Sunday, October 15, 2017

IOWA MUSIC SHOWCASE PODCAST - Episode 53: Happy Hawkeye Halloween 2017, Part 2 of 4 - Monster Turtle of Big Blue Lake and Other Iowa Sea Creatures



Welcome back to the booful abode of The Evil Doctor OlderMusicGeek, as we present another netherlandish node of Iowa Halloween music. This episode we bring you a grizzly group of rock, pop, rap, and electronic music.

Also, a warning, some of these delightful diddlies have words and situations that may frighten the parents of wee ones!


If you weren't here last time, shame on you! But for those not in the know, each episode this Halloween is named after one of Iowa's own monsters!


This episode named after the creepy creature in The Big Blue Lake in Mason City. This quarry turned lake apparently has a giant sea turtle the size of a Volkswagen lurking in its depths.

But Mason City also apparently has a SECOND monster, Mugwump, that hangs out in The Ventura Marsh.


I don't know why, but northern Iowa seems to have most of our sea monsters. Okoboji Lake is also suppose to have a creature swimming in its lake that has been said to brush up against various boats.

Of course, The Okoboji Monster, might be related to the evil spirit that the Native Americans said was in the connecting Big Spirit Lake.


But our lakes are not the only waterways holding deadly danger for you. No, our own Missisppi River has a monster of its own. 

The Kraken, or Pepie if you're from Wisconsin, or Maneto if you're a Meskwaki, is a creature that is claimed to have terrorized The Mississippi River since at least the 19th century if not longer!


So now that the monster lecture is over, it is time to go listen to some spine-chilling Iowa musical tales!

Art by Dean Sturtevant

IMSC Ep 53 - Song 1: "Happy Halloween" by Damn Fine Lookin' Fake Bats (plus the video of the song)



"...the best undead rock band in town, here to shake your bones and wake the dead!"
- from their Facebook page

"Damn Fine Lookin' Fake Bats are an Omaha-based band (whose members all lived in Council Bluffs at the time of inception) and have been performing since 1998."
- from an email sent to IMSC

Lineup:
Vocals, rhythm guitar, and bass guitar - Pett
Lead guitar - The Beast
Percussion - Goatboy




Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/fakebats/

Moose Epperson's ReverbNation page:
https://www.reverbnation.com/mooseepperson

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: ,

IMSC Ep 52 - Song 2: "Frightening Thing" by Inky the Cat



"...Inky the cat was so angry and frightened that the only way his rescuers at BARCS could handle him was by trapping the 4-year-old black cat with a net."
- from an article on the U.S. News website

"Inky the Cat writes music mostly with a guitar but sometimes he uses drums and organs and stuff. Folky singer-songwriter type tunes from Iowa City."
- from his Facebook page

Lineup:
Dan DeMarco - guitar, vocals


Facebook:
http://facebook.com/inkythecatmusic

BandCamp:
https://inkythecat.bandcamp.com/

Dan DeMarco's Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/demarcotunes/

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: 

Ep 53 - Song 3: "Super Dracula Necrosis Part I: Super Dracula" by Meet the Squidables



Meet the Squidables that doesn't know how to advertise itself, but seems to have a lot of horror-related music.

Lineup:
Jacob Mathis - Vocals, guitars, bass, percussion, noise
Nick Leedom - Keyboards, synthesizer, vocals, piano, percussion, noise


Facebook:

BandCamp:

SoundCloud:

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: 

IMSC Ep 53 - Song 4: "Voodoo Guitar" by The Law




"The Law were an early punk band from Des Moines, Iowa founded in the early 1980s. Members went on play in Scuffy the Cat and the Fastbacks...

"Tim Johnson and Charlie Chesterman were in a 50s cover band know as the Flashbacks that didn't really go anywhere. They discovered this "new" British music called punk and decided to form a punk band. After going through a few member changes and a few name changes they became White Lunch. (Tim Johnson-Guitar/vocals, Charlie Chesterman-Guitar/vocals, Aaron Johnson-guitar/vocals, Eric Coleman - Drums) Played out a bit had member problems and broke up. Then became the Law. From what little information I could find this was around 79/80.

"They put out a single and moved to Boston to hit the big time. Boston didn't work out and they moved back to Des Moines and split up shortly after that. Charlie Chesterman and Mac Stanfield went back to Boston and formed Scuffy the Cat. Tad Hutchinson headed off to college and on to play with the Fastbacks, Young Fresh Fellows and a number of other Seattle bands."
- from the entry for The Law in The Underground Archives

IMSC Ep 53- Song 5: "Everybody POLKA!" by DeSelect



"4 bags of meat making noise...

