by Chad Bennett | Nov 1, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Austin rockers The Schisms delighted the crowd at The Brick in Kansas City on October 27th. Along with Cortége, they’re in the middle of a 15-show tour, “It Came from Austin.”
Check out The Schisms here: https://www.facebook.com/theschismsatx/
by ImperfectFifth | Nov 1, 2018 | Featured, perspective, snapshot
Follow the Roof Dogs as their live music journey takes them through Cincinnati, Lexington, Nashville, St. Louis, Bloomington, Chicago, Toledo, and all the in-betweens on their most recent autumn tour!

Cincinnati, Sean and his bass on the drive. Touring in a Toyota Corolla can be difficult. While The Bascinets’ vehicle held most of the gear for tour, on the way to Cinci we had to travel with Walker’s drum hardware and Sean’s bass in the backseat.

Pre-show R&R at the Airbnb

Found a lighter with some flare.


Nick Wellman of The Bascinets fishing for Pigs at Northside Yacht Club.

Tristan (Bascinets) before he lost his glasses. Tristan would continue to lose several other items before the tour was done.

Andrew with Bourbon (neat). Andrew played NSYC’s “$4 Whiskey Wheel of Wonder,” he landed on Jim Beam.

Dinge. Was the first time we played with them for about three years. They rock.

The Bascinets

Ezra (Dinge)

Trevor (The Bascinets)


Tired after day one…

Our friend Nick (left) let us hangout on his rooftop in Northside after the show. He also let us play his harmonium and theremin. Great fun was had by all.

“Please, no pictures” – Zlata

Eden Park, Cincinnati

Lexington, KY. Game day. The show didn’t start until 11:30 because the Wildcats were “stomping ass.”

Andrew strings up

There was a lot of time to kill, but luckily the door guy charged the folks who came for the game. Many hung around when the show started, too.

Setlist debate

The Bascinets, feat. Mannequin

Abandoned motel shoot between Lexington and Nashville.


Twinning. It seems that almost all of the Midwest claims ownership of Lincoln. The same cannot be said for Andrew.

Nashville: Trevor insisted on $5 cups of coffee at his favorite spot. (They were actually amazing though so it’s okay). Jesse pictured here writing nursery rhymes.

Alberto & Friends in their delightful basement.

The Bascinets

Matt of Superstarfamus1day. He was closely supervised by the doll. They played an impressive impromptu set when their drummer George got very sick right before and couldn’t play.

Our performance did not meet Alberto’s expectations. He locked us up by the doghouses.

Shew (left) and Alberto (right). Post-show hangs in the backyard. His house was an old doctor’s office from way way back in the day (the 40’s?) so his backyard was actually a parking lot that was converted into a giant driveway. They have the perfect band house and we are jealous.

Triple Jesse

We loved the wallpaper.

Sleepy bois. The Bascinets brought along portable cots.

Wellman in the haunted basement.

“No pictures in here, honey. Some people aren’t here with the people they’re supposed to be with.” Hermitage Cafe in Nashville. Great country-fried steak.

St. Louis: At the Arch

Bright bois, where’s Walker?

Farmer Nick

Andrew with the cigarette machine at CBGB.

The Snapchettes, they typically perform as a seven piece.


Frankie Valet. Jack (at microphone) hosted us and took us to a good breakfast spot the next morning. Incidentally, he and Jesse share a birthday on September 14.


Outside CBGB

Felix at the board.


Sean relaxes at Jack’s. He managed to cranked out The Silmarillion on tour. Jack’s excellent cat can be seen in the background.

Jack, our host in St. Louis

Tristan after breakfast. There are more cash-only diners in this country than I ever knew.

Forest Park, St. Louis

En route to Chicago. It was somewhere around this point that Sean and Jesse began to argue over the fortitude of their respective bladders. Sean would soon prevail.

Walker driving

Chicago. We had two days off here with a show in the middle. There was a lot of relaxing but we didn’t get as many pictures here, but had a great time exploring the city. On our last night we rode the train to a 107 year old jazz club, the Green Mill in Uptown where they were broadcasting live on AM radio.

But first a visit to the lake.

Beers on the pier


Tristan and the great beyond

Curious old maintenance man tinkers at the venue.


Wallpaper

Fahrenheit 808, who was, sadly, not allowed by the venue to play due to dumb age restrictions. They were gracious about it.

Oxford, OH. Captain Redbeard and the S.S. Friendship. We played at our friends house, The Secret Garden. It’s a beautiful home.


Trevor, some light leak, and a stray vine. After the show we all went to Bagel & Deli and waded through an ocean of college students to the counter. Every five minutes or so, one worker at the shop would get iced (Smirnoff) by customers and proceeded to jump on the counter and chug to the applause of everyone. I’m pretty sure we waited in “line” for like half an hour. Someone stole my bagel once and I had to order again. Ultimately the wait was worth it. -Andrew

Hot sauce with salt at Hometown Eatery. College Corner, IN. Tristan apparently eats this to curb his appetite. He chose to spend his diner money on a candy apple red Jaguar.

Propane rodeo star, Andrew Marczak.

At Joe’s house in Oxford.


“Joe, where are the forks?”

Wellman with spork.

Toledo, OH. Ottawa Tavern, our last stop, with bangin’ sign.

Watching the game. “Pizza Cat,” the attached restaurant, was delicious and had good deals for performers. We were all satisfied.

Teamonade ripping it right up.

Trevor the angel

Wavves

“It Can Happen to YOU”

One shot of the Roof Dogs playing.

Family photo. We then parted ways and ventured back to Columbus for a day off before we all went back to our day jobs at NASA.
___
Keep up with the Roof Dogs here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 29, 2018 | snapshot, visual
imagine coming out of the haze induced by an hour long drive in the middle of nowhere Kansas after a long day at work and being met by Anthony Gomes‘ insane guitar skills. That type of energy can be a blow to your brain and your ego, honestly. But it’s true. And from the very first chords of his set on Friday, October 26th, members of the crowd were up and dancing. Gomes, his bassist, and his drummer went from one song to the next, just rolling through his catalog, almost to the point that the untrained ear might not notice the difference between one song and the next. In that regard, this was a beautiful journey, and a night that easily inspired our weekend.
Catch him on tour now!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On October 20th, Kansas City’s 96.5 The Buzz hosted Brew at The Zoo & Wine Too at The Kansas City Zoo. This year, thousands from across the metropolitan area gathered to taste test wine new brews, enjoy full pours from more than 45 breweries, try out a mixed drink or two, enjoy live music and a night of frivolity, all in the name of the giraffes. Kitten headlined, with Fitness supporting while onlookers enjoyed a spirited, enigmatic performance from each.
by Christie McMenamin | Oct 25, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Phenomenal songwriter Butch Walker headlined a show at Irving Plaza in New York fairly recently, captivating the crowd as he has for years. The energy coming off the stage was palpable as soon as he stepped on, and we were regaled with a gorgeous evening full of amazing showmanship. Photographer Christie McMenamin captured that for us, and it can be witnessed below.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 25, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On October 17th, the stylish powerhouse CYN opened for Years & Years at The Truman in Kansas City, MO. We nabbed a few key shots to make you feel like you were there, front row, enjoying her thrilling live set.
Keep up with CYN here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 24, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On October 17th, The Truman in Kansas City, MO welcomed the incredible Years & Years to the stage, following an absolutely gorgeous set from opener CYN. We nabbed photos of both to make you feel like you were there, and our Years & Years snaps can be found below!
Keep up with Years & Years here!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 17, 2018 | snapshot, visual
Saturday, October 13th was a bit of a bummer for us. Sure, the sun was out and the weather was crisp and we were witnessing Minus The Bear‘s live stage show for the umpteenth time. But the reality of it was that we were seeing them for the last time, as they travel across the country on their farewell tour. We managed to capture the warmth and vibrance of their set the way they’ve captured our hearts.
by Christie McMenamin | Oct 15, 2018 | show review, snapshot, visual
Acclaimed singer/songwriter Greg Holden made his return to New York City on September 23rd. Opening for Butch Walker, who produced his single, “On The Run,” Holden’s performance was like a homecoming. It’s a rare thing for an opener, especially one singularly armed with an acoustic guitar, to hush Irving Plaza from front to back, but Holden managed to wield this uncanny power with effortless ability.
When Holden first emerged from the side of the stage, the crowd’s vigorous, impassioned applause was astonishing. He strolled out with an unassuming, quiet confidence and began strumming as the audience quickly fell silent. As his 7-song set kicked off, Holden was oftentimes chatty between songs, lending an affable familiarity with a room of people whom he’d never met, treating them like valued friends. Constantly encouraging the crowd to sing and clap during parts of his songs, Holden’s set was interactive, a joint, group effort.
On “Home,” Holden issued a command for the audience to stop their feet in time to the beat. In turn, he received an eager assent as the stomps echoed throughout the venue and shook the floor. Holden’s newest track, “The Power Shift,” was prefaced by a quick lament, noting Donald Trump was currently in the city. The audience loudly booed, prompting Holden to launch into this political song, calling others to recognize the link between power and inequality, and one that was more than well-received in New York City.
“Boys In The Streets,” arguably Holden’s most moving song, showcases his lyrical prowess, one that is omnipresent throughout his work. Telling the story of a father struggling with his son’s sexuality, it’s only on his deathbed that he makes a confession: his intolerance was due to what he was taught growing up. He finally understands and encourages his son to be himself. Holden’s live performance evoked the pathos and pain of both son and father, and cheers went through the crowd as Holden reached the uplifting conclusion.
Lastly, Holden performed “Hold On Tight,” a triumphant, empowering song that bursts into a big, gleeful chorus as he sang an urgent warning: “don’t take your life for granted.”
It was an awe-inspiring set from a seasoned musician, one who will no doubt be back to New York City in the future.