GRAMMY SEND OFFS
It’s that time again. Dudes and chicks getting Grammys and bouncing round in ruffled tuxedos and diamonds and crap. Patting each other on the back. High fives. It’s the smell of victory and the agony of being defeated by some choice schlock. But hey, that’s how the game rolls. You knew the rules when you stepped on stage, nerdboy! Now go make me a sandwich! At least Louisiana has the Cajun/Zydeco Grammy.
July 21, 2010
Written by Dege Legg
GRANT ST. 30th ANNIVERSARY
The legendary Grant Street Dancehall celebrates it’s 30th birthday on July 23 with Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys and the Pine Leaf Boys. It’ll be an all Cajun and zydeco type of night with a lot of dingo boots kicking around on the dance floor. This is another in a long line of ripping shows happening at Grant Street courtesy of Bodacious Brothers Productions — the new team manning the ship in the talent booking department at Grant Street. Be there. July 23. To celebrate.
GREEN MONKEY VS. OIL SPILL
The Green Monkeys are at it again. This time they’ve organized Cans for the Coast Fundraiser for the Gulf. All donations will go toward rallying a 40-person crew to aid in cleaning the coastline in Grand Isle. There will be games, prizes, a raffle, darts, ring toss, egg hunt, green monkey Olympics, twister, skits, face painting, and live music by Sam Rey, Al Guilliot, Diego Martin, Matthew Amy, Brett Vidrine, El Domania, Foul Stench of Youth, Lil Pop & the Zydeco Chas Chas, and the Viatones. Be there at Artmosphere on July 25. Show starts at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
HIP-HOP
You say The Independent doesn’t cover hip-hop? Peep this. Boom! Here it is. The Crown Room on Johnston Street hosts a Surge Fest production featuring rappers Tedashii and Sho Baraka on July 23.
STRINGS ON STRINGS
The Nouveau String Band and The Dream of the Marionettes Cabaret team up for “a special cabaret performance” where they’ll tear into a few numbers from the play, The Dream of the Marionettes. Bang. You heard it here. Music, chicks, strings, fancy puppets (marionettes) and acting! Do it while you still can at Artmosphere on July 24.
ROTARY CLUB
They’ve done Jazz Fest, they’ve done Current TV, they’ve played around, and now they’re back again to woo the Lafayette club scene. Rotary Downs returns to Lafayette with their proto-mod Malkmus and indie rock revue in full sonic force to play Blue Moon on July 22 with Emelie Guidry and the Picardy Birds opening the show.
ETC
Corey Ledet + Ryan Brunet & The Malfecteurs bring the Cajun and the Creole on July 23 at Blue Moon…The Picardy Birds, The Black and Blues, and Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes play Gulf Brew at Parc International on July 24…Joel Savoy and friends play Café des Amis on July 21…On July 23, Pine Leaf Boys and Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys play Grant Street…On July 22, Commie Hilfiger and Black Feratu play Sadie’s… On July 25, from 1-4 p.m., Sheryl Cormier & Cajun Sounds play Vermilionville… Richard LeBouef & Two Step play Whiskey River on July 25…On July 24, Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes and Luna Matto play Blue Moon…Las Vegas band Stereo High bring their mod-rock-reggae thing to Artmosphere on July 26.
—————————————————————
FREETOWN HOUNDS
The Freetown Hounds bring their double barreled, Walpurgis grind to Grant Street on July 22. Recently featured on Fuel TV’s American Misfits, they’ll be slamming through a set of slow-core, S.S. Hammerhead, beef burger strangeness that runs the gamut from deconstructed punk metal to bizarro theatricality. Rumor has it that The Hounds will be playing a version of the infamous “Robot Song” — a freaky mix of rotund hardcore and absurdist Guerilla Theater. For that alone, this gig should not be missed. The southern grooves of The Botanist open the show. Be there on July 22.
Not a lot of people know that Ricky Williams, frontman for The Freetown Hounds, is one of Lafayette’s most notorious punks and pranksters. Growing up a teenage hardcore punk in the ’80s, back when the scene numbered only in the dozens, Williams and his best friend — local legend, skater, musician, and prankster Danny Hall (R.I.P) — were two of the most notorious jokers to ever prowl the Lafayette streets, predating the antics of the Jackass crew by more than a decade. Tales of their exploits still make the rounds.
You and Danny Hall did some crazy stuff of the years. Gimmie three stories off the top of your head.
