Lushbox & Ultimate Fakebook (4/13/98)

The Grand Emporium (Kansas City, MO)

With the hoopla and hype that comes along with 4 KLAMMIE awards, the favorite sons of Manhattan Kansas, otherwise known as Ultimate FakeBook, won't have any difficulty packing the house any time soon. Not two days after their complete domination of the Kansas City Lawrence Music Awards, the Grand Emporium hosted the largest Monday night crowd in recent memory.  Not only did old & new fans alike come to rock out to the power pop trio, it felt like the Local Musicians United Nations, with Frogpond,   the now defunct (and much missed) TV FIFTY, fellow Klammie winners Exit 159, and at least one or two members of all the big names in the KC/Larrytown scene on hand. Bill McShane, Nick Colby & Eric Melin still looked shell shocked from Saturday's turn of events.

"I just felt like a deer caught in headlights at that podium.", bassist Colby confided after their set. "I had no idea what we were doing on that stage."  "We drove out here saying 'we're just gonna put it out of our minds and play'" Melin said, "But when she (the announcer whose name I've completely spaced) said all that on stage, I freaked out all over again."
"I know it's just all downhill from here.", McShane added

    As most show-goers know, Ultimate Fakebook always delivers the goods, but Student Monday patrons got the double treat of seeing the debut performance of KC natives Lushbox, featuring Briann on vocals & guitar, her sister Heather on bass, Truck Stop Love alum Brad Huhmann, and Steven Kretsinger (formerly of Zero Hour's Shallow). Lushbox made an admirable first showing with a pop/punk set reminesanct of Weezer & Liz Phair all rolled into one. While I missed the first two songs of their 45 minute set, what I did catch had my toes tapping and headbobbing in true arms-crossed indie style. There's some real potential in this band, and I'll be interested to see how Briann's songwriting evolves. Some bad mixing made it difficult to catch the lyrics, but there was but a hint of first-show jitters in her performance. Brad Huhmann took the mike on one song to remind us all why we should oh, so miss Truck Stop Love. Add some really great guitar solos/stylings from Mr. Huhmann with the rock-solid beats from Steven, and you'll find this is a band that's definately one to keep an eye on. As a side note, bassist Heather earns kudos for playing her first live show ever on an instrument that she's only played for 3 months. 

    Once Lushbox got the crowed going, everyone knew that Ultimate Fakebook was there to kick our asses.  They played the majority of   material from their Noisesome Records debut, Electric Kissing Parties, along with some rather new additions. Not caving in to their own hype, UFB kept their radio monster (and KLAMMIE song of the year) "Fly Far Away" smack dab in the middle of the set, which reminded my how great it is to see a band that doesn't believe it's own hype. My personal fav of the night has to go to "Roll (Electric Kissing Parties, Pt. 1)", which definately blows "Fly Far Away", out the window. (And this is coming from a guy who still sleeps with his Star Wars pillow case*.) For those of you that haven't  heard it, "Roll" is an ode to those oft-remembered Skating Parties of old. With lines like "I know you like the way I roll, your best friend told me so" & "my mom & dad said, that since it's Friday, I can stay out 'till One" bring back all those great memories of couples only songs & next day infatuations.  Bill preceded "All the New Poisons" by dedicating it to Brett Micheals, who is rumored to be in the area nowadays. Nick Colbys absolutely phenomenal stage presence came out full force as he jumped and slammed about in true rock n' roll style through most of the set. Bill & the boys certainly know how to involve the crowd in their antics, and nary a soul can resist their infectious goodness. If you haven't seen Ultimate Fakebook, get thee to a nunnery! UFB is here to stay, so you might as well succumb to 'em now.

(Note: Yah, I know Shiner played as well, but I went home to bed. Sorry, Shiner fans)

* Yes, Fly Far Away is about the much anticipated Star Wars prequels due out in '99

Aaron Weber