Archive for March, 2009
Q&A with Nashville singer Jon Jackson, plus upcoming shows
Mar 26th
Jon Jackson
Nashville singer/songwriter Jon Jackson is performing with Rachel Brooke and local musician Cheeks McGee at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Players Fifth Street Pub, with a $3 cover. Below is an interview with him.
THE BEGINNING
When I was 18. I tore a ligament in my knee and I had to stop skateboarding, so I had to find another way to occupy my time and stay out of trouble. I started out strumming covers of Beatles tunes and eventually fell in love, which led to a broken heart, which led to an album of songs about insanity, homicide and love.
INSTRUMENTS
I play several instruments at home but not well enough to play live. So on the road, it’s just me and my acoustic guitar.
THE ROAD
Well, the truth is that I get a lot of peace of mind from the road. I travel alone, so I get all this quiet time. Thinking, driving, coffee and cigarettes. It’s nice. It’s crazy to me how many people there still are that will take a stranger home with them and feed them and give them a place to sleep for the night. I’ve met lots of good people like that. And if I see a hitchhiker, I usually pick them up. There’s potential for a crazy story with that, but so far we’ve always gotten along and enjoyed each other’s company.
RECORDINGS
Just “Green Apples.” Hopefully be doing more recording this year.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Immediate future: Drive around the country playing shows and living out of my car. Maybe get a dog. I have apocalyptic visions of the distant future, so I figure I’ll die a slow agonizing death of starvation or maybe from something benign like an infection of my toenail.
WEEKEND SHOWS
Double Vision, Mob Action and The Night Brigade
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Day Old Basement, 111 W. Adams, across from Olson Hall
HOW MUCH: $3
Wine Down with Cheeks McGee
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa, Ill.
INFO: www.cheeksmcgeemusic.com
Impakt Band (classic rock)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Eagles Club, 3737 N. Fifth, Quincy
HOW MUCH: $4
INFO: www.myspace.com/impaktband
Low dough rock show with Earshot, Pale and White Lie Syndicate (rock/alternative)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: 1st Ave Live, 3701 1st Ave SE in the Town & Country Shopping Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $10, 21 years of age and over
INFO: www.myspace.com/1stavelive
TIPS: Earshot and Pale are on a national tour, so go check this out!
Staggard (Southern rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Lucky Star, St. Francisville, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/staggard
Wild Wild West Band (country/classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Sportsman’s Bar, 112 S. Seventh, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.wildwildwestband.com and www.myspace.com
Quincy Firefighters 26th annual country music concert
BANDS: Emerson Drive and Madd Hoss Jackson
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Morrison Theater, 100 S. 14th, Quincy
Tickets: (217) 214-9417
INFO: www.emersondrive.com and www.maddhoss-jackson.com
TIPS: Read more about this in today’s edition of the Quincy Herald-Whig.
Incineration, Iseah, Inlow and Corcid (hardcore)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Admiral Coontz Recreation Center, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/cruxshows
Jubal’s Lantern (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Kerleys, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/jubalslanternband
TIPS: Check out the band spotlight of Jubal’s Lantern here.
Raised on Radio (classic rock/blues)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Rookies, Hannibal
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.myspace.com/raisedonradiolive
Bud Summers (acoustic)
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Brix Wine and Cheese, Quincy
INFO: www.budsummers.com
TIPS: A one-man band from Alton, Ill., is making his second appearance at Brix.
Torque (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Keokuk Labor Temple, Third and Blondeau, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/torquerocks
Big On Blondes (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Dock, Quincy
INFO: www.myspace.com/bigonblondes
TIPS: This is the house band for Bloomington/Normal’s classic rock station 99.5 The Eagle, and they are scheduled for several more shows at The Dock.
Thru the Ashes (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Club Mississippi, 123 S. Main, Louisiana, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/thrutheashesacoustic
Below is the video for my current earworm, “There is Hope For You,” by Montrose, Iowa, artist William Elliott Whitmore.
Jessica Martin
jmartin@whig.com
Q&A with Nashville singer Jon Jackson, plus upcoming shows
Mar 26th
Jon Jackson
Nashville singer/songwriter Jon Jackson is performing with Rachel Brooke and local musician Cheeks McGee at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Players Fifth Street Pub, with a $3 cover. Below is an interview with him.
