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J.Mack | April 16, 2013

Natives, Karass and The Debauchees at the Louisville Palace [Review]

Natives, Karass and The Debauchees performed at the Louisville Palace on Friday April 12 as part of the Faces at the Palace series.

The Debauchees opened the show. I’ve been enamored with this band since first seeing them perform at the Chestnut House in early 2012. This is a trio composed of Cameron Lowe on drums, Sydney Chadwick on guitar and vocals, and Ashley Bowen on bass, none of whom I think are 21 yet. The band blends a creative mix of left turn rock that upends itself into disjointed David Byrne-ish guitar, often rags into unpredictable song styles that might race to the end or hold back in a reggae beat bridge. Bowen should not be able to play the bass that well, as young as she is, thumbing through complicated lines that often shine as the melodies of the song as much as the rhythm with Lowe’s garage drums. Both Chadwick’s voice and guitar seem ethereal at times. The Debauchees recently were signed to SonaBlast Records.

Karass launched into an intense set of space rock that would build and tear through soundscapes ranging through a multitude of noises and genres. Frontmen Chris Kincaid and Josh Claxton both coursed through several instruments each throughout the songs, bringing forth electric cellos, vocals, guitars, bass, several keyboards and a wide variety of bleeping electronic concoctions that this author could not even recognize. I can sense the influences of Tortoise, but even a nod to Slint through the odd-timings of the songs that would often rise and fall and rise again in orchestrated climaxes. Greg Ward, also of the band Twenty First Century Fox, held everything together, burrowing through the sound and creating the special timings used to make this songs work.

Natives finished the night off, banging through songs from their “Loose Secrets” record that was released last year. The five-piece create a loose-but tight that is weaved through by Matt Filip’s vocals, which can be delivered oftentimes in a wave across the triple-guitar melodies, and then can crash through into the song with an almost Black Francis-intensity. This was the first show with Anwar Sadat’s William Carpenter on drums, who brings an attack to the band’s sound. The combination of Carpenter’s percussion, the different guitar styles of McKinley Moore, Jason Sparks and Filip and Drew English’s bass sometimes created a near rumble of a freight train through the Palace. Definitely looking forward to future shows and recordings from Natives.

Category: Reviews | Tags: 2013, Karass, Louisville Palace, Natives, Review, The Debauchees

J.Mack | March 30, 2013

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Body Worlds Vital at the Kentucky Science Center

The Body Worlds exhibit has been touring the world since 1996. However, the impact of these posed plastinates of the human body has not faded or failed to draw and educate audiences over the years. The Kentucky Science Center will be hosting the exhibit until May 19.

Experimented with since 1977 and patented in 1981 by scientist and research assistant Dr. Gunther von Hagens, Plastination is a method of specimen preservation that makes anatomical display possible through the use of injecting cells with plastic. The use of plastination was originally designed to educate medical students. However, von Hagens decided in the mid-90s to tour the human models publicly in an effort to increase knowledge of the human anatomy, as well as expand awareness of the provide opportunities for discussion and reflection on health and wellness.

The exhibit opens with bones. Full skeletons loom over glass cases housing deformed spinal columns from osteoporosis and other bone diseases. The health education begins immediately, pointing out the various causes of the diseases, and potential ways to prevent them. This theme continues throughout the entirety of the exhibit.

It is around the first corner that the first plastinate is revealed; a nearly fantastical human form called The Runner, modeled in said descriptive action. Posed in mid-stride, The Runner’s muscle tissues are splayed for close examination through glass, creating an almost-mythical rendition of the human form, bringing to life two-dimensional artistic visions from anatomy textbooks. This model represents the beginning of the tour, as cases of various plastinated body parts are separated in glass housing for closer examination, spaced between full human models set in very specific poses that allow for the review of distinct organs and muscle groups.

We toured the human body, exposed and spread in an orderly presentation. We walked past the nervous system, followed by comparisons between healthy and smokers’ lungs; then half-hearts and red sculptures of blood vessels; then, ropes of intestines. Each organ and bodily system was coupled with information on how our behavior can affect those organs. And in-between each microscopically examined organ and system there is a plastinated model, forged to resemble a pose of life: The Swordsman, opened sagitally to view his internal organs. The Singer displayed his muscles of the torso. We passed the Flamenco Dancers, the Lassoers, the Winged Man, and finally the Acrobats. A scientific circus of dissected information rendered in a graphically educational medium.

