The Ovaries-eez

This all girl trio from Lawrence came in to existence in 2012 and since then has graced the Lawrence area with their beautiful harmonies and ethereal folk tones. Founded by Amber Hansen and Johni Lacore, they were joined by Monica George in 2013. They are accompanied by an electric guitar only. They trade off guitar responsibilities but no matter who is playing, they all sing, and they always sound great. These ladies are amazing vocalists and their harmonies are well done and beautiful. Each one shares in the songwriting and performances. They write most of their own lyrics, but on their debut album, Lawrence poet Nicholas Ward writes many of the lyrics.

Photo by Fally Afani

As mentioned, they have an album released on Band Camp called, "I Saw You in My Dreams." it's really great certainly worth the $5 for the digital version. $10 for a physical CD which I would also strongly consider getting. They don't have any shows coming up but if you go like them on Facebook, I'm sure you'll hear about it there first.

Facebook: The Ovaries-eez

Local Venue Topeka Map

Just the same as the Lawrence map, except this map is for Topeka. There will be a short description of the venue and its address. Here we go.

1. Live Music Institute: Located at 5224 SW 17th St. The Live Music institute is the place to go for really everything musical. They offer private lessons, rehearsal rooms for bands, an instrument shop and much more. Bands can rent out the main room to preform shows for a reasonable price. I have seen the Cozies there twice, and the Kansas City band The Greeting Committee at this venue. It's a great place to see great, young, Topeka bands.

2.  The Celtic Fox: Located at 118 SW 8th Ave. The Celtic Fox is an Irish pub with really excellent food and a great local scene for all kinds of music. They hold open mic nights some nights, and other times they have scheduled bands come in. Bands like Smith & Liston frequent this venue.

3. The Classic Bean: Located at 2125 SW Fairlawn Rd. and 722 S Kansas Ave. The Classic Bean is a local chain of coffee restaurants and also a great place to see local blues, jazz, acoustic, bluegrass, folk, and Celtic music. Usually shows are on Friday and Saturdays.

4. The Boobie Trap: Located at 1417 SW 6th Ave. The Boobie Trap, often just referred to as "The Trap" is a bar where local rock bands go to be very loud and very rowdy. The venue is outfitted with pool tables and pinball so while you wait for your favorite band you can do something fun.

5. Kansas Expocentre: Located at 1 Expocentre Drive, which has to be the least helpful address ever. It's right past 17th and Topeka Blvd. on Topeka Blvd. The Expocentre is a place where many things go on. Hockey games, exhibitions monster truck rallies, and the like. But every once in a while there are band performances. Not usually any small local bands, but it is a local venue for music. So it gets a spot on the list.

Varma Cross

Varma Cross hurls themselves out of the gate at 100 MPH on most of their tracks and stays there comfortably. Their guitars and bass are kicking and driving as the drums play cruise control and keep it all together. Their whole sound is a call back to the alternative rock and grunge bands from the '90s. The vocals sound like My Chemical Romance, and that's a good thing for sure. Varma Cross is one of the best alt-punk bands that I've heard in the last few years. It's really great to have them so close too.

Varma Cross has also gotten into the recent trend of releasing EP's and albums on cassette as well as CD and digital downloads. Those can be found on their label's Band Camp page. They have a show coming up on December 18th, 2016 at the Riot Room in Kansas City. It would certainly be worth the trip up to KC!

Facebook: Varma Cross

Sona

Founded in lovely Lawrence, Kansas this trio of "shoegaze" rockers are the product of husband and wife, Brian, and Jenna Goodman, plus their drummer, Bobby Reeves. Their sound is very reminiscent of Sonic Youth, calling up the best memories of Sonic Youth's "EVOL," and "Daydream Nation." Drifting, and mysterious soundscapes that are held together by solid drums and excellent musicianship. Brian Goodman's guitar is floaty and mystifying, with smooth lines and lingering tones that never get in the way. His vocals are very fitting to the shoegaze feel and spacey sound of the band. Jenna Goodman's bass is driving and an incredible foundation for the rest of the band. The best bass players add so much to the feel and go totally unnoticed. It's clear that J. Goodman is vital to the band. Bobby Reeve's drumming is solid and just as important to the foundation as J.Goodman's bass.

