Music A Mile High

Johnny Cash Tribute Show

2011-08-12T21:56:00.001-07:00

Please come out to the Johnny Cash tribute show on September 9th at Moe's BBQ and Bowl next to the Gothic theater. It will feature Brent Loveday of Reno Divorce, New Ben Franklins, and Demon Funkies. This is some of the top talent in Denver and surely not a night to be missed. It's only $8.

Changing some of the focus

2011-07-29T01:02:00.001-07:00

I still love music. If you have a CD and would like it reviewed, please contact me and I'll make sure I review your CD right here.

Amy Winehouse dead

2011-07-23T18:34:00.001-07:00

You know, drugs are bad. I only wish that this was Lady Gaga and not Amy Winehouse. Winehouse at least had some talent.

Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real

2011-04-22T00:42:00.000-07:00

I just got back from the Lukas Nelson show at Larimer Lounge and damn, that will be a hard show to beat this year. I first heard of Lukas Nelson a couple of years ago at Farm Aid. He was one of several bands that played and went on really early in the day. When he was introduced, Willie Nelson said that his son was going to play. My first thought was oh great, he got the gig because of his Dad and now we get to listen to some bullshit. Then he started to sing and play guitar. My jaw dropped and I became an instant fan. Lukas steals from blues, rock, reggae, and country. You can tell he has been influenced and taught to play by some of the greatest musicians ever. He rocked the Larimer for over two hours playing original songs and threw in a few covers of Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and Neil Young. The percussion was some of the best percussion I've seen in a long time. Their drummer even got rid of his sticks at one point and played his drums by hand. One thing that I was impressed with was the sound. Larimer Lounge is infamous for shitty sound and it was obvious that you can't do that to the son of a living legend. The sound was perfect. After the show I got to meet Lukas and was pleased to see that he is as humble as can be. He loves what he does and feels honored that people come to see him play. What a true gentleman. He is about to play a show in Colorado Springs tomorrow at Studio Bee and the following night in Durango at the Abbey theater. If you have time to get to one of those shows, I highly recommend that you do it. Watching him headline is an absolute treat.

Still around

2011-04-09T17:36:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

I am sorry I haven't been posting here very often. Life has been busy and I have been involved in lots of other things. While I readjust my schedule, tell me what show you are most looking forward to seeing this summer. There are going to be lots of them. Personally, I'm looking forward to Mumford and Sons, Peter Gabriel, U2, and Def Leppard with Heart. I'd also love to hit one of the DMB Caravans going on around the country. Your turn.

Around town tonight and tomorrow

2011-03-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

Alright, just the highlights for tonight and tomorrow. I'm personally going to be at the Hi-Dive for the New Ben Franklins CD release show, but there is plenty of other great music around town too. Also check out Young Dubliners at Soiled Dove, String Cheese Incident at 1st Bank Center, The Head and the Heart at Moe's, and the Indulgers at Scruffy Murphys.

Tomorrow night I will personally be at Toad Tavern for Bonnie Situation and Hot Gun. If you don't want to go there, check out Slim Cessna's Auto Club at Gothic, The Polkanauts at the Irish Rover, String Cheese Incident at 1st Bank Center, Indulgers at Fado Irish Pub, or Jim Mcturnan and the Kids that Killed the Man at Hi-Dive.

Sorry I've been absent, working full time again has been a huge adjustment.

Lords of Acid

2011-03-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

Wednesday night I headed to Summit Music Hall for the Lords of Acid show (see pictures on my Facebook page) and was treated to an incredible show. Opening the show was Radical G and Anglespit. Awesome G was far from radical, in fact he is argument 1 for why you should never pay top dollar to see a DJ. They have nothing to truly offer except some flashing lights and a computer playing shit you could play at home if you wanted to. There was nothing even remotely good about his set except for him ending. He was complete shit. Skip him at all costs. If you are going to see Lords of Acid later in the tour, go late enough to miss him.

Up next was Anglespit. This is a british band made up of a young man and woman who basically have preprogrammed music that they sing over as well. While they did not play instruments, I will not categorize this as a DJ set. They actually moved around the stage, sung, danced, and got the crowd energized. Most of their songs sounded a bit like white goths trying to rap over an industrial beat, but they were entertaining. I would never personally buy their CDs but they were good for an opener. Nothing incredibly special.

Finally it was time for Lords of Acid. I've been wanting to see them for years but it just hadn't worked out for me. Needless to say, they did not disappoint. They opened up with Drink My Honey which showcased the bands talent in an instrumental. I have to say, I absolutely love their bassist. You could tell he really enjoyed playing to the crowd. He was constantly posing, making faces, and getting as close to the crowd as he could. He was hard to not watch. After Drink My Honey, DJ Mea made her entrance for Stripper. Wearing a leather catsuit, she demanded everyone's attention or you would probably get a spanking. From there the show was filled with sexual overtones and outright sexual music. The setlist included some of their biggest songs like Pussy, Voodoo U, Crablouse, Rough Sex, and I Sit on Acid. They also played a new song called Bunny Vibrator, where DJ Mea brought her bunny vibrator out onstage and got a bit dirty with it. The energy was incredibly high, the crowd was really great, and the setlist was rocking. There was not a slow moment in their show and they played two encores. Check them out on tour if you can.

Setlist

Drink My Honey
Stripper
Scrood Bi U
Rubber Doll
Voodoo-U
Fingerlickin' Good
Squirt Song
Rough Sex
Take Control
Spank My Booty
(A Treatise on the Practical Methods Whereby One Can) Worship the Lords
Get Up. Get High
The Most Wonderful Girl
Let's Get High
Pussy
I Sit On Acid
# Encore:
Bunny Vibrator
The Crab Louse
# Encore 2:
Sex Bomb
LSD = Truth

What's happening this Wednesday?

2011-03-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is hump day and this week is looking rather lame so far (other than Dropkick Murphys tonight) Oh well, what can you do? I know you are ready to do something fun, so here are your weak options for tomorrow.

Deicide, Belphegor, Blackguard, Neuraxis, Pathology @Bluebird

Trey Anastasio @Ogden

Belle Brigade w/ Land Lines (members of Matson Jones), Bare Bones @Hi-Dive

MartyParty, Opiuo, Freq Nasty w/ Frequent C & Dave Seied@Cervantes

GLASSJAW @Summit Music Hall

Bill McKay of Leftover Salmon @Ziggies

The Canopy, Places, LOOK! Our Hero, Black Rainbow, Trust No One @Herman's Hideaway

Ok, so there are a couple worthy things to seek out tomorrow. Trey Anastasio would be awesome if he wasn't sold out. Bill McKay would probably be a fun night too. From what I hear, it's the original line up of Glassjaw if that means anything. If all of this looks bleak to you, you could always I don't know, watch street performers somewhere.

Highlights for the rest of the week.

Thursday Jeff Austin and Friends at Boulder Theater

Friday- Hotgun and Landgrabbers at Lion's Lair, Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band @Oriental

Saturday Legendary River Drifters @Larimer Lounge, Reckless Red at Chapultepec too.

Some good stuff coming up, lots of not so good stuff coming up. What can you do? It's a quiet weekend and perfect for me to escape to LA for a day or two. Don't be jealous. Until next time....have fun.

Slacking and what's around town for a Tuesday

2011-02-28T19:07:00.000-08:00

Alright, I took most of last week off from the blog just to chill out, relax, and enjoy some quality time with my woman. I'm not mad for it. This week is going to be busy as well but I will do my best to keep everyone updated on what's good around this fair city. Let's start with Tuesday, shall we?

Octopus Project w/ Le Divorce, Force Publique @Hi-Dive

Dropkick Murphys @Fillmore

The Indulgers @Katie Mullens

The Coronas, Young Cities @Larimer Lounge

It's a short list but it has Dropkick Murphy's on it. I love these guys. I've seen them twice and they don't disappoint. Get your St. Patrick's Day on early with this one. You will be glad you did.

Around town Tuesday and what to watch out for later in the week

2011-02-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Alright, it's time for another Tuesday and another normally slow day in music. No worries, there is still a show or two to make it to. Also, I have decided to start letting people know of the big shows coming up in the week to give them more time to prepare. Also, please start recommending this site to everyone. If I get enough people to follow, I will work out agreements to get people free tickets to shows. Anything to make you all interested. :)Anyway, here is what's going on tomorrow.

Swans w/ Wooden Wand @Summit Music Hall

Del Tha Funky Homosapien & Ugly Duckling @ Fox Theater

One Night of Queen @Bluebird

The Mighty Jivesters host Jump, Blues, Swing open jam@ ziggies

Free The Girls@ Gothic Theater

Offcolor, Pierce Murphy Trio, Blue Collar Dog, Bowline on a Bight @Larimer Lounge

No Joy,SIX GENERALS, SHADY BABES @ Marquis

While there isn't a lot to choose from, you have Swans and One Night of Queen to choose from. If tickets weren't $30 for a cover band, I'd be all over One Night of Queen myself, but that's a bit much for my blood. Swans are an excellent choice too. They are pretty mellow but still put on a good show, and they don't tour much so see them when you can.

Shows this week to look forward to:

Wednesday Aloft in the Sundry @Hard Rock

Thursday Devotchka @Fillmore

Friday Ryan Bingham and Dead Horses @Ogden, Truth and Salvage CO @Larimer Lounge, Yerkish @Gothic

Saturday Morcheeba @ Ogden, Ice Cube@ Boulder Theater, Git Some @Yellow Feather coffee, The Landgrabbers @3 Kings, Reckless Red @ Rusty Bucket

Lets kick off this week right

2011-02-20T20:41:00.000-08:00

I just realized tomorrow is Presidents day and most of you don't have to work. It gives you one more opportunity to see a show before your weekend is over. Unfortunately, there isn't much to choose from. I'm still getting over this damn cold and still feel like ass so I'm giving the condensed version. Cage The Elephant is playing at Boulder Theater. I had a chance to see them at the Marquis and do karaoke with them (sort of, they were singing at the Ginn Mill after when I was) They are a lot of fun. Good luck getting tickets because because it's sold out. Scalpers will hook you up though. Other than that, there really isn't much going on tomorrow. I'm going to get more rest. Peace out.

Still sick, so another quick post today.

2011-02-19T17:02:00.000-08:00

Alright, I know it's getting late and you are curious as to what to do tonight. I promise you that the options are pretty damned amazing for tonight. Here are the places you should hit up if you can.

Head to the Toad Tavern to see Mighty 18 Wheeler and Rubber Planet. Both of those bands are pretty damn solid and a good time live. Bring earplugs though, because 18 Wheeler is loud.

Maceo Parker at Cervantes. This guy has been around for years and is a funk master. He's had the honor of playing with some of the greatest musicians around and it will be a treat to see him play.

Damion Suomi and the Minor Prophets are playing at the Bluebird. I had the chance to see him play at Larimer Lounge last year and he made a night of bad music well worth it.

Willie Porter is playing at the Soiled Dove. Not familiar with his music? Go check out the song Angry Words on You Tube. I'll wait. Pretty fucking incredible isn't he? He's also from my home state so I give him mad props for making it in this industry.

Mountain Standard Time at the Fox. If you want a bit of jam grass, this is the place to be. They have worked hard on getting this CD ready and my good friends at Evergroove say that the CD is spectacular. They could use the support.

Black Lamb at Bender's. This venue is a bit loud but Black Lamb will make it worth the admission. It's the original line up too so get there early.

I am not sure if I am making it out tonight but you shouldn't stay home.

Tomorrow there is some stuff going on but not enough to make it worth going out. Unless I've overlooked stuff and that's a possibility. Anyone want to bring me some chicken noodle soup?

Hooray for the weekend

2011-02-17T17:59:00.000-08:00

The weekend is upon us and I have come down with something. That means my fun time will be very limited, if anything at all. Life sucks, but I'd rather be healthy. There is a lot going on tomorrow but only a few shows worthy of your ticket price. Here are the highlights. I'm feeling too shitty to go into great details.

Legendary River Drifters are playing at the Hi-Dive. I got to see them last year and they were pretty damn incredible. It's definitely one to put on the priority list.

My friends in Medicine Jones play at Herman's Hideaway as well. They go on early so it's possible to knock out them and LRD in one night. Think about it.

Sunday Girl is playing out at the Toad Tavern. I've heard their stuff and I can honestly say I'm a fan of them. Littleton isn't that far either. You owe it to yourself, in fact you can spend Friday AND Saturday there if you know what's good for you.

Mountain Standard Time is playing at Cervantes and I've heard nothing but good about them from the guys at Evergroove.

That's all I've got in me today. Hopefully I'll feel well enough to go out tomorrow, but if not please drink a couple for me.

Thursday already?? Where did this week go?

2011-02-16T17:55:00.000-08:00

I'm losing track of my days. This work thing is for the birds but a necessity. I am looking forward to getting out to see more great music this weekend. While Friday is still a couple days away, this is what is going on tomorrow night.

Pete Yorn, Ben Kweller, the Wellspring @Ogden

Juno What?! @ Fox Theater

Thrifty Astronaut, Otem Rellik, Galaxies, and All Liver No Onions @Meadowlark

THEE OH SEES, PACIFIC PRIDE, ZEBROIDS @Larimer Lounge

Parkway Drive w/ Set Your Goals, The Ghost Inside, The Warriors @Gothic

TIN HORN PRAYER w/ Arliss Nancy, The Namesakes, The Black Dots @Marquis

Marcus Church & the Levels, Cardinal Grey w/ the Madhouse Act @Hi-Dive

Octopus Nebula w/ James and the Devil, Gravity, Dorian Vibe, Chimney Choir @Oriental

1999 - A Tribute To Prince w/ Divine & The Smooth Criminals (Michael Jackson Tribute) @Cervantes

Johnny O @ziggies

Seeds Of Descent w/ Alabama Lie Detector, The Porcelain Dolls, & Core Zero @Herman's Hideaway

Joy Subtraction / Acid Sundae / Bully The Kid @Lion's Lair

Did you see there was a Prince Tribute with a Michael Jackson tribute opening? Check that shit out for real and then get back to me about who the true king of pop is. I've been saying for years that Prince won that crown but you may feel differently. Make your argument. Tell me a better album than Purple Rain that Michael Jackson put out. I dare you. Thriller? It was good but there were a couple questionable songs on there. Go make the comparison now please. (Well, tomorrow night actually) Alright, I think I'm going to make cookies. Have fun out there.

Around town Tuesday

2011-02-14T19:39:00.000-08:00

It's another slow day in music and I've been busy so I'll give you the quick highlight. Monroe Monroe is playing at Soiled Dove and Sarah Mclachlan is playing at Paramount. Go see Monroe Monroe, you will get more for your money.

Concert reviews up the ass.....

2011-02-13T21:53:00.000-08:00

Alright, I promised I would review some shows this weekend and am finally getting around to it. I've been busy honestly. Last weekend I was at George Clinton and Moe., while this weekend I made it to see All Capitals, Oak Creek, Fishbone, Hot Gun, Bonnie Situation, Lola Black, and Reno Divorce. I told you I was busy. Let's get down to business.

George Clinton at the Fillmore

It's only February and I think I may have the candidate for worst show of the year. You may think you are reading this wrong but you aren't. George Clinton is terrible in concert. He might have been good 20 years ago but now it's nothing but bullshit. First off, he no longer has his signature dreads. What the hell is up with that? No one recognized him. I didn't actually believe he made it on stage until I saw a current picture of him. (check out my page on Facebook, musicamilehigh, so you can see the pictures yourself) At one point in the evening they ended up doing a cover of that horrible rap song by Little John, to the window to the wall, till the sweat drips down my balls. Yes, that was covered and I have no idea why. Half the time George wasn't onstage and he had his band play random bullshit. They had a random pimp doing nothing onstage, a couple of hoe's and very little talent. I was never so excited to get out of a show in my life.

Moe. at Ogden

We made it to night 2 of Moe. at the Ogden and ended up having a blast. After the terrible show the night before, we were excited to hear something great. Moe took the stage around 930 and ended around 130 in the morning. Their first set was probably one of the most rocking sets by a jam band I've ever seen in my life, ending with 32 Things , which could easily be called 32 minutes because that's probably as long as they jammed that song out. During that particular jam, the violinist from Cornmeal joined them onstage and completely took that song to a whole new level. I'm nominating that song for a Jammie award. The second set was pretty mellow in comparison but they ended the set strong, making everyone want to dance more. Those cats had incredible energy all night and I'm glad we went to the second night and not the first night. They played a couple songs I just don't care for in the first night.

All Capitals @ Bender's

I had the chance on Friday to start out my night properly at Bender's where All Capitals were opening the night. I wasn't able to stay for the whole set because I had other places I had to be (more on that in a minute) but they played an excellent show. Their bassist played the entire night without a D string, making everything a bit tougher to play but he made it through the evening like a professional. I dug their new song a lot and it was a great way to slide into the night. My only complaint is a venue issue. Everything seems more amplified there than it needs to be and it sometimes drowns out some of the sound. It's been like that for every show I've ever seen there. It's still a million times better than Rockaway though.

Oak Creek @ Walnut Room

After All Capitals finished, I headed over to the Walnut Room for the CD Release show for Oak Creek. Having never heard them before, I was relying on my dear friend Brad Smalling of Evergroove Studios advice as a band I needed to see. Since he worked hard mixing their CD, I figured he knew their sound pretty well. I have to say I was glad I went. The song I listened to online initially didn't really grab me but I'm a firm believer that you need to see a band live to appreciate them. Those guys rocked the house. In the mix of their new songs, they covered Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and Oh Darling by the Beatles and both played to perfection. They have a folky acoustic sound with beautiful vocals and one of the best back up bands in Denver, that include members of Frogs Gone Fishin' and Yamn. There were a couple times I was convinced there was going to be an extended jam busting out and then it got brought back in to the song being played. If you get a chance to see them, do it. They could use the support.

Fishbone@ Cervantes

To end this awesome evening of rock I headed on down to Cervantes for Fishbone. This was a show that was just off the hook. They went on around midnight and ended at 220 AM. Keep in mind that bar close is 2AM. I missed a bit of the set but got there in time for Bonin' in the Boneyard. By the 4th song I was there for I had made my way to the very front of the stage directly in front of Trombone, their trombone player naturally. They rocked out Party at Ground Zero, Alcoholic, Date Rape, and several other songs and had everyone dancing. This was supposed to be an acoustic show but that never happened. I think by acoustic they meant Angelo wasn't going to Stage Dive at all. Rocky George was on fire too, shredding the guitar like he was a combination of Eddie Van Halen and Yngwie Malmsteen. This was the third time I've seen them and they had the highest energy I've ever seen them have. I was sad the night ended.

Hot Gun, Bonnie Situation, Lola Black, and Reno Divorce@ Herman's Hideaway

This was one show I had been excited for since the moment it was announced. I love Bonnie Situation and Reno Divorce. To see them on the same bill was a great experience. Candie had never seen either band before and was excited for Reno Divorce since she loves Social Distortion and has seen Brent solo in the past. I have to say, this show lived up to all expectations.

Hot Gun started the show out strong. While they sounded great, they managed to cover every band I do not care for too much. Squeeze, Thin Lizzy, meh. I understand why they are popular but they just don't do it for me. I'm in the minority but whatever. The important thing is they put on a great set and had one of the best cat suits I've ever seen anyone wear. They were a great start for the evening.

After Hot Gun, Bonnie Situation took the stage and played a great set. While there weren't many new songs from previous shows, they still threw in a surprise or two. They played tight covers of Anything, Anything by Dramarama and Hot Legs by Rod Stewart and teased Run To The Hills before going into a cover of Believe by Cher. Eventually after a verse and a half they went back to Run To The Hills creating probably one of the most unique mash ups I think I've ever heard. Great job guys. Once again they were awesome.

After that, it was Lola Black's turn to play. After some technical difficulties they started to annoy everyone at my table. Songs with a lot of screaming for no reason and the shittiest version of Beautiful People I've ever heard. I have heard better versions of that song at a karaoke bar. I don't get why these guys are popular but I was glad when it was all done. Worst part of the night for sure.

Finally Reno Divorce took the stage and pretty much killed it for the next hour. If you aren't familiar with their work, go grab yourself a Social Distortion record and play it. If you love it, then go to a Reno show. If you hate it, it's probably better that you don't show up. Brent prides himself at how much like Mike Ness he truly sounds like. (I don't even care if that sentence was structured wrong) Reno has a great following and I only expect bigger things from them soon now that they are playing Kegs and Eggs this year. This was seriously a great show all night minus Lola Black. Herman's had one of the biggest crowds I've ever seen, and the place stayed jumping all night. Incredible.

