at Pig Slop!

Where: Pig Slop!

When: 8 – 11PM

How Much: $5

//5//

And after that…you can “put your a$$ to work” as Bitch Please spins at El Leñador.

The femme fatales of Bitch Please are cited as, coming ‎”armed with graffiti, glitter, and a filthy collection of wax, and plastic designed to get you headed you toward a night of bad decisions fueled by Stag and dancing,”.

Sounds like a good time.

Where: El Lanador

When: 9PM – 1:30AM

How Much: FREE!

Sunday, December 18

//1//

Not content to kick it at home after a rowdy Saturday night on Cherokee? Prune, Dubb Nubb and Navigator are convening in South City for your aural pleasure (HA HA!).

Where: Lemmons

When: 6:30 PM

How Much: $5

//2// 

DJ Invisible Cola and Mike Stasny will be playing at the latest  SLOUP gathering. SLOUP is a monthly soup dinner that gives its profit to a local artist. Listen up for artist’s proposals and the opportunity to dance!

Where: Foam Coffeehouse

When: 7 – 11

How Much: $10

//3//

Fresh off signing with a major label whose name I could not recover from the abyss of internet lore, Alabama Shakes are bringing their soulful southern rock to the Old Rock House. Lead singer Brittney Howard sounds like a Janis Joplin condoning version of Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys…But better, younger, and disingenuously dangerous.

Where: The Old Rock House

When: 7 PM

How Much: $10

//4//

Karma is all parts-bookstore, gallery, publisher. They specialize in books about artists. Part of Karma’s charm is their special brand of sales. Installing pop-up stores to-and-fro, they effectively cast a capricious air to publication.

They also are shipping an enormous installation to White Flag. Multimedia neo-pop artist, Dan Colen is exhibiting his artwork in the White Flag Gallery this weekend.

Hailing from New York, this will be Colen’s first appearance in St. Louis.Part of Colen’s “Trash” series, the installation, consisting of materials varying from glass bottles to discarded posters, will hang from Thursday to Sunday.

Colen is part of an artist collective that calls, among others, photographer Ryan McGinley a member. Having been featured in a Karma pop-show himself, McGinley is most known for his voyeuristic aesthetic which utilizes stunned and stark composition of Larry Clark‘s Tulsa, to capture the naivety of his subjects who embody youthful splendor.

Colen’s work will be featured in the gallery Friday within the hours of  7-9, Saturday and Sunday from noon-5.

Where: White Flag Project, 4568 Manchester.

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on December 15, 2011 at 11:15 am, filed under Upcoming, What's Going On and tagged 12/15 - 12/18, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.

What’s Going On: 11/24 – 11/27

Is a baked bird celebrating the pummeling of Native American society really so dope, anyway? Eff that noise and hit up your local scene for an eclectic weekend void of smallpox.

Thursday, November 24th

//1//

The Cuban Missiles

Get served by a broad-shouldered and babe-tastic bartender and listen to the stellar sounds of punk rock outfits The Cuban Missiles, The Haddonfields, and the Disappeared. Mangia is pretty small, and the acoustics are pretty fantastic, expect to get consumed by rancorous melodies all night.

Times: 9PM

Tickets: FREE

Where: Mangia Italiano on Grand

Friday, November 25th

//1//

They recorded their album in 200 year old barn, rattle off quasi-existential lyrics and call West Plains, Missouri home. If Ha Ha Tonka was an author, they’d be William Faulkner. Additionally, KDHX reps them, and that’s as good a reason as any to peep their show.

Times: Doors 8PM/ Show 8:45PM

Tickets: $12 – $14

Opening Acts: Tommy and the High Pilots and Kentucky Knife Fight

Where: The Firebird

Saturday, November 26th

//1//

I want this poster in my bedroom. Um, what?

Plainly speaking, you’re an idiot if you haven’t listened to Harry Nilsson…ever. “Early in the Morning” is a gem, man. Nilsson is one of the best singers of all time. I know that, other people know that, and whether you do or you don’t know that, you need to hit up the What is the Point? A Tribute to Harry Nilsson this weekend. To elaborate on the event’s apathetic-sounding title, The Point! was Nilsson’s fable-tastic concept album revolving around Oblio and his intrepid dog, Arrow. Without points adorning their foreheads, the pair are ostricized for being different. Yeah, this is an acid-induced morality tale about acceptance, but all you need to know is that it’s brilliant. Also, it will be one of the definitive albums I’ll play my children over and over. But lest I digress, there will be a screening of The Point!‘s film, and bands like Theodore and Ransom Note will be covering some of Nilsson’s jams. Joining them will be Rats and People’s Motion Picture Orchestra, Old Lights and many more.

Times: Door 8PM/Show 9PM

Tickets: $10 if you’re 21. $13 if you’re a damn dirty minor.

Where: Off Broadway

//2//

If you bike, have biked, will bike, wanna bike…then listen up! Spoked STL and South Grand Delievered are hosting their second Alley Cat Race toooooonight. Find the lit-up landmarks, capture a glowstick and race back to The Handlebar to receive yo priiiiiiize.

Times: Pre-Party and registration/5PM – 7:00PM. Race starts at 7:30PM. Entire event lasts until 1:30AM.

Tickets: Pre-registration is $5. Day-of is $7.

Where: The Handlebar

Sunday, November 27th

//1//

The 10th Annual Baby Blues Showcase is returning to BB’s this weekend. Freshman acts like Rum Drum Ramblers, Marquise Knox, Elliot Sowell and more will be playing their souls aloud for ya.

Times: 6PM – midnight

Tickets: $15 or $10 if you bring three cans of food for Play it Forward

Where: BB’s

Chris Jordan takes portraits of America’s current ecological disasters and rabid consumerism. The picture above depicts the 320,000 light bulbs wasted each year in America. As part of The Aggregate Series, Jordan’s photographic exhibit, Running the Numbers will be on display until January 6th, 2012.

The Aggregate Series includes Amanda Pfister, members of Shooters Unlimited, and more.

Times: Noon – 4

Tickets: FREE

Where: St. Louis Artist’s Guild

This entry was written by Blair Stiles, posted on November 23, 2011 at 12:30 pm, filed under What's Going On and tagged 11/24 - 11/27, what's going on. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink.