Smile Politely

The Overture: July 22–28

WHAT: Elizabeth Simpson, An Evening With Your Mother

WHERE: The Clark Bar (free)

WHEN: Tuesday, July 23rd at 7 p.m.

Champaign-Urbana Singer-Songwriter Collective series continues at the Clark Bar this week. Elizabeth Simpson will be joined on the bill by a full band as opposed to a single singer-songwriter, An Evening With Your Mother. They have a couple of shows this week, one on Tuesday and one on Friday.

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WHAT: Sultans of String, Bones Jugs ‘N Harmony

WHERE: The Iron Post ($10)

WHEN: Wednesday, July 24th at 7 p.m.

The Iron Post plays host to a night of music presented by C-U Folk & Roots Fest. The rhythmic Sultans of String are a “global sonic tapestry of Spanish Flamenco, Arabic folk, Cuban rhythms, and French Manouche Gypsy-jazz, celebrating musical fusion and human creativity with warmth and virtuosity.” Lots to pay attention to for this one mid-week.

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WHAT: Thin Gin, Katlyn Conroy, Aron Stromberg

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Wednesday, July 24th at 8 p.m.

Locals Thin Gin recently released their debut self-titled EP earlier this month, so they’re playing some shows to celebrate. That’s the album art to the left, and you can listen to the new record on Spotify or iTunes now. They’ll be joined by a couple of solo acts to round out their bill Wednesday night.

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WHAT: Hi Ho Buffalo, Paul Kothheimer, Kayla Brown

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Thursday, July 25th at 8 p.m.

Hi Ho Buffalo opened for the Howlin’ Brothers a short while back at the beginning of the month, and they’re back at it again. This time, they’ll be headlining with a couple singer-songwriters in Paul Kothheimer and Kayla Brown.

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WHAT: Keylocks

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)

WHEN: Thursday, July 25th at 9 p.m.

Not a ton of information out there about this show, but Keylocks will most definitely be performing at Cowboy Monkey on Thursday. More bands to be announced for this one in due time, but for now, this is what we know. Keep you eyes on Cowboy Monkey’s website to see if there are any changes this week.

UPDATE: Waterfowl will be opening up the set for the Keylocks.

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WHAT: Pedestrains, Kitsch, Fiona Kimble, Emily and the Weekdays

WHERE: Error Records ($5)

WHEN: Friday, July 26th at 7:30 p.m.

Local indie rock outfit Pedestrains headline this show happening at Error Records this Friday. They’ll be joined by Kansas City’s Kitsch, who recently released some new material. In addition, this bill features Fiona Kimle and Emily and the Weekdays (which features Emily Otnes). 

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WHAT: Love Toy, Elephant Gun, An Evening With Your Mother

WHERE: Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5)

WHEN: Friday, July 26th at 8 p.m.

Local three-piece rock outfit Love Toy headline a Friday night show at Mike ‘N Molly’s this week. If you’re unfamiliar with them, take a listen to a few of their songs posted from a gig back in May. Chicago’s Elephant Gun joins in as the touring act, and this is the second show of the week from An Evening With Your Mother.

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WHAT: Ghost of Amaryllis, Somber, Drench, Airacobra

WHERE: The Canopy Club ($5)

WHEN: Friday, July 26th at 9 p.m.

Ghost of Amaryllis is a band featuring members from By Any Means. The prog-metal outfit is set to perform at The Canopy Club with a handful of others looking to rip things up on Friday.

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WHAT: Kilborn Alley

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($5)

WHEN: Friday, July 26th at 10 p.m.

The local blues staple Kilborn Alley will be performing at Cowboy Monkey on Friday night. No other word as to whether they’ll have anyone joining them or not, but they’ve got enough tasty licks to fill the room, with or without someone there to support.

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WHAT: Suzi Trash, Bailout, Unnerve, Down Goes Goodman, Los Assparados, New Madrid

WHERE: Error Records ($5)

WHEN: Saturday, July 27th at 7 p.m.

Jam-packed bill over at Error Records this weekend. Missouri’s garage-psych duo Suzi Trash headlines, and they’ll be joined by a bunch of others. Bailout is a Chicago/Champaign punk outfit; Unnerve and Los Assparados are locals as well; and Down Goes Goodman and New Madrid are not. Tons of punk happenning here.

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WHAT: Seventeen Sisters, Jans Project, Unknown Pleasures

WHERE: The Highdive ($5)

WHEN: Saturday, July 27th at 7 p.m.

Seventeen Sisters are back at the Highdive this weekend. They’ve played here as recently as last month. They’re joined by Jans Project and Unknown Pleasures.

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EDITOR’S PICK: HANK., PISCES AT THE ANIMAL FAIR, THUNDERTRUCK
Mike ‘N Molly’s ($5) — Saturday, July 27th at 8:30 p.m.

Hank. has been at it for quite some time in the C-U music scene, and they fit in a variety of places. They can play with a wide range of bands around town and still feel like they fit in, even though there aren’t a lot of bands like them. Certainly, there are math-rock bands like Hank., but definitely not delivering what they deliver. Their new record, Pinched., will be entirely available to the world this weekend, and pressed through Global Garage. They’ll be performing the entire record on Saturday night for the audience to hear. 

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WHAT: nuBounce, DJ Mellow, DJ Belly, Harsh

WHERE: Cowboy Monkey ($TBD)

WHEN: Thursday, July 25th at 10 p.m.

Another Certified Dope series show happening at Cowboy Monkey Saturday night. Sarah previewed the Certified Dope series last November, which you can check out here to get an idea of what the series is all about.

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WHAT: Greyscale, Gas Up Yr Hearse!, Street Justice, Barrowe

WHERE: Red Herring ($5)

WHEN: Sunday, July 28th at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday night show happening at Red Herring this weekend, featuring Tennessee screamo outfit Greyscale. They have a new split release with locals Coma Regalia. Gas Up Yr Hearse! recently did a split with Coma Regalia, too. Street Justice and Barrowe round this bill out nicely.

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WHAT: Ashland, Brokeshade, Modegreen, Asix Denied, Oblivion Zero

WHERE: Error Records ($5)

WHEN: Sunday, July 28th at 7:30 p.m.

Ashland returns to C-U after performing over at the Canopy Club a short while back. The stage is set for another Sunday night show for punk venues in town with the Red Herring and Error hosting shows this weekend.

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