Nevermind The Posers

See ya in the pit.

The Dead Hath New Life in This Resurrection: Sublime with Rome at the Stone Pony. September 1, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 12:44 PM
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Review by Angela Blasi

August 25, 2010- The famous Asbury Park, home of the Stone Pony where legends have played and defined the New Jersey music scene.  On this night, the Pony’s summer stage was erected for The Dirty Heads and Sublime with Rome.  Words can not fully capture my excitement at the notion of actually seeing Sublime.  Yes, I understand that Brad passed away and it is not quite the same without him.  Yes, I also understand that for legal purposes this is NOT Sublime, but it is Sublime with Rome.  That being said, I was still freakin’ excited.  Now, if you’re anything like me, or around my age and younger, you probably grew up listening to the band and loving their music all the while knowing it was an axiomatic fact that you would never get to see them live if it wasn’t Badfish or Long Beach Dub All Stars.  As a result, this opportunity (yes opportunity) of a show was something I knew was to be inexplicably awesome to behold.

Given that this was an earlier show due to curfews and noise ordinances, The Dirty Heads opened up the show while the sun was still at a decent height in the sky.  This also meant that I was not able to catch most of their set (I have a day job too, you know).  The few tracks I was able to listen to upon making my way through the crowd seemed to fit well with the night’s overall musical styling.  They definitely grooved with the same type of reggae vibe I would expect at such a show.  I was able to hear a  well-balanced mix of reggae and hip-hop emanating from the stage.  I wish I would have been able to hear more of them live because what I’ve listened to online post show, I’ve enjoyed and am actually listening to them as I write this to you, my humble readers.  Moving forward.

The sun sank further in the sky and the crowd knew who was coming next.  I stood among a small sea of faces- old and young, hemp necklaces, Phish T-shirts, dread locks and lots of open-toed footwear.  I wouldn’t have expected anything less at this show.  As it got closer to show time my curiosity peaked as I, and probably many others, wondered how well this new guy was going to do in Brad’s stead.  At 8:30pm the band finally took the stage, opening with the hit “Date Rape.”  An automatic crowd pleaser, every voice was instantly lifted, reciting every word faithfully.  That set the tone for the entire evening.  Rome proved himself a close second as I found his vocals to carry some of the same breathy, raw and aspirate sounds that characterized Brads.  Just as Sublime’s music should do, the band flowed into almost each and every song of the night, going from one right into the next, with no breaks.  Smoke rose into the air as the set forged forward and a distinct atmosphere had been set.  I came to realize that this show was about far more than the guys on stage playing their instruments.  The music of Sublime is legendary because the music itself is so real and so incredible that it takes on a life all its own, embodied by each and every true fan.  In reality, the band members, though talented and tearing it up in their own rights on stage individually, interacted very little with one another during the performance.  At one point they brought a friend of some type on stage to sing his own number and hype the crowd.  It turned out to be a small rap about being Irish and getting drunk as hell.  The guy definitely was not a musician, or really all that talented to tell you the truth, but it was definitely done in good fun.  Taking requests from the audience and making as many fans happy as possible, they played each song as perfectly as I had always heard.  Adorning the set were the tracks “Smoke 2 Joints,” “Wrong Way,” “What I Got,” “Garden Grove,” “Jailhouse,” “Under my Voodoo,” “40oz to Freedom,” “Get Ready,” “Seed,” “Scarlett Begonias,” “Johnny Butt,” “Greatest Hits” and “Doin’ Time”.  In addition, the regular Asbury Park boardwalk summer fireworks began painting the sky with their brilliance in the middle of the set, just adding to this feeling of amazement already surging through the audience.  Moreover, the guy next to me who had screamed the word, “SANTERIA!” all night, was finally satiated as they returned for their encore with that very track.

Through tragedy and hiatus, the music of Sublime now being performed with Rome Ramirez has endured and proven why it is just so amazing.  Beyond any commercial hype or success, this is one show I can say was truly about the music.  I had an absolute blast singing the songs that defined and shaped my youthful musical character and adult taste.  A fitting moniker, the music of this band is just that- sublime.