Tonight tonight tonight

2011-02-12T11:07:00.000-08:00

Alright, I got stuff I need to get done today but I wanted to let you know about a few of the great shows that are tonight. First off, at Herman's Hideaway you have Reno Divorce, Bonnie Situation, Lola Black, and Hotgun. All bands will be great. Next up we have New Ben Franklins doing the annual Waylon Jennings tribute at Moe's which was great last year and should be great again this year. 4H Royalty is playing that show with them. Also, it's night 2 of Further and I believe that is sold out so you already failed on seeing that if you don't have a ticket. I'm still recovering from an amazing night of music last night and will be in the mix tonight.

If you had a ticket for Led Zeppelin 2 that show has been canceled. See the box office for a full refund.

Friday time again

2011-02-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

Sweet Baby Jesus it's time for another kick ass Friday night. I hope you got your rock and roll legs on, because it's going to be off the hook. I seriously can't wait to get the party started properly. Check out what's on tap for tomorrow night

Woodsman Record Release Party! With Vitamins & Milton Melvin Croissant III @Larimer

Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, Chamberlin @Ogden

Churchill w/ Glowing House, Places @Hi-Dive

Fishbone, P-Nuckle and Roster McCabe @Cervantes Other side

Umphrey's McGee with Kyle Hollingsworth Band featuring DJ Logic @Fillmore

Punch Brothers @Boulder Theater

Further @1st Bank Center

Iron Cross w/ Sons of Disobedience, Truckasaurus, Piss and Vinegar @3 Kings

Andy Frasco Band! @ Paris Wine Bar

ELUVEITIE w/ 3 Inches Of Blood, Holy Grail, System Divide @Marquis Theater

Oak Creek (CD Release) w/ The Crook's Coat, Bryan Rogers@ Walnut Room

Dead Orchids, Dr. Sunshine's X-Ray Machine w/ Dumb Angels and All Capitals @Benders

Pat Green@ Grizzly Rose

Indulgers @ Scruffy Murphys

Churchill with Glowing House and PLACES @1144 Broadway

Hurts To Laugh@ Lions Lair

Bearfoot w/ The Haunted Windchimes @ Oriental Theater

Ash Ganley and Jeff Finlin @Soiled Dove

Randall Dubis Band @Ziggies

My Orange Crush w/ I'm A Boy, The Vergers , Nipples and Dimes! @Herman's Hideaway

Stagga & Raiden w/ ServOne and Despise@ Cervantes

Afro-Zep & 56 Hope Road @Fox Theater

E.P.O. (Emergency Pullout) w/ The Mighty Small, Tommy & The High Pilots @ Moe's

Reckless Red @ Little Bear (Evergreen)

Damn, what an awesome night right there. Lets go right to the recommendations. Did you see? Fishbone is going to be in town tomorrow night. Motherfuckin Fishbone. These guys put on a high energy show and I can only imagine that this one will be just as great. If that doesn't do it for you, then head on down to the Walnut room and check out the CD release party of Oak Creek. The guys up at Evergroove worked their asses off getting this one ready. Want some rock? Check out All Capitals at Benders. They are some high energy fun and I promise a great time. In the mood for something more of a jam band? You have Umphree's McGee, and Further in town. Want some awesome bluegrass? Punch brothers are in town for that. If you want a great mix of blues and country with one of the most beautiful voices in the industry then head on up to Evergreen to the Little Bear for Reckless Red. If you sit at home tomorrow, you are probably lame with no friends and no taste in music. Kill yourself now.

Also, if you go to a show, email me a review and I'll post it. Until next time, have fun out there.

Around town Thursday

2011-02-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

We are coming up on another weekend and yet again it will contain more great music than I know what to do with. Lets just get down to what's happening tomorrow night.

Tennis w/ the Shady Babes, Woodsman @ Hi-Dive

The Decemberists, Mountain Man @ Ogden

the Raven and the Writing Desk, w/ Caleb Slade, Alameda @Walnut Room

Hindershot / RECKLESS KNIGHTS, Blueberry Cake @3 Kings

Fairchildren, Sauna, Mirror Fears, Annah Anti-Palindrome @Dikeou Collection

Bobby Long, Dan Craig @ Bluebird

Bobby Long @Twist and Shout

NiT GriT w/ Jantsen, Skywalkerr, Tip-Z and Godlazer @Cervantes

Heighliner, Language of the Strange, Interstate Stash Express, Saturn Cowboys @ Larimer Lounge

CARAMEL CARMELA w/ Aim2Miss, The Shake-Up Brigade, The Field The Ocean @Marquis

Seek w/ Leah Druzinsky and Joey Genetti and the Galaxy Cookies @Cervantes Other side

The Radiators@ Fox Theater

Acoustic Heart Throb with Terry Gulley, Melissa Hession, Jeffrey Dallet @Ziggies

12th Planet w/ Skywalkerr, Godlazer, Tip-Z @Cervantes

Camp Kilroy/All Ages/Pete Stein @Lion's Lair

All Ages w/ The Hacks @Rockaway Tavern (double check with them though, seems like All Ages are double booked)

Honestly there isn't anything on this list that is grabbing me today. Take a shot and see whatever and then let me know. This weekend you will have a few reviews coming your way since I've been lazy and never reviewed the George Clinton or Moe. Show.

Ozzy brings the thunder to the Pepsi Center

2011-02-08T23:06:00.000-08:00

Tonight the Prince of Darkness and Slash played at the Pepsi Center and I was privileged enough to be there and I couldn't be happier. The whole experience of this show was great from the moment we parked until the very end of the show. We have our hidden parking spot that very few people park at and I will not disclose the location at all and headed on over to the Pepsi Center. We initially had nosebleed seats and were told when we got there that our seats had been upgraded due to not very many people buying that level. We moved to section 118. We headed in and got comfortable in our closer seats and awaited the lights to go out at 730, but as most shows seem to start late, this one started 10 minutes early. Bonus.

Slash opened up the show and I was excited. I've loved GnR since Appetite For Destruction came out and it was great to see him play again. When the show started, I found out that he was not the actual singer, but he kept doing what he does best and that's shred the guitar. The first few songs were new songs for his band and while they were good, they weren't doing it for me and it appeared most of the audience felt the same way. It wasn't until Night Train that the crowd started to get into this set. I don't know who the hell Slash got to sing for him, but damn did he do an awesome Axl impersonation. He had some of the swaying down, the high notes down perfectly, and created an illusion that this could have easily been GnR playing again. Not only did they play Night Train, they also played My Michelle, Rocket Queen, Paradise City, Sweet Child o Mine, and even Slither by Velvet Revolver. All through the set, Slash basically showed why he is one of the greatest guitarists of this generation. Axl better watch out, GnR is nothing without Slash and you could hear how much he brought to GnR just by the few original songs they did tonight.

After about an hour, it was Ozzy's turn to rock the Pepsi Center. When the lights went back out, they showed a little movie of random movie clips like Avatar, Jersey Shore, Hangover, Twilight, and Iron Man with each one having Ozzy inserting himself as a character. The best line of that whole skit was during the Twilight one where the chick in that says "I think you're a Vampire" to which Ozzy responded... "Vampire? Vampire's are pussies, I'm the Prince of Darkness" When Ozzy came out, he kicked off the show at a high level with Bark at the Moon. From there he jumped into the only new song in the setlist. Let Me Hear You Scream. While I'm not a fan of that song, everyone else seemed to love it. I have to say, I'm quite thankful that it was the only new song because his classics are some of the best rock and roll out there. At times, Ozzy looked like a special needs child on stage, waddling around like he normally does, dunking his head in buckets of water, waving his arms back and forth in an overly dramatic way to get the crowd going, and spraying them with the hose. Ozzy promised to play really long if we all got crazy so he topped off at around 95 minutes. I guess we weren't crazy enough for him. There were two things I was really glad to see make a comeback at this show. The first was heavy use of pyrotechnics, with the most beautiful of the fireworks coming right before Mr. Crowley as sparks rained down on the stage during the intro.... and people using lighters instead of their fucking cell phones during ballads. Sorry kids, but lighters look awesome, cell phones look dumb. This was my first and probably last time seeing Ozzy (since I'm sure this is his final tour, just a feeling) and he didn't let the fans down. There was a great mixture of Sabbath songs with a surprise appearance of Fairies Wear Boots, to his solo career. The only part that got a bit boring was the way too long guitar solo. It was cool, but dragged out for a bit too long. Here is the Setlist

*
1.
Bark at the Moon
2.
Let Me Hear You Scream
3.
Mr. Crowley
4.
I Don't Know
5.
Fairies Wear Boots

6.
Suicide Solution
7.
Road to Nowhere
8.
War Pigs

9.
Shot in the Dark
10.
Rat Salad .
(with Guitar and Drum solos)
11.
Iron Man

12.
I Don't Want to Change the World .
13.
Crazy Train
14. Encore:
14.
Mama, I'm Coming Home Play Video
15.
Paranoid

A big Tuesday night coming up

2011-02-07T21:16:00.000-08:00

Alright, this weekend was out of control and I was terrible about posting. You will have to cut me a bit of slack because I was celebrating the Packers winning the Superbowl. While I am a big fan of the mile high city and all the great music it has to offer, I was born a cheesehead and this was my Christmas. Trust me, you didn't miss shit yesterday or today anyway. One of the biggest shows of the week is tomorrow, so lets get right to it shall we?

Interpol @ Boulder Theater

Apex Manor w/ Amazing Twin, Van Louvin @ Hi-Dive

The Dead Kenny G's @ Fox Theater

Pearls for Breakfast, Midnight Suns, Guitarasaurus & Chordzilla @ Larimer Lounge

Ozzy Osbourne w/Slash @ Pepsi Center

There aren't a lot of shows tomorrow but both Interpol in Boulder and Ozzy at the Pepsi Center are two great choices. If you have never seen Ozzy, this could easily be his last visit to Denver to perform. He's old and has been threatening retirement every since No More Tears when he did his No More Tours tour, and a 14 month world tour is a good way to say farewell to the fans. I'll be there for sure. Other than those two shows, it's pretty quiet in Denver. If you don't want to go to any of these shows, then support your local musicians by heading down to the Bar Car on Colorado and get drinks served up properly by Goose and Darci of The Bonnie Situation. I promise you the drinks won't be weak.

Saturday night and no shortage of great music

2011-02-04T19:02:00.000-08:00

While I'm sure most of you won't read this until tomorrow as you are already hitting the shows in the area or pre-partying if you are heading to places like the Fillmore who charge 12 bucks for beer, it's time to let you know where to go tomorrow. The cold snap has ended for the most part and there is no reason you shouldn't be out having a great time in this fine city. Check out what is going on tomorrow night.

Tin Horn Prayer Vinyl Release Party and Video Premier w/ The Knew, Arliss Nancy, I Am The Ocean @Hi-Dive

Warhawk & Hindershot @ The Squire

Princess Music w/ Fierce Bad Rabbit, the Sunshine House @ Walnut Room

Glass Delirium @ Bluebird

The Dendrites w/ The A-OKs, The Repercussions @ 3 Kings

Green River Vibe, Ghost Town Bandulu, Gypsy Fit@ Old Curtis Street

Amos Lee @ Boulder Theater

Nikol Werner CD Release show w/ Sarah Slaton & Taylor Sumner @ Mercury Cafe

moe. @ Ogden

Michal Menert w/ Mikey Thunder, Project Aspect, Abandoned Airwaves @ Cervantes

Reckless Red @ Olde Town Tavern

Synthetic Elements, Potato Pirates, Bullet Inc., The Toasting Game @Larimer Lounge

At The Front, Fears are Limits, Split Second Massacre, Crusher Bound Cadillac, In Element, Alabama Lie Detector, Red Tide Rising @ Gothic

Animus w/ Entelodont, Disaffected, Tragic Fixation @ Moe's

Kraddy @Fox Theater (boulder)

Songs for Arnie @Cervantes Other Side

Teresa Lynne & The Dreamboats @Ziggies

Lion SoulJahs w/ Irie Still, Despicables, mono verde @ Herman's Hideaway

The Angela Bofill Experience w/ feat. Maysa and Grammy Winner Dave Valentin @ Soiled Dove

The Stripe Stripe Fiasco, Grim World Legacy and Odin’s Other Eye@ Buffalo Rose

Shakedown Street w/ Aotearoa @ Oriental Theater

Tragic Fixation w/ Animus, Disaffected, & Enteledont @ Moe's

Swamp Angel, Hawk Attack, Lyin' Bitch and the Restraining Orders @ Rockaway

THE GET UP KIDS, STEEL TRAIN, RIVER CITY EXTENSION @ Marquis

Another night with some decisions to make. While I will personally be at the Moe. show at the Ogden, I highly recommend Reckless Red. Sure it's out in Littleton and there isn't much in that town but I promise CJ will make the drive worth it. I have never been to a bad Reckless Red show. If that is not your thing, you can always check out another one of Denver's hottest bands The Knew. If you happen to make it out to Moe. tomorrow, let me know what you think. I'll be there too.

So I want to do more to make this blog better for everyone. Any suggestions?

It's time for the weekend again

2011-02-03T20:29:00.000-08:00

We are finally to the end of this cold ass Colorado week and if you are like me, you are ready for a bit of warmth and a lot of rock and roll.....and of course the Superbowl. (Go Pack Go!!) If you want to kick of this weekend right, check out one of the following shows:

GitSome, Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, The Fire Drills, and Cannons w/ Ryan Willard, Amanda Gordon Dunn & Keshet Handler @ 3 Kings

Faceman's First Waltz @Bluebird

George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic with DJ Rootz @ Fillmore

TREES, Eolian w/ Wire Faces, Ghosts of Glaciers @ Hi-Dive

SHEL, Jen Korte and the Loss, Rob Drabkin, Megan Burtt, Dave Preston, Mark Tidd, Ayo Awosika, David Rynhart, Dave Tamkin, Justin Roth @ Bluebird

Faux Punk - The Ultimate Daft Punk Tribute @ Fox Theater (Boulder)

The Foot, Monroe Monroe, Petals of Spain @ Larimer Lounge

Fire In the Asylumw/Places, James and the Devil, Shake-Up Brigade, Young Jay and Fame @ Summit Music Hall

FIVE13 @ Platinum 84

Invisible Allies (Bluetech + Kilowatts Collaboration Set) @Cervantes

Solo Sets by Bluetech & Kilowatts w/ The Malah and Archnemesis@ Cervantes Other Side

moe. @ Ogden

The Indulgers @ St Julien Hotel

Under a Blood Red Sky @ Walnut Room

Swamp Angel with Royal Dead, Chainsaw Love Affair and Landgrabbers @ Bender's

Apex Vibe w/ Desciples, Weapons of Mass Creation,Coral Thief, Buntron Smith @ Herman's Hideaway

Kelley Hunt w/ The Erica Brown Trio @ Soiled Dove

Chris Cagle @ Grizzly Rose

Voices of the Wetlands w/ Tab Benoit, Cyril Neville, Anders Osborne, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Waylon Thibodeaux, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone & Mike Zito @ Gothic Theater

Reviving Cecilia (formerly Consider The Raven), Vanessa Spear, w/ The Horse Latitudes, Jay J Matott & The Arctic @ Moe's

MAC MILLER
YO (YONNAS OF THE PIRATE SIGNAL), BLACK PEGASUS & LIQUID ASSASSIN @Marquis

Booze Bombs @ Rockaway

My Body Sings Electric, The Namesakes, Anchor Point, DJ Boss Karl@Lion's Lair

There is a lot of great shit going on tomorrow. I don't even know where to begin. If you want some great local music, check out The Landgrabbers. I saw these cats play a while ago and they kicked more ass than Chuck Norris. If that doesn't get you tingly in the pants then head to Larimer Lounge for Monroe Monroe. Local music not your thing? How about getting your dance on with Moe. and their extended jams. Some of the best bass playing you will hear for sure. Want a little funk in your life? George Clinton will be here as well. Snake Rattle Rattle Snake is also playing and have become one of Denver's hottest bands. There will not be a dull moment anywhere in this city at all. I'll personally be at the Fillmore avoiding the $11 beers. Hope to see you there. If you do show up, hook me up with a drink. It's not like this blog pays me anything.

Tomorrow night

2011-02-02T20:03:00.000-08:00

Too tired to do much of a post today so I'll be quick. Tomorrow head to Casselman's for some tribute bands. Hooligan's Holiday and Whiplash. Tributes to Motley Crue and Metallica, two of my favorite bands growing up. If that doesn't do it for you, check out 40 Oz to Freedom, a Sublime tribute band at the Bluebird. Want something more local? Check out Dead Kenny G's at Cervantes. That's all I got, time to do something for class tomorrow I think. Gotta love working.

Wednesday night is here again

2011-02-01T20:05:00.000-08:00

Alright, it's the beginning of February and it's another day of frigid cold. Have you drank your weight in hot chocolate yet? It's a shame that this cold snap isn't happening on the weekend, then you could at least enjoy hot coffee with your favorite booze in it. (I prefer the Van Gough double shot espresso vodka myself) If you are going to brave the cold, here is what's going on tomorrow.

Paul Riola's Cellar Door @Walnut Room

Steve Aoki @ Boulder Theater

Gata Negra, Starz and Endz, Joe Fornothin', C4X @Larimer Lounge

Society 5280, Feels Like Autumn, Acid Sundae, & Raul @Herman's Hideaway

As per usual, there isn't much going on during the week in Denver but you can check out Gata Negra. I'll be at home studying since I'm working again and have a lot of information I need to know. Have a shot of something good in my honor please and thank you.

Tuesday night.....

2011-01-31T20:21:00.000-08:00

Are you one of the one's that are staying home tomorrow because of a bit of cold? Quit being a little bitch, suck it up, and deal with it. Don't worry, it will be in the 50s again by the end of the week. Don't let that stop you from going out and seeing some great music in this fine city. Check out what's going on.

A Day of Sorrow, Schizophrenic, Minds of Mangus, Scram Juliet, Scream Romeo @ Larimer Lounge

This is the shittiest day of music I've seen in this state. Good thing most of you will not want to go out because of a bit of chill in the air.

What to do on the last day of January

2011-01-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is the day most of us have to start our work week. The bad part about that is with that case of the Mondays, we need to find a way to unwind and have a good time. For some reason, Denver doesn't like us to have the ability to see great music on Monday but they did leave us with a few options to check out.

Pawn Ticket Trio @3 Kings

Plain White T's w/ Parachute, MIGGS @ Gothic

Cisco Adler @ Fox Theater

Haste the Day, My Children My Bride, A Plea for Purging, Anchorage @ Marquis

Tomorrow I say Plain White Ts or Pawn Ticket Trio. At least with Pawn Ticket Trio there will be burlesque. Plain White T's will have a bunch of people that just want to hear Hey There Delilah. Yeah, I'm not overly impressed with the line up tomorrow either.

New Ben Franklins with The Gones and Yelling Man

2011-01-30T12:30:00.000-08:00

Last night we hit up the old Lion's Lair on Colfax to see New Ben Franklins. With all the great music going on in Denver, I'm glad that was the choice I made. In the end, it was probably the best choice.

When we got there, Yelling Man was in the middle of his set. I'm pretty thankful that we weren't there for the whole set because honestly, he didn't do much for me. It was one man and an electric guitar and nothing spectacular about the lyrics or his singing style. He wasn't terrible but he wasn't good, and not a lot of energy at all.

Up next, the Gones took the stage. The main vocalist looks a bit like the guitarist from Toad the Wet Sprocket but played with more energy. Lyrically, I love what these guys were putting out. Clever lyrics about getting drunk and fucking, lots of relationship stuff, and just having a good time. They all bounced around the stage and got the crowd going. I can't believe I haven't seen them before. I was quite impressed. The only downfall for them is they didn't have a CD to purchase.

To close out the night we were graced with New Ben Franklins. Now, I love these guys and even have their ink on my arm. (I'm really dedicated to local music) I couldn't tell you the number of times I've seen them and this was easily their best show I've ever seen them put on. They updated all of their songs from a country sound to a rock sound, Mark Costa was looking like Animal from the Muppets on the drums just beating them down like a drunk hick beats his wife. Their new bassist has finally got all the songs down and looked more comfortable playing them, and Dave DeVoe was at the top of his game. The man was jumping around a lot and was obviously having the time of his life on that stage.

Awesome show, awesome night, awesome friends, I fucking love the Denver music scene. Nights like last night really cement it. Up next, Reverend Horton Heat at Bluebird.

The Breakpoint Method w/ The Threatened, No More Excuses

2011-01-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

Last night I made it out to Herman's Hideaway for The Breakpoint Method, The Threatened, and No More Excuses. There were a couple other bands on that bill too but I didn't get there early enough to see them and something tells me that's probably OK. Overall, the show was mediocre at best but each band brought something slightly different to the people there.

