2009: The Year of Lists - Nathan

One of the best aspects of this blogging thing is the opportunity to meet some nice people in and around COMO. Sure, there have been assholes too, but I really appreciate those who can read the blog and take it for what it's worth. They enjoy some of what I have to say and agree to disagree at other times. They either read the blog politely before moving on or join the discussion.

Take Nathan for instance. I'm on his RSS feed, but he rarely comments. He responded to my call for submissions and despite being rather selective in his musical purchases this year, he felt unable to make a quality year-end list of albums. To his credit, Nathan did the next-best-thing and identified the twenty best tracks he's heard. As you will see, he knows of which he speaks.

Who is this mysterious contributor? He would only share this: "I'm a 28 year old bank examiner who lives in Columbia. I'm a graduate of MU, but hopefully am not quite as deluded as some of the Mizzou fans you've referenced in past posts." That and the list below is all I know about Nathan, but he is certainly a friend of lim.

As far as my thoughts on the music, I love this list. Sure, it has a couple of repeats, but can anyone honestly claim that these songs suck? I didn't think so. I am really digging the Girls album Album lately. So, their presence is noted and appreciated. "My Girls" is maybe my song of the year, but #4 is a respectable slot. And can anyone deny the hotness of Neko Case or the two sexiest couples of indie rock (Handsome Furs, Matt & Kim)? Seriously, play all these tracks in their intended order, enjoy, and thank Nathan for his contribution.

(No disclaimer this time as Nathan didn't add any commentary. He let the music speak for itself.)

1. Girls - "Lust for Life"

2. Atlas Sound - "Sheila"

3. Harlem - "South of France"


4. Animal Collective - "My Girls"

5. Titus Andronicus - "Titus Andronicus"

6. Phoenix - "1901"

7. Girls - "Hellhole Ratrace"

8. Kid Cudi - "Pursuit of Happiness"

9. Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"

10. Grizzly Bear - "Two Weeks"

11. Atlas Sound - "Walkabout"

12. Deer Tick - "Easy"

13. Daniel Johnston - "Freedom"

14. Phoenix - "Lisztomania"

15. Neko Case - "People Gotta Lot of Nerve"

16. White Rabbits - "Percussion Gun"

17. St. Vincent - "The Strangers"

18. A.C. Newman - "There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve"

19. Matt and Kim - "Lessons Learned"

20. Handsome Furs - "All We Want, Baby, Is Everything"

Strange Days

Apparently, there was nothing and no one for whom to vote on Tuesday. I made a comment about not knowing anything about voting this year and was chastised on Facebook and heard nothing but crickets on Twitter. But there was no voting here.

I drove by the church where we normally vote and it was dead. No flags. No signs reading "Vote Here." Nothing. It's as if COMO was in a strange alternate America where voting doesn't happen.

Admittedly, I don't read the paper enough, but I don't remember anyone saying anything about not voting. Even the schools were out like last year for voting day. No one told me that there would be no voting on the first Tuesday in November.

Why was there nothing on a ballot of any kind here in COMO? What does this say about our right to vote? What does it say about the times in which we live?

I don't know for sure. I assume there were no tax hikes or school issues due to the crummy economy. We are only one year removed from a pretty big election year in '08. I guess there were no decisions for COMO-ians to make this year.

It's probably for the better. We have our mayor for at least another year. The schools are still working on regaining the public's trust. Oh, and we didn't get the opportunity to take away any one's civil rights..well, not since '04.

Still, I feel we missed out. I had no chance to exercise my right to vote like so many others on Tuesday. Maybe next year.

See The Foundry Field Recordings Saturday (and some others)

I am terrible at supporting local music. In my youth, I was at every show or at least several every week and I never missed a local fav on consecutive shows. So, I've put in my time. At this point in my life, I'll just do the best I can.

That said, go to Mojo's Saturday night and see The Foundry Field Recordings do their thing for only a fiver. For this week's set, the line-up will be Billy Schuh (vocals/guitar), David Korasick (vocals/guitar/keyboard/trombone), Justin Nardy (bass), and Cody Mains (drums).

Then, the following Friday (the 13th), you should hit Eastside for Cpt. Captain. On December 12th, Cpt. Captain's label Yards and Gods release their second compilation. The party will be at Mojo's.

Most likely, you will find more info on both shows at Ravenous Horde, but I thought I'd do my part this evening.

