It's True Disappoints with Waiting Room Show

It's True performing at Waiting Room 4/1/11

As you know, I have been a big supporter/fan of It's True since 2009, and was among the angry/confused when the band announced it break-up last Summer.

Fast forward to the present, and the band is back (sort of) with a new CD and a handful of live dates. Frontman Adam Hawkins has explained in numerous interviews (like this one with Lazy-I) that "the band" is not really back, and that last weekend's two shows (one in Omaha and one in Lincoln) could be the last ones for quite a while.

So, going to the show, I was expecting something pretty incredible. When one of your favorite new bands announces that they may be playing their last shows for a while (or ever), you want it to be pretty special. Obviously, I was not alone in this. Friday's show at Waiting Room ending up selling out (a first for the local heroes), and it was packed. In addition to the fans, friends, and family of the band, there was a camera crew filming the show, and loads of local photographers taking pictures. Sadly, what we all saw was a less than stellar performance from the band.

It's True decided to open the show by playing the entire new CD, Another Afterlife, in order. This would be the CD that was being released that day, therefore nobody had heard it yet. For the performance of the new material, the band's line-up was expanded to about a dozen people. There were back-up singers, extra guitarists and keyboard players, and the original members played different instruments than they normally play in the band. The result was a haphazard and uninspired performance that bored the shit out of me for the 30 minutes or so it took to perform the album.

I kept wanting it to be better, yet it just dragged on. The addition of seven additional players did not make the sound fuller or more powerful; in fact, it had the opposite effect. After the performance of the new album, the band reverted to its original, five-piece form to perform songs from the first album. While this was better, to be sure, it was obvious that the band was not in as fine a form as it had been prior to the break-up. The musical tightness that comes from a band performing and rehearsing together all the time was absent, and instead, the guys seemed to be individually playing their parts without much regard to what everyone else was doing. It was glaringly obvious that the members of It's True were not much of a band anymore. Of the dozen or so times I've seen It's True perform over the years, last Friday's show was easily the worst. I hate to say that, but it's true. Pardon the pun.

Fortunately, the new CD is really good. At least there's that.

It's True TONIGHT at Waiting Room

It's True @ SXSW 2010 (photo from groovic blog)

Omaha's indie darlings, It's True, return to performing tonight with a special show at Waiting Room. The band broke up last year after its performance at the MAHA Music Festival (where they performed along with Spoon, Superchunk, Old 97s and more), but it has now re-emerged with an altered line-up and a new album.

The album, Another Afterlife, will be released at the show. Performing along with It's True are The Haunted Windchimes, Noah's Ark Was A Spaceship, and Cowboy Indian Bear. Tickets are $8 at the door.

I have written a lot on It's True in the past, and everything I said then still applies. They are pretty much the best Omaha band to emerge in many years. However, It's True's status as a working band is still in question. In an interview with the Worlds of Wayne podcast, band leader Adam Hawkins made it clear that his main focus is not the band. Still, we have tonight. Enjoy it while you can.

New It's True Video - "Nothing at All"

It's True: Nothing At All from Love Drunk on Vimeo.

It's True Returns!

Omaha's one-time most promising new band (who then broke up right after their biggest ever show), It's True, is back. While no shows have been played, and no new music has (yet) been released, the band has scheduled a date to release a second album. Friday, April 1 is the date, and Waiting Room is the place. 

The band will be releasing its second album, Another Afterlife, at the show. I know of no one who has heard the new music, but I did learn a few things about It's True 2.0. For one thing, the band has drastically expanded its line-up. All of the former members are still there, but they are being augmented by a number of other musicians. Band leader Adam Hawkins was apparently quite unhappy with the debut album (which I thought was stellar and was, in fact, my #9 album of 2010) and is now taking full creative control of the band and its recording process. Beyond that, I know nothing.

I am very much looking forward to hearing the new tunes, seeing the new line-up, and playing the shit out of the album on my radio show!

Recap: Superchunk at MAHA

I had a fantastic time at yesterday's MAHA Music Festival on the Missouri River in downtown Omaha. I got there a little late, and missed It's True and Old 97s, but was able to catch a decent set by Ben Kweller before the band I came to see came on...Superchunk.

