On 11/11/11 America will stand up in a grand gesture to show America’s Heart  to our injured US Troops! Venues and artists from all over the USA will participate in various events in an effort to raise the much needed funds to assist our troops in the transition from military life to civilian life.

Les Roediger, event organizer states,

Despite not having several venues and dozens of bands like last year because of this happening on a Friday (Veteran’s Day) I think Kansas will step up and match what we did for the Vets again this year. Kansas came in number one for contributions for the cause at the 10/10/10 and I believe we can repeat that if everyone steps up and does the right thing on 11/11/11.

First to the stage is The Waterdog Nation. A band that, “incorporates southern rock, country, blues, jazz, and other genres into its down home original sound.” From Lawrence Waterdog Nation frontman and multi-instrumentalist Joseph D. Schriener, states the band has one simple goal: “…We want to make you move.”

Next up is Eleven After. Performing all over town, the band recently made a huge impression on attendees of Karma-geddon last Halloween weekend. :11 are comprised of Brandon Statler on guitar and lead vocals, Kyle Edwards on guitar, Brittian Kitzman on drums and Skylar Schooler on bass and vocals.

The The Artificial Red from Lawrence is up next. I had a chance to catch their set while backwhen they opened for My Fathers Gun at One More Bar and Grill. My table mate commented they sounded like a cross between Creed and Nickleback. So if you like those two bands you’ll definitely enjoy The Artificial Red. Les also notes that Artificial Red front man,

Brian Kraemer . . . is himself an injured vet. He is an Iraqi Freedom veteran that had his leg smashed, and had to learn to walk again and now he’s . . . jumping around the stage again.

 

Last, but certainly not least is one of Topeka’s best cover bands. A few month’s ago we called Meltdown (Patrick Lytle; vocals/guitar, Josh Freeby; bass, and Bobby Chavez; drums/vocals) the “Dr. Frankenstein’s of the local cover band scene,” after witnessing a few of their shows in the area, noting that Meltdown invites

Perfectly good classic and modern rock songs, for a walk down a deserted back alley, beat them senseless and resurrect them in a glorious new incarnation.

The evening begins at 8:00 and the suggested donation for the event is $5 at the door, but please feel free to donate more. If anyone would like to donate items for raffle or auction, or set up to sell stuff for donation money for the cause, contact Les Roediger on Facebook, or call Dave or Shelli at the 39th StreetBar, 785-266-0020.

The proceeds raised in Kansas on 11/11/11 will be donated to Alford–Clark VFW Post 852 138 Alabama St, Lawrence,Ks for distribution to Kansas Veterans in need. Phone (785) 843-2078

Come out to 39th Street Bar and Grill, November 11, and support, not only America’s Heart Vet Aide, but the bands who have made it a priority to perform for this great cause.  It promises to be a sonically satisfying night of music for all.  And remember you gotta have heart!

[November 2011 | Robin Cremer]

On Wednesday nights, way back in the seventies we watched a program entitled NBC Mystery Theatre. Featuring three programs alternating every week; on any given Wednesday you could watch McCloud, portrayed by Dennis Weaver; MacMillan and Wife with Rock Hudson and the lovely Susan Saint James; and of course, Columbo, portrayed by the irrepressible Peter Falk.

Although Falk wasn’t the original Columbo, (that would be Bert Freed), he is certainly the archetypical embodiment of the character. A well-worn trench coat, chewing on a cigar, and always looking like he should have shaved two days ago; Columbo was the epitome of grunge long before it became a musical genre and fashion statement.

Being a fan of the show, when the opportunity presented itself to catch a showing of the production, I jumped on it faster than Charlie Sheen jumping on a bus loaded with strippers and porn stars.

It seems Dr. Roy Flemming (Jim Ramos), a successful psychiatrist, with a rich wife (Jesyca Rodenberg) and lovely young mistress (Maeghan Bishop) is dissatisfied with his marriage, and his darn wife just won’t grant him a divorce. He wants to start a new life with Susan, his patient/lover, so Dr. Flemming conceives an elaborate plot to murder his wife, create an alibi, and get off scot free. The only thing is; he didn’t count on Inspector Columbo to be on the case.

