NEWS4U JULY 2020 | TABLE OF CONTENTS
JULY 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS COVER STORY
8 Back with a Bang! Evansville Reopens for Real July 4th!
FEATURES
10 Buckcherry at KC's Marina Pointe Get Ready to Rock by the River! 11 Summer Food & Drink Guide Where to Go for the Best Bites & Beverages
ENTERTAINMENT
16 In Town & Around 22 Music: Larry Grisham Remembered 24 Music: Michelle Shelton 26 Music: Death Mountain Spiders 28 Local Music Roundup 30 Screen Time 32 Podcast Corner
LOCAL HAPPENINGS
A QUICK NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 6 Dios Mio
34 VHS Animal Spotlight 36 Tri-State Pet Pics 44 Mug Shots
COUPONS
OPINION
15 Save Big!
CUISINE & DINING 14 Clean Bite Life
38 The Write Stuff 38 Tri-State Politics 39 Maybe I'm Just Getting Old
REVIEWS 40 Music 42 Beer
News 4U is published monthly and is distributed throughout the tri-state. For information about advertising, subscriptions, distribution or guides & lists, call (812) 426-6398 or write us at 125 N Weinbach Ave, Ste 510 Evansville, IN 47711. News 4U is published by EMG Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Distribution of the magazine does not necessarily constitute endorsement of products, services or opinions within. Advertisers are responsible for content of their ads.
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A QUICK NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
D
ios mio, was June a crazy month or what? Just when you
awaited REAL reopening of the city on July 4th - perfectly-timed
thought things couldn't get any worse, the world turned
to coincide with the pomp and circumstance (and patriotism)
even more upside down. No need to detail all the bad stuff that
associated with Independence Day. To paraphrase a 1965 song
went down since News 4U last went to print - I mean, there's
that Michael Buble has covered to great acclaim (disclaimer: I
a 24/7 news cycle these days to ensure no one escapes the
am not a fan of Mr. Buble but acknowledge his talent), "It's a
carnage; it's everywhere, all the time. But on the bright side
new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for us and we're feeling
(seems kind of disingenuous to use that expression currently),
good." Or as good as possible at such a trying time in America,
Evansville is finally coming out from under the months-long
anyway. Let's enjoy the freedom that the easing of restrictions
pandemic restrictions set by the state. It may have only been
brings but do so responsibly with continued concern for our
roughly 90 days in the whole scheme of things but it sure felt
fellow man and woman via social distancing and face masks
like a lifetime for business owners, in particular - and regular
inside businesses whenever appropriate or requested. Not too
folks suffered greatly in a host of ways from job loss to family
much to ask, is it? Wait, don't answer that.
separation. And yet, we're all still here and ready for the long-
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|7
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | COVER STORY
FR EED OM , AT L ON G L AS T: EVAN S VI L L E R EL EAS ED FR OM L OC K D OW N , R EAD Y T O R EOPEN FOR R EAL J ULY 4 T H
After three and a half months and four stages of lockdown in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, Evansville is back - back with a bang, in fact. Yes, the pandemic restrictions are set to lift (almost) in full on Independence Day, perfectly-timed to coincide with firework displays and celebrations across the city. Stage 5, the final frontier of Governor Holcomb's recovery plan allows for social gatherings of 250+ people - which opens the door for the return of large scale outdoor summer events in the future if organizers can ensure the safety of attendees. Which is to say that social distancing is still in play and masks are suggested but not mandatory. Clearly, we're not entirely out of the woods just yet, but there's reason to be optimistic in terms of the number of Covid-19 cases around the area. Now it's just a matter of not getting too carried away and undoing all the good that's been done to this point. Still, the fact that all bars and restaurants, manufacturing plants, retail businesses, churches, government offices, gyms and more are now officially back open is cause to get excited about the coming months. This city - and virtually every city around the nation - has been put through the wringer and we could all use a little bit of hope right now. Especially considering the deep divisions that the country as a whole has experienced of late. Most of us have never encountered such a fractured America before and a return to some sort of normalcy would truly hit the spot and help ease the tension on all sides. So keep your eyes peeled for summer entertainment as it slowly but surely returns. Marquis shows are still few and far between - venues such as the Ford Center, Victory Theatre and Old National Events Plaza remain closed until further notice - but area bars are starting to book bands again and more activity is brewing around the tri-state with each passing day. Get out and enjoy the freedom that July 4th symbolically represents but do so responsibly - and, as always, support local whenever possible. Our friends and neighbors have all suffered a great deal during this trying time and we need to band together now more than ever.
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | FEATURE
BUCKCHERRY ALL LIT UP AGAIN: LIVE MUSIC RETURNS TO THE TRI-STATE WITH SOME CRAZY ROCK & ROLL BY THE RIVER KC'S MARINA POINTE
|
AUGUST 21
|
DOORS OPEN 6 P.M.
"I wanna kiss the night away/I wanna sleep all through the
But what's truly kept Buckcherry in the spotlight all these
day/Forget all my problems/Life is a hard one/Tattooed
years is the California band's insane live act. Unhinged and
on my face/It's my warpaint" - so goes the chorus of
always on the edge, Todd, now 50, still performs with the
"Warpaint," the title track off Buckcherry's 2019 album,
manic energy of a newly-anointed rock star - albeit one
which strangely mirrors the current thoughts and feelings
who's now completely covered in warpaint, so to speak.
of a nation in survival mode. Lead singer Josh Todd has
Each album release and tour has seen more tattoos appear
never been one to mince words; for over 20 years he's
on the singer's lithe body as if he's hell-bent on marking
been giving fans the straight dope, most notably on "Lit
each milestone with a permanent reminder. Which all goes
Up," a drug party anthem that reached number one on the
to prove that Todd is a seemingly dying breed of frontman
Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart back in 1999. And
that not only sings it but lives and breathes it. You get the
then there's "Crazy Bitch," the 2006 unapologetic rocker
sense that he means every single word - however charged
with lyrics that cut right to the chase: "Take it off, the paper
or controversial - that comes out of his mouth. And he's got
is your game/You jump in bed with fame/Another one night
a kick-ass band to back him up.
paid in full/You're so fine, it won't be a loss/Cashing in the rocks, just to get you face to face."
So there's really no better way to fire up the delayed summer live music season than with Buckcherry performing by the river at the tri-state's most popular hangout. With its party atmosphere
and
irresistible
outdoor vibe, Marina Pointe is the perfect venue for a wild rock show that's guaranteed to create a
seismic
shift
in
downtown
Evansville on August 21. Tickets are limited so be sure to get yours today or risk missing the biggest event of 2020! For tickets, visit eventbrite.com. KC's Marina Pointe is located at 830 LST Drive in downtown Evansville. For more info, follow KC's Marina Pointe on Facebook.
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WHERE TO GO FOR THE BEST BITES & BEVERAGES Covid-19 restrictions turned us all into home chefs for a few months, but the great majority of bars and restaurants are back up and running this month so it's time to get out of the house and let someone else do the cooking. Besides, it's a fact that tri-staters love to eat out; everyone's been waiting impatiently to patronize area establishments and enjoy their delicious offerings. To help point you in the right direction, we've compiled this Summer Food & Drink Guide featuring fantastic bites and beverages from some truly top-notch places. There's so much good stuff to look at and read about it - but don't spend too much time paging back and forth. Instead, pick a winner and then call your family and friends to meet up for a remarkable dining experience. We all deserve a great meal after what we've been through!