The Body Worlds exhibit is fascinating on several levels. The pure scientific discovery and educational opportunities contained within viewing the human body in this form is one definite and obvious aspect. Being my first time witnessing plastinates, it was both beautiful and I’ll admit, slightly horrific at times, but always completely spellbinding. A second level of fascination comes in the melding of science and art in creating these models. Finally, seeing the human body displayed this way shows a simultaneous aspect that ran through my head throughout the exhibit; that base mix that accompanies the human existence of being an incredibly fragile group of easily disruptive systems, yet also existing as beings of very complex and resilient strengths.

Written by Brian Manley / Photos by Shawn Price

Category: Reviews | Tags: Body Worlds Vital, Kentucky Science Center

J.Mack | March 20, 2013

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BLU Italian Grille presents Caymus Vineyards Wine Dinner [Review]

Louisville has slowly been gaining a reputation as a city with prodigious restaurants. I have been dining in some of Louisville’s best-kept secrets for many years now, and I must say it’s quite an experience. On last Thursday, I was invited to attend the Blu Italian Grille presents a Wagner Family of Wine Dinner. If you are searching for a culinary experience like no other, look no further than Blu Italian Grille. Nestled inside the downtown Marriott it hosted a five course wine pairing meal where the wines came from the vineyards of the great Napa Valley.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the pleasant and knowledgeable staff who offered us Conundrum White 2011, the first of five wines being featured with our meal. Unaware of the exact blend it’s easy to pick out the notes of Chardonnay, Viognier, Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc, even if I’m unable to estimate the actual percentages. This decadent blend with plenty of flesh and slightly sweet honey flavors and aromas were a great pairing with the bold, rich flavor of our first course of Crostini with Grilled Monterey Jack cheese, olives, and artichokes.

Grilled Monterey Jack flatbread, artichoke-olive tapenade

Our next dish was the Cioppino. It was an arrangement of prawn, clams, mussels and scallop in a tomato wine sauce. This course was paired with Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay 2011. The smooth fruit flavors of the Chardonnay made a perfect accompaniment to this wonderful arranged seafood dish.

Cioppino – shrimp, clams, mussels, scallops in a tomato wine sauce

Our next course Insalata was light yet satisfying with Roasted Portobello Mushroom, Arugula, Crispy Pancetta dressed with Maytag Blue Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette paired with Belle Glos Meiomi Pinot Noir 2011. Though dark its rich flavor and intensity it provided a great balance to the meal.

Roasted Portobello mushroom, arugula, crispy Pancetta, Maytag blue cheese with a Meyer lemon vinaigrette

The arrangement of the main course Piatto Principale definitely stole the show paired with Caymus Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2010. This meal bite after bite provided comfort that surpassed your imagination. The lamb’s flavor exuded through your palate and harmonized with the Romanesco and Rainbow Chard drizzled with Sundried Cherry Demi Glace Mascarpone Risotto.

Grilled Sonoma lamb T-bones, sundried cherry demi glace
Mascarpone risotto, Romanesco, rainbow chard

Finally the desert reminded you of down south family cooking paired with Conundrum Red 2010.

Warm honey-corn torte, California red wine macerated berries
House-made chocolate truffle with Ghirardelli Liquor

Altogether, the dining experience beautifully paired with brilliant wine choices make we want to come back week after week. The exceptional service and knowledge of the menu left me feeling well versed and ready to explore Italy and its great food and wine. BLU Italian Grille is a place you have to come experience for yourself, whether with friends or that special someone. If you would like to know more about BLU Italian Grille, please visit www.blugrille.com.

Guy Genoud Director of Food and Beverage & Ed Murray from the Wagner Family of Wine

Written by Shantil Newtown/Photos by J.Mack

Category: Reviews | Tags: BLU Italian Grille presents Caymus Vineyards Wine Dinner, Louisville Kentucky KY, Review

J.Mack | March 18, 2013

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“Faces at the Palace” featuring Seluah, Parlour and Lydia Burrell [Review]

As part of the ongoing Faces at the Palace series, local bands Seluah, Parlour and Lydia Burrell performed at the Louisville Palace on Friday, March 15. The evening made for an interesting blend of musical styles, with each group pursuing ideas that incorporate electronic music and can often lean into surreal soundscapes.

