Conrad Zero

The Works: a Writer’s Salon is held on the first Tue of each month at the Bryant Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. I’ve never been to the Works before, partially because it sounded more heavily steeped in poetry than prose, but mostly because Tuesday night is usually Jagged Spiral band practice. Turns out practice was cancelled while our guitar player is on vacation this week, so I decided to swing over to the BLB to check out this month’s topic: The New Reading: Alternatives to the Traditional Literary Reading.

The entry fee was $6-$10 on a “Sliding scale,” meaning 6 to 10 dollars is the suggested donation, and you pay what you can. For those who haven’t been to the theater at BLB, it’s cozy, with good sound, lights and stage, and waitstaff. You can order food, apps and drinks right there in the theater.

First up was Todd Boss, who gave a list of thoughtful suggestions for how to make readings more alternative:

• include video during your reading
• memorize your work
• record your work for internet distribution
• collaborate with other artists on stage

Todd also suggested a new book by the Harriet Monroe Poetry Institute filled with ideas that you can download for free called Poetry and New Media: A User’s Guide.

Jamie Buehner & Nick LeMere gave an example of on-stage collaboration. Jamie read her poetry while Nick did some motion/interpretive dance inspired by her words. Someone pointed out how it felt more like watching TV because the poet was reading to the dancer more than she was to the audience.

Alison Morse & Sandy Beach were there to represent the Talking Image Connection, an organization that “connects emerging poets and writers with adventurous visual artists and new audiences.” Alison talked about the TIC group and what they do. Sandy Beach read a poem inspired by a visual work from another artist. Read more about TIC on their website: http://www.talkimage.org/

Punk poet Paul Dickinson gave a highly entertaining presentation of his poetry. Watch the video below of Paul giving a reading of his poems at the Art Shanty Project:

Notice that he has his poems memorized. Paul also hosts a poetry reading at the Turf Club in St. Paul on the first Wednesday of each month.

E.G. Bailey & Shá Cage gave three examples of alternative readings. The first was a beat poetry reading with cool jazz sax accompaniment, broadcast over the house PA while E.G. and Shá sat in the audience, leaving the stage empty.

Second, they went on the stage and performed separate pieces of poetry that they had written about their homelands. What made this alternative was that they both read their poems at the same time, overlapping each other and creating interesting rhythms and textures as they changed the tempo and volumes of their delivery. It was really amazing, and even more amazing that they had never practiced the parts nor heard each others work until they performed it live.

Their third experiment was an audience participation project, which… I won’t talk about. Suffice to say it was alternative.

All in all, I was right that the writer’s salon is dominated by poets. The host, Lightsey Darst made a point to mention that prose readers are also encouraged to participate, and she would love to balance out the poetry with some prose. Go to http://lightseydarst.com/theworks.html to find out more about the Works salon and to sign up for the newsletter.

Its kind of like pointing out that Water = Wet, but in a sea of singer-songwriters, Suzanne Vega is the best by far. There’s very very few people on this planet who deserve to be called a ‘musical genius’, and fewer still who would dare to make a stop here in Minneapolis, but Suzanne Vega is coming to town next week for 3 shows at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant.  Aug 24 through the 26th.

Here are some video clips from a recent live show. At the very least listen to song #1 Gypsy and you will understand why when I die, I want to come back as Suzanne Vega, just to experience how her brain works.

-Zero

Whether you are an ASPCA-er or not, you won’t want to miss tonight’s Benefit to Fight Animal Cruelty at the 7th Street Entry. There’s a great lineup of bands for a good cause, but mostly you will want to see Revolver Modele. This is Revolver Modele’s last show. So come and say goodbye to one of the best bands Flyover Land has to offer:

• The Birthday Suits
• Revolver Modele
• Mercurial Rage
• The Retainers

7th Street Entry – 701 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis.

Thursday, August 20th, 8:00pm
Tickets : $8
Ages : 18+

I saw the show “Power Balladz” last night, and it was a blast! A hyper-talented cast performing some of the greatest Rock Ballads of all time. (Like the flier says, “The greatest songs ever written by man, woman and/or beast”)

No joke. Here’s the list of songs.

