CD showcases local bands
By Andrew Eliner Special to the Kansan
Only two weeks after "Loaded in Lawrence: Live at the Bottleneck" was released, Lawrence music has become one of the hottest tickets around.
Last April, some of Lawrence's finest bands took part in a four-night event to record the live compilation album. The event culminated Sept. 4 when Mercy Records of Lawrence released the album at a compact disc release party at the Bottleneck, which was sold out.
Brian Byers, owner of Mercy Records, said the release party was a promotion to give fans an early chance to buy the CD and hear some of the bands.
Initial reports have been positive, Byers said.
"The album is doing really well and we've heard from quite a few people that they like it." Byers said.
Brett Mosiman, owner of the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire St., said that "Loaded in Lawrence" was Lawrence music listeners' way of giving something back to the bands.
"We are doing this to celebrate Lawrence music," Mosiman said. "This album is for all the bands in Lawrence."
Mosiman said that the primary goal of the album was to give the bands more exposure.
"We hope that someone will hear the album in New Jersey and like it," Mosiman said.
That goal is already becoming a reality. Byers said that the album was getting some national attention.
"I heard that some national and other college radio stations had called KLZR to find out how to get a hold of the album," he said.
Byers said that Kief's Discount Record and Stereo Supply, 2429 Iowa St., sold 30 copies the first day.
KLZR is a Lawrence radio station.
Mercury Records produced 2,000 copies and shipped them to stores and radio stations throughout the Midwest.
"We will start out with 2,000 copies, after that we will just see how everything goes." Byers said. "We hope that everybody benefits from this, the bands, the Bottleneck and Mercy Records."
Byers said that the album should give everyone involved more exposure.
The album was recorded and produced by Byers in April. Byers said he recorded 35 minutes of each band's set. Each band chose one song to put on the album.
"Ihad each band come in and help mix the song and get it to the point where they were happy with the sound," he said.
Joe Greene, bass player for Nic Cosmos, a Lawrence band, said that the event and the album were beneficial for all the bands involved.
"The whole idea was great," Greene said. "A lot of the local bands deserve some sort of mentioning.
Mosiman said that with the album, the future could be bright for the Lawrence music scene.
"We have an unique situation here," he said. "There aren't too many places that have as much talent as we have in Lawrence."
Bands featured on the album are Nic Cosmos, Salty Iguanas, Love Squad, Stick, Kill Creek, Psychoviolets, Mahoots, Lonesome Hounddogs, Which Doctors?, Arkansas White Trash, L.A. Ramblers, Badghdad Jones, Lowlife, Motherwell, Slackjaw and Dracomagnet.
Arensberg's Shoes
One step ahead since 1958
Open evenings M-F till 8:30 Open Sunday 12:00 to 5:00
825 Massachusetts Downtown Lawrence
Monday: Monday Night Football $2.50 Bud & Bud Light pitchers $3.00 Boulevard Pitchers
Tuesday: Classic Movies $2.00 Movies at 8:00 pm
Wednesday: Trash Disco Night
Thrusday: Jazz Night
$1.00 Sex on the Beach and Kamakazi Shots
Saturday: Live & Recorded Music $1.50 Imports.
1020 Mass Downtown 842-1390
September 24,1993 Kyou • ENTERTAINMENT'93
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