Tag Archives: STRANGE BIRDS

TAKAAT, SPHERE BATS, and STRANGE BIRDS at ART SANCTUARY, Thursday March 26th

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(Poster designed by Robert Beatty)

The Other Side of Life is proud to present:

TAKAAT
with special guests
SPHERE BATS and STRANGE BIRDS

Thursday, March 26th, 2026
at Art Sanctuary (back room)
1433 S. Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40217

$15 advance tickets, $20 day of show
Advance tickets available online at Art Sanctuary;
Physical tickets available for in-person purchase at Surface Noise (cash only), 600 Baxter Avenue, Louisville KY 40204

18+
7:00 PM doors
8:00 PM music

TAKAAT (duo version)

TAKAAT (pronounced tuh-cot), meaning “noise” in the Tuareg language Tamashek, is the trio of Ahmoudou Madassane, Mikey Coltun, and Souleymane Ibrahim, also known as the rhythm section of Mdou Moctar. TAKAAT is sonic chaos, improvisation, freedom of exploration, and the punk styles of bands such as Fugazi and Unwound, all mixed together with the guitar music from the Sahel. TAKAAT started during soundchecks while on the road with Mdou Moctar when the trio indulged their shared love for amps cranked to 11 and the sound of blown out speakers. Towards the end of 2023, the three started writing music together, inspired by their shared experiences with the sounds and energy of Hausa bar bands, gritty soukous, and 2000s post-punk. The music of TAKAAT is intense, dark, and energetic. Deeply inspired by the DIY ethos of punk, Ahmoudou, Mikey, and Souleymane capture that thrill of the new and the ecstasy of togetherness in these heavy rockers. TAKAAT follows in the spirit of the independent music culture that birthed hardcore basement shows, bedroom tape labels, and generator-powered pick-up wedding bands.

Please note that TAKAAT is performing as a duo on their Spring 2026 tour.

SPHERE BATS is an experimental instrumental rock band from Louisville, Ky. Formed originally in 2022 by drummer Doug Campbell and guitarist Ian Gordon, the band started to grow legs in 2025 with the addition of bassist Spencer Floyd. Since March of that year, the band has been playing regularly in Louisville and surrounding areas. They are currently in the process of recording their debut album and plan to release it in summer of 2026. All hail bobby mosquito.

(Photo of Strange Birds by Fallon Frierson)

Louisville, Kentucky’s STRANGE BIRDS carry with them the DIY ethos and punk sensibilities of their earlier years while churning out mature songs that blend the three friends’ extensive and eclectic musical past. Brandon Butler (Canyon, Boys Life) manages an almost-sweet, slightly off-center American twang over dissonant yet consistently melodic guitars. Bassist Matt Olson (Black Heva) anchors the trio with a thumping and precise presence alongside the dynamic crescendo of drums from Ella Lumpkins (Blue Collar Revenge Theory, 3 Nails for a False Prophet).

Live music events in Louisville, KY. Show announcements, music and news, and other ephemera at: https://bsky.app/profile/theothersideoflife.bsky.social.

SAMUEL S.C., POHGOH, CONTINUALS, and STRANGE BIRDS at ART SANCTUARY, Thursday, January 15th

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(Flier by Ella Lumpkins)

The Other Side of Life is proud to present:

SAMUEL S.C.
POHGOH
CONTINUALS
STRANGE BIRDS

Thursday, January 15th, 2026
Art Sanctuary (back room)
1433 S. Shelby Street
Louisville, KY 40217

$15 advance tickets, $20 day of show
Advance tickets available online at Art Sanctuary;
Physical tickets available for in-person purchase at Surface Noise (cash only), 600 Baxter Avenue, Louisville KY 40204

18+
7:00 PM doors
8:00 PM music

Samuel S.C.

(Photo of Samuel S.C. by…)

SAMUEL began in the early 90’s in State College, PA as a female-fronted punk rock outfit that relentlessly toured the legendary DIY hardcore/punk circuit, performing alongside notables of the time such as Avail, Promise Ring, Chamberlain, Grain, Kerosene 454 and dozens more. Born from the ashes of Downing’s previous outfit Junction, SAMUEL was the flagship band of drummer Eric Astor’s label Art Monk Construction, which produced some of the most revered 7″ releases of the era including a legendary split with the then unknown Texas is the Reason. Reformed in 2021 as SAMUEL S.C. with the added S.C. reflecting a new beginning while paying homage to the band’s origins. A lineup adjustment included Michael Honch (CONTINUALS, Alarms & Controls) picking up bass duties, bringing a fresh perspective to SAMUEL’s 90’s material while creating opportunity for new songwriting. Today the band is squarely focused on the now, adeptly shedding any dangers of a nostalgic act tag and carving out space as a relevant force in current music.

Pohgoh

(Photo of POHGOH by…)

Formed in 1994, POHGOH cut their teeth in the 90’s DIY/indie underground with a small league of female-fronted bands of the era like Rainer Maria and Jejune, only to hang it up three years later, leaving behind a sole, posthumous full-length, In Memory of Bab. That album traveled far and wide, however, along with a spate of singles and comp appearances, creating pockets of rabid fans worldwide and engendering a small handful of one-off gigs for Susie Ulrey (vocals/guitar), Matt Slate (guitar), Keith Ulrey (drums) and new bassist Brian Roberts (of Hankshaw) before the foursome settled back in for the long haul in 2016. Since coming back into the public eye in 2017 after a 20-year break, Tampa, FL’s POHGOH have been going non-stop with two J. Robbins (Jawbox/Burning Airlines) produced albums (2018’s Secret Club and 2022’s du und ich) and tours of the U.S. and Japan.  While playing regional and local shows, the band continue to write for the future, with the latest being the split 10-inch EP with SAMUEL S.C. released in October, 2025.

CONTINUALS are four human friends who have been in a bunch of other bands before this one – most notably Kerosene 454, Alarms and Controls, The Most Secret Method, Office of Future Plans, Hunger Artist, Soccer Team, and Channels. Darren Zentek plays drums. Michael Honch plays bass. Melissa Quinley plays keyboards and sings. Ryan Nelson plays guitar and sings. Their first LP (Bright Future #01/Dischord #197.5) was released in 2024. CONTINUALS recently completed their second LP to be released in 2026.

(Photo of Strange Birds by Fallon Frierson)

Louisville, Kentucky’s STRANGE BIRDS carry with them the DIY ethos and punk sensibilities of their earlier years while churning out mature songs that blend the three friends’ extensive and eclectic musical past. Brandon Butler (Canyon, Boys Life) manages an almost-sweet, slightly off-center American twang over dissonant yet consistently melodic guitars. Bassist Matt Olson (Black Heva) anchors the trio with a thumping and precise presence alongside the dynamic crescendo of drums from Ella Lumpkins (Blue Collar Revenge Theory, 3 Nails for a False Prophet).

Live music events in Louisville, KY. Show announcements, music and news, and other ephemera at: https://bsky.app/profile/theothersideoflife.bsky.social.