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Attention New Bands: Chill Out, For These Are the Best of Times

Are you a musician? Is your group having issues? Ask Fan Landers! Critic Jessica Hopper has played in and managed bands, toured internationally, booked shows, produced records, worked as a publicist, and is the author of The Girls' Guide to Rocking, a how-to for teen ladies. She is here to help you ... More >>

KHVT Hosting Kickoff Party to Raise Funds for New Skate Park

Kingshighway Vigilante Transitions, or KHVT for short, aims to improve the community one skatepark at a time. But to make their plans completely concrete, they're going to need some more cents for cement. Their next step? A Kickstarter.com campaign. For the uninitiated, the crew of skate enthusiast ... More >>

Last Shot: Helplessness Blues at a Fleet Foxes Concert

[Editor's Note: Long-time concert photographer Andrew Youssef found out two years ago that he had stage IV colon cancer. In that time, he has continued to shoot tons of music events, on top of other freelance work and working a day job at a hospital, of all places. As he continues to fight for his l ... More >>

Argument Over Cigarette Turns Violent, Man Breaks Plate Over Victim's Head, Police Say

All for a cigarette?! St. Louis metro police say that a a 33-year-old man and a 52-year-old man were arguing over a cigarette last night, when the dispute escalated and turned violent. The older man then allegedly broke a glass plate over the younger man's head. And stabbed him. Yikes.

St. Louis Police: "Very Intoxicated" Assault Victim "Unaware He Was Stabbed"

St. Louis police say an investigation into a weekend stabbing is ongoing -- but our guess is it's not likely to go very far. That's because the victim, a 57-year-old man, doesn't remember where he was or who might have assaulted him. In fact, he didn't even realize he was stabbed until his sister ... More >>

Why Does Spotify Keep Ripping People Off?

By Emily Lundquist Ten dollars a month is a small price to pay for practically every piece of recorded music except The Beatles. Which is why, late last year, I signed up for Spotify. Only two months in, however, I was out, and feeling like I'd been ripped off. Turns out I'm not the only one. See ... More >>

North St. Louis Nightclub Shooting: Two Men Injured Outside Premier Lounge

A north St. Louis nightclub became a crime scene over the weekend when two men were shot and badly injured, police say. The site was the parking lot of Premier Lounge on Martin Luther King Drive near Hodiamont Avenue. And according to police, the two victims "heard gunshots and then felt pain." ... More >>

Meshuggah's Mårten Hagström on Performing Sans Vocalist, and Being "Harm-Friendly" Psychedelic

By Linda Leseman This week, Swedish progressive metal band Meshuggah have been performing alongside a cardboard cutout of their singer, Jens Kidman, whose fearsome voice was completely annihilated by the flu. (Don't worry, he's recovering.) Whether he'll join his bandmates onstage this Saturday at ... More >>

Dealing With the Devil: Making the Conversion From Christian Rock to Heathenistic Indie Rock

Are you a musician? Is your group having issues? Ask Fan Landers! Critic Jessica Hopper has played in and managed bands, toured internationally, booked shows, produced records, worked as a publicist, and is the author of The Girls' Guide to Rocking, a how-to for teen ladies. She is here to help you ... More >>

Win Tickets to See Galactic at the Pageant This Thursday

New Orleans jazz / funk group Galactic comes to the Pageant on Thursday, and we've got two tickets! Mardi Gras weekend is over. Fat Tuesday is tomorrow, and then the party is gone for good this year. Or is it? Need to extend that feel-good New Orleans vibe for just a couple more days? Or maybe you ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Drinking This El Diablo Cocktail and Win $25 to Graham Grill and Bayou Bar [Updated]!

Guess where we drank this El Diablo cocktail with tequila, cassis liqueur, lime and ginger beer and win $25 to Cajun and Creole restaurant Graham Grill and Bayou Bar (600 West Woodbine Avenue, Kirkwood; 314-965-2003), right in time for Mardi Gras. Hint: We sipped this cocktail at a popular Central ... More >>

STLVegGirl Grows Local Vegetarian Community Through Education, Outreach and Twitter

Caryn Dugan's @STLVegGirl Twitter account was recently named Best Use of Twitter to Promote a Personal Brand in Riverfront Times 2013 Web Awards. For a full list of winners click here. Caryn Dugan adopted a vegan diet in 2008 for health reasons: Ten weeks after losing her father to cancer, Dugan ... More >>

How Has Streaming Changed the Way Albums are Made?

