Miles Nielsen at The Mill

Miles Nielsen with Shame Train, Cameron Mcgill and Samuel Locke Ward
The Mill
Saturday, February 28
Price: $6
Doors at 9:00pm

Miles Nielsen (of the Wandering Sons) brings his rock n' roll party to the Mill. From his great originals to the occasional spot-on Beatles cover, Nielsen's shows are always a blast. Opening the show is acclaimed Iowa City country rockers Shame Train, Cameron Mcgill and local lo-fi wizard Samuel Locke Ward.

http://www.myspace.com/milesnielsen

Daylight Savings Account at The Picador

Daylight Savings Account with BlackBloom, The Post Mortems
The Picador
Saturday, February 28
Price: $5 / Ages: 19 and up
Doors at 9:00pm

Daylight Savings Account combines the talents of Adam Hartig, David Pauly, Jesse Luke, and Jeff Gonzalez to bring an extremely imaginative presence, and mystical approach to the table through it’s ethereal delivery and otherworldly soundscapes on electric tracks ranging from lullabyes to labyrinths.

http://www.daylightsavingsaccount.com/
http://www.myspace.com/blackbloom
http://www.myspace.com/thepostmortems

Family Groove Company at The Yacht Club

Family Groove Company + The White Tornado Outbreak
The Yacht Club
Saturday, February 28, 9pm
Price: $7

FGC integrates the groove sensibility developed by funk/jazz crossover artists like Herbie Hancock and Medeski, Martin, and Wood, with thoughtful, tight song writing that takes cues from the likes of Steely Dan and the Beatles. The result? An infectious, fresh sound the band calls "groove informed jazz/rock." In April 2006, FGC released their second studio album, The Charmer, and delivered on this sonic vision with uncommon clarity and excitement. Jazz harmonic ideas encounter thick grooves, and improvisation negotiates tight song writing, as each track brings shape and contour to the band’s sound. A fierce attentiveness to composition complements FGC’s passion for improvisation, and the band offers a sound that captivates audiences ranging from the most casual music fan to the most critical musician.

Iowa City's favorite astrophysics fusion funksters, The White Tornado Outbreak compete with the hornsmen of the apocolypse goes first. Batten down the hatches!

http://www.myspace.com/familygroovecompany
http://www.myspace.com/white2rnado

Burlington St. Bluegrass Band at The Mill

Burlington St. Bluegrass Band
The Mill
Wednesday, February 25
Music from 7 till 10 $5 cover

The house band will include members such as Al Murphy, Bob Black, Dale Thomas, Joe Petersen, and Aleta "the Hammer" Murphy and other IC Bluegrass giants.

http://www.myspace.com/theburlingtonstreetbluegrassband

These Arms Are Snakes at The Picador

These Arms Are Snakes with Darker My Love, All The Saints, Private Dancer
The Picador
Wednesday, February 25
ages: 19 and up
doors at 9:00pm

This concert comes highly recommended by Altpad.com

I first heard These Arms Are Snakes in 2004 on their release “Oxeneers or The Lion Sleeps When Its Antelope Go Home”. Their newest album “Tail Swallower & Dove” which was released in Oct. 2008 averages 5 stars on Amazon.com. They move through ten songs with the cracked grace of bolted lightning, rolling and leveling, seeking a space to storm into. The result is more a coherent whole album than a cycle of individual songs. From the textural depth of the keyboards and guitar tones to the vocal delivery, the attention to detail is incredible.

How These Arms Are Snakes Describe themselves: Four men with a chronic black cloud overhead. bitter, bummed out, and bored. people call us a lot of things. most of them are inaccurate. wish we could write pop songs. then we'd be rich. Go see the show ... But don’t get too close!

http://www.myspace.com/thesearmsaresnakes
http://www.myspace.com/darkermylove
http://www.myspace.com/allthesaints
http://www.myspace.com/privatedancerparty

University of Iowa Jazz Performance at The Mill

University of Iowa Jazz Performance
The Mill
Tuesday, February 24
$3 for students with ID / $5 for everyone else / 9PM

This is a classic monthly event at the Mill. Students and Staff from the University Jazz Dept. display their talents on stage with a variety of ensembles representing different genres in the vast jazz form. To see some of the best Latin jazz, classic jazz, bebop, fusion and more stop by this wonderful event.

Waka Winter Classic Battle of the Bands

Waka Winter Classic Battle of the Bands with The Uniphonics, Cirrus Minor, Public Property, Dr. Z's Experiment, Ephraim Zenh, Insectoid
The Picador
Tuesday, February 24
Price: $5 / Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 7pm

The Uniphonics:
In May 2007, The Uniphonics formed out of the Iowa City music scene to compete in Euforquestra’s Battle of the Bands for a performance slot at the annual music festival, Camp Euforia. Since then, they have been well received in many venues across Iowa and in Illinois. The Uniphonics are quickly becoming a staple in many venues and festivals across in the Tri-State area.