THE BEGINNING
When I was 18. I tore a ligament in my knee and I had to stop skateboarding, so I had to find another way to occupy my time and stay out of trouble. I started out strumming covers of Beatles tunes and eventually fell in love, which led to a broken heart, which led to an album of songs about insanity, homicide and love.
INSTRUMENTS
I play several instruments at home but not well enough to play live. So on the road, it’s just me and my acoustic guitar.
THE ROAD
Well, the truth is that I get a lot of peace of mind from the road. I travel alone, so I get all this quiet time. Thinking, driving, coffee and cigarettes. It’s nice. It’s crazy to me how many people there still are that will take a stranger home with them and feed them and give them a place to sleep for the night. I’ve met lots of good people like that. And if I see a hitchhiker, I usually pick them up. There’s potential for a crazy story with that, but so far we’ve always gotten along and enjoyed each other’s company.
RECORDINGS
Just “Green Apples.” Hopefully be doing more recording this year.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
Immediate future: Drive around the country playing shows and living out of my car. Maybe get a dog. I have apocalyptic visions of the distant future, so I figure I’ll die a slow agonizing death of starvation or maybe from something benign like an infection of my toenail.
WEEKEND SHOWS
Double Vision, Mob Action and The Night Brigade
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Day Old Basement, 111 W. Adams, across from Olson Hall
HOW MUCH: $3
Wine Down with Cheeks McGee
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa, Ill.
INFO: www.cheeksmcgeemusic.com
Impakt Band (classic rock)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Eagles Club, 3737 N. Fifth, Quincy
HOW MUCH: $4
INFO: www.myspace.com/impaktband
Low dough rock show with Earshot, Pale and White Lie Syndicate (rock/alternative)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: 1st Ave Live, 3701 1st Ave SE in the Town & Country Shopping Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $10, 21 years of age and over
INFO: www.myspace.com/1stavelive
TIPS: Earshot and Pale are on a national tour, so go check this out!
Staggard (Southern rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Lucky Star, St. Francisville, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/staggard
Wild Wild West Band (country/classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Sportsman’s Bar, 112 S. Seventh, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.wildwildwestband.com and www.myspace.com
Quincy Firefighters 26th annual country music concert
BANDS: Emerson Drive and Madd Hoss Jackson
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Morrison Theater, 100 S. 14th, Quincy
Tickets: (217) 214-9417
INFO: www.emersondrive.com and www.maddhoss-jackson.com
TIPS: Read more about this in today’s edition of the Quincy Herald-Whig.
Incineration, Iseah, Inlow and Corcid (hardcore)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Admiral Coontz Recreation Center, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/cruxshows
Jubal’s Lantern (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Kerleys, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/jubalslanternband
TIPS: Check out the band spotlight of Jubal’s Lantern here.
Raised on Radio (classic rock/blues)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Rookies, Hannibal
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.myspace.com/raisedonradiolive
Bud Summers (acoustic)
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Brix Wine and Cheese, Quincy
INFO: www.budsummers.com
TIPS: A one-man band from Alton, Ill., is making his second appearance at Brix.
Torque (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Keokuk Labor Temple, Third and Blondeau, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/torquerocks
Big On Blondes (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Dock, Quincy
INFO: www.myspace.com/bigonblondes
TIPS: This is the house band for Bloomington/Normal’s classic rock station 99.5 The Eagle, and they are scheduled for several more shows at The Dock.
Thru the Ashes (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Club Mississippi, 123 S. Main, Louisiana, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/thrutheashesacoustic
Below is the video for my current earworm, “There is Hope For You,” by Montrose, Iowa, artist William Elliott Whitmore.
Jessica Martin
jmartin@whig.com
Music @ The Mall in Keokuk cancels all shows until future notice
Mar 25th
Music @ the Mall in Keokuk, Iowa, is closing its doors and has cancelled all future music shows.
During the past year, the three most organized and effective all ages music venues in the region — Music @ the Mall, The Threshing Floor and TheCrux — have either slowed down booking or closed their doors. It is incredibly unfortunate and leaves kids with less to do in this area.