The trio Lydia Burrell started the evening, performing songs from its 2012 debut EP “The Animals.” In existence since 2010, the group has gained quite a reputation for its intelligent songwriting that can sometimes fleet amongst dreamier pop and dance, although more from a Yo La Tengo or even Flaming Lips standpoint. With elements of electronic music programmed amongst the live instrumentation, this set followed like an experimental plot, culminating with the upbeat “Like We’re Animals,” a song that reads straight into an unbelievably catchy bombastic chorus.

Parlour has become a staple in the Louisville scene over the years. An instrumental band led by Tim Furnish, their music makes the most of moods, capturing them in a varied quantum of styles that pass amongst differing soundscapes and purposes. Whether somber and intimate or pulsing into almost rhapsodic numbers that flirt close to industrial personalities, Parlour can never be pinned down into one category. With images projected over the band by Matt Dodds and Lindsey Sant, Parlour’s epic designs flowed well into the night with its differing colors and shapes.

The quartet Seluah have been pursuing aura-driven music since at least 2002. Their 2012 release “Red Parole” saw the band pursue brooding elements of electronic experimentation with a sense of Black Sabbath, and that was transferred into this live set. There is a somber lyrical ambience that seethes through a kinetic harbor of complicated rhythms, horned bass lines and a driving, heavy guitar tone. Seluah’s sometimes psychedelic composure provided the perfect bookend to the sounds of the evening, framed by projections by Furnish throughout their set

Written by Brian Manley / Photos by Shawn Price

Category: Reviews | Tags: Faces at the Palace, Lydia Burrell, Parlour, Review, Seluah

J.Mack | March 15, 2013

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Todd Snider at Kentucky Country Day [Review]

Todd Snider has been singing, writing and performing songs since at least the mid-1980s. As a disciple of other artists that hover in that cliched phrase “singer-songwriters for singer-songwriters,” Snider has managed to meld that penchant for dwelling inside a story, and letting that story eventually envelope and become the driver of the music, without losing sight of the song itself. He is direct descendent in long line of outlaw, hippy and rebel storytelling songwriters that broke through country and folk genres, including John Prine and Willie Nelson. Snider brought his show to Kentucky Country Day on Wednesday, March 12. Opening the performance was singer-songwriter Chicago Farmer, another storyteller in his own way.

Snider’s stories can hide in and around the lyrics, but they explode out into his live performance, which can feature extended soliloquies explaining the details of the tales that inspired his story-songs. The KCD auditorium seemed close to full as the crowd, not consisting of any one particular demographic, were immediately captured by Snider’s arrival onstage to the tune of Booker T.’s “Green Onions. Banked by large colorful mushrooms and sandalwood incense burning from the stage, he had the audience engrossed from the first song.

I’ve seen Snider perform outdoors in the past. Being set in a nice auditorium, the crowd was slightly less rowdy, although the night was permeated by hoots here and there as Snider worked the evening with a very laid-back approach to his music and tales, jostling stories about his first hallucinogenic trip that led him to quit high school football amongst tunes that tout his views on religion and politics. There is almost always a stake thrown into the middle of Snider’s material that has some humor smushed through and around the cleverly sewn lyrics, whether the song is about rowdy Saturday nights, or sentimental pieces about unrequited love. Snider is among the higher levels of performing songsters that can find the sweet spot in the song, drop the punchline with perfect timing, and rhyme it immediately with a verse that can pull a heart string or enlist applause. He had the crowd suctioned to every word for two sets, the second consisting almost nothing but handwritten requests taken from the audience.

Written by Brian Manley

Category: Reviews | Tags: Kentucky Country Day, Todd Snider

J.Mack | March 6, 2013

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Madame Machine/Twenty First Century Fox Split Seven Inch – Release Show

Louisville bands Madame Machine and Twenty First Century Fox held a record release show for their split seven-inch at Third Street Dive on Saturday, March 2.

Each band committed two songs to the 45. This will be Madame Machine’s second release. It will be Twenty First Century Fox’s first vinyl with Noise Pollution; the group self-released a 3-song self-titled EP in 2012.

Twenty First Century Fox began the show, immediately cutting an energetic and rhythmical notch in the room with their lead-off piece, “Falcore,” one of the tracks featured on the record. TFCF presents a compelling set-up as a live band, featuring a line of three guitarists upfront, each with their own separate style and parts that synchs and creates an orchestrated sound that can range from dancey ratcheting into mixed elaborations on pop and garage. It’s a hard music to describe, and fascinating to watch, as all the components develop and then unite throughout the songs. Seeing the domino effect of Miranda Cason begin with a plink-plonk, Sean Gardner’s noisy acrobatics join afterwards, and Laura Quimby’s chords and synths added on top, swirled between Quimby and Cason’s call-and-response vocals, make Twenty First Century Fox something to watch for at future shows.