Ted Shonka absolutely nails it in the role of the scruffy and tenacious lieutenant., obviously logging many hours studying the fine art of being Columbo. Hell, just walking onstage, Shonka elicits chuckles from the audience, with just his body language alone. Those familiar with Peter Falk’s lovable Lt. Columbo will appreciate what Shonka brings to the role. Yes, the trench coat isn’t as worn-in and maybe Mr. Shonka has shaved in the last few days, but, dammit, he smokes a real cigar in Act 2 (at least it smelled like one from where I sat), and ya gotta love him for that!

On the way home, my wife asked me what I liked most about the show. I replied that I’ve always been fascinated by seemingly intelligent people who coldly calculate and execute a murder, boldly assuming they’ve covered all trails leading back to their part in the crime, arrogantly believing nobody will find them out. Such was the case with Dr. Flemming and his nefarious little scheme; but in the end the reasoning that was the catalyst for his horrendous act of violence on his wife becomes the factor that reveals his guilt.

Prescription Murder is a stunning production and one of my favorites that I’ve witnessed on the Main Stage. Anybody with a love for mystery and great intellectual discussion will be delighted to attend this outstanding performance. ‘Props’ go out to the lightening fast stage crew, who never allowed the suspense to wane between scenes.

And even though we arrived late and missed the ‘Can You Columbo?’ contest, I’d like to submit my impression of Columbo if he was a writer.

 “Yes, uh, would you mind if I write . . . one more thing.”

Thank you, (bowing) thank you very much.

The show runs through November 5. Visit the Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy website to make your reservations, or call the box office at (785) 357-5211.

 [October 2011 | Robin Cremer]

This is just a partial list of happenings in T-town this weekend. Click here for a more comprehensive list compiled by seveneightfive’s own (her name is) Rio.

Halloween weekend, October 28 and 29, Topeka hard rock and metal aficionados will be able to get their treat bag filled with a wide assortment of deliciously distorted ear candy, when local, regional and national bands, The Artificial Red, My Fathers Gun, Eleven After, Invictus, KrashKarma, the Fortress, Midnight Ghost Train, and Jucifer invade the city for two nights of ear splitting – ground shaking – no holds barred – doom laden – in your face – carreening out of control - hard rock and roll music.  Oh, Joy!!

Starting the weekend off on the North side of town, Lawrence bands, the Artificial Red and My Fathers Gun rock the recently renamed One More Bar and Grill, formerly the Throttleback, formerly Stingers, etc.

The Artificial Red is a four piece band that describes their music as “epic, catchy, and will stick in your head all day and the next . . .”

It’s always a treat, when My Fathers Gun bring their two-guitar assualt team to the city. Despite the fact they look like they’d take you out for even thinking of playing in standard tuning, the members of My Fathers Gun are some of the nicest guys who’s pleased to meet you.. And they also have the distinction of being the only band playing this weekend connected to seveneightfive by . . . blood! (muhahaha!)

If you didn’t get enough Friday, get over to downtown Topeka Saturday night for Topeka’s first Hardcore Halloween Hullabaloo when neighboring venues, the Kansan Grill and Blue Planet Café will host hardcore and metal acts from all over the country. (really)

I really hope the Blue Planet has Allstate Insurance because from what I’ve read about two of the bands performing there Saturday night; Mayhem will reign supreme before the nights end.

From Georgia, nomadic rockers, Jucifer have been a gang of two since 1993. Consisting of Gazelle Amber Valentine on guitar and vocals and Edgar Livengood on drums and guitar, the band has been on the road for over a decade. Utilizing a literal wall of sound (speakers approximately 10 feet high and 15 feet wide), Jucifers self described brand of doom laden sludge rock will follow Topeka rockers, The Midnight Ghost Train; a band that “tours 10 months out of the year . . .  U.S. Europe, and soon Australia and South Africa.” Making a rare T-town appearance opening for their friends from Georgia, MGT is Steve Moss on guitars and vocals, Brandon Burghart on drums and David Kimmell on bass and describe their brand of rock and roll as “thick sludge with some good old desert rock fuzziness.”

The Fortress will open the evening at 7 p.m. sharp and there will be a measley six dollar cover charge.

Down the street at the Kansan Grill is where you’re gonna catch Eleven After, Invictus and Krashkarma for an evening of hard rock and metal music that will definitely rock your zombiefied face off.

From Overbrook, KS, Eleven After, recent students of Paul Schneider’s University of Hard Rock, AKA Rundown Studios, ‘is gaining a bit of experience every show that they play. This band is unique in many ways and they will continue to throw AMAZING shows and entertain you through the music that they love to create.”

Second on the bill, a band who released my favorite song of the summer, One More Addiction, Invictus from Topeka,KS, featuring rock cop Jayme Green and the great R.J. Soldani. Seveneightfive called their Rundown Studio produced CD released in July,

One of the most sonically, lyrically and musically satisfying discs I’ve heard from a local artist in a long time. This is the one you put on when someone tells you that the only good thing that came out of Kansas was . . . well, Kansas.

And finally, from L.A., Krashkarma are making their second visit to Topeka this year. Krash’s Straight To The Blood is possibly my second favorite release of 2011 (right after Foo Fighters Wasting Light). An album of crunchy guitar riffs, cool electronica and some of the most honest lyrics you’ll ever find. Frontman Ralf Dietel says his lyrics are derived from life’s experiences.

I get inspired by life in general . . . Tears of Gasoline was inspired by a friend who’s partner just died in an accident. The pain of losing somebody and dealing with the past, and move on to the future is what it’s about . . . in a way I feel that’s what life is about many times.

You’ll want to check out KrashKarma’s second video from STTB, Take The Money, which was filmed on the streets of Las Vegas, and features the dangerously beautiful Nicole Skistimas and a whole lot of guns and money. Of the video shoot the band posted on their FB page:

“Keep in mind, running around in Vegas with automatic weapons can be quite fun, but dangerous!!! Kids, don’t try this at home…”

The Kansan Grill show starts at 8 p.m. and is an all ages show, with five dollar advance tickets and ten dollars at the door. You must show I.D. to get a wristband that shows you are old enought to embibe.

And of course there’s the Halloween Dance Party and Costume Contest  with our friend, DJ S. Ranx, and that’s going on down the street at the Celtic Fox.

Get out and support Topeka Wild Life this Halloween weekend.  What a great time for original hard rock music in downtown Topeka; with so much musical madness to choose from your head just might start spinning like Linda Blair in the Exorcist!

[October 2011 | Robin Cremer]

A benefit for the Tower Climber Protection Project, three bands were on the agenda for the evening; the Narcotic Lollipops, Big Daddy Loud, and Jangalang, all from Topeka.

Getting the emotionally charged evening off to a start, Von Kopfman and his son Jordan performed an original song about the recent death of their son and brother. Jacob, a tower builder for Hayden Tower Services, fell while working in August. In No Need to Say Goodbye, an achingly beautiful song that pulls no punches, Von speculates on his son’s last seconds on earth.

I wonder what you were thinking as you fell from the sky

And everyone you loved before, passed there before your eyes

Hoped the last thing you ever saw was the perfect sky so blue.

Hope your very last thought was how much I love you.

Von goes on to express how he looks to the day when he can see his beloved son again.

I know someday I’ll join you, and I’ll look into your eyes

Each day until that moment, let’s never say goodbye

Reminiscent of Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven; Von somehow managed to channel his pain and heartache into his art resulting in a bittersweet tribute to his dearly loved son.  No Need to Say Goodbye is promised as a bonus track on the upcoming CD.

Comprised of members of BDL, and Jangalang, the Narcotic Lollipops took the stage for an eclectic mix of classic rock and pop standards with a couple of really nice tunes written by Von and Garret McCart thrown into the mix. Standouts include a rendition of Robin Trower’s Bridge of Sighs featuring Sir Eric Logan on vocals and guitar, and Terry McCart’s stunning vocals on the Ace classic, How Long. This is a band we definitely look forward to hearing more of in the future.

Probably the band everyone came out to see was up next. A recent 5Q spotlight in seveneightfive magazine, the buzz around Big Daddy Loud has been going since their website miraculously appeared online several months ago. Now with the promise of the new CD, The Adventures of Apple Spacebar, on the near horizon, the members decided it was time to take the stage, not only for a great cause, but to show that they weren’t just a studio fluke.