Imagine a sound that consolidates a plethora of musical styles into a tightly wound booty groove. Innovative jazz-funk infused hip-hop combined with MC Animosity’s passionate content driven lyrics creates a dance party atmosphere for everyone. Expect an interactive high energy performance that breaks the barrier between the musicians and audience. Join the rest of The Uniphonics Family and become a part of the show.
http://www.myspace.com/theuniphonics

Cirrus Minor:
In a state where blues and metal dominate the musical landscape, a void was growing. Depressing and angry music was in such abundance that the happy "party time" vibe of concerts in the past became harder and harder to find. Fans looking for an enjoyable, feel-good concert placated themselves with cover bands as the music scene seemed to be changing forever. So, in early 2008, a band was formed to try to bring the feel-good vibe of the big festivals (Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, 10K, etc...) to life at venues around the midwest; and to do so with original music. This band is Cirrus Minor.
http://www.myspace.com/cirrusminorusa

Public Property:
“Tight band arrangements with soaring Hammond B-3, bass and drum, intricate intertwined guitars weaving through sweet harmonies from backing vocalists Margaret Larson and Mareva Minerbi, tasty percussion and even a dash of ukulele, Public Property has a sound that is full-tilt reggae even though they don’t try to sing in fake patois and write original material that actually sounds original. Lots of syncopated rhythm breaks, bursts of pure groove and passionate musical interludes flesh out songs written by various band members . . .” -The Beat Magazine
http://www.myspace.com/publicprop

Dr. Z's Experiment:
Dr. Z's Experiment describes their music best as, "A unique talent of the group is the ability to go into a free vocal jam at any time, switch instruments inside of a set, or make spontaneous segues from the middle or end of one song into another song, or something totally new," states guitarist and lead vocalist Ryan Phelan. You can expect that these musicians will escape into a meditative internal state, a state in which they can hypnotize the audience with their devolving sounds. Dr. Z's Experiment comprises the elements of jazz, reggae, Latin, funk, hip-hop, and Afro-beat.
http://www.myspace.com/doctorzsexperiment

Ephraim Zenh:
"IC's Jamtastically Psychedelic Prog-Rock Trio" = "The only way of expressing emotion in the form of art is by finding an 'objective correlative'; in other words, a set of objects, a situation, a chain of events which shall be the formula for that particular emotion; such that, when the external facts, which must terminate in sensory experience, are given, the emotion is immediately evoked." ~T.S. Eliot The history of Ephraim Zenh is too long and complex to tell; ergo, listen to the music.
http://www.myspace.com/ephraimzenh

Insectoid:
Insectoid is a mind-controlled reproductive experiment being conducted by members of a race of extra-terrestrial insect-like creatures. These creatures will hereafter be referred to as “insectoids” for the sake of brevity. This experiment requires complex signal generators, powerful audio-band amplification, and close-proximity human subjects, so it has been cleverly disguised as an early-21st century rock band.
http://www.myspace.com/insectoidcontrol

311 to play University of Iowa Fieldhouse

One of my all-time favorite bands is coming to IC March 18th ... 311 is in the house baby!! Can't wait for this SCOPE show, been a fan of 311 since way back in the early 90's. You should try at all costs to get to this show. After over 15 years of making great music 311 is still rocking hard.

What SCOPE has to say about 311:
311 hails from Omaha, Nebraska and consists of vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, vocalist/DJ SA Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton, and bassist P-Nut. The group formed a unique alternative ska-funk sound and its creative and multi-platinum achievements are only rivaled by its large fan base. With hits such as “Down,” “Come Original,” and “Amber;” 311 cemented its place on the touring circuit, as well as maintaining current rock credibility with “Beautiful Disaster” which appears in the wildly popular Guitar Hero franchise. 311 will release its highly anticipated ninth studio album, Uplifter, in the late spring. It is the band’s first album in over three years. To date, 311 has sold over 8.3 million units in the U.S. alone, with five albums in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Sales Chart and seven singles soaring into the top 10 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart.

Tickets are $32.00 each and will go on sale February 25th at 10:00 AM for general sales. Tickets can be purchased at the University Box Office, located in the Iowa Memorial Union, where students may charge up to eight tickets on their U-Bills. They are also available at any official Ticketmaster location or at www.ticketmaster.com.

