On Thursday, 11-23, in the Kalamazoo Gazette and on MLive.com, you printed that we are charging NINE dollars for the Leppotone Karaoke Overdrive show on Sat., Nov. 24. This is, and has for nine years been, a FREE show, just for the enjoyment of the participants, even though the band works very hard to prepare for it and to play all night. It is really disappointing that your totally avoidable and therefore inexcusable error may cause many people to miss out on this tradition of one free night of amazing music and fun. We have never charged a cent for this show in all of the preceding eight years, and we will not any time soon. The correct information was on the press material we sent to the Gazette, on dozens of fliers downtown and elsewhere, and on leppotone.com, where there is ALSO information for people to contact someone involved in this and other Leppotone shows and events. I am again reminded of why I no longer subscribe to the Gazette.
speaking of burning things, Bresa Del Rio has apparently burned to the ground. We totally missed our chance to dance the low-cut whinny dance. I’m kinda bummed. Duster down. This is going out to my dead cowboniezz
As of 3:15 a.m., on the day of the show, the mlive.com information about LKO has been fixed. At least it says this when I did a search for “goin’s on:”
What: Leppotone Karaoke Overdrive 9
(Pop/Vocal, Rock/Heavy Metal)
Where: Kraftbrau Brewery
(402 East Kalamazoo Avenue , Kalamazoo, MI 49007, 269-384-0288, Map)
When/$: Saturday, Nov 24, 2007, 9:00 pm FREE
Maybe too little too late. I bet they’ll get it right by LKOXXXIV.
Submitted by redstarwraith on Sat, 11/24/2007 - 8:53pm.
As cliche as all this sounds, let’s all put that shitrag’s blunders behind us, get drunk as lords and have a blast at the final Kraftbrau Leppotone Karaoke Overdrive!
I for one cannot wait to see you all in another hour or so.
Cheers everyone!
So, so, so, so fun! Thank you Scott and Nathan and Kap’n for your willingness and effort and time and talent and all the rest of it. It’s certainly a unique and pleasant rush to be up there with the sound all around. It’s impossible for me to absorb it all and enjoy it fully at the time ‘cause I’m trying to read the words or remember “how many times do I do that?”, etc. But I guess you just drink it in and process it and keep enjoying it later.
The crowd was so supportive and generous and friendly!
T’anx again, boyz!
Submitted by redstarwraith on Sun, 11/25/2007 - 6:17pm.
Once again, thanks from the bottom of my heart Scott, Nathan and Kap’n. Thought the night was going to be a bust. Counted on Kraftbrau having WINE or at least their Sangria available, but … well yeah. Had to make a break for Tiffany’s for some vino and ended up missing some very good performances. I wonder how Kap’n got through the evening with no wine being served?
That was so much fun. Man, we are so lucky. I can’t thank you enough—just like everybody else.
And Tom is going through over 360 photos! I got a sneak preview and there are some gems coming your way. :-)
Several of those photos just made me bust a gut. The photo of Scott with head in hands just made my personal top 10 for the year 2007. There’s all kinds of beautiful character capture throughout. Thanks, as always, for awesome photographyleeleeeleee, Tom!
I’m only to picture no. 21, and I already have to say how beautiful everyone is — and always is — in your photos. It’s really interesting, aside from being amazing. I can hardly bear to look through all of the photos. Thank you.
I will just have to keep this comment window open as I go through Tom’s photos and my memories of last night [and consequently of Kraftbrau]. Otherwise I’ll post a thousand comments, and we don’t need that. I’m still pretty drawn and raw and I’m just wanting to say what I think. I know it comes as a surprise, but I’m an emotionally driven kind of gal, one who tends toward, well, blathering whatever sweet nothings are about to follow. Don’t mean to not comment on a particular person/performance/photo/whatever, I’m just going with my gut and my over-emotional reactions for now. It’s a goddamn happy-sad salad, no mushrooms please.
Karl and Cande, goddammit. Stop breaking my heart by making it swell so. Picture no. 25? Stop it. Sweetest end note was being in the audience at the end of your song [ha, get it?] when people who did not know you two realized after all that song that you guys are … together. Applause increased, tear ducts swelled.
I think Tom likes Becky. She’s pretty happy, too.
Almost as happy as Chris whathisname, who did the Cramps’s "What’s Inside A Girl?" a couple years ago.
Damn, that Deater is good.
You didn’t know about the three piercings I have way at the back of my tongue til now, did you? Big mouth was a big secret, too.
Who’s submitting the right photos to joshreads.com?
That Cookie turned out purt’ good for a redneck. Glad he could make it.
It is totally sick that Linds is not fronting the best girl-vocal punk band since X-Ray Specs. Thank you, Crappor, for surprising me with perhaps the biggest surprise of all of this, in nine years. I mean, I am not surprised you have it in you, I just never expected the depth and wealth of it. Pride, joy, et cetera.
Everyone is still so pretty.
Nathan always looks like he’s on ‘shrooms or something onstage in your photos, don’t you think? His pupils look or are dilated? He looks so pretty that way.
Blaine. Always good to see that bear out of whatever sweet dad-hibernation he is in. Age is his friend. Dangerous teddy bear. I wish my exclamation-point key was working.
Motherfuckin’ Simons. And Davison. Work the fucking stage!
Jumpsuit. Subliminal message. ‘Nuff said.
Jesus. Dingey already said it. Scott!
I didn’t know Peeters could look mean. I think Nathan likes being on stage with him.
YES. Light the fucking cigarette INSIDE. Been dying to do it myself.
Nathan always looks like some weirdly happy child that has all the talent in the room or something — does anyone else know what I’m trying to say, or what I’m seeing? He’s like that kid in that "Twilight Zone" episode, the one who has control of his whole town. But he [Nat] does good instead of evil.
