September 2009 Archives

Christ Whispers in Lucifer's Ear
Photo by st.one

Arilus Cristatus ("assassin bug") hiding on a Crocosmia Lucifer blossom.
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The EPA is requiring Formosa Plastics Corp. to pay $13 million for a pollution violations at its plants in Texas and Baton Rouge. "The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identified extensive leaks during inspections of the facilities, leading to the penalty and equipment upgrades," The Houston Chronicle reported.

A group of Metro Council members want to delay the Nov. 14 vote on Kip Holden's $900 million bond issue for capital improvements. They are considering calling a special meeting Oct. 12 to vote on the delay, The Advocate reports.

Developer Tommy Spinosa has submited his plans for Rouzan.

Chelsea's and the state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control have reached an agreement that will allow the bar to sell alcohol.

State labor agency says Louisiana needs more 2-year graduates.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation is soliciting funds for a new no-kill animal shelter.

Kip Holden and friends defended the Alive project at a press conference Monday after questions about land ownership arose.

LSU Baseball team will visit Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

Austin City Limits is probably fourth behind the three premier music festivals in the country (Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Coachella). The 2009 edition of the fest has the newly popular Kings of leon, the perennial headlining jam band Dave Matthews Band, and '90s alternative-rock cult leaders Pearl Jam headlining the event. Of the more than 130 other artists on the great, diverse lineup, several are making a stop in southern Louisiana either before or after their appearance in Austin.

Andrew Bird - An extremely talented Chicagoan that appeals to the indie and folk rocks fans equally. He's musically proficient at the guitar, violin, whistling, mandolin, and glockenspiel. I've regretfully missed him a couple times, but I hear he puts on a great show.

Arctic Monkeys - A highly acclaimed alternative indie rock band from England. I saw them twice in Chicago this summer (at Lollapalooza and at an aftershow) and the last time they were in New Orleans just after the release of their second album. They're returning now two years later to promote their third studio album, Humbug. The album is, for the most part, quite different from their first two but not in a Kings-of-Leon-way. The new stuff is good. Here's the official video for the first single, "Crying Lightning."

The Avett Brothers - An indie roots/folk-punk/grungegrass band from North Carolina. The San Franciso Chronicle described their sound as having the "heavy sadness of Townes Van Zandt, the light pop concision of Buddy Holly, the tuneful jangle of the Beatles, and the raw energy of the Ramones."

Blitzen Trapper - An experimental folk-rock band from Portland. Their third studio album, Wild Mountain Nation, garnered much critical acclaim as did their fourth, Furr. Furr was Rolling Stone's 13th best album of 2008 and the title track ranked #4 on the magazine's best singles of that year.

The Dead Weather - Jack White's (The White Stripes, The Raconteurs) new alternative blues-rock supergroup comprised of Alison Mosshart (The Kills), Dean Fertita (Queens of the Stone Age), and Jack Lawrence (The Raconteurs). I'm excited to see this band on Friday night in Atlanta on my way to see the Bayou Bengals play Georgia in Athens Saturday afternoon. Interestingly enough, Jack White is the primary drummer for the band. Check out the video for their singles, "Hang You From the Heavens" and "Treat Me Like Your Mother."

Dr. Dog - A psychadelic indie rock band from Philly.They've toured with My Morning Jacket, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, The Strokes, The Raconteurs, and The Black Keys.

Phoenix - A French alternative indie rock band. They've appeared on Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel, and Dave Letterman this year to promote their new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

Toadies - An alternative rock band from Fort Worth, TX best known for their 1994 song, "Possum Kingdom." The band reformed and released an album, No Deliverance, in 2008.

The Walkmen - An indie rock band with members from New York and Philadelphia. Four-fifths of the band met while in college at St. Albans in Washington, D.C. Their sound has characteristics compared with U2, The Cure, and The Strokes.

Full schedule below the fold ...

The weekend is all but here now, and the great live music I promised earlier in the week has arrived with it. As usual, Spanish Moon leads the weekend music scene. Friday, Frightened Rabbit will be joined by The Twilight Sad and We Were Promised Jetpacks. Both bands not only all have catchy, indie-tastic names, they also hail from the land of the Gaels, Scotland.

