2019 UMS Band Interviews #4

Twist & Shout recommends The Underground Music Showcase from July 26th to July 28th on South Broadway!! We asked some of our favorite local bands when they are playing, and much more!

Catch these live performances, and much more at The UMS! 

See link for tickets:

https://www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com/

Turvy Organ

(Questions answered by Ilya Litoshik of Turvy Organ)

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Friday July 26th at Skylark Lounge at 9pm and we will also be part of the GROUPHUG’s official UMS day party Saturday July 27th at Hi-Dive at 3pm.

How long has your band been together?

Turvy Organ has been together for 3 years releasing our first album The Soft Light in 2016. Jed Murphy wrote an honest article for the Westword about our Journey titled “Turvy Organ broke up to find itself.” 

What was your band's first live show/ performance and what was memorable about it?

Our first show was at Lost Lake in Denver for The Soft Light album release. We were very fortunate to have our good friends in Sour Boy, Bitter Girl and Briffaut share the bill with us but it was everyone who came out that made that night memorable.

What was the first album you purchased?

My first album was Dookie by Green Day purchased at a garage sale in the summer of 1996 - still one of my favorites.

What album was your most recent purchase?

Cry Cry Cry by Wolf Parade.

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Take time developing your band keeping in mind to practice as often as you can and write as much as you can even if you don't use every song. I believe it's very important to create a memorable experience for your fans and help your group stand out above the countless artists trying for the same. Most importantly do it because you love it.

Besides your own band, who do you want to see at the UMS?

I hear great things about Pout House and absolutely enjoy Sour Boy, Bitter Girls performance every time. UMS is full of surprises at every venue and the excitement of discovering something new is always welcomed.

Best past UMS experience?

My favorite part of UMS has always been the community that this festival creates, brings Colorado’s artists and fans together in a very unique way.

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Stay hydrated and plan ahead or don’t, sometimes it's nice to just wander around for the purpose of music without direction.

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

I always seem to find myself at Pie Hole.

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

Two artists Accordion Crimes and Somerset Catalog, both aren’t together anymore but wrote some of the most unique music in Denver at the time.

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

The Moon & Antarctica by Modest Mouse, Doolittle by Pixies and The Ghost at the Feast by Turvy Organ (I know but I just can’t help myself)

Bevin Luna

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Friday July 26th at The Hornet at 8:00pm

How long has your band been together?

Bevin started playing solo shows in Denver in 2005 and then she's been playing with a rotating cast of characters since then.

What was the first album you purchased?

Devo - Live 

What album was your most recent purchase?

Chaka Khan - Self-titled album from 1982

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Tune. Tune often.

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Because we're music junkies, we'd see it all, Y La Bamba, Dressy Bessy, Cheap Perfume, Bellhoss, Bluebook, Boss Eagle, Brianna Straut, Bison Bone, Lady Gang, The Still Tide, Serpentfoot, Plasma Canvas, Colfax Speed Queen, Don Chicharron, Los Mocochetes, Dust Heart, Extra Gold, Floor Model, Florea, Funk Hunk, Hang Rounders, The Hollow, IzCalli, Jennifer Jane Niceley, Jess Parsons, King Cardinal, Marti & The Dads, Oxeye Daisy, Porlolo, The Savage Blush, Sour Boy, Bitter Girl, Strange Americans, The Trujillo Company, The Velveteers, Vic 'N The Narwals, Wildermiss, Yasi, and Empress Of

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Live fast, take chances.

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Corn-dogs at Sputnik

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

MONOFOG

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

Joy as an Act of Resistance by IDLES

Plein Caille by Trio Select

I Still Am by Yo Gotti

Povi

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Saturday 27th at 3:20pm Odyssey Stage at Import Mechanics

How long has your band been together? 

Since the land before time 

What was the first album you purchased?

Mariah Carey Butterfly

What album was your most recent purchase?

GoldLink Diaspora

Do you have any advice for new bands?

Have fun and don’t overthink it

Besides your own band, who do you want to see at the UMS?

