Gwar at Gothic Theatre

Gwar sold out the Gothic (never seen it so packed), killed Hitler, and stained everyone red. I think the pictures explain better than I do.

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They started right away with a blood bath. Everyone’s crisp new white t-shirts stained forever, maybe off to get framed one day.

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Man of the hour, Mr. Urungus.

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So they showed this concert live on tv and said no photogs in the pit. Fine by me, I had a fantastic view of the never ending mosh pit.

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How does he not fall? Also, this has to be the tallest band there is, right?

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shredding

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Some of this action

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Hardest working man in show business last night. Taking that blood to the back of the head like it was a cool spring breeze.

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at the crucifixion

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Yay Gwar!

Trey Anastasio Band in Oakland tomorrow!

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I’m ditching the snow and headed to see Trey Anastasio Band at the Fox in Oakland. Yes, I’m even willing to travel to see just one member of Phish, it’s a sickness, it happens. Be back in three days!

Akron/Family Concert Review at Larimer Lounge

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Last night at Larimer Lounge in Denver, Akron/Family played to a packed and excited crowd. It was the second date of the tour for the new album, and the new material sounds amazing live! Extremely loud, beautiful, they create great solid songs wrapped in noise, and at times the audience was told to sing certain notes, being used as yet another instrument. The front was packed with girls NOT giving up their spot right next to the lead singer, Miles Seaton, didn’t know he was such a heartthrob, but for good reason. He’s cute and very nice. One girl begged him for anything from his pockets, he gave her rosemary dust. If you are a fan of the new album Sub-Verses, this show is a must see. Opener Princess Music were great too, as a friend said “he’s got a David Byrne thing going on”. That’s a good good thing.

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Hotbox Dick’s 2013

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Tom Marshall posted a song left off Traveler called “Hotbox” today, and I’ve listened to it 17 times now. They need to hotbox Dick’s, it’s only fitting. Heck, just play it live anywhere!

Relix link to “Hotbox”

Shakey Graves Concert Review- He’ll get in your SOUL

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Shakey Graves is a one man band to be reckoned with. Just when you think there are enough folk/blues singer/songwriters, someone like Shakey Graves fires through proving you wrong. Hailing from Austin, he’s recently finished a residence at The Parish and went on to become a big buzzed about musician during sxsw. When he walked up to the Denver show in his cowboy hat and leather jacket, fans were stopping him to shake hands, take pictures and tell him thank you. The word has really gotten out! The venue was packed clear back to the soundboard at Hi Dive, filled with people who had heard about this guy and his drum suitcase. He didn’t disappoint. Playing with ease and singing with conviction, he had the audience clapping and in awe, leaving them yelling for an encore, which he gladly played. Next time he comes through town, he’s going to have a big show, and it definitely won’t be free.

On a personal note, when reading his bio, I came across his old headshot. I knew Alejandro instantly from old castings and working on Spy Kids 3. Small world! I’m glad the ghost of Shakey Graves decided to haunt him, guy has talent galore, and I’ve gotta say, the ladies LOVE him, I saw y’all all swooning at the front last night!

listen to his album free here

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Leftover Salmon Sold Out Saturday Show in Denver Review

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Saturday night at Bluebird saw a sold out show for Boulder/Nederland’s own Leftover Salmon. At HORDE tour in 1997, I was bored watching Lenny Kravitz, went to the side stage to see what was going on, and these guys were playing and changed my life. Never knew music could be so fun. 16 years later, they are just as good as ever, and continue to write amazing new songs as seen on last year’s Aquatic Hitchhiker release. Set One ended with my favorite song, “Euphoria”, speeding up faster and faster until you feel like you can’t go any faster. And then they went even faster. This is why I love this crazily talented band.

Last time I saw them, the lyrics to the pro-growing anthem “Pasta on the Mountain” had the lyric “pasta will be legalized”, but last night it was “pasta HAS been legalized”, followed by a roar of approval by the voters of the house and strong Nederland presence. The song then went on to become a medley including Marley’s “Stir It Up” and Led Zeppelin’s “D’Yer Maker”. The night ended with church, a rousing call and response version of “Rise Up (Wake and Bake)” that left the audience happy to be in Colorado seeing Vince Herman back in town. You’ve been missed! Special Guest Steve Berlin from Los LobosScramble Campbell and C Alan Crandall were also in attendance, making Bluebird the place to be last night.

Leftover Salmon Spring Tour Dates

Euphoria at Denver Street Party 2012

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Moksha with Jennifer Hartswick in Denver

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Last night at Cervantes Other Side we had Moksha opening for Zoogma Musiq. With special guest Jennifer Hartswick on trumpet in the very talented horn section, these Las Vegas bustouts had the fans dancing, cheering even when teasing Pink Floyd. I’d like to see more usage of the bazillion different effects they had on stage, but I always want a little too much everything.