Finally, my show of the week comes on Saturday night when Syracuse indie rockers Ra Ra Riot (shown above) take the stage. I saw these guys and girls in New Orleans opening for Tokyo Police Club awhile back. They've also opened for Art Brut, who comes to Baton Rouge on Oct. 23, and British indie-rock group the Editors. I thought Ra Ra Riot were a lot better than Tokyo Police Club on the night, and I like their musical style better anyway.

I'm leaving for Starkville tomorrow afternoon for the LSU game (11:21 a.m. kickoff on Saturday) but plan on returning to Baton Rouge in time for a nap before heading to this show. Fans of the super-hyped Vampire Weekend will definitely like what they hear as the two groups have a similar sound. Ra Ra Riot's frontman, Wes Miles, actually has a side-project with Rostam Batmanglij of Vampire Weekend. Although with special thanks to their attractive violin and cello, Ra Ra Riot has a little more drifting, dreamy sound.

BREC is closing three recreation centers, raising fees and shortening hours to make up for declining property taxes.

Six robbers shot a 27-year-old man in the back and stole his phone, money and clothes.

Hundreds of people in Baton Rouge are upset at a local man who falsely promised them jobs could and who now has their personal information.

The controversy over the Alive riverfront attraction continues.

Evening Match
Photo by Griffith Photography

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With Chelsea's latest problems related to its alcohol license, Red Star has stepped up to host two bands originally scheduled to play Friday at the Perkins Road venue.

The Laurel Street bar will now host Streamline and Oh Juliet. The show starts at 10:30.

"It would be a shame if a good band had to suffer because of this unfortunate situation," Red Star owner Frank McMains said in an email.

Ownership issues have surfaced about the land for the $247 million Alive riverfront attraction that is a key part of Mayor Kip Holden's $900 million bond proposal.

Missing 12-year-old boy found after a search.

Louisiana ranks worst in a report on deadly domestic violence cases.

A man was arrested for allegedly exposing himself to women in a Denham Springs park.

Baton Rouge Police Department gets $500,000 in state and federal grants. Most of it will be used for extra traffic enforcement.

A hole in the sky ... Keep on the watch
Photo by juliealicea1947

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The Baton Rouge Area Convention and Visitors Bureau has just posted a bunch of photos of the True Blood set in Clinton. The show, staring Anna Paquin and Sam Trammell and set in the fictional Louisiana town of Bon Temps, is in its second season.



Created with flickr slideshow.

Baton Rouge native Lil' Boosie sentenced to two years of prison after pleading guilty to gun and weed charges.

Three men get probation for Southern Band hazing incident.

Gov. Bobby Jindal wants more offshore drilling.

Louisiana Recovery Authority approves $112 million spending plan for Gustav and Ike recovery.

A Baton Rouge man was sentenced for embezzling $178,000 from a Metairie bank in 2006 and 2007.

River Sunset
Photo by Bruce Bordelon

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Red Stick Live is looking for local residents who can help tell the story of Baton Rouge and surrounding areas as citizen reporters.

You don't have to be a professional writer to be a citizen reporter. All you need is some enthusiasm and a little curiosity. Write about zoning issues in your neighborhood, construction, crime, interesting residents, local artists and much more. Anything local and interesting goes. You can tell the stories through words, photos or video. It's up to you.

Email us at redsticklive@gmail.com if you're interested.

If you're looking for a show in the early half of the week, I suggest heading down to New Orleans. Tuesday, One Eyed Jacks will have lo-fi new wave outfit Crocodiles opening for The Horrors. Crocodiles opened for Holy Fuck at Spanish Moon in June, and they were definitely a surprise treat for me. The dark-sunglasses-donning duo were loud and fun. British garage rockers The Horrors will follow. They're loud in intervals but include plenty of extraneous sounds to please more ambient fans. The Horrors are worth checking out if for no other reason than that their names are, respectively, Faris Badwan (only actual name), Joshua Third a.k.a. Von Grimm, Tomethy (not Timothy) Furse, Spider Webb, and, my favorite, Coffin Joe.

