the valley rats

FYI -- if you get up on stage at People's for Rockstar Karaoke, they record your show and put it up on YouTube right here.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome "the valley rats", Brad Powell and Riley Smith. And no, they are not from WDM Valley:

rockstar karaoke

I'm sure you have noticed that newspapers and other media outlets are putting their support behind different candidates and things like that. I thought that was kinda cool, so I decided that I would put the whole support of the crocked blog behind something. Of course, I only have two readers, and one of them lives on the dark side of the state, so...

Anyways, I am throwing my whole support behind "rockstar karaoke" at People's Court, downtown Des Moines. It's held every Thursday, and I went there this week, and had a blast. I think there were 9 of us, and I think everybody dug it. When I describe it to you, it won't sound nearly as cool as it is. I have been hearing about this thing since the day they started it, and I never once was truly that interested.

Basically, there are two bands, Kountertop, (who is playing my brother's wedding) and Kentucky Fried Mullet. They alternate Thursday's. This week, I saw KFM.

So, the band is up there on stage. There is a mic in the middle, with nobody standing in front of it. Meanwhile there is a list of songs going around the bar. You pick a song, the band will rock out, and you get to sing. Sounds simple, but it is sweet. Mainly because it's not like you are at a dive bar on Merle Hay watching some drunk idiot trying to sound like Johnny Cash. The people that get on stage know they are good. And they are good. I think each winner goes on to some like championship night than that winner gets two tickets to vegas or something.

Trust me. If you have vacation to burn (it's too late now I suppose) take a Friday off and go to this. Even if you have to call in sick, or something. I wasn't even hammered and I loved it. I can only imagine how fun it would be if I was...

HD

I absolutely refuse to comment on the fact that the Mets may be in the midst of the biggest meltdown in MLB history. Well, I guess I did comment on that just then. I seriously had trouble sleeping last night, knowing that the Phils won, and not knowing if the Mets did or not. I woke up at 5:45 to get online and found out they did in fact lose. Again. To the Nationals. We have a one game lead on the Phils, the magic number is 4, with four games remaining for both teams. I have nothing to comment on the matter, just the facts.

Anyways, I thought you would all like to know, that Hello Dave has released some new dates near us for the fall:

• Oct. 13 (Saturday) - The Q Bar (Iowa City)
  
• Oct. 21 (Sunday) - Ak's (Beaverdale) - Mike solo
  
• Oct. 22 (Monday) - Cabaret (West Glen)
  
• Oct. 23 (Tuesday) - Grand Piano Bistro (East Village)
• Nov. 30 (Friday) - People's (Downtown)

Not sure how those Sunday/Monday/Tuesday shows are gonna pan out, especially with a little thing I like to call "harvest" going on. Also, that show in Iowa City is on the same date as the Texas game in Ames.

evaD olleH

We have a big weekend of Hello Dave shows coming up in Des Moines. The main one I am interested takes place at senioM seD. (I first mentioned it here)

It says it goes from 4:30 to 7:30. I am assuming HD will start right at 4:30. I can't find any information saying anything different. Either way, I will be leaving work early to get down there in time. Should be a freaking blast, I hope the weather cooperates.

Anybody want me to pick them up on the way down there? Right now I am on my own till the wifey gets off work. Whether you are from out of town, or live 15 minutes away, you should come on down.

When that gets done, I have no idea what will happen. We will already be downtown, so the GPBistro is an option as well as High Life/El Bait. Tony is playing at GPB Friday night, so you know that will rock. Don't be surprised to see us there. Also, if you are a cabby, don't be surprised to get a call. We walked there last weekend, and I don't really remember the walk back...

Then, we have Hello Dave playing Saturday night at Keyster's, I will probably/maybe end up going even though I hate the fact that they charge so much for their freaking drinks there.

Although, if Friday turns out like I want it to, it could make Saturday night a nice night to sit in the back yard and drink some Yucca!!

sad news

I know it's old news, but if you haven't heard already, People's, on the corner of Lincoln Way and Welch, is closing. Read this letter from Tom Zmolek. After 18 years 9 months 5 days 4 hours and 30 minutes – @ Midnight on May 31, 2007 – They will be pouring their final drink.

I know some people didn't like People's. I know I have been pissed at their bartenders before: "how dare you charge me full price for my drinks!!! " I have heard the stories of stolen jackets people leave behind the bar, etc. etc.