Madame Machine continue to hone their modern prog ideas into a succinct photograph that captures an expansive branch of various genres, including metal, punk, and new wave. Though officially a trio, the band might as well be a five piece, with both Salena Filichia and David Cundiff performing varied duties on bass, guitar, synths and vocals. Drummer Forrest Kuhn provided a heavy and rolling percussion through a set that included songs that ranged in dynamics and sound, oftentimes reaching into a prism of space rock with electronic waves reflecting off the crowd, other times relishing in Filichia’s bass taking stance as almost a lead guitar. Each song sees Filichia and Cundiff change instrumentation and might screech one moment, and then broach a more mid-tempo pursuit that can almost be heard as a complicated pop number, such as on the song “Suspicious Animals,” taken from the record. Next to these tunes are moments that pull futuristic aural imageries that can step into Kraftwerk areas. Definitely one of the most interesting bands in Louisville.

The seven-inch is available through the bands’ bandcamp sites, as well as the Noise Pollution Records website.

Written by Brian Manley

Category: Reviews | Tags: CD Release Show, Madame Machine, Twenty First Century Fox, Write-up

J.Mack | March 4, 2013

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Half-Cocked: A Memorial Screening for Jon Cook and Jason Noble [Write - Up]

The Louisville Film Society screened two showings of the indie cult film “Half-Cocked” at its Dreamland Theater as part of several memorials that are scheduled to celebrate the life of Louisville musician Jon Cook, who passed away on February 9. Cook’s death, along with the passing of Jason Noble in August 2012, have bereaved this city’s local scene of two musicians that provided an immeasurable amount of influence, support, creativity and wonderful sound over the years.

Both Cook and Noble are among the main characters of “Half-Cocked,” which also features Tara Jane O’Neil, Cynthia Nelson and Jeff Mueller. The film, directed by Suki Hawley and co-written with Michael Galinsky, centers around the lives of these five young people as they struggle to live in Louisville during the early 1990s, crashing at the Rocket House, a real place that has garnered a real legendary status as a music house owned by Cook. Driven by frustration, O’Neil steals her brother’s van and takes the ensemble on a road trip to Tennessee. During the travels they attempt to make money by acting as a band, playing shows with improvised music, fighting poverty and eventually becoming that band, which is basically Rodan.

O’Neil narrates the movie, which supplies black and white imagery of Louisville as a backdrop to the alienation and loneliness that can drive people bonded in their early 20s by shared desires, but who often find themselves wrestling with which directions to direct their talents, hopes, and ideas. It’s a love song for anyone who has ever been cemented by music and art in a “scene,” whatever that might mean, trying to find something in common with the city and society surrounding them. The fact that the cast is composed of actual musicians from the 1990s Louisville music scene who are, in my mind, iconic at this point, makes “Half-Cocked” that much more special. Each member of this cast contributed droves to the music that has come from the River City the past two decades.

I’ve seen “Half-Cocked” once before this showing, but knowing the people involved in the film now makes me view it as though I’m seeing it for the first time. Both Jon and Jason, through the bands Crain and Rodan and other countless endeavors, added not just music to this town, but helped push and direct sound into new directions, and brought just as much personality to the arts scene in Louisville as songs. With them both featured so prominently in this film, and musical contributions aside, seeing them interact, knee-to-knee in one scene, discussing money made from t-shirt sales and door money, you notice their personalities transferred onscreen. Jon’s frenetic, staring energy meeting Jason’s gawky, supreme kindness.

“Half-Cocked” makes a viewer appreciate the friends you make in your youth, and makes you appreciate those friendships that eventually grow older and eventually exit. Being involved in a tumultuous time period crashing on couches because you don’t know where else to go might be lost on some people. But a lot of those friendships that are founded in those uncomfortable spaces hold true for decades, weathering through all the boring social battles and clique clichés. It takes certain people to immerse in this lifestyle. A line from the film, “there’s something that makes you want to do this,” caught me.