A MySpace bulletin was posted today by Bryce Zirkel, organizer and founder of Music @ the Mall in Keokuk, Iowa, stating all shows have been cancelled and that everyone should read his blog. Zirkel says in the blog, “I’m not sure if this is temporary or not. I just know I need a break!”
The blog also eludes to the fact that Zirkel felt like he was “baby-sitting” and that some younger patrons had been a large part of the cause for the cancellations. This venue has had a full lineup music show every single Saturday for more than a year, and this will be a great loss to the music scene.
Non-profit venue TheCrux in Hannibal, Mo., shut down after founder Tim Fenton moved. With Fenton’s help, high school student Carly Moore and some friends have fought to get it going again. After many benefit shows for funding, they have begun to book shows. The Hannibal Parks and Recreation should be thanked for supporting and sponsoring TheCrux and helping them get back on their feet.
Incineration, Iseah, Inlow and Corcid (hardcore)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Admiral Coontz Recreation Center, 301 Warren Barrett Drive, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/cruxshows
The Threshing Floor in Eolia, Mo., went from having a few shows a month to one a month. A blog posting on Oct. 11, 2008 noted, “We will be having one show that we will make bigger and better.” They continue to bring in nationally touring indie acts.
All three of these venues are all ages, with no drinking or smoking allowed. It is a shame that they are trying to do something good for the music scene and have had so many roadblocks. All three venues continue to support each other as they try to stay afloat.
Support these venues by attending a show or, in the Music @ the Mall’s case, by showing Zirkel support for getting the venue up and running again.
To those that attend the shows, have a great week!
Jessica Martin
jmartin@whig.com
Royal Bliss returning to Quincy on April 20
Mar 24th
Alternative rock band Royal Bliss is on a national tour with Candlebox and Jet Black Stare, but it has decided to detour through Quincy for another show.
Royal Bliss teamed with Quincy’s 105.9 KZZK in 2007 to perform a sold-out show at Backwaters with local act Antidote, and it has not forgotten our river town as their popularity continues to rise. The band stopped through for a last minute jam in the fall of 2008 at the State Room, and it is scheduled to perform April 20 for a full show at Backwaters once again.
A nationally touring act does not often pass through Quincy, so get out and go!
If our area ever wants to snag the big acts as they pass through from one big Midwest city to another, then local rock fans must show Royal Bliss that we are incredibly grateful for their love of Quincy and will show up any day to rock out!
This is such a good sign for local music. Thanks to KZZK for continuing to promote Quincy as a place for bands to perform. There’s a chance to build off this show and bring even more shows to the area.
BAND BIO (courtesy of New Ocean Media)
Salt Lake City band Royal Bliss is currently on the road in support of their new album “Life In-Between.” The band headlined shows until March 6 and and now is supporting Candlebox through May 7.
They released “Life In-Between” in January on Capitol/MRV and entered the Billboard Charts at No. 151. The album’s first single, “Save Me,” went to No. 23 in rock radio. The band’s newest single, “We Did Nothing Wrong,” was added to radio in March.
Royal Bliss was formed when guitarist Chris Harding stumbled into a pizza parlor where Neal Middleton was playing a solo gig. “I told Chris I would love to sing in a band, and he invited me to jam with his band at a rehearsal” says Middleton, the lead singer. “That night, we instantly clicked and wrote four songs.” Middleton dropped out of college the next day and quit his day job to pursue the rock n roll dream.
The Control Group, an independent record company out of Seattle, released Royal Bliss’ album “After The Chaos II” in 2005 and gave them a nationwide distribution deal. While the band had radio success in the past, the album’s first single, “Devils and Angels,” took them to a whole new level. A number of stations across the United States started spinning the track, and it quickly became a top requested song, moving Royal Bliss to No. 1 airplay at both rock and pop radio.
“After The Chaos II” sold a staggering 12,000 units. At one point, the album was selling #1 at the Gray Whale music store chain (outselling numbers 2-5 by a combined total of nearly 8 to 1). Virgin Records president Jason Flom noticed and signed them to his new Capitol Music Group Label under EMI in May 2007.
ROYAL BLISS (alternative/rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. April 20
WHERE: Backwaters. Quincy
INFO: www.myspace.com/royalbliss
Check back Thursday for a blog with this weekend’s area shows. Have a great week!
