As the brave and belligerent Captain Beefheart once said, “It’s hot, it’s
so hot.” But — and the good Captain did not say this — “That’s the way, uh-huh,
uh-huh, we like it, uh-huh, uh-huh.” Or at least that’s the way it is and just
in time for the Decatur Celebration (this weekend) and the Illinois State Fair
(the next two).
On Friday, our old pals the Woodbox Gang are back from down south (that’s southern Illinois), to sing of devils, tractors, things with tails, and the goodness of mankind in a five-gallon plastic bucket. Sometimes lyrics get lost in the Underground City Tavern, but you can quickly solve that dilemma by purchasing a CD. That way you can dance, visit, and drink while the band is dishing out rhythms galore — and worry about those wacky and wild words later in the sanctuary of your home.
Here’s a sticky treat for you Prairie Rose fans: the three-piece country group has added some thorns — three, in fact, with another on the way. To get to the point, the band now has living, breathing musicians to flesh out the previously midi-ed music and they are called the Thorns. You know what they say: “Every rose has its thorn….” Come watch the group blossom at Billy’s Stockyard on Friday or at the Decatur Celebration on Saturday afternoon.
Late night Saturday, high atop the mighty Hilton, Frank Trompeter leads his band of merry be-boppers through the dizzying streets of jazzland. The most excellent highly musically inclined quartet becomes a quintet with the addition of Chad Minier, who by the way, just returned from a western U.S. tour with bluesman Hamilton Loomis. Alexis Rogers, first-rate experimental guitarist who puts the shine on elevator shoe, joins FTQ as a special guest, not making them a sextet (for those of you counting), but a five-piece with an extra musician sitting in.
Eric Welch and the Disputes, your gracious hosts at Floyd’s Thirst Parlor for Your M.O.M. (Monday Open Mic), are out and about this weekend with a Saturday night show at the Forty-Niner Bye-Bye. E.W. and the boys play raucous and fun grooving tunes, both original offerings and cool covers, from 8 until 10 and Luke Turasky and compatriots finish out the evening.
Ladies and gentlemen, returning to the Brewhaus stage is none other than Springfield’s premier Elvis interpreter, Elvis HimSelvis. Backed by a stellar band that includes (for anyone he owes money to, he’s back in town for the weekend) Tim “Professor” Harte on the skins. Grumpy, as he was affectionately named while manning the sticks for Backwards Day, brought Mr. Rick Dunham back to the Brewhaus as a surprise birthday gift for his lovely wife. So don’t be a spoiler and tell her. Let the sequined jumpsuit wearing man dancing on the bar and avoiding the fans (ceiling ones) deliver the unexpected present.
All ages unite at Bread Stretchers on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday for shows by a variety of bands including Park, The Timmys, and The Junior Varsity. Who says the kids ain’t got no where to go?
Enjoy the heat while it lasts. You’ll be shoveling snow before you know it.
This article appears in Aug 5-11, 2004.
