The Independents - October 27 @ Plush

That most excellent of holidays -- the one where we get to dress up in goofy costumes, the one where it's considered par for the course to vandalize your neighbors' houses, the one where strangers give children candy and everyone is cool with it -- HALLOWEEN is nigh! Skeleton decorations blanket the country, candy fills Walgreens by the truckloads and I've already heard "Monster Mash" too many times. (Note: Once is too many.)

This year we thought we'd give you a heads-up about some of the more interesting Halloween-themed shows in town. First, you'll find five shows slated to happen this weekend and after that five shows happening on Wednesday, which calendar buffs may recognize as Halloween itself. Get a costume and get to some shows!

See also:
-The 10 Best Costumes of Booty Halloween 9
-25 Creepiest Metal Album Covers
-Video: GWAR Goes Christmas Caroling

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Queenormous, with Dogs of Society
Off Broadway
Aug. 21, 2012

When considering music icons Queen, the Bee Gees and Elton John, most people think of riveting performance combined with over-the-top theatrics and costumes. I know I certainly do. But last night's "Tribute Trifecta" at Off Broadway didn't quite live up to what I was expecting. Some observations from Queenormous' and Dogs of Society's tribute show:

1. After misreading the start time, I saw Dogs of Society perform only "Love Lies Bleeding" and "Saturday Night's Alright (for Fighting)" during its tribute to Elton John, but those songs left me intrigued by the band and offered the most musicality of the evening. Indeed, the door man at Off Broadway told me when I entered, "They're killing it!"

2. I was surprised that lead singer John Gore was the only band member in costume. Instead of wearing a white wig or glittery tuxedo jacket, Gore paired large sunglasses with a poufy red pirate shirt, which flapped as he pounded the organ. This was the first time I'd seen an Elton John tribute band in jeans.

3. Heh. "Pounded the organ."

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Jim Clemenson

Sometimes blues and folk duos get lost in the bustle of rowdy drinkers in neighborhood bars, but this was never the case for Letter to Memphis. The dominating smokey vocals of Devon Cahill quickly caught the attention of every shot-slinger in the place, even though they were only playing cover songs.

Recently, Cahill and Gene Starks (guitarist) made the push to original song writing and booking shows as an opener. The next step, they say, is to tighten up and get into a studio to lay stuff down. "The move to song writing has been an adventure, but its been great," Cahill says.

As Letter to Memphis progresses, it is well worth your time to drop in on one of their sets and give Cahill's projecting voice and Starks' meditative guitar a listen.

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Cherokee Street's newest watering hole the Livery Company (3211 Cherokee St) plans to provide the neighborhood with another outlet for their live performance fix with regular concerts and other music-based fun.

The bar holds live shows on Fridays, although a complete schedule is still in the works (if musicians are interested in playing they can contact the Livery via Facebook).

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KDHX and the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts team up to combine art and music. The free collaborated event Sound Waves takes place every third Thursday of the month and features a new DJ each event. Thursday July 19 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., former KDHX DJ Grace Woodard sets the soundtrack.

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Bryan J. Sutter

The Orbz

Midwestern indie rock band, the Orbz begins a month long residency tonight at El Lenador (3124 Cherokee St). The Orbz will play for free every Monday in July.

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The Band Scramble makes its return July 14 at El Lenador (3124 Cherokee St) -- admission will be $10. The name speaks for itself: Band Scramble takes musicians from around the city and randomly assigns them to "new" bands, which then compete in one night of music.

Scramble bands are given three weeks to write three original songs. Each band comprises a vocalist, guitarist, bassist, drummer and one "other" instrument. Bands are literally chosen out of a hat (or beer pitcher, whichever is more readily available). From there, the groups choose their own genre and arrangements. They are judged on stage presence, crowd participation, presentation and songwriting. Judges also bring their own category inputs to the table.

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St. Louis' electronic scene has blossomed in recent years, as evidenced by the ravenous crowds that gather when a worldwide sensation comes around town. The popularity of the genre also cultivated a string of local artists that are starting to get national attention.

Well, adherents to the wide-ranging genre are in luck: St. Louis' first ever Pulse Festival will be taking place June 9 at Old Rock House Pavillion at 1200 S. 7th Street. The two-stage outdoor event will feature some big names, including Above & Beyond, Morgan Page, Mat Zo, Alvin Risk, Krewella, Crizzly and Secret Panda Society.

There will also be plenty of local acts performing, such as Thomas & Drue, DJ Reece, Emilio Hernandez, D-Caf, super conducter, Arty J and T. Lectual.

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Dubb Nubb will play at this weekend's True/False film festival.

As its title suggests, The True/False Film Festival is focused around a cavalcade of non-fiction motion pictures. In its ninth year, the
scope of the festival has widened to feature prevalent artists in
independent music such as Dark Dark Dark and Bramble. Based out of Columbia, True/False has become a prominent player in the festival scene, selling more than 30,000 tickets alone in 2011.

True/False is no stranger to live music, as busking musicians have accompanied the festival since its inception. Films dominate the day-time, and live music lights up the night life. Cafe Berlin, Mojo's and The East Side Tavern are all home to dynamic showcases in conjunction with the festival's line up.

If you want to catch the films you'll have to make a trek to Columbia, but St. Louis natives can catch a taste of the festival's sounds right here at home. Traveling French group Les Trois Coups made its way to Plush yesterday, and Pearl and the Beard performed at the Gramophone the same night. Foam, located at the corner of Cherokee and Jefferson, is housing a special post-festival performance with Bramble.

Amanda Rainey, known for her work with Special Passenger Records, serves as the True/False Music Director. Rainey spoke with us about the festival's connections to St. Louis and the festival's merging of film and live music.

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Mabel Suen

N. Nomurai combines the efforts of Eric Hall, Jim Winkeler and drummer Jeremy Brantlinger.

​N. Nomurai | Demonlover
Smash Bar
February 15, 2012

N. Nomurai was assembled close to the entry way, with Eric Hall seated atop a small drum riser and his cohorts planted in a triangle. Jim Winkeler (of the Conformists) shook the walls of Washington Avenue's Smash Bar with his thousand-pound bass sound and Jeremy Brantlinger sent compliments to his band mates via disjointed percussion. N. Nomurai was coming off a recent sabbatical from shows. Last night, the powerhouse trio showed up to sling its booming improvisations.

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