Pre-Show Primer : 'Life' on the Road; Q & A with Here Come The Mummies

We’re in for a funky Friday night at the Gothic Theatre this week with Here Come The Mummies. The eight-piece band bring their brand of ‘terrifying funk from beyond the grave’ through Colorado - and it got us thinking. What is life on the road like for a band full of 5,000 year-old Egyptian Mummies? Among other myths, some claim that Here Come The Mummies are reincarnated Grammy-Winning studio musicians, but manage to keep their identities with this project ‘under wraps.’ No matter who they are - they’ve promised to bring the mayhem, and melt faces in the process.

So, what’s life like on the road for a band full of reincarnated Egyptian Mummies? Mummy Cass & Midnight Mummy helped paint the picture.

How is ‘life’ on the road?

Mummy Cass: It’s like we’re crates of turnips in a refrigerator truck. Lots of being carted around, lots of being shaken up. Then, as turnips often do, we put on a massive funk-rock alien close-encounter every night.

Midnight: Rock out, veg out, rock out, veg out. Rinse and repeat.

How well do your coffins travel on tour?

Mummy Cass: Our original sarcophaguses stay put at The Crypt. They are super heavy. Anyway, we’ve got more plush accommodations now that we’re drawing breath again.

(With MTV’s ‘Cribs’ in mind) Take us through your tour bus.

Mummy Cass: Well, Spaz might be in the front lounge gulping down enough coffee to kill an alpaca, or at night, just enough beer to paralyze a chiwawa. The TV will be on HGTV and no one will change the channel for some reason. Midnight and Dr. Yo will are probably recording on their laptops. Highlander and The Pole will be staring at HGTV, eating “granola.” Back in the bunk area it will be frigid to the point you need a winter hat. HPOD will still be asleep at 5PM. He’ll eat breakfast after the show. Important “business meetings” will be happening in the back lounge, where HGTV will also be on for some reason.

Going back to 1500 BCE, average lifespan in Ancient Egypt was only age 34 for men and age 30 for women. How do you all keep thriving after all these years?

Mummy Cass: That might be the upside of being cursed to wander the Earth forever in search of the perfect riff, not growing old. Plus playing music every night is good for the soul. We were expecting flying cars by now, though.

Midnight: Cheap thermal suits, too. What’s up Modernity?

Tombs are typically dark, cold places. Is it a tough adjustment to be on stage in a hot, sweaty dance party environment with constant flashing lights?

Mummy Cass: Uh, yes it is. Sometimes, it feels like the lights are shining on the back of the inside of your skull.

Midnight: I feel like the lights are in my head, shining out.

Fairly common artist riders include things like La Croix, assortments of local beers, hummus and assorted chips and dips, after-show pizza’s and so much more. What are some of the items on the rider for a band full of mummies?

Mummy Cass: That, and peach cobbler, vanilla pudding, poached salmon, chicken cacciatore, veggie dogs, deli meat, tacos… Salad. Taco-salad. You name it. Sewing kits. Oil paintings from the renaissance. Relish.

Midnight: Fries, roasted potatoes, shish kabobs, baguettes, assorted mustards, Champagne, chocolate covered ants, rosé, port, amarone, chicken nuggets, White Castle. What isn’t on it? That’d be the shorter list.

What does an off day look like for the band?

Mummy Cass: Throwing all that stuff up.

Who are some of the bands you’re currently listening to, or bands that you hope to collaborate with, whether on tour or in studio?

Mummy Cass: Perpetual Groove, who will be out with us this Fall; Saxsquatch, Dopapod, Big Sam, Steven Lewis’ Big Band of Fun, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Galactic, lots more.. plus all the greats of the past who we influenced.

Midnight: that’s true.

Funksters Here Come The Mummies are live in concert at the Gothic Theatre Friday, September 8, 2023 as a part of their Harmonic Gravity Tour with special guests Perpetual Groove. Tickets and info are available at gothictheatre.com. Here Come The Mummies are made up of Mummy Cass (guitar, vocals), Eddie Mummy (drums, vocals), K.W. TuT (bass, vocals), Spaz (keys, vocals), The Pole! (bass), Midnight Mummy (bari & tenor sax, keys, percussion, talk box, vocals), Dr. Yo (sax, vocal, tambo), Highlander (tenor sax), “H-Pod” (High Priest of Death) (trumpet).

