Scout Bar - Suburban Rock Show!

There’s no better way to finish off a long holiday weekend than by going to a concert and having a few alcoholic beverages in honor of the day. If you’re willing to travel outside of the loop (we know you may require a special cream in order to accomplish this) you can actually find some amazing venues and amazing shows. For example, last night at Scout Bar in Clear Lake. Just getting ready for the show had us humming the classic MxPx tune “Punk Rawk Show”. And there was plenty of time for a musical sing-along warm-up during the drive to the ‘burbs!

If you’ve never ventured to Scout Bar, we have to tell you one little thing about the club. The place is clean! You don’t need to be afraid to sit or lean against a wall. They were even so kind as to put out complimentary pitchers of ice water for the patrons. There really didn’t seem to be a bad “seat” in the mostly standing-room-only house.

On last night’s bill was local act Makeshifte, Lorene Drive, Monty Are I, and headliners The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus (who will make an appearance at Buzzfest XVIII in October), who currently have a hit single with their song "Face Down". It was a mini-emo fest, with upwards of ninety-percent of the concert goers wearing black. (Yes, we went in black, as well. When in Rome … ) If you’re a fan of rock music, a show like this one can give you your concert fix. You may go in knowing one song from one band, but you could leave a fan of a new band. And at a show this size, you could even get an autograph on a t-shirt or CD with little or no bribing of the security staff.

Of the bands we saw last night, California boys Lorene Drive made a lasting impression. They’re on indie label Lobster Records, and don’t yet seem jaded by the music industry. They wandered through the crowd and talked to their fans after their set. If you meander to their myspace page, they even list the guy’s AOL messenger names. (Of course they have the obligatory x’s.)

Good venue, good music, good drinks. Scout Bar provides a hell of a good rockin’ suburban time.

Pictured (L to R): Lorene Drive, Makeshifte, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus