One of my favorite bands of all time is the Alabama Shakes, so when I accidentally discovered Thunderbitch in the same bin at the Record Collector in Iowa City, I was beyond excited.

Thunderbitch is a solo project released by Alabama Shakes lead singer Brittany Howard. But you wouldn’t know that by the website, or anywhere else, because the whole band (or her?) is such a mystery. That is until you press play and hear the unmistakable, powerful vocals of Brittany Howard. To add to the mystery, they all wear wigs and sunglasses, and all they really have accomplished so far is produced one self titled album with an impressive rock and roll sound.

If you’re not into real garage type rock, then this album isn’t for you. Thunderbitch is everything you love about Alabama Shakes, kicked up a notch. The guitar. The drums. The vocals. The heavy rock sound hooks you with “Leather Jacket” (low quality video here) and continues on through in jams like “Eastside Party” all the way to “Heavenly Feeling”. You’ll be playing air guitar and kicking over imaginary mic stands the whole time.

Not only does the music give you the feel of what real rock and roll is, but it’s in the lyrics as well. “Leather Jacket” one of my favorites and the first song on the album, is about how putting on a leather jacket changed her life by making her look so cool. This song literally made me want to go out and buy a leather jacket. “My Baby is My Guitar” specifically goes on about how her guitar has everything that she’ll ever need, something a true rock and roll artist would feel. All the songs on this album follow this rock and roll theme so perfectly, if you ever had to introduce rock and roll to someone who had never heard it, this album would be on the list to play.

Brittany Howard is so authentic. As a songwriter you can tell she puts her whole self into the song, and her performing them is no different. The way she clings to her guitar playing for the Alabama Shakes, or strutting around the stage as Thunderbitch, Brittany Howard was made for rock and roll and I can’t imagine her singing anything else.

Most importantly, Brittany Howard isn’t just a singer, she is a force. Everything that this album is about fits her so unbelievably well, from the guitar riffs to the lyrics describing what it’s like to live a life of rock and roll, she embodies it. Her voice reminds me a bit of Steven Tyler, with the near screeching vocals at times, but remaining unique with a soulful sound at other times. In my opinion, this chick can hold a candle to any rocker shes compared to.

Whatever Thunderbitch is, if there’s more to come or not, rock and roll is lucky to have her around if only for a while, and Alabama Shakes in between.

The post Women Who Rock: Thunderbitch appeared first on KRUI Radio.

This anxiety filled, frustrated person.

I never used to want to punch through a wall or run my car into a bridge.

I never used to want to sleep away my life in order to escape the toxic memories of what you did to me.

I used to be independent.

I used to have dreams that floated with the clouds.

I used to imagine changing the world, now I’m lucky if I change my frown upside-down.

I used to be free.

Free from your hateful words

Free from your sabotage

Free from your guilt

Free from you.

Now I’m like a passenger on the Titanic. Not knowing where to find the lifeboats so I just watch the boat sink lower and lower.

I’m trapped, just waiting to drown in my sorrow and despair.

The post What I Used To Be appeared first on KRUI Radio.

It sometimes seems as though a guard goes up as soon as someone is approached by a stranger. They aren’t as willing to tell silly stories, make dumb jokes, or talk about what’s really going on with them.

I tend to sit and quietly observe before making an approach, which can lead to some pretty interesting content in itself. At times, the out-of-context, outrageous, and unbelievable from many sides are much more entertaining than a single story.

Just the other day, as I was sitting in the Burge Marketplace, a group of boys sat down at the table next to mine. I didn’t think much of it, but soon they began a loud conversation, and I just happened to listen in.

“Man, high school was sick,” one of them said, “Nice houses, nice booze to steal from your parents, and hot chicks that you already knew.”

Since I didn’t really share the idea that high school was “sick,” or agree with any of their reasoning for it, I decided to listen in a little more, and I suppose it was lucky that I did.

“I feel like everyone just gets hammered and then is like, let’s go lift and sweat this alcohol off.” another of the bros stated. Strangely enough, all of the others agreed with him.

I can’t say I’ve ever experienced this particular scenario, but to each their own.

From here, the conversation only got better and better. They talked about all the places they had puked in and all of the crazy stuff that they had done, and again, about how high school was “sick.”

In a final crescendo of bro-ness, another of the boys exclaimed, “Dude, you traded that shirt for weed?! Bro that’s awesome!”