I’m not writing this as a friend of Jon Cook or Jason Noble, which is unfortunate. I’m writing this as a fan of Cook’s music, and Noble’s music. I never got to know them well. But making music in Lexington during this time period, listening to them for 20 years, always feeling connections to the musicians from my hometown, and getting to know many of their friends upon returning to Louisville; I feel that loss heavily. This was a special showing for LFS to undertake and I appreciated it. There will be a memorial for Jon Cook at the Tim Faulkner Gallery on Saturday, March 9, at 5pm. Donations will be taken for Jon’s son Thurston. Live music by Juanita and Catherine Irwin (who were in the film), as well as Black God and Brett Eugene Ralph, will begin at 7pm.

Written by Brian Manley

Category: Reviews | Tags: Half-Cocked Movie, Jason Noble Write Up, Jon Cook, Louisville Kentucky KY, Memorial Screening

J.Mack | February 25, 2013

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“Little Red’s Big Bad Ball” A Themed Costume Party [Write-up/Photo Gallery]

The Faces at the Palace series continued at the Palace Theater on Friday, February 22, with Little Red’s Big Bad Ball, a themed costume party featuring music by Louisville bands Trophy Wives and Vice Tricks. The event was also hosted by Woodrow from WFPK’s Woodrow on the Radio, who also spun records throughout the evening.

The night began as any extravagant ball should, as the dance floor patrons cut rugs in a variety of costumes to rock n roll and rhythm and blues from the 50s and 60s, provided by Woodrow’s vinyl collection. A blur of devils in tuxedoes twirled caped vampires across the room, as cigarette girls bartered candy cigarettes and big bad wolves gossiped with little red riding hoods. Athena Prychodko’s “Make It Up” fantasy makeup booth was sanctioned near the bar, providing opportunities for everyone to participate in the masquerade. Live art was also created and displayed by Vinnie Kocherd of Twisted Images.

Costumes were judged at 11pm and prizes were awarded from Seidenfaden’s and the Louisville Gore Club. Directly following the costume contest, Trophy Wives began the live music with their grooved post-punk. This band always slams into the beginning of their set and anchors their massive sound with a Kyuss-style approach, oftentimes drifting into metal. Vice Tricks immediately followed. This was my first time experiencing the punked-up rockabilly this group carts on stage. Their energy seeped throughout the theater and across the dance floor, as Verity Vice twirled her stand-up bass around while vocalist Jeremy King ran through and worked the crowd with a Lou Reed-like stance. Vice Tricks ended the Big Bad Ball on a fabulous spin of rock n roll.

Written by Brian Manley

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Photos by Shawn Price

Category: Photos, Reviews | Tags: A Themed Costume Party, Little Red’s Big Bad Ball, Louisville Palace, Photo Gallery, Trophy Wives, Vice Tricks, WFPK’s, Woodrow on the Radio, Write-up

J.Mack | February 18, 2013

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Jason Ajemian at the Nachbar [Show Review]

Jazz bassist Jason Ajemian performed a set at the Nachbar on Friday, February 15. A member of the underground music scene in Chicago, Ajemian is known for his experimental fusion of various styles of rock and jazz. He has collaborated with a number of influential musicians and groups, including Rob Mazurek, the Exploding Star Orchestra, Dragons 1976, Matt Bauder, Ken Vandermark’s Crisis Ensemble, the Chicago Underground Trio, Jeff Parker (of Tortoise), and many others.

Ajemian was joined by Louisville musicians Jim Marlowe, Tim Barnes and Jordan Richardson for his set. Barnes is known for his percussive work with the Howling Hex, The For Carnation and MV+EE. Richardson and Marlowe are both members of local noise punk trio Tropical Trash, and handled drums and saxophone, respectively. Marlowe, also a member of experimental music anchor group Sapat, is also the owner of the independent store Astro Black Records, and was one the organizers of the event, along with event coordinators Cropped Out and The Other Side of Life. The set was in conjunction with a showing of the documentary “Soldier of the Road: A Portrait of Peter Brotzmann” at Louisville Film Society’s Dreamland Theater, making it a particularly enjoyable night for fans of jazz.

<a href="http://www.vimeo.com/36356978">http://www.vimeo.com/36356978</a>

With both Barnes and Richardson flanking him on full drum kits, Ajemian whittled his way through an hour of improvised music, popping and rolling the strings on his upright bass with various sticks, sometimes sliding, sometimes playing as percussionist. The entire set seemed to find him stretching beyond what one might consider the puritanical walls of the instrument, finding new sounds and ideas that matched the barge of sound that exploded behind him between the two drummers. Marlowe’s saxophone sided with Ajemian’s bass, prodding and feeling its way in and out of the music, punctuating with backing momentum, and then running straight into harsh solos that blinded the crowded room. Nachbar is an intimate space, and audience members stood nearly at the group’s fingertips at times, carefully captured by the paths the trio would take.

