Drastic Plastic opens second ‘underground’ location
One of Omaha’s oldest alt-music retail spaces has outgrown itself.
Drastic Plastic owner Mike Howard has opened a second location, Drastic Plastic Underground, at 1118B Howard St, just east of its current location. A combination music and fashion boutique for more than 30 years, the old spot (1209 Howard St) will continue to focus on the clothing end under Drastic Plastic Clothing & GIfts, while Underground will house its vinyl sales operation.
In a statement, the Old Market store says the resurgence of both vinyl and independent boutiques motivated its expansion, in addition to Howard’s longtime devotion to both.
“Our owner Mike Howard’s commitment to music, Omaha and its generations of radical thinkers has never been greater,” said director of operations Neil Azevedo in a statement. “Drastic Plastic Underground and Drastic Plastic Clothing & Gifts are the logical result of this genuine, life-long passion.”
While Drastic Plastic has traditionally been a haven for punk and underground music, Drastic Plastic Underground will broaden its selection across the rock spectrum and add blues and jazz.
Visit Drastic Plastic’s website here.
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Pondstock’s 11th anniversary
Tonight, Pondstock launches its 11th annual festival at Lake Hedke, near Trenton, Nebraska. For three nights — June 16-18 — the area just west of McCook will serve as the stomping ground for largely folk & rock DIY bands and campers from the Tri-Cities and neighboring towns to the west.
The three-night festival was established in 2005 by Vic Giron (who performs solo grimy folk as El Jefe) as a party for his first band, Rope. It had a pig roast, fire pit and plenty of beer. The spirit is the same today, with Giron handling everything himself, from food trucks to portable toilets.
Festival mainstays Saint Christopher, SS Web and El Jefe himself will perform, along with various acts from Nebraska and Colorado. View the full list here. Tickets are sold on a daily basis: $10 for Thursday, $20 for Friday, $20 for Saturday. RSVP here.
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Concert Round-Up
Tonight, Charly Bliss plays Reverb Lounge. The Brooklyn-based grunge band just released buzzing, mid-tempo rocker “Ruby” to praise by Pitchfork, AV Club and The FADER. The quartet also turned in a lively Audiotree session in January, between touring with the likes of Sleater-Kinney, Glass Animals and Tokyo Police Club. Omaha’s Lightning Bug opens the all-ages show. Entry is $10, RSVP here.
Also in Omaha, comedians Ryan de la Garza and Brandon Cordes host a benefit for victims of the Orlando gay nightclub shooting and their families at Lookout Lounge. According to the event page, its hosts “invite you to join to help the cause and get some laughs to remind ourselves there is still joy in the world and as long as we’re there for each other, there is still hope. Let’s embrace one another and every kind of love and do what we can to keep the people we care about safe.”
Performers include David Burdge, Rachel B Ware, Brenna Grabow, Tracie Mauk, Destiny Sturdivant, Mollie Bartlett and Dave Campbell. The show starts at 9 p.m., with entry by $5 suggested donation. RSVP here.
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Find a fuller listing of shows at our statewide calendar here. If you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org, add it in the comments or contribute the information directly here.