Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids), The Front Bottoms, Zac Clark & Young Volcanoes
Tuesday, February 28 2012
7:00pm - All Ages - $14 ($12 advance)
Matt Pryor (The Get Up Kids)
Matt Pryor is a songwriter that needs little or no introduction. He is, for sure, best known as the singer/guitarist for Kansas City's favorite sons, The Get Up Kids. But in addition to spending the better part of the last 15 years making records and touring the world with that pioneering and influential group, Pryor has found an outlet for his musical whimsy in a number of other different, and varied ways. There is, most notably, the New Amsterdams -- the first project he embarked on alongside The Get Up Kids, with six album releases. In addition, Pryor has an alter-ego The Terrible Twos -- a children's music combo. And in 2008, his debut solo album, "Confidence Man" -- the first under his own name -- which was released by his longtime label Vagrant. This amounts to an expansive catalog -- over 15 full lengths alone (!) -- all with Pryor's biting and insightful songwriting and distinctive vocal delivery.
And this continues in 2012 with a brand new solo release -- again under his own name -- called "May Day." Like "Confidence Man" the new album was once more recorded at Pryor's home studio, jammed in during the rare off time during what ended up being a busy 2011 for The Get Up Kids. Pryor had a number of song ideas rolling around in some form for a while, but it all coalesced in the month of May -- hence the title. A concept album? In execution maybe, though not thematically. But indeed, Pryor finished writing, then recorded and mixed the album, during May of 2011. In addition, the financing for the record -- garnered via fan-centric site Kickstarter -- was also launched, and funded before June had arrived!
Mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/mattpryorsongs
The Front Bottoms
What can we say about The Front Bottoms? We know we love them: a punk band that uses acoustic guitar, indie-rock dance grooves, Springsteen-y keyboard lines (this they might deny). It’s hook-filled… it’s anthe...mic… it’s confessional. Maybe Joni Mitchell by way of Green Day? They must have heard some Replacements along the way, and it seems like what Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers did for the Boston suburbs these guys are doing for Bergen County, NJ. But they still leave us scratching our heads. Just what the hell have the Front Bottoms alchemized?
Mp3s: http://thefrontbottoms.bandcamp.com
Zac Clark & Young Volcanoes (members of Hot Rod Circuit / Queen Killing Kings / Plushgun / The Tower & The Fool)
Zac Clark is on the fence. On one side lies Katy Perry wearing only a synthesizer. On the other, Fleetwood Mac crushes Narragansett tall boys with Dan Fogelberg and Richard Marx. Tough choice, but Clark walks the line like a born politician: every time an infectious melody creeps by, you realize it contains a clever, concise and insightful lyric; simple progressions showcase unique instrumentation and formidable piano chops. Though often described as “power pop” or “piano music for adolescent girls,” neither captures the breadth of influences on the upcoming Young Volcanoes, a lively and diverse record four years, seven states and hundreds of thousands of miles in the making.
Mp3s: http://www.facebook.com/zacclarkmusic
Matt Pryor is a songwriter that needs little or no introduction. He is, for sure, best known as the singer/guitarist for Kansas City's favorite sons, The Get Up Kids. But in addition to spending the better part of the last 15 years making records and touring the world with that pioneering and influential group, Pryor has found an outlet for his musical whimsy in a number of other different, and varied ways. There is, most notably, the New Amsterdams -- the first project he embarked on alongside The Get Up Kids, with six album releases. In addition, Pryor has an alter-ego The Terrible Twos -- a children's music combo. And in 2008, his debut solo album, "Confidence Man" -- the first under his own name -- which was released by his longtime label Vagrant. This amounts to an expansive catalog -- over 15 full lengths alone (!) -- all with Pryor's biting and insightful songwriting and distinctive vocal delivery.
And this continues in 2012 with a brand new solo release -- again under his own name -- called "May Day." Like "Confidence Man" the new album was once more recorded at Pryor's home studio, jammed in during the rare off time during what ended up being a busy 2011 for The Get Up Kids. Pryor had a number of song ideas rolling around in some form for a while, but it all coalesced in the month of May -- hence the title. A concept album? In execution maybe, though not thematically. But indeed, Pryor finished writing, then recorded and mixed the album, during May of 2011. In addition, the financing for the record -- garnered via fan-centric site Kickstarter -- was also launched, and funded before June had arrived!
Mp3s: http://www.myspace.com/mattpryorsongs
The Front Bottoms
What can we say about The Front Bottoms? We know we love them: a punk band that uses acoustic guitar, indie-rock dance grooves, Springsteen-y keyboard lines (this they might deny). It’s hook-filled… it’s anthe...mic… it’s confessional. Maybe Joni Mitchell by way of Green Day? They must have heard some Replacements along the way, and it seems like what Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers did for the Boston suburbs these guys are doing for Bergen County, NJ. But they still leave us scratching our heads. Just what the hell have the Front Bottoms alchemized?
Mp3s: http://thefrontbottoms.bandcamp.com
Zac Clark & Young Volcanoes (members of Hot Rod Circuit / Queen Killing Kings / Plushgun / The Tower & The Fool)
Zac Clark is on the fence. On one side lies Katy Perry wearing only a synthesizer. On the other, Fleetwood Mac crushes Narragansett tall boys with Dan Fogelberg and Richard Marx. Tough choice, but Clark walks the line like a born politician: every time an infectious melody creeps by, you realize it contains a clever, concise and insightful lyric; simple progressions showcase unique instrumentation and formidable piano chops. Though often described as “power pop” or “piano music for adolescent girls,” neither captures the breadth of influences on the upcoming Young Volcanoes, a lively and diverse record four years, seven states and hundreds of thousands of miles in the making.
Mp3s: http://www.facebook.com/zacclarkmusic
