Hello independent music lovers! This post won't be as in depth as my usual show up dates, but there are a few I really want to share with you!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18

I am having a really difficult time deciding which of these shows I am going to attend:

THE OCEAN RIVALS will be playing at THE LIBRARY. This band includes members who were formerly in Red Water Revival and Laite, and that's about where the similarites between this band and their previous bands begin and end. OCEAN RIVALS has an old school Beatles-esque feel with a mix of folk, psychadelic, at times a little bit country and other times a little bit rock and roll. It's hard to exactly put your finger on their sound. Modern bands I would compare them to would be Dr. Dog, and the song "Shoot the Moon" by Ok Go. If you haven't checked them out yet, they are definately worth it.

OFF BROADWAY will host the CD release show for TROUBADOUR DALI. You've read my ongoing, never ending praise for this pyshcadelic/shoegazer/ rock band, now check it out for yourself. To sweeten the deal, JON HARDY AND THE PUBLIC will be playing. Those of you who aren't pyschadelic fans, check them out any way. I wasn't much of one before hand, and now I can't get enough.

At the PAGEANT for $5 you can see THE MAKESHIFT GENTLEMEN and WHISPERWALL. This is the show to go to if you wanna break out your dancing shoes!

Finally, FUBAR has KILLER ME KILLER YOU for the rocker in you, B.A.M.F for the ska-nerd hiding inside (and I say that PROUDLY, check out my blog from a couple weeks back. I love me some ska), and READY THE CANNONS for the awesome-ness in you. READY THE CANNONS opened for the Sick Puppies back in September and I can tell you I personally thought they blew the touring opening act out of the water (Not Hurt, but the other one, I love Hurt).

Thursday, December 17

Okay, my details on this one are a bit shady but I'll clarify as the time draws nearer. The AMAZING origanization, Livefeed, will be holding their Christmas show at the HALO BAR, located next to the Pageant. Livefeed is a grassroots organization out of St. Louis dedicated to promoting hunger awareness and providing food for local food pantries. You may have seen them at other local shows, as they team up with venues and other entertainment outlets to provide information and collect canned goods at various events. Livefeed teamed up with ichannel.fm when the station hosted IFEST. One of the statics that really stuck with me is that there are 135,000 children in St. Louis who face hunger EVERY DAY. Luckily during the school year, programs are put in place to make sure these children recieve breakfast and lunch, but what about during the summer? There's no program put in place. Organizations like Livefeed work to spread awareness and help in this cause. Please, check out their website (www.livefeed.org), it's amazing and eye opening, plus you can find out what bands and venues are affilated with Livefeed and upcoming events. If you're over 21, come out and support this great cause,LAST NIGHTS VICE and three other bands will be taking the stage.

Friday, December 18

Come on out to the Loop and see SUNDAY BUT SUMMER and COPPERVIEW rock out at CICERO'S. I promise, it's worth your wild. You hear SUNDAY BUT SUMMER played in heavy rotation here on Ichannelonline.com, now come see them for real and hear their new album, "Fade to Grey." Buy it from the boys at the show, or download it from itunes sp that you can sing along at the show!

Also on Friday the 18th, OPTION//CONTROL (who I am very much in love with) will be playing at HARRAH'S VOODOO LOUNGE with WILD TIGER and ME VERSES YOU. Either of these shows prove to be a night full of great music, just keep in mind VOODOO is 21+ and CICERO'S is 16+

Tuesday, December 22

If you're out and about, head on out to CICERO'S and check out a brand new band: BECKON. I've yet to hear these guys, mainly because it's their first show as far as I know. Members of this band include Neil Bardon (formerly Lapush and Daniel), Dan Shelton (formerly of Daniel), and Andrew Johnson. MEMORIAM, and KID CITY will also be playing. Should be a fun night.

Well, that's all I've got for now, but you know I'll update if I find any must-see shows, and I'm sure I've overlookded many so please please comment and let us know!

Peace
-Britt

So... I totally slacked last week but I'm sure the concert going community got along just fine without me, but if not, let me help you out for this week. With Turkey Day coming up this week, the concert pickings are slim, but there are some great shows out there. If I've forgotten a show, comment and le the rest of us know!