AMY'S ON FRANKLIN
lamasco
Amy’s On Franklin consistently delivers a great dining experience. The
Morning, noon, or night, Lamasco’s always has you covered. Hearty
cocktails are as delicious as they are inventive, and the food is second-
breakfasts, classic pub foods, great drink specials, and excellent live
to-none. From mouthwatering burgers to tender, flavorful butter-aged
music means any time is the right time to get Lamasco’ed!
steaks, you can’t go wrong at Amy’s!
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| 11
Zaps tavern
kipplee's Kipplee's is the local pizza restaurant serving up delicious piping hot pizza and crispy saucy wings since 1989. Come in, take a seat at a table and order a giant pizza, get a cold beer and some wings at our fullservice bar, or place an order for pick up at their drive-thru window!
Enjoy our tenderloin breaded in our house made "zap flour". Fried to perfection and served with a side of our hand-dipped onion rings. Wash it down with our "sweet summertime" malibu rum, peach schnapps, tequila, orange liqueur, and our personal blend of mixers and juices. It's the epitome of summer.
bokeh lounge
hornet's nest
Turn any specialty drink into a party with friends by making it a Bokeh Shareable! From Long Islands to Sex on the Beach and more, get a full bottle of alcohol in each Bokeh Shareable. Enjoy a breaded tenderloin sandwich from our new menu on 1 of 2 patios all summer long.
Summer is the perfect season for two things: Brunch and Fried Chicken! If you haven't ventured out to try the Tri-State's NEW favorite brunch spot on Saturdays and Sundays it's the perfect time! Get all of your favorites topped off with mimosas and bloody marys. Crispy, crunchy and oh so delicious, grab a beer and enjoy a heaping plate of our famous fried chicken today!
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gerst haus
lyle's sportszone
FISHBOWL A must for any summer stop is a cold fishbowl from the largest selection of drafts in the area on the patio at Gerst!
Try Lyle's Philly Steak Stromboli & Pigskin all meat pizza. The former features seasoned, thinly-sliced roast beef, sauteed
SMITTy's
onions, mushrooms & green peppers, plus provolone and mozzarella cheese with Au Jus. The latter is a thin crust masterpiece featuring Lyle's Awesome Sauce with Stromboli meat, Italian sausage and ham under mozzarella cheese with pepperoni & bacon on top. Delish!
SPECIALTY BURGERS & SANDWICHES Summers are for burgers and did you know Smitty's has over 15 speciality burgers and sandwiches? Try them all on Franklin Street's favorite outdoor patio.
sportsman's
FRANKLIN STREET CHICKEN SANDWICH Have a cold beer on the patio with one of their most popular
sandwiches! Grilled or fried and covered in Sportsman's own secret Sporty Sauce with all the toppings... mmmmmm!
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| 13
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | CUISINE & DINING
CLEAN BITE LIFE Healthy Cooking with Lindsay Rasure
Who doesn’t love a good cobbler? Warm, sweet goodness that puts a smile on any face! This oatmeal recipe reminds me of cherry cobbler, but gluten-free, dairy-free, and no added sugar. Over the past several years I’ve come to realize that sugar is added to everything and is one reason behind obesity in America. I found ways to make my food taste just as good without the unnecessary added sugar. Start your morning off with this bowl of goodness, but don’t forget to pair it with a good protein source so your meal is balanced. I like to cook 2-3 eggs or a couple pieces of good quality sausage to eat with this oatmeal!
CHERRY COBBLER OATMEAL INGREDIENTS •
1/3 c. any gluten free oats
•
2/3 c. Simply Balanced Organic Cherries &
•
INSTRUCTIONS 1.
and milk of choice.
Berries Frozen Fruit
2.
Stir together and microwave for about 3 minutes.
¼ c. unsweetened vanilla coconut milk (or any
3.
After taking it out of the microwave stir in 2
unsweetened dairy free milk) •
2 T. almond butter (no sugar added)
For more recipes or meal ideas you can follow Lindsay Rasure on Instagram: @cleanbitelife or her Facebook group: Clean Bite Life
14 | JULY 2020
In a microwave safe bowl add oats, frozen fruit,
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heaping tablespoons of almond butter. 4.
Let cool for 5 minutes and ENJOY!
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | COUPONS
JULY COUPONS
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| 15
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | IN TOWN & AROUND
PRESENTED BY:
IN TOWN & AROUND WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
-- Josh Merritt
Zaps Tavern -- Drew Aud
Zaps Tavern -- Trivia
KC's Marina Pointe -- Andy Brasher
Bokeh Lounge -- Valcoes
6:30 PM 7:00 PM
3:00 PM Acoustic
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -- Bar Bingo
7:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
9:00 PM
Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ
8:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Red, White & Brew Trivia 9:00 PM
Karaoke & DJ Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8 6:00 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -- Bar
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -National Beer Pong League
Karaoke & DJ
9:00 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 9
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music TBA
KC's Marina Pointe -- DJ AP Karaoke & DJ 10:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Timmy Dunn
6:00 PM
9:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Year of October KC's Marina Pointe -- Tailgate
3:00 PM
Downtown Evansville Beer Run 4:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -- JD Sheth Foundation's 3rd Annual "Steppin' Up For Gresham" 5:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Lindsey Williams
9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ
6:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill --
Bokeh Lounge -- Déjà vu
College Night w/ Brad Lemmons
LDNL
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
9:30 PM KC's Marina Pointe -10:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
Josh Merritt Band
Tom Hanks Trivia
SUNDAY, JULY 12
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz w/
9:30 PM
Bingo
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music TBA
9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
Karaoke & DJ
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -- Bar
Zaps Tavern -- Nick Gregory
College Night w/ Brad Lemmons
9:00 PM
7:00 PM
THURSDAY, JULY 16
8:00 PM
-- Andy Brasher
7:00 PM
6:30 PM
on the Patio
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill --
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
SATURDAY, JULY 4
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
9:00 PM
Zaps Tavern -- Trivia
9:00 PM
7:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
10:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
Bingo
FRIDAY, JULY 3
Presents Lee Hardin, Clint Hall
Karaoke & DJ
Zaps Tavern -- Trivia
9:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Foolish Comedy
KC's Marina Pointe -- LDNL
WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
7:00 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 11
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
9:30 PM
TUESDAY, JULY 14
9:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -7:00 PM
Karaoke & DJ
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Karaoke & DJ
TUESDAY, JULY 7
College Night w/ Brad Lemmons
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
8:00 PM
-- Andy Brasher
THURSDAY, JULY 2 6:00 PM
9:00 PM
7:00 PM
Grey's Anatomy Trivia 9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ 9:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic
2:30 PM
FRIDAY, JULY 17
Side by Side & Barbara Santora
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
8:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
American Way
Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic
-- Josh Merritt
Zaps Tavern -- Garrett Biggs
SUNDAY, JULY 5
FRIDAY, JULY 10
KC's Marina Pointe -- Cynthia
Bokeh Lounge -- Dekar & Good
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz w/
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
Revival
2:30 PM
Monte Skelton & Friends Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
16 | JULY 2020
7:00 PM
National Beer Pong League 8:00 PM
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3:00 PM
Murray Trio 7:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ
9:00 PM
Company KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ 9:30 PM