Random Musings

It's been nearly a week since I last posted. It's not like I have nothing to say, because I do. It's just that work, school, and family have a way of pushing the blogging aside.

• Apart from the blogs I mentioned two weeks ago, another Bathysphere alum has entered my Google Reader radar. Kiernan Maletsky gives a full rundown of his daily listening habits along with some insight as to what may have led him to such choices. Read All Day Long.
• Speaking of my shout-outs to the local blogosphere, Pete Bland returned the favor via Twitter and Facebook.
• I listened to Wilco (The Album) this week and think they are returning to my good graces; Modest Mouse's new EP made me revisit This Is a Long Drive...; the selection of the opening track for the Monsters of Folk debut is confusing to me; and I got a lot of responses to a Tweet/Facebook status update concerning Nebraska.
• I don't really know what all the hub-bub is over the new Facebook interface. Just jump around between the news feed and the status updates. It's not that hard.
• Geocities closed its "doors" this week. I thought they did that years ago.
• Kids at Paxton-Keeley have been snorting Smarties. Really. I blame hipsters.
• Although I don't really report on the beering at this particular blog anymore, I did brew my third batch this past weekend (yet another reason I'm not blogging). It's a barley wine with bourbon-soaked wood chips for a little oak and vanilla flavoring. It should be good and potent.
• College football rolls on. I will not write about my team until they redeem themselves. Of course, at least they aren't 0-3 in their conference after getting shellacked on their homecoming night. Oh, and I'm predicting everywhere that Iowa will win the national championship. Write it down.
• I spent my first two nights alone with Lucia. We both survived.
• Not only am I not blogging, but I have not been able to attend many happy hours at the 'Tag in recent weeks (and won't make this week's either). Still, you should go and have a Lion Stout for me.
• There was other stuff, but I've already forgotten. I promise to do better.
  

Ten Reasons I Won't Attend the Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ Fest

One of the bigger events in COMO happens this weekend. The third annual Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ Festival returns to downtown, AKA The District (of Columbia). It's a big deal. A lot of people come.

You should go and have a great time.

I'm not going. It's maybe five minutes away, but I'm not going. Here's why...

1. I have class.
Of course, I don't mean that I'm too classy for the Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ Festival. This means that I have class through most of the day on Saturday. Classes meet on Fridays and Saturdays in my program. Mine meets this Saturday from 9am to 4pm.

2. Ohio State starts Big Ten play.
OSU may have lost to USC, but we still have a Big Ten title to claim. Actually, it would be their sixth straight conference title or share of a title. That's a big deal no matter what folks say about the Big Ten. I mean, no one in the Big Ten has lost to Toledo or almost lost to Bowling Green. No one in the conference has lost to a FCS (formerly division 1-AA) team. The Big Ten had at least one preseason top-25 team. (Actually, they had three and still have three in the polls.) A conference championship is still something and for the Big Ten champ it means a trip to a BCS bowl. So, Saturday's game versus Illinois is important.

3. There are too many 'n's.
Really? Three 'n's? Isn't that a bit much? What's wrong with and?

4. It's not free anymore.
The two main stages are no longer free. You can pay $10 for one day or $15 for both. Or there's the volunteer route that rewards you a day pass for a day of work. What that also means for those who want to casually check it out, the headliners are no longer available unless you fork over some money.

5. There are too many people.
I attended one evening the first year for the festival. I felt crushed by the crowds. It took me 45 minutes to move a half block. There's no room to walk and folks set up shop with lawn chairs or clogging the streets with monstrous strollers. It's not pleasant at all. Of course, maybe #4 will take care of this issue this year.

6. Blues is a dead genre.
I've used this argument before and I stand by it to this day. The blues ran their course. Even revivalists like the White Stripes and Black Keys have dabbled in other genres. Today's blues are bastardized versions of the originals. It's not appealing to me to see the same old musical form rehashed over and over...unless, of course, it's nineties indie rock. I can't get enough of that stuff.

7. Bad beer.
Sure, New Belgium is one of the sponsors, but even they have their bad beer. Coors Light and Miller Lite are also sponsors and I suspect will be more plentiful than NB's La Folie or even Hoptoberfest. I was able to gain access (thanks to friends) to a tent serving some rice-derived light beer. That sort of turned me off.

8. The lines are too long to get any BBQ.
I've never had any of the BBQ at this thing. The lines were too long, possibly in relation to #5, but they were still too long. I can get Jamaican BBQ whenever I want. Why wait two hours in line on my weekend?

