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Top Ten Live: The week's best concerts
Posted: Feb 13, 2008 in Nightlife, Music, TV and Celebrities
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Top Ten Live is a collaboration between Indianapolismusic.net and the Indy.com staff.
1. The Whigs w/Tulsa and Wax Fang
8 p.m. Feb. 15, Birdy's, 2131 E. 71st St., $10 advance, $12 at the door, (317) 254-8971.
Democrats and Republicans have dominated the news lately, but Top 10 Live voters cast their ballots for the Whigs this week. Named for the long-defunct political party, the Whigs is a heralded power pop/garage rock trio from Athens, Ga., which recently released its second record, "Mission Control." Indy audiences should be familiar with the band, as this is its third visit here in the past four months. Tulsa and Wax Fang open.
2. Haste the Day, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, Gwen Stacy, and Drop Dead, Gorgeous
6 p.m. Feb. 17, Emerson Theater, 4634 E. 10th St., $15, (317) 357-0239.
After taking a break from touring over the holidays, Haste the Day hit the road with co-headliner Scary Kids Scaring Kids in January. The tour finishes in Indiana with a Saturday show in Bloomington, followed by this Feb. 17 concert. The show also features Gwen Stacy, an Indy group whose first nationally released record, "The Life I Know," hit stores Feb. 5. Drop Dead, Gorgeous rounds out the lineup.
3. A Place to Bury Strangers, Beta Male, johnnytwentythree
9 p.m., Feb. 16, Locals Only, 2449 E.56th St., $6 in advance, (317) 255-4013.
New York City's A Place to Bury Strangers takes its influence from The Jesus & Mary Chain. Expect a wave of slow, shoegazing, psychedelic rock similar to the sounds of TJAMC. Opening act johnnytwentythree delivers a similar sound, while Beta Male brings a more pop- and dance-oriented set.
4. Freezepop and Boy In Static
9 p.m., Feb. 15, Radio Radio, 1119 E. Prospect St., $6, (317) 955-0995.
A pair of bands with sounds reminiscent of the early '80s alt/college rock visits Radio Radio on Friday. Freezepop creates its throwback dance pop (which you can hear in several video games) exclusively on synthesizers. Boy In Static performs the music of Alexander Chen, whom critics have compared to acts like New Order and My Bloody Valentine.
5. The Sump Pumps CD release
10:30 p.m., Feb. 16, Melody Inn, 3826 N. Illinois St., $7, (317) 923-4707.
Who says you can't dance to punk rock? This installment of the weekly Punk Rock Night intends to disprove the theory. The Sump Pumps visit from Bloomington to celebrate the release of its recent album. The group relies on old-school synth sounds over driving dance beats to create its space-age punk. Sharing the bill is Indy's Thin Fevers, with its lean and nervy music, which is made to make punk rockers move.
6. A Prairie Home Companion
5:45 p.m., Feb. 16, $40 and $59, Indiana University Auditorium, 1211 E. Seventh St., Bloomington, (812) 333-9955.
Part musical performance and part live comedy, public radio's "A Prairie Home Companion" typically originates from St. Paul, Minn. This week the show will broadcast from the Indiana University Auditorium in Bloomington. Expect a full house for the two-hour show by host Garrison Keillor and his troupe of performers.
7. Lord of the Yum Yum
7 p.m. Feb. 16, Big Car Gallery, 1043 Virginia Ave. (Suite 215), $5 donation, www.bigcar.org.
Lord of the Yum Yum is one of the most distinctive performers to visit Indy. The alter ego of Chicago music teacher Paul Velat, Lord is a one-man show featuring only Velat's voice, aided by loop recorders, to re-create classical music replete with scat vocals and hip-hop beat boxing. His shows are thoroughly entertaining and perfect for a family outing. The night opens with a showing of classic Three Stooges shorts.
8. The Toasters w/ Fear Nuttin Band
7 p.m., Feb. 18, $10, The Underground at Harrison Center, 1505 N. Delaware St., (317) 396-3886.
Fans of ska music will certainly recognize The Toasters. The group formed in New York City in 1981 and has been performing ever since. Though founder Robert Hingley is the only original member left in the lineup, the group bills itself as the U.S.'s longest-running ska group. The all-ages show will also include a performance by the Fear Nuttin Band from Springfield, Mass.
9. Art Adams w/ Rumble Club
9 p.m. Feb. 15, Sam's Saloon, 1640 E. Prospect St., $5, (317) 632-4365.
Sam's Saloon has played host to many styles of music in its short time on the nightlife scene. But roots and country-influenced music seems to have found a comfortable home at this venue. Friday night's show brings Rockabilly Hall of Fame member Art Adams to the stage. Adams made his mark on rockabilly during the music's heyday in the late '50s and early '60s. Modern rockabillies Rumble Club opens.
10. John Gorka
7 p.m. Feb. 16, Old Centrum Auditorium, 1201 Central Ave., $20 at the door, $17 in advance, (317) 637-4408.
The Old Centrum has been home to several community and arts groups, as well as musical performances, for most of this decade. Recent news that the building's owners are looking to sell the century-old structure jeopardizes future events. Folksinger John Gorka visits for what might be the auditorium's last concert. He has !recorded 10 albums, including 2006's "Writing in the Margins."
Hooray for the Whigs! Too many good shows on one night, but I will be choosing the Whigs/Tulsa show. 'Mission Control' is a great, old school rock-n-roll record. Hooks, melodies, driving rhythms, boundless energy--everything you've always loved. Rock music you can actually dance to!
Gwen Stacy! thats what im talkin about. Haste the day will be doing a in-store performance at 12:30 Sunday @ Indy cd and vinyl
Wow, we're honored to have 3 of the Top 4 events this weekend! Last night at Freezepop was fun, but check out A Place To Bury Strangers tonight and Haste The Day (twice!) tomorrow!