IMSC Ep 19 - Song 1; "The Monster" by Soul Phlegm

"Soul Phlegm is currently making a name for themselves in Iowa and the greater Midwest with their original material: a dynamic fusion of blues, soul, funk & rock n roll. Melodic, lyrical, intricate, raw & heavy. Sometimes called Blues Roots Outlaw Funk, it’s music sure to move you.

"Fusing a contemporary sound of blues, soul, folk & rock n’ roll, Soul Phlegm oozes through the fuses & out through your front door. Hailing from the California coast, the Arizona high desert, the Chicago jungle & the Indiana plains respectively, Joseph Michael Ewart, Kyle Talon Ballard, Timothy Eugene Hunziker and Robert Scott Abrams compose the group & all were introduced to music in diverse fashions but draw deep equally from their influences of soulful instrumentation, weird humor, passionate lyricisms & mischievous sounds. A likely combination of musicians in unlikely circumstances / a series of multiple bands gone awry & estranged / a life changing road trip / engineering philanthropy through mystery. Soul Phlegm is the fruit of the fight. The wind whispering: Why? A ghost of the past & a phantom from the phuture."
- from their home page

IMSC Ep 19 - Song 2: "Monster" by Austin Taft

"Austin Taft is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist currently residing in Waterloo, IA. His new full-length acoustic album, 'The Human Condition', has been released by the independent label Triple Edge Records and joins his previous full-length electric release, 'War of the Songs of Light Against the Songs of Darkness' and two additional releases to weave a consistent tapestry of eclectic music that has no filler and takes no prisoners. Acclaimed as 'one of the best musicians in the state' by Des Moines Cityview Magazine, all studio recordings are entirely self-composed, self-produced and self-performed, and his music is currently available through Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon.com, Google Play and other online retailers."
- from his home page

Ep 19 - Song 3: "Space Demon Theme" by Mr Nasti

"Dear Stranger,

"I’m writing to tell you about my friend Nicholas, sometimes known as MR NASTI... you may see pictures around of him making weird faces, or a music video of him pouring out his tender heart, etc...

"In a time when “hating” is an intransitive verb many people might as well list among their hobbies online, a MR NASTI show can seem almost alien in its sincerity. I’m writing to tell you this is not an affectation put on to sell you something. MR NASTI has been around just a few years now, but in a way, Nicholas has been preparing for it... his whole life.

"Besides studying music at Missouri State and getting an audio science degree in Florida at Full Sail, Nicholas (born Nicholas Sebastian Naioti) has been in a ton of bands. Some were goofy, some were noisy, and one or two you might call twee. For awhile after he moved to Nashville he wore quite a bit of face-paint on stage, and got on national television a couple times doing it, too. And that’s to say nothing of the DIY music venue he also ran for years when he wasn’t on tour...

"(He) (if you happen to slip off your dancing shoes and ponder the lyrics) daily renews a considered choice to believe in humanity. What’s not to like?"
- Daniel Potter from Mr Nasti's home page

Home page:
http://www.mrnasti.com/

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

Bandcamp:
https://mrnasti.bandcamp.com/

Ep 19 - Song 4: "Vampire Club" by Lipstick Homicide

Hair is flying everywhere over what I thought were two high school girls. A young guy behind them making faces that would look like extreme pain if he wasn’t smiling.

Despite the hair all over her face, the blonde is shredding wildly on her guitar, adding nice high harmonies that play well with the lead singer’s deeper voice. Short, exciting solos sporadically shooting out of those blinding fast hands!

Catchy, thumping basslines come from an instrument that almost looks too big for the short brunette. With a sometimes painful expression, she sings using a ferocity and energy that shouldn’t come from someone that small.

Meanwhile behind them, the thin young guy is pounding out a strong punk beat, despite the fact that his goofy smiles are the only thing letting you know he’s not having an epileptic fit.

This was my first impression of Lipstick Homicide two or three years ago at The Space’s anniversary show in Ames. It was a short 20 minute set, but I was blown away and hooked! I found out I could fall in love with a lesbian couple and straight guy!