Jessica Martin
jmartin@whig.com
Tons of live music available, from country to metal
Mar 20th
Estrus
SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC and GO TO A SHOW! Be safe and have a good weekend!
Estrus, Flo-Good, Scouts, Halbrook, Sergio Slayer, The Vanity Rose and A Dead Giveaway (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Sapphire Lounge, Columbia, Mo.
HOW MUCH: $7, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/estrus
TIPS: Estrus is signed with September Riot Records and definitely worth checking out. Also, the show is presented by a Tatoo company and they are raffling off hundreds of dollars in free tattoos.
Renae, Sealife, PmToday, the Weaker and This Hollywood Machine (rock/hardcore)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Black Sheep, Springfield, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $5
TIPS: This is a good lineup, including Renae who will be performing in Keokuk, Iowa, Saturday.
Reverend Deadeye and Mob Action (punk/rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Players 5th Street Pub, Quincy
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/mobaction4
TIPS: This is a fun place to catch a punk show.
TNT (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Froggies, Kahoka, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/tntclassicrock
TIPS: This band has a large following and really gets the crowd going.
Iron Mountain Band (country)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Sportsman’s Bar, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/ironmtnband
Cheeks McGee (acoustic)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Jeds Brew House, Eightenth and Chestnut
HOW MUCH: Free
INFO: www.myspace.com/cheeksmusic
The Dread Corsair (metal)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: 411 Broadway, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/thedreadcorsair
TIPS: This is a true metal band with all the breakdowns and guitar riffs to prove it.
Renae, PMTODAY, Siva, Transfer To Red (rock/hardcore)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Music @ the Mall, 300 Main, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/musicatthemall
Autumnstruck
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Mugshots, Hannibal, Mo.
HOW MUCH: No cover charge
TIPS: This group recently formed and is hoping to put on a good show.
Vertigo (classic rock)
WHEN: 7-11 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Jake’s Brews and Cues, Quincy
Predawn Hour (rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Keokuk Labor Temple, Third and Blondeau, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $3, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/predawnhour
TIPS: This is their first appearance in Keokuk, Iowa, in years.
J.B. Beverley and the Wayward Drifters (country/blues)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Players Fifth Street Pub, 225 N. Fifth
INFO: www.myspace.com/jbbeverleyampthewaywarddrifters
Captain Geech (funk/rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Back Alley Bar and Grill, 113 Williams Dr., Pittsfield., Ill.
INFO: www.myspace.com/captaingeechband
Don’t forget to catch the local music segment, Girls On Rock with Julie K. and myself at 5 p.m. Friday on 105.9 KZZK
The video below is my current earworm. “Secret,” by Missy Higgins.
• Also, check out my new favorite person who commented on my Irish blog! We had a great conversation about Chicago venues.
Be Irish for the weekend and party Chicago-style
Mar 12th
People gathering in Chicago near the river on St. Patrick's Day.
KISS ME, I’M IRISH! Actually I’m not Irish, but I did call Chicago my home for quite some time and St. Patrick’s Day is their version of Mardi Gras.
Usually people go to the bars around 9 a.m. in Chicago all decked in green with beads, with U2 playing just about everywhere, and party the whole day. There are many great Irish bands and Celtic music, but Chicago really seems to dig U2.
Plus, they go so far as to dye the river green and disrupt mass transit with a HUGE parade, not once, but twice for a holiday that doesn’t even get you off of work.
So, why don’t you join me in being Irish for a whole day — well since St. Patrick’s day falls on a Tuesday — why don’t you join me in being Irish for an extended weekend!
I plan on hitting up at least one of the following events and I hope to see you all there wearing cheesy green clothes and having a great time!
Cheeks McGee (acoustic)
WHEN: 8 tonight
WHERE: Paradise Bar, Tenth and Hampshire
INFO: www.cheeksmcgeemusic.com
Brave Citizen (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Cicero’s, St. Louis, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/bravecitizens
Raised On Radio (blues/classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Pop-A-Top, 119 S. Square, Plymouth, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/raisedonradiolive
Vertigo (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Back Alley Bar and Grill, 113 Williams Dr., Pittsfield, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $5
Turner Hall concert series with Predawn Hour and Deliquent (rock) of carthage
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Turner Hall, 926 Hampshire
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/predawnhour
TIPS: Turner Hall is bringing back the Friday night concert series after taking a break over winter. The word is that they may only have it a couple times a month, instead of every Friday.