Opening with You Don’t Know Me, from the upcoming disc, Big Daddy came out of the gate Loud and could not disappoint even they tried. If the new release sounds half this good we’re in for a real treat, Topeka. Accompanied by drummer Jim Barnes from the band Quiet Corral, and from Burlington, 17 year old Justin McClintic; BDL showed us that stage experience, high-quality song writing, and great riff driven rock and roll is still alive in T-town.

Justin, of whom Eric remarked as looking like he was born yesterday but stayed up all night, appears to have been taking lessons at Dave Grohl’s School of Rock Posturing and is definitely a force to be reckoned with! Don’t be deceived by his geeky demeanor, not only does this kid have the rock moves, but he has the rock chops to back it up.

The band wants you to know that even though this was the live debut of Big Daddy Loud; it wasn’t the official mind blowing-full blown-full scale-full monty-musical assault that is being launched after the new disc is released October 22, so keep your ears peeled for more to come on that.

Last, but certainly not least, Jangalang hit the stage with a diverse mix of modern and classic songs by the likes of Gnarls Barkly, White Stripes, and Creedence Clearwater. Jangalang members include Terry McCart-keyboards and vocals, son Garrett McCart-guitar and vocals, Dave Folger-bass and vocals and Sam Hopper on drums.

All in all, a great night for live local original music in downtown Topeka. If you didn’t get a chance to make it down to Jake’s Jam, but would like more information on the Tower Climber Protection Project, and what you can do to help, check out their Facebook page. Another organization that some may find beneficial is the United Support and Memorial for Workplace Fatalities (USMWF).

Everybody reading this has lost a loved one at one time. We know how hard it is to adjust to the absence of a presence that was so dear, so close, to us; that it takes weeks, months, and sometimes years before our lives adapt to the loss. Let us keep our thoughts and prayers going out, not only to the Von Kopfmans, but to all those who have lost loved ones.

 [October 2011 | Robin Cremer | crappy photos by RC]

Formed around the middle of the last decade, Topeka based Beans & Cornbread is a big ol’ brass band that lays down some serious funkiness, that you can sit, listen, and enjoy; but after hearing a few of their upbeat horn driven funky-licous, tunes, you can’t help but get up, get down and shake, shake, shake your booty.

Building a repertoire from artists representing a wide variety of musical genres spanning a multitude of decades; B & C cover songs by the likes of: Tupac Shakur, the Gap Band, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Bill Withers, not to mention that great New Awlins funk they cut their teeth on.

An eight piece band (five horn players, guitarist, bassist and drummer, most sing) with members “spreadin’ out so far and wide,” it’s hard enough getting them together to do a gig much less talk to the “kooky” music writer of seveneightfive, but we managed to pull three of ‘em together long enough to talk about their funked up band and the remarkable music they perform.

You guys play mostly covers. How do you choose the ones you play?

Alan Eisman; Funky Bass Player: Our main goal when we’re choosing music, are people going to dance to it, that’s our main goal. And are we going to be able to do it well. We’re not going to do a song if we can’t do it well. We’ve tried songs that are great songs but they just didn’t work out for our orchestration, and didn’t work out for the crowd. We tried a bunch of different songs and the end result is get people to dance.

Eric Padilla; Funky Vocals and Trumpet: And 90 percent of the suggestions that come to the band we don’t do. Alan is the one who pretty much decides, cause he’s the one who arranges everything. We’re all musicians but these two (Eric and Robert) know how to write out music. So, if it’s a fun song and they think they can arrange it.

Robert Kilpatrick; Funky Vocals and Trombone: Because we have so many horns, we have to actually write the music out, you can’t just wing it.

What’s been the most unusual cover for you to perform?

Eric: Christina Aquilera, Ain’t No Other Man. We played it two or three times, but the vocals were just too high for me.

Robert: That and Down, that was pretty unusual. Jay Sean, it’s sort of modern hip hop.

The most popular?

Eric: The 70s style and when we do our cover of California Love (Tupac), everybody just loves that. Everybody loved our old Stevie song and we got rid of that one and added a different one so we didn’t have to play the same one over and over.