And in the years since, I’ve seen them multiple times, including at my 50th birthday party! And the band’s live show has just become tighter and stronger. I think they are best thing coming out of Iowa! So if you enjoy fun, catchy pop tunes done in a hard, punk style, this is a band not to - be missed!
- from Dan Wren on the Des Moines Music Coalition website

Lineup:
Rachel Feldmann - bass, vox
Kate Kane - guitar, vox
Luke Ferguson - drums

Home page:
http://lipstickhomicide.com/

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

Bandcamp:
https://lipstickhomicide.bandcamp.com/

IMSC Ep 19 - Song 5: "Zombies!" by Peace, Love, and Stuff

"Peace, Love and Stuff is a Vintage Rock band drawing inspiration from Blues and Rockabilly from Des Moines, Iowa founded by Lavonne McRoberts in 2009.

"Recently, Peace, Love, and Stuff has opened up for "The Queen of Rockabilly," Ms.Wanda Jackson, and have been playing at festivals, venues, and clubs all over central Iowa and the Midwest.

"Peace, Love, and Stuff will be releasing their Self-Entitled E.P. recorded at The Sonic Factory with John Locker and Matt Sepanic via Ray Gun Records available at www.peaceloveandstuff.com

"Peace, Love and Stuff is presented to you, about you and for you."
- from their ReverbNation page

Lineup:
Joseph "JoJo" Soukop - drums
Dylan Boyle - guitar & bass
Lavonne McRoberts - vocals
Kevin Muehlenthaler - trumpet

Home page:
http://peaceloveandstuff.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1639223533015029/

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

IMSC Ep 19 - Song 6: "Dracula's Casket" by The Poison Control Center

"The band's indie rock sound is strongly influenced by bands of the 1960s, such as The Beatles and The Beach Boys, but they have also touched upon more unrelated genres since their inception. Their earlier recordings show influence of the lo-fi sound and pop sensibilities of indie rock bands of the 1990s, such as Guided by Voices and Pavement, although recent albums have featured more polished production."
- from Wikipedia

"The Poison Control Center have long been considered one of Iowa's personal favorite local bands. The creation of Patrick Tape Fleming and many of his friends, the band's inspiration has stood as one of Iowa's music scene's key ideals: community and friendship. Though the numbers and band members have changed throughout the years, the band has continued to release music in a more condensed version, having most recently released 2011's Stranger Ballet. The band is best known nowadays to consist of Patrick Tape Fleming on guitar and vocals as well as Devin Frank, who also plays guitar and sings, Joe Terry, who plays bass and sings (and does a cool thing with a trumpet and some swingin' hips), and Dave Olson, who plays drums (... and he sings, too). Though some of the members have moved away, the band still likes to get together to entertain the masses, doing cartwheels, standing on their heads while shredding through guitar solos, dancing in the crowd, and leading many a sing-a-long with the crowd (basically, putting on legendary rock shows). The PCC have spawned many other great bands around Iowa INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: Mantis Pincers, Gloom Balloon, and Histo (technically, not an Iowa band, but we still have love for Don). The PCC have also had special guests perform with them, such as Bob Nastanovich of Pavement, and Paul Shaffer from Late Night with David Letterman."
- from the Des Moines Music Coalition website

Lineup:
Patrick Tape Fleming
Devin Frank
Joey Terry
David Olson
Donald Curtis
Nicole Furek - whispers

Home page:
http://thepoisoncontrolcenter.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/The-Poison-Control-Center-98639736292/

Bandcamp:
https://thepoisoncontrolcenter.bandcamp.com/

IMSC Ep 19 - Song 8: "Dissection Torture" by Neutral Red

"Neutral Red is midwest metal, pure and simple.

"With all the finesse of a blood-soaked jackhammer, Neutral Red castigates the listener into a pulp and then leaves the remains for the jackals to fight over. While many bands out there are busy worrying if their hair has just the perfect swooshy thing going on, NR are busy destroying their instruments and bodies for the crowd's entertainment in an effort to fuel the pit to a frothing frenzy."
- from their Facebook page

Lineup:
Ray - Vokills
Xris - Guitar
Don - Guitar
Brent - Bass
III - Drums

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Neutral-Red-182098430820/