UM Small Groups
Monday, April 21 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // Free and Open to the Public! Join the UM Small Group program for an evening of jazz standards, contemporary tunes and originals from the University of Montana musicians as they complete their 2024-25 musical journey.
James McMurtry
Tuesday, June 24 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 8 PM // $25 Advance // $30 DOS “I first became aware of James McMurtry’s formidable songwriting prowess while working at Bug Music Publishing in the ’90s,” says New West president John Allen. “He’s a true talent. All of us at New West are excited at the prospect of championing the next phase of James’ already successful and respected career.” McMurtry perfectly fits a label housing “artists who perform real music for real people.” After all, No Depression says of the literate songwriter’s most recent collection, Complicated Game: “Lyrically, the album is wise and adventurous, with McMurtry — who’s not prone to autobiographical tales — credibly inhabiting characters from all walks of life.” “[McMurtry] fuses wry, literate observations about the world with the snarl of barroom rock,” National Public Radio says. “The result is at times sardonic, subversive and funny, but often vulnerable and always poignant.” His lauded storytelling — check out songs such as “Operation Never Mind” and “Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call” on The Horses and the Hounds— consistently has turned heads for decades now. “James writes like he’s lived a lifetime,” said John Mellencamp back in 1989, when Too Long in the Wasteland hit the Billboard 200. “James McMurtry is one of my very few favorite songwriters on Earth and these days he’s working at the top of his game,” says Americana all-star Jason Isbell. “He has that rare gift of being able to make a listener laugh out loud at one line and choke up at the next. I don’t think anybody writes better lyrics.” McMurtry’s albums Just Us Kids (2008) and Childish Things (2005) back the claim, each scoring endless critical praise. The former earned McMurtry his highest Billboard 200 chart position in two decades (since eclipsed by Complicated Game) and notched Americana Music Award nominations. Childish Things spent six full weeks topping the Americana Music Radio chart in 2005 and 2006, and won the Americana Music Association’s Album of the Year, with “We Can’t Make It Here” named the organization’s Song of the Year. Other accolades include a 1996 Grammy nomination for Long Form Music Video for Where’d You Hide the Body and an American Indie Award for Best Americana Album for It Had to Happen (1997). McMurtry tours year-round and consistently throws down unparalleled powerhouse performances, reflected in the release of two live discs: the universally lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records, and 2009’s Live in Europe, which captured the McMurtry band’s first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, Live in Europe features special guests Ian McLagan (Faces) and Jon Dee Graham (True Believers, Skunks). For further information, accessibility, and inquiries please visit https://www.zootownarts.org/meet-the-zacc/about/.
Magenta Wave w/ Apocolipstick & J.A.D.E.
Wednesday, April 30 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // Artist Supporter $15 or $20 Magenta Wave is an alternative indie-rock band based in Seattle, Washington. After forming in Bellingham in 2022, the group quickly made their way from house shows to well known local venues, playing shows at the Wild Buffalo, the Shakedown, and the Blue Room. Known for emotionally charged vocal melodies and evocative guitar solos, their sound is constantly evolving and showcases their diverse influences, ranging from singer songwriters, to funk rock bassists, to classic rock and Jimi Hendrix. Relocating to Seattle in the fall of 2023, the group hit the ground running, and now have (among others) shows at the Tractor Tavern, Central Saloon and Neumos under their belt. The band entered the studio for the first time at the Hallowed Halls in Portland. With the release of their debut single in February 2024 and a four-song EP later that year, the group is proud to have accumulated over 250,000 Spotify streams to date. Magenta Wave will add a new EP to their discography with the help of producer Ethan Bovey (Dave Matthews Band) in the winter / spring of 2025. Accompanying these new releases, the band is embarking on their inaugural West Coast tour on April 24th in Vancouver, BC. Apocolipstick is a relatively new art punk band from Missoula, Montana. They incorporate a myriad of styles into our sound such as new wave, glam, blues, and even a little country twang. They love performing and we try to put as much energy as humanly possible into our live shows. J.A.D.E. is a high-energy band hailing from the mountains of small-town Western Montana. Their wide variety of influences shines brightly in their songs. This unique, not quite rock, not exactly pop sound with an edgy punk rock twist is addictive. They send driving rhythms, interwoven melodies, and powerful vocals straight through your ears deep into your heart and soul. When on stage they are focused on bringing a sound that inspires everyone to get on their feet and dance like the universe depends on it.
Pat and the Pissers w/ Minot and Meeting House
Tuesday, March 11 // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8:00 PM // $15 Pat and the Pissers are a four piece rock and roll band based out of Indianapolis. From basements to marquees this outfit has gained the attention and admiration of the Indy music scene. Known for their energetic live performances, fast riffs, and heavy hits they are quickly becoming one of the Midwest’s most exciting young bands. Their force can’t be reckoned with and will not be stopped. Minot is a lo-fi garage punk baking mixture made of two parts Midwestern and a dash of Northern New England. The shortest distance between two sonic points is made by leaving no room for lengthy melodic banter. Drenched in reverb to cover their inadequacies; This band has a driving rhythm of Mo Tucker’s brother and the belief that less is always more. Minot because….Why not? Meeting House is a “Gunk” Rock from Great Falls,Montana! influences consisted of pub rock and punk ‘nuff said, catch ‘em, ya dig?
