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Farmer's Ball promises music harvest
False history thickens mystery behind contest
Who made our picture so big? The Norman Three-Sixty, performers Tuesday night at the Farmer's Ball, are one of the bands vying for a spot open this spring's Day on the Hill concert. Because there are no favorites, the band with the most members got the biggest picture. All art contributed.
story by chris horton • chorton@kansan.com
In a country where voter apathy is on the rise, Farmer's Ball offers a chance for music lovers to blow off their homework, get drunk and scream "Play some Skynyrd!" — then vote for their favorite bands.
The prize for the winner of the three night rockfest is the opening slot at Day on The Hill and four hours of free recording time at Red House Studios in Eudora.
Each night of competition begins at 9:30 on Monday, Tuesday and Friday at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St. The admission price is $3, and the shows are 18-and-older.
The history of Farmer's Ball is brief but false.
In 1961, the federal government decided that the American public needed some cheering up after the Red Scare of the 1950s, so it established the Committee to Promote the Pleasing of the Masses.
When it was discovered that nobody had attended the first five Farmer's Balls, President Lyndon Johnson decided to disband the CPPM and select the bands himself.
The CPPM promptly established Farmer's Ball, which it secretly used to advance its agenda. It turns out that the CPPM was headed by prohibitionists who booked bands such as Wholesome Jim and the Sober Boys, The O'Douls, On The Wagon and Carrie Nation and the 18th Amendment Possse.
The result was one of the most popular Farmer's Balls ever. The final night featured veterans On the Wagon against the LBJ Beatbox Experience, 2 Player Option, and upstart Pink Floyd.
Control of Farmer's Ball was then turned over to the current organizers of the KJHK music staff and SUA live music coordinator.
For those who may be unfamiliar with Farmer's Ball, it features four bands each night on Monday and Tuesday. Audience members will vote for two bands each night into the final round of competition on Friday, when one band will be crowned king and taste the sweet nectar of victory.
Unfortunately, riots ensued when LBJ dropped his shorts and told the audience to direct their questions to his complaint department after his one-man show was proclaimed victorious.
The Norman Three-
The Norman Three-
Sixty
Lineup:
Wes Gartner: drums
Bryce Billings: guitar
Jan Burns: bass
Ben Deloris: trumpet
Mike Walker: trombone
Jade Brown: alto saxophone
Jen Fortune: tenor saxophone
Nate Jorgenson: baritone
saxophone
Mike Warner: vocals
Together far: Four years
Named After: A brand of exhaust fan in the band's practice space.
Advantage: Experience.
They played Day on The Hill last year.
Disadvantage: Playing Day on The Hill last year.
"Playing Day on The Hill seems to be like chicken pox; it only happens once." Gartner said.
Icarus
Lineup:
The Rev. V. Gunn: drums
Sexma Sheen: rhythm
guitar
Pistol Pete: bass
Johnny Psycho: lead guitar
Dr. Dick Lascia: vocals
Together for: seven
months
Watch For: Deluxxx. He
could be the determining
factor in whether Icarus
advances. He has taken
his clothes on ostage
and lacerated himself at
previous performances.
Will Deluxxx Strip and Cut
Himself at Farmer's Ball?
"It depends on how drunk
I get," he said. Odds are
The Anniversary
Josh Berwanger: guitar, vocals
Justin Roelofs: guitar, vocals
James David: bass
Adrienne Verhoven: keyboards, vocals
Christian Jankowski:
drums
Together for: One and a half years
nait years.
Band Obsessions:
Robats, My Little Pony,
New Kids on the Block,
Cowboys.
Band Secret: Josh, Justin
and James want to be
pirates.
Band Motto: "We're only
in it for the money."
**Vosotros**
Lineup:
Kori Gardner: guitar,
vocals
Jason Hammel: guitar,
vocals
Josh Baruth: drums
Beatriz铿a bass
Together for: Seven
months
Almost Known as:
Goona-goona. Goona
said the term came from
Bali and meant sex
appeal.
Watch for: A possible
Bananarama cover,
Jason's jumping ability,
pointing at the audience
while singing.
2 Player Option
Lineup:
Davy Venom Jr.: bass, vocals
Rattlesnake Jimmy Koolz: drums
Dave Whitesnake: guitar, vocals
Benjamin King Cobra: guitar, vocals
Together for: 32 years, currently on its 20th bass player.
Obsessed with: Snakes, obviously. "We all think we're snakes," Venom said.
Watch for: Rumored 4-20 surprise, Chiefs tribute, full-frontal exposure.
JAMES, JOSH, SCOTH, TIM
'SOLAK MOTH' 3-17-98
Angrius
Lineup:
Mike Wedgewood:
drums
Chris Perry: vocals
Tim Dzubay: guitars
Mike Keown: bass
Together for: Two and a half years
Hobbies: Sacrificing goats
Description of Music
Style: Heavy, fast and loud. Leaves one with similar feeling experienced after eating too many gas station burritos.
Solar Moth
Solar Moth
Lineup:
James Abbott: guitar,
vocals
Josh Ogden: drums
Scott Hartmann: guitar,
vocals
Tim Quillen: bass
Together far: Three years
Music Style: "We have
absure lyrics that are
subject to interpretation,"
Hartmann said.
Beer Preference: Cold.
The Playthings
Lineup:
Jenny Hart: bass, vocals
Steven Anderson: drums
Tim Brown: guitar, vocals
Together for: Two years.
Band Obsessions: Cars, playful things.
Description of Musical Style: "People say we sound like the Clash meets the Talking Heads," said Hart.
What the Band Probably Won't Do: Get naked and engage in self-mutilation