Spring Scene Report 2012

Rites Of Spring

Winter is officially over and we were lucky enough to have a very mild season this year compared to the last few.  Now that the weather is getting nicer we will be seeing the usual resurgence of shows and locals playing out.  Things are developing very quickly here in the Heartland with show bookings and local band happenings.  As I currently type this, Lincoln heavyweights; Diamondz R4 Eva are currently on tour with Relentless Approach from Iowa, and will play a homecoming show in Lincoln on the 25th.  Early in April, riff-masters Servus and Swamp Walk from Omaha will head out on a South-Midwest mini-tour with a tour kickoff show planned April 4th at Charles St.  In other local news, I am happy to report that within the last few months a new DIY showspace has started up once again at the famous West Wing in Omaha.  They have been throwing quite a few party shows as of late but recently they have been booking more hardcore and metal bands, so expect more photo updates and show coverage in the coming months.  Switching gears back towards Lincoln, Nebraska's most satanic black metal band; Vickers has been playing out quite a bit and have a rare appearance in Omaha playing with Clinging To The Trees this week at West Wing.  Staying with Lincoln news, the heaviest Purgatory have recently posted two new songs that will be featured on their upcoming cassette tape Hell On Earth that will be available soon via Pretzel City Records.  Plack Blague have just released a new CD (yes, a CD) titled Heavy Leather via French noise label BTK Records and Accidental Therapy.  It is safe to say that Plack Blauge is the best electronic/dance/??? artist in Nebraska and possibly beyond.    Plack Blague has been playing out quite a bit in support of the new material, so be sure to check them out live if you get a chance.  Plack Blague will also be representing Nebraska with an appearance on the legendary Chicago public access television dance show Chic-A-Go-Go on April 1st.  I would also like to announce that Raws from Plack Blague/Vickers/Accidental Therapy has arranged an appearance of legendary punk frontman/label owner Sam McPheeters (Born Against/Veriform Records) will have a reading from his new book The Loom Of Ruin May 18th, at Cultiva Coffee in Lincoln.  In other scene news, Nebraska Hardcore Fest III has just been announced and has been booked at The Commons in Omaha for Sept. 1st, with bands still to be announced.  The last two events were easily the largest and best attended local show in Omaha, and if the tradition continues this show should be an even bigger event this year.  More details will be reported on the fest as they unfold.  Other shows that are upcoming can be checked out by going to the Nebraska DIY web forum.

-K