Wow, man, a swell night. I am still overcome with how good it was. Thank you for your documentation of the night, Tom. Thanks to all of you who were there for making it what it was. More than fun, but also the distillation of fun. Not a drop of drama in the house. I like you guys.
I am exceptionally terrible at verbalizing love or admiration, but here goes: I love you. All of you.
I was going to leave it really short, but it sounds glib and obnoxious that way. I put a lot of meaning in how long things haunt me, and I keep waking up and hearing the intro to Eminence Front. Of course that implies that I’ve been sleeping since Saturday, which I have not. I woke up today with my heart racing - I have no idea why. Strange dream? Regrets in my sleep? If there are any regrets, it’s that I didn’t tell you how much I love you, and so here it is again: I love you.
those pictures break my heart…..man…..the level of fun and love in the room….good lord folks…..have you all truly found and or produced paradise?…..that shit makes me want to move to kazoo yesterday…..all my favorite folks are right there…..damn….miss all of you more then i knew…..
Those Snapps freaking KILL me. And Lindsey? Rulah!
One of my favorite moments was Slimons hitting the stage and doing "Devil Town." It was great to see him go into his noodle-kneed, finger-twiddle, eye-wild performance style that I didn’t realized i missed so badly until I was seeing it again. It was also extra-funny to watch unsuspecting youngsters in the crowd eye each other nervously like "What’s this guy’s deal?" YESSSSSS. Still bearing the power to discomfort and unite at the same time. Thanks, man!
There was all manner of awesomeness, foolishness, and surprise. I’m sorry you missed it, padonkey. you missed EMINENCEFRONT! It was no put on.
….this is pretty much the only thing that makes it worthwhile to live in kazoo anymore. And now Kraftbrau’s closing. Think of this as a grand swansong….
Also, RE: joshreads. It’d be great if everything were in place before issuing photos to him, like have Tarzana available as an MP3, have the bandsite text, links, etc. operational. I think that’ll happen soon. Won’t it? Hint! Hint!
Look at me. You boys just poured out your hearts and souls and already I’m kvelling about what remains to be completed.
Submitted by crappor on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 12:01pm.
I had oh so much fun! I even didn’t have to drive. It is so cool that in all the pictures that were taken that night how many happy faces there are in the crowd, and a huge crowd at that. Karl, Scott, and Nathan you guys are my heros for being able to not only play a bunch of random songs, but to stay up there for so long and play without your arms falling off. Definately a nice way to say goodbye to thee ol’ Kraftbrau. I got some great pics of the night, although I must say, much of it was a little blurry. I somehow have a large bruise on my behind and can not figure out how or why. But I had such an awesome time and everyone sang great! And thanks for the wonderful comments. Really…. it was just an awesome night. Thanks again for all the hard work you guys do! You are appreciated!
Submitted by Uncle Arthur on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 12:18pm.
I was sober, drinking coffee and being mocked for it, yet I had fun as well.
Crappor, there looks to be a photo by Dingey of you and your hairy hubby rasslin’. That might be the cause of injury. One shot he seems to either be about to puke, or he’s just exposing a bloody mouth, I’m not sure. Everybody is happy, anyway. What was that song the she-beast sang, and how dumb am I for not knowing who the original is by?
I wish my companion had sung her song. She was also sober, that’s a hinderancing factor. I had declared myself unable to sing in public. Kudos to those who had the courage. Unique interpretations of joy, fun, seasons in the sun. I have photos. They will look murky and blurry, but I’ll get to them as soon as I can. I request that those who took photos post the most "Kalamazoo-ish" in the Kalamazoo Flickr group.
I had a couple early in the evening while getting ready (putting lipstick on the rock-n-roll Carole King is thirsty work), but as always, didn’t allow myself more than one beer before doing my song. Sometimes two but I can’t finish the second one. It’s not so much a "perform sober!" thing as it is a carrot on a stick. Get your ass up there or no beer for you, girl! I was pretty wasted on nerves though!
Also, I hope I’m not cock blocking Kiki Dee or anything, but I found her photos from Saturday!
Submitted by Mr. Jass on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 2:04pm.
I swear, every stinking year, Tree brings me to tears. I couldn’t help but to think about our poor unfortunate Bangladeshis. Tree, you are a HU-manitarian.
I also wondered if Crappor was able to "leave the building" without being recruited to front a band. Hell, I’m starting a band right niz-ow for the sole purpose of keeping her on stage. Damn, gurl… you got the CRAZY eyes. Crazy-GENIUS.
When I told Ms. Jass about the loving rendition of "Don’t Go Breakin My Heart", her simple reply was a hearfelt "Awwwww….."
But I think he’s done enough already. Same goes for Karl and Scott. I can do some dadministration duties later and type the list, if Nathan has one that includes the performers. …
I second Ponky. It doesn’t have to be a complete annotated list or anything. Just a quick run down, doesn’t have to be by the musicicans either. All of you who were there can contribute. For example:
Ulysses S - I’ll Be There (Michael Jackson)
Jeff M - 4’22" (John Cage)
Herb T - Too Animalistic (Angry Samoans)
It’s easy, I know you guys weren’t that drunk.
Sorry Ms Info and I didn’t make it. The pull of grad school and Adult Ed studying was too much.
I won’t miss Kraftbrau’s beer in the least but I hurt big time for my Kalamazoo buddies who are losing another place to see and play shows at.
As it has been for the past many years, Saturday was the highlight of my holiday season. Everyone was bold and beautiful. Nathan, Karl and Scott are as the three kings, bestowing the gifts of gold, funkysounds and myrrth unto all us li’l baby Jesi.
