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.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
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.
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.
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.
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