9. White people dancing.
Let me qualify this one. I'm a white guy. I was once named best dancer in my senior class. I know of which I speak. I should never have set foot on a dance floor. If you are not this dude, don't dance this weekend. Please.

10. No Jon Spencer.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion were once erroneously invited to play a blues festival. They're a rock band, but I would certainly welcome this to COMO. (Please reunite and tour with Pavement. Please.)

Like I said, go to the festival and enjoy yourself some roots 'n blues 'n 'n BBQ this weekend. Just don't expect me to be there.

Addendum: There is now an eleventh reason for me not to attend the festival. It seems one of the headliners will not be present. Read it here.

One Year Ago...

One year ago, R and I became antsy. Lucia (known as "Cletus the Fetus" at the time) was officially one day late. Little did we know she would eventually arrive eight days later, but you know what they say about hindsight.

Over the final week of Lucia Month, I will probably look back at what I was posting last year.

On September 3, 2008, I wrote the following in a preview list for some fall events here in COMO. Anyway...

Yes, we're still waiting. The kid is now officially late, which is ironic since my last name is Early (no joke). We wait and try various strategies to move this birth along, but all we end up doing is waiting. Of course, I will be certain to let you all know once little Bristol or Levi arrives...I kid, I kid.

What a time capsule this blog can be. We were waiting for our first child in the midst of Sarah Palin and her brood posing as the punchline to endless jokes. Good times.

Of course, everything else on that list has come and gone. The Roots 'N Blues 'N BBQ Festival will return for its third installment. I didn't go last year and will probably avoid it again this year. Broken Social Scene was OK, but I'm glad I got to see them. I also saw Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks for a pretty kick-ass show. The beer tastings continue and this year (September 13th), the CBE takes its first field trip. There's still room in the van, so sign up.

College football was just getting underway. I correctly proclaimed Mizzou's inflated status as well as correctly predicted their win total. However, my trepidation over Ohio State's upcoming clash with USC was realized as the Trojans trounced my Buckeyes. Hopefully this year's game will go better, but I have a sick feeling in my stomach about it and no new baby to ease my pain. I guess a one-year-old will have to do.

Twilight Festival is still gone and no one's blinked an eye. However, our beloved mayor (Why? I'm not sure.) is calling it quits after something like 43 terms. (There's some hyperbole for ya' KT.) Oh and speaking of politics, Obama did win the election, but things are rocky right now. It's a good thing he still has time to clean up this mess.

So, my point is that a lot has happened since we found ourselves wondering whether or not Lucia...er...I mean Cletus would arrive.

A Message to Mizzou Students

Today was the first day I've really been out on the streets since the students returned. The traffic was heavier just from the added volume of with the addition of over 20,000 students to the roadways. So, congestion was to be expected.

What I sort of forgot about or maybe wiped from my memory was the reckless abandon with which some students drive. I know that it's not all students, but I know they're students. I didn't notice nearly as many drivers quickly switching back and forth between lanes, speeding past only to suddenly slam on breaks, or texting while driving over the summer. I can also tell you that the worst offenders while I was out had Greek letters on their cars or were obviously young but not young enough to be in high school.

I don't mean to be old man como, the cranky old dude complaining about all the young people and their rock and roll music and whatnot, but I feel I have to say something. People do live here year around. Take care as you drive.

If you don't do it for me, at least be a little more careful so that Lucia sees her first birthday.

Stealing from the Vox: Need-to-dos before students re-invade

I really don't have many ideas for this blog at the moment. I'm planning something ambitious to start next week, but we'll see about that. My postings always pick up in the fall.

However, today I picked up a Vox at the Sub House. Inside were a couple of great ideas for blog posts. I figure that I can steal their ideas and ridicule their choices at the same time.

The piece I found interesting was the "5 Things" column that featured need-to-dos before the students return. Ironically, I believe Vox is written by students, but I digress. This is what I think of the five...

5. Enjoy the empty campus and downtown parking lots
Um, have you parked on campus this summer? I have. The lots are always full by 9:00. I usually park on an upper level of my garage. As for the downtown parking, it's never really that bad. A two-block walk is nothing in a major city. The parking at either location changes much in the fall.