Bless This Mess It's UMS 2023: The Recap

Spill Tab performs at this years Underground Music Showcase. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

For three glorious days in July, the Underground Music Showcase hits South Broadway, transforming mild-mannered restaurants, bars and storefronts into a supercharged Voltron of noise assembling annually in Denver’s Baker neighborhood. 

The 2023 UMS fully embraced the annual pilgrimage of revolution, evolution, and collective catharsis. From Banded Oak to the Skylark, revelers traversed the crooked pavement passed the zeroed-out cardinal heart of Broadway and Ellsworth to catch the amalgamation of rock, hip hop, metal, cumbia, shoegaze, and whatever the fuck Rad Dudes is this year. 

Jami Duffy of Youth on Record speaks during one of many panels at Impact Days. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The festival has served as a launching pad for local talent and national artists alike since 2001. Homegrown music education nonprofit Youth on Record joined forces with Two Parts as co-owners in 2022, and in their sophomore outing, a clear commitment to community came into focus: Accessible spaces were at the center of planning efforts, as well as drawing visibility to sober initiatives, opening up of Impact Days professional development to the public, and literally crafting an Artist Care lounge replete with a meditation space, vitamin B-12 replenishments, and Dayglo-adorned textile installations from Meow Wolf artist, Andrea Fischer. 

UMS directors Jami Duffy and Casey Berry with Jessica Wallach. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

From the first notes of Friday, the UMS (lovingly and accurately also known as “you-a-mess”) was evident that it serves as a kind of Land-of-Misfit-Toys high school reunion. Though the absence of some notable buds was felt, at the heart remained the music. And, similar to the city itself, it remains a source of renewal, joyously chasing that promise of redemption by reinvention to create something new again. 

Here’s some highlights that you may have missed from UMS 2023

Friday:

Levi Double U rocking the 1’s and 2’s. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Last year, Levi Double U brought donuts to open up the UMS - and though there weren’t any honey glazed at the Oasis Stage this time around, festival goers were definitely getting in the hole-y spirit dancing to the Denver producer, DJ, and drummer. Yum. 

Deva Yoder’s brand of dreamy Opry felt right at home at the Skylark on Friday early evening. Her spacey psych-country featured well-crafted harmonies and vocals channeling Bonnie Raitt, fittingly culminating in a proper late-’70s jam sesh to end the set on a soaring note. 

Jen Korte and the Loss occupied a similar orbital vibe at the newly christened UMS House (previously a distillery and … other establishments). Korte’s songs soared like sonic paintings, with each dynamic meticulously placed with purpose, her uber-talented backing musicians filling the space with their complementary brushstrokes and comets. Korte and crew are Americana Gothic at its finest. 

Speaking of spacey landscapes, UMS vets Corsicana (the project of Ben Pisano) creates shoegaze that feels like floating on a cloud, lulling an afternoon crowd at HQ into what can only be described as “the Denver sway.” It served as a lighter aperitif to the fuzzed out garage-folk of Becky Hostetler’s bellhoss, which rocked the rafter of Stoney’s as a cathartic Dinosaur Jr.-inspired dance party. 

Pink Fuzz bringing the rock to the Underground Music Showcase on day one. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

When it comes to crunch, Pink Fuzz is aptly named. In the first of two UMS sets, the Denver-based power trio brought their high-octane-buzzsaw-muscle-car sound to the Showcase Stage on Friday night. Pulpy Lemmy-esque riffs and pumping Pumpkins Siamese nightmares pummeled UMSers on a stage fit for the sound; their Saturday set also pounded eardrums numb in an unrelenting sweat-drenched set. Pink Fuzz has established a distinctive tone that, alongside literal sibling band The Velveteers, is something that can be thought of as “the Demitro Sound” - a Monster-Zombie motorcycle magnetar that leaves the throttle open the entire performance. 

