True Crime in LFK, Vol. V: Demon Children; Bros vs Turkeys; and Hatchet Man

It's a slow, post-holiday week in LFK so let's dip back into the true-crime archives and focus on some strange and upsetting incidents from recent years.

If you've spent much time around Wal-Marts, you'd swear that most of them were full of demon children, but this may have actually been the case in August of 2012 when "Adolfo and Deborah Gomez tied up and blindfolded their 5- and 7-year-old children in a Walmart parking lot in June because they believed the kids were possessed by demons."   It's easy to doubt this, but first let's take a closer look at the parents' evidence:

"Gomez said he believed the 5-year-old boy was possessed by demons partly due to shifting of his eyebrows and sticking his tongue out and the fact that he was misbehaving toward the other children."

 Clearly the work of demons, folks.

Full story here.

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One of our favorite former LJ-World writers was Mr. Shaun Hittle and normally he covered cuddly stories about cute animals, but he found himself in the midst of a sordid tale when some fraternity bros tortured and killed a turkey at their annual "Turkey Pull" event in 2012 (apparently the "Turkey Pull" is normally a very polite and civilized affair?).  The story received national attention and eventually the bros were sentenced to community service and made to pay a fine, though not suspended.

Here's an ad for one of the events. 





And here's a logo cleverly included in the Examiner's piece on the incident.

 



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And, for our money, LFK's most terrifying recent uncaptured villain is Hatchet Man, last spotted in April of this year when "a Lawrence resident was woken by a man standing in his bedroom holding a flashlight in one hand and a hatchet in the other...".  Hatchet Man got away, and he hasn't appeared lately, but we know he's out there, biding his time, waiting to appear in your home with flashlight and hatchet.

Rest assured we're at work on a short "Hatchet Man" screenplay for inclusion in next year's Wild West Film Fest.

Our Interview With The Black Lillies: "I think everyone likes to be tickled in a new way by a familiar hand."

Looking for a cool show on a hot week in LFK?  The Black Lillies stop by the Bottleneck on Wednesday and the show is a top pick in both the Pitch and Ink this week.  Last month they were chosen as one of Rolling Stone's Top 10 Artists You Need To Know and they've managed to find equal success on both the Americana and Country charts.   One hell of a blurb on their press page even proclaims: “The Black Lillies are fronted by the best-matched male-female vocal duo since Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.”  Goodness gracious, what a statement!

Well, we've got you covered today with a full interview with frontman Cruz Contreras, so let's figure out the inside scoop on these buzzy Knoxville troubadours.  Check out the Black Lillies' website here and give them a "like" on Facebook here and enjoy this chat that ranges from the hallowed halls of the Grand Ole Opry to the weed-smoked sauna that is Bonnaroo, from fine Tennessee whiskey to a less-elegant drink-combination called "Pubby Buddies." 

See you at the show! Buy some tickets via the Bottleneck site.

Richard:  I've always had a fondness for an old-school country sound, and you folks are obviously managing to keep a lot of those influences intact yet still doing well on the country charts that are mostly dominated by polished "new country."  How would you describe your sound and why do you think it's had an across-the-board appeal?

Cruz:  You hit it on the head.  The Black Lillies have one foot in tradition, be it country or rock n' roll or bluegrass or soul, and another in what's fresh.  New songs, new hybrids, new jams, cross-pollinizations!   To me both feet are equally important and ensure longevity and sustainability for this thing we love to make....music!  As far as across-the-board appeal....I think everyone likes to be tickled in a new way by a familiar hand.

Chip: That last part sounds like an innuendo. I know I do!   So you folks are fresh off a big gig at Bonnaroo.  How was that experience for you?  Were the crowds receptive? And can you tell us a tale of debauchery, ideally involving drugs and/or naked hippie chicks?

Cruz:   What would an epic Tennessee rock n' roll fest be without some boobies and varying degrees of medicinal enlightenment?  Right?  But hey - after the glow sticks and body painting all fade away, what are we left with (well, besides some extra dust in your nostrils)?  Rock n' roll still remains …. and in Tennessee we've been mixing that brew for quite some time - from Elvis to Jack White, the hippies and the cowboys … we've got plenty in common. Namely …. music!

