ruix issue 2

outlinefinal.indd 1 12/23/10 12:12 PM

Monks Kaffee Pub 373 Bluff St Dubuque, Iowa all shows free

Thurs Jul 21 - Dick PrallMon Jul 25 - Kate KennedyWed Jul 27 - Thollem McDonas, BBJR, EthudesFri Aug 5 - Diva Kal Sat Aug 13 - Simon FloryMon Aug 15 - C.J. BoydSat Aug 20 - HowthWed Sept 14 - Reverend Deadeye

Sat July 9 - Daylight Savings Account, Mary Mo and Her Sweet NotesSat July 16 - Joe Roberto and the Poverty Hash w/St BernadetteSat July 23 - Mad Monks, The MawSat July 30 - Brothers Burn Mountain, Feast of MuttonSat Aug 6 - Slip SiloFri Aug 19 - David Zollo and the Body ElectricSat Aug 20 - DJ Ben CastenedaSat Aug 27 - The Magnetos, The Fast ClydesSat Sept 10 - Mary CutrafelloSat Sept 24 - Rabbit ChildrenFri Oct 7 - Joe and Vicki PriceFri Oct 28 - Mighty Short Bus

Thurs Jul 27 - Blizzard at Sea, Lines, The Tapeworm TrendFriday July 29 - Miles Nielsen and the Rusted HeartsMon Aug 8 - Totimoshi, Above All Grounds(cd release)Wed Aug 10 - Hemlock, Mutilated By Zombies, The Tapeworm TrendFri Aug 19 - Bucket House Hooligans, Voice of Addiction, Kerosene CircuitSun Aug 28 - Burning Streets, Civil Soldier, The BradshawsFri Sept 2 - VugSun Sept 4 - Stock OptionsSat Sept 10 - Bicentennial Bear, Kerosene CircuitTues Oct 4 - Daniel and the Lion w/Logan FordSun Oct 23 - Joe Jack Talcum(the dead milkmen) and the Powders, Samuel Locke Ward

OFF MINOR 920 Main St Dubuque, Iowa

The Lift 180 Main St Dubuque Iowa

Counterproductions Super Rock Calendar


Jim Meyer (JM) : Vocalist/guitarist for Beneath and drummer/guitarist in Hot Carl. Currently studying film in North Carolina. Toured brief-ly in 2001something mostly unheard of from a Dubuque band at the time.

CHARACTERS

THE

Steve Kray (SK): Drummer, Nat Love. Lives in Portland, OR, works as a sound engineer for Oregon Public Broadcasting and plays drums in Houston, TX roller-disco band Lockboxx.

Jon Rolling (JR) : Vocals/guitar for Stubb and International Waters. Dubuques most mustachioed bartender and keyboardist in Old Panther.

Jeremy Brashaw (JB) : Guitar, Flux Capacitor. Lives in Denver, CO, plays guitar in indie-drone band Uncertain Sea.

Aaron Hefel (AH) : Booking local and national talent as Counterproductions since 1999, always in a band opening for your favorite bands.

Jon Eagle (JE): Drummer, Burnt Toast and Beneath, in addition to almost a dozen other bands throughout his tenure in Dubuque. Owner/proprietor of Unforgivable Records.

Melanie Miller (MM) : Assistant manager and events coordinator at The Great River Roadhouse for the duration of its musical endeavors, spring of 1996 to fall of 1997.

Oral HistoryA nof the

The 90s and Now

Dubuque DIYMusic SceneP a r t I I : Length Growth

of

I. Inspiration is 99% Desperation - Jon RobertsJ E : B a c k i n t h e d ay, w h e n p e o p l e s a i d , I h a t e D u b u q u e , I c a n t w a i t t o m o v e t o . . . w e l l M a d i s o n w a s t h e c o o l p l a c e a t t h e t i m e , i t w a s 1 0 0 % t r u e a t t h e t i m e . T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g t o d o . Yo u c o u l d g o t o P e r k i n s a n d s m o k e c i g a r e t t e s w i t h y o u r f r i e n d s o r y o u c o u l d g e t d r u n k a t h o m e i f y o u c o u l d f i n d s o m e b o d y t o b u y y o u b e e r, w h a t e v e r, l i s t e n t o m u s i c , a n d f u c k i n g p l ay t u n e s . T h a t s a l l t h e r e w a s t o d o .