1. On a dare, we drove from Kona skate park in Jacksonville, Fla., to Lafayette naked. Rolling nude down I-10 like some Sunday truckers, totally nude for 10 hours.
2. We went to the McKinley Strip early and stashed two Burger King meals in the water meter outside of Nite Caps. Then we went back later than night around 2 a.m. when people are standing around before going home. Danny and I walked up, pulled the lid off the meter. Roaches running over the bag. And we ate the burgers in front of them, totally poker faced, no smiling or laughing.
3. We cruised down the Strip on a Friday night going 2 mph with the song “Homosexual” by the Angry Samoans cranked at full volume, getting bad vibed by the jocks. We made the block and did it again with radio static turned all the way up — like when you’ve got it tuned between radio stations. We got some crazy looks from people.
Who were the dudes you looked up to when growing up in the Lafayette punk scene?
Old school punks like Chris Cart, Larry Sorehead, Cecil Doyle, Ronnie Stevens. We were the next generation: Wess Bennett, Chris Simon, George Brown, Mike O’Brian, Ronnie Dronet, Bernard Morris, and more. Not a lot of us back then. Way before punk was on TV or the web. The cool local bands were Chaos Horde, Reality on Trial, No More Fun, Burnt Eclipse, Graveyard Rodeo, Shell Shock.
Tell me about seeing the Circle Jerks during their prime in the mid-80s?
We were teenagers. The Circle Jerks played at a place called Jacy’s in Baton Rouge. Keith Morris came out in a full upper-body brace, sat on a stool the whole show, and floored the place. One of the best shows I ever saw. Another good show was Shell Shock and Chaos Horde in New Orleans with a surprise guest. We were skanking in the pit. People were throwing fire crackers and beer bottles. It was nuts. A huge chunk of glass got stuck in my hand. Then GBH came out and played. They were the special guest. It was pretty insane.
Tell me about seeing the Butthole Surfers at John’s (old Lafayette club near Four Corners that hosted a handful of legendary punk shows).
We saw some great shows there: Offenders, Die Kruzen, Black Flag. Just to name a few. It was a gay club with a large transvestite clientele. Strangely enough, the punks and transvestites got along — Henry Rollins mentions John’s in Get in the Van. Winter of ’85. Only about 20 people showed. Before the Surfers went on stage, a large woman drank a whole bottle of cough syrup next to the microphone and out of nowhere grabbed the mic and screamed the longest, most high-pitched scream for about five minutes. Gibby freaked when he found out how little they were getting paid and proceeded to walk down the street stripping off his clothes, hollering, “What the f**k is going on? I don’t know where I’m at! I don’t know where I’m going!” It was the funniest thing we ever saw. I am sure he was on some hallucinogen.
Tell me about seeing Black Flag at the Triangle Club in Scott in ’86?
Danny booked that show. The owner of the club wore a gun and holster on his belt like a sheriff from the Old West, keeping watch over this invasion of punk kids. During Black Flag’s set, Danny was heckling Rollins a bit, in good fun, throwing ice around. Rollins looked right at Danny and said, “How would you like it if I put an ice-pick through your skull and told the cops it was an accident?!” We laughed about that for years.
Your old band Otis played with Fugazi in ’88 or so. How was Ian MacKaye?
He was kind of standoff-ish and aggravated when anyone asked about Minor Threat. He only wanted to promote Fugazi and was really harsh to some fans. Otis was like this organic industrial band — no keyboards or eyeliner. Just guitar, bass, and Danny’s drum kit, which was made out of 55 gal. plastic barrels, giant metallic O-rings, a Kentwood water jug, and a grinder that would shoot sparks. He was going for different sounds. When MacKaye heard Otis play, he was kind of puzzled, but cool.
What’s up with The Freetown Hounds?
They are a bunch of really cool whiskey drinking, panhandling, toothless chicken farmers. The band consists of x-pro skater and guitarist extraordinaire Shannon May, two drummers — Rob Rushing and Chris DeShazo — Mardi Gras Roy on bass, and my old buddy Wess Bennett, creating crazy sounds from the dark abyss. I have a good time playing with these guys.
Any advice for younger punks coming up and starting bands?