 

A Walk Through Warped Tour- 7/18/10 @ Monmouth Park Racetrack August 13, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews,Music Festivals,New Music — NVMP @ 3:51 AM
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Review by TNT

Bands I saw: AM Taxi, Face to Face, Left Alone, Anarbor, The Sparring, The Casualties, All American Rejects, Sum 41, The Mighty Regis, and Alkaline Trio
Bands I wish I saw: Reel Big Fish, Andrew W.K., The Flatliners, Tomorrows Bad Seeds, Middle Finger Salute, and Riverboat Gamblers

It doesn’t feel like summer until the Vans Warped Tour rolls into town.  I’ve gone consecutively since 2003 and before I journey to the tour, I’m always convinced it’s Christmas morning.  Well, at least that’s what it feels like to me.  I describe it as one of the most exciting feelings in the world…knowing you’re going to see a festival that lasts all day with some of the greatest punk and rock n’ roll bands around (from legends to up and coming artists), knowing that you’re going to discover loads of new music, and meet some cool people who actually enjoy the same music as you.  Now, I know there has been an increase in posers at the Warped Tour, but if you think about it like that, you’re not going to experience the same overwhelming excitement-filled feeling.  There are posers everywhere, let’s face the fact that there isn’t much we can do about it other than try to set them on the right path (and perhaps introduce them to this website).

I’d also like to note that Kevin Lyman, creator of the Warped Tour, does not pick the bands based on what YOU listen to.  When you create your own US/Canada tour, you can choose whoever you want to play.  If the bands were the same every single year or there was a limited variety of genres or if unsigned bands weren’t given a chance, I think it would get pretty boring and repetitive.  I also understand that if he didn’t go somewhat of the corporate route (mainly finding such huge sponsors in addition to Vans), this tour would not be able to go so far.  If you have beef with the tour because you think it “went corporate” or “sold out” then you obviously don’t know how expensive it is to financially support a tour of this size.  I would also like to thank Lyman for keeping the price of a ticket as low as possible and getting the tour to think and act green.

With all that being said, I did have a couple of gripes with the tour this year.  First of all, the NJ/NY dates were gypped out of seeing practically all the worth-while headliners: Anti-Flag, Big D and the Kid’s Table, The Dickies, Dropkick Murphys, Everclear, Street Sweeper Social Club, Streetlight Manifesto (they’re from NJ!) and The Bouncing Souls (also from the NJ/NYC area) were NOT in attendance.  What the fuck?  Without these acts, I feel like our ticket prices should have been cut in half.  Big freakin’ whoop; All American Rejects and Sum 41 don’t even compare to the bands I just listed.  I’m hoping some of them have upcoming concerts in the area, at least that would justify why they skipped NJ.  Secondly, due to an immense amount of traffic (half was from tour congestion and the other half was shore traffic), I was unable to see two of the greatest acts to play the NJ date.  Andrew W.K. and Reel Big Fish were the first acts to play.  I know I’m the only one to blame for this, since the acts are randomly picked for time slots on said day throughout the tour, but it still grinds my gears.  At least we snagged an interview with Andrew W.K. (will be posted soon).

Trying not to let the NJ line up bother me, my hungry ears and I were on the hunt for some new music.  The first band I stumbled upon was AM Taxi, a punk rock band from Chicago.  Let me explain filing AM Taxi under the punk rock category…they have both elements, in their natural form.  Punk lyrics are noted with simple chords and the guitar riffs are pure rock n’ roll, with driving drums beats that bring it all together.  There is also somewhat of a modern pop hook here, an edge that pulls you in.  I was impressed, especially with their lyrics and energy.  “The Mistake” is extremely well written with lyrics that stun you, (much like Brand New did for me back in the day) and the keys really bring this song together.  It’s hard to say punk music has a heart, but AM Taxi does, their music just hits home.  Right after their set, I made a personal note to pick up their latest album We Don’t Stand A Chance.

Coming back from an ever-changing line up and a long hiatus, Face to Face was the next band I sought out.  What a performance!  It’s been way too long and I was so excited to see them play.  I file Face to Face as one of the original Warped Tour bands, also included are Bad Religion, Anti-Flag, NOFX, and The Casualties.  Face to Face is fucking back and they’re releasing a new album this fall entitled Laugh Now, Laugh Later.  It was great to hear them play again and I pray they’re on the tour in 2011.  SoCal punk rock (F2F since 1991) will never die.

