popwreckoning

In the mood for some electro-glowy goodness? Ready your headresses and glowsticks kiddies becaase here’s your chance to win 2 free tickets to see Neon Indian at the Record Bar in Kansas City on Tuesday October 11, with Purity Ring and Com Truise.

In order to win, send an e-mail to music@popwreckoning.com explaining why you should be the winner. Now remember, our readers are clever and our employees are underpaid….so you’d best entertain! Responses should be received no later than Monday October 10, 2011 at 12:00pm, central/standard time. Please use a working e-mail address so that we can contact you should you win.

Check out what Neon Indian has to offer at http://neonindian.com/main.php.

*This show is 18+.

As previously announced, Popwreckoning will be hosting a Kansas City and Lawrence music showcase at Aggiefest 2011 in Manhattan, Kansas. This year’s festival has morphed into the 6th Annual Multi-Genre Live Music and 1st Ever Visual Arts Festival. In this post you will find details regarding the Popwreckoning line-up and the festival in general.

Have a look at the bands we picked!

Friday September 23rd:
Auntie Mae’s Parlor • 614 N. 12th St. • Manhattan KS • 785.539.8508

6:00pm to 6:45pm Lucky Graves
7:00pm to 7:45pm Not A Planet
8:00pm to 8:45pm Quiet Corral
9:00pm to 9:45pm Dead Girls
10:00pm to 10:45pm Janet the Planet
11:00pm to 11:45pm Spirit is the Spirit
12:00am to 12:45am Parts of Speech
1:00am to 1:45am YAM

Saturday September 24th:
Outside Stage at Triangle Park, Manhattan Kansas

4:00pm to 4:45pm Various Blonde
5:00pm to 5:45pm Sage n Sour
6:00pm to 6:45pm The Phantom
7:00pm to 7:45pm Vi Tran
8:00pm to 8:45pm BROKENMAST
9:00pm to 9:45pm Jillian Riscoe and the 21st Century
10:00pm to 10:45pm Bravefellow

Auntie Mae’s Parlor • 614 N. 12th St. • Manhattan KS • 785.539.8508
9:00pm to 9:45pm Jenny Carr
10:00pm to 10:45pm Sour Babies
11:00pm to 11:45pm Everyday/Everynight

Now, let’s get to the details.

Aggiefest 2011 will offer a plethora of shops, pubs & eateries which will feature art pieces from various local & regional artists.  Here you’ll have the opportunity to hob knob with the rich and famous (i.e. starving artists and Aggies) and pay them for their goods and services.

Let’s see how this shindig works.

Get a ticket from On the Wildside or Sisters of Sound in Aggieville.
$20 adults
$15 minors
$10 to bands to sell for a profit *stop by Sisters of Sound

Alright, just a few more steps for you to follow. Take your tushie to the festival, exchange your ticket for the appropriate wristband and partake in the lovely music and merch! You’ll find there are several all-ages venues for those of you who haven’t yet fermented to the ripe ol’ age of 21 (or 18)! The all ages venues include the Dusty Bookshelf, Bluestem Bistro, Radina’s, Triangle Park and Pat’s BBQ’s Backroom until 10pm. Campus Tavern and Ale House accomodates those who are 18 and over. O’Malley’s will be 18 and over until 8pm then go 21 and up only; Auntie Mae’s allows entry to those who are 21 and up. Check out this Map of Aggieville for your convenience.

But wait, there’s more! Enter the RAFFLE to win a quality quilt made from Aggiefest T-shirts of yore. The raffle proceeds will benefit Morning Star Inc., a company with a mission to provide consumers of mental health services with the resources needed to break through the barriers of stigma & isolation. Also, maps/schedules will be provided for both the music and the art fair, and will include the Aggiefest 2011 sponsors.

Finally, without question is the most important step of them all. Rock your ass off for 2 straight days with live, local music and art and show your support in Aggieville. We can’t wait to see you there!

In celebration of the September 16th release of Drive, the latest picture from FilmDistrict, Popwreckoning has partnered with our friends at Cornerstone Promotions in order to bring you the following giveaway.

Popwreckoning will supply one contest winner with the following items:

1 copy of the Drive Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (out now on Lakeshore Records)
1 copy of the DRIVE book
1 pair of driving gloves
1 keychain
1 USB car charger
1 USB drive
Character Posters:
• 1 Driver
• 1 Nino – Ron Perlman
• 1 Irene – Carey Mulligan

In order to win, Popwreckoning requests that you email our Editor in Chief, Joshua Hammond, at joshua(at)popwreckoning.com with a brief explanation of why you should win. Please include your full name and address in the email so we may contact you, should you win.

