For better or worse, the garage-rock act The Willowz has been lumped in with the California psychedelic scene. “I think it’s heavily related to the way we look,” said vocalist and guitarist Richie James Follin. “We do occasionally do drugs, but we’re trying to make music we like to listen to and that’s not boring […]
Charles Martin
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Cheyenne returns to Norman to finish new album
Indie-folk act Cheyenne had recorded some tracks in New York that the members weren’t satisfied with, so front man Jennings came back to Norman to fill out the rest of the album. Here, he tapped the talents of musician friends, including former bandmate Ryan Lindsey, and to record at Chad Copeland’s Black Watch Studios. “It’s […]
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OKC’s drag scene thriving
A daring, larger-than-life stage presence and an unfaltering obedience to style are part of what has made the drag scene a long-running tradition in cities across the country, even here in the buckle of the Bible Belt. “You can put a dress on, do up your hair and think you’re grand, but when you are […]
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The Pharmacy joins forces with Norman indie band
Seattle punk band The Pharmacy is in the midst of a sprawling tour that will hit around 70 venues coast to coast. They are stopping at the Opolis on the way through, in part to pick up a tourmate, Mickey Reece, the lone gunman of Norman’s El Paso Hot Button. “We met him in Ft. Worth […]
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OKC performance artist’s anything-goes shows defy description
Describing comedian / musician / performance artist Balthazar is not an easy task. You’ve got Jack Black’s manic mugging, Andy Kaufman’s unpredictability and Gilda Radner’s gleeful awkwardness, all strained through a marathon of “I Love the ’80s” episodes on VH1. “Who doesn’t want to be a rock star?” Balthazar, aka Leslie Hensley, said. “I have a […]
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Former members of Toadies, Reverend Horton Heat form OKC’s Burden Brothers
Burden Brothers are touring to support “Mercy,” their second album. Drummer Patrick “Taz” Bentley formed the band with Vaden Todd Lewis, formerly of The Toadies. “We’re in it for the long haul, so we’re just drudging away,” Bentley said. “For myself, I can’t believe I’m still doing this. I can’t believe people still pay to […]
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OKC Lightning women’s football team racking up impressive record
Like the Oklahoma City Dolls three decades ago, the Oklahoma City Lightning gives local women the opportunity to play football. Having appeared in two world championships and earning a 38-6 record in its six-year history, The Lightning kicks off its next season April 21 against Dallas. “Oklahoma loves a winner. You keep winning, eventually you […]
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Norman’s Blue Fish music show celebrates 20th gig
The 20th Blue Fish Companion party/music show recently was held at Norman’s Red Room. “It comes with a built-in crowd,” said Quentin Bomgardner, founder. “When I contact people, they want to play Blue Fish and that is why. You want to play in front of people. As a musician, it stinks to play in […]
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OKC artist formerly with The Fellowship Students releases solo album
Bands generally recoil from the term “concept album” for fear of being pretentious. But Matt Brown, formerly of The Fellowship Students, declares it proudly. “The problem is, it’s for music nerds,” Brown said. “When most people buy an album, they listen to four or five songs. There aren’t enough people who will smoke a […]
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OKC’s Starkweather Boys revive sounds of rock’s golden age
Under the umbrella of The Starkweather Boys, surf rock, Western swing, Little Richard, The Comets and even a bit of the Fifties-era Elvis Presley all find a comfy home. The Boys show off that musical muscle on their new album, “Archer St. Blues.” The following is an e-mail interview with lead singer Dave McPherson. […]