Five local shows over the next two weeks
Kevin Smead | Uptown News
Bujwah Bonanza II @ Til-Two Club
Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, doors open at noon
$10 per day
If you’ve always wanted to get into the local music scene but never knew where to start, I recommend checking out the second annual Bujwah Bonanza. Taking place across two days at the Til-Two Club, this mini-festival is packed with some of the best talent the region has to offer. The event is organized by Bujwah Strangers, a local street- and skate-focused brand. Check out the full list of bands for each day (some of my personal favorites being The Nformals, Amerikan Bear and Gloomsday) and buy tickets at tiltwoclub.com/calendar.
The Menzingers, Lemuria, Pup, Cayetana @ The Irenic (all ages)
Sunday, June 22, 6 p.m.
$15 advance, $17 day of
The Menzingers are such a killer band. I saw them open at the Ché a couple years ago and I’ve been a fan ever since. Riding a solid line between pop and punk (these guys are an Epitaph band, after all), their songs are catchy while chock full of self-loathing and regret. It’s music I certainly relate to, as the rad guitar hooks keep everything sonically very positive. Also, Lemuria’s female-fronted fuzz pop is so excellent they’re alone worth going for.
Pity Sex, Dangers, Solids @ the Ché Café (all ages)
Friday, June 27, 7 p.m.
$10 advance, $12 day of
I’ll leave my opinions about what’s going on with the Ché for another story (hint: I’m not super stoked about it) and just say that it’s worth going to any show there between now and its closure since it’s such a great, historical venue. In this show’s case, Pity Sex just happens to also be a great band. Sounding as if it could be part of the Midwest emo revival at least in style, its songs are full of lo-fi twinkly guitars that put you in the perfect headspace. I’m not as jazzed about post-hardcore group Dangers, but they’re still rad and you should still see them.
Transfer, Not in the Face, Shake Before Us, Hong Kong Fuzz @ The Casbah
Friday, June 27, 8:30 p.m.
$12 advance, $14 day of
I’ve always been a fan of Transfer. For me, they occupy the same space as My Morning Jacket in that it’s ostensibly a folk band, but actually way more interesting than that. They have a great range of songs, too, from more guitar driven rock, to mellow folk. It’s some seriously good jams. Plus, all the opening bands are great, so just make a night out of the whole show.
King Khan and the Shrines, Red Mass @ Soda Bar
Monday, June 30, 8:30 p.m.
$15
If you’ve never heard of King Khan and the Shrines, it’s best just to look up its videos. There’s an aspect of glam rock, funk, R&B, and good ‘ole rock and roll to its music and it all adds up to a killer time. This is definitely a night for bringing your dancing shoes and not worrying if people think you look goofy. You’ll be having a better time than them, anyway.
