Kansas City Music Blog

​School breaks mean the KJHK airwaves open up to alumni. I've been taking advantage of that fact and worked the board, playing tunes a couple of times this week. Since it's a Friday evening, and the slot was free, I decided to resurrect my radio show for a one-night only rock-a-thon.

Thus, from 4-8:00 p.m. today, Sunglasesses After Dark will return to the airwaves, playing punk, garage, and rockabilly for the masses. You tune in via 90.7FM or listen via the website. It's streaming via iTunes radio, as well.

Call in with your requests at 785.864.4747. I hope to be able to make your weekend get started properly.

Ssion's Cody Critcheloe can't keep his hands off of hot female artists--when it comes to collaborating with them, that is. Critcheloe directed the newest video from the funky and filthy electroclash artist Peaches. It's called "Billionaire," and it's complete with the help of local fashionistas Ari Fish and Peggy Noland. Apparently the electro-sleaze star came to Kansas City to shoot the video, where Critcheloe and crew shaved her head; and in a final local nod, Peaches is also Dorothy a la the Wizard of Oz. (A sexed-up, face-painted Dorothy that asks you to ride her bareback. Local pride, represent.)

It once seemed that the Black Keys were destined to play under the shadow of fellow Midwestern guitar-and-drums duo the White Stripes; but these two Akron, Ohio kids have quickly differentiated themselves from the average white-boy blues band. In addition to two solo projects from Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney in 2009, the Black Keys also collaborated with an impressive list of hip-hop stars (including RZA, Mos Def, Raewkon and Q-Tip) for Blakroc, their hip-hop project. Their newest album, Brothers, is due out on May 18; and you can catch them at Crossroads KC at Grinder's on June 4. 

Stream the Black Keys' newest track, "Tighten Up," on their Myspace.

The Black Keys - New Music - More Music Videos

Kenn Jankowski of the Republic Tigers managed to sum up the whole of SXSW in one beautiful 140 character message yesterday: drinks, doing nothing, and having fun. The band's Twitter feed can be followed via @republictigers.
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Ontario's electro whiz-kid Dan Snaith (better known as Caribou) is playing the Granada on June 6. Unlike the streamlined, math-y compositions he crafted as the one-man band Manitoba, Snaith ventures into richer psychedelic landscapes with Caribou, tapping spaced-out atmospherics and warped symphonic rackets. Check out the eerie, Twin-Peaks-esque primordial goop that Caribou creates in Snaith's title track for his forthcoming album, Odessa. (Note: it's creepy, queasy, and probably NSFW.)

Expect crazy amounts of SXSW coverage, as we catch up with all the local artists down there. First up is this video from James Christos. He's playing tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. as part of the Midwasteland Takeover. As you'll see in the video, you'll probably be able to spot him working the promo tip down 6th Street, as well.

​That would be every issue of Spin up through the October 2009, technically. And, while I'd like suggest you go read the August 1995 issue for its in-depth interview with Michael Stipe and excellent black and white photography, that also appears to be missing.

It's not as complete as I was led to believe, evidently.

Go read everything over at Google Books.

(Courtesy Gorillamask)

Sam North over at Traffic Street Records has put out a slew of new releases recently, and three of them showed up in my mailbox earlier this week.

​Like Bats's Look On the Bright Side is a collection of anthemic punk tunes with some nice melodic hooks buried within. You'll be able to sing along to the chorus of the titular tune after one listen through, and you'll want to. That hot little number has to be a popular finger-pointer at a Like Bats show. The band is easily identifiable as Midwestern punk rock, sounding like the Dillinger Four material Paddy sings mixed with all the non-ska Slapstick songs. Of special note is the work of bassist Kyle, which drives this record -- especially the throbbing way "Pop Tops" kicks off.

Steve Tulipana

​As our local bands journey southward for SXSW, Kansas City's home-away-from-home down in Austin is already making its mark. Here's a video from showcasing band member and organizer Steve Tulipana of our Kansas City brethren cloaking their building with a giant banner in Austin in preparation for the Midwasteland Takeover.

​Here's a great show idea: rather than the usual cover sets of songs we've all heard over and over again, why not keep everything local? We're supposed to shop local, buy local, and keep an eye on our food miles. Why should we -- as musical consumers -- import our music? Is rock 'n' roll from overseas, or even New York City, better than what we can grow at home?

The "KC Uncovered" show at the Record Bar on Saturday, May 22, looks to answer that question when five local bands cover each other's songs. Check the lineup after the jump.