Vocals On Top: Top Six Live Albums of All Time

Posted on March 26, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

The esteemed Danny R. Phillips recently wrote a guest column here at Vocals On Top about his six best live albums. Not that this is a competition but I didn’t agree with all of his choices. Everyone’s list is different and he definitely had some stellar albums on his list but I just had to make a similar list of my own.

Phillips mentioned that commonly people will say Kiss Alive or Frampton Comes Alive are the best and he disagreed. Phillips is dead on here; there are so many more great live albums than those selection that I would have to have an extensive list to get to them. Needless to say they didn’t make the cut for me either. So with all due respect to Mr. Phillips; here are the top six live albums of all-time:

Bob Dylan - Live 1966

Bob Dylan – Bootleg Series Volume 4: Live 1966

“Play Fucking Loud” you can hear Dylan tell his backing band, who would later become The Band, during this legendary show. This two disc set is divided into an acoustic set and an electric set showing the transition Dylan was going through at the time. The acoustic set has the beautiful gentle touch of “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue” and the lengthy, wandering but never boring “Desolation Row” while the electric disc has the erie story of “Ballad of a Thin Man” and the thunderous roar of the greatest song of all time: “Like A Rolling Stone.” It is one of the most historic live recordings you will ever hear.

Neil Young - Live at Massey Hall

Neil Young and Crazy Horse- Live at Massey Hall

Phillips took Live Rust; I say Live at Massey Hall is the true gem in Neil Young’s live discography. Massey Hall finds Young still hungry for his audience and shockingly talkative. Young is still vulnerable and willing to expose himself to his home crowd. He talks of his ranch he just bought and of new songs like the legendary “Old Man.” One of the highlights of the acoustic show is hearing Young pick hard at his guitar on “Cowgirl In The Sand” and  the requested “Down By The River.” The roar of the awestruck audience is piercing at times and you can feel the intimacy of the show. It is not only one of the best live albums of all time but possible one of the best albums of all time period.

  JohnnyCashAtFolsomPrison

Johnny Cash- From Folsom Prison

The only live album Phillips and I both have in our top 6. It is one of the most universally know live albums in history and rightfully so. The between-song prison announcements make the listener realize that setting of this great moment in music history after one great song after another distracts them from that fact. Cash’s baritone never sounded more honest than this recording. The dark telling of “Long Black Veil” haunts the recording while the playful lyrics of “Cocaine Blues” and “25 Minutes To Go” make the incarcerated audience erupt.

Nirvana - Unplugged In New York

Nirvana- Unplugged In New York

Once again Phillips and I agree on the band but not the album. The guitar fuzz on Wishkah is irresistible but I still greatly prefer the stripped down gut wrenching Unplugged In New York by Nirvana. Cobain’s banter is as memorable as the songs here, from the opening of “This is off our first record, most people don’t own it.” on through the last song every note and syllable is perfectly in place. The strange choice of cover songs exposed new generations to amazing music by the likes of David Bowie and Leadbelly. The three Meat Puppets covers are strategically located and a brilliant addition. The closing cover of Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” captures Cobain releasing his inner-demons in a way that may never be equaled on a recording ever again.

Todd Snider - The Storyteller

Todd Snider – The Storyteller

Todd Snider is one of the most entertaining solo live performers you will ever see. His chops as a comedian are almost as good as his musical skills. This album highlights some of his best live stories. Comedic timing is just as important as timing in music; lucky for Snider, he has them both. The songs aren’t bad either. “Stuck on a Corner” is a perfect sing-along and “The Ballad of The Kingsmen” is one of the most entertaining story-songs you will ever hear. The dialog on “Mushroom Story” and “Bill Elliott Story” are priceless and make The Storyteller worth listening to even if you hate the music.

  Bob Dylan - Live 1964

Bob Dylan – Bootleg Series Volume 6: Live 1964

Two Bob Dylan live albums in my top 6 of all time? For anyone who knows me the surprise may actually be that there is only two. This volume of The Bootleg Series finds a very young Dylan spewing his protest songs still. The playfullness of “Who Killed Davey Moore?” and “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues” make the album a fun listen while the sincere readings of “To Ramona” and “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” clearly steal the heart on this album. The false start on “I Don’t Believe You” where Dylan forgets the lyrics and asks the crowd if anyone knows them is a amazingly unique moment.

Honorable mentions: Neil Young – Live Rust, Drive-By Truckers – Alabama Ass-Whoopin’, AC/DC – If You Want Blood, Camper Van Beethoven – Discoteque CVB, David Bazan – Live at The Electric Factory, Toadies – Live From Paradise, Iron Maiden – Live After Death

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The Ramey Memo obituary: 2004 – 2013

Posted on March 18, 2013 by VocalsOnTop
A shot of The Ramey Memo's very last show on 3/16/13 at The 'Vous.

A shot of The Ramey Memo’s very last show on 3/16/13 at The ‘Vous.

The Ramey Memo, aged 9 years, passed away on March 16th, 2013 at The Rendezvous Bar in St. Joseph, MO. The Ramey Memo was born in 2004 when friends’ love of music led to the formation of the group.

The three member group made up of Garner Quillon on drums and vocals, Raye Lynn on bass and electric violin and Tyson Bottorff on guitar and vocals played what can be most closely be identified as “alternative rock” during their tenure. Lifelong members of the St. Joseph, MO music scene; the band never strayed from their hometown and were laid to rest in the very same city with several of their closest friends and fans present late into the night of Saturday, March 16th. They were preceded in departure by the groups The Koala Bear Syndrome, Misconception and Mary Tyler Morphine.

Left to mourn in the passing of The Ramey Memo is the band Two Piece Animator and two officially released albums, 300 Voices at King Hill Pub and Forget It as well as a rare, unreleased 3rd album. Known for their uncanny ability to induce heckling, The Ramey Memo have left behind more stories than could be expressed in a typical obituary. With songs about video games, baking brownies and Darth Vader they filled a unique void in the local music scene.

Their “Satanic Rock” song was conceived late in their career and was the last of several songs to land the group in hot water. The songs “God Damn Kids” “Learning Disabilities” “C.B. Sunday” “Sonic Radiation Dildo Warfare” and “I Fucked A Goat” had previously caused a stir. The group always failed to propel into stardom because of their unique way of taking on serious issues like retardation and beastiality. The group will always be one of the most misunderstood bands to ever grace the stages of St. Joseph, Missouri’s many venues.

The following is how the VocalsOnTop.com website described their final moments as a band:

“The Ramey Memo manned the stage they had played so many times before and played songs to devoted fans who wanted nothing more than to have another show to go to by the band. In contrast, drummer Garner Quillon would gladly sing songs for the last time while Raye Lynn concentrated on her music and Tyson Bottorff was likely only able to hold back tears because he had sweated out all of his bodily fluids. Ramey would melt faces with all of their most popular songs and some carefully selected covers. The fans have always played a big role in the band’s shows. The awkward silences after songs are a common reaction to the band and likely the groups favorite part of shows.”

In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that people wishing to pay their respects do so by watching YouTube videos of the group and going to see the band Two Piece Animator.

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Coming Soon: Scruffy & The Janitors / Cupcake / Universe Contest

Posted on March 17, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Scruffy & The Janitors, Cupcake and Universe Contest poster for their 3/22/13 show.WHO’S PLAYING?  Scruffy & The Janitors (St. Joseph, MO) Cupcake (St. Joseph, MO) Universe Contest (Omaha, NE)

WHAT TO EXPECT?  An exhausting night of music for sure…

Scuffy & The Janitors are too young to be as good as they are. Instead of selling their soul to the devil; maybe they sold it to Robert Johnson. They are well learned in old blues and are the children of the early 2000’s alternative rock movement that saved the genre. You’ll hear the White Stripes and Strokes come through their music but with each show they continue to whittle away at a sound of their own.

Cupcake is… unique. If you are into weird; look no further. Their erratic music will leave you guessing throughout the set and just when you think you know what is going to happen singer/guitarist Marc Darnell and company will do the exact opposite. Each show is an experience of its own and couldn’t be replicated by the band if they tried.

