Word is official now: Asthmatic Kitty has signed Grampall Jookabox, aka David “Moose” Adamson, and will release his new album Ropechain Nov. 4, 2008. This is a co-release with local label Joyful Noise Recordings, which released Jookabox’s first record, Scientific Cricket. By all means, check out “The Girl Ain’t Preggars,” one of the standout tracks on the new record, with a lovely and unexpected chorus. Two ingredients stand out to me in Grampall: Adamson’s rough, one-man-band, basement instrumentation that stresses simple rhythms and swampy bass and his talent in putting together slightly twisted list songs — not only on “Preggars” but also the R. Crumb-esque opening track from Ropechain, “Black Girls.” A digital EP is on the way this fall featuring “Preggars,” a nifty remix of Cricket’s “Ponta” and collaborations with Liz Janes and Ray Raposa. Speaking of collabs, Ropechain is mixed by the rather terrific Rafter Roberts (whose Sex Death Cassette and “zzzpenchant” were favourites of mine this spring) and with whom Adamson is also exchanging tracks for an upcoming release. You’ll find an acceptance speech by David on his MiceSpace: “I love you. I’m excited and freaked.” www.myspace.com/grampalljookabox.

The Vulgar Boatmen, Gentleman Caller, Jake Smith
Radio Radio, 6323 N. Ferguson St.
Friday, July 25, 9 p.m., $8, 21+

Jake Smith and his wife Freda Love went to Nottingham, England, a couple years ago, but they’ve still kept up their once-domestic project, Mysteries of Life. Smith will return to Indiana to fill dual roles in a Friday night show at Radio Radio. First, a solo set featuring songs from an upcoming Mysteries album, Great Lakes: Home Recordings (which will be available at the show for $5). Then, Smith straps on the bass guitar to play with the Vulgar Boatmen, a reunion of sorts with a band that has gone through many an incarnation over the years. Gentleman Caller closes out the show. Extensive downloads for all of these bands can be found on musicalfamilytree.net.

There will be a memorial jam session at the Slippery Noodle Inn to celebrate the life of longtime soundman “Liquid” Lenny Schilling who died last Thursday at age 53. Proceeds from the door will cover his funeral expenses. Besides making bands sound better at the Noodle, he worked at various venues including Word Mardi Gras, The Jazz Cooker and at Verizion Wireless Music Center.