Its the eternal teenage dilemma: theres nothing cool to do. Likely this ennui exists everywhere, but it is certainly amplified in the outposts of America. In many ways Dubuque, Iowa typified the cultural wasteland of post-MTV suburban/rural America. Beneath the surface, however, enough unrest was slowly bubbling and eventually it reached a boiling point. In random and dis-jointed fashion, I aim to complete the puzzle that is Dubuques DIY music scene, or at least deconstruct it. It is certainly fragmented, and there are many stories to tell, but I believe a consistent narrative will emerge over the coming months as we ex-amine everything from local bands desperately searching for places to perform, to outlaw venues hosting major indie bands, to the eventual semi-congruency that came from steady venues featuring regular shows with touring bands for local rockers to learn their moves.

At all points, being a teenager in a band in Dubuque had its challenges. Kids often lack the financial resources and tempered ass-sucking skills that make for securing a venue. For some, it also simply didnt seem possible; rock bands played on MTV or to packed arenas. Slowly, indie rock and its aesthetic ideas crept into a significant minoritys heads.

J B : T h e f i r s t l o c a l s h o w I e v e r w e n t t o w a s . . . a t s o m e p e r s o n s p l a c e n e x t t o S w i s s Va l l e y. A l l t h o s e b a n d s t h a t p l ay e d w e r e a r o u n d m y a g e . I t i s w h a t i t i s , b u t i t w a s i n s p i r i n g s e e i n g t h i s s h o w. I t h i n k t h a t m ay h a v e b e e n t h e m o m e n t w h e r e i t c l i c k e d f o r m e . . . t h a t p u t t i n g o n s h o w s w a s e v e n a p o s s i b i l i t y f o r s o m e o n e m y a g e .

Local shows remained few and far between until one-offs in town by Shellac and Guzzard. These prospects expanded beyond supporting the music of our heroes and into creating on our own right, revealing the truth that before you can book a show, you gotta have a band.

Though some amazing shows continued to occur in Dubuque in the early-to-mid 90s, there was a notable dearth in options for young locals looking to flex their shit in front of their peers. This lack of steady venues created an interesting challenge for the young Dubuquer. House shows were a not-uncommon solution.

Ted Buechele (TB) : Manager of The Great River Roadhouse. Former bassist for Bucket House Hooligans.

THEPlaces

One Flite Up: A gay bar tucked behind an industrial area south of downtown Dubuque where Aaron Hefel began booking Sunday matinee shows in August of 1999.

The Great River Roadhouse: Bar in Balltown, Iowa, owned by Randy Ressler, that in the mid 90s became the hub of Dubuques nascent music scene. Between 1996 and 1997 hosted bands such as The Je-sus

National Guard Armory: Site of performances by Mule and the God Bullies in 1995.

American Legion Hall : Site of equally-legendary, but less talked about, Guzzard show in 1994.

4H Building on the Dubuque County Fairgrounds : Site of legendary Shellac show in 1994.

Gabes Oasis: Venue/bar in Iowa City that featured pretty much every worthwhile independent touring act of the 90s.

J B : S h e l l a c w a s s u c h a l e f t f i e l d b a n d , i t s e e m e d a t t h a t p o i n t l i k e t h e r e w e r ep e o p l e o u t t h e r e w h o w e r e i n t o s o m e o f t h e s a m e t h i n g s I w a s . A l l o f a s u d d e n , b e i n g i n h i g h s c h o o l a t t h e t i m e , y o u s t a r t t o o p e n a w h o l e n e w s e t o f p e o p l e . Yo u s t a r t t h i s c i r c l e , a n d i t s e e m e d r e a l l y e x c i t i n g , a n d c e r t a i n p r o s p e c t s s t a r t e d t o a p p e a r c l o s e r t o m e .

S K : T h e r e w a s n t m u c h o f a w ay t o g e t g i g s a s a h i g h s c h o o l b a n d ; t h i n g s b a s i c a l l y h a d t o b e c r e a t e d . Yo u h a d t o w a i t u n t i l s o m e o n e s p a r e n t s w o u l d e i t h e r g o o n v a c a t i o n o r a g r e e t o h o s t a s h o w a t t h e i r h o u s e o r b a c k y a r d .

J R : W e b a s i c a l l y p l ay e d i n K e v i n s [ Ay e r s ] b a s e m e n t f o r t h r e e y e a r s t o o c c a s i o n a l g i r l s t h a t w a n t e d t o c o m e o v e r a n d s w o o n o v e r h o w a w e s o m e w e w e r e .

J E : I h a d p r e t t y s i l k y l o n g h a i r.

J R : K e v i n s b a s e m e n t w a s l i k e W e e z e r s I n t h e G a r a g e .

ruix issue 02 2011


A music scene was slowly taking root in Dubuque. There was a general cultural tide that swept America in the early 90s, and it did not leave Dubuque untouched. While perhaps the more sophisticated response was to indulge in the still-underground sounds of the Chicago and Minneapolis bands on the Touch & Go and Amphetamine Reptile labels, even Joe Douchebag really loved himself some Nirvana. For a sickeningly sweet moment, it appeared that maybe things would really change, that cool shit would be cool.

Then there was grunge and alternative and a whole new generation felt what it was like to have their dreamscommercially co-opted. Except in Dubuque it didnt really happen that way. There was a zeitgeist that opened the door, at least for a while, to expansive creative expression.

Local shows remained few and far between until one-offs in town by Shellac and Guzzard. These prospects expanded beyond supporting the music of our heroes and into creating on our own right, revealing the truth that before you can book a show, you gotta have a band.

The Roadhouse became the first steady venue in the Dubuque area to feature touring acts and original music and, per-haps most importantly for the sake of our story, they ad-mitted minors. Also, there was a certain rustic lawlessness to the proceedings that guaranteed its now legendary status in the hearts of Dubuque punkers.

Though some amazing shows continued to occur in Dubuque in the early-to-mid 90s, there was a notable dearth in options for young locals looking to flex their shit in front of their peers. This lack of steady venues created an interesting challenge for the young Dubuquer. House shows were a not-uncommon solution.

The best attended show at the Great River Roadhouse, a double bill featuring the Jesus Lizard and Firewater, drew 575 people. The fire code suggested a maximum occupancy of 270.

M M : T h a t w a s a n a m a z i n g n i g h t . W e h a d a g u y w a l k t h r o u g h a b a t h r o o m w a l l , l i t e r -a l l y b r e a k h i s f o o t t h r o u g h a w o o d - p a n e l d o o r. K i d s w i l l g e t w i l d .

Problem is, those shows whet the appetites of plenty of young Dubuquers. Though some local bandsnotably Beneath, featuring the rhythm section of present day sleaze-rock hustlers Legal Fingers and yesterday whiskey-rock bustlers Old Pantheropened shows at the Roadhouse, the emphasis squarely remained on touring acts. Influenced by the spate of great shows over the past few years, Aaron Hefel absorbed some of the basics from Joel Jackson, who booked several impressive shows before the Roadhouse was established, and set about finding a stable venue to host all ages shows.

From not knowing how to book a show to touring, in under 10 years. I guess thats a decent synopsis of the Dubuque scenes growing pains. A mixture of good fortune and solid effort by several notable parties brought in major bands that created a template from which the kids could create their own rock n roll identities. All the while, the kids were restlessly hammering away in their basements, honing their craft. The fruits of everyones labor are now plain to see in this town, not to mention cities across America, where some of our subjects are still actively involved in local and national scenes.

Next month: Two of our intrepid heroes go to the Mustang Ranch and get an unexpected taste of Badd Attitude . . .

J B : S h e l l a c w a s s u c h a l e f t f i e l d b a n d , i t s e e m e d a t t h a t p o i n t l i k e t h e r e w e r ep e o p l e o u t t h e r e w h o w e r e i n t o s o m e o f t h e s a m e t h i n g s I w a s . A l l o f a s u d d e n , b e i n g i n h i g h s c h o o l a t t h e t i m e , y o u s t a r t t o o p e n a w h o l e n e w s e t o f p e o p l e . Yo u s t a r t t h i s c i r c l e , a n d i t s e e m e d r e a l l y e x c i t i n g , a n d c e r t a i n p r o s p e c t s s t a r t e d t o a p p e a r c l o s e r t o m e .

A H : I m e a n t h e 9 0 s w e r e t h e f u c k i n g 7 0 s . W h a t d o y o u w a n t ?