Alan: A few years ago, there’s a guy who was holding a Bocce Ball tournament, and had us play. He was a big reggae guy; he wanted us to learn a bunch of reggae and we kept some of it.

What are your day jobs?

Alan: Air Traffic Control.

Robert: I work for the Kansas National Guard.

Eric: I’m an advisor with Farm Bureau Insurance.

(Lance Quilling on Funky Trombone and Funky Saxophonist Aaron Graverson are high school band directors. Mike Hurla who plays Funky Trumpet is assistant manager of Dairy Queen, while Funky Drummer Lucas Whippo and Funky Guitarist Ross Williams are students at Washburn.)

What’s the most unusual place you’ve played at?

Alan: That Bocce Ball tournament was one. We’ve done weddings in Illinois, we’re about to do a wedding in Central Kansas.

Eric: We played for Washburn. The first years of the band we were a lot more brassy, that New Orleans funk style. And they had a Mardi Gras luncheon and they paid us to come play at lunch and four faculty came in and ate. We were supposed to play two hours. We got paid to rehearse.

Alan: We got paid pretty good on that.

Robert: We got paid really good on that. (laughing)

[Robin Cremer • photo by Colin MacMillan, Nathan Ham Photogrpahy | published September 1 - October 15, 2011]

Located at 2121 E. 6th, the Chatterbox has been a Topeka mainstay since the forties. It’s been owned and operated by a variety of people throughout the years, and yet the name has almost always been the same. Taking over ownership recently, new proprietors Darrell and Kimberly Cremer wanted to kick off their new enterprise with style, and realized the best way to accomplish this was to get Topeka’s most popular and notorious rock and roll band Simply Driven to do the honors.

A band known to “roll with the changes” from time to time, Simply Driven has been the musical home for many of T-town’s rock and roll luminaries, since it’s inception in 2004.  Richard Tracey, Mike Lindsay, IBC finalist Josh Vowell, Tommy Williams, Devin Chance, and the late great Dan Falley have all rocked the Simply Driven stage at one time or another.

The band now features 2/5ths of one of the cities best original rockers; Sixteen Penny. With guitarist and rock and roll bad boy Dave Holland and drummer extraordinaire Jeff Dechand, along with bassist Tom Long, another Topeka music vet most recently of Top City Rockers, holding down the bottom end; the new line up continues the legacy that began 7 years ago. That’s when guitarist John Carlson, drummer Randy Knight, and bassist Ned Banks first took the stage as Simply Driven with the bands lone original member. And that of course, is the big man himself, the invincible rock and roll taxi driver, Dave Barnes on vocals and spiritual guidance.

So, head over to the Chatterbox Tavern next Saturday and rock out with the recently revamped Simply Driven, and show some love and support for a new business endeavor while you’re at it. The evening begins at 8:00 p.m. and since there’s no cover charge and an occupancy load of 48, you’d better get there early because an SRO crowd is expected.

For the early risers, the Chatterbox opens for breakfast at seven each morning, M-Sat, serving up biscuits and gravy. Hot coffee and a variety of cold liquid refreshments are also on hand to get your morning started, or day ended whatever the case may be.

And for all the KPR listeners who inadvertently wander in; it’s the Chatterbox Tavern not the Chatterbox Café; you ain’t going to find Lena and Ole sitting at a table scarfing down a plate of Lutefisk. What you will find are some nice people, offering you a cold beer and a warm atmosphere.

[October 2011 | Robin Cremer]

YouTube
Andy’s mastery of the instrument has gotten the attention of over 40 million YouTube viewers for his song, Drifting alone.  Utilizing an amazing DADGAD tuned-two handed-over the neck-fretboard tapping-guitar slapping performance technique, the video incited one person to comment,

“What was he thinking when he created this song? Oooh, I think I should tune all these strings differently than use my left hand to play above the fret board and than use my left hand to play notes along the fretboard, and why not add some drumming and slap my guitar……..and BAM you throw them together and you get this amazing piece of art.”

All things considered, Andy McKee might just be one of the most popular and esteemed acoustic musicians on the planet today, and he practically lives in your own backyard!

Early Influences

I heard him when I was 12 years old . . . that’s when I wanted to start playing guitar.