At certain points, Ajemian would escape the bass and kneel into the microphone to provide spoken narrative from a clasped paper as the music continued, then to stand and bow the bass as the drums provided a cringing rumble. The music culminated in a chant that enveloped the room and left everyone swayed. This was definitely a treat, and I can only hope that Ajemian returns, and that Marlowe and Astro Black continue to bring such performers to town in the future.

Written by Brian Manley

Category: Reviews | Tags: 2013, Jason Ajemian, Louisville Kentucky KY, Show Review, The Nachbar

J.Mack | February 17, 2013

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Jukebox the Ghost with Matt Pond [Show Review]

Although Louisville had other great artists playing out on Wednesday, February 13, Headliners had a crowded house with The Lighthouse & The Whaler and Matt Pond opening up for Jukebox the Ghost. Running late to the show, I missed seeing The Lighthouse & The Whaler, but made it in time to hear the clapping hands as Matt Pond and his band took the stage.

As he entered onto the stage, a quick smile came to Matt Pond’s face as a voice from the crowd yelled, “I love you Matt Pond!” The five-piece band has changed line ups throughout Pond’s career, but Chris Hansen on guitar has been with Pond the longest. They played a great set with many of their new songs from their latest release The Lives Inside the Lines in Your Hands and a few oldies. Having numerous EP’s, LP’s, singles, and compilations under his belt, the hour long set included a few older favorites like “Halloween” and “New Hampshire” which are a few of the fan favorites. Matt Pond did stop for a moment between a few songs to converse with the crowd asking the crowd if they were ready for Valentine’s Day and the correct pronunciation of Louisville. A song on the latest album that they rocked “Love To Get Used,” is a re-release from his EP Spring Fools, 2011, but even better! You could feel the sense of admiration from the fans as they sang the words and danced to their favorities. The prolific and poetic writer that he is, Pond seduced the crowd with his engaging stories and kept all the women stargazing for an hour.

The crowd thickened near the stage as Jukebox the Ghost roadies began to set up equipment, fine tune instruments, and drop the white banner with a childlike outline of a ghost with stick figure arms and googly eyes. Over the screaming girls and roar of the crowd, three smiling faces appeared. Based in Brooklyn, the three-piece band features Tommy Siegel on vocals and guitar, Jesse Kristin on drums, and Ben Thornewell on vocals and piano. The trio met while attending George Washington University in DC, but pianist and vocals, Ben Thornewell, is from Louisville, KY. He confirmed this within the first few minutes of the show waving to the crowd and saying hi to mom and dad.

Touring on behalf of their third album, Safe Travels, the band had no hesitation on playing some older songs for their devoted fans. Their live performance was engaging, stimulating, and entertaining to say the least. Their upbeat tempo juxtaposes some of their more serious lyrics as heard in “Oh, Emily.” Any new comers to Jukebox the Ghost that night, I am sure left as a fan.

Written by Sally Weist

Category: Reviews | Tags: Jukebox the Ghost with Matt Pond, Louisville Kentucky KY, Show Review, The Lighthouse & The Whaler

J.Mack | February 13, 2013

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“Va Va Valentine 2013″ with Va Va Vixens [Photo Gallery - Show Review]

Photos by Shawn Price

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On February 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16, the Art Sanctuary presented “Va Va Valentine,” a modern-day vaudeville-style variety show starring the Va Va Vixens, Louisville’s burlesque troupe, at Headliners. Burlesque is blue showbiz; a variety show that features a tapered form of striptease, but mostly peppered through skits and themed dance numbers, usually dwelling in classic tunes with a small mix of newer dance songs.

The night we attended was Saturday the 9^th. We were greeted and checked our coats with a woman on stilts, and turned from there to view a sold out crowd standing and seated, all of whom were completely enthralled with this show. Milling through the audience were members of Va Va Vixens, making the scene a sea of fishnets, red and black corsets, cleavage and tattoos. Besides the merchandise tables, the sides of the venue also featured a Kissing Booth womanned by the ladies Strawberry Fields and Blondie Bombshell. Kisses on the cheeks cost a dollar; lip kisses ran five. Strawberry Fields boasted of the shows’ success, and when asked how the booth was running, she said it was definitely visited by a plethora of “interesting characters.”

