Concerts
LIVE BLOG: Follow the Local Q Music Fest
May 4th
Don Van Dyke, “The Breakdown” blog writer, will be live blogging from The Local Q Music Fest Saturday, May 5, at Johnny Bang Bang’s. Chicago acts Ami Moss and the Unfortunate, and Max Simmons are headlining the second annual event. The finalists in the Singer/Songwriter contest — George Cate, Bo Dirte, Katie Jean, Elizabeth Mannhardt and Michael Reynolds — also will perform. Find out more information on the event here.
While the concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Don will be arriving early to preview all the action beginning with sound check at 6:30 p.m.
Join Don as he captures the sights and sounds of The Local Q Music Fest.
HOLOWICKI: Lincoln Douglas Streetfighter’s sound loud, but melodic
Dec 12th
I want to start off by mentioning a word about the tremendous support I have been getting from emails, facebook adds and sheer random people approaching me and complimenting my work. Thank you!
This past Saturday was the night of the much anticipated Lincoln Douglas Street Fighter show at the State Room. Opening act was the Texas Funerals with their surf-infused eclectic blend of rockabilly and other genres. In between songs they busted out a few dittys from Heart, ZZ Top and Dick Dale. The song Double Shot was kind of like a Buster Poindexter reincarnation. I also want to point out that it was interesting how the State Room’s acoustics enhance the performance compared to the New Hampshire bar experience. I was also able to SEE the musicians. Nice job again!
Next came the headlining act.
This new, albeit temporary, ensemble is four guys from Quincy featuring frontman and bass player Corey Warning, Tony Peck on drums, Timmy Kayser on guitar and Matt Parker on guitar. The one night only appearance of some of Quincy’s finest musicians, the Lincoln Douglas Street Fighter combo packs four chord guitar riffs, with some heavy duty on-beat and off-beat drumming and the amazing vocal range of frontman Cory Warning. Warning was the singer for the now-defunct post-punk group the Graduate and played a number of shows with Vans Warped tour in the summer of 2007 to promote their album at the time.
Their music reminds me of a group from the ’80s called the Mighty Lemon Drops, a UK post modern band whose sound can be described as psychedelia influenced post punk.
Their music was a compilation of indie songs that to the unfamiliar listener were inspired by the likes of Weezer, the Silversun Pickups, the Replacements and the Babys although Warning himself admits that his influences are mainly Arcade Fire and Interpol. I’ll give ‘em that. Their style was loud but very melodic. Many references throughout the show were to that of the Foo Fighters, but I’m guessing that was some sort of inside jest. Either way, the music flowed naturally, flawlessly and was highly polished. LDSF are/were a breath of fresh air to Quincy’s much needed indie music scene. I also have an affinity for bands with multiple lead singers as Matt pitched in on a few songs.
Warning will be leaving for Portland, Oregon, in a few weeks, so the possibility of remaining together as a group in the future seems unlikely. That’s too bad, because I truly hate to see them go and I suspect that sentiment is echoed by a good number of people judging by the turnout and excitement of the audience. I estimated the headcount for the night was around 150, almost triple what the Continental show did last week. That kind of support speaks volumes.
Their evening finale was a cover of Local H’s “Copasetic,” which was done really well and got the audience really fired up — a good choice to close out the evening as people were yelling repeatedly for an encore. Unfortunately, as Warning admitted, LDSF exhausted their playlist. No worries. I’m hoping the door is not quite closed on this group just yet.
Steve Holowicki
HOLOWICKI: Lincoln Douglas Street Fighter set to perform at State Room
Dec 8th
This weekend Quincy is the site of the Lincoln Douglas Street Fighter.
Just imagine Lincoln and Douglas duking it out on State Street, blocking traffic, fisticuffs flying, bloody noses and all. Not exactly. But it sounded exciting, didn’t it?
Two Quincy native acts are going on this weekend at the State Room. The Texas Funerals and a group of guys who have formed from separate bands to do a ONE NIGHT ONLY show — Lincoln-Douglas Street Fighter.