Richard:  Your press kit offers an interesting stat:  you've played the Grand Ole Opry more times than any other independent act.  So how many times have you played, what's your most memorable experience there, and who is your all-time favorite band or artist who is closely associated with the Opry?

Cruz:   We've performed at The Opry now about thirty times.  And seriously - we are so grateful.  There is no bigger stamp of approval in the country music world.  It's like getting your shot in the big leagues.  We've seen some great artists there: Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill …. oh yeah … that's right …. Vince Gill.  So he’s hosting our segment of the show one night.  We’ve finished up our first song, about to launch into our second, and without thinking I say over the microphone, "I sure am thirsty!” - which I was because I was so nervous.  I've already kicked off the song when I turn around and see Vince running across the stage towards me opening a bottle of water.  Well, I get this idea that I can keep playing the song and somehow drink this water at the same time.  I open my mouth, Vince starts to pour the water in, I'm on my knees, calf style … and we both lose it. There’s water pouring down my shirt like it’s a wet t-shirt contest, I spit water everywhere, the song crashes, and the whole place erupts in laughter.  Fast forward,  we restart the song, knock it out, and as we're walking off stage Vince asks me "who wrote that song?” I take that as a compliment, responding that I wrote it, and then, again over the microphone, he proceeds to say, "sorry I made you wet!"  We both look at each other bug eyed, sharing a special moment, and it was over, as it should have been!

Chip:  Most Tennessee country bands that I know drink a lot of whiskey.  A LOT of whiskey.  What's your whiskey of choice?  And do you enjoy PBR, because that's mainly what people drink in Lawrence.

Cruz:  We call em "Pubby Buddies” - a shot of whiskey with a PBR. Quite economical and very effective.  I heard that a few years back the Knoxville market was the number one consumer of PBR in the country. Perhaps that’s only a vicious rumor, but I have pretty reliable sources.  As far as whiskey goes, we have a broad and eager palette. Of course we have our Tennessee whiskeys, Dickel and Jack, but we appreciate our bourbons from the North …. Bulleit, Woodford, Buffalo, Four Roses, Makers ….. and the list goes on!

Richard:  I'm not going to lie to you: a Wednesday night show at the Bottleneck in Lawrence during the summer can be a tough sell.  Leave our readers with a blurb that convinces them they absolutely MUST make it out to this gig.

Cruz:  Well, since we're not telling lies, I should admit that we've never been to Lawrence, but our buddy Chuck Mead said it's a real nice place.  AND Wednesday is hump day - which I like to think of as the high point of the week - so if we all time it just right, some good grooves, some magical melodies, some good cheer … we can call it the "summertime hump day high at the Bottleneck with The Black Lillies" … yeah … I like that! Hope to see ya there … it'll be a big time!

 


 

Fourth of July Weekend Picks: Fireworks, Music, Movies

Well, it's another 4th of July weekend in LFK and the LFKPD have made it very clear in statements this week that they have no fucking clue how  to enforce the city's fireworks ban but still kindly ask you NOT to shoot them.  So that means...blast away! 

The city hosts its annual Party in the Park at Watson Park before the official fireworks extravaganza.  There are bands playing:  The Dead Ringers, Pink Royal, The Phantastics, Carswell & Hope, and Mustard.  And there's talk of buskers.  They just can't be avoided these days.

And head down to the Replay late and try not to cry too much when you remember that Fourth of July doesn't live here anymore to play their annual show.  Instead you'll find Gnarly Davidson, who will make some furious noise that's a far cry from the pop bliss that greeted you there last year.  Oh well.  Things must change. Even in LFK. (Note: you'll find Gnarly Davidson there again on Saturday...perhaps they've inherited Psychic Heat's tendency to play multiple shows each weekend). 


 





Saturday...there's probably something going on too.  Not sure what.  We're hoping to catch Snowpiercer at Liberty Hall.  It's going to be good.




Recent Sunday bookings at the Replay patio show have featured a lot of sad-bastard solo performers for some reason. It makes no sense, since Sunday afternoon Replay crowds are made up of old folks and families who want to dance.  But that won't be a problem this Sunday.  Catch the matinee honkytonk stylings of our pals in Cryin' Out Loud.  Wear your dancing boots.  Details here.

