TheFourFour

The Show Report, 1/2: New year, new albums… and release parties

Posted on02. Jan, 2010 by thederosh.

We’re not even 48 hours into 2010 and already bands are rolling out fresh albums for your purchasing pleasure. In the world of the live show, of course, that often means another thing: It’s time for the CD release parties. There are two tonight: The Verbs (Redux) doin’ tha thang at Lindberg’s, while White Atlantic posts up at The Outland Ballroom with assists from The First Teenager Ever, Tyler Pitchford and Rocky Death Patrol. Talk about starting the new year off on the right foot.

Much, much more on tonight’s docket, too:

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The Show Report, 12/26: Reunion Show Weekend, Part Deux

Posted on26. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

On yesterday’s episode of The Show Report…

Blaine: How dare you insult me like that, Forrest?! I am not a fool! I’m just a man trying to keep this family together while his wife receives treatment for her brain tumor. I sir, am not a fool, and there is nothing wrong with my face!

Forrest: No, Blaine, I said Fools Face, and I wasn’t talking about you. They were a really big band in Springfield years back, and they reunited last night. There are lots more bands reuniting tonight, too. Sort of a “To Be Continued…” in a way.

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The Show Report, 12/19: Thanks be to Jah

Posted on19. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

Who would have believed last spring that we would ever see Jah Roots play onstage again? Granted, it’s not the band’s lineup as we once knew it (singer Josh Heinrichs has moved on), but the fact that this concert is happening at all is a triumph in itself. To fill in for the departed Heinrichs, Aaron “I-Ron” Berger will take on more onstage duties than his usual dancehall raps and guest performers (rapper SincerelyYours among them) will help carry the load as well. This could be a fascinating rebirth for one of the city’s most popular acts.
Naturally, there’s a lot more to do, and show-hopping is encouraged. Pencil these into your itinerary:

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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, 12/10: Goodbye, Hello

Posted on10. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

One era ends for a popular local act tonight, with a new era beginning soon. First the goodbye: The Shotgun Brothers are playing their last show with their original bassist, Dustin “Duk” Rehagen (pictured far right), tonight at Patton Alley Pub. The band promises the hello–the debut of its new bassist–at its next show, also at Patton, on January 15, but in the meantime the rootsy bluegrass/rock/jam group is giving Duk a proper sendoff in front of fans and friends with opening act Andy Frasco.

But that’s only the start of Dead Day Eve. Oh, yes, it is. Click for an anniversary, some racy performances, some local faves back onstage and more.

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The Show Report, 12/2: They’re baaaaaack

Posted on02. Dec, 2009 by thederosh.

It’s not easy having something–anything–on a weekly basis and then reducing it to once a month. Seriously, name something you would prefer monthly rather than weekly. If something is worth having on a regular basis, it can only be wanted more regularly. Come on. I dare you.
How about bills, DeRosh? Would you rather have those [...]

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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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The Show Report, 11/25: Don’t print the name. Write it in…

Posted on25. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

It’s Wild Turkey Wednesday, the night before Thanksgiving and an excuse for many people back in town for the holiday to get loud and boisterous before settling in for quality family time tomorrow. Hmmm, what band could one pair with such a raucous evening… loud, boisterous, generally manic… how about Omaha indie-rock group Cursive? Wish granted, and fellow Nebraska-based bands Capgun Coup and Tie These Hands join the fray at The Outland Ballroom, as well. Enjoy your turkey in liquid form, without stuffing, and check out what is likely to be one of the year’s best indie-rock shows. Tickets are $15 at the door, which opens at 7 p.m.

There’s more:

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The Show Report, 11/21: The 21st, in more ways than one

Posted on21. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

Tonight local music gives back to one of its no-questions-asked supporters, someone who has fliered for shows, given up her place for touring bands to crash and more. Missouri State University student Katie Annis fought through the rain as a volunteer at FourFourFest 2009 and is in the crowd (usually front row) for more all-ages shows downtown than anyone save the people behind the website you’re reading. Tonight is Annis’s 21st birthday, and her one request gets fulfilled: to have a collection of bands play a show at her request. Her selections are Formant, Six Shots Till Dawn, Shinebriter and the Columbia group Ghost in the Machine, all coming together at her most frequent hangout spot, The Outland Ballroom. We’re betting there will be a few shots involved.

Want more? Elsewhere in the scene you’ll find a fundraiser for a friend of the scene in need, a killer country show, an intriguing (FREE) early show and lots more:

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The Show Report, 11/17: Live in the now, for Pete’s sake.

Posted on17. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

A cold and drizzly Tuesday night would, at first glance, seem like a good night to curl up on a couch and watch the glowing box in the living room known at the television. So You Think You Can Dance, anyone? NCIS, perhaps? The Real Housewives of Orange County for the win? Wait, how about the we-can’t-get-over-the-’90s marathon that is 90210 and Melrose Place back to back? Look, we’re as happy that Jennie Garth found work again as anyone who doesn’t actually care could be, but the ’90s ended a long time ago, there are good shows going on tonight and, well, there’s only so much teen-drama crapitude we can take. So tell Heather Locklear to shove it and plan on being in at least one of these places tonight:

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The Show Report, 11/14: Bombs away!

Posted on14. Nov, 2009 by thederosh.

Debut shows for new bands are typically low-key affairs spent opening for a more established act and working out the kinks while building a fanbase. Bomb the Bay’s debut show is a much-anticipated headlining set at The Outland Ballroom tonight with Uno, Benefit of a Doubt and As Of Now. Who spiked the Ballroom’s Kool-Aid, you ask? No one; the new band is a coming-together of members of some of the most popular mainstream-rock acts to come up in Springfield in recent years: A Day Away, Playing With Matches and Glass Bottom Boat Ride. It makes for an explosive combination, which, in turn, makes for bad punning. The show, by contrast, should be a ripping good time… but not the only one tonight. There’s also:

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