I’m just going to hop around to every venue humanly possible

Best past UMS experience?

Seeing CRL CRRLL perform behind a screen with all his cool lighting effects.

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Drink hella water!

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Tacos

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

I’m pretty obsessed with Elephant Revival.

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

KOD by J Cole, Led Zeppelin IV, Good Thing by Leon Bridges

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

See as much as you can, and drink more water

New Mexican

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

South Broadway Christian Church Sunday, Jul 28 7:00 PM - 7:40 PM.

How long has your band been together?

About four years.

What was the first album you purchased?

Something by The Beach Boys--probably a Greatest Hits Album.

What album was your most recent purchase?

Gun Street Ghost - Battles

Besides your own band, who do you want to see at the UMS?

William Elliott Whitmore, Liza Anne, and too many awesome Denver acts to list.

Best past UMS experience?

A few years ago my other project (Strange Americans) was playing at Irish Rover, and the set was just insane. We ended up breaking the stage (not permanently)--people and instruments went flying. Everyone was fine, but it was a typical mid-festival, late-night set in a small venue with an interactive crowd--something UMS consistently provides plenty of year after year.

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Well, I've been going to and playing at UMS for several years now, and admittedly my strategy has changed over the years. Some current survival tips I have for music fans at UMS include: 1) Get plenty of sleep on the nights leading up to UMS, as you'll need the reserves during UMS. 2) Drink plenty of water, but also coffee in the mornings; a carefully timed switch from coffee to "other" drinks can make or break your experience over the long haul. Remember that this is a marathon, not a sprint. 3) Choose both footwear and pant length with care in the hot summer months. 4) Enjoy yourself.

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

Lately I've been pretty into Paging Mr. Proust (The Jayhawks), Heart Like a Levee (Hiss Golden Messenger), and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits.

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

UMS is one of the best festivals around, especially if you're into what's going on in the Denver music scene!

I'd Love to Turn You On #232 - Willie Nelson - Red Headed Stranger

Like Willie Nelson himself, Red Headed Stranger holds a unique place in the history of country music. Willie is the country artist who most stretches the boundaries of what it means to be a country artist, while Red Headed Stranger completely flips the script on what country music was supposed to sound and feel like. Coming from the traditions of lushly produced and orchestrated hits, Willie strips away the pretense and offers an album equally split between original material and covers, but one that hangs together as a fully realized concept album telling a story of remarkable emotional complexity. Willie was making the first album of a new contract with Columbia Records that gave him complete artistic control and he flummoxed executives when he delivered an album of stripped-down arrangements that focused on his voice and guitar, his sister Bobbie’s piano and embellishment from Mickey Raphael’s harmonica, (which can sound like anything from an accordion to a crying baby). The results are unforgettable.

Initially rejected by the executives, Willie stood his ground and the album came out in 1975, burning up the charts ("Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain" was Willie’s first #1), giving the “Outlaw Country” movement its crossover flashpoint, and cementing Willie’s reputation as an American musical icon, mentioned in the same breath as Sinatra, Dylan or Guthrie. He has since become the most reliable standard bearer for American song, turning every cover he touches to gold, and continuing to write songs that define that cross-section of the American psyche where rural wisdom meets city sophistication. He is the thinking man’s cowboy and proof that there is intellectual life running down every Main Street of this country.

The album itself goes by like a dream, but is structured like a book. The narrative of betrayal, lost love, revenge and redemption is told directly, yet the narrator’s emotional state is illustrated by the use of other people’s songs. The action is broken up like chapters by several evocative instrumental passages. The result is total immersion in the story, giving the listener the illusion of living this cowboy love story with Willie. The dust, the whiskey, lipstick traces, the bitter regret are all as palpable as the mud on Willie’s boots. There are few country albums that tell a story so coherently and offer such musical satisfaction at the same time. The simple arrangements make the true star of the show so apparent. Willie Nelson has THE voice. If any doubt remains in your mind about what an American voice can and should sound like, and that this man is the possessor of that voice, one listen to Red Headed Stranger will remove any lingering confusion. He sings in a way nobody else can, but he gives the illusion that anybody could do this, and his natural magnetism invites all to sing along. What a gift! His guitar playing has a similar quality. His beautifully articulated, single note lines encourage all players with their simplicity yet confound experts with the structure and tone from his battered guitar named Trigger. In a career packed with accomplishment and great albums, this one rises above because of its narrative strength and musical excellence.