Featuring Quincy natives and members of THE GRADUATE – THE FORECAST – THE JUNIOR VARSITY – BEST OF WINTER – FLOATING OTIS – PREDAWN HOUR.
12 Rounds: Corey Warning VS Tony Peck VS Timmy Kayser VS Matt Parker
So four guys and two Lincolns and two Douglasses. John Wilkes Booth is NOT expected to show.
Special Guests: Texas Funerals
Main Event starts at 9:30 p.m. with doors open at 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the State Room, 434 S. Eighth. $5 for admission.
Steve Holowicki
STONER: Choose your “first” music wisely
Dec 7th
Well here we go, I am Steve Stoner, and this is my first ever blog.
Being the nerd I am, I had to go look up what a blog is, even though I thought I pretty much knew. According to Webster, it is short for “WeB log”. There’s some useless information that you’ll need at Trivia Night someday.
Any “first” is always memorable and significant, so I’m excited.
I’m originally from Quincy, but have lived in the St. Louis area the last 10 years and over the last couple of years have volunteered and co-founded a non-profit group called Six String Heroes. Our group gives guitars and guitar lessons to military veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and other injuries.
At the beginning of each new session, we go around the room and introduce ourselves and we have a few standard questions we have everyone answer. One, is what was your first concert? Again, your “first” of anything is usually memorable, so most people will remember their first concert. After getting responses like Van Halen, The Allman Brothers, Pearl Jam and every other cool band in history, it’s my turn. What do I get to announce? That my first and most embarrassing concert attended was Air Supply. That’s right! Air Supply played in Hannibal on the riverfront in the mid-80s and I was there collecting my first ever concert ticket. Now, if my lastname isn’t enough to produce some chuckles, you can bet my announcement of my first concert brings on some hysterics.
Now, let’s move on to a group lesson where a few of us instructors teach a group of veterans at the same time and the question is asked of instructors what was the first song we ever learned on guitar. There are the expected “Smoke On The Water,” “Iron Man,” and of course “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.”
My turn!!!! I had a buddy teach me a few electric guitar power chords and then recorded the first song I heard on the radio. This was back in the late ’80s when you could record songs straight from the radio on to a tape in your jam box (figured out how old I am yet?). I play around with the chords for a while and voila, I’ve figured out the main chords to the song. And what was this hair band, spandex, makeup fueled song “Talk Dirty To Me” from Poison. Now, if my lastname and my first concert announcement haven’t given these tough guys I’m teaching reason to question everything about me, they are now really giving me the evil eye. “Talk Dirty To Me” from Poison!!!!
Why I have taken up your time with my first ever blog to tell you all this? Because as we start raising our children, just in case they become musicians, let’s not stick them with these horrible and embarrassing memories. Last year, I took my 14-year-old to his first concert at the Pageant: Alter Bridge and Sick Puppies. Maybe not Led Zeppelin or Van Halen, but definitely not Air Supply or Poison as his “first.” My youngest is wanting to learn to play guitar and I’ve got music all ready to teach him some songs and you can bet they will be classics that he’ll be proud to announce later in life as his “first.”
So parents, before you take little Billy or Susie (do kids get those names anymore?), to see Justin Bieber for their “first” concert. Before you let your child learn their “first” song out of a Lady Gaga songbook, think about how important “firsts” are and how they will remember these things for the rest of their lives and just might have to announce them in front of a group.
Choose wisely.
Steve Stoner
HOLOWICKI: New Hampshire Bar rocked Quincy on Friday
Dec 5th
If you missed Friday night’s show at the New Hampshire bar, then you should be kicking yourself for the remainder of the year. The instant I walked into the door, a couple guys said to me, “Are you Steve?” It was like they knew I was coming and knew my face too. Not used to that kind of welcome. Then again, I let the cat out of the bag a week before Thanksgiving.
The opening act was Quincy’s very own Texas Funerals, who are not from Texas and their music is far from any kind of funeral. The TF’s play a fast, energetic set of punk, ska, western swing and even a dose of ragtime, trombone player and all. High energy indeed. For the record, this is not an indie rock group, although I recall when Reverend Horton Heat was on Subpop and he wasn’t a grunge act. These guys play too fast and energetic to fit into this category. The New Hampshire felt more like a night at Paychecks or the Magic Stick in Detroit more than it did Quincy, Ill. It’s possible that the TF’s could play to a larger audience than they might get in Quincy. These guys are phenomenal musicians, each and every one. I met Pete (trombone and vocals) and Alex (bass) at Brix back in March and Chris (drums) about a month before that. The guys were gracious enough to give me a copy of their CD and everyone checked their attitudes at the door. By that I mean everyone seemed like they were in a good mood and there was a lot of excitement at the anticipation for a great night of live music. There were about 50 people in the audience by the time the TF’s went on and they kept coming. $2 PBR’s is always nice and it was great to see familiar faces and meet some new ones. The next day, I loaded the CD to my iTunes and it played non-stop for hours.
The Strummalongs from St. Louis came on next. A powerpop trio, their bass player is TIGHT. Quick sidenote here: A gray man with black jeans and Doc Martins approached after finishing stringing his Gibson that was donated to him by Joe Perry. That man was Rick Barton from Contintental who introduced himself right about this time. This was HIS comment: “I can’t believe how tight that bass player is!” Barton remarked. I said to Rick that they reminded me a little of the Plimsoles and a tad like the early Goo Goo Dolls. Someone else remarked they were “easy listening punk rock.” Overall, a good group, with catchy lyrics and melodies with a good, hard edge.
Then came the headlining act. Continental is Rick Barton’s new group and they’ve been together just over a year. Rick is the former guitarist of Boston’s legendary Dropkick Murphys. Barton left in 1999 after only three albums. Barton asked me about the building vacancies of downtown Quincy, which he pronounces Quinzee, his hometown in Massachusetts. That was for another conversation.
Barton has enlisted his son, Steve, as bass player into the band. Steve is 21, a very talented musician in his own right who grew up with his dad’s music and is influenced heavily by it.
Barton kicked out a couple of tunes and then spoke to the audience. Barton sold off his rights to his old music, does not do drugs, nor drink alcohol, has no bank account, is homeless and along with a few other things that he confessed.
The music was loud, well delivered, well mixed, and well rehearsed. Lyrics nearly inaudible from blaring guitars and drums. Barton was singing so loudly, his Mic went out momentarily. Barton is over 50 but he has the energy of a 28-year-old and it shows in his stage presence. I am actually surprised that the mosh pit didn’t get started, but a few people were dancing to the former Irish punk guitarist’s licks. There are hints of influence from the old stuff but this is clearly not in the same vein as the Dropkick Murphys. This band has as a sound that is all their own. Between intermittent electric/acoustic sets, he did a single diddy of a DM tune. At the end I stood in disbelief amongst a group of 20, 30 and even 40 somethings clad in Motorhead jackets, converse All Stars and facial piercings, Barton in a white T-shirt is all but bathed in sweat. I thought, “Am I in Quincy? How did they get these acts to come here?”
The next day, I hopped in the car to get something to eat, ears still ringing. I live in the East End Historic district so I came up Maine toward 12th from Broadway. Who should I see but the whole band walking past the Ice Scream shop? I yelled out”Hey!” There they were- all four band members and Barton’s dog. Barton is wearing some cool, translucent specs. Barton says, “Is that Steve?” I acknowledged them and told them what a great show they played the night before. He thanked me for the compliment and the bit of Quincy history I offered, shook my hand and said they were headed to Thyme Square as the car behind me honked. What a memorable night!
Steve Holowicki
LIVE EVENTS: Reasonable Doubt, Continental and more
Nov 30th
Continental, Strummalongs and the Texas Funerals (indie/rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The New Hampshire Bar, 1000 Hampshire
Reasonable Doubt (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
Cheeseburgers (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Saturday
WHERE:RT & Honey’s Saloon, Augusta
Heartache Tonight (Eagles Tribute Band)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
Jared and the Gentleman (rock/classic rock)
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: One Restaurant and Bar, 600 Hampshire
The Sally Wiesenberg Band (blues)
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Ridge View Winery, Mount Sterling
The KingBees (blues)
WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: The Club Tavern, 1023 N. 10th St.
