who: Skinny Dips: DJs Osipher and Beasley

what: DJ and art show

where: Hangar 9; Tres Hombres

when: Wednesday nights; Friday nights

Bringing the Party:
The Skinny Dips

words by Tommy Jonq
pictures by, © Aaron Brouwer

Carbondale promoter DJ Beasley (Brad Buehler) and Phil (Osipher) Garcia have formed a party rock/DJ Duo known as the Skinny Dips with honorary member DJ Abe Traverso, and they will lead the Carbondale Party Revival starting this fall. The Skinny Dips want you to party, and Holla for a Dolla Wednesday nights at the Hangar 9 and standing Friday-night gigs at Tres Hombres are just the beginning.

According to DJ Beasley, the alias Skinny Dips recalls that vibe of the late eighties when everyone didn't care about things such as whether their clothes matched. Most electronic, pop, and hip-hop music were all very dance/party oriented, and everyone was a ruthless party animal and not ashamed, like "Ya, sorry, I party." The focus of the Skinny Dips is to party and have fun, have some drinks, and get dancey.

"Today, music influences art and fashion and literature, and vice-versa. Creatively, everything takes a cue from everything else," Beasley explains. "We believe the networking and relationship-building at our parties will be a positive outcome of getting everyone there and creating a truly fun enviroment for them and us to interact in."

Beasley believes that Carbondale is a party epicenter because of the ties between its people. "The great thing about Carbondale has always been that you could see a band like the Moon Buggy Kids doing their thing at Booby's, then everybody goes to... where some cats are spinning electro or hip-hop or whatever. We're all friends here. Everybody sees everybody else at the Long Branch and Hangar 9.... It's a community."

The Skinny Dips are committed to promoting this unique Carbondale party. "We'll be throwing out phony barriers and pretensions and getting serious about fun. Let's face it-- we all like to party here in the 'Dale. The Skinny Dips want you to party, and we want you to party with the coolest and most creative people. That's why we're rolling out the CPR seal of approval."

CPR, or Carbondale Party Revival, is the Skinny Dips' tag as well as motto. It's also a promise the duo make to partiers. "When you see the CPR seal on an invitation or a poster, you'll know it's going to be the hottest party," Beasley explains. "It's a call going out to all local artists, musicians, and partiers."

The Skinny Dips believe that American culture is beginning to expand beyond hip-hop at this point. "American music and fashion are expanding outward because they are taking cues from areas like French producers and Japanese fashion designers." Beasley predicts, "No one really knows where it's going yet. Personally, I like the underground-consumer culture, things like vinyl toys and loud graphic tees, street wear. People supporting artists and designers buying their products instead of bland mass-produced mall wear."

However, one prominent element of hip-hop culture, the creation of live art-- paintings and other fine-art media made during shows-- is a tradition that the Skinny Dips intend to continue, no matter what music they're spinning. "Speaking of Moon Buggy Kids, Matt 'Cat' Copeland will be doing live art at some of our [events]. We've always featured live art at our shows in the past, and Phil [Osipher] and I will continue doing that."

"The great thing about live art," Osipher points out, "is that people can be there when it's made. They can be a part of the artistic experience, then buy the piece right then and there, if they want to. And the artists get to make immediate contact with the people. It's good for everyone."

Another live artist who will regularly participate in their shows is Justin Rosenfiled.

If some people believe the scene is winding down in Carbondale, Osipher disagrees with their assessment. "It's really just getting its second wind," he says. "Artists like Ashley Grierke from Davis, California, are coming here in the fall on the heels of people like Esteban del Valle. They're coming here to make the Carbondale scene."

The revived Carbondale scene will also include Shannon Owens. "Shannon is not only a great designer, she's also my support system," said Beasley. "Basically, she puts up with all of my bullshit. When you're a DJ and a promoter, there's a lot of bullshit to put up with. Starting with the odd hours."