It was a fitting transition to Des Rocs, another nonstop three-piece and one of the standouts of UMS 2023. Described by a bystander as “heavy metal Lost Boys,” the high-energy show smacked of Ram Jam and Queens of the Stone Age riffage, occasioning new-wave with a slight gothic bent while also evoking REM and Elvis (both Presley and even Costello, if you squinted hard enough). Needless to say, Denver slurped up the psychedelic Palm Desert puree without hesitation

Jamila Woods delivering on the soul vibes. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Sultry, silky and smooth would be one of many ways to describe Jamila Woods. Her main stage set provided for a groovy and sensual set that brought out a close to the first day of the festival. The Chicago native shined as evident with her poetry background that translated over to her live set flawlessly. Woods has been making music on and off since about 2016 and we hope she continues to bless us with her soulful voice for years to come.

Last year’s mystery headliners Native Daughters once again closed out the night - and for those in the know, it was no surprise they scorched the inside of HQ to a well-done crisp, the scene of an infamous late-night Sailor Records show at 3 Kings Tavern (RIP). Returning to 60 South Broadway, the dual-drummer instru-metal volcanographers blasted their distinctive percussive assault again into the night. And as the final notes erupted in a conflagratory blast, both band and venue reminded UMSers that it’s possible to rise from ashes anew.

Photo Gallery: Robert Castro

Saturday:

It’s hard not to join in the movement at a Los Mocochetes show. And at the packed Underground Stage, it’s exactly what the crowd was called to do. An eclectic mix of cumbia, rock, funk and more, the genre-bending Denver group harnesses music as advocacy, their very name an amalgamation of “mocosos” (or “brats”) and “machete”, a tool that can be used for both cultivation and destruction, fitting for using dance as simultaneously healing and weapon. 

Hex Kitten kept the party going on the Oasis Stage on day 2 of UMS. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

During a break between songs, N3PTUNE shared a memory of his last-minute UMS set from 2021 that lit the fuse of one of Denver’s breakout creatives on the ascendancy. Flash-forward and a vision’s realization was evident on the 2023 UMS Showcase Stage. Flanked by backup dancers, choir singers, and accompanist Rusty Steve, the energy spilled into the crowd multiple times and reinforced what those lucky few knew back then - that N3PTUNE (don’t forget the ‘3’) is a consummate boundary-pusher whose continued rise feels foretold. 

Love or hate it, the re-emergence of pop-punk has also felt inevitable, like snakebite piercings eating their own. It wasn’t hard to walk by several venues to discover Manic Panic at the Drive Thru-inspired takes to pogo your heart-sleeved tattoos to. Take Provo, UT-based 19 Miles Per Hour, whose head-nodding set at the L evoked early-era Allister and Homegrown, culminating with bubble-blowing into the adoring crowd. 

Or Denver’s Bury Mia, whose Sugarcult-tinged vibes invited Stoney’s to look back at those Warped Summer Extravaganzas ($10 bottled waters notwithstanding). And though labels are useless for Plasma Canvas, the self-proclaimed “loudest, gayest band in the world” - who recently released their “Dusk” LP on vaunted SideOneDummy Records - lived up to their billing with blistering odes to skate punk-shred, lighting up HQ with their afternoon set that left ears ringing and transphobes running. 

Snotty Nose Rez Kids got the mosh pit started at The Underground Stage. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Saturday was also a night of hip-hop at the Hi Dive. Set off with the Southern stylings of RO$$AY and smooth storytelling of Lane-O, the stacked lineup gave way to Snotty Nosed Rez Kids, hyping the room less than 90 minutes after their equally engaging Underground Stage set. 

Seattle’s Oblé Reed delivered smoothly crafted messages drenched in ‘90s influences, setting up the frenetic psych-freak-hop of surgical weirdos The White Moms. Closing down the night, 7 South Broadway was worked into a lather as Dirty Rotten Rhymers took the stage, tongue firmly in cheek, to announce their upcoming release “Bong Island” - a hit in the making.  

Photo Gallery: Robert Castro

Sunday: 

Kenny Cornbread is a ChatGPT combination of Ted Nuget and Bo Burnham. The line between tribute and parody can be a fine one, and the real-life Team Amerca’s pseudopatriotic dirges served as buzzing half-empty reminders of not to take fun seriously, knocking off the cobwebs and cracking open Day 3.

