Kathlyn HotynskiBefore I start this column for real, I’m going to tell you a little something. You know, faceless-Spectator-writer to faceless-Spectator-devotee. When I was a child of 7 or 8, the thing that my brother and I wanted more than anything in the world were Gushers. Maybe you remember them; they were little fruit candies. In the commercials, when the kids would eat them, they would jet through the ceiling while riding a fruity gusher of, well, fruit juice, I guess. Anyway, we finally saved up our money quarters at a time. We knew that the wait would make it better, that when we finally rode our own fruit crest, we would enjoy it more than any other little kid in the world ever would. Yes, we literally thought that we would ride a fruit geyser. When the day finally came, my aunt took me and my brother to the grocery store. As we reached the checkout with our new Gushers in our hot little hands, my aunt told me something that has stuck with me to this day: “Get ready for disappointment.”
So that being said, remember when I told you the weather was getting nicer and we’d be able to walk with iPods in tow? Well, let’s just say, in a way mother nature told us last weekend, “Guys, get ready for a disappointment.” Take solace in the fact that the new CD from Funk-R&B-Drunk-Crazy woman, Amy Winehouse, is amazing. For real, don’t miss out on the hit of 2007 that is “Rehab.” Anyone who can make fun of an intervention and still have a danceable song is alright in my book.
Now, let’s get serious for a second. Why aren’t you going to shows in Eau Claire? It’s all well and good for me to yell at UAC, or to yell at prospective record shop owners, but what about you? Is it because you don’t know about them? Does it cut into your drunk, alone time? Your drunk, family time? Well, I can’t speak for the latter two, but here’s a tentative guide for some cool stuff happening off campus so you can’t say, “Aw dawg, I would’ve gone, but I didn’t know.” Also, stop using the word “dawg”- it makes you look like a jerk.
The Space Rangers – The Stones Throw, March 2, 9 p.m. Imagine a world where James Brown never died, people still wore dance pants, and the world was full of song. This is where I imagine that The Space Rangers come from. There is not a band in Eau Claire that will make you dance harder, smile wider or love truer. This show should be extra funky, as guitarist Bill Hamilton is also celebrating his birthday. If you are a fan of having a good time, show up. For real, The Space Rangers will bring the funk.
Decadent Cabaret – The House of Rock, March 9, 8 p.m. The list for this show reads like a who’s who of local music talent. The beauty of this show is that there is something for everyone, and enough of everything that you don’t feel like you’re trying to fill up on sample day at Wal-Mart (metaphorically speaking). Decadent Cabaret is a musical institution where local bands get dressed up, play weird sets, and drink. And drink. Then they drink some more. Some of the bands playing include local indie rock darlings, Laarks (sounds like Death Cab For Cutie and The Weakerthans having a baby), local indie rock sweethearts The Daredevil Christopher Wright (sounds like The Shins and The Decemberists having a baby in the sixties), and local metal heads Orestus (sounds like a giant and Slayer stepping on babies). Decadent Cabaret only happens once a year, so don’t miss out.
“The Hip-Hop Show” – The House of Rock, March 20, 9 p.m. A ton, a ton, a ton of local hip-hop will be “representin'” at the House of Rock. Come for those guys, and stay for The Crest, who have some old school hooks that will make you put a piece of cardboard on the ground so you and your “homies” can “bust a move”… or not. If you ever thought that EC needed more hip-hop, well now is your chance to go prove that you truly are a “player” and not a “hater.” My hip hop vocabulary is officially used up. “Throw them ‘bows.” OK. I’m done now.
Polydream + Chris Koza – The Stones Throw, March 23, 9:30 p.m. Chris Koza writes music for you to sip coffee to. Polydream writes roomy, shoegazey pop. This show is perfect for a quiet date, or another night alone, quietly weeping in the back. Just kidding. Anyway, Chris Koza is getting a ton of buzz in the Twin Cities right now, and for good reason – he’s an extremely talented songwriter.
Once again, this by no means represents all the culture happening in the Chippewa Valley this month. If you are curious about anything else, check the pages of this very publication, or try Volume One. I hear they know a thing or two about culture. Just remember, you can’t really go wrong by supporting local music. If it’s bad, well at least the drinks are cheap, and in the end, isn’t that what it’s really all about?
Jacoby is a junior print journalism major and a columnist for The Spectator. “The Flash in My Pan” appears every Monday.