That’s Andy talking about the first time he heard Eric Johnson’s soaring Cliffs of Dover on the radio, when he was a Washburn Rural student. Of course, McKee, like any other teenager, was also enamored by the metal bands popular at the time, and it wasn’t until he attended a workshop sponsored by Midwestern Music which featured Preston Reed, that Andy’s creative eyes were opened to the harmonically abundant tones that can only be experienced with an acoustic guitar. Along the way, Andy has also obtained inspiration from Canadian finger stylist Don Ross, the late great Michael Hedges, and the unstoppable Billy McLaughlin, an amazing guitarist who essentially relearned the instrument after being diagnosed with focal dystonia.

Guitar Contests
Between the years 1999 and 2004 Andy participated in the highly competitive arena of guitar championships. Most notably the International Finger Style Contest held annually the third weekend of September, at Winfield Kansas. He entered twice before placing third the last time in 2001. A few years later he pulled in at 2nd at the Canadian Guitar Festival before securing a 1st place position at the Kansas State Fiddling and Picking Championships in Lawrence Kansas. From there on Andy hasn’t done nothing but get better and more well-known in all the right circles.

Fanned Frets
When you’re sitting in the audience of an Andy McKee show you might notice that his guitar appears rather odd. Hand built by Michael Greenfield, the acclaimed Canadian handcrafter, McKee’s guitar utilizes a fanned fret board. Andy Explains,
The idea behind [fanned fret boards] is the intonation is better than a standard guitar, because the strings all have the proper scale length. If you think about a piano, or a harp, the bass strings are longer, and the treble strings are shorter, so on the fanned fret guitar, the nut and the bridge are angled so that the scale length is appropriate for each string. So you can play more in tune everywhere on the guitar neck.

Harp Guitars
While attending the Walnut Valley festival in Winfield, Andy became friends with Stephen Bennett, an incredible musician whom Andy refers to as, “one of the most melodic guys out there.” No stranger to guitar contests, Bennett himself is a multi-winner at Winfield after taking 1st and 2nd in the Flat-picking competition and 3rd place in the Finger Style contest in ’87, ’83, and ’85, respectively. Bennett is now a successful recording and touring artist – the Toronto Fingerstyle Guitar Association calls him the Jedi Master of Fingerstyle Guitar – with over 20 CDs to his credit. In-A-Gadda-Da-Stephen is a collection of rock classics performed on the harp guitar, of which Stephen is a master. An unusual looking instrument at first glance; it’s a regular acoustic guitar in shape, but with an upper chamber and six additional harp-like strings to create more range and depth to the music. Bennett inherited his 1909 Dyer Brothers symphony harp guitar from his great-grandmother’s second husband, Edgar Pierce, a performer on Portland Oregon’s first radio station in the early 1900s. He acquired a few more over the years, and sold one built by Ron Spiller to Andy. Of this transaction Stephen writes on his website,

After recording many tunes and doing lots of shows with that instrument, I loaned it for a while to my friend Andy McKee, and eventually sold it to him. Andy is still taking that harp guitar all around the world and making me very proud to know him!

Andy has recently acquired a new harp guitar, to replace his Spiller, which he says his getting a little too old to take out on tour. The new one-also built by Greenfield, the first harp guitar he’s built-also utilizes the fanned fret technology of the other two Greenfield built guitars Andy has with him on the road.

Guitar Masters
Earlier this year Andy’s life came full circle when he had the opportunity to tour with the guy whose music motivated him to take up this crazy profession in the first place: Eric Johnson, the incredible Texas guitar slinger, once a peer of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Johnson, known for his intricate and incendiary Stratocaster instrumentals is a very gifted acoustic player as well. Andy toured with Johnson and Peppino D’Agostino as part of the Guitar Masters Tour. When asked what it was like to look over and see Johnson playing one of his tunes at the end of the evening, Andy replied,

It’s insane! I mean, I need to be careful and make sure I don’t screw up when I look over and think, Oh my God, it’s Eric Johnson, he’s playing on my song! It’s pretty amazing. I remember when I met him . . . I was bowing to him, and now we’re joking on the tour bus and stuff. It’s cool; it’s been really cool to develop a friendship with him, one of my biggest influences.