Though Tuesday's show should be a good one, the dancers should save themselves for the following night at Republic New Orleans. Norwegian electro rock band, Datarock, have fun, dancy tunes that you've probably heard whether you know it or not. Their hit song, "Fa-Fa-Fa," was featured in three EA Sports games in 2008 as well as a popular Coke advertisement. "True Stories," a track in which the lyrics are all but entirely made up of Talking Heads song titles, was featured in EA Sports' FIFA 09 (see link for song with lyrics). Being a huge Talking Heads fan, I'm absolutely loving this song and this band at the moment.

As far as music is concerned, the Crescent City is the place to be mid-week, but the Capital City has, without a doubt, the show of the week. Check back soon to see what not to miss in Baton Rouge this weekend.

Southern is looking for a president with a doctorate and fund raising prowess.

Educated adults are leaving Baton Rouge, a new report says.

A 100-pound giant squid was caught off the Louisiana coast.

LSU paid $700,000 to void the final six years of its agreement to play Tulane.

Two middle school girls were arrested Monday for allegedly starting a fire in their school bathroom in Baker.

'kin I come out and play too?
Photo by Mr. Greenjeans
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Downtown businesses announced Monday that they are taking over the popular Wine Walk Wednesday's after a dispute with the event's previous promoters.

In a press release, Karen Dean, general manager of Boudreaux & Thibodeaux, said the owners and managers of Stroube's, Capitol City Grill, The Roux House, Happy's, Schlitz & Giggles, The Wine Loft, Tsunami, Red Star, Punchers, Boudreaux & Thibodeaux and the the soon-to-be-opened, Lucy's, met Monday to discuss the creation of a downtown bar and restaurant alliance to help market the entertainment district together.

The Wine Walk was being managed by an outside promotions company. Similar to a pub crawl, wine lovers can pay a registration fee of $10 to the promoters of the event to enjoy a variety of wine tastings at participating downtown restaurants and bars.
 
Dean said that although the event was initially pitched by the promotions company as an opportunity to market downtown and the businesses, the only people making money turned out to be the promoters themselves. She said the venues were asked to give away the wine, waive cover charges and reduce food and wine prices to spark interest in the event.

The promoters (whom the downtown businesses did not name) never offered to invest or share even a portion of their revenue earned, Dean said, and they refused to defray any of the costs when asked directly.
 
Under the new plan, the registration fee from the wine walk will be managed by the alliance and used to advertise and promote the downtown entertainment district only, Dean said.

"The people who own and manage the participating bars and restaurants have had a vested interest in this event all along," Dean said. "We're excited about working together and building a better downtown Baton Rouge with the revenue earned from the event."

Registration will be in the Manship/Shaw Center breezeway between Stroube's and The Roux House patio. Cost for the event will remain $10, which includes two free two-ounce wine tastings at each venue. Featured wines will be $4 per glass at each establishment. A map and menu of the event will be provided at registration.

A local bicyclist was struck by a car Friday on Prescott Drive.

State Troopers found 172 pounds of crystal meth during a Sunday morning traffic stop on I-12 in Tangipahoa Parish.

A 27-year-old Baton Rouge man died when he ran into the back of an 18-wheeler on the I-10 Mississippi River Bridge.

LSU 3-0 for the third straight year.

State to lease Third Street space for police substation, art gallery
The State Office of Facilities Corporation has agreed to lease 2,000 square feet of vacant space in the Third Street parking garage to the city-parish for a new police substation and a proposed art gallery, the Downtown Development District said. Under the agreement approved last week, the city-parish will spend $300,000 to cover the costs of completing the police substation and the art gallery in exchange for a 10-year, no-cost lease for the space. The city-parish will use 705 square feet for the substation, which will accommodate downtown bicycle patrols, evening uniformed officers, community resource officers and state police officers, the DDD said on its website. The remaining 1,295 square feet will be used for an art gallery proposed by the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge to display original art from Baton Rouge and the region.