Monday, 11.23,2009

Not much going on...

Tuesday, 11.24,2009

At Fubar there's THE WHITE TIE AFFAIR, EVERY AVENUE, Stereo Skyline, Runner Runner, and The Chain Gangs of 1974. The White Tie Affair and Every Avenue were on the WARPED Tour this year, and if you followed the Myspace Web Series, Sorority Fovever in the Summer of 2008 (guilty of this...) The White Tie Affair was the band featured on the series. Definately worth the trip to Furbar to see. Over at the Chapel Venue (which I have not yet been to) SAY PANTHER will be having their CD release party and TARGET MARKET will also be playing

Wednesday, 11.25.2009

Every knows that the night before we all stuff our faces with turkey is one of the best nights to go out because everyone is back in from college or coming in town to visit family, so why not enjoy come entertainment while your at it? At Cicero's there's THE MAKESHIFT GENTLEMEN and SUPER FUN YEAH YEAH ROCKETSHIP with the Glide. You all should know by now, I'm all for supporting my friends and Makeshift Gentlemen includes that along with a synth-punk high energy dance fest that's hard to find anywhere else. They combine the upbeat fun of Forver the Sickeset Kids with the dramatic stylings of Panic at the Disco back when they were Panic! at the Disco. I can't say enough about SUPER FUN YEAH YEAH ROCKETSHIP...Check out a show and you'll see what I'm talking about, I especially love the song "I Like Marvel You Like DC" which is the story of a relationship that just won't work because of their differing comic loves. If this isn't your style, try The Firebird. LOCAL H will be playing along with ONE LONE CAR. Never heard of LOCAL H from Illinois? Check out "Bound for the Floor" from 1996 which charted at #5 on the Billboard Rock Charts and#10 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. The song is still in rotation and the band just put a out a new cd, plus ONE LONE CAR is one of St. Louis' best kept secrets. If that's not what you're looking for still, The Gramaphone has JON HARDY AND THE PUBLIC along with GROUPTHINK, and then for something that you know everyone will love, Brewskeez in Florisant has the WYLD STAYLLNS

Thursday, 11.26, 2009

Eat turkey and relax

Friday, 11.27, 2009

The Pageant welcomes home St. L's most recent rock break out bands, CAVO, who recently released a new album along with being featured on the Tranformers 2 soundtrack. Opening for CAVO will be two more st.l favorites: BROOKROYAL and AUTOVEIN. At Off Broadway MICH SCHMABEL (of TWO COW GARAGE) will be playing along with Theodore and Magnolia Sumer.

Saturday, 11.28,2009

The boys of RAISING KANE will be returning from college and putting on a show at the Firebird. To help them out, He Who Dreadz, Icon For Hire, Pinkleef, and the Drama Scene will be there as well.

 I'm currently going to see what Courtney Love's response to how the Black Eyed Peas just ended their AMA performance with a clip of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"...because I'm not quite sure as to what my own reaction is....but I'm pretty sure Kurt Cobain just rolled his eyes from where ever he is, but then again, you never know... So far, the show's going well as far as who is getting awards..we'll see how I feel at the end of it all, Kings of Leon hasn't recieved any award love, hope that changes...

It's one of those nights that was set aside to be very productive. I chose to stay in on a Saturday night, surrounded by nothing but my computer, puppy, and a stack of papers to grade (yes, I educate American's future).I was making progress until I heard Sunday But Summer's "My Way Out" streaming through my itunes from Ichannelonline, and it was all downhill from there. I decided to take a break and create my 'St. L Shows of the Week' blog because Kane loves them so much (or he loves me. I'll take either :) So, if you're looking for a show to attend this week, I have some options for you to chose from, and I have to say, Friday's looking to be a tough night to chose from the 4 shows that are definetly worthy of the coveted end of the week...but more on that later...