4. Review the restaurant scene
It's claimed in this piece that there's barely a wait to get into downtown restaurants when the students are away. Hmmm. That doesn't explain the hour waits at Flat Branch all summer or the packed dining rooms at most downtown restaurants. The worst time to go out downtown is the beginning or end of any semester as students have their parents take them out for a good meal.

3. Make a Wal-mart run
No matter how vacant the students have left the Wal-Marts in town, I won't shop there. Besides, Wal-Mart's regular clientele keep it afloat. I have yet to see a Wal-Mart wiped out by incoming college students. Now Target, that's another story.

2. Take a stroll downtown
Really? One of the factors for a downtown stroll suddenly losing its appeal cited in the article is the influx of football fans. Come on. I lived in Columbus, Ohio. We had a little school by the name of The Ohio State University. That stadium held almost two times the number of people as Faurot Field, not to mention the other 50-100,000 people gathered outside the stadium. So, the measly crowds that show up to Mizzou games are nothing about which to write home. Well, that is, except for when Texas rolls into town. Downtown might be crowded on that day.

1. Savor a Scoop
While I agree that one should get as much ice cream in before the summer and that supporting a local business like Sparky's is an even better idea, I don't know that it's so busy after the kids get here that you'll never enjoy your favorite scoop.

So, I'm not too impressed with this list. I'm sure it was hard to write, but I think it sort of missed the boat. Here are my top-5 need-to-dos before the students re-invade. Berate them as you like.

5. Use the crosswalks without fear of death
It's funny how those thick white lines are supposed to protect pedestrians as they traverse 9th Street, because they don't. Much in the same way those pseudo-bike lanes painted all over the place won't protect you from that frat boy in the SUV, hurrying to drop his buddy off at class from hitting you either. I've walked through London and never felt in danger of being struck by a car the way I feel impending death as I walk through the District (of Columbia). For now, though, crosswalks are safe.

4. Speed down the streets of Columbia
Speaking of safety on the roads, the local law enforcement officers really up their game for the arrival of the students. Something happens as August moves along and the po-po start passing out tickets like they're going out of style. I know more people who get tickets in August and September around these parts than at any other time of year. Beware, the cops are out to catch some speeding college kids at the end of the month. So, get your speeding in now.

3. Rent new releases at Ninth Street Video (on Hitt St.)
It is almost impossible to get a new release at Ninth Street Video once the kids arrive. This is a small video shop with a loyal following, but you better get in their early for the new Adam Sandler movie. Those college kids have a lot of time and disposable funds for some late night flicks.

2. You can actually claim your balcony seat at the Blue Note
As one gets older, he likes to sit at a rock show. So, I often order a balcony seat at the 'Note. To my chagrin, my seat is almost always occupied with some college kids psyched to get the seat in the front row. In the summer, that doesn't happen as there is nobody at the shows in June and July.

1. Not blog
I'm not going to pretend that my readership is huge and all the kids come flocking to lim for their RSS needs, but my numbers double between September and May. I write one or two reviews of a show and I gain so many readers. In the summer, I don't have to worry about fulfilling anyone's expectations for a post every day or a comment on last night's show. I can take it easy or even post nothing for two weeks. Once classes begin, I'll blog constantly.

There you have it, my need-to-dos before the students return. I'll admit that it's worse than the Vox piece. You should tell me what items are on your need-to-do list.

COMO Pre-Fall Preview

I'm calling this a "pre-fall preivew" because it's only the beginning of August and I'm sure there will be more events shared in the coming months. These are just a few things that have me anticipating the fall here in COMO.

@ The Blue Note:
Andrew Bird w/ St. Vincent - September 30
Grizzly Bear w/ Beach House - October 1
The Decemberists - October 7
Although the Decemberist show is listed as the "9th St. Fall Festival", I'm curious if there will be at least one more big show outside this fall. I'm sure there will be other shows added to the schedule as tours get finalized over the coming month.

@ Mojo's:
The Foundry Field Recordings w/ Netherfriends - August 28
Cave - September 25
The Meat Puppets - November 10
Mojo's lineup for the fall looks really thin so far, but I've come to expect their early schedules to look blank. Then, one day without notice, the schedule will be packed. The first two shows listed have COMO/Chicago links. I listed the Meat Puppets mostly because it's rare to see such an established band play a small club. I first saw the Meat Puppets open for Nirvana in an arena in the fall of '93. Yes, I'm old.

