Listening to bands because other bands dropped their name...

I promise I can tie this to Des Moines...

Jerseyrock-royalty Titus Andronicus is like one of my vices:  I use them frequently at levels that would make "experts" cringe....   The performance they gave at 80/35 in 2011 was something of a fantasy for me.  That being said, they often drop other bands' names mid-song and  I eventually figured out that these were good tips that Patrick and the gang were practically yelling.

Diarrhea Planet

This band first came to my attention when I saw Titus Andronicus in Des Moines; Patrick wore a Diarrhea Planet t-shirt during their performance.  Since then the band has won some considerable fame-- getting their name dropped in a live recording of a Titus Andronicus song among their live/demo release and made a list as one of JEFF the Brotherhood's favorites.

Anyway, Diarrhea Planet has again released its bowels; the album is titled Loose Jewels.  If you like JEFF the Brotherhood and/or Titus Andronicus then you should grab it fast.

Spider Bags

This group got cover treatment on the Titus Andronicus LLC Mixtape Vol. "Waking Up Drunk". It is  rambunctious tune perfect for a broken heart or an excuse to go on a drinking binge.  [SIDE NOTE: for my Be Orange Gang-- this was my May-Term theme-song.]  Might I add those Springsteen loving, Jersey boys sure do have good taste in music.

-C.K.

Jeff the Brotherhood and Juiceboxxx at the Vaudeville Mews.

(Jake Orrall and his three-stringed guitar)

Jeff the Bortherhood and opener Juiceboxxx blitzed the Mews with tunes last night and I was lucky enough to make the show.  

Juiceboxxx hails from Milwaukee and blasts gigantic, electronic beats that are complemented with stunning guitars, a thunderous drum kit, and charismatic rapping.  This band has a cool sound going, one that is more commonly heard in the mash-up realm with the likes of Dj Danger Mouse's Grey Album or one of my personal favorites Jaydiohead.  Juiceboxxx is an entertaining lot and they put on quite a show.

With smoke-machines pouring semi-opaque clouds into the air, Jeff the Brotherhood took the stage and quickly made it loud, with a mere two people, a drum-set and a (sweet looking) clear-body three-stringed guitar.  They were a roaring good time and dripping with a modest yet magnetic persona.  From the sounds of it, their new album Hypnotic Nights is what it's hyped up to be.

Heartless Bastards @ Wooly's

Those kind, intelligent people at Wooly's are sure out to make a name for themselves, and within the first year of opening up shop in the East Village.  


Not long after their 80/35 after-hours dance-fest featuring Dan Deacon-- the quirky, master of machines with grooves inside of themselves-- they invited Todd Snider and the throwback country boy Hayes Carll to entertain the masses here in he metro.  Once again Wooly's is poised to bring in some more great tunes.  

This Friday night the Wooly's crew will host the Heartless Bastards.  With a new album in tow titled Arrow, these Ohio rockers are set to rock the joint.  The group got together in 2003 and has released four major albums thus far, but their latest Arrow proves to be their greatest achievement to date as it covers every sound their four piece band can manage.  Arrow shows the spectrum of their style, which darts between the likes of Jessica Lea Mayfield and early Deer Tick albums.


You can check out the Heartless Bastards at Wooly's on Friday the 27th, tickets are $13 and the doors open at 8pm -- just in time to get your weekend started off right.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD at the Mews

Jeff the Brotherhood is a two-man band that makes more noise than all 76 of Meredith Wilson's trombones.  With just a guitar and a simple drum set Jake and Jamin Orrall have created a simple and smooth garage-rock band that sounds somewhere between Sonic Youth and PS I Love You with enough child-like mischievousness to drown all the cats in the neighbor's pool...

On July 29 these boys will tear up the Vaudeville Mews, with special guests Juiceboxxx.  I expect this show to be loud and a perfect way to cap-off a weekend/help you forget that Monday will soon arrive.  The doors open at 8pm and it's $12 to get in.

Manifesto

Des Moines is a growing metropolis that's gaining considerable, cultural credibility.  Its artistic events range from the the raging street festivals that celebrate the visual arts and music to the subtle, but sometimes unseen literary scene.

What I've come to see is that this city is in love with the arts. Several music venues that showcase local, regional, and national talent have cropped up all over the metro and are letting music lovers of all genres get in on some great acts.  The Des Moines Arts Center, which offers free admission and hosts several free events, is a stunning collection of some very important works of visual art.  Then there is the well established performing arts events and venues and the emerging silver screen scene, like the 48 Hour Film Festival.  


In an effort to compile a comprehensive list of the best music, films, performances and other artistic pursuits to roll through town, What's Rocking Des Moines aims to sift through the waves of artists invading the city's limits to raise awareness and create a conversation about the finer things happening in Des Moines. Here's what's rocking...