Andy is currently on tour with Stephen Bennett and Antoine Dufour, so crawl out from under your rock (metaphorically speaking) and witness for yourself the acoustic artistry of these experts of the finger style guitar when the Guitar Masters roll into the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire Street on October 13.

Advance tickets available from Pipeline Productions, The Bottleneck for $26.50 or at the door the night of show for $27.00.

[September 2011 | Robin Cremer | guitar master photo used by permission | Stephen Bennett quote courtesy of www.harpguitar.com | Andy’s Eric Johnson quotes courtesy of www.greenfieldguitars.com]

Old school Metalheads of Topeka, listen up; your weekend has arrived! Coming to take us back to the golden age of Rock and Roll, Almost KISS from Kansas City and the Glitter Boys from Hattiesburg, Mississippi are hitting T-town to Rock and Roll us all night, leaving us wanting nothing but a good time.

The action kicks off at the Throttleback Bar in North Topeka Friday Night when Almost KISS will get the place Hotter Than Hell! AlmostKISS has been rocking the club scene since 2005, with no signs of letting up. Their act includes all the familiar Kiss exploits that make their fans leave their seat and move their feet: Outrageous makeup, fire breathing, blood spewing, smoking guitar solos; you name it, it’s all here in all its fire and brimstone glory, and with such an attention to detail, it got them on an episode of Gene Simmon’s Family Jewels, as one of Gene’s top six favorite Kiss tribute bands.

Pucker up…this is the hottest KISS tribute band in the world, coming to Topeka!

 And then it’s time to get out the hair spray, put on the makeup and pull on the spandex, ‘cuz it’s Saturday night and glam metal band Glitter Boys are in town and will be wreaking havoc at the Boobie Trap. With a set list that looks like a singles chart ripped out of Billboard magazine from when Metal ruled the airwaves, the Glitter Boys perform a dizzying array of rocking originals and pop metal classics.

Attired in authentic stage apparel of the era, the Glitter Boys look like they just stepped out of Doc Brown’s De Lorean with their teased hair, scarves, bandanas, fingerless gloves, torn jeans, snakeskin boots and a whole lot of attitude.

Employing many of the time-honored formulas (muggles favor the term ’cliches’), used by the great Hair Metal bands of yesteryear, the Glitter Boys original tunes Rock and Roll Time Machine, Bop Bop Baby, Backstage Pass, Do You Believe, etc. are as rocking, raucous and irreverent as their eighties predecessors and come with more hooks than a Disney-themed costume party.

So whether you’re a fan of 70/80s era Kiss or 80s hair bands you’ll be one happy metal head this weekend no matter where you end up. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Throttleback Friday Sept. 23 to party with Almost KISS or rocking out at the Boobie Trap Saturday Sept. 24 with the Glitter Boys; there’s no doubt by weekends end you’ll be singing along with that old Steel Panther spiritual, ‘Death To All But Metal!’

More Info on The Glitter Boys show @ the Boobie Trap

More info on Almost Kiss @ the Throttleback

[September 2011 | Robin Cremer]

If you’ve talked to anyone who attended last years IBC event they probably told you what a great time they had and all the great performances they seen and you were jealous, and wished you could have attended . . . but hey! . . . now’s your chance to witness all the great music, great food and great times for yourself.

Just like Topeka, several cities across the country are holding their own mini-challenges,
prologues to the big event in Memphis early next year . . .

The 28th International Blues Challenge will begin with the FedEx International Showcase on Tuesday, January 31 and conclude Saturday, February 5, 2012 with the finals at the Orpheum Theatre. – The Blues Foundation

In the Topeka IBC competition, the contestants draw numbers to determine the order of competition, and are then judged on four criteria: blues content, talent, stage presence and originality. They perform a timed 25 minute set, and lose points if they go over. Turnover time between bands is minimal, shortened by a shared backline of amplification. After all the acts have finished their sets, the judges determine a winner. – seveneightfive magazine

The contestants in the band competition this year are; From Topeka, Ellie Smith and the Commotions, who’s members include such musical illumanaries as Kenny Smith, Danl Blackwood, Josiah Engstrom and Ryan Vee. The Nick Hern Band with brother Mike on bass guitar, Rick Bruner on drums and Rod Peterson on harmonica. Coming from Kansas City to perform is Coyote Bill Boogie Band, and Where’s Joe from Olathe. And if anybody knows the whereabouts of, Where’s Joe, or the names of any of the band’s members, give me a shout and I’ll post it, otherwise I have no idea who they are.

