TheFourFour

The Show Report, 1/1: It’s a nice day to…. start agaaaaaaaiiiiin….

Posted on01. Jan, 2010 by thederosh.

It might even be a nice day for a white wedding. We’re not experts in such things; you might check with Billy Idol about that. Regardless, the first day of 2010 brings with it one band’s revival, a fresh start of sorts. Fearless Before Persecution is back tonight at The Outland Ballroom for its first show in a year and a half, matched up with When Words Become Flesh, The Murlesque and The Allen Array. The show also marks the return of Vance Productions, which stopped booking shows in the fall. Here’s to new opportunities in the new year. Tickets for tonight’s show are $10 at the door, and the doors open at 8 p.m.

Elsewhere in The Springfield Music Scene:

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The Show Report, 12/25: Reunion Show Weekend begins

Posted on25. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

Merry Christmas, indeed. The holidays always bring out-of-towners back to Springfield for some musical frolicking, meaning this is one of the peak times of year to catch a favorite band from yesteryear back onstage. There are several going on this weekend, starting with Fools Face at The Outland Ballroom, a group that led the way for local pop-rock in the early ’80s. Dale McCoy, Jimmy Frink, Jim Wirt (pictured above, having a rock ‘n’ roll moment), Brian Coffman and Tommy Dwyer (hopefully, in the last case; he didn’t make it last year) will be back onstage in Springfield for the first time since, well, Christmastime last year when they played at The High Life Live Martini Lounge. You’ll likely have a little more elbow room this year… though not much. It will be packed.

Also playing tonight:

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The Show Report, 12/18: The “Sex Mansion” is now open

Posted on18. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

Yes, the album has actually been out for a while, but tonight is The First Teenager Ever’s CD release party at The Ugly Mug Live Music Tavern. Things are better when you have to wait for them, right? Think about it: You have to wait through dinner to get to dessert, you have to wait through the workday to get to happy hour and you have to wait through wait through most of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon to get to the musical guests. Patience wins, basically, and TFTE is rewarding yours tonight with not only their show but those of Ghost Dance, White Atlantic and Kudzu. The show kicks off at 9 p.m. and is open to anyone 18 years or older. (Bring two more dollars than the standard $5 cover if you’re below drinking age.) For a 10-spot, you can see the show and get a copy of the (according to drummer Blake Walker, untitled, not self-titled) album. Sweet deal.

Naturally, there’s more:

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The Show Report, 12/11: Dia Muerto?

Posted on11. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

Here at FourFour HQ, we find the phrase “Dead Day” to be a gross misrepresentation of what today actually is. Yeah, we get that local universities are heading into final exams and are allowing students a free day to devote to studying (cough), but today and tonight are by no means without life. As evidence, we submit Exhibit A: John Henry & The Engine comes to Springfield to release the vinyl pressings of its I Don’t Wanna Know EP, and brings Truett & The Traitors along for the ride. The boys will rock and the girls will swoon, you can count on that. The EP, a rootsier progression from the band’s previous album, Under the Yellow Moon, is already available for $2.97 on iTunes, but tonight is the first time you can pick up the physical copy. Vinyl lives!

Know what? That’s not even the only CD release party you can go to tonight. More–lots more–after the break.

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The Show Report, 11/27: The Ugly Mug is OPEN

Posted on27. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

Tonight is a win for Springfield. After a year and a half of dormancy, the room once known as The Snorty Horse Saloon is back and better than ever. The Ugly Mug Live Music Tavern opens tonight with a revamped room, all-new sound system and local blues powerhouse Tripwire on the stage. When things get rolling at 8 p.m., it will drown out the noise of months of speculation and hard work with a resounding shout from the speakers and the clinking of glasses among the crowd. Cheers and on with the show.

Also playing tonight:

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Put the Gloves On: Nahoj Thrillz Productions v. 417 Sounds

Posted on24. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

It’s the Ali-Frazier of local dance DJ-ing, a matchup of turntable heavyweights, a battle so big it deserves its own cool “Rumble in the Jungle”-parodying nickname. The Throwdown in Springtown or something like that. Some of the Black Box Revue DJs, operating under the name Nahoj Thrillz Productions (the name the group used in the [...]

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The Show Report, 11/20: Dead or Canadian?

Posted on20. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

We dedicate this edition of The Show Report to Ken Ober, the host of MTV’s iconic game show Remote Control, who passed away earlier this week at age 52. Remote Control was the first original programming on MTV not to involve music, which by itself would be a damning historical precedent; no one wants to say he or she opened the door to make The Hills possible years later. Its legacy instead is far better: It made copious pop culture knowledge acceptable and even cool, it gave Adam Sandler, Kari Wuhrer and Colin Quinn their first major TV gigs–oh, and it was damn funny. Many people hold a special not-talked-about-much place in their hearts for the impact Remote Control had on their youth (Mystery Science Theater 3000 is similar in this regard), so we’re giving a shoutout to 72 Whooping Cough Ln., which never hosted a show but is likely remembered by many playing the following shows tonight:

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The Show Report, 11/13: Yes, it’s THAT day

Posted on13. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

Let’s not beat around the bush here: It’s Friday the 13th. Black clouds wait to gather, black cats bide their time for the chance to cross your path and somewhere there’s a ladder that will only open just in time for you to walk underneath it. Oh, and then there’s the Jason Voorhees thing. But don’t be afraid, showgoer. There is far to much incredible music available tonight for you to stay in hiding. A CD release show, the return of Han Trio, The Eric Weiler Band comes home… we’re just getting started. Quit cowering and read on already:

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The Show Report, 11/3: Talent you can afford

Posted on03. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

“It’s not very often we get songwriters in town and they’re not playing at Juanita K [Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts],” The Cropdusters’ Jeb Venable said over the phone last night, and he’s quite right. Tonight is MO Murder Music night at Lindberg’s, where he and bandmate Brian Azevedo and Todd Balisle of The Bootheel team up to trade off stage time playing acoustic versions of songs they wrote. It’s a show that encourages special guests, but tonight’s guest gets a set all her own. Award-winning singer-songwriters on tour should get such things, and you benefit by not having to pay Hammons-Hall-level prices to see her. We’ll fill you in after the break.

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The Show Report, 10/30: Local Music’s Frightfest, Part 2

Posted on30. Oct, 2009 by thederosh.

One day until Halloween and the music scene is starting to bring out the big guns. Outstanding touring acts, theme parties, bands playing in unusual places; can it get any better? If so, tomorrow night might be epic (hint: That’s an affirmative). Plan on attending both, however, as missing tonight will be a highly regrettable offense. Here’s why:

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At the FourFour Fest with Kurtzender, Part 5

Posted on20. Sep, 2009 by kurtzender.

This is part 5. Thanks for attending, volunteering, playing and watching. If you didn’t get to go this year, watch all the videos and start preparing to rock next year! Sit back, relax and enjoy the 2nd annual FourFour Fest.

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