"Acquaintances who enjoy making ruckus at hypersonic decibels. Driven to make music that is...great music."
- from their Facebook page

Lineup:
Zach Church - Bass
Adam M. PetersoN - Guitars/BackupVox/Programming
John Fitzpatrick - Drums/Samples
Brett Ubben - Lead Vox


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/deselectband/

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: ,

IMSC Ep 53 - Song 6: "Electric Skull" by The Surf Zombies



"Surf zombies are those apparently undead standing motionless on a beach watching the waves break. They often are surfers, and can be recognized by the glassy stare."
- from The Urban Dictionary

"Instrumental, all original, hot-rod surf rock and roll 4-piece out of the middle of Iowa."
- from their BandCamp page

"The Surf Zombies raise surf rock from the dead with fast, crazy surf originals that straddle alternative, underground, retro and kid-friendly fun. A Surf Zombies show is some combination of Saturday morning cartoon, beach party and hot rod convention. The jungle rhythms, swirling tremolo of dueling guitars and authentic growl of vintage tube amps make for a truly weird Midwestern wonder."
- from their decription for 2016 Halloween show at The Legion Arts

"Come feel The Surf Zombies. They are all about fun fast melodic surf instrumentals. They sprang forth from the fertile loins of eastern Iowa and have released 4 albums since forming in 2006 according to local legend. At first not everyone understood they meant no harm with these songs with no words, but slowly the people have accepted them as an efficient source of entertainment and now fans from across the globe have discovered The Surf Zombies."
- from their Facebook page

"'We just can’t resist doing it. We have to do it,' insists Brook Hoover as he describes his band’s desire to create original music and take their songs on the road...

“'Quite a few people were saying you ought to put a surf band together and I thought about it, you know, people mentioned it for maybe ten years before we finally did it in about 2006.'

"As the band’s lineup evolved, Hoover invited Tyler Russell, 27, to join the Surf Zombies and the drummer quickly learned it would be fun but a lot of hard work...

"Adds Russell, 'It’s something you have to experience live. As great as our albums are, it’s a different animal live.'”
- from a profile in the Iowa's Creative Corridor website

"Meet The Surf Zombies: We play fast crazy fun surf instrumentals...

"I am the guy who generates hype for the band and plays guitar. They call me Brook Hoover. I spend my days plotting my agenda in a dark dungeon. Someone has to do it. I also write a lot of tunes... Surf Zombies shows make me nervous, but we have stuck with it for about 8 years and it's getting easier and more fun all the time...

"I played instrumentals from a young age and always had a soft spot for the surf sound. My buddies and I were rehearsing when we were about 14 a weird uncle tested one of our guitars and played the slide down and EGBGEGBGEGBGEGBG riff of "Pipeline" over and over then he wandered off with a crazed look in his eye and were were hooked for life.

"Something about surf instrumentals seemed very distant, exotic and alluring to us. It's a happy sounds, but can be pretty heavy and menacing. We also learned "Wipe Out" and played it for our 9th grade talent assembly the whole school screamed like Beatlemania and it's been downhill ever since. I have been out punk rockin in the Midwest since the 70's. We re-discovered our landlocked surf roots a few years back and it's been a thrilling hellride ever since...

"Surf instrumentals can be light and happy, medium tempo, slow and creepy or super fast and heavy. We take a lot of time when writing and arranging our songs, but once we get the sound the way we like it, it's well worth the work. It's the most challenging band we've ever been in... We'd like to thank everyone for coming to our shows and sharing the fun of this exciting form of music!'"
- from their ReverbNation page

Lineup:
Brook Hoover - guitar
Kyle Oyloe - guitar
Joel McDowell - bass
Ryan Hoagland - drums


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/surfzombiesband/

BandCamp:
http://surfzombies.bandcamp.com/

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/surfzombies

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: 

Ep 53 - Song 7: "Beggar's Night" by 2AM Resistance



"In 2003 Michael created a side solo-project under the name MC Genetics. Jason McFall (DJ Blocko) handled the beat production and scratching until 2010 when Michael obtained the proper equipment to make his own music. During this time Michael began writing music with his Cousin Annie Gaster. Michael and Annie settled on a band name and began playing shows as 2 AM Resistance. 2 AM has various rotating members including Chris Gaster on turntables and Shan Reikena (Taciturn/Saturn Ascends) on drums."
- from Micheal Cooper's Des Moines Musicians' Association page


