March is coming in like a goddamn lion if these rockshows are any indication…

OK Productions launched in a big way this month with the announcement of two (2) serious shows. Yes, OKP is Aaron and Alex, known as the OK Deejays. While their wax spinnin’ events are decidedly more of the dance variety, the music like they to book is more align to the shit you and I dig. Case in point, Beach Fossils at Zanzabar on Friday, April 22, and Lightning Bolt at Cahoots (as previously reported) on Sunday, April 24th. Both shows come equipped with insanely reasonable ticket prices, $7 and $5 respectively. That’s a huge weekend to kick off the Derby season, so don’t sleep. Unless you hate freedom (I don’t judge).

Low hits up Headliners in Louisville on April 22nd (uh oh, Low vs. Beach Fossils). I love Low. When they came to Singletary Center for a WRFL-sponsored show, Alan Sparhawk gave me a magnetic poetry kit of Low lyrics, which I am devastated that I cannot locate right now. It’s somewhere in one of my schwag boxes deep within the recesses of my closet. At any rate, while Headliners seems like a bit like an odd environment for such a slow-burning and sonically dynamic band, I have no doubt their cathedral-like approach to live shows trump the clinking cash registers. Tickets are on sale now at ear X-tacy and etix.com.

Tobacco hits up Cosmic Charlie’s in Lexington on May 7th. Caught him at SXSW last year, and I have to say, reverberated mellotrons over a large PA is a hell of a thing. Check their website for ticket info and times. Oh, and Mr. Tom Fec might hit up the Zanzabar the previous evening, though nothing is confirmed. I know this because, ahem, their website’s event calendar is a linked Google calendar that displays all their holds. Just call me Woodward and/or Bernstein. (See also: Black Moth Super Rainbow – The Decibel Tolls Interview)

April 3rd. The Books. Headliners. God is love.

Fuck yeah, books!

Junip is an act I’ve slept on in the past because I never cared much for Jose Gonzalez. I’ve quickly corrected that though… Fields comes correct. See these dudes on May 14th, and grip tickets this Saturday from ear X-tacy and etix.com.

Kinda interested in checking out rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson. You have two opportunities to catch her – March 24 at Headliners and March 26 at Southgate House in Newport.

The boys behind last year’s Cropped Out Fest announced this week that it shall return in 2011! No deets, no lineup, nothin’. Just mark your goddamn calendars and keep a watchful eye on their Tumblr. Check out last year’s coverage to ascertain what insanity 2011 might have in store. Wanna know the difference between Cropped Out and Forecastle? This:

Brutality. You know what to do.

America’s Funnyman Neil Hamburger rolls into town on Thursday, April 14 with the mighty Todd Barry, dubbed the Spring Value Tour 2011. Last time he performed solo, he sold out the Comedy Caravan… two years in a row. Hamburger gets an upgrade this go ’round at the mighty Headliners, presented by the Louisville Comedy Underground. We need to learn to laugh again. Pre-party at the Golden Corral on Dixie Highway beforehand. Be sure to wear your favorite AXE fragrance (Stetson is okay too… musky).

The Black Angels did not schedule a make up date for Louisville. Fuck that. But they’re playing Southgate House on Sunday, April 17 if you want to hit it up. I’m not ’cause I’m kinda mad at them, but I’ll get over it. Three nights later on April 20 (4/20 ZOMG GET BAKED SMOAK), Southgate welcomes Black Lips and Vivian Girls.

And that’s the view from the cheap seats. Have any show tips to share, or did I totally miss something awesome and look like a damn fool?  Get at me: kb [at] thedecibeltolls (dot) com. Really need to come up with a better outro for this feature than what I just wrote… At least this blog is self-aware.

MP3 :::
Beach Fossils – Daydream
Tobacco – Sweatmother
Lightning Bolt –  2 Towers
Low – Snowstorm
The Books – A True Story of True Love
Junip – Rope and Summit