May 21st at Black Sheep: Pink Thing, La Louve, Pryss, Graveswitcher

Posted on May 14, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

We have a hardcore show coming up at Black Sheep one week from today on Monday, May 21st that you all should be excited about. It features touring band Pink Thing from Dallas, Texas. Stream their new flaming hot EP on the player embedded below. On this show we also have the Springfield return of Champaign/Urbana punk band La Louve… and their last show ever? Is this true? These two out of town acts will be paired up with two local Springfield heavy hitting hardcore acts – including Pryss. Opening things up is the new hardcore explosion band Graveswitcher.

Find a facebook event for this show right here. Admission for this one is $5, and things start at 7:00 pm. Also check out our shows page for a look at what else is coming up at Black Sheep this summer!

New Band Pages: Master Bastard

Posted on May 14, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

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Guess what, we are currently working hard to update the current bands portion of our website. This includes clearing out those bands/projects that haven’t played shows in many months, and adding all of the new and talented groups that have been popping up over town and nearby. The first of those pages we want to direct your attention to is one we made for Master Bastard! Master Bastard first played Black Sheep for our last Battle of the Bands back in October, and they won the judicial category and have since played at Black Sheep a few more times and also have recorded up at Southtown Sound. Check out their new bandpage where you can stream their release Mouth Breather right here.

There are no Master Bastard shows lined up as far as we can tell but keep an eye and ear out for more this summer! We’ve ended up with what looks like a total of thirty six current band pages right now, you can check out all of those right here on our site. It is looking like we have accumulated hundreds of past band pages, check those out right here! Do you play in a local band or project that has not set up a page with us? Shoot us an email at blacksheepspringfield@gmail.com and we will work with you to set something up!

Tours: Hospital Job & Attic Salt

Posted on May 13, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

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Springfield pop punk bands Hospital Job and Attic Salt are both headed out for a week on the road together before this month is done! The tour kicks off in Chicago on Wednesday, and goes as far out as a couple of dates in Canada. All of the dates and facebook events are as follows:

May 16 – Chicago
https://www.facebook.com/events/1460876657373518

May 17 – London, ON
https://www.facebook.com/events/356209531563112

*UPDATED* May 18 – Toronto, ON
https://www.facebook.com/events/810619982479253

May 19 – Montreal, QC
https://www.facebook.com/PouzzaFest/

May 20 – New Brunswick
https://www.facebook.com/events/223636034872024

May 21 – Pittsburgh
https://www.facebook.com/events/2334472356779111

May 22 – Cincinnati
https://www.facebook.com/events/202706527177991

There are no Black Sheep dates lined up for either band as we have not seen either in a while! However, Attic Salt is performing at Bar None on Friday, May 25th along with The Complaint Line and Radar. Attic Salt released their self-titled album last year, which you can stream on the player below.

May 15th (Tuesday) at Radon Lounge: Listener, Hotel Books, Spell Breaker, Johari Idusuyi, Clare Frachey

Posted on May 13, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

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This week it looks like there is a pretty big show happening over at Springfield house venue The Radon Lounge – supposedly their last for a minute as they take a break this summer season to return in the fall. This one is happening this upcoming Tuesday, May 15th. Big national touring act Listener is once again making a return to the Radon. You can stream their newest album below to hear what Listener is all about. It looks like on tour with Listener this time around is a California-based spoken word project – “Hotel Books“. Then a familiar act to Black Sheep, Spell Breaker, will be performing at The Radon Lounge for the first time. Clare Frachey of the band (and Black Sheep owner) will also be featured artist of the night! Opening things up The Radon has local poet (also part of the Dumb Records team) Johari Idusuyi on board.

This show starts over at The Radon at 7:00 pm and admission is $10. Check out a facebook event for this one right here. Not sure on where the Radon Lounge is? You can further inquire on their website.

May 18th (Friday) at Black Sheep: The Zoo (Comedy Group), Alec James, Whitney Devine, Dexter Anodyne, AWHN

Posted on May 13, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

Thanks to all who came out to Black Sheep and Dumb Records yesterday in support of our “Collision #2” art show! We love hosting events that are different than the standard 3-5 band Black Sheep rock show, and we have even more of those different shows coming up – like this one this upcoming Friday, May 13th. This is going to be an interesting night because we have a Central Illinois-based comedy/improv group called “The Zoo” coming to perform inside Black Sheep. We are not exactly sure what to expect, so we are all in for a wild ride together! In addition to The Zoo we have a normal number of performing acts as well. This includes local singer/songwriter from the heart Alec James. Also local solo performer Whitney Devine. Then a new solo act from Pawnee Illinois who has not yet played at Black Sheep – Dexter Anodyne. Opening things up we have a performance by none other than local hip hop project Animals With Human Names! Stream the newest tape release by A.W.H.N. on the player below.