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | IN TOWN & AROUND
KC's Marina Pointe -- Live Music TBA
10:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Matt Poling SATURDAY, JULY 18 4:00 PM
Zaps Tavern -- Karaoke 8:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -Summer & DJ McNaughty Zaps Tavern -- Annabelle Whitledge 9:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- JEB 9:30 PM
KC's Marina Pointe -- Live Music TBA
10:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Matt Poling KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -The Jimmies SUNDAY, JULY 19
6:30 PM
Zaps Tavern -- Trivia 7:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -Bar Bingo 9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ THURSDAY, JULY 23 6:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music TBA Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- College Night w/ Brad Lemmons 7:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -Golden Girls TV Show Trivia 9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ 9:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic FRIDAY, JULY 24
Quinn Quartet From Philly
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
8:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
End of Quarantine Comedy! Dan
-- Josh Merritt
West Comedy Show
KC's Marina Pointe -- Matt Poling
Bokeh Lounge -- Extradentary
3:00 PM Acoustic
7:00 PM
9:00 PM
Gentlemen KC's Marina Pointe -- DJ AP
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill --
Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ
Karaoke & DJ
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
8:00 PM
TUESDAY, JULY 21
10:00 PM
-- Alec MacGillivray
6:00 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 25
Night
Bokeh Lounge -- Tony Henning
Bokeh Lounge -- Bokeh Poetry 9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ WEDNESDAY, JULY 22
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Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton
2:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz Dirk
18 | JULY 2020
6:00 PM
5:30 PM
on the Patio 8:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -Brandon Baggett Comedy Chaos Magic Show
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | IN TOWN & AROUND
Zaps Tavern -- Brian Hart 9:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Metal Show w/ Crows of Odin & Guest 9:30 PM
KC's Marina Pointe -- Pfreak Show 10:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill -- Alec MacGillivray SUNDAY, JULY 26
7:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -'80s Trivia Night 9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ 9:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Open Mic FRIDAY, JULY 31
Bokeh Big Band
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill --
8:00 PM
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
Competing For Laughs Comedy
-- Josh Merritt
Competition
KC's Marina Pointe -- JBHD
Bokeh Lounge -- Highway
3:00 PM Acoustic
7:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Cornhole / Karaoke & DJ 8:00 PM
9:00 PM Natives
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ 9:30 PM
KC's Marina Pointe -- Tastes Like
Bokeh Lounge -- Karaoke
Chicken
TUESDAY, JULY 28
Bud's Rockin' Country Bar & Grill
7:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Fam Jam
10:00 PM
-- Nick Allgood
9:00 PM
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1
-- Karaoke & DJ
Leroy's Tavern -- 50th Anniversary
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29 6:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Nick Hamilton 6:30 PM
Zaps Tavern -- Trivia 7:00 PM
Kevin's Backstage Bar & Grill -Bar Bingo 9:00 PM
KC's Time Out Lounge & Grill -Karaoke & DJ THURSDAY, JULY 30 6:00 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Live Music TBA Bud's Rockin' Country Bar &
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Lemmons
2:30 PM
Bokeh Lounge -- Sunday Jazz
20 | JULY 2020
Grill -- College Night w/ Brad
12:00 PM Party
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| 21
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | MUSIC
LARRY GRISHAM, R.I.P. SO L ON G, BE AT DA DDY: T HE T RI - S TATE LO SES A B LU ES MUSIC L EGE ND A ND U NPA RA LLE LE D STO RY TELLER A couple years back, News 4U had the pleasure of sitting
different yet equally compelling considering the band's
down with tri-state musicians Larry Grisham and Tommy
incredible repertoire and ability to jam out and extend
Stillwell - better known as The Beat Daddys - for an
songs at will for maximum exhilaration. Safe to say
interview prior to their scheduled
everyone got their money's worth
performance at the 2018 W.C.
and then some when Grisham and
Handy Blues & BBQ Fest. To date,
Stillwell took the stage.
it remains the longest and most entertaining conversation we've
But all roads run out of real estate
ever had with "local" talent (the
eventually. On June 9, Grisham
guys gigged all over the world,
lost his battle with cancer, leaving
in fact). There was so much good
behind
material, in truth, that we opted
catalog of music and memories
to run a second article on the
that will live on for decades to
band the following month to
come. The man gave his heart and
ensure that none of Grisham's
soul to the stage for some 40+
wildly engaging rock & roll tales
years and he'll be remembered
a
truly
phenomenal
went to waste. No disrespect whatsoever to Stillwell, but
dearly for that but even more so for the person he was off
his partner really knew how to command an audience;
stage - a gregarious, loveable human being with a classic
Grisham wasn't just a fantastic guitar player and singer
blues riff running through his head at all times.
but an unparalleled storyteller, too.
Do yourself a favor and check out The Beat Daddys' 2015 release
So it's particularly sad to say
The Hoodoo That We Doo for a
goodbye to someone so gifted;
taste of what Grisham and Stillwell
who exuded so much joy; who
were capable of in the studio.
brought so much happiness to
Its
music lovers around the globe,
coupled
especially right here in the tri-
howling vocals will give you a keen
state where The Beat Daddys
insight into why such amazing
were not only a staple of big
blues artists as B.B. King and
summer festivals but also got
extraordinary with
musicianship
Grisham's
Johnny Winter tapped the band as
a real kick out of packing area bars and sweating it out
an opener on past tours prior to their deaths.
in close contact with fans of all ages. Every show was
So long, Beat Daddy...groove on.
22 | JULY 2020
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gruff,
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | FILM
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| 23
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | MUSIC
MICHELLE SHELTON SH OWIN G HE R ROOT S : E VA NS VI LLE SIN GER -SONGWRI T E R RE DI S C OVE RS L OV E OF C OU NT RY MU S I C , P RE P S FO R R ETUR N TO LI VE P E RFORMA NC E
After moving to Evansville about a decade ago, Shelton picked up this very magazine and flipped through looking for entertainment venues that might take a chance on an unproven performer. She landed on a page referencing a little place called TJ's Stockyard Inn. "I had never heard of it, didn't know where it was but decided to put it in the GPS and go see what's up," she says. "I walked in the door and met [owner] TJ [Tanoos] - he didn't know me from Adam but he said, 'Why don't you come in on Tuesday night and we'll see what you got.'" What Shelton had was a powerful, raspy vocal delivery akin to Melissa Etheridge - tailor-made for her 90's-influenced setlist ranging from Matchbox 20 to 3 Doors
Michelle Shelton reckons she's the area's best kept secret.
Down - and an infectious, joyful spirit. Tanoos was sold and
That's not hubris, mind you; it's just that after years of honing
she kept coming back for the next six years.
her musical craft at bars and restaurants around the tri-state and leaving a sea of smiles in her wake, the Evansville singer-
Shelton eventually parlayed her residency at the Stockyard
songwriter is due for a bit of recognition. Especially after
Inn into gigs all around the tri-state, including shows in
suffering, like so many local artists, through the pandemic
Elberfeld, Wadesville, Lynnville, Henderson and Newburgh,
and economic downturn which wiped
plus more performances in Evansville
out all performance opportunities
at places like Lyle's, Legends and, most
and stole her livelihood, in essence.
recently, Chaser's on Franklin Street.
