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• Study shows Bush missed about as much as Syphilis, bands rock the Great Cover Up

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Brother Embassy covers Limp Bizkit at the 18th Annual Great Cover Up January 18.

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By the time this issue hits the shelves, many things will have happened: Bush will finally be out of office after what seemed more like an eternity than eight years, our esteemed governor will hopefully, (for our entertainment), have staged another amazing press conference with a supporting cast of people who look bewildered to be there, and two nights of the Great Cover Up will have passed and if you missed them, that’s a shame. But, you have one more chance to get out and see some of the area’s best bands stepping out of their elements (sometimes), to raise money for charity. Last week’s issue covered the history of the event, so pick it up or check out http://www.the217.com if you missed it. This column was written just after night one of the event, which saw some very excellent sets from several genres.

Local rock band PopGun5 kicked things off with a set from Lynyrd Skynyrd, a band that I have respect for, but don’t find myself listening to often. But, I’ll tell you what — I was rocking pretty hard during the “Freebird” solo. (And yes, a Confederate flag was used as a cape, of sorts). Kilborn Alley followed with a very strong set of Peter Tosh tunes. Brother Embassy took everyone back to the late ’90s with a Limp Bizkit set, which alarmingly, made me somewhat fondly remember some of those tunes. Guitarist John “Quez” Vasquez had one of the best costumes of the night — face paint, black silk outfit, and several lights on his body to nicely replicate the Wes Borland “pre-Jesus” look. It was fantastic to see Curb Service’s Larry Gates finally get to play the set of Pulp Fiction soundtrack tunes that he’d been talking about for years, complete with costumes and dialogue from the film. Drummer Ian Shepherd played the entire set in an exact replica “Gimp” costume complete with zippered mouth and Lindsey Markel took on both the role of Yolanda and a twisting Mia Wallace. Also, Brandon T. Washington looked shockingly like Samuel L. Jackson’s Jules Vincent, which he utilized walking around the dressing room asking people, “I’m sorry, did I break your concentration?” Mike Ingram Band, (yeah, this guy), followed by performing as Temple of Low Men, one of my favorite bands ever that just happens to be from here in CU, complete with a mid-set bass player switch. The thrilling conclusion was delivered by Beat Kitchen, whose lineup swelled to ten people, including a horn section and extra percussion and Brandon T. in his second wig of the night — this one an afro that extended nearly a foot high. They played an incredible set of songs by Sly and the Family Stone that had the crowd going crazy. The horn section was amazing, and hopefully Jacqui Palmer is a vocalist that we’ll all be seeing more.

Getting to the final installment of GCUP18, tonight you can catch some new and old faces. The newly formed local group Silver Moon is set to kick things off, with Golden Quality in the second position, (and GCUP guru Ward Gollings in the mix). Scurvine will return to the GCUP stage having performed as Tegan and Sara in 2007. Hot Cops also joined the event this year, but it’s probably too much to hope for to have them do something Arrested Development-related to go along with the band name ... but, I’ll say now that a set as Dr. Funke’s 100% Natural Good-Time Family Band Solution would be incredible. The Chemicals will follow, (having performed last year as the Velvet Underground), with Roberta Sparrow next in line, (after a blistering 2008 set as the Descendents). Terminus Victor is set to close out the 18th year, which is apt when considering how talked about their sets have always been, whether choosing to go the more indie route with sets as Fugazi or Slint, or picking huge surprises like Def Leppard or Elliott Smith. No matter the band they choose, you can expect the set to be fantastic. The show starts at 9 p.m. and there is a $7 cover charge that goes to a local charity.

It was great to see so many people at the first night, but John Hoeffleur was right, (as he often is), in saying that it would be great to see the kind of enthusiasm people show for bands at the Cover Up at the gigs they play as original acts. So, hopefully you discovered some new groups through the GCUP that made you wonder what they sound like normally and will seek them out in the future.

If you’re out and about on Friday, be sure to check out the show at the Red Herring, (which is hosting some pretty cool shows this semester), featuring Sunset Stallion, Tracey and Tricia (formerly of Tall Tale), Carl Hauck, and Steph Plant — a great lineup of young CU/campustown acts for only $3. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.