Tag Archives: Matthew Donnelly
Donnelly: Tapes ‘N Tapes at the Jackpot Saloon, March 4, 2011
I walked in to the Jackpot Saloon just in time to see the last song of some guys playing indie rock dressed in NASCAR jumpsuits.
Why, it’s openers Dale Earnhart Jr. Jr., of course. Two juniors is better than one. Duh.
Next up were the once critical darlings, Tapes ‘n Tapes. Any hipster worth his weight in mustache wax would tell you that Tapes’ earlier stuff was waaay better than their next two albums. That the band sold out when they went to big label XL Recordings. And that after their second album was critically panned, now the band is trying to get their cred back by doing what made them cool in the first place – staying independent and doing their own thing.
Fair enough.
Sounds Good: Tapes ‘N Tapes in Lawrence; Howard Iceberg & Titanics in KC This Weekend
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Okay, I have your weekend all mapped out for you…
It’s going to start off with a high energy, sweaty romp with a bunch of college kids. Nice, right? Next comes KU beating Mizzou‘s ass in their own house. Then we finish it all off with a trusty troubadour and a cocktail at the best looking bar in KC.
You’re welcome. All you have to do is show up….
Donnelly: Robert Earl Keen at the Granada, February 25, 2011
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I never wanted to believe anyone more than I wanted to believe Robert Earl Keen last Friday night. In REK’s world, things are simple and people are good. Hell, even the scoundrels aren’t so bad, maybe they just got in with the wrong crowd. Shit happens, you know? People drink too much and might do bad things, but they don’t really mean it.
The packed house at the Granada certainly bought into REK’s feel good vibe and it didn’t take much convincing. Most people that I talked to in the crowd revered Keen as a legend, and only a few said that this was their first REK show. Yes, the sing-along choruses started from almost the first song.
But that’s what happens when the songs are so damn catchy…
Donnelly: KC’s US Men’s National Team Wishes Coming True; Why You Should Be Friends With SKC
As reported here about a month ago ("SKC Ticket Sales Booming; USMNT coming to KC?" – Jan. 17), the US Men’s National Team appears poised to play a Gold Cup game in KC on June 14th at Sporting Park (more on the stadium name later).
While the official Gold Cup schedule hasn’t yet been announced, recently several other local media outlets have been picking up on this development, including the Kansas City Star’s Charles Gooch. With all the chatter going around it seems more and more likely that Robb Heineman‘s comment to MLSSoccer.com’s Andrew Wiebe really was a cat-out-of-the-bag moment.
Remember?..
Donnelly: Update on U.S. Men’s National Team at Sporting Park & Boulevard Beer Sponsor Request
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As reported here last month, ("SKC Ticket Sales Booming; USMNT coming to KC?" – Jan. 17), the US Men’s National Team appears poised to play a Gold Cup game in KC on June 14th at Sporting Park (more on the stadium name later).
While the official Gold Cup schedule hasn’t yet been announced, recently several other local media outlets have been picking up on this development, including the Kansas City Star’s Charles Gooch. With all the chatter going around it seems more and more likely that Robb Heineman’s comment to MLSSoccer.com’s Andrew Wiebe really was a cat-out-of-the-bag moment.
Remember? Back in January Heinemann said of the Gold Cup:
"Our intent is to have that be a high-flying event … We want to make sure the Gold Cup and when the national team is here, if they end up being here, that we are running full throttle."
Smooth, Robb
In other SKC news, Heineman recently announced the concept of becoming a "member" of Sporting KC.
Donnelly: Thee Oh Sees at the Granada, February 18, 2011
I knew I liked Thee Oh Sees when their ringleader, John Dwyer, interrupted the set early on to search offstage for something important.
He emerged after a moment with a 3/4 full bottle of Jamison that he made his band mates swill down quickly before moving on to the next song. Everyone pretty much obliged him, except for the drummer, who had to be coaxed with some girly-looking drink before he eventually took a mouthful of the hard stuff.