But finally, with restrictions lifting this
But most importantly, she got back
month, the 44-year-old late bloomer is
to her roots. "A couple of years ago I
more than ready to get back to doing
did some soul-searching music-wise
what she loves: pouring out her heart
and discovered that country is my
through song.
foundation," Shelton explains. "That's really been working out a lot better for
Originally a Kentucky gal, Shelton
me. Country music has a huge fanbase
got the music bug growing up in
- it's not what it used to be; it's more
a family tuned into classic country,
what us kids used to think of as pop
inspired by her father's front yard jam
and rock back then." Her shows now
sessions with friends and neighbors
regularly highlight legendary artists
as they strummed away at old box top
such as Hank Williams, Jr., Johnny
guitars. Soon, she was begging to join
Cash and Keith Urban - all of whom she
in. "They showed me a few things and
does complete justice.
I kind of ran with it from there - I was about 14 by then," Shelton recalls. Life happened for the
Shelton planned to have an album of original material
next 20 years - but all the while she harbored a dream of
recorded and released by the end of the summer but the
playing in front of a crowd. "I was the person that was on the
pandemic has delayed things a bit. In the meantime, you
couch practicing at home trying to work up the courage to
can catch her at the Old Fox in Lynnville on July 24 and at
get out and do it," she notes.
Froggy's Sports Bar in Wadesville on July 25.
For more info, follow MichelleMusic Shelton on Facebook.
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | MUSIC
DEATH MOUNTAIN
SPIDERS
EVA NSV ILLE R O C K ER S B R EATHING NEW LIFE INTO THE LO C A L SC ENE A ND B EY O ND W ITH PU NK -INSPIR ED M ENTA LITY
"Death Mountain Spiders was started in the summer of 2018
drummer Greg House on board. A vicious force behind the kit,
by a couple of like-minded individuals who wanted to rock." -
he's also in possession of a full-throated howl that injects tracks
Excerpt from the Death Mountain Spiders Bandcamp page
like "Prescription Zombie" and "Danger" with an extra dose of menace - all while he's flailing away with abandon, repeatedly
It's as simple as that, really. Organically fusing elements
punishing his snare, toms and cymbals.
of punk, hard rock and a hint of metal, Evansville's Death Mountain Spiders have livened up the local music scene with
With the nucleus of the band in place - and a former guitarist
their full-length debut, Radio Silence, and a reputation for raw,
adding some extra heft - the Spiders debuted on Halloween
energetic performances that mirror the band's
2018 at a tattoo shop in Henderson. It was
aforementioned mission statement. Songs like
the perfect venue for a full-on punk rock show
"Trash Panda," "Prescription Zombie" and "Death
with a good-sized crowd enjoying a setlist
Card" are powerfully concise, driven by two,
comprising an album's worth of originals plus
three and four chord progressions that bore into
a couple of covers given the DMS treatment.
the skull with much the
From there, the guys booked a show at the
same laser focus as the
Stockyard Inn, forging a great relationship
Spiders' heroes - the likes
with owner TJ Tanoos. More performances
of Misfits, Stooges and
followed at the Jimtown bar but not surprisingly, the Spiders
Bad religion. And that's
have found the most success outside of Evansville, roadtripping
just the way founding
to Louisville (where they're scheduled to play Metal Fest 9
members Richard Sadler
on July 25), Madisonville and Owensboro as well as a stop in
(guitar, vocals) and Ron
Mount Carmel. "I've noticed that especially when we play out
Latham (bass) envisioned
of town in front of a crowd of people that don't know what to
it from the beginning. Longtime musical allies who have
expect," Latham notes, "they will often say 'You know, I don't
bounced around Evansville for years, the two were part of a
normally like that kind of stuff, but I really enjoyed it.'"
project featuring mutual friends a few years back but ultimately wound up the last men standing, determined to take a crack
The easiest way to find out what the Spiders do is to check out
at the heavier side of things. The first order of business? Get
Radio Silence, appropriately released back in April, smack dab in the middle of the pandemic. The 12-track collection just rips from start to finish, lyrically detailing the slacker lifestyle, nicotine and drug addiction, pre-work weed intake, cult film director Ed Wood and much more - all delivered with a manic intensity that gives a good indication of what they're capable of on stage. And the Spiders are really firing on all cylinders now that new guitarist Jacob Mothershed has joined in, adding depth to the band's live attack which already felt like a punch to the solar plexus - no pain, no gain, as they say.
For more info, follow Death Mountain Spiders on Facebook.
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | MUSIC
LOCAL MUSIC ROUNDUP FLURRY OF CREATIVE ACTIVITY DURING LOCKDOWN RESULTS IN A BEVY OF EXCITING NEW RELEASES With such a wealth of musical talent existing right here in our community it's often a challenge to keep up with all of the creative activity. And thanks to the pandemic putting a temporary halt to live performances around the area, there's been an even greater push to record and release new material in lieu of shows. So now's the perfect time to get caught up on some exciting new local music that you may have missed over the last few months while holed up inside your house.
FREDDIE BOURNE
THE TROUBLED BOY AT THE BONFIRE DISCO
04.10.20
One of the area's brightest singer-songwriters, Freddie Bourne returns with a truly dynamic follow-up to 2019's critically-acclaimed Vulnerable Commercialism EP. The four tracks on offer here find Bourne at the peak of his musical powers, crafting a diverse collection of alternative pop that blends in bits of R&B, funk, acoustic stylings and more - all given a modern sheen via the handiwork of Stephen Horning, aka Dirty Dogg Productions. Lead single "I Hope You Don't Forgive Me" is the softrock banger Chris Martin wishes he could write and "Pale Blue Sky" and "Space Dust" are wonderfully atmospheric and painfully heartfelt. But the real triumph on Troubled Boy - and perhaps Bourne's finest hour (or 3 minutes and 15 seconds, to be exact) - is "Jeni," a melodic, melancholy pop masterpiece. Already racking up kudos across the globe, including glowing reviews from Australia, Germany and the UK, this could well be the recording that takes Bourne to the next level. For more info, visit freddiebourne.com.
BIG NINJA DELIGHT "SPARK"
05.04.20
After handling production duties on Bourne's Troubled Boy, Evansville's Stephen Horning got back to work on his own musical project, unveiling a dazzling new Big Ninja Delight single with a little help from some of the tri-state's most talented musicians. "Spark" melds the soul of the 60's with the spacey feel of the 2000s and beyond to create a universal song about the search for hope in a complicated world: "Time keeps on moving around me/I know that I should push on/Reaching the limit I struggle to breathe/Try to figure out where I've gone wrong." Utterly ambitious and wholly uplifting, "Spark" benefits greatly from the contributions of Monte Skelton (electronic wind instrument), Jordan Green (bass) and Cynthia Murray (backing vocals), but Horning remains the star of the show, acting as writer, performer and producer. For more info, follow Big Ninja Delight on Facebook.
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SHAWN NEEDHAM "WIFE"
05.21.20
Tri-state guitar virtuoso Shawn Needham last graced us with Soliloquy, a sterling collection of intimate, acoustic covers that expanded on the genius of such classics as the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" and Joe Zawinul's "Mercy Mercy Mercy." Five months later he's back with a gritty jazz-funk original that puts his electric guitar and fretless bass chops - not to mention inventive chordings - on full display. And Needham talk-sings, too, detailing the at-times-unnerving yet ultimately rewarding rollercoaster ride of a committed relationship: "Learning, Accepting, Turmoil, Letting Go, Cultivation, Negativity, Positivity, Importance, Sex, Love, Affection, Extremities, Wife." The whole thing is anchored by a mid-tempo groove that just won't quit, seeping deeper into the brain with each passing measure. For the full effect, check out the accompanying video on YouTube and then dive into Needham's impressive back catalogue on Bandcamp and other sites. For more info, follow Shawn Needham Music on Facebook.
