Girl at the Rock Shows

Yeah, things feel a bit weird after the election results rolled in the other day. It has me feeling a bit off-kilter. Part of it is shock, most of it is disappointment, but overall, it’s just a feeling of defeat. That’s not a way to live. I did my job. I cast my ballot and prayed. It was out of my control, yet I spent Wednesday in a bit of a haze. I needed to find some solace somewhere and, for me, the only place that I can truly feel peace is at a show. Thankfully, my show on Wednesday night was the perfect kind of concert to help me find that peace and solace among a sea of strangers while some positive-feeling music took me over.

Joey Harkum was the first act to take the cozy stage at The Turf Club in Saint Paul. Just like the first time I saw Joey perform in October of 2021, I was instantly enamored by this man and his way with words. As you may know, my favorite vocalist and lyricist of all time is Ben Nichols of Lucero. Although Joey’s tone wasn’t as raspy or whiskey-drenched as Ben’s, there was something about his words that instantly gave me the same feeling. Joey’s deep and poignant lyrics told stories of everything from love to loss, happiness to joy, and, after being in a bit of a haze throughout the day, Joey’s clear voice and those raw words really hit me hard. Stylistically, Joey’s music fit the reggae-leaning bill so perfectly. Sure, he is a singer-songwriter, and it was nothing more than his voice and a guitar flowing through the speakers, but there was a sense of life and chutzpah behind it that made it feel like so much more than that.

Up next was SoCal surf/reggae/ska band Tunnel Vision. As soon as this band started playing, it felt like I was transported to a SoCal beach. Their sound was fresh, sunny, and fun, but definitely had some thought behind it. I really can not understate the good vibes that radiated off the stage as this band played. From the blaring horns to the almost punk-leaning vocals that just capitalized all of the intricate musicianship happening in the background, I found myself completely caught by this band, and I instantly wanted more of whatever they had that was giving them such a positive-feeling outlook on, well, everything. One of the many things that really stood out to me about this band was all of the influences that came through during their short set. There were moments when I felt a very Sublime-leaning vibe (the Sublime cover they snuck into the set definitely helped with that), but others where I was getting more of a Less Than Jake party-like feeling. Then, there were moments of pure beauty and bliss where all I could do was stand there and let their sound wash over me. Regardless of what vibe I was picking up from Tunnel Vision, I was captured in their world, and by the time they were ready to leave the stage and make way for the headliner, I wasn’t quite prepared to leave.

Luckily for me, the headlining act, Bumpin Uglies, picked up right where Tunnel Vision had left off. Although this band is from Maryland, they had that quintessential SoCal reggae/ska/punk blend that made the entire room erupt into smiles and happy feet. Like Tunnel Vision, Bumpin Uglies’ sound was all over the place as far as dabbling in everything from ska to punk to reggae but, overall, it was just a sound of music that makes you feel happy. It’s the sound of music that makes you forget anything else happening in your life or in the world in general and giving you a place where there are no worries, no stress, no day job, no kids, no anything– just music, some smiling strangers, and a beat that seeps deep into your soul.

Bumpin Uglies released their latest album ‘Lyrics Over Everything’ this past June. As you may know, I’m absolutely a lyrics lady through and through, so knowing that this was the title of their album, I really tried to hone in on the words flying over the carefree instrumentation. Although it was hard to do, as all I really wanted to do was dance around to the infectious and fun beats from Bumpin Uglies, I was able to catch a couple of lines of words here and there, and I was floored. I often listen to reggae-ska music like this when I’m at work, but I don’t really take the time to inspect the words. Bumpin Uglies words were absolutely perfect and it became quite clear that this is a band that puts ‘Lyrics Over Everything’. I won’t start listing all of the lines that really caught me, but the band has their lyrics listed on their website. If you have some free time, check them out. They read like a beautiful book of poetry. They are raw, honest, relatable, and all too real while also being fun and giving you a look into the culture this band has created through everything they do.

The world is a strange place right now and it will surely only get stranger over the next few months and years. I hope you have a place to go to get away from it all. If you’re still looking for that place, reach out to me. Let me suggest a show to go to. I know I talk about the power of live music and the sense of community that comes with it all the time. It’s something we all need a little bit more of now more than ever and Bumpin Uglies, Tunnel Vision, and Joey Harkum gave me that and more on Wednesday night at The Turf Club.

Line Up:

Joey Harkum

Tunnel Vision

Bumpin Uglies

Venue: The Turf Club

Smell-O-Meter: Jazz Cigarettes

Average Age of the Crowd: 33

Crowd Surfers- 0

Stage Divers- 0

Mosh-ability- 1 out of 10

Broken Bones- None Spotted

Spotted Flying Through The Air- Nothing

Fights- None Witnessed

Pukers- 0

Passed Out People- 2

Idiots Taken Out By Security – 0

How Many Times I’ve Seen These Bands Before (or at least how many times I can remember)-

Joey Harkum – 1

Tunnel Vision – 0

Bumpin Uglies – 1

Celebrity Sightings – Ann of Mostly MN Music

Overall Score – 8 out of 10

Show on Deck — Spaceport / Caley Conway / Skinsuit

Shameless Self Promotion:

Join My Patreon Here!

Buy Me a Coffee (Seriously!)

Check Out My New Playlist With All of My Favorite Songs HERE!