When I arrived, No More Excuses were in the middle of playing their set. The sound was cranked up as loud as it could be and while they sounded decent playing together I could not distinguish them from any other band on the radio. While there can be some marketability in that, it's just not my thing. Also, the decibels could have been a bit lower. Turning up everything as loud as you can does not always make the music better. It's usually an overcompensation for a lack of talent. The singer sucks? Turn up the volume so you can't really hear him. Guitarist is just learning some of the riffs? Turn up everyone else so they drown him out. Think about that in the future bands. We know why you do it.

Next up was The Threatened. This was the band of the night that I came to see and actually enjoyed. The first thing that I noticed was the volume was a lot lower during the Threatened than it was for No More Excuses (and later The Breakpoint Method as well) There was never a time in the set where I couldn't hear the vocals, pick out the bass or guitar or the drums. The sound guy really zoned in and had everything sounding good. They opened up with Republica's Ready To Go and it was the only cover song I recognized for the whole set. A great thing about this set is that it never felt like everything was dragging on and nothing sounded much like the same bullshit you hear on the radio on a day to day basis. All in all, the set was pretty tight and I can see why they were voted one of Denver's best bands by KBPI. I would definitely see them again, just with different bands playing around them.

Last up was The Breakpoint Method. This is a band out of Kansas that is trying to get some kind of following. Word of advice, you don't need to scream every fourth line of your songs. That can sound cool in moderation (see Rise Against) but for the most part all you are going to do is clear out a room. Thankfully these guys were the headliners because the people there were able to call it a night and not stick around for utter garbage. I give them props for getting onstage but Jesus Christ, you guys need to change it up some. Also, the cover of Cranberries Zombie made the original sound like the greatest song ever written compared to their version (with screaming) They were shit with a capital S. I'm curious as how the band progression went. I think it went something like," Dude you are way out of tune on all these songs. We are thinking about kicking you out of the band"." No, I'll scream the lyrics and maybe it will sound better". "GENIUS"

No More Excuses gets a C
The Threatened gets an A
Breakpoint Method gets an F

The place to be tonight, and tomorrow too.

2011-01-29T12:39:00.000-08:00

After a day with having no internet until it was time to go out and get things done, I did not get a chance to update this yesterday. It's a good thing you all were too busy getting drunk to care, or maybe that was just me. Anyway, the music around town last night was out of control and not only does Denver have some of the best music, but they also have some awesome bartenders. Here's what's going on tonight in this great city.

Tonight:

RJD2 w/ MTHDS ("Positive Movement" Video Premier), WillDaBeast @ Gothic

Junior Brown w/ The Hollyfelds @ Soiled Dove

Amazing Twin, Princess Music, Bone Orchard Revival @ Skylark

The Wailers @ Fox Theater

Take to the Oars, Boys Sofo @ Hi-Dive

Franki Chan SIA Party, Blkhrts, Pdrblk @Larimer Lounge

Seismic Event w/ Able Archer, Ryan Flick, Chella Negro @ Walnut Room

Casey James Prestwood and the Burning Angels @ Parker Library

Sadistik w/ Fresh Breath Committee, Sarx, Sick Illusions, II Driven @ Moe's

The H is O, Evening Edition, Chambio, Hawk Attack @ Benders

Blacktooth Rounders w/ Stealth Hippo, Firemouth, Whiskey Tango @ Oriental Theater

Lady Parts w/ Maudlin Magpie, Doo Crowder and Samantha Doom Blows Up the Band @ Mercury Cafe

Gypsy Jazz / Parisian Swing @ Paris on the Platte

Pearl St. All Stars @ Boulder Theater

The Motet @ Cervantes

Bloodkin Acoustic feat. Danny Hutchens, Eric Carter, & Eric Martinez w/ Mark Brut @ Cervantes Other Side

Blind Child Blues Band @ Ziggies

Midnight Vine, The McRae, Fleeting Matters @ Herman's Hideaway

The Bloody 5s at Three Kings

Steve Law and Frederick Poindexter @ Walnut Room

Rev Horton Heat @ Bluebird

New Ben Franklins w/ The Gones and Yelling Man @ Lions Lair

Sunday

Reverend Horton Heat @ Bluebird Theater

Marijuana Deathsquads w/ Glass Hits, 25 Rifles @ Hi-Dive

Nothing But Software, Patrick Keating, Tany Heart, irie sanchos, Michael DeLalla, The JATO Unit, Don't Kill The Messenger, Papachury, The Human Imagination Project @ Cervantes

School of Rock w/ presents Dark Side of The Moon @Soiled Dove

Mark's Midnight Carnival, Twin Peaks, Cosmic Sound Child, Hollow Young, Christof Brownell @ Larimer Lounge

The Wailers, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Duane Stephenson @ Ogden

The Unsinkables w/ Aphonix @ Lions Lair

Now that's a lot of rock and roll to fill your weekend with. I will personally be at New Ben Franklins tonight and Reverend Horton Heat tomorrow night cuz spending three days straight rocking out right before you start a brand new job is how I roll. Sure it's not the brightest idea I've ever had but no one ever said I was a genius. If you decide New Ben Franklins aren't your thing then after Dave DeVoe beats you with his man purse (or satchel if you are a Hangover fan)* you can go check out the Wailers up in Boulder or Reverend Horton Heat at the Bluebird. I'm pretty sure Sunday's show is sold out though.

Sunday I say go check out School of Rock doing Dark side of the Moon or Rev again. Both promise to be good nights. Plus, I'm curious to know how the school of rock sound since it is the youngsters singing. As usual, have a great time and if you go to a show, I'll post your review here. Just email me. Musicamilehigh@gmail.com

*I'm just kidding Dave Devoe won't beat you, he's an outstanding guy and a talented musician.

What's going on in Denver on Thursday and Friday?

2011-01-26T17:52:00.000-08:00

You did it, you survived the work week. Almost anyway. You still have two more days to go. Good thing for you, this is the time of the week when the music in Denver actually kicks it up a dozen notches and has a lot to offer. Since my internet will be down for the day tomorrow, here is what is going on in town tomorrow and Friday.

Thursday:

Old 97's w/ Langhorne Slim @Boulder Theater

Circle Jerks, King Rat, Never @ Bluebird Theater

Z trip@ City Hall

Big Gigantic w/ Prophet Massive (Jason Hann - EOTO/SCI), Project Aspect, Frequent-C @ Gothic Theater

WINTER WoMP w/ J.WAIL feat. Chuck of Lotus, FRESH2DEATH, ISHE, Digital Beat Down, Vinnie Maniscalco (GotBassMusic),Bourdon, Rob Bass, Malt Thizney, Gaia Experiment @ Cervantes

Dubskin w/ Abstract Rude, DubConscious & DJ Drez @ Cervantes Other Side

Buckcherry, Hellyeah @ Fillmore

Mike Pinto, P-Nuckle, Coral Thief @ Larimer Lounge

Abi & the Blue Language w/ The Belle Jar, & Swedge @ Herman's Hideaway

Rootz Underground @ Funky Buddha

Friday

Big Boi W/ Special Guests Eligh & Scarub @Ogden

Kraddy, Jantsen, Project Aspect @ Bluebird

Big Gigantic @ Fox Theater (Boulder)

Young Cities w/ Monroe Monroe @ Rockstar Lounge

Glowing House w/ Chimney Choir, Elyse Miller, Jamie Mefford @ Moe's

Anthony B. w/ Peace Officer @ Cervante's Other Side

Future Jazz Project @ Herbs Bar

Katey Laurel CD Release w/ Denver Dozen Acoustic Variety Show @ Walnut Room

The Breakpoint Method w/ The Threatened, No More Excuses, Wild Angelz, & Night Lite Vandals@ Herman's Hideaway

Boldtype, St. Fall Apart and Bad Karma Kings@ Rockaway

Rootz Underground w/ Trichome @ Oriental Theater

Rebelution@ Fillmore

Fox Bachelorette Party w/ Night Ranger and Groove Hawgs @ Grizzly Rose

Darren Rahn and Tim Bowman @ Soiled Dove

The Motet @ Cervantes

Onda@ Waterloo (Louisville)

Catfish Kray's Blues Band with Jesse Garland @ Ziggies

Sin Fix w/ The Killing of Kindness, Sunday Massacre, Day of Reckoning @ Gothic

Frontside Five, Beer Boys, Miss Fritz @ Bender's

Artless Bravado, My God Micah, Red Fox Run, The Cardinal Grey @ Larimer Lounge

The Rep, No Concept @ 3 Kings

My God that's a lot of great music in two days. If you've been patiently waiting to go out to see shows because the beginning of the week was pretty much shit then here is your chance to have a great time. Thursday night, I recommend either the Circle Jerks or the Old 97's. You can't go wrong with classic punk or some relaxing kbco type music. That's a lie, there is a lot of bullshit in each of those genres but neither of these are it.

Friday night I hope you are ready for the awesomeness that awaits you for that night. I personally plan on checking out The Threatened as I've promised someone that I wouldn't miss it unless something terrible happens. Boldtype at Rockaway is a great choice too, unless they haven't fixed the venue sound and then you are fucked. If it's instrumental you want, check out Motet at Cervantes. I had a chance to see them last year opening for Michael Franti and they were pretty decent. Tonight they are doing the best of Halloween, they will be there Friday as well performing Earth, Wind, and Fire. As usual, have a great time out there and if you see a show, email me and I'll post your review. musicamilehigh@gmail.com

Going to any awesome shows?

2011-01-25T21:21:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, if you go to a show and would like to have your review posted, please email me at musicamilehigh@gmail.com and I will post your review right here and give you full credit. I'm only one man and can't be at all the awesome places music is happening.

Ronnie Milsap review

2011-01-25T21:10:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday I got a chance to see one of country musics legendary performers at the Grizzly Rose. You may have heard of him, he goes by the name Ronnie Milsap. Milsap, who turned 68 recently, played a modestly short set of 75 minutes and played mainly a greatest hits set with only a couple songs that were either covers or new songs. He played his greats like Smokey Mountain Rain, Daydreams About Night Things, Stranger In My House, and Lost in the 50s (In the Still of the Night) and covered Patsy Cline and the Rolling Stones. One of the great things I took out of the show is how much his voice has held up over the years. He was able to hold some of the notes for 30 to 40 seconds, even while other people in the audience were gasping for air while singing along, he still managed to hold the tune. Even Robert Plant can't do that much anymore. After 40 number 1 hits, Ronnie Milsap proved to everyone why his music is timeless. Old classic country will trump the new popular bullshit that has been coming out lately any day (very few exceptions to that rule)If he lives to come back through here, check him out. You may never get the chance to again.

Around town Wednesday night.

2011-01-25T15:30:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is hump day and what better way to ensure that you get lucky than to take your significant other out on the town to imbibe in the finest of alcohols while rocking out to Denver's finest music. If that doesn't work, then I say find someone on Colfax to satisfy your needs (gross, really. Have you seen what's crawling around there? It's not anything you would see at the Bunny Ranch that's for sure) Ok, back to the topic at hand, music. While the beginning of the week hasn't brought much to light in awesomeness, Wednesday is picking up a tiny bit. (turd polished)

Air Waves w/ Hindershot, Reviving Cecilia @ Hi-Dive

Royal Bangs, Common Anomaly, Colfax Speed Queen @Larimer Lounge

People Under The Stairs @ Fox Theater (Boulder)

::: the slowdown lounge ::: featuring Paul Riola's "Cellar Door @ Walnut Room (purchase $3 joints at the dispensary next door if you have a marijuana card)

The Zen Theory w/ Madeline's Revenge @ Cervantes Other Side

Emergency Pullout @ Casselmans

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

Steven Andrews and the Red Delicious, Infidel, Gypsy Fit, , & J.C. & The Water Walkers @ Herman's Hideaway

I say head to Cervantes Other Side for Zen Theory. They are a transient type jam band with some good grooves but mediocre vocals. They jam pretty good from what I can tell on their youtube clips but I personally like Tea Leaf Green Yamn a lot better. If jam bands aren't your thing, go check out the Colfax Speed Queens at Larimer Lounge. None of these bands do it for you? Try this then. Go to any random happy hour in Denver, get blitzed, and then see the worst band on this list. I promise you it will be the most amazing night of your life. Just don't wake up in jail.

Around town tonight and tomorrow

2011-01-24T14:13:00.000-08:00

I know you're tired of this miserable work week and it's only Monday. I have an idea. Go out and get shit faced while rocking out to some of the best stuff in Denver. Busy tonight? That's ok. There is great stuff going on tomorrow too. Check out what's happening.

Tonight:

Pawn Ticket Trio @ 3 Kings

Lynch Mob @ Casselman's

Tomorrow:

Cruel Hand @Oriental Theater

Erik Boa's BIG Blues Jam @ Herman's Hideaway

Jababa w/ The Blues Allstars @ cervantes Other Side

Dave Lemieux and House of Soul w/ At The Table with Dr. King @ Soiled Dove

Fire in the Sky, Parley, Bodies We've Buried, Leftmore @ Larimer Lounge

Alright, so I got you all hyped up for no good reason. Still, did you see the Lynch Mob are playing tonight? If you don't know who they are, it's the band that features ex Dokken member George Lynch. Back in the day they had a hit called Wicked Sensation and then they disappeared and were completely forgotten. Now that they are all broke and sucking off the government and are all about to get evicted from their homes, they decided to reunite and hope to make enough to pay rent on the 1st. That's where you all come in. Go out, buy your ticket, laugh at them, and feel good you were able to help out aging rockers keep their studio apartments for one more month.

Tomorrow though, check out the Blues jam. That doesn't sound too bad if you get the right people there. Don't worry, the music will get better as the week progresses as is usually the case.

Facebook issues

2011-01-22T23:42:00.000-08:00

If you are trying to follow this blog on Facebook and the feed isn't showing up, go to edit options and on the drop down, click on it and change it to show all pages and feeds.

Around town 1-23

2011-01-22T14:31:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I believe they shut the city down because of the playoffs. I mean, it's been since 1941 since the Packers played the Bears in the playoffs, and the winner goes to the Superbowl. After that it will be the Patriots and Jets playing. By the time it's time to go to a show the city will be too drunk. So, with that said here is who will be here tomorrow.

Brian Jordan Band w/ Brian Jordan (Karl Denson's Tiny Universe), Bernie Worrell (Talking Heads, P-Funk), George Porter Jr. (The Meters), Jen Durkin (Deep Banana Blackout) and Dave Watts (The Motet) and Special Guest E.D. (Jesus) Coomes (Lettuce) @ Cervantes Other Side

DISKREET @ 3 Kings

Crooked Ways, Circle Number Dot, Left Foot Green, The Toasting Game, Sleepy Weather @ Larimer Lounge

Yeah, after blowing its musical wad on music tonight, Denver offers up nothing much to get excited about. Head on over to Cervantes Other Side for their line up. It looks the best out of all the shows. That doesn't do it for you? Get drunk and watch football. It's the American way, and you can pass out early enough to make it to work tomorrow without a hangover.

Best of 2010

2011-01-22T11:28:00.000-08:00

At the start of 2010 I had one goal. The goal was to see 100 different bands. I didn't care if they were openers, local bands, national acts, or just some kids playing on the street with their instruments. Alright, that's extreme. Those kids have no talent and if you can call that music, then you are probably a fan of half the shit they have on the radio these days that somehow passes for decent. Hell, even those drunk chicks singing Don't Stop Believing sound better. Anyway, here is what I pick to be the best shows of 2010 in several categories that I made up just so I can give props to everything I loved.

Best new band that didn't play in 2009:

Bonnie Situation. Have you seen them yet? They have played a total of 2 gigs so far and kick plenty of ass. Not only do they have original music, but they aren't afraid to give you some covers that will blow your mind. Run To The Hills, Hot Legs, Anything Anything, and they have a female lead vocalist belting them out. Not only is she belting them out, she doesn't even struggle hitting some of the more difficult notes. Check them out in February at Herman's Hideaway (hit their FB page for details)

Best local band that I only discovered this year:
Frogs Gone Fishin' I had the honor of seeing these guys play twice and each show was completely different from the last. At any time you could go from funk to jamming, to Rage Against The Machine. Each night seems to focus a different member and it's always a good time. They will be playing a lot in the next couple months.

Best opening act:
Joe Cocker. I got the chance to see Joe Cocker open for Tom Petty. What I expected was an old guy who got high one too many times put on an OK show and what I got was a performance that was on par with his Woodstock performance. My mind was blown, the energy was high, and that mofo owns the Beatles songs he covers. The runners up for this category are John Mellancamp,Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, and Fishbone.

Best local band that has a great mix of covers thrown in:
King for a Day. Yeah, I'm pretty biased but I love those guys. I can honestly say I've been to more KFAD shows than all the wives of the members combined. I can't say enough about these guys so just go check them out.

Best local band that plays a lot of country:
New Ben Franklins. I love them. Their music is great. See them at Moe's in February.

Best local music festival:
UMS 4 days of music, 300 bands, and nothing but a good time. If you can't discover at least one new artist at UMS, you probably also struggle to find weed at a Phish show. Hell, your parents probably couldn't even find acid at Woodstock. Kill yourself now you pathetic piece of shit. I've been to UMS the last two years and am already looking forward to this years festivities. I don't even care who plays, it's that much fun.

Best national act I saw more than twice:
Honestly, I was completely blown away by Phish. We saw them in Telluride for their two night run and the whole community of brotherhood between the fans is something that no other band can match. The music was spot on for all 5 nights we saw them combined this year, and you definitely wanted to dance. Runners up are Dave Matthews Band, Michael Franti, and Fishbone

Best National Act I saw once:
Weird Al. I have wanted to see him for years and never got around to it. When we got our chance, we took our front balcony row seats and were able to enjoy everything I had expected out of his show. Costume changes, guitar smashing, ALtv, and the entire crowd singing and laughing. Runner up is Green Day.

Best performance by a music legend:
The term legend shouldn't be taken lightly. When people hear the name Robert Plant, they automatically think of Stairway To Heaven and want to get into arguments about who the greatest guitarist of all time is. With that said, we were lucky enough to witness lots of legendary artists this year. That will have to go to Bob Dylan. This man was responsible for so many great songs in history. Almost every band covers him. Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, the Byrds, just to name a few. He is the greatest songwriter ever and to be standing within feet of him was a true honor. The runners up were Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Elton John.

Best Visual Performance"
Roger Waters recreating the Wall. Yes, the legendary Pink Floyd album. Recreated. Simply amazing.

Most interesting stage show:
Gwar. This show had decapitations, blood shooting out on the audience, beasts playing music, and Lady Gaga getting sacrificed. Awesome.

Best Cover Band:
Cash'd Out. These guys are simply phenomenal. They have Johnny's sound, movements, and even some stage banter. They will also throw down for 3 hours if given the chance. See them when they come to your area.

Best Punk show:
Social Distortion. Seeing Social D in Boulder for the first time was incredible. Mike Ness demanded you follow his every movement wherever he was on stage. He also loved to lean into the crowd and make sure you got as close as you possibly could.

Biggest surprise of the year:
Weezer. While I've loved their music for a while, I just assumed they would be one of those bands that aren't the best live. The fact is, they are awesome. Rivers Cuomo can't be contained by the stage and likes to get into as much trouble as he can whether its stealing someone's camera, climbing on the cables, or crawling up by the screens. He would even run into the crowds a lot. Completely unexpected and totally awesome. Runner up Fourmile Canyon Revival. 7 hours of great music.

Best Acoustic Set:
Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. Honestly you can't beat these guys acoustically. Tim Reynolds plays guitar and can make it nearly sound like an entire string section. Runner up: Trey and Mike of Phish.

Best value for your money:
Green Day. I paid $20 a ticket and watched them play for 3 hours. If you break that down it's like $6.75 an hour. Not only that, they rocked the place. They had a great mix of old and new and made sure to make every fan happy.

Best encore:
Chicago and the Doobie Brothers: At the end of the show, both bands were on stage exchanging hit songs for what was close to an hour. I don't think a single person was ready for it to be over.

Overall best show of 2010:
While there were several things that made each show memorable, the artist that stands out the most for me is Michael Franti and Spearhead. Between the Red Rocks show and the 1st Bank Center show, Franti's energy is unmatched by no one. His love for what he does is apparent. He is one of the artists that you know are playing for the love of the music and fans and not for the love of the almighty dollar. In his shows he brings members of the audience onstage, will grab the wireless gear and play on the sound booth, or even in the stands standing in the crowd. At a Franti show, there is no such thing as a bad seat because he may just end up playing right next to you. After seeing the best of the best play this year, people that have been responsible for shaping music to what it is today, Franti outshined them all, and honestly he's not the greatest on CD. You don't get a dull moment at all, you always feel engaged, and you never want the show to end.