There is another aspect of Red Headed Stranger that makes it close to my heart. It has deep connections to our state. Allegedly, Willie wrote the album while driving from a ski trip in Aspen back to Austin to begin recording. It’s hard to describe, but the album has a certain Colorado-ness that really resonates with me.  Side two begins with the song "Denver," which opens “The bright lights of Denver are shining like diamonds, like 10,000 jewels in the sky” Every time I hear this line, I am reminded of standing at Red Rocks on a warm night looking out over the lights and pondering my future and fortunes. Yes, this album goes deep for me, and if you give it a good listen I can’t help but believe you will feel the same way.

-         Paul Epstein

Twist & Shout at UMS!: Part Two

 

  John P:

After catching the second half of Red Baraat’s energetic, propulsive (non-UMS) free show at the Clyfford Still museum and grabbing a bite to eat Friday evening, I picked up my wristband and made my way to The UMS mainstage. Unfortunately, I missed Frankie Cosmos, but I was able to enjoy almost all of Digable Planets’ expansive, good-natured set. All three M.C.s appeared to be in great spirits and it was cool to see that they all still share the singular chemistry that set them apart in the 90s. I wasn’t expecting Digable Planets to tour with such an incredible backing band and I was impressed throughout the night with how these musicians fleshed out the group’s signature sound. In short, it was a great show for the first night’s headlining act and it set an excellent tone for the festival’s first outing under new management.

After taking a break on Saturday, I biked over to South Broadway on Sunday afternoon and had a great time running into group after group of friends as I made my way to the Sesh Stage for White Denim. I arrived there just as the band was entering their final stretch of the show and I was glad I got a chance to see these guys again as they bashed out their upbeat, quirky take on indie rock. I joined Pat Brown as he walked over to the Imagination Stage to see Night Beats and I’m happy I went with him to check out the venue. I wasn’t able to stay for the band, but I really liked exploring the interactive, immersive installations populating a high end mechanic’s garage and parking lot. The space compared very favorably to the kinds of designs and layouts I’ve gotten to know attending the Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho for the last two years.

Following a pause to snack and cool down for a bit, I headed straight for the mainstage and prepared myself to see Superchunk for the tenth time. All day, I watched weather reports that vaguely threatened severe thunderstorms exactly at the time of Superchunk’s set, so I was ready to deal with delays or disappointments, but luckily the weather held. The band took to the stage and launched right into “Hyper Enough” from their 1995 album, Here’s Where the Strings Come In, and established the mood for a lively, blistering set that included material from almost all of their eleven studio albums. Understandably, they focused on songs from their most recent and notably political album, What a Time to Be Alive. It was awesome to hear these new songs performed live as well as hear lead singer Mac McCaughan encourage the audience to pay attention and vote this fall. Peter Hughes from Merge label-mates The Mountain Goats subbed as bass player for Laura Balance, who’s still in the band but no longer tours. Other than that personnel change and a brief technical issue when the sound went out on the left side of the stage for a song and a half, it was every bit a Superchunk show on par with all the times I’ve seen them in the last twenty-three years. It was wonderful to hear mainstays like “Driveway to Driveway” and “Detroit Has a Skyline Too” again, but I was delighted that they played “Cursed Mirror,” a deep cut from their underrated 1999 album, Come Pick Me Up. By the time Superchunk played their last song, I couldn’t have been happier to be surrounded by my friends as they played their iconic indie-rock anthem, “Slack Motherfucker,” and we all shouted along with the chorus!