The founding members of the Skinny Dips certainly earned their Carbondale party cred these past couple of years. And they spin any music for any party, from hip-hop to electro to punk to new genre-busters Cansei de sur Sexy.

DJ Beasley reflects on his baptism of fire in the promotion industry. "When DJ Echoz left, I was asked to take over Wednesday nights at Hangar 9. I just jumped in feet first. It was a fantastic experience, promoting shows like Murs. Those nights really helped unify the group of artists and musicians that is growing now."

Osipher is another familiar veteran of the Carbondale scene. "We'll be throwing down the parties where all the creative people in Carbondale come and meet all the others. Whether that party is Wednesday at Hangar 9 or another night in... another club, we're out to support our community at least as much as we support ourselves."

"When people see the CPR seal, they'll know it's going to be the ragingest party in town. They know who will be there," Beasley promises. "I'm talking he most fun situation you can imagine.... [E]veryone with a little style in their dress, a couple champaign bottles, some booty shakin' going on. Ya know."

For more about the Skinny Dips, visit <http://www.myspace.com/TheSkinnyDips>. For more about the Carbondale Party Revival, see <http://www.myspace.com/CarbondalePartyRevival>.

who: Lieutenant Dan's New Legs

what: sexy pop

where: Pinch Penny Pub Beer Garden/Copper Dragon Brewing Company

when: Friday, August 17

Lieutenant Dan's New Legs:
Stepping It up in Carbondale

by Diana Glenn

What is most surprising about Lieutenant Dan's New Legs is perhaps the precision of their music. The members of the group do not rely on CDs or sequencers during their live shows. Their sound is so accurate, first-time audience members often tend to walk around the stage in search of a nonexistent track system.

The band will play Friday, August 17 at Pinch Penny Beer Garden. In the event of bad weather the show will move inside the Copper Dragon Brewing Company.

In addition to the musical performance, the band also includes body-grooving routines. Lieutenant Dan's New Legs step it up when performing on stage with their musical beats and dance moves, feeding off the energy of the crowd. "We have a dance routine that kind of makes it a theatrical show as well as a musical show," says bass player and band founder Van Easterday.

Lieutenant Dan's New Legs originated with Easterday and drummer Matt R. four years ago in Columbus, Ohio. They went through several band members until finally connecting with vocalist Hollis J. from Buffalo, New York, who has been with them for three years. The band's chief sound engineer, Aaron A., travels everywhere with them, trying to ensure their sound is perfect. In October 2005, Shareena R. was added to the group. Nate plays keyboards and Owen plays guitar.

Their favorite jam to perform is a medley of old-school hip-hop. The highlights are the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight," Nate Dogg's "Regulators," and Blackstreet's "No Diggity." The band easily cranks out six to eight songs in a row without stopping.

Other covers that Lieutenant Dan's New Legs take on are Tupac Shakur's "California Love," Christina Aguilera's "Ain't No Other Man," and Terror Squad's "Lean Back." Other modern influences include Outkast, Black Eyed Peas, and Justin Timberlake. However, early Motown funk and soul is also in their roots.

Lieutenant Dan's New Legs, however, set themselves apart from mere cover bands with their own tunes. They consider their music "sexy pop" since they are moving to the beat, having a good time, and singing playful lyrics.

"We are different because we are trying to take the dark cloud off of the R and B community and promoters of the people in this industry," states Easterday.

Depending on the night and the audience, Lieutenant Dan's New Legs will perform three to six originals, including "Boing," "2 Sexy," and "Video Girl."

"During a show in Buckeye Lake, Ohio, we played the song, 'Video Girl'-- the crowd went nuts," exclaims Easterday. "It was a rewarding feeling to see the crowd go crazy over the song we wrote."

Ideas for songs usually come while traveling on the road. Each band member shares a moment of inspiration from a jingle or hook that got stuck in their head. "The band doesn't write to impress other musicians, but writes about fun stuff so the average person can understand and dance to," explains Easterday.

