Kris Lager Band’s van robbed during St. Louis show; Desaparecidos’ ‘Payola’ amongst Paste Magazine’s Top-50 Albums of 2015, Hop Along cracks top five; Photos of The Kickback, Dominique Morgan’s EP Release

Kris Lager Band’s van robbed during St. Louis show

A touring Nebraska band suffered the latest in a rash of gear thefts over the weekend.

Kris Lager Band’s touring van was broken into Saturday evening as it played Broadway Oyster Bar in St. Louis. The theft occurred roughly between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., barely 15 feet from where the band was set-up.

Keyboard player Jeremiah Weir says they returned post-set to find the door lock punched in and the van turned over. Among the losses were the band’s personal luggage, Lager’s bowling ball and other small items. No musical gear was stolen.

Saturday’s crime is the latest incident in what feels like an ongoing problem for touring bands. Simon Joyner and the Ghosts were robbed earlier this year during a tour stop in Oakland, Calif. And this isn’t the first endured by Kris Lager Band, having been robbed of equipment on the very same St. Louis street once before.

Of the prior incident, Weir says the band filed a police report, turned in robbery footage from local businesses, but received no restitution. This time, though no musical gear was taken, it’s a stark reminder of the road’s potential ills

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Desaparecidos’ ‘Payola’ amongst Paste Magazine’s Top-50 Albums of 2015; Hop Along cracks top five

It’s year-end best list time, and Nebraska music is making national outlet notoriety.

Omaha punk band Desaparecidos’ Payola broke into Paste Magazine’s Top-50 albums of 2015, grabbing the 45th spot. The snarky, politically-charged record was the Conor Oberst-led quintet’s first since 2002 debut Read Music/Speak Spanish.

Philadelphia quartet Hop Along, Saddle Creek Records’ latest signee, cracked multiple best-of album lists, placing as high as fifth in the same publication for sophomore album Painted Shut. Widely accepted as one of the best alternative/indie efforts of the year, Painted Shut also checks in at seventh on Stereogum’s list, 15th in A.V. Club and 35th in Rolling Stone’s Top 50.

Stay tuned, as later this month, HN will begin publishing its own year-end lists.

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Dominique Morgan’s EP Release Show in Photos

HN contributor James Dean went to The Down Under Lounge Friday night for Omaha R&B artist Dominique Morgan’s EP release party. A parade of Omaha singer/songwriters and poets joined Morgan as he celebrated his Dom’s Favorite Things EP, a challenge to himself to reconnect with the holidays.

See Dean’s photos below:

Dominique Morgan

Dominique Morgan | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015Dominique Morgan | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Cameron Logsdon

Cameron Logsdon | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Kevin Sullivan

Kevin Sullivan | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Kait Berreckman

Kait Berreckman | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Andrew O’Donnell

Andrew O'Donnell | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Justin Carlisle

Justin Carlisle | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Paula Bell

Paula Bell | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Edem Soul Music

Edem Soul Music | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Jus B

Jus B | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Olivia Johnson

Olivia Johnson | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Mola-B

Mola-B | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Madison Ray

Madison Ray: The Naked Emperor | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

Keiria Marshae

Keiria Marshae | Dominique Morgan EP Release | The Down Under Lounge | 12/04/2015

photos by James Dean

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The Kickback, Lonely Estates, The Renfields play Zoo Bar

The following evening, Dean walked his usual beat to Zoo Bar to catch oft-visiting Chicago foursome The Kickback with Lincoln’s The Renfields and and a recently-reunited Lonely Estates. See Dean’s photos below:

The Kickback

The Kickback | Zoo Bar | 12/5/2015

Lonely Estates

Lonely Estates | Zoo Bar | 12/5/2015

The Renfields

The Renfields | Zoo Bar | 12/5/2015

photos by James Dean

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Concert Round-Up

As always, head to our statewide calendar at hearnebraska.org/events for a full listing of this week’s shows. If you do not see your show or one you plan to attend, email us at news@hearnebraska.org, or add it yourself. And keep those song submissions, story ideas and news tips coming.