Sunday, Nov 8
If you check this in time, I would suggest checking out the SKA IS DEAD TOUR 4 at OFF BROADWAY. Not only is this the RiverFront Times' Critics Pick but the night features some of today's up and coming ska acts such as The Toasters, Mustard Plug, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Deal's Gone Bad, and BAMF! (who hails from St. Charles, and has been heard on ichannelonline). The name of the tour is a jab at the fact that ska is, unforunately, dying, but lovers of the horns infused rock refuse to let it rest in peace, and for good reason. Back before the days of emo and song titles that were so long they took up multiple lines on the back of the cd, ska was the choice for music lovers who were a little 'different.' Ska is in and of itself very unique but is also reminscent to times gone by in which bands were filled with not only guitars, basses, drums, and key but also included a horns section, woodwinds, and more. I remember being in 7th grade (back in '98--'99, to date myself for the readers) and playing trumpet (yes, this girl once could play a mean horn), and listening to such bands as Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, and Catch 22 while being taught how to "skank" (a dance that I will do upon request...or at my student' school dances, in which cause I change the name to "the skat") and being awe of the genre. A friend of mine and I relived those days last fall at a BAMF! show and I about lost it at WARPED Tour when I saw Less Than Jake for the first time this summer...so to end my trip down memory lane...if you hold a special place in your heart for ska and still find yourself "skanking" to 'Keasby Nights,' pull out your bowling shirt and dust off your black and white wing tipped shoes and head over to Off Broadway

Tuesday, Nov 10
THE PAGEANT has American Idol winner DAVID COOK. Now, there are three reasons I am promoting this: 1. He is from Kansas City and has played shows with bands such as Troubadour Dali and the Abracadabras 2. Do you remember his version of 'Eleanor Rigby' while on Idol? No one else that night was worthy to sing the same words that Paul McCartney orginially sang 3. An amazing band called GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE is opening along with The Script (they were an itunes free download earlier this year).

Wednesday, Nov 11
THE BLACK CROWES will be filling THE PAGEANT with their wonderful sounds, and then afterwards (if you're 21+) head into HALO BAR where LOGOS will be keeping your night going after the show....and if you're hungry, there's this amazing hot dog stand outside Halo Bar... Sarah and I love the guy who works there and he sells the best hot dogs ever...

Thursday, Nov 12
If you're in Columbia, Missouri, and looking for something to do on Wednesday (like it's hard to find something to do in Como?...that's supposed to have a hint of sarcasmism to it) why not head to the BLUE NOTE? The Zeta Tau Alpha chapter at Mizzou is putting on a breast cancer benefit (And no, I am not affilated with the chapter) in which SUNDAY BUT SUMMER will be playing! A surpirse cover song has been promised so all you Columbians take a break from studying/pretending to study but actually spending time on fb/ sleeping/pregaming/whatever else you may be doing, and go and support an important cause while rocking out to SUNDAY BUT SUMMER

If you're not in the Como area, I would suggest going down to the Delmar Loop and spending the evening at Cicero's. AUTOVEIN will be playing which is never a let down as well as WILD TIGER (formerly the Marquette Weekend), and The Flight Station, and Minutes to Midnight

One other suggestion for Thursday would be to check out FUBAR where KATE VOEGELE  is playing. If you're a GREEN RIVER ORDINANCE fan and will miss them with David Cook, check them out on Thursday when they open for KATE VOEGELE.

Friday, Nov 13
I prewarned you at the beginning of this post...Friday will be a difficult one to decide on...unless you attend more than one show which I may be doing. On Friday you could chose to support some acts local to St.L or some that are more mainstream but just as great. Over at OFF BROADWAY, the band who started with members who attended my high school, also known as SO MANY DYNAMOS will be making their return to St. L in support of their album, The Loud Wars. Chistopher Walla of Death Cab for Cutie loves them,which maybe reason enough to check them out, as well as the recent addition of the band in the form of Nathan Bernaix of Target Market. Other bands playing include The Bear Scout, and The Lake.

Another home town favorite is playing not far away at CICERO'S. If you haven't had the pleasure of checking out THOM DONOVAN, tonight's a good time to do so. Formerly the lead singer of Lapush, Thom is joined by his backing band that contains Andy Dwiggnins (Greenwheel/GoVanGogh/Wyld Stayllns), Kevin Bachmann (formerly of Lapush, currently with the Incurables, and when you're lucky Troubadour Dali) and their drummer is a part of The Urge. If you think you have never heard of Thom, think again. Songs he has written are played on The Hills, were played on Laguana Beach, 16 and Pregenant, Moonlight, and the T.O Show. Basically, reality tv loves this guy. 

