Smile Politely

The Overture: August 30 – September 5

WHAT: Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Telekinesis, Santah

WHERE: Canopy Club ($10)

WHEN: Wednesday, September 1st at 6:00 p.m.

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin are a touring fixture in Champaign-Urbana. Openers Telekinesis recorded their debut album with Chris Walla (Death Cab for Cutie), and this is likely going to be one of the biggest shows that Santah have played thus far.

WHAT: Roberta Sparrow, Bent Left, Pericles

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Thursday, September 2nd at 8:30 p.m.

You’ve seen Roberta Sparrow before? No? Let me tell you about them. They’re one of the best hardcore bands in town. Their drummer sings. They’ve done spot-on sets of Alkaline Trio and NOFX at the Great Cover-Up. Pericles (Miami) and Bent Left (Kansas City) support.

WHAT: Jookabox, Sunset Stallion, Millimeter Mountain

WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)

WHEN: Thursday, September 2nd at 8:30 p.m.

For a group from Indianapolis, Jookabox’s bizzare garage-psych is far too rare a sight in town. Opening will be folk-rockers Sunset Stallion (returning from a lengthy hiatus) and Millimeter Mountain (composed of several Mordechai in the Mirror members).

WHAT: Zmick, Mathien, Fifth World, Robbie Gold, Good Luck Tarzan, Wompstars

WHERE: Canopy Club ($7)

WHEN: Friday, September 3rd at 8:00 p.m.

If you’ve ever been to a Zmick show, you should know why a year after leaving town for Chicago, they’re still able to pack the Canopy — an amazing sense of community, off-beat covers, and major chops. They’ll bring fellow Chicagoans Mathien, Fifth World, and Robbie Gold along for the ride. Good Luck Tarzan and Wompstars remain un-googleable at this point, but I see no reason to complain about (what I’m assuming to be) dubstep. Check back on Wednesday for an in-depth interview with Zmick.

WHAT: Withnail, Lonely Trailer, the Chemicals

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Saturday, September 4th at 8:30 p.m.

Withnail continue to hone their live chops with frequent gigs, while the Chemicals have, oddly enough, come close to dropping off our radar all-together. Add in Lonely Trailer and a cool night in the beer garden, and you’ve got an awesome, all-local night of music.

WHAT: Crane and Badger, TBA

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)

WHEN: Saturday, September 4th at 10:00 p.m.

If you didn’t know, Crane and Badger contains two of the members from the much loved Monster Honkey. While we’re still waiting on a confirmation of the other bands on the bill, this promises to be an awesome night of heavy rock.

More Articles