They did call this a.m. The person responsible for gathering that info called, apologized, accepted responsibility. She said she got the info off the online K-Brau calendar, and it had the number nine after the show title, and it didn’t say "FREE" anywhere, so she assumed the 9 meant nine dollars. (I went to the Web site calendar: if you click on the link to see the full description of the show, it’s obvious that the numeral nine is part of the band/show name, not a price.) But always nice to have someone pay attention and own up. UNLIKE the IRREDEEMABLEASSHOLE working the Bell’s door Saturday night … Wait for Dadmin’s blawg about it, I can’t even talk about it it makes me fucking ill. I guess I’m getting my microbrew from OP only, now.
Submitted by Uncle Arthur on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 4:11pm.
In context, from the Kbrow kalander, it is an error that is regrettable, though understandable on the part of the paper. Never assume, but the assumption was made that the web listing had a type-o in the form of an absent "$". All shows have cover at the end. It is the Kbrow’s error that they stuck a "9" at the end of the LKO listing. The cut’n’paste:
Submitted by Herb Tarlick on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 4:51pm.
I’m finally coming out of my illness (thanks Dr. Feelgood for the antibiotics, I even made it to work for a couple of hours today) and I too want to say what an awesome time I had. Hopefully some of my old-fashioned style pictures will turn out as well.
I was just talking to Jason at Bell’s on Friday about their idiotic early evening door policy which I too have been subjected to. Ang, if you can provide more details I can help you pass along your complaint to whoever needs to hear it.
And yes, the Bresa burned down on Thanksgiving. Very sad. For those of you who are aware of my involvement with the therapeutic riding folks in Allegan I need to say that the Bresa and their owners (one of whom works for 4-H in Allegan County) have been very involved with therapeutic riding for many years, are just plain excellent people and this has obviously been a terrible blow for them. The insurance will probably just about cover the mortgage type situation. Maybe we Leppotoners can help out, I will have more info this week and I will keep you posted.
Mickey—EVERYBODYNEEDSSOMEBODYTOLOVE (Solomon Burke, as covered by Blues Bros)
JeffM—PUMPITUP—Elvis Costello
Richard—SLIPKID by the Who
A lady I don’t know rocked REVOLUTION by the Beatles
Ron did “Give me Love Give Me Peace On Earth” by George Harrison and made me misty.
I did WATERLOOSUNSET and nearly had a panic attack
Candace and Karl did DON’T GOBREAKINMYHEART and made the ladies go AWWWWWW.
Sherry F. did FREEFORALL by Nuge
Becky Cllooper did Fugazi’s WAITINGROOM
Chris the Nick Cave guy—I don’t remember! he always tears it up, though!
Paul_____ did TEQUILA with some help from WIZ!
Liz sang Blondie’s DREAMIN.
Curt and Dutch Hercules did the Turtles’ SURFERDAN and CHIEFKAMANAWANNALAIAANDTHEROYALMACADAMIANUTS
Curt Nevala did ELEANOR
Sean J8nes (and Dutch?) did Turtles’ BUZZSAW just to help round out the Turtles Battle Of The Bands super set. Initially Karl thought it was a really slow HIPHUGGER. Nice medley, that.
A guy came up and ripped through a song that I absolutely cannot recall right now.
Oasis kid.
Ethical Paul did a pixies song (I think?) backed up by WIZ!
Rita scat “I put a spell on you”
Fortier did “NEWROSE”
Steven C. did BEATMYGUEST (by I don’t-know-who) and later returned for a popular demand ZIGGY performance.
Kasdorf did Journey’s DON’T STOPBELIEVIN’!
(OH!Somewhere in here was the breaktime/reintro—EMINENCEFRONT, which was introduced with an endless loop)
Lindsey kicked ass with the Muffs “I don’t need your attitude”
Those amazing Snapps got up and kicked out the jams with Led Zeppelin’s IMMIGRANTSONG.
A young feller that i don’t know got up and requested Bohemian Rhapsody.The crowd went berserk. The poor kid lost his way somewhere in there (and I give him huge props for TRYING!).By that point, nobody cared and was too busy bellowing along to notice.
Fleetwood Mac—GYPSY (?) You know, that song “Women, they will come and they will goo-whoa whoa./..when the rain washes you clean you’ll know….” A cute girl who I don’t know but looked familiar.
A kid that I don’t know but looks vaguely familiar (previous participant?) did “NOW I WANNABEYOURDOG”
Chris from Berwer and Kraftbrau did “THEBOYSAREBACKINTOWN.”
Angie tore up Van halen via Minutemen with AIN’T TALKINBOUTLOVE!
A very adept girl that I don’t know kicked it with WILDTHING.
Unknown—unrecalled.I think I was peeing.
Blaine O’Snorkel did Terry Jack’s SEASONSINTHESUN and it was forking lovely.
Chris Slimons did a beautiful, weirdly touching rendition of DEVILTOWN by Daniel Johnston.
Rita and some freshly recruited protégé did an ear-splitting Diamanda Galas rendition of SUMMERTIME
A fellow who is not known to me did the Ramones ROCKAWAYBEACH.
Steve, Chris Slimons, and Franklin Fuzz performed the Flaming Lip’s ALLYOURBADDAYSWILLEND.
A nice young stranger got up and tore up Del Shannon’s RUNAWAY.
Another blanks spot.My bladder was full!
Peeters tore it up with SUPERSTUPID by Funkadelic.
There were also some band-only numbers, including TARZANANIGHTS, QUINNTHEESKIMO, and Akron Family’s LOVEISSIMPLE.
I’m sure I’m missing some numbers….my recollections are based on the Deater collection….
Submitted by Mr. Jass on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 5:21pm.
I missed "Tarzana Nights"?
and "Love is Simple"?
"Quinn The Eskimo" ? damn.
Jesus, I might just cry right now.
