Reunion Shows Headline Big Holiday Weekend Downtown

By Karynn Brown
Dec. 21, 2018Lincoln’s historic favorites are home for the holidays in more ways than one, as this weekend brings together three important reunion shows, all near 14th & O. JV Allstars with ASBTY and Koizumi hit 1867 on Friday night, while duo Basil & Gina Lee play the Zoo Bar on Saturday. And The Machete Archive marks a decade after their album release with Unmanned and High Ruler on Saturday at Duffy’s.

The JV Allstars kick off the weekend at 9:00 p.m. Friday, playing 1867 Bar alongside locals Atsby and Koizumi. Pop-punk masters of the early 2000s, The JVA boasts 20 bandcamp releases from The Havelock EP in June 2000, to a single release, “The Structure” from November of 2017.

JVA is all about pop-punk roots and Lincoln history. This latest single features the blank storefront formerly known as Knickerbockers, where JVA headlined for years. JVA played the final Knickerbockers show in 2015, alongside other Lincoln favorites.

“We’ve played one show a year since 1999, so our band is old enough to vote, buy porno and adorn our bodies with questionable tattoos.” notes their Bandcamp page.

The JV Allstars are playing alongside other locals, ASBTY and Omaha’s Koizumi. Koizumi’s indie rock, pop-punk feel will fit right in with the JVA and ASBTY, who played Lincoln Calling in 2016. Koizumi released two songs on Bandcamp last week, the grouping entitled, “Broccoli”.

The 9 p.m. show at 1867 Bar is 21+ with an 8$ cover charge.

Saturday brings two more shows of longtime Lincoln performers to the Zoo Bar and Duffy’s Tavern.

Derailers keyboardist and Nebraskan Basil McJagger and his wife, vocalist and guitarist Gina Lee — also a Nebraska native — will make the journey from Texas to play the Zoo Bar on Dec. 23. The Basil Trio, a grouping of organ, guitar, and drums, will play the first half of the show followed by The Brisket Boys. The Basil Trio recently released a five-song EP full of upbeat, funk and free jazz-style sounds.

Turning to a different tone, The Machete Archive takes the stage at Duffy’s to mark a full decade since the release of their first album, Terra Incognita. Ryan Thomas, Saber Blazek, and Ian Francis make up the experimental rock group.

Machete Archive’s five-year career in Lincoln left an impression on the music scene, making a following that lead the way for the support and growth of so many local bands and venues that exist now. Their piercing performances and entrancing instrumentals created Terra Incognita and a second album in 2009, Tempus Omnia Vorat.Unmanned and High Ruler will be opening for Machete Archive on Saturday.

Started in 2011, Unmanned is a rock-heavy experimental group. Their latest album was released in April of 2016. Formerly known as Powers, the name change arrived with the release of Night Friends, giving a new face to the sturdy and long running career of the rock group.

The night of heavy handed artistic rock will be a must seen. Doors open at 9 p.m. Tickets for the 21+ event will be 5$ in advance and 7$ the on Saturday.

Alongside these three reunion and revival shows, downtown Lincoln will host seven other music events throughout the weekend.

The Bourbon brings a packed bill for its, “Ugly Sweater Holiday Show” featuring local rock groups Cuddlebone, Mobius, and Risky Clique. The show will take place Friday at 8 p.m.. Heavy grunge rock group Cuddlebone released their third album, The Aviary, at Duffy’s on November 11th.

The Zoo Bar will feature a heavy weekend of returning artists in addition to Basil and Gina Lee. Kris Lager Band, on tour throughout the midwest, will be stopping at the Zoo Bar for the late show Friday. That day’s early show at The Zoo will feature funk band The Wondermonds from 5 to 7 p.m.

Following an appearance on Highway Blues with Al Lundy, you can see Local Songwriters,Laurie McClain, Severin Browne, Hana Zara, and Will Hutchison perform for the Laurie McClain and Friends Christmas Benefit for Friendship Home of Lincoln. The benefit starts at 7:30 p.m. at CGS Music.

Holiday-themed performances in jazz, country, and dance can also be found throughout the weekend. Christmas jazz makes its way to the Grand Manse’s Boiler Room with an appearance by jazz musician Darryl White and his trio.

The full list of events by day is featured below.

Karynn Brown is an editorial intern with KZUM.