• the217
• Calendar
• Indie Rock, meet Hip...

Venue: Canopy Club

Address: 708 S. Goodwin Ave. , Urbana

Cost: $5 cover before 8 p.m., $7 after

Entry Age: 18

Posted 11:38 am Apr 18
Updated 11:38 am Apr 18

A night of very different genres coming together to create one hell of a show.

Tall Tale - Tracey and Tricia started their musical life together up in Chicago on a whim one snowy weekend in 2005 when they played as filler music during a comedy fundraiser (but they were oh-so-serious about their music even then). Chinese food ensued, and the rest was history. They ventured down to Champaign in August of 2007 to persue their intellectual endeavors at the U of I, and were fortunate to find Justin, Jeff, and David. They continue to work day and night to bring their stories and audio arts to the masses - from here on out, it's up to YOU to decide if these darlings will succeed... we know you'll love them when you see them.


Dark Meat - DARK MEAT/Vomit Lasers Family Band/Galaxy are an Athens ensemble that can rock, and sway, and clap they hands to the beat in an area large enough for them to do it in. Singer/guitarist Jim McHugh and bassist Ben Clack moved to Athens from North Carolina two years ago and met guitarist Kris (who also shreds with SUBVERSIVO), and drummer Forrest (who formerly rocked with CARRIE NATIONS) while working together at a restaurant downtown. When second drummer Spirit Bird left town, his chair was filled by cymbal master Jason Robira. The group features a powerful backing vocal ensemble called the Subtweeters (Heather, Page, & Claire) who can rival the vocal intensity of the earth shaking performances on BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY's classic L.P. "Cheap Thrills". The groups massive horn section led by Charlie (trumpet) and Aaron (trombone) comes across like a Salvation Army Mariachi brass band - and with waves of reeds from Jeff, Al, and Becky, songs become wildly fluid in the exploratory sections. John Fernandes (ELF POWER, CIRCULATORY SYSTEM, etc.) also came in to the group playin' some crazed, jiggle-billy fiddle and bass clarinet, and lest us not forget the key bumps, a roving pack of band cheer leaders including Chris Smith on flag twirling and Toshira blowing out on a couple of didgeridoos.


Yea Big plus Kid Static - While not rhyming about sandwiches, the Chicago-based hip hop duo has been basking in the love that comes from making one of the most fun and furious beatmeister-rhymemaster records of last year in the form of their self-titled debut. The first video to come from the record is an homage to the town they call home. �The Life Here� contains footage of more Chicago landmarks than Ferris Bueller�s Day Off, and it�s just as memorable to boot.



Krukid & The Sugargliders - Edwin �Krukid� Ruyonga, East African emcee residing in Champaign, Illinois, feels he has a lot to be thankful for this year. One of these reasons might be the upcoming international distribution of his latest album �African� to be released by Cash Hill in conjunction with the world famous Rawkus records. Krukid was officially selected to be part of the Rawkus 50, Rawkus� new underground hip-hop campaign. Another reason might be winning the award for best Hip Hop at the 1071 CU Local Music Awards. For the most part though, Kruk�s just happy he�s still doing what he loves with a passion the way he always wanted to do it, music. Born and raised in Uganda, East Africa, Kruk has spent his young adult life fighting to validate his musical beliefs. Music is rarely looked upon as a profession worth pursuing in a country where many certified university graduates cannot get jobs, let alone HIP HOP music. Forming the Urban Thugz with a group of equally talented friends and winning a countrywide music competition in early 2000 did little to cast a more appealing light on his musical inclination in the eyes of friends and especially family. Be that as it may, from the second Edwin fell in love with hip hop at an early age, he recognized its power in giving voices to the unheard that did not just attract but demanded attention. From an early age, this was a voice he felt his country and continent so desperately needed.


Curb Service - CURB SERVICE is the moniker for ex-Lorenzo Goetz founder, front man, guitarist, and songwriter Larry Gates. The album, Little Red Recovery Room, is a collection of songs new and old on which Gates plays most instruments (credits include vocals, guitar, bass, keys, turntables, percussion and beat programming). He is supported in large by former bandmate and beat maker Josh Miethe. Here, the organic sounds of LG are replaced by more beat-driven tunes, but the undeniable catchy pop melodies still endure.