The "Bohemian" kid and his PDA provided lyrics–chuckle. (I lamented with Cajun C that he did not, as yet, own an EyePhone so we could pull up the words to Cap’n Beef’s "Sue Egypt" )
Submitted by Ethical Paul (not verified) on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 6:13pm.
> Ethical Paul did a pixies song (I think?) backed up by WIZ!
Not at all a bad guess but it was The Rentals’ Friend of P
> Fleetwood Mac—GYPSY (?) You know, that song “Women, they will come and they will goo-whoa whoa./..when the rain washes you clean you’ll know….” A cute girl who I don’t know but looked familiar.
I think it was Dreams from Rumours. It was in my top 5, great job!
Submitted by redstarwraith on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 8:51pm.
Does this phenomenon hit anyone else, or is it only me:
Going back to this fucking GRIND on Monday after a Leppotone Karaoke Overdrive weekend is ………i dunno, something like shifting gears without pushing the clutch in. . .
Hey, I went back to the grind a little later than most of ya, and I still feel a little ground! Like nervous exhaustion or somethin’…
I have so much else I want to say about this awesome affair, and you truly beautiful people, but before I post any of that (which may have to happen another day), thought I’d fill in the "set list" blanks so we can get as accurate a picture of the night’s program as possible.
Before Sid ‘n’ Rete got the audience participation goin’, the band (which hadn’t given any thought to an opener) kicked the night off with “Instant Karma”, which we’d done in the basement once, half a year ago or so.
The lady who requested “Rio” looked familiar to me (from last year, maybe)? Anyone know her? She had first asked for “Girls On Film” or “Planet Earth” - since it had been so long since I’d heard them, I gave her a no… thankfully, we still remembered “Rio” from Angie’s ace performance of it at VI, VII?
NRP made a surprise appearance and played “Been So Long Since I Helped Myself” from their new release, Demonstration – buy it today! Nice intro to Mickey’s Burke cover.
A couple of performances before the Battle of the Bands super-set, Chris rocked us with the New York Dolls’ “Puss ‘n’ Boots” – my rehearsal suggestion to make it a medley with a Buster Poindexter tune was rightly nixed.
After the Battle of the Bands super-set, the man who identified himself only as “Richard Dawson” rocked us with his rendition of the Animals’ “Don’t Bring Me Down” – anyone know that guy?
Steven accompanied his friend (forgot his name) on the Oasis track “Turn Up the Sun”… then Paul and Liz rocked the Rentals’ “Friends of P”. Rita’s “Spell” must have been the break-maker!
Nathan spent some quality time settin’ that loop up that led into “Eminence Front”. Dusty nailed our intro! Sweet as the jumpsuit!
Steven’s choice, “Beat My Guest”, can be found on an Adam and the Ants (not solo Adam Ant!) B-side. After not stoppin’ believin’ with John, Lindsey wowed us with The Muffs’ tune, “Red Eyed Troll”.
Post-Snapps, all hell broke loose with “Bohemian Rhapsody” – who’s that guy? Also don’t know who performed “Dreams” (CG said she was really cute – uh-huh!), or “Dog”. There’s Chris on “Boys Are Back”… there’s Angie n’t talkin’ ‘bout love…who’s that girl on “Wild Thing”, or that guy on… well, I was pretty sober and don’t remember that one either.
Don’t know the performers on “Runaway” (he’s probably from Battle Creek, he asked us to do some “B.C. rock!”) or Dingey’s last blank spot, a fine duet rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun” done a la the Animals – do you?
So - one blank to fill - and one night never to be repeated!
I do not know the girl who did "Rio." She began this year with some apologies for her performance last year (she was very freaked out, I guess, and walked off the stage midsong, last year). That song was, God LOVE her (and I do), "Welcome to the Jungle." I think a lot of people this year recognized her from last year/knew her (as did I), and were cheering her on specifically because, dammit, no reason to be a-scaridt—we are all in terror in front of the headlights of our own … uh, I’m so stupid. Anyway, I do not know her, but she started the Guns’n’Roses song last year, which I impulsively tried to finish after she left the stage, hence the reason I remember it so well. I have always loved that band, shut up, and it seemed so wrong that it should just peter off like it was about to do. And I knew Nathan didn’t know the lyrics. Then I was too scared to do my own song for like 2.5 more hours. Thank you all for letting this dumb ass continue to share tables and conversations with you.
Um, in other news, Rita’s actual requested-ahead sond was the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version (a specific live performance, at that) of "I Put a Spell on You." Thus the cane-with-skull prop and down-pat scatting.
I can’t believe Karl remembered all that. He usually has such a hard time remembering exactly who did what.
Jason. I think that’s when my hair started to lose its ‘do due to bouncing an’ sweating. And I love him. Dammit, look at that countenance! So good to drag the Tammys out of whatever woodwork ensconces them.
Thanks you all for completing that list. And for all the rest. Maybe I’m amazed. It’s so good—it makes me feel so good inside—to see so many people, especially so many people I love, admire, look up to, wish good things for, be so damn happy. Plain and simple like that.
Submitted by cinnamon girl on Mon, 11/26/2007 - 10:22pm.
as usual, it was fantastic! everyone did a fabulous job this year. I have been meaning to post all day, but haven’t had a chance until now. Angie, thank you for posting my photo link, I was going to do it at work, but didn’t, and knew I probably wouldn’t be able to post a link at home (as the mac doesn’t love it in leppo land - even with foxfire). two snaps up for the Snaps! they (as usual) blew me away. Lindsey, damn!!! to repeat Amy, you are my hero!! Chris performing "Devil Town" pure genius!
Of course no one would sound great without Nathan, Scott and Kar! you guys are beautiful, mostly for being willing year after year to do what you do. I see first hand how much effort these guys put into this affair, and yet they make it look effortless.