• Night Ranger – “Sister Christian”
• Guns n’ Roses – “November Rain”
• Bon Jovi – “Wanted, Dead or Alive”
• Journey – “Faithfully”
• Scorpions – “Winds of Change”
• Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
• Ozzy Osbourne/Lita Ford – “Close My Eyes Forever”
• Styx – “Come Sail Away”
• Heart – “Alone”
• Meat Loaf – “Anything For Love”
• Aerosmith – “Dream On”
• Mötley Crüe – “Home Sweet Home”
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Freebird”
• Queen – “We Are The Champions”

The talent behind this show are amazing. Dieter Bierbrauer, Randy Schmeling and Katy Hays are spot-on singers. The songs are done pretty much note for note, in some cases better than the originals. All the performances were stellar, but ones that stand out: Dieter’s rendition of Ozzy in “Close My Eyes Forever” was top notch, and likewise with Randy’s cover of Meatloaf’s “Anything For Love”. Katy’s cover of Heart’s “Alone” was worth the price of admission. The musicians are all pro: Mike Menard on Bass/Guitar, Jon Ehresmann and Mike Krajewski on Guitars, Dennis Curley on Keyboards and Andrew Thornbrough on Drums… This is not some lame bar band playing a kegger. These people are truly admirers of the genre, and you’ll be amazed at how close they get to the originals.

Of course it’s not possible to look back on some of this stuff and laugh, especially the hair. You will see Katy attempt to run her hair through the “way back machine” in about 30 seconds (in exactly 30 seconds). You will see Randy put on a giant wig and cowboy hat and perform a minty rendition of Poison’s “Every Rose Has It’s Thorn”. You will see Dieter in a rowboat-turned-spaceship-pulled-by-aliens while singing “Come Sail Away”. Now I’m no Styx fan, but that part of the show had me laughing so hard, I was literally in tears.

More fun highlights: Free lighters (with built-in bottle openers) to hold up in a non-stop tribute, and some fun facts between songs about the bands that made these songs what they are. A medley halfway through the show touched on what was and was not a power ballad. There’s a T-Shirt Cannon, and if you’re really lucky, they will pull some person out of the audience to answer Power Ballad Trivia who is so drunk she scares the performers. (Hey, they only had to deal with her for a couple minutes. I sat right in front of her for the entire show.)

Oh, and for the grand finale: THREE FREDDY MERCURY’s. Top that.

The show runs through June 28th. Get tickets at the door or the official website, www.powerballadz.com There are no assigned seats. Drinks are served in the venue – CASH ONLY so come prepared. Unfortunately, the discount code I have to get half price tickets is only good for opening weekend, but if you are going, keep an eye out for specials and discounts.

The LAB theatre used to be called the Guthrie Lab, but after the Guthrie moved, now it’s just called The LAB.

Click here for the Google Map to the LAB Theatre

If you saw the show, let everyone know what you think in the comments. If you liked the show, spread the word!

You gotta love the 80’s. Like your weird roommate in college, the 80’s were…  unique… memorable. For those too young to have experienced the 80’s firsthand, here’s your chance to see and hear what you missed.

The new theater production at the LAB (Formerly the Guthrie Lab) will be a cultural awareness event of epic proportions.  The show is called Power Balladz, and runs from May 28 to June 28th 2009. It includes teased hair, colored lights, fog, spandex, and no less than THREE Freddie Mercurys.

The 50% off code for shows between May 28 and May 31 is ROCKSTAR.

Tix list around 30 bucks, but my sources have provided me a discount code that will knock HALF OFF the list price for shows between May 28th and May 31st. The 50% off code for shows between May 28 and May 31 is ROCKSTAR. Simply enter that code when buying your tix and you get them for half price.

Read the American Rockovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 at www.rockstimulusplan.org and know that you are doing your part to help stimulate the American economy.

Then, get your tix at: www.powerballadz.com

50% off Power Balladz tickets for the May 28 – May 31st shows at the LAB. (previously the Guthrie Lab) The 50% off code is ROCKSTAR.  www.powerballadz.com

May 28 through June 28, Power Balladz is a rock n’ roll extravaganza featuring some of the greatest songs ever written by man, woman and/or beast. The show skewers and celebrates 80’s rock – the musicianship the glam, the poetry and the spandex.

Three great rock singers, a full band, lots of lights, a fog machine, video projection and more knowledge about power ballads than is necessary (or recommended). Throw in some comedy, teased hair, three Freddie Mercurys and a t-shirt cannon and theatergoers will leave the show if not cultured, certainly entertained.

The song list includes the following classic hits:

• Bon Jovi – “Wanted, Dead or Alive”
• Night Ranger – “Sister Christian”
• Guns n’ Roses – “November Rain”
• Poison – “Every Rose Has Its Thorn”
• Mötley Crüe – “Home Sweet Home”
• Styx – “Come Sail Away”
• Journey – “Faithfully”
• Heart – “Alone”
• Ozzy Osbourne/Lita Ford – “Close My Eyes Forever”
• Scorpions – “Winds of Change”
• Aerosmith – “Dream On”
• Meat Loaf – “Anything For Love”
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – “Freebird”
• Queen – “We Are The Champions”

The show will also feature a medley of other favorites as voted on by fans on the show’s web site, www.powerballadz.com.

