Champaign Rock

Faster Forward/Lonely Trailer at the Brass Rain

Faster Forward came out of hiding for the first of 3 shows they’ll be doing in the next few weeks.

Tonight they opened up for Lonely Trailer and gosh darn – they sounded awesome! All three members were singing in harmony and the playing was the tightest I’ve ever seen from this group (and I’ve seen ‘em a few times). The set started off with a energetic rendition of their original ‘Manifest’ followed by a quick comment from John ‘that turned out all right’. So modest.

If you missed the show tonight at the Brass Rail, your next few changes are:

July 24th – Bentley’s Pub (Champaign)
August 6th – The Iron Post (Urbana)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faster-Forward/79549049083

Following Faster forward Lonely Trailer took the stage and I must admit – I was a Lonely Trailer virgin. These guys are crazy cool. A mix of surf, funk, rock, and a tiny tinge of pop- these guys are sure not to disappoint. The singer/drummer is very intense complimented by both a very talented bass & guitar players and a unique sounding vox key (organ?) player.

Check these guys out if you’re even remotely into the surf sound:

http://www.myspace.com/lonelytrailer

Lonely Trailer on iTunes

Hum plays Champaign’s 150th Birthday

Hum made another free public appearance during the Champaign 150 years celebration in downtown Champaign at the corner of Neil and Main st Saturday night.

Hundreds were in attendance and Hum sounded as good at ever.

If only they’d do this more than once every year or two.

Say It With A Smile at Bentley’s Pub

Say It With A Smile played at Bentley’s Pub Friday night… And I’m glad they did. I often get caught up with who “rocks the hardest”, etc. SIWAS is not that kind of band. Don’t get me wrong, they ROCK… But it’s different.

Say It With A Smile makes beautiful music.

Beautiful harmonies, cello, fantastic guitar tones (love the telecaster) make Say It With A Smile one of Champaign’s most unique, musical, and classy bands. I hope you get a chance to check them out.

Listen to “Peripheral Glow” from the “Samples” EP:

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You can download the entire EP for free – details are available on their website:
www.sayitmusic.com

If you’d like to catch Say it With a Smile – your next chance is the Andrew Osenga house show on March 14th. Space is limited so sign up on the SIWAS website to reserve your spot.

Pound Cake and Withershins

Last night at Mike and Molly’s Champaign locals Backyard Shark and Withershins were joined by Kankakee area (Manteno) Pound Cake.

Pound Cake was one of the ‘tightest’ bands I’ve seen play live …. ever! I talked to the guys after the show and they confessed they practice about two hours every day.

If you get a chance, look them up on that Internet thing.

Hot Cops with The Fantastic Plastics

I’m sticking these photos here so I remember to write a proper review… I’ve been busy: live with it.

Above: Hot Cops
Below: The Fantastic Plastics

Jet W. Lee and the Safes

I wrote a really long review of this show and my iPhone/server lost it. I blame myself for running a *really* old version of wordpress (fixed now)…. I’ll rewrite the post soon. The highlights:

• Jet W. Lee’s first release info
• The Safes from Chicago

Also for now: read the SmilePolitely.com review of the new Jet W. Lee album.

Me Talk Pretty

what can I say- Me Talk Pretty kicked ass at the IMC tonight. Cool guys and gal- on their way out to LA. Safe travels to them.

JigGsaw needs help!

Help produce JigGsaw’s new 14-song full length album (that was originally going to be a shorter EP). They must hit their mark by August 19th or the project will not be funded!!!:

IMCFest 2009

IMCFest is in full swing. We’re at the show now listening to World’s First Flying Machine. Earlier we had many great performances including Curb Service, Organic Flow, and Agent Mos & Text and DJ Belly.

Still coming tonight is JigGsaw, New Ruins, We Landed On The Moon, Elsinore, and The Ruckus Dance Party.

The show goes until 2AM, so if you’re at home reading this, get your ass here!

Here’s World’s First Flying Machine- on the stage at present:

Withershins @ Mike and Molly’s

Tonight Withershins will be playing at Mike and Molly’s. Joel Gillespie, one of the fine folks over at SmilePolitely.com posted a nice interview and a song today to help promote the show.

According to the event info at OpeningBands the price is still TBA, but the show should kick off around 10.

Check out the show – let us know what you think….