Initially, I was skeptical about this King Khan guy. I mean, I don’t want to sound crass here, but an Indian guy trying to deliver funk sounded like the next bad Mike Myers movie.
Well, King Khan and The Shrines put on a show Friday night that was more than enough to exorcise any anti-Funkindian sentiments I had. I actually don’t even know if Khan is Indian or Pakistani or what. I do know he’s Canadian, and that he wouldn’t be upset if he read this racist-sounding review, because Khan’s above all that. The makeup of his band proves it: Ron Streeter, Curtis Mayfield’s live percussionist? There’s the Official Stamp of Funk Approval, and actually the selling point for me.
Khan came out like James Brown Himself, shiny silver cape flapping in the fans of the Larimer’s dance flo’. And then they just rocked the s*** out of the Larimer. All the heel-tapping hipsters barely knew what to do with themselves when Khan spat his bootylicious pushaman soundscape all over their faces. They figured it out eventually, with the help of Khan’s Fly Girl, who looked like she had come straight from a rollerderby match, but had more moves than a chessmatch. Khan is an act that defies description so, you just have to listen to them. Need recommendations? Sweet Tooth and Took My Lady Out To Dinner (with a chorus: She’s fat! She’s ugly! I really, really love her! x4) were my favorites of the evening. But it was all good.
Day: Monday (July 21)
Who: The Watson Twins
Where: Hi-Dive
Why: These girls sing raw, melancholy, intimate songs. With a new release sans Jenny Lewis it’ll be interesting to hear how they’ve changed.
Cost: $12
Listen: The Watson Twins
OR
Day: Monday (July 21)
Who: Hello Kavita and Dan Craig
Where: Larimer Lounge
Why: Hello Kavita was just named best Denver band by 5280. For the reals, both of these performers are amongst my favorite in Denver. It’ll be a night of very pretty, very melancholy music.
Cost: $10
Listen: Hello Kavita
Dan Craig
Day: Tuesday (July 22)
Who: Dizzee Rascal
Where: Cervantes
Why: This British hip-hop artist performs raw, guttural, urgent rhyming using a plethora of influences.
Cost: $22
Listen: Dizzee
Day: Wednesday (July 23)
Who: Soulico
Where: The Walnut Roon
Why: This Tel-Aviv based DJ crew is known for fusing Israeli music with contemporary American hip-hop. Sounds exciting.
Cost: $8
Listen: Soulico
Day: Thursday (July 24)
Who: Matson Jones
Where: Bluebird Theater
Why: Two cellists, an upright bass and a drummer make up one of my favorite bands ever. Who even knows the last time they played or when they’ll do it again in Denver?
Cost: $10
Listen: Matson Jones
Day: Saturday (July 26)
Who: The Knew CD release
Where: Hi-Dive
Why: It’s sure to be a rollicking good time with the bluesy rock these fellows play. Plus the new CD is fantastic. Just ask Megan.
Cost: $6
Listen: The Knew
Well, it should be anyway. This year is the 8th annual Denver Post Underground Music Showcase. Remember how awesome it was last year? It’s going to be ever better this time around. Why’s that, you ask? Because it’s expanded to 2 days with more than 100 of you favorite local acts.
Check out the schedule here, the artists here and the venues here. Then go buy your pass here. It’ll be the best 20 bucks you’ve spent in a long time - not counting a recent foray to Mexico.
In the coming weeks Wayward Panties will follow their tradition of highlighting some acts to see and venues to while away your days. We love you DPUMS!
I have just four words for you. Play. This. Record. Loud.
I have been a huge fan of The Knew since first seeing them at a Larimer Lounge BBQ about a year ago and I am quite relieved to say that the latest release from the Denver-based group is fantastic.
These four fellas have an innate knack for blues based rock. It is classic without being tired. Energetic without being overdone. The addition of some more ambient sounds (fancy pants guitar stuff, harmonica, synth, and some sax I think too.) broadens their scope without detracting from their seemingly trademarked sound.
From the first song, By Yourself, the syncopation will start your feet tapping. And when the guitars kick in your non-dancing days just may be over. Coldblack, a track halfway through the EP, has even more haunting vocals and doesn’t slow down a bit. This album invokes dancing. It’s a whole record of wild, sweaty, exhausted and ridiculously satisfying music from beginning to end. Well done boys, well done.
MP3 - By Yourself
*All songs posted on Wayward Panties are for promotional use ONLY. If you like the music let the band know by purchasing their music (and shirts and tickets). If you are the owner of this MP3 and would like it taken down please contact us at waywardpanties@gmail.com and we’ll remove it immediately.
Day: Tuesday (July 15)
Who: Feist with The Golden Dogs
Where: The Fillmore
Why: You all know all about Feist, but The Golden Dogs are worth seeing on their own with their high-energy pop sensibilities.
Cost: $30
Listen: The Golden Dogs
Day: Wednesday (July 16)
Who: Film on the Rocks features Ukulele Loki and the Gadabout Orchestra this week (movie is Labyrinth)
Where: Red Rocks
Why: Besides an awesome display of Bowie’s package, the band is a local favorite with shows made of vaudeville, burlesque, tubas, glockenspiels, puppets, belly dancers, aerial dancers and depression-era sounding music.
