Nettles, Mindfreak, and Bishop of Norwich
@ The Bishop on October 31st
18+; cover = donations
Most college Halloween parties go like this: people dress up in costumes (usually either pieced together at Goodwill or skimpy enough to be featured in a Victoria's Secret window display) to drink excessive amounts of cheap beer (or Everlcear mixed with Koolaid), bob for apples, and play beer pong while a DJ (or someone's iPod) plays "Monster Mash" and any number of other unforgettable Halloween "classics" (or mainstream rap songs) until the sun rises, the cops come, or the booze runs out. This is a time-tested formula--one that satisfies the needs of many who just want to get wasted and have a totally rockin time with all their bros on Halloween.
But there are others who may be tired of this repetitive experience. After all, there are plenty of cooler places to be than a frat party on All Hallows' Eve. This Halloween's Stand Tall show at the Bishop may just be one of them.
Part of a series of shows benefiting the Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), the 18+ event will kick off around 11:30 with original music from three unique local bands: Nettles, Mindfreak, and Bishop of Norwich. The cover is as much as attendees want to donate, and all proceeds from the show will go toward helping the IFA in their efforts to protect Southern Indiana's embattled wilderness. And, like all great Halloween parties, there will be free candy.
The music for the night promises to be noisy and experimental. John Flannelly, the organizer of all these Stand Tall benefit shows, plays with the band Mindfreak, who mix drums, guitar, and didgeridoo with fuzzy electronics, feedback, and theremin. A video created for the show will be projected over them as they play and will include, among other things, hilarious footage of dogs acting like people, cats playing instruments, and crazy feedback effects. As for the other performers, Nettles is a heavy noise trio (featuring members of Resting Rooster and Paul Revere) and Bishop of Norwich is the solo project of Found Objects member Patrick McMinn. Overall, a noisy bunch--Flannelly jokingly warns to bring earplugs.
The show comes at an important time for the IFA. This week, hearings are being held to discuss the pros and cons of logging in a region of Indiana forests known as the "back country", which Flannelly said is one of the most pristine and oldest regions of protected forest in the state. A final decision on whether or not to pass a bill protecting the area will be made by midnight on Halloween, a decision which is especially important due to the significant increase of all logging in the state under the Mitch Daniels administration.
If you'd love to hear some great music and save these majestic, helpless trees but can't make the Halloween show, fear not; Flannelly has organized two more shows for the Stand Tall series in the near future. On November 14th, Shedding (from Lousville) and Spirit Spine will play at the Bishop (another pay-what-you-will 18+ show), and on November 21st experimental techno artist DJ/Rupture will be performing at the Vid ($10).
If you'd like to get involved with the IFA's efforts, e-mail John Flannelly at jflannel@indiana.edu
Links/more information:
Indiana Forest Alliance YouTube Page
Indiana Forest Alliance Home Page