I have no words for the conversation’s content, but listening in on this encounter made lunchtime a whole lot more entertaining.

Iowa City Observations is a continuing column in which I venture out into the streets of Iowa City and ask people to inspire me, as well as make probably irrelevant observations about Iowa City itself.

This column was inspired by Humans of New York. Check out their Facebook page and Instagram account.

The post Iowa City Observations: A Noon Encounter appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Disclaimer: This review contains content unsuitable for minors, work situations, and the well mannered. Read at the risk of being offended.

Bo Burnham is no stranger to Iowa City. In 2010 he had a show at The Englert Theatre, and in 2012 he had another show at Englert Theatre. Last night Bo returned once again to the IMU Main Lounge, with brand new material in his fourth comedic tour, the “what.” Tour.

For those unaware, Bo Burnham is a musical comedic sensation who gained a fan-base via YouTube in 2006. His popularity grew over the years, and in August 2008 he became the youngest comedian to record a Comedy Central comedy special, just four days shy of his 18th birthday. His first CD was released in 2009, and has since released a second, and in the process of recording his third, What. Recently he filmed the first season of his MTV show, “Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous”, in which he stars, writes and produces. The first episode premiered last Thursday night, (watch the first full episode here), and 11 more episodes of season 1 are set to air Thursday nights at 9:30 central.

People, (mainly UI students), lined the street outside the IMU waiting to see Bo. Some people had been waiting for so long that they were working on homework while waiting for the 7pm doors. Loyal Bo Burnham fans.

Opening comedian Drew Lynch had me laughing through the entirety of his set. Not one of his jokes flopped and I was highly impressed with his bravery. Lynch has a verbal stutter due to a sports accident involving his vocal chords, yet still is an amazing comedian and stand-up performer. Check out his stand-up here.

After Lynch’s act, Bo Burnham hit the stage. He opened the show with a funny, but bizarre five-minute-long narrated introduction. It included dancing, singing, magic tricks, 40 seconds of “prolonged eye contact” with an audience member in front of him, and shouting “Fuck you!” to the front row.

The first song he played was called #Deep,  a new song from his upcoming album, and followed it with the most hilarious and vulgar “love poem” you’ve ever heard titled “I Fuck Sluts”.

One thing that must be said about Bo Burnham is that he is undoubtedly unique with both his verbal and physical comedy. A short list of the outrageous things Burnham did on stage would include throwing bouncy balls at the crowd (unexpectedly), simulating masturbation, pulling a cloud of rainbow glitter out of his pocket, and telling a joke in slow motion.

No one can argue that Bo Burnham is not talented in any aspect, and I was pleasantly surprised by his ability to play the keyboard. I also was surprised that some of his comedic songs and material had some serious underlying commentary on actual issues like religion, gay rights, and shallowness of the music industry.

Bo closed the show with a hilarious new song he recently wrote, which he described as “a song from the perspective of God.”

But after he exited the stage, Bo came back on stage and performed two of his classic and highly popular songs, “Love Is . . .” and “OH BO”. During “Love Is . . .” he changed the Anne Frank lyric to “. ..like Anne Frank wanted to be a Belieber.” Which the crowd went crazy for, and even earned a laugh from Bo himself as he delivered it. He also spent some time talking to the crowd, and thanking them for coming out on a Tuesday night. He exited the stage saying “If you liked what I did, my name’s Bo Burnham  If you didn’t like what I did, my name’s Kendrick Lamar.” To which the crowd responded with applause and a standing ovation.

After the show both Drew and Bo waited to meet and take pictures with every single fan that lined up, (which was a couple hundred roughly). When I met Bo I asked him, “What did you think of Iowa City and the crowd?” and he responded with, “Iowa City is amazing.  Been here three times in three years, always fun. They’re great. Very patient, they listen, they’re loud and excited. It’s great. So in conclusion, I hate it.” He kept his humorous answers going when I asked him about his plans to return to Iowa City, “Uh when I have new material  It might take me ten years but. . ” Lastly I asked him how I should end my article about his show, so here you go Bo. What ever you want.

To stay updated with Bo’s stand-up and his new show on MTV, follow him on Twitter.

To read reporter Eric Moore’s one-on-one interview with Bo after the show, click here.

The post Bo Burnham Returns to Iowa City With New Material appeared first on KRUI Radio.