This starts this Friday at Black Sheep at 7:00 pm. Admission is $7. Check out a facebook event for this one right here. Also be sure to check out our shows page for a list of upcoming shows at Black Sheep this summer.

HECK: “Preachers Kid”

Posted on May 12, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

Today we are bringing you a brand new and newly recorded song from Springfield/Bloomington project “HECK” which is the songs and works of Hannah Songer. This was recorded with the help of Southtown Sound intern and spokesperson B.J. Pearce who also performed percussion and guitars. Check out that track streaming on the player below, also head over to the HECK bandcamp page to download the mp3 for free.

There are no HECK shows lined up at Black Sheep as of right now, but hold tight and be on the lookout for more soon!

Today + Tonight in Southtown: “Collision #2” Art Show + Aftershow at CFP Tonight

Posted on May 12, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

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We have a lot of art and music going-ons to tell you about today! Wow! Setup for everything started last night and we are going to be ready for our big collaborative art showing with The Pharmacy Gallery officially kicking off here soon at 3:00 pm. Today we have works on display in three locations around Southtown – Black Sheep, Dumb Records and also Skank Skates! For the list of artists and musicians involved, check out our original post right here. All of this is free to the public, just donation based! There will be live music to go along with starting at Black Sheep at 5:00 pm. The art opening will go on most of the afternoon and evening until 10:00 pm.

Then also in town there will be an aftershow featuring three live punk bands and some art as well at the “CFP” house (which stands for the Creative Federation of Punks) house. Bands playing that include Toxic Womb (on tour from Columbus Ohio), Livin’ Thing, and Prowess. That kicks off right at 9:00 pm (doors and art showing starting at 8:00 pm). Admission for that one is $5.

Check out a facebook event for the Collision #2 art show right here. Also check out a facebook event for the aftershow at CFP right here. Check out our shows page for a look at what else is coming up at Black Sheep in the near future!

Saturday at CFP: Toxic Womb, Livin’ Thing, Prowess

Posted on May 10, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

On Saturday night, after the Collision #2 art show is done at Black Sheep, there will be an aftershow featuring both art and music at local house venue “CFP”. This is the third? forth? show to happen at the new venue. This show also features the return of Columbus, Ohio touring act Toxic Womb to Springfield (last they were here was November of 2016 at Black Sheep). Stream some of Toxic Womb’s music on the player below. This show also features the incredibly wacky Livin’ Thing blues band. And opening things up is the three-piece fast hardcore band Prowess. In addition to the music there will be artworks on the display by artists Milk Tirehaus, Frank Lee Ray, Zoe Birsa, and Zoe Isabelle.

This event starts over at the CFP at 9:00 pm. Where is The CFP located? We won’t tell you. But maybe be sure to come out to the Collision #2 at Black Sheep before then and we can lead you on a scavenger hunt to find the house! Find a facebook event for this one right here.

The Illinois Times: “Celebrating Three Decades, Skank Skates Needs Help”

Posted on May 10, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

Some of you may have caught that Southtown made it into the papers again this week!- This time there is a page in weekly publication The Illinois Times about Skank Skates, which recently celebrated 30 years since ramps began construction in 1987 and the park opened its doors in 1988.

Scott Faingold wrote the article in today’s paper about Skanks turning 30 years, the numerous times the park was shut down by the city, well as the hardships owner George Sinclair and Skanks are facing today. From the article:

For most of the past three decades, Sinclair’s work in commercial lighting underwrote his DIY labors of love, but the company he worked for was recently bought out by a larger corporation, replacing Sinclair with its own reps. “I’ve been trying to get work doing contracting jobs or painting houses – and that will handle the day-to-day expenses, utilities, etc. – but things like property taxes and insurance keep going up to where you can’t seem to ever get the ends to meet.”

Check out that full article right here online or pick up a copy of The Illinois Times this week at various local businesses around town. Find a link to a new Project Southtown website right here, and a link to a newly launched GoFundMe page for Project Southtown and Skank Skates right here.

New Arrivals This Week at Dumb Records

Posted on May 9, 2018 by blacksheepspringfield

It’s half way through the week and time for us to take a look at all of the new stuff that has been pouring into Dumb Records (1107 South Grand Ave. East) once again. This week there are piles of used LPs and cassettes coming in. Let’s take a look at the store’s operating hours for the week and then look at what’s new:

Wednesday (today): noon – 8:00 pm
Thursday: noon – 8:00 pm
Friday: noon – 8:00 pm
Saturday (art show): 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Monday: noon – 8:00 pm
Tuesday: noon – 8:00 pm

Used LPs
Al Jolson – The Best of Jolson
Al Martino – This Love For You
Alex North – The Shoes of The Fisherman
Andre Kostelanetz – World-Wide Wonderland
Andrea Marcovicci – Sings Movies
Arlo Guthrie – Alice’s Restaurant
Arthur Brown – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
Billy Vaughn – The Best of Billy Vaughn
Billy Vaughn – Golden Waltzes
Bob Anderson – Midnight at Malibu
The Browns – Our Favorite Folk Songs
Claudio Monteverdi – Virtuose Madrigale
Dave Mason – Split Coconut
Dave Mason – Mariposa De Oro
David Rose – Holiday For Strings
Dean Martin / Frank Sinatra – Sleep Warm
Dora Hall – One More Time
Dora Hall – Remember
Doris Day – Cuttin’ Capers
Earth, Wind & Fire – Last Days And Time
Eddie Money – Can’t Hold Back
Eddy Arnold – Pop Hits From The Country Side
Enoch Light – Young At Heart
Frankie Laine – Rockin’
Guy Lombardo – An Evening With Guy Lombardo
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – Sounds Like
Henry Mancini – The Theme Scene
Herbie Mann – Do The Bossa Nova With Herbie Mann
Homer & Jethro – At The Country Club
The Ink Spots – Greatest
Jackie Paar At Home – The Best of What’s His Name
Jerry Clower – From Yazoo City Mississippi Talkin’
Jimmy Buffet – Last Mango In Paris
Jimmy Durante – In Person
John McLaughlin – Electric Dreams
Johnny Mathis – Warm
Johnny Mathis – Faithfully
Johnny Mathis – Swing Softly
Locust – Playgue
Lucifer’s Friend – Lucifer’s Friend
The Marshall Tucker Band – Together Forever
Masekela – The Boy’s Doin’ It
Mitch Miller – Everybody Sing Along With Mitch
The Moody Blues – The Present
Morty Cobb And His Dixie All-Stars – This Is Dixie!
Motherlode – When I Die
Movieland – Movieland
Nichols & May – Examine Doctors
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – Will The Circle Be Unbroken
The Oak Ridge Quartet – Master Showmen of Song
The Partridge Family – Shopping Bag
Paul Anka – Anka
Pee Wee Hunt – Dixieland Kickoff
Perry Como – Pure Gold
Perry Como – Saturday Night With Mr. C.
Polly Bergen – The Party’s Over
Ray Conniff – Concert In Rhythm
Satin Strings – The Sounds Of The Satin Strings
Various – Suddenly It’s Spring
Various – Country Music Hall of Fame
Various – Bright Lights & Country Music
Various – Music To Paint By
Various – All-Time Hits On The “In” Side
Various – King of the Road
Various – Sing Along Honky Tonk
Vicky Leandros – Across The Water
50 Guitars – Go Sound Of The Border

Used Cassettes
Bette Midler – Some People’s Lives
Billy Goat – Bush Roaming Mammals
Birdmen of Alcatraz – Focus
Bruce Hornsby & The Range – The Southside
Celine Dion – Unison
Celine Dion – Falling Into You
Celine Dion – The Colour Of My Life
Cheap Trick – Cheap Trick
Choice – Stick-N-Moove
Citizen King – More Leather Than Ever
City Chicken – City Chicken
Crowded House – Crowded House
Don Henley – The End of The Innocence
Elton John – Made In England
Elton John – Sleeping With The Past
Elton John – Love Songs
The Exploited – Singles Collection
Hillbilly Varmints – Planet Corn
House of Pain – House of Pain
Gang Green – Can’t Live Without It
General Public – …All The Rage
Len – You Can’t Stop The Bum Rush
Lisa Stansfield – Affection
Lords of the Highway – Take That, Mother Trucker!
Mariah Carey – Daydream
Mariah Carey – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey – Emotions
Matchbox20 – Yourself or Someone Like You
Melissa Etheridge – Yes I Am
Michael Bolton – Soul Provider
Naked Raygun – Throb Throb
Peter Cetera – You’re The Inspiration
Richard Marx – Repeat Offender
Rod Stewart – Downtown Train
Scruffy The Cat – Moons of Jupiter
Slapshot – Sudden Death Overtime
Spinal Tap – Break Like The Wind
Taylor Dayne – Can’t Fight Fate
The Tubes – Attack of the Tubes
Village People – Greatest Hits
Wartime – Fast Food For Thought