John Henry's

I've been so wrapped up with the Trials I haven't had a chance to put these up. Leslie and the LY's played John Henry's a week ago and it was a helluvalotta fun! I hung out with Leslie beforehand chatting and snapping as she got all glamorous. She told me that she was seriously thinking about moving to Eugene. "I don't smoke weed but I really dig the 'Go Green' thing." She also mentioned she had just finished taping an episode for Yo Gabba Gabba season 2. Yessssss! (What can I say? I love kids' shows now.) Afterwards, I followed the caped trio out to the the stage and shot the performance (complete with gem sweater naming ceremony).

Here's a couple youtubes I found from the show (where my hands and flash make a guest appearance.)

Click any image to see the whole gallery.

The Sir Mixalot show at Taboo is being rescheduled. No word yet when exactly. & I was really geeked to show hop to Mixalot after The Roots next Wednesday. Guess I will have to wait to hear "Buttermilk Biscuits" live.

Leslie & the Lys are playing John Henry's on June 26. I will no doubt be there ... camera in hand. She's about as bizarre as it gets (in the best kinda way - see video below.) The show should be entertaining to say the least. & if you get a chance, look out for Yo Gabba Gabba's "Scary" episode (with a dancey dance guest appearance by Ms. Hall) on Nick Jr. Guaranteed to razzle and dazzle you.

It's always good to see local hip hop getting some shine. Animal Farm's featured in URB's Next 1000. Congrats fellas.

Here's a track from their debut album The Unknown: "Peace" (featuring KRS-ONE)
& don't forget to hit up their CD Release Party (with ME.LT, The Style Molesters, Serge Severe, ENDR-1, and live painting by Marlis) this Saturday at the WOW Hall.

So I'm bearing bad news, but I'm happy about doing it: For the Very First Time, someone called to request a blog post (about a timely topic we want our readers to know about, no less). Hey! We have readers! Readers who tell me I have to update more, and I have to post about things other than Heroes! These are legitimate complaints. (I did write that overly long ramble about Chuck Klosterman last week ... but since then my brain's been controlled by Winter Reading. I'm free — well, free-er — soon, I swear!). Man, I love feedback. Especially when it's at least half positive.

Anyway, my happy-making caller was Keith Martin from John Henry's, who was hoping we'd mention that tonight's Chaka Demus show is unfortunately cancelled. Chaka Demus is apparently in a Seattle hospital undergoing blood tests after feeling very unwell. Martin says there's a faint possibility that the should could get rescheduled for later in the week, maybe early on Thursday before ’80s Night, but he won't know that until they find out how Chaka Demus is doing. We wish Mr. Demus the best, and will continue to bring you news as we hear it.

(That was my newscastery sign-off. I won't make a habit of it.)

EDIT: Check the comments for more on Chaka Demus' health. Keith Martin also reports, "Chaka Demus is doing fine, from what I gathered from the road manager it was mainly a case of fatigue so nothing serious. We had hoped to get a make-up show in as an early show on Thursday but they had limited time to do so before flying to their final 2 tour dates in Hawaii and getting him rested up to finish the dates."

EW's readers' choice for Best Hip Hop Ensemble, Animal Farm, is shooting a video for their song "Move It" Wednesday night (12/5), midnight sharp (which would actually be 12/6 but you get what I'm sayin') at John Henry's. Go on down, pack it out, & act a fool!

This slipped thru the cracks getting in this week's paper so I had to post it up. (Folks, don't forget to submit your calendar/club listings!) Definitely worth checkin'!
DJ Vadim spins tonight at John Henry's (along with Abstract Rude, Animal Farm, D-Fault & Puglsee Atomz). I haven't heard his music since that Ninja Tune Cold Krush Cuts mixtape back in the mid 90s. I remember loving it back then. Can't wait to hear what he's doing these days.