Columns

“I’m a little bit shell-shocked today,” guitarist Andy Summers said with a laugh a few weeks ago when I called him for an afternoon interview. “We’ve been making this insane video till after midnight last night where we were throwing paint all over each other. That was intense. And we did that time and time […]

These two innovative guitar legends only joined forces for one live tour. Their appearance at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in 1973 no doubt met and exceeded the enormous expectations.

If you only know Bernie Worrell funking it up with Parliament-Funkadelic, then his new solo CD will certainly surprise you. Titled Elevation, it is a beautiful, zen-like journey via the keys of a baby grand piano. The conception of producer Bill Laswell, together they created an illuminating body of music featuring redefinitions of Coltrane’s “Alabama,” […]

Happy Fangs is San Francisco’s black & white warpainted duo of Mike Cobra of King Loses Crown & Rebecca Gone Bad of My First Earthquake. Combined with her high-energy vocals and his grit-pop guitar.  A year after their formation and first live shows, the duo  released their debut self-titled 7-song EP in October 2013, which […]

It’s a mob drama, dontchaknow?

With her youthful charm and lovely voice, she stands in front of a sold out crowd at the Avalon in Hollywood, lightly strumming her acoustic guitar and singing a song about California; although California is a metaphor for a lot of things. For such a young soul, she has a lot on her mind. Blending […]

Michael Yellin goes long on Yes’ most controversial LP: “If prognerds were a rougher bunch, there would be a lot of busted noses over ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans.'”

Following their eighth album Rave Tapes that came out in the U.S. January 21st via Sub Pop, Scottish post rockers Mogwai celebrated its release by announcing their own whiskey, RockAct81w, a limited edition Scotch. For a band that has never had lyrics  and still always maintained a creative precedent like few other musical entities, it’s […]

Getting some props from Ringo Starr is a pretty big deal. The purveyor of peace and love may not have been the best drummer in rock & roll but he was, after all, in the greatest band in musical history. So when he pops up the other day and says Matt Sorum was “the best […]

Being tasked with exploring Tori Amos’ discography is like a friend pressuring you to binge watch a show with over five seasons. So if you’ve borrowed your way through all 14 of her albums, here’s a list of 14 songs you may have skipped over, missed completely, or that deserve a closer listen.

Leading into the glitzy Oscar season, John Keith and Brice Ezell take a look at one of the most acclaimed films of 2013, ‘American Hustle.’ Don’t let the Metascore fool you: not everyone is in love with David O. Russell’s take on the mysterious ABSCAM scandal.

This past weekend, Benmont Tench, organ/piano/keyboard player for Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, was venturing out on his own to play some shows at one of his favorite haunts, Largo, in Los Angeles. Since his debut solo album was unleashed to the public on February 18, Tench wanted to stretch out the songs’ sea legs […]

There are artists like Damien Rice that immediately conjure a level of cinematic lust atop narrative acoustic guitar, that invites you in and keeps you listening throughout the entire song cycle.  Peter Brady Adams is one of those artists.  The film composer turned singer/songwriter  released his fifth solo record The Mighty Storm, February 4th on […]

If I asked you to name a Styx song, I bet within two seconds you could spout one off: “Renegade,” “Lady,” “Crystal Ball,” “Blue Collar Man,” “Too Much Time On My Hands.” Still touring, still selling out venues large and small, Styx was an iconic band of the 1970’s that remains still relevant in today’s […]

“I’m going to come over to your place and dance naked in the shower.” That is what Moody Blues drummer Graeme Edge joked about doing as soon as the band’s Second annual Moody Blues Cruise returns to port this spring. The only remaining original member in the legendary British band, Edge’s sense of humor is […]

Spanish dance rockers Delorean returned with Apar,  their first album in three years last September  The 10-track recording, which includes a collaboration with Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek, has been described as a bit of a comedown album from 2010s boisterous and blessed out Subiza. Frontman Ekhi Lopetegi is quick to admit this time around, they were […]

“One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain.” – Bob Marley Music is an important part of our culture and zeitgeist for a plethora of reasons.  It relieves anxiety, serves as a deserved release from the stresses from everyday life and offers one an opportunity to express themselves through one’s relation […]

In early 2014, Fleetwood Mac announced that McVie would be rejoining the band after a long hiatus. There are plans to tour; some are even hoping for a new record. In the spirit of McVie’s return, let’s revisit fifteen of her most accomplished, most enduring contributions to Fleetwood Mac, and remind ourselves of what an integral strand she is in the band’s superstar DNA.

From the swampy opening notes of Damon Fowler’s new CD, Sounds Of Home, you get the feeling that this is going to be good. Not exactly a greenhorn but still fresh enough to be pulling out some exciting new licks, Florida bred Fowler is finally getting the recognition he deserves as his third Blind Pig […]

Amy Stroup is the perfect example of Nashville being represented from not country music but the eclectic nature of a festival that is 60 or so miles south in I-24 – Bonnaroo. With shades of Lucindia Williams, Phantogram and Regina Spektor, Stroup’s solo debut Tunnel dabbles in tasteful tracks of perceptive lyrics, lush arrangements and […]