The Kansas City Star, Mo., Timothy Finn column: Band Scramble at the Brick mixes and matches a variety of musicians [The Kansas City Star, Mo.]

July 15--For more than six years, Sheri Parr, owner of the Brick, has been enlisting local musicians to enroll in her venue's Band Scramble.

The names of the musicians are pulled randomly from a pool and organized into bands. They must then decide on their style of music and compose original songs to perform live as they compete for the title of Band Scramble champ.

Judges watch the bands perform and select who wins a $500 cash prize.

On Friday night, five bands will compete in the fifth Brick Band Scramble. One of them is an indie-rock/hip-hop troupe that has named itself Champion. It includes Anna Cole, who competed in the first Band Scramble and learned you can win even if you aren't crowned champion. Cole has been in the bands Lights & Siren and the Anvil Chorus, which was born in the inaugural Band Scramble. She sings and plays keyboards in Champion.

Cole's band mates are Jordan Smith, formerly of the Supernauts and Lights & Siren on bass and vocals, Matt Epstein (Mr. History) on guitar and vocals and Ace Fadal (Crushproof Studios) on beats, triggers and samplers.

Q: Talk about your first experience in the Band Scramble.

A: I joined as a fluke. I was bored and hadn't played music with anyone for a year or so, and it sounded like an interesting idea. Though we did not win, we had such good chemistry that we stayed together for almost three years, performing under the name Anvil Chorus.

How has this scramble been different from the first one?

It has been different in a few ways; I feel I have much better music and performance ability. Also, in the first Band Scramble, I knew most of the people and we all had similar indie rock styles. With this Band Scramble I hardly knew any of the participants, and our styles are much more broad.

Break the band down and describe your sound.

Ace Fadal is a hip-hop musician. He is our drummer. Jordan Smith, Matt Epstein and I work our indie rock styles into his beats, amending them when necessary. All of us sing and we use vocal harmonies often. Maybe if the Gorillaz had Billie Holiday in their band with a bit of Viva Voce thrown in for good measure: lots of soul and driving beats. Definitely dance-worthy.

We are having a blast. We'll see if we remain a band or go our separate ways after Friday. Band Scramble is fun because of its randomness. I never thought I would be in a hip-hop group, let alone a good hip-hop group, but here I am. I have made new friends, new music and challenged myself.

Also this weekend

-- Chuck Mead, formerly of honky-tonk/country revivalist BR5-49 and the roots-rocking Homestead Grays, performs twice this weekend with another once-beloved Lawrence band, Ricky Dean Sinatra.

You can see them tonight at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire in Lawrence, or Friday night at Crosstown Station, 1522 McGee. The Bottleneck show is an 18-and-older gig. Admission is $13. Tickets to the Crosstown Station show are $12.

-- Red-dirt country fans: Jason Boland & the Stragglers are back for a show tonight at the Beaumont Club. The Scott Ford Band and Country Road 5 open, starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $13. It's an all-ages show.

It launches a four-show run at the Beaumont that will feature four completely different flavors of music. On Friday the Ataris headline a mini punk festival with Gasoline Heart, the American Life, Maps for Travelers and Fists Up! The all-ages show starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $11. On Saturday night, R&B singer Joe headlines the four-act bill "Ladies Night Out." Showtime is 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $25; VIP seats are $60. It's a 21-and-older show. Monday night is for fans of hardcore and heavy rock. Lamb of God tops a bill that also includes Hatebreed and 3 Inches of Blood. Tickets to the all-ages show are $29.99. Showtime is 8 p.m.

-- Blues guitarist Jimmy Thackery headlines a show Saturday night at Knuckleheads, 2715 Rocherster. Shannon & the Rhythm Kings open. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

-- The R Bar, 1617 Genessee in the West Bottoms, has become more than a destination restaurant. It has also evolved into another haven for must-see local music. This weekend it features vocal jazz and rootsy folk/rock. Tonight, David Basse performs from 8 till midnight. On Friday night Shay Estes and Trio ALL perform from 9 till midnight. On Saturday, Arthur Dodge, one of our area's best and most prolific singer/songwriters, performs starting at 9 p.m.

Coming up

Some shows you may not want to miss: Delta bluesman T-Model Ford will perform with a full band at 8 p.m. July 22 at Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main St. Tickets are $8 in advance.

Country hall-of-famer Charlie Louvin will perform with a full band at 8 p.m. July 31, a Saturday, at Davey's Uptown. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

Wayne "The Train" Hancock performs at Knuckleheads on Sunday, July 25. Advance tickets are $12.

Asleep at the Wheel returns to Knuckleheads on Saturday, Aug. 7. The opener: Hot Club of Cowtown. Advance tickets are $27.50.

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friday night

The fifth Band Scramble begins at 10 p.m. Friday at the Brick, 1727 McGee. Five recently-assembled bands will compete before a panel of judges for a $500 grand prize.

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