Pre-Fourth of July Scenester Picks: Comedy, Conor Oberst, and Camels

It's comforting to know that, each and every Thursday, a bunch of folks will be on stage at the Replay, just talking about their cocks and such.  The popular comedy series "Good Time" continues this week with LFK's naughtiest lady, Shadoe Barton.  Check out the FB event page here.





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The last time Conor Oberst visited LFK, with Desaparecidos at Liberty Hall last year, he was roundly ignored.  Man, that show was empty.  Presumably that won't be the case this time, as he's touring under his own name, sporting a new (country-tinged) record, with the popular Dawes in tow as both opener and backing band.  And they even have two area shows: one at Crossroads KC tonight and the other at the Bottleneck on Thursday.






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Or you can just stop by the fireworks tent on K-10 and ride the sad camel, a 4th of July tradition in LFK.  But we didn't see any camels as we drove by yesterday.  Are they dead?

Here's a 2004 photo from LJ-World.

Stuff We Like This Week: #ImaginaryKanrocksas ; Free State's Blood Orange Radler; A Hard Day's Night at Liberty Hall

After cancelling its second installment in 2013 due to poor ticket sales, the ill-fated (and poorly named) Kanrocksas Festival made no attempt to resurface this year.

Luckily,  we've got you covered.  For the second year in a row, we'll be live-tweeting #ImaginaryKanrocksas this holiday weekend.  Follow along at the hashtag and learn what happens.  We know there's a Hootie and the Blowfish reunion in the works.  Insane Clown Posse is accidentally booked on the children's stage. And "Uncle Ted" Nugent will be on hand with a crossbow.  What could go wrong?

 

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Free State Brewery has rolled out the Blood Orange Radler again this summer. It's a beer.  It's an orange soda.  It would pair so well with the old wedge-cut fries.  Well, you can't have it all, right?

Photo via 365 Days of Beer:




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It's going to be a sad Independence Day weekend in LFK since hometown heroes Fourth of July (as far as we know) aren't returning to play their traditional holiday show. But at least one can find a bit of pop-bliss on the big-screen.  Liberty Hall is not only screening the restored version of The Beatles' A Hard Day's Night but they're screening the son-of-a-bitch for the entire holiday weekend!  That's right. Soak it up.  Check the times via their site.

Weekend Reflections on a Cultural Bonanza: Free State Festival; Lawrence Field Day Fest; Final Friday; and Tour of Lawrence

Lawrence served up a feast of cultural opportunities this weekend and we tried to sample a few portions of each.  Here are some thoughts.

Free State Festival:

This year's Free State Fest, centered around the Lawrence Arts Center, expanded from a film fest into a full-force community event combining film, music, art, and panel discussions, and it was unquestionably a hit.  It seems likely, in fact, to become the cornerstone event of the summer--something that will increasingly draw tourists from well beyond the borders of LFK--if the Lawrence Arts Center can afford to keep it going strong.  Judging from all the grant money rolling in lately, this shouldn't be a problem.  This is one of those events where the old cliche "something for everyone" pretty much holds true, with events ranging from family-friendly buskers to free outdoor concerts (2000 people on hand for Mr. Johnny Winter) to late-night scenester "happenings" (such as Husker Du icon Grant Hart backed up by some of LFK's finest).  If we had to level a critique, it seems to us that the film portion itself could stand to be a little more buzzworthy.  Imagine, as one example, if they had somehow scored an early screening of Richard Linklater's Boyhood this summer, with the man himself on hand to discuss.  But judging from the near-capacity crowds at the two film events we attended, most people were perfectly pleased with the offerings.  Good job, LAC and Free State Fest!

Here is a busking mime (not necessarily an official part of the Free State Fest, but this is the kind of event that everyone can latch onto!).

 

 
Lawrence Field Day Fest:

