Ok, so I didn’t actually get tasered, or even threatened with a taser, but pepper spray is kind of a bummer also. What, you say, was I in a riot? No, no, just assembling peacefully to enjoy some local music, and getting a shot of pepper spray on the side. Now, most everyone reading this blog probably knows about the Local Music Awards last night (it is featured right on the website, after all), and those who went are also probably aware of the other free show right next door to the High Dive, at the surprisingly lovely Memphis on Main.
Zmick, Elsinore, Beauty Shop, to name just a few of the six bands that played for free at Memphis on Main last night, in case the free performances at the LMA’s weren’t enough. It was a very fun little evening, with lots of people bouncing back and forth between the two shows, everyone getting their money’s worth of sweet local music (haha). There was an actual feeling of community and mutual enjoyment.
But anyway, back to the pepper spray. So, there we are, a crowd of happy listeners, well sated after a great Elsinore set, awaiting the Beauty Shop, when all of a sudden, the whole bar had to adjourn outside for some fresh air (in order to escape what I believe was a cloud of pepper spray). Oddly, the band was not ushered outside, confirming the fact that bands are hardcore and willing to take abuse in the name of setting up the stage for playing music. What heroes.

Hooray for the Great Cover Up, in its 17th year at the Highdive in Champaign! Awesome local bands musically disguised as slightly more (ok, sometimes way more) famous bands, with cheesiness, daring and originality all drawing enthusiastic crowd response. Definitely one of the highlights of the local music scene.
So far this year, I have made it to one of the two shows, with attendance possible for the Thursday night show, featuring jigGsaw and elsinore, among others. Since elsinore stole the show last year with their Queen cover performance, it should be worth stopping by on Thursday.
But about last night…

oh, how time flies

Had to work, so I missed Monster Honkey, arriving just as The Chemicals took the stage. They started off a Velvet Underground set with “I’m Waitin’ for the Man,” before moving on to some way obscure covers. I saw the Chemicals earlier this year, and thought that their slightly fuzzy sound was perfect for their Velvet performance-I did miss Nico’s horribley lovely voice though. Terminus Victor played the most weirdly upbeat version of Eliot Smith ever, followed by the Tractor Kings, playing a genuinely upbeat Uncle Tupelo set, which was both danceable and sad. The bass player sang a few of the songs in a surprisingly strong yet youthful voice, reminding at least me of a young mournful Jeff Tweedy. All this music was great, but some in the crowd were missing the costumes and drama sometimes seen at past Cover Ups.
Never fear, the Beauty Shop is here, Read the rest of this entry »

I think that The Beauty Shop is one of the best bands playing around town right now and since they have just out out a new ep “Just Some Demos,” I am a very happy music listener. The band had been playing some of the songs on the ep around town this summer, and they are great.

WPGU is playing one called “Ambulance,” which is totally rad. I think that the previous Beauty Shop albums have been great also, but they can get a little bit sad for me. A few of the new ones are not peppy really, but more bouncy?fun?happy?danceable? I don’t really know what to call them, because “better” is inaccurate, plus not really my call to make. If you like them more, good for you; if you like older Beauty music more, good for you too. They are just a little different, in a completely kick ass way.
So (the following is a gratuitous pimp for local commerce), think about going to Exile on Main sometime next week and picking up “Just Some Demos.” Not too expensive and totally worth it. As of friday nov. 2 they are not there yet, but they should be in soon.