Music
Strike Anywhere @ Club Sound
Bridge Nine Records has done an excellent job of expanding its roster to further reaches of hardcore over the past few years, and even though this tour didn’t necessarily feature the style of music that the label has come to be known for, it was an excellent lineup that reflects the the risks the label has been taking in challenging the traditional hardcore aesthetic. … read more
Aimee Mann @ The State Room
Aimee Mannʼs music is comforting, melodic, beautiful and despite the unfortunate and incorrect critical tag line of it being “depressing,” (I would have chosen “realistic” if I wrote reviews back in those days) very uplifting. I was extremely excited about seeing her live for the first time, in a new venue (the great new The State Room), and especially in such an intimate setting: The State Room boasts a capacity of 300. … read more
Mastodon @ Saltair
After years of derision as the preferred means of entertainment of suburban meatheads and scandinavian church burners, metal has been accepted by the masses. It’s unsurprising that one of the fall’s biggest tours is a metal-based affair, co-headlined by a fictional band with serious chops and one of the most successful metal bands in recent memory. Even though most of the audience was in attendance only for Dethklok, they were gonna get an incredible showcase of heavy music, whether they liked it or not. … read more
Kylesa @ V2
Even though I’ve had my newfound fondness for metal for about a year, I haven’t been to any metal shows in that time. This show changed all of that. The chance to see Kylesa, one of my favorite newly-discovered metal bands, play at a venue I had never been to a crowd I had no idea how to interact with seemed like a perfectly logical step in my progression into full metal immersion. … read more
On Meeting the Pet Shop Boys
Meeting a favorite artist or band can be a religious experience. One is given that rare chance to grab an autograph, a picture with their idols, a chance to tell that artist how much their music has meant to them, or just the opportunity to smile/wave/gawk at them. When my long-time favorites Pet Shop Boys announced their Fall “Pandemonium” tour with a chance to purchase a “VIP Meet and Greet” package, I jumped at the opportunity. … read more
Sea Wolf @ Club Sound
The sweet, low voice of a man in a flannel shirt, the rain against the window flows with the strum of guitar, and you, lucky you, are sitting in the warmth of a small soul-warming fire enjoying this all to yourself. Mmm, if only this could be the layout of a Sea Wolf show. … read more
National CD Reviews – October 2009
Reviews of national music, including new releases from The Black Dahlia Murder, Converge, The Entrance Band, Exene Cervenka, Health, Karl Blau, Liturgy, Mew, Pissed Jeans, Thrice, The Twilight Sad and many more. … read more
Bob Weir & Ratdog @ The Depot
Yeah, BO is a naturally occurring phenomenon at shows, but when it already smells like post-show body funk during my pre-show drink, we have a problem. There is also something to be said about any show involving a former member of the Grateful Dead that does not allow smoking. … read more
National CD Reviews – September 2009
National music reviews from As Tall As Lions, Chuck Ragan, Dethklok, Gwar, Jay Reatard, Mariachi El Bronx, Nurses, Portugal. The Man, Subhumans and more! … read more
The Valley Arena @ Murray Theater
The announcement of The Valley Arena’s return to Utah after three years called for my excited dance (which includes a hop, yell, and a bit of shake), with a preview listen of their recent release We Died. … read more