As the effects of the "storm of the century" melt away, Louisville bands are rearing their heads out of hibernation. Crain is out on a national tour, as is Bodeco (w/Reverend Horton Heat). Steve Ferguson (d.b.a. Brother Stephen and the Midwest Creole Ensemble) is receiving rave write-ups in rags like Rolling Stone and Musician for his new release, Jack Salmon and Derby Sauce, on Michigan's Schoolkids' Records.
And most recently, Big Wheel presents their second release for Mammoth Records, entitled Slowtown, which is to be officially released on April 6. Zero Boys member Paul Mahern was at the producer's helm; other production credits of his include Antenna and Lisa Germano. Locally there will be two fashions of live shows to celebrate the release: on Friday, April 9, they will appear with Endpoint for an all-ages show at the Machine, and on Saturday, April 10, they will perform a 21+ show at Tewligans with Catharsis (members of the Endpoint incognito).
Big Wheel will also commence heavy touring in support of their release, kicking it off in Columbia, Mo., as a part of a big outdoor show with the reunion of Big Star (that's Alex Chilton)! For further details on that event, one may track down KCLU, the college radio station sponsoring it. As if this were not enough to keep Big Wheel and their new bass player David Ernst absolutely busy, the boys recently filmed their first video in Chicago with the people who made the video for Soul Asylum's "Black Gold." WQMF is even featuring Big Wheel on one of their Cafe Rock presentations . . . whew!!
Butchertown Pub herds together a Grade A show on Tuesday, April 6, with The Cows and Janitor Joe, a tandem of Amphetamine-Reptile recording artists from Minneapolis. Both artists have new releases out, and it is reported that ear X-tacy has ordered extra-heavy on both discs, anticipating a heavy demand.
The Cows have been together for over five years and have constantly toured and evolved, becoming more "streamlined in form, with fewer toes and a greatly enlarged brain." Live, they make a huge, beautiful, sludgy noise and wrap it around intelligent yet disrupting vocals. Image a jazz/hardcore Bodeco, with a bugle. This show is for those with a brave heart and a twisted sense of humor.
As you read in the last issue, the New Duncan Imperials were to play at Uncle Pleasant's last month, before the "storm of the century" dictated otherwise. The New Dunks got snowed-in at some forlorn West Virginia town with only one single hotel room available, and only a bag of pretzels to sustain them all. Weather permitting, NDI will now celebrate the release of their new CD Loserville on Saturday, April 24, at Uncle Pleasant's.
Also appearing at Uncle P's in April are Psychodots on Saturday, April 3, and Doug Cook and Hog's Head (featuring ex-Hammerhead Greg Foresman) later in the month.
Tewligans is trying something new on Sundays in April; from 10 p.m. onward, they will be presenting the latest in industrial and hip-hop music. A mixture of live and house music will be booked, with only a modest cover charge.
If disco's not to your liking, then maybe San Francisco's Helios Creed (Amphetamine-Reptile records) on Sunday, April 4; Chicago's Big Hat on Friday, April 9; or Atlanta's Big Fish
Ensemble (who toured with the Indigo Girls) on Saturday the 17 might be more appropriate.
Several other shows playing Louisville in April deserve note, including folk artist Lucinda Williams from Austin, Texas, who will perform at Phoenix Hill Tavern on Thursday, April 1 (no foolin'). Mere Mortals will open the show. At the opposite end of the music spectrum, Dischord recording artists Jawbox, from Washington, D.C., headlines an all-ages show at the Machine on Friday, April 2. Tune in next month for the Derby 'til ya drop concert listings, including fIREHOSE/Polvo, Tar/Mule, a King Kong reunion show, Love Jones, and more and more and more.