St. Patrick’s Day celebration with RagTag (Irish music)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa, Ill.
Ringbearer, How Vivid the Memory and Serentonin (metal)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Music @ the Mall, 300 Main, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/musicatthemall
St. Patrick’s party with Torque (rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Rookie’s Sports Bar, 611 Broadway, Hannibal, Mo.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/torquerocks
TIPS: If you love modern rock hits then you can hear them live with Torque and some original music.
St. Patrick’s Day Bash with Predawn Hour (rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: South Side Boat Club
HOW MUCH: $4, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/predawnhour
The Martini Time Cowboys (rockabilly/country)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Shady Catz, Warsaw, Ill.
INFO: www.myspace.com/martinitimecowboys
TIPS: I caught the end of their show last Saturday at the Office in Basco, Ill., and they draw a crowd and put on a show. Check them out even if you just like popular country music as well.
Longshot (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Wildfire Saloon, 203 N. Monroe St., Vandalia, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/longshot5
Circadia (progressive/metal) with Mindefect
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Buffalo, Burlington, Iowa
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.myspace.com/circadiarocks
TIPS: Recently released their debut full-length album “Descent”.
Cheeks McGee (acoustic) and Super Mario Speedwagon
WHEN: 8 Saturday
WHERE: Baileys Pub, Taylorville, Ill.
INFO: www.cheeksmcgeemusic.com
Contact Jessica Martin at jmartin@whig.com for entertainment listings and Mixed Tape submissions.
Regional kid is making it big on the indie music stage
Mar 7th
While I was eating granola this morning, I was reading the March/April 2009 issue of “PASTE,” an indie music magazine I subscribe to. Suddenly, I was nearly shouting “wow, that is so great!” (I know this is sounding a bit dorky, but stay with me, this is good.)
“PASTE” comes with a sampler CD that is usually around 19 tracks, each from a different signed indie artist who the magazine has decided is good enough to make the cut.
As I’m reading the small amount of info on each artist (i.e. label name, hometown), I see that one is from Lee County, Iowa, which is Keokuk and Fort Madison’s county. I check into William Elliott Whitmore online and find out that the indie act is from Montrose, Iowa, which is 10 minutes north of Keokuk, on the Mississippi River, with a population of around 900.
His song on the “PASTE” compilation is “There’s Hope For You,” off his latest album, “Animals In The Dark.” He has released several albums and previously toured with Murder By Death. He is now touring nationally in support of his latest release.
Find out more about him and listen to some songs here.
Mayhew The Traitor's 'Deathwish' rocks but really isn't rock music
Mar 5th
Thinker Thought Records artist Mayhew The Traitor is not what I expected, and the trio from Macomb, Ill., would be hard to shelve by genre in a record store. (This may sound funny, but that’s meant in a good way.)
They are so different and such a hodgepodge of musical genres that describing their sound has nearly left multiple reviewers from various publications speechless.
They are self-proclaimed folk rock artists, but music industry people have called them everything including indie, rock, alt-country, country and honky tonk.
Find out more about the band by reading this Herald-Whig article.
As for their 2008 debut full-length album, “Deathwish,” a brief song-by-song review can be seen below. Be sure to check them out for yourself, because their label has the entire album streaming here.
1. “Shakin’ With John Wayne”
• It is one of the more upbeat sounding songs on the record, but I kind of agree with someone who was sitting next to me when I first heard it who said, “The guitars are too jangly, jangly, jangly.” As the song begins for the first time, the guitars sound nice, but as it goes on, it gets a bit repetitive.
2. “See You In Hell”
• I believe this song sets the tone for the album, because the other tracks follow in its somewhat melancholy footsteps.
3. “The In-Between”
• This is exactly what it sounds like and is in-between two other tracks and has no lyrics. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.
4. “Deathwish”
• Aw the old title-track, it is a little more upbeat sans the “jangly” guitars.