In the more mainstream front, right down the street at THE PAGEANT a night with a great line up is planned. VERSAEMERGE (featuring a rocking front woman) and A ROCKET TO THE MOON with his pop-piano-rock will (probably) be starting off the night along with THE MAINE (who I am, for lack of better words, obsessed with in a teeny-bopper way). COBRASTARSHIP will take the stage, and I promise you, they have much much more material than the ONE song that pop radio has claimed for themselves, and the night will finish up with BOYS LIKE GIRLS.

About 15 minutes away at the FIREBIRD, the reincarnation of some gems can be found. PERSON L featuring Kenny from the recently disbanded The Starting Line will be playing as will as JOHN NOLAN who was of Straylight Run. Rounding out the mx for the night will be Brian Bonz and Leaking Africa

Saturday, Nov 14
If you're not recovering from the week, I would say I would finish things up at CICERO'S. THE LIVERS, THE BLIND EYES, KENTUCKY KNIFE FIGHT, and THE HUMANOIDS will be performing, and if memory serves me right, most of these bands were nominated for RFT's best of ST.L award over the summer and performed in the RFT's showcase.

There's the week all planned out for ya! Let me know what you did, where you went, and what I missed! Last week, I took in Paramore at the Pageant. Paper Route opened for them and I would suggest people check them out. I also saw Makeshift Gentlemen, Building Rome, Good Time Engineers, and Kane (he's worth a mention) at Harrah's Voodoo Lounge!

Peace,

Britt

So... I love concerts. Okay, that may be an understatement. I think I have an obsession with live shows that could be medically treated. Nothing makes me feel more alive than the sound of music filling a venue, the sound of the drums that makes your necklace vibrate against your chest, sounds that make your feet feel like they HAVE to tap in order to keep time. I love the feeling of being at a show-- people coming together to share in something that makes them feel. With that all said, I'm constantly checking venues all over St. L throughout the week looking for a show to fulfill my need to capture this feeling. Since I'm looking up shows anyway, I might as well pass my findings on to the ichannelonline community. So, each week or every other weekish, I'll post some shows around the St.L area that are worth checking out, but there's a catch: I'm going to share my honest opinions and I ask you to do the same. If I leave out a show that's worth going to, PLEASE COMMENT! Let everyone know what great music St.L has! St.L never gets the attention it deserves when it comes to music, so let's inform others of the bands we love! Also, you may disagree with me, and that's fine, but let's keep this friendly. To me, music is peace.

So, what's going on this week around St.L? Glad you asked!

Monday, Nov 2
The show I suggest going to the Firebird to see White Denim, Brazos, and TROUBADOUR DALI. Now, I'll be honest, I've heard of the first two and never listened to them, but I am in love with TROUBADOUR DALI. This is a true story. If you're a fan of psychadelic rock with a touch of shoegazer (think The Dandy Wharols, Brian Jamestown Massacre, Jesus and the Mary Chain, the Warlocks) then they guys --and girl-- and worth checking out. You won't be let down.

Tuesday, Nov 3
Ciecro's has Tigerspeakeasy, a band from Denver with a strong female lead singer and a high energy synth-pop sound with a rock edge, and this must be a night for strong female leads because down the street at The Pageant PARAMORE is playing with Paper Route and The Swellers. I saw Paramore open for No Doubt over the summer, and they definetly held their own against the the vetern band, plus Hayley Williams came out for No Doubt's encore of "Stand and Deliever" and it's obvious who the next powerful lead front woman will be.

Thursday, Nov 5
The Firebird has Stinking Lizaveto, Rotor, THE GORGE, and Sweet Cobra. THE GORGE is a heavy rock band out of St. Peters and Edwardsville that includes some amazing riffs and awesome bass lines.

