Around town 10-1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

!!!(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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.