By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Mushroom Cloud reaches Seattle

When 29-year-old Des Moines native Rob Nowadzky launched Mushroom Cloud Records (MCR) seven years ago in his hometown he dreamed it would one day become a household name. Over the years, MCR has released some impressive albums by local bands and worked with Grammy Award-winning producers. And though it might not be a household name — yet — it is making a splash beyond Iowa, even the United States, and signs of its growing independent success are evident by the news that the label is opening another branch of the label in Seattle.

Last week, Nowadzky announced that Tyler Sanders, frontman for MCR’s Dying Eyes, is moving to Seattle at the end of July to be closer to family. Sanders, who will fulfill his obligations with his band through September, will head up MCR’s office in the Emerald City.

“The timing is great,” says Nowadzky, whose label is home to a handful of local and regional bands including Angry Gods of the Radio, Damn the Gods and Countach. “Tyler is going to be retiring from music, but still wanted to be involved and work in the management end of things. I trust the guy and hope he can help us gain some more exposure in the Northwest and pick up some additional distribution.”

Nowadzky says that area of the country has a lot of hard rock fans, people who might like the acts on MCR. Seattle is where guitar-driven rock artists like Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden, Nirvana and Pearl Jam got their start.
“With the styles of bands we have, from stoner rock, to ’90s garage rock and metal, it should work out perfectly,” he says. “Even after the grunge movement Seattle still has a thriving scene.”

Des Moines, Nowadzky says, is considered by outsiders to have a thriving scene, too. He says bands from around the world send him demos hoping to sign with his label. If all goes as planned Nowadzky hopes to announce in the next few weeks his latest signing — Planet of Zeus, a group from Athens, Greece, formed by founding AC/DC member Dave Evans.

“Some people are surprised to learn what we have in Des Moines,” Nowadzky says. “But things are coming together.”

Though Nowadzky enjoys receiving demos from bands around the world, he says he will continue to focus on signing local and regional groups. After working as a touring musician he says he wants to share whatever knowledge he has of the music business with local performers.

“We’ve had multiple levels of success and continue to learn as we go,” he says. “But there’s a lot of talent here and we want to do our part to help put Des Moines on the map.”

MCR will host two shows featuring artists from its roster and national headliners. They include a show July 15 at The Picador in Iowa City featuring Weedeater and Damn the Gods. Tickets are $7 in advance for the 19-and-over show. And on Aug. 8, FLAW and Dying Eyes will play at 5 p.m. at the House of Bricks for an all-ages show. Advance tickets are $12 through IowaTix.com.

For more information about MCR, visit www.mushroomcloudrecords.com or www.myspace.com/mushroomcloudrecords.

Scene notes

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives began debating appropriations bill H.R. 2643 for the fiscal year 2008 that would include an historic $35 million increase in funding for the National Endowment of the Arts. If approved, the increase would raise the NEA’s budget to $160 million and would provide additional funding for grants to state and local organizations. … Speaking of money and the arts, a new report by David Swenson of Iowa State University’s Department of Economics links some arts and cultural organizations in Greater Des Moines to more than $87.7 million in sales and more than $44.5 million in new added economic value to Central Iowa. Those numbers, however, don’t tell the complete picture of the economic impact of arts in Greater Des Moines because the report is based on a 2005-2006 study only of income, expenses, employment and attendance data from nonprofit educational, cultural and artistic organizations that have received funding from Bravo Greater Des Moines, a non-profit arts advocacy group. In all likeliness, those numbers are much greater if one was to take into account the economic impact of businesses and special events that didn’t receive funding from Bravo — of which there are many. The study also shows that nonprofit arts and cultural organizations attracted 2.5 million visitors in 2005-2006 and that those visitors spent more than $8 million on goods and services. It also says more than 500,000 visitors drove more than 100 miles to attend cultural events in Central Iowa. The study’s findings were released last week, which some argue favors proponents of the proposed 1-cent local option sales tax known as Project Destiny who lack the necessary public support for the measure. If approved by voters on Tuesday, a portion of the proceeds generated from an increased sales tax in participating communities would be earmarked for cultural attractions. … What started as a series of sampler CDs featuring a range of local musicians has now turned into a series of shows as Under the Microscope Sundays kicks off this weekend at the Vaudeville Mews at 5 p.m. with performances by Talkin Mountain, Prophecy and Guillotine, Amidst the Affliction, All the Rage and Atombender. Two shows will be held in July before the series starts full-time in September. Admission is $3. … The 14th annual classical SummerMusic fest will be held Wednesday and July 13 at 8 p.m. at the Cowles-Kruidenier Auditorium in the State Historical Society Building in the East Village. Admission is $12. Call 255-5444. … A reminder, deadline for entries to the 2007 Solo/Duo Iowa Blues Challenge sponsored by the Central Iowa Blues Society are due July 16. Call 225-6638 or visit www.cibs.org. … After filling in for a tour earlier this year, local jazz and blues bassist Scot Sutherland has landed a full-time gig with San Francisco blues guitarist and Blind Pig recording artist Tommy Castro. … Sutherland’s departure means a few gigs are up for grabs, including the Community Jazz Center Big Band. The group is looking for a bass player (acoustic and electric) to rehearse with them Sunday evenings as they prepare for their monthly shows at Java Joe’s, as well as a concert at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14. Those who are interested in auditioning can call 770-8173. … Speaking of jazz, former mayor Preston Daniels tells Cityview he is looking for a name for his jazz and world-music radio show on KFMG, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays. If readers have any suggestions, email them and we’ll forward them to him. … Some of you might have seen him last weekend at the Wild West Music Fest — former Kelly Pardekooper and Brother Trucker drummer Matt Winegardner, left for Austin, Texas, two weeks ago to rehearse with alt-country rockers the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash. Winegardner signed on for a three-week tour and if things go well he could become the band’s permanent timekeeper. CV

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