Don’t try to impress or sound like anyone. Just play the music that comes from within even if it doesn’t sound like orthodox “punk rock.” It may be more punk rock in spirit than whatever style is currently in vogue. Let it flow.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Written by Dege Legg
MURPHY BENEFIT
On June 16 Nicole Murphy, 24, died in South Africa while attending the World Cup with her father and three of her siblings. She was walking on a pedestrian pathway to her hotel with two of her siblings, when all three were struck by an allegedly drunk driver. Nicole died instantly, and her brother Brian (2009 STM grad) remains in critical condition. Today, he is recovering, not only from a major head trauma, but will also require at least two more operations to heal broken limbs. To help with medical costs, Sammy Kershaw, Jamie Bergeron, River Road, Geno Delafose and Jared Lane are lending their talents to the Murphy Family Benefit show on July 20 in Parc International. All of the proceeds raised from the concert will go to the Home Bank Murphy Family Support Fund. Popeyes, Theatre League of Louisiana, Pizza Hut, Schilling Distributing, Acadian Ambulance, and Acadiana Bottling are sponsoring the event. Tickets are $35. The show starts at 6 p.m. For information and how to donate, call 266-2120.
FUNKOLOGY
Born in 1947 in New Orleans, George Porter Jr. is one of the godfathers of funk. Best known as the bassist of The Meters, he’s forged a low end path of monster bass lines that have been studied and deconstructed like The Dead Sea scrolls by funkologoists. He’s still doing it. On July 17, George Porter Jr. and his band Runnin’ Pardners play the Blue Moon for what will surely be a HUGE show.
SKA PUNK
Punk still ain’t dead. The young guns are coming out to kick out the jams this weekend.
The bill includes Hemet, California’s ska-fiends Billion Ernies, Texas’ Informant, and Laf-Town locals Mission vs. Madness and The Chatty Cathies. They all bring the Ska, punk rock and rock & roll to Sadie’s on July 16.
SHAKESPEARE
The Eighth Annual Summer Youth Shakespeare Ensemble presents Two Gentlemen Of Verona, An Acting Up (in Acadiana) Production. Over 30 children ages 10 – 17 take on the roles of characters in William Shakespeare’s comedy. Performances will take place at Acadiana Center for the Arts on July 16, 17, 23, & 24 at 7:30 p.m. and July 18 & 25 at 2 p.m. Info: 739-4273.
SONIC ROOTS
Since late April Grant Street Dancehall has been making a concerted effort to bring live music back to its famed stage. On July 17, they do it again with a killer show featuring the deconstructed roots juggernaut of Michael Juan Nunez and band, the juke-haus blues of Sam Rey (Mark Meaux of the Bluerunners) and arguably – “hands down” – the greatest band to ever skronk skiffle, Black Bayou Construkt. They do it up at Grant Street on Friday, July 16. Cover is $5 at the door. Doors open at 8. Show starts at 9 p.m.
ETC
Ryan Brunet & Les Malfectuers play Lake View Park in Eunice on July 16…On July 15, DJ Yousab Valdis, spinning music from the 70s & 80s at Somewhere’s Else Lounge…Sam Rey plays Artmosphere on July 14…Nashville’s High Tide Blues plays Artmosphere with The Revivalists on July 15…On July 17, Wayne Toups plays the Atchafalaya club in Henderson… Johanna Divine and David Egan play Café des Amis on July 14…On July 17, Feufollet and Murray Conque (Cajun Humorist) play the Liberty Theater in Eunice…On July 15, Come & Conquer hit Sadie’s…On July 18, Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie play Whiskey River.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Written by Dege Legg
JUNK TIRES
You got old tires? Need a place to dump them? Councilman Boudreaux is trying to clean that mess up in addition to taking away primo mosquito breeding grounds. On July 10, he’s putting out the call to residents with old tires to dispose of them from 8 a.m. to noon at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center, located at 309 Cora St. in Lafayette. Persons physically unable to transport tires should call 291-8815.
CHUBBY
Chubby’s got the magic. Born in Church Point, Chubby Carrier started out playing drums in his father’s band, by 15 he’d learned the accordion, at 17 he was playing with Terrance Simien. Eventually forming his own band, Chubby has released five CDs and traveled the world — including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada. North Africa, and Europe. On July 10, you can see Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band right here in little Lafayette at the Blue Moon.
FAUX ELVIS
It’s got to be a weird scene, being an Elvis impersonator (or uh, “tribute artist”) – scraps of peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwiches everywhere, framed photos of Richard Nixon in piles of broken glass, the Memphis “tribute artist” Mafia going insane, drunk in TRON helmets and juggling electric snakes. It must get wild. Yeah! Yee-haw! Treat me like a fool! I could get into a scene like that. Donny Edwards – according to his press release – is considered “the #1 Elvis Tribute artist in the WORLD.” He’s coming to Crowley with Elvis’s original drummer for 14 years, DJ Fontana, a Louisiana native who began his career with The King at the Louisiana Hayride in 1954. He’ll be joining Donnie and the fantastically astonishing Fever band. Sundance Head will open the show. Be at the Grand Opera House in Crowley on July 10.