Listen:
Down
All Mixed Up
Amber

Andy Carlson and Casey Cook at The Mill

Andy Carlson and Casey Cook with guests from Big Wooden Radio and Burlington Street Bluegrass Band
The Mill
Saturday, February 21
8PM showtime-$7 admission

Get ready for a all star night of fantastic bluegrass with Andy Carlson and Casey Cook with some of the greatest bluegrass players the state has to offer.
Fiddler/Violinist Andy Carlson has twice been named the Georgia State Champion Fiddler and was the 200 Ohio Grand Champion fiddler. He has earned a BMUS and MM from The University of Georgia and a doctorate in Violin Performance from the University of Iowa. The New York Times described him as a "demon fiddler."

Mandolin/ guitar player Casey Cook was the youngest musician to ever be inducted into the Florida Country Music hall of fame. An active studio musician in Atlanta playing on bluegrass, gospel, and country albums. He has shared the stage and taught along side some of the greatest acts in the business such as Ricky Scaggs, The Del McCoury Band, David Greer, Mountain Heart,and Clare Lynch just to name a few.

They will be joined by guests from Big Wooden Randio and Burlington Street Bluegrass Band.

http://www.myspace.com/stringbreaker1
http://www.bigwoodenradio.com/
http://www.myspace.com/theburlingtonstreetbluegrassband

William Elliott Whitmore at The Picador

William Elliott Whitmore with (FT) Shadow Government, T Wehrle
The Picador
Saturday, February 21
ages: 19 and up
doors at 9:00pm

Bio - Hailing from a horse farm along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, William Elliott Whitmore has developed an intense love and spiritual understanding of the land, which he flawlessly conveys through all of his records.

With live performances of a caliber to leave one completely stunned in silence, and albums full of songs not only from the heart but also from the heartland, William Elliott Whitmore is one of the most interesting contributions to today's diverse collection of musical ingenuity.

http://www.williamelliottwhitmore.com/
http://www.myspace.com/fttheshadowgovernment
http://www.myspace.com/twehrle

Sublime Tribute at The Yacht Club

Sublime Tribute/Bradley Nowell's Birthday w/Second Hand Smoke
The Yacht Club
Saturday, February 21
9:00pm/ Price: $10

This show was absolutely huge last year so you might want to get tickets in advance.

We are Secondhand Smoke, and we are dedicated to keeping the Sublime legacy alive by performing the songs live, and recreating the Sublime show experience. We AREN'T a business. We can't compete with Badfish (sadly, neither can Bud or Eric.). We don't want to try to BE Sublime. We are just a bunch of musicians that like to play a Sublime show once in a while. We play every song, no matter how difficult or obscure. We get a little wasted sometimes. We drive around in a smelly van. SEE OUR SHOW!

Secondhand Smoke is a trio, like Sublime. With every passing show, the sound becomes more and more like Sublime. You simply need to check out a show to get a taste! Flawlessly ripping out all of the best tunes, no matter how obscure.

Plus we just added a super cool Chicago ska band to open this one -

Order Tickets here: http://www.ticketweb.com/

http://www.myspace.com/jynxdmusic

Chicago Afrobeat Project at The Yacht Club

Chicago Afrobeat Project with Matt Skinner
The Yacht Club
Friday, February 20
9:00pm/ Price: $7

Afrobeat cannot stand still. As the genre’s tempting sounds continue a resurgence across the globe, Chicago Afrobeat Project (CAbP) remains true to its original vision of breathing the intensity of Chicago’s rich music scene into the infectious sounds of afrobeat. Rather than become caricatures of the genre, CAbP slips a reverent nod to the tradition while delivering an energized originality different from any other band on the afrobeat scene today. At each of its 100+ live performances a year, the group’s frenzied songs hit audiences with a big enough one-two punch to tirelessly knock them onto the dance floor time and time again. Afrobeat’s range of influences — funk, rock, jazz, afro-cuban, high life and juju music – settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling pulse at the core of CAbP.

Listen:
"Superstar Pt. 7" - Live from High Sierra Mainstage '08

"The March of the Uninsured" - Live from Tahoe, CA - Summer '08

www.chicagoafrobeatproject.com/

The Slats at The Picador

The Slats with The Wheelers, Liberty Leg, Teddy Boys
The Picador
Friday, February 20
ages: 19 and over
doors at 9:00pm

Original Slat Brian Cox (Vocals, guitar) has clearly found his song writing team with more recent Slat additions Jon Hansen (guitar, vocals) and Mark Tietjen (drums). The band is divided by distance with members in Minneapolis, MN and Iowa City, IA but the song writing process hasn't suffered. Instead, the result is a cache of songs, rich in pop sensibility, that turn on a dime into unexpected directions just when you think you have them figured out. Then, they trim off the fat, turn up the volume, and start throwing ideas at you as fast as you can take them. This happens within single songs, such as "Teena", an irresistible pop song that drives ahead as melodically as any radio-hit by the cars...until the quirky guitar solo comes in like a burst of Sonic Youth noise. This juxtaposition of sweet and sour can be heard from song to song, as well.

http://www.theslats.com/
http://www.bewarethewheelers.com/
http://www.myspace.com/libertyleg
http://www.myspace.com/theteddyboys

Joe and Vicki Price at The MIll

Joe & Vicki Price
The Mill
Friday, February 20, 8pm
Price: $7

Joe and Vicki Price catapult energetic country blues. This is finger style guitar in the Elmore James/Muddy Waters tradition, a bit rough and tons of fun. Joe has been performing his ruff and tumble blues for over 35 years; a one-man blues tornado who can pack, command and wring-out a dance-floor with the authority of an eight-piece show band. While Price inhabits classic blues standards as if they were favorite shirts, his own deep and varied bag of original music is so formidable that noted Grammy-award nominated singer/songwriter Greg Brown has long referred to Joe as “the Buddha.” Local guitarist Dustin Busch opens the show.

http://www.joepriceblues.com/index.htm

Red and The Eds at The Mill

Red & The Eds with Substatic
The Yacht Club
Thursday, February 19
6:00pm/Price: $5

There was sweat dripping from the ceiling. Bodies bumped into more bodies and perspiration flowed as fast as the music. A house show turned into a full-blown dance party. Hands waved in the air and shouts echoed over the tops of bobbing heads.

The band responsible for the chaotic gyrations: Red and the Eds. Three guys, one bass, one drumset, one guitar, and the occasional tinkling from an electric keyboard produce the foot-stomping music. The inspirational roots of Red and the Eds explain their unique and intriguing sound. From Black Sabbath and The Who to the Pixies and Operation Ivy, Red and the Eds combines heavy metal and classic rock ‘n’ roll with an alternative ska/punk twist.

http://www.myspace.com/redandtheeds

I Am Ghost at The Picador

I Am Ghost with Lower Definition, Driver Side Impact, Makeout Party
The Picador
Thursday, February 19
ages: all ages
doors at 6:00pm

Something dark has been brewing in Long Beach, CA for the past several years. Crawling, clawing its way across the country like a vampiric creature, leaving a trail of cult-like followers in its wake. A turbulent, menacing style of music that combines elements of metal, goth-rock, melodic-hardcore and screamo from the scene's most promising band, I Am Ghost. With the impending release of the group's second full length album, Those We Leave Behind, the hardest working band in the scene finds themselves in a dark place, reconnecting with their passion for music through tragic tales of loss and despair.





http://www.myspace.com/iamghost
http://www.myspace.com/lowerdefinition
http://www.myspace.com/driversideimpact

Caroline Smith at The Mill

Caroline Smith and the Good Night Sleeps, The Western Front, Sarah Mannix and the Wandering Bears
The Mill
Wednesday, February 18
9PM / $6

Caroline Smith is a sublime pop treat. Her music, not unlike those other Minneapolis starlets The Owls, unfolds with swirling melodies and hand-knit twee arrangements. With her band, the Good Night Sleeps, in tow, this should make for a snuggly, heartwarming show. Local indie-pop band, the Western Front, plays too while Sarah Mannix (of Mannix!) debuts her new solo project, the Wandering Bears.

http://www.myspace.com/carolinesmithmusic
http://www.myspace.com/thewesternfront

Foxy Shazam at The Picador

Foxy Shazam with The A.K.A's, Dr. Manhattan, & Lost Apparitions
The Picador
Wednesday, February 18
ages: all ages
doors at 6pm

The self-proclaimed "Evel Knievel of Rock N Roll," Foxy Shazam is here to make a musical death defying stunt with their New Weathermen debut Introducing Foxy, to be released in January of 2008. The album, recorded with producer Casey Bates (Portugal the Man, Heavy Heavy Low Low) takes their piano propelled songs that layer spastic hardcore noise atop fractured Soul inspired pop to a new level, one that emphasizes…..well….good times, tells vocalist Eric Nally. "The whole point of the album is to be a feel-good dance party. We stepped up our game while throwing our whole selves and personality quirks in it, making the album very centered and focused on our development." The songs are varied, and there are a few head scratchers thrown in the mix, tells Nally. "One song, Dangerous Man, is meant for the soundtrack of a Robin Hood film. Another song, Red Cape Diver, is about a bull fighter who is telling his family that he loves them before he goes off to work. But most of the songs are just about having a good time."

http://www.myspace.com/foxyshazam
http://www.myspace.com/theakas
http://www.myspace.com/drmanhattan
http://www.myspace.com/lostapparitions

Heligoats at The Picador

Heligoats with Camel of the Sea
The Picador
Tuesday, February 17
ages: 19 and over
doors at 10pm

The Heligoats, a self described Psychedelic / 2-step / Indie one man band from Illinois will be at The Picador with Minneapolis natives Camel of the Sea. Doors open at 10pm.

http://www.myspace.com/theheligoats
http://www.myspace.com/camelofthesea

TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL CLUB at The Mill

TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL CLUB:
Matthew Grimm and the Red Smear, Joe Pug, & Sam Knuston
The Mill
Tuesday, February 17
9PM / FREE

Chicago's folk phenom Joe Pug is stepping in to play. Riding a wave of well-deserved press, this guitar-toting troubadour brings to mind the song-craft of The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan record and the honesty of A.A. Bondy. Matthew Grimm and the Red Smear play too, offering up their usual collection of searing political pop songs. Sam Knutson will also be playing, hopefully unveiling some fresh new songs for us (hint, hint)

http://www.myspace.com/thejoepug
http://www.redsmear.com/
http://www.myspace.com/redsmear

Tyrone Wells at The Picador

Tyrone Wells with Keaton Simons
The Picador
Tuesday, February 17
Price: $10 / Ages: all ages
Doors at 6:00pm

Tyrone Wells has delivered an epic pop/rock album with his second major label effort, Remain. Pursuing a more collaborative process and having added a more lush production to his singer–songwriter roots, the new album proves to be a great showcase for his powerful and emotional voice.

Tyrone worked with songwriter/producer Martin Terefe (Jason Mraz, KT Tunstall, James Morrison) and Iain Archer (UK indie artist and Snow Patrol co–writer) in the UK, and Tim Myers (formerly of OneRepublic), David Hodges (formerly of Evanescence) and Matt Scannell (Vertical Horizon) in the U.S. Creating a work that manages to be more guitar–edged than previous Wells’ efforts – but still unabashedly soul–baring – he appreciated huddling with collaborators like Terefe, who –like Wells – is a big believer in trusting one’s instincts. “We had great chemistry together.” “Losing Ground,” one of a handful of production/songwriting collaborations between Wells and Terefe, was written and demoed in less than 3 hours during their first writing session together.



http://www.tyronewells.com/
http://www.keatonsimons.com/

Man Made Man at The Picador

Man Made Man with Albino Spiders, Burn The Rest, & Grave Corp
The Picador
Sunday, February 15
ages: all ages
doors at 6:00pm

Man Made Man is back in full force and better than ever before. With a new sound and members who are driven, Man Made Man is ready to take on the industry of heavy music head on. With an onslaught of punishing heaviness, melody, technicality, and spine-snapping grooves, this is a new monster all of its own. Experiencing the band live is in your face with unrelenting high energy and a lesson in pure unbridled aggression and hostility. Man Made Man recently finished up their recording session with producers Jason Z, and Cory Baker of Turkey Vulture Records, and are gearing up for their release of their debut album this fall. The members of Man Made Man have their eyes set straight forward and are stopping at nothing to achieve their goal. This is aggression, this is payback.

http://www.myspace.com/manmademan
http://www.myspace.com/albinospiders
http://www.myspace.com/burntherest
Grave Corp on MySpace

Marah at The Picador

Marah with Stacy Webster & David Lumberg of The Mayflies
The Picador
Saturday, February 14
ages: 19 and up
doors at 9:00pm

What people are saying about Marah:

“Marah turned sky-high expectation into down-to-earth rock reality that made your head bang and your heart pump. Clearly the band…doesn’t need a star to hitch its wagon to. The music was loose, updating the classic rock sonics of vintage Stones with hints of Rockpile and E Street echoes. Marah’s chops are solid, but what separates these guys…is their united-we-stand intimacy…their rock anthems are like skyrockets…The same could be said of Marah itself. It’s just a rumor, but this little band from Philly is gonna be huge…Springsteen might show up for a gig, but if he doesn’t, it doesn’t matter.” - Dan Aquilante, New York Post

“Their performances are raucous, ramshackle, soulful and utterly committed to the magical notion that rock is a vehicle for a higher power…Last week, at Dingwalls, they played one of the most exciting shows I have witnessed in a life of gig going…here was melody, emotion, exuberance, passion. To see them live is to understand: Marah have got the music…the Bielanko brothers are among the most gifted and intelligent young songwriters to have emerged from America in recent years” – Neil McCormick, The Daily Telegraph

http://www.marah-usa.com/
http://www.myspace.com/themayflies

Mint Wad Willy at The Yacht Club

Mint Wad Willy with The White Tornado Outbreak & Mannix!
The Yacht Club
Saturday, February 14, 9pm
Price: $5

Maybe something more along the lines of an anti-Valentine's day show:

"Mint Wad Willy’s debut album “A History of Guns and Liars” definitely has a Southern Rock vibe to it. The dominant instrumental sound is artfully sloppy, distorted slide guitar. When I first listened to it, I’d think at the beginning of each song “Oh no here comes the Black Crowes!” (The only thing worse than a dirty hippie is a dirty hippy who drawls.) Luckily this is only a momentary impression. Iowa City has a strong, long-standing roots rock aesthetic that discriminates between good excess and bad excess, and MWW walks that tightrope with grace. They might remind you of any number of Southern Rock icons, but they remind me more of The Band, who were northerners in love with indigenous folk music of the American South. Mint Wad Willy tries to find their way to the deep muddy central channel of American folk music, not content to paddle around in the shallows. I’m not such a fan of the mellower side of MWW, for example “Takin It Slow.” As Woody Allen said, “if I get too mellow I ripen and then rot.” But starting with “50501? and “Oh My God,” these guys seem to find their mojo. The former brings The Band and mid-period Dylan to mind, the latter veers off into a spooky, messed up kind of country Gothic cabaret music. “Who’s laughing now we’re all dying?” indeed! Just as a matter of personal taste I should hate Mint Wad Willy, with their echoes of the Allman Brothers and (shudder) Lynyrd Skynrd, but I’m kinda crazy about this CD. Maybe it’s because it’s noisier, ruder and meaner than anything those deep-fried dinosaurs do. Maybe it’s because they seem to be following their own crooked muse fearlessly. Either way, it’s a strong piece of work." Review from Little Village, by Kent Williams.

The White Tornado plays piano, sings, writes music and refers to himself in the third person. He is the alter ego of the mild-mannered Bill Peterson, and was born in the blues jams and funkin' jazz jams of Iowa City. (Copy via The Yacht Club)

http://www.myspace.com/mintwadwilly
http://www.myspace.com/white2rnado
http://www.myspace.com/mannixtheband

Helmsplitter at The Picador

Helmsplitter with With Guns Blazing
The Picador
Friday, February 13, doors at 10 pm
ages: 19 and over

What Helmsplitter says about themselves:
Helmsplitter is a young bastard, only a few months old, but a bastard none the less. It was concieved and birthed into this hopeless planet by four madmen. It started with Ross and Nate getting together to have a few drinks at Rascals and to discuss whether or not they wanted to be responsible for unleashing this socially and morally unacceptable beast on the unsuspecting world. After a jam session between the two of them, it was obvious that there was no stopping this hateful mess of noise from being spewed out of hell and onto the massive, stinking, steaming pile of shit that is humanity. Shortly after this a few members of the mighty Waco Jesus caught a glimpse of the ugliness being created, and decided that they had to join in on the mission of creating this rude fucker. The Silvis IL legend, Mr. Johnny Baker himself has left his drums at home for this one, deciding to abuse his vocal chords this time around. Meanwhile Bruce Duncan remains in his tried and true role of bass master and equipment expert. As you are reading this, the four strange humans just mentioned are working hard to bring Helmsplitter to life soon so that they can expose their creation in the near future. Stay tuned as the saga of Helmsplitter continues to unfold..........

http://www.myspace.com/helmsplitter
http://www.myspace.com/withgunsblazing

The Beaker Bros. at The Mill

The Beaker Bros.
The Mill
Friday, February 13, 9pm
Price: $7

Taking you back to where Jam bands originated, playing the likes of Jimi, the Dead, Eric Clapton. This super group includes Dan Bernstein, John Shultz, Dan Hummel, James Dreier, Steve Grismore and "Uncle" Ed English

http://www.beakerbrothers.com/

Natty Nation at the Yacht Club

Natty Nation
The Yacht Club
Friday, February 13, 9pm
Price: $7

Nothing cooler than a Natty Nation show!

Madison, WI- Over 13 years ago, a genre-bending group formed to spread positive vibrations with a decidedly American take on hard roots, rock, reggae, dub, dancehall, & more.

Today, the band continues to entertain audiences and gain new fans as they showcase their unique sound that cannot be forced into one category. NATTY NATION credits their unique sound to the fact that all members have had eclectic backgrounds, both personally and musically. When you put them all together on a stage or on record, it's almost impossible not to dance.

http://www.myspace.com/NATTYNATION

Strange Arrangement at The Yacht Club

Strange Arrangement
The Yacht Club
Thursday, February 12, 9pm
Price: $5

Strange Arrangement is quickly climbing the ranks of the Midwest music scene and has been developing a strong fan base with their fresh, innovative sound. The band regularly plays at venues in Illinois and Michigan such as Bell's Brewery, Illinois Brewing Company, Founder's, Otto's, Martyrs', and The Kinetic Playground while venturing into neighboring states to expand their touring area. They have also released an EP and a skillfully self-produced full length album, Side X Side, that listeners say has an irresistibly addictive quality. Their ever-changing musical landscape and sense of humor bring audiences an entertaining show that leaves them dancing and wanting more. (copy via The Yacht Club)

http://www.myspace.com/strangearrangementmusic

Pieta Brown at The Mill

Pieta Brown with the Awful Purdies
The Mill
Thursday, February 12, 8pm
Price: $10

