By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

After banging around with different bands over the years, the members of Angry Gods of the Radio, a group of local hard-rockers, say they have found a kindred spirit in each other. And that camaraderie is most evident in the quartet's newly released and self-titled debut album, an impressive feat considering it was recorded two months after the band was fully formed in July.

"Everyone gelled right away," says guitarist Shane Siegle. "The level of musicianship was high enough we didn't have to explain things to one another. It felt natural right up front, which is probably why we cut most of the songs after one or two takes."

Chemistry, in addition to energy, focus and creativity is what sparked Siegle, Jeff Nelson (guitar), Brian "Elvis" Scoonover (bass), Jason Monroe (drums) and Tim Thompson (vocals) - veterans of bands like Sordid, Dogtown and 7.62 - to record the album in 48 hours at Junior's Hotel in Otho. Not bad for a group of guys whose previous work ranged from metal and grunge to funk and blues.

"I think it's pretty good for everything we did in one weekend," Siegle says. "It has a lot of energy like our live shows instead of having a polished sound."
"Angry Gods of the Radio" features eight original songs, mostly written by Thompson, that tackle an assortment of themes like the old west ("Iron Horse"), the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina ("Ant Hill"), sex ("Time Again"), aging ("Drool"), assembling a band ("Rise") and O.J. Simpson ("Kong").

"We kind of throw everything together and mix the pot," Siegle says. "And that includes our sound, because we get a lot of different explanations of what we sound like. I'd like to think we sound like ourselves."

Siegle says the group hopes its new album will help garner some gigs, though each member holds down a day job. The band plays about three times per month, but he says he would like for it to play at least once a week and expand its fan base throughout the Midwest. Siegle says anything is possible considering how tight the Angry Gods are, onstage and offstage.

"I've been playing guitar for 15 years and I think this is the first time I've not had a complaint about the band I've been in," he says. "I have no issues with these guys and that's important when you spend a lot of time away from family to be in a band. It has to be fun."

Celebrate The Man in Black

There's a lot of hype about the new Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," but to know The Man in Black's music is to understand the thin line between the dark and the light, and perhaps no two bands in Des Moines better personify that comprehension through their own organic music than Randy Burk and the Prisoners and Brother Trucker, who headline the third annual "Tribute to Johnny Cash" Friday at 9 p.m. at the Walnut Tap.

In addition to the two bands, a number of special guests will be on hand to perform, including former Trailer Records recording artist Kelly Pardekooper. Each will play covers of songs from Cash's enormous catalog, as well as original material inspired by Cash. Admission is $8. Call 262-1218.

Friday's show will also serve as a bit of a reunion for Burk and the Prisoners, who have been on a temporary hiatus since Burk recently moved to Chicago to work with his brother's construction firm. The local alt-country band has slowed its touring schedule until January while Burk constructs steel buildings in the Windy City. It is also in search of a new guitarist to fill the spot vacated by Lance Harrison and will be accompanied by Brother Trucker's Mike Fitzpatrick for the Cash tribute show. Any roots/alt-country guitarist interested in auditioning for the band should contact them via e-mail at band@randyburkandtheprisoners.net.

Also, while Burk is in town, he and the Prisoners' pianist Jared Hall will perform Sunday at AK O'Connor's in Beaverdale for the club's weekly songwriter series. Showtime is 8 p.m. and admission is free.

Scene notes
A few weeks ago, local rockers Sleeker played a benefit concert for the Iowa Department for the Blind and helped raise more than $2,500 for blind persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast. In addition to the money raised at the concert, the band is donating profits from the sale of its new limited edition EP, "Silver Lining." The disc includes two original tunes and sells for $5. Fans can buy the album at the Iowa Department for the Blind, as well as though Sleeker's Web site (www.sleekermusic.com) and at their concerts... Last week, Drake University's Jazz Ensemble I released its latest CD, "Swing Classics." Proceeds from the sales of the album will benefit the group's 2006 European tour with performances at the North Sea Jazz and Montreaux Jazz festivals... It took 37 years, but rock legends Cream recently reunited at London's Royal Albert Hall, the site of their final show before disbanding in 1968. The reunion concert was filmed and will air Wednesday at 8 p.m. on IPTV... Salsa dances return to the Hotel Fort Des Moines Saturday after being held at the Marriott. Dance lessons will be held at 8 p.m., followed by the dance at 9 p.m. Tickets are $6 in advance and $8 at the door. Another dance will be held there Dec. 17. Call 274-5566... DJ Swamp, the former turntable spinner for Beck, is embarking on a solo tour this fall that includes a performance at the Vaudeville Mews on Dec. 3. Tickets are $8 in advance... Singer-songwriter Anna Nalick, the 20-year-old Californian responsible for the crossover hit "Breathe (2AM)," is touring North America for the first time as the opening act for Rob Thomas, which means she'll be playing the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines Dec. 4 with the ex-Matchbox 20 singer... The last time Firehouse was here we indulged our '80s metal alter ego with a feature-length story on the band. Good thing we didn't trim our mullet and throw out our stonewashed blue jeans, Pony high-tops and Aqua Net, as the group returns to Keyster's to perform Dec. 9 with openers Rude Mood. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 252-1403... The Mews was so impressed by ATOY's performance in May when the band reunited to play Des Moines for the first time in 22 years, that they have booked the '80s rock band to play there New Year's Eve. Another popular local rock group from that era, Drasbury, opens... Juanes, recent winners of three Latin Grammy Awards, plays the Val Air Ballroom on Feb. 26. Advance tickets are $45 and available at the ballroom... We know this space is devoted to music, but who doesn't have "Sweet Georgia Brown" running through their head when they hear the Harlem Globetrotters are coming to town? The team is celebrating its 80th consecutive season (they can really jump for old guys) and is playing Wells Fargo Arena on March 31 against those perennial losers the New York Nationals. Tip-off is 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15.50 and fans can get autographs after the game. CV

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