My dictionary says that “hate”
means “loathe, despise or have a strong dislike for
something.” So when a Web site called Ihateyourband.com comes
along, you might figure that it would be a place where you could
say all kinds of nasty things about the musical groups you
aren’t too fond of. Not so, according to site originator John
Plunkett. “I feel not liking a band’s music
isn’t a barrier to not liking the band personally,”
Plunkett says. “You shouldn’t judge people by what kind
of music they play. That was the purpose of the site.” Plunkett, a Beardstown native and a musician
himself, launched the Web site to counter what he felt was unfair
treatment of area groups on Bandemonium, a WQLZ (92.7 FM) program designed to support
local bands. He also thought that the music scene needed a forum
where the strengths and weaknesses of bands could be discussed
honestly without repercussions or for-profit motives. “Why not have an area on the Internet
where people could voice their opinions?” he says. “Get
it out and let everyone know how you feel, then get over it.” After attending a music show at the Black
Sheep Café, Springfield’s latest attempt at a
full-time all-ages venue, Plunkett’s “altruistic
dream” of everyone getting along in the local music scene led
him down another path. “I was surprised that there was still a
youth scene in Springfield after Club 10 closed up,” he says.
“It made me feel what I wanted to do would work.” That’s when he started the
Ihateyourband Fest, his first venture into concert promotion. The
festival, featuring five bands from in and out of state, became a
benefit for the fledgling faith-based venue after Plunkett pledged
all proceeds after paying bands to the Black Sheep Café. “It’s quite an endeavor
financially,” says Plunkett of running an all-ages club,
“but a community needs a place like this.” Even though as a band member and local
promoter Plunkett is doing all he can to push the local scene,
there are limits to his reach. “I will support the venue but not run
it,” he says, “and, if I take a dive on this one,
I’m not going to do another. Ultimately, though I want to see
people happy.”
The Ihateyourband Fest begins at 5 p.m.,
Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Black Sheep Café. Tickets are $6
in advance and $8 at the door. The lineup features the Its,
Sparland, Daphne, I Shot Lincoln, and Cranksanatra. Sources at Illinois Timesheadquarters
(thanks, Marissa) have informed us that Shipwreck, Saturday
night’s offering at Mojo’s (225 E. Monroe St.,
217-544-3400), is an awesome band. The psychedelic alt-country
indie-rock band is based in Champaign and boasts two, count
’em, two, Springfield natives. Also on the bill: A Light
Sleeper (Chicago) and Ghost in the Light (St. Louis). The show runs
10 p.m.-2 a.m. and costs $3. Sable, the
Sunday-afternoon house band at Alton’s legendary Fast
Eddie’s Bon-Air, makes its way up U.S. 67 on Friday, Jan. 26,
to perform at City’s Sports Pub (219 S. Main St.,
217-243-1212) in downtown Jacksonville, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. There
won’t be any 99-cent hamburgers or any other of Fast
Eddie’s specials, but the music is good and City’s is a
cool place. In case you
hadn’t noticed, 11 West, Springfield’s first official
martini bar, is no more. New owners have moved in, redecorated, and
christened the space Fusion (11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza).
They’ve also retained the services of DJ Matt Greer for
late-night jams and expanded the dance floor area. The layout of
the venue is not what one would consider conducive to nightlife
movement, but the packed house nearly every Thursday, Friday, and
Saturday speaks otherwise. The Sangamon Valley
Roots Revival is at it again, bringing semifamous alt-something
artist Richard Buckner to the Underground City Tavern (700 E. Adams
St., 217-789-1530) on Feb. 9. A few years ago the ever-changing
singer/songwriter released an album of songs called The Hill, using the Spoon River Anthology poems of Edgar Lee Masters as lyrics. The record-company
description of his latest CD, Dents
and Shells(Merge Records), is as
vague and dense as the musician’s songwriting. On this tour
Buckner is joined by Doug Gillard of Guided by Voices on guitar.
Tickets are on sale at Recycled Records (625 E. Adams St.,
217-522-5122) and will be available at the door for $10.
This article appears in Jan 26 – Feb 1, 2006.