5. “Tolstoy’s Head”
• This is so far my favorite and caught my attention from the very first time I heard it. I think it’s a little Radiohead-esque. Great lyric: “Please forgive me, I love only you.”
6. “Lottie”
• As soon as this song starts, I always picture an old-school country artist in pressed western clothes and matching cowboy hat, sitting with a guitar on a stool, singing on television show in maybe the 1950s. As the song continues, this image fades, but it shows how with the slightest inflection in his voice, the singer can change his whole persona.
7. “Song One”
• It has more of a honky-tonk feel to it than most of the others. Great lyric: “If I wasn’t drunk as hell, I’d sing to you I swear.”
8. “Sweet Samsara”
• This is less honky tonk and more indie/alt-country.
9. “The Devil Knows My Name”
• With lyrics like, “Watch me stick my knife through the back of your throat,” it’s not hard to understand why the devil knows his name. Lead-singer Matthew Hobler is touted for his song-writing by indie reviewers, and I’m inclined to agree that this is not pop music’s “love” and “above” rhyming. This track is one of my favorites as well.
10. “This Is My White Flag”
• This is the only song on the album where it is just lead-singer Matthew Hobler with his acoustic guitar. It is a great way to hear the singer/songwriter in action. Great lyric: “Oh in death let us find, absolution.”
Several of the songs include an organ, and it really adds to the sound and truly makes this band different.
Read other Mayhew The Traitor reviews from Skyscraper Magazine, the Big Takeover Magazine and Punkbands.com.
AREA SHOWS
Andy Rhea and his band (indie), Harlot Bride (experimental) and Ryan Mallery (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Threshing Floor, 131 W. Outer Rd., Eolia, Mo.
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/thethreshingfloor
TIPS: This is a great all-ages venue that often features touring acts and always has full lineups.
Mayhew The Traitor (indie) and Chew Toy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The A.D.D. Loft, Macomb, Ill.
INFO: www.myspace.com/mayhewthetraitor
Dope Boy Allstars of Macomb, Ill.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Cafe, Macomb
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/dopeboyallstars
Benefit show with Circadia (progressive/metal), Driving While Stupid, Profane Humor and The Dwellers
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, Iowa
INFO: www.myspace.com/circadiarocks and www.myspace.com/dws515
TIPS: Charlie Greene passed away, and all proceeds will go to his daughter Lily Greene’s future. This is a one-time performance for Profane Humor and the final performance for The Dwellers.
Thinker Thought Records showcase with Empty Orchestra, Mayhew The Traitor, Tina Sparkle, The Dead Wait (rock/indie)
WHEN: 7 p.m Saturday
WHERE: Music @ the Mall, 300 Main, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/musicatthemall
TIPS: Thinker Thought Records is based out of Chicago, and this show showcases bands on their label.
Raised On Radio (classic rock/blues) of Quincy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Dock, 1021 Bonazinga Dr.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/raisedonradiolive
TIPS: They have been playing together for a long time, and it shows in a good way.
Predawn Hour (rock) of Quincy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Back Alley Bar and Grill, 113 Williams Dr., Pittsfield, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/predawnhour
TIPS: They play regionally every weekend, so if you miss this show, check their calendar for many more.
Levee Town (blues/rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Club Tavern, 1023 N. Tenth
TIPS: This band was the winner of the Kansas City blues challenge in 2006 and plays mostly near Kansas City, Mo. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.
The Martini Time Cowboys (rockabilly)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Office, Basco, Ill.
TIPS: I’ve seen their lead guitarist Clay Huston in other bands, and he is a great musician. The band boasts seven members, including a harmonica player and steel guitarist.
Thru the Ashes (rock) of Troy, Mo.
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Sportsman’s Bar, 112 S. Seventh, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/thrutheashesacoustic
Burt Shackleton (acoustic)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Brix Wine and Cheese, Fourth and Hampshire
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.myspace.com/burtshackleton
Wild Wild West Band (country/classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: City Limits Bar and Grill, Route 24 West, Mount Sterling, Ill.
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.wildwildwestband.com
TIPS: Donations for Nick Austin, who has cancer, welcome at the door. City Limits Bar and Grill will match funds collected.
Erin and Chris, Anthony Heubel and Brian Morgante (acoustic)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Day Old Basement, 1111 W. Adams, Macomb, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/thedayoldbasement
TIPS: The Day Old Basement is a self-proclaimed DIY venue and says all bands are welcome to play.
Support local music and go to a show! Have a happy and safe weekend.
Contact me at jmartin@whig.com.
Mayhew The Traitor’s ‘Deathwish’ rocks but really isn’t rock music
Mar 5th
Thinker Thought Records artist Mayhew The Traitor is not what I expected, and the trio from Macomb, Ill., would be hard to shelve by genre in a record store. (This may sound funny, but that’s meant in a good way.)
They are so different and such a hodgepodge of musical genres that describing their sound has nearly left multiple reviewers from various publications speechless.
They are self-proclaimed folk rock artists, but music industry people have called them everything including indie, rock, alt-country, country and honky tonk.
Find out more about the band by reading this Herald-Whig article.
As for their 2008 debut full-length album, “Deathwish,” a brief song-by-song review can be seen below. Be sure to check them out for yourself, because their label has the entire album streaming here.
1. “Shakin’ With John Wayne”
• It is one of the more upbeat sounding songs on the record, but I kind of agree with someone who was sitting next to me when I first heard it who said, “The guitars are too jangly, jangly, jangly.” As the song begins for the first time, the guitars sound nice, but as it goes on, it gets a bit repetitive.
2. “See You In Hell”
• I believe this song sets the tone for the album, because the other tracks follow in its somewhat melancholy footsteps.
3. “The In-Between”
• This is exactly what it sounds like and is in-between two other tracks and has no lyrics. Not bad, but nothing to write home about.
4. “Deathwish”
• Aw the old title-track, it is a little more upbeat sans the “jangly” guitars.
5. “Tolstoy’s Head”
• This is so far my favorite and caught my attention from the very first time I heard it. I think it’s a little Radiohead-esque. Great lyric: “Please forgive me, I love only you.”
6. “Lottie”
• As soon as this song starts, I always picture an old-school country artist in pressed western clothes and matching cowboy hat, sitting with a guitar on a stool, singing on television show in maybe the 1950s. As the song continues, this image fades, but it shows how with the slightest inflection in his voice, the singer can change his whole persona.
7. “Song One”
• It has more of a honky-tonk feel to it than most of the others. Great lyric: “If I wasn’t drunk as hell, I’d sing to you I swear.”
8. “Sweet Samsara”
• This is less honky tonk and more indie/alt-country.
9. “The Devil Knows My Name”
• With lyrics like, “Watch me stick my knife through the back of your throat,” it’s not hard to understand why the devil knows his name. Lead-singer Matthew Hobler is touted for his song-writing by indie reviewers, and I’m inclined to agree that this is not pop music’s “love” and “above” rhyming. This track is one of my favorites as well.
10. “This Is My White Flag”
• This is the only song on the album where it is just lead-singer Matthew Hobler with his acoustic guitar. It is a great way to hear the singer/songwriter in action. Great lyric: “Oh in death let us find, absolution.”
Several of the songs include an organ, and it really adds to the sound and truly makes this band different.
Read other Mayhew The Traitor reviews from Skyscraper Magazine, the Big Takeover Magazine and Punkbands.com.
AREA SHOWS
Andy Rhea and his band (indie), Harlot Bride (experimental) and Ryan Mallery (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Threshing Floor, 131 W. Outer Rd., Eolia, Mo.
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/thethreshingfloor
TIPS: This is a great all-ages venue that often features touring acts and always has full lineups.
Mayhew The Traitor (indie) and Chew Toy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The A.D.D. Loft, Macomb, Ill.
INFO: www.myspace.com/mayhewthetraitor
Dope Boy Allstars of Macomb, Ill.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Cafe, Macomb
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/dopeboyallstars
Benefit show with Circadia (progressive/metal), Driving While Stupid, Profane Humor and The Dwellers
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Memorial Auditorium, Burlington, Iowa
INFO: www.myspace.com/circadiarocks and www.myspace.com/dws515
TIPS: Charlie Greene passed away, and all proceeds will go to his daughter Lily Greene’s future. This is a one-time performance for Profane Humor and the final performance for The Dwellers.
