It seems that Tom Petty’s retirement has been slightly exaggerated.

In a Rolling Stone interview earlier this year, he said the tour he was about to embark on with the Heartbreakers would be his last.

Not so fast, says the Associated Press:

Looks like Tom Petty won’t back down after all.The veteran rocker says he’s not retiring, despite a Rolling Stone article in July that suggested otherwise.

by Ruth Milne

The final underground show at the Venue 8 was last night. The flyer said doors opened at 6 p.m., and the music would start at 7 p.m., so I arrived about 6:30 … only to find the building dark, all doors locked. About 25 minutes later, someone with a key arrived and let us in out of the cold.

And then the real waiting began.

Fading Faith was a no-show, so concert organizers were scrambling to find another band to play. Meanwhile, Disorderly, a band I’ve blogged about several times by now, started setting up about 8:45 p.m. A little after 9 p.m., the four members got onstage, played for less than a minute, and stopped, setting down their instruments.

“Thanks, we’re Disorderly. Suicide Kings are up next.” And they left the stage to stomps and cries of “Encore, encore!”

Disorderly returned to the stage about 10 minutes later for a real performance. As usual, they introduced “Soutucky Revolution” by saying, “This is one of our farmer songs.” (The other is “Revolt of the Farmers.”) Both are available on the band’s demo, a fun listen that costs under $5 and is available by contacting any of the band members.

Disorderly is now also known as Attentator, which they say means “political assassin.” I may just keep calling them Disorderly, though.

Guitarist Darrell wore some pretty snazzy sunglasses.

Disorderly’s performance was on the sloppy side, even for them. The band members were drinking heavily and joked about singing covers of “Free Bird” and Cher and Incubus songs. They actually got through about half the chorus of “If I Could Turn Back Time” before they forgot the words. They forgot the words to some of their own songs, too. By the end of the set there were only about 10 people standing in front of the stage watching.

“For our last show at the Venue 8, we’re going down drunk and out of tune!” cried Matt, the drummer.

And they weren’t joking.

They perform at all-ages shows, but Disorderly is not appropriate for all ages, and they don’t make good role models for a young audience. Their onstage antics — belching, snorting whiskey off a cymbal, forgetting their own songs — can be hilarious, but at the same time it’s not all funny; the audience laughs at their performances but doesn’t get to see their misery in the morning, or see how alcohol abuse affects their families.

I feel like I should insert one of those “The more you know…” star logos at this point. But really, as much as I like Disorderly’s music, and as much as I personally like the guys in the band, they should come with a warning label. And sometimes I worry about them.

Suicide Kings took the stage at 11 p.m., starting off with my favorite song of theirs, “For the Cross.” They play old-school metal, with roots in early Metallica and Slayer. They can be relied upon for unforgettable intros and raging vocals. Pictured here, Jason Cox, co-owner of the Venue 8 and bassist for the Suicide Kings, said that it was pretty depressing to see the Venue 8 close. He doesn’t have another job lined up at this point and said he may dig out his brushes and go back to painting houses for now.

Vocalist R.C. and guitarist Blaine Simons posed for this shot between songs. I tried to get some photos of drummer Korry Burkhead, but they just didn’t turn out.

There was some moshing.

A fan congratulates R.C. on their reign.

For a while, the Suicide Kings — the Venue 8’s house band — had lived the dream of having their own venue. Last night was their final moment in that role, and they knew it, playing their most vigorous and going all-out despite the sparse audience.

It had been a really long night, so I took off after a bit. Synthetic Discipline, another local metal band, was the last-minute addition to round out the night, but I couldn’t stay to see them. Another time, guys.

Venue 8 is open one more night and will celebrate New Year’s Eve with an ’80s dance party. “DJ Dis” will spin ’80s pop records — Madonna and so on — from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. tonight. It’s 21-and-older only.

The flyer says doors open at 6 p.m., but we know how that goes…

by Ruth Milne

Despite several last-minute band cancellations, the annual Rock Against Violence concert Dec. 29 went on as scheduled with a new slate of performers. The annual concert is held to raise awareness about domestic violence and to raise funds for Working Against Violence Inc.

An acoustic musician named Seth was up first. I hear he’s a regular at open mikes.

He didn’t have a typical acoustic sound. He played with vigor and energy, not at all light, and really attacked the guitar. It was a little bit in the style of Connor Oberst’s earliest recordings, impassioned and no-frills.

The second band to play was the local hardcore band
Just Another Pretty Face, a recent arrival on the Rapid City scene. They were a last-minute addition to the lineup after the headliners cancelled. It was only this band’s second show, and they hadn’t had a chance to even practice once since their debut a few weeks ago.

Just Another Pretty Face played the exact same set as they did at their first show. But the crowd seemed just as pleased by those four songs (the band’s complete repertoire at present) as they were at the first.

The Venue 8’s stage is at the perfect height so guitars are precisely at camera level, making these shots easy to get. This instrument belongs to Giles, pictured above, one of the two guitarists in Just Another Pretty Face. (He was actually wearing a Terry Peak nametag that said Giles. If only everyone did that, blogging would be a lot easier, let me tell you.)

Just Another Pretty Face’s next scheduled performance is Feb. 3, at the second annual “Punk Rock 4 Puppies” benefit for the Humane Society. I’ll post more details later on.

Keyboards and Computers. Not just what you’re seeing here, but also the name of this unique band.

Keyboards and Computers had a smoke machine, white hazmat jumpsuits, a couple freaky dolls hanging from one keyboard…

Kids packed up close to the stage and danced along to the funky, Star Wars-influenced, ’80s-revival synth music.

Keyboardist and vocalist Dusty leans over the crowd.

