The Bass Geek

It’s a little farther down the road than the events I usually discuss here, but the Wheeler Arts Center (right here in Fountain Square) will host a production of the musical “Bare” from July 24th through the 27th.  More information is available at http://allalike.org - they’re in the casting process now, and rehearsals start in June.

I’m thrilled we’re getting a show like this in the neighborhood.  The Wheeler is a great building, but it’s always seemed more focused on visual arts.  There are some wonderful performance spaces there, though, and they deserve to be utilized.

I managed to pick up a programmable version of the SansAmp Bass DI for cheap this weekend, which made me extremely happy. In one fell swoop, I picked up a backup for my current box (which sounds wonderful and will never leave my side) and answered my desire for a bass overdrive/distortion pedal - a wonderfully overdriven sound is just a click away. I managed to hold in my impulse to get a used 2×10 cabinet to go along with it, although the size would be far preferable to the 1×15 cabinet I’m using now. That’s just size, though - I’d want to test it out for sound before going any further.

I was also reminded why I hate working with a certain large retail chain. A group of three clerks, obviously more interested in discussing their hatred of Weezer, managed to ignore for a full five minutes before finally unlocking a cabinet to retrieve the pedal. The unlocker then rung up a customer or two while I waiting for a power supply to actually run the thing (I’m not buying a used item before testing it out). Other two clerks? Still discussing Weezer. Feh.

Radio Radio has The Mary Onettes and Red Light Drive tonight.  Boss Martians, Leftovers, and the exquisitely excellent  Kink Ador  are on Saturday night’s bill.

Sam’s Saloon features G.S. Harper, The Cousin Brothers, and Jethro Easyfields tonight, with Playing With Knives, Hell Fire Sinners and Ryan’s Hope coming up tomorrow.

Big Car Gallery screens the Tendrils DVD from Asthmatic Kitty records tomorrow night.  Grampall Jookabox will also provide musical stylings.

Deano’s Vino presents the Michael Houston Group tonight and Jude’s Juggers tomorrow night.

And, of course, there’s Victor/Victoria at the American Cabaret Theater this Friday and Saturday night.  Enjoy.

The new IMN podcast is up - you can download it or listen to it on the site.

I upgraded the podcast equipment to the Microtrack II, as well. Aside from the spiffy black case and a built-in limiter, I also slapped in a larger CF card, so I’m going to bump up the recording resolution for the voices now. Still the same Steve and Ryan, just with more bits. Wheeeeee!

If you feel like networking at one of Fountain Square’s premier restaurants, we’ll be at Gusto’s beginning at 8:30 for the FountainSplash! events. I’ll be providing the music - I promise it won’t hurt. Tape “The Office” and come on down

The carnival has taken root in the Family Dollar parking lot just down the road. Between said installation of fair rides, games and elephant ears and the movies shown there during the summer, I suppose this area has taken the place of a village common. Plus, our village common has cheap toothpaste and plastic forks. We win.

Nevertheless, back to the carnival. It’s like the spring training for the state fairs. The folks get their rides set up, shaken out, try to avoid maiming some kids, and get their practices runs in before the main event. There’s a few twinkling lights, the Ferris wheel, and other assorted instruments of fun. There are also “guaranteed State Fair Photos!”, where you will most certainly find young lovers projected their images onto an imaginary brandy snifter, the glass holding their love to be drank lustily from for all eternity.

Or until it spills and you have to go get the carpet cleaner again.

And, as a bonus, the Italian sausage stand is staying open late on weekends. Wandering drunks plus authentic fair food equals pure profit.