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/2-AM-Resistance-455442324471012/

SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/2amresistance/


To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: 

IMSC Ep 53 - Song 8: "Spookster" by Angle



"I have a vision for every project I do and I follow it through to the very end. I've been rapping since I was in the 6th grade, before social norms and stereotypes had a chance to latch on. I've been recording and doing shows since 1998, when I was at the University of Iowa. I've released 3 solo albums, a group effort, and been featured on numerous other projects (check discography). Real life has dealt blow after blow after sucker punch to my creative endeavors as an emcee trying to get my truth out to as many folks I can. I'm not a starving artist because I belive in self presrvation, but I'm still very hungry. Throughout my treks I've had the laziest street team ever, but still love you people. Before I legally murder my stage name, I have much work to do. If you want to know anything else, just ask me. whoaYEAH!"
- from his Facebook page

"Angle is an emcee/rapper who has 15 years experience writing, recording and performing. While the Des Moines area has been his home on and off most his life, Angle has traveled the country perfecting his craft. His impressive discography includes 9 self releases. Despite a distinguished resume', he is often left in the outer rim of Des Moines music circles. However, this is not bothersome or unfamiliar to the veteran rapper, who for most of his career has been proving himself lyrically on records and stages for almost two decades with no signs of slowing down."
- from the description of the Pants Off Podcast he was on

“It is no secret that I am a fan of jam bands, but those that know me well also know that I love good hip hop. I am a bit unfamiliar with the hip hop scene in Des Moines, but after meeting with Angle the other night, I am definitely anxious to start checking out more hip hop shows. And he certainly had me interested when he told me that he opened for Atmosphere in Iowa City a few years ago. Angle started writing rhymes during class in high school at SE Polk. It wasn’t easy though, as hip hop and rap music was not well received there. He started meeting more people and performing when he moved to Iowa City to attend the University of Iowa, and his first solo album was released in 2001. Although trying to make a name for himself could be difficult in Iowa, Angle says he will never move and he is happy doing what he is doing even if he doesn’t 'make it.'” from the article, "A New “Angle” on Hip Hop", by Hippie Chick on the DSM Vibe website

Production: Written & Recorded by Angle
Production by Coolzey
Mixed by Luke Tweedy & Coolzey
Mastered by Eugene Toale & Coolzey
One Leg Up Productions & Public School Records

 

Facebook:

BandCamp:

ReverbNation:

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: ,

Ep 53 - Song 9: "Surveillance Video" by Rhonda is a Dead Bitch



"But why bother alienating people with your band’s name when the music alone would do just fine?"
- from a review by Doug Musurock on the Still Single website

"Rhonda Is A Dead Bitch is a psych/krautrock/noise combo from Des Moines, Iowa consisting of Luke, Jason, Lindsay, Tyler and Emery."
- from their ReverbNation page

"As if their ballsy moniker and ballsier decision to release their new EP only on 180g vinyl (digital-only dicks be damned) didn’t already have my attention, I dropped the needle on my virgin copy of 'Laos' and proceeded to enjoy listening to Rhonda Is A Dead Bitch blast holes into the landscape of rock music in Des Moines with anti-hipster delight. What Rhonda Is A Dead Bitch admittedly lacks in musical mastery serves them well, because it allows them to play with refreshing gusto, honesty and creativity."
- from a review by Michael Swanger in Cityview

Lineup:
Em.Lu.Li.Js.Ty.
ON:
exponential noin
zee repercussions
heaviehunded bas (relieve)
whatelseworkds
yelpnstrung


Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Rhonda-Is-A-Dead-Bitch-194602010194/

BandCamp:
https://rhondaisadeadbitch.bandcamp.com/

ReverbNation:
https://www.reverbnation.com/rhondaisadeadbitch

To download the whole podcast, right click on the link below and hit "Save as...":
https://archive.org/download/IowaMusicShowcaseEpisode53/Iowa%20Music%20Showcase%20-%20Episode%2053_.mp3

Labels: ,,

Popular Posts of the last 7 days

Popular Posts of last 30 days

Popular Posts of Past 365 Days

Most Popular Posts of All