Does anyone else here feel really stupid lately?
Full disclosure: the following rant has nothing to do with the shows that you should think about checking out this week in the KC/Lawrence area.
This past weekend, downtown Lawrence was host to the Ugly Sweater Run. Approximately 3,000 paid $50 ($50!), and then showed up in all varieties of horrific holiday cheer to run an un-timed 5K. Actually I heard the course was a bit short of 5K. And it looked like there was more skipping, walking, and trotting than running. But whatever.
Point is, these are not the Ironman types. Nope, most were the kind of people that would sign up for The Color Run. Which by the way attracted about 8,000 participants a few months ago in downtown Lawrence.
Why do people want to pay good money to do this? I really don’t know. And that is why I feel stupid. Both the Ugly Sweater Run and The Color Run are owned by the same guy, Travis Snyder, a mid-thirties dude from Utah. Hire a DJ, rent some porta potties, an EMT or two, some colorful flags, a beer tent, and voilà (or as Glazer likes to say, “Walla!”).
The first Color Run was held less than a year ago in Arizona, and since then, dozens of other venues like Lawrence have hosted the runs. Snyder has become a millionaire many times over basically overnight (Take that Pet Rock!).
And here I am slaving away over a hot keyboard for mere pennies per keystroke like a fool.
End of rant, check out some music dummies….
Thursday, December 6th
Kentucky Knife Fight at Barnyard Beer in Lawrence
These guys were voted Best Rock Band of 2012 by St. Louis’ Riverfront Times, which is basically like The Pitch here in KC, but better. So why is a “rock band” playing at the Barnyard, which is mainly a bluegrass and Americana venue? Well, you know how hard it is to label a band’s sound, but KKF is essentially an aggressive, blues-soaked, country-tinged outfit, with a singer whose voice is growly yet versatile. Got it? They’ve been playing a bit with the Reverend Horton Heat, if that helps you out a bit. Or, even better, just go to their website and listen for yourself. And as if that weren’t enough, Fast Food Junkies– an up and coming local speedgrass group- are also on the bill.
So get out to the Barnyard and sample Heath’s new bourbon vanilla stout if there’s any left – that stuff goes pretty fast these days. It’s pretty damn good. And powerful.
Friday, December 7th
Ghosty at the RecordBar in KC
These indie rockers are one of the most acclaimed local bands of the moment (and last 5 years, really), with their latest self-titled release garnering plenty of critical praise. But they’ve been doing this thing for quite a while, about a decade, and they always deliver thoughtful and interesting pop songs. Frontman Andrew Connor is also a member of awesome indie pop act the ACB’s, providing lead guitar and backing vocals.
Joining in the fun is The Shy Boys, a newish group that boasts two members of the ACB’s, drummer Kyle Rausch and singer/guitarist Konnor Ervin. They play breezy ‘60s-ish pop tunes with plenty of harmonies and simple, sweet lyrics.
Saturday, December 8th
Noise for Toys Benefit featuring the Noise FM at the Replay in Lawrence
In years past, this now annual event has featured an ugly sweater contest, prize giveaways, and tons of festive decorations. And some cool bands, of course. All the money raised goes to Toys for Tots, so if you don’t come out to this show, what you’re saying is that you hate underprivileged kids. So now it’s on you, yo. I believe that showing up with a new, unopened toy is also encouraged, and may take the place of a cover charge.
But the real deal is this: if you haven’t seen Noise FM yet, it’s your own damn fault. They used to reside in Lawrence but now call Chicago home. But they swing through the area quite a bit still, so everyone can get their melodic hard-indie rock fill.
Good shows. Noise FM is the shit. Too bad it is at the fucking Replay. Why no Bottleneck as usual this year.
Fucking color run guy. Friend was working the run so I went to get a beer. It was cold as shit out and there were still 8000 people who showed up to get stupid. That guy who owns the rights to it is a fucking genius. He just subcontracts out the advertising, sound, stage, porta-potties, etc. to locals wherever the “race” is, pays them a pittance and basically does nothing but take orders for number tags and t-shirts and rakes it in. I don’t get why people like doing this shit. The only thing I can think of is that it appeals to women who don’t really want to exercise, but are always talking about how they “worked out” while they are eating, or that they are going to have to work out after this cake or whatever, and they get their good looking friends to do it with them, and where the girls are, the guys follow. Ok….now actually I do get it.