Spring Gun
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Spring Gun

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Music

The best kept secret in music

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"Spring Gun With The Save!"

So last night, right? I walk up to the door at Sokol Underground and there is sign that reads "Spring Gun @ 9:30 Minus the Bear @ 10:30". What the eff guys. Talking to the 1% dude, I guess Chin Up Chin Up is stranded in North Dakota with van troubles? Let alone that the Honorary Title dropped off this tour too. Pretty crazy stuff. Regardless, I paid my $15 and walked in.

I'll get this out of the way first, so you don't keep reading thinking I'm going to talk about them - I don't really like Minus the Bear, I've heard their newest record and found it mostly boring, and now I've seen them live and found them mostly boring. No offense if you like them or thought they were great last night, I guess I just don't 'get' it. Plus, and this makes no difference as far as what they sound like, but I guess they're a 'bro' band? Tons of dudes in polos moshing with each other and a bit of crowd surfing. Yikes.

Anyway, up first was Spring Gun. I'd listened to their very, very new EP 'Lovers Slain' a few times in the past couple of days, so them being the surprise opening band was a cool coincidence. I think the EP is great, it's got some delicate moments but a lot of huge moments too. Live its kind of the same thing, except with extended huge moments. They build and build, almost in a post-rock manner. I'm not familiar enough to know if they played everything from the EP but most of the songs I recognized, including my favorite 'West'. One thing I noticed was that some of the songs seemed to go on and on without a real ending point and lost a little bit of steam. Otherwise I thought these dudes were phenomenal and I recommend checking out Lovers Slain (link below) as soon as possible and going out of your way to see them next time they get something scheduled. Thanks to Spring Gun for turning what was a pretty disappointing night into a nice surprise. - Omahype.com 5/22/07 Blog


"Spring Gun In Action"

I just uploaded a batch of photos from last night’s Spring Gun show. I’ve written about these guys before, and suffice to say, they did not disappoint. It was a fantastic show—my ears are still ringing, nearly 24 hours later—and it was great to catch up with old friends.

The group has finished recording their debut EP, Lover Slain—which can be listened to in its entirety on the band’s Virb page—and they’ll be playing a release show on August 4 at Omaha’s Waiting Room (with Eagle Seagull).

- Opuszine.com 7/9/07 Blog


"Spring Gun"

I suppose it could be argued that the fact that I once played in a band with two members of Spring Gun might somewhat color or bias my opinion of their music. But even if we’d had a big falling out, the knock down, drag out kind you only really see on shows like “Behind The Music,” I’d still be forced to admit that their music is really damn good.

The six tracks on their new self-released EP, Lover Slain, contain all manner of influences. There’s a little classic U2 in the chiming guitar tones, a love for volcanic climaxes a la Mogwai, a whee bit of Grizzly Bear-style psychedelia—and is that a little My Morning Jacket-esque whimsy I hear now and again? But the foursome do a fine, fine job of synthesizing all of those sounds into a style all their own that is affecting, lively, exciting, and perhaps most importantly, joyous (just listen to “Crystal“‘s lovely ukelele strains and swaying climax).

I now feel a little ashamed that I’ve yet to see the boys in concert, despite only living 45 minutes away from Omaha, where they play many of their shows. But hopefully, I’ll get to experience the crescendoes of “Good Kings” or “Three Rings” in person soon (and if I know Nate at all, they’ll be freakin’ louder than loud).

So kudos to old friends, and for what it’s worth, I’m really proud of and excited for you guys.

- Opuszine.com 5/23/07 Blog


"Spring Gun EP Release show"

I realize that most bands are in a constant state of evolution, but Spring Gun takes it to the extreme. When I saw them at The Saddle Creek Bar in May, they were a wall-of-sound four-piece heavy on power and light on melody. Saturday night they grew into a 6-piece, sporting three guitars (one guy doubles on keyboards), a bass and two drummers -- enormous sound. But even more impressive was how the lead singer has grown into his frontman role, really capturing the essence of the songs' melodies, belting them out over the din. It left me wondering where I put that copy of their new album, which I didn't remember sounding this good. The guy next to me -- a local music power broker -- said if he had a record label, he'd put out these guys' CD -- he called them Nebraska's version of The Sea and Cake. Not bad, though these guys have an even bigger sound. Somehow, Spring Gun has emerged as one of the more important indie rock bands on the Omaha/Lincoln music landscape. There is an enormous buzz about these guys right now. Check them out when they open for Bishop Allen Wednesday night at Slowdown Jr. - Lazy-I 8/4/2007 Blog


"Live Review 8/4/07 - Eagle Seagull/Spring Gun @ the Waiting Room"

A semi-lengthy sound check did nothing to disperse the crowd for the second band of the night, Spring Gun. I was happy to see I wasn't the only one excited for the official EP release. I was also eager to hear how the band would sound with the debut of their second drummer. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed. The addition of the second drummer brings a new full-bodied sound and surprisingly seemed to even out the levels of all of the instruments. There was also some peripheral percussion that added new elements and a freshness to the recorded songs. It was definitely a new high-point for Spring Gun, but don't expect them to settle. While I came in with the knowledge that this would be the debut of their fifth member, it turns out that it was also their first official show with their SIXTH member! As of Friday, it was decided that J.J. Idt would become an official member of the band. So this was a show marking a new start for a band that shows no signs of stopping. - Ian - Omahype.com 8/4/07 Blog


Discography

The 'Lover Slain' EP: Self-released 2007
Stream it at www.virb.com/springgun

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Spring Gun was formed during February 2006 largely from the decline of several influential Lincoln bands. Lineup includes former Golden Age / A Dim Halo members Nate Mickish and Clint Wheeler; and former Mr. 1986 members Andy Koeneke and Micah Schmiedeskamp. The new partnership founded with Spring Gun yields a sound that is a balance between their breed of Omaha folk and thirst for ear-piercing post-rock. Spring Gun's EP release show on 8/4/07 will also be the introduction of their newest full-time member, Nick Buller who will play tandem percussion alongside Wheeler. With the addition of Buller, long time ideas are quickly turning into reality, and Spring Gun is taking strides to embellish the sound they achieved on Lover Slain by expanding their already heavy-hitting rhythm section.

Below is an excerpt from a review by Omahype.com for the show Spring Gun played with Minus the Bear on May 21, 2007

Anyway, up first was Spring Gun. I'd listened to their very, very new EP 'Lovers Slain' a few times in the past couple of days, so them being the surprise opening band was a cool coincidence. I think the EP is great, it's got some delicate moments but a lot of huge moments too. Live its kind of the same thing, except with extended huge moments. They build and build, almost in a post-rock manner. I'm not familiar enough to know if they played everything from the EP but most of the songs I recognized, including my favorite 'West'. One thing I noticed was that some of the songs seemed to go on and on without a real ending point and lost a little bit of steam. Otherwise I thought these dudes were phenomenal and I recommend checking out Lovers Slain (link below) as soon as possible and going out of your way to see them next time they get something scheduled. Thanks to Spring Gun for turning what was a pretty disappointing night into a nice surprise.
Omahype.com, 5/22/07 Blog