Winter Packingham, 29 Cedar Rapids, WinterStar Promotions and CR Music Scene
You know that saying “Music is my boyfriend?” I use to laugh whenever I heard it, until one day I realized — I am that girl. I am head-over-heels in love with the local music scene.
Most of my weekend nights are spent checking out my favorite area bands at my favorite local bars and live music venues like Chuck and Dale’s (myspace.com/chuckndales) in NW Cedar Rapids (fun staff, friendly regulars and killer mini tacos), Volume (myspace.com/volumecr) in downtown Cedar Rapids (it’s split into two sides and offers a deejay on one side and a live band on the other) and Fifth Gear on the SW side (outdoor shows in the summer as well as great bands inside the bar).
My week nights are often spent doing what I can to help out or spread the word about those bands I absolutely can’t get enough of.
Here’s a few bands that I never miss:
Pretend Rockstar (myspace.com/pretendrockstar1) is a punk rock cover band that takes songs by artists like the Dixie Chicks, Rod Stewart and Paula Abdul and punks them out. It’s a sound unique to the area, but it really works. They will have you wanting to dance in mere seconds. You will also hear things like Sublime, Jimmy Eat World, Vanilla Ice and much much more.
Super Size Seven (supersizeseven.com) is another Cedar Rapids–based cover band. Between their crazy antics and the high energy that exudes from them, there is never a boring moment at a Super Size show. You will hear anything ranging from Buck Cherry to Fuel to Bowling For Soup. Keep an ear out for their 60’s medley.
Black the Sun (myspace.com/blackthesunlive) is a harder rocking band that made a believer out of this non-hard-rocker in a very short period of time. Metallica, Ozzy, Pantera, AC/DC and the Foo Fighters are just a handful of the covers you will hear Black the Sun play. There are always a few dance tunes (Joan Jett, Blondie, etc.) thrown in too.
From your very first time seeing Iowa City-based original group the Brian Troester Band (myspace.com/briantroester), you will be counting down the days until you see them again. Pay special attention to “Parade,” “Emily,” “The Last Song” and “The Greatest Mistake.” They have a way of injecting themselves into your soul. They give me goosebumps.
Every time I see original rock band All But Screaming (myspace.com/allbutscreaming), I feel as if I have entered a magical world that can’t possibly be understood unless it’s experienced firsthand. Between their guitar-driven rock and perhaps the most dedicated and excited fan base I’ve ever seen, ABS shows are nothing short of amazing.
