The Dark Stuff is an online music magazine and podcast that focuses primarily (though not exclusively) on independent artists that perform in Omaha, Nebraska and the Midwest.
This episode begins with some awesome news. I got an email from Mike Watt thanking me for the video I made a few weeks ago. He also shared the video on his Facebook page.
Next, there's new music from Superchunk and Juniper! You may remember that Juniper's album, 'She Steals Candy,' was my Number One of 2023. Well, when Juniper, herself, left home for college, it looked like that was the end of the band. However, there is, at least, one more song! Juniper covers Rick Springfield's "I've Done Everything For You." The new song can be found on a new Rick Springfield tribute album.
Caught the long running San Francisco band, Cake, the other night at The Astro. I review that show; and touch on recent shows from L.A. Guns, Melvins, and Violenteer.
I have covered the band Violenteer in the past. I caught a different version of the band recently at a free show at O'Leaver's. They altered the band's name to Violin/tier, and had a guest vocalist (and maybe a new drummer?). It was cool. The "new" drummer is actually from a great local band called Pagan Athletes. That drummer also sang and played guitar in the opening band called Titus Groaners. Had never seen them before, but loved the brief set.
Lastly, I give a plug to my other channel Rock N Roll Book Club and tell you that the newest episode is about the Ione Skye memoir, "Say Everything."
Thanks for stopping by to watch my first video of the new year! In this edition of "This Year's Week," I offer up a preview of my road trip to see Vicki & Debbi Peterson of The Bangles! I also have a new Dark Stuff Playlist for January, and some updates to the channel.
Next I have some live footage from the recent Violenteer record release show at Reverb. Also on the bill was Bad Bad Men. Violenteer's music can be found on the streamers or on their bandcamp: https://violenteer.bandcamp.com/
The video closes out with a little bit of music news on The Magnolias and The Fluid.
These photos are all from the record release show for the new EP from Violenteer. The Omaha band has just released an excellent new self-titled 12". The band's sound recalls classic 90s era Touch & Go Records bands. Unlike most of those bands, Violenteer has no guitarist, and instead utilizes two bass players. The music is heavy, dark, and moody. It's quite good. Violenteer's lead singer, Steve Tulipana, also sings for the similarly inspired band, Season To Risk.
Violenteer at Reverb, Omaha, NE 12/7/24
Violenteer's music can be found on the streamers, and can be purchased on their bandcamp page.
Bad Bad Men opened the show. BBM's most recent album is called "Messed Up."
Next up, I discuss the recent severe storms that hit Omaha. Nearly 230,00 lost power - including me - due to storm damage. As I'm writing this description, there are still nearly 30,000 in the dark and the sweltering heat. Personally, I only lost power for 48 hours. Even still, I had a bit of a meltdown on the second night. Since I've never had one in the past, I'm not sure whether or not I had a panic attack. But if that is what I experienced, I hope to never experience that again. It was terrifying.
I've been listening to Aerosmith since I was 10 years old, and I'm 53 now. They are such an important band, and one that has been a part of my life for pretty much all of it. This week, the band announced it was retiring from the road. Steven Tyler has not been able to recover from a recent vocal injury, and the band has cancelled all future touring. Getting old sucks. No one is immune.
I highly doubt that I've ever covered Bryan Adams on the channel before, but there is a first time for everything! Bryan "Summer of 69" Adams is releasing a new 7" single on his own label, Bad Records. The reason why this was interesting to me is that both songs are KISS covers. Well...sort of. The songs, "Rock and Roll Hell" and "War Machine," both appeared on KISS's 1982 album, Creatures of the Night. Both are co-writes between Gene Simmons and Bryan Adams (along with his writing partner, Jim Vallance), and they are among the heaviest songs KISS ever recorded. Is Bryan Adams really covering a song if he wrote it?
Comedian David Cross popped into Omaha to try out some new material ahead of an upcoming tour and the taping of a longform comedy special. It was wild seeing him in such a small space. He was supposed to perform again the next night, but he cancelled. Hmmm....
Caught a fantastic rock show the other night. Three terrific bands. The "post-hardcore/alternative rock band" (per Wikipedia, lol) SHINER (active primarily from 1992-2002) closed out a brief Midwest tour with a fiery set at Reverb Lounge. I never saw Shiner in their heyday; but have seen singer/guitarist Allen Epley in his next band The Life and Times and as a solo artist.
The two openers were both great. First up was Violenteer. This unique band featured two bass players and no guitarist. The band had a heavy sound that reminded me of Tough & Go Records in its glory days. You may recognize lead singer Steve Tulipana from his time in Season To Risk. Bassist Randy Cotton previously played in Ritual Device. Middle band Healer played an all too brief set in between.
Lastly, we check in with Neko and Blackie and see how they held up after the blackout.
