Bettie Serveert Delivers The Goods...Big Time

I was not expecting to have had such a great time at the Bettie Serveert show last night. They are one of my favorite bands, but since I just saw them a few months ago and have been in a bad mood lately, I wasn't thinking I was going to be too impressed. I was as wrong as wrong could be on that score.

The show was scheduled for Sokol Underground. At about 6:45 last night, some major storms hit the Omaha area and all the power downtown went out. The power company said it could be anywhere from two to ten hours before it was restored. So, the promoter scrambled to find a new room, and moved the show to O'Leavers. These two rooms are not the same size by a longshot. Sokol holds between 300-400 and O'Leavers is about a 100 capacity club. No one bothered to tell me the show had moved, so when I arrived downtown around 10 pm I found the club completely dark. But not only was the club dark, the entire street for blocks was dark. No street lights, no traffic lights, no nothing. I made a quick call and found out the show had been moved. So I hauled ass back to midtown.

The show was running late due to the venue change, so I hadn't missed anything. When I arrived, I found the band sitting outside of the club drinking and talking to fans. I mosied up to singer Carol Van Dijk and began chatting her up. Carol is way beyond a mere babe. Being European (she's from Holland), she had a sexy accent; and being a rock singer, she was just cool as fuck. I lobbied to get the band to play their version of Sebadoh's "Healthy Sick." Unfortunately, she told me, they hadn't played it in years and their new drummer didn't know the song. Oh well. I bought her a drink (scotch and water) and we drank a bit while talking music. Man, was she beautiful up close. I am so glad that I had the chance to meet her.

The band didn't start their set until after midnight. They played songs from pretty much every era of the band. They even did their version of Bright Eyes' "Lover I Don't Have To Love" which they didn't do last time. Despite the smaller venue and much smaller crowd (I don't think everyone got the news about the new venue) the band put on a stellar show. Bar time in Nebraska is 1 am. The band was not quite done by then, so the bar just stopped serving alcohol and the band kept going. They wrapped up about 1:30. I said goodbye to Carol and the band and headed home. I was so wired from the show that I was unable to fall asleep until about 3. Obviously that is not super smart after being sick, but fuck it...how many times will I be able to see a band of the caliber of Bettie Serveert in my local hangout?

For those who have never heard Bettie Serveert, check out the band's first album Palomine. If you just have to hear something now, check out this mp3 from the band's newest album, Attagirl. Click here to listen to the title track from the new record.

Bettie Serveert Tonight at Sokol Underground

Those in the Omaha area have another opportunity to see Holland's Bettie Serveert perform tonight. This amazing band is making its second stop in Omaha on its tour to support Attagirl, its newest record. Tickets are still available here. If you missed them last time, do not make the same mistake twice.

The Fags! Tonight! Shea Rileys!

I've been hyping this show for the last two weeks, and it's finally here. If you live in the Omaha area, make it a point to get to Shea Rileys (72nd & Dodge, behind The 20's strip club) to see The Fags tonight. The openers are The Goddamnrights and Lovetap. DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!!!

R.I.P. Karl Mueller (1964-2005)

I'm very sad to report that Soul Asylum bassist, Karl Mueller, died last Friday at the age of 41. Mueller died from throat cancer which had been diagnosed in May 2004. He had been in and out of the hospital for most of the last year. To many people, Soul Asylum was just another band. Yeah, they had that one "hit" with "Runaway Train." To me, Soul Asylum was not just another band. Though I lost interest in the band's musical direction after its 1992 breakthrough album, Grave Dancer's Union, I never lost my love for the band's early albums. They still stand among the best rock albums (Made to be Broken, Hang Time, And the Horse They Rode In On) of the 1980s, and should be acknowledged as the inspiration for much of the best late 80s/early 90s alternative rock like Pixies, Nirvana, Goo Goo Dolls, etc.

Karl Mueller (left) and the rest of Soul Asylum in the 1980s.

Karl was an original member of Soul Asylum. He helped form the band in 1981, when they called themselves Loud Fast Rules. His stylish bass playing and stage presence made him a favorite amongst the Minneapolis musicians, and endeared him to the many Soul Asylum fans across the country. Late last fall a benefit was put on in Minneapolis to raise money for Mueller's medical bills. Paul Westerberg (Replacements) played as did Bob Mould and Grant Hart (Husker Du) who had not performed together since 1987. Soul Asylum performed what we know now to be its last ever show with Karl -- and most likely its last show ever -- that night.

