News and Notes

Punch-drunk, post-Wilco?

More sides of the incident at the October 16 Wilco concert at the Shrine Mosque continue to come to light. If you haven't heard: A fan came onstage during the band's set and approached lead singer Jeff Tweedy from behind. Tweedy shoved (or, as eyewitness accounts on Pitchfork Media's website say, punched) the man to get him away before he was led away by security.

A statement on Wilco's website, wilcoworld.net, refers to the Shrine's "lax" security as the root of the problem. Shrine administrator Tom Morris, the person in charge of security that night, says he places the blame squarely on the band. He says Wilco chose not to pay for a barricaded five-foot buffer zone to be placed along the front of the stage; the band's statement admits to it as well. Morris says he received no formal complaint from the band or its management regarding the incident, although he personally doubts the band will ever play in Springfield again. If this was the last time, Wilco's Springfield days came to an inglorious end.

More from happyendings

Micky Hardy, happyendings's lead guitarist, says the band's first local concert in more than six months will be about a 12-song set. Look for two different elements: Old songs the group hasn't played live in three to five years and new material many fans haven't heard at all-including songs from the upcoming album Losing Generation, which is still pending release. Rather than wait for their record label, J Records, or their management to send them on tour, Hardy says the four bandmates are going to put together an occasional local show to help shake the rust off of their live sets. The band will perform at Remmington's Downtown November 3 with opening acts Ties That Bind and A Day Away. Tickets will be $7 over 21 or $9 under 21 and will be available locally at Kaleidoscope, Stick It In Your Ear or at the door the night of the show.