The anticipation is over, and the 2005 Illinois
State Fair Grandstand lineup is out. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, our Illinois
leader and proud owner of a score of 18 on the ACT, claims the fair staff “has done an excellent job, and “the lineup appeals to a broad
range of music fans [and] will not only showcase great bands but the prices
are also affordable.” So knowing that we are in good and capable
hands, I didn’t even bother looking at the list (Cross Canadian
Ragweed is a
good band).
The long-awaited,
much-anticipated, and hopefully not overrated moment is here: NIL8 is
releasing a new CD, aloha means goodbye you
filthy explorer. To celebrate this grand and
glorious occasion the Williams Brothers are staging a night to remember at
Viele’s Planet (126 E. Jefferson St., 525-9029) on Saturday, April
30. All-age critters are invited to a 5 to 9 p.m. show with The Timmys,
Resident Genius, and A Dashing Bold Adventure. Card-carrying over-21ers may
attend the 10 p.m. gathering that features Fragile Porcelain Mice of St.
Louis and The Reputation of Lookout! Records. In a hometown note, Elizabeth
Elmore of Rochester fronts The Reputation as key songwriter and in-charge
gal. Their latest CD, To Force a Fate, was just released on April 20 and the group is traversing
the nation, making the title come true.
The Springfield connection for
Leftover Salmon remnants continues as The John McKay Band rolls into
Underground City Tavern (700 E. Adams St., 789-1530) on Saturday, April 30.
McKay, who has been likened to the rock side of Gram Parsons as a performer
and songwriter, brought brother and ex-Salmon Bill McKay along on
keyboards. Alabaster Brown, a St. Louis band finding its way in the crowded
jam band world, has ex-Springfieldian Nate Parienti as rhythm guitarist and
songwriter. The two groups are spending the next few weeks together
enjoying the lovely spring weather while touring the Midwest. Opening the
show at 9:30 is local singer-songwriter John Brillhart. The lyric-oriented
country-folk songster will use Chris Camp and Michael Sullivan as a very
capable back-up group.
Come one and all to the Rock & Roll Prom at Project Peace, an all-ages hangout next to Bread
Stretchers near Fourth and Monroe. Dress accordingly and have fun with The
Locked Sound, Electric Snow, Black Ops, Tears for Deerblood, and Electric
Waistband. The party starts at 6 p.m. Please be home on time.
This article appears in Apr 28 – May 4, 2005.