Left Alone was up next.  They remind me of Rancid so much; people look at me like I’m crazy when I say this, but that’s what I hear!  I guess Tim Armstrong and I have similar ears because after hearing Lonely Starts and Broken Hearts in 2004, he signed this band to his label, Hellcat Records.  Straight up, Left Alone is fast punk music with three chords and ska influences.  “Out of Tune Melody” made for a perfect circle pit.  I think I relate with Left Alone so well because they are a true DIY band.  Frontman Elvis Cortez started off as a roadie on the 2003 Warped Tour and when Lyman heard some music from the band, he appointed the band as the official Warped Tour BBQ band in 2004 and 2005.  I’m happy to see their hard work has paid off, as they officially played the tour this year.  See?  Sometimes all you need is good music and the rest will follow.

After Left Alone, I decided to check out what the hype was about with the band Anarbor.  Until today, I never gave the band a fair chance, but I’m glad I caught some songs.  I loved “You and I”; I feel that majority of pop rock bands would make this way more whiny and annoying.  Kudos.  I loved the lyrics in “Always Dirty, Never Clean” – ‘I’ve got bruises on my hands and knees/And a list of failures in between/Always dirty, I am never clean/Music is what you hear, and not what you see.’  When I get older and start doing needle-points and other old lady shit, I’m going to stitch this on a pillow.  “Gypsy Woman” has a great beat that makes it hard to stand still, but its not my favorite song.  I just hear Cage the Elephant and nothing else.  Anarbor released their first full length album on Hopeless records, 4/20/2010.

As I was getting read for Warped Tour this year, pre-listening to the bands, I came across The Sparring (Old Shoe Records) and knew they could not be missed.  Lead singer Joel Bourne cleared a space for himself to perform in front of the stage, stopping festival goers to stay for some music and pouring Monster Energy Drink on fans waiting in line for some meet n’ greet.  He stated that you can’t enjoy live music if you’re waiting in line for an autograph.  I say right on brother!  Borne had much to say, screaming his sarcastic punk lyrics.  This trio is powerful and I predict a solid future for them in the DIY punk rock community.  I recommend catching a live show soon.  Fair warning, the pit will be dangerous so be sure to bring it!

Being crunched for time, I was only able to catch one song from The Casualties.  Watching from the side of the stage, I felt like I was experiencing The Casualties (and the tour) for the first time all over again.

All American Rejects and Sum 41 performances left me with one question: Why?  I love the singles by All American Rejects, but never listened to the rest of their music.  Their big hits were of course covered; “Dirty Little Secrets,” “Swing, Swing,” and “Gives You Hell” were all played.  It was a good performance, but I felt like the members were distant, didn’t feel a connection.  It wasn’t an absent of energy, that was there, it just felt a little forced.  Perhaps the weight of touring has gotten the best of them on this particular date.  Lead Singer Tyson Ritter was promoting the campaign “Don’t Hate on Haiti”, spray painted on his white suit, with a clear mission statement being that if you forget about this disaster, its hatred.  He stated that he was touring to help raise money to build clean water wells for the people of Haiti.  Very noble.

With Sum 41, it felt like they were trying to relive their glory days with hits like “Fat Lip,” “All To Blame” and “The Hell Song”.  Their latest album, All the Good Shit: 14 Solid Gold Hits 2000-2008, was released in November 2008 and rumors of a new album in 2011 are buzzing around too.  Honestly, I miss Dave Baksh.  He brought a heavier punk sound to the group with his guitar style and it is missed.  I was less than thrilled with Sum 41.  I do wish Deryck Whibley a speedy recover though.  In Japan, where the band was set to play the Summer Sonic Rock Festival, Whibley was attacked on 8/6/10 in a bar by three men (and police) and aggravated a slipped disk injury in his back from 2007.

I wanted to like The Mighty Regis, but I just couldn’t.  They had a great performance, but for me it felt too much like they were impersonating Flogging Molly.  Both bands have seven members (6 male, 1 female), play the same instruments, and are both Celtic punk rock bands from Los Angeles.  It’s similar to the great debate of The Grateful Dead vs. Phish.  I was never able to get into Phish because I’m a deadhead and never saw (or heard) the point of getting into practically the same band.

Finally!  It was time to check out Alkaline Trio!  What a stellar performance, as usual!  I was happy to hear “Armageddon” and “Private Eye”, as From Here to Infirmary is an all-time favorite album of mine.  Personally, I haven’t seen Alkaline Trio live in some time, so every song was amazing to me; tons of energy, guts and love.  Also, the crowd was huge.  On their speakers, they stenciled on “Free the WM3” and “WM3.org”.  I am so touched that bands today are still supporting the West Memphis Three but furious that they’re still in jail.  Please visit WM3.org to find out what you can do to support and free the WM3.