M M : I t w a s a l l f a t e . M u s i c h a p p e n s a t a t i m e f o r a r e a s o n . I t w a s a c o m b i n a t i o n o f e v e r y t h i n g .

T B : I s t a r t e d g o i n g [ t o t h e G r e a t R i v e r R o a d h o u s e ] o n W e d n e s d ay n i g h t , r u n n i n g s o u n d f o r a l l t h e l i n e d a n c e r s . T h e n o n e F r i d ay I w e n t t o o p e n u p t h e b a r a n d t h e m a n a g e r w a s n t a r o u n d , a n d t h e s a f e w a s o p e n a n d a l l t h e m o n e y w a s g o n e . S o I b e c a m e t h e m a n a g e r. I f i g u r e d , I c a n t h a n d l e a l l t h i s s h i t b y m y s e l f , a n d s a i d , H e y, [ M e l a n i e ] , d o y o u w a n t t o h e l p o u t ?

II. Kids will get wild- Melanie Miller

M M : T h e c o p s l o v e d u s . W e g a v e t h e m s o m u c h b u s i n e s s . B a l l t o w n g o t e v e r y f r i c k i n r o a d r e p a v e d f r o m t h o s e t w o y e a r s .

T B : T h e r e w e r e q u i t e a f e w c r a z y f i g h t s a n d s t u f f l i k e t h a t , w h e r e t h e c o p s h a d t o c o m e i n . I w e n t t o c o u r t a c o u p l e t i m e s [ t o t e s t i f y ] f o r d u d e s g e t t i n g p u n c h e d b y D u b u q u e r s a n d s t u f f , b a n d m e m b e r s g e t t i n g b e a t u p .

III. We can actually do a better show in Dubuque - Aaron HefelM M : P e o p l e a s k e d , W h y d i d n t y o u k e e p t h e R o a d h o u s e g o i n g ? a n d w e h a d t h i n g s t h a t h a p p e n e d t h a t w e c o u l d n t d o i t , [ b u t a l s o ] I w a s j u s t l i k e , E v e r y g o o d t h i n g h a s t o e n d , b e c a u s e i f i t d o e s n t i t s n o t a g o o d t h i n g a n y m o r e .

A H : I r e m e m b e r s e e i n g C o w s a t t h e R o a d h o u s e i n e a r l y 1 9 9 7 , t h e n s e e i n g t h e m a b o u t f o u r m o n t h s l a t e r i n I o w a C i t y, a n d t h e r e w e r e h a l f a s m a n y p e o p l e a t t h e G a b e s s h o w. I t m a d e m e t h i n k w e c a n a c t u a l l y d o a b e t t e r s h o w i n D u b u q u e . T h e r e w e r e p l e n t y o f s h o w s [ a t G a b e s ] w h e r e t h e r e w e r e 2 0 p e o p l e . W e l l , I c a n g e t 2 1 h e r e . A s l o n g a s y o u c a n g u a r a n t e e a b i t o f m o n e y y o u c a n b r i n g a b a n d t o t o w n . M y g i r l f r i e n d a t t h e t i m e h a d a f e w f r i e n d s w h o a l w ay s w a n t e d t o g o t o O n e F l i t e U p . S o w e w e r e d o w n t h e r e a b i t , a n d I n o t i c e d t h e y h a v e a s t a g e , a n d t h a t t h e r e s n o t r e a l l y a l o t o f p e o p l e t h e r e a l l t h e t i m e . S o I w a s l i k e , W h a t d o y o u t h i n k i f S u n d ay s I b r i n g y o u b u s i n e s s ? a n d [ t h e o w n e r ] a g r e e d .These shows were decidedly more intimate affairs than the Roadhouse blowouts which, despite booking touring bands of a relatively high profile, took place quite infrequently. The One Flite Up shows occurred with more frequency and made greater use of local acts as support on bills. In fact, pop-punk band Hot Carl was essentially the house band, allowing singer/guitarist Justin Deutmeyer plenty of practice to perfect his moves before moving to Milwaukee and starting the much-lauded Chinese Telephones. Bands like Beneath and Hot Carl advocated original songwriting. In 2001, Hot Carl took the next step and did a

brief tour of the Midwest..

J E : J i m M e y e r w a s a r e a l l y g o o d s o n g w r i t e r b a c k t h e n , I r e a l l y g o t t a g i v e h i m c r e d i t f o r t h a t . . . a p h e n o m e n a l s o n g w r i t e r a t a t i m e w h e n e v e r y o n e w a s d o i n g c o v e r s .