Cost: $12
Listen: Ukulele
Day: Thursday (July 17)
Who: King Khan
Where: Larimer Lounge
Why: tongue-in-cheek lyrics, unpredictable live shows, genuine psych and soul music - what more do you need?
Cost: $10 adv/ $12 day of
Listen: King Khan
Day: Friday (July 18)
Who: Porlolo CD release
Where: Hi-Dive
Why: To see a lovely guitarist and trumpet player whose songs “effortlessly meander from romanticism to heartbreak.”
Cost: $6
Listen: Porlolo
Dan Craig’s voice somehow manages to be both heartwrenching and uplifting in the songs on his latest release Skin Grows Thin and that’s probably my favorite thing about the album. It reminds me that even though bad things happen in life so do spectacular things.
The album as a whole is mellow, acoustic songs that you can listen to over and over again. Full of strings, horns, sweet harmonies and contributions by Erin Donovan and member of the Flobots, Hearts of Palm and Bela Karoli, the album is one that doesn’t really have a bad song in the bunch. If you like Ryan Adams or Damien Rice you’ll likely enjoy this album.
MP3 - See You Around
*All songs posted on Wayward Panties are for promotional use ONLY. If you like the music let the band know by purchasing their music (and shirts and tickets). If you are the owner of this MP3 and would like it taken down please contact us at waywardpanties@gmail.com and we’ll remove it immediately.
To secretly win over my heart you really needn’t do much more than blend quirky sounds like kazoos and toy pianos. Throw in some fun lyrics and simple hooks and I’m practically head over heels in love. The two man duo of Michael Cadiz and Tyrel Stendahl make up The Terrordactyls and are giving my boyfriend a run for him money for my affection because they do the above so well.
The group makes lo-fi and endearing music that is completely filled with joy and fun. None of it is explosive, but it’s catchy as hell. If you are a fan of The Moldy Peaches you should check them out. The song below features Kimya Dawson as a guest singer.
MP3 - Devices
*All songs posted on Wayward Panties are for promotional use ONLY. If you like the music let the band know by purchasing their music (and shirts and tickets). If you are the owner of this MP3 and would like it taken down please contact us at waywardpanties@gmail.com and we’ll remove it immediately.
Sometime so long ago that I can’t quite recall when it happened (last year? 2 years ago? More than that?) I was fortunate enough to stumble upon 5 young men looking for a place to stay in Denver, CO. Perhaps it was reckless of me, but I offered up my small living room to the traveling musicians and I’m ever so glad I did because otherwise I may never have heard of a little band called Calico. And then I wouldn’t have heard a little CD called “Black Pyramid” and that would be sad indeed.
The music on this CD is simple and sparse yet poignant. It’s the kind of CD I could always have playing in the background of my life. Whether you’re having friends over for dinner and drinks, sharing your first heavy-breathing, toe-tingling make-out session with a potential love interest or just sitting on a patio contemplating the meaning of life (yours in particular) in the still hours of the night, smoking cigarettes until either you run out or the dawn comes, this CD somehow seems to fit the mood with its slow and dreamy feel.
As an person that tends to favor indie pop I usually get bored with songs that last more than about 4 minutes or so. The songs on Black Pyramid average around 7 which surprised me when I saw it because, not only did I not get bored even though they lasted longer than my usual tolerance, I didn’t even notice they lasted that long. And not all of the songs on Black Pyramid have singing which is usually another bad sign for me. But, somehow with this music it isn’t a bad thing. And when Calico finally decides to sing on a track there is something haunting in the voices that pleases me to no end.
Although Calico is based in Salt Lake City I hear they are planning another tour stop in Denver. If they do stop by do yourself a favor and check the show out. Until then buy the CD and get familiar with the music.
MP3 - Diamond
*All songs posted on Wayward Panties are for promotional use ONLY. If you like the music let the band know by purchasing their music (and shirts and tickets). If you are the owner of this MP3 and would like it taken down please contact us at waywardpanties@gmail.com and we’ll remove it immediately.
Day: Tuesday (July 8 )
Who: d. biddle
Where: Hi-Dive
Why: Besides being one of my favorite Denver bands, d. biddle is playing with Constantines and Ladyhawk which is sure to be an awesome show.
Cost: $10 advance/ $12 day of
Listen: d. biddle
Day: Wednesday (July 9)
Who: Journey
Where: Fiddler’s Green
Why: Because we all secretly like to sing Don’t Stop Believin’. And they’re playing with Heart. And Cheap Trick. We’re not even kidding.
Cost: $25 - $125
Listen: Journey
Day: Friday (July 11)
Who: Barcelona
Where: Gothic Theater
Why: To hear piano-based melodic songs played well.
Cost: $10 adv/ $13 day of
Listen: Barcelona
Day: Saturday (July 12)
Who: The Epilogues (CD release)
Where: The Marquis Theater
Why: Emotional and explosive electric rock
Cost: $8 adv/ $10 day of
Listen: Epilogues
Update - Wayward Panties will resume normally scheduled programming Monday July 7th. Thanks for your patience with us!
