Ginger's Bread

So a couple things I thought about and wanted to share after posting Tuesday’s comic. Those things were Springfield, Mo and, closely related, music!

First, a quick shout out about the music: While right now the Internet is abuzz about Weird Al’s new video, I want to point out Ha Ha Tonka has a new album out today! Check it out! They’re on tour right now, and you can stream the new album here.

The reason I was thinking about Springfield is because it was on a trip there to see some friends that I got the 1940′s civics book that contained the inspirational image for the comic. I went to Springfield back in March to see my friends Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin with the beautiful and talented Meghan, who drew and runs their official fan site.

Springfield is a pretty awesome place, and if offered me a good job there, I’d be happy to move. (Seriously, companies in Springfield, give me a call.) We drove down and basically spent a weekend in the area. The first night we got down there, we caught a library show at the Park Central Branch. It was just Phil and Will playing (Will’s the chap with the beard) along with a few other great local bands. The next day we spent hanging out with Phil most of the day. It was during this time we checked out the flea market/thrift shop where I got the old civics book. It’s actually a pretty interesting look at thoughts and opinions from just before the U.S. entered WWII (the book’s copyrights are 1940/41) and other than knowledge, I’m bound to get more material from it. We also spent time on the Historic C-Street (Commercial Street). I really only mention this because of Pizza House and them having the best pizza in the world. This is a fact. Go and have some.

The evening we met up with Sarah, another friend, chilled at the Mudhouse for a bit, then went and saw the full band play at the Outland Ballroom. Also playing – Ha Ha Tonka. A terrific show, all around. The next day had a just little more hanging out around Springfield. We had breakfast and then checked out the St. Patrick’s day celebration in Park Central. We missed the parade because we headed with the bands to West Plains for, indeed, a third show. Again SSLYBY and Ha Ha Tonka. And again, it was awesome.

Basically, I’m telling you these are two great bands from a great place, and one of them as a new album out today. I leave you with a music video from each band. From Ha Ha Tonka’s first album “Buckle in the Bible Belt”, the song “Caney Mountain” and from Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin’s second album “Pershing”, “I Think I Wanna Die”. Enjoy!