Hotel Indigo starts renovations
Hotel Indigo and Baton Rouge developers Brace Godfrey Jr. and John Schneider have announced the start of renovations to the former Hotel King property in downtown Baton Rouge on the corner of Lafayette Street and Convention Street, according to the DDD. Scheduled to open in late 2010, the 48,000 sq. ft. building will become a 93-room Hotel Indigo.

Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar
Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar is set to open downtown by the end of September, the DDD said. Workers are removing the building's facade, and a huge area in front will be converted into covered outdoor seating. "The eatery's atmosphere is tropical and fun, with a menu that includes standard fare such as burgers, salads and a selection for the kids," the DDD said on its website. "Lucy's also offers a doggy menu. Owners can order snacks for their pooches while dining outside."

A Brand New Day recovery concerts
A Brand New Day recovery concerts commemorating the 40th anniversary of Woodstock and celebrating the 20th Annual National Alcohol and Drug Addition Recovery Day will take place on September 26th. There is a free event to be held at the State Museum September 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. with headliner Jefferson Starship and others. An additional show is the same night at the River Center at 8 p.m. Headlining are Big Brother & The Holding Company & Richie Havens. Tickets are available at the River Center Box Office or Ticketmaster.

Amphitheater
Photo by Bruce Bordelon

The amphitheater on the LSU campus.
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The city's Live after Five concert series gets started tonight with Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, a zydeco group that concert organizers for some reason describe as "high energy party music."

Whatever the genre, there will be music. And it will take place at Galvez Plaza, located at 3rd Street and North Boulevard.

Broken Man
Photo by narcolanza
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• Better Than Ezra (pictured right) at The Varsity

• Polly Pry w/ Dimestore Troubadours at Chelsea's.


• Anteeks at Cadillac Cafe


• Thursday Night Band at Clicks


• Krossroads at The Station


• True Spin at Superior Grill


• Blues Jam hosted by Will Wesley at Phil Brady's.


• Bayou Hot Shots at Boutin's.


• Rusty Yates at Roux House.


• DJ Triz-A at The Caterie


• Feel the Vibes w/ DJ PK-1 at 600 Main.


• Seth Rivet at Boudreaux and Thibodeaux


• Laughs on the River at Lyceum Ballroom

Only a day after the French duo, Justice, was removed from Voodoo's lineup, a huge DJ show at New Orleans' downtown nightclub, Ampersand, has been announced. Toronto duo, Jesse Keeler, formerly of Death From Above 1979, and Alex "Al-P" Puodziukas are scheduled to perform in the Big Easy on Voodoo weekend for the second year in a row. MSTRKRFT (pronounced Master Craft), as they are collectively known, are currently one the most popular groups in the electro house genre and have been commisioned to create remixes for dozens of artists including Bloc Party, Wolfmother, Justice, Usher, and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The "Official Voodoo Music Experience Pre-Party" is slated for a start time of 11 p.m. on Voodoo's Eve (Thursday, October 29) and won't end until they shut the club down around 4 the next morning.

Twin Spans - Non HDR
Photo by Bruce Bordelon

I-10 over LSU Lakes.
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From now through Voodoo Fest, I will keep you updated on the latest happenings with the event. Today, talented Somalian hip hop artist, K'Naan, was added to Voodoo's lineup, but the addition came at the cost of Justice's removal. Justice, the French electro duo, were listed as performing only a mere DJ set at the fest as opposed to their headlining type of show, so this removal isn't as bad as it first sounds. Also, helping to ease the pain of Justice's departure from the lineup is the viable rumor that they may instead be playing an aftershow one night at a venue elsewhere in the city. Let's hope Justice will be served.

I disappeared from Red Stick Live over a month ago, but I have finally returned! I hope to get back to regularly updating you on the best in live music in the capital city area and beyond.

