Reviews – F**k Yeah! It's Sioux Falls!

Smash Mouth Sturgis Blowback

It’s a tricky thing these days for live music, and no one really knows what to do. National touring acts have budgets to meet. Local artists have fans to greet. But for the most part, it’s all still on hold at moment.

Even this blog’s been in a weird state of limbo for the last six months. On the one hand, we do want to keep the balls rolling, doing our part to connect our amazing regional performers with potential fans. But on the other hand, we don’t want to be part of the plague-spreading problem.

So enter Smash Mouth. They played Sturgis this week, opting to live up to their lyrics…

“Hey now, you’re an all star
Get your game on, go play
Hey now, you’re a rock star
Get the show on, get paid”

… but all that glitters ain’t gold right about now. For all the fun they had rocking bike week, they’ve paid the price on social media, facing the ire of many a fan.

Yeah, it’s hard to argue for the necessity of Smash Mouth during these unprecedented times. That being said, live music meets a basic human need. And many a fan is willing to take a risk to get their fix. Seems you can’t make everyone happy. Here’s hoping we figure something out before the 2021 concert season kicks into gear.

Update From the Sioux Empire Fair

Not gonna lie, things are a little quiet this year at our fairgrounds. We’re always wondering what things were like there back in the day, before light-industrial took over the near west side and the highways came through. Wide open spaces graced by glorious sunsets? Ah… those were days!

But our local fair still does a bang-up job most years, keeping the 4-H kids excited while dishing out a blend of country classics, nu-metal, and oldies for the meandering crowds.

So this year, as the say in the biz, the fair must go on! And they did their best, even without a top-tier schedule on the main stage to keep you around past bedtime.

So what did we find? The cheese curds were delicious. The rides were still fun. And the animals were still worth a gander. If crowds aren’t your thing, this could be the perfect year to pack the kids in the minivan and set them loose with a stack of tickets. There’s still time to head over this weekend and enjoy yourself. Go for it!

Huset’s Comes Roaring Back!

File this one under “good news / bad news.” It’s been the unofficial editorial policy here at F*** Yeah! It’s Sioux Falls! to tread lightly on the whole Corona thing.

We’re split. On the one had, it’s our mission to celebrate all the good stuff that’s happening out there, to get the word out and get you off the couch. On the hand, we’d like you to do so responsibly, m’kay?

So the fact that 9,000 racing fans showed up for Sunday’s grand re-opening with the All-Star Circuit of Champions sprint car series can go both ways. But let’s set that aside and focus on the positive.

Huset’s is good fun. Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan that loves getting up-close with the screaming machines, or just a tourist that wants to take in a night of mid-american schtick, you’re sure to go home with a smile on your face. (And a little dirt-track grit stuck in your hair.) We’d recommend it to anyone.

The track had fallen on tough times over the last few years. Money was tight, and the angel-investing from Chuck Brennan left a bad taste with many a racing fan. Few wanted our local track rebranded as another ego-driven extension of his Badlands Empire.

Sunday’s race proves that the place still has a lot of pennant-winning potential. And that’s fantastic.

Be sure to read more coverage of the race over at the Argus Leader. (And while you’re there, consider subscribing!)

Slamdakota Death Fest III – Oh Yeah, It Rocked!

For the third year in a row, Big’s Bar brought together the best Midwestern sons of Death Mental for a 2-night 20-something brutal band line up.

Getting it started while the sun still shines.

We headed up to catch the dueling stages on Saturday night, and not an eardrum was left unbled by the awesome assault of unbridled down-tuned fury.

Highlight had to be Gorgatron from Fargo, ND. These guys brought everything we could have hoped for: metal-tastic intensity, unleashed from a fortress of fun.

And that’s the thing with so many of these bands: Get past the wild-eyed antics, and they’re just good guys looking to have a good time. Sure, it’s the stuff that scares mom & dad and might just piss off the neighbors, but under it all, it’s just rock ‘n roll baby. And who couldn’t use a night of that?

See you next year for Death Fest IV!

Review: Waitress @ The Washington Pavilion

Some people were born loving musical theater, some have had musical theater thrust upon them. Yeah, I’m the latter category, but I’m glad that I’m catching on. Having a dramatic kid in the house helps get guys like me out of their snobby shells!

Last Tuesday the troupe touring Waitress brought the show to the Washington Pavilion, playing to a sold-out-ish crowd. Waitress was a little film about a small town gal who bakes her feelings into award-winning pies at a small town diner. Sara Bareilles — she who won’t write you a love song — adapted the film into a musical back in 2015 and it’s had a great run.

Fantastic cast on this one, with Ms. Bailey McCall taking the lead role. Her voice alone could carry the show – really exceptional, earning a double round of applause on the big number “She Used To Be Mine.” Also: Live band. Canned music always sounds a little off at these things, a little overdone, a little out of step with what’s happening on stage. These guys nailed it.

The Pavilion’s been bringing more show like this to town, and you ought to give them a chance. Looking to get your feet wet? Next season they’ve got the Jimmy Buffett musical “Escape to Margaritaville” on the bill. How ’bout that for a gateway drug?