UMAmi monthly music zine, December 2023

UMAmi a monthly music zine via the OK Underground Music Archive

REVIEWS Documentary: “1991: The Year Punk Broke” I was ever so excited to view this DVD based on the title, as I thought that it was going to recap the entire music scene and show us the lead-up and aftermath of The Big Bang - that crazy energetic time when Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" hit MTV and changed everything.

False Advertising. This video should basically be named "1991: The Year Sonic Youth Toured Europe For about Two Weeks and Some Other Bands Got To Play Some Music Too." There is A LOT of Thurston Moore being Thurston Moore (Thurston Moore is not really a person I'm keen on hanging out with because I think he's kind of full of himself) and a preponderance of Sonic Youth footage. There is some pretty good Nirvana stuff, and a wee bit of J Mascis/Dinosaur Jr performance and outtakes, with some fleeting glimpses of Babes in Toyland and The Ramones.

Courtney Love is on screen for three seconds.

I was somewhat nonplussed. If you are a Sonic Youth fan, this is going to be right up your alley. If you are more into Nirvana or general grunge history, your attention may wander.

Three out of five star shirts.

-Granny Anarchy

AVAILABLE FROM THE METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM

HO HO HORROR When you need a break from the holly jolly hustle or at least some dark humor and maybe zombies with your eggnog, this is for you.

-Jackalope GREMLINS (1984)

NIGHT OF THE COMET (1984) LONG KISS GOODNIGHT (1996) ANNA AND THE APOCALYPSE (2017) SILENT NIGHT (2021) BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974 & 2019) WIND CHILL (2007)

SILENT NIGHT, BLOODY NIGHT (1972) WHILE SHE WAS OUT (2008) MERCY CHRISTMAS (2017) THE LODGE (2019) WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO? (1971) RED SNOW (2021) HONORABLE MENTIONS: DIE HARD, THE SHINING, BATMAN RETURNS, EYES WIDE SHUT, & HOME ALONE plus pretty much any adaptation of A Christmas Carol

KAT LOCK’S NEXT CHRISTMAS - ZT Oklahoma’s own Kat Lock recently released a newholiday track entitled “Next Christmas,” a piano pop song that is just as upbeat as it is melancholy, touching on themes of capitalism and chronic illness and how all of that plays together to impact how one perceives the holiday season.

Still, even with some elements of cynicism, there’s an underlying, cautious optimism in the new Christmas track. It sits in that zone between ultra-hollyjolly and directly anti-Christmas, painting a unique and complex portrait about this time of year.

Lock writes, “It’s almost Christmas / maybe I have gotten bitter / maybe I am just a Grinch / but next Christmas will be better / kind of holding onto it.”

Lock has a natural talent and a vocal training in musical theatre that elevates the song to what already feels like a Christmas classic, and her voice is complimented by piano instrumentals and a horn feature, bringing in that traditional Christmas anthem sound.

We chatted with Lock about her new single.

A Talk With: Kat Lock HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SOUND? “Kat Lock pop rock”

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THIS NEW SINGLE IN THREE WORDS? “Fun, upbeat, optimistic”

A Talk With: Kat Lock (continued) WALK ME THROUGH THE INSPIRATION OF THE SONG AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU. “I started writing this song on 12/20/22 - just went and checked the voice memos. I believe I was having a conversation about Christmas music, what makes a Christmas song etc and almost went into it like a writing challenge. Then I liked the song, and it became a production challenge. I just ended up a lot happier with it than I expected to!”

I CAN’T HELP BUT HEAR A SORT OF ODE TO THOSE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR, WITH THAT CONSTANT FEELING OF “IT WILL GET BETTER.” IS THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS INTENTIONAL ON THIS RECORD? “Absolutely! I suffer with hEDS, which is a connective tissue disorder that has a wide range of other complications, all pretty much invisible. That, and being a musician makes the whole money thing hard. It always makes me sad this time of year when I can’t get people over the top gifts like I wish I could. But overall it’s optimistic that it will get better, although maybe a bit tongue in cheek cause there will ALWAYS be a NEXT Christmas!”

WHO DID YOU WORK WITH TO CREATE THIS TRACK? “I did the original production of the track all by myself on GarageBand, and sat on it for a while. I almost forgot about it when Christmas time was coming around and sent it to Kyle Reid to see what he thought! We brought in Jeffrey Stevenson to record sax, and polished it up. I’m so happy to work with people like Kyle that are extremely skilled and talented, and also so supportive of my own abilities. This is my first release where I’m credited as a producer, and that’s so exciting and empowering for me.”

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD? “Maybe just...more kat lock pop rock coming next year” :) STREAM “NEXT CHRISTMAS” BY KAT LOCK ON BANDCAMP!

From the Oklahoma Underground Music Archive THE GREEN DOOR

DATE: Jan. 29, 2006 Donor: Peggy Wheat Originally located at 8911 N. Western in Oklahoma City, the Green Door was a scene-building venue.

