Episode 66: Blind Devotion On a One-Way Road

Monahans released a song a month in 2010, to "find a way in to a new album."

Katy and I saw Doug Burr play at Crosstown Station three months ago.  (It was a great set, cut much too short by Burr’s illness that night.)  His fellow Texans, Monahans, opened with a set, then served as his backing band.  I hadn’t heard of Monahans before, so I did some research that week before the show, finding a few songs online.

What I found, however, in no way prepared me for the band’s amazing set.  Although the singer, Greg Vanderpool, had a cold, his grumbly, low voice was beautiful.  His effects-laden, resonator guitar playing also surprised and refreshed.

While the band could probably be lumped in with other soaring indie rock bands, Monahans had something else going on.  The rhythm section drove the sound, but the drummer didn’t seem content playing the same dumbed-down Larry Mullen phrases.  There was also something murky, Springsteen-like and oh-so American with the songs’ presentation that made sense when I discovered the band was from Austin.

At any rate, I’ve been sick this week, so commentary in this show may be a little scant.  But the music is awesome.  Enjoy.

1. “God Send Us a Signal” – Hammock (Raising Your Voice… Trying to Stop an Echo / Darla / 2006)
2. “Roam An Empty Space” – Monahans (2010 Recordings / independent / 2010)
3. “Summertime” – George Benson Quartet (It’s Uptown / Columbia / 1966)
4. “Vodiak” – Stereolab (Fab Four Suture / Too Pure / 2005)
5. “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses (The Temple Bar Remix)” – U2 (Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses CD single / Island / 1991)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1415312/66radiofreeraytown.mp3″

Radio Free Raytown – Episode #66 (1/7/11)

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Episode 59: All the Millions of Times

 

Andrew Sallee approached me at a Denison Witmer concert at the Westport Coffeehouse about nine years ago. He asked, “So I’ve seen you hanging around The Billions at their shows.  Do you do music or something?” (His relatively new band, Namelessnumberheadman, had played with The Billions a couple times, and he had, in fact, seen me hanging out with them at their shows.) He then volunteered his services for any recordings I might make.

Namelessnumberheadman (photo by Kate Smith)

Since then, I’ve often wished Andrew would just leave the Northland and move to Raytown. We’d probably start a jangly, lo-fi psychedelic garage band and release seven-inch records at a Jay Reatard pace. I guess I’ll have to keep dreaming.

Until then, we get to enjoy his solo set tomorrow at the Benetti’s Fall Classic. The show starts at noon, and he’ll play with Sam Billen (Formerly of The Billions…see how this story has come full circle?) and The Sunday Paper.  He even promised to play my requested song. It’ll be a good day.

Enjoy.

1. “My Foolish Pride” – Charlatans (Who We Touch/The End/2010)
2. “I’m Right Here with You” – Sam Billen (Miracles/Northern/2004)
3. “Roam an Empty Space” – Monahans (independent/2010)
4. “I Know How You Got Old” – Namelessnumberheadman (When We Leave, We Will Know Where We Have Been/Urinine/2002)
5. “Leigh and Me” – Starflyer 2000 (Artcore, Volume 1/Tooth and Nail/1995)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1415312/59radiofreeraytown.mp3″

Radio Free Raytown – Episode #59 (10/15/10)