The Jayhawks with Trapper Schoepp and the Shades ~ Vogue ~ Indianapolis, Indiana ~ October 18, 2014
Written by: Jeremy Carie
Photography by: Tony Vasquez of Vasquez Photography
Photo Galleries: Trapper Schoepp and The Shades / The Jayhawks
This past Saturday night The Jayhawks and Trapper Schoepp and the Shades played a WTTS Rock to Read concert at the Vogue. WTTS along with Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza put on a series of special benefit shows to raise money for the children’s reading programs through the Indianapolis Public Library. The crowd at the Vogue was not only in for a great night of music, but they were also helping raise money for an awesome cause.
Opening the show was Trapper Schoepp and The Shades, a four piece group hailing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The band consists of Trapper Schoepp (guitar), his brother Tanner Schoepp (bass), Gina Romantini (fiddle) and keyboard player Dustin Dobernig. They were an interesting mix of Americana, folk, and bluegrass. Trapper made several references to Wisconsin saying “We’re from Wisconsin so all of our songs are about winter. It sucks!” In addition to home-state themes, the band played anecdotal songs about hometown characters. Their feel was a perfect transition into The Jayhawks’ set.
What do you say about a band like The Jayhawks? They are alt-country legends that have been making timeless music for four decades. The band formed in Minnesota in early 1985. It was during the 1980’s that the Minneapolis music scene exploded with such bands as the Replacements, Soul Asylum, and Husker Du. The Jayhawks created their own unique sound by fusing rock, folk and country together creating full-bodied albums. Even with several lineup changes over the years the band has inspired a loyal following.
The band’s current lineup of Gary Louris (vocals, guitar), Tim O’Reagan (drums, vocals), Karen Grotberg (keyboards, vocals) Marc Perlman (bass), and Kraig Johnson (guitar) are currently on tour supporting the vinyl reissues of Sound of Lies, Smile, and Rainy Day Music. You can find more info about their current tour and reissues on their website at http://www.jayhawksofficial.com/index.html.
The Jayhawks started the night with “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”, from the Smile album, with a surge of energy that carried over into rest of the night. Louris was rocking his Rickenbacker 330 and singing like he was a young twenty-something. Throughout the night Louris alternated between a Rickenbacker, Hamer Flying V and a Gibson SG.
Louris was in rare form Saturday night. When someone in the crowd requested the Mark Olson song “Ten Little Kids” his response was “There’s his songs and there’s mine. We’re not doing that one.” His banter for the rest of the night was filled with a sense of humor 
and lightness that kept the crowd entertained between songs.
You could sense the band was having fun going through their vast catalog of material. The night consisted of a good mix from the reissued music along with some older tunes, and covers. If you have a chance to catch them on the current tour you will be in for a great night of music.
Setlist: I’m Gonna Make You Love Me, Stumbling Through The Dark, Think About It, Poor Little Fish, Take Me With You (When You Go), Angelyne, Better Days, Drivin’ Wheel, Queen of the World, Jennifer Save Me (Golden Smog cover), Settled Down Like Rain, Save It For a Rainy Day, Waiting For The Sun, Looking Forward To Seeing You (Golden Smog cover), Blue, Last Cigarette (Billy Walker cover), Trouble, Big Star, Tampla To Tulsa, I’d Run Away, Tailspin,
Encore: Tailspin (Inbred version). Aint No End, Two Hearts, Ohio, All The Right Reasons, Sedan Delivery (Neil Young cover), Until You Came Along (Golden Smog cover)
Since a commonly accepted sentiment amongst the Widespread Panic community is “Never miss a Sunday show,” it seemed like October 12, 2014 was the perfect time to drive to Biloxi, MS. After hearing about excellent shows in Huntsville and Alpharetta, fans were ready to rock. The Biloxi show began with a bang with “Radio Child” and “Give”, and then dialed back a bit for “Ain’t No Use”. “Blue Indian” was melodic and had the crowd singing along about the “party going on, many spirits strong.” In “Diner”, the band was able to stretch out a bit, and “Ribs and Whiskey” was a crowd pleaser. The first set continued to bring some heat, with “All Time Low”, and the double cover “Ride Me High > Red Hot Mama”.
beyond, Kristy Lee brought her band Dirt Road Revival to BayFest, performing a rousing set which the audience adored. Amos Lee has amassed quite a fan base, and his band sounded great on songs like “Windows Are Rolled Down”. It was a treat to see him deliver “Keep It Loose, Keep It Tight” with sweet tenderness. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts have been rockin’ with rebellious delight since the 1980s, and she maintains her commanding stage presence and edgy voice to this day. In a different vein, All That Remains brought seriously heavy metal to the stage, with headbanging intensity, thrashing guitars, speedracing drums, and the deep growls from bassist Jeanne Sagan; I still am amazed this petite woman can growl like that!
Says”), the band did “Been Caught Stealing” and “Ain’t No Right” from Ritual de lo Habitual. For the show-stopping climax, two scantily clad ladies danced on the stage, while two more were hoisted above the stage to provide aerial acrobatic dancing; and the electrifying “Stop!” ensued, putting an exclamation point on a fantastic show! Meanwhile, classic funkmasters The Roots had begun a non-stop dance party at the Miller Lite Stage. The Roots consistently play high-energy dance-driven shows, and are a band Mobile was lucky to have join the BayFest lineup. To close out the evening, Kid Rock drew a huge crowd, and performed hits spanning his musical career and styles, to the enjoyment of his fans.
PHOTO GALLERIES
Pete Yorn is back in Indiana again. This time, it’s Tuesday, October 7th in the Deluxe Room (at the Old National Centre). I saw him a few years back, in 2010 or 2011, at the Bluebird in Bloomington, and that was a good show. He had his full band with him, then. This is a more intimate affair. It’s an all-acoustic set. Only Pete, and a bunch of people waiting to see, and hear, him do what he does best.
When Pete hits that stage, he does so like a laid-back rocker, shaggy hair, flannel shirt, jeans, and boots. The crowd, as one would expect, erupts. A hippie girl, who I’ve been standing next to, and speaking with, and will later be dancing with a bit, is grinning to outshine the sun. She’s already told me how lucky I was to see Pete with his full band, but I can already tell that this crowd is in for a treat. I think most of them know it, too. The second song of the night, Pete plays “For Nancy,” which is great, and I always recognize. The whole crowd is singing it right back to him as he plays. That’s something I love to see at a show, and I’m sure the artists do, as well. It’s got to feel good.
Throughout the night, despite the small venue, which lends itself to storytelling in between songs, Pete keeps up the pace. A lot of his songs are fast-paced, anyway, and without the full band behind him, he’s able to just dive right into the next one. No external communication is needed. He only needs what’s in his heart and in his head. That’s part of the beauty of the solo, acoustic set. The set list is a good mix of familiar tracks, deep cuts, and a few covers. Including a great rendition of “Splendid Isolation” by Warren Zevon and a fun cover of “Kiss Off” by the Violent Femmes. It’s a great night I’d do it again, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
The set list (seen in the picture) was truly accommodating to the atmosphere of the room and we wish The Head and the Heart a quick return to the port city. We want to thank Steve Hall Productions, WZEW 92.1, and the Soul Kitchen for presenting such a fantastic evening of music!