J M : B y t h e n H o t C a r l w a s a r e a l l y g o o d b a n d . J u s t i n w a s w r i t i n g s o m e g r e a t s o n g s . U n f o r t u n a t e l y a t a p o s t - s h o w p a r t y o n t h e l a s t n i g h t o f t o u r, J u s t i n g o t u p o n t h e r o o f , y e l l e d I m a g o l d e n g o d ! a n d j u m p e d o f f , b r e a k i n g h i s f o o t i n 7 0 0 0 d i f f e r e n t

p l a c e s .

J E : A a r o n w a s o n e o f t h e f o r e r u n n e r s o f g e t t i n g t h o s e v e n u e s . H e s o r t o f m a d e t h a t p a r t o f h i s j o b i n a d d i t i o n t o p l ay i n g i n b a n d s .

J E ( p r o u d l y a n d w i t h o u t a h i n t o f a r r o g a n c e ) : N o w, t h e r e s t o n s o f s h i t t o d o , b e c a u s e o u r g e n e r a t i o n b r o u g h t i t t o t h e f u c k i n g m a s s e s .

BOBB u c k oby

ruixzine.com

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JO

N agleR E c o r d R e v i e w s


LM DERN

VERS


Good news! Web technology has finally reached a point where the barriers of entry are so low and the quality of technology is so high that there is no reason for any person or organization not to have a web presence.

For individuals, and small organizations, the #1 priority when launching a web presence is creating a website that disseminates information. These groups are perfect candidates for tools like WordPress-driven sites and Google Apps. With these tools, you can launch a professional web presence quickly and inexpensively. For example: - I recently helped a church (www.maqucc.org) get set up with free hosting: Google Apps at their domain and a WordPress- driven site. The project took only 20 hours, including two 1.5 hour training sessions with four church members.

- Im on the committee of a local arts festival (www.dubuquefest.org). I have recently set them up with a WordPress- driven site and also Google Apps at their domain powering several email accounts where previously they had been using only a Gmail address.

-I set up a WordPress-driven site and Google Apps for my husbands rockabilly band (www. fastclydes.com). They now have their own branded email addresses (@fastclydes.com) and are coordinating their schedules and gig calendar with Google Calendar.

These tasks were not technically difficult, but access to these tools is immensely valuable to these groups. For each, a technological foundation is now in place, making it possible for them to get information published on the web quickly and inexpensively.

Unfortunately, the web industry is doing a very poor job of telling individuals and small organizations about these great tools. Thats likely because theres not a lot of money to be made from such clients. The traditional lengthy, expensive full-scale web design and development process will do little to truly serve their needs, if they even have the budget for it. To close this gap, I propose a new type of web professional. I call him/her the Local Websmith. Just like one would tap the expertise of local professionals to remodel their bathroom or prepare their taxes, there can be a local professional who offers web technology services for local people. The work of this Websmith would focus on: -education: revealing what is possible on the web -best practices and progressive philosophies: staying abreast of emerging technologies and ideas

-problem solving: discovering what is needed, and what practical solutions will serve them best

It is obvious that this kind of service is necessary. Perhaps theres not much money to be made through the traditional, full-scale web design process, but there is lots of potential for helping this demographic get on the web by connecting the dots between quality web technology and progressive web philosophy.

Kristine Jubeck is a designer/artist with a peculiar attraction to all things web. Her business, Pearl Street Studio, specializes in affordable, functional websites for small businesses and professionals. You can read more of Kristines articles about the web and entrepreneurship at her blog, awebsitetolove.com.

_The Town WebsmithKristine Jubeck


Kristine Jubeck


No Regrets-

A PR ISONER O F THE WH I TE LINES ON THE FREEWAY-COYO TE

Joni Mitchell - Hejira (1976, Asylum)

a Solitary Journey

P.S. Jaco Pastoriuss playing on this album displays complete and committed empathy to Joni Mitchells vision, always emphasizing the underlying emotions of the song instead of the grotesque beating-off for which he is generally revered. Just goes to show, context is everything. (Still, strike into the record my utter contempt for Jaco and all he hath wrought.)

by

BOBBUCKO


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ruix issue 2

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