When you do get to fondue, remember two basic rules — If a woman drops her cube of bread or meat off her fondue fork and into the pan, she must kiss all the men at the table! If a man drops food from his fork into the pan, he must supply another bottle of wine for the table!
additionally
Wow I just went back to look
Wow I just went back to look at yesterday’s paper. It does say $9. Whatta bunch o’dipshits.
fuck them
Sent to MLive and the local "editor":
On Thursday, 11-23, in the Kalamazoo Gazette and on MLive.com, you printed that we are charging NINE dollars for the Leppotone Karaoke Overdrive show on Sat., Nov. 24. This is, and has for nine years been, a FREE show, just for the enjoyment of the participants, even though the band works very hard to prepare for it and to play all night. It is really disappointing that your totally avoidable and therefore inexcusable error may cause many people to miss out on this tradition of one free night of amazing music and fun. We have never charged a cent for this show in all of the preceding eight years, and we will not any time soon. The correct information was on the press material we sent to the Gazette, on dozens of fliers downtown and elsewhere, and on leppotone.com, where there is ALSO information for people to contact someone involved in this and other Leppotone shows and events. I am again reminded of why I no longer subscribe to the Gazette.
bridges torched
Gazette errata, etc.
What: Leppotone Karaoke Overdrive 9
(Pop/Vocal, Rock/Heavy Metal)
Where: Kraftbrau Brewery
(402 East Kalamazoo Avenue , Kalamazoo, MI 49007, 269-384-0288, Map)
When/$: Saturday, Nov 24, 2007, 9:00 pm FREE
Maybe too little too late. I bet they’ll get it right by LKO XXXIV.
Its November 24th. We just
or
Fuck 'em all. . .
i hate working....it makes
i hate working….it makes me miss all the best times…..
Last night was way
Last night was way awesome. I cant put into words what a good time it was. There has got to be a LKO X.
mwahahaha
t'anx, boyz!
You didn't have to shake me but you did
But you did but you did
And I thank you.
Here! Here!
Always a great time!
actually, it was 613 photos
deat is king!
Oh, Amy.
[quote=dingey]dance the low-cut whinny dance.[/quote]
I love you, my little Grimace.
Oh, Deeder.
I’m only to picture no. 21, and I already have to say how beautiful everyone is — and always is — in your photos. It’s really interesting, aside from being amazing. I can hardly bear to look through all of the photos. Thank you.
OK, one is enough.
I will just have to keep this comment window open as I go through Tom’s photos and my memories of last night [and consequently of Kraftbrau]. Otherwise I’ll post a thousand comments, and we don’t need that. I’m still pretty drawn and raw and I’m just wanting to say what I think. I know it comes as a surprise, but I’m an emotionally driven kind of gal, one who tends toward, well, blathering whatever sweet nothings are about to follow. Don’t mean to not comment on a particular person/performance/photo/whatever, I’m just going with my gut and my over-emotional reactions for now. It’s a goddamn happy-sad salad, no mushrooms please.
Karl and Cande, goddammit. Stop breaking my heart by making it swell so. Picture no. 25? Stop it. Sweetest end note was being in the audience at the end of your song [ha, get it?] when people who did not know you two realized after all that song that you guys are … together. Applause increased, tear ducts swelled.
I think Tom likes Becky. She’s pretty happy, too.
Almost as happy as Chris whathisname, who did the Cramps’s "What’s Inside A Girl?" a couple years ago.
Damn, that Deater is good.
You didn’t know about the three piercings I have way at the back of my tongue til now, did you? Big mouth was a big secret, too.
Who’s submitting the right photos to joshreads.com?
That Cookie turned out purt’ good for a redneck. Glad he could make it.
It is totally sick that Linds is not fronting the best girl-vocal punk band since X-Ray Specs. Thank you, Crappor, for surprising me with perhaps the biggest surprise of all of this, in nine years. I mean, I am not surprised you have it in you, I just never expected the depth and wealth of it. Pride, joy, et cetera.
Everyone is still so pretty.
Nathan always looks like he’s on ‘shrooms or something onstage in your photos, don’t you think? His pupils look or are dilated? He looks so pretty that way.
Blaine. Always good to see that bear out of whatever sweet dad-hibernation he is in. Age is his friend. Dangerous teddy bear. I wish my exclamation-point key was working.
Motherfuckin’ Simons. And Davison. Work the fucking stage!
Jumpsuit. Subliminal message. ‘Nuff said.
Jesus. Dingey already said it. Scott!
I didn’t know Peeters could look mean. I think Nathan likes being on stage with him.
YES. Light the fucking cigarette INSIDE. Been dying to do it myself.
Nathan always looks like some weirdly happy child that has all the talent in the room or something — does anyone else know what I’m trying to say, or what I’m seeing? He’s like that kid in that "Twilight Zone" episode, the one who has control of his whole town. But he [Nat] does good instead of evil.
Wow, man, a swell night. I am still overcome with how good it was. Thank you for your documentation of the night, Tom. Thanks to all of you who were there for making it what it was. More than fun, but also the distillation of fun. Not a drop of drama in the house. I like you guys.
Oh, my dear ones.
I put my pictures over here.
I am exceptionally terrible at verbalizing love or admiration, but here goes: I love you. All of you.
I was going to leave it really short, but it sounds glib and obnoxious that way. I put a lot of meaning in how long things haunt me, and I keep waking up and hearing the intro to Eminence Front. Of course that implies that I’ve been sleeping since Saturday, which I have not. I woke up today with my heart racing - I have no idea why. Strange dream? Regrets in my sleep? If there are any regrets, it’s that I didn’t tell you how much I love you, and so here it is again: I love you.
those pictures break my
those pictures break my heart…..man…..the level of fun and love in the room….good lord folks…..have you all truly found and or produced paradise?…..that shit makes me want to move to kazoo yesterday…..all my favorite folks are right there…..damn….miss all of you more then i knew…..
man....
Those Snapps freaking KILL me. And Lindsey? Rulah!
One of my favorite moments was Slimons hitting the stage and doing "Devil Town." It was great to see him go into his noodle-kneed, finger-twiddle, eye-wild performance style that I didn’t realized i missed so badly until I was seeing it again. It was also extra-funny to watch unsuspecting youngsters in the crowd eye each other nervously like "What’s this guy’s deal?" YESSSSSS. Still bearing the power to discomfort and unite at the same time. Thanks, man!
There was all manner of awesomeness, foolishness, and surprise. I’m sorry you missed it, padonkey. you missed EMINENCE FRONT! It was no put on.
Can't we just do that all
Can’t we just do that all the time?
As usual I am at a loss for words.. it was all so good, Eminence Front, LIz doing an awesome Blondie, Runaway, yeah, and Slimons… the best.
Just running around that place, trying to figure out where to stand, realizing I feel comfortable everywhere…
Scott, Karl and Nathan, thankyou!!! And thankyou to everyone who got up there on stage… that was, like Angie said, more than fun.
I miss Kalamazoo
Nice pictures everybody, I was hoping to see them this morning. I miss Kalamazoo………
aw, fellers,
….this is pretty much the only thing that makes it worthwhile to live in kazoo anymore. And now Kraftbrau’s closing. Think of this as a grand swansong….
Also, RE: joshreads. It’d be great if everything were in place before issuing photos to him, like have Tarzana available as an MP3, have the bandsite text, links, etc. operational. I think that’ll happen soon. Won’t it? Hint! Hint!
Look at me. You boys just poured out your hearts and souls and already I’m kvelling about what remains to be completed.
Good beginnings is half done.
Sleepy and disoriented….
You guys are the best
I had oh so much fun! I even didn’t have to drive. It is so cool that in all the pictures that were taken that night how many happy faces there are in the crowd, and a huge crowd at that. Karl, Scott, and Nathan you guys are my heros for being able to not only play a bunch of random songs, but to stay up there for so long and play without your arms falling off. Definately a nice way to say goodbye to thee ol’ Kraftbrau. I got some great pics of the night, although I must say, much of it was a little blurry. I somehow have a large bruise on my behind and can not figure out how or why. But I had such an awesome time and everyone sang great! And thanks for the wonderful comments. Really…. it was just an awesome night. Thanks again for all the hard work you guys do! You are appreciated!
with love,
the crappor.
Was I the Only Sober One?
I was sober, drinking coffee and being mocked for it, yet I had fun as well.
Crappor, there looks to be a photo by Dingey of you and your hairy hubby rasslin’. That might be the cause of injury. One shot he seems to either be about to puke, or he’s just exposing a bloody mouth, I’m not sure. Everybody is happy, anyway. What was that song the she-beast sang, and how dumb am I for not knowing who the original is by?
I wish my companion had sung her song. She was also sober, that’s a hinderancing factor. I had declared myself unable to sing in public. Kudos to those who had the courage. Unique interpretations of joy, fun, seasons in the sun. I have photos. They will look murky and blurry, but I’ll get to them as soon as I can. I request that those who took photos post the most "Kalamazoo-ish" in the Kalamazoo Flickr group.
half and half
I had a couple early in the evening while getting ready (putting lipstick on the rock-n-roll Carole King is thirsty work), but as always, didn’t allow myself more than one beer before doing my song. Sometimes two but I can’t finish the second one. It’s not so much a "perform sober!" thing as it is a carrot on a stick. Get your ass up there or no beer for you, girl! I was pretty wasted on nerves though!
Also, I hope I’m not cock blocking Kiki Dee or anything, but I found her photos from Saturday!
karrysmokey
I swear, every stinking year, Tree brings me to tears. I couldn’t help but to think about our poor unfortunate Bangladeshis. Tree, you are a HU-manitarian.
I also wondered if Crappor was able to "leave the building" without being recruited to front a band. Hell, I’m starting a band right niz-ow for the sole purpose of keeping her on stage. Damn, gurl… you got the CRAZY eyes. Crazy-GENIUS.
When I told Ms. Jass about the loving rendition of "Don’t Go Breakin My Heart", her simple reply was a hearfelt "Awwwww….."
And Becky… maybe I DO like Fugazi. I do now.
Those three cats up there blow my mind.
who can produce a list of
who can produce a list of who performed what?….
Well, Nathan COULD ...
But I think he’s done enough already. Same goes for Karl and Scott. I can do some dadministration duties later and type the list, if Nathan has one that includes the performers. …
I second Ponky. It doesn't
I second Ponky. It doesn’t have to be a complete annotated list or anything. Just a quick run down, doesn’t have to be by the musicicans either. All of you who were there can contribute. For example:
Ulysses S - I’ll Be There (Michael Jackson)
Jeff M - 4’22" (John Cage)
Herb T - Too Animalistic (Angry Samoans)
It’s easy, I know you guys weren’t that drunk.
Sorry Ms Info and I didn’t make it. The pull of grad school and Adult Ed studying was too much.
I won’t miss Kraftbrau’s beer in the least but I hurt big time for my Kalamazoo buddies who are losing another place to see and play shows at.
As it has been for the past
To echo the general sentiment: I love all y’all.
um, list
Angie - Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Dingey - Waterloo Sunset
Sid - Sympathy for the Devil
Simons - Devil Town
Becky - Waiting Room
Simons and Davison - the "All your bad days will end" Flaming Lips song
Sherry - "Free for All" (The Nuge!)
