Weekend Candy: OEA Awards, Grammys, Ranch Bowl Orphans and a ton more

I'm not going to do OEA Award predictions because I already know who's won. No, I can't tell you. It's a secret. Go to the awards and find out yourself. They're Sunday night at the Hilton Omaha. You can get tickets here.

Speaking of the Grammy Awards, I have written a whole column of predictions, which you can check out in the paper and on Omaha.com on Sunday. I also talked to Omahan Tom Ware, who's nominated to win a best album Grammy for his work on Lady Gaga's "You and I." Others nominated with Nebraska ties are jazz singer Karrin Allyson and the Chiara String Quartet. It would be great for Ware to win, but I'm guessing Adele will take home just about every trophy she's nominated for.

On Sunday night just before the Grammy telecast (it starts at 7 p.m.), I'll be doing a live chat right here on the blog and on Omaha.com/music. Tune in with me and we can talk the awards and performances. We can also mock people. It's fun.

Now, on with the shows coming this weekend:

• Tonight at the Waiting Room is a hard rock show headlined by The Wreckage. Show's at 9. $7 at the door.

• Slowdown is closed tonight, but reopens tomorrow with Pert Near Sandstone and The Big Deep. Expect a lot of banjo and toe-tapping. 9 p.m. show. $8 tickets.

• I like the lineup at O'Leaver's on Saturday night. It's Dirty Fluorescents' one-year anniversary show with Techlepathy, Comme Reel and Melissa Dundis. As usual, show starts at 9:30 p.m. with a $5 cover.

• If I were to pick a show for the weekend, I'd go to the MS Society benefit Saturday at the Waiting Room. Not only will Rock N Roll Suicide play David Bowie's "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars" in its entirety, but a band called the Ranch Bowl Orphans will play a bunch of songs by bands that played the old bowling alley's stage a bunch of times. Bands such as Grasshopper Takeover, Clever, 5 Story Fall, The Fonzarellis and Blue Moon Ghetto are groups I saw there a lot.

• Singer-songwriter Jenny Owen Youngs plays the Waiting Room on Sunday. 9 p.m. show. $10 tickets.

• On Sunday after the OEA Awards, Slowdown also hosts an after-party. Snake Island! and BASSthoven play starting at 9:30 p.m. It's free with an OEAA ticket or $5 at the door.

Weekend Rock: Craig Finn, Digital Leather tonight; Blue Bird and more tomorrow

Craig Finn

Tonight's big show is over at the Slowdown, with The Hold Steady's Craig Finn taking the stage for his solo act. I'm a big Hold Steady fan (no surprises there) and I like his solo album a lot, though it's not really the same. Of course, don't expect to hear any Hold Steady songs tonight. Finn told me about that in this interview.

Also tonight is the kick off of Digital Leather's tour that kicks off tonight with a show at O'Leaver's. Well, the next show isn't until Feb. 9 in Seattle (full schedule here), but the band will travel down the west coast, through the Southwest and to Austin to play at Beerland. I wish I could be in Austin for that one. Cool venue.

Blue Bird plays Lincoln tonight with Cowboy Indian Bear at Zoo Bar and then they hit up Slowdown on Saturday (also with CIB as well as Skypiper and El Valiente). I talked to Blue Bird's Rob Matthews earlier this week about their bid to make it to SXSW this year. You can read all about that (and the band's forthcoming new album) in my column.

Also Saturday is local funk/disco legends Satchel Grande at the Waiting Room.

Sunday is the Super Bowl. If any local bands are playing a show opposite of the Super Bowl, I wish them good luck and the fortitude to perform in front of only a few people.

Weekend Roundup: Lots going on this weekend

There's some good shows going on this weekend, all of them local.

Who's going out this weekend?

• Omaha rapper Jimmy Hooligan takes the stage tonight at Slowdown. $10 tickets

• See rockabilly band the Blacktop Ramblers tonight at the Waiting Room. $7 at the door.

• It ain't a concert, but O'Leaver's will have its Men Of O'Leaver's 2012 calendar available on Saturday. I've seen some of the images and they are both glorious and disturbing. There's a release party/signing at 9 p.m.

• Also at the Waiting Room this weekend is the Hootenanny on Sunday. A bunch of local musicians will be playing and jamming to raise money for the Gifford Park Teen Market Garden. $5 at the door.

• If you like the Doors, you should head to Slowdown's front room on Sunday. The Lizard King, a Doors tribute band, features a lot of talented, local guys. $7 tickets.

Weekend Roundup: Maha (duh), Ted Stevens, Beatles and more

It's going to be a good weekend. I really want to make that Ted Stevens show tonight, but won't be able to. I will be at Maha all day long on Saturday and then probably going to the Waiting Room to catch It's True's last set ever.

Happy weekend, folks.

Ted Stevens solo
This guy's pretty good. He's in Cursive, used to be in Mayday and also in the band Lullaby for the Working Class that's having a little reunion next Saturday. Maybe you heard about it. This one could be packed, considering it's at the 1020 (formerly Trovato's), which is a pretty small space.

Yesterday and Today (Beatles tribute)
Billy McGuigan is leading a Beatles tribute tonight at the Waiting Room. McGuigan seems to be the tribute expert, leading groups devoted to the fab four, U2 and Buddy Holly (probably his most famous). Show starts at 9. $10.

Maha Music Festival
If you're reading this blog and haven't heard about the Maha Music Festival, I really don't know what to tell you. The basics are this: for $33 (or $38 day of show), you get to see a bunch of bands that charge a helluva lot more. On average, Spoon goes for $27.50, Superchunk for $22, The Faint for $20, Ben Kweller for $20, The Old 97's for $26.60 and a host of local bands you gotta pay $7 to $10 bucks for. It's a steal. If you want more info, read my Maha preview package that includes interviews with Spoon, Superchunk, The Faint and Rhett Miller of the Old 97's. See you at the show.

Orion Walsh & the Traveling Band CD release show
I don't know a ton about him, but Walsh plays indie folk and is releasing a new album, "The Hitchhiker's Son," at this show. Guests include Sarah Benck, Platte River Rain and Elvis Houdini. Good ensemble of folks. 9 p.m. Saturday at Barley St. $5 as usual.

Son of 76 & the Watchmen; Weekend roundup

I didn't catch Son of 76 and the Watchmen's whole set last night, but I enjoyed what I saw. There was a crowd of around 100 to catch the show, and an abnormal amount of dedicated fans for a local group. People were dancing in front of the stage and one woman was singing all the words to every song. I guess you could call her a fan.

Josh Hoyer is talented and has a voice that I can only describe as interesting. It's kinda gruff, but soulful. In addition to his chops, he also has a confidence about him because he's been doing this for awhile, which is a great asset for a frontman.

My only complaint would be that the show seemed to lack variety. The songs didn't sound the same, per se, but most were played at the same tempo. Then again, I didn't catch the whole set, so I very well may be full of crap.

Check out some of their songs. You like? See the band Saturday at Stir for $5.

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What else this weekend?

• You have Foreigner, Styx and Kansas tonight at Memorial Park. Plus fireworks. I'll be there with some friend, but I honestly won't be paying a ton of attention to the music.

• I would also recommend Honey & Darling's Saturday show at the Waiting Room. They're always a treat. I wish I could go, but I'm being sent to cover Justin Bieber's concert at the Qwest. So excited about that one.

• Also Saturday is the Red, White & GOO dance party. How better to celebrate our nation's independence? $5 at Slowdown.

This is a little early, but there are two great shows next Tuesday: The Hold Steady at Slowdown and Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers at the Waiting Room (with Brad Hoshaw). Wish I could go to both.

Another Maha band: Landing On The Moon (plus a weekend roundup)

After some apparently close voting, Landing On The Moon was selected as band No. 4 to play on the Maha Music Festival's local band Kum & Go stage.