Founded by Reggy and Lucy Wheat, the club hosted touring alternative rock and punk bands, pairing them with local acts. In August 2003, the Wheats relocated the Green Door to 329 E. Sheridan in Bricktown. What was once a 240 capacity club was now a 500+ capacity venue. However, in time, the Wheats were forced to close the club during the final weekend of January, 2006.

Donor: Ajax Delvecki Location: Santa Fe Depot 100 South E.K. Gaylord Boulevard Oklahoma City OK, 73102 US

This issue’s cover art is from the OK UMA too!

It was part of an ad for Underground Records

OK by Me Podcast, episode 006: Amanda and the Wreck Room

89th Street 8911 N Western Ave (OKC) https://89thstreetokc.com Beer City Music Hall 1141 NW 2nd (OKC) https://beercitymusichall.com Blue Door 2805 N McKinley Ave (OKC) https://www.bluedoorokc.com Blue Note 2408 N Robinson Ave (OKC) https://okcbluenote.com Criterion 500 East Sheridan Ave (OKC) https://criterionokc.com Diamond Ballroom 8001 S Eastern Ave (OKC) https://diamondballroom.com Factory Obscura 25 NW 9th St (OKC) https://factoryobscura.com/ Grand Royale 1749 NW 16th St (OKC) https://www.instagram.com/grandroyaleokc Jones Assembly 901 W Sheridan(OKC) https://www.thejonesassembly.com Opolis 113 N Crawford Ave (Norman) https://www.opolis.org PONYBOY 423 NW 23rd St(OKC) https://www.ponyboyokc.com/ Resonant Head 400 SW 25th St STE A(OKC) https://www.resonanthead.com The Sanctuary 2828 NW 10th St (OKC) https://www.facebook.com/thesanctuaryok The Snug Lounge 2321 S Robinson Ave (OKC) https://tinyurl.com/28xrzaet/ 51st Street Speakeasy 1114 NW 51st Street (OKC) http://www.51stspeakeasy.com/ Tower Theatre 425 NW 23rd St(OKC) https://towertheatreokc.com Zoo Amphitheater 2101 NE 50th St(OKC) https://thezooamphitheatre.com/

V E N U E S

$ = $1-30 $$= $31-99 $$$= $100+

December CALENDAR

= All Ages

Ben Rector w/Jordy Searcy @ The Criterion $$ 01 The Phlegms w/Psychic Baths @ Factory Obscura $ FRI

Mortalus w/Graves of Flesh & Pneumonic Decomposition @ Grand Royale $ Smokey Motel, Liquid Girlfriend, & Gavin Taylor @ Opolis $ Angel Du$t w/Candy, Restraining Order, & Steve $ Marino @ Resonant Head Aranda, & A.D.A.M Music Project @ Tower Theatre $ Snotty Nose Rez Kids w/Travis Thompson @ 89th St. $

02 Grupo Frontera @ The Criterion $$ SAT

Muscadine Bloodline w/Channing Wilson @ DB $ A Place to Bury Strangers w/Mostly Trees @ Resonant Head $ w/Generation Kill, Patriot, Claustrofobia, & 03 Exmortus Arkhon @ 89th St. $ SUN

Woody Plus One - Musicians for Democracy @ The Blue Door Frail Body, Pains, Exitwound @ The Sanctuary $ Asleep at the Wheel @ Tower Theatre $

04 Liz Phair w/Kate Bollinger @ Tower Theatre $ MON

05 Hotline TNT w/Lust Online & Mad Honey @ 89th St. $ TUES

Pierce the Veil w/LS Dunes, Dayseeker, & Destroy Boys @ The Criterion $$$ Opolis Open Mic @ Opolis Chad Price & Michael Dean Maron @ Grand Royale $

06 Cam Cole @ BCMH $ WED

Thelma and the Sleaze w/Gloom Girl MFG, & Sisteria @ Resonant Head $ From Ashes to New, The Word Alive, Catch Your Breath, & Ekoh @ Tower Theatre $

a Burning Body @ 89th St. $ 07 Upon This Wild Life w/Broadside, Worry Club, & Not My THURS

Weekend @ BCMH $ Open Mic Night hosted by Jarvix @ Factory Obscura $ Josh Fudge w/LRYN @ Resonant Head $

08 Easier, Cherry Laurel, & Sandwood McKenzie @ Opolis $ SUN

Brotherboy Album Release Show w/Carly Gwin and the Sin @ Resonant Head $

09 Kirra w/Shelter in Place, Tretura, & Sever Me @ 89th St. $ SAT

Jason Scott & The High Heat w/Autumn Ragland @ BCMH $

Jon Dee Graham Record Release Show @ The Blue Door $ BRUCE w/Liquid Girlfriend @ Factory Obscura $ 11:11 ft. Circe, Dread Novella, Dr. Van, & BUG @ Opolis $

Husbands w/JW Francis & Easier @ Resonant Head $ King Pink, Photocopy, Objects in Space, Idiot Mile @ The Sanctuary $

10 Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country & Eggy @ BCMH $ SUN

11 Limp Wizardz, God’s Computer, & Liquid Girlfriend MON

@ Opolis $

12 Opolis Open Mic @ Opolis TUE

13 Ian Moore - Holiday Bash @ The Blue Door $$ WED

DeeBaby @ Tower Theatre $

14 Gossip @ Opolis $ THU

15 Tiger Lily w/Photocopy & Free4All @ 89th St $ FRI

SunSquabi w/Jason Leech @ BCMH $ Blue October @ The Criterion $$ Creed Fisher @ DB $

Strawberry Blonde EP Release Show w/ Dinosaur Boyfriend, Cowtippers @ Resonant Head $

16 The Iron Maidens @ DB $ SAT

Douglas, Bucky, and the Bookworms @ Opolis $ Option Ego @ Resonant Head $

18 Donavan Melero w/Erase Theory & Rett Matthews @ MON

89th St $

Jeffrey Dallet @ Grand Royale $

19 SWAN Open Mic @ Opolis TUE

Alexandra Kay w/Haley Mae Campbell @ Tower Theatre $

20 Weirder Wednesday @ Opolis $ WED

21 Shandee, Taylor @ Opolis $ THIU

22 Arkansauce @ BCMH $ FRI

The Tequila Songbirds Holiday Show @ The Blue Door $ Daniel Mudliar, Brennan Smiley, & Stalling @ Resonant Head $

28 Rick Maguire of Pile @ Resonant Head $ THUR

29 DeVotchKa @ BCMH $ FRI

Soft Hands @ Tower Theatre $

30 Bee & The Hive, Challo, & Cate Jones @ Opolis $ SAT

Dylan Wheeler w/Slade Coulter & Noah Bowman @ @ Tower Theatre $

31 Uptown Get Down - Thunder Jackson, stepmom, SUN

Blue Morrison, & GoldLincoln @ Tower Theatre $

A holiday-inspired local playlist - ZT December by Maddie Razook Sasha Don’t Take My Toys Away by Swim Fan Winter in the City by Lucas Gillette Christmas in Hollywood by Sports Dark & Stormy Christmas by Beau Jennings Filthy Animal by Chair Model Holiday High by Duke Luther Single Star by Spaceface, LABRYS Melt Away by Hot Cider Right Here by Daydrinker In Dulci Jubilo by James McAlister Coupleskate by Audio Book Club Breaking the Ice by Samantha Crain Christmas Time by Mike Hosty Duo Holiday Season by Graham Colton Frostbite by Keathley Christmas for Cowboys by Samantha Crain Christmas Bus by Beau Jennings Christmas in Norman by Addverse Effects December 25th by Jabee Whatever You Want by Sports You Think That I Know What You Would Do to My by Broncho Bloodnog by Samantha Crain, Gian Archiniaco Holiday by LABRYS Be with You (Holiday Version) by Breakup Last Christmas by LCG & The X Christmas Dreams by Colourmusic Meltin with You by Twiggs Santa is a Lie by Husbands Next Christmas by Kat Lock stream on Spotify

CLASSIFIEDS SEEKING EXPERIMENTAL SOLO MUSICIANS Make Oklahoma Weirder is booking out into 2024 for our unconventional local music showcase series, Weirder Wednesday.

If you play unusual instruments or traditional instruments in an unusual way, we want to hear from you!

We've featured everything from harsh noise to improvised electronics to avant-garde chamber music to ambient cigar box guitar to a miniature opera about bowling.

If it's weird, original, and musical, we want to see it!

All ages are eligible!

For more information, please contact Evan Jarvicks at makeoklahomaweirder@gmail.com

MONTHLY COLLABORATIVE PLAYLIST

Holidazed and confused to listen

to Add

spotify collab links expire, so if this one gives you grief let us know at oklahoma.uma@gmail.com and we’ll send you a fresh link!

AMA, Roadies Edition Favorite holiday cult classic?

For something classic, “Gremlins.”

For something gay, “Happiest Season”!

-ZT

I’m not a Christmas person. The closest I'm getting to a holiday film is “Home Alone” and “Tokyo Godfathers.”

I just found out that “The Sword in the Stone” takes place on New Year’s Day though, so I may watch that to end this year.

-Primal Opossum

“Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale“ -Robert

My family loves old-school Bing Crosby and Rankin Bass Christmas specials, with a side of 1980s dysfunction.

Some of our faves are A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Christmas Story, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Elf, Gremlins, Holiday Inn, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer*, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Trading Places, and White Christmas. (*We also like MadTV's parody "Raging Rudolph," and I have to play SNL's "I Wish it Was Christmas Today" or it's not the holiday season.)

-Granny Anarchy

Almost every year I try to make it a thing to watch “The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!” at New Year’s with the lure that it’s the Russian “You’ve Got Mail,” in that it’s a classic and a cute enemies-to-lovers thing but it’s also melancholic and three hours long.

Somehow it hasn’t taken off yet...

-Jackalope

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