First of all, the show of the week is without a doubt happening at Chelsea's tomorrow night. Electrindie pop magicians, Chairlift, will surely be armed to mesmerize, despite the Red Stick stop only being their third show on their current tour. Many may recognize their hit track, Bruises, from one of those popular iPod commericials. I missed this band at Lollapalooza, so I'm glad they're making a quick sweep through the South at the beginning of this massive U.S. and European tour they've just embarked on.

The band started on the east coast a few days ago and virtually play every night from now until the end of October. They end up in L.A. on the 16th of this month. From there, they head up the west coast before trekking back across the nation through Chicago and the midwest and ultimately ending up in Miami somehow on Oct. 3. They'll depart Miami for France and finally end the tour in the UK with a show in London on Oct. 28.

Secondly, Voodoo Fest is just around the corner now and thus the producers have just released the day-by-day schedule. There have recently been some changes in the lineup and schedule. The two biggest changes are the loss of Eagles of Death Metal and the addition of Lenny Kravitz. The full schedule is below:

Friday October 30

Eminem, Ween, Silversun Pickups, The Black Keys, Fischerspooner, Janelle Monae, The Cool Kids, The Knux, Alejandro Escovedo, Ledisi, D12, New Orleans Bingo! Show, Preservation Hall-Stars With Special Guests, Benjy Davis Project, Papa Grows Funk, Little Freddie King, The Happy Talk Band, Lil Brian & The Zydeco Travelers, Erick Baker, Dj Soul Sister, Loose Marbles, Luke Winslow-King, Glasgow, Mynameisjohnmichael, Generationals, Why Are We Building Such A Big Ship?, Noisician Coalition, March Fourth Marching Band, Roots Of Music, Tbc Brass Band, Ratty Scurvics, Lucy's Walk, Bones, The Vettes, and More.

Saturday October 31

Kiss, Jane's Addiction, Gogol Bordello, Wolfmother, Black Lips, Mutemath, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, Q-Tip, Jello Biafra and The Guantanamo School Of Medicine, Drive-By Truckers, Morning 40 Federation Reunion, Down, Mates Of State, American Bang, New Orleans Bingo! Show, Big Sam's Funky Nation, Rotary Downs, Walter "Wolfman" Washington and The Roadmaster With Dirty Horns, New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Sarah Quintana, Dan Dyer, Sam & Ruby, Leroy Jones, Dj Soul Sister, andrew Duhon and The Lonesome Crows, Noisician Coalition, March Fourth Marching Band, Roots Of Music, Mas Mamones, Zydepunks, As Tall As Lions, The White Bitch, Brother Taisuke Mass Choir, Davis Rogan, From Legends To Nancy, and More.

Sunday November 1

Lenny Kravitz, Widespread Panic, The Flaming Lips, Meat Puppets, Brand New, Robert Randolph & The Family Band, The Pogues, All Time Low, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Jj Grey & Mofro, Shooter Jennings, Rebirth Brass Band, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Ave, Eric Church, Earl Greyhound, New Orleans Bingo! Show, Dj Soul Sister, Cyril Neville's Blues Revue With Tab Benoit, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux & Johnny Sansone, John Mooney and Bluesiana, Quintron and Missy Pussycat, Fleur De Tease, Noisician Coalition, March Fourth Marching Band, Roots Of Music, Beausoleil, Leo Jackson and The Melody Clouds, Suplecs, New Orleans Jazz Vipers, Amanda Shaw, MC Trachiotomy, R. Scully Rough 7, Katey Red & Dj Papa, Big Freddia, Sissy Nobby, and More 

Please express your thoughts on the lineup in the comments below the article. I'm interested in how you feel about the lineup, who you want to see, or who you hate.

Lastly, I have decided to use this small forum I have to follow and support, in my opinion, one of the very best upcoming local bands that currently exists. I can't help it. I'm fascinated with GIVERS at the moment, and I know a lot of people in the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas are too. Everyone I've pitched the band to has loved them, and I've recently had people ask me about them or tell me what I already know about them. They "give" you exactly what you want in a live show and that is FUN.

Do yourself a favor and see this band now before they're on a Chairlift-esque musical odyssey. It won't be too long. Your next chance is this Friday in Lafayette at Nitetown for their EP release party.