More details on upcoming shows are available on the calendar page at www.thelocalq.com.
For information on bands and concert venues, go to the music page at www.thelocalq.com.
Submit details for upcoming shows at www.thelocalq.com/node/1767.
LIVE EVENTS: Make going out plans all the way through Thanksgiving weekend
Nov 16th
Smooth Sounds Band (jazz)
WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17
WHERE: Martini’s at 515, 515 Maine
Noah McNally (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa
Tim Hart and Jerad Harness & Blackgrass (acoustic/country)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
Bombshell (classic rock)
WHEN: 9 p.m. Friday
WHERE: The Grand Tap, Galesburg
Road King (classic rock)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: River City Billiards, Hannibal, Mo.
Contagious (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
Eleven (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Blind Pig, 900 N. 12th St.
Wrecking Ball (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: The Grove Inn, 6510 Broadway
Fielder (rock)
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: ONE Restaurant & Bar, 600 Hampshire St.
Broseph E. Lee (acoustic)
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Ridge View Winery, Mount Sterling
Thanksgiving-Eve Bash featuring Carter Slade, Further Ado, Nowake, Big Richard and Predawn Hour (rock)
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23
WHERE: Turner Hall, 926 Hampshire
Blaisin’ Timothy and Fielder (rock)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
D.J. Kane (dance)
WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23
WHERE: ONE Restaurant & Bar, 600 Hampshire
Cheeks McGee (acoustic)
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
WHERE: Spirit Knob Winery, Ursa
COST: $5
Cheeseburgers (classic rock)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
WHERE: Warsaw Brewery, 900 N. Sixth St., Warsaw
WOD (pop/rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
Black Friday with Nocebo, Against All Odds and Perditions Sky (metal)
WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25
WHERE: Hotspots, Clayton
COST: $4
Ketchum Loudin Live (acoustic)
WHEN: 7:30 p.m Saturday
WHERE: Ridge View Winery, Mount Sterling
Pimpkatz (classic rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26
WHERE: Adams Trading Post, Liberty
Well Hungarians (country/rock)
WHEN: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26
WHERE: Johnny Bang Bang’s, 138 N. Front
Ken Carlyle (acoustic)
WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27
WHERE: Ridge View Winery, Mount Sterling
More details on shows are available on the calendar page at www.thelocalq.com.
For information on bands and concert venues, go to the music page at www.thelocalq.com.
Submit details for upcoming shows at www.thelocalq.com/node/1767.
MARTIN-CATE: Let’s get musicians to play their hearts out
Nov 14th
I am inspired by a musician that raised $2,500 for the Salvation Army by playing his euphonium for 36 hours straight outside. My first thought was, wow this guy is dedicated, my second thought was, I can’t believe he didn’t raise more. People should’ve been dropping money like crazy. I think this would make an amazing fundraiser for Quincy. Who doesn’t love a good old-fashion marathon event? Are there any musicians out there willing to play for 36 hours for a cause?
I vote for a small group of jamming musicians to perform unplugged somewhere unusual, the bridge area maybe? Or somewhere else downtown. They could go all night and everyone could stay and support. So neat, right?
WATCH VIDEO of this amazing musician here:
Associated Press: Musician plays for 36 hours straight for charity
RICHMOND, Va. — A musician’s 36-hour outdoor marathon has raised $2,500 for the Salvation Army.
Matt Sims played his euphonium as passersby dropped donations into a red kettle at the Short Pump Town Center in Richmond.
Sims is the musical director for the Salvation Army’s Central Virginia Chapter.
He tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch (http://bit.ly/uWj80I) there were periods when he wondered if he was going to meet his goal, especially when the overnight low Friday night dropped into the 20s.
But by Saturday night, Sims had reached it. He says he played through his book of 130 songs about 24 times.
He says his next stop will be his grandmother’s house in Florida for a few days of rest.
Jessica M. Martin-Cate


















