I recently found a goldmine stuffed into a purse in my closet. Six tapes containing performances and interviews of bands in the Lawrence music scene in 2004.

At the time I was gathering this footage for a project of mine. But I didn’t have a job, and I didn’t have a place to live, and the footage fell through the cracks.

I salvaged some clips and decided that because I love you, I would put what I could online so that we could all take a trip down memory lane. I realize I don’t have EVERYTHING from the scene back in that day, so please forgive me.

The first clip you’ll see is a compilation of interviews and performances stuffed into a short three minute clip. You will see interviews from Mike Tuley (of Ad Astra Per Aspera), Bill Colburn (musician, various bands), The Capsules (band) and Scott Horn (of the Pink House [venue that played host to many house shows]). You will also see performances from Ad Astra Per Aspera and Minus Story.

When I was younger I remember going to house show after house show after house show. I loved seeing these bands perform and bring the entire community out with them. Then suddenly before I knew it they were playing venues. And before I could blink some of them started to go on tour. Then a couple of musicians here and there toured with bands all over the world. I get a little teary eyed when I think of these bands, and how they grew up right before my very eyes.

I’ve posted clips from their performances below. Some of these bands are still alive and kicking in Lawrence. Others decided to start new projects.

I couldn’t just sit on this footage. I wanted to share it with the world. So I hope you enjoy it. Because I really do heart local music.

Disclaimer: This is a wonderful clip of The Capsules, but the ending was cut off. I apologize.