Friday, Nov 6
I am loving the local music showcase that has been going on at Harrah's Voodoo Lounge. Put together by the mastermind known as Fro, the Voodoo Lounge has had a variety of bands play on their unique stage that sits on top of the bar. This weekend's bands include The Good Time Engineers, BUILDING ROME, and THE MAKESHIFT GENTLEMEN. Building Rome sounds similar to the St. L band, Ludo, with come catchy lyrics you can sing along with. THE MAKESHIFT GENTLEMEN includes members who went to Mizzou and SEMO so there's a possibility you may know them more from those areas than St.L. Their synth-punk sound will have you dancing, as long as you don't get memerized by the lights on stage, or the pretty girl winking back at you from the drum kit. Plus, to save yourself some money, you can print off a free ticket on the band's websites to get into the show. If youre not old enough for this show, Fubar has Breathe Carolina for your listening pleasure

Saturday, Nov 7
Pop's has New Found Glory, Title Fight, Fallen from the Sky, and This Is Energy (who, if I'm not mistaken, can be heard on this radio station)

Sunday, Nov 8
If you're a lover of bands like Forever the Sickest Kids, Hit the Lights, and Sing It Loud, FAREWELL at the Firebird is deserving of your Sunday night. This is an all ages show, which is great considering the age group of the fans of most of these bands (and I'm not, by any means saying that in a bad way, I LOVE these bands...I got sun poisioning at Warped tour during FTSK set and the moment I heard Farewell, I downloaded their stuff).

There's your concert update for the week! Let me know what you think! Have a great week knowing you have something great shows to look forward to at the end of your day :)

Peace! --Britt

Sooo.... Halloween weekend is coming up. You got your costume, but now what? Well, I suggest checking out some of the amazing ear candy St.L provides! You can get your weekend started at the Way Out Club where Groupthink and Mona Grooves will be playing on Thursday, Friday is fully loaded: Harrah's Voodoo lounge will show case OPTION//CONTROL, Allusive, and Me Verse You. I hear there will be a costume contest for the ladies! The Firebird will have The Makeshift Gentlmen, Oceania, and Thunderkid (haven't checked out the last two, but MSG is always a good time...plus, I heard a rumor they may be in costume...Rocky Horror Picture Show attire is the last I heard). If The Pagaent is more your style Our Lady Peace is playing with COMPANY OF THIEVES ---I saw them once, randomly, and have been OBSESSED ever since--- and Missouri's very own Ha Ha Tonka, and let's not forget AUTOVEIN --Which includes Brandon Armstrong of Greenwheel and Go Van Gogh. This night is quite a difficult desicion for me...luckly, I was asked over a couple months ago to attend one of these events...I'd hate to still be contemplating my choice but I'll also be wishing I was in attendence at whatever show I missed. Then on Halloween you should head out to the Babaylon in St. Peters and check out the infamous Wyld Stayllns. The world's best cover band. I'm not exaggerating. Ryan Jordan (Greenwheel and Go Van Gogh) and Andy Dwiggins (Greenwheel, Go Van Gogh, and Thom Donovan's band) play in this high energy, over the top experience and always leave you wanting more.

:) Enjoy!

First of all, I just want to say how excited I am that Ichannel is back on the air. This is an amazing format in order to promote independent artists and inform listeners that there is more out there to please their ears than the music that the industries force feed the public.

Secondly, I was able to see Red Water Revival reunite on Friday, June 26, 2009. The line up was changed slightly as Rebecca, the bassist, wasn't there, but Luke Prize, of Ocean Rivals, filled in. The set included all the songs off their EP "In the Frostbidden Years" plus a few amazing covers, such as Pink Floyd's 'Another Brick in the Wall' and Tom Petty's 'Last Dance with Mary Jane.' If the bands puts on another reunion show, I suggest everyone go. Also, Ocean Rivals are scheduled to have a show at Off Broadway on July 22. If you haven't seen them yet, check out the show. They're undescrible.

Third (the point of my blogging), I wanted to let everyone know that on July 3 SUNDAY BUT SUMMER is going to perform an acoustic set at Vintage Vinyl in the Delmar Loop (St. Louis, MO) at 7:00 p.m. They just put out a new EP called "Fade to Grey." So if you're in the area on JULY 3, stop by Vintage Vinyl. It's a free show and these guys are incredibly talented. If you don't believe me, check out the show.

Peace-

Britt