This contest will end on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. central standard time. Winners must be a resident of either the United States or Canada.

In the meantime, please peruse the following preview for the film!

August 30, 2011 saw Butch Walker and the Black Widows release their first album with Dangerbird Records – The Spade – and if the opening notes are any indication, this is a partnership destined for greatness. I had a huge smile on my face by the time I was 15 seconds into “Bodegas and Blood.”  I’ll try not to go all fangirl while I’m writing this review, but it’s hard for me to contain how happy this album made me. Walker is known for his pop sensibility and high snark quotient when it comes to his song-writing and this album upholds that reputation. Walker beautifully blends his classic sense of humor with an alt-country edge swirled around in a melting pot of great hooks, great harmonies from the Black Widows and lots of potential singalog oohs and ahhs. Those fans looking for the introspective side of Butch that we saw in last years I Liked It Better When You Had No Heart will have to adjust to the high-energy hooks abounding throughout The Spade.

The first single, “Summer of ’89″ leads the listener down a path of nostalgia for his bygone days with several references to growing up in Georgia that would feel just as at home on his first solo release Left of Self-Centered. Classic observances of the innocence of youth such as “Nobody knew Bryan Adams wasn’t cool/The TV just told me he was” take those of us who had our own summer of ’89 down a path of memories, which are a great accompaniment to the record as a whole. We’ve all made fun of our past at one point or another and Walker does it with his usual flair for storytelling and catchy pop tunes. Walker’s ability to write a hook is still strong with standout tracks such as “Bodegas and Blood,” “Every Single Body Else,” and “Bullet Belt” that are sure to satisfy all of the “rocker” Walker fans that are looking for another “My Way,” while tracks like “Closest Thing To You I’m Gonna Find” and  “Sweethearts” will satisfy the fans looking for the tender side from “Letters.”

The truth is that there’s a little bit of something for every type of Butch Walker fan on this record. The rockers, the popists, the folkies. Walker is blending his mastery of many different styles and doing it very, very well. The Spade is sure to become a summer favorite for many fans, and I’m sure will be blasted at full volume out many a rolled-down window well into fall because of the fun oozing out of this record from Walker and his band. There’s even silly Black Widow banter to prove that this band has just as much fun making this music as we do listening to it. Butch’s band, made up of Chris Unck, Fran Capitanelli and Jake Sinclair, have brought their music to a new level and I’m glad that we get to go along on the ride. The number of oohs and ahhs on this record are sure to drive lots of crowd singalongs during the upcoming tour. And I’ll be singing along at the top of my lungs.

Track Listing:

1. Bodegas and Blodd
2. Every Single Body Else
3. Summer of ’89
4. Sweethearts
5. Day Drunk
6. Synthesizers
7. Dublin Crow
8. Closest Thing To You I’m Gonna Find
9. Bullet Belt
10. Suckerpunch

By Rosie Judd

On Friday the wonder duo Matt & Kim will be joining My Chemical Romance and Blink 182 on stage at Capital Federal Park at Sandstone in Kansas City! While that lineup is well worth the $45 dollars Ticketmaster is asking you to shell out to get through the front door, Popwreckoning would like to give you the chance to see this show, free of charge. How you ask? Simple.

Step one:

Copy the link below of Matt & Kim’s “Block After Block (Echoes Remix)” and tweet, facebook or blog it. Then send the link to your post to joshua(at)popwreckoning.com:

http://bit.ly/oZ9m2d

Step two: Include why you want to see this show in your email.

We will be picking the winner of this giveaway at 8 a.m. CST so get your ass in gear!

I’m always one for hop-hop shows. The energy is high with heavy bass and a sea of people who know how to get down and dirty. And I mean, if nothing else, it’s a great place to people watch. Thursday night’s show of The Cool Kids at the Granada Theater in Lawrence did not let me down with the large crowd and not to mention the killer performance. Kansas City – based publication Ink Magazine hosted The Cool Kids concert and brought in local rap artists Gee Watts, Atilla, Ebony Tusks, and Greg Enemy to open for the nationally known group.

