The Arcade Fire 0/31/2005: Theater of Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
From the urgent-as-a-Bloody-Sunday
NYC Tsunami Relief Jam 0/31/2005: BB King’s, New York, NY
It seems one man can make a difference. Local New York musician David Lott did more than just watch the tsunami devastation on the nightly news and read the reports in the morning paper. He actually took the tragedy on a personal level and made a call to action.
Lotus 0/27/2005: The Funk Box, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Gas & Electric) must have experienced a huge power spike, due largely to the massive array of pedals and effect boards the band had strewn across the stage.
Secret Machines 0/30/2005: Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
The Secret Machines are still defining what their live shows can potentially transgress to, while finding their stage voice as a headliner. This building period is an exciting step forward for an act that is almost guaranteed to be huge upon the release of their next album. Thriving on delivering a fresh taste of rock n
Bright Eyes 0/23/2005: Higher Ground, South Burlington, VT
In the beginning stages of a lengthy three-month tour that stretches from Toronto to Australia, Oberst and his band took the stage following openers Coco Rosie and Tilly and the Wall. Representing his great record label, Saddle Creek, and backed by a six-person band of relatively fresh faced musicians, Bright Eyes appeared as a band of “gifted kids.”
RANA 0/21/2005: Club Metronome, Burlington, VT
RANA is like taking in a Pavement, Devo, Talking Heads, Cars, Ween
and Ted Nugent concert in 1 two-hour show. Led by the new-wave
vocals of keyboardist Matt Durant, who stands behind the keyboards
in cool Ric Ocasek fashion, and guitarist Scott Metzger, who mans
his guitar with showmanship and grit, RANA is definitely best seen
and heard live.
Sound Tribe Sector 9: Tabernacle Theatre, Atlanta, GA 12/30-31/2004
Along with Tortoise, SUB-id, Richard Devine, Collective Efforts, Psyche Origami, Genetic, Telephon TelAviv, and fire dancing from Phoenix Rising, STS9 made a triumphant return to where it all began.
Lake Trout 11/10/2004: Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills, NC
Lake Trout’s annual December jaunt through the tidewaters of North Carolina and Virginia has become somewhat of a holiday tradition, as old school fans dust off their memories and let the young
Gov’t Mule 11/28/2004: Rams Head Live, Baltimore, MD
The mule is the mutt of the barnyard, a no frills work animal that does all the dirty work. Gov
A New Years Blues Explosion 11/31/2004: 4th & B, San Diego, CA
Bad Credit, Reeve Oliver, Dresden Dolls, and Blues Explosion ring in the New Year at San Diego
Wilco / Flaming Lips / Sleater-Kinney 11/31/2004: Madison Square Garden, NY, NY
Who would have thought just a couple years ago that three bands by the names of Sleater- Kinney, Wilco and The Flaming Lips would be headlining a place called Madison Square Garden on New Years Eve.
Scissor Sisters: Vic Theatre, Chicago IL
The Scissor Sisters may be the ephemeral band of the moment, a novelty act if you will, but at least they look like they have as much fun as the audience, living right in the moment and basking in the warm glow while it lasts.
Phil & Friends: Warfield Theatre, San Francisco, CA 12/17-19/04
Friday: I guess this was an average show for the first night. Lots of good moments, but lots of train wrecks too. Chris Robinson was ok on most tunes, but had a hard time with the timing on
Dark Star Orchestra 11/12/2004: Higher Ground – South Burlington, VT
Synchronicity is something that, as I have found, follows the Grateful Dead’s music around pretty closely. There is something just plain magical about their songs. This was exemplified to me, yet again, when I was initiated into the world of the Dark Star Orchestra at Higher Ground.
Medeski Martin & Wood 11/02/2004: Colony Cafe, Woodstock, NY
This rare acoustic night showcased the heart of Medeski, Martin and Wood and how sometimes, all the bells and whistles, be they very cerebral to the MMW sound, should be silenced to simply breath in what music is all about in its natural and unaffected voice.
Luna 10/20/2004: Echo Lounge – Atlanta, GA
Having just released the stellar Rendezvous to considerable acclaim and selling out East Atlanta
Muse / The Zutons 10/10/2004: Mr. Small
After the American rock renaissance of the past few years, with bands from New York to Detroit to Omaha breaking into the spotlight, our British cousins have finally struck back.
Jay Farrar 10/13/2004: Mississippi Nights, St. Louis, MO
Jay Farrar is on a roll. He just announced last month that he would be reforming his popular band Son Volt, with a fresh set of faces. Building on the good news, Farrar and musical cohort Mark Spencer played an intimate show at the hallowed grounds of St. Louis’ Mississippi Nights.