[Editor's note: This feature previews Time Hammer's concert at Knickerbockers on Saturday with Daymoths and Guilty is the Bear. The show starts at 9 p.m. and is 18+.]
story by Kelsey Haugen | photos by Kyle Bruggeman
Time Hammer holsters a not-so-secret weapon, an “insane mad scientist” in singer, rapper and drummer Joe Younglove, says bandmate Travis Beck.
“He was the first one in the band to fall off the stage onto the floor,” says Beck, Time Hammer’s other drummer and singer. “Joe goes above and beyond in every show — he’s the dynamite.”
Younglove says the stage helps him express emotions and also get a little out of control.
“I can go out and be crazy and pretty much everything goes,” Younglove said. “On the street I might get arrested for it,” he said, laughing. “But on stage, it goes over well.”
For about a year and a half, Younglove has been part of both Time Hammer and Brothers Family Temple, a psychedelic gospel band. He also plays drums in Gloworm, an alternative dream pop group. Sometimes he plays solo, too, as a guitarist, singer, drummer and even rapper, and takes on a stage name, Life in Prism.
“It’s a different show every time,” Younglove said. “It’s a lot easier to perform solo because I have hardly any equipment and I’m only responsible for myself, but it’s not as rewarding because it’s fun to be louder and have group power.”
Since Younglove is most heavily involved in Time Hammer, he is often practicing, doing shows and recording with the group.
“With Time Hammer, it’s just like any relationship, really,” Younglove said. “There are always ups and downs but generally, it’s ups. As long as we remembered why we started the band — to have fun — it goes well.”
Younglove said he is looking forward to their show Saturday at 9 p.m. at Knickerbockers and also the release of their new album next month, Hot Nails. With this already music-heavy lifestyle, Younglove also books music at Cultiva, a Lincoln coffee shop, which he began doing in 2010.
“I have a good idea of what will be successful and appreciated and I do my own research as a musician to figure out what people like,” Younglove said. “Making connections with musicians across America is a very valuable to me as a touring artist.”
Because he lives a similar lifestyle to the artists he books at Cultiva, Younglove knows how hard it can be for them to make a living off of music. Although all the shows at Cultiva are free to attend, Younglove said he tries to gather donations in order to pay the performers.
In Time Hammer, Beck values Younglove’s creativity and personality that is present on and off stage. With their contrasting personas, Beck says the two tend complement each other during performances.
“My favorite thing is the diversity of his taste and interest,” Beck says. “Even when he improvises, it’s really great. He translates what he feels directly into music.”
Whether he’s performing with Younglove, or hanging out with him off stage, Beck loves being around the musician.
“Outside of the band, he’s just a great person — always in a good mood and funny as hell,” Beck said. “In the band, he’s a balancing force as far as relationships are concerned. And he’s always the one dancing in front at shows.”
Kelsey Haugen is an intern at Hear Nebraska. She has never seen Joe Younglove perform, but would love to witness one of his high-energy-falling-off-the-stage incidents. Reach Kelsey at kelseyh@hearnebraska.org.