Left to Right: Me, in a Big Dumb Suit. Steven Ley, retaining dignity.

I am always the one who ends up in a Big Dumb Mascot outfit. I’m not sure how this happens. It suddenly hit me as I was bounding across the City Museum at Midwest Mayhem last night—making it rain with KDHX stickers and whipping t-shirts through the air—a mere month or so into my job here at KDHX.

In fifth grade, I was chosen to walk around in a Big Dumb Frog outfit handing out anti-drug literature for a local D.A.R.E. chapter. For the record, I don’t think it did a lot of good to have a large, bug-eyed frog running up to people and making the case against drugs.

In high school, I was the Rushville Rocket. Which looked less like a rocket and more like a quilted, phallic nightmare of a thing. Great for crushing community morale at football games.

In college, I landed on the front page of the paper in a Big Dumb Rabbit Suit wearing a sandwich board that read “Y2K: The End is Here.” I’m glad that the world didn’t end. I’m glad that didn’t turn out to be my last known photo, either.

Post-college, as an intern at a nerd-culture magazine in New York, it just so turned out their mascot was a hammer wielding bunny. Oh, and what do we have here…an intern who is the right size and height for the suit.

This all occurs to me as I’m launching sticker-missiles and ninja-starring window clings at folks during a crazy Samba Bom set last night.

It also occurs to me that I am 30 years old.

30 may not seem old to some of you, but it is rapidly approaching the age when a man in a Big Dumb Mascot outfit goes from “kind of funny” to “call the police…he’s outside again.”

However, here’s the truth: I put myself up to this one. Because it seemed to be the perfect intersection of my long history with Big Dumb Costumes and what Midwest Mayhem is all about. I thought about not putting the Big Dumb Head and Zippered Cotton Uni for a bit. It was going to be 100 degrees in there, I had some actual behind-the-scenes responsibilities to manage, I might get punched a lot…the usual concerns. But then I ran into Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips just before the Mayhem started. And if that’s not a Divine Signal to get into a Big Dumb Costume, I don’t know what is.

I’m glad I donned the costume one more time. For the insanity of Midwest Mayhem, it seemed right (and man…what a party it was). To promote Twangfest in June? Eh…probably not. KDHX is one of the coolest institutions I’ve ever been a part of and it’s been clear from the start—though my job is marketing the station—I don’t need gimmicks to do that. I get to talk and joke with KDHX fans every day at Facebook and on Twitter, and we’re the kind of people who see right through Big Dumb Mascots. I say “we” because I’m coming to the station as a fan first. Coming to it as a guy who sees the oversized caricatures of Morning Zoo DJs on interstate billboards and still winces. Who knows when a giant rabbit holding balloons for the kids outside a store can’t wait to tell mom and dad about a great new product from New Swiffer Brand Swiffing Products. Who has a love/hate relationship with Big Dumb Mascot outfits. Still…don’t be surprised if you see me in another 30 years, hopping through some crowd, handing out free tschotskes and making everyone uncomfortable. I’m telling you straight: this is what always ends up happening to me.

I want to thank everyone who came to Midwest Mayhem 2011: from those who pledged their support to keep KDHX independent in Saint Louis, to those who wandered in for the first time to see what we’re all about. The KDHX volunteers and staff are the greatest and most capable people to work with, and I was proud to be part of such a crew. Kevin and Ryan from Anti-Agency nailed the artwork for all the shirts and posters, and simply killed it again this year. Pablo, Joel, Yaunah, Kelly and Katherine were brilliant to work with and patient with the new guy. If I’ve left anyone out, and I’m sure I have, I want to thank them as well. We will see you next year, and keep an eye on KDHX.org this week for a whole series of crazy photos, articles and videos.

We’re counting down to Midwest Mayhem 2011, so here are a few things you need to know:

Get the schedule.

Go mobile with that schedule by using your smartphone to scan the QRC code at the top of this post. If you don’t know what a QRC code is or how to scan it, go here for iPhone and here for Android.

And now, without further ado, we present our top 10 reasons to not even think about missing Midwest Mayhem. Thursday, May 12. The City Museum. Doors at 6:30 p.m.

10. The City Museum is like Disneyland, Neverland Ranch, Jurassic Park and Lollapalooza rolled into one.

9. There will be lots of food and even more beverages, the intoxicating kind and the rehydrating kind, than ever. Plus, beer sponsor Fat Tire will be raffling off a sweet bike.

8. The musical lineup is brilliant.

7. Some very lovely ladies will be removing articles of clothing.

6. KDHX DJs will not.

5. If you’re a member of KDHX, you’ve got tickets. If you’re not, you can still get in for $20.

4. Kids are welcome; just stay out of their way when they come flying down the slides.

3. Bunnies rock. And they like to do the samba. Good thing Samba Bom will be giving free dance lessons this year.

2. Make out (or not) in the kissing booth: Kiss or Diss, presented by the Arch Rival Roller Girls.

1. The only thing cooler, crazier, louder and more fun than this party-to-end-all-parties is the KDHX community itself. And that means you. Go!

Music by The Dive Poets…appearing at 8:45 on the Vault Room Stage

A mere 2 days from today, Midwest Mayhem descends on the City Museum like a spinning UFO over a field of confused cattle! You can get tickets at the door for $20 and check out the entire band schedule below (click image for larger version).

Shown: Bonus Pin-Up!

Hips don’t lie! Show Me Burlesque show off their Midwest midsections May 12 at the City Museum. (photo by Sara Finke)

We want to see Midwest Mayhem through your lens! Bring your camera and upload your photos to your flickr stream or Facebook. Tag them “kdhx” and “midwestmayhem.” The winner of the selected photo will receive two tickets to opening night at Twangfest on June 8 and a free KDHX t-shirt!

And, for added picture-based fun and excitement, Photomaton will be on hand with a custom Midwest Mayhem photo installation booth so you can always remember the evening…even if you really don’t end up remembering the evening!

(Pictured): Guy who wants to win a bike, guy who is clearly on the fence about wanting to win a bike.

As if Hula Hoop girls, Burlesque dancers from all over the world and the best music St. Louis has to offer weren’t enough…

New Belgium Beer will also be raffling off one of their signature Fat Tire Bikes at Midwest Mayhem, May 12 at The City Museum! Tickets will be available at the event, and all proceeds will benefit KDHX: 1 ticket for $2, and 3 tickets for $5. Not too shabby.

So what do you stand to gain by winning a new bicycle? Well, we don’t think we need to tell you…

And it’s growing.

This year, 88.1 KDHX is proud to announce it’s taking over all 600,000 square feet of the City Museum, expanding from 3 floors to 4 ENTIRE FLOORS of local bands, KDHX DJs and Burlesque acts, along with food, drinks and a general atmosphere of complete and utter madness.

This annual spring party celebrates listener-supported independent radio, and is our way of saying “Thank You!” to station members, fans and the community we serve.

May 12, 2011 is the date. 7 pm is the time. Click HERE for a full list of bands!

Enjoy the video from last year’s grand finale performance.

Thursday, May 13
City Museum, 7 p.m.-midnight. View the schedule.

It’s back and badder than ever: Midwest Mayhem at the City Museum, May 13, 2010. Make room for the dancers, get down with the DJs, enjoy fine beverages and 12 bands on four stages, but most importantly, do not miss it. Become a member of 88.1, and get 2 tickets to this party to end all parties.

Now in its fifth year, Midwest Mayhem is KDHX’s annual spring membership party. The event takes place inside the City Museum, a 600,000 square-foot building in downtown Saint Louis, a space previously known as the International Shoe Company. Christened in 1997, the City Museum is part family playground, part infinite cavern, part psychedelic circus and part ever-evolving architectural spectacle. It’s the Eighth Wonder of the Urban World, and the perfect setting for a night of music, mirth and mayhem.

Who: 12 bands, featuring: Brothers Lazaroff, Dear Vincent, DJ Needles & Jingo, Bottle Rockets, the KDHX Blues Band (featuring Tom Ray, John McHenry, Art Dwyer, and Ron Edwards), Miss Jubilee and the Humdingers, Richie Kihlken, Kevin Buckley and Ian Walsh, Ryan Spearman, Sins of the Pioneers, Fresh Heir, and the Funky Butt Brass Band. Plus: The Show-Me Burlesque Dancers will be strutting their stuff all night.

What: A party for members of 88.1 KDHX

Where: The City Museum, 701 North 15th Street in downtown Saint Louis.

When: May 13, 2010, 7 p.m. – midnight

Why: To thank the community that supports 88.1 KDHX

How much: Become a member of KDHX, at the $35 entry level or higher, join the Radio Frequency Club, before noon May 10, and get 2 tickets. If you’re already a member of KDHX, we’ll be sending tickets. Otherwise, admission is $15.

RSVP and invite your friends at the Facebook event page.