In final summation, here are my thoughts on the tour this year:  Although I missed the majority of the bands I was excited to see, I made the most of the day.  I understand that set times are randomly selected every day of the tour, but it still stinks that I missed out on a few great acts.  Oh well, there’s always next year.  I discovered a lot of new music and look forward to checking out more music by said bands.  Nevermind the Posers has attended Vans Warped Tour since 2003 and we’re looking forward to the lineup in 2011.

Don’t forget, to check out the bands mentioned in this review simply click on their names; they are linked to their MySpace pages.

 

Music grows from its roots: Social Distortion, Dan Sartain, and The Action Design at Starland Ballroom. August 12, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews,New Music — NVMP @ 7:37 PM
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Review by Angela Blasi
August 1, 2010-

Picture it – Starland Ballroom is packed for a sold out show.  The room is a buzz with a mature crowd, filled to capacity, truly embodying the notion of standing room only.  The newly renovated space is home for the night to a congregation of faces, many of them creased deeply in the smile lines.  Yet, still the air is rife with the same energy one would have found back in 1988.  Yes, this is Social Distortions crowd.  Playing with openers The Action Design and Dan Sartain, I knew this was going to be one hell of a concert.
First to take the stage was the four piece rock group The Action Design.  Having risen from the ashes of former punk band Tsunami Bomb, this latest outfit proved to encapsulate the older punk rock roots while allowing the music to evolve further.  Driven by the eclectic mix of sounds, often fusing punk with rock and dance grooves, The Action Design graced the stage with an attitude of laid back professionals.  Happily grooving along to their own music with the audience, one could sense the groups chemistry as they interacted well with one another, feeding a vibe that only enhanced their performance.  Musically solid, Emily Whitehurst sang each note with grace and style, even seamlessly taking her place behind the keyboard, complimenting each bass groove and guitar riff to create a driving force.  Songs “Desperation” and “Still Standing” are available via 7″ vinyl release also titled Desperation, courtesy of Pandacide Creative Lending.  All in all, definitely a band I could see myself rocking out to driving down a long stretch of open road, just singing along, feeling the music.  I dig it.

Dan Sartain was next on stage.  A tall, lanky figure with slicked jet black hair and guitar strapped to his back, Dan stood center stage crooning rockabilly blues tunes to the audience, looking like the movies Crybaby and The Outsiders had a baby, complete with an old school microphone.  A simple set up consisting of a drummer and bassist to back him, he quickly stood out as a person of interest.  His voice, steady and sincere yet rich with the tones of musical forefathers like Johnny Cash, delivered something refreshing- rockabilly and blues- pure, simple and most of all genuine.  A fitting description, considering he hails from Birmingham, Alabama.  Now, I’m no die-hard rockabilly fan, it’s not something I listen to often but I do appreciate good music when I hear it.  Mr. Dan Sartain definitely is an up and coming artist in his genre.  With songs like “Ruby Carol” and “Atheist Funeral,” he has that punk rock devil-may-care attitude coupled with a quiet confidence that shines through effortlessly.  He’s been dubbed the “post-punk Johnny Cash” and I can see why.  His guitar riffs coupled with that voice, which is almost too perfectly rockabilly to be believed, make the moniker not only fitting, but something to be worn like a badge of honor.  I definitely recommend giving him a listen.