Universe Contest is another very distinct band. They throw off the shackles of what is conventional and mix everything from the Pixies to Modest Mouse into a blender, then throw it out the window and play whatever the hell they want. They are out-of-towners that are notorious for their wild and eccentric behavior. Look for a lot of screaming vocals, squealing guitars and stories to tell coworkers at the water cooler on Monday.

WHERE IS IT?  The Rendezvous, 619 Felix St  St Joseph, MO 64501

WHEN IS IT?  Friday, March 22nd, 2013; 7:00pm, 21+(unless you’re in the band) $3(unless your in band)

WHY SHOULD I GO?  3 bands for $3… If you complain about that price you deserve to get to stay home and watch Real Housewives or something. The poster is amazing! Johnna Pasch created quite a memorable little poster for those Scruffy boys; you could rip one off the wall and take it home to put above your fireplace if you want, I might.

I want to see Scruffy guitarist Teriq Newton’s face the first time he sees Cupcake live; it is something to behold and I fully expect to see a smoking pair of empty shoes on the ground where he was standing after he sees them play.

How about the Vous’ stage backdrop? It is amazing! The concert posters on the walls, the records hanging, the mural, the guitars and drumsticks… It makes for some of the coolest stage pictures you’ll get. Be there, take a pic and put it on facebook and your coworkers will think that you’re cool.

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Concert Review: Ryan Bingham at The Granada in Lawrence, KS 3/15/13

Posted on March 16, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Ryan Bingham poster for his show in Lawrence, Kansas on 3/15/13Ryan Bingham has made quite a name for himself. In many ways he is one of the leading figures of the americana music genre. After initially making a splash with his major label debut album Mescalito and opening for the Drive-By Truckers he started to build a fan base. After a couple of solid, well received albums his career shifted in a big way when he was involved in the film Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges. Bingham was not only in the movie but wrote the theme song “The Weary Kind” that won him Golden Globe, Academy, Critic’s Choice and a Grammy Awards. This shifted Bingham into a whole new level of success.

His show at The Granada was supporting his first album release after Crazy Heart, Tomorrowland. The fan base would skew more country than it previously had for the Texas artist because of his role in the movie about a washed up country star. His music does come off as far more personal and honest than mainstream country music, allowing him to also capture the indie and hipster crowds. The crowd diversity would be impressive at The Granada in Lawrence as the venue was nearly filled. The room would be tight quarters for the audience and the temperature in the room continued to build to the point where you could see sweat drip from people’s hairlines all around. The standard smell of a recently burned joint was occasionally accompanied on this night by the distinct smell of a fresh wad of Copenhagen.

Opening band Honeyhoney would be presented as a three piece outfit that was a great match as an opener on the Bingham tour. They seemed to be heavily influenced by the new indie-americana that continues to gain momentum but are just a bit too twangy to fit in with them. The songs and musicianship were good and they played well written tunes but skewed a little too toward the CMT side of the genre for me, primarily just because of the female lead singer’s voice. The drummer would take turns playing his acoustic guitar from behind the kit while the lead singer Suzanne Santo would play banjo and fiddle while singing, amping up the country side of things even more. They did have a hard enough sound to push a country stomp mentality out of the crowd that increased their popularity with the rambunctious attendees.

Ryan Bingham came out to a rock star welcome and tore into “Guess Who’s Knockin'” right away proving that he had edge with the chorus of “Guess who’s knockin’ on the door, it is me mother fucker, I’m knockin’ on the door.” The Tomorrowland opener was followed with the lead single from the album “Heart of Rhythm” that perfectly sums up Bingham’s “country that rocks” sound. The setlist would be a great mix of rockers and slower songs proving that the troubadour knows how to put together a set.

Ryan Bingham plays with a full band during his Lawrence, Kansas show at The Granada on 3/15/13.

Ryan Bingham plays with a full band during his Lawrence, Kansas show at The Granada on 3/15/13.

Ryan Bingham would be sporting his black cowboy hat and a button-up western shirt and be leading a band that was every bit, if not more, as diverse as the audience was. His bearded guitarist looked like he could have fit in with any hipster-indie rock band and his black bass player had a full afro, looking like he was plucked straight out of The Roots. His violin player could have been taken straight off of the farm and could probably get the senior citizens discount at Denny’s and his drummer wouldn’t have been too out of place in a New York punk band. The combined music by the visual misfits was tight though.

Bingham would send his band backstage while he played two solo acoustic songs right in middle of his 90 plus minute set and he would tackle “Hallelujah” and a brand new song “As I Do My Dancing” that were very well received. When the band returned it would take them a bit to build the energy back up as they trotted through a couple medium to slower paced songs in “Bluebird” and “Don’t Wait For Me.” It wasn’t until halfway through the great wandering song “Southside of Heaven” that they would retain the momentum they had earlier.

The usual live highlight “Bread and Water” with its piercing slide guitar fell a little flat at this show. Honeyhoney was invited back up to the stage during the song and the seven musicians on stage made the song a little erratic and muddy and not quite as good as it could have been. Bingham’s slide didn’t seem to be as loud as it usually is during the solos as well.

The encore would once again be just Bingham with his harmonica and acoustic guitar and he would satisfy the repeated requests by playing his award winning song “The Weary Kind.” He would respectfully remove his cowboy hat for the crowd during his three song encore that also contained “Too Deep To Fill” and “Ever Wonder Why” but was clearly highlighted by the song that brought him so much success, “The Weary Kind.”

Ryan Bingham plays an intimate solo acoustic encore with his hat off during his Lawrence, Kansas show at The Granada on 3/15/13.

Ryan Bingham plays an intimate solo acoustic encore with his hat off during his Lawrence, Kansas show at The Granada on 3/15/13.

Ryan Bingham setlist at The Granada in Lawrence, KS 3/15/13

  • Guess Who’s Knockin’
  • Heart of Rhythm
  • Country Roads
  • Tell My Mother I Miss Her So
  • Beg For Broken Legs
  • Western Shore
  • Sunrise
  • Day Is Done
  • Hallelujah (solo acoustic)
  • As I Do My Dancing (solo acoustic)
  • Depression
  • Bluebird
  • Don’t Wait For Me
  • Southside of Heaven
  • Bread and Water
  • encore
  • The Weary Kind (solo acoustic)
  • Too Deep To Fill (solo acoustic)
  • Ever Wonder Why (solo acoustic)
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Signed! – Sue Foley Walk In The Sun autographed cd booklet

Posted on March 11, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Sue Foley autographed cd booklet.

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Guest Column: Danny R. Phillips: Top Six Live Albums

Posted on March 4, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Guest column by Danny R. Phillips

It has been my experience as a music junkie that when I asked people “What would be your favorite live albums?”  I, more often than not, get one of the two following answers:  Frampton Comes Alive or KISS Alive.  I don’t know if I am just talking to the wrong people or if people’s scope of reference is too narrow & these are the accepted go to responses but really, Frampton?

Granted, on some level both of these are indeed good records.  They influenced generations, the first of which embraced disco but influenced them nonetheless.  Neither of these albums would even make my top twenty, let alone the top six.  So now, here upon the page of the great Vocals on Top, it is my self-important ego driven pleasure to share with you my top six favorite live albums in no particular order of importance.

TalkingHeadsStopMakingSense

Talking Heads- Stop Making Sense

Recorded as the soundtrack for the Ted Demme concert film of the same name, Sense shows a band at the height of its powers.  Opening with a superior version of “Psycho Killer” from The Heads’ debut Talking Heads ’77 as well as barnburner takes on “Life During Wartime,” “Swamp Music” and the Al Green classic “Take Me to the River,” Stop Making Sense is a master class in how to make weird, artsy music dripping with sincerity and coated in awesomeness.

NeilYoungLiveRust

Neil Young and Crazy Horse- Live Rust

Culled from performances during the 1979 Rust Never Sleeps Tour, Robert Christgua from The Village Voice and appointed Pope of Rock critics gave “Live” an A- rating upon its release and for good reason.  There is no bad moment to be found here; “Powderfinger,” “Tonight’s the Night,” my personal favorite “Cortez the Killer,” “Hey Hey My My (Into the Black).”  The album is nearly flawless.  What keeps it from perfection?  I hate the song “Sedan Delivery.”

JohnnyCashAtFolsomPrison

Johnny Cash- From Folsom Prison

Does the inclusion of this album on my list really require explaination? There’s “I Got Stripes,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Flushed from the Bathroom of your Heart,” “Long Black Veil” and featured the superb playing of Luther Perkins, the same year Perkins lost his life tragically in a fire.  Cash or his band would never sound as good or alive again.

NirvanaFromTheMuddyBanksOfTheWishkah

Nirvana- From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah

I’ve always looked at Nirvana as a band that people either loved or despised, there is rarely an inbetween.  The collection of tracks here that cements that belief for me.  So called “superfans” that love Nirvana but can only name “that Spirit song” need not apply, the records are not polished enough for your trend seeking ears.  Those of us that always dug the band and miss Cobain’s contributions to music already know the great live versions of “Smells like Teen Spirit” with its stepped up-tempo, the aggressive “Negative Creep” from Bleach and the homage to masturbation and Cobain approved band The Meat Puppets “Spank Thru.” 

JimiHendrixLiveAtMonterey

Jimi Hendrix Experience- Live at Monterey

This performance in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival is when Jimi Hendrix became a star.  Introduced by Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, The Experience hit the stage with the scorching “Killing Floor” and doesn’t come up for air until The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” after which Jimi burned his guitar and smashed it into a million pieces.  In between the covers, we get his take on Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” “Foxey Lady,” “Purple Haze” and a wonderful version of The Leaves’ “Hey Joe.”  Yes, the record is somewhat short and padded with covers but if anyone ever asks you, “So why do people think Hendrix was so great?” put on Monterey and tell them, “Shut Up and learn something.”

HuskerDuLandSpeedRecord

Husker Du- Land Speed Record

Recorded at a show in 1981 as Husker Du’s debut, Land Speed Record is the birth of a band that blended the aggressiveness of hardcore punk and melodic playing and songwriting of bands like The Byrds and The Who to create an entirely new sound that would be pinched from and venerated in the next generation.  Home to two great songwriters, Bob Mould and Grant Hart, the record is packed with great songs: “Ultracore,” “All Tensed Up,” “Push the Button” and “Data Control” all come on like blueprints.  This is not a record for Green Day punk rockers.  No, Land Speed Record is messy, fast, aggressive, mean and loud enough to melt the amps.  It almost sounds like it was recorded on the fly with the help of good ol’ trucker speed.  It sounds that way because that is exactly what it was.

Honorable mentions: Neil Young Unplugged, The Rolling Stones- Get Yer Ya Yas Out with The Rolling Stones, Various Artists- Busted at Oz, Replacements- Shit Hits The Fans and Black Keys- Live at The Crystal Ballroom.

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Concert Review: Scott Shipley at Cafe Acoustic in St. Joseph, MO 2/26/13

Posted on March 1, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Scott Shipley's Johnny Cash birthday bash at the Cafe Acoustic poster.

The night was a tribute to Johnny Cash, just not in the way you might think. Missouri native Scott Shipley had the honor of being Johnny Cash’s guitarist for 6 months on tour and it is his greatest achievement; rightfully so. Shipley tours solo and with his band Snake Oil and commonly pays tribute to the man in black when on stage. On what would have been Cash’s 81st birthday Shipley made his way to St. Joseph to play a solo show as a honorary birthday party on February 26th. Cash had a great legacy as one of the best songwriters of all-time and being able to reach fans across genres. He also left a legacy involving extensive drug abuse, affairs and erratic behavior. The evening would unfold into a strange tribute to the desire to have a good time rather than a tribute to the music, but the love for the country singer was apparent from everyone in the room.

Shipley is a big man, imposing looking and appearing as if he would fit in with the roughest of crowds. In reality he probably would, not because of his hardcore look, but because he will talk to anyone who wants to engage in conversation. His tattoo covered arms and huge mutton chop-style sideburns that hang well below his jaw line would indicate a roughneck but it isn’t so, he is just a friendly hillbilly from the Ozarks.

The show would start out promising with the plan to do a set of Johnny Cash covers and a set of originals. Shipley was giving away a new song called “Won’t Be Me” as a single on a cd that would be played over the PA shortly into the show. The song is phenomenal  It sounds like it could be a Johnny Cash outtake from the Rick Ruben years with its low growling vocals and Cash inspired guitar. The song would debut right there in Cafe Acoustic as a world premiere but strangely enough wouldn’t be played live.

The first set started with originals but actually started with a cover, just not a Cash cover. “Six Days on the Road” originally by Dave Dudley got toes tapping and started the evening with well. Shipley would whip out one of the most bad-ass looking mandolins you will ever see and absolutely kill on a cover of “Little Wing”. The crowd was impatient to hear Johnny Cash covers and annoyingly kept bringing it up like they didn’t know it was imminent. The cigar smoke from the room burned my retinas and was strong enough you could taste it. The chatty table in the back corner was too often filling any quiet gaps in the music and the off-beat clapping and off-key singing was enough to drive a true music fan look for the door.

Scott Shipley playing live at the Cafe Acoustic on 2/26/13.

Scott Shipley playing live at the Cafe Acoustic on 2/26/13.

From the stage, Shipley proved he was a very good guitarist but insisted on a ton of crowd participation. He would constantly stop songs to raise his glass and demand his audience to “holler” at which point the crowd was to yell, then “swaller” at which point they were to down their respective drinks. Often crowd participation wasn’t up to snuff and the action would be repeated until it was done to satisfaction. Shipley would abide to the crowd’s request for Cash by playing “Hurt” and I couldn’t help but notice that half of the raucous crowd seemed to not recognize the “new Cash” song and the other half likely had no idea that Trent Reznor wrote the song back in 1994 until Shipley would point out that fact.

A sing-along (complete with a t-shirt giveaway) of “Ring of Fire” would follow shortly after. Shipley would be selling several t-shirts like the one he gave away for the winner of the sing-along, 9 to be exact. He would also have hats, bandannas and coozies in addition to the 9 different shirt designs but unfortunately lack any cds to buy (other than the exclusive single). Many of the shirts had a “hillbilly” theme to them which would go along with Shipley’s frequent requests for “all the hillbillies” to yell.

Shipley would pull out a “Johnny Cash Anthology” book and start in on songs from it for the second set. He would play “Bad News” “Big River” and “Dark As A Dungeon” while telling some interesting Cash stories along with the covers of the legendary artist. Breaking them up for more “holler and swaller’s” and hillbilly yells. The Cash covers were done with great admiration. He would even fit in a cover of Steve Earle’s “Copperhead Road” toward the end of his set. With the various covers it seemed the show would be better with Shipley’s originals being performed. Many covers would belong to Cash but others would vary from several artists, Shipley’s own songs seemed very strong though.

In a tribute to Johnny Cash that avoided “I Walk The Line” “Long Black Veil” and “Get Rhythm” it ended feeling a bit shallow in the overall lack of tribute to the man in black. It was a drunken good time with yelling and story swapping but ultimately lacked to be a proper tribute to the great musical contribution Cash had on the world and more to his desire to enjoy life.

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Concert Review: Dsoedean / Aotearoa at First Ward in St. Joseph, MO 2/24/13

Posted on February 26, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Dsoedean / Aotearoa St. Joseph, Missouri poster.

A Sunday afternoon show is an intriguing concept. Sundays are usually a pretty chill day for most people so the crowd might not be quite up to it’s normal standards. People may opt to stay home and relax instead of attending a matinee like the Dsoedean and Aotearoa show at the First Ward on February 24th. The other side of the coin is that The First Ward has its bloody mary bar on Sundays that is quite popular and there were a couple of pretty good bands playing.

The crowd turned out to be about 30-40 people and it was a very relaxed environment. A few kids even ran around and played pool while the bands set up their equipment under the watchful eye of the early afternoon sun. St. Joseph darlings, Dsoedean, led things off at about 2:15. The set had a weird, tense feeling to it as the crowd had work the next day in the back of their minds and the band looked at the natural light sneaking in from the windows. Dsoedean continued to move through their set doing favorites from their new record like the ironic “Daylight” given the circumstances of the show. They would also power through “Shuffle Your Feet” “Alphabet Soup” and the always fun “Continue To Move.” The most drastic change of pace during the show was with the new track “Remainder One” because it has a different feel than other Dsoedean songs. The set was well received by the relaxed crowd and not in your face but still intense enough to soak lead singer Zale Bledsoe’s shirt in sweat.

Dsoedean soaks in the naturals sunlight during a matinee show at the First Ward in St. Joseph, MO 2/24/13.

Dsoedean soaks in the natural sunlight during a matinee show at the First Ward in St. Joseph, MO 2/24/13.

The next band to go on watched diligently from the bar and quickly set up their gear for what they were about to unfurl on St. Joseph. The duo of Ilan Gitter and Jake Lerman make up the band Aotearoa (A-O-TAY-UH-ROW-UH). Aotearoa rolled into St. Joseph in their van with a strange aura about them. They bill themselves as “jungle-funk” and after you hear them you will have no reason to dispute that. They are hot on the heels of their first full length album release Strange Weather and they are hitting the road hard supporting it, this is what led to the show having to be in the afternoon in the first place. The band is now based in Lawrence, Kansas by way of Chicago, where they grew up; but they have described themselves as “nomadic” because of their touring.

The two-piece blasts into their music with their long black wavy hair swinging in front of their eyes and immediately the music is recognized as funk. The extremely groove-driven music is heavy on steady drum beats and impressively enough, live guitar loops. It was a bit of a shame the crowd was so relaxed because it would have made for great dancing music for a Saturday night show. The band was having an amazing amount of fun throughout the set; when the band is on stage they are smiling from ear-to-ear. Halfway through the show the two member band actually switch instruments and the music didn’t even suffer from it. The funk level was actually dialed up after the initial switch. The first positioning of the band seemed to have more of a rock and soul feel than the second although they both brought the funk. The sound of the second incarnation of the band had the feel of Soul Coughing at times and at other times really resembled the Clash; not London Calling Clash, but rather the strange funk-punk record Combat Rock that contained the hit “Rock The Casbah.” The band would again switch (without even stopping the song that they were playing) and eventually find their way to a speed funk cover of the Talking Head’s “Psycho Killer.”

The afternoon was a bit tense and odd at times but still great fun. A few people couldn’t even keep their dancing shoes on the shelf but overall it was a very relaxed afternoon. Aotearoa is a solid band that is amazing fun and Dsoedean is always can’t miss local act. It would be great to see bands do a Sunday matinee every week I think. What better way to prepare for the work week? A more relaxed, acoustic band may be a better fit for these showcases though. Maybe “jungle funk” wasn’t the best fit for a Sunday afternoon but when could “jungle funk” ever be a bad thing?

Aotearoa gets the funk down during a matinee show at the First Ward in St. Joseph, MO 2/24/13.

Aotearoa gets the funk down during a matinee show at the First Ward in St. Joseph, MO 2/24/13.

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Concert Review: Cupcake / Two Piece Animator at The First Ward in St. Joseph, MO 2/22/13

Posted on February 23, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Cupcake and Two Piece Animator poster for 2/22/13

I don’t think any of us really want to belong. We may say we do but that is taking the easy way out. It takes a bold person to be different and not everybody has that inside of them. Deep down we don’t really care about trends and what other people think; we just aren’t brave enough to stand up and say so… well most of us aren’t.

If you are like me, you have an old scrapbook of pictures you haven’t looked at in ages. In that book there is inevitably a picture of a group of people, possibly all dressed up for a graduation or similar event; of the group of people in the photo, all of them are wearing a white shirt and black tie… except one. The one person is wearing something totally different and stands out in the picture. That person never quite blended in with the crowd at any point… that person… was Marc Darnell (not literally of course.)