They'll join Satchel Grande, The Mynabirds, Betsy Wells and a player to be named later.

I didn't vote for a band. If I would have, I don't think I could have chosen anyway. I've stated before that the five performers from last night (Honey & Darling, Landing On The Moon, Tim Wildsmith, Matt Cox Band and Midwest Dilemma) could easily just be the Maha local stage lineup. Five of my favorite artists in town, in fact.

Anyway, Landing On The Moon's Oliver Morgan (also of Little Brazil) talked awhile back about the band's latest album, "We Make History Now." He talked about being a diverse band and making records that stand out among other artists.

“We don’t go out of our way to make this next song different from the (others), but at the same time, there’s a presence of mind that we want to be versatile," he said.

The group had a CD release show for the record back in October, but I received a release from Young Love Records saying "We Make History Now" will be released on Aug. 10. I guess it's a re-release?


* * *

What are you doing this weekend? I recommend you get to some shows. It's a busy week.

• If you're into that sort of thing, Kathy Griffin does her standup tonight at the Holland Center. I interviewed her yesterday.

• Also tonight is Mates of State. The (married) indie pop duo’s latest, this year’s “Crushes,” features the group’s distinct take on 10 songs from the likes of Tom Waits, Death Cab For Cutie, The Mars Volta, Fleetwood Mac and others. The tour is accompanied by a traveling variety show and Mates' Jason Hammel acting as resident DJ for the tour. Omaha’s own sideshow, The X-Medic, will perform as an opener along with Omaha band Thunder Power. $15. 9 p.m. at Slowdown.

• On Saturday, I recommend checking out Henry Rollins. Even if you're not a huge fan of his music (personally, I love Black Flag, but not Rollins Band), the man knows how to tell a story. He told me that he'll be talking about his recent world travels, but he always throws in stuff about his touring days, making movies, celebrity encounters and all kinds of wonderful stuff. I've seen him twice and each time was a delight.

Weekend Roundup: Severin, Sleepover and Simon Joyner

I. Am. A. Slacker.

I don't remember the last time I went a week without posting on the blog. My apologies.

Today, I've got some suggestions for a weekend of concert-going. Next week, I'll be back with regular posts, including a list, a mailbag column (hopefully) and a lengthy Q&A with Henry Rollins (of Black Flag, Rollins band and generally-being-a-badass fame) who is coming next Saturday.

What should you do this weekend? Glad you asked. Check out these shows:

• Scott Severin's CD release party is tonight. I interviewed him and it made for a pretty good story. Check out the free show for "Birdhouse Obbligato" at the Waiting Room tonight at 9 p.m. Big Wheel (Sarah Benck) and Platte River Rain open.

• Also tonight is The Sleepover's CD release show for "Oceans of Ice, Island of Terror."  The Lincoln melodic indie pop-rock band is fronted by Cory Kibler who has performed his own indie folk songs in the past. Techlepathy and Fortnight open the show, which is at 9 p.m. tonight at O'Leaver's. $5 cover, as usual.

• Simon Joyner performs Sunday night at Slowdown ($7 at the door) with Paleo and Bear Country. He has several summer tour dates lineup up, which is a rarity for him. He tends to stay home with his family instead of go on the road.

That should set you straight for the weekend. Enjoy and, as always, let me know how the shows were.

Weekend Roundup; Land of Talk's new record

Looks like this weekend is one that could be spent at the Waiting Room... Lots of shows there. Check 'em out:

• The show at the top of my list this weekend is Criteria's performance with Ladyfinger on Saturday. Two bands that we haven't heard from in awhile (Criteria especially) will perform Saturday at the Waiting Room for 8 bucks. Should be a good time.

• Our Fox has a show tonight at Barley Street, which would be a cool place to see that group. I like how at that bar and at O'Leaver's you are totally on top of the band. Great venue. Anyway, it's $5 as usual.