This was the first time Superchunk has played Omaha in its 21 year career (an accidental oversight, I'm sure), and they made up for the lack of shows with a powerful set that spanned their entire career. I saw the band a number of times in the 90s, but it has been 14-15 years since I last saw them (if memory serves it was at Marquette University in Milwaukee). I wondered how they would hold up all these years later. Fortunately, they held up amazingly well.

When Superchunk hit the stage, the sun was glaring right behind them, so if you didn't have some shades, you were fucked. Fortunately, my camera was able to compensate.

Guitarist/singer Mac McCaughan had his shades.

Jim Wilbur, on the other hand, rocked out shade-less. A bold move.

The set included Superchunk classics like "The First Part," "Skip Steps 1 & 3," "Like a Fool," and "Slack Motherfucker," but also included rare singles like "Cool" and "Baxter." The 'Chunk also performed its newest single, "Digging For Something."

After a while, the sun might have started getting to Mac, as he lost his place in the setlist a couple of times.

The sun was going down, but the energy level remained.

Bassist Laura Ballance spent the entire set on the opposite side of the stage from where I staked out my spot. Unfortunate. Yet, with the power of a cheap camera lens, I was still able to snap this pic.

Look very closely at who is rocking out on the side of the stage...Britt Daniels of Spoon!

As the sun finally went down, Superchunk ended its set. Amazing show.

I was pretty spent after the set, so I decided to check out the view of the show from next door at Rick's Boatyard (a seafood restaurant). I spent the rest of the night there and caught The Faint and Spoon from the restaurant's balcony. It was hard to beat good food, a waitress, and an actual restroom (only the portable type on show grounds) when compared to the craziness of a Faint crowd. Music festivals are for the young, and I'm not as young as I used to be. At least, I'm honest about it. No shame in my game.

Tomorrow Is MAHA!

Tomorrow is the second annual MAHA Music Festival in Omaha. It will be one helluva show this year. I didn't attend the first annual fest due to the overwhelming suckiness of the line-up. This year, that problem has been seriously rectified.

I am most excited about seeing Superchunk. I've been a fan for 20 years, but haven't seen them play since the mid-90s. The headliner is Spoon, who I love, but haven't seen in a few years. Also of interest is The Faint, who are sort of broken up, but sort of still together.

Also on the main stage are Old 97s, Ben Kweller, and It's True (who are breaking up after the festival). There are some decent acts on the second stage, but I think I'll just be focusing on the main stage.

Tickets are still available at $33, but if you wait until tomorrow, the price goes up to $38. See you there.

Colossal Stupidity: It's True is Breaking Up

Tim at Lazy-I reported it, and I confirmed it with 1% Productions. It's True is breaking up. The outstanding Omaha band is calling it quits after its performance on July 24 at the MAHA Music Festival. The band is performing on the main stage along with Spoon, The Faint, Superchunk, Old 97s, and Ben Kweller. It is an amazing opportunity for exposure, but sadly, all anyone will be exposed to is a band playing its last gig.

This is colossally stupid. It's True is the best Omaha band to come along since the mighty three of the late 90s/early 2000s: Bright Eyes, Cursive, and The Faint.

This, officially, sucks.

It's True CD Release TONIGHT at Waiting Room

With what may be the top local release of the year, Omaha band It's True celebrate the release of its debut full-length CD tonight with a big show at Waiting Room. I've already posted a lot on this band here, so I won't go on an on now. Suffice to say that you should definitely hit this show tonight. It's True performs along with The Haunted Windchimes & Bear Country for a mere $8.

See you there.

It's True (finally) Releases It's Debut Album

The fantastic new(-ish) Omaha band It's True has just released it's debut full length CD. It can be purchased by clicking the above picture (it will take you to their blog which has a direct link to buy). If you don't want to deal with the mail, you can pick it up this Friday, April 30 at the band's CD release show at The Waiting Room. Tickets for the release show are $8 and can be purchased online or at the show. The album is also available through the normal digital channels as well (i.e. itunes, amazon, etc).

