Smile Politely

The Overture: July 1–7

WHAT: Sleepyhead, Hometown Heavyweights, Filter Free Rodeo, Orator, Graphic Violence

WHERE: Error Records ($5)
 
WHEN: Monday, July 1st at 7:30 p.m.
 
Minnesota’s punk rock outfit Sleepyhead makes its way back through C-U after performing earlier this year with Kowabunga Kid at the Red Herring. This time they’ll take the stage at Error with a handful of local punk bands, including Hometown Heavyweights, Graphic Violence, and sludge-hardcore band Orator (their debut performance). Wisconsin’s indie rockers Filter Free Rodeo join in as well.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Justin Rondon, Justin Tanaka

WHERE: The Clark Bar (free)

WHEN: Tuesday, July 2nd at 7 p.m.

Two familiar faces lined up to perform again for the Champaign-Urbana Singer-Songwriter Collective this week at the Clark Bar. Justin Rondon and Justin Tanaka (of A Cool Hand) are performing. They recently participated in the Collective’s Justinpalooza event a short while back.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: The Stars They Beckon, Single Player, Options, Mitar, Colonel

WHERE: Red Herring ($5)

WHEN: Tuesday, July 2nd at 7 p.m.

Five band bill lined up over at the Red Herring tomorrow night. Local punks The Stars They Beckon, who are working to put some new material together, headline this one. They’ll be joined by fellow locals Single Player (Sean Neumann’s solo acoustic project) and a similar blend of acoustic sounds with Colonel, who recently released a new record. Chicago’s Mitar and Options round out the bill. Looks solid top to bottom.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

EDITOR’S PICK: THE DIRTY FEATHERS, NATIVE AMERICA, THAT’S NO MOON
Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5) — Wednesday, July 3rd at 10 p.m.

Have to tip the cap to this show this week as it preps for the 4th of July holiday. The Dirty Feathers headline this Wednesday night show, which works out because most of you have Thursday off work so you can make a night out of this celebration. New Orleans’ Native America is the touring act on this bill, sandwiched between the DFs and pop-rockers That’s No Moon, who are performing again this week after headlining a show last weekend at Cowboy Monkey. 

If you’re unfamiliar with the DFs, head over and read the interview I did with lead guitarist Andrew Kling not too long ago. Should be a fantastic show in the beer garden mid-week to celebrate the US of A. Plus, look at that poster, its terrific.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Brett Conlin, Melissa Treatch

WHERE: The Clark Bar (free)

WHEN: Friday, July 5th at 7 p.m.

Another Champaign-Urbana Singer-Songwriter Collective show lined up at the end of this week. Typically, they host shows on Tuesdays, but they’re doubling up this week. Princeton’s singer-songwriter Brett Conlin with local bassist Melissa Treatch make up this bill.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: The Reptilian, Foxing, Alta, Hank

WHERE: Error Records ($5 before 8 p.m./$7 after 8 p.m.)

WHEN: Friday, July 5th at 7 p.m.

Pretty stacked bill going down over at Error Records and a chunk of bands that performed for April’s Skeletal Lightning Festival. Kalamazoo’s The Reptilian (pictured right at SLF) headline as they’re on tour with Alta and Foxing. Local math-punkers Hank. join in on the fun as well, as they’re prepping the release of their new record (out this month), Pinched. Read about them here.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Single Player, Keith Campbell, Kamila Glowacki

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Friday, July 5th at 8 p.m.

Single Player is at it again later in the week as he’s doubling up from playing at Error Records on Tuesday. You can check out his collection of tracks over at his Bandcamp to get an idea of what you’re in for. That’s the album art there. Joining him will be Keith Campbell, as well as Kamila Glowacki, band member of local surf-rockers Kowabunga! Kid.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: The Howlin’ Brothers, Hi Ho Buffalo

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)

WHEN: Friday, July 5th at 10 p.m.

The trio the Howlin’ Brothers bring their own brand of strings and folk to Cowboy Monkey on Friday night. Their latest album Howl, produced by Brendan Benson (of The Raconteurs and solo fame), was released March 5th on Benson’s label Readymade Records. Stay tuned for an interview with the group later this week. The band will be joined by locals Hi Ho Buffalo.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Audiofeed Festival

WHERE: Champaign County Fairgrounds

WHEN: Friday, July 5th and Saturday, July 6th

The Cornerstone Festival has come to an end, and Audiofeed Festival is picking up where they left off, but making a brand new festival all their own. Dozens of bands will be here over the weekend, which will be taking place at the Champaign County Fairgrounds. The all-ages camping event features tons of genres as well: rock, folk, indie, metal, punk, acoustic, you name it. Stay tuned for our interview with Jim Eisenmenger, one of the coordinators of the event, later this week.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra

WHERE: The Iron Post (free)

WHEN: Saturday, July 6th at 6 p.m.

Duke of Uke and His Novelty Orchestra are set to perform again this weekend after they had a busy one last weekend as they performed at Alto Vineyards and the Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival. This will be their last show in some time, as they plan to take a short break until their show in late August.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Urbana Pops Orchestra

WHERE: Urbana High School (free)

WHEN: Saturday, July 6th at 7 p.m.

The Urbana Pops Orchestra’s concert this weekend is entitled “Made in the U.S.A.” and is set to take place again over at Urbana High School. Katie sat down with the organizers back when their first show took place in mid-June, so check that out if you’re interested in learning more about the show before you head over there.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Take Care, Olde Scratch

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Saturday, July 6th at 9 p.m.

Duo of great bands lined up this weekend at Mike ‘N Molly’s, headlined by thunderous post-rockers Take Care. They haven’t peformed in a few months, as several members are involved with other projects (Mark Wyman with Barrowe and drummer Luke Bergkoetter with Withershins, AK/AK, Book Mobile!). They’ll be joined by Dirty Feathers side-project Olde Scratch, who recently came out of hiatus.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

WHAT: Lemuria, Wicked Walls, Kayla Brown

WHERE: The Highdive ($10)

WHEN: Sunday, July 7th at 8:30 p.m.

Buffalo, N.Y.’s Lemuria headlines a Sunday show at The Highdive this weekend, as they’re on tour supporting the release of their new record, The Distance Is So Big. The band released the new LP on June 18th, which was recorded with J. Robbins (Against Me!, Jawbreaker, The Promise Ring). They’ll be supported by a couple of locals in Wicked Walls and Kayla Brown.

Executive Editor

More Articles