The group issued their CD, LDNL, at a CD release party August 2 at Park Street Patio in Ohio. The band has primarily focused on promoting their CD in the Midwest-- mainly Columbus-- but their work has traveled as far as Florida. Their goals include reaching fans outside their home base and connecting with other radio stations. Though the majority of their promotions have taken place in Columbus, Easterday says that on August 24 they will perform live on the Cleveland Fox-television affiliate. He is eager to hear what the public has to say about LDNL.

According to Easterday, a rather famous bass player was observing their show. The bassist asked the band, "What do you do that makes your band so happy?" Easterday simply told the man, "There is a formula to it-- we have to find what fits and what works....

"We don't fight," reflects Easterday. "We're like family. We're pretty much modest people."

Lieutenant Dan's New Legs have a special heart for being active in the communities where they tour. They are involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and are in the process of launching a New Legs Foundation that will raise funds for children's hospitals.

For more information, and streaming audio, visit <http://www.myspace.com/ldnl> or <http://www.ldnl.net>.

who: JoBu

what: jam rock and southern rock

where: Sidetracks

when: Saturday, August 18

JoBu in Transition

by Tommy Jonq

Longtime JoBu drummer Jeb Rendall is leaving Carbondale to pursue a career in broadcasting in Chicago starting this fall. Jeb will be an associate producer on WGN's Morning Show. He played with the southern-rock/jam band JoBu for the last time on July 26. The Hangar 9 buzzed with JoBu fans coming out to show their love for Jeb and the band on Jeb's last night, everyone from summering sorority hotties to dreadlocked groovers to kilted barbarians. Nightlife talked with Jeb and the band before the show.

Congratulations on your new job. Are you sad to be leaving JoBu?

"Sad, but also relieved," Jeb says. "It's been taking a long time to find the right drummer to replace me, in the sense of being a good musical fit for the band. Luckily, Evan decided at the last minute to come to Carbondale instead of heading for Los Angeles."

Evan is Evan Ryan, an old school buddy of JoBu veteran Matt Hines. "Evan just finished playing drums on Kelly Clarkson's last album," Matt explains.

"He also played on the soundtrack to six episodes of Family Guy. Talk about cred!" adds Andrew Neel.

What impact do you think Evan will have on JoBu as a band?

"We're already looking ahead to a recording session in Minneapolis. I can't say which studio," Neel says.

Minneapolis? Will you be tossing any carpet bombs into Vikings Stadium?

"No comment."

"Also, a drummer with Evan's reputation will help make it easier for us to gig more this year," Aaron Van Vooren points out.

More than you have been?

"We've been playing more and more, but we plan to make JoBu a full-time job this year," Aaron says with conviction. "We played Summer Camp in Chillicothe. Les Claypool was there, Umphrey's McGee, Moe."

That sounds like a blast.

"It was, mostly. Except when we got to Moe's, no one greeted us. And then, like, ten people came in after us, and every time, they were like, "Welcome to Moe's!' That was a pisser."

What impact will Evan Ryan have on JoBu musically?

"He's going to make all of us better," Neel says, with sincere excitement. "Jamming with someone like that is going to push the other members even harder than they have been pushing themselves."

"I've been replaced by a hired gun for sure," Jeb says with a smile. "Instead of feeling guilty about abandoning these guys, I sort of feel like I opened door of some kind instead."

The rejuvenated JoBu, with Evan Ryan on drums, debuts Saturday, August 18 at Sidetracks.

Neel reiterates, "As soon as Evan gets here, we'll be hitting the bricks as hard as we can, gigging like crazy, recording. Hopefully, we'll be playing in Chicago this winter."

Matt Hines is even more excited to be playing with his old buddy again. "When we were kids, we dreamed of having our own band. Now, with everybody out of college and so forth, Evan and I decided now was the best time to make that dream come true."

who: Whistle Pigs

what: old-time string band

where: PK's; Booby's Beergarden

when: Tuesday nights; most Thursday nights through October

The Whistle Pigs:
Strings out of Their Shadow

words and pictures by Diana Glenn

"We love playing music. That is what comes first. I don't have hot water because I just bought another banjo!" declares front man Joe McCamish of the band the Whistle Pigs. Often billed as acoustic bluegrass, this fun-loving four-man group prefers to be known for an "old-time string band"-- and definitely not a jam band.