ZION ALBERT
"LOVE OF MY LIFE"
06.08.20
More than ever, the infectiously positive outlook of Zion is needed in our community. This tristate reggae legend has been spreading musical joy for years and his latest single could not have arrived at a better time. The message of "Love of My Life" is simple yet universal - love conquers all so cherish what you have with your partner and never give up on a special bond: "We've been through so much together...I hate to see the tears running down from your eyes/I'm sorry my baby, if I made you cry/ When a woman loves, she loves with heart and soul/So forgive me my girl if I take your love for granted...Tell me what you want/ Tell me what you need, girl/She's the love of my life." Zion's longing for reconciliation speaks to the heart of the country's current predicament, a sentiment we should all embrace for the challenging days ahead. For more info, visit zionalbert.com.
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | ENTERTAINMENT
with Marisa Patwa LAUGHING, FIGHTING AND KISSING: A TRIO OF VIBES FOR NEW NETFLIX FILMS OUT THIS MONTH
Bigwig streaming services like Amazon, Netflix and Hulu have been a steadfast support system as the whole world has been relying on these platforms to provide them entertainment content during the nation's extended lockdown. New this month on Netflix for couch potatoes like myself is Desperados, The Old Guard and The Kissing Booth 2. Needing some cheer halfway through the year? Check out romantic comedy Desperados, set to be released July 3. It stars SNL alum Nasim Pedrad as she and her best friends - played by Sarah Burns and Pitch Perfect’s Anna Camp - road trip to Mexico on an adventure to delete an embarrassing email she sent to her boyfriend. And of course, hilarity and hijinks ensue. I call shotgun. Out July 10, The Old Guard finds leading lady Charlize Theron showing off her acting and action chops once again. Here she leads a group of misfit mercenaries who just so happen to be immortal and a few centuries old. The film is based on the comics of the same name and for those who are fans of X-MEN, The Old Guard is a perfect replacement, with these so-called superheroes having their abilities exposed. Sound familiar? But instead of wanting to have them eradicated like most creatures with magical powers in cinema, the enemies want to monetize and weaponize their special skills. In other words, it should be a fast-paced thrill-ride. For teen movie lovers like myself, The Kissing Booth 2, out July 24, is the perfect summer screener. This sequel follows actress Joey King’s 2018 teen romance in which she falls in love with her best friend’s brother, played by Euphoria’s Jacob Elordi. In the follow-up, we revisit Joey’s character Elle as she finishes out her senior year while her bae is off at Harvard. While the first film wasn’t the most well-written in the realm of the teen movie canon, it was easily digestible, just like buttery popcorn. Besides, the original was one of Netflix’s most watched films, so you might as well just watch it along with the masses so you can at least understand why there are shirtless GIFs of Elordi trending on July 24. And of course, who wouldn’t love a cameo from 80’s teen star Molly Ringwald who plays Elordi’s mom? We can’t forget about her.
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | ENTERTAINMENT
with Gavin Gaddis Welcome to the Podcast Corner, your source for some of the best and most inventive podcasts around. Each month I'm offering up four bite-sized reviews, so read on and then listen in! Want more podcast recommendations? You can find long-form reviews, musings on happenings in the podcasting world, and links to podcasts I produce at my website: thepodreport.com or follow me on Twitter @ThePodReport.
BLACK MEN CAN’T JUMP (IN HOLLYWOOD) (WEEKLY)
In an industry flooded with groups of white dudes riffing on the same fifteen “bad movies,” Black Men Can't Jump (in Hollywood) is a breath of fresh air. Hosts Jonathan Braylock, James III, and Jerah Milligan discuss movies with leading actors of color, packaging the usual fun jokes one expects from a movie review podcast inside the framework of discussing depictions of race and diversity issues in Hollywood. Each episode scores a movie not on whether or not the hosts enjoyed the movie as a whole, but if they feel it does a good job at furthering black lead actors being cast in mainstream movies. foreverdogpodcasts.
com/podcasts/black-men-cant-jump-in-hollywood/
1 WAY TO MAKE AN EMOJI (COMPLETE MINISERIES)
Alex Schmidt is a comedy writer, Jeopardy winner, and he’s also the person to credit when your phone updates to include a bison emoji sometime this fall. The concept of how an emoji is submitted and approved for global use is incredibly well-tread ground for nonfiction podcasts (in fact Schmidt directly credits a podcast for introducing him to the concept) but if you’ve not listened to many shows or watched many videos about the process, this is a fun bite-sized show with a bit of heart that’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the process, scored with cheesy sound effects. bisonemojipodcast.
com/
MINORITY KORNER (WEEKLY)
Each week host James Arthur, self-professed blerd (black nerd) invites his audience to follow him in taking “an introspective look at the world through an intersectional lens.” Pop culture, celebrity drama, politics, news, history - Arthur and a rotating cast of guest hosts discuss it all. Minority Korner is the epitome of a good commute podcast with multiple, breezy segments with, as Arthur joyfully announces at the top of every episode, self-love and self-care sprinkled throughout. A hilarious series with the guts to not avoid serious topics, it instantly slotted into my weekly routine. maximumfun.org/podcasts/minority-
korner/
THE GREEN HORIZON (BETWEEN SEASONS)
A distinct voice in a busy niche of sci-fi comedy podcasts, The Green Horizon features a Firefly-meetsBlack Books tone with a 100% Irish crew. The humor’s dark, the world is massive, the ensemble of misfits protagonists are lovable, flawed folk. Each of the six episodes follows the ensemble crew as they pilot the titular Green Horizon across a war-torn galaxy governed by a classic heartless bureaucratic empire, operating just a smidge outside the law to make enough money to keep fuel in the tanks and food on the table. A must-listen for anyone wanting a bite-sized audio drama with a full season to enjoy at once. available on all podcast apps
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | COMMUNITY & FAMILY
SUCCESS STORIES & FUTURE VANDERBURGH HUMANE SOCIETY
CALI & SARAH: These two beauties
are sisters whose owner passed away. They are 16-years-old, and must find a new home together as they have been
JETER: Jeter is a 13-year-old Spaniel mix.
together all their lives. Even though
He was adopted from VHS as a puppy, and
they don’t have another whole 20+
returned as a senior “because kids grow
years ahead of them… they are still
up & jobs change.” His family thought he
very loving, sweet girls who have had
may be happier somewhere else for his
their lives turned upside down and
last few years. His adoption fee is $110
they need a home! Their adoption fee
and he’s ready to go home today. Apply
is $80 total ($40 each) and they are
online at vhslifesaver.org/adopt!
already spayed, up-to-date on shots, and ready to leave today. Apply online at vhslifesaver.org/adopt!
SKIP: Skip is a 2-month-old male American rabbit. He, his mom, and
siblings were transferred to VHS from Another Chance for Animals when VHS had more bunny space. Skip’s adoption fee is $50 and includes his neuter & registered microchip. Apply online at vhslifesaver.org/adopt!
400 Millner Industrial Drive | 2 blocks west of Garvin Park in Evansville 812-426-2563 | Adoption Hours: Tues-Sat 12-6pm | www.vhslifesaver.org
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | OPINION
THE WRITE STUFF with Jonathan Gluff
Twist of Fact (or “Statistics Methodology Matters”) "Facts don't care about your feelings." Ah, yes - the battle cry of the patron saint of all smug, condescending, unhappy little men, Ben Shapiro. Taken at face value, this seems to be an indisputable truth; after all, who can argue with cold, hard data? But despite Little Benny's insistence, "facts" can indeed be manipulated, skewed, and/or cherry-picked to fit a narrative. For instance: Obama ordered more drone strikes than any other president. On the surface, that seems pretty cut-and-dried; however, one must take into account the fact that Predator drones (the most common armed unmanned aerial vehicles) weren’t used until November 2002, nearly two years into George W. Bush’s administration. I never supported Obama’s use of drones due to the high civilian casualty rate/low intended-target rate, but it does give a bit of perspective. Next, take an old statistician’s mantra: Correlation does not equal causation. For instance, the divorce rate in Maine from 2000-2009 lines up nicely with the per capita consumption of margarine; likewise, math PhDs awarded between 1996-2008 follows the amount of uranium stored at nuclear power plants. Sure, no reasonable person would believe those events caused each
other, but what about stats that seem at least cursorily entwined? It’s easy to see how that can be used to benefit an agenda. With that being said, I’d like to draw attention to some statistics that are currently being similarly misrepresented, mainly fatal police shootings by race. (Please note I am not anti-cop - I want to see better training/counseling for them.) Roughly 5,400 people have been shot and killed by officers since 2015: 45% (about 2,430) were non-Hispanic white, and 23% (1,242) black. By raw data, half as many black than white citizens were killed; but does that paint the whole picture? According to 2019 US Census data, those numbers equal 0.00001225683% of the white population and 0.00002823747% of the black population - twice as high a percentage as whites. (Also, this database did not account for fatal non-shooting police interactions such as George Floyd, Eric Garner, and Freddie Gray.) Furthermore, if we look at unarmed citizens shot and killed, we find that the black population is four times more likely to be fatally shot than a white person. So yes - facts may not care about your feelings, but the method with which they’re portrayed often seems to be contingent upon them.
On June 5, Caleb May, director of Henderson County Public Library, created
tri-state
politics
with Bryan Fox
some controversy with a Facebook post addressing the nationwide protests in response to police brutality against African Americans spurred by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. How controversial you find the comments will depend on your political leanings. May stated, "I find it extremely hypocritical and actually very racist that most of the people yelling 'Black Lives Matter' have no problem with blackon-black crime, black-on-white crime, or even the liberal holocaust that murders millions of black unborn babies every year. What they really mean
THOUGHTS ON CALEB MAY'S CONTROVERSIAL FB POST RE: BLACK LIVES MATTER RALLIES 38 | JULY 2020
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is Black Votes Matter (as long as they remain highly triggerable in election years, don't hold democrats accountable for destroying black families and opportunities, and remain faithful to the democratic plantation.)" Adrian Brooks, pastor of Memorial Baptist in Evansville and a local civil rights
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | OPINION
MAYBE I'M JUST GETTING OLD... with Johnny Fletcher
Hard Times for Hard Copies I'll leave it to people with more scientific knowledge of the pandemic
times for hard copies - but a boon for the computerization of society.
to comment on its truly wide-ranging, global effect, but there's been
And especially Jeff Bezos. Yippee.
one particular local casualty from this mess that's upset an old guy like me: the loss of Hard Copies record store in Eastland Mall. Sure,
Stubbornly, I will continue to purchase my hard copies of books
sure, I hear many of you saying, 'Who cares?' I hear even more of
and CDs, etc. - but not through Amazon or any other monopolizing
you asking, 'What's a record store?' Or perhaps, 'People still shop at
company if I can at all avoid it. I grudgingly accept that most all
the mall?' True, the idea of a brick and mortar business selling CDs
commerce is being conducted online these days and that, frankly,
and vinyl in 2020 is akin to an in-print magazine trying to survive in
most people are perfectly happy to exist on their phone. It just
today's online world (yes, that hits a little close to home), but I like to
seems so vacuous, though. Humans are tactile creatures - or we were,
root for the underdog whenever possible. Well, I really just despise
anyway. But more and more that prized sense of touch, specifically,
digital media; not only am I sick of staring at screens and listening
the sensation of holding an object in our hands that someone else
to sub-standard audio representations of my favorite recordings (ok,
created (besides your phone, that is) has sadly gone the way of the
the mp3 and other formats have improved sonically over time - big
Edsel (legally- obligated old guy reference). Let's be honest, the
whoop), but the fact that a city like Evansville - with nearly 120,000
pandemic has only served to accelerate the (de)evolution of our
people, mind you - can't support a record store or an art store (Blick
species into insular beings with the world at our fingertips and little
Art Materials jumped shipped a ways back), for that matter, and may
need for venturing out. It was inevitable, technologically speaking,
soon be without a book store, for Pete's sake, is nuts. Yes, it's hard
but still sad. RIP, Hard Copies and hard copies.
leader, called for May to be fired. As of this writing, he's still at his position.
killed by other African Americans. Let's face it, you never see Black Lives
Matter or the Democratic party, which traditionally gets over 90% of the
Any sane person will say that what happened to Floyd was cruel and the cop
African American vote, making any statements about this.
should be punished. May's first mistake was that he made it less about Floyd and more about him. He never mentioned Floyd in his FB post - which was
And speaking of Black Votes Matter... All votes should matter regardless of
what originally prompted the comments.
the voter's race. But BLM and the Dems know they can't win unless African Americans show up to the polls. Case in point: 2016. Almost 800,000 African
Second, he shouldn't have referenced the Holocaust when it comes to
Americans stayed home on Election Day which gave Trump the win. Clinton
abortion or compared plantations to the Democratic party. When you start
couldn't mobilize anywhere near the minority vote that Obama did.
making comparisons to the Nazis or slavery to make your point, you're going down a slippery slope.
This year's Democratic nominee Joe Biden even taunted African Americans
by telling them if you don't vote for him "you ain't black." Pretty arrogant
But if Pastor Brooks or anybody else finds other things in what May said
don't you think, Mr. VP?
controversial, they just want to ignore the facts. Recent FBI statistics show that the majority of African Americans who are victims of a homicide are
UPDATE: May's contract will not be renewed in August.