Broadway Bash
Friday, April 18 // Door at 8:30 PM // Show at 9:00 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Calling all Rentheads, Guilty Ones, and Phans! Put on your Broadway best and come dance at the ZACC for your own enjoyment-Whoopsie Falcon Ptoductions presents The Broadway Bash! We’ve got the boppin best tunes from The Great Bright Way for you and the Glinda to your Elphie to dance through life to. Costumes are HIGHLY encouraged, so step into the candy store and celebrate La Vie Boheme with us! Proceeds from door sales go to a local charity that will be announced at the evening’s end. So Missoula…Shall We Dance?
Punk Benefit for the Poverello Center w/ Pilots We’ve Known, Perfect Blue, Dank Crypt, & Seditious Activity
Tuesday, April 15 // Door at 7:00 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 With Donation // $15 Without Donation Pilots We’ve Known is a post-punk/post-hardcore band from Missoula, Mt. purpose-built in early 2017 as an emotional outlet against the noises of our time. They use elaborate arrangements, angular chords and riffs and dynamic vocals to produce an emotional cacophony as the backdrop to attention-grabbing lyrics. After a three year hiatus Pilots We’ve Known are back at it with a crushing-loud vengeance. Perfect Blue is a genre-bending, instrumental post-rock quartet from Missoula, Montana. Their music blends elements of post-punk, psych, shoegaze, folk and black metal for an eclectic spectrum of sounds moving between somber, intricate passages to dark, heavy soundscapes. The band’s debut album, “Empress,” is now available everywhere. Dank Crypt spawns from the harsh depths of Havre, Montana. Formed in September 2022 by Drew Torgerson, and long time friends Trever Berger and Travis Berger. Following a short run of shows, with influences spanning from Sludge metal / punk rock/ thrash metal/ Doom metal / and everything in between; Dank Crypt released a demo track of their song Snow Owl Eats At Daytime in August of 2023 and it was featured on Weedian’s “Trip to Montana” compilation.Debut EP “Crypt Scripture” Was released on April 20, 2024. Seditious Activity is a punk band from Missoula, Montana. Never trust authority.
Patti Nolan and the Undeniables / Fundrasier for NO JOKE THEATER
Thursday, March 20 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $30 // $100 table of 4 // $150 table of 6 Patti Nolan and the Undeniables are an amazing jazzband. This is music that is rarely heard in Missoula. It’s very reminiscent of being in a New York City jazz club. NO JOKE THEATER creates bold, original theater with the formerly incarcerated, individuals in pre-release and drug court as well as members of the recovery community. It is the only theater company like this in Montana. Prior to the creation of No Joke Theater in Missoula, the artistic director, Leah Joki, spent 23 years creating theater in California prisons.
Dug w/ .repetend & Skadget
Wednesday, April 9 // Door at 7:30 PM // Show at 8 PM // $15 The indomitable duo of Minneapolis noise veterans Travis Kuhlman (drums) and Michael Baillie (guitar) are DUG. Tuned to the key of tinnitus, DUG brings a sludge-laden sonic assault most easily measured in minutes per beat, rather than in beats per minute. Through stretches of seemingly constant touring across the US, the pair have put out a trio of exceptionally punishing releases – all through Kansas City, Missouri-based The Ghost is Clear Records – “35:35” (2021), “Pain Machine” (2022) and “You Make Me Sad” (2023). However, from first-hand experience – DUG is a band best enjoyed LIVE and OFTEN .repetend utilizes extended range tunings, driving bass and guitar riffs, complex meters, dynamic tonalities and progressive, driving percussion for a total math rock experience. Brush up on your algebra and see if you can count along. Skadget is a psychedelic dive into the subconscious waters of this hallucination called life. Born in the monster mindscape of Dead Ed, Skadget sat in a stew of bubbling muck for years, unable to find life. But when that seed of a thought finally made contact with Dead’s friends D.L. Johnson and Carson Smith (and Juxtabunny in the psyrealms) it was jolted to life as the hydra you see before you!
Owen Cleary & Sean Stineford
Sunday, March 23 // Door at 2:30 PM // Show at 3:00 PM // $10 // $15 Artist Supporter Ticket Presenting vibrant sets of original and arranged music, graduating UM jazz students Sean Stineford and Owen Cleary are sharing their capstone jazz performances. Featuring a full big band and jazz combo with the Connor Racicot Trio, this afternoon performance is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy some great live music!
Panic Boner w/ Kragg, S.G.C., & birthdaymoanz
Thursday, April 10 // Door at 7 PM // Show at 7:30 PM // $10 // $15-$20 Artist Supporter Ticket Panic Boner is an experimental music trio based out of Missoula, Montana. As they don’t rely on categorization or genre for their band, they have been described by audiences as heavy jazz psychedelic or now wave resembling bands like Wolf Eyes, Black Dice, and a more freeform Hella. P.B. has recently released an album on the chocolate monk label based out the U.K. KRAGG is an instrumental experimental noise rock trio based out of Missoula. Influenced from krautrock, deep cuts to San Francisco garage psych punk to the O.G.hard rock trailblazers of Jesus Lizard, and The Birthday Party. Sucks Girl Cock (S.G.C.) is a harsh noise wall/powerelectronics project that explores the intersection of sincerity and vulnerability in composition. Known for unforgiving walls of crashing electronic static, S.G.C. directly challenges listeners with xeir noise. exploring themes of trans liberation, disability advocacy, and expressionist anti-music through distorted oscillation. Justin Matousek occasionally makes sound art as “birthdaymoanz”. he grew up near pittsburgh pa, and has been curating and creating experimental sounds for more than 15 years, he believes that the wu-tang clan is for the children and that curiosity will save the world