Crowds cheer on the return of Air Dubai. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Denver welcomed back travelers Air Dubai with open arms at UMS 2023, their performance marked the hip/rock group’s first since going on indefinite hiatus seven years prior. The in-flight entertainment didn’t disappoint, either: A perfect mix of energy and chill, it was a fitting Sunday Showcase Stage return that left the crowd hoping for more arrivals than departures in the future.

Spacecorpse giving UMS goer’s a heavier dose of music. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Nothing like beating back the Sunday Scaries with a dose of its own medicine, and that’s exactly what the brutal daylong lineup at Hi Dive delivered. Self-described “dystopian cyberpunk death metal” of Spacecorpse opened up the pit and Cobranoid tore through their hell-escaping high-octane speed doom, while the relentlessness of Denver monoliths Abrams and Cloud Catcher closed down it all down, leaving the room bruised whiplashed. 

Green Druid. (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Speaking of heavy, stoner stalwarts Green Druid rolled up and smoked the Underground Stage at the conveniently timed 4:35 set. It’s a deserved step-up for the group, whose previous UMS performances left the Hi-Dive ablaze in a haze of breakdowns that Keep. Breaking. Down. True to their name, 2023’s set was all power-flower, no stems or seeds, culminating with a two-ton cover of the Nirvana classic, “Breed.” 

Within the darkness, there is also light. And though it’s tempting to write-off Skank Williams as a gimmick - ska-themed classic country might elicit eyerolls from the too-cool-for-school set - one listen to the group reveals a deep dedication and appreciation for both. Turns out combining The Slackers and George Jones results in one son-of-a-gun fun fusion dish. It was a fitting finish for the festival, an annual Jambalaya fit for kings and queens and in-betweens, proclaiming loudly and proudly that yes - UMS is still the best kind of mess. 

Virgi Dart was our breakthrough performer of the festival this year. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

We also had our chance to host our first ever UMS Day Party on Sunday and we discovered a gem after some last minute shuffling from our artist. Our Selena Tribute party wouldn’t have been possible without the talented Virgi Dart who was able to fill in last minute with her amazing tribute to Cumbia Queen Selena. Big thanks to our other artist Miggy Camacho who is the ambassador of salsa, cumbia, and latin music dj’s in our city. Our special guests The Mañanas and Neoma kept the party going with dance inducing bangers who had everybody twerking and more.

Homework: 

“Tecnicolor pop-witch” Cain Culto

Night Fishing, a mishmash of “jazz fuzz” 

Multi-instrumentalist namebackwards

Words by Cory Phare and Robert Castro

Photo Gallery: Aly McClaran

7 Must See Acts: UMS 2023

As we embark on our 13th Underground Music Showcase’s an outlet, we wanted to celebrate the amazing Denver community and its vibrant music scene for allowing to capture and cover some amazing bands from the last decade.

Every year we scour our lineups and schedules to make a list of our top ten acts we recommend. While each year has its challenges, it also allows us to share bands some of you may not be familiar with.

Without further adieu…..

Seven Must See Acts

Spill Tab

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 6:35-7:20 PM

Welcome to the world of Spill Tab, where musical boundaries are shattered, emotions run wild, and acoustic landscapes transport you to another dimension. With a unique blend of haunting melodies, soul-stirring lyrics, and ethereal vocals, Spill Tab offers a transformative acoustic experience that leaves audiences captivated and craving more.

Led by the enigmatic and immensely talented artist Spill Tab, this musical project invites listeners to embark on a journey through the vast depths of human emotions. Drawing from personal experiences and introspection, Spill Tab's music serves as a cathartic outlet, resonating with anyone who has ever felt lost, vulnerable, or overwhelmed.

Incorporating elements from various genres like indie-folk, dream pop, and alternative rock, Spill Tab weaves a sonic tapestry that is profoundly intimate yet universally relatable. Each song tells a story, inviting you into a world where heartaches and triumphs merge to create something truly extraordinary. The lyrics delve deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of love, pain, self-discovery, and the complexities of the human condition.

Air Dubai

Showcase Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 4:25-5:10 PM


Air Dubai is an American alternative hip-hop band formed in 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The band consist of five talented individuals who came together with a shared passion for music and an unwavering desire to create something unique and unforgettable. Combining elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop, Air Dubai quickly gained recognition for their energetic live performances and diverse sound.

Air Dubai disbanded in 2016, leaving behind a remarkable catalog of music that continues to inspire and captivate fans worldwide. Their legacy lives on through their unique fusion of genres, thought-provoking lyrics, and unforgettable live performances. Some of you may remember their reunion show during our 5th anniversary party at Pearls.

Air Dubai's influence can be seen in the countless artists that followed, incorporating elements of hip-hop, rock, and pop in their own work. Their ability to push musical boundaries and stay true to their artistic vision. Excited to see the band back together for this year, we could not be more excited.

Levi Double U

Oasis Stage | Friday, July 28th | 4:50-5:40 PM

Levi Double U, the incredible musical prodigy, is making waves in the music industry with his extraordinary talent and unique style. Levi's passion for music has been instrumental in various projects he has been part of. His ability to effortlessly switch and adapt to his music projects gives us a hint of his musical knowledge. His dj sets are always consistent with house bangers and carefully orchestrated dance floor starters. Wether its playing drums for Neoma or making us shake our ass to to his DJ moniker Levi Double U, he is a must see this week.

ROOTBEER RICHIE AND THE REVEILLE

UMS House | Friday, July 28th | 11:59-12:45 AM

We first came across this band a few years ago as our last act at UMS on a hot, sweaty, Sunday night at The Hi Dive. Our lives haven’t been the same since. A fusion of all the genres we love, the band manages to pull off a set inducing dance party with all kinds of elements at its disposal. From horns to infectious anthem cries, this band will steal the show this year, we guarantee it. Be ready to dance, be ready to sweat and be ready to talk about it the next day!

Virgi Dart

HQ Denver | Sunday, July 30th | 6:00-6:45 PM

In Colombia Virgi's musical prowess has afforded her the opportunity to perform on the most important + grand stages in her hometown, Cali, along with many respected venues throughout her home country. Prior to moving to the US, Virgi headlined at the most prolific disco group in Colombia for six years, granting her access to performances with some of the most well-respected artists in Latin America.

Virgi is excited to bring her professionalism, talent, and commanding stage presence to her newfound home in Colorado and in venues across the US. She looks forward to continuing to honor her influences of pop-rock/Latin music while delivering memorable performances for her crowds. Virgi recently released her first album, a versatile EP with 6 songs where the audience will be delighted with pop music, cumbia, bachata and electro-pop as well as a beautiful ballad with a symphonic orchestra.

She is currently working on the recording of her second album, she is also releasing music videos and performing throughout the US, Mexico and Colombia.

King Isis

Underground Stage | Sunday, July 30th | 5:40-6:15 PM

Born and raised in the cultural hub of Oakland, CA, King Isis shifts shapes and fuses sounds ranging from rock and R&B to jazz and blues, sweeping through pain, growth, and transformation.

Music has been in King Isis' blood for generations. They were taught on the piano of their great-great-grandmother Omega King, one of the first Black opera singers in Chicago. King Isis’ artist moniker pays reverence to Omega’s legacy of pursuing her passion of art and creation in segregated, post-slavery America. “Her name holds a lot of power in my house and in my family,” Isis reflects, “A big part of the reason my artist name incorporates hers is to remind me that there is power in my voice, that music has always been a deep-rooted part of me, and to keep going.”

Ogi

Underground Stage | Saturday, July 29th | 9:00-9:40 PM

Our voices indicate how we feel. Joy, sadness, trepidation, and truth filter through the tone and timbre. For as pensive and reserved as Ogi may be in everyday life, the Los Angeles-based Nigerian American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist speaks her mind when she sings. After captivating audiences on social media and earning the endorsement and support of iconic GRAMMY® Award-winning producer No I.D. [JAY-Z, John Mayer, Kanye West], she expresses who she is through every note on a series of singles and her 2022 debut.

UMS Impact Days Is Upon Us!

