The Gunshy and Big Science at The Hideout, Chicago

On Friday night, my friends Joe, Kate and I went to see The Gunshy and Big Science play at The Hideout. I wasn’t sure what to expect from either act, nor had I been to the bar/venue before, so the whole evening was a grand adventure for me.

The Hideout was a cute little place nestled in an industrial area. A grand portrait of President-elect Obama graced the entrance, and this assured me I’d like the place. The bar was crowded (apparently we got there right on time, when they opened the venue area). $3.50 domestic bottles…not too shabby (I’m sure I could have gotten a Hams cheaper, but I splurged a bit). The venue was great. A girl standing nearby our table (score!) described the ambiance provided by strings of Christmas lights as “magical.” I’d agree. It was nice and cozy, perfect lighting for an old, nostalgic bar.

The Gunshy opened with a start. We knew from the moment we heard the trumpet tuning, we were in for a good show. Their upbeat anthems were reminiscent of the Mighty Mighty Bostones, whom I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of, but I appreciate their style. Overall, they played a good show, lots of boppin’ in our seats!

After a short break, Big Science took the stage. They’re style is best described by my friend Penny as, “The National meets The Killers.” I will say, again, that these aren’t my favorite bands, but, again, I enjoyed the original set. We picked up Big Sciences debut album for a mere $2 (score!), and I’m enjoying the sound now.

It’s always great to see local musicians, especially those with great stage presence and original material. Bravo to both bands! I hope that someday I can say I saw them before they made it big.

Yonder Mountain String Band @ Chicago’s Congress Theater

I almost didn’t go see Yonder Mountain String Band this past weekend! Luckily, my two great friends, Kate and Joe, came through and we had a great time!

Here is the set list from the show (courtesy of setlist.com):

Set 1: Out Of The Blue, Looking Back Over My Shoulder, Saro Jane, Maybe You Will Change Your Mind, Another Day, Crooked Hitch, Too Late Now, Sometimes I’ve Won, *Play A Train Song> *Georgia On A Fast Train, Part 1(Lord Only Knows)> River, New Horizons> Southbound> New Horizons

Set 2: Traffic Jam> Winds On Fire> Traffic Jam, Belle Parker, Long Time, Mental Breakdown, Just The Same, My Gal, Only A Northern Song> Granny Woncha Smoke Some, At The End Of The Day, Corona, New Speedway Boogie> Ten> Up On The Hill Where They Do the Boogie> Ten

E: Keep On Going> Down The River Road> Keep On Going

Comment*= Todd Snider on vocals & guitar

The show was Saturday and today, Tuesday, my legs are STILL killing me from dancing my ass off! I had a smile plastered to my face for the entire show, which was nice and LONG!

I can’t wait to see Yonder perform again, they consistently deliver a great time!

EOTO @ Chicago’s Portage Theater

Saturday night, I saw EOTO perform with Michael Kang and Kyle Hollingsworth at the Historic Portage Theater in Chicago. I miss college for many reasons…one being the great music scene I found in Columbia, MO. However, standing outside of the theater, waiting for our group of 12 (I love my friends!), I was happy to be in Chicago, such a large city, and be surrounded by happy music lovers!

The Portage Theater was a great venue. The 1920s theater was recently remodeled and reopened. It is a great asset to the city and was a great atmosphere to see EOTO perform.

As always, the band went above and beyond my expectations with their improvisational show. Their special guests rocked and brought back fond memories of The String Cheese Incident. I loved loved looooved the “Soul Shakedown Party” cover and so much more that this blog cannot handle! I don’t think I’ve danced so much in years…my feet are blistered and my legs still feel tired (all signs of a great time)!

Check out this post and find out when EOTO comes to your town!

Emily Bear is My Hero

Emily Bear is a 7-year-old pianist and composer. She is brilliant to say the least. Check out this clip from the Ellen Degeneres Show. She’s so cute and bright. I heard more of her songs on a radio program (not sure which station).

Here she is playing an original composition “The Love In Us.”

Visit her site to order a copy of her new album! www.emilybear.com

Fascinating Show

Last night, two friends and I went to the Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, Illinois to see Leo Kottke perform. Watching Kottke play the guitar is mesmerizing. His talent blows me away.

Kottke at The National in Richmond, Virginia, May 15, 2008:

The intimate setting of the opera house auditorium and the off-the-cuff comentary of Kottke were a nice change to the larger concerts I’m used to. I appreciate Kottke coming to Woodstock annually and playing two nights at this small community-supported theater. And, I’m sure I’m not the only one.

EOTO

If you haven’t been exposed the wonderful sounds of EOTO, check them out here! The band just posted this myspace bulletin announcing their upcoming tour:

Hola compadres,

We’re not done with this year yet. We had such an amazing time visiting cities across the U.S. we wanted to do it again for the Fall. We’re loaded up on inspiration, churning the deepest grids of the spacetime continuum, reaching beyond spacial/temporal dimensions, accessing alien soundscapes, and many other celestial explicatives , all in order to throw it down in your town. For those not looking through the whole list of the dates, it should be of special note that we will be joined by two of our other SCI brethren, Kyle Hollingsworth and Michael Kang, for our Oct 4 show in Chicago at the newly renovated historic Portage Theater.

