Local music
Independent's Day: Lawrence’s Fourth of July establishes strong brotherhood within indie scene
Thursday, July 3, 2008
In the shadow of Memorial Stadium sits a residence commonly referred to as the Bull House. This is because of a prominent bull statue that guards the entrance to the dwelling, the result of a former art student’s senior project some dozen years ago. But it isn’t art students who have recently taken over the place. Rather it is four of the five members of the self-described “most patriotic band in Lawrence.” This is the home to Fourth of July, where every day is independent’s day — as in indie music.
Rockin' in the free world
Lawrence's Fourth of July establishes strong brotherhood within indie rock scene
Thursday, July 3, 2008
In the shadow of Memorial Stadium sits a residence commonly referred to as the Bull House. This is because of a prominent bull statue that guards the entrance to the dwelling, the result of a former art student’s senior project some dozen years ago. But it isn’t art students who have recently taken over the place. Rather it is four of the five members of the self-described “most patriotic band in Lawrence.”
Full Metal Jacket
Reggie and the Full Effect releases its most metal record to date
Monday, June 30, 2008
More than most bands, fans have certain expectations for what they want a Reggie and the Full Effect record to sound like. These mostly teenage minions fell in love with Reggie when he was a different man: a younger, goofier, (even) more immature version of his present-day self...
Lied Center promotes upcoming performers by offering free iTunes
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Area residents don’t need to wait for prominent artists such as Laurie Anderson and Philip Glass to show up in Lawrence to hear their distinctive styles. Just grab a free iTunes card, download the songs and start the music — an innovative introduction to the Lied Center’s upcoming season, courtesy of the center, Apple and the artists themselves.
Mended Paw
Formative Grunge Act reunites for Festival
Monday, May 26, 2008
To many in Lawrence, Paw’s story is well-known. Their success with the song “Jessie” and two well-received albums, “Dragline” and “Death to Traitors,” eventually led to a breakdown with their label, A&M, which shelved a third album. After coming back up for air with “Home is a Strange Place” in 2000, infighting and a departure of both vocalist Mark Hennessy and guitarist Grant Fitch seemed to signal a definitive end to the band.
Summer concerts start Wednesday
Saturday, May 24, 2008
The Lawrence City Band summer concert series kicks off at 8 p.m. Wednesday at South Park, 1141 Mass.
Sea Change
Unwed Sailor’s Johnathon Ford discusses “Little Wars” and his fling with Lawrence
Monday, May 19, 2008
Johnathon Ford grew up with an appetite for movie soundtracks, Disney scores and classical music. Those obsessions inform his body of work as Unwed Sailor, an instrumental band that has routinely changed members and styles during its 10-year run.
Kickin’ the Truth to the Youth
Local rapper Richard “GQ” Thomas schools Lawrence High hip-hoppers
Monday, May 19, 2008
Who is that rapper poisoning the delicate minds of our youths with the hippity-hop? After searching low and high, we found that it’s none other than local rapper and BombSquad member Richard “GQ” Thomas.
More concerts could be in store
Friday, May 16, 2008
Strike up the next band. The promoter for Wednesday evening’s Wilco concert said he was ecstatic with how the event fit into downtown Lawrence, and he hopes to do three to four a year at the site near Ninth and New Hampshire streets.
Bee prepared
Hip-hop legend Busy Bee brings wild style to town in honor of KU basketball star’s graduation
Friday, May 16, 2008
Jayhawks basketball guard Russell Robinson is netting another honor this year to go along with his NCAA championship ring: He’ll be graduating from Kansas University with a degree in communications.
And communication is the key word when it comes to how Robinson will be celebrating the occasion.
Music reviews
Full Metal Jacket
Reggie and the Full Effect releases its most metal record to date
Monday, June 30, 2008
More than most bands, fans have certain expectations for what they want a Reggie and the Full Effect record to sound like. These mostly teenage minions fell in love with Reggie when he was a different man: a younger, goofier, (even) more immature version of his present-day self...
Mended Paw
Formative Grunge Act reunites for Festival
Monday, May 26, 2008
To many in Lawrence, Paw’s story is well-known. Their success with the song “Jessie” and two well-received albums, “Dragline” and “Death to Traitors,” eventually led to a breakdown with their label, A&M, which shelved a third album. After coming back up for air with “Home is a Strange Place” in 2000, infighting and a departure of both vocalist Mark Hennessy and guitarist Grant Fitch seemed to signal a definitive end to the band.
Sea Change
Unwed Sailor’s Johnathon Ford discusses “Little Wars” and his fling with Lawrence
Monday, May 19, 2008
Johnathon Ford grew up with an appetite for movie soundtracks, Disney scores and classical music. Those obsessions inform his body of work as Unwed Sailor, an instrumental band that has routinely changed members and styles during its 10-year run.
Outdoor concert impresses visitors
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The city’s first major outdoor downtown concert proved successful Wednesday night, leaving many people wanting more family-friendly outdoor events of its kind in the future. On the lawn north of the Lawrence Arts Center where opening band Retribution Gospel Choir and headliner Wilco played, Vanessa Sanburn, Jake Lowen and their five-year-old daughter Nadia Sanburn relaxed in between sets.
Sir Charles
Lawrence songwriter Charles S. McVey spreads the gospel of “Modern Living”
Monday, May 12, 2008
Charles S. McVey doesn’t seem like the sort of guy who enjoys his down time. In addition to freelance engineering at Black Lodge Studios and playing keys for Lonnie Fisher & the Funeral, McVey labors over his own recordings and maintains a busy local performance schedule.
National music
Blue skies
Talented and tumultuous Wilco headlines unusual downtown outdoor concert
Friday, May 9, 2008
Early in his professional career, bassist John Stirratt opened for The Replacements in Mobile, Ala. The headlining band had just released its 1987 masterwork, “Pleased to Meet Me,” and was becoming a legendary force in alternative rock.
Hail to the chiefs
The Presidents launch new campaign to make rock fun again
Monday, May 5, 2008
While the 1990s were politically synonymous with Bill Clinton, the decade’s music scene was equally receptive to The Presidents of the United States of America.
Spoon bender
Lawrence bassist adjusts to membership in one of indie rock’s premier bands
Friday, April 18, 2008
Rob Pope is gearing up for a show in Atlanta during his latest tour stop. While being on the road is commonplace for the Lawrence musician, he realizes this particular day merits its own significance.
The Art of Downloading
Monday, Aug. 13, 2007
Ah, freshman year at KU. The millennium was still all kinds of new, I had gleefully moved far away from home and to the dorms. It wasn’t quite the cleanest or most ideal living situation, but had T1 internet connections. Having grown up in small town where DSL wasn't available until 2006 and cable internet still does not exist, I literally had no idea that the internet came that fast. It totally ruled.
Never break the chain
Move to Nashville allows Lawrence’s Sarah Buxton to achieve her country singing and songwriting dreams
Friday, July 13, 2007
So much of what audiences need to know about Sarah Buxton she spells out in the first lyric on her latest album. She sings, “I left Lawrence, Kansas, at the age of 17 / To chase down my own version of the American dream.” Ten years later, that dream has evolved into a daily reality for the Nashville-based country artist.
Archetype / Fourth of July (late show) :: Besides the obvious novelty of Fourth of July performing on the Fourth of July, tonight's twin-bill doubleheader offers a chance to celebrate our nation's birth with two Lawrence bands whose colors don't run ... More info
- Fourth of July Fireworks
- Deadman Flats / Rev. Deadeye’s No Man Gospel Band
- Big Cat KS / The Calamity Cubes