Marc Darnell is the lead singer/guitarist/brainchild of the band Cupcake. Cupcake is anything but conventional, their style of music makes you feel uneasy in a wonderful way. Bassist Kiley Bodenhamer and hard pounding drummer Jeff Jensen mold the songs into grooves and keep the melody going just long enough for the listener to start to slowly nod their head or tap their foot; then Darnell and fellow guitarist Shardie, tear the rhythm of the song in half as unexpectedly as getting punched in the dark. Just as fast as the Pixies-style guitar changes started the band all at once blasts back into a stellar groove. The key to the band is Bodenhamer and Jensen’s ability to reel back in the songs from time to time.

Cupcake playing live at The First Ward House in St. Joseph, Missouri on 2/22/13.

Cupcake playing live at The First Ward House in St. Joseph, Missouri on 2/22/13. Left to right: Shardie, Kylie Bodenhamer, Marc Darnell,and Jeff Jensen.

Cupcake operates in a rubber band mentality musically. They will stretch the rubber band as far as they can with craziness and habits of breaking rhythm then just before the rubber band breaks they snap back, all together, once again reassuring the listener that they knew what they were doing all along. As a frontman, Darnell is very unique, his stage antics are endlessly entertaining, ranging from his squatting while playing guitar to looking up at the ceiling. He will at times look totally uninterested in the task at hand and at other times shamelessly dive head first into what he’s doing and convince you that he simply could not be any more dedicated to the moment you are witnessing. Darnell drives Cupcake to be the wonderfully weird band that they are.

Two Piece Animator had quite an act to follow after Cupcake left singed hair on the audience. They pounded into their set with some of the tightest music that is being played in St. Joseph right now. Still very new to the music they play, it is evident they are still refining their sound and trying to get all the hooks just right. The group of Garner Quillon on drums and vocals, Raye Lynn on guitar and vocals, Aerial on bass and Tyson Bottorff taking guitar leads appear to be dead serious about the new project.

Two Piece Animator busting through their set at The First Ward House in St. Joseph, Missouri on 2/22/13.

Two Piece Animator busting through their set at The First Ward House in St. Joseph, Missouri on 2/22/13. Left to right: Garner Quillon, Areal, Raye Lynn,and Tyson Bottorff.

They powered through problems with the sound to put together another fine set. One song would even endure an unexpected and unrehearsed appearance by and unwelcomed 5th member of the band contributing on keyboards; that song would later end with a drumstick flying past his head and a clear message that he was not a welcome addition to Animator. The night would appropriately come to its conclusion with one of the band’s better songs “The End of It” where the band would finish the tune and take a moment to reflect on the weirdness that had just occurred.

The sound for the night would be shaky at best. Most instruments sounded very good and the bands were tight but the vocals were always difficult to hear. The sound would be refined throughout the evening and get better with fresh input from an audience member. The show would be marred by silent vocal performances at times and microphone squeals at others. The bands can hardly be blamed for this though, as both of them seemed to be very good on the evening. Sometimes it is best when a night can be a parade of the weird and sometimes it’s good not to be normal. In the end, we all wish we were brave enough to not to fit in; we just don’t have the balls to do it.

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Coming Soon: Cupcake / Two Piece Animator at The First Ward

Posted on February 18, 2013 by VocalsOnTop

Cupcake and Two Piece Animator poster for 2/22/13

WHO’S PLAYING?  Two Piece Animator (St. Joseph, MO) Cupcake (St. Joseph, MO)

WHAT TO EXPECT?  Weirdness…

Two Piece Animator came from the ashes of The Ramey Memo and is more mature now. They are better musicians and taking on a new sound. Their set of mainly originals references their love of alternative rock in the vein of Pavement and The Pixies.

Cupcake (as with any Marc Darnell project) has a sound of their own. Their erratic music will leave you guessing throughout the set and just when you think you know what is going to happen Darnell and company will do the exact opposite. Each show is an experience of it’s own and couldn’t be replicated if they tried.

WHERE IS IT?  The First Ward House, 2101 St. Joseph Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64505

WHEN IS IT?  Friday, February 22nd, 2013; 9:00pm, 21+ $3

WHY SHOULD I GO?  It’s an interesting pairing. The First Ward is the hot bar in St. Joe right now. It’s pretty full every weekend and this show of two St. Joe heavyweight bands should be no different. Cupcake has been part of the scene for years and this is just Two Piece Animator’s second show.

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