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Save a tree - vote online for the Riverfront Times 30th (or XXX by their suggestion) annual  Reader’s Poll.  Because dead tree ballots tend to spoil, and because dead trees down power lines.  Also, because we feel guilty picking up paper copies.

With the keen awareness that many of our regular readers write their own blog, we thought we might make a subtle suggestion since “Best Blog” is prominently featured as the first consideration in this year’s poll.  Just remember who sent ya…

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/poll/bestof07/

Because we’ll probably check out every event we’re officially invited to, we printed up our tickets and made a trip to a special open house @ the Bluebird.  As St. Louis’ newest concert venue, you’ve probably already heard about their Grand Opening this Saturday July 14th, 2007.

Instead of waiting for a more appropriate showcase of local acts, which the venue already showcases via framed poster art (albeit for other venues thus far), we thought we’d share the sneak peak at the venue for you.  And while a majority of our Flickr photoset involves an empty floor and/or Beffa’s (which is adjacent to the venue), we can say that the venue was pretty packed for a casual DJ set by the time we were on our way out the door.  Quite frankly, I was surprised not to see booties shaking to the sounds of LCD Soundsystem playing.

And don’t be fooled by the adjacent parking just because the venue lacks clear signage leading you in, because we already heard murmurs from staff on our way in (from the back entrance) that such indicators are on their way.  In the meantime, the venue has a spacious dancefloor, an adjacent bar, and even a little couch to crash on with as many of your buddies you can fit on it.  Clearly the Bluebird is poised to fill the void left among local music venues drawing national acts in place of the Hi-Pointe, etc.  Hope to see you there sometime soon…

It’s official: as of this last Sunday’s RFT music showcase, Johnny-O & the Jerks received the vote of approval from Beatle Bob.  We all know how seriously Beatle Bob must take his music show attendance schedule in order to make his way to every show that yields merit (or just hasn’t had the venue banish him).  That being said, this past Sunday’s event was the perfect gauge of his vote between multiple acts and venues within a short distance, and as far as the RFT ballot would be concerned his vote is in. 

Just take a look for yourself, as he stands in the front row dancing in the radiant bliss of rockabilly performed in its utmost heights.  Johnny-O & the Jerks performed on what might otherwise have been called the Big Muddy stage that afternoon when it was not serving as site to Sunday’s drum circle in the U City loop.  For one glorious hour, this band delivered an effortless set of standards and originals that have had the city’s basement party set abuzz for the better part of the last two years.  And yet out here in the sun could be seen couples, punk kids, Beatle Bob (of course), and even a couple children dancing in front of legions of devotees continually inspired by the perfection of “Plastic Jesus”.  And while many have heard them before, it could be said at least from this reviewer’s perspective that every performance sees this band grow more precise and ephemeral to their soulful sound.   In the delivery of their characteristic blend of electric post-blues psycho-rockabilly hyphenated-bliss rock,  this show reminded us what helped St. Louis become seduced by the band and their original sounds by providing an even more distilled essence of what Johnny-O & the Jerks can brew.