The pre-show featured songs being crooned and eventually led to an onstage game show called “Panty Wranglers.” Audience-members raced to dress in bras and panties and then had to deliver a “strip tease,” all the while goaded by the emcee, whose sharp charisma kept the games moving and humorous, finally declaring to the contestants that they were leaving “slightly scarred, but no worse for wear.” The stage darkened as the crowd prepared for the main show.

The main show, hosted by Leah Roberts (aka Petunia), started and led into a night that was a well-choreographer ball of feathered boas, glowing hula-hoops, blue humor, fabulous costumes and miles of sparkles all sprinkled through musical acts and dance numbers. There were feather dances and numbers that made hula hoops link like chains and then seem like bubbles. An acrobatic contortionist climbed to the ceiling and danced in the air on a thin waterfall of fabric. Cabaret-styled numbers graced the stage in all forms and references, whether gypsy, Betty Page, or Frank Sinatra-costumed extravagance. My brain sneezed when they performed “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways on roller skates.

The crowd at Headliners loved the experience and sights, the colors and the festivity of what burlesque celebrates: that spree of pure show. There was even a real onstage marriage proposal from one audience member to her surprised partner, memorializing this as the Valentine’s event it was. As host Petunia said in her thick Southern accent, “I didn’t know how special I was until I found showbiz.”

Written by Brian Manley

Category: Photos, Reviews | Tags: Photo Gallery, Show Review, Va Va Valentine 2013, Va Va Vixens

J.Mack | February 11, 2013

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Neighbor CD Release Show with Anwar Sadat [Show Review - Photo Gallery]

Photos by Shawn Price (2/8/2013)

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Louisville band Neighbor celebrated the release of their self-titled debut CD on Friday, February 8, at Zanzabar with special guests Anwar Sadat. Formed in 2011 by drummer Aaron Sortman, bassist/vocalist Adam Kirby (both formerly of Zombie Chickens from Outer Space), and guitarist Sean Gardner (Twenty First Century Fox/Bu Hao Ting), Neighbor has quickly placed itself high in the stature of noisier rock bands that continue to birth and prevail in Louisville’s local scene with a strong momentum these past few years.

Opening the show was Anwar Sadat, another brash band that has succeeded in delivering bended post-punk during the last two years. This trio is also celebrating its two-song EP “Mutilation” released by Sophomore Lounge in September 2012. I first saw them open for Man…Or Astro-Man? in 2011, and the intensity of their aggressively angular shows has only increased since that time. The crowd immediately shriveled the distance between audience and performers that sometimes exists at the Zbar, huddling inches from the band as they pummeled through a 45 minute set that sometimes bled into a Big Blackish sound of abrasive punk. Never slowing down for the entirety of their set, Anwar Sadat provided a perfect companion set to Neighbor’s own heavy sounds.

Neighbor closed the night out with the best set I’ve seen the band play, shooting straight into material from their CD with the math-thrash of “Gunjumper.” There is nothing about this band that does not delightfully and doggedly destroy the eardrum. Gardner’s guitar is fast-paced and sharply spiky, at times approaching an atypically intricate shred, and in other moments flinging itself into a chaotic left turn of noise. Sortman has quickly become one of my favorite drummers in Louisville, both to hear and watch, bounding through the tempo without caution, oftentimes screaming along with the song while playing. Kirby’s voice is as gruff and dirty as his bass, which recurrently rattled the room and crowd, cresting into a Melvins-style crush that would tear through listeners’ ribcages. These songs are quick, heavy rock and roll statements that mostly clock around the two minute mark, never wasting time to find the riff, crush through it, and then blast to the end and jump into the next song.

When a band begins its set humorously scolding audience members’ for not wearing ear plugs, it can be assumed the music will be big. Neither Anwar Sadat, nor Neighbor, disappointed. The debut recording by Neighbor has also been placed among the best releases of 2013, and their shows throughout the year should not be missed.

Written by Brian Manley

Category: Photos, Reviews | Tags: 2013, Anwar Sadat, Neighbor CD Release Show, Show Review, Zanzabar

J.Mack | January 18, 2013

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The Weeks with Junior Astronomers and Violet Knives [Photo Gallery-Show Review]

Photos taken by Shawn Price, at Zanzabar – 1/16/2013

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Last Wednesday (1/16/2013) at the Zanzabar in Germantown, we were treated to two opening bands, one local, and the other from Charlotte, NC before seeing The Weeks. Louisville’s own Violet Knives kicked the night off with familiar indie tunes that can be heard on WFPK. This was my first time seeing them live, but will not be the last.