On a personal note, I have had a copy of the CD since last December, and have been loving it. I am very glad that everyone else can now hear this gem.

Very Brief Rundown of the It's True Show Last Night

Hit Waiting Room last night for a brief meeting with the editor at Omaha.net, and to see It's True once again. The band was opening for a group called Steel Train from New Jersey. Before It's True played, I watched a little bit of the set from Holly Miranda. She was really good. Great voice, really intense. I went over to buy a CD, but no one from her band was there at the time to sell it to me. I meant to go back, but I forgot.

It's True's set was a bit wild, and sort of off. Still, an off set from these guys is still better than most bands at their level. Most of the folks there assumed the band was exhausted from traveling to Texas for last week's SXSW Music Fest. I'll just chalk it up to that as well.

It's True (with Steel Train and Holly Miranda) TONIGHT at Waiting Room

Omaha indie rock buzz band It's True - fresh off their appearance at the South By Southwest music festival - are performing tonight at The Waiting Room. The band will be the opener tonight for Steel Train. Steel Train is currently on tour with Teagan and Sara, but have tonight off from the tour, and are doing a special Omaha show. Also on the bill is Holly Miranda. Tickets are $10.

In other It's True news, the band has announced that it will be releasing its debut full-length CD on Friday, April 30 with a release show at Waiting Room.

By the Way, It's True Brought It Last Saturday Night!

It's True Saturday Feb 6, 2010 @ Waiting Room

Go See IT'S TRUE Saturday at Waiting Room

I'm giving you all an extra day's notice on this one so you can clear your calendar. Omaha's best and brightest, It's True, are performing Saturday night at The Waiting Room.

It's True @ Waiting Room 11/14/09

If you haven't seen the band yet, this is your shot. If you have, then you know what to expect. The band will undoubtedly be performing songs from their excellent, forthcoming full length album, and tightening up their live chops for their appearance at this year's SXSW Music Conference in Austin, TX in March.

Saturday's show is extra cool because Eagle*Seagull is also on the bill. A few years back, it looked like Eagle*Seagull was going to be the breakaway band from the area. It still might happen for them, but regardless, seeing these two bands on the same stage will be a treat. Also playing is Cowboy Indian Bear, and tickets are $7 at the door. See you there.

It's True Carries On Omaha's Strong Indie Music Tradition

Earlier in the decade Omaha was on the cutting edge of independent music and the city produced some internationally recognized artists like Bright Eyes, Cursive, and The Faint. While those artists are still going strong, many outside of the Omaha scene have been wondering if the city would be delivering any other artists of that quality, and with that possibility for commercial success. So far, there have been some top quality artists, but none have had the national or international impact that the original three have had.

Currently there are a number of great bands making a name for themselves in Omaha. One band in particular is beginning to make waves with the local music establishment and its taste makers. That band is called It's True. I have now seen the band twice (including last Saturday night at Waiting Room) and can report that, in this case, you should believe the hype.

I am almost completely at a loss as to how to describe the band's sound or who I would compare them to. It's True mixes the best elements of noisy shoegaze rock with more quiet singer/songwriter type material. Guitarist/vocalist Adam Hawkins has a high, sweet voice which contrasts nicely with the louder parts of their songs; yet it can also stand virtually alone when the band quiets down to near silence and Hawkins sings almost a capella. The rest of the band members are all excellent musicians especially lead guitarist, Andrew Bailie.

Though I probably wasn't supposed to hear it yet, I was able to hear a couple of tunes from the band's forthcoming full length album. What I heard was very impressive -- much better than almost any comparable new band. The performance and production were first rate, and some label (if they still exist) would be wise to snatch this band up.

Right now, for me, the local scene is best represented by Little Brazil and It's True. I wish there was some way to share some of that great studio music I heard, but there isn't. For now, you'll have to make due with some older recordings and some live ones on It's True's Myspace page. Check it out, and if you can think of who they sound like, please drop me a line or leave a comment. It has been driving me crazy for weeks!