Now on to the main event!As soon as the Social Distortion banner took its rightful place in the air and the opening music sounded, the entire crowd came to unified attention and began to cheer; the show was about to begin.  One by one, the band members took their places on stage and in one second, tore right into “Road Zombie”.  One second more, the great Mike Ness geared up and completed the line up, being welcomed with even more cheers from the eager fans.  The music kept on coming and without missing a beat, the band began playing “Bye Bye Baby.”  Social D is one of those bands I’ve been listening to for years, sometimes without even realizing it, but never had the chance to see live.  As soon as Mike opened his mouth and that voice, that unmistakable instrument that’s defined the bands’ sound just as much as the music itself rang in my ears, a smile spread across my face.  All those years of listening and here it was, live and in the flesh before me sounding just as raw, perfect, and distinct as I’ve always heard it.  As the set continued on I could not help but notice the amazing atmosphere of the room.  In the pit, a myriad of converse plunged toward the ceiling as the younger fans faithfully breathed the words to every song while being passed along a sea of hands as if it was the last concert of their lives.  The rest of the crowd, almost all which were much older than myself, (some even bringing their own kids to share in the musical legacy) was completely drenched in positive vibes.  Throughout the entire show there was no division of band and crowd; it felt like a family had come together in the same place to share in something amazing and greater than themselves.  Ness spoke to the crowd casually but it never felt lengthy or put on, more like a friend you haven’t seen in a while, busting your balls and having a beer with you.  Despite playing since the 80’s and facing a host of trials and tribulations as a band, Social Distortion has not lost steam.  Giving it their all, the show was high energy from start to finish.  Time was of no concern that night, an hour and a half flew by like nothing, yet the group never once slowed down or compromised their sound, even playing four encore songs, ending the night with a great cover of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”  Every thing about this show was amazing – the band, their music, their live performance, skill, charisma and most of all the passion brought to the table that made this one of the best shows I’ve been to in a while.

Complete Set List:

    1. “Road Zombie” / “Bye Bye Baby”
    2. “Under My Thumb”
    3. “Bad Luck”
    4. “Don’t Drag Me Down”
    5. “The Creeps”
    6. “Another State Of Mind”
    7. “Mommy’s Little Monster”
    8. “Sick Boys”
    9. “Reach For The Sky”
    10. “Ball and Chain”
    11. “Highway 101”
    12. “Sometimes I Do”
    13. “Still Alive”

Encore:

    1. “Prison Bound”
    2. “Nickels and Dimes”
    3. “Making Believe” (Jimmy Work cover)
    4. “Ring Of Fire” (Johnny Cash cover)
 

Iron Maiden at Madison Square Garden 7/12/10 July 21, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 11:49 PM
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Review by Mama Dukes (Marianne Teresi)

First off, I’d like to say that they sounded GREAT!!!  Bruce Dickenson’s voice still sounds amazing, hitting every note while jumping and running all over the stage.  He looked a bit older wearing a knit cap and psych ward t-shirt but sounded as young as ever.  Opening with “Wicker Man”, the sold out Garden came to life.

Bruce D. dedicated “Blood Brothers” to the recently deceased Ronnie James Dio, asking everyone to raise their ‘devil horns’ to the sky for him up on a cloud of his own somewhere as he is the reason the hand symbol is so popular for metal music everywhere.  He went on to say that he doesn’t want to be one of those bands from the 70’s that just keeps playing their hits from way back when and they were mostly going to be playing songs from more recent albums.

Now, as much as I love some of their current stuff, I still want to hear the good classic songs like the “Trooper” or “Run to the Hills”.  Thankfully they played “Fear of the Dark” and “Number of the Beast” to my delight as well as most of the audiences.

I can understand them being sick of playing the same old stuff show after show, but that is what most fans want to hear.

The stage show left much to be desired.  Basically, someone just kept changing the curtain that was behind the drum set with some kind of towers on the side.  They did have “Eddie” come out in the middle of the song “Iron Maiden” which was highly anticipated by everyone, judging by the screaming crowd.

After the show, heading back to the car, two people stepped out of a bar and asked if we were at the show.  When we replied that we just left, they asked if they played “Trooper”.  Unfortunately, we had to respond, “no”.

Iron Maiden should really think of the fans and how much they really do enjoy the classics.  I’m glad that I was lucky enough to see them open for Judas Priest back in ’82 when they did play all the good old songs.

 

Electric Six Starts New Tour Off With A Dance Epidemic July 16, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 2:26 PM
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Review by: Daniel Edward

“It gets lonely on the road,” declared Dick Valentine, Electric Six’s lead vocalist, “and we’ve been on the road one day.”

Electric Six kicked off their latest headlining tour at Maxwell’s in Hoboken on July 14 – a venue they described as their “fertile crescent” – to promote their forthcoming album.

Township, a kick-ass rock n’ roll band from Boston, opened the show with an electrifying set of melodic rock that was so much more than a sum of its influences.  “Sinister Minister” is still stuck in my head.  If you like rock, definitely check them out, and if you have the chance to see them live, seize the opportunity.

As soon as Electric Six took the stage, people went wild.  They played a broad swathe of their repertoire – though their arguably biggest hit, ‘Danger! High Voltage,’ didn’t make the cut – that had everyone up and dancing.

“This is going to be a night of trilogies,” Valentine said, setting the stage for their themed, three song mini sets.  Trilogies of demons, gays and the future included songs like “Electric Demons in Love,” “Gay Bar,” and “Future Boys.”

I haven’t given Electric Six’s more recent albums the same attention I gave ‘Fire’ and ‘Senior Smoke’, but with a 20 song set, they played something for everyone, and the more hardcore E6 fans were going crazy all night long.

Through the wild and energetic set, Valentine put on a great show full of the tongue-in-cheek humor the band is famous for.  They ended the show with a dance trilogy followed by Valentine asking, “Does anyone have nine bucks so we can get through the Lincoln Tunnel?”

 

Alice In Chains: Old Gives Way to New June 18, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 9:06 PM
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The Second Coming Not Quite What We Were Hoping For
By: Dave “The Klone” Maresca

I want to begin my review with a bit of a dialogue, directed at you, our readers.  The phenomenon that surrounds seeing a band that you feel passionate about is a long revered tradition, one that cannot be explained with any degree of accuracy to anyone who hasn’t had this experience.  For me, the special-ness about it would always start long before I would arrive at a venue.  Maybe it’s listening to my most recent favorite track by the band on my iPod the morning of the show, or it’s the car ride to the venue getting psyched with whatever friends or cohorts are accompanying me.  Most importantly, it’s that personal reflection on how long you’ve been listening to these guys (or gals) and what having their music as part of the soundtrack to your life has meant.  It’s all about the relationship.

That said, we all have our relationships with certain bands that have…changed us in some way since the very first time we heard them.  For me, the list is short but distinguished.  Number 1 – Metallica, Number 2 – Alice In Chains Guns, Number 3 – Guns N’ Roses, Number 4 – Tool, Number 5 – is up for grabs between several others, none the least of which could be Type O Negative.  There they are, the top four  big dog, power players.  Last month I was lucky enough to catch my silver medalist, Alice In Chains performing one of the first shows ever at Monmouth University’s recently constructed Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC).  This was a night I’ll never forget, but not because it was completely, mind-blowingly amazing – and believe me, the performance was – but there was a lot to take into account with this event.  This was a night I’ll always remember for what it could’ve been…what it was supposed to be.

I want to back-up the comment I already made about the performance, because the band was seriously impressive.  For anyone who hasn’t been a long-time fan of AIC, the impression I can imagine they would have been left with from this show is that of a tight-knit group of guys who’ve all grown together into a single unit that blasts forth with their blues-tinged metal riffs and solid song structure.  In that respect, I can imagine all the newbie fans (of which there were many at this show) got more than they paid for.  For the veteran fans who were in attendance (like me), there was a seriously tall-order expectation, and I think the band did meet them, for the most part.

The classics sounded absolutely pristine, even with newcomer William DuVall stepping into the colossal shoes left by the late, great Layne Staley (1967 – 2002).  I do have to criticize him a bit, because by the end of the show his voice was audibly struggling, barely hitting some of the signature AIC high notes, but the first notes he crooned of the evening sounded so eerily like Staley that I had to completely freeze and take the moment in.  (I never regretted more the fact that I never got a chance to catch the original line-up live.)  Jerry Cantrell carried the flag from the days of old, really bringing forth the meaning behind the title “Black Gives Way to Blue”.  He is still the rock holding this group together, supported by bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, all of whom are still in their prime.  Musically, in my honest opinion, they are still unmatched among the contenders of today.  Overall, I wish they had played fewer songs from the new album, and concentrated on the songs the true fans came to hear.  There weren’t many that they didn’t play, but the few missing hits were noticed and lamented.

I think this show had some serious “areas in need of improvement”, starting with the venue.  I do plan on writing a piece on the role a venue plays in a show/performance, and perhaps there I will truly crucify the Monmouth University Multipurpose Activity Center for killing the American concert experience as we have all come to know and love it.  For this piece, suffice it to say that Monmouth University did not quite understand the idea behind a rock concert.  Maybe it was the humiliating “Over 21” bracelets with four breakaway tabs to limit the number of beers one could buy during the show.  Perhaps it was that all beers had to be purchased and consