Cover Story
Election 2012: A quick-and-dirty guide to contested Metro Council races
*Denotes incumbent District 8 Kirt Jacobs (R) After eight years in Metro’s economic development office, Jacobs went to work for a real estate investment firm in 2011. As host of Metro TV’s “Leadership Landscape” show, he amicably chatted with Councilman Owen in 2008; now he wants to crush him. OK, not really … it’s actually…
Election 2012: The untouchable
We are not sure when the exact moment came that the Jefferson County Republican Party establishment officially gave up on defeating Congressman John Yarmuth. However, we are confident that this moment came long before his current long-shot Republican challenger, accountant Brooks Wicker, filed an embarrassingly meager campaign finance report this July showing only $2,600 raised…
Lonerism
With their sophomore album, Australian psychedelic rockers Tame Impala continue to blend avant-garde production techniques with a pop sensibility. “Be Above It” announces this intention with a repetitive drumbeat supplemented by whispered vocals that, when looped, become intrinsic to the rhythm of the song. Where they really shine is in their ability to maintain a…
Theater: Eve on Ephron
It was all about timing for the ladies of the newly formed Eve Theatre Company, which grew out of a group of longtime friends who’ve done lots of local theater together and dreamed of starting their own troupe. For nearly four years, it was just an idea — they had figured out their mission, which…
Inbox — Oct. 31, 2012
Kentucky’s Kingdom Perhaps the way to secure state funding for our beloved Kentucky Kingdom is to add a ride that takes you up a mountain where there would be thunder, lightning and fire. Suddenly, two stone tablets would be placed in the hands of riders, and then the ride would return to the ground. The…
Staffpicks
Oct. 26-Nov. 10 ‘Electile Dysfunction’ Alley Theater 1205 E. Washington St. thealleytheater.org $10; 8 p.m. Oh, politics. Who needs it? While I’m certainly going to vote, I can’t wait until Nov. 6 is over and done with so we can get back to important issues like “The Bachelor” and who Taylor Swift is dating. The…
Art: Amigos del art
Louisville artists Jeral Tidwell and Justin Kamerer have become known well beyond these borders for their dark-tinged artwork, full of fast cars, interesting women, kooky characters, tattoos, decay and beauty. This week, they celebrate the release of their new book, “Amigos de los Muertos” (made in collaboration with fellow artists Roberto Jaras Lira and David…
Election 2012: A Halloween Story
For 91 years, the Democratic Party has held majority control of Kentucky’s state House, but many Republicans are optimistic that this era could come to an end after the Nov. 6 election. Though Republicans need to gain 10 seats to take the House majority — and are being outspent by Democrats in most key races…
The Pass moves on up
The Pass have been taking a shot at surpassing VHS or Beta’s ability to fill up venues with ’80s-style arena-sized hooks, grooves and beats for two and a half years, and now find themselves at the edge of glory. They’ve toured around the country, made popular videos and been heard on a half-dozen TV shows…
Deicide: The Beatles of death metal
Rock ’n’ roll wouldn’t be the same if The Beatles hadn’t crossed the pond. You can’t have punk without The Sex Pistols. And after 23 years and 10 studio albums, it is clear that death metal can’t be defined without a mention of Deicide. Having been a band for more than two decades, it isn’t…
Locavore Lore: Perfect pumpkins
“Your mom’s name is what?” “Pumpkin.” “No, really, what is her real name?” “Pumpkin.” “No way! What is her middle name, Seed?” “Well, actually …” It’s true. My mom’s name is Pumpkin, middle name Seed. Despite my mama’s funny name, I do love her namesake — both of them. Most cooks reach for canned pumpkin…
Election 2012: Liberty vs. Liberal
For over two decades, Sen. Mitch McConnell was the unchallenged Godfather of the Republican Party in Kentucky, imparting his blessings to handpicked underlings who helped him wrestle power away from the once-dominant rule of the state’s Democratic Party. That all changed when Rand Paul and the Tea Party decided they would no longer need to…
Theater: Distinguished film and theater director visits U of L
University of Louisville’s African American Theatre Program brings Kenny Leon to town to participate in a free public presentation from 5-8 p.m. on Monday. Leon, who is known for his work on Broadway and regional theater, produced the all-black “Steel Magnolias” remake that premiered this month on Lifetime. LEO spoke with Leon about theater and…
This don’t feel like a party
I voted for Ralph Nader in each of the last three election cycles, and I’m unrepentant. I am opposed to a two-party system that stages elaborate moral and ideological pantomimes while, offstage, corporations play/pay both sides and lobby themselves into positions of primacy above, and to the detriment of, the actual citizens of the United…
Video TapeWorm
THIS WEEK’S TWIN PEEKS: SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS: IT’S A SPONGEBOB CHRISTMAS! 2012; $9.98-$14.98; UR OK, we’ll admit it: We’re big fans of Spongebob, but what’s really cool about this Christmas special is that the whole thing is done in stop-motion animation! That makes us very happy, unlike Plankton (who always gets coal in his stocking), who…