In this week's feature, Dan Moore talks about the way our music-listening habits have changed over the past century, all the way from live performance to instantaneous streaming of 99% of all recorded music. He asks a number of good questions. Among my favorites is this one: "Why listen to the worst ... More >>

Announcing the Winners of the First Voice Media Group Music Writing Awards

By Ben Westhoff Each week in our print editions and every day on our blogs, the 13 Voice Media Group papers feature some of the best music writing in the country. That's why we're excited to announce the winners of our first VMG music writing awards. The honor goes to the authors of one blog post ... More >>

How to Get People to Come to Your Band's Shows

Are you a musician? Is your group having issues? Ask Fan Landers! Critic Jessica Hopper has played in and managed bands, toured internationally, booked shows, produced records, worked as a publicist, and is the author of The Girls' Guide to Rocking, a how-to for teen ladies. She is here to help you ... More >>

Never Do "Freebird" or Frampton Comes Alive at Karaoke

Karaoke can be a dangerous endeavor. What can you sing that won't make friends shun you? How can you go balls-out during your next performance? Each week in "Ask a Karaoke Host," RFT Music writer and professional karaoke host Allison Babka answers your burning questions about maximizing your melodio ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating Bratwurst and Win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl!

You can win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl (808 Chestnut Street; 314-241-7070) to and all you have to do is guess where we enjoyed a bratwurst and a beer. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-m ... More >>

Proxy Twitter War Between Mayor Francis Slay and Board President Lewis Reed Heats Up

As Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed prepares to announce today he'll run against Mayor Francis Slay in the election next spring, their respective camps are increasingly battling it out on "the Twitter."

Tell Us Your Favorite Record for Romance, Win Washed Out Tickets

Ernest Greene (aka Washed Out) released his first proper full-length in July, but his status has been rising for several years now on the strength of a series of hazy, expertly crafted home recordings. He will be at Plush on Monday with CaveofswordS, in a show presented by the Luminary Center for ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating Eggs Benedict and Win $25 to Addie's Thai House!

You can win $25 to Addie's Thai House (13441 Olive Boulevard, Chesterfield; 314-469-1660) to and all you have to do is guess where we ate eggs benedict. Hint: We dined at a bar/restaurant in Maplewood that's popular for its weekly Sunday brunch menu. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e- ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating Shrimp and Grits and Win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl [Updated]!

You can win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl (808 Chestnut Street; 314-241-7070) and all you have to do is guess where we ate this plate of shrimp and grits. Hint: We dined at a restaurant in Maplewood. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Cheesecake and Win $20 to Gooey Louie [Updated]!

You can win $20 to Gooey Louie and all you have to do is guess where we ate this cheesecake. Hint: We dined at a dessert shop in Clayton. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Drinking this Blackberry Cider and Win $10 to Gioia's Deli!

You can win $10 to Gioia's Deli (1934 Macklind Avenue; 314-776-9410) and all you have to do is guess where we drank this blackberry cider. Hint: We sipped this sweet cider at a restaurant in Maplewood. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profi ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating Brunch and Win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl [Updated]!

You can win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl (808 Chestnut Street; 314-241-7070) and all you have to do is guess where we ate this French toast with hazelnut-crusted bacon. Hint: We dined at a restaurant in Maplewood. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebo ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Hibachi Steak and Win $25 to Graham Grill and Bayou Bar!

You can win $25 to Graham Grill and Bayou Bar (612 West Woodbine, Kirkwood; 314-965-2003), and all you have to do is guess where we dined on (many plates) of salad. Hint: We dined at a restaurant in south county. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Fac ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating This Salad Buffet and Win $25 to Jake's Steaks [Updated]!

You can win $25 to Jake's Steaks (708 North 2nd Street; 314-621-8184), and all you have to do is guess where we dined on (many plates) of salad. Hint: We dined at a buffet restaurant in Crestwood. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile UR ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating Eggs Benedict and Win $15 to Gooey Louie!

You can win $15 to either of Gooey Louie's two St. Louis locations, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this order of eggs benedict. Hint: We dined at a restaurant in the Central West End. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile U ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich and Win $15 to Gioia's Deli!

You can win $15 Gioia's Deli (1934 Macklind Avenue; 314-776-9410), and all you have to do is guess where we ate this rotisserie chicken sandwich with Swiss cheese and avocado. Hint: We dined at a sandwich shop in University City. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twit ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Sandwich and Win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl!

You can win $10 to Joe's Chili Bowl (808 Chestnut Street; 314-241-7070), and all you have to do is guess where we ate this turkey and pesto sandwich. Hint: We grabbed this from a grocery store in Brentwood. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Steak and Win $25 to Jake's Steaks!

Guess where we ate this steak and win $25 to Jake's Steaks (708 North 2nd Street; 314-621-8184). Hint: We ate this meaty meal at a restaurant in downtown St. Louis. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. O ... More >>

Post-Dispatch Lays Off Six People Today

[UPDATE: United Media Guild tweets the number is now at six. Four copy editors, one photographer and one manager laid off. Erica Smith emailed to correct that one copy editor was part-time, the other was a full-time employee. The following post has been slightly tweaked to reflect that.]Twitter swee ... More >>

Eric Church finds broad appeal by not looking

Guess Where I'm Eating this Bento Box and Win a Gift Certificate to Haveli [Updated with winner]!

Guess where we ate this bento box and win $20 worth of Indian food. Note the clue in the miso soup... Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Employees of the restaurant in que ... More >>

Giveaway: Two Tickets to R&B Productions Mardi Gras Party Tent

​[UPDATED]: Wesley9907 won the passes. Well played, all.I have two tickets to the R&B Productions Mardi Gras Party Tent in DB's parking lot (1615 South Broadway, Soulard) on Saturday. Amenities include a heated tent, restrooms, DJs, a viewing stage for the parade and the all-important premium ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Burger and Win a Gift Certificate to Taqueria Durango!

Chrissy Wilmes​You can win a $10 gift certificate redeemable for taqueria fare, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this cheeseburger. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Soup and Win a Prize Pack! [Updated with Winner]

We'd originally taken this photo for our soup countdown, but we ran out of space on the list due to the high volume of awesome soups in St. Louis. We still want to acknowledge this deserving dish, so guess where we ate it, and we'll reveal its identity and give you a prize pack full of coupons and g ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating these Fish Tacos and Win a Gift Certificate to Pearl Cafe [Updated With Winner]!

You can win $25 worth of Thai food, and all you have to do is guess where we ate these fish tacos. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Employees of the restaurant in quest ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Pastrami Sandwich and Win a Gift Certificate to La Tejana [Updated with Winner]!

You can win $10 worth of taqueria fare, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this massive pastrami sandwich. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Employees of the r ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating these Boneless Chicken "Wings" and Win a $10 Gift Certificate to Porter's Fried Chicken!

Chrissy Wilmes​You can win $10 worth of fried chicken at Porter's, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this chicken. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Emp ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Win a Gioia's Gift Certificate!

Chrissy Wilmes​ You can win $10 worth of sandwiches at Gioia's, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this grilled cheese. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Drinking this Honey Cardamom Latte and Win a Taqueria la Pasadita Gift Certificate!

Chrissy Wilmes​You can win $10 worth of taqueria fare, and all you have to do is guess where we ordered this latte. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Employees of ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Burger and Fries and Win a Gift Certificate to Gioia's!

Chrissy Wilmes​You can win $10 worth of Italian sandwiches, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this burger and fries. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. E ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating these Gorgonzola Fries and Win a La Tejana Gift Certificate!

Deborah Hyland​You can win $15 worth of taqueria fare, and all you have to do is guess where we ate these fries. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Employees of the ... More >>

Guess Where I'm Eating this Cuban Sandwich and Win a Gift Certificate to La Tejana [Updated With Winner]!

You can win a $20 gift certificate to La Tejana, and all you have to do is guess where we ate this giant sandwich. Rules: To be eligible, you must leave a valid e-mail address (or Twitter handle or Facebook profile URL) in the comment-entry field. One guess per e-mail address. Employees of the res ... More >>

St. Louis Twitter Users is Shutting Down

​Andrew Bell sent out a message to the members of his St. Louis Twitter Group, STL Tweeters on Ning saying that he didn't have to keep the group going. And indeed, with the exception of a few spammers, the site has been basically dormant since last spring. Andrews message:A message to all mem ... More >>

Twitter Dating = Twating ... Huh?

People are finding all kinds of new uses for Twitter. Some ideas are better than others. Finding breaking news is an obvious use for it, as is finding like-minded people who are into certain niches. Other people have tried writing novels on it, 140 characters at a time. And of course there is all th ... More >>

The Wedge Appears to be Closing

According to a MySpace bulletin and Twitter, The Wedge is closing. The Twitter message: THE WEDGE WILL ONLY BE OPEN FOR 1 OR 2 MORE WEEKS UNTIL THE BOOZE RUNS OUT,ONLY SERVING DRINKS NO FOOD,RACHEL SLINGING THE DRINKS MySpace: MY BOSS HAS INFORMED ME THAT WE WILL BE SHUTTING DOWN,HE HOWEVER IS LET ... More >>

Every Tweet Counts: Local Pols on Twitter

The politicians on Twitter -- that trendy micro-blogging service -- get free reign to speak directly to their constituents without being filtered by handlers, all in 140 characters or less. It seems like a deliciously easy tool for policy-makers bred on the sound-bite. However, there are a few head- ... More >>

McCaskill: "I'm home from work. Time to focus."

Hats off to Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill, who shows us again that she's one of us, "our Claire" even, this time via Twitter:http://twitter.com/clairecmcOne thing though, now that McCaskill's home from "work" (a.k.a. the U.S. Capitol), only now is she going to focus? The devotion to college bask ... More >>

CDC Goes New-Media Crazy over Salmonella Outbreak

www.cdc.gov Regular Gut Check readers know that the recall of peanut-butter products possibly contaminated by salmonella has dominated the food-news headlines these past few weeks. Now the CDC, FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services are turning to so-called new media to convey the lates ... More >>