Archive: 2010

Among all the fleeting genres that show up briefly as a blip on the popular culture radar screen only to quickly fade away, there are a few that really manage to stick, and ultimately define a sub-culture or even a generation. We’ve seen it to varying degrees with genres like punk, heavy metal, or rock n’ roll itself; all essentially made up terms that went on to mean everything.

For better or worse, another one that stuck was “alternative.” Initially, an outcrop of the grunge scene, alternative went on become an all-consuming pop culture multi-beast; taking hold of not just music, but cinema, fashion, and art as well. Alternative was everywhere, which begged the question: to what exactly is this an alternative? It was a brand, a marketing gimmick that was consumed – no, devoured – by the mainstream.

Yet beyond the irony of it all, it also represented a relatively heroic period in popular music whereby genuinely awesome bands ruled the radio. Pop culture, the mass media, and most of all, kids, were actually listening to good music. It was one of those rare times in modern music history where to some extent, the best bands were also among the biggest, most famous, and widely listened. READ ON for more from Ryan…

Fistful of Mercy playing the Somerville Theatre, Somerville MA 11.17.10.

The Televangelist and the Architect is a MIT PhD student named Jerry Chen (with various friends helping out) who seems to get a kick out of hiding his face in the band’s promo photos. Then again, when you produce something that is simultaneously pompous and dull (a nifty trick) anonymity could be a blessing. 

Of all the extraordinary aspects of Bob Dylan’s flair for composing early in his career, the prolific nature of his writing may be the most awe-inspiring. As demonstrated by The Witmark Demos, Dylan’s output reached and remained at a prodigious level not just in terms of quantity, but in the scope of the writing.

Conspirator, the duo of Disco Biscuits’ staples Marc Brownstein and Aron Magner which often feature guest musicians in the live setting, has announced a series of “full band” performances featuring RAQ’s Chris Michetti and a rotating cast of first-class drummers, a concept that is both new and refreshing for the band and fans, alike. While […]

In tandem with Bright Eyes’ eagerly awaited seventh studio album, The People’s Key (out February 15th on Saddle Creek) comes the band’s first full run of US dates in over three years.  Since 2006 the once revolving cast of Bright Eyes players has settled around permanent members Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis and Nathaniel Walcott with […]

Dead Confederate is excited to announce 4 special holiday shows in Georgia… The band will be performing the classic 1975 Neil Young album Tonight’s the Night in four Georgia cities around the Christmas and New Year holidays.  Various guest musicians will appear with the band to add to the festivities.  Check out the dates & […]

Legendary Texas blues guitarist Johnny Winter took the stage recently to a loud revelry of respect, then quietly and calmly drove home some amazing licks that only proved how he has become an idol to just about every musician who has ever plucked some strings on an old guitar since 1969 when he released his first album.

The votes are in and next year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class will include Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Tom Waits, Darlene Love and Dr. John. Leon Russell will be receive The Award For Musical Excellence (formerly the sideman category) and industry legends Jac Holzman and Art Rupe will both receive the Ahmet Ertegun […]

While Bon Jovi may have made more money on the road than any other band this year, but there’s one thing they didn’t accomplish – getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The 2011 inductees will be announced tomorrow but word has spread that Tom Waits, Neil Diamond, Alice Cooper, Dr. John and […]