Worst of 2010:

Worst local band:
Stealth Hippo. For an hour you got to watch a 5 minute clip of hippos on repeat while the band played shitty music. Pure torture.

Worst National Band:
Ratt. Uninspired run down of their hits. I knew 99% of the songs and couldn't wait to get out of there. God awful.

This year we had the privilege to see Billy Joel, Elton John, Joe Cocker, Tom Petty, Chicago, Doobie Brothers, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Weird Al, Anthrax, John Mellancamp, and Roger Waters in a mix of a ton of other great bands. 2010 will go down in history as the greatest year of my life musically.

Around town 1-22? Saturday bitches

2011-01-22T01:14:00.000-08:00

Alright, being unemployed means I have no idea what the dates are anymore and barely know what day of the week it is. I mark my days like this: Is Candie home all day? Must be a weekend. Is she home after 7? Must be a Tuesday. Did she stay up late when she got up early? Must be Friday. Quit knocking my inability to know the date. I'm a sensitive guy alright!!!!!! I'm getting off topic here and this blog has found me lazy as of late. Back to it though. Here is what is going on around town tonight (aka Saturday night, you tell ME what date it is)

Crocodiles, Overcasters, Hearts in Space @ Larimer Lounge

Mike Marchant's Outer-Space Party Unit, Le Divorce, 200 Million Years, Calder's Revolvers, Otto von Cousticon @ Hi-Dive

The Polkanauts w/ Das Borrachos, the Legendary River Drifters @ 3 Kings

Concert for Cash 2011 w/ The Hollyfelds & Hillbilly Inferno @ Oriental Theater

Long Spoon Records Re-Launch w/ Dovekins, Papa Bear and Maxwell Hughes @ Mercury Cafe

Lyin' Bitch and the Restraining Orders, Horse, She's A Machine, The Worth, Final Blow, All Set, Scalafrea, Nicarguan Death Squad, Fomofuiab, Cattleist, Apathy, Crusher Bound Cadillac @ Benders

Jonathan Coulton w/ Paul & Storm @Soiled Dove

36 Chambers all female tribute to Wu Tang Clan @ Walnut Room

Bonnie & the Clydes w/ Casey James Prestwood & the Burning Angels, Magnolia Row, Pigeon Port @ Moe's

Lola Black w/ No Bueno!, Dave Mansfield & The L.A.M.F's, The Namesakes @ Gothic

Perpetual Groove, Easytonic @ Bluebird

Tribal Seeds w/ Fortunate Youth @ Cervantes

Robert Randolph & the Family Band @ Ogden

Half Full Hearse w/ E.P.O. (Emergency Pullout), Nuclear Front, Between Fate, & Miner @ Herman's Hideaway

Ronnie Milsap @ Grizzly Rose

George Porter Jr. & Runnin' Pardners w/ The Fox Street All Stars @ Cervantes Other Side

Holy shit, I can't believe all this great music is playing in one night and that is just Denver. Throw in Reckless Red in Lyons, BB King and Shakedown Street in Boulder, and the Mighty Peculiars playing a show just outside of Boulder and you have one awesome night of music in the mile high area. I will do my best to make this easy on everyone. Skip Lola Black at the Gothic and hold off seeing them until they play Herman's Hideaway in a couple weeks. You will have The Bonnie Situation and Reno Divorce on the bill with them at that time. Trust me on this, you won't want to miss that show. Overcasters is a great choice for some local music. Have you seen them? They are really damned good. If you want to get your Wisconsin on in time for the awesome Packers Bears game on Sunday, head on over to 3 Kings and see The Polkanauts. They even do polka versions of Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath. Plus, Legendary River Drifters are playing with them and damn those are some powerful vocals. Don't want to do local? Go see Robert Randolph and the Family Band. I've seen them three times and have been blown away each time I've seen them. Robert Randolph plays one of the best Steel Guitars I've ever heard next to Tom Oberheide of New Ben Franklins. With all those suggestions, I'll personally be at Ronnie Milsap. He's old and he's a country music legend. He could be dead in a week. I need to see him now.

Until next time, have fun out there and when they say rock out with your cock out....don't really take your cock out.

Around town 12-16

2010-12-15T22:21:00.000-08:00

girls walk by, and lust cats of the gutters @ 3 Kings

Michael Adam w/ Stephen Marcus, Erin Jo Harris (of Bop Skizzum) @ Walnut Room

Pawn Ticket Trio w/ Wes & Victoria and magician Max Mago @ Mercury Cafe

The CATARACS "Like a G6" @ Casselman's

Dotsero and Hazel Miller w/ Holiday Show @ Soiled Dove

Elliott Moonshine & the Ghost w/ The Madhouse Act, Dumb Angel @ Lion's Lair

Train @ Fillmore

China Venture w/ Alan Alda @ Hi-Dive

Fifty To Phoenix w/ Funhouse, Brother Rockwell, Inotio @ Herman's Hideaway

Cacheflow, RumbleJunkie, ServOne and Shiba @ Cervante's Other Side

Parasite Machine, Narwahl Birdskull, Mouthful of Buckshot, Four Hoursemen, Moore @ Larimer Lounge

Lunar Fire @ Cervantes

Well, overall nothing spectacular is going on tomorrow night, good thing I heard a rumor of snowfall. Stay inside and have a romantic evening in. If you need to check out a show, check out Lust Cats of the Gutters at 3 kings, or maybe Catarac. I'm pretty indifferent to the line up out there tomorrow.

Back after a long hiatus

2010-12-14T16:04:00.000-08:00

I've been away for way too long. Moving and personal issues got the best of me the last few weeks. I hope that never happens again. Anyway, here is what is going on around town tomorrow.

MillionYoung w/ Sunglasses, the Great Mundane, Flashlights @ Hi Dive

Rob Halford, Philm Feat Dave Lombardo From Slayer @ Ogden

The Salt And The Sea, Jessica Sonner, Caleb Slade, Ramaya Soskin @ Walnut Room

4-H Royalty, 10-4 Eleanor, Sour Boy, Bitter Girl @ Larimer Lounge

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

2:10 Special, The Zen Theory, Madeline's Revenge, Wadda Bout Bob @ Herman's Hideaway

H.O.E., Jon Now Or Never, Correct Records and No Escape @ Cervantes Other Side

Red Wanting with Blue Brothers O’Hair & Jen Korte @ Casselman's

I am sure you are all going to Rob Halford tomorrow since they gave away about 1,000 tickets for it. Go listen to some solo stuff, some old Judas Priest, or whatever he feels like playing. I'll be getting cultured at the Blue Man Group.

Roger Waters, The Wall.....

2010-11-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

Tonight brought the 30th anniversary tour of The Wall to Pepsi Center and Roger Waters was promising it was going to be better than ever. Now, being too young to see The Wall performed the first time around I really have no way of comparing but I do have one word to describe tonight. Phenomenal. I won't go through the setlist since everyone in the world who is a music fan should have The Wall in their collection, and every stoner should have seen the movie The Wall by now. The stage production was pretty amazing. One thing that I noticed immediately was the fact that you actually forget you are there at a Rock concert, so the band is pretty secondary to the visuals. During the opening, you had a plane crash and take out part of the wall with some awesome pyrotechnics (which sadly were the only pyrotechnics in the whole show) From there you had the flash back scene with Another Brick in the Wall where they had this awesome puppet wearing a gas mask that all the kids had to get away from and defeat. You slowly go further and further into Floyds mind where he has his sexual fantasies (Young Lust) and finally questioning the world and whether he should build a wall (Mother) The first act ended with Goodbye Cruel World with Roger Waters putting in the final brick in the wall when he sang Goodbye Cruel World, Goodbye.

Act 2 began with the band playing behind the Wall up until Nobody's Home when Roger sang while watching a TV. Midway through the set, the entire band had moved in front of the wall and played to images of war, poverty, worms, and even the animated trial that eventually led to tearing down the wall. Words can't really express what seeing it live could convey. This production was a masterpiece 30 years in the making. The story was told brilliantly through both audio and visual senses. Fucking awesome.

A couple of the highlights was definitely Mother which Roger sang while playing a clip of another show he did 30 years earlier of him singing the same song. It was his way of doing the double vocal tracks, and it was pulled of nearly flawless. Comfortably Numb was absolutely beautiful and the giant puppet used during Another Brick in the Wall was pretty awesome. This show has easily made a permanent spot in my top 10 shows of all time.

Around town tomorrow

2010-11-19T17:52:00.001-08:00

Here is a quick recommendation for tomorrow. Hit up Bender's for Tromapalooza. The great Lloyd Kaufman is going to be there along with some music that may or may not be very good. Did I mention Lloyd Kaufman? Seriously, go and talk to that guy. He is insane and awesome at the same time. If I wasn't going to be in the Springs I'd be talking to Lloyd. Alright, off to a birthday party.

Around town tomorrow

2010-11-18T10:02:00.000-08:00

I am finally feeling like a human being again. Thank Christ. Now, it's time to tell you where to go for the best shows in Denver.

Tjutjuna CD Release, Woodsman, Married In Berdichev, DJ Peter Black @ Larimer Lounge

Candy Claws w/ the Chain Gang of 1974, Jay J Matott and the Arctic - Special Guest DJset from Magic Teepee @ Hi-Dive

PANAL SA DE CV, FaceMan, BONNIE AND THE BEARD, BEDSIT INFAMY @ 3 Kings

Barnacle, Black Lamb, Disease, Minds Of Magess @ Black Lamb

Ozomatli @ Ogden

Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers w/ Backyard Tire Fire @ Gothic Theatre

Salva @ City Hall

Heavy Artillery w/ Loxy, Hulk, Lank, Despise, Amok, Automated Prayer, The Mentat, C:Bass, Stienski, Crookkid and Reckless @ Cervantes

Yerkish w/ Gritt Hitter, The Orchid Set @ Walnut Room

Tracy Lawrence @ Grizzly Rose

Mad Dog And The Smokin J's / Rhythm Dragons / Captain Blood @ Lion's Lair

The Atomic Drifters w/ The Imsomniaxe @ Oriental Theater

UMCONSCIOUS w/ MF KAAOS, ANXIOUS, DJ SYN @ Herman's Hideaway

Sol~Fed~Joe @ Ziggies

Forty Fathoms w/ Ransom, As the Sky Darkens, Dissonance In Design @ Moe's

The Gracious Few, American Bang, Take To the Oars @ Bluebird

Candye Kane w/ Jimbo Darville & the Truckadours and Dirty Backseat Lovers @ Bender's

Tomorrow is a great night to get your groove on. So much awesome music it's hard to pick just one, so I won't. First things first....on the national front check out Roger Clyne at the Gothic. They have been rocking for a while, show them some love. Also, The Gracious Few is playing at the Bluebird. I'm actually curious to hear how they sound. It's some of the members of Candlebox and Live in a "supergroup" ready to rock the place. I've always loved Candlebox so I'd be curious to check them out. On the local front, Black Lamb will melt your face, Yerkish could easily do the same, and you should do your best to get out to one of these. Until tomorrow, have fun out there.

Around town tomorrow

2010-11-17T20:31:00.000-08:00

I still feel like shit and don't have much energy to write this. So, here are my recommendations for tomorrow. Here goes, Fingers of the Sun is playing at Meadowlark, that should be a great show. Reckless Red is playing at Rockaway and that may be an amazing show depending if the sound is fucked up or not. I really hope they got their issues fixed. Sunday Girl is playing at Toad Tavern and I really dig their sound. I am playing in your mama's ass, look for the video soon. Have fun out there. I'm going to take more nyquil.

Around town tomorrow

2010-11-16T21:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a terrible day and I'm fighting something so I'm going to keep this brief and give you the highlights of what's going on in Denver tomorrow. Check out Hot Buttered Rum at the Bluebird, or go to the Hi-Dive for Raven and the Writing Desk simply because its an awesome name. You could easily be disappointed but then again, maybe you shouldn't be going out so late on a work night. Who am I kidding? Work is overrated anyway. To hell with it, get drunk and call in sick on Thursday. While you're at it, call in Friday too and make it a 4 day weekend. I'm a bad influence.

2 concert reviews

2010-11-14T16:11:00.000-08:00

Alright, I didn't make it to Bad Religion at all due to exhaustion from no sleep after Gwar but I did make it to see King for a Day. All in all it was a great couple of shows. Here are the reviews.

Gwar

On Thursday I finally got around to seeing Gwar after 25 years of making music. My question is, why did I wait so long? Gwar itself is an acronym for God what an awful racket, and quite honestly their music isn't the very best. The good news is, what they lack in ability to play good music they make up in an over the top stage show. When Gwar took the stage, two giant zombie like creatures walked out, who quickly got decapitated and their blood got drained out all over the audience. From there, Gwar played several old and new songs with sacrifices inbetween. At one point, Lady Gaga was brought onstage wearing a toilet outfit and was quickly sacrificed by a beast with a giant plunger. Blood sprayed out of her breasts all over the crowd once again. After all the carnage during their set, Gwar came out for an encore. During this encore, Oderus Urungus used his giant strap on to simulate ejaculating and urinating blood onto the entire audience and finished up the evening with their hit song Sick Of You. This show was everything I imagined a Gwar show would be and more, I was not disappointed one little bit. Such an awesome time.

King For A Day

Last night I had the chance to see one of my favorite local bands play with a brand new member, Dan Sheck. While it was sad to see Goose part ways with the band, one thing that was obvious is that a new member brings new energy to a band. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and the size of the stage allowed Vic to release his energy and bounce around to pretty much every corner of the stage that the Oriental had. Every member was in top form and the sound at the Oriental was perfect. Every note that each member played was crystal clear, which can be a rarity at some venues. KFAD decided to take last night to play a ton of new material they have been working on, which always makes me happy. I have to say I really enjoyed Two Stroke and Golden Shot a lot. They also played some old songs like Hope and Preacher and their cover of Goldfish Bowl. The only major disappointment in that entire evening was the fact that the band that played before KFAD (Stealth Hippo, avoid them at all cost) drove a good portion of the crowd away in their long and painful set. (it also included 5 minutes of hippo action that was looped for the entire show. Annoying) After the show there were shouts for an encore. Simon left the stage and Dan, Vic, and John went into an awesome cover of The Seeker with Vic taking the vocals.It was a great close to a great evening.

Around tonight, tomorrow, and Saturday

2010-11-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Veteran's day to all that are currently serving or have served. Your sacrifice is not only appreciated today, but every single day. If you are at any show this weekend and you meet someone that served, buy them a drink. (I'll personally be at Gwar, Bad Religion, and King for a Day) With that said, here are the shows for tonight, Friday, and Saturday since I'm busy.

Tonight

GWAR w/ The Casualties, Infernaeon, Mobile Death Camp @ Gothic

Hot Congress Presents Vitamins, Kissing Party, Hindershot & Luke Hunter James-Erickson @ Meadowlark

Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band, Thieving Irons @ Ogden

Old Crow Medicine Show @ Oriental Theater

Sherman to the Fucking Sea, Sea of Teeth, Circle Number Dot, Moore @ Larimer Lounge

Rachel Eisenstat & Iron City (CD Release) w/ Jen Korte & The Loss, Jamie Mefford & Blue Light @ Walnut Room

Turdus Musicus w/ Holley 750 3 Kings

Four Mile Fire Relief Benefit w/ Fresh2Death, 2DUBAII, Eminence Ensemble, FieVeL & LoLo @ Cervantes

Colfax Speed Queen / Atomic Americans / The Satin Peaches @ Lion's Lair

Hill Country Revue feat. Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi AllStars w/ The Fox Street All Stars @ Cervantes Other Side

Invisible Beats @ Casselmans

Mason Lock's Dubstep @ Old Curtis Street Pub

Inland Lights w/ The Frozen Movement, The Big Motif, & Ditch Rites @ Herman's Hideaway

House of Heroes @ Marquis

Friday Night:

Bad Religion, Bouncing Souls @ Fillmore

Danzig @ Ogden

Git Some, I Know You, Rider, Glass Hits, Hot White @ Larimer Lounge

Mark Mallman w/ A Tom Collins, Chris McGarry And The Insomiacs @ Hi-Dive

The Nadas, John Common & Blinding Flashes of Light @ Bluebird

Dangerous Nonsense, Monroe Monroe, The Swindlers, and Smoothbore @ 3 Kings

9/10ths Of The Law w/ FMS, Crusher Bound Cadillac, Blindfold The Devil @ Gothic

The Courtesy Bandits with RUE @ The Bug Theater

Future Simple Project, The Larva Ink, Bedrockk, .anansi, Checkers @ City Hall

Death For Breakfast / The Myth Of Modern Medicine / Sparky Quano @ Lion's Lair

Yamn w/ ZOBOMAZÉ, &One @ Cervante's

The Indulgers @ Scruffy Murphy's

Whiskey King Coalition w/ James & the Devil, Hot Cheeze Soup, O.T.I.S., & Silk N' Steel @ Herman's Hideaway

Whitey Morgan and the 78's w/ Colfax Cowboys @ Bender's

Brother Rockwell, The Dax Equation @ Old Curtis Street Pub

Randall Dubis Band @ Ziggies

The Breakpoint Method w/ Bodies We've Buried, Audioflux & Such As I Am @ Cervante's Other side

Tantric Picasso w/ Statewide Emergency, Silent Treatment, West Water Outlaws @ Moe's

Nathan Maxwell (Of Flogging Molly) & The Original Bunny Gang With No Bueno, Lola Black, Potcheen, Murder Hat @ Toad Tavern

Luke Mitchem CD Release w/ Stacie Fredrich, The Mile Markers @ Walnut Room

Hey Monday @ Marquis

Saturday Night

Small Black, Class Actress @ Rhinoceropolis

Circa Survive w/ Dredg, Codeseven, Animals As Leaders @ Summit Music Hall

Savoy, Alex B, Kostas, Trajikk @ Ogden

Combichrist w/ Aesthetic Perfection, Ivardensphere @ Gothic

Colour Revolt w/ Eolian, the Outfit @ Hi-Dive

The Hollyfelds (last show this year!) w/The Porter Draw, Cody Crump @ Meadowlark

Brothers O'Hair, The Fling, Weather Maps @ Larimer Lounge

Kal Cahoone and the Dirty Pretty (CD/EP Release) w/ The Widow's Bane, Matt Shupe and Super Secret Messengers @ Walnut Room

Musuji, Lords of Fuzz w/ Another Door, Blunt Trap @ 3 Kigs

March Fourth Marching Band w/ Ukulele Loki's Gadabout Orchestra @ Moe's

King Rat, Split Second Massacre and The Limbs @ Bender's

Wireframe, LOCUS, Seris, Like Pianos Crashing @ Casselman's

King For A Day w/ Working Man String Band & Stealth Hippo @ Oriental Theater

9th Annual Soul Rebel Festival w/ Midnite, The Yellow Wall Dub Squad, Macklemore, Binary Star, The McKay Brothers featuring Bill McKay of Leftover Salmon, Lion Souljahs, Irie Still, Weapons of Mass Creation, By All Means, Major & Friends, DJ BloodPreshah @ Cervante's

Tiesto @ 1st Bank Center

Savoy Brown featuring Kim Simmonds w/ Reckless Red @ Soiled Dove

Hollow Young, Cosmic Sound Child, Michele Glader @ Old Curtis Street

Super Mash Bros, Van Kalsing of London Dungeon @ Bluebird Theater

Hot Robots / Daniel G. Harmann And The Trouble Starts / Strong Like Woman@ Lions Lair

Wendy Woo Band, Paint @ Toad Tavern

Wade Bowen @ Grizzly Rose

Michael Hornbuckle Band @ Ziggies

Lost Point w/ Random Hero, My Vendetta, William's Ink & Memory Down @ Herman's Hideaway

Dyrty Byrds, Lost Lingo, Fried Grease, Gravity, Craigstock West Ensemble, The Bailouts, Mark Brut, Kort McCumber, Interstate Stash Express, The Acoustic Racket and Cooley’s Minions @ Cervante's Other side

Gordon Lightfoot @ Paramount Theater

Left Alone @ Marquis

This is a busy three days of music with lots to see. Tonight if you are out, I recommend Hot Congress over at the Meadowlark, That promises to be a great show again this week. Another great option simply because of what it benefits, head on over to Cervantes for the fourmail fire relief benefit. The cause is awesome. I'll personally be at Gwar.

Tomorrow, Bad Religion is a great choice. Those boys have been killing it since the 80s and still put on an awesome show. Yamn at Cervantes is another great choice. I saw them play a few weeks ago for the first time and was blown away by them. Could just be the hippie in me though. Nathan Maxwell is another great option. He plays with the one and only Flogging Molly. Potcheen is supporting them and will have some other great music to dance to as well.

