the villin mix features music from artists playing shows around Iowa, in addition to the best new music from the state’s local and homegrown talent. Here’s what’s on tap for this edition, covering September 18 – September 24, 2023. (Cover photo: Viagra Boys.)
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Viagra Boys “Punk Rock Loser”
Viagra Boys will be playing Wooly’s Monday, September 18 in Des Moines, with Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops in support.
Jad Fair & Samuel Locke Ward “The Demon Devil Bat”
Following this summer’s Purple Pie Plow collaboration with Mike Watt, Sam Locke Ward has returned alongside Jad Fair of Half Japanese with Destroy All Monsters (which follows Happy Hearts, which the pair released in February). For more on Ward, read this article from Kembrew McLeod for Little Village titled, “Meet Sam Locke Ward, Iowa City’s pop music MacGyver.”
1000mods “Electric Carve” & Twin Wizard “Electric Yeti”
1000mods will be playing Lefty’s Thursday, September 21, with Wizzerd, Twin Wizard & Godcrutch in support.
Written around the time of Glass Ox’s sessions for 2022’s Winds of Violence, “Gaze of Colossus” finds the trio lay down a brooding, combative battle anthem. Read more about the song in this Q&A with guitarist and vocalist Bo Becker.
Everclear “So Much for the Afterglow”
Everclear, the Ataris, and the Pink Spiders are playing the Hippodrome Saturday, September 23 in Waterloo. Dave Gil de Rubio previews the show for the Cedar Rapids Gazette.
Heartless Bastards “Only For You”
Heartless Bastards are playing Wildwood Saloon Sunday, September 24 in Iowa City, with Pieta Brown supporting.
Anthony Worden and the Illiterati “Voilá”
Mr. Softheart, Scott Yoder, and Anthony Worden and the Illiterati are playing Octopus Friday, September 22 in Cedar Falls.
Benny the Jet “Heartbreak Summer”
Benny the Jet and Poezy present the Tequila Sundown Party which goes down Thursday, September 21 at Elray’s in Iowa City.
BMB “Run”
Jeremy Kyle feat. Rare Doozy “Chit Chat”
Golden Element “What’s the Vibe”
Teri Underhill will be performing Saturday, September 23 at London Underground, as part of the Maximum Ames Music Festival. Her latest track, “MONSTER,” is a direct response to past experiences of ableist abuse relating to her autism symptoms. Read more about the meaning behind the song here.
Emily Wells “I’m Numbers” & Jarrett Purdy and Lex Leto “WHATEVER I WANT”
Track Zero is The Englert’s new concert series that presents burgeoning, diverse, and boundary-pushing artists in Iowa City. Emily Wells and Lex Leto will be performing Wednesday, September 20 at the James Theater in Iowa City as part of the series.
Mr. Softheart “Caravaggio”
Jordan Mayland “Lie Detector”
Jordan Mayland will also be performing at London Underground in Ames, this time at a Friday, September 22 showcase. The Ames Tribune previewed Maximum Ames, which will go down September 21-24, noting “The four-day Maximum Ames Music Festival is back this month and bigger than ever, with 104 bands playing at 21 Ames venues.”
Death Kill Overdrive “Bunny Song”
Death Kill Overdrive have a new album out called Juicin’, and PunkNews.org shared a breakdown of another new track from the release titled “Thyme.”
Look @ Me “Washed Out Stain”
Look @ Me will be playing The Angry Irishmen Sunday, September 24 as part of Maximum Ames, along with Mr. Softheart, and Greg Wheeler and the Poly Mall Cops. A full festival schedule is available on Max Ames’ Facebook page.
Nightosphere “Foxfire”
Nightosphere will be playing Gabe’s Tuesday, September 19 in Iowa City, with Internet Dating, GMM, and Koozie in support.
Elsewhere, here are some links from the past week featuring articles, reviews, shows, and other music coverage from around the state:
The Des Moines Register has a recap of Porch Fest, with photos from Lee Navin.
Thrash Panda has a few videos from last weekend’s In Loving Memory reunion, with clips of Black Market Fetus, Druids, and Plack Blague as well.
xBk Live owner Tobi Parks spoke with Marketplace, discussing the economic state of live music venues.
Jessica Rish previews several upcoming shows around IC for the Iowa City Press-Citizen
This past week’s Iowa Basement Tapes featured music from Glass Ox, the Horrors, Rue Morge, and more. Listen and subscribe via Apple and Spotify.
And for more of what’s going on in central and eastern Iowa, visit Little Village’s Events Calendar or Iowa Public Radio’s Live Music Calendar.
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