@ The 'Tag (aka The Ragtag Cinema/Cafe/Bar)
Schlafly APA Cask Tapping - August 28
Beer Wars - September ???
The cask tapping should be pretty cool. Barry (the bartender at the 'Tag) told me he'll tap the cask around 6 or 6:30. Leading up to the tapping, there will be all kinds of specials starting around 5. The Beer Wars screening(s) will occur some time next month, possibly coinciding with the opening of the new brewery downtown. Of course, the 'Tag will be showing plenty of great indie films. You can peruse their calendar here. (And they may even put on a good indie rock show without telling anyone.)

Other Miscellany:
3rd Annual Roots 'n Blues 'n BBQ Festival - September 25-26
I went to the first one and skipped the second. I'll probably skip it again this year. It's overly crowded. The lines for all the decent BBQ are ridiculous. There is no good beer to be found...unless you sneak into Sycamore.

College Football - September-January (or through December if you're a Mizzou fan)
I will do a complete writeup later this month, but I feel the season has to be addressed as I am very ready for it to begin. Mizzou will struggle through a rebuilding year. Of course, last year was not as wonderful as some try to remember it being. I, as always, will have my focus directed east to my Buckeyes who have a ton of questions to answer. To put it in perspective, OSU is also rebuilding, but they're ranked in the top-10. Mizzou is not even ranked.

Like I said above, there will be more to preview once we get a little closer to the fall.

Reason #8 Why I Live in Misery: Taser-Happy Police

Flipping through my Facebook feed revealed that someone was tasered at Cafe Berlin last night. While I'm sure somebody got a little out of control last night, I'm not convinced it wasn't a police officer. I wasn't there, but anytime I hear the terms "Columbia police officers" and "taser" in the same breath, I get a shiver down my spine.

There was that kid who died in Moberly and the guy here in COMO near the I-70 overpass to name a few examples of over zealous tasering my MO law enforcement. (And this and this.) This place is taser happy. Of course, there are no University of Florida students around to take all the taser heat, so the po-po has to shock somebody.

I realize that a taser is better than a gunshot or are nearly the equivalent of a Rodney King-style beatdown (sans legal ramifications), but sometimes they are overused. Is it not enough for 3-4 burly dudes with guns and nightsticks to subdue a suspect that they need to electrocute another human being? Are tasers really that necessary?

Anyway, it turns out that somebody may or may not have used the outside of Berlin Cafe Saturday night as a toilet. (I can't say that I blame him. That place only has like one toilet for all that coffee and beer they serve.) His public urination was cause for the taser and a trip to the emergency room. This seems a little heavy handed to me.

Update: It seems the link I provided to the original story has been taken down. Here's an updated link, complete with some video after the incident.

Bald Eagle Is No More

I can't believe no one else mentioned this anywhere (or at least I didn't find it with a simple Google search). According to Nardy via his Twitter feed, Bald Eagle has called it quits.

I'm not fully entrenched in the scene here, but this was a band loved by many. I don't know that I've seen a live show as terrifyingly glorious as a Bald Eagle set. If you never got to see them. You missed something.

Bald Eagle will be missed and they leave a gaping hole in the COMO music scene. That is for sure. I'll try to get up my footage of their first three songs of what has turned out to be their last gig, this month's EU showcase at the Note.

Those are cobras, man.

Episode 6: Walter Cronkite or James von Brunn

For those of you unfamiliar with James von Brunn, click here.

COMO Is on the Hipster Map!

Tonight, COMO made a giant leap into the upper echelon of the hipstersphere with the following video making its way onto Look at this Fucking Hipster. I'm just so proud. Witness the hipster genius that made this happen...

Emergency Umbrella Showcase, etc.

Last night was the Emergency Umbrella Showcase at the Note. A small-but-loyal crowd showed up so see 67% of the EU lineup. Of course, one would expect that the crowd would be larger had classes been in session. Still, it was a nice way to spend a Friday evening in July.

A couple of or more things before I get to the rock...

I think my latest (and second) batch of beer is ready for consumption. The Simcoe-dependency was sampled and labeled after work and before happy hour. It's so deliciously bitter and grapefruity that I puckered all the way through.

R and I hit the 'Tag for happy hour. (Sorry that we missed so many people. We would have enjoyed the company.) Barry has added some taps behind the bar, giving the 'Tag six great craft beers on tap. And I didn't drink any of them. I had heard through the hop vine that the Old Rasputin XII Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout was now available at the 'Tag.

What a lovely bit of bourbon barrel yumminess this beer is. It reminds me a lot of Schlafly's own bourbon barrel imperial stout, but not as sweet. It's so good that I'm trying to scheme another trip to the 'Tag before it disappears.

Of course, there will be more details on these beers and others at my beer blog Bottles and Cans.

After putting the Lu to sleep, I slipped out for the showcase. There is video of all the bands, but time and my upload limit at Vimeo will cause you to wait for all the footage to make this blog. In the meantime, enjoy Billy Schuh (The Foundry Field Recordings) doing a Big Star song, 3/4 of COMO legends Kingdom Flying Club with Schuh, and a song from new EU signees Netherfriends.

It's been a long, long time since I've been to a club where I knew so many people. I ran into folks from several COMO circles from the EU crowd to the failed ComoMusic takeover to some beer enthusiasts to one of R's colleagues. For all the complaining I do about this town, I do like a homegrown event with homegrown talent.

As far as the rock music, the Foundry (or this version) were loose, not perfect, but good. A couple of members of Malone and a cellist joined Schuh on stage for most of the set. I felt like I've been listening to versions of the next record for over a year, but it will be fully appreciated once it arrives. Look for a change in the sound. I'm hearing Shins all over this thing. That may turn some folks off, but it is what it is. I'm OK with the Shins, so the new material is fine for me. Now, if the record could just arrive.

Billy Schuh does Big Star from comoprozac on Vimeo.

3/4 Kingdom Flying Club from comoprozac on Vimeo.

Netherfriends put on a raucous set that screamed "We're from Brooklyn!" Of course, they're not, but a lot of the influences I heard were Brooklyn-based. Imagine all those bands like The Walkmen, White Rabbits, Delta Spirit, etc. wrapped up with a considerable dose of Animal Collective experimentation. Additionally, with the band being from Chicago, they had moments that reminded me of the Coctails, Sea and Cake, and Joan of Arc. They are a really enjoyable outfit and I look forward to hearing their record, particularly their opening track from last night.

Netherfriends from comoprozac on Vimeo.

As for the rest of the show, Gentleman Auction House and Bald Eagle killed as usual. I don't know that I'm a big fan of GAH's music, but I really respect what they're doing. That and they are maybe one of the more professional bands with great potential for stardom that I've seen in a while. There are always rumors of bigger labels showing interest and I can understand why.

Bald Eagle is just ridiculous live. They're unapologetic as they convert hipsters and indie nerds into rollicking metalheads. Unfortunately, I could only stay for the first three songs of BE's set as I promised to take the baby when the ten-month separation anxiety and teething would cause her not to sleep.

Boy, that last sentence just stripped me of any rock 'n roll cred I may have had.

Today, the party continued as all the EU folks and friends got together for a barbecue. We had some great ribs and some nice conversation. Folks played bocce ball and lobbed water balloons at each other, showing that EU is more than a label.

I've always been a big local music supporter - well, in theory anyway. It's nice to see a healthy scene here in COMO with EU at the heart.

living in misery, episode 4: Malcolm Loses a Bet...or Does He?

I'm sorry for this little project. I just figured I could address some issues indirectly. Not all of them are pertinent at the moment. It's just what's coming to my head. Eventually, I'll run out.

Also, for people who are not from here or have never been here, Beth refers to Main Squeeze and SoCo. Both locales have generally (read "stereotypically") been associated with the gay community. That's a good thing. They're great establishments. Give them your money.

Now, on with the show...

RIP: Pepper and Friends

Longtime COMO favorite Pepper & Friends was recently canceled from KOMU's lineup. The last show will be in September. The show was a longtime favorite of COMO-ians. It featured interviews and stories concerning Mid-MO residents. It was as localized as our university-run NBC affiliate ever got. The show was a COMO institution.

That said, I'm not going to miss it. I watched Pepper & Friends a couple of times when we first moved here and was not impressed. Sure, it was nice that local performers or members of the community received their time in the limelight, but isn't that the purpose of public access? The world doesn't need more second-rate daytime television. Go tell your story on public access or YouTube.

We had reports like Pepper & Friends in Columbus. Of course, they were limited to 2-minute segments. You know, the kind where the zany reporter competes in a hotdog eating contest or falls down as he tries to ski and give his monologue at the same time. They're stories. It's not news.