"Self-styled poetess, folk goddess and country waif, Pieta's music resonates with a seductive simplicity and lyrical grace." --BBC... Indeed, this is folk and roots music at its best. The Awful Purdies, Iowa City's top-notch all-female folk outfit, open up for local legend Pieta Brown and that guitar slinging hero Bo Ramsey. (copy via The Mill)

Watch: Even When by pieta with benson ramsey of the pines


http://www.myspace.com/pietabrown
http://www.myspace.com/awfulpurdies

Burlington St. Bluegrass Band at The Mill

Burlington St. Bluegrass Band
The Mill
Wednesday, February 11, 7-10pm
Price: $5

The Burlington Street Bluegrass band is a regular house band at the Mill comprised of Iowa's best and most respected bluegrass players and their guests. The band, featuring such musicians as Bob Black, Al Murphy, Dale Thomas, Joe Peterson, Aleta Murphy, playing live bluegrass, is often joined by other great local and regional musicians. (copy via The Mill)

Watch: Burlington St. Bluegrass Band - No Teardrops Tonight


http://www.myspace.com/theburlingtonstreetbluegrassband

TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL CLUB at The Mill

TUESDAY NIGHT SOCIAL CLUB: The Brown Note, Petit Mal, Wax Cannon
The Mill
Tuesday, February 10
9:00pm

After a long hiatus, the Brown Note has come crashing back onto the Iowa City music scene with a passion. The lineup is simple -- guitar and drums -- but the sound is big, full of head-bobbing indie-rock riffs, hypnotic guitar delay, basement show vocals, and hyper-kinetic drumming. Petit Mal plays as well, showcasing their exquisite knack for undeniable pop hooks and noisy guitars. Wax Cannon, one of the best bands in town that no one knows about, opens up -- for fans of everything that was Dischord Records in the 1990s. (copy via The Mill)

http://www.myspace.com/petitmal
http://www.myspace.com/waxcannon

Aseethe at The Picador

Aseethe with Shores of the Tundra, Lord Green, and Lwa
The Picador
Tuesday, February 10
Price: $5 / Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 9:00pm

Aseethe (Brian Barr - Baritone Guitar // Vox // Synth // Noise // Programming) is a one man ambient band. Below he talks about what his show will be like:

“I will be playing all of the material off the Shores split 12" (available on tour) plus one song off the Jerusalem split, along with the usual ambient stuff here and there. Should be a good se and a good time. I am pretty stoked to be going on tour with Shores again along with some other longtime friends.“

http://www.myspace.com/aseethecreation
http://www.aseethe.blogspot.com/
Shores of the Tundra on MySpace.com
http://www.myspace.com/lordgreen420

Diplomats of Solid Sound at The Mill

Diplomats of Solid Sound w. special guests The Parlour Suite
The Mill
Saturday, February 7
Price: $7
Doors at 9:00pm

Catchy funk and soul music somewhere between Booker T and the MG's and the organ jazz sounds of Jimmy Smith. Featuring the striking harmonies of the Diplomettes,this is one of the most talented bands in town. The beautiful, swooning Parlour Suite (Minneapolis) opens with their upbeat Americana romps. (copy via The Mill)

http://www.thediplomats.org/DoSS/
http://www.myspace.com/theparloursuite

T Gaines at The Picador

T Gaines with Keys Davis, and J Miracle
The Picador
Saturday, February 7
Price: $5 / Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 9:00pm

T.Gaines- Up and coming artist out of western new york. A bit of a Rock/R&B placed in the world of hip hop. New music, a new style, a new outlook on hip hop is all im bringing to the table.

J. Miracle A.K.A. Automatik is a solo artist that was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Song writing was always a passion of his, but it wasn't until after he wrote and preformed his first song in the eighth grade that he knew that this is what he was going to do with his life.

http://www.myspace.com/tgaines90
http://www.myspace.com/jmiracleautomatik

THE NADAS AT VITO'S ... TONIGHT!

photo by Anna O'Gorman

Sorry kids this one slipped past me, but for all you Nadas fans out there, they're in IC tonight at Vito's. Show starts at 8, but be there early! Like all Nadas show this one will be packed! Thanks KW's for the heads up ;)

http://thenadas.com/blog/
http://www.myspace.com/thenadas

Schaffer The Dark Lord at The Picador

Schaffer The Dark Lord with Coolzey, and Case The Joint
The Picador
Friday, February 6
ages: 19 and up
doors at 9:00pm