Earlier in the evening I stopped by White Chocolate Skateboards (933 Mass St. Lawrence, KS) for a meet and greet with The Cool Kids. Surprisingly there weren’t very many people there, but I had no problem meeting Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish. They were both very friendly and seemed to enjoy talking to their fans. To promote their first full-length album When Fish Ride Bicycles, which released July 12^th of this summer, signed posters, stickers, fish gummy candies, and key chains were in abundance to give away. The Cool Kids also hosted a raffle for a skateboard deck with their album artwork on the underside.

Several hours later, I was ready to get to The Granada and get my dance on. When I arrived the line was out the door to get in, which is never fun. To my surprise the line went by fast with nice, helpful door-guys. Everyone inside was decked out in fresh kicks, crisp hats, and the latest designer tees the repped their favorite labels. The bars were backed up with people, so I figured it wasn’t worth the wait for a gin and tonic. The venue’s energy was high while everyone waited for Gee Watts to open the night.

Gee Watts did a great job setting the mood for the rest of the night with catchy bass lines and several friends rapping alongside him. Based out of Kansas City, MO Gee Watts had a decent following that showed up to the Granada to show the love. Kansas City hip-hop/funk artist Atilla performed afterwards with a good sized following as well. His soul/funk infused beats got the crowd swaying and moving during his set.

Lawrence-based rapper Ebony Tusks involved the crowd in his set with callbacks and hand swaying, which was a sight to see. Hyped on the crowd’s energy, Ebony Tusks was all over the stage engaging with his fans. He definitely held a presence on stage that was a force to be reckoned with.

Capping off the set of openers was Kansas City rapper Greg Enemy. Known for his hit song Fly Ass Glasses Greg has a decent following throughout the Lawrence and Kansas City area. Greg sat poised and relaxed on a stool for half of his set, then engaged with the crowd for the rest. At the end of his set, fellow rappers and supporters stormed the stage while Greg Enemy crowd surfed, making a great end to the opening artists.

By the time The Cool Kids stormed the stage, the venue was nearly packed to the brim with a crowd that was clearly excited in anticipation of the headlining set. Mikey Rocks and Chuck Inglish had great chemistry feeding off of each other’s energy, which reflected in the crowd’s energy. Hands were swaying, bodies were moving, and everyone seemed to have a good time. Even the VIP lounge on the balcony was getting down. The Cool Kids performed a good variety of old popular hits, and newer songs off of their new album. Ink Magazine did a fantastic job with the lineup of this show. I think it’s safe to say that from beginning to end, the show was a hit.

This post was written by Rebecca Dreyfus.

Earlier this week, Popwreckoning announced through the site’s twitter that we would take part in the Manhattan, Kansas music festival Aggiefest 2011. Since that initial tweet, the details of Popwreckoning’s role in Aggiefest have become more clear.

Popwreckoning will be allowed to host an 18 band showcase over the course of 2 days. From 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday September 23rd and 4:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Saturday September 24th, Popwreckoning will showcase the finest bands from Lawrence and Kansas City in 45 minute sets. The free showcase will allow those wandering the streets of Aggieville, the college strip of Kansas State University, access to come and go as they please, wandering from bar to bar in the Manhattan, Kansas version of South by Southwest.

We are currently looking for 18 bands who are willing to make the trek to the little apple to represent our collective scene and this site, Popwreckoning. We’re currently taking emails from interested bands before making our final selections and announcing the showcase lineup September 9th. If you are interested in taking part in the event, please email me at joshua(at)popwreckoning.com. Unfortunately, we will likely receive more interest than spots available, however every submission will reviewed. Please supply a sample of your music and a link to your website (Tumblr, Facebook, Bandcamp, yada yada) enclosed in your correspondence.

We will be partnering with Element Recording Studios,ZombieCat Promotions and Sisters of Sound Records in order to host this showcase. Lets take this opportunity to show just how diverse our local music scene is and take this festival by storm. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.

I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I had my doubts about Kanrocksas when I received the email regarding the press conference to announce the festival’s lineup. “A festival held at Kansas Speedway,” I thought to myself “will no doubt be a bunch a metal bands.”

Man was I was wrong. Offering a lineup featuring servings from some of the best bands in the world, Kanrocksas was the real deal and had landed right in my backyard. So, as I drove under the speedway into the VIP to catch the day’s first band, I felt as excited as I had for a festival in years. I parked, slid into the media center briefly, then bolted for my first band.

UME:

You know that groggy feeling that you sometimes will get when you wake up early for work on a day following a long night? You fumble to collect your clothes, somewhat unsuccessfully, gathering whatever laundry has pooled in piles on the floor of your bedroom. Skipping the shower, you rush to your neighborhood gas station to grab a red bull to supply whatever energy you can muster up to kick off the day.

In terms of the first annual Kanrocksas Music Festival, UME was that red bull. Taking stage early, these Austin, Texas firecrackers kicked open the door for what would be a great first day, with an energy and poise that left many bands standing in their shadow.

Rocking kind of a Jeckle and Hyde image, Lauren Larson sound checks and speaks in a shy and sheepish manner, before exploding into a large energetic ball of chaos. Sporting a great 1990′s sound, complete with swirling guitar and raspy snarling vocals, UME’s stage show is unquestionably worth mentioning. Their set left a thumbprint on me that would last the whole day, as they showed up several bands lower on the bill. I expect huge things from this band and will be disappointed if the world offers them anything less.

Fitz and the Tantrums:

There is no questioning the fact that the chemistry between Michael Fitzpatrick and Noelle Scaggs is real. While watching this band, every line of every song seems to be a tip of the hat to the passion that these two share for both each other and for music.

With a jazzy retro sound and soul train moves, Fitz and the Tantrums plowed through a stellar set, which included covers “Steady as She Goes” by The Raconteurs (corrected at 11:46 p.m. 8/7/2011) and “Sweet Dreams” by Annie Lennox. As if that were not enough to please, their crowd interactive set lit the Kanrocksas crew up, causing a stir I hadn’t expected in the 192 degree weather. Dancing and grinding around the pit area of the speedway, one would have to assume those in attendance put their complaints of sunburns and dehydration on hold, trading them for a prom dance throwback.

A stellar set from a stellar band.    

D12:

Sadly, my streak of sets that captured my heart would stall right there. D12 seemed rack with technical difficulties and lackluster efforts in front of roughly 2,000 viewers, the group honestly serves as my biggest disappointment of Kanrocksas. Having seen D12 before (when I was like, 16) I remembered them as a high energy, wicked funny rap group, slightly out of place at Warped Tour. However, I also remember walking away both impressed and stunned enough to grab their albums off the shelves. Sadly, the D12 on stage at Kanrocksas was not the D12 I remembered loving. Flowing over beats that seemed misguided and somewhat sloppy, the set simply flopped.

However, that would not stop a large mass of fans to sit, hopeful to catch an early glimpse of Eminem. They would in the end walk away empty handed.

Jack’s Mannequin:

I was of the small percentage of journalists who skipped Arctic Monkeys set to catch former Something Corporate front man Andrew McMahon’s newish project Jack’s Mannequin. Having always been a fan of his emotional performances and energetic stage presence, I figured I would no doubt find a bit of recovery from D12′s lackluster set.

Without a doubt, I was. Busting out old favorites and premiering new singles Jack’s Mannequin left nothing to be desired. Shifting, twitching and switching between two mics, McMahon ran the gambit of emotional content, ranging from cancer, coming to age and coming to terms with breakups.

While I’m sure some people would question my choice to skip Arctic Monkeys for a band that causes 16 year old fangirls to crowd the stage with “I fucking love you Andrew” signs, I have no regrets with my decision based on one solid fact: Andrew McManon is truly the nicest man in music. That should always be supported.

Regardless, for those who desire them, here are Scott’s Arctic Monkey’s Photos:

Check out Kanrocksas: Day One, Part Two featuring  Kid Cudi, Ween, Bassnectar, Flaming Lips and Eminem soon!

The first step to enjoying UME is educating yourself the proper way to pronounce their name. That would be as follows: ooo-may.

Beyond that, the proof is in the product. According to their site, Laura Larson’s calming vocals, placed over the band’s thundering guitars, explosive percussion and dynamic beats create a combination of fuzzy shoegaze, raw guitar rock and irresistible pop rolled into one fiery package. Often compared to Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Metric and Sonic Youth, this band is causing a stir nation wide. In fact, “Captive,” the first single of Phantons, their yet to be released sophomore LP, recently debuted at #14 on the specialty radio charts, before making its way to the #2 spot.

You can download “Captive” here, courtesy of NYLON Magazine. Then catch them Friday August 5th on the Stageasaurus Rex Stage from 2:10 p.m. to 2:40 pm. For more information, check in with Kanrocksas here.

