SLAMMys, er, CWMAs Explained

[Local Music] City Weekly's lone media pal across Main Street at KUTV 2, man-about-town Gavin Sheehan, has interviewed our own gal-about-town Jamie Gadette for his ubiquitous Underground blog. Why? Because he asked, probably. Jammy G's easy that way.

Also, to help explain our new City Weekly Music Awards (ex-SLAMMys), which get underway this weekend at Monk's, the Huka Bar, Burt's Tiki Lounge and the Woodshed. You can read more about it in CW's Jan. 29 issue out tomorrow, but stop by and say hi to Gavin first. (Bill Frost)

El SLAMMys?

[Local Music] As of this morning, we weren't aware of a SLAMMys Mariachi showcase, but who are we to question Burt's Tiki Lounge?

(Bill Frost)

SLAMMys Week 3: Come On Feel the Noise, and Ambient Bliss

[Local Music] Ambient experimental music certainly isn't for everyone, but I'm a Twin Peaks watchin' William S. Burroughs readin' gal who has always had a taste for the stranger things in life.

So, you can imagine my off the hook jubilation when the Ambient Rock and Noise SLAMMys showcases fell on the same weekend.

Friday night, I headed to Liquid Joe's to check out I Hear Sirens, Our Time in Space, and DulceSky. I was absolutely impressed by the respectful, attentive Liquid Joe's audience. It's so refreshing to attend a show populated by people there to listen.

I Hear Sirens played first, and polished off an impressive instrumental set that was met with warm applause and lots of love. It’s always gratifying to see a vocal-less band with a solid fan base.

My personal favorite was Our Time In Space. They’re currently working on some new, more high octane material that they debuted on Friday night. OTIS never cease to amaze me because they’ve mastered a certain straight-up rock & roll fierceness with ambient underpinnings. I would highly recommend their live show.

DulceSky played last, and their darker, more moody brand of ambient rock never fails to mesmerize an audience.

On Friday Night, I felt like the animated head with the glowing red sinuses from the Tylenol Cold and Sinus commercial, but the Ambient Rock showcase was certainly worth while, so I’m glad I attended.

On Saturday, I STILL felt like the animated head with glowing red sinuses from the Tylenol Cold And Sinus commercial, but that didn’t stop me from attending the SLAMMys Noise Showcase at Red Light Books.

“And what’s the appeal of noise?” asks 99.9% of the population…

I will readily admit that experimental music lacks universal appeal. But I will say if you’re willing to give noise a chance, you’d be amazed at what it does for your mind and senses.

15 minutes of solid drone always clears my mind and re-sensitizes me to the nuances of the world.

Tenants of Balthazar’s Castle, Palace of Buddies, I Hate Girls With Bruises, Yeti, Agape, and Ih86335 (that’s “I hate bees,” people) all played solid sets to a respectful, attentive crowd in the cozy basement of Red Light Books which resembles the cave where the Fraggles live (sparkly ceiling and all...)

It’s always comforting to know that you’re not the only Twin Peaks watchin’, William S. Burroughs readin’ noise lovin’ gal in town. (Jenny Poplar)

SLAMMys Week 3: Indie Rock at Urban Lounge

[Local Music] Even though Sundance is done, I believe we, as a city, can persevere.

As Sundance died its quiet death on Saturday night (much to the passivity of everyone involved), the rest of Salt Lake went on living.

After missing out on a promising Friday night of SLAMMys performances (due to a disappointing Sundance screening of Choke) I made it my duty to catch the indie rock showcase at Urban Lounge. And even though I have yet to be disappointed by a Slammy performance, Saturday night proved to be the best so far.

The Lionelle earned some deserved props for putting on a superb first act. Both Cavedoll (above) and Let's Become Actors decreed the prowess of the new(ish) band, and I couldn't agree more. Check out their album Oh! The Company That We Keep! and you'll agree with me that it's the type of music that scares the hell out of you. Seeing them live was no different.

Let's Become Actors is that band that you want hate: good-looking dudes who play catchy tunes. I probably would've liked them more if the GF didn't want to do them so bad.