We have been covering The Underground Music Showcase for many years now and one of our favorite things to see is how the festival has evolved over the years. With a huge emphasis on community, a staple through the years, the festival has introduced a few notable additions to the three day weekend.

Impact Days 2023 tickets are on sale now! If you're a musician or in the music industry, this two-day series of workshops at The Underground Music Showcase is for you. If skill-sharing workshops, professional development, networking with your fellow musicians, and coaching for the next phase of your career sounds like something you need, Impact Days is for you. Workshop topics will include finding/procuring funding for artists, securing radio airplay, utilizing AI for artists, and more! $30 for two days of workshops! Plus, if you bring a friend, we’re offering a buddy pass ticket (two tickets for the price of one, discount automatically applied at checkout) Get your tickets at www.undergroundmusicshowcase.com/impact-days

Taylor Swift Brings Her " The Eras Tour" To Denver

Taylor Swift performs in Denver during The Eras Tour (Photo: Robert Castro)

We had the pleasure of attending Taylor Swift's highly anticipated Eras Tour this weekend at Empower Field (night one of two) in Denver, and let me tell you, it was an unforgettable experience. Swift's ability to transform her performances into a captivating visual and auditory journey is nothing short of remarkable.

As the lights dimmed and the display screen showed a countdown, the crowd erupted with deafening cheers. Swift emerged on stage in a blaze of light and energy, ready to take us all on a nostalgic trip through her most iconic eras.

The stage setup was an absolute work of art, flawlessly designed to reflect the essence of each era she would take us through. From dreamy forrest, to colorful clouds and more.

The concert kicked off with tracks from Swift's country-pop era, reminding us of her humble beginnings. From her heartfelt ballads to her lively anthems, she effortlessly transported us back in time. The crowd eagerly sang along to beloved hits like "Love Story" and "You Belong with Me," their energy filling the arena.

Theatrics abound as Taylor Swift belts out the hits. (Photo: Robert Castro)

Then came the transition into Swift's pop era, and the atmosphere shifted with the stunning visual effects and vibrant stage designs. The choreography was on point, and Swift's vocals were as impeccable as ever. She brought a fresh twist to her familiar tunes, leaving the audience in awe. Highlights of the pop era included electrifying performances of "Shake It Off," "Bad Blood," and "Blank Space." The energy was infectious, and it was impossible not to dance along.

But the true standout of the evening was Swift's latest era, marked by her fearless exploration of diverse musical styles. The stage transformed into a spectacle of colors and theatrical elements, bringing her hits like "Lover," "Cardigan," and "Willow" to life. The crowd was captivated by Swift's raw emotion and vulnerable performances. It felt as though we were witnessing an artist in her prime, confidently embracing her growth and evolution.

Throughout the concert, Taylor Swift didn't simply perform her songs; she told a story. She shared anecdotes about her journey, offering insight into the creative process behind her music. This personal touch created a deep connection between Swift and her audience, making the experience even more intimate.

In addition to the incredible visuals and flawless vocals, Swift's attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the show, from the carefully chosen set. As the sequin dressed crowd exited the stadium, you could feel a buzz that continued with sing-a-longs as the masses exited into the night knowing they had got a chance to experience one of the best tours to ever come to Denver.

Words and Images: Robert Castro

Blink 182 Shine On Their World Tour in Denver

Blink 182 perform at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

Pop punk legends Blink 182 made a stop in Denver in the midst of their current world tour. The Denver date sold out in seconds when tickets went live and the anticipation has been building ever since.

The band tore through a collection of hits sending us back all the way to 1992. Legends among the punk scene the band has blessed us with decades worth of music that we have grown to love and admire. The trio of Mark Hoppus, Tom Delonge and Travis Barker have instilled a sound that is unique to the band with a slapstick appeal and lyrical homage to everyday life we can associate with.

The band have recently won Denver over within the last couple years as the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche had adopted “All The Small Things” as the teams anthem most recently during their Stanley Cup run last year. Carrying over that buzz the band slayed through an entire catalog of sing-a-longs as the sold out crowd ate up every note and belted out lyrics from “Rock Show”, “What’s My Age Again”, and concluding with “Rocky Mountain High” by John Denver. A perfect ending for a perfect evening.

Words and images Robert Castro