Next came the machine gun…
Donnelly: The Benefits Of Sporting KC’s 3 Month Road Trip
Ever been to a professional soccer game at a minor league baseball stadium in twenty degree weather?
With about a thousand other loyal (deranged) fans, and about 10,000 empty seats? Wearing camouflage coveralls, ski gloves, and one of those Russian fur hats? Have you?
I have.
Which is why it’s pretty sweet that Sporting Kansas City doesn’t play a home game until June 9th, when the new stadium opens.
To be fair, you can sneak a helluva lot of beer in, tucked away in the crevasses of your coveralls…
Sounds Good: Thee Oh Sees, The Hips, and Cage the Elephant This Weekend
If you follow my lead, this weekend is likely to get dirty.
And I mean dirty like a trucker’s underpants. Dirty like a porn star’s mustache. Dirty like the Replay’s bathrooms (we’ll get there).
Don’t be afraid… On second thought, I’d probably bring some Purex along…
Donnelly: Umphrey’s McGee at Liberty Hall, February 12, 2011
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Brett Mosiman seems to know what he’s doing.
The longtime concert promoter and president of Pipeline Productions proved as much a few years ago when he gave the finger to Kansas authorities and moved his baby, the Wakarusa Festival, from Lawrence to Ozark, Arkansas. Since then, the festival has been climbing steadily upward, making a name as one of the best (and friendliest – shame on you Kansas) in the region.
And I hear ticket sales are through the roof.
Saturday night, Mosiman offered Lawrence a preview of one of the main bands playing Wakarusa this summer – Umphrey’s McGee.
Umphrey’s McGee bridges the gap between hippie jam band and rocker better than most, attracting both the smelly and the hair-product-using fans with their combination of prog and extended noodling…
Donnelly: Sporting KC Emphasizes Athleticism, Fitness With New Look Squad In 2011
The Wizards are dead. 
No, don’t be sad, it was a great run while it lasted. Pay your respects and move on, that’s what the Wizards would want for you.
Say hello to Sporting Kansas City. Brand new name. Brand new team crest. Brand new team colors and jerseys. Brand new players. Brand new enthusiasm and buzz. And oh yeah, brand new stadium on the way.
The question is, can KC soccer fans expect to see some new results on the field? I mean, all that new stuff is great for the marketing people to tout in the offseason, but the play on the field is what really matters, right? Remember, last year’s Wizards had high hopes heading into the season, but ended up 11-13-6 and missed the playoffs…
Sounds Good: Stik Figa, Suzannah Johnannes, Brandon Draper & the Decemberists
Snooooooooooooooooooooow! Cooooooooooooooooooold!
Look, accept the reality that the world will soon be buried beneath a cold, hard, layer of frozen water and come out of your safe rooms.
Man will survive. Man must survive.
Man will develop a system of underground civilizations stretching across the globe. These civilizations will learn to survive on nothing more than dope-ass MC’s and weird, pretentious northwestern indie rockers.
Come with me if you want to live….
Donnelly: Old 97’s at the Bottleneck, January 28, 2011
Life on the road as a touring rock band can be hard. Between the late nights, heavy drinking, living on a bus, and generally treating your body like a dumpster, it’ll age you quicker than you want if you’re not careful.
But not Rhett Miller. He knows the proper balance by heart. Though he’s fronted Old 97’s for almost 20 years and eight studio albums, he still looks like that baby-faced kid who was too young to appear on Dallas stages back in 1993 with tales of whiskey and the West.
"This place is like a time machine," said the sentimental, old 97’s frontman to the sold out Friday night crowd. "You all went to college and got jobs – we came to the Bottleneck."
Sounds Good To Me: What to Do, Where to Go, Who to See This Weekend in KC & LA
You like music? Dumb question, right?
That’s kind of like asking, “Do you like trees?” Nah. Never really been into trees. They’re so leafy and arrogant. And sunsets – hate sunsets.
I was sitting in the corner of a dimly lit dining room a few years back when my date uttered the dumbest phrase I’ve ever heard: “I’ve never really been a music fan…"
Huh?