Feel free to check of this video of UME rocking Fontana’s in NYC in 2009.

Kanrocksas Music Festival recently released the official set times for the bands preforming at the event to be held at the Kansas Speedway on August 5th and 6th. Below are the times of each band, arranged chronologically by the start of each band’s set time. In addition, links to each band’s website have been linked to their name in order to allow our readers easier possibility for line up research. Enjoy!

Friday August 5th

• 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. Winner of the Local Band Contest – Main Stage
• 2:10 – 2:40 p.m. UME – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 2:50 – 3:30 p.m. The Joy Formidable – Ad Astra Stage
• 2:50 – 3:30 p.m. Fitz and the Tantrums – Main Stage
• 3:40 – 4:20 p.m. D12 – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 4:30 – 5:10 p.m. Jack’s Mannequin – Ad Astra Stage
• 4:30 – 5:10 p.m. Arctic Monkey – Main Stage
• 4:30 – 5:10 p.m. R/D – Critical Mass Tent
• 5:20 – 6:00 p.m. DOOMTREE – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 5:20 – 6:00 p.m. Paper Diamond – Critical Mass Tent
• 6:10 – 7:00 p.m. Ellie Goulding – Ad Astra Stage
• 6:10 – 7:00 p.m. Kid Cudi – Main Stage
• 6:15 – 7:00 p.m. 12th Planet – Critical Mass Stage
• 7:10 – 8:10 p.m. Primus – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 7:15 – 8:00 p.m. Treasure Fingers – Critical Mass Tent
• 8:15 – 9:05 p.m. Major Lazer – Critical Mass Tent
• 8:20 – 9:20 p.m. Ween – Ad Astra Stage
• 8:20 – 9:20 p.m. Bassnectar – Main Stage
• 9:20 – 10:50 p.m. Kaskade – Critical Mass Tent
• 11:00 – 12:30 a.m. Eminem – Main Stage

Saturday August 5th

• 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Winner of the Local Band Contest – Main Stage
• 1:10 – 1:50 p.m. Rival Sons – As Astra Stage
• 2:00 – 2:40 p.m. Garden & Villa – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 2:50 – 3:30 p.m. The Black Angels – Ad Astra Stage
• 3:40 – 4:20 p.m. Best Coast – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 4:00 – 4:40 p.m. Local Winner of Critical Mass Contest – Critical Mass Tent
• 4:30 – 5:20 p.m. OKgo – Ad Astra Stage
• 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. Kerli – Critical Mass Tent
• 5:30 – 6:20 p.m. Grace Potter & The Nocutrnals – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 6:05 – 6:55 p.m. Bag Raider – Critical Mass Tent
• 6:30 – 7:20 p.m. Cage the Elephant – Ad Astra Stage
• 7:10 – 7:55 p.m. Krafty Kuts – Critical Mass Tent
• 7:30 – 8:20 p.m. Flogging Molly – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 8:15 – 9:05 p.m. Tinie Tempah – Critical Mass Tent
• 8:30 – 9:35 p.m. Girl Talk – Main Stage
• 8:30 – 9:35 p.m. A Perfect Circle – Ad Astra Stage
• 9:35 – 10:45 p.m. John Digweed – Critical Mass Tent
• 9:45 – 10:50 p.m. The Black Keys – Stageasaurus Rex Stage
• 11:00 – 12:30 a.m. Muse – Main Stage
• 11:15 – 1:00 a.m. Sound tribe Sector 9 – Critical Mass Tent

Additional Features:

• Fireworks Display – Friday night.
• MUSE Laser Light Show – Saturday night.
• Ferris Wheel of Lights – A seven-story rotating light Ferris Wheel will spin and light up the festival.
• Hot Air Balloon Glow – World champion balloonist John Petrehn brings multiple hot air balloons as backdrops for a “balloon glow” as night falls over the festival.
• Water Slide – At 40-feet long and 200-feet high, this is a water slide on steroids for festival guests to cool down in between sets at the Kanrocksas Music Festival.
• Bungee Jumping Trampolines – Jump to the music at up to 24 feet with bungee trampolines.
• Live Art – World renowned artist John Bukaty and Amanda Day Vance-Bukaty with DeltaBlu Visionaries (www.deltablu.com) will direct a cast of as artists and performers for live, interactive and functional art throughout Kanrocksas Music Festival.