In past years, we had two minor criticisms of Lawrence Field Day Fest:  it was all held in a single venue and it wasn't diverse enough for our taste, tending mostly toward garage rock and punk.   With year three, these concerns were non-existent:  the Fest branched out of the Bottleneck to the (impressively renovated) Jackpot, added a free evening of shows at Wonder Fair and Love Garden, and opened up the billing to some more eclectic fare, from the singer-songwritery goodness of Danny Pound (who read a high-school poem he wrote called "Don't Let Disco Die") to the hip-hop stylings of Ebony Tusks (we heard, from Marty, that this show was epic!) to the bad-ass blues of Katy Guillen and the Girls (a band we sincerely regret missing after hearing Josh Berwanger rave to us about them).  We were on hand for much of Saturday's line-up, arriving early to witness the resurrection of Pale Hearts, with Rob in fine screaming voice, besuited and showcasing his best dance moves, channeling some LFK demons for what he claimed was one last hurrah (or is it?) before moving to KC.  From there we stopped by the Jackpot in time to catch the end of a raucous Quivers set and the beginning of a sizzling Philistines set before heading back to Bottleneck to catch Berwanger, in classic Berwanger-style, blazing through 30 minutes of arena-ready rock, complete with a fog machine.   Mr. Cameron Hawk deserves applause for curating this thing and keeping it running like a well-oiled machine, with all the bands we saw starting right at their appointed set times, perhaps the rarest miracle of all in the world of rock and roll.


Final Friday:

Did folks make their way off the streets and into the galleries for Final Friday?  We only stopped at two places (Phoenix Gallery--upstairs and down--and Wonder Fair) but they both seemed to be hopping.

Chip is trying to save some cash and purchase a piece that he calls "Naked Woman With Cat," which is part of Wonder Fair's terrific YWA (Young Woman Artists) show.  Make sure to stop by and check it out.




Tour of Lawrence:

The bikes are fast.  The bikes are kind of fun to watch (for about 15 minutes).  The bikes are COMPLETELY blocking off 9th Street right next to your home!  The bikes are almost running you down as you try to cross Mass on Sunday.  It is way too fucking humid outside to enjoy the bikes.

Final Friday and Other Weekend Picks: Comedy, Art, A Double-Dose of BARRR, and Captiva

Apparently there's other stuff going on in LFK right now besides the Free State Festival and Lawrence Field Day Fest.  Who knew?

Here are a few other options.

It's time for more Thursday comedy at the Replay and one of tonight's headliners is Mr. Jason Barr.  We haven't seen Barr do comedy in awhile, but we assume his act reflects his recent "straight-edge" lifestyle.  Expect some inspirational advice about the power of exercise and prayer, and perhaps a few gentle barbs about the faults and foibles of Lawrence Friendly Kansas.

The FB event page is here.

 


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Final Friday is almost upon us, and there is art to be seen if you can somehow make your way through the Free State Fest buskers and Tour of Lawrence bicycle racers (unlikely).

Our friend Karen has a cool show at  Phoenix Underground. It's a series of paintings inspired by watching people dance at the Taproom.

Chip:  "If I'm one of the dancers she painted, there is going to be A LOT of grinding in these works.  There should be a GIF video installation as well to better capture the movement."

The show also features Lora Jost's "Animals."

This is our TOP PICK for Final Friday.  Try hard to get there.

The FB event page is here.

 

And don't neglect the main upstairs Phoenix Gallery, since there's a cool show from Thieves Guild there in which artists display their life-drawing sketches, photos, etc from the monthly Fatso's events.  Last time we stopped by one of those Fatso's events there was a nearly-naked woman on stage with @DoppelGangsta lying on top of her in some sort of prom-themed pose, so you can expect to see some interesting stuff at this opening.  Check out the FB event page.  Here's a sneak preview.





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Needing more BARRR after Thursday's comedy.  Find him out at SeedCo on Friday selling art out of his truck (parked at 826 Penn).




If you venture beyond Jason's truck and into SeedCo, you'll find more art and music from our friends in Carswell and Hope and others.  Details here.  [Update: apparently this event will be held outside SeedCo, since there's some kind of SeedCo SNAFU going on].

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Wonder Fair has a show that's all about the YWA's this month!  That means "Young Woman Artists," in case you're not in the know.  Find some details at the Wonder Fair site.




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And the Percolator's popular dime-bag show is back this Final Friday.  Good fucking luck getting to the Percolator right now.  And do not attempt to take a shortcut through the Compton hotel.  We tried. It just doesn't work.

Details here




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The youngsters in KC's Captiva are getting some good buzz these days.  Find them at the Granada on Saturday for an all-ages show. Check out a fun little INK KC interview with Captiva's 17 year old Hank Weidel here.

Set times according to the band:

AY Musik performs around 8

Captiva performs at 850

Not A Planet performs at 1015

We love the flyer: