The Allstars are back.
The band that planted the pop-punk flag for Lincoln in the 2000s is playing its latest reunion show at a bar on Friday, joking on its Facebook page about a tour that starts in September.
The guitarist said that they have been playing a show for years. A lot of our friends make fun of us when we perform. I don’t want to hear that joke anymore. We didn’t say that any of the shows were our last one. We still want to perform. We are still a group.
After spending most of a decade making records and touring relentlessly, the four members of Elfers called it quits in 2009.
Elfers said that they played with any band that wanted them. A couple of us settled down after the third van transmission gave out. It came to an end naturally.
The JV Allstars did not break up as they grew up.
I still play music, but Eric and Nick aren’t. Elfers, who fronts Thirst Things First and plays drums for the Killigans, said that Eric is in software development. Matty plays in some country bands to keep his chops up, but he is mostly a farmer. We need to practice before we perform.
The three Nebraska Allstars practiced outside on pieces of plywood at a farm near Waterloo last weekend.
Elfers said that the songs came back quickly and in good shape.
He said, “Muscle memory is a hell of a thing.” It’s a lot like that now.
Elfers thinks the songs hold up well and don’t reflect the outlook of a group of 20-something punks decades ago.
Elfters said that he owes this to Nick Tarowski. He said back then that everyone in punk rock is writing about cutting their wrists. This is not a new thing. It’s going to go away. Both Nick and Eric studied English at UNL. They wanted me to write something good so I wouldn’t be embarrassed when I’m 38.
I’m pretty sure we did. I don’t believe any of our partners are excited when we sing a song about a girlfriend that wasn’t them.
Most of the crowd that has attended recent JV Allstars shows are made up of the band’s old fans. There is another group in the audience.
Elfers said that he sees people in the music community who are obsessed with going to shows. It is part of the reason we have a lineup. They are from Omaha. The credentials are from Lincoln. I moved to Lincoln in 2002 because of that.
It makes me feel good, that we have a music community like we have, where people come out and age isn’t that important, and that we’re still part of it.
Death Cow is a garage punk band that draws inspiration from ’90s alt-rock acts like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Death Cow website
Red Cities playsgarage rock. The members are all musicians, with the exception of Josh Leeker, who is a drummer.
Michael Flowers, Courtesy photo
Universe Contest is a band that performs at live shows. The band is made up of Joey Humpal, The Jordans, Sabertron, Timothy Perry Carr, Glenn Frey and others.
Courtesy photo
Tucker’s August claims to be an all- around rock band. They are members of the group.
Courtesy photo
Stonebelly plays a mix of music. The members are Mike Hollon and Kyle Carson.
Stonebelly
’80s dance/rock/pop music is played on AM/FM. Band members include Steve Novak, lead vocals, John Lefler Jr., drums and vocals, Cole Moore, guitar and vocals, Todd Speidell, keyboards and guitar, and Jeff Chartier, bass guitar.
AM/FM band Facebook page
The band’s members include Josh Hoyer (lead vocals and keys), Benjamin Kushner (lead guitar), Mike Keeling (bass), Harrison ElDorado (drums), and James Cuato (tenor sax).
Courtesy photo
The 402 is from Lincoln and Omaha. Chris Saub is a founding member.
The 402 Facebook page
A band called The Mezcal Brothers is playing. In 2016 the band was inducted into the Nebraska Music Hall of fame.
Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Malpractice plays music from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and today. The band is made up of Phil Essay on vocals, Todd Sorensen on guitar, Jamie Cox on bass, Jeff Tomjack on drums, and Rich Caruso on keys.
Malpractice Facebook page
Dylan Bloom is a musician. Dylan Bloom is the lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist; Josh Kidney is the lead guitarist and bassist; Mitchell Benson is the bass guitarist and drummer; and Bryan Keeling is the drummer.
Courtesy photo
Out Loud is a five-piece cover band playing a wide range of music from the ’60s to the present day.
Victoria Ayotte Brown
Band members include Bryan Lasley on guitar and vocals, Adam Hofferber on guitar, Bryan Daize on drums and vocals, and Julie Hill on bass.
Ghost Town Radio Facebook
acoustic rooster is not a coffeehouse They are a full on band. Country, blues and surf are a few genres. The two-piece band is made up of two people.
Courtesy photo
The band is called VOTA. Bryan Olesen is a current member. John is the brother of a musician.
Courtesy photo
A mix of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll is performed by Big Daddy and The Chargers. Led by vocalist “Big Daddy”, and backed by dynamic guitarists Matt Richardson and Thai Nguyen, with the solid, hard-driving rhythm section of drummer Joe Fox and bassist Jake wiese.
Courtesy photo
Drew Tuzson plays a style of metalcore with a dash of intimate moments. Tuzson and Chris Flores collaborated to make a new album.
Courtesy photo
The writer can be reached via email at kwolgamott@journalstar.com. Kent Wolgamott is on the social networking site.