Performing in the Solo/Duo category are the Blue Devils with Rod Peterson and Greg Spreer and Two Blue featuring Josh Vowell and Justin “J” Shelton from Josh Vowell and the Rumble, who were winners of the Topeka competition in 2009, and the Wichita competition just last year.

Doors will open at noon and I’m not sure what the cover charge is but I don’t think I’d be wrong if I told you it was about five dollars.

Blue Devils: Rod Peterson Greg Spreer

Ellie Smith

Coyote Bill

[August 2011 | Robin Cremer | photos contributed  ]

This is it! Last show. No if’s, and’s, or but’s. This is it. If you haven’t seen Vagus, don’t miss out on your FINAL opportunity. We’re NOT doing reunions. We’re NOT doing more shows.

A bittersweet evening of Rock and Roll is in store for fans of edgy hard rock band Vagus, when the Topeka band calls it quits with a show at the Boobie Trap Saturday night, that promises to be an unforgettable performance.

After four years of playing for a seemingly uncaring music scene, Vagus members Ricky Prato, Zach Israel, Chaes Gray and Shane Lahman felt it was time to throw in the towel. But before packing up the drums and guitars, wheeling out the amps and switching off the lights, they wanted to treat their small but loyal group of fans to one more intense evening of rock and roll . . . Vagus style!

One of the most powerful live bands I’ve encountered over the course of my time writing for seveneightfive, Vagus has always struck me has a band who could have enjoyed much bigger success if they had dwelled in a locality that supported their passionate brand of heavy rock music.

And I’m not going to lie to you, when I heard the news of Vagus impending retirement, it felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Much like the time when I found out DJ Jost was leaving Hammerjunk or Justin Langham had left Sixteen Penny; it just felt like the world stood still for a second. Having gotten to know Ricky and Zach and having a chance to speak with them at length, I found them to be the embodiment of Gustave Flaubert’s famous quote “be regular and orderly in your life, so that you may be violent and original in your work.” And I’m sure that same quote applies to bandmates Shane and Chaes.

As to the origin of their name, Ricky explains,

Our name actually came from one of our friends who was sitting in his anatomy class and came across the tenth cranial nerve which I think controls your nervous system. He thought our music kind of did exactly that and so we were cool with it.

The bands lyrics, which are sometimes as raw and out of control as their music, deal with subject matter that rarely see the light of day in the workaday world of ordinary rock music fodder.

Take for instance, one of their most powerful songs, The Baptism of Jeffery Dahmer in which vocalist Ricky Prato takes on the persona of Jeffrey Dahmer, the Wisconsin serial killer who was arrested in 1994 after killing 17 males between 1978 and 1991.

Eventually murdered in prison by a fellow inmate, but not before professing a conversion experience, Dahmers killing spree was made all the more gruesome and horrendous because of the grisly aspects of “rape, dismemberment, necrophilia and cannibalism.”

In the course of the song Prato sings, “I shared with them the heart of me, but they all tried to run; ate each and every one of their souls.”

Later, in an interesting bit of word play, he screams, “forgive me, I’ve left no skin.” With the rest of the band laying down an emotionally raw feedback drenched assault on the senses, it’s painfully obvious why Vagus just doesn’t fit into the usual T-town “nothin’ but a good time,” musical landscape.   

There’s no doubt Vagus has left an imprint on the capital city music scene and their absence will be felt by all who loved the band and their music. I’m sure the members will move on and find other projects to express themselves.

Hopefully, despite the band’s adamant proclamation above that this is the final show, we’ll get to experience Vagus again in one form or another.    

So get out to the Boobie Trap, Saturday August 13, and experience the final performance of what could be one of Topeka’s most remarkable bands.

Shane Lahman, Chaes Gray, Ricky Prato, Zach Israel

[August 2011 | Robin Cremer | photos contributed]