Archive for August, 2011

The Graduate performs at the State Room during the group's farewell concert.

The Graduate not being around is like coming to Quincy and not getting home cooking. They turned out to be one of those consistencies in life that I took for granted. I always thought they would be out there, living the dream, but it looks like enough is enough. The end is nigh. The Graduate had a big part in the formative years of my musical preference, and let’s just say I am grateful they had a larger part than the Spice Girls CD my parents saw fit to buy me. I did lose track of them after high school, but “Horror Show” was never far from the “play” button on my iPod. From what I heard Saturday, I didn’t know what I was missing, but now that the Graduate is making like a banana, no one knows what we will missing.

Cornell

For those who haven’t been, the State Room is a relatively small venue, but is it one of Quincy’s finest. It is a little bit darker with mood lighting. There are chairs and stools as well as plenty of standing room. I thought the smell of incense was just one of the bands performing last time I went in, but I now believe the State Room has the light yet constant smell of flaming perfume.

Fielder started off the night with an impressive set. These guys have been playing a ton of shows lately, so I don’t feel the need to go crazy reviewing them. I’ll save that for the Birthday Bash. Just know they were good, and they made me glad I did not arrive late. The Forecast was also very good. I cannot figure out why their name sounds so much more familiar than their music, but it was good nonetheless. I did have a hard time making out their vocals seeing as their guitars were louder than their mics. They were friends of The Graduate and had played many shows with them in the past. The camaraderie was never more apparent than when Corey Warning hopped on stage to help The Forecast belt out their last chorus. I thought that was charming.

A guy that I recognized from high school got on stage to give the Graduate their introduction. He made note of the band’s exploits, some real, some fictitious. It was the kind of tomfoolery that you would expect from a band reliving the glory days. Video and audio of the show was also being recorded. The film is for a documentary (or rockumentary depending on your classification system). I am not sure if the audio is for that as well or if Graduate fans still have one more album to look forward to streaming in their ears.

Before I knew it, the Graduate was on stage singing my favorite song. Suddenly, I was a little bit chubbier with a gelled up faux-hawk standing in O’Griff’s East Room: the first time I ever saw the Graduate live. I can’t deny becoming a little apprehensive that the show had nowhere to go but down after hearing my favorite song right off the bat, but listening to the songs in the band’s catalogue that I had missed after “Horror Show,” I could see my assumption was wrong. The last song before the encore convinced me I needed to go back through and listen to what I had neglected. The Graduate never failed to play some of the best music Quincy has ever experienced, and it looks like they never will. It is very rare to hear the introduction, “I wrote this song about my hometown… which is right here” in a town of 40,000, especially from an internationally touring band. The music was awesome, and the environment was lively if not a little cathartic. The grand finale saw the Graduate and friends on stage belting out to fans screaming right along.

I would personally like to thank the Graduate for the great music and great performances over the years. I have a lot of great memories involving the Graduate, and I know I am not the only one who can say the Graduate played a part in their lives. I have never been so proud or shocked as when I saw “Anhedonia” on a friend’s laptop in San Diego. “They’re from where I’m from! I’ve seen them in a bar!” Only a lucky few get to experience a moment like that. It was great while it lasted, and I hope the guys are happy with their decision. A wise man once said, “The times, they are a-changin’.” An even wiser one said, “Change is usually for the better.”

Patrick Cornell

Two friends of mine recently had a disagreement regarding the enjoyment of country music. One friend was worried that she would lose “cool points” for liking country, and the other friend was assuring her that she would in fact lose those coveted points. Two things bothered me about this. First of all, this implies life is just a game, and the one with the most “cool points” is the winner. I find this idea of competition simply preposterous. I started winning that game 21 years ago and have been undefeated since. More importantly, it irked me that someone was being ostracized for the music she enjoys. For your consideration, I humbly present, “In Defense of the Genre: Country.”

Cornell

In general, I hear a lot of people scoff at country music. I am going to be completely honest so that I don’t get called out for being a poser — I used to be one of those people myself. There is an unwarranted animosity towards country, and one gets the picture that hardly anyone listens to it. The truth of the matter is that country music has the most stations of any radio music format. How’s that for popular music, eh? Radio is one of my personal preferred methods of country music reception (along with the Internet). I don’t own that much of it myself, but there is always an ample supply on hand.

Like many things, country music has a time and a place. I prefer country music to electronic when I sit on my front porch and drink beer; it just feels right. On the other hand, I would rather listen to techno at a party (unless, that is, it was a barn party and I had a jug of moonshine). What about if your dog dies? Are you going to listen to Ke$ha? I should hope not. How about a song that says exactly what you are feeling? Country music has got your back.

To the people who like country music: don’t be ashamed of yourself, and don’t let anyone ever make you feel that way. Be confident in your music choices. You have to let your freak flag fly, as they say. To those who don’t like country music (yet): Just lay off, man. You don’t have to like it; don’t make other people feel bad for doing so. You are probably just jealous that they are courageous enough to admit to liking country music in the bigoted society of Top 40. One person cannot decide what another person likes, or at least they shouldn’t. They are called my opinions for a reason. That applies to a lot more than just country music. To be honest again, I need to start doing a better job of practicing what I preach. If you like Nickelback and Creed, I should respect that. I am not responsible for how you get down.