• Tonight at the Waiting Room, Jes Winter debuts some tunes from her new EP. I'd see that, but Landing On The Moon would also be a draw for me. $7 at the door.

• Also tonight is the Goo Goo Dolls at Stir. I actually know a lot of folks gearing up for that one (yes, I'm serious). Tim Wildsmith is performing an after-show show inside Stir bar.

• Nerd rapper MC Chris takes the stage at the Waiting Room on Monday. 13 bones, 15 day of show.

• Also on Monday is the 60 Days to Maha showcase with Betsy Wells, Dim Light, Flight Metaphor and Noah's Ark Was A Spaceship. If you don't go to the show, you can't complain when you don't like the local bands performing at the Maha fest in July. Voting at Monday's will choose who of those four groups gets to play the fest's local stage.

* * *

 

Land of Talk will be releasing its sophomore effort, "Cloak and Cipher," through Saddle Creek Records on Aug. 24. The Montreal trio are releasing the 10-track effort as a followup to "Some Are Lakes," which got pretty good reviews.

I figured something was in the works because Saddle Creek has been talking about Land of Talk videos and an EP, "Fun and Laughter," that were released last year. I liked the debut and the EP, so I'm looking forward to this outing.

The band is on tour with Besnard Lakes this month, of course coming nowhere near Omaha.

Check out the tracklisting for "Cloak and Cipher":

1. Cloak and Cipher
2. Goaltime Exposure
3. Quarry Hymns
4. Swift Coi
5. Color Me Badd
6. The Hate I Won’t Commit
7. Hamburg
8. Blangee Blee
9. Playita
10. Better and Closer

Listen to "May You Never" from the "Fun and Laughter" EP:

Weekend Roundup: Block party, Man Man and more

Hey there, folks. There's a good amount of shows coming up this weekend, so here's a handy guide to what you can expect. One could stay pretty busy over the next three nights...

Friday

• 8th Wave, a band that you and I have seen a ton of times at the Ranch Bowl or Sokol or wherever, is having a "reunion" performance tonight at the Waiting Room. $8 at the door.

• I wrote about them in my column yesterday, but O'Leaver's said tonight's show with Western Electric is canceled. So you won't be seeing them at O'Leaver's tonight, but you can catch Western Electric at Barley Street on Saturday instead, if you're so inclined.

Saturday

• If I were you, I'd head to Jake's block party in Benson, which features some great local talent. $5 in advance and $6 at the "door" and the proceeds go to fund the Found in Benson publication. The whole deal is outside on Maple and Military Streets, so hopefully the weather isn't terrible. Here's the schedule, according to the event's FB page:
5-5:30 - Conchance
5:50-6:25 - The Awkwords
6:40-7:15 - Gooses
7:35-8:10 - The Matt Cox Band
8:30-9:10 - Brad Hoshaw & The 7 Deadlies
9:25-10:05 - UUVVWWZ
10:20-11 - Satchel Grande

• You also couldn't go wrong heading around the corner to the Waiting Room for the Liquid Courage Tattoo party at the Waiting Room with The Mercurys, Filter Kings and Cover Me Badd. Free show starting at 6 p.m. and food and beverages will be provided.

• If you're a metal guy (or gal), Mastodon will be overtaking Sokol Auditorium on Saturday night. I expect someone to give me a count of face tattoos, including that of Mastodon singer/guitarist Brent Hinds. Show is at 7 p.m. and tickets are $25 adv or $27.50 dos.

 • OK Hemingway (female-fronted, funky, classic-rock-ish) is putting out a record with a show at Slowdown. CDs will be for sale at the show for only 5 bucks. 9 p.m. at Slowdown. $5 at the door.

Sunday

 • Check out experimental band Man Man along with Plants and Animals at Slowdown. Mike Mogis told me recently that he hopes to be recording Man Man's new record, so that should be pretty cool. Show at 9 p.m. 13 bucks.

