LIVE MUSIC!

The Tank Room at the Koken Art Factory is happening with live music! 

Food available at Shameless Grounds until 11:00pm.

 Please enter through the Shameless Grounds entrance for these shows and hang a right at the top of the steps.

Check back often for more announcements!

_____________________

 November 19, 2011 - 9:00pm - $3 - Thomas Whitfield Project

with special guests The Peanut Gallery Click Here for their sound!

Developed as a means to express full artist originality, The Thomas Whitfield Project's sound is summed as "taking an "internal" emotion from an everyday inspiration and externally portraying it through the art of music". "Whether it's an uplifting emotion or an angered response to life, that's as real as we can be and the music can get!" says front man Thomas who, with the help of drummer Wesley Whitfield, established and has spearheaded the Project since 2010. Each musician in TWP has their own style and their individuality is conveyed into each song. Your ears will pick up on bass player Danny Conners blending of Rock rifts with subtle Funk undertones, lead guitarists/vocals Matt Pouges "woozing" solos and melodic rift runs, drummer Wesley Whitfields eclectic ensamble of jazzy funk beats and an acute mixture of vocals ranging from "happy-go-lucky" or "in your face" hip-hop verses to a more smooth, sincere tone from rhythm guitarist/front man Thomas Eldridge. Committed to professionalism, their fans and the first amendment, The Thomas whitfield Project is a definite MUST SEE!!! 

http://www.thethomaswhitfieldproject.com/

http://www.facebook.com/TheThomasWhitfieldProject

PAST SHOWS

July 9 2011 - 9:00pm - $5 - Paul H. Alpert & 3

"Paul H. Alpert has spent the most of his life mastering a wide variety of styles, from blues, jazz and rock always with a strong sense of melody. Think Stephen Stills or Jorma Kaukonen to get your first impression. The songs he writes are sometimes sarcastic, often humorous, and full of heart. Paul has played hundreds of shows as a solo artist and with his band. Notably, The Sheldon Concert Hall, May 25th, 2010 and April 26th, 2011. Myron Willis is a rock solid, old school kind of bass player. He has been playing the same bass, a gorgeous, Fender Precision since 1977. His approach is to always serve the music he is playing. No flash, just major groove. Paul Shaw began playing music when he was five years old. He grew up in Millville, NJ and studied jazz drumming at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ. He is a very active member of the St. Louis jazz and rock music scenes. He has toured the world playing jazz as an active duty Air Force musician. Tim Brosch is an outstanding drummer who has spent his life working his craft. He has been in numerous bands, and his passion for drums is evident in his playing. The combination of Paul, Myron, Paul & Tim is a mix of blues, jazz & rock, and their shows are 85% original tunes, written by Paul H. Alpert, and 15% covers."

http://www.myspace.com/paulhalpert

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=213891748649489

July 22 2011 - 9:00pm - $3 - Miss Molly Simms & Johnny Murdock

With opening act Edgefield C. Johnston

Miss Molly and Johnny
Only 21 years old, Miss Molly recently won Best Female Vocalist in the
RFT, and you can most definitely tell why. Her sultry soulful voice and smooth blues riffs will leave you craving for more! Molly has been playing to crowds for five years and has made her mark on the STL blues scene. If you don't think a white woman can sing the blues or play quitar, well then Miss Molly will show you a thing or two. You can find her belting the blues all over STL. Miss Molly will be joined by Johnny Murdock on upright bass. Both play in the STL rockabily group Bible Belt Sinners. From old standards you know and love to Miss Molly's original tunes, this is one duo you should not miss!

Edgefield C. Johnston
Edgefield C. Johnston spent the majority of his life wandering the country, accumulating experience and learning to write songs before landing in St. Louis in 2009.  With previous bands, he has organized benefits at now-renowned art space Wham! City in Baltimore, sharing bills with Dan Deacon, Pony Tail, Walker & Jay, among others, and opened for Chris Boone in Charleston.  As a producer, he has recorded his own work, as well as projects with Studisneat, Honne Wells, and Wheatie Mattiasich.  Currently he lives on the north side of St. Louis, where he continues to write and perform his singular brand of edgy American music, both solo and with his band The Errant Flock.  His style combines elements of blues, jazz, country, gospel, folk, indie rock and shoegaze, delivered with a hefty dose of garage punk swagger and swing.  His latest album is due out this year.

http://www.myspace.com/missmollysimms
http://www.facebook.com/biblebeltsinners
http://www.myspace.com/rocknrollsuicidemuthafukka
http://www.kokenartfactory.com/live-music/

