July 4th lands on a Thursday this year, but don't mind us for getting the celebration started way early this week. Read on for some recommendations on how to make that happen. Check out the next Tower Groove Records Singles Club seven-inch release, party with the Lion's Daughter, experience the world music of Farshid Etniko and much more.
Lazy Monday, July 1, 9 p.m. w/ Sauna, Big Blue @ Foam - $5 By Mabel Suen Lazy plays laidback Midwest fuzz punk laden with pop and simple, fun-filled subject matter. Reminiscent of a care-free era they probably weren't even alive yet to see themselves, the Kansas City rockers present the finer points of lo-fi power chord pounding in short but sweet basement-born party anthems.
DJ Mahf Tuesday, July 2, 10 p.m. @ Pin-Up Bowl - free By Blair Stiles DJ Mahf works from some place in his brain that pumps out enough enthusiasm to make his work look easy. Performing with a chilled zeal, the Indyground DJ interplays dense minutes of thumping samples with crackling movie clips and fine-tuned, one-and-two-handed scratches. He has already banged around Kansas City's spirited Middle of the Map Festival with labelmate Brett Gretzky, crossed the northern American border and cut and pasted for Red Bull's Thre3style competition this year. Whether live or replayed through Indyground's streaming footage, Mahf exudes the enjoyment he feels: In tempo he bobs at the waist, moving faster in the moments when he is inundated with the floor's energy, always looking pleased. It is Mahf's obvious enjoyment of his craft that puts his sets so squarely in the spotlight.
Tower Groove Records Singles Club 7" Release Wednesday, July 3, 9 p.m. w/ Maximum Effort, Shaved Women @ CBGB By Joseph Hess Maximum Effort's conspiracy-rock for cautious punks tears through notions of well-being in our river city. Frontman Zeng belts out vocals like a sideways preacher, gasping for air between words telling of the shadow government and imparting cautionary tales that feel like dangerous anthems. Striking guitar riffs drive alien conspiracy theory with a damaged vehicle. Maximum Effort asks you to heed its call — after all, this is not a band; it is an awareness group. Behind the curtain is a revelation, an enlightenment built on power chords and feedback. Maximum Effort feeds our fears with what could very well be the truthiest of truths.
The Lion's Daughter Thursday, July 4, 8:30 p.m. w/ Fister, The Fuck Off and Dies, Better Days @ The Demo - $5-$8 By Jaime Lees From this 2012 show preview: When the Lion's Daughter debuted, it was clear that this wasn't going to be the average Midwest metal band. First of all, it was loud as hell. The band is only three dudes, but it's absolutely thunderous. Rick Giordano, Erik Ramsier and Scott Fogelbach make songs that are dark, aggressive and even a little flashy. Giordano's metal growl is mixed with just a bit of goblin, adding a horror-vibe to many of the songs on its impressive first full-length release, Shame on Us All. The album is not just quality, it is all local — it features artwork by Coby Ellison, it was recorded by Brian Scheffer and Firebrand Recordings and it's being released on the Pissfork label.