I saw Soul Asylum seventeen times between 1988 and 1993, and was lucky enough to have met Mr. Mueller on a few of those occasions. He was always a very nice and gracious guy, who enjoyed meeting with fans. If you think you know Soul Asylum and you don't own Hang Time, for example, try to get yourself re-aquainted with the band's old material. You will not be disappointed. Here is an mp3 from that album, "Sometime To Return."

Karl was the "cover model" on the band's 1988 EP, Clam Dip & Other Delights.

Happy Birthday to Jerry Stiller

Happy 76th birthday to actor Jerry Stiller. While Stiller had a long career before the Seinfeld show, he will always be best known as Frank Costanza from that show. He is also Ben Stiller's father which means a lot to some people....

Neko Case Tonight at Sokol Underground

Alt-country goddess Neko Case is playing in Omaha tonight at Sokol Underground. I have been waiting for this show for months, so obviously I am quite psyched. In addition to Neko being in one of my favorite bands, The New Pornographers, she is also an excellent solo performer. I know that I am stating the obvious when I say that she is also one of the sexiest female artists in music today. She sings like Patsy Cline and looks like a model. What could be wrong with that? As far as I know, this is Neko's first time in Omaha. To get an idea of how she sings, here is an mp3 of the title track of her newest CD, The Tigers Have Spoken. It's a live record, but it does not feature songs from previous albums (as most live records do). Her backing band on the CD is a group called The Sadies. Make it a point to hit this show if you live in Omaha; and if you don't, catch her in your town. You will not be sorry.

VCR at O'Leavers Tonight. Do Not Miss This Show!

Crazed Virginia synth-punk band VCR is playing tonight at O'Leavers. As far as I know, the band only has one EP released so far. I love the record. I have been playing the crap out of it on my radio show for weeks. I've been telling people that VCR is like Devo on steroids. You can hear some of the band's music on their MySpace page. Tonight's show is competing with Little Brazil at Sokol Underground. I've seen LB a couple of times recently, so there's no real dilemma from my perspective. The band just secured a number of spots opening for Tegan & Sara, so that's a major break for them. If you don't live in Omaha and know the whole history of the band (frontman Landon Hedges was in Bright Eyes, Desaparacedos, and The Good Life), that may be your first opportunity to see the band.

Last night's Pinback show was pretty weak. The band sounded fine and all, but they were just not that interesting on stage. The crowd seemed to like it. The place was packed to the gills, and nobody was leaving early. From my vantage point, though, the show was a snooze fest. Still, I highly recommend their album, Summer in Abaddon. I'm hoping I get a second wind sometime tonight because right now I am super beat from two nights in a row of shows. I think I will pull it off, though. I have confidence in myself!

Pinback at Sokol Underground Tonight

Pinback is playing tonight at Sokol Underground. That much you could gave gotten from the title of the post. I don't know much about this San Diego band except that I really like their newest record, Summer in Abaddon. I've told people that Pinback is like the Pixies without the distortion. Not sure how accurate that it, but I like it. They have a definite element of dream pop, but they are a really intricately arranged band. Whereas most dream pop is sort of murky and atmospheric, these guys are very tight and punchy. It's a bizarre pairing which makes for a pretty unique sound. Here is an mp3 of an older Pinback song called Concrete Seconds. This song comes from the band's 2001 CD, Blue Screen Life. Pick up one of their albums to get a better idea of what the band is really like. Tickets for the show are kinda steep ($12), but they should be worth it.

Last night's Sound of Urchin show was a bit disappointing. The band were really nice guys, and it was fun to meet and hang out with them before the show. I guess my problem with the band is that they incorporate so many different elements (hard rock, pop, jam, progressive, etc) into their sound that they end up sounding like nothing. They don't have enough of any of the styles to really grab onto. Mine was definitely a minority opinion at the club though. The 50 or so fans that showed up loved the set. They did do a good cover of "Spirit of Radio" by Rush, but I wasn't super into their originals. I did stay the entire time -- no pussing out. AND I started partying at 6:30 pm! Had two of those "Rock Star" energy drinks (they're like red bull but in a tall boy can) so I was flying! That shit's like cocaine!!