Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week

Sad news for local music coming out of Ames this past week, as 105.1, Channel Q’s “Iowa Unsigned” host Benny Black announced that he was leaving the station after the Feb. 10 broadcast. Black, who’s taking a position with a radio station in Chicago, has been a tireless champion of local music and has featured hundreds of Iowa bands on the program. For the time being, 105.1’s Tony Tarbox will take over hosting duties, starting on Feb. 17. The station will, however, be searching for someone to be a permanent replacement. Thanks for all your effort and passion, Ben. And best of luck in the Windy City and beyond.                

Spend your Valentine’s Day with two people you love: your significant other, and Max Wellman. The Des Moines crooner is performing a set of standards for lovers on Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Java Joes 4th Street Theater. Two performances will be available, with show times set at 7 and 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available through www.maxwellmanmusic.com.                

Sound Notes Pick o’ the Week: Wolves in the Attic have a CD-release party at the Vaudeville Mews on Friday, Feb. 15. The event starts at 10 p.m., and admission is $5 at the door. Jordan Maryland and The Thermal Detonators and Pussy Willow both open.                

Also on Feb. 15, Bright Giant performs at Gas Lamp starting at 9 p.m. John June Year opens, and the show is $7 at the door.                

On Saturday, Feb. 16, Fayetteville, Ariz., rockers Spoken bring its CD-release tour to Wooly’s for an all-ages show starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 and available through www.ticketfly.com. Index Case and Rest both open.                

Also on Feb. 16, House of Bricks has Hellforstout, Kick and You’re Too Kind performing an all-ages show at 5 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door.                

Then in its late slot, House of Bricks is the site of the roast of the above mentioned Benny Black. Get down to the bar at 9:30 p.m., and offer up your parting shots to the departing DJ. Or just buy him a beer and listen to people call him names for a couple hours.                

Ames-based Obsidian’s Dream plays at El Bait Shop on Sunday, Feb. 17 from 8 to 11 p.m. No cover.                

Also on Feb. 17, Hoyt Sherman Place presents Five By Design’s performance of “Club Swing,” starting at 3 p.m. Tickets for the performance range from $27.50 to $30.50 and are available either at the Hoyt Sherman box office, or through www.TicketMaster.com.                

On Monday, Feb. 18, Mews plays host to the best thing to come from Brooklyn since “Welcome Back Kotter,” The Country Mice. Show starts at 10 p.m. and is $5 at the door. Brenton Dean opens.                

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the Des Moines Civic Center presents Japanese Taiko Drumming “Kodo One Earth Tour 2013: Legend.” The show takes place at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are available at the Walnut Street ticket office or through Ticketmaster. Prices range from $25 to $52, plus those pesky Ticketmaster fees.                

Finally, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, check out Tony Bohnenkamp at Blue Moon Dueling Piano Bar, starting at 8 p.m. Mahalo. CV