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | MUSIC REVIEWS
CHLOE X HALLE Ungodly Hour Parkwood Entertainment Featuring sisters Chloe and Halle Bailey, R&B duo Chloe x Halle have raised the bar with their sophomore album, Ungodly Hour, a clear reflection of their maturity and growth since their days of singing YouTube covers. And just as their careers have soared - from co-starring on FreeForm’s Grown-ish to counting Beyoncé as their mentor - so has the sisters' confidence in speaking boldly and clearly through their lyrics about issues important to them (this release was actually pushed back by the duo as they felt it wouldn’t be right to take the spotlight away from the unjust murder of George Floyd). Lead single “Do It” is not only catchy, but it's inspired viral dance challenges and was a welcome serenade for the class of 2020 as Chloe x Halle performed for the graduation live stream. “Catch Up” with SwaeLee and Mike WiLL Made-It has some good pulsating beats to it. SwaeLee’s silky vocals blend so perfectly with the sisters' melodic tones. “Forgive Me” is angelic and “ROYL” is another cool beat that sounds like a dark choir giving us all a warning that Chloe and Halle are true sirens - fitting since Halle is set to play Ariel in Disney's Little Mermaid reboot. And the title track is a sweet beat that makes you feel like you're floating on clouds with the sisters serenading you like the angels they are. - Marisa Patwa
LADY GAGA Chromatica Streamline/ Interscope Records Lady Gaga has created a revolution in pop music since she first arrived on the scene in 2008 with the megahit “Just Dance" and accompanying debut album, The Fame. Each subsequent release has offered a unique collection of sounds and Chromatica certainly keeps the streak alive. “Stupid Love” radiates like a banging 80’s bopper while “Rain On Me,” her surprising yet perfect collaboration with fellow pop icon Ariana Grande, is the that kind of dance song you can’t help but smile and sweat to. Their vocals support each other so well; I’d love to hear another beat from these two. Maybe they could duet on one of Ariana’s boy ballads? For anyone craving Gaga’s impressive vocal range, “1000 Doves” is the right listen. While this isn’t my favorite Gaga release - I’m still partial to The Fame - it shows off her vocal scope, like her duet with BlackPink, a fast-paced club track that gives you that chromatic crazy feeling I’m assuming Gaga was going for. - Marisa Patwa
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CHARLI XCX how i’m feeling now Atlantic/Asylum Records I’ve been a fan of Charli XCX for years and had the pleasure of witnessing her spunky energy and gorgeous voice when she opened up for Taylor Swift on her “Reputation” Tour a few years back. And her fourth studio album brings just as much fun - particularly on the addictive song “Claws” which has a silly music video shot on a green screen during the quarantine that I highly suggest. “Forever” has more Auto-Tune than necessary given Charli XCX has a natural powerhouse of a voice, but it still caught my attention for its pretty techno sound. “I Finally Understand” is another heavily-produced beat, but it still bangs. What’s most compelling about this album isn’t just the insanely catchy and well-crafted songs, but the fact that Charli XCX wrote, recorded, produced and filmed this album all within six weeks during the shutdown. How I'm feeling now is that Charli XCX is a queen and she is here to serve and slay. - Marisa Patwa
DIALUP GHOST Empty Houses Self-Released Make no mistake, indie rock is alive and well in 2020 and Nashville's Dialup Ghost are leading the charge, existing in a rather comfortable space between the Pixies and Neil Young. On the band's sophomore effort, the occasional synth adornments of 2018's I'm Fine, I'm Fine take a backseat to over-driven guitar chords and simple yet entirely effective melodic lines that transform tracks like lead single "Along Alright," "Empty Houses (Acid Man)" and "F*ckin' Yups" into hook-laden gems guided by the high-pitched, hazy vocals of singer Russ Finn. The former, a sly reworking of the Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?," has already been featured on Nashville's most notable music podcast We Own This Town and received airplay on Lightning 100, the city's most happening radio station. Out July 3, Empty Houses is full of lyrical exploration and intrigue, boasting perhaps the most unforgettable song title of the year in "Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn is a Drug Dealer" and taking on hot-button community issues like rent control and gentrification. But reliably, the tunes are ultra solid, never collapsing under the weight of the words. Dialup Ghost's name may conjure up the early days of the computer age but their sound is here and now. - Johnny Fletcher
Blues with Bragin FIONA APPLE Fetch the Bolt Cutters Epic Records Fiona Apple is one of those rare pop artists whose work gets much better much later into their career. Not to say Apple hasn't been a magnificent songwriter since her 1996 debut Tidal, but most fans and critics agree that she took a gigantic creative leap with her 2012 opus The Idler Wheel which featured Apple at her rawest - with deeply personal lyrics over unconventional songs featuring minimal instrumentation. Fetch The Bolt Cutters, Apple’s first album in eight years, feels like a sonic sequel to The Idler Wheel. Where the former saw Apple guiding her songs with a sense of rage, Bolt Cutters is a happier reflection on her everyday life. Unsurprisingly, the record sounds fantastic and is one of the year’s must-listens. - Russ Finn
BLAKE MILLS Mutable Set Siren Records I knew nothing about Blake Mills and his latest album Mutable Set before checking it out, but I constantly dig through new releases amongst the different music blogs looking for new sounds. I'm not even sure what drew me to Mills, as the cover art isn’t even that cool. With no expectations, I was pleasantly surprised to discover what is surely one of the most exciting offerings of 2020. Mutable Set is a collection of 11 soft, reserved, slow songs that recall the best of 1970s songwriters. It feels like a forgotten, experimental Harry Nilsson album or a lost Brian Eno recording that toes the line between pop and ambient. Listen to the standout track “Money Is The One True God” and you’ll be sold on Mills and Mutable Set. - Russ Finn
NO AGE Goons Be Gone Drag City No Age’s sixth album Goons Be Gone proves the band still has excellent artpunk chops 15 years into their career. But while it's an undeniably good album, the California-based noise rock duo is possibly reaching a point in which they are too consistent. No Age have done little to evolve their sound since 2008’s Nouns, with each subsequent release featuring the same style of loud, two-chord punk songs with lots of distortion and the occasional noise loop thrown in. But I can’t complain, really. I love No Age and all of their albums. Goons Be Gone completely delivers all No Age seem to promise, I just wish they’d tread new territory instead of playing it safe with the same formula. But if they want to be the AC/ DC of art-punk, that’s fine too. - Russ Finn
THE ERIC HUGHES BAND Postcard From Beale Street Endless Blues Records The pride of Memphis, the Eric Hughes Band returns with another collection of fun and rowdy blues. Postcards From Beale Street opens with “Ain’t Whipped Yet" featuring jazzy piano and inspirational lyrics about persevering during difficult moments in life. “Oh, Booze!” boasts an old sound like something from a 1920s speakeasy. The heavy guitar at the opening of “He’s Just An Alley Cat” sets the tone for this rocking number. “Follow Your Stupid Little Dreams” is a lighthearted song about giving up on your goals and features fine harmonica from Hughes. The trumpet and saxophone from Marc Franklin and Kirk Smothers on “Fair Weather Friends” provide a nice match for Brian Aylor’s drums. The slide guitar and stripped down sound of “Blackberry Patch” give the impression that Hughes wrote the song in such a patch. “Come See About Me” begins with melancholy harmonica from Hughes and deals with needing a friend during hard times. Some heavy guitar and harmonica playing by Hughes on “Waiting For That Day” nicely fits with lyrics about expecting better days ahead. For more info, visit erichughesband.com. - Paul Bragin
RUSTY ENDS & HILLBILLY HOODOO The Last of the Boogiemen Self-Released Described as "the missing link between 1950s blues and rockabilly and the musical styles of the 21st century," Rusty Ends & Hillbilly Hoodoo are back with a bang on The Last of the Boogiemen. Opening track “Cheap Wine" boasts the aforementioned 1950s sound with lyrics that bemoan the loss of inexpensive alcohol such as Night Train and Thunderbird. “Unholy Roller” is a brief instrumental with stellar drumming from Gene Wickliffe and bass from Uncle Dave Zirnheld. The funky bassline on “Hillbilly Hoodoo” kicks the song off in style. Ends’ guitar midway through complements the bass very well, providing a solid foundation for lyrics that discuss life in the sticks. “I Forgot to Say I Love You” is a slow ballad and laments a lost love and the inability to fix the past. The rockabilly tune “Cottonmouth Rock” is about a snake hitting the dance floor at the local bar. “Stiletto Heels and Fishnet Hose” is a slower, jazz-inspired song that seems tailor-made for cruising in a classic car with the top down. Gary Falk’s tenor saxophone on “Let Me Cross Your Mind” fits well with lyrics about wanting someone to think about you. For more info, visit rustyends.com. - Paul Bragin
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NEWS4U JULY 2020 | BEER REVIEWS
JULY BEER REVIEWS
This month’s beers are available depending on supply & demand at all 10 Liquor Locker locations. Visit our website at www.Liquor-Locker.com. GOLDEN ROAD MANGO CART
GOOSE ISLAND SUMMERTIME
REVOLUTION BREWING GHOST RIDE
JONATHAN GLUFF - 4.5
JONATHAN GLUFF - 4
JONATHAN GLUFF - 4
PAUL BRAGIN - 4
PAUL BRAGIN - 3.5
PAUL BRAGIN - 4.5
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3.5
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 3.5
Clearly the Kölsch is enjoying a bit of a surge in popularity. Goose Island's Summertime is a fine example of this traditional Germanstyle brew. Like many other Kölsches, it’s fullbodied and flavorful without being overly bitter. Biscuit-y undertones are sandwiched between a smooth, clean malt taste up front and a hint of lemon on the finish. A very wellrounded and well-crafted formula that nearly any beer drinker can enjoy.