Mourning in America and Dreaming in Color
In a giving mood earlier this year, Brother Ali released a free EP, The Bite Marked Heart, which will easily rank among the best of the year. The full-length follow-up dares to at least match the EP’s quality. His first away from longtime producer Ant, Jake One ably steps in with his record collection in…
Election 2012: 21 Answers
1) What notoriously outspoken state senator said, “I don’t know if they controlled them, I don’t even know if they were real planes,” when asked if he believed government remote-controlled planes crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11? Perry Clark 2) Fill in the blank: During the final presidential debate, Obama mockingly explained to…
Election 2012: Shuffle board
Every election season, media organizations dutifully devote word count or airtime to politics. Amidst this months-long swarm of candidate missteps and pledges, certain races tend to soak in a sad puddle of tepid interest: school board, judges, perhaps a council spot or two. But this year, an unprecedented 14 candidates are vying for three of…
Election 2012: 21 Questions
1) What notoriously outspoken state senator said, “I don’t know if they controlled them, I don’t even know if they were real planes,” when asked if he believed government remote-controlled planes crashed into the World Trade Center on 9/11? 2) Fill in the blank: During the final presidential debate, Obama mockingly explained to Romney, “Governor, we also…
B-sides
Dolls parts Lugging equipment from venue to venue, many bands only dream of leaving all that hassle behind. Suki Anderson, Amber Estes and Rebecca Dennison never had to worry about that. After playing in several different bands, the trio decided to form their own powerhouse, Sandpaper Dolls. This time, their vocal chords alone were enough.…
Election 2012: GOP gaining ground
If the Democratic Party has any hope of taking back the majority from Republicans in the House of Representatives this election, Indiana’s 9th District — stretching from New Albany and Clarksville to the south Indianapolis suburbs — is the perfect encapsulation of the type of race they will have to win, or at least compete…
All We Love We Leave Behind
In a recent Pitchfork interview, Converge vocalist Jacob Bannon was asked if they had plans for the band’s upcoming 25th anniversary. “No. I’ve never been a fan of bands that go out and celebrate their age,” he said. “I’d rather be celebrated for being relevant.” It’s a fitting statement for a group that continues to…
Stop raping my brain
With a scant week remaining till Decision ’12, I’m poised to declare some winners and wieners. Political comedians and critics deserve le grand prix. The biggest losers include Donald Trump, Sarah Palin and men who make stunningly stupid claims about women’s plumbing. Obsessive birther Donald Trump offered to donate $5 million to the charity of…
Comedy: Derek Sheen is no fan of mom jeans
Along with friends Rory Scovel and Kyle Kinane, Derek Sheen is helping to spearhead the latest movement in alt-comedy. Like Patton Oswalt and Doug Stanhope before them, they are driving comedy shows out of the clubs and into some less obvious but equally appropriate venues. This Friday, Sheen will bring his astute observations and plethora…
Plugged In
Readers are strongly encouraged to call ahead to verify these listings. To get your musical act listed, send email to pberkowitz@leoweekly.com with PLUGGED IN in the subject line. The deadline is FRIDAY at NOON the week before the show happens. We do not accept listings via social networking sites. Wed OCT 31 Air Devils…
Election 2012: Sneak attack
Astonishing. Remarkable. Sinister. Those are words that come up when confronting the wave of voter identification laws that has swept through more than 30 Republican-dominated state legislatures in recent years. The measures sound innocuous enough: When a voter shows up to the polls on Election Day, he or she must present valid photo ID in…
Election 2012: Contrasting conservatives
Oddly enough, Sen. Mitch McConnell’s dream of becoming Senate majority leader was dashed in 2010 by the same dynamic new force that was largely responsible for the Republican takeover of the House that year: those wacky Tea Party candidates. The Republican primary victories of candidates like Christine “I am not a witch” O’Donnell and Sharon…
Face Anagrams
A quick scan of their Bandcamp page shows Mindhorn is incredibly prolific, having released two full-length recordings in the last two months. With just a cursory listen, though, it is made quickly apparent why: Mindhorn is less interested in a polished product, instead focusing on immediate and intimate recordings that emphasize the band’s strengths in…
Playing with a full deck
Rick Pitino knows he’s sitting on a live mount in the college basketball derby. Louisville is ranked second in the pre-season Associated Press college basketball poll, just behind top-ranked Indiana, with Kentucky — the champion a year ago — ranked third. The coach waves away the significance of polls, but he can’t suppress the smile…
The Taste Bud: What’s this stuff on my hot dog?
I ate a hot dog with peanut butter on it. Think about that for a moment: Of all the condiments one might consider adding to a hot dog, I’d have to say peanut butter would be pretty far down the list — maybe just above motor oil. But while perusing the hot dog-centric menu at…
