The Bass Geek

Radio Radio has a trio of indie rock goodness on Saturday – Elsinore, Jookabox, and Slothpop. Have at it.

The Vollrath brings in Hollis Brown, Castles, Veseria, The Yesway, and Govener tonight. Get there early and settle in for a long show, I guess. Tomorrow is slightly less crowded, with The Last Good Year, Modoc, Pictures of Then, and Canby.

The White Rabbit Cabaret and MOKB presents Ferraby Lionheart, Works Cited, and Justin Branam tonight. Saturday finds them hosting the Schlapentickle Family Burlesque & Revue. Thankfully, no slide shows.

And there’s live jazz at Maria’s Pizza in addition to lounge music at the Brass Ring. Enjoy, won’t you?

The new IMN podcast is up – download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2, Thursdays at 4pm and 10pm (DOUBLE SHOT!).

Also, there’s only one thing I really find appealing about the picture to the left, and it fits in with the occurrences taking place over the next few weeks. Yes, the NFL preseason continues, and I choose to focus on the initial winning ways of the Steelers than the ongoing drama horror that is the career of Brett Favre. And by career, I mean season-ending interceptions.

So take a look at this bass, if you will. Black, black, black, black and gold, with the tastefully placed Steelers logo and the not-so-tastefully placed nickname. But it’s his bass, so I suppose the nickname belongs. Other than that, it looks ready to go. So, indeed, here we go, Steelers, here we go!

Radio Radio has but one show this weekend – the eclectic Toro Y Moi on Sunday.

Big Car Gallery hosts a huge night of music (a Decadent Music Party, as it were) with Jon Autry, ROOMS and Fair Fjola tonight. This will be a good night. I encourage you to go to this.

The White Rabbit Cabaret and My Old Kentucky Blog presents Jeremy Messersmith w/Noah East this evening. Drink it in, and drink it deep.

The Twilight Nites Big Band takes the stage at the Fountain Square Theater for Swing Night. For smaller-scale jazz, head over to Maria’s Pizza. And, for lounge music, there’s the Brass Ring. Enjoy!

P.S. The Steelers kick off their preseason this Saturday night. It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .

The new IMN podcast is up – download it here or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2, Thursdays at 4pm and 10pm.

Macworld reviewed some new guitar amp and effect simulations for the iPhone and iPad – the only thing it seems to be missing is a connection to a PA or amp (headphone jacks do NOT count). I’m just wondering what happens when you get a phone call during the gig.

Not only did the movie manage to include a bass guitar in their promotional materials, but this interview reveals a monumental scene that no doubt represents the climactic height of the movie:

Brandon Routh: And I had to learn to play bass — both Michael Cera and I had to for our bass battle. I had to find out what looks cool when you’re playing the bass guitar.

The answer, Brandon, is that the mere act of playing bass guitar represents the coolest thing you can do.

Especially in a bass battle.

Without a doubt.

Ah, GenCon. Would that we had something gaming-related to offer for you musically this weekend. As it is, Radio Radio offers you Phosphorescent tonight and Bigger Than Elvis tomorrow.

The Vollrath presents Stand and Deliver,XXX Smut and Money Shot tonight. Tomorrow, take in Will Phalen, Fairview, and Headless Thompson Gunners.

Big Car Gallery displays a bunch of art and hosts performance from Sea Krowns, Christian Taylor and Homeschool, Accordions, and others.

But does it stop there? MAID NON, MONSIEURS ET MADAMES! White Rabbit Cabaret throws the Burlesque Bingo Bango show tonight and Big Band night tomorrow.

And there’s jazz at Maria’s Pizza tonight, lounge music at the Brass Ring, and Dwight Edwards at the Smokehouse!

Too much, First Friday! Too much!

Enjoy all, and may all of your 20s be natural, GenConners.

The new IMN podcast is up – download it or listen at the site or on WFYI HD2, Thursdays at 4pm and 10pm.

The American Federation of Musicians may be close to persuading the FAA to allow instruments in airline cabins, as detailed on their website. The language is still winding its way through the legislative process, but hopefully this means bassists can once again take their instruments along with them, instead of consigning them to the hell of baggage (where much, much damage is possible) or dealing with flakey rentals whilst on the road. Please read and sign the petition, if you will.

This is the last weekend for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” so grab some tickets at bobdirex.com and head on down. Crowds have been decent, and the reviews have been stellar.

The MadChilli bass looks fantastic (no audio samples, though – grrrrr . . .), but you could tell it was going to be a pricey addition to your collection even before you got to the MSRP. How many times have you seen gig bags and cases referred to as “couture?” Aren’t the items held by the disaffected hipsters in these photos (fingerless gloves!) designed to take punishment, rather than lend a fashion statement to your instrument?

Perhaps I’m being too sensitive about this, but cases get banged, smashed, and generally abused. Buy them for functionality, please. Oh, and I’d like to hear the bass. Sound samples, please!