Tour Dates and Music

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Phish Tour Tickets OBTAINED

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Besides keeping up with new music, I’m a major Phish fan. Today was a day of Ticketmaster madness, but through Ticketmaster skills and a LOT of kindness from my fellow Phish obsessives, I’m in for Toronto, San Francisco, Tahoe and Hollywood Bowl so far. All I have to worry about is SPAC and Dick’s.

UPDATE in for SPAC and Chicago. Follow my blog this July, will be reporting the kooky scene I adore from the field.

Concerts to See in Denver Mar. 26- April 3rd

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Shows to See in Denver, Mar. 26- April 3

Mar. 26
Tartufi – The Armoury – San Francisco trio with layered arrangements that provide maximum soundscapes and vocal loops. Full Stream of Album here

Mar. 27
Waxahatchee – The Armoury – great voice, cute presence live, nice to have some straightforward indie folk without layers and pedals once in awhile video for Waxahatchee

Lord Huron – Bluebird – indie folk from CA. Not much stage presence but pleasant sound

FIDLAR/Wavves/Cheatahs – Larimer – see all three, the openers are good. Saw FIDLAR twice at sxsw because I liked them so much. Wavves has been popular for a few years, this year they are pushing for more. FIDLAR video w Henry Rollins

Lindsey Stirling – Gothic – hip-hop violinist who dresses in costumes and has weirdly mesmerizing videos. This will be where the anime and video game nerds are. Video of her in the Ice Castles at Silverthorne

KMFDM – Summit Music Hall – German industrial punk, nostalgia act

Mar. 28
Lindsey Stirling – Ogden – same comic con dream girl with violin as last night at Gothic video of her as Link playing Zelda medley

Soulfly – Marquis – the only spiritual metal I like

Mar. 29
Cave Singers – Gothic – Seattle band with members of Pretty Girls Make Graves, their haunting sound has been giving me goosebumps for years. Excellent vocal harmonies, darker themes video for “Dancing in Our Graves”

Low – Larimer – great band, been around forever, new album is fantastic, the lyrics hit me to the bone video for “Plastic Cup”

Robert Earl Keen – Grizzly Rose – I don’t listen to much country, but once every three years or so I have to make the pilgrimage to this sing-a-long since we are from the same hometown and he played every frat party during college. This song was almost every male in my graduating class’ Senior Quote and the words will never leave my memory. I don’t like country, but I love Robert Earl Keen link to Road Goes on Forever from ACL with singing Texans

Zoogma – Cervantes’ Other Side – sexy electronic fusion from Oxford, Miss., this will be a “beat driven dance party” HD video of a full show

Potato Pirates – Moon Room – typical rudecore punk. Take ya back to high school audio video for Potato Pirates

Mar. 30

Phosphorescent- Hi-Dive- seen twice at sxsw, both shows full of people your mothers age swaying along, as I said before, would sound great on Grey’s Anatomy. Will be a good show in that tiny room with good sound, but a little too “not enough of something” for me.

Joy Formidable/ Fort Lean/ Guards – Gothic – all good bands. Joy Formidable are quickly gathering steam right now with their energetic rock pop, been all over the tv and on the radio, the other two bands are great as well, go early Joy Formidable on David Letterman

Erykah Badu – Fillmore – nuff said. She’s the Queen. my fave song of hers with Rahzel beatboxing

Mar. 31

Pure X – Larimer – slow, dreamy psych pop from Austin. If anyone likes them I can tell you a hundred others that sound exactly like them. Nice guys, chat them up if inclined.

Cheers Elephant – Walnut Room – more psych pop, this time upbeat and melodic and happy link to audio of song “Leaves”

Apr. 1

Miracles of Modern Science – Walnut Room – orchestral craziness

Apr. 2

Parenthetical Girls – Hi-Dive – like weird hipster stuff? See them Video for Parenthetical Girls

Apr. 3

Cold War Kids – Gothic – they are back strong and sound amazing. Funny tidbit- new song on Grey’s Anatomy. Hypocrisy at its finest, here! acoustic version of new single from sxsw

Acid Baby Jesus – Lost Lake – fairly rollicking garage rock that reminds me of middle school, killer videos video of “I’m a Baby”

DO NOT SEE SKY FERREIRA. Don’t make my mistake!!!!

Nick Cave – Ogden- you know what you are getting. Make sure to catch Sharon Van Etten. Warning- powerful show, but if you are not a huge fan, it might be way slow for you. Let’s just say I left to see Parquet Courts and had a much better time, but Cave is a true showman and the fans were eating it up. You will see old 80’s Nick Cave shirts at this show.

And of course, Leftover Salmon at Bluebird all weekend.

Marnie Stern- She’s Killer

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Every female at sxsw wanted to be Marnie Stern from Kill Rock Stars. She has made many “Greatest Female Guitarist” lists due to her confident and technical fretboard tapping style. Heavily layered music with so much jingle-jangle it almost makes my head spin, this is perfect music for exercising or dancing frustrations away. She can scream with the best of them, too, while at the same time coming across like a modern day Juliana Hatfield.

quick video of her shredding technique

link to full audio of the new album and pre-order

Marnie Stern Tour Dates