Apparently, I'm in the minority on this one. Tens of people showed up the other day at KOMU studios to protest the cancellation of their beloved TV show. Folks will miss Pepper & Friends. There's also been petitions, calls to the university administration, and a formal complaint filed with the FCC. People want their Pepper.

Of course, none of this will matter. Pepper & Friends will be gone come some time in the middle of September. The ratings weren't there to support the cost of the show. There's nothing that can be done about this. I look for someone to pick up the slack on public access or on the city's channel.

So, rest in peace Pepper & Friends. Somebody will miss you. It won't be me.

For more information on the cancellation of Pepper & Friends, go here and here. For Pepper & Friends On Demand, go here. For an impassioned letter to the editor at The Missourian, go here. And for KBIA's take, click here.

Reason #5 Why I Live in Misery: Red lights have no meaning.

I used to get annoyed when cars in COMO would sit at a green light before finally inching forward. I can't tell you the number of times I've missed a light due to the driver in front of me taking his sweet time.

It happened again today at Stadium and Providence. We were maybe the third or fourth car back and could have easily made the light. However, it changed and the cars in front failed to move. I looked up to see three cars cross in front of us, obviously running the red light.

I knew this was a problem. I mean, besides seeing cars run numerous red lights before, the city put up those cameras all over town to deter red light runners. It hasn't worked.

Red lights mean nothing in this town. It's as if they see pink and that doesn't mean stop. I often heard the term "fresh red" when the light has just turned red, meaning there's still time to cross.

No, there isn't. If it's red, you stop. If it's yellow, you better be practically through the intersection or you should stop.

The odd thing about this trend is that it isn't that dangerous because no one goes when the light is green. It changes, they look both ways as two more cars enter and exit the intersection. Then they move. They go so late in the light that the car two spots behind has to decide whether to go on "orange" or stop for red. I'm sure you can guess which choice they make.

All I ask is that you all stop on red, go on green, and at least err on the side of caution when it's yellow. I want to see my daughter grow up.

The Gay of COMO

Let me get this out of the way...I am pro-gay, an ally, a rainbow warrior, whatever you want to call it. I support the right for gays to live life like the rest of us. I support gay adoption and, most importantly, I support gay marriage. To me, this is the next great step in civil rights history (that and the rights of the poor and working poor). So, there it is.

Oh, and I really do wish Kenny Chesney were gay.

This is Pride weekend in COMO. As usual, I'm missing it. I'm not proud of this, but it is what it is. Either way, I would like to extend lim's full support for this weekend's festivities. Additionally, I'll give a shout-out to the Center Project and Prism (of which I was a two-year member of the board).

My real reason for mentioning all this is that for the first time ever, I really wanted to dress my dog up in a ridiculous costume. It seems there will be a Gayest Dog Contest on Saturday from 3 to 4. Sadly, I will be on the road, returning from my class in STL. (Right now, Bodhi is jumping for joy. Well, sort of.)

Even if you don't have a gay dog, it would be a good idea to show some support for COMO's gay community by swinging by Stephens Lake Park for the PrideFest activities. Or you could at least wear a pink triangle or fly your rainbow flag.

It's hard to believe that R and I moved here nearly four years ago. One of the things we felt was absent was the gay scene. There was (and still is) no gay bar downtown. No stores flew rainbow flags. We couldn't find the gay community anywhere. The place from which we came - Columbus, OH - is a gay mecca of sorts. So, this was a bit of culture shock for us.

Then, R walked into Main Squeeze and things began to become clearer. I joined the Prism board. New friends came out to us and invited us to SoCo. The world regained its balance.

There is a strong gay community in this town. Support it. If we allow the government to dictate what they do in their bedrooms or whom they can marry, what's in store for the rest of us? Enjoy PrideFest, COMO!

COMO Music Happenings

Some things are happening in the COMO music scene this summer...


















White Rabbits will be on Letterman this week. They Tweeted, "Just finished rehearsing for Letterman. Tomorrow's gonna be a fun day. Time for bing..." One can only guess what "bing..." meant. It could possibly be hipster/New York slang for meth. They may also be referring to the late Bing Crosby. Whatever it is, the ex-pat COMO-ians are on tour to support their new record It's Frightening which comes out Tuesday. The boys return to Mojo's on June 9.

















Yards and Gods seem sort of quiet, but I could be just out of the loop. Either way, there still is a great selection of free and/or really cheap music at their site from several of the label's bands. With school out, it may be a quiet time for Y&G as well.

