Saturday head on down to Meadowlark to see Hollyfelds and Cody Crump. This is the last show ever for Cody Crump and the last show for the Hollyfelds this year so now is your chance to see two great acts on one stage. Another great band to see is Combichrist. They are definitely worth checking out if you enjoy industrial stuff. I'll personally be at the King for a Day show checking out the new bass player that they recently got. This is another band you should definitely check out if you live in Denver. They have been rocking the stages since I've moved here and have quickly become one of my favorite local bands.

That's it, let me know if you see anything.

What's actually happening around here on a Monday night?

2010-11-07T22:01:00.000-08:00

Trying to get your week started off the right way? Down a bottle of Jaeger and have a designated driver take you to one of these shows.

Spindrift, Hearts In Space, Fingers of the Sun @ Larimer Lounge

The Spring Standards with Jessica Sonner & Sarah Slaton @ Casselman's

Pawn Ticket Trio @ 3 Kings

Mondays are the slowest days musically in Denver. Head on down to Larimer Lounge for Fingers of the Sun or to 3 Kings for the smooth jazz of the Pawn Ticket Trio. If you hit up 3 Kings, don't forget to wear some panties up to the bar so you can get a free house shot. Oh, it's Monday so don't forget there is also burlesque there as well.

Recommendations for tomorrow night

2010-11-05T22:36:00.000-07:00

This busy ass day left me with little time to get this together tonight, or maybe it was sheer laziness. Either way, it's Friday night and I'm the lame bastard home and not at a show. I suck, I know. Don't blame me, blame my job. :) Enough babbling, here is what I recommend for tomorrow:

If you love jam bands then head on down to Herbs for Frogs Gone Fishin' I saw those boys play the other day and they were pretty damn awesome. The guys at Evergroove studios know how to sign hot talent that's for sure. If an evening of dancing to great music doesn't grab you and you want your face rocked off then head on over to Larimer Lounge for the Gritch CD release show. If you have time, check out Jim McTurnan and the Kids that Killed the Man over at the Meadowlark. If you were a fan of Cat a tac you will dig them. Finally, if you are a little bitch afraid of having a good time, then I heard Sex and the City 2 is now available on DVD go watch that shit and I'll have a drink for you. Whatever your choice, have fun out there.

Around town tomorrow

2010-11-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

Finally it's the weekend. Lots of stuff going on tomorrow, though not much that gets me very excited.

Ian Cooke, The Head and the Heart w/ the Lumineers @ Moe's

Doomtree with POS @ Marquis Theater

The Photo Atlas w/ Otto von Cousticon, Common Anomaly, 200 Million Years @ Benders

David Allan Coe @ Grizzly Rose

High Five Art Show w/ beer boys, THE BAD ENGRISH @ 3 Kings

Young Cities EP Release w/ Monroe Monroe, Sun Red, Kentucky Street Parlor Pickers @ Hi-Dive

Lotus @Gothic Theater

Orgone w/ Liebermonster, Bobby C Sound TV @ Cervantes

The Photo Atlas w/ False Colours @ Benders

MTHDS Video Premier/Ep Release, Synthetic Elements, Willdabeast @ Bluebird

Paul Oakenfold, Zen Freeman @ Ogden

Steve Law and Frederick Poiondexter @ Ice Cube Gallery

Steppin' In It w/ The Haunted Windchimes, Truckstop Honeymoon @ Cervantes Other Side

The Microdots / School / Whoarfrost @ Lion's Lair

Oak Creek w/ Rob Drabkin @ Walnut Room

Pet Motel, Strange Condition w/ Big Green Carpet & the Dick Ramada Band @ Herman's Hideaway

John McNeil and Convergence: Jazz Concert @ Dazzle Jazz Club

Glass Homes, Chambio, Stereowire, Dwight Forcey @ Larimer Lounge

Mile High Vocal Jam @ Casselman's

The Subdudes w/ The Erica Brown Trio @ Soiled Dove

It's not the best Friday for music by any means but there are a few gems out there. For example, if you love hip hop then check out Doomtree and POS. I'm sure they will be honoring the loss of their friend Eyedea who died a couple weeks back. If they don't do it for you like they don't do it for me go for some punk and see Synthetic Elements with MTHDS. It sounds like it could be a fun show. Monroe Monroe is always a good standby if you just have no interest in anyone else as well. Want something mellow? Check out the Subdudes at Soiled Dove. Want to go with no instruments? Check out the Mile High Vocal Jam. They make all the music without playing a single thing. Have fun out there and let me know what you saw.

Around town tomorrow

2010-11-03T18:59:00.000-07:00

Alright, it's finally Thursday tomorrow and we all know you are ready to get your weekend started. Here is what's going on tomorrow night.

Steve Aoki AKA Kid Millionaire w/ Special Guests J Flash, London Dungeon @ Cervantes

Hot Congress with Achille Lauro, Action Packed Thrill Ride, Girls Walk By, and Sun Red @ Meadowlark

Voodoo Slingshot, The Getaway, Front St. Blues, Boomslang @ Toad Tavern

the Chromium Heart w/ Mary Beth Abella, I'm A Boy @ Hi-Dive

KindleTree w/ E.P.O. (Emergency Pullout), Nipples & Dimes, & Paul Hiam @ Herman's Hideaway

The Rocket Summer: Bryce Avary, His Instruments and Your Voices @ Bluebird

The Biz w/ Dorian Vibe, Eager Minds @ Cervantes Other Side

In Due Time, I'm A Rebel, Dottie, The Dream Doctors, The Evil Pigs @Larimer Lounge

Tomorrow, get your ass down to the Meadowlark to see Hot Congress and Action Packed Thrill Ride. These cats are guaranteed to chase away the work week blues. You also get the honor of being in one of the nicest bars in Denver. The acoustics inside this intimate little venue are amazing. Have a great time.

Frogs Gone Fishin'

2010-11-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to make it up to Evergreen to the legendary Little Bear to see one of the emerging new jam bands in Colorado take the stage. Frogs Gone Fishin' consists of Trevor Jones on Lead Guitar, Andrew Portwood on Guitar, Mark Levy on Drums, and Steve Rogers on bass. Everyone but Mark are also on vocals. One of the first things I noticed when Frogs took the stage was the bass line. I love a good, funky bass line and Steve did not fail to deliver, even at times popping the bass a lot like Mike Gordon of Phish. While it's easy to just throw these guys in with every jam band out there, they do bring their own unique style to the scene. There was not one time that I felt that one of their songs went on too long, they never tried to sound like any other band out there, and there is a lot of talent. They blended in some rock, a bit of melody, a lot of improv, and an all around fresh sound. I loved every second of their show. Also, any band that can get a crowd on their feet dancing is always a good sign. One thing I would really like to see is these guys getting a big fan base, maybe opening up for Leftover Salmon or even Yonder Mountain String Band just so more people can be exposed to these talented gentlemen. Do yourself a favor, if you see Frogs Gone Fishin' on the bill, be sure to check them out. They have the potential to be big.

Around town tonight and tomorrow

2010-11-02T12:12:00.000-07:00

Now that you have voted for either the dipshit or the asshole I am sure you want to get out and have some fun. Here is what is going on tonight.

Sufjan Stevens@ Paramount Theater

Drake, Tyga @ Wells Fargo Theater

Mimicking Birds, Breathe Owl Breathe w/ Social Studies @ Hi-Dive

Free Moral Agents (w/ Ikey Owens of The Mars Volta), 2mex, The Pirate Signal @ Casselmans

Carl Palmer and His Band w/ celebrate the music of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer @ Soiled Dove

MAE (all original members) w/ Terrible Things, Windsor Drive @ Marquis

Tumbledown, Tin Horn Prayer, The Gromet, Banners or Bandages @ Larimer Lounge

The Supervillains, Ballyhoo!, the B Foundation, Slaughterhouse Rootz @ The Bluebird

Tonight, I'm heading up the hill to Evergreen to see Frogs Gone Fishing. Get up there if you can. They are playing up at Little Bear. If you are staying in town I would personally recommend that you check out Carl Palmer and his Band to check out some ELP music. Another great choice would be Sufjan Stevens. It's not the best night for music but you can find some fun stuff if you look hard enough.

Tomorrow, drown your sorrows after you find out that your candidate lost or celebrate your candidates win or celebrate the end of robocalls until next year by checking out one of these bands.

Best Coast, Sonny & the Sunsets @ Bluebird

Drew Grow & The Pastors' Wives, The Raven & The Writing Desk, Kelli Schaefer, The May Kit @ Larimer Lounge

Aloud, Monroe Monroe w/ Old Radio @ Moe's

Lady Antebellum @ Fillmore

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

Kina Grannis w/ Imaginary Friend @ Soiled Dove

Wahnder Lust (featuring Kim Manning of George Clinton & The P-Funk Allstars) @ Cervantes Other Side

Jazzy Jam @ Ziggies

Tomorrow if you don't feel like seeing live music, go to Jokes On you at Casselmans and see my old friend Jordan Zuckerman tell a bunch of dirty jokes, some of which have been ripped off by Bob Saget (allegedly) Musically, check out Wahnder Lust. George Clinton never had any slackers in his band and it's sure to be a treat. If you want to get your face rocked off, head to Moe's for Monroe Monroe. Have fun out there and let me know what you saw.

Around town 11/1

2010-10-31T17:51:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is a very light night. Here is what I could find going on.

Azure Ray, Tim Kasher (Cursive) w/ Tim Fite @ Hi Dive

Before Their Eyes w/ No Bragging Rights and Ice Nine Kills @ Cervantes

Seth Evans, Lucida Tela, The Zen Theory @ Larimer Lounge.

My recommendation for tomorrow is stay home, light some candles, and make sweet love to your significant other. After those 45 seconds are up, put on a movie, maybe Monday Night Football, and then make sweet love to them one more time.

A couple of quick reviews

2010-10-31T17:44:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to see two bands on Friday night that I love. The first one was Reckless Red. To see them on Halloween weekend, I had to go to hell. Well, Hades to be exact. Reckless Red is an alt country blues band fronted by one of the most talented vocalists in Denver. She is easily Denver's answer to Susan Tedeschi. This band also features easily one of the best guitarists in Denver as well. Rooster throws down riffs better than a ton of national acts and does it effortlessly. The bar they played at was an interesting crowd. Lots of older people, some country people, and a couple people that looked like they could have been homeless and spending their panhandled change on a couple of cheap PBRs. The sound was surprisingly good for a place that looks more like a converted restaurant than a place fitted to hold lots of live music. I had a great time. Go see these guys if you get the chance. You will get your money's worth.

The other band I got to see was Mighty 18 Wheeler. Now, I love these guys a lot. These guys are the ultimate showmen. You have outfit changes onstage, gogo dancers, sick bass riffs, and some of the most talented people in Denver all on one stage. Seriously, they are a treat to watch. Normally, they are a treat to listen to as well. The problem with them on Friday was the place they were playing. While Rockaway looks like it was made to host a lot of live music, the acoustics in that place are absolute shit. Or maybe it was the guy working the board? All I know is that the vocals sounded drowned out. During the cover of Paint It Black I didn't even recognize it until about midway through and normally I know that song the second they play it. None of the instruments seemed to be distinguishable from the next. I walked around the place to find somewhere that didn't sound off but could only find near the patio area for anything decent. While I highly recommend seeing these guys play, just be sure you don't see them at Rockaway. I'm willing to give that venue one more chance in hopes it was just a bad night for the sound guy but that's it.

Quick recommendations for tomorrow

2010-10-29T19:15:00.000-07:00

Another day I'm too busy for a full update. This is better than Christmas for me. I love Halloween. If you are going out to rock tomorrow, here are my suggestions. Catch Slim Cessna's Auto Club at Benders. They never disappoint. If they aren't your thing, you have two jam band choices. You can check out Leftover Salmon at the Fillmore. They are having a costume contest where the winner gets tickets to every Fillmore show for a year. Could be worth the admission if you win. If you are a fan of Earth, Wind, and Fire then check out the other jam band Motet who will be covering them at the Ogden. Want to see big name bands but can't afford the prices? Check out these cover bands. Grizzly Rose has Kiss, Journey, and Van Halen tribute bands. Under a Blood Red Sky and American Idiots are playing at City Hall. Also, check out The Threatened at Toad Tavern. They are dropping a new CD tomorrow. Yet another night with a ton of choices. Time to put on your big girl panties and have some fun. I hope to see you all tonight at Mighty 18 Wheeler or Reckless Red.

Recommendations for tonight and tomorrow night.

2010-10-28T16:10:00.000-07:00

The weekend is almost here and there are a ton of great shows coming up. I hope you are ready to rock out with your cock out. If you are a lady, jam out with your clam out. Either way, check out these shows and you are almost guaranteed to have a great time, unless you have no soul.

Tonight, head to the Gothic to check out Gary Numan. I'm sure you will go to hear Cars but then find out he's released years of great music since then. I remember when Pure came out and being blown away by it about a decade ago. He's only improved with age. If you still aren't convinced, check out Hillbilly Casino at Benders.

Tomorrow is a HUGE day in Denver. I'm personally starting out at Hades to check out Reckless Red and then heading to Rockaway to see Mighty 18 Wheeler throw down. If for some reason neither of them grab you (and you are crazy if at least one of them doesn't) then head to Larimer Lounge for Monroe Monroe, Kissing Party at Skylark, Reno Divorce at Benders, or The Monsters of Mock triple cover band bill at 3 Kings. If you just want to dance, head on down to the Bluebird in costume for the Halloween Hootenanny and have my friend DJ Matt Fecher play some grooves for you. Honestly, if you can't find anything in the city fun to do this Friday you may as well become a shut in and never leave your house again. Not finding anything this Friday equals to not being able to score weed at a Grateful Dead show. I hope to see you all out. I'll be the one dressed up like Uncle Fester.

Around town tomorrow

2010-10-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

One day closer to the weekend. Everyone ready for Rockaway on Friday? Get your costumes ready, and do what you can to make sure your face doesn't get rocked off. Until then, this is what's going on tomorrow.

Deer Tick, Mark Sultan @Larimer Lounge

Mumford & Sons @Ogden

Horrorpops w/ Fangs on Fur, The MuerTones @ Gothic Theater

Gaslamp Killer & Daedelus, 12th Planet, Teebs @ Bluebird

Godsmack @ 1stBank Center

Expo 70 w/ Orbit Service, and Still Light @ Walnut Room

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

Gram Rabbit @ Lion's Lair

New Talent Showcase w/ Society's Grind, The Bronz, Meantoad, & The Mighty Small @ Herman's Hideaway

iConoClass, Shanghai Sally & Jupiter Lion @ Cervantes Other side

Tomorrow if you like your rock to sound all radio friendly and not completely suck go see Godsmack at 1st Bank Center. I have heard from everyone that has seen them that they kick some major ass live. If you like your music to be local, check out Deer Tick. If you just want to do something that doesn't require a lot of thought, head to the movies and see Red.

Around town tomorrow

2010-10-25T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's cold outside and I have no reason to go out again so I'll tell you what's playing tomorrow. I'm thinking all the best bands are playing this weekend so it's another day of mostly mediocre stuff. (The Mighty 18 Wheeler plays Friday, so get ready)

Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77, Boyhollow @Ogden

Red Fang w/ DECAY, Black Acid Devil, The Swindlers @ 3 Kings

Papa Roach/Skillet: Monsters of Annihilation (Ha!, Skillet is a Christian band, nowhere near a monster of annihilation) @ Fillmore

Resistant Culture, Sea of Bones, Clusterfux @ Blast O Mat

Celtic Thunder @ 1st Bank Center

Jennifer Knapp, Sarah Slaton @ Bluebird

Jump~Blues~Swing Open Jam with "The Symbols" @ Ziggies

The Scarlet Ending, Eclectic Approach feat. special guests Kruza Kid & the Contraband, & Ray Ray @Cervantes Other Side

Sunday Massacre, Narwahl Birdskull, Zen Sadist, We Are Erased @Larimer Lounge

Hedley w/ Monroe Monroe @ Soiled Dove

Zane Lamprey's Sing The Booze Tour 2010 @ Gothic

If you are going out tomorrow, get your ass down to Soiled Dove (one of the best indoor venues out there) and get your face rocked off with Monroe Monroe.If you go to Papa Roach and Skillet I will probably mock you.

Around town tomorrow

2010-10-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

It's been another busy ass week for me and I really haven't had time to update this. Time to post what is going on around town again.

Interpol @ Ogden

The Morning Benders, Twin Sister, Holiday Shores @ Bluebird

Avi Buffalo w/ Wye Oak, Roger, Roll @ Hi-Dive

Interpol DJ Set, Boyhollow @ Larimer Lounge

Cattle Decapitation w/ Devourment, Knights Of The Abyss, Burning The Masses, Son Of Aurelius @ Marquis

Suicide Silence w/ Mychildren Mybride, Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, Molotov Solution, Conducting From The Grave @ Summit Music Hall

Panties at the Bar-Ooh Lala Burlesque w/ Pawn Ticket Trio @ 3 Kings

Black Acid Devil, Airbags Saved My Life @ Old Curtis Street Pub

Dave Barnes w/ Joe Firstman @ Soiled Dove

My recommendation for tomorrow is Panties at the Bar. How can you go wrong with burlesque and music? That's right, you can't.

Recommendations for tomorrow night

2010-10-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

After eating some terrible food at Casa Bonita, I'm feeling too shitty to really put any effort into this so here are my recommendations for tomorrow.

Go see Overcasters Gathering of the Clouds at the Weather Center. I had a chance to see The Overcasters open for Munly and the Lupercalians and fell in love with them immediately. How did it take me so long to see them the first time? Also, 4H Royalty is playing at Benders. I loved them at UMS as well. Maybe I was drunk or maybe they were really good. Best thing to do is see them for yourselves and make that judgment.

Review of Anthrax

2010-10-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

Westword hooked me up with a couple of tickets to see Anthrax last night and I jumped on the chance to go. These guys used to get played all the time on my cassette player in middle and high school. I also remember listening to them on Headbangers Ball. (Yeah, I really aged myself with those last two lines, fuck off I'm not getting older I'm getting more awesome.) For 90 minutes, the original line up took the stage and turned the place into pure chaotic greatness. They set the pace for the evening by opening with Among The Living, Caught in a Mosh, and Got the Time. Joey was all over the stage like a mad man, encouraging the mosh pit, interacting with fans, even one point taking someone's camera and taking a picture of him and the fan. The band has been together 27 years and it's obvious they are grateful to still be playing. They have been on tour with Slayer and Megadeth and were taking a one off to headline this show and you could tell just how much they enjoyed playing. There were constant references by Joey about how he couldn't believe how close everyone was to him and how much they missed playing in Denver (though I'm sure he says that at every tour stop) The set was filled with a majority of their greatest hits minus I'm The Man and Milk. They ended the night with I Am The Law and reminded us why they were considered part of the Big 4 of the metal heyday. This will be a show I will not forget anytime soon. Simply awesome.

Around town tomorrow

2010-10-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

LCD Soundsystem with Hot Chip @ Fillmore

Holy Fuck, Indian Jewelry, Gauntlet Hair @ Larimer Lounge

Modern Witch, DJ Sara T, Married in Berdichev, Jen Villalobos, Screensavers, HalloPatric @ Mercury Cafe

Destroy Nate Allen w/ Insomniac Folklore, Monster Boogie, Chris from P-Nuckle @ 3 Kings

A Harlem Sunset,The Zen Theory, Interstate Stash Express, Toasted @ Herman's Hideaway

Alabaster Brown w/ The Migrant @ Cervantes Other Side

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

Not a lot out there but if you go out, I say go to Holy Fuck at Larimer just so you can say. I saw HOLY FUCK!!!! and confuse the hell out of people. Even if they suck you still have a fun way to present it.

Review of 1st Bank Center

2010-10-18T18:22:00.000-07:00

After being at 1st Bank Center for a number of shows now, I think I can write up an honest review. I love this place. Before 1st Bank Center was in existence, it was the Broomfield Event Center. From my understanding, the sound was terrible there and it wasn't a good place to see a concert. Now its under new ownership and has been rebuilt on the inside specifically for concerts. The venue holds 6500 people and they usually do all shows general admission. What this means for fans is that if they want to sit down they can and if they want to dance on the floor they can do that too. There is not a bad seat in the place and the sound is awesome. Major pluses is beer is rather cheap. They had specials on Rail Yard all weekend when we were last there. $5 for a can instead of $7, not bad at all. Parking is a breeze. Although it was $15 to park, they actually had people directing traffic so you could get out a lot easier and not have the typical clusterfuck you get at most venues. Also, it's right next to a park and ride so it's easily accessible by bus. Temperature inside the venue is actually pretty comfortable, as is the seats. As a fat guy, I don't feel squished in the seats when I do decide to sit down. The staff is very friendly and even includes a lot of the same staff from Red Rocks. Security for the most part will leave you alone and while they do search you, depending on who you get they don't search you well enough to where you can't get booze in if you wanted to. As far as indoor venues for a mid size show, this place is perfect. It's one of my new favorites to go to and its close to my home. I highly recommend seeing something here.