"We try to get people to dance to our music. We are more like entertainers than musicians. I like to keep the crowd happy," lead vocalist and banjo player McCamish proudly states.

How exactly do they keep the crowd satisfied?

The Whistle Pigs deliver knee-slapping, toe-tapping covers like the Mississippi Sheiks' 1930s "Sitting on Top of the World," the Osbornes' "Walking Cane," and Woody Guthrie's "Nine Hundred Miles." The band guarantees that they are anything but mainstream, and the quickest way to prove it is their refusal to play songs from the popular movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. The members of this group chuckled as they admitted that the Whistle Pigs are also anti-rehearsal.

The band has creative skills to keep the audience in rhythmic spirits. McCamish and Randy Hill, bass fiddler, specialized their own arrangement of the traditional song, "Ground Hog." The author is unknown, but the Whistle Pigs successfully bring the tune out of its shadow.

McCamish has written a few originals, including, "Hello Banjo" and "Prayer of the Banjo." The Whistle Pigs talk from time to time about releasing a debut CD, and according to McCamish, "We're going to take this as far as it will go."

A hot surprise is served to the crowd during outside performances. What sparked from a pyrotechnic idea trailed to incorporating a flaming signature.

Washboard player Adam Hawk jokingly recalls how their stunt originated: "One night, Randy thought it would be fun to light something on fire. Without telling Joe, we doused my washboard with lighter fluid, and then surprised him on stage by igniting it. He was shocked, but loved it, and so did the crowd." An SIU blacksmith graduate, Hawk is not afraid of fire and used to heat.

The Whistle Pigs vary in musical backgrounds. Growing up in Carterville, McCamish's grandfather taught him how to play the banjo and he now has his own lively and aggressive style of picking. He explained that the Earl Scruggs style uses the thumb, index finger, and middle finger, and that the clawhammer style only uses drop thumb and bare hand. McCamish's style is a self-proclaimed radical mix combining the two fingers and thumb of Scruggs with touches of the drop thumb from the clawhammer style.

"Old bluegrass to me is punk rock, just played on different instruments. Most songs are three chords and the truth. Most of it is all the same," reasons Hill. He reminisces of always wanting to play the bass in high school, but never having the money or opportunity until he opened up his own barber shop. He was most inspired by psychobillies the Rev. Horton Heat and punk band the Swinging Utters.

The Whistle Pigs have been entertaining the town of Carbondale for about three months. McCamish had met Hill through friend of a friend, and then a year later, at the 2006 Marion Redneck Olympics, they decided they should start playing together.

Hill taught himself about thirty songs in about two weeks before first playing at PK's with McCamish. Eventually, Hawk and guitarist and accordion player Al Pape were added after going through several other band members.

The Whistle Pigs attracted enough customers who craved the sounds of their old-time string band that they say PK's had to add bartenders for the nights they performed. Now, the Whistle Pigs play every Tuesday at PK's and almost every Thursday night until the end of summer in Booby's Beergarden (including, thus far, August 16 and 30 and September 6 and 20).

The boys of the band say they don't have egos, and just want to play and have fun. "We don't really have to think about much when we are performing," Pape says casually. "We all improvise off of each other. Nothing makes us nervous because we're like everyone else. We're just the one's hanging out on the stage."