Kasdorf - Don’t Stop Believing
Karl and Cande - Don’t Go Breaking My Heart
Liz - Dreamin’ (Blondie)
Shizzzz, the blank has been drawn! Also, I gotts go put my 1.5 hours in at work….
Gazette, pt. 2
They did call this a.m. The person responsible for gathering that info called, apologized, accepted responsibility. She said she got the info off the online K-Brau calendar, and it had the number nine after the show title, and it didn’t say "FREE" anywhere, so she assumed the 9 meant nine dollars. (I went to the Web site calendar: if you click on the link to see the full description of the show, it’s obvious that the numeral nine is part of the band/show name, not a price.) But always nice to have someone pay attention and own up. UNLIKE the IRREDEEMABLE ASSHOLE working the Bell’s door Saturday night … Wait for Dadmin’s blawg about it, I can’t even talk about it it makes me fucking ill. I guess I’m getting my microbrew from OP only, now.
Gaz...
In context, from the Kbrow kalander, it is an error that is regrettable, though understandable on the part of the paper. Never assume, but the assumption was made that the web listing had a type-o in the form of an absent "$". All shows have cover at the end. It is the Kbrow’s error that they stuck a "9" at the end of the LKO listing. The cut’n’paste:
(No subject)
i just wanted to say how happy that picture made me.
That’s all. Awww, graves.
i'll work on a list
..but there’ll be a few blanks. patience, my pals.
I'm finally coming out of my
I’m finally coming out of my illness (thanks Dr. Feelgood for the antibiotics, I even made it to work for a couple of hours today) and I too want to say what an awesome time I had. Hopefully some of my old-fashioned style pictures will turn out as well.
I was just talking to Jason at Bell’s on Friday about their idiotic early evening door policy which I too have been subjected to. Ang, if you can provide more details I can help you pass along your complaint to whoever needs to hear it.
And yes, the Bresa burned down on Thanksgiving. Very sad. For those of you who are aware of my involvement with the therapeutic riding folks in Allegan I need to say that the Bresa and their owners (one of whom works for 4-H in Allegan County) have been very involved with therapeutic riding for many years, are just plain excellent people and this has obviously been a terrible blow for them. The insurance will probably just about cover the mortgage type situation. Maybe we Leppotoners can help out, I will have more info this week and I will keep you posted.
listin'
Sid—SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL
Girl whose name I don’t know – RIO by duran duran
Mickey—EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE (Solomon Burke, as covered by Blues Bros)
JeffM—PUMP IT UP—Elvis Costello
Richard—SLIP KID by the Who
A lady I don’t know rocked REVOLUTION by the Beatles
Ron did “Give me Love Give Me Peace On Earth” by George Harrison and made me misty.
I did WATERLOO SUNSET and nearly had a panic attack
Candace and Karl did DON’T GO BREAKIN MY HEART and made the ladies go AWWWWWW.
Sherry F. did FREE FOR ALL by Nuge
Becky Cllooper did Fugazi’s WAITING ROOM
Chris the Nick Cave guy—I don’t remember! he always tears it up, though!
Paul_____ did TEQUILA with some help from WIZ!
Liz sang Blondie’s DREAMIN.
Curt and Dutch Hercules did the Turtles’ SURFER DAN and CHIEF KAMANAWANNALAIA AND THE ROYAL MACADAMIA NUTS
Curt Nevala did ELEANOR
Sean J8nes (and Dutch?) did Turtles’ BUZZSAW just to help round out the Turtles Battle Of The Bands super set. Initially Karl thought it was a really slow HIP HUGGER. Nice medley, that.
A guy came up and ripped through a song that I absolutely cannot recall right now.
Oasis kid.
Ethical Paul did a pixies song (I think?) backed up by WIZ!
Rita scat “I put a spell on you”
Fortier did “NEW ROSE”
Steven C. did BEAT MY GUEST (by I don’t-know-who) and later returned for a popular demand ZIGGY performance.
Kasdorf did Journey’s DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’!
(OH! Somewhere in here was the breaktime/reintro—EMINENCE FRONT, which was introduced with an endless loop)
Lindsey kicked ass with the Muffs “I don’t need your attitude”
Those amazing Snapps got up and kicked out the jams with Led Zeppelin’s IMMIGRANT SONG.
A young feller that i don’t know got up and requested Bohemian Rhapsody. The crowd went berserk. The poor kid lost his way somewhere in there (and I give him huge props for TRYING!). By that point, nobody cared and was too busy bellowing along to notice.
Fleetwood Mac—GYPSY (?) You know, that song “Women, they will come and they will goo-whoa whoa./..when the rain washes you clean you’ll know….” A cute girl who I don’t know but looked familiar.
A kid that I don’t know but looks vaguely familiar (previous participant?) did “NOW I WANNA BE YOUR DOG”
Chris from Berwer and Kraftbrau did “THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN.”
Angie tore up Van halen via Minutemen with AIN’T TALKIN BOUT LOVE!
A very adept girl that I don’t know kicked it with WILD THING.
Unknown—unrecalled. I think I was peeing.
Blaine O’Snorkel did Terry Jack’s SEASONS IN THE SUN and it was forking lovely.
Chris Slimons did a beautiful, weirdly touching rendition of DEVIL TOWN by Daniel Johnston.
Rita and some freshly recruited protégé did an ear-splitting Diamanda Galas rendition of SUMMERTIME
A fellow who is not known to me did the Ramones ROCKAWAY BEACH.
Steve, Chris Slimons, and Franklin Fuzz performed the Flaming Lip’s ALL YOUR BAD DAYS WILL END.
A nice young stranger got up and tore up Del Shannon’s RUNAWAY.
Another blanks spot. My bladder was full!