Xtna and I just returned home from the gala NIN concert at Xcel Energy Center.  After washing the blood and sweat from my body (some of it my own) I am ready to give a reasonable recounting for those who have never experienced the Xcel Energy Center, Nine Inch Nails, or the “Minnesota Mosh.”

The Xcel Energy Center

of the concert at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. We arrived during the Queens of the Stone Age set, and had some drinks and had a chance to wander the facilities during intermission.

The Xcel is a nice venue, and after attending a concert here, you can understand why people hate the Metrodome. I thought Target Center was nice, but the Xcel is far superior. Two words; Fuh Sillities. Plenty of places to load up and unload your bladder. Clean clean clean. Fantastic sound system. Well done.

Usually I end up with seats so close to the ceiling that you get a better view by looking over the shoulder of the guy in front of you, who is using his cell phone to download blurry, lo-res pix being posted to the Interweb by some drunk guy in the twentieth row. Through some strange Ticketmaster Computer Glitch of Fate, we ended up with tickets to the main floor. Fate had nothing to do with Xtna marching us right through the crowd to front-and-center, about 15-20 rows back from the stage. I was even closer to Trent than when I visited his home in New Orleans’ French Quarter, two years ago.

Of course, this particular spot was Ground Zero when the mosh pit broke out… but I’ll get to that.

NIN

Every NIN concert I’ve attended has been awesome, and this one was no exception.

I’ve been to all NIN concerts here in MN since the Downward Spiral tour, and the crowd has changed substantially over the years. Very few in the crowd last night wore the faded black gang colors of my industrial/goth brethren. Many of them look like people you stood in line next to at Rainbow last week. Ages ran the gamut.

Trent Reznor does not talk much in concert. He does not take requests. He does not care if you mosh while he plays peaceful, minimalist movements like “Right Where It Belongs”. He does not care if you stand unmoving and transfixed, your lighter in the air during “Hurt”. He does not care if the crowd sings the chorus to “Terrible Lie” so loudly that he does not have to. He does not care if you cower in fear for your life while the crowd becomes blissfully suicidal during the encore, “Bite The Hand That Feeds”.

He does not care, nor has he mellowed with age. The man is pissed off and willing to share – take it or leave it. His anger is still contagious and therapeutic. This is church for myself and many others. Hallelujah.

The Minnesota Mosh

It didn’t take long before the mosh pit opened up all around Xtna and me. So we got two shows for the price of one, and I can’t say which was more  entertaining. It was fun to watch a angry moshing group try to hold the slam dance together when Trent shifts to his more ambient, passive movements.

But I did observe enough to learn a bit about the Minnesota Mosh, and identified several helpful rules if you are at a Lutheran Potluck and a Mosh breaks out.

Rules for the Minnesota Mosh:

1. The people not wearing shirts (usually male) are Professionals. Watch them, they know what they are doing, and tend to enforce the rules.
2. The Circle usually spins widdershins (anti-clockwise).
3. It is OK to run full-tilt-out-of-control straight into another person, but punching or kicking them is frowned upon.
4. If you knock anyone over, help them back up.
5. If anyone passes out or gets knocked out, (or if you don’t really like them), ‘put them up’ which means to raise them up so the crowd gets them body surfing, then Security will quickly haul them out, as body surfing is not allowed.
6. If you find yourself at the edge of the moshpit, but don’t want to join in, you have three options. First, you can move someplace else. Second, you can avoid eye contact and hold your ground (having your elbow directed firmly toward the moshpit helps.) This will minimize the number of people who run into you. Third, you can watch the pit and actively push bodies that get near you back into the pit. This will increase the number of people who run into you.

Blog on,
-CZ

The Revolver Modele CD Release party was last Saturday night at the Turf Club. If you missed it, then you missed it. Openings bands were Solid Gold and The Deaths.

SOLID GOLD

My father has a saying – “If a woman wears a strong perfume, she’s probably trying to cover something up.” I could make an analogy to bands that turn the volume up too much. The rules of band etiquette state that the opening bands should NEVER be louder than the main act, unless you are opening for Enya.

Solid Gold is a three piece (guitar, guitar, and bass) who play along to a drum loop (similar to the Melodious Owls) and pull off a decent sound of drinking/dancing music that would be well-received at your wedding reception; a mix of boy-rock and pseudo-disco.

The band members were quite shy, and often did not face the audience. It is difficult to “not face the audience” from a thrust stage, especially when there is no drummer to stare at.  (Fashion tip: If you are going to have your backside to the audience, and you are going to sag, make sure to wear clean and possibly even interesting underwear, because really, that’s all you’re giving us to look at.)