I'm back.....with several reviews

2010-10-18T13:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry I haven't been keeping everyone posted about what has been going on but it's been a crazy 9 days. Several shows, little sleep, and tons of fun. To make up for it I have 6 reviews in this post. I hope you're ready. Lets kick this off with the Fourmile Canyon Revival.

Fourmile Canyon Revival

For those of you unaware, there was a huge fire in Boulder and several people lost their homes. The kind musicians in the area put together a benefit show at 1st Bank Center. It included local bands Leftover Salmon, Yonder Mountain String Band, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and String Cheese Incident. It also guested all four members of Phish who were doing a three night run at the venue the next three nights. More on them later. The evening kicked off with Leftover Salmon (who are playing at the Fillmore for a halloween show) with a few guests. I've never seen these guys before and fell in love with them instantly. The lead singer looks a bit like Uncle Jesse from the Dukes of Hazzard and plays a mean guitar. They played for an hour and it felt like 20 minutes, they had great jams, great guests including Paige from Phish and the woman who plays washboard for Elephant Revival and one of the guys from SCI. They were honestly one of the best bands of the night. I loved them.

After they played,Yonder Mountain String Band were up. I've had the chance to see Jeff Austin a couple times prior guesting with other bands that played in the area. It was nice to see his full band play. These guys played some awesome bluegrass but really didn't feel like a whole band until Fishman from Phish came out to play drums for them. I guess I'm just a huge fan of drums and percussion because while you can kick ass without drums, I think it just completes the sound. There is a time and place for no percussion and this set wasn't it. These guys were pretty awesome all the way through.

When they were done, it was time for Big Head Todd and the Monsters, definitely the low point of the evening. I was unfamiliar with their music as well and was keeping an open mind for them. I really enjoyed their sound but after hearing both Yonder Mountain and Leftover Salmon, they had a lot to live up to. In the end, I felt they should have been the opener. They had a couple good covers and played their big radio hit but overall they didn't really win the audience over. Also, they did not have a single guest play with them. Way to kill the mood of the night.

After Big Head Todd, there was a surprise acoustic set by Trey and Mike of Phish. They opened up with Sample in a Jar, threw in Wilson in the middle, and closed with Bathtub Gin which kept the audience singing well after they left. I've seen Phish before as a full band, but let me say I love it with just Trey and Mike. It felt more intimate and you got versions of the songs you will probably never hear again. They kicked that places ass in several different ways on the acoustic set. They also got everyone pumped for the next three nights.

After that awesome acoustic set, it was time for String Cheese Incident. I've been hearing of these guys for years and have never checked them out. Boy was I missing out. Another incredible band. They filled the stage and jammed out for the last 90 minutes of the show. There were more guests on stage than room for the most part. Some of my favorite parts of their set was Trey singing Rocky Mountain Way with them, and the final jam of Bob Marley that had the whole place dancing through their exhaustion. This show was 6.5 hours long and filled with some of the best jamming I have seen in ages and all for a great cause. I am so thankful I had a chance to witness this.

Phish Night One

After the rocking of Saturday night, it was time to try to find a ticket for Sunday's Phish show. I scoured the parking lot looking for someone with an extra ticket (as were a lot of other people) Finally, I found someone that had a suite available for a decent price. So be it, I wanted to be with the people I was with last night and keep the party going. I am so glad I did too. This ended up being the best night of the three night run. They opened the set up with Chalk Dust Torture and set the stakes high for the three days with great classics as Funky Bitch, Makisupa Policeman, Mike's Song, and Bouncing Around The Room. They also played a brand new song called My Problem Right There which turned out to be a fun little song that will probably evolve into a great jam. The band was super tight, the light show was amazing, and there wasn't a single person having a bad time. Glow sticks were flying, the crowd was dancing, it ended up being better than both nights of Telluride combined. Both Mike and Paige were in the groove and it made for pure greatness.

Phish Night Two
After witnessing two solid nights of music in a row, I was looking forward to seeing night two. I heard rumors of rerelease tickets so I went down to the venue to see if I could pick one up. No such luck. I did run into a guy selling posters that bought an extra just in case he saw someone who needed only one. I gladly got the ticket at face value and was ready to rock out for another night. This ended up being the second best night of the three night run. They opened up the set with Runaway Jim, threw in classics like Reba, Tweezer, and Run Like an Antelope. During night two they played my favorite song Backwards Down The Number Line and my new favorite Sleeping Monkey. The bass grooves were out of control on night two and Trey was unstoppable on guitar. At the end of each song everyone wanted more. There was a lot more dancing, and great people all around us. I was thankful to be there again.

Phish Night 3
This was the night I actually had a ticket for. This was also the weakest night. Now, before you make any judgments let me tell you that Phish on their worst night is still better than most bands on their best night. (I'm looking at you Nickelback and Creed)Night three opened up with yet another of my favorite Phish songs. Stealing Time from the Faulty Plan. How can you hate a song with the line Got a blank space where my mind should be? After opening strong, they immediately went into a boring song "Time Turns Elastic" which set the pace for almost the rest of the evening. Even though they played great songs like Divided Sky and Timber, they really didn't get into their groove until the end of the first set during 46 Days. When they played that, it got the entire audience revitalized and dancing again. Everyone seemed sad when that set ended since they ended so strongly and it didn't even feel like any time had passed at all. When the second set started, they opened it with Carini, which to me is kind of a weak song and a mediocre jam. I was glad when that song was over and they kicked into David Bowie which in my opinion was the best jam of the entire weekend. It got you dancing, slowed you down, built you back up, slowed it back down, with an awesome finale. They played this song in Telluride as well and they kicked Tellurides ass with this version. I was hoping the rest of the night would continue like that but they mellowed out after that. I was excited to hear Joy and Summer of 89 but would have been happier if they were in different sets since they are both mellow songs. During the encore, they ended with Meatstick and got the whole place dancing again. When they left the stage, everyone was singing for a good period of time after. I actually wouldn't be surprised if they had some staff still singing that song a week later. All in all, it was an awesome 4 nights of music at 1st Bank Center.

Tea Leaf Green
A couple nights later, Candie had won tickets for Tea Leaf Green. She was told that she would love these guys by a few people but never got around to checking them out. We headed on down to the Bluebird in the middle of the first opener Salvage and Co. I know nothing about these guys and am kicking myself for not hearing of these guys sooner. They were fucking awesome. They had a bit of a country sound, a bit of a rock sound, a tiny bit of jamming, and great vocals. I will be seeing these guys again when they are in town next.

Following them, local band Yamn took the stage. Another band I knew nothing about. They are a jam band that has more instrumental than vocals. Their light show looked like they were trying to replicate what Phish does on a smaller budget. They had me dancing for their entire set and got the crowd hyped up when they closed with a near perfect rendition of Led Zepplin's Nobody's Fault But Mine. They are playing Cervantes in a few weeks and I think I may want to check out a full set by them.

After the first two openers, it was time for Tea Leaf Green. This is yet another band I wish I had discovered sooner. This band is bass heavy and doesn't really focus much on their lead guitar. In fact, I would say they have a lead bass player and a guy that plays guitar. They rocked the house for god knows how long. We left early since I had to be to work and needed to get some kind of sleep. All in all, it was yet another amazing night of music. I'm excited I was able to witness it.

Social Distortion

Saturday night we headed to the Fillmore to see one of my favorite bands. Social Distortion. We saw them in august in Boulder and jumped at the chance to see them at the Fillmore. Weird how they played just after Phish both in August and October. Lucero opened the show and were nothing spectacular at all. They were an average band with average skills. After the last week of music, they needed to do a lot to impress me and failed miserably. I think the whole audience was bored with them as well since no one really cheered until they said they were playing their last song. I'll skip them when they come back in a few weeks. When Social Distortion took the stage, the entire place went crazy. Mike Ness came out in what looked like a suit with no jacket. Definitely not punk at all. They kicked off the set with The Creeps, played a lot of hits like Mommy's Little Monster, Ball and Chain, and closed with my personal favorite Story of my Life. I was a bit worried we wouldn't hear that since they did not play that in Boulder at all and played it the night before. Mike Ness was all over the stage, played to each side of the venue, and made mention that the night before was filled with a bunch of deadbeats. I love that he enjoys playing his music and really hope that this band is around in another 20 years. The first 30 have been incredible. If you ever get a chance to see these guys, go. Their ticket prices are reasonable and they give you a lot of energy.

Tonight, Anthrax.

Concert review of James

2010-10-06T21:27:00.000-07:00

Monday night I had the pleasure of seeing James at the Bluebird. This was one of my favorite bands in the 90s and Laid is one of my favorite songs to sing at karaoke, so needless to say I had some high expectations for this show. Though, being a realist, I realized the potential of his voice to fade after being around for over 20 years was a distinct possibility, but that did not stop me from going to this show. Thank christ I didn't skip it. This show was so much fun. James played a number of songs that spanned their entire career and some off the new album that recently came out. There were two main highlights to this show other than my phenomenal air drumming during Laid (in my mind I'm the white Carter Beauford) The first one was when they sang Lullaby. This song is beautiful and one of my favorites on the Laid CD. The other highlight was a song I believe was called Expression. This song was one of the most amazing songs to hear live that I have witnessed in a while. The lights with it were awesome, the drums and percussion blew my mind, and the dancing during it was great. The entire band looked like they were having fun all night long and when they closed the set they brought a bunch of audience members onstage to dance with them.

This is a band that has everything you could want, string instruments, horn player, percussion, the ability to just jam for a bit, dancing (and not that backstreet boys synchronized bullshit, I'm talking feeling the music and moving your body dancing) and incredible music. While there were a few mellow songs, there was nothing on that setlist that I would have exchanged for something else. These guys are pure fun and great entertainers. I walked out of there a bigger fan than I was when I walked in. Also, the fear that I had that he wouldn't be able to reach the notes in Laid were all for nothing. His voice is still perfect.

Around town tonight and tomorrow

2010-10-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy ass weekend and I just didn't get a chance to post again. If you are looking to go out tonight, hit up Bluebird for James, Ogden to see Sonic Youth, or Red Rocks for Alice in Chains. I'm personally going to be at the James show.

Tomorrow, check out Eels at the Ogden. Those guys are awesome. I really wish I would have gotten tickets for that one. Don't make my mistake, get your tickets now.

Around town tonight

2010-10-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Another busy night around Denver, check out who is here tonight.

Muse w/ Passion Pit @ Pepsi Center

Passion Pit DJ Set, Boyhollow @ Larimer Lounge

Cobra Skulls, 10-4 Eleanor, False Colours, Sea Of Teeth @ Blast-O-Mat

LUPEC - Crush Party @ Hi-Dive

Bluetech, Heyoka, SHLOHMO, Kilowatts, Phutureprimitive, James Pants, Filastine @ Cervantes

Synthetic Elements w/ Forth Yeer, The Outta Controllers, Potato Pirates, Insomniaxe @ Gothic Theater

Les Nubians w/ DJ Cavem @ Soiled Dove

Artless Bravado / Flashbulb Fires / Tijuana Pillbox / Milktooth @ Lion's Lair

Ian Cooke Band w/ Ian Cooke (solo set), Kal Cahoone and the Dirty Pretty, and Bonnie Gregory @ Walnut Room

The Riot Before @ Illegal Petes

Monroe Monroe, Mitya, The Pretty Sure @ Meadowlark

Cikatriz, SuperSeed, Trykes & DJ Omar 2.0 @ Bar Standard

Super Diamond @ Ogden

Caldera Lakes, Ya Ya Boom, Doo Crowder, Sybil Vane, Kissing Party @ Rhinoceropolis

The Informants w/ Colfax Cowboys, Brethren Fast Racing Team, Second Bell @ Herman's Hideaway

HEAVY DRAGS W/ BAD WEATHER CALIFORNIA & PUSHING UP DAISIES @ Bender's Tavern

tin horn prayer/el sin sin/a tom collins/THE RIOT BEFORE @ Rockaway Tavern

Nino w/ Calebkai, U.T.I.C.A @ Moe's

Jon Statz @ Walnut Room pizza

Phantom of the Opera with Marta Burton and Nick Rossi @ Eron Johnsons

Random Hero, Fulcrum & Hot Cheeze Soup @ Cervantes Other Side

The Riot Before @ 3 Kings

Dave Edwards & The Original F & G's, Buck 25, Penchant (w/ Danny Masters), Jaded Traveler @ Toad Tavern

Killah Priest (Wu-Tang Clan) & Kozmic Prophet @ Casselmans

Catfish Kray Blues Band with Jesse Garland @ Ziggies

Ben Folds with Colorado symphony orchestra @ Boetcher Concert Hall

Now that's a lot of great shows. While I'll be at the Blue October show in Boulder tonight, I recommend the following: Ben Folds (saw him with Tori Amos, he was phenomenal, throw in the orchestra and it will be a beautiful show) Super Diamond, they will play Neil Diamond covers all night. Who doesn't want to sing Sweet Caroline? Monroe Monroe will be another great show as well. Are you a rap fan? Check out Killah Priest tonight. Synthetic Elements will also rock your world if you make it over there. Tonight is the best night to be out. Make the most of it.

Around town 10-1

2010-09-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

The weekend is almost here, time for lots of great shows on Friday as well as a lot of mediocre shows and a few terrible shows (Hanson at Fox Theater....I can't believe they are still touring)

Sea Wolf (solo acoustic) w/ Patrick Park, Sera Cahoone @ Hi-Dive

The Besnard Lakes, Vitamins, Riflemen (members of Candy Claws, Paean, Mouthful of Thunder, Brooke Waggoner) @ Larimer Lounge

The Kissing Party w/ Fingers of the Sun, The Don'ts & Be Carefuls @ Moe's

The Heyday, Air Dubai w/ Bop Skizzum, Places @ Gothic

Radical Knitting Circle and The Hollyfelds @ Walnut Room

Redman and Whiskey Blanket w/ Food Chain, The Pirate Signal, 3 The Hard Way, Mike D Chill and THC @ Cervantes

Matt Hires w/ Camera Can't Lie & Andrea Ball @ Soiled Dove

I'm A Boy w/ KindleTree, Brighton Boulevard, The Julia Bryan Band, Red Hot Blues Catz @ Herman's Hideaway

Kinetix, the Brew, Roster McCabe @ Bluebird

Josh Abbott Band @ Grizzly Rose

The Independents w/ Captain Blood@ 3 Kings

Paddy O'Brien @ Eron Johnsons

the Bop Kings @ Rockaway Tavern

Buzzard, Adai @ Old Curtis Street Bar

Entropy, Coral Thief, The Desciples, Iconoclass @ Toad Tavern

Brethren Fast @ Ziggies

Autumn Assault @ Benders

Cody Crump and the Little Giants @ Skyline Park

Reckless Red @ Lincoln's

Once again, I recommend Kissing Party at Moe's. That line up is stellar and there is a surprise special guest as well. Want to know who? Better go and see. If they don't do it for you, Brethren Fast is playing at Ziggies. If they can't get you dancing then I'm betting you have two broken legs or just paralyzed. Have fun out there, and if you go to any shows let me know how they are.

Around town the next couple of days

2010-09-28T20:49:00.000-07:00

The nice thing about the week is not a whole lot goes on musically, and this week has been pretty sad for the most part.

Tomorrow Band of Horses is at the Fillmore, though personally their music doesn't do it for me, Thursday the Thrift Store Cowboys are at the Hi-Dive, and Friday the show you should start looking forward to is Kissing Party, Fingers of the Sun, and Don'ts and Be Carefuls at Moe's. Holy crap what a line up of awesome music. While you are there, be sure to have some BBQ because it's pretty damn tasty. Great food and great music, how can you go wrong ?

The Mighty 18 Wheeler at 3 Kings

2010-09-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

If you made it out to 3 Kings last night, you were treated to a spectacular line up that had Mighty 18 Wheeler opening for the Vibrators. What most of the place wasn't expecting is for the Mighty 18 Wheeler to win pretty much the whole bar over with raw energy. To describe TM18W, you would need to look to the 70s when Alice Cooper was just starting to get big and everything was a show. Mighty 18 Wheeler has captured that time and throws in everything they can afford to do. They have a go-go dancer on stage, the lead singer has a complete wardrobe change, and there is a battle for stage presence. Every member of this band has such great presence while playing it's hard to decide who to watch, though most guys were focused mainly on the go-go dancer. During their set they threw down covers to Real Me and Sympathy for the Devil and had people screaming with excitement. When they were done playing, there wasn't much left to the place, in fact I don't think their drum kit quite made it. When they play next, do yourselves a favor and see these guys throw down.

Around town tomorrow and Saturday

2010-09-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Well I've been both incredibly busy and incredibly lazy at the same time. You will have to forgive me. Luckily you haven't missed anything big at all. (I did tell you to go to 3 Kings last night) So here you go, here is what's going on tomorrow and Saturday.

Friday
Matt and Kim, So So Glos, Pictureplane @ Ogden

School of Seven Bells, Active Child, DJ Peter Black @ Larimer Lounge

Woven Hand, Serena Maneesh @ Bluebird

Demon Funkies @ Scruffy Murphys

Scout Niblett w/ Porlolo, Brian Hartley, Lady Parts @ Hi-Dive

NUNS OF BRIXTON w/ 98% Chimp, Absent Minds, Gestapo Pussy Ranch @ Benders

Furthur @ Red Rocks

TECH N9NE @ Fillmore

The Trampolines w/ Della, Jason Vigil Band, No Fair Fights @ Gothic

Rootz vs. Murphy (of STS9) w/ The Larva Ink, Tyler Snow, & Nico Casciato @ City Hall

P-Nuckle, Synthetic Elements, Guerrilla Jazz.. Free Show @ Herman's Hideaway

Michael Adam CD Release w/ Jeff Brinkman and John Common @ Walnut Room

Headhum / Antique Scream / Lehnen @ Lions Lair

Truckasaurus w/ One Whore's Town, The Morgendorffers, Captain Blood @ Moe's

Rachael Jane & The Hurricane @ Ziggies

Real is a Feeling with: Pictureplane, Screensavers and Crew @ Meadowlark

Liebermonster w/ Volunteer Funk Department @ Cervantes Other Side

Pre party Meet and Greet Jaberwaockeez @ Casselmans

Face - All Vocal Rock Band @ Soiled Dove

Pretty Mouth, Dang!,Myth of Logic, Sonic Vomit @ 3 Kings

Crusher Bound Cadillac, Judged By Twelve, Cimmerian Shade, Shotgun Holiday @ Toad Tavern

Eagerminds, Inland Lights, Banners For Badges @ Old Curtis Street Pub

Saturday
Starfucker w/ Tennis, Tommy Metz @ Hi-Dive

The Cult, the Black Ryder @Ogden

Land of Talk, Suuns, Achille Lauro @ Larimer Lounge

Thee Oh Sees w/ O'Holloran @ Benders

Furthur @ Red Rocks

: Skylab :: Wolfgang Gartner • Showtek • Dieselboy @ Denver Coliseum

Blue Million Miles, Ideal Fathers, Light Travels Faster @ Lost Lake

Local Fest 2010 w Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, All capitals and many more @ Casselmans

Glass Delirium w/ Saved By Ruin, Ploy for Extinction, Fears are Limits, Advent Justice @ Gothic Theater

Reno Divorce @ Bluebird

St Fall Apart CD Release Party w/ King Rat, Slow Death @ 3 Kings

Martin Sexton w/ Leslie Stevens @ Chautauqua Auditorium

Voladores w/ The Widow's Bane, Still Light, Frieda Stalheim @ Walnut Room

Fire In The Asylum / The Swindlers / Forrest Day @ Lions Lair

Mad Dog & The Smokin' J's, Hillbilly Hellcats, GT & The Sidewinders, & Beki Hemingway @ Herman's Hideaway

Pharoahe Monch, Boot Camp Clik featuring Buckshot, Sean Price, & Smif N Wessun, Kidz In The Hall, Skyzoo @ Summit Music Hall

Memory Down, With Arms Raised, Alive In Stereo, Pushing Daisies, Finding Nowhere @ Toad Tavern

Double Down, Traveling Electric Chair. @ Old Curtis Street Pub

Gary Morris w/ Justyna Kelley @ Soiled Dove

Cara Cantarella Band @ Ziggies

Josh Vaught (of The Rouge) w/ Joe Mondragon, Focus! Focus!, Vanessa Spear @ Moe's

Apex Vibe w/ UmConscious, Gravity, Rhythmic Fuzz @ Cervantes

The Prime @ Cervantes Other Side

With such a busy weekend I know it's hard to choose just one. If you want to hear some funk, head to Scruffy Murphy's for Demon Funkies, if you love the Clash, head to Bender's for Nuns of Brixton, or if you want an acapella rock group that is pretty awesome, head to Soiled Dove for Face. I had a chance to see them at Taste of Colorado a year ago and was pretty impressed what those guys can do without any instruments.

Saturday's choices are also tough. If you love Social Distortion then you need to check out Reno Divorce at the Bluebird. If you are a rockabilly fan then Herman's is the place for Hillbilly Hellcats, and head to Casselmans for Local Fest for a good mixture of some of the best local bands in Denver.

Around town Monday, Tuesday, and wednesday

2010-09-19T22:09:00.000-07:00

It's a slow week around Denver right now. Tomorrow you can head out to 3 Kings for Panties at the Bar, Tuesday make it a movie night and see Machete again because really there isn't anything worthy at any club that I've found and Wednesday hit up 3 Kings for Mighty 18 Wheeler and Lyin Bitch and the Restraining Orders. If you're at that show please buy me a drink as I just went into the poorhouse getting my car back from where they towed it. Bastards.

Around town 9/17

2010-09-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

Tauntaun w/ Git Some, The Knew, Il Cattivo @ Gothic

Crooked Fingers w/ The Future Former Band (featuring members of Devotchka and Extasis) @ Hi-Dive

Switch (Major Lazer), London Dungeon, Mike Deez, klosterFobe @ Larimer Lounge

Hot Hot Heat, 22-20's, Hey Rosetta!@ Bluebird

JJ Grey & Mofro @ Ogden

Bass Invasion feat. Caspa w/ Emalkay, The Others, Matty G, Rod Azlan, Crazy D @ Cervantes

International Espionage! Ryat! Hideous Men! Mr Pacman w/ Magic Cyclops @ Rhinoceropolis

Ross Etherton & the Chariots of Judah, Treeverb, Hearts in Space @ 3 Kings

Otem Relik CD Release: Tommy Metz, 200 Million Years, Hunter Dragon @ Meadowlark

Sam Holt & Fiends w/ Bill McKay Band @ Cervantes Other Side

Hank Fest VII featuring John Nathan and The Rotten Gamblers, Ellie Mae's Roundup, Lois Lane Superband (with Dick Meis) and 4H Royalty @ Benders Tavern

Insomniaxe / The Dead And Gone / The F Bombers@Lion's Lair

J.J. Grey @ Twist and Shout Records

The Buckingham Squares w/ The Velveteen Loveseat @ Walnut Room

The Biz w/ Discount Cinema, Glass Trees at Sunset @ Moe's

Hell's Belles @ Grizzly Rose

Come Forth By Day, Red Sun, Final Blow, Rebel Force, Xbeholderx @ Old Curtis Street Bar

At the Forefront, Undeclared, Torch the Wagon & Adison Harvest w/ special guest MC Subcon & DJ Notch @ Herman's Hideaway

Gary Allan @ 1st Bank Center

Steve Oliver w/ Louis Colaiannia @ Soiled Dove

Gretchen Troop Band @ Ziggies

Tequila Mockingbird, Buckstein, Trailer Park Playboys, Clownfight, The Reformers @ Toad Tavern

Tomorrow, head to the Gothic for Taun Taun and the Knew. This is going to be Taun Tauns last show for a while and they are playing both of their first two CDs in their entirety. Plus, you can see Denver's current It band The Knew. See why they are getting the publicity that they are getting. If they don't do it for you, head to Hank Fest to celebrate Hank Williams. 4H Royalty is going to be there and I like those cats.

If for some reason you hate every band on this list and still want to go out, head to the theater and see Machete. I don't care if you've seen it already...that movie was way too much fun to not see it over and over. Plus, you can feel better about yourself for staring at Lindsay Lohan's breasts. You actually paid for them this time instead of searching for it on Perez Hilton's website.

Just announced

2010-09-14T19:37:00.000-07:00

1st Bank Center
The Judds December 8th

Bluebird
Halloween Hootenanny w/ DJ Matt Fecher, Mike Deez & Sunshine October 29th

MTHDS Video Premier / EP Release November 5th

Toubab Krewe December 2nd

Tame Impala w/ Stardeath & White Dwarfs December 4th

Blind Guardian December 12th

Slim Cessna's Auto Club w/ Drag The River December 30th

Slim Cessna's Auto Club w/ Munly & The Lupercalians December 31st

Ogden Theater
Tim and Eric Awesome Tour, Great Job! Chrimbus Spectacular 2010 w/ Pusswhip Banggang, Neil Hamburger November 9th

Pepper w/ Mishka October 29th

Reel Big Fish / The Aquabats/Suburban Legends November 10th

Danzig w/ Possessed, Marduk, Toxic Holocaust, Withered November 12th

Lifehouse w/ Kris Allen, Alyssa Bernal November 14th

Brandon Flowers November 18th

NEEDTOBREATHE w/ The Daylights December 3rd

Rob Halford December 15th

Paramount Theater

Big Head Todd and the Monsters December 31st

3 Kings
Mighty 18 Wheeler, Lyin' Bitch and the Restraining Orders, Vibrators and Gritter September 22nd

Gothic
9/26 - Bone Thugs N Harmony (w/ Live Band) | 10/8 - Nathaniel Rateliff / Gregory Alan Isakov | 10/27 - Horrorpops | 11/6 - Mayday Parade / Breathe Carolina |

Check with the venues to find out when tickets go on sale. If I could recommend any of these shows I would see the Slim Cessna show with Munly and the Lupercalians since Munly is a unique experience, Mighty 18 Wheeler and Lyin Bitch at 3 Kings, Reel Big Fish, Pepper, and if you must pay to see DJs spin take some solace knowing that Matt Fecher is spinning at the Halloween Hootenanny.

Around town 9/15

2010-09-14T19:11:00.000-07:00

Titus Andronicus @ Bluebird

Bobby Bare Jr w/ Blue Giant, The New Ben Franklins @ Hi-Dive

The Dirty Heads @ Marquis

Skybox, What Laura Says, Josh Vaught & the Caveat, I Am the Dot @ Larimer Lounge

The Chop Tops, The Sawyer Family, Insomniaxe and Cora Vette and The Spinouts @ Bender's

Jesse Daniels & the Reckoning, I'm a Rebel Dottie @ Meadowlark

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

Switchpin, Fomofuiab w/ AnaDies, Shaden @ Gothic

Buggirl! / Warhawk / Crash! @ Lion's Lair

Big Science, Cannons w/ Il Cattivo, Native Daughters @ 3 Kings

Ronnie Baker Brooks With Eddie Turner @ Toad Tavern

The Very Worst, Secondhand Ghost, Wizards of Whack, & Arica Ellis @ Herman's Hideaway

Denver Joe & The Saddle Tramps @ Benders

Sister Carol @ Sister Carol

Alright, tomorrow get down to the Hi-Dive and spend the 15 dollar cover, you will be glad you did. Not only are New Ben Franklins playing, (who I love so much, I got their logo tattooed on my arm) but they are playing with Bobby Bare Jr. who I dig. The place to avoid is Herman's Hideaway. It's a new music showcase with a band called The Very Worst, if that's not terrible self-promotion I don't know what is. Life is too short to listen to bad music.

If the alt-country isn't your style and you like a bit of industrial/goth music then head to the Gothic and check out Anadies. They have been killing it in the scene for a while now and even with a lead singer change the consistently sound awesome. Don't take my word for it though, get your asses out there to see some great music.

Around town 9/14

2010-09-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

Kele (of Bloc Party), Does It Offend You, Yeah? w/ Innerpartysystem @ summit music hall

Magic Kids w/ Candy Claws, Hikes @ Hi-Dive

Ian Cooke, Bad Weather California, Zoe Boekbinder, Robin Walker @ Mercury Cafe

Fu Manchu, Black Tusk, Black Lamb @ Bluebird

Tera Melos w/ Solar Bear, Hot White @Moe's

Sherwood w/ The Dangerous Summer, Soletta @ Marquis

Wormrot, Roskopp, Death of Self, and No Thought@ Blast-o-Mat

Microtia, St. Elias, Portamento@ Larimer Lounge

Voodoo Stingray @ 3 Kings

Tomorrow head on out to the Bluebird to see Black Lamb. If you are a metal fan, these guys throw down like no other. Completely underrated in my opinion. I've seen these guys a few times and have loved the raw energy of them.

Around town 9/12

2010-09-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Autolux, Gold Panda @ Bluebird

David Bazan (Pedro the Lion), Mt St Helens Vietnam Band @ Larimer Lounge

Android Lust w/ Mankind Is Obsolete and Torso @ The Church

Lights Over Paris w/ Some Hear Explosions, Calling Out West @ Marquis

Jason Reeves and Brendan James @ Soiled Dove

Celtic Woman @ Red Rocks

Ditch Rites @ Walnut Room

The Hacks / Red Hour / Sex Robots @ Lion's Lair

SCHOOL OF ROCK - A Tribute to KISS @ Benders

Another solid night of music. My recommendations are Mankind is Obsolete at The Church with Android Lust. Both are industrial and pretty awesome. Mankind Is Obsolete is out of California and can rock the house pretty hard. I saw them play a year or so ago and had a great time. If industrial isn't your thing, head on over to Bender's for School of Rock for some Kiss music. You wanted the best, but they didn't come to Denver on this tour. Make up for it by seeing their cover band.

Crowded House review

2010-09-10T18:16:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the chance to check out Crowded House at the Fillmore. Being the casual fan of their music I went in only knowing their radio hits. For those who can't remember what those are, the big ones were Something So Strong, Don't Dream It's Over, and Better Be Home Soon. While I was expecting to mildly enjoy myself while waiting for the few that I knew, I found myself pleasantly surprised. They have continued putting out a bunch of albums with lots of great music. They showcased a bunch of newer stuff last night with a few classics for good measure. Other than the obligatory hits, one of the ones that really stood out was Four Seasons In A Day. It showed the skill of Neil's songwriting, which is highly underrated.

The band sounded great too. I didn't catch the name of their new drummer but he was giving it his all the entire evening. Crowded House doesn't have the most complicated drum riffs, but his energy made up for it. Each member seemed to switch instruments all through the evening, playing keys, synth, piano, tambourine, and whatever else they could get their hands on.

Whiile most of the songs weren't high energy, the band really felt like they still enjoyed playing with each other and didn't sound like they were worn down with it being the final show of their tour. They played for two hours, did a bit of psychedelic rock, pop, ballads, and the crowd loved nearly every second of it. The only down part was a new song that Neil sang with his wife. Other than that, it was a solid show. I definitely got my ten dollars worth.

Around town 9/11

2010-09-10T18:05:00.000-07:00

Sunnyside Music Festival featuring Legendary River Drifters and Paper Bird @ Chaffee Park

Cloud Cult, Jeremy Messersmith @ Bluebird

Casiotone for the Painfullly Alone w/ OTOUTO, Young Mammals, I Am the Dot @ Hi-Dive

STS9 @ Red Rocks

Suburban Home 5th Anniversary @3 Kings

The Northern Way w/ Bop Skizzum, Churchill, Post Paradise @ Marquis

Big Gigantic & Special Guest Alex B @ Gothic

Garage A Trois w/ ZOBOMAZÉ @ Cervantes

Kría Brekkan w/ Voladores, Pollination Population, Pillow Garden @ First Unitarian Church

The Congress w/ The David James Band @ Walnut Room

Dirty Backseat Lovers / Demon Funkies / Social Fuse @ Lions Lair

The Stone Foxes w/ Ego vs Id, Bone Orchard Revival @ Moe's

CHINGASO with Fire In The Asylum, Warner Drive and Smoothbore @ Benders

Arrington Di Dionysio's Malaikat Dan Singa, Bongo Fury @ Rhinoceropolis

Lovey Doveys @ Rockaway

Platte River Killers, Morbid Sanctuary, Insidious, Six Eyed Snake, My Friend Betrayal @ Larimer Lounge

Leftmore W/Statewide Emergency @ Summit Music Hall

The Saints, Matt Nasi Band, Landon Smith, Stan Jones Band @ Toad Tavern

Radical Knitting Circle, Doo Crowder, Brittain Ashford @ Meadowlark

Girlyman w/ Camille Bloome @ Soiled Dove

The Sean Kelly Experience feat Sean Kelly & Al Laughlin of the Original Samples feat. Ryan M. from Matchbox 20, Rich Ross & Rob Somers. All Star Line Up @ Herman's Hideaway

Black Mesa Caravan Benefit with SOULAJU!!! @ Mercury Cafe

Waitin' on Ray @ Ziggies

The Mighty Diamonds with The Yellow Wall Dubsquad w/ Bloodpreshah @ cervantes Other Side

Tomorrows recommendation is to hit up Sunnyside Music Festival during the day, then head to Lions Lair to see Demon Funkies. Make this a full day of music and fun for everyone. Legendary River Drifters go on at 230 and they are phenomenal. One of my UMS favorites from this year. Demon Funkies at Lions Lair will not disappoint either. I've seen these guys a couple times and their shows never disappoint.

Around town 9/10

2010-09-09T23:13:00.000-07:00

Tennis, Gauntlet Hair, Flashlights, Vitamins @ Larimer Lounge

The Knew w/ the Fling, the Outfit @ Hi-Dive

STS9 @ Red Rocks

Munly & The Lupercalians w/ The Overcasters @ Benders

Suburban Home Records 15th Anniversary Weekend @3 Kings

The Reverend Peyton's Big Damn Band, the Darlings @ Bluebird

Skyfox w/ Vices I Admire, Heart & Soul Radio, Faces Of Radio @ Moe's

DevilDriver w/ Kataklysm, Misery, Hostility @ Summit Music Hall

Karnivool w/ Tides Of Man @ Marquis

Arrington Di Dionysio's Malaikat Dan Singa @ Rhioncoeropolis

The Still City, Hideous Men, DJ Mike Howard, The Postman @ Meadowlark

Bonnie and the Beard w/ Jonny Woodrose & The Broken-Hearted Woodpeckers, Jesse Daniel and the Reckoning @ Walnut Room

Lion SoulJahs w/ Bloodpreshah, I & I Soundsystem & Cosmic Diva @ Cervantes Other Side (Free show)

Chucks Wagon @ Rockaway Tavern

Walrii (Holly Smokovitz) / Strange Lights / Just Married @ Lions Lair

Randall Dubis Band @ Ziggies

Reckless Kelly @ Grizzly Rose

Midnight Vine, Hot Dude Party, Hot Cheeze Soup & Thanks to Philo @ Herman's Hideaway

Peter White @ Soiled Dove

Sf1's Cornbread Crew, S.T.O.I.C., Made Fresh Daily, Coral Thief, Sick Illutions @ Toad Tavern

Tomorrow you have plenty of options once again. I personally recommend The Knew. They put on a great show and I'm convinced they will be one of the bands that actually make it in this city. If you are a fan of White Stripes, you will love them. If that doesn't do it for you, head to Benders for Munly and the Lupercalians with the Overcasters. That whole line up is great. If you see any shows, let me know.

Just announced

2010-09-08T18:39:00.000-07:00

At the Bluebird:

Jennifer Knapp October 26th

Supervillians, Ballyhoo!, The B Foundation November 2nd

Greg Laswell w/ The Rescues, Harper Blynn November 6th

Borgore November 25th

At The Ogden
Z-Trip Trick or Vote 2010 October 31

Savoy w/ Manufacture Superstars, Kostas, Trajikk November 13

KT Tunstall w/ Hurricane Bells November 16th

At 1st Bank Center
Hallowfreaknween 2010, incluing Markus Shulz, John O'Callaghan, Richard Vission, Icey, Dragon, Trajikk, and more! . October 31

Jeff Dunham (not music but he's funny and it's my damn blog) November 18th

Godsmack w/ Five Finger Death Punch, Drowning Pool October 27th

Around town 9/9

2010-09-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

!!!(CHK CHK CHK), Light Asylum, the Chaingang of 1974 @ Bluebird

Pavement @ Ogden

Crowded House with special guest Paper Bird @ Fillmore

action packed thrill ride, boner, calder's revolvers @ 3 Kings

!!! (Chk Chk Chk) DJ Set, Boyhollow after party @ Larimer Lounge

The Lavellas w/ Mr. Ease and Roger Green @ Walnut Room

Judgement Day w/ Speedwolf @ Moe's

Young Cities, Hot Robots, Calvin Locklear @ Meadowlark

Osiris King HOstile Takeover w/J-Morr & NY-C, Devious & Colo-Rydaz, L-Keyz, Albeez & A-CO Records w/ special guest DJ Sin-A-Fold! @ Herman's Hideaway

Kevin Pistol @ Casselman's

Rowan, Mustard, Extreme Turbo Smash, The Deedles @ The Toad Tavern

The Toy Soldiers, Autumn Rashea, The Informal, Brighton Boulevard, Fall Line, The Very Worst, superNOVA, Nate Woudstra, Jennifer Leigh @ Hi-Dive

Jon Wayne And The Pain w/ SlaughterHouse Rootz, Fayuca @ Cervantes Other Side

In Due Time / Achachay! @ Lion's Lair

Lots of great shows to choose from today. I'll personally be at Crowded House so you can expect a review of that show by this weekend. If you aren't a Crowded House fan, head to the Meadowlark for Hot Robots. I've loved these guys since they were the Start Ups, though they had more talented musicians around them at that time. They still can rock the house though. Another great choice would be Pavement, and if anyone goes to that show please submit your review and I'll post it. Have fun out there. I know I will.

Around town 9/8

2010-09-07T22:11:00.000-07:00

Really it's another quiet night. Head to the Hi-Dive for Le Divorce or to Benders for Denver Joe and the Saddle Tramps. I'd give the full run down but honestly, I think the 3 day weekend got all the talent out. This weekend it will pick back up.

Review of Willie Nelson at Red Rocks

2010-09-06T21:53:00.000-07:00

Last night I got to go to my favorite venue one last time for Willie Nelson. This was a show that did not disappoint. The opening bands were Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real and Ryan Bingham and Dead Horses.

Lukas Nelson is the son of Willie Nelson. I absolutely love these guys a lot. Lukas sounds just like his father, just younger. He brings a lot of energy to the stage and plays a bit of country rock and blues. I had a chance to see them last year at Farm Aid and I must say that while he was good then, he was phenomenal last night. His voice exudes confidence and raw power. He definitely feels right at home on stage.

Next up was Ryan Bingham, while I knew nothing of him it was clear he had a huge fan base. There were plenty of posters around saying that people loved him, plus a lot of people were dancing and screaming for him. While I am not a fan of what he was playing, he was definitely talented. I think he would have been better as an opener for Lukas Nelson and not the other way around. That was just too hard to follow up.

Finally, it was time for Willie Nelson. There is a reason this man has been playing for so many years. His songwriting is top notch and you can tell he absolutely loves playing for people. After each song he would thank the audience and go into the next song. The set included some of his classics like On the Road Again, Whiskey River, Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys, and Crazy. There was even a blues song he played with his son and you could really hear how similar their voices were.

If you are a fan of Willie, go see him as soon as you can. While he was playing you really got the feeling he wouldn't be around much longer. He is 77 and doesn't look good as he used to. He played with his little sister and his son the entire night and you really got the feeling that he was ensuring that his son knew all of his stuff to pass the reigns down to him.

The show was phenomenal, the atmosphere was another beautiful red rocks evening, and I enjoyed every last second of the show. It was a real treat to see such a legend from the 6th row.

Around town 9/7

2010-09-06T21:37:00.000-07:00

Jamie Lidell, Tony Castles @ Bluebird

Voodoo Stingray @ 3 Kings

Dustin Morris Show @ Cervantes Other Side

Worth the Fight & Aim for the Day @ Casselman's

Really not much going on today. Head on over to 3 Kings for Voodoo Stingray simply because I like their name, and they have free Pinball going on too.

Venue review, Larimer Lounge

2010-09-05T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have a love-hate relationship with this place. I love it because they really do get some of the best local and national acts around, the stage is pretty decent, and the drink prices are reasonable, but I hate it for every other reason.

The reasons why I dislike this venue is because they always seem to have their heads up their asses with sound, scheduling, and the temperature in that place. I've been to so many shows there where the band I wanted to see was supposed to go on at 10, but they got bumped to 11 or I catch the end of them because they ended up going on earlier. It causes things to be a jumbled mess all the time.

Another thing I hate is the heat in that place. It always seems to be 20 degrees warmer inside than it is outside, and it doesn't matter if the place is packed or not. It's usually uncomfortable inside there.

They need a new sound guy. It seems like every show I go to has issues with sound there. Either something is too loud our too quiet or nothing is coming out of the monitors properly to where the artists can hear themselves. I've heard several artists complain about this onstage, yet nothing happens. It's the same show after show.

The location is in the middle of nowhere and is kind of a scary area. It's all an abandoned feel, I don't really even see cops patrolling over there very often.

What I do love is that their drink prices are reasonable, they have microbrews on tap, and the wait staff is always friendly. There is a giant stage as well and the artists don't need to feel like they are on top of each other. They have a pretty decent back patio area that is mainly for the bands, but they do open it up for everyone else at times as well. Also, the best bands play there. I've seen She Wants Revenge play there, Electric Six plays there whenever they come to Denver, Reno Divorce had their BBQ there recently, and I am sure I've been there more times than the Bluebird.

All in all, while it's not my favorite venue, I won't stay away from the place either. Lots of people know where its at and the crowd is usually a good crowd. Go there often, some of Denver's best kept secrets will play there.

Around town 9/6

2010-09-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Scissor Sisters, Sammy Jo, Casey Spooner @ Ogden

Suckers, Young Coyotes, Jay J Mattot & The Arctic @ Larimer

Bad Weather California w/ Ali Kamiya-Ba, Adrian Orange, Hunter Dragon, Bongo Fury @ Yellow Feather Coffee

MEN (JD and JO of Le Tigre) w/ Lust-Cats of the Gutters @ Hi-Dive

Filligar @ Walnut Room

Deadman Flats @ Cervantes Other Side

Four Tops @ Taste of Colorado

Quiet day today in music, head to Hi-Dive and check out Lust Cats of the Gutters or Taste of Colorado for Four Tops. No matter what you go to the chances of you remembering anything is too much to ask since there are Labor Day cookouts and all day drinking events to attend.

Around town tonight and tomorrow

2010-09-04T19:01:00.000-07:00

Since it's kinda late, tonight head on over to Larimer Lounge for Cody Crump, or you can hit Summit Music Hall for the Epilogues, Pee Pee also has a CD release party at Mercury Cafe.

Tomorrow, here is what's going on

Sleep w/ Git Some, Russian Circles @ Gothic

Willie Nelson with Ryan Bingham and Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real @ Red Rocks

Over The Rhine @ Soiled Dove

Mumiy Troll, Run Run Run, the Don't and Be Carefuls @ Bluebird

The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus w/ Regret Night, The Golden Ticket @ Marquis

The Spring Standards w/ Catherine Feeny & Sarah Slaton @Walnut Room

Leiahdorus and Die Brucke @ The Church

Jessie Willams, Todi Stronghands, Beat Alice, Liberation Regurgitation, The Drinking Gourd, & Vote No On Yes! @ Mushmukin House

Ben Sollee w/ Lilly Scott, Patrick Dethlefs, Dustin Reid @ Oriental

Denver's Longest Standing Blues Jam with Doc Brown's Blues Band @ Ziggies

Sons Of Disobedience / The Unstoppable Death Machines @ Lions Lair

The Fox Street All Stars @ Casselmans

Sunday's recommendation is Willie Nelson. If you haven't seen him yet, see him before you no longer can. Plus, his son is opening up the show. Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real was one of my surprise favorites at Farm Aid last year and I'm looking forward to seeing him again tomorrow. If you want something with some local flavor then head to the Gothic to see Git Some.

New feature: Venue review. Today is Red Rocks

2010-09-02T20:41:00.000-07:00

While we all know how great the bands are, sometimes a venue can make or break a show. I got the great idea of reviewing venues from the person that brings you the Denver Food Story (seriously, check her out for the best places to eat in Denver) Shannon Guzman. I'm starting off with my favorite venue...Red Rocks

There is a lot to love about Red Rocks, and a reason why it's been voted the best venue in the nation several times over. This place is beautiful. When you look at the stage, you can see monoliths on each side of you, and you can also see the Denver skyline. There isn't a better view from a concert venue anywhere.

Now, while having a great view doesn't make the music sound better, Red Rocks wins with its natural acoustics. Music was meant to be heard here. You can hear the music great from anywhere in the amphitheater. Another great benefit is that there isn't a single bad seat in the house.

Another place where Red Rocks wins is its selections of drinks. Not only can you get beer like Coors, you can also get Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat, and Mike's Hard Lemonade. They also have vodka lemonades and wine you can purchase for a price that isn't over the top. A beer will cost you around $7.50 and they have people going up and down the aisles so you don't have to leave your seat.

Another thing that Red Rocks excels at is clean bathrooms. When you walk in them, you don't feel like you need to decontaminate yourself when you leave. Plus, they are located on either end of the stage, the top of the amphitheater and in the welcome center.

Red Rocks also allows you to bring in bottled water and coolers. They also allow you to leave the caps on your water, though that can change on a per show basis. Also, parking is free. This is a bonus.

The only thing that is bad about Red Rocks is the climbing. If you have asthma or are out of shape, this will make you realize just how bad it is. The best thing to do is to try to park on the top lot if you are in rows 26 through the top and the lower lot if you are in rows 1-25. Trust me on this one.

If you are making the trek to Red Rocks, leave yourself some time to enjoy the tailgating before you go in. Red Rocks will allow you to go there pretty much at any time before the show to tailgate, though you can't go inside the venue until doors open obviously. Good friends can be made when you tailgate at the right show.

Around town 9/3

2010-09-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

Vampire Weekend with Beach House, Dum Dum Girls @ Red Rocks

The Centennial, American Tomahawk (CD Release Party), Weather Maps @Meadowlark

Safe Boating Is No Accident EP Release w/ the Tanukis, Chris McGarry And The Insomiacs @ Hi-Dive

Dead Prez w/ Mane Rok & DeeJay Tense, Broken Language, Lyrix & Das @ Summit Music Hall

Who's Bad? - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band, LBC - 100% Sublime w/ Funkma$ter @ Cervantes

Strange Americans, Bonnie and the Beard, Go Home Joe, Smack Thompson @ Larimer Lounge

Tin Horn Prayer w/ Il Cattivo, Solar Bear, Oblios Arrow @ 3 Kings

Makeout Point w/ Thrifty Astronaut, Ocelot Robot, Arison Cain @ Moe's

THE Rocketz w/ Hot Rod Hillbillies, Cora Vette and The Spinouts @ Benders

Average Joe @ D Note

Born In Winter, Glass Delirium, Ben Park Drive, 7even Days Till Sunrise @ Toad Tavern

Sun Of Revolution w/ Ransom, Scalafrea, Ndaaz @ Gothic

Mitya @ Bar Bar

Tim Crawford Band @ Ziggies

The Taylor Project! feat. special guests QDiva Experience, Big Green Carpet, & Barry Shapiro & The Fazz Band @ Herman's Hideaway

Xisix , Good Mourning, Rasmussen w/ Vj Zombie @ Old Curtis Street

Straighten The Crooked / Denver County Death March / Split Resistance @ Lion's Lair

Truckasaurus w/Lyin Bitch and the Restraining Orders, and Royal Dead @6th and Santa Fe

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy @ Taste of Colorado

Lots of great stuff, I say check out the Michael Jackson tribute band, QDiva Experience, Born in Winter or Lyin Bitch and the Restraining Orders. QDiva if you want to see some old R&B covers with someone with a fantastic voice, Born in Winter for a bit of a Goth/Industrial evening...They pretty much kick ass too, I've seen them a few times, or Lyin' Bitch and the Restraining Orders for some metal. Not only do these cats have one of the best band names in Denver, they also throw down pretty hard. They've been doing this for as long as I've been in this city. If all else fails and you are broke, head on down for some swing with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, that's where I'll be to start.

Review of Green Day

2010-09-01T22:18:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I had the pleasure to head on down to my least favorite venue with my family to see a band that I am only a casual fan of. When I say casual fan, I mean I stopped listening to them when American Idiot came out. Of course, I'm talking about Green Day at Fiddler's Green.

We decided to get there late and miss AFI which I was thankful for. I was so unimpressed with them when I saw them in June. Luckily, we didn't miss out on any of Green Day. As I mentioned before, I stopped listening to Green Day a while ago, but am a fan of their older stuff. The new radio friendly stuff of American Idiot annoys the hell out of me. When Green Day started, the first 45 minutes of it seemed to be all their new stuff and naturally I was bored and uninterested. As a band they sounded good, but I just wasn't feeling the new stuff at all. Then they played Geek Stink Breath and the magic truly began. Green Day went through hit after hit, just rocking out like nobody's business. They brought out a Tshirt gun and fired free Tshirts into the audience, and even pulled people up to sing Longview. The last girl that sang nailed the last verse and was presented with Billy Joe's guitar he had just been playing. How awesome is that? At a couple points they did medleys of classic rock songs and even did a bit of a Benny Hill tribute, right down to some cross dressing and an onstage chase to the theme music.

At another point of the show they did a cover of the old song Shout. The entire band dressed up in different costumes and each would do a small verse of it, just getting the crowd hyped up for them to sing you make me wanna shout...getting denied over and over again for about 5 minutes or so. The build up for that song was crazy. It seemed like everyone over 25 was excited when they finally did sing that whole song.

The show ended after 3 hours and two encores. During the final encore there was a song played called Olivia. Now, while I sit and bash Green Day for the American Idiot CD, this new song has the writing caliber of Bob Dylan. In fact, we were trying to figure out if this was a Dylan song or not. Well done Billy Joe. You have probably written the best song you have ever written with that one. I have to say that I went to that show with low expectations and ended up getting more than my money's worth. I have the utmost respect for any band that plays for 3 hours at that high of a level. They kept it entertaining with crowd interactions (though the say hey oh got old after the 30th time) lots of explosions, and an honest love of playing music. If you get a chance to see Green Day, go. I promise that you will not be disappointed at all.

Around town 9/2

2010-09-01T21:57:00.000-07:00

Coliseum w/ Burning Love @ Marquis

Hot White, Alan Alda, Greg Baumhauer @ Meadowlark

Caravan of Thieves w/ Spring Creek @ Walnut Room

Ben Jordan & the Heathens CD Release w/ Lady Blanche, the Maykit @ Hi-Dive

Lubriphonic, Jet Edison, Otone Brass Band @ Larimer Lounge

Wild Mountain Honey @ Ziggies

Pet Motel w/ special guests Silver String Theater, Medicine Jones, & Red Hot Blues Catz @ Herman's Hideaway

Candy's Riverside @ Old Curtis Street Pub

The Infamous Stringdusters, White Water Ramble @ Bluebird

Suga Roy & Conrad Crystal w/ BloodPreshah, DJ Uplifter @ Cervantes Other Side

My recommendation for tomorrow since it's a quiet day musically, is to head to Hermans Hideaway for Pet Motel, silver String Theater, Medicine Jones, and the Red Hot Blues Catz, I checked out Red Hot Blues Catz and Pet Motel out on Myspace (I can't believe how slow that site loads) and I have to say that I really enjoyed Red Hot Blues Catz a lot, Pet Motel was pretty decent too and I'm betting that their stuff translates better onstage than a shitty Myspace recording, and Medicine Jones has some pretty sweet guitar riffs. It's $5 to get in. Head on out and try something new for a change.

Around town 9/1

2010-08-31T18:22:00.000-07:00

The Chemical Brothers @ The Fillmore

Birds & Batteries w/ Vitamins, Fingers of the Sun @ Hi-Dive

John Mayer w/ Owl City @ Red Rocks

Slash, Taking Dawn @ Ogden

Tree Bites Man, Lazy Spacemen, The Madhouse Act, Traveling Electric Chair @ Larimer

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

What's Been Used, Mega Peach, Pulse (Masters of Rock), & Cherry Veil @ Herman's Hideaway

The Mission Creeps @ 3 Kings

Denver Joe & The Saddle Tramps @ Benders

Fizakat w/ The Grenettes @ Cervantes Other Side

Beres Hammond w/ Culture feat. Kenyatta Hill, Inner Circle, Lenya Wilkes & DJ Inferno @ Cervantes

Lots going on tomorrow, but I will have to recommend the Birds and Batteries show at the Hi-Dive with Fingers of the Sun. FotS know how to throw down and it promises to be a good time. The other choice would be Slash just because he's Slash. Have fun out there.

Around town tonight and tomorrow

2010-08-28T08:31:00.000-07:00

tonight

Denver does Denver @ Meadowlark

Green Day / AFI @ Fiddlers Green

Cracker/ Camper Van Beethoven @ Bluebird

Lazer Sword, Eprom, Opiuo w/ Fresh2Death, Dan K @ Cervantes

The Photo Atlas w/ My Body Sings Electric, Fire In The Asylum @ Moes

Reggae on the Rocks @ Red Rocks

Cobraconda, The Don't & Be Carefuls, The Silent Treatment @ Summit Music Hall

Sarah Jaffe w/ Jen Korte and the Loss @ Hi-Dive

China Venture / Spokeshaver / The Uncertain Sea @ Club 404

The Outfit @ Parker Library

All Capitals w/ Jaded Poet, Able Archer @ 3 Kings

Umconscious w/ Made Fresh Daily, E.P.O. @ Herman's Hideaway

Young Cities, The Alan Baird Project, Vegas Crimes, The May Kit @ Larimer Lounge

Angry Hand Of God, Cure For Pain. Old Curtis Street Pub

Lipbone Redding and the Lipbone Orchestra w/Gene Morris @ Benders

Burn!Horus!Burn w/ Alice Needs an Alibi, The Green Screen Effect, Gypsy's Curse, Good Day In A Bad Town @ Marquis

Bryon Friedman w/ Douglas Cameron @ Soiled Dove

The Pretty Sure / U-47 / Robbers @ Lions Lair

Kosmos w/ Naked Turtle & Banned in Japan @ Walnut Room

Brethren Fast @ Ziggies

A Heavy Metal Wedding w/Ploy for Extinction, 9/10s of the Law, thiC, Iconocaust,Osyluth @ Gothic

Tage Plantell & The Dusty Radio, Pierce Murcpy Trio, Reckless Red, Smokestack Relics @ Toad Tavern

Ginger Perry w/ Chase Dobson, CacheFlowe (Plastic Sound Supply), The Sunset Curse, and Cap'n Fresh & Legit G @ Cervantes Other Side

Tomorrow
Black Crowes @ Fillmore

Reno Divorce BBQ w/ Boldtype, Potato Pirates, DB and the Catastrophe, The Varmits, Dirty Backseat Lovers @ Larimer Lounge

Traveling Electric Chair, Dum Spiro Spero, Fiction Is Fun @ Cervantes Other Side

Denvers Longest Standing Blues Jam @ Ziggies

Afton Showcase w/ Jay-K, Family Tree, Flowalition & Campaign, WildShot Ent, Unknown, Tha Fantastic 3, Robin Samples, MEKCEE, ES, Branden Abeyta, Carl Carrell, Def Ch!ld Produx, Mya Rose, outo the lerical, Ashley Fedorchak, Jo skar @ Cervantes

Fire Pon de Patio @ Funky Buddha

Doc Brown Blues Band, The Big Motif, The Informants, The Jaguars, The Rhythm Allstars, Rachel Jane & Hurricane @ Toad Tavern

Ese w/ Sons of Disobedience, The Insomniaxe @ 3 Kings

Birds Of Ares / The Royal Dead / @ Lions Lair

Triple Cobra w/ The Sunset Curse @ Walnut Room

Sam Hamilton And Metal Rouge w/ Epileptinomicon @ Rhinoceropolis

For tonight the choice is a tough one. Cracker is going to be amazing, Reckless Red always puts on a great show, Bretheren Fast always brings their A Game, Denver Plays Denver is a great idea too (20+ local bands covering other local bands) and All Capitals will be a great show. I say check out Cracker or Denver Does Denver tonight.

Tomorrow just head to Larimer Lounge for Reno Divorce. If you love Social Distortion, these guys are Denver's answer to them. After that, head on over to the Fillmore for Black Crowes. They are doing both electric and acoustic sets there.

Be sure to look for my review of Green Day (yeah, I know....my little sister is in town, what could I do?)

Just announced

2010-08-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

The following shows were just announced around the area

Phish at 1st Bank Center October 10-12

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's at Bluebird November 22nd

The Gracious Few at Bluebird November 9th

Best Coast at Bluebird November 3rd

Phantogram w/ Josiah Wolf at Bluebird October 19th

Surfer Blood / The Drums at Bluebird October 10th

The Futureheads at Bluebird October 9th

James McMurtry w/ Jonny Burke at Bluebird October 6th

Bonobo at the Ogden November 24th

Josh Ritter at the Ogden November 11th

Kate Nash at Ogden November 6th

Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77 at Ogden October 26th

Radio 1190's Basementalism Presents: Andre Nickatina at Ogden October 15th

B.o.B at Ogden October 10th

Joe Satriani with special guest Ned Evett and Triple Double at Paramount Theater December 31st

Around town 8-25

2010-08-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

B.B. KIng with Al Green & Buddy Guy @ Red Rocks

Slayer and Megadeth with Testament @ Magness Arena

Gentleman Jesse and His Men, Thee Goochi Boyz, The Barreracudas, Lust Cats of the Gutter @ Larimer Lounge

Brain Drill w/ Flesh Consumed, Arkaik @ Marquis

Vincent Minor, Fast Food Junkies @ Cervantes Other Side

Headrush @ Funky Buddha

The Dropskots & The Dollyrots w/Hunter Valentine, The Cliks @ Benders

Otto's Daughter, Like Pianos Crashing, Hollow Vixen, Traveling Electric Chair, & Nick O'Connor The Pilgrim Road @ Herman's Hideaway

Te Vaka w/ A Performance by the Halau Hula O Na Mauna Pohaku Dance Troupe @ Cervantes

Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin w/ The Informants @ Soiled Dove

Justice Australia, Page 27 @ Old Curtis St Pub

Listener w/ Munster Boogie @ Summit Music Hall

Nathen Maxwell & The Original Bunny Gang w/ Tatanka @ Bluebird

the Black (ex-Trail of Dead, Voxtrot) w/ Jon Boland @ Hi-Dive

Danielle Ate The Sandwich and Cody Crump @ Four Mile Historic Park

While I'm not really a fan of Danielle Ate The Sandwich, you should go see Cody Crump once again. That guy is awesome. I was actually listening to his CD today on the way home from work and was thinking to myself that damn, this guy is pretty talented. Though, Cody is local and BB King is getting up there in years. You should probably go to Red Rocks and catch the legendary BB King with Buddy Guy before he can't tour anymore. Plus, it's BB King.

Around town 8/23

2010-08-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

Lower Dens, Gangcharger, Hot White @ Larimer Lounge

Aenka @ Dazzle

Enthroned w/ Destroyer 666, Pathology @ Marquis

American Idol Live! @ Fiddlers Green

Yuzo Nieto @ City Hall

Panties at the Bar-Ooh Lala Burlesque w/ Pawn Ticket Trio @ 3 Kings

It's a slow day for music around town, but that doesn't mean it's not a tough choice to where you should put your money. Gangcharger at the Larimer Lounge is always a great choice, and if their style doesn't grab you then head to 3 Kings for Pawn Ticket Trio and some Burlesque.

Around town 8/22

2010-08-21T23:39:00.000-07:00

Snake Rattle Rattle Snake BBQ w/ Blue Million Miles, Gauntlet Hair, Achille Lauro, 200 Million Years, Wire Faces, Eyes & Ears, Hearts in Space, and The Microdots @ Larimer Lounge

Chiddy Bang, Air Dubai, XV, DJ Chonz @ Ogden Theater

Rasputina @ Bluebird

Mitya @ Star Bar

Afton Showcase w/ Sarah Wrede, Media Jones, Becca Krueger, Watch for Wildlife, Stevie B. Wolf, Discount Cinema, Colfax Cowboys, Tanya Reeve, Kita Hudson, Tommy Freed @ Cervantes

"Family Night" With The Soc Hop Band @ Toad Tavern

Volbeat w/ DOMMIN, Anew Revolution @ Marquis

Levi Allen Sinner / The Harmed Brothers / Calamity Cubes / The Alder Street All Stars @Lions Lair

Denver's longest standing Blues Jam @ Ziggies

Fire Pon de Patio @ Funky Buddha

The Radiators @ Moe's

Asleep at the Wheel @ Arvada Center

You are in luck today everyone. The recommendation of the day is to head to Larimer Lounge to get your faces rocked off by Snake Rattle Rattle Snake, eat up some BBQ, and when you are done go to the Bluebird for Rasputina. If you aren't familiar with them, they are two women who play cello and a drummer. They happen to be the first act I've ever seen in Denver and quite the memorable one. Go to these shows and you are guaranteed to have a great time, and if you don't then you have no soul. Just kidding on that, but seriously go.