Speaking of school being out...I'm really curious as to what will happen to the kids at the bathysphere. Though somewhat erratic in their output (like I'm one to talk), they were easily the most interesting music blog to come around in a long time (well, them and Hipster Runoff). I hope some of them failed to graduate or are at least a year or two away so that I may continue to bathe in COMO music scenesterism. That, and I never got out to see their band Tops play. I am a lame dad of an eight-month-old for sheez.


















Emergency Umbrella continues to plug away. Billy Schuh and most of Bald Eagle returned recently from a somewhat quiet tour, playing as The Foundry Field Recordings. Maybe you've heard of them. Anyway, Foundry should have an album out any day now. From what I've heard, you'll be hearing a Shins-ian take on love and loathing in COMO, but I'll save a full report when I get my hands on the completed project.

In other EU news...Sinkane just released his second full-length. There's a little buzz here and there, but it's mostly for the company Sinkane's Ahmed Gallab been keeping. The latest word has it that he's performing with Caribou for a couple of shows including the Flaming Lips-curated ATP.

Also, EU had a major coup while Foundry was on the road in Athens, GA. Dark Meat has signed with the label and should have a record out very shortly. From what I hear, it's supposed to be a ridiculously well-polished piece of art. Whatever it is or whatever score Pitchfork gives it, this album will be a pretty big achievement for Emergency Umbrella Records.

Not much is going on as far as out-of-towners coming to play in COMO. I mean, who wants to come here in July?

Mojo's looks dead except for that White Rabbits gig and another performance by locals Malone. If you see something on the line-up that looks good, feel free to share.

Willie Nelson and Ben Folds play Ninth Street for the Note this summer (but not on the same night). I have tickets to see Conor Oberst, but I fear I will be sadly disappointed. Lucinda Williams could be an interesting show in mid-June. Otherwise, I wish I lived in Lawrence.

Eastside Tavern's Clash of the Titans happens again this summer. Of course, I wonder who's still left to play, but it might be a nice diversion come July.

I haven't even bothered to check STL's or KC's concert schedules. It just doesn't seem likely that I'll make it to either city for a show all summer. However, if there is something you are going to see, write it in the comments.

Not much is happening this summer when it comes to music. I guess I'll have to catch up on my Revinylization Project and brew some more beer this summer.

It's Quiet in COMO Tonight

Graduation is over. A fourth of COMO's population just moved out. This town is quiet again.

Maybe the best part of living in a college town is summertime. The streets are quiet. The lines are short at the art house theater. The bars aren't crowded and the occasional rock show is easy to to attend without getting crowded by a bunch of hipsters.

Don't get me wrong. I've met in-person and virtually a great group of students at Mizzou. They'll be missed, especially those who just graduated and are moving on. Their energy and creativity keep me going.

However, I won't miss the reckless driving, collar-poppin', date-rapin', Bud Light-guzzling, no-coat-wearing undergrads that hopefully did not miss their rides back to STL, KC, Springfield, Box Elder, and BFE, MO. They can go. I need my quiet summer to begin.

With the town's slowdown, my posting rate often winds down a bit. Of course, I can't imagine it being any slower than my 2-3 posts a week pace that I currently produce. We've got other plans in the works that should both keep me from blogging while simultaneously giving me plenty about which to write.

There is a possible trip to ATL for R to be a part of some panel for two days. I've started scoping out the town for my couple of days, but that trip's still up in the air.

R's dad is treating us to a nice beach vacation in North Carolina. It should be a good time, but for all my beer and music readers I won't be anywhere near Asheville nor Chapel Hill. It might be pictures of Lu on the beach for a week. Who knows?

Aside from those trips, there may or may not be one or two jaunts east. Those trips should give me plenty to share.

I'm taking three courses this summer to help me become certified as a school administrator, but that's a long down the road. The point is that I will be busy with coursework all summer. Ugh.

What this all really means is that I will have time to put together a few thoughtful and worthy pieces on music or generally non-COMO topics. At least that's what I've done with my summers in the past: fewer posts, better quality.

Look for a return to one of my most visited posts of last year: The Best of 2009...So Far. If you remember, someone really took offense to my comparison of Zooey Deschanel and Nico/Neko Case and my ass hat. Whatever that is.

So, yes, I will continue to post on this blog. Bear with me as I fiddle with the look. I should start cranking out some decent posts in the coming weeks.