Poison Control Center have released a video for "Friends in the Band" off their new album "Sad Sour Future."  Shot by the band while out on tour, and edited in the van, it features dandelions, beer, tree climbing, time moving backwards, and lots of psychedelic eye candy.  

Mark your calendars, on Saturday, September 25, at the  Ames Community Auditorium in Ames, legendary performer Keller Williams brings his looping, ever-changing live act back to Iowa.   Williams' summer tour has been met with rave reviews, as has his latest album, "Thief," a diverse collection of covers that ranges from Amy Winehouse to the Butthole Surfers.

Music and corn tossing mayhem will be unleashed upon Simon Estes Amphitheater on Sept. 11, 2010. Register now for the bean bag toss tournament and free rock concert!

Christopher the Conquered will kick off the concert with a mesmerizing performance of music from their latest album, “You’re Gonna Glow in The Dark.” Following their set, the bags tournament will begin about 2PM.

Des Moines based band Hollywood Burnout recently won the Clear Channel sponsored "Get Discovered" contest, a global search for unsigned artists.  Only four winners across the world were chosen, with the winners earning the right to play live during the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon during Labor Day weekend.  

Local Iowa music heroes Poison Control Center's new album, "Sad Sour Future," is already a favorite in it's home state, but, earlier this week, Internet tastemakers Pitchfork gave the album a national boost by giving it a positive review.  Check it out here:  http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14564-sad-sour-future/

I first met Andy Anderson when I saw his band, SNAFU, perform at a local club. I was blown away by the band' s good energy, great songwriting, and overall musicianship. Our paths crossed here and there again over the years, so when I heard that he was in the process of releasing their second album, I really looked forward to hearing all about it. I met Andy at the Royal Mile in Des Moines for a few pints, and had a good time learning a lot more about him and his projects.

With a sound that crosses through post-hardcore, grunge, and progressive rock, the newly formed group brings a unique sound to the local music scene. The group’s debut self-titled album is an interesting variety of melodic rock with no easily definable genre taking center stage – which is a good thing. You can hear some influence from post-hardcore and grunge bands of the early 1990’s and an affinity to integrate some progressive elements that showcase the musicians’ technical abilities.

2010's edition of the annual 80/35 Festival has ended, Des Moines is back to doing what it did before, the sandbags and stages have all been picked up and put away... So how was it?

Thanks to the weather being more merciful this year (last year the rain was a downpour at this time; this year just a drizzle), as well as a solid and eclectic line-up, the festival was profitable. That's great news, for the city, the promoters, the sponsors, and, most importantly of all, the music fans. There's more on the way, folks!