The songs were good, and the members of Solid Gold are all quite talented, but the songs got boring/repetitive after a bit, they really need to have the rhythm pattern broken up. There is a reason for the bridge in a song.

With less volume, more variety, and a human drummer, Solid Gold would do well.

THE DEATHS

More than once I have explained The Deaths music as “The Moody Blues as a Garage Band”. These guys were more relaxed than Solid Gold, but seemed less focused, and their performance was not as tight as their the 2005 Voltage: Fashion Amplified show. I would expect more gloomy music from a band called The Deaths. As it is, their music is casual, and non-offensive. They could use a bit of energy on stage, or dancers or props… I missed some of the Deaths performance, as I was tracking down each Revolver Modele band member to get them to sign the CD.

REVOLVER MODELE

- Flat out professional showmanship is the phrase I would use. These four are great, and they don’t need much room to get their “stage antics” on. I love the contrast of the absolutely insane lead singer (Ehsan) and guitarist (Mikal) and the completely stoic drummer (Jesse) and bassist (Natasha, AKA: The Nun) While Revolver Modele lyrics are always drowned in syrup, it was truly impossible to make out a single word Ehsan said throughout the show, even when covering New Order’s “Blue Monday”. The mix could have used a touch of EQ to bring out the vocals. These guys really should be national acts. Their performance was awesome, but too short.

Blog on,
-CZ

Last night, the Minnesota Independent Filmmaker Project held a presentation at Bryant Lake Bowl. For those who don’t know about the IFP, here’s some info from their website:

The goal of IFP Minnesota’s programs is to facilitate interaction between the creative, technical and business aspects of filmmaking and photography. The organization does this through targeted programs that aid in the professional development of its members, supports individual projects, teaches both new technology and classic mediums, cultivates audiences for independent media, and provides outreach to communities and individuals new to media making. The IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts continues to serve as a destination for those seeking to develop, nurture and embrace independent thinking and expression.

IFP presentations consist of showing short films, then holding a Q&A session with the filmmakers, where both the host and the audience ask the filmmakers questions. Its a great opportunity to network with others in the field of film-making, and to get some tips and ideas for your own projects.

Josh and Sarah’s video “Cope” was shown, and Sarah fielded questions about the film.  “Cope” is a short film which explores OCD (Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder) Josh was diagnosed with OCD and came up with a script which really shows how someone with OCD operates on a day-to-day basis. The main character in Cope is afflicted with OCD, and we get to see how he interacts with a new love interest.  Josh and Sarah filmed “Cope” themselves with volunteer help.

“Cope” is a great video, well received by the IFP audience, and Josh and Sarah should be proud. I hope to see more projects from them in the future.

Driving home from the BLB, Xtna and I ran into some fantastic stormage.  There was no rain, but the lightning was spectacular! Made me wish I had a videocamera to capture it…

Blog on,
-CZ

You might have heard me rave about Revolver Modele before, you can check out some sounds on their website, but better yet, show up to see them live: 1 Oct 2005 at the Turf Club, St Paul MN. They put on a Fantastic live show.

Also check out the video for ‘Les Diaboliques’ in which Xtina and Myself cameo, and possibly the only video you will see of me wearing White. (Tis True.)

-C

The official press release:

The long awaited debut full length from Revolver Modele has arrived. All new recordings that are more energetic/danceable than previous tracks if you can imagine that. Produced/Recorded and Mixed by Brad Kern primarily at Third Ear.

Join us Oct 10th at Oak Street Cinema in Mpls 5pm for the screening of Spectrum MN Sountracks Vol. 3 DVD – Sound Unseen Music Film Festival www.soundunseen.com  Revolver Modele’s video “Les Diaboliques” is on the DVD.

[2010 Update: Transmission has moved from Hexagon to Clubhouse Jager.]

Checked out Transmission last night at the Hexagon Bar. A decent place, although it wasn’t shaped like a Hexagon. Ran into local fashion “yes”, Miss Anna Lee. Revolver Modele opened, and as always a great show. The free parking and free cover for live music is a big plus. You won’t find awesome free music like this in LA or NY!

BTW: The host, DJ Jake Rudh spins audio coolness.

The headliner was Mark Mallman, who plays keyboards, is completely insane, and completely all-out-rock-and-roll showman. He actually stood on his own organ! Yikes! Imagine Billy Joel, Elton John, Meatloaf, and Ted Nugent combined. Just try. That’s right, you can’t imagine it, you have to see it. Check it out, he is in the middle of a seven straight day series of concerts at the Hexagon…

Blog on,
-CZ