TUESDAY: SOLIDSTATE | THE RECKLESS | BILLY SHADDOX
Solidstate is a up-and-coming 2-piece guitar/drum rock combo from St. Paul, MN featuring Atom Pechman (Guitars/Vocals) and Scott Bergmann (Drums/Vocals).
The Reckless began playing the Minneapolis club circuit, and after recruiting bassist Adam Couch, released their debut LP “Keep It Together” in late 2013 at First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry. The album was described by The Mankato Free Press as “a surreal headtrip” with “poppy, new age swagger.” The band’s sound has been compared to the likes of Kings of Leon, Radiohead, and Coldplay, Subsequently sharing the stage with gold and platinum alternative rock acts like Dada and Everclear, The Reckless has been gaining momentum in the alternative rock scene.
Billy Shaddox is blessed with the ability to blend the western dualities of coastal dreamer and high mountain drifter into his deep, easy flowing songs. This is modern American folk music with pop sensibilities. Rooted in stories of love and fortune lost, perspective and enlightenment gained, Shaddox captures the mystique of the West with indelible lyrical imagery and sharply original musicality: the displaced modern man weary of coping with vanishing ideals, the present-minded realist, the uncontrollable jealousy of the downtrodden miner, and the bright-eyed morning traveler setting out to make his mark on the world.
Recommended If You Like:
Jon Spencer Blues Explostion, Kings of Leon, The Wallflowers, Jeff Tweedy
WEDNESDAY: UNITY THE BAND
Unity…the Band is an award-winning original roots reggae group based in Appleton, WI. Their intense touring schedule of varied venues around the Midwest has honed an interactive outdoor stage show with positive party vibes and the knack for drawing club crowds into the irie groove. They treat fans to old roots Reggae favs, along with original music blending influences of rock, roots, blues and reggae into their own unique sound.
Recommended If You Like:
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Third World, Jimmy Cliff, Stevie Wonder
THURSDAY: KILL IT! COMEDY-OKE
Clap for the comedians, laugh at karaoke, or vice versa. If you have every wanted to get on stage at the Turf Club but you’re not in a band, this is your chance! The open mic is for comedians who are new and comedians who have done a thousand shows. The karaoke is for everyone, even the comedians. [Facebook Event]
Recommended If You Like:
Laughter, singing karaoke, performing stand-up, Rana May, Arzu Gocken
FRIDAY: BIG LAKE CD Release Show
To promote their upcoming record release show at the Turf Club on April 25, Big Lake teamed up with Joey Ryan for this fragile, stirring cover of Big Star’s “Thirteen.” The intimate performance clip captures the collaborative group paying tribute to a song that clearly means quite a bit to them, while also showcasing their own musical talents at the same time. The acoustic, piano-laden cover manages to tap into the wistful poignancy of the original number, which will be immediately familiar to all of us Big Star fans. No telling if the groups will get together and cover this at the Turf, but Big Lake, Joey Ryan and the Inks, and Small Cities have plenty of their own poignant material to keep music fans more than entertained at the Turf. [Gimme Noise]
Recommended If You Like:
Fleet Foxes, The Shins, Megafaun, Volcano Choir, Teenage Fanclub
SATURDAY: LOOP
‘If I had a band, I’d want it to sound like Loop’ At some point in the late 80s, I said those very words. That the person I said it to sniffed in violent disagreement isn’t important. You can have your Jesus & Mary Chain and your Spacemen 3, I was froot-loops for Loop. Their crushing white-hot minimalist guitar mantras were the perfect pulverizing intersection between La Monte Young, The Stooges and Suicide. They were as intense as Killing Joke or The Pop Group and they took their name from a Velvet Underground rarity. Yes, please! [Dangerous Minds]
Recommended If You Like:
My Bloody Valentine, Can, Ride, Faust, Mercury Rev, Ultra Vivid Scene
SUNDAY: BLACK LIPS (SOLD OUT)
The story of Black Lips reads kind of like a trashy young adult novel. The band’s two founders were kicked out of high school; another band member was killed just before their debut album was released. They did outrageous stuff at shows — there was pee, vomit, blood, and making out with each other on stage — and they got banned from more than a few clubs in the process. Yet after 15 years, they’re still at it, having played on six continents and picked up fans around the world. Black Lips’ latest album, Underneath the Rainbow, mines ’50s rockabilly and ’60s garage rock and twists it into something darker, even a little dangerous. [All Things Considered]
Recommended If You Like:
King Khan & BBQ Show, Ty Segall, Jay Reatard, The Mummies, The Sonics
MONDAY: NELO
“The most important thing in any song is that it’s true to whatever picture you’re seeing or feeling,” nelo mainman Matt Ragland. “I really do want to paint a picture, and it happens when I’m honest.” Nelo’s self-titled album is chock full of those kinds of pictures. Ragland crafts an emotional and evocative portrait with brush strokes of airy rock, entrancing acoustic guitars, and vivid lyricism. It’s a powerful and poetic ride that leaves its mark immediately. [ARTISTdirect]
Recommended If You Like:
Damien Rice, Keane, Daniel Lanois, Ryan Adams, Ray La Montagne
