I once sat on a phone call with a CBS executive when things got really bad in New York that told me the world would have no shortage of heroes after the pandemic, and the “Ones that are experts in hops and barley along with loud rock and roll would happily lead the way”. The kind of fellowship, freedom, and yearning for new tastes that people crave after enduring a nation in turmoil is surely best experienced during the rumbling thunderstorms and other sensory treats that Nebraska spring provides.
This past Friday at one of our favorite local business owners’ warehouse locations, we were on the scene to check out Domestica and Pure Brown pay as lightning flickered outside, microphones were properly checked, and sound decibels were creeping high to offer up pure delight. More than two decades ago, I could creep up the noisy wooden stairs at Dietze Music in downtown Lincoln and find Domestica’s Jon Taylor doling out expertise on necks, fretboards, tuning, and other Luthier duties as the only trusted “guitar dude” in town. Now he’s still pushing Orange amplifier sets purposefully to 11, has become completely honed in his performance craft, and obviously enjoys every second spent on stage with his wife and accomplished bass player Heidi Ore.
During the 1990’s you could see other amazing sects of talent such as Frontier Trust, Ritual Device, and Sideshow carving their ways distinctively with a breed of depth that was as robust and unique as the bounty of corn and wheat harvests themselves. But, here’s the deal. This has been going on so long that when you see Domestica you aren’t just seeing a spurratic and adrenaline-infused talent show. These two have booked their own tours before voice mail existed, pursued their own labor of love when not as many people were looking, and have now become such a local staple of talent that every show is a display in timing, frenetic vocal emotion, and calculated starts and stops.
Walking through the Zipline premises to see the show was like an awesome version of Star City “How it’s Made”: stacks of palettes, hundreds of unlabeled cans, and huge vats waiting to dole out nature’s pure nectar were on site for the viewing. Head guru Brendan Mcginn has long been the cultivator and discerning judge of everything that leaves the premises and has long spent hours creating the IPAs and amazing copper ales this Lincoln business has offered up. A tasty beverage found in many other states and snagging up awards left and right for their unique tastes and distinction, Zipline is the ideal place to sample local talent and see just what a success so many ingenious local artisans have become.
One of Domestica’s most notable songs that night was “My Bones”, taking me back in time to so many shows at other local taverns such as Duffy’s, and offering up a stability and expertise in their craft that most musical trios never reach. The percussion section is backed up with expert beats of Pawl Tisdale, who was also the drummer for the iconic Lincoln band “Sideshow”. We got to speak outside about his personal passion for the rebuilding of Puerto Rico after disastrous storms as he had recently took his family there to sample amazing food, pristine blue waters, and enjoyed one of the most memorable and relaxing journeys of his lifetime.
This is the perfect place to check out the inner workings of a successful local business that has deep community roots, and prides themselves on the summer-ready delicacies of Hazy IPA, Local Time, Dear old Nebraska Brew, Copper Alt, and other delicious favorites such as the “Cloudlifter Hazy IPA”. Everyone up in Omaha, don’t despair! There’s a taproom and beer lounge up there too, as something this good can’t just be kept to Memorial Stadium’s limited locale.
When Pure Brown took the stage, I was busy being shown just how the mass production angle of things are completed at Zipline, but they had a much jazzier presence and had my thoughts wandering to artists such as Miles Davis and even a jammy influence that reminded me of greats such as Bootsy Collins and legendary funksters Fishbone. They will most certainly be an act that anyone on the hunt for something new and eclectic sound-wise should witness on the double.
It's during nights like these that you get a pleasant shiver up your spine in front of the loud amps and realize just why the popular late shows want amazing talent to liven up their nightly routine. Stellar pitch, choreography, and those who display expertise on their instruments are truly a treasure, and here in Lincoln we have our own private chest of goodies that will please anyone from the amazingly redeveloped Antelope Valley Corridor to the Near South and beyond.