It doesn't change the fact that that was my FIRST bar in Ames. Well -- besides Hunky Dory's. Speaking of that, how come nobody created a "Save Hunky's" facebook group?

I actually give People's credit for getting me into Hello Dave. If they wouldn't have sold High Life so cheap (and been lax on checking ID's) I never would have watched Magoo play Saturnelia with my High Life bottle that first night. Who would've known the chain reaction that started.

I first learned about the corn cob effect of plastic cups downstairs at Lumpy's. And how to stack empty beer cups to the ceiling. Lumpy's is still my favorite place to play fooz, and quarter draws can't be beat. Of course, knowing the bartender helped, not that money mattered down there. Hell, come to think of it, we even saw HD acoustic down there!

The ultimate dive bar, I have never seen its equal. Wading through beer and urine to go piss outside in a storm drain that is also full, backing up and flowing back into the bar. I also have to mention the only true crappy beer night I have been to, where they toss you beers from behind the bar like you were hanging in somebody's basement. I need to spend a Friday at Lumpy's again real soon.

The only other part of People's left may be my favorite part. The Green Room. Not sure if that is what it's called, but it's the room upstairs where the band hangs out, and we can drink booze right out of the bottle. I about puked up there more than once prior to yet another Hello Dave show. I guess it's not really my favorite, but it is pretty sweet.

My favorite part is the original, true FAC. The ONLY FAC in Ames that was worth going to. Hitting up Beaudelaire, then heading to People's. Get smashed watching Tony Bohnenkamp and others rock out at 4 in the afternoon.

I drank 77 of their 100 beers before my Mets Mastercard got maxed out and I had to quit, missing out on their People's Wall of Foam.

I have never spent less than $100 during a Hello Dave show.

Their big send off is Sunday May 27th. That is why we are only camping Friday and Saturday nights. We will be packing our shit up and heading over to Ames to hang out at People's for one last time.

I am hoping/assuming that Hello Dave will be there sometime again before it closes. Either way, there are a couple of good columns about the closing.

Here's one that interviews the landlords, and here's another one that interviews some former patrons, and there's also this one, and you knew that Juice had to chime in.

You can go to peoplesrocks.com to check their May schedule, all the way up to their finale, May 27th. Currently, it is empty. If somebody notices it up, please let me know.

senioM seD

The Des Moines Jaycees are bring back Seniom Sed (SEHN-eee-um SEHD) this summer. From what I understand it is a "Seniom Sed Reunion"- Before there was Clive After Five, Friday Fest, Cedar Rapids Uptown Friday Night and Ames on the Half Shell. There was Seniom Sed.

Held downtown in Nollen Plaza, it is/was the place to be Friday after 4. It should be pretty sweet with all of the 'downtown' workers being able to walk to it after work. After that, it is another short walk to Court Ave, then you are out for the night!!

The bands they currently have lined up:
June 15th: Hello Dave
June 22nd: Faculty Lounge
June 29th: Backstage Boogie Band
July 6th: TBA

I think they are only doing it 4 times this year to get a feel for it, and see how successful it is. I'm sure there are gonna be initial issues that they will want to get worked out before they schedule it for an entire season.

I am thinking about getting involved in Seniom Sed, if that happens -- I will let you know more info. as I get it. They may be looking for volunteers to take money, pour beers, etc. etc.

wicked revelry

We have some fun times coming upon us here REAL soon.

I know this has nothing to do with the Mets, the Chiefs, or the Cyclones, but it does have to do with drinking and music, and those things are up there in my book too.

Anyways, what I plan on venturing out to partake in the next ten days:

• Hello Dave at VEISHEA -- Ames -- Saturday, April 21st
• The Swing Crew at AK's -- West Des Moines -- Friday April 27th
• Hello Dave at The Q -- Iowa City -- Saturday April 28th

I am super pumped, I am fully confident we can make it to all of these shows, and you should too. I plan on getting blitzed for all three of them.

Also -- if anybody else sick of myspace? I was going to post these dates on there, but opted not to. Not really sure why, but just didn't want to.

EDIT -- Hello Dave is also playing on April 27th, they are at Keyster's. So that means a possible no show for us in Iowa City, or it could mean we go to the swing crew Friday night and Iowa City Saturday night...