Thinker Thought Records showcase with Empty Orchestra, Mayhew The Traitor, Tina Sparkle, The Dead Wait (rock/indie)
WHEN: 7 p.m Saturday
WHERE: Music @ the Mall, 300 Main, Keokuk, Iowa
HOW MUCH: $5, all ages
INFO: www.myspace.com/musicatthemall
TIPS: Thinker Thought Records is based out of Chicago, and this show showcases bands on their label.
Raised On Radio (classic rock/blues) of Quincy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Dock, 1021 Bonazinga Dr.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/raisedonradiolive
TIPS: They have been playing together for a long time, and it shows in a good way.
Predawn Hour (rock) of Quincy
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Back Alley Bar and Grill, 113 Williams Dr., Pittsfield, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $5
INFO: www.myspace.com/predawnhour
TIPS: They play regionally every weekend, so if you miss this show, check their calendar for many more.
Levee Town (blues/rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Club Tavern, 1023 N. Tenth
TIPS: This band was the winner of the Kansas City blues challenge in 2006 and plays mostly near Kansas City, Mo. Influenced by Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan.
The Martini Time Cowboys (rockabilly)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Office, Basco, Ill.
TIPS: I’ve seen their lead guitarist Clay Huston in other bands, and he is a great musician. The band boasts seven members, including a harmonica player and steel guitarist.
Thru the Ashes (rock) of Troy, Mo.
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Sportsman’s Bar, 112 S. Seventh, Hannibal, Mo.
INFO: www.myspace.com/thrutheashesacoustic
Burt Shackleton (acoustic)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Brix Wine and Cheese, Fourth and Hampshire
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.myspace.com/burtshackleton
Wild Wild West Band (country/classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: City Limits Bar and Grill, Route 24 West, Mount Sterling, Ill.
HOW MUCH: No cover
INFO: www.wildwildwestband.com
TIPS: Donations for Nick Austin, who has cancer, welcome at the door. City Limits Bar and Grill will match funds collected.
Erin and Chris, Anthony Heubel and Brian Morgante (acoustic)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Day Old Basement, 1111 W. Adams, Macomb, Ill.
HOW MUCH: $3
INFO: www.myspace.com/thedayoldbasement
TIPS: The Day Old Basement is a self-proclaimed DIY venue and says all bands are welcome to play.
Support local music and go to a show! Have a happy and safe weekend.
Contact me at jmartin@whig.com.
Spirit Knob Winery scores points in music, hospitality
Mar 4th
Spirit Knob Winery
Going to Spirit Knob Winery, outside of Ursa, Ill., is like taking a trip to the west coast for one night.
The stone building with the wraparound porch is down a couple gravel roads and sits on a bluff. It is equally pretty during the day and when it is lit up at night.
Local one-man band Bartholomew performed for a comfortable-sized crowd in the beautiful winery building. The first glance of the large man with dreads, clad in running pants and a t-shirt, did not give a hint of what was to be expected musically.
Bartholomew sat down at his keyboard and began playing and singing, and after his first song he stated, “The first set will be classic rock.” That set included songs from Billy Joel and Elton John.
It wasn’t exactly the classic rock I was expecting but definitely perfect for the crowd assembled. His vocal range and his playing were impressive.
For the next set, he picked up his acoustic guitar and sang reggae songs as the crowd danced enthusiastically.
I would definitely recommend checking him out live if you get the chance.
The main reason this winery is a hit is definitely because of the feeling that you are family as you walk in the door, and the owners are there to host and greet everyone. I want to thank them for their hospitality and suggest that everyone go check the place out for themselves.
HOW IT STARTED
The winery is family-run and started in 1999 in the basement of their house, which is located near the main building. My first visit to the winery was in 2007 when it was still located in the basement, and I was surprised by their hospitality and the incredible taste of their wine.
LOCATION
Spirit Knob Winery is 10 miles north of Quincy. Approximately, 2.4 miles outside of Ursa, Ill. Take the first left turn onto 2250 N, once you leave Ursa heading north on route 96. Then drive 1.4 miles on 2250 N and turn left at the next winery sign and follow .5 miles to the winery.
Check back for all the great live shows this weekend.
