Merry Swankster: Underground Music Showcase @ Various venues, Denver, CO

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August 29, 2007

Underground Music Showcase @ Various venues, Denver, CO

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Our long, unabated tradition of non-expeditious follow ups continues. Now that we are two Saturdays removed from DPUMS, the colloquial acronym for the Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, it is fair time to tell you what went down. Seeing as how Merry Swankster's Denver resources lie in the eyes and ears of just one person, a comprehensive wrap up of all the action that went down at all the South Broadway music venues would be impossible. But that doesn't really matter does it? Along with the usual suspects putting on shows (Hi-Dive, 3 Kings, etc), an eclectic mix of shops in the area lent their real estate for added square footage to the DPUMS event, serving as refreshing backdrop to Denver's burgeoning independent music scene.

Stepping out of the standard venues was a cool experience and gave the showcase a unique character with minimal effort. Without getting into additional benefits of boots-in-the-door exposure for these shops, their one-day engagement as music venue allowed for interesting set pieces for performing musicians. Most impressive was IndyInk's display of skateboards as canvas pieces. Hung in a grid pattern on the walls of the shop where dozens of wheel-less skateboards, or would that be called just a 'board'? The concept worked so well it appeared specifically designed for this moment. Always count on random art installations to brighten up the joint. I've always been a fan of non-traditional spots for live music settings, overly romanticized visions of roof top jams are partly to blame, but DPUMS lo-fi conversions drove the point home further.

Though most of the M.S. crew have at one point or another passed through the mecca of music showcase orgies that is SXSW, I have yet to pull the trigger and experience Austin's annual musical bacchanal. From I gather about SXSW, its where I imagine the inspiration for DPUMS lies. Both the spirit and layout of SXSW seems to form the backbone of DPUMS' vision, albeit a spec size version compared to the legendary craziness of Austin in March. (I should have an answer on this directly from the source shortly (hint hint).

After the jump: DPUMS from the vantage point of the Merry Swankster. Pictures are included at no charge with the exception of Porlolo's lovely performance (forgotten memory card!).

Pee Pee @ Hi-Dive

[Photo Cred]

Frontside Five @ Thrifty Stick curb

[Photo Cred]

Denver skate (SK8!) band is so punk rock they wouldn't perform indoors. Instead opting to quite literally play out in the gutters of Denver. Rawk!

Porlolo @ IndyInk

Pixie sized Erin Roberts of Porlolo is an incredible talent. I look forward to checking out more Porlolo.

Dualistics @ IndyInk

Magic Cyclops @ Skylark

Magic Cyclops is something of an institution in Denver; half-maniac, half-performer, all jokester. You can catch him hosting Championship Karaoke every Monday night at Hi-Dive. Yes, those are casts on both (!) his arms. Broken while dancing (of the slam variety presumably) at the Dan Deacon show. Most memorable line from DPUMS: "I need condoms cause after this song I'm getting laid." It was terrible, but amazing.

Reverend Deadeye @ 3 Kings Tavern
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A legitimate gospel infused blues man in the vein of Tom Waits. The Reverend sings what he knows rather than what he thinks he knows. (I'm looking at you Jack White.)

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