July 23 2011 - 9:00pm - $5 - Jefferson Fox

Jefferson Fox is an award winning solo artist from Jackson MO. He has appeared on the Grammy Ballot, has been featured in the May/June issue of Blues Revue magazine, and his video for My Brother's Keeper is being reviewed frequently as "video of the year". His songs are real, from the heart, and delivered with passion. "Jefferson writes with deep insight about the dilemmas, disappointments and delights that inform the human condition. Listeners find in his music an awareness and understanding of those moments in life that find us with our defenses down or leave us confused. His voice evokes every emotion that a listener hopes for and brings to life songs that stay with us long after the record stops. His lyrics find us staring headlong into the events that bring his songs to life. He has been described as a James Taylor of the 21st Century but the creativity in his work brings many other names to the conversation including Tom Waits, Paul Simon, Leo Kottke and a host of others, all proving that what Jefferson Fox provides is a new flavor for music appreciators."

http://www.jeffersonfox.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Kk5pZC6Alr0

August 6 2011 - 9:30pm - $7 - D'fynitive Soul

D'fynitive Soul is a very diverse band based out of STL. They play many different genres of music and aim to make their music complete and good for the soul. They are a four piece band consisting of  Kel Ellison on keyboards, Boroppe Rashad on bass guitar, Dominique Evans on drums, and Kelvin "Mr Saxman" Evans on saxophone with vocalists on call. This talented bands plays a lot of neo-soul, R&B, jazz, and funk but are not afraid to explore many different genres. D'fynitive Soul has been playing together now for over five years and each member of the band comes from a musical background. This is one band that likes to have fun, play good music, and get the crowd into the show. D'fynitive Soul plays covers but also have some original tunes as well. You want to be at Koken for this night of smooth smooth music.

http://www.reverbnation.com/dfynitivesoulband

http://www.facebook.com/pages/DFynitive-Soul-Band/109693792441041

August 12 2011 - 9:00pm - $5 - The Dorians

With opening act Cancel Callaway

The Dorians
Hailing from Columbia, MO, The Dorians were formed on March 26, 2009. When asked what the strongest point of their band is they insist it is their songwriting. The band strives to constantly produce quality rock tunes that their audience can really connect with. Their shows are always energetic and a lot of fun for the audience as well as the band members themselves. The Dorians are made-up of Justin Broderson on lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Aaron Bolli on lead gjuitar, Jackson Portell on bass/vocals, Alex Jaconbson on drums/percussion.

http://www.facebook.com/thedorians

http://www.facebook.com/thedorians?sk=app_2405167945

http://www.myspace.com/thedoriansofficial

Cancel Callaway
Cancel Callaway is a Columbia based band composed of Dan Duffeck on guitar, Nick Leonhard on guitar, Dave Duffeck on bass/vocals, and Trace Thorp-Bucklew on drums/ vocals. The band-mates are all great friends who have a love for alternative music mixed with punk and rock-n-roll, so they formed a band and began writing and playing the music they love.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cancel-Callaway/172624482782803

August 20 2011 - 9:00pm - $5 - The Mhurs CD Release Show

With opening acts HumDrum, 1,2,3 & SPELLING BEE 

The Mhurs

The Mhurs are Johnny Maguire on vocals, Carter McKee on guitar/vocals, Ryan Jeffries on drums/keyboards, and Paxton Rodgers on bass. They are planning a fall tour of the Midwest - including, Chicago, Bloomington, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Nashville, and Memphis.

On June 3, 2009, The Mhurs were nominated Best New Band by the St. Louis River Front Times. They played the RFT 2009 Music Awards Showcase at Vintage Vinyl.

The band released their first album in 2009. It was reviewed by Christian Schaeffer of the St. Louis River Front Times. “It's still early in the new year, but Belleville's the Mhurs has become a local band to watch in 2009. Its self-titled debut finds the young quartet playing a mélange of what used to be called alternative rock — inventive guitar playing and a trusty, propulsive rhythm section match bizarre, stream-of-consciousness lyrics.”

HUMDRUM

HUMDRUM is a four-piece, experimental/indie rock band from St. Louis. They have been fortunate enough to share the stage with many innovative musicians (and friends), including: Josiah Wolf, Julie Doiron, Miniature Tigers, Jill Sobule, John Doe, Samantha Crain, Jookabox, Venice is Sinking, Yourself and the Air, C.J. Boyd, Paleo, So Many Dynamos, Theodore, SLOTHPOP, Née, and Union Tree Review. "Humdrum is a cleverly constructed folding of intelligent lyric, off-kilter humor, technical savvy, highly honed talent, musicianship beyond reproach, and that indefinable soul to back it all up." Humdrum is composed of Mic Boshans on drums/vocals, Paul Maguire on guitar/synth/vocals, Dan Meehan on bass/synth/vocals, and Phil Strangman on keys/guitar/vocals.

1,2,3

1,2,3 is a rock-n-roll band from Pittsburgh, PA that is guaranteed to keep you firmly rooted to the dance floor.  With great harmonies, rocking guitar, deep lyrics, and an awesome original sound, 1,2,3 will keep you groovin’. Nic Synder is on vocals/guitar with Josh Sickels on drums/percussion, Mike Yamamoto on guitar/keyboards, and Chad Monticue on bass/vocals/glockenspiel.

Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee is an experimental/post-punk duo out of St. Louis, Missouri. Formed in early 2009, Spelling Bee is comprised of Mabel Suen on guitar/vocals/saxophone,  and Joseph Hess  on drums/vocals/sampler.

Spelling Bee has performed with artists such as Yowie, Lightning Bolt, Zach Hill, Polysics, Cave and many more. Their first album (2010) was released on cassette and compact disk through Apop Records. They have a split 7" (2011) with St. Louis based group Glass Teeth.

http://www.facebook.com/TheMhurs

http://www.listenbeforeyoubuy.net/listen/ones-to-watch-introducing-the-mhurs/

http://www.humdrumband.com

http://www.facebook.com/123land

http://www.facebook.com/spellingbeestl

 August 26 2011 - 9:00pm - $5 - Bud Summers

Enfolds, transcends and reiterates the genres of blues, jazz and rock with masterful guitar performances and smooth, jagged vocals. He earned a B.A. in music performance (classical guitar) from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and also played in the college jazz band. He performs mostly in the St. Louis area, but has traveled to play in fourteen states. Bud works mostly as a solo act, but also as part of duos, trios and larger combos. He currently plays approximately 140 shows a year. His first full-length solo CD project "Golden" was released in May of 2008 followed by "Eons" released March 6, 2010. Two more recordings were released in 2011. A solo CD "Bud Summers Live in Chicago" and one with his band "Bud Summers & The Floyd Duncan Trio Live". He’s been a guest instrumentalist on ten records and has had two of his songs recorded by other artists.

http://www.budsummers.com/

August 27 2011 - 9:00pm - $4 - Cronus

"Cronus started with the founding members, Matt and Casey, writing songs in a mini studio. The songs and ideas seemed to meet at an organic, but very rock oriented approach. From that day on the band Cronus was born. After searching for a few different names, they found an old greek myth about the rise to power, falling into darkness, and finally heroic defeat. So the name stuck, and the band was born. The song ideas have been based off love, life, happiness, anger, psychedelia, stories, myths, and memories. After noticing that Cronus finally had a good repertoire of songs, they decided to take it to the next level and find the missing members that were needed to complete the sound. Since both Casey and Matt played with Pat Kelley in another project, he was a great fit. Pat added a much needed instrument, bass. His sound added a great low-end rhythm which allowed Matt and Casey to focus on their accents and leads. Pat, had also been in another project with Brandon. Brandon was an excellent fit to the project adding a great drumming style with mixes of many different musical styles and approaches. Along the way, Cronus had also found John Zimmerman, who adds a much needed organic fill with his various percussion instruments, shaker sounds, and audio knowledge. The sytle is an eclectic mix of the minds with various influences. Whether it be soulful southern style leads, or indie/progressive rock, to funk and r&b, to blues and jazz."

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cronus/298397737743

September 10 2011 - 9:00pm - $5 - Soul Cafe

Soul Cafe Voted #1 by St. Louis Jazz Radio as best new artist providing a very creative palette of great jazz with a killer horn section and St. Louis' hottest players. Soul Café combines several colorful palettes of jazz including (Smooth, Fusion, Funk, Latin, and Swing) along with a killer horn section to bring a defined solid delivery for the sophisticated appreciation of the distinguished listener. Sit back, relax, savor the moment, and satisfy the passion and emotion your soul desires with some great St. Louis based comtemporary jazz.

Soul Café was founded in 1998 by Ed Starrett aka “Mr. Ed”, a premier guitarist & composer in the St. Louis area that has studied with such guitarists as Fareed Haque and Bobby Broom. Ed has also played with the renowned R&B/Funk drummer “Zoro” and has played extensively with Keyboardist Tim Pascoal who recently has recorded with Dave Weckl, Richard Bona, Bob Mintzer, Russell Ferrante, and Tom Kennedy. 

Over the years guitarist/composer Ed Starrett has developed the bands sound by writing and performing original compositions. This collaboration has developed into a sound that is a signature which is unique and diverse across the musical spectrum. Soul Café has been influenced by some of the greats such as Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Chuck Loeb, Abraham Laboriel, Steely Dan and many more. Soul Cafe' is Ed Starrett - Guitar, Jerry Scruggs -Keyboards, Tim Quarrells - Drums, Bruce Crask - Bass, & Aaron Giraudo - Saxophone.

http://www.soulcafejazz.com/

Saturday, September 17 at 9:00pm

RATLINE DVD Release Bash w/ SONS OF BLACK MASS

SONS OF BLACK MASS w/ Ded Bugs and Magic Man Jack Sinn - Come celebrate the DVD release of the new Wicked Pixel horror film RATLINE directed by Eric Stanze, featuring SOBM and other STL acts on the soundtrack (purchase the DVD at this show before the actual street date the following week!)

Doors 8:30 - Show 9:00
Tickets $5.00 / 21 and UP!

This will be the only SOBM show of 2011-- don't miss it!

For more info visit: www.wickedpixel.com