The band plans on opening a MySpace account, because as of now, almost the only thing on the internet about the Whistle Pigs is about woodchucks. Meanwhile, they encourage people to check them out and discover that they are not out to put on a front. As Hawk assures, "We're as real as it gets!"

who: Paradigm

what: furious alternative jazz/fusion/art rock

where: Hangar 9

when: Friday, August 17

by Chris Wissmann

Louisville, Kentucky quintet Paradigm will return Friday, August 17 to the Hangar 9 to headline a show. Their previous visit came in February, when they warmed up for Carbondale expatriates Spare Parts. The bands were in the midst of a gig-swap-- Paradigm invited Spare Parts to open for them in Louisville and Spare Parts set up Paradigm with a Carbondale gig.

It was a terrific deal for Paradigm, because Spare Parts was recording a live CD that evening. Engineer Mike Lescelius went ahead and recorded Paradigm, and the results, according to Paradigm sax player Myron Koch, were wonderful. "We couldn't believe the quality," he tells Nightlife.

The group has one especially funky track from that show, "Blowin' Up," streaming at <http://www.myspace.com/ParadigmGroove>.

Like Spare Parts, Paradigm plays entirely instrumental music, albeit a little funkier and harder-rocking. Jazz is a convenient but not wholly accurate label. "Littlejohn Island," for example, also recorded at the Hangar, even features sampled hip-hop beats before it segues into more ferocious movements that sometimes resemble the swirling electric piano, sax, and guitar solos in Pink Floyd's "Echoes."

In fact, Koch says the current instrumental-band movement is as inspired by DJs as jazz. "Personally I'd like to attribute people's understanding of instrumental music to techno," he says. "DJs will mix two or three genres of songs in different keys, but it's easily accessible because it has a good backbeat."

As a result, he says, people are not only used to hearing music with fast changes, but dancing to it-- and playing complex music to a dancing audience, he says, is a musician's dream. "You get all the perqs of playing funk without having to stay in one key," he says.

Koch is the newest member of Paradigm (which also consists of Brian Healey on keyboards and samples, Jonathan Epley on guitar, Will Roberts on bass, and Evan Pouchak on drums; Koch says that Healey and Epley are the band's primary songwriters). He had been booking festivals and clubs in Louisville, and Paradigm was his favorite local band-- playing tricky but hip music, including a show consisting of Radiohead covers last Halloween, he says they were the greatest and best-educated talents in that city's music scene. (The opinion is not only Koch's-- Paradigm received a shout in Louisville magazine's "Best of Louisville" edition thirteen months ago.)

When Paradigm's first sax player left, the band asked Koch, who was playing part-time with several different groups, to sit in. Pretty soon, he says, a year went by, and he is thrilled to still play with them.

Koch continues to book festivals, including a pub crawl in Louisville called the Peak Summit Groove and Dance Festival. He's working on his first three-day festival, which takes place August 24, 25, and 26 at the Rustic Frog, a venue with indoor and outdoor theaters in New Albany, Indiana. Paradigm will play there with thirty other musical acts ranging from bands to dancers and DJs.

And the group is awaiting mastering and duplication of the followup to their 2006 self-titled debut album. Titled Melodies for Uncertain Robots, they hope to release it by the end of 2007. The title sounds as if the disc is built around a theme.

"I guess there is a concept in a way," says Healey. The group's members all are or were students in the University of Louisville's jazz department. There, he said, the downside was an emphasis on technical proficiency. "You're not encouraged to have a unique voice," says Healey.

The disc represents the group breaking from music-conservatory constraints, but more than that, "It's more about us finding our own voice as a band. Our first disc was kind of generic in some ways, standard funk jazz. We're looking for our own unique sound, something that will set us apart from all the other bands out there. I think that's starting to come through on this album."

Paradigm is negotiating for and think they have a good chance to ink a deal with a national CD-distribution company, according to Koch. They're also investigating the creation of their own online store, on which they are considering selling songs for $1 apiece-- quite a value when so many of their tunes hit the eight-minute range. And speaking of great value, Paradigm is for sale via the group's website for $5.

Those who would like to preview the group can do so at <http://www.ParadigmGroove.com>. That site, and their MySpace page, contain a handful of streaming and downloadable audio tracks, plus links to YouTube videos.