Schaffer the Darklord (or STD) is a New York City-based rapper and comedian. From his many years as a drummer in groups like San Francisco's noise metal behemoths Burmese, STD harvests material best-suited for a subversive rock-and-roll audience. Imagine a Frankenstein-esque monster assembled from equal parts Prince, Ozzy Osbourne, Bill Hicks, Eminem and Darth Vader...stitched together inside the shell of a jaded heavy metal ex-patriot, covering topics from Jesus zombies to post-apocalyptic clone sex. It is advised that you see his damned act before he is consumed by his own wickedness.

http://www.myspace.com/schafferthedarklord
http://www.myspace.com/coolzey
http://www.myspace.com/casethejoint

Public Property at The Yacht Club

Bob Marley's Birthday Party with Public Property and Heatbox
The Yacht Club
Friday, February 6
9:00pm / $10

This will more than likely sell out so get your tickets early either at www.ticketweb.com or at the Yacht Club.

Check out this local 7 piece Reggie Band with attitude. The #1 and #2 record shows down here of all time, Public Property graces our stage one more time to play all things Bob. Plus, get this, the one man music show , Heatbox is opening and starts early. (copy via The Yacht Club)

Watch: Public Property


http://www.myspace.com/publicprop
http://www.myspace.com/heatboxrcb

GB Leighton at The Mill

GB Leighton
The Mill
Thursday, February 5, 8pm
Price: $7

Meet GB Leighton, a band named after one of the region’s most incendiary live performers and consistently solid songwriters, Brian Leighton. Through more than a decade and nine studio albums, Leighton and his six-piece band have been tearing up rock clubs, church fundraisers and even a few fan’s living rooms with a slew of songs that connect with the heart and couples singing along out on the dance floor. Over the past decade, gb Leighton has worked relentlessly to become a household name to music fans in Minnesota and the upper Mid West, playing up to 200 shows a year and selling over 70,000 CDs without major label support.

Watch: "Lonely Long"


http://www.gbleighton.com

Euforquestra at The Yacht Club

Euforquestra with The Hue
The Yacht Club
Thursday, February 5, 9pm
Price: $10

For you older/younger folks out there, get there early and see one of the best bands to ever emerge out of Iowa City as Euforquestra plays an early set. And while they take a break, Chicago's The Hue, a band that has been killing it in Chicago with the Umphrey McGee's sound, takes the stage for a little over an hour. And, of course, Euforquestra finishes the night. There's no place like home... (copy via The Yacht Club)

Watch:
Euforquestra - Instant Coffee - Live at Camp Euforia 2008



http://www.euforquestra.com/
http://www.myspace.com/huemusic

Local Clamor at The Picador

Collectible Boys with Local Clamor
The Picador
Thursday, February 5
Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 9pm

Local Clamor, headed by drummer Paul Kresowick, has a revolving door of talented musicians who bring each original tune a new kind of musical experience.

http://www.myspace.com/localclamor

Harlan Muir at The Mill

Harlan Muir, with Arlen Lawson, and Moon Plus Stars
The Mill
Wednesday, February 4
9PM / $6

A night of eclectic and highly original songwriting and storytelling: Harlan Muir with his K-Records inspired accordion pop nuggets, Arlen Lawson with his sometimes humorous and often surreal monologues, and Moon Plus Stars with their dreamy folk ballads. This show is a mid-winter twee-pop dream come true. Tuck into a booth in the dark wooden confines of the Mill with a tall pint of lager and enjoy. (copy via The Mill)

http://www.myspace.com/harlanmuir
http://www.facebook.com/people/Arlen-Lawson/1061343329
http://www.moonplusstars.com/

Yo Majesty at The Picador

Yo Majesty with Natalie "the floacist" Stewart, School of Flyentology
The Picador
Wednesday, February 4
Price: $8 adv. / $10 dos. / Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 9pm

Yo Majesty consists of rapper Shunda K and singer Jwl B, produced by U.K. based electro group Hardfeelings UK. They have been mentioned as one of the 'Top 11 new bands of 2008' by NME magazine as well as one of the '25 Most Exciting Bands In America'. Their hybrid sound of crunk, Baltimore club music, and electro, has garnered comparisons to punk for their defiance of labels and creation of new sounds.

http://www.yomajesty.com/
http://www.myspace.com/natalie_m_c_stewart
http://flyentology.blogspot.com/

Kaiser Cartel at The Picador

PHOTO: Tony Nelson

Kaiser Cartel with Midwest Trend Kill
The Picador
Tuesday, February 3
Price: $5 / Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 9:00pm

http://www.kaisercartel.com/
http://www.myspace.com/midwesttrendkill1

Pharaohs of Rhythm at The Picador

Pharaohs of Rhythm with Dr. Z's Experiment
The Picador
Monday, February 2
Price: $5 / Ages: 19 and over
Doors at 9:00pm

http://pharaohsofrhythm.com/
http://www.drzsexperiment.com/