Here is a list of songs that I believe those weary of country music might enjoy:

“Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show — probably my favorite song of all time

“Alcohol” by Brad Paisley — quite a good porch drinking song

“Sawdust Man” by Ben Kweller — “Changing Horses” is an altogether amazing album

“World at Large” by Iron Horse — great cover with great pickin’

“Homeboy” by Eric Church — I thought this song was about me the first time I heard it

Patrick Cornell

Carl Jackson, Larry Cordle & Jerry Salley (bluegrass)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Music Under the Stars, Mark Twain Boyhood Home, 120 N. Main Street, Hannibal, Mo.

Eleven (classic rock)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Knights of Columbus BBQ

Andrew Jr. Boy Jones (blues)
WHEN: 5:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Blues in the District, Washington Park

Mike Coultas & Kathy Brink (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Clayton Old Settlers Picnic

Raised On Radio (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Knights of Columbus BBQ

Cole Hollow (rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front

Harlot (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Cougars Den, Ninth and State

Certain Degree
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: HotSpots Bar, Clayton, Ill.

Cole Hollow (rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front

Tapestry (acoustic)
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Ridge View Winery, Mount Sterling

Looking for more information on local musical acts and venues? Go to the music page at
www.thelocalq.com.
Planning a show? Submit the details for inclusion in the calendar at www.thelocalq.com/node/1767.

Julie Ann Marra

Blaisin' Timothy

Last night, I had the opportunity to sit down with Blaise Haxel and Tim Bearden, the two main components of the band Blaisin’ Timothy. This was hands down the most fun interview I have ever conducted, and I interviewed Slaughter. It was probably because A.) these guys are super chill and laid back and B.) it was more like having a beer with friends than doing my job for the Q. Be sure to come to Johnny Bang Bang’s Friday, Aug. 5, for another hot set from the dynamic duo, which will actually be a trio with the addition of a friend on cajon. Cover is free prior to 7:30, but $3 after that. In the meantime, here’s what the boys had to say about live music, girls and facial hair.

Patrick Cornell

Cornell

Patrick: Have you guys ever been on the Internet?

Blaise: We had Myspace. We had a band called Cannonball Road.

Tim: With, you remember Justin Haubrich and Aaron Haubrich?

P: Oh, yeah. Well there’s this pretty hot, new website out there. It’s called The Local Q. How would you guys feel about getting interviewed for that?

T: You know what, I think we’re cool with that.

B: I’ve heard about The Local Q.

P: Good because the interview started two questions ago. How long have you guys been playing music, both individually and together?

T: Well, I picked up the guitar — my mom’s guitar — she showed me a couple things. Probably about five months after I did that, Blaise picked up the guitar, and I taught him everything he knows except for … most of it.

B: He taught me three chords.

T: Yep, that was all I needed to do.

B: He taught me — what was that song? And I would not stop playing it. Eddie Vedder does it … Where, oh where can my baby be?

T: Oh yeah. Four chords man.

B: Four chords, that’s right.

T: Yeah, (sings) oh where, oh where could my baby be?

B: That was the first song I learned.

P: When did you guys play your first show?

B: It would have been with Cannonball Road at Sheridan.

T: Or, if you’re talking strictly Blaisin’ Timothy, we did the talent show for QND.

P: Where is the best place you guys have ever played a show or most fun venue?

T: I’d say the State Room. Either Spring Show or State Room.

B: The Blind Pig was a lot of fun.

P: Where would you guys like to play, in Quincy or in the world?

T: Well we’ve got Bang Bang’s on Friday.

B: Bang Bang’s is going to be fun.

T: If we were to choose anywhere, in like a magical way, I’d probably say —

B: Radio City.

T: Radio City Hall.

P: What’s your favorite thing about live music?

B: The fans. Crowd interaction.

T: I just like the whole energy from it all.

P: If you could jam with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?

T: I’m going to go with my favorite band ever: Led Zeppelin. I could just sit there and play, like, two chords and then just be there next to them just like (smiles as if living a fantasy) I’d be so happy.

B: I think I would want to play with O.A.R.

P: So the last two questions are two-parters, so there’s one addressed to one of you and one addressed to the other one. Blaise, is it hard being a rockstar as well as in a committed relationship?

B: (laughs) It’s terribly difficult. You go on the road like four hours, five hours away from home, you know. It’s tough to keep that bond, you know, at home… No, it’s not really.

P: Tim, is it hard dealing with all the groupies on your own?

T: You know what, it’s a lot of fun, and I like that some people are attracted to the music, and usually everyone had a good time from it.

P: Tim, again at you, are you ever discouraged by your lack of facial hair, compared to Blaise?

T: Most of the time, I have to say absolutely. I envy his beard, but I appreciate it all the same. It’s appreciation peppered with envy.

P: Ok, Blaise, have you ever considered shaving your head to make your beard more prominent?

B: That’s a really great idea! Wow! Have you ever thought about that?

P: I have.

B: And it didn’t work? You didn’t do it?

P: I mean I have the long hair. This is a pretty big commitment to just walk away from. But when it goes, that’s what will happen.

B: I’m actually thinking about growing my hair out a little bit longer. Not quite as long as yours, but a little. I’m going to keep it nice and clean for the most part.

P: Well that’s all I’ve got. Anything else you’d like to add?

B: We’re going to have a lot of fun at Johnny Bang Bang’s, so everyone should get down there.