The drummer wore a bloodstained shirt and what appeared to be a panda?/skunk?/badger? mask. I can almost guarantee that it probably wasn’t real blood, and if it was real blood, I can almost guarantee it wasn’t panda blood.

The Reddmen, up next, had just performed a week ago at the Christmas dance party in Rockerville. They try to keep their appearances far enough apart that people don’t get sick of them, so I was surprised to see them added to the Rock Against Violence lineup. But the Reddmen had something up their sleeve this time; my first clue was this setlist that the lead singer taped down as they were setting up. None of those are titles of Reddmen songs. Especially not the ones I had to mark out, something I never have to do with actual Reddmen songs.

The Reddmen played an entire set of covers, all by the Norwegian punk band Turbonegro. It was a rockin’ good time and many people sang along. But anyone not familiar with Turbonegro’s work was probably just confused.

There were some panties hanging on the mike stand, and lead singer J. Waylon Porcupine was wearing a set of handcuffs as a sort of belt/belt buckle deal. I didn’t get any better photos of this because honestly, how close do you want to get to a strange pair of panties and a guy who’s wearing handcuffs on his crotch?

Seth McConnell, who booked the show, took the stage before the last act to talk a little bit about what the show was for. It’s the fourth annual Rock Against Violence he’s put on to benefit Working Against Violence Inc. The previous three raised almost $3,000 combined, and he had high hopes for this one too. I’ll let you know the total funds raised this time as soon as the numbers become available.

Final act Burns the Retina’s last performance was in November 2005, so Rapid City was more than ready to hear this Christian hardcore band play again.

They play excellent old-school hardcore music, seamlessly moving from chaos to melody with almost symphonic grandeur. They have two lead vocalists, one who screams high and one who screams low, as well as a guitarist who chimes in with a deep, smooth singing voice when needed.

Burns the Retina was the first hardcore band I ever saw live, and I think they spoiled me for other hardcore bands because so few measure up to them. And it’s not just me. I talked to one concert attendee, Carissa Vice (full disclosure: her big brother is married to my little sister), who said she doesn’t normally like hardcore music at all, but she really enjoyed Burns the Retina.

Some stagediving took place during Burns the Retina’s performance. At left, people are running onstage; at center, someone is jumping onto the crowd.

So that’s it for the music. There was an unpleasant incident at the end of the evening that I may write more in-depth about later when I have more time; in brief, an extremely intoxicated older woman was dancing and there was some indecent exposure. After a lot of screaming and shouting and threats, she left, but the incident left a bad taste in many people’s mouths. Many people were offended by her actions and words; other people were offended by how angry and nearly violent people got over the sad spectacle.

Venue 8’s final show will be at 6 p.m. tonight. Admission is free; donations welcome. The lineup includes Fading Faith, Suicide Kings and Attentater (formerly known as Disorderly. I’m reserving judgement on the new name until I find out what on earth Attentater means.)

by Ruth Milne

Winter strikes again. The 1090 Club, scheduled to play tonight’s Rock Against Violence benefit in Rapid City, has announced in a MySpace bulletin that due to weather conditions while traveling, they will not be performing after all.

They wrote,

We were driving to our show in Rapid City this afternoon when the roads turned bad and we spun around and hit the guardrail. Our van is now damaged/punctured/dented and we are driving home. Other than being a little shaken up, we are all ok.

We are sorry for canceling and hope you will come out the next time we are able to come through those cities. If these shows are still going on, we urge you to go check them out. We’re pretty bummed out that the “weather” won. Until next time.

Bummer, dude.

***This just in: Chaos in the Wake is snowed in and had to cancel as well.***

The all-ages show will go on without them at the Venue 8. Organizer Seth McConnell said that he doesn’t expect the cancellations to affect the number of attendees very much, because many people are coming to see the Reddmen and Keyboards and Computers (both bands always bring in a huge audience), and because Burns the Retina is reuniting after a long absence to play this one show.

McConnell is rounding up other local bands to “fill the void,” so it should be a complete show.

***
New news — the final lineup has just been confirmed: acoustic musician Seth Beaton, hardcore band Just Another Pretty Face, Keyboards and Computers, The Reddmen and Burns The Retina.

Admission is $6. Doors open at 6 p.m., and music starts at 7 p.m.

By Ruth Milne

Year’s-end is a good time to look back at the year just completed, so I’m following Eric Lochridge’s lead and reviewing the past 12 months in list form. My top three albums from 2006 (I’m too lazy to pick 10) are:

1. Tom Waits’ “Orphans.” What can I say about this album that hasn’t been said ten times better by Pitchfork Media? Nothing, that’s what.
2. M. Ward’s “Post-War.” I’ve been a fan of this singer-songwriter for three years now, and he’s only getting better with each new album. He’s a husky-voiced crooner catching national recognition these days, heard recently in a Cadillac commercial and on several late-night shows.
3. Eric Bachmann’s “To the Races.” Reminiscent of Freewheelin’-era Dylan. Legend has it Bachmann (also known for his work with Crooked Fingers and Archers of Loaf) wrote this solo album while living in a van for a few months. Whether that van was down by the river, I cannot say.

But let’s look ahead, too. What about the new year we’re beginning? Any forthcoming albums you’re eagerly anticipating? Any predictions about music or musicians?

I’m really looking forward to the new James Low, which is tentatively scheduled for spring release. I heard that Bright Eyes will come out with something new next year as well, but their recent work has been so blah that I’m not too concerned with it. Locally, I’m awaiting albums by Four Person Scramble and NoneTheLess.

As for predictions, I think Two Gallants and M. Ward will become household names next year. And I have a couple predictions about Britney Spears, but good taste prohibits airing them here. (They’re not really about music anyway.)