By
Chad Taylor
soundcheck@dmcityview.com
Much like the U.S. Postal service, a little
rain wasn’t about to stop the bands at GDP from
making their appointed rounds. So while the
hail fell, trees blew over and sections of the
city lost power, the Hotel Fort Des Moines remained
brightly lit and 250 weather-be-damned souls
were privy to this year’s two-stage event. All
10 bands played their hearts out, and those
fans who stuck around until the end of Christopher
the Conquered’s set were treated to a cameo
by the incomparable Brandon and Tina Haase Findlay,
who joined the Brass Band on stage, as well
as The Poison Control Center’s Patrick Tape
Flemming, who helped close out the show.
A final bit of GDP-related fun: When Jen Allen
of Hath No Fury arrived at the hotel to set
up, she was informed that she had an envelope
waiting for her. Addressed to “The Rock Band
Hath No Fury, c/o The Wonderful Hotel Fort Des
Moines,” and sealed with an amount of saliva
that can only be described as “Hootch-ian” (don’t
pretend you don’t know what move I’m talking
about), the envelope contained several religious
tracts (some cheap knock-off variety, not the
ever popular Chick Tracts), and a three page,
hand written letter. The letter — signed only
“a fellow christian” — has baffled all who’ve
read it. The basic gist is to inquire whether
or not the band members are Christians in good
standing. If not, the letter would then like
to remind them of some very prime, mansion-related,
real estate that God has waiting for them, should
they choose to sign up for the Winning Team.
And while the handwriting is impeccable, the
letter. contains some very. unusual grammar
and. punctuation. Congratulations, anonymous
letter-writing fan. You’ve made an impression.
Switchfoot plays Wooly’s on Friday, April 27.
The all-ages show starts at 6:30 p.m., and tickets
are available through ticketfly for $22. The
Rocket Summer opens.
SoundNotes’ pick o’ the week: Clocks and Clouds
plays at the Vaudeville Mews, with The Steepwater
Band and Brother Trucker on Friday, April 27.
Show starts at 10 p.m. and tickets are $5.
You really have no excuse to be bored on April
27. If the previous two shows don’t do it for
you, The Underground will feature Unknown Component
at 9 p.m. Tickets are also $5.
Randy Burk and the Prisoners plays Gaslamp with
Ben Wantland on Saturday, April 28. Show starts
at 9 p.m. and tickets are $5.
Also on April 28, House of Bricks has Bella
Verona, Ladysoal and Seedlings playing at 9:30
p.m.Tickets are $5.
And finally, on Tuesday, May 2, Saliva plays
People’s Court, supported by 12 Stones, Royal
Bliss, Fatal Attraction, Come Unity and Oringe.
The show is all-ages, and doors will open at
5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through ticketfly
and are $15 in advance or $18 at the door. CV |