“Excuse me, I need to go wash my hands,” I said smiling, moments before I scrambled out the bathroom window, only half believing what had just occurred…If you’ve ever made a comment like that, a comment that forced someone to run away in absolute horror and confusion, stop reading right now. Seriously. Stop.
For the rest of you crazy tree-lovers, here are a few things that sound good to me….
Donnelly: Robert Randolph & the Family Band at Liberty Hall, January 21, 2011
Robert Randolph is a confident guy.
And why shouldn’t he be? He was included on Rolling Stone’s 2009 list of the 100 greatest guitar players. He’s played with Clapton, Buddy Guy, Dave Matthews, and Sly & the Family Stone.
So if he wants to wear a black leather, metal studded Mardi Gras mask, he doesn’t think twice, he just goes with it…
GO: Robert Randolph, Truckstop Honeymoon & Prince of Darkness Top Weekend’s Don’t Miss List
Stay at home, light a fire, and grab a good book? Oh, hell no! Man up and get out of your jammies… it’ll be worth it, I promise.
Friday, January 21, 2011
*Robert Randolph and the Family Band – Liberty Hall in Lawrence
If you’ve never seen Robert Randolph before, what the hell is wrong with you?
Roberto wails away on the pedal steel (and other guitars), bringing southern blues, funk, soul, and gospel to the needy. His high energy shows can get even the Lawrenc-iest hipster shaking their thang.
Donnelly: SKC Ticket Sales Booming; USMNT coming to KC?
Sometimes it’s hard to keep a secret. Especially when that secret will probably put hundreds of thousands of dollars into your pocket and offer the kind of pub money can’t buy…
So why bother, right?
In a recent interview with MLSSoccer.com, Sporting KC president Robb Heineman made some interesting comments about the business side of the club, including what seemed to be an unintentional slip-up indicating that the US Men’s National Team will be playing a game at the new stadium in June as part of the Gold Cup.
But first, the business stuff…
Go: ACBs, Tech N9ne & Ida McBeth Top This Weekend’s Don’t Miss List
If you know what’s good for you, you will do as I say…
Starting with tonight, Friday, January 14, 2011
The ACBs and the Kinteks – 8th Street Tap Room in Lawrence
Dirty, crowded basement? Check. Cheap drinks? Check. A local band that has been steadily building some indie buzz? Check.
Ever since performing at the December Noise for Toys benefit with the Noise FM and Cowboy Indian Bear, I’ve been looking forward to catching the ACBs again. Definitely a must see.
Donnelly: Sporting KC Surprises With SuperDraft Pick, Harrington Signs
I’ll be honest, I did not see that coming.
Neither did any of the so-called experts, insiders, or bloggers. Even CJ Sapong, Sporting Kansas City’s first round pick in the MLS SuperDraft, was surprised when his name was called as the 10th overall pick:
“I was surprised. Coming into the combine I was just trying to get drafted…”
Donnelly: Dumptruck Butterlips at the Jackpot Saloon, January 7, 2011
OK, let’s do a little mind experiment. First, think of any kind of conveyance… Got it?
Now, think of a condiment/ topping you would put on food.
Finally, think of a part of the human body. Put them all together and what did you come up with? Mine is Rickshaw Salsagroin. So that’s what we’ll call our band, Rickshaw Salsagroin. Pretty catchy, eh? I can see it now: “Did you catch that Salsagroin show last week? It was epic!”
I’m assuming this is exactly how the Lawrence based folk/soul/grass outfit Dumptruck Butterlips decided on their weird-ass moniker…
GO: Matthew Donnelly Tells You Where To, Uh, Go
Where to go and who you will see and hear while you’re there. In other words, my top music picks for the weekend of January 7-9th.
Try these:
Friday, January 7th
Dumptruck Butterlips at the Jackpot Saloon in Lawrence – Don’t let the catchy name fool you. These “bedroom bluegrass” artists are known for their live shows, and were recently invited to perform at Yonder Mountain String Band’s Harvest Music Festival.