Cavedoll had color-coordination, rope lights and a projector... even if they didn't play so well, I would've been a fan (because I'm easily amused by rope lights). The six-piece gave the night some much-needed sass with their mix of pop and electro-dance, which filled the previously-empty dance floor. Extra kudos to drummer Jamison Wilkins, who did a fantastic job of standing out amidst a stage of dominant and sexy performers (sheesh, I don't wanna get all adolescent-boy on you, but I haven't tried as hard to catch eyes with a female performer since I saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs a couple years ago). Drummers rarely get their due, and Wilkins was incredibly tight. (Ryan Bradford)

SLAMMys Week 2: Calling All Punks

[Local Music] As my drunk associate Ryan Bradford already noted, Saturday night's SLAMMys punk showcase was great fun. Andale! Monorchist, and Fuck the Informer are all wonderful bands, but I will say that I wish there was more punk music in Utah. I love loud, unruly punk rock in all of it's manifestations.

Most of the time, I fill the homegrown void with imported music. My current out-of-state favorites are California-based Mika Miko and No Age (who are incidentally coming to town Jan. 31st with the Liars), and Memphis-based Jay Reatard.

There's got to be a gaggle of angry teenagers SOMEWHERE in the state of Utah who are ready to buy some cheap gear and start making some noise.

Speaking of noise, I would highly suggest next Saturday's SLAMMY's noise showcase at Red Light Books. Sampling Utah's incredible experimental music scene will leave you feeling a bit dazed and disoriented. But it's an aural trip worth taking, trust me on this. (Jenny Poplar)

SLAMMys Week 2: Burt's & Bar Deluxe

[Local Music] Some pix from the SLAMMys State Street tour last night:

Andale @ Burt's

Monorchist @ Burt's

Monorchist @ Burt's

Tolchock Trio @ Bar Deluxe

(Bill Frost)

SLAMMys Week 2: Punk at Burts Tiki Lounge

[Local Music] It's easy to feel envious of journalistic counterparts who are schmoozing their way into banging, Sundance parties this time of year. Sometimes, I pretend that it don' faze me, like "what do I care if I'm not rubbing up against one or more Olsen twins at the bar... that's uh... gross." But still, the hysteria of the festival is contagious like crabs, and you can't help but get sucked into it (the hysteria, not the crabs).

But last night at Burt's, all I could think of was "those poor saps in Park City." They missed out.

I've long lamented the decline of local punk in the last 8 or so years (not quality, just quantity), so I was looking forward to the night. I showed up fashionably late and unfashionably inebriated (it is punk rock... and Burt's isn't always the easiest place to get a drink), which meant I missed out on Andale!, one of the SLAMMy bands I was looking forward to seeing the most. Perhaps Jenny, Bill or Dominique can fill in that blank...

Monorchist (singer Kourtney Farnsworth above) brought the rawk. Besides getting some fists pumping in the crowd, Farnsworth swaggered on the stage like she owned the place--I was simultaneously terrified and turned-on, which pretty much sums up my whole middle-school experience.

Maybe that's why those kids love the punk rock.

City Weekly-censor-nightmare, Fuck the Informer went on around midnight. Right away, the singer/guitarist divulged the pleasures of smoking in The Truth-sponsored event. The band made their way through a messy set of punk that sounded downright angelic on drunk ears.

As their set wore on, it became visibly apparent that the band was not happy with the thinning/apathetic crowd--even with the formation of a three-person mosh pit (probably the only size that Burt's could accommodate).

After apologizing to the audience (for what, I don't know), the band went on to trash their instruments. In the process, the singer sustained a head wound that resulted in blood dripping down his face--which was totally punk rock. It was also pretty punk when he poured beer on some guy who was spitting at him.

Later, SL Weekly marketing intern Faith Purnell had to pack up the SLAMMys banner hung behind where the bands played and there was blood on it. Punk. Fucking. Rock.

Side note: People--stay for the show! It seems that bands playing the midnight slot get screwed out of an audience. No one wants to play to an empty room. (Ryan Bradford)

SLAMMys: Week 2: Night 1 Recap

[Local Music] Last night's SLAMMys metal/hardcore showcase at Addicted Cafe almost went off without a hitch. I showed up around 7, dragging along a friend who insisted she doesn't like "loud" music. Come on, I said. You need to free your mind! She left after one God's Revolver song. So they're not for everyone, but man did they deliver some much needed catharsis for the end of this hectic work week. In fact, I could only finish one of two tasty vegan sloppy joes before the rock successfully stole my attention.

I tried out the new City Weekly camera, trying to capture all of the action but often losing track of both God's Revolver and I Am the Ocean's lead singers who roamed the floor in front of Addicted's raised corner stage throughout each of their sets.

I Am the Ocean was tiiiight. Guess touring more than half the year really helps a band's chops. Perhaps more impressive--the star-struck fans circling the stage floor, mouthing the words to nearly every song. The front row mainly featured cute young girls who were downright salivating over the young musicians who are "not metal or hardcore," as bassist Jeremy pointed out. Yes, we know. But we can't have specialized labels for every group in town. It's a loose category, for continuity's sake. And, sad to say, the general public doesn't know the difference between metal-core, grind-core, screamo, metal, etc.

The evening closed with Salt Lake City hardcore band Tamerlane who performed about two songs before the packed audience before some jerk got out of control and punched (!) Addicted Cafe owner Kelly's wife in the face. Half the crowd chased him out into the street, ostensibly to teach him a lesson and Kelly, understandably, asked Tamerlane to cut their set short. I was behind the cafe counter with one of Addicted's friendly employees. Though the room was soon covered in tense, uncomfortable silence, he was nice enough to ask if I still wanted my hot chocolate with soy.
A grim end to an otherwise killer evening.

I still suggest checking out Tamerlane whose solid instrumentation and double-team vocals left me wanting more. Here's to controlling yourself and having respect for others. (Jamie Gadette)

SLAMMys: Week 2

[Local Music] I'm so excited about this weekend's SLAMMys showcases! Tonight, after a little Gallery Strollin', head over to Addicted Cafe for various takes on metal/hardcore with I Am the Ocean, God's Revolver and Tamerlane, plus a slammin' vegan sloppy joe! I know. I was skeptical too. But that shit is the shit!

After, get on down to Club Vegas for hard, harder and hardest rock with Accidente, Loom, Glacial, and Blackhole, and emcee/True TV superstar Bill Frost.

Here's a taste of what's to come tonight:



Tomorrow, enjoy the soothing sounds of Fuck the Informer, Andale!, and Monorchist at Bar Deluxe OR some solid "indie" and blues at Burt's with Downright Blue and Tolchock Trio--perhaps the strangest bill we could come up with, but hey, that's what happens when bands share members and can't play two shows at once. (Jamie Gadette)

Party Across The Street From Fashion Place Mall

[Local Music] January 12 (that would be last Saturday) marked night two of City Weekly's SLAMMys showcases. There were many appealing shows that evening, but I decided to head to the Huka Bar & Grill to check out one of the alt-country gigs. I arrived after 10 pm, so I missed the High Beams (damn!), but I did get to see the Black-Eyed Susans. B-ES played a solid set to a largely distracted audience, but it was still a good time. You gotta love an Alt-country band with a chick bassist. AND a singer who actually wears cowboy boots.

There's plenty of SLAMMys fun on the horizon, and I urge you all to come out and see what Salt Lake City's robust local music scene has to offer. Seriously... what else is there to do in the middle of winter? (Jenny Poplar)

SLAMMys Action: What You Missed

[Local Music] City Weekly's SLAMMys kicked off Friday night with an evening of Salt Lake City hip hop at Monk's, a club which over the years has transitioned from a "house of jazz" to an equal opportunity venue hosting any artist who is not paralyzed by fear, constantly considering how the Walker Center might hold up in an earthquake and whether one could possibly make it to the elevator shaft in time to prevent being buried alive in a smoke-filled basement. What? You never thought about that?

Ogden producer Linus opened the showcase with his catchy self-made beats, the origin of which was lost on many audience members who thought the short kid in the 2612 skate shop T-shirt was just some DJ spinning records. Fresh-faced guest emcee Task set things straight and continued to baffle everyone by absolutely killing with a song about bad relationships, while clad in a Ron Paul for President shirt.

Mindstate followed, but not before showcase emcees Mugshots reminded everyone that they were not nominated for a SLAMMy, then demonstrated their skills on the mic persuading people to give the duo props. So write them in if you agree. Mindstate sounded great, though admittedly they achieved even greater heights a few months back during a street corner performance outside Red Light Books and Ken Sanders. Just one DJ, one emcee and a microphone. That's all this duo needs to get things done, son. On Friday, we were a bit worried about Dusk 1 whose face got redder and redder as he spouted off one rhyme after another. It seemed at any moment his head might explode. The kid puts everything he has into each song and is entertaining as hell to watch.

Numbs closed out the evening, a bit thrown off by the glaring lights Comcast set up to film the showcase. "Four songs and those lights go off," the collective proclaimed, then jumped right into their signature tag-team rhymes. DJ Shanty once again proved his prowess behind the ones and twos with inventive beats that helped catapult the three emcees through their party-pleasing set. On question: Did anyone else think that one of the Numbs bore a striking resemblance to Mystery, that dude from The Pick-Up Artist? Maybe the leather armbands threw me off.

An awesome start to SLAMMys and a great reminder to a rocker at heart what it's like to step outside your comfort zone. I encourage everyone to do the same for the next few weeks. Now get out there and vote! (Jamie Gadette)

Stop! SLAMMys Time

[Local Music] Not sure what to do this weekend? Don't worry! Starting tonight, City Weekly kicks off our annual SLAMMys issue with five weeks of showcases highlighting some of the best and brightest local bands Utah has to offer. We'll keep you posted on the haps with show reviews and voting updates as the month progresses. Get in on the action!

Go to SLWeekly.com to purchase a pass ($20) for entrance into ALL 19 shows and the closing party @ The Depot* on Feb. 15. Or, pay $5 per show.

Friday, Jan 11
MONK'S* Hosted by Uprok Records
Linus
Mindstate
The Numbs

Three shows Saturday, Jan 12
Area 51 18+ Hosted by Jesse James of Redemption and Tragic Black
Domiana
Q Stands for Q
Carphax Files

Huka Bar* Hosted by Corey O'Brien from X96
The High Beams
Black Eyed Susan

Cisero's* Hosted by Brinton Jones of Palomino
Atherton
Marcus Bently
Band of Annuals

* Private Club For Members

See you there (Jamie Gadette)

SLAMMYs: Part Deux

[Local Music] Yesterday I was feeling all down and all sorry for myself like a whiny little baby. Today I woke up to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV and while I'm typically not into shopping-mall sponsored holiday events, the spectacle struck a nerve. I realized that nothing (especially one City Weekly issue) is worth getting worked up about, at least not to the extent that it puts me in a blue mood for the rest of the evening.

Today, and hopefully from here on out, I'm going to focus on what I'm thankful for, including the chance to write about music for a living and to constantly be exposed to great local talent. Here's to a great SLAMMYs experience.

Accentuate the positive, right?

Happy Turkey/Tofurkey Day everyone! (Jamie Gadette)

SLAM!

[Local Music] While most of you are undoubtedly counting down the hours to Turkey/Tofurkey Day, I've got my mind set on January when City Weekly will put our revamped SLAMMYs plan into action.

In years past, we wrapped our local music issue around the South By Southwest music festival, sending down the winner of our battle of the bands competition to Austin where they performed in a showcase and (ideally) networked with "pretty big deals."

This year, festival organizers cut down our privileges, granting us fewer all-access music badges and one or two wristbands for the musicians. This came as no surprise to us as City Weekly was one of the last few alt-weeklies to hook up local groups with a show in Austin. Rather than throw a fit, we went back to the drawing board and instigated changes that should have been made long ago.

First, we decided to turn SLAMMYs into more of a showcase rather than a competitive forum. We also did away with applications, choosing instead to nominate bands that we feel best represent our local music scene. The nominating committee included myself, Bill Frost, several freelancers, record store owners and radio hosts whose tastes range from metal to country to blues and (nearly) everything in between.

Nominated acts will perform in one of three genre-appropriate showcases in January where audience members can vote for their favorites on-site or later online. There will no longer be a Band of the Year. We really want to emphasize the showcase aspect of this endeavor. We want to support local bands and expose readers to talented artists. When the lineups are announced, if you don't see your favorite band listed, go ahead and write them in! We encourage you to do so. We do not, however, encourage you to complain after the fact.

Be the change you want in the world, and all that. Here's to 2008! (Jamie Gadette)