Thanks for supporting us and we’ll see ya out there!!!

Travis and Hann

Summer 08 Shows Remaining

August

21 Wabasha, MN…………………..Fat Fest

22 Nederland, CO…………………Nedfest as Praang (EOTO w/ Steve Kimock and Jamie Janover)

23 Tuscaloosa, AL………………..The Mellow Mushroom w/ Steve Molitz (Phil and Friends/ Particle)

24 New York, NY…………………..Spiegelworld “Steal this Ticket” a musical tribute to Abby Hoffman as Agents of Mayhem (EOTO w/ Steve Molitz, Jon Gutwillig (Disco Biscuits), and DJ Logic)

EOTO U.S. Fall Tour

September
12-14….Laytonville, CA………………Earthdance………as Praang
16…..San Diego, CA…………………..Winston’s
17…..Los Angeles, CA…………………Fais Do Do
18…..Santa Cruz, CA…………………..Moe’s Alley
19…..San Francisco, CA……………..Mojito w/ special guest Michael Kang
20…..Selma, OR………………………….Summer Circus
21…..Eureka, CA…………………………Red Fox Tavern
22…..Bend, OR……………………………Tulen Center
23…..Eugene, OR……………………….WOW Hall
24…..Portland, OR………………………The Fez Ballroom
25…..Olympia, WA………………………Eastside Club Tavern
26…..Seattle, WA…………………………Nectar Lounge co-bill with KJ Sawka
27…..Whistler, BC (Canada)………The GLC
28…..Nelson, BC (Canada)…………Spirit Bar (Hume Hotel)
29…..Missoula, MT………………………The Other Side
30…..Bozeman, MT……………………..Zebra Cocktail Lounge

October
1…….Fargo, ND…………………………The Aquarium (above Dempsey’s)
2…….Minneapolis, MN………………The Cabooze
3…….Madison, WI………………………High Noon Saloon
4…….Chicago, IL………………………..Portage Theater w/ special guests Michael Kang and Kyle Hollingsworth!!!
6…….Indianapolis, IN………………….Birdy’s Bar and Grill
7…….Columbus, OH……………………Scarlet & Grey Cafe
8…….Kalamazoo, MI……………………Papa Pete’s
9…….Ann Arbor, MI……………………..The Blind Pig
10…..Buffalo, NY…………………………Infinity
11…..Ithaca, NY………………………….The Haunt
12…..Plains, PA…………………………..River St. Jazz Cafe
13…..Syracuse, NY……………………..The Westcott Theater
14…..Burlington, VT…………………….Club Metronome
15…..Albany, NY…………………………The Red Square
16…..New York, NY…………………….Sullivan Hall
17…..Philadelphia, PA………………..The World Cafe (upstairs)
18…..Baltimore, MD…………………….The 8 x 10
19…..College Park, MD……………….Knox Fest
21…..Raleigh, NC……………………….The Pour House Music Hall
22…..Athens, GA…………………………The Georgia Theater w/ special guests Conspirator (Brownstein and Magner of The Disco Biscuits)
23………………………………………………..TBA
24…..Charleston, SC…………………..The Pour House (Widespread Panic after show)
25…..Asheville, NC……………………..Stella Blue
26…..Knoxville, TN……………………..World Grotto
27…..Nashville, TN……………………..Window’s off the Cumberland
28…..Louisville, KY……………………..Hideaway Saloon
29…..St. Louis, MO………………………Lucas School House
30…..Fayetteville, AR………………….George’s Majestic Lounge
31…..Lawrence, KS…………………….Bottleneck (Cicada Rhythm 2nd Annual Costume Ball) w/ special guests EZ Brothers

November
1…….Denver, CO……………….Ogden Theatre. w/ special guests Vibesquad, Zilla, Lynx and Jamie Janover
5…….Des Moines, IA………….Vaudeville Muse
6…….Lincoln, NB………………..Knickerbockers
7…….Tulsa, OK…………………..Plan B (outdoors) w/special guests Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
8…….Little Rock, AR…………..The Rev Room
9…………………………………………TBA
10…..Starkville, MS…………….The State Theatre
11…..Birmingham, AL…………Zydeco……..co-bill with Pnuma Trio
12…..New Orleans, LA……….Tipitina’s
13…..Houston, TX……………….Club Dub Dub
14…..Austin, TX…………………..The Parrish
15…..Lubbock, TX……………….Bash Riprock’s 2

EOTO street team
If you would like to be on our street team please send an email to:

eotoemail@earthlink.net

provide the following info:
your name
show(s) that you can help street team for
name and address of the Kinko’s copy store nearest to you for pickup of materials

win free EOTO show tickets
http://www. tsunamipublicity. com/epk08/EOTO/eoto_banner_promo. html