BOOM
Blue Moon brings the indie rock with a rad show featuring the twee tunes of Til We’re Blue or Destroy plus the Louisiana T-Rex rock of Bird City and The Preservation on July 9.
LITERATTI
Get your Allen Ginsberg on at Casa Azul for a literary reading and open-mic session with writers Karen Evans and Jim Pharis. Show starts at 7 p.m. on July 8 in Grand Coteau.
ARTROCK WALK
This is weekend’s ArtWalk isn’t the only the place art will be kicking. If you could rock and roll an art form — and many people do — chug it on over to Artmosphere after ArtWalk on July 10 to see the quirk-folk of the Dirty Bourbon River Band and the skronk-grass of The Howdies.
ETC
Detroit singer-songwriter Eric Brendo brings the indie folk and rock mope to Artmosphere on July 9…Dorian Phibian busts out the jams at Bisbano’s on July 9. Really, Really play the next night…The Lost Dogs play the Crowley Rice Theater on July 11…On July 10, Chris Miller & Bayou Roots and Felton LeJeune & Cajun Cowboys play the Liberty Theater in Eunice...On July 9, Bodacious Bros. Productions hosts an “80s Nite” at Grant Street.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Written by Dege Legg
GULF COAST TO COAST BENEFIT
What a mess in the Gulf of Mexico. Oil everywhere, media blackouts, Goldman Sachs and Tony Hayward selling off stock before the spill, security goons stomping around like FEMA camp guards, Halliburton, which built the cement casing for the Deepwater Horizon’s drill, buying Boots and Coots (the clean-up company) 11 days before the Deepwater Horizon explosion. NICE! All the while, way off on the other side of the world, the greed hounds are ramping up the heat on a possible Iran invasion. Lovely. Just great. You monsters are going to burn. All you have to do is turn off the TV and read the fine print. On July 1, in the spirit of Independence Day, nationwide concerts will be hosted by music venues to benefit those directly impacted by the Gulf Coast Oil. Clubs across the country will donate ticket sales to relief efforts. The goal is $500,000. It’ll be directed by the nonprofit Gulf Restoration Network. Local venues participating and hosting music are Blue Moon Saloon (Brother Dege, Louie & Andre Michot, Al Berard Family Band w/ DL Mendard, Dave Egan), Bourque’s (Drew Landry, Kenneth Richard, Benny Graeff), Somewhere’s Else Lounge (One Man Machine, Shane Blanco & Chrysi Catastrophe, Troy Richard & Rex Moroux, Kieth Blair, Carol Fran, Michael Juan Nunez, Eric Adcock, and Sam Broussard). Be there at the Gulf Coast Benefit Concert on July 1.
RED, WHITE, & BOOM
Stuff goes boom. Pow. And lights up the sky. America celebrates its Independence Day, yet in many ways we’re still fighting the American Revolution. You can keep that spirit alive by going to Parc International in downtown Lafayette for the Red, White, & Boom celebration on July 4. Of course, there will be fireworks, food, and family fun. Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Hunter Hayes, and the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra provide the musical entertainment. Admission is free. Gates open at 6 p.m., but you can bring the kids out early to The Children’s Museum which will be open from 1-6 p.m.
Other 4th of July shows occurring in Acadiana include: The Boogie Kings at Atchafalaya Club, Kip Sonnier at Bobcat’s, Steve Adams at McGee’s Landing, Zydeco Ray at Randol’s and Johnny Chauvin, The Mojo Band at Rox, and Artmosphere is having a July 4th blowout.
INDIE-PEN-DANCE FEST
The annual summit of summer time indie and underground rockers goes down in the mountain-pounding heat of the summer at Sadie’s on July 4. This year’s line-up includes independent rock bands The Botanists, Foul Stench of Youth, Come & Conquer, Leopard Sound Barrier and Jupiter Death Brigade. The show starts at 3 p.m. Bust it.
ETC
Foul Stench of Youth and Really Really bring the sturm und drang of punk rock & roll to Caffé Cottage July 3…T-Kette and Imagine IM play Blue Moon Saloon on July 2… Trueman Posse plays Blue Moon on July 3…
Most Read
in case you missed it