Next up was the Junior Astronomers from Charlotte, NC. A mix of shouted vocals, a punk-esque feel, and high energy. One of the many ways the band enticed the audience to connect with them is by lead singer, Terrence Richards’s energetic personality. He does this not only by his movements on stage while singing, but also with his discourse in-between songs. A band slightly reminiscent of The Minutemen, Black Flag, and Husker Du. (Am I showing my age or what!?)

The headlining band, The Weeks, from Jackson, MS are a 5-piece, indie-rock outfit that has been together since 2006. After some research, come to find out they began playing together at the youthful age of 14 and 16 respectively and currently the median age is 23. Touring on behalf of their latest release, Rumspringa, you can find their material anywhere from Pandora to iTunes. Lead singer Cycle Barnes’ voice reminded me of lead singer of Kings of Leon, deep and penetrable. Their heavy guitar based songs have a touch of southern zest mixed with some danceable choruses. A band to keep on your radar, especially for their full-length studio album coming out this April.

Written by Sally Weist

Category: Photos, Reviews | Tags: Junior Astronomers, Louisville Kentucky KY, Photo Gallery, Review, The Weeks, Violet Knives, Zanzabar

J.Mack | January 3, 2013

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Southern Fried Sing-Along

Saturday, December 29th was another fantastic evening of tunes at Headliners Music Hall. Although I have listened to JJ Grey and Mofro for a while now, this is the first time I had seen them live. I made attempts in the past, but they have always sold out, just like this show, and now I know why. The Jacksonville, FL native and his band have developed a strong local following, with their southern rock/blues influenced sound and lyrics that take you back to Grandma’s porch. With songs about down-home soul food, first love, and his hometown near Lochloosa Lake, this group performed with a ton of energy and vibrancy and made it impossible not to dance. Grey is a truly electrifying front man, bouncing from guitar to harmonica, and Mofro provides great compliment, with the “Hercules Horns”, Art Edmaiston (saxophone), Dennis Marion (trumpet) and Todd Smallie (bass guitar) stealing the show. They had the crowd singing along with favorites like “Orange Blossoms” and “Slow, Hot and Sweaty”, and debuted a new track, “Somebody Else”, a selection from their new album due out in April.

As their final encore of the evening, JJ challenged each band member, note for note, or as he put it, “cuttin’ heads”. The crowd roared with applause as each musician showcased their individual skills until the music peaked with a punch like Georgia moonshine. I can only compare it to the grand finale of ‘Thunder Over Louisville.’

The Ben Miller Band started the evening with their take on old blues/bluegrass music – think of it like “Hee Haw” on acid. With traditional instruments such as a washtub bass, harmonica, washboard, spoons and trombone, they put a funky spin on songs like “I Wanna Be Sedated” by the Ramones and “Heart Shaped Box” by Nirvana. Their unique sound and energetic presence was the perfect appetizer for a southern fried main course.

It was a fantastic show, and I simply can not wait to get my hands on a copy of their new album and to see them again. JJ’s heartfelt storytelling from south of the Mason-Dixon line left me wanting to take a drive down I-75 for some peach ice cream and boiled peanuts.

Written and Photos by: Alisa Boyer Pifine

Category: Reviews | Tags: Headliners Music Hall, JJ Grey and Mofro, Louisville Kentucky KY, Show Concert Review 2012, The Ben Miller Band

J.Mack | January 2, 2013

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Wellness 360 Grand Opening Party

Wellness 360 is a brand new health centered facility at 241 Sears Avenue, off of Shelybville Road in St. Matthews. This center is geared toward the total balance of the body, mind, and spirit. Offering a wide range of services including: three different movement classes, five different types of massages, wellness consulting, yoga, and so much more. They offer memberships as well as welcome walk-ins. Peter Buecker, MD is the Medical Director and Wellness Consultant for the center. A quote from their pamphlet reads, “Whether frustrated with conventional medical care, in chronic pain, needing to lose weight or quit smoking, or simply looking for ways to live happier and healthier, it is our aim to offer something of benefit to anyone who shows up at our door.” Wellness 360 is officially open to the public, for more information visit www.wellness360studio.com

Written by Sally Weist/Photos by Shawn Price