The band recently released a five song EP on Band Camp, with 30 minutes of music for $4. Which is a steal if we're talking about music of this quality. The link to that is below. Also there is a link to their Facebook page. The band is performing in Lawrence on December 2nd at the Replay Lounge if you decide you need something to do that night.
Facebook: Sona

Psychic Heat

Putting on their best King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, Lawrence's very own Psychic Heat turn up the Lo-Fi goodness of fuzz guitars and psychedelia and produce some of the best new rock I've heard in recent memory. They released their first EP, Lighter and Brighter, in 2015, and a full-length album, titled, Sunshower, in 2016.

The band was founded by Vocalist and guitarist, J. Evan Heard, and multi-instrumentalist Tanner Spreer. On their latest release Sam Boatright plays bass, and Ricky Barkosky is on drums. Their combined talents really show on Sunshower, which is available for purchase on vinyl, cassette, CD, and digital download on their Band Camp page. It's a crunch filled mix of psychedelia and garage band punk. The soundscapes that emerge from the instruments is mysterious and fun. Definitely one of my highest recommendations. Below is a link to Psychic Heat's Facebook and Band Camp page.

Facebook: Psychic Heat

Local Venue Lawrence Map

This map contains the best music venues in Lawrence. There will be a short description of each venue, and its address. Here they are in no particular order.

1. The Bottleneck: Located at 737 New Hampshire St. The Bottleneck has become a sort of historical landmark for Rock & Roll. The venue holds an open mic every Monday for local talent to showcase themselves. However they also can boast large acts like Foo Fighters, Ben Folds Five, and Sublime.

2. Jackpot Saloon: Located at 943 Massachusetts St. Part bar, part incredible music venue, this building boasts spacious crowd areas and a great stage for fan interaction. Acts here can really fill up the house with noise and make the building shake in a good way.

3. The Replay Lounge: Located at 946 Massachusetts St. The Replay Lounge is the showcase area for Replay Records, and other bands. It offers pinball, rock music, and food. It has a patio area for seating and listening as well.

4. The Granada: Located at 1020 Massachusetts St. The Granada really is a big venue where lots of large name bands go to preform, but they still have battle of the bands and showcase other bands. The venue is very focused on the music so there is a balcony for viewing, the floor, and a second level for standing.

5. Liberty Hall: Located at 644 Massachusetts St. Liberty Hall is an all around theater. They show movies, comedians, and many kinds of music performances. The chairs are removable, so the floor can also be standing room and there is a balcony for seating.

Something and the Whatevers

That's not a joke, this band is actually called "Something and the Whatevers." They come from Lawrence, Kansas with a unique brand of punk rock that they call "Theater Punk." They are definitely going for comedy music when you look at their lyrics. The band's sense of humor will get you cracking up while the music makes you want to jump around and maybe punch your best friend in the face. But in a fun way.

 The trio is made up of Ben Kraus, Quinton Cheney, and a man known only as Tiny G. I'm not sure who plays what instrument but my guess is that Tiny G plays keyboards and sing/shouts the main vocals, and Ben and Quinton both play guitar. In march 2014 the band released a full-length album called "We Sold Our Souls For Wicked Lulz," it's on sale on their BandCamp Page. They also have a Facebook.

Smith and Liston

Smith and Liston are a Soul and Rhythm & Blues group originating from Topeka, Kansas. The two people in their name refer to the two founding members. Ellie Smith, whose vocals soar and float above the backing, and David Liston, whose performance on the drum set is as beautiful as his mustache. They are also joined by guitarist Dan Mauer, whose guitar lines blend perfectly and beautifully.

From the Band's Website. Photo by Scott Storman

The band is a frequent performance around the Topeka/Lawrence area. So it's not difficult to find a show to go see. The band is a lot of fun live as well. Their chemistry is amazing. You can tell that everyone on stage is a friend and it really helps bring you as an audience member into the performance. They frequent the Celtic Fox at 118 8th St. in Topeka, and many other local venues.

The band is really good about getting their name out so I have links to their Facebook, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, and their own website.

Facebook: Smith & Liston
BandCamp: Where you can purchase their album and other merchandise.
Smith & Liston Website