Record Store Day April 18th at Dumb Records

Posted on March 29, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

Looks like there are some pretty great things cooking up in Southtown for Record Store Day 2015, which will be happening this year on Saturday, April 18th! This year Dumb Records is an official Record Store Day store, and you can check out our official page on the Record Store Day site right here! This means that Dumb Records will be getting in a number of exclusive titles and releases for this special day. We can not say at this point what any of them are going to be, but you can look at this (very long) list of exclusive titles on the RSD website (which we won’t be getting close to all of). In addition to the RSD releases, everything non-RSD in the store (including new and used items) will be 10% off.

On top of all of that fun stuff, there will also be a four-band show happening inside Black Sheep at 3:00 pm to go along with Record Store Day. For that we have the long-awaited return of Central Illinois pop punkers, Horrible Things. Stream some of their music below. We also have three-piece Springfield/Bloomington/Champaign emo project Wir Können. We also have Slam Dinner and a newer Bloomington/Normal band called Unhappy Gilmore. Admission for the show is $5.

Find a facebook event for that whole she-bang right here. Also be sure to check out our shows page for a look at everything coming up in Southtown in the coming months.

Calling Bands for Battle of the Bands: July 11th

Posted on March 28, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

It’s that time of the year again, we’re looking for some new talent to showcase from the central Illinois area. And if last year’s Battle of the Bands is any indication of what to expect, it won’t be something to miss out on. We are starting to look for bands a little early this year. This year the show will be on Saturday, July 11th. If you have a band that is interested in playing or know of any, here is what we’re looking for:

– bands that have high school, middle school, or even college-aged members.
– bands that have not yet played Black Sheep, or have only played once or twice.
– new bands that have formed within the last year

Bands entering into the battle do NOT have to pay any sort of entrance fee or audition in any way. So if any of that applies to you, or if you know of any bands that will fit the bill, listen up! Everyone that enters will get a chance to win one of two sweet prizes: 4-song demo recorded right up in South Town Studios by Brandon Carnes (going to the winner of judge voting) OR a spot on Black Sheep Fest 2015 (to the winner of crowd voting). Get a hold of us at blacksheepspringfield@gmail.com to sign up. Show us what you’ve got!

Photos/Videos of Screaming Females at Black Sheep 3-25-15

Posted on March 28, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

Today we are bringing you a few videos and photos from the show at Black Sheep this past Wednesday which included bands Screaming Females, Shellshag, Looming, and Kowabunga! Kid. It was the most heavily attended show we have had at Black Sheep in a few years and we all had a blast. You can find a few photos from the show above and below, thanks to AJWF Photography, Dumb Mud and a couple of others. Also check out a video of Screaming Females playing songs “New Kid” and “Hopeless” as part of the show Wednesday at the bottom of the post. You can also find a video of Looming performing their cover of “Zombie” by The Cranberries here– a song they recorded and gave away to everyone who pre-ordered a ticket to the show.

You can check out our “vids/pics” tab for more photos and videos from bands who have played over the years at Black Sheep. Also check out our flickr page for a constant stream of show fliers and show photos from shows at Black Sheep and elsewhere in Springfield.

Black Sheep, Dumb Records, South Town Studio Featured On The Vincent-Tennell Show

Posted on March 27, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

Quite some time ago (late last year even), our friends and volunteers Brian Galecki, Nighthawk, and “Dumb Al” went in to Public Access Channel headquarters. They were then interviewed by The Vincent Tennell Show on behalf of The Black Sheep Cafe, Skank Skates, and Dumb Records. Sadly, the Nighthawk portion of the interview did not make the cut (you’ll have to keep an eye out for that in the director’s edition). Brandon Carnes also went on to the show separately to talk about South Town Studio. In both videos all of our Southtown representatives get to talk about what all of our businesses and community is all about.

Today we are bringing you both of those videos. You can find them both streaming below. Each interview features some bonus video clips for your enjoyment.

Tonight at Black Sheep: Honey/Suck, C Is For Cadaver, WARRS, The Incorporated, Napalm For Breakfast

Posted on March 27, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

After an incredible show on Wednesday with a great turn out, we are having just one show this weekend at Black Sheep and that is happening tonight! We have the spoken-word act Honey/Suck, which we have not seen play at Black Sheep since last year in December! Make sure to stick around and catch that. We also have a solo/acoustic project called C is For Cadaver, featuring Brent of The Incorporated. Speaking of The Incorporate, the Litchfield-based band will also be playing tonight! You can stream some of C is For Cadaver’s music below. Also playing tonight is Springfield three-piece screamo/hardcore band WARRS. And opening things up is a brand new project called Napalm For Breakfast.

The show starts at 7:00 pm so make sure to get here by then with your $5 cover! This is going to be a really cool show, and you shouldn’t miss it! You can find a facebook event for the show right here. Also be sure to check out our shows page for a look at everything coming up at Black Sheep in the near future.

April 20th at South Town Studio: WARRS, F///\\\M, Gadzooks The Boy, Gazeebo

Posted on March 25, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

South Town Studio have just announced their next show happening in the space and it is a wacky one! This one is another Monday night studio show, happening on Monday, April 20th (4-20). This show features all bands and noise projects that partake in straight-edge lifestyles (check out this Wikepedia article if you want to read up more on what that is all about). On the bill we have the newer hardcore/screamo band WARRS, who are also currently working on their first release at South Town Studio. We also have the one-man post-rock project called F///\\\M featuring Brandon Carnes of South Town Studio himself. Then we have a noise project from Champaign/Urbana called Gadzooks The Boy featuring Jake Mott of Single Player, Wolf Luv, Dino Bravo, and many more bands. Check out a preview of Gadzooks The Boy streaming below. Opening things up is a *very rare* noise set by Gazeebo– featuring Drew Kodrich of Asthma.

This show will start at 7:00 pm and admission is $5 (no, you do not have to claim straight-edge to come to this). There will also be a bake sale of some sort to benefit Black Sheep. Check out a facebook event for the show right here. Also be sure to check out our shows page for a look at everything coming up at Black Sheep and in Southtown.

Tonight at Black Sheep: Screaming Females, Shellshag, Looming, Kowabunga! Kid

Posted on March 25, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

The night that all of Springfield has been waiting for is here, tonight Screaming Females takes the stage with an impressive lineup joining them! Screaming Females has been on tour for awhile now from New Brunswick, New Jersey, and even preformed on SXSW before their performance tonight on our stage. Check out an interview WUIS’s Rachel Otwell did with Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females last week right here. Also stream a song from Screaming Females’ new album Rose Mountain below. Shellshag is also playing tonight, they are a punk band from Brooklyn that has been gracing stages with their punk grace since 1997. Local band Looming, which is a fantastic pop-rock band is opening up the show with punk band Kowabunga! Kid from Urbana, IL!

This is not a show to miss! The show will kick off right at 7:00 pm and admission is $12 (the show is not yet sold out). Make sure to bring all your friends out, and have a great time seeing an amazing show! The Facebook page can be found HERE, and make sure to keep checking out the shows page for more awesome shows here at Black Sheep!

WUIS: “Black Sheep Founder Hands Over Reins to DIY Music Venue”

Posted on March 24, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

WUIS’s Rachel Otwell did an interview with well loved Kevin Bradford, who has been running Black Sheep for the past 10 years. He recently made the life decision to step down from his post as owner and move his energies elsewhere, specifically a place where people can enjoy coffee and hang out, while still pursuing his lifelong love of spirituality. Kevin will be remaining in Springfield and will still actively take part in our music scene. As for the state of Black Sheep, things will continue to go strong in the wake of his hard work. Check out the interview right here for the full details of what was discussed. From the interview:

Kevin Bradford could justifiably be called the godfather of Springfield’s underground punk music scene. He’s only 32, but he’s managed to help create and feed a culture of do-it-yourself musiciansand their fans in a way that is truly incomparable in the city. Bradford recently announced he’ll be stepping down as the owner/operator of Black Sheep Cafe (1320 S 11th St.) The good news is, he’s not going far. He spoke with WUIS about the challenges and rewards of fostering the city’s underground music scene.

For more in depth information on the details of Kevin’s departure, please check out this article of gratitude thanking him for all he has done. It includes statements from him as well as information on who will be “taking the reins” as Rachel said. Also, the fact is that we need help now more than ever from anyone who is willing to show they care about the continuation of Black Sheep, as well as the rest of Southtown. We are seeking a period of revitalization for Black Sheep as well as the whole neighborhood of Southtown, so check out this article discussing a recent community meeting we had and do what you are able to get involved!

New Arrivals This Week At Dumb Records

Posted on March 24, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

It’s a new week at Southtown Springfield record store Dumb Records (1107 South Grand East) and there are a few tasty new arrivals in for this week. Looks like the alleyway outside of the record store also got a new paint job. Also be on the lookout for some announcements regarding Record Store Day next month to come up sometime this week on our site. Let’s take a look at Dumb Records’s operating hours for this week before jumping in to the new arrivals:

Tuesday (today): 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Wednesday (show): 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Friday (show): 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday: 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

New LPs
Black Sabbath – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Temple – The Conscience Of The King

New 7″s
Black Roses – Madly b/w Back Off

CDs
Myles Coyne & The Rusty Nickel Band – Take Things As They Come
Aiha – Aiha

Cassettes
Myles Coyne & The Rusty Nickel Band – Take Things As They Come

Black Sheep 3-22 Roundtable Meeting RECAP

Posted on March 23, 2015 by blacksheepspringfield

Yesterday evening we hosted a roundtable meeting at Black Sheep in light of Kevin Bradford’s big announcement that he will be stepping down from Black Sheep last week. This was the first roundtable meeting we have hosted in a while, and the turnout was great. Discussion went on for a while and then we all split up and picked up trash around the neighborhood. Here are some main points that were addressed at the meeting:

– We need HELP from everyone! Not just everyone who was at the meeting!
– We talked about the current state of Black Sheep and Dumb Records, including show attendance and sales.
– George gave us a rundown of his recent property changes and talk of an upcoming kickstarter and non-for-profit organization.
– We went into specifics with what areas we need help in- including managing Dumb Records, editing for the Black Sheep Radio Show, help booking and running shows, help promoting shows, and help with this website.
– We talked about the importance of promotion and reaching out to younger high school crowds, promoting things on the internet, and flier distribution.
– A promotion team was organized as well as a website team, a team to put together Battle of the Bands.
– We brainstormed alternative types of events that could happen at Black Sheep such as open mic nights, more art shows, and even comedy shows.
– We talked about the possibility of hosting workshops and meetings during the day.

We also agreed that roundtable meetings like these should continue at least once a month. We should also keep the discussion going with ideas and progress on the Black Sheep facebook group.