Turns Out I Will Lack The Lackloves

Once upon a time my party was supposed to feature Splitsville and The Lackloves.

The party as it will actually happen will feature neither.

I found out yesterday that The Lackloves have to back out. This sent me into a bit of a panic, but today I got it all worked out. (Famous last words?) After a flurry of activity and quite a few email I have secured the services of The Humbugs. This is fine with me because the Humbugs are awesome, and I like awesome. (Actually I didn't know they were from Minneapolis, so I could have saved myself a bit of bother if I'd only been more aware of the local music scene.)

Whatever else, the process of planning this party certainly hasn't been boring.

Machinations

OK, here is where we stand music wise:

1) I've got a request off to Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones. He was going to "run it by the lads" but I may not hear back until they get back from Japan. (Or maybe I will - but I'm not expecting to hear anything right away.)

2) I've discovered that Webb Wilder does duo acoustic shows for the right price (i.e. $1500 plus air fare/hotel/food - hell I'd throw in beer.) This would be for a Friday night living room show.

Now, since I've no idea what it would take to get the Spongetones ($-wise) if they are up for it, there is no way I can move forward on Mr. Wilder yet...but it is an intriguing possibility.

Spongetones Anyone?

I've got a feeler off to Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones to see what it would take to get these guys out to River Falls. They have been really cool and helped out the Pure Pop Pub with station ID's, so there is some hope. Plus they are simply great.

Doing covers...





Doing cool originals...





I'll let you guys know when I hear anything.

More Info, More Music

Well, after a flurry of activity during the summer things have slowed down a little bit. That doesn't mean there isn't (what I consider) big news. I've invited the band The Lackloves (from Milwaukee) to act as the opening act for the bash. They seemed to think it was a little weird that I was asking them over a year out, but they said "Yeah, sure, sounds great, thanks for the invite."

Sounds good to me.

Oh, here they are with an outstanding tune. (Please note the old school video. The stalking undertones are only slightly creepy.)



In other news, I'm instituting a PBS style "premiums" program for those donating money for the party fund.

For amounts up to $30, you will get the "official" HortonFest 2010 T-shirt (or whatever I wind up calling this thing - HortonQuest was a pub crawl that took place in Champaign-Urbana Illinois in 1994, so don't confuse the two.)

Amounts over $30 will get the T-shirt AND another item(s) to be determined.

Any thoughts as to what the second item might be? I'm open to suggestions.

A Winner?

Alright folks, I've pretty much decided Splitsville will be one of the bands to play the bash. They are great, and they won't destroy the budget, which allows us to think bigger.

Examples:



and:



and:

A Wilder Possibility?

Well, we could probably get Mr. Webb Wilder and company.





Webb's website says specifically he plays "mid-life crisises."