Weekend Roundup: Hoshaw, Paramore, Matt Pond PA

Not as busy of a weekend as usual. But the next couple weeks will be picking up a bit. Here's what's on my radar...

>> If you're not going to see Iron Man 2 tonight (I'm seeing it at the IMAX in CB) you should go check out Brad Hoshaw & the 7 Deadlies at Stir tonight. Matt Whipkey said the band has an hour of new material to debut. (Seems to be the place to do it since bands have to play 3 hours.) $5 at the door. Maybe you'll get lucky and they'll play "Tik Tok."

>> I'll be reviewing Paramore on Saturday night at Westfair. If you're into that sort of thing, get yourself there. Say "hi" if you see me. And if you're into that sort of thing, read my Q&A with fire-haired lead singer Hayley Williams. $29.50 through Ticketmaster, but it jumps to $33 day of show.

>> It's not really the weekend, but on Tuesday, head over to Slowdown to check out Matt Pond PA. You may have heard some of the band's music (covers of Oasis and Neutral Milk Hotel) on the Fox TV show "The O.C.," but it's the band's originals - mostly acoustic indie rock - that shine brightest. U.K. artist Bobby Long opens the show. Tickets are $12 at www.onepercentproductions.com or at Slowdown's box office.

That's all I got. Have another show you think folks should check out? Let us know in the comments.

Weekend Roundup (early edition): Laura Veirs, Qwest stuff, Underwater Dream Machine and more

I'm heading out of the O this weekend, making my yearly trek to St. Louis to watch Creighton play in their conference tournament. Most years, we have hope in our hearts, but this year, our chances are pretty slim. We shall see.

Anyway, I'm posting the weekend roundup early both because I'm headed out of town and there are some good shows starting tonight.

You should also know that I've prepared a few posts for you while I'm out: Thursday brings a mailbag column where I answer your questions. On Friday, you'll get a list of seven excellent rock 'n roll tattoos.

Laura Veirs is tonight at the Waiting Room. $10. Check her out live in the studio at The Current, Minnesota Public Radio's music station.

You have your big-name acts at the Qwest and Orpheum. John Mayer hits the Qwest stage tomorrow night (I'd love to see him just play guitar and not his pop music). Norah Jones does the Orpheum on Sunday. Bon Jovi takes you back to 1988 on Tuesday next week at the Qwest. Stories on all three on Omaha.com Thursday morning and in GO (free on the streets on Friday).

A lot of folks are very excited for The English Beat and Fishbone on Friday. If you don't have tickets for the Slowdown show, it's sold out. So, tough cookies, unless you know someone with an extra ticket.

Local bluegrassers Southpaw Bluegrass Band gets your toes tapping with fiddle and banjo and all that good stuff at 9 p.m. Saturday at Louis Bar. No cover.

There's a good lineup Sunday at O'Leaver's. Underwater Dream Machine, a showcase for Bret Vovk's vulnerable songwriting that drifts between slow, acoustic pop ballads and loud, guitar-driven rock, plays with Thunder Power, Icarus Himself and Spiders For Love. $5, as always.

Weekend Roundup: Hood Internet and more

Anyone else going to the Hood Internet tonight? I'll be there. Show starts at 9 p.m. and Flowers Forever and Capgun Coup open up. Check out my Q&A with DJs STV SLV and ABX.

Saturday is also the Ranch Bowl Reunion at the Waiting Room featuring three bands that I haven't seen since I was at the Ranch Bowl. I wonder if the Waiting Room will smell like the Ranch Bowl on Saturday. That would make the experience truly complete. Check out Pomeroy, Clever and Slang 5 at 9 p.m. $12 tickets.
Instrumentalist, post-rock band the Answer Team plays the Sydney on Saturday. Someone on Twitter told me they're best band in Omaha. I can't vouch for that statement because I haven't seen them, but at least one guy thinks they're amazing. 9 p.m. $5 cover.
Photo: The Hood Internet performs at Lollapalooza in Chicago last summer.