2012

Wild Nothing: Nocturne

Ron Hart September 6, 2012 No Comments

That kind of pie-eyed affinity for pure pop makes Nocturne well worth a spin.

Mother Feather

Chelsea Eriksen September 5, 2012 No Comments

Mother Feather, best known for their wild performances, salacious costumes and liberating dance-rock, are becoming quite the concert attraction with the esteemed Nova Festival under their glittery-spiked belt and an upcoming show at the Brooklyn Bowl on September 8th. The label of NYC’s best live band is competitive territory, but Mother Feature deserves serious props with its spectacularly visual and musically inspiring stage offering.

Alanis Morissette: Havoc and Bright Lights

Peter Zimmerman September 5, 2012 No Comments

A true miss from an artist that has definitely been way more consistently impressive than not.

Steve Vai – Fillmore, Charlotte, NC 8.20.12

September 4, 2012 No Comments

Steve Vai with opener Beverly McClennan, at the Fillmore, Charlotte, NC 8.20.12.

Ian Hunter & The Rant Band: When I’m President

Doug Collette September 4, 2012 No Comments

Some of the greatest songwriters invariably have some of the greatest backing bands. Bob Dylan had the Band, Graham Parker had The Rumour, John Hiatt had the Goners (and now The Combo) and Ian Hunter has The Rant Band. The vibrancy with which they bring to life the material on When I'm President reaffirms why the former frontman for Mott The Hoople chooses to share headline status with them on his 20th solo album.

George Thorogood Talks 30th Anniversary of Musical Rumblings (INTERVIEW)

Leslie Michele Derrough September 3, 2012 No Comments

It’s been a year since the release of George Thorogood’s last record, the highly acclaimed back-to-Chess-roots salute 2120 South Michigan Avenue, featuring snazzy rocking interpretations of songs by Sonny Boy Williamson, Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, yet the guitar player remains on the road, playing songs that have been a part of his repertoire for many years. And this is the very reason that Thorogood has been able to lay these tracks down and do them justice. They are in his blood and a part of his inner chemical balance. His gravelly bad ass vocals with a 50’s kick come alive on such humdingers as “Help Me,” “Mama Talk To Your Daughter” and “Willie Dixon’s Gone.”

Jane’s Addiction: Lyric Opera House Baltimore, Maryland 8/14/12

Tim J. Nelson September 3, 2012 No Comments

There was some polite banter, with Perry asking the crowd about their sex lives, but otherwise the guys kept it tight, moving from one classic JA song to the next. For true fans, this was a career-spanning, fan-based set, as heir energy was substantial, but they didn’t take any real risks either. Considering where they are in their career, this is understandable, if not expected: you’re not going find the pure adventurous spirit of a 1980s Jane’s or that of the early Pearl Jam, with the lead singer scaling scaffolding and leaping into the crowd

Dylan LeBlanc: Cast The Same Old Shadow

Jeff Strowe August 31, 2012 No Comments

It’s hard to be critical of a young singer-songwriter full of promise and fanfare. However, the world already has plenty of artists who can deftly balance the sad sack act with other, more tuneful spins on the folk tradition. If LeBlanc wants to have staying power, he’d be wise to dial down the weepiness and give himself a more aggressive kick in the up-tempo direction.

KISS/Motley Crue/The Treatment: Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, TX 8/3/12

Leslie Michele Derrough August 31, 2012 No Comments

Suddenly there is the sound of a cracking whip guitar, slicing through the bright sunlight and out run a bunch of young bucks with flying hair and British accents. This is not KISS and this is not Motley Crue. This is The Treatment, a band causing humongous ripples everywhere they play opening THE TOUR.