It’s safe to say that Annalibera got its 80/35 slot on the strength of its Gross Domestic Product performance in April. It’s also safe to say that it made the most of its chance to kick things off. Anna Gebhardt can really sing. If any of Des Moines’ rap and
Read More →When does musical parody gain legitimacy? Spinal Tap was created for a comedy sketch, and I don’t think Michael McKean, Christopher Guest or Harry Shearer would classify themselves as a real band, and yet they’ve played Wembley Arena and released three actual, real-life albums, two of which have cracked the
Read More →Ah, summertime in the city. Easily the greatest thing about the capital city’s hot and steamy months is all the live music that can be enjoyed outdoors — and often completely free. From larger events like Music Under the Stars and Nitefall on River to the neighborhood parties like Rendezvous
Read More →Saturday at Gas Lamp was an evening highlighted by two Iowa bands with an awful lot in common. Dylan Sires and Neighbors and Holy White Hounds are both purveyors of high-energy, pop-infused rock, they are both power trios (live anyway; Holy White Hounds is officially listed as a duo) and
Read More →“I listen to the tramp, tramp of my feet and wonder where I was going and why I was going.” Bart Kennedy said that back when he was fighting and writing his way across the United States 110 years ago. And while most of us today are too soft and
Read More →One thing Gas Lamp co-owner Frankie Farrell prides himself on is establishing the venue as your go-to place for punk rock in the capital city. Whether it is quality regional acts like Iowa City’s Lipstick Homicide or genre legends like The Queers, if it’s loud and trashy, chances are Gas
Read More →The beginning of Andrew W.K.’s set at Vaudeville Mews served as a microcosm for the evening as a whole. “How you all doin’ tonight?” came the call from the speakers. The crowd cheered. “I said, HOW YOU ALL DOIN’ TONIGHT?” The crowd cheered louder. “Are you ready to party?” The
Read More →Any enlightened and humble musician — regardless of age or background — must at some point come to acknowledge that no matter what genre he or she claims, there is something left to learn from the blues. My hope is that the appreciation doesn’t fade with the older generation that
Read More →After watching four of the capital city’s female songwriters perform solo on the Ritual Café’s stage just a couple weeks ago, I’ve had the good fortune of catching two of them performing with their bands a short time after. Last week I got to see Lavonne McRoberts and Peace, Love
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Posted May 08, 2013in Sound Stage
Former Misfit Michale Graves performed a set at Vaudeville Mews on Thursday, May 2, and opening for him were three Iowa acts: Des Moines’ own Die Mutts, Switchblade Saturdays and Suite Little Sister out of Waterloo. The brave few who made their way through the snow down to Fourth Street
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