Peeters tore it up with SUPERSTUPID by Funkadelic.
There were also some band-only numbers, including TARZANA NIGHTS, QUINN THE ESKIMO, and Akron Family’s LOVE IS SIMPLE.
I’m sure I’m missing some numbers….my recollections are based on the Deater collection….
who dun it?
I promise I will fill in song title blanks when I get some time tonight - I have inside info.
what the FARK?
I missed "Tarzana Nights"?
and "Love is Simple"?
"Quinn The Eskimo" ? damn.
Jesus, I might just cry right now.
The "Bohemian" kid and his PDA provided lyrics–chuckle. (I lamented with Cajun C that he did not, as yet, own an EyePhone so we could pull up the words to Cap’n Beef’s "Sue Egypt" )
MY PICTURES ARE HERE
and they pretty much suck, but make me laugh.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22135880@N00/
correction :)
Ugh
fillin' in the blanks
Hey, I went back to the grind a little later than most of ya, and I still feel a little ground! Like nervous exhaustion or somethin’…
I have so much else I want to say about this awesome affair, and you truly beautiful people, but before I post any of that (which may have to happen another day), thought I’d fill in the "set list" blanks so we can get as accurate a picture of the night’s program as possible.
Before Sid ‘n’ Rete got the audience participation goin’, the band (which hadn’t given any thought to an opener) kicked the night off with “Instant Karma”, which we’d done in the basement once, half a year ago or so.
The lady who requested “Rio” looked familiar to me (from last year, maybe)? Anyone know her? She had first asked for “Girls On Film” or “Planet Earth” - since it had been so long since I’d heard them, I gave her a no… thankfully, we still remembered “Rio” from Angie’s ace performance of it at VI, VII?
NRP made a surprise appearance and played “Been So Long Since I Helped Myself” from their new release, Demonstration – buy it today! Nice intro to Mickey’s Burke cover.
A couple of performances before the Battle of the Bands super-set, Chris rocked us with the New York Dolls’ “Puss ‘n’ Boots” – my rehearsal suggestion to make it a medley with a Buster Poindexter tune was rightly nixed.
After the Battle of the Bands super-set, the man who identified himself only as “Richard Dawson” rocked us with his rendition of the Animals’ “Don’t Bring Me Down” – anyone know that guy?
Steven accompanied his friend (forgot his name) on the Oasis track “Turn Up the Sun”… then Paul and Liz rocked the Rentals’ “Friends of P”. Rita’s “Spell” must have been the break-maker!
Nathan spent some quality time settin’ that loop up that led into “Eminence Front”. Dusty nailed our intro! Sweet as the jumpsuit!
Steven’s choice, “Beat My Guest”, can be found on an Adam and the Ants (not solo Adam Ant!) B-side. After not stoppin’ believin’ with John, Lindsey wowed us with The Muffs’ tune, “Red Eyed Troll”.
Post-Snapps, all hell broke loose with “Bohemian Rhapsody” – who’s that guy? Also don’t know who performed “Dreams” (CG said she was really cute – uh-huh!), or “Dog”. There’s Chris on “Boys Are Back”… there’s Angie n’t talkin’ ‘bout love…who’s that girl on “Wild Thing”, or that guy on… well, I was pretty sober and don’t remember that one either.
Don’t know the performers on “Runaway” (he’s probably from Battle Creek, he asked us to do some “B.C. rock!”) or Dingey’s last blank spot, a fine duet rendition of “The House of the Rising Sun” done a la the Animals – do you?
So - one blank to fill - and one night never to be repeated!
That girl.
I do not know the girl who did "Rio." She began this year with some apologies for her performance last year (she was very freaked out, I guess, and walked off the stage midsong, last year). That song was, God LOVE her (and I do), "Welcome to the Jungle." I think a lot of people this year recognized her from last year/knew her (as did I), and were cheering her on specifically because, dammit, no reason to be a-scaridt—we are all in terror in front of the headlights of our own … uh, I’m so stupid. Anyway, I do not know her, but she started the Guns’n’Roses song last year, which I impulsively tried to finish after she left the stage, hence the reason I remember it so well. I have always loved that band, shut up, and it seemed so wrong that it should just peter off like it was about to do. And I knew Nathan didn’t know the lyrics. Then I was too scared to do my own song for like 2.5 more hours. Thank you all for letting this dumb ass continue to share tables and conversations with you.
Um, in other news, Rita’s actual requested-ahead sond was the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins version (a specific live performance, at that) of "I Put a Spell on You." Thus the cane-with-skull prop and down-pat scatting.
I can’t believe Karl remembered all that. He usually has such a hard time remembering exactly who did what.
Jason. I think that’s when my hair started to lose its ‘do due to bouncing an’ sweating. And I love him. Dammit, look at that countenance! So good to drag the Tammys out of whatever woodwork ensconces them.
Thanks you all for completing that list. And for all the rest. Maybe I’m amazed. It’s so good—it makes me feel so good inside—to see so many people, especially so many people I love, admire, look up to, wish good things for, be so damn happy. Plain and simple like that.
thank you ;)
as usual, it was fantastic! everyone did a fabulous job this year. I have been meaning to post all day, but haven’t had a chance until now. Angie, thank you for posting my photo link, I was going to do it at work, but didn’t, and knew I probably wouldn’t be able to post a link at home (as the mac doesn’t love it in leppo land - even with foxfire). two snaps up for the Snaps! they (as usual) blew me away. Lindsey, damn!!! to repeat Amy, you are my hero!! Chris performing "Devil Town" pure genius!
Of course no one would sound great without Nathan, Scott and Kar! you guys are beautiful, mostly for being willing year after year to do what you do. I see first hand how much effort these guys put into this affair, and yet they make it look effortless.