Following such an exciting, satisfying show, I lingered in the mainstage area talking with friends about the performance, but ended up staying for Alvvays’ entire headlining set. I knew next to nothing before the show and I was pleasantly surprised by their brand of infectious jangle pop. The lead singer has a great voice and I enjoyed her natural, self-effacing stage presence. The band played with a slow-building energy and democratic spirit that left a very favorable impression on me. As I walked out of the mainstage area and onto South Broadway at the end of the show, I felt very fortunate to have been able to attend such a successful and positive music festival right in the heart of the streets of Denver. I’m very happy that The UMS is alive and kicking once again.     

Linden:

Now that the UMS is under new management after being run by the Denver Post for so many years, I was very curious to see how the event would go and I’m happy to say that this was one of the best years that I have ever been a part of it! Everything was well-organized and promoted, and as an artist I felt very well taken care of. Among the hundreds of bands that played, some of my favorites included Slow Caves, Overslept, Its Just Bugs, Ivory Circle, The Savage Blush, and way too many more to list. Also, thanks so much to everyone who came out to watch One Flew West's set! It was a great show to come back to after being off for a month!

Anna:

            This UMS was my first time and it was pretty fuckin’ rad! The stages were so cool, each had their own theme. I got my face rocked off by Its Just Bugs, Hot 8 Brass Band, Green Druid, Holy Wave, Night Beats, The Savage Blush, Superchunk, Alvvays, and Serpentfoot! I loved getting to see the cool people I work with play awesome music. I also was not disappointed seeing John Parsell see Superchunk! He let out a few very loud and excited “Whoo”s; those made my soul happy! My favorite band I didn’t know I was going to see/didn’t know about was Serpentfoot – damn that was awesome! As long as I live here I will go to the UMS!

Jonathan:

This year was my very first UMS experience. I’m not entirely sure why I didn’t go to UMS last year. I’d like to be able to say I was doing something far more important, but the truth is that I was probably at home watching The O.C. on Hulu and being lame. Regardless, I’m really glad that I went this year. Even though I was only able to make it for one full day, I saw some truly awesome shows and hung out with some truly awesome folks. A highlight was Superchunk, of course. I’ve been a fan of that band since I was a pre-teen and they still rock hard. Another was Casey James Prestwood & the Burning Angels, who I discovered by accident a few weeks ago and are now one of my absolute favorite locals. But I was also excited to finally see my fellow Twist-er Brian do his thing in The Savage Blush. Also saw great sets by Pale Sun, the Night Beats and a partial set by Alvvays. All in all, a great day of music, local and otherwise. I’m excited to be a part of this weekend in the years to come.

Diamond:

            This was my first year attending UMS and it was probably the best showcase experience I have had. I was most excited to see Digable Planets. I have been an active listener for a very long time and had a general idea of what most of their shows consisted of. Seeing them in person was a very VERY unifying experience and just as great as everyone had said it was BUT! I was FAR more impressed and inspired by Frankie Cosmos who had played right before Digable Planets. Frankie Cosmos’ set was really f***ing beautiful and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see them and experience the simplicity of their sound and appearance/performance. Until UMS, I have not exclusively listened to Frankie Cosmos, but for the past week I have been listening to their 2016 album Next Thing on repeat. Overall, UMS was 10/10 and I really hope I get this opportunity next year!

Patrick B:

            I skipped UMS last year because life works that way, stuff came up, and it just didn’t work out. And I hear people say they had issues with the setup last year and I was like “Whew!” and not so worried that I’d missed out on the usual fun of the festival, but I was also concerned when I heard that new folks were taking over the festival – would they understand what had made it special in the past? Would they continue down what seemed to be the wrong road taken last year? Turns out I needn’t have worried, because Two Parts, the organization that took it over, has done a superb job not only keeping the flavor of Denver’s best music festival, but also stepped up the game a bit in a few key areas.

            Music was great as always – kept the vibe of the biggest bands on the festival still being groups that some of my friends say “Who?” about when I mention them; plus the plethora of local music of all varieties – my only wish about the music is that I could be in more than one place at the same time and that I could still keep myself staying up and going three days in a row until after midnight on days that I work so I could’ve seen The Savage Blush and Specific Ocean, one of whom played up against one of those big bands at the festival and one of whom played at midnight on Sunday when I was long asleep.

            Setup was great across the board. Alameda and 6^th Ave. are good borders that shouldn’t be gone past for this festival so it’s nice to see it back within them. The addition of the Sesh Stage and (especially) the Imagination Stage, with cool spaces, shade, seating, and water coolers were very welcome - and whoever thought up the idea of running a path through the auto dealership to an enclosed space in the alley deserves a special prize. Only two down points for me were that there was no central set of bike parking – though the place that has been used in the past is now fenced in an presumably won’t be there in the future – and that one of my favorite places to eat – Socorro’s Street Tacos – had their last day open during the festival (insert frowny face here).

But the entire experience reminded me again just what a great thing we have here in the UMS, how a diverse music scene of rock, hip-hop, electronic music, jazz, country, folk, and more can all converge on South Broadway for a weekend and still feel like it’s a unified festival with one idea driving it. And did I mention all the friends? Within five minutes of arrival I ran into about a dozen folks I knew, and that, too, is a huge part of what makes the weekend special. If you missed it this year, look forward to next year’s and be ready to pounce when tickets go on sale!

Patrick “Wavvy” R:

            Wow, another UMS has come and gone; I wouldn’t believe it even happened if I wasn’t still hung over from the three day party. It flew by. I survived, I didn’t get dehydrated or cramp up, and here are my takeaways from the festivities:

            Digable Planets: Very good.

            Alvvays: Very good

            Inflatable beach balls: Very bad (ed: Both Patricks agree wholeheartedly on this point)

            And my favorite act of the entire UMS? Easy – Its Just Bugs. My band. Wowee we were so good. I’m sorry if you missed it. See ya next year. I’ll be the guy slicing beach ball in half with a katana.

            Love, Wavvy

Matt Cobos:

The 2018 UMS was an absolutely killer one. One of my personal favorites that I've been to, they proved once again that they are the best music festival in Denver. So many killer performances happened that when you talked to people around the fest, you would often hear "if you didn't see __________, you're an idiot.", and I felt the same way. Pretty much everything I saw was at least "really good."

The High Plains Comedy Stage was amazing and packed all weekend. My favorite comedy performances were from Drennon Davis, Ramon Rivas II, Tom Thakkar, Janae Burris, Kate Willett, Brandy Posey, and the awesome drop-in set from Comedy Works headliner and Aurora boy, Dan Soder. I'm very excited to see what UMS does with their new found commitment to comedy, and their partnership High Plains Comedy Festival in the future. Be sure to check out the High Plains Comedy Festival this month as not one, but TWO of your favorite record store jerks are performing on it this year! Myself and Patrick R. will be telling jokes on the August 23-25 fest. Tickets available at www.highplainscomedyfestival.com/

As for the music, holy crap was there a lot of great performances. My absolute standout favorite was It's Just Bugs at 3 Kings. This full band hip hop group absolutely blew the roof off of the place. Their energy was unmatched by anything else I saw at the festival. When they finished their performance all you heard around the audience was "HOLY %$#&!" as everyone reeled from what just happened. If you are a fan of Death Grips, or aggressive hip hop in general, do not miss this band. Holy crap.

Other bands that I thought had great performances: Green Druid, and Savage Blush killed it, and Jeff The Brotherhood, Night Beats, and Holy Wave were all great. There was a lot of stuff I knew and didn't know about that I missed, but that's how you know it's a good music festival. Don't miss it next year.

Now it's time to catch a breath, take a nap, re-hydrate and get ready for the other best party of the year every year, High Plains Comedy Festival. August in Denver rules. Hell yeah.

Harry:

            Grungy, chaotic, and incredibly fun, the UMS was an event I didn’t realize could exist in Denver. Between the well-staffed main stages and the crowded bar venues shows went off seemingly without a hitch. I was rarely thirsty (and never bored) as I bounced between acts both local and national. I enjoyed discovering new music, dancing to Digable Planets, and meeting new people. In the future, I’d love to see more musical diversity at the UMS; if this year is an indicator for future UMS's though, it seems like a great (re)starting point.

2011 UMS band interviews #2

Twist and Shout has asked some bands performing at the UMS to answer a few questions for us- check out these bands July21st-July24 at the UMS.

Lion Sized

http://www.theums.com/artists/detail/lion-sized

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Lion Sized is playing on Sunday, 8pm at 3 Kings Tavern right after Eolian and right before Sins Desires Marie

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout?

You can pick up our latest EP 'Cough Up Your Teeth' and our split 7" w/ Accordion Crimes

How long has your band been together?

Circa 2006

What was the first album you purchased?

Mickey Mouse Disco (1979)

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Tom Murphy 

Best past UMS experience?

That one time that one guy did that thing that everyone thought was funny. That was awesome!

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Hydrate and don't blow your wad till Sunday

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Sweet Action Ice Cream

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

Beastie Boys Paul's Boutique

Anything from Otis Redding

Hot Snakes Automatic Midnight

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

We play a fast set that usually stars right on time. Don't blink.

Dan Craig

http://www.theums.com/artists/detail/dan-craig

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

 6:45pm Sunday July 24th at the UNIMOG stage in the Goodwill parking lot

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout?

 yes

How long has your band been together?

 About 4 years

What was your band's first live show/ performance?

 A moveable feast, at the Walnut Room in 2007 was the first show we played as most of the current lineup

What was the first album you purchased?

MC Hammer  - Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em

Do you have any (quick) advice for new bands?

 Don't take yourselves too seriously

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

 Ooh, many bands to see this year - Churchill, Fairchildren, Hollyfelds, Corey Teruya, Jessica Sonner, American Tomohawk, Gregory Isakov, Reviving Cecelia are on the list so far

Best past UMS experience?

 I'd say playing guitar with Nathan and Stephen at the Mayan last year at midnight. 

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

Go see at least 2 bands you've never heard of  

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

 Well last year it was the Steuben's cart. Here's hoping they come back in 2011. 

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

 too hard to choose

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

 Jeff Buckley - Grace, Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago, and Joni Mitchell - Blue would make for a pretty beautiful afternoon. 

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

 Just that UMS is something to appreciate that doesn't happen in every city. Denver is lucky to have such support from the post and to have a festival growing so quickly with such great energy. 

The Raven and the Writing Desk

http://www.theums.com/artists/detail/the-raven-and-the-writing-desk

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

Saturday July 23rd @ The South Broadway Christian Church 9 pm - we gonna shake that holy house! 

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout?

Yarg!.... yes - 3 glorious copies

How long has your band been together?

Just over a year - a really fantastic year

What was your band's first live show/ performance?

Our first show was May 17th, 2010 at the Larimer Lounge to a packed Monday night crowd of friends and strangers. It was a good way to start. 

What was the first album you purchased?

MC Hammer - Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em 

Do you have any (quick) advice for new bands?

   Garlic & onion sandwiches!

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

Chimney Choir, A. Tom Collins, and Ian Cooke to name a few

Best past UMS experience?

   Being poked in the tummy by a masked member of the Itchy-O marching band as they paraded down Broadway last year and thinking "Do I know her?"

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

   Be excellent to each other and party on, dudes. 

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival?

Sputnik sweet potato fries...mmmmmmmm

Who is your all time favorite Denver band?

    Devotchka 

 If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

Serge Gainsbourg "Histoire de Melody Nelson," 

    Neutral Milk Hotel "In The Aeroplane Over the Sea,"
    Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks "Real Emotional Trash"

Is there anything we forgot to ask you about the UMS that you think people need to know?

   Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called "life."
   Electric word, "life." It means forever, and that's a mighty long time.
   But I'm here to tell you that there's something else: The UMS.

Bad Weather California

http://www.theums.com/artists/detail/bad-weather-california

Where and when are you playing at the UMS?

I think the hi-dive. But check the schedule. They are more organized than I am.  

Do you have your cd for sale at Twist and Shout?

Yeah. And a vinyl too. 

How long has your band been together?

Hard to say. We just do what we do since we were young.  

What was your band's first live show/ performance?

Tijuana was my first show where I played songs that I wrote. Salt Lake was the first show with this line up. 

What was the first album you purchased?

Beach Boys cassette or Tone Loc cassette I think.

Do you have any (quick) advice for new bands?

Keep it street.  

Besides your own band- who do you want to see at the UMS?

HOT WHITE! Is Sauna playing? How about School Nights?

Best past UMS experience?

Irish rover, BWC, straight jammin'. 

Do you have any tips for festival goers?

See HOT WHITE! 

What's the best food people can find on Broadway during the festival? 

I like that fancy ice cream place.  

If you were behind the counter at Twist and Shout, what three albums would you recommend to our customers?

The Modern Lovers. The Velvet Underground. James Brown Live at the Apollo. 

More interviews to come!

Rainbow Music Hall

Some of you have noticed a large, rusty piece of metal hanging from the ceiling above the vinyl section recently. If you look carefully you will see that the word “Hall” can be seen on the metal. This twisted relic is all that remains of the original Rainbow Music Hall. Music fans who have lived in Denver for a number of years will have fond memories of the Rainbow. It was an intimate club with amazing sound, unprecedented sightlines (unless you were behind a beam) and a line-up of famous and soon to be famous stars that makes me drool in hindsight. I saw acts as diverse as Dylan, Miles, Jerry Garcia, The Clash, Yellowman and Cheech and Chong there, as well as countless bands that were underground at the time and would become much more famous later -- The Police, U2, Los Lobos etc. It was a very special place to see a show. People would line up all day, because seats were never reserved, it was always first come first served, and the scene outside was a big party. Inside, there was an un-definable sense of intimacy. The stage wasn’t very high and the audience was right up in the artists’ faces. Standing three feet away from Dylan as he pointed an accusing finger at Allen Ginsburg in the audience and said “don’t be fooled by false idols” during his “Saved” tour was one of many unforgettable experiences there. Obviously, it was a different time and part of my feelings about the place are just that -- my feelings. But, I think if you mention The Rainbow to many long-time Colorado concert goers, you will see their eyes mist up with memories of a special place and a special time. What follows is the tale of how the piece of the sign got from the trash heap of history to our store.

Over the Rainbow
Several years after Ebbetts Field ended its glorious run in 1976, concert promoters Barry Fey and Chuck Morris were looking for a new, bigger room. They finally decided on a location at Monaco and Evans in Southeast Denver and named their new 1,300-seat venue the Rainbow Music Hall. The Rainbow started life as a three- screen movie theater; Fey tore down the walls between the screens to make one large and oddly shaped concert venue where no seat was more than 70 feet from the stage. ListenUp installed the sound system, as well as an on-location recording studio for more live broadcasts and taping. “We created a pretty amazing system – it still gets talked about,” says Walt Stinson. “We were doing more live broadcasting than had ever been done in Denver’s history. And we worked with some of the legends of the music industry, such as Bob Dylan, Miles Davis and U2. It really was a heady time, with a lot of exposure for ListenUp and the Rainbow, which was, like Ebbets, named Billboard magazine’s ‘Club of the Year.’ Jerry Jeff Walker opened the place on January 26, 1979 and the hall was the site of shows by some of the music world's brightest lights, and $2 shows helped start the careers of bands including U2, The Police, Devo, and Pat Benatar. "Most of those $2 shows were amazing shows. These bands were out working the streets. They were playing to the fans," Rainbow manager Dave McKay said.
A who's who of rock 'n' roll, including more than a dozen Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members, passed through the 1,400-seat building in 10 years and more than 1,000 concerts. Warren Zevon was the final show in November 1988. In between it hosted Miles Davis, Robin Williams, Talking Heads, Cheap Trick and hundreds more. In October 1981 the Rolling Stones came very close to playing a secret show there, to the point where banners and tickets were printed. Bob Dylan played three shows at the Rainbow in 1980 on his first tour after converting to Christianity, an era when he was playing only his new Christian songs and no classics. Fey recalled a concertgoer calling out mid-set: "Hey Bob - Jesus likes the hits, too!"
"It was a very small, tight, packed place," said Kevin Oxley, who worked security at the Rainbow in the '80s. "It was really a classic place, just one big party atmosphere. By 7 o'clock in the morning people would be lining up around the building, partying and having a great time." Stars such as Stevie Nicks hung out after her show and signed autographs for fans, and Fey was an ubiquitous presence, Oxley said. "It was one of Barry Fey's little gems. He was always there, every night." Chuck Morris, now Denver's most prominent concert promoter, opened the place with Fey and booked 173 shows the first year alone. He remembered seeing U2 in 1981 and immediately calling their high-powered booking agent in New York. One April, the place held 29 shows in 30 days. Catering was usually a King Soopers deli tray.
Here are only some of the Rainbow Music Hall artists: Jack Bruce • Graham Parker & the Rumour • Split Enz • Rick Derringer • Joe Jackson • Prince • The Clash • Stevie Ray Vaughan • The Police • Barry Manilow • Miles Davis • U2 • Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers • John Cougar Mellencamp • Eurythmics • Robin Williams • Bob Dylan • The Pretenders • B.B. King • Willie Nelson • Pat Benatar • Blondie • Talking Heads • Nick Lowe • Devo • Warren Zevon • Roxy Music • The Cure • Def Leppard • The Fixx • Hall & Oates • The Ramones • Motorhead • Journey • Andy Kaufman • Judas Priest • Los Lobos • Stevie Nicks • Head East • Lou Reed • Iggy Pop • Robert Gordon • Gentle Giant • Amazing Rhythm Aces • Stryper • .38 Special • Cheech & Chong • Elvin Bishop • Al Jarreau • Nitty Gritty Dirt Band • John Prine • The Chieftains • English Beat • Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five • Laurie Anderson • The Blasters • Dave Edmunds • Bobby Womack • Boomtown Rats • Leo Kottke • Black Flag • Midnight Oil • The Alarm • Sinead O'Connor • Rick Springfield • Howard Jones • The Cult • R.E.M. • Weather Report • Jaco Pastorius • Oingo Boingo • Freddie Hubbard • Stanley Clarke • Til Tuesday • X • Black Flag • Ronnie Montrose • New Order • Psychedelic Furs • John McLaughlin • Jean Luc Ponty • Al DiMeola • Robert Cray • Jerry Garcia • George Benson • Larry Carlton • George Carlin • The Knack • Ozark Mountain Daredevils • Metallica • Bonnie Raitt • The Band • J. Geils Band • Stephan Grappelli • David Bromberg • Lou Reed • Steppenwolf • Bon Jovi • Modern English • The Alarm • Jefferson Starship • Leon Russell • English Beat • Hot Tuna • The Hooters • Maynard Ferguson • Icehouse • Arlo Guthrie • Ray Charles • Circle Jerks • The Church • Echo & The Bunnymen • Jeff Lorber Fusion • Dickie Betts • Ozzy Osbourne • AC/DC • Poco • Third World • Taj Mahal • Little Feat • Asleep At The Wheel • and much, much more!

The End
In April of 2009 Rick Shaw and Craig Keyzer noticed that the historic Rainbow Music Hall sign, which was supposedly protected, had been taken down. Hoping that it had only been disassembled and taken away for storage, Rick and Craig hopped the fence behind the vacant building on April 18th. The sign had been completely and utterly destroyed, a crumpled pile of twisted metal and plastic fragments. Taking a hacksaw, they were able to save the word “Hall” from the base plate of the sign (it had holes drilled for installing lightbulbs behind the yellow plastic letters) and only one complete yellow letter “L”. They also collected as many broken yellow sign fragments as they could.