The Snout Saloon, my local pub is under new ownership. I have been working through some separation anxiety about the old bar. But, as I say, I am working through it. The Snout is cleaned up, to be sure. (Article One of what I consider two unfinished write-ups. I don't write much in the summer but I decided to post it anyway)

Friday night was just like old times, with Howard Luedtke and Blue Max. And, it wasn't just Blue Max, with a heartbeat on bass, but Blue Max as it should be with Magic Deb's smiling face back and showing us all a good time. She seemed to be feeling great. Then on Saturday night it was a packed bar to the band The Pheromones. A great opener for the cleaned up Snout Saloon.

Walking into the Snout, it is much, much brighter. Lots of neon beer signs. Lighter paint on the walls. I think the effect somewhat takes the emphasis off the band. Maybe adding yet more light, in the form of a couple more can lights, might setoff the stage more. We've covered the missing pigs, I won't bring it up again. But, the bar has a different feel now. What wasn't changed was the music. Howard Ludtke and Blue Max were finishing out the last couple of songs of the first set. Second and third set rocked. Sorry abut the video. I had a couple of dancers that once they saw I was shooting video, placed themselves between me and the band. Great, eh?

It was great to see Deb back. She has been away from the band for a few months, going through some chemo. She was looking great, holding that bass and smiling on Friday night. She kept a stool close by and used it a couple of times. But The band was sounding great. Howard played some fun songs. Third set, he started playing something I recognized a few bars in. Howard uses this same opening riff for a couple different songs. I leaned over and said to The Wife, "I've heard him turn this into _Black Betty_" As I was digging for my camera.

Saturday night the bar was packed to a fire marshall sized crowd. The band, Pheromones had the crowd hoppin'. It was a good show, I like their play list a lot, and they perform well. A musical high point, just like the last time I saw Pheromones, Maroon 5's Breath. For one thing, great song! The vocals by Sarah Spindler are spectacular. The band pulls off the instrumentals very well also. There were other high points, one being CCR's Fortunate Son.

We ran into our friend Georgia at the bar. She was having a first time Pheromone experience and was loving it. She raved about lead singer . And I have to agree that her raving was deserved. Lead singer Sarah Spindler sounded even better than the last time, when I saw the band at My Place. That night, she was good, but she was also a little rough around the edges. You could tell her heart was in it but tonally, it wasn't flawless. The patrons of the Snout Saloon got the whole package, heart and tonally on the money.

This Sunday, June 13th, is Deb Fest, The Cancer fundraiser for "Magic" Deb Klossner. Deb is the wife of Howard Ludtke. The bass player in Blue Max, Howard's band. I suppose I owe it to Howard that I got a kickoff into local music. Not long after we moved here to Chippewa Falls, we needed some plumbing work done. In talking to the plumber he told me for some good blues, I needed to get on down to the Sheeley House on third Thursday to hear Howard. I did, and he opened the doors of local music to me. But, as time went by I came to feel as good as he is solo, I like Howard's music more when he is with his band. And, Deb's bass is the backbone of that band.

Its out a Poo's on the Pond, 17643 - 50th Avenue, Lake Wissota. A full day of music, starting at 11am and going all night. The full schedule is up on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=102147449835121 It should be a great time!

East Hill Bluegrass at Acoustic Cafe: I feel like I saw these guys once before and Phoenix Park, but I don't see anything written up on them. They were a pretty good bluegrass band. Not as exciting as some but still, a fun time. What was really great about the show is you could hear them. So many times solo artists just get swallowed up at the Acoustic, not so with this band.

Laarks at Phoenix Park: There was the occasional sprinkle during the Laarks performance, and the crowd did thin some. I was riding my Harley, so I was watching the sky closer than anyone. I hate to get wet.

Just back from their national tour. I know I was following their every stop on Facebook, weren't you?

I have seen Laarks at Phoenix park twice now, and it isn't really an ideal venue for them.

What I find troubling about Laarks, is though I have been seeing their shows for two years, I have heard very little new work. Where are the new songs? And, even more troubling, the couple of new songs the did play, I really didn't like all that much. They just didn't have the spark and fire of

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