A thick white head crowns this Kölsch beer after pouring it in a stange glass. The nose fills with malt first, followed by a balance with hops. Some light malt flavors coat the tongue with the first sip of the beer, followed by some hops in the finish. This lighter beer with lower carbonation is a great choice for hot summer months. Pair it with sausages or other German dishes like sauerkraut.
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4
This beer pours clear and pale and looks like a Budweiser. It has a thick foam and smells bitter with a nice bitter taste. It's very crisp and refreshing - perfect on a hot day, but I was expecting more out of a Goose Island offering. I'm a big fan of their other beers but this one is just a little better than average.
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I’m always hesitant about fruit-flavored beers, but Golden Road’s Mango Cart surprised me. While the mango flavor is by far the most prominent, it’s neither too overpowering nor too sweet. The tiniest hint of a wheat ale in the form of some faint citrus flavors on the finish lurks underneath (maybe some passionfruit, too?). Regardless, this is a very light, refreshing beer that’s perfect for what’s already starting out to be a hot summer.
A thick white head rests on this beer when poured in a wheat beer glass. A generous amount of mango fills the nose. The mango flavor remains while drinking the beer as the carbonation hits the tongue. The low alcohol content makes this beer a good choice for the summer. Pair it with Buffalo wings, a light salad, fish tacos with mango salsa or breakfast dishes like fruit salad. It can also be enjoyed on the beach.
This beer has a slightly cloudy golden color with decent carbonation and a slight aroma of mango, but little else. I can taste the mango, wheat, some malt - it's both tart and sweet. It's a very light beer and the mango is refreshing; overall it's a high quality beer.
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I've had mixed feelings about some of Revolution's other beers, but this is a very competent Kölsch. It’s more malty than most other Kölsches, especially on the finish. I actually kind of like that about it, since I find a lot of these beers to be a little too onedimensional for my tastes. It’s certainly not bitter nor hoppy by any means - it just adds some depth to the flavor. Definitely a good alternative for lagers or pilsners.
A white head tops this Kölsch style beer when poured into a stange glass, but it evaporates quickly. The malt used in the brewing process controls the scent profile. The malt remains with the initial tasting of the beer, followed by some brief hop notes, with the malt returning in the long finish. Pair it with a wide variety of foods like grilled German sausages, fresh fish or gooey French cheeses like brie, Camembert or Comte.
This is a pale gold beer with a frothy cover of foam. It's clean and crisp with a yeast-driven aroma and a light pale malt flavor. I consider this a mainstream lager. It's light-bodied and very drinkable - a session candidate for sure but there's nothing flashy about it.
NEWS4U JULY 2020 | BEER REVIEWS
LAGUNITAS HAZY WONDER
real complexity. True to their style, the Hazy Wonder is easily the hoppiest hazy IPA I’ve ever had. Luckily, the moderate note of lemon lingering on the tongue punctuated by pine on the finish evens things out. Not my favorite hazy IPA, but definitely my favorite Lagunitas.
PAUL BRAGIN - 4 JONATHAN GLUFF - 4.25
Unpopular opinion time: I’m not a huge fan of Lagunitas’ IPAs. I find them to be hoppy just for the sake of being hoppy, lacking any
A decent white head forms on this New England style IPA. A heavy burst of citrus from the hops dominates the scent profile. The first sip contains a balance of malt and hops, with the citrus from the hops returning in the long
finish. The hot months of summer could see this beer increase in popularity. Pair it with a variety of cheeses like blue or a creamy white cheese, Indian cuisine or pizza.
JABEZ MARTINEZ - 4
Not a bad beer at all, but definitely not as advertised. It's actually a terrific hoppy pilsner though it's meant to be an IPA. There is a nice lemony aroma and while it's not extremely hazy, it does have an ABV of 6%. It's very drinkable and I appreciate the rich hops flavor.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
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MUGSHOTS
GUESS THAT CRIME 1
2
BENJAMIN GAGE NORMAN
3
JAMES RICHARD MADDEN
JEREMY ALVIS HOLTZCLAW
A INTIMIDATION
A RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT
A OMVWI
A PUBLIC INDECENCY
B CRIMINAL TRESPASSING
B OTHER AGENCIES CHARGES
B PETITION TO REVOKE PROBATION
B OMVWI
C DOMESTIC BATTERY
C DEALING MARIJUANA
C PUBLIC INTOX
C DOMESTIC BATTERY
5
DANIEL JACOB BELLM
4
6
WILLARD MATTHEW FLOWERS
MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER ALLEN
7
8
LOMANTE DEVONTE WILLIAMS
JORDAN EDWARD STATEN-DIAL
A ATEMPTED MURDER
A DEALING MARIJUANA
A ESCAPE HOME DETENTION
A DEALING MARIJUANA
B CRIMINAL TRESPASSING
B DOMESTIC BATTERY
B WRIT OF ATTACHMENT
B CRIMINAL MISCHEIF
C WRIT OF ATTACHMENT
C ESCAPE HOME DETENTION
C FAILED TO APPEAR
C BATTERY DOMESTIC
9
10
PAJE CAPONE DIAZ
MICHAEL DEWAYNE CHARLES
11
12
TYLER REED ROYALTY
JENNIFER MARIE NIEFT
A ESCAPE HOME DETENTION
A RAPE
A TAX EVASION
A OTHER AGENCIES CHARGES
B DOMESTIC BATTERY
B DEALING MARIJUANA
B CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
B GRAND THEFT AUTO
C ATTEMPTED MURDER
C OMVWI
C DEALING MARIJUANA
C THEFT- ALL OTHER
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1/C, 2/A, 3/B, 4/C, 5/B, 6/B, 7/A, 8/B, 9/C, 10/A, 11/C, 12/A
ANSWERS:
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