Buzz Blog

MONDAY 10/23

Mr. Elevator, Camera, Pansies, Cool Banana

With all due respect to the rest of the bill, This is merely a quick plug for Cool Banana, the new band led by Victor Blandon, aka PJ Ramsey of ’90s Television. He’s taking a break from that band to work on this project, which he describes as “an animated/Muppet band/act” and features Jeremy Devine on bass and Ben Thomas on drums. The kid in me has already enthused about ’90s Television’s combination of excellent poppy rock ‘n’ roll and decade-specific pop culture nostalgia, you can imagine how much I needed my Adderall upon learning of this project. Cool Banana’s eponymous debut album is already on Bandcamp (coolbanana.bandcamp.com), which he describes thusly: “I played ping-pong with a Tascam and won!” Its lo-fi Beatles nuggets should go nicely with whatever visuals Blandon—who played several instruments in ’90s Television, including the Tyco Hot Lixx guitar—has up his sleeve for this act. That particular toy axe reportedly isn’t part of this band, but it’s a safe bet that you won’t even miss it. Unless, like me, you love it too much. (RH) Urban Lounge, 241 S. 500 East, 8 p.m., $10, 21+, theurbanloungeslc.com

WEDNESDAY 10/25

The Black Angels, Ron Gallo

Austin, Texas psych rock band the Black Angels took their name from the legendary Velvet Underground’s “Black Angel’s Death Song.” But their sound was heavier than the Velvets, instrument effects sometimes out of phase and a drone-y atmosphere recalling Spiritualized. The band also did a stint as Roky Erickson’s backing band, and along with their hometown’s Reverberation Appreciation Society, founded the Austin Psych Fest in 2008 (now retitled Levitation). Their fifth studio album, Death Song (Partisan, 2017), comes full circle in a callback to the VU song that gave them their moniker and inspiration for their musical explorations. In a genre of closely similar outfits that try to out-heavy each other, the Black Angels have their own unique sonic footprint. Special guest Ron Gallo, originally of Philadelphia indie band Toy Soldiers, opens. (BS) The Depot, 400 W. South Temple, 8 p.m., $25 presale; $27 day of show, 21+, depotslc.com

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• Rob Juarez
• Oingo Boingo Dance Party

FRIDAY and SATURDAY 10/27-28: Halloween Weekend Ideas

Oingo Boingo Dance Party (Saturday, Oct. 28)

As you’ll see in the upcoming issue, my first choice for Halloween celebrations this week is the Oingo Boingo Dance Party at Liquid Joe’s, featuring many longtime marquee members—but of course, not Danny Elfman. Not a problem, though, as the band has one helluva substitute in Brendan McCreary of Young Beautiful in a Hurry. Granted, he’s filling big shoes, and certainly is no Elfman—but the dude can sing. Look up his band on Spotify or YouTube and see for yourself. There are also a few clips of him with Boingo, but they border on potato-quality. (RH) Saturday, Oct. 28, Liquid Joe’s, 1249 E. 3300 South, 6:30 p.m., $25 presale; $30 day of show, 21+, liquidjoes.net

Albatross Presents: Meet the Creatures, feat. Super 78, LORD VOX, Savage Daughters, I See Your Nightmares, Echopraxia & Dream Electric (Friday, Oct. 27)

As you might guess from the esoteric literature, music and tchotchkes they purvey, Halloween is a big night Albatross Recordings & Ephemera. Fittingly, they’re putting on this shindig, which they’re billing as “the grooviest, creepiest, most bone-chilling boogey-down event this Halloween season!” In addition to the “spooktacular Halloween music” by local bands, they’ll have a reading by City Weekly contributor Zac Smith (I See Your Nightmares), tarot card and palm readings, specialty cocktails, costume contest, a decorate-your-own coffin activity, specialty snacks and apparel by Mercado SLC and “out-of-this-world” prizes. A portion of all tickets and drink sales will go toward Best Friends Animal Society. (RH) Friday, Oct. 27, The Ruin, 1215 E. Wilmington, 8 p.m. (doors), $5 ($3 if wearing a costume).  More info here.

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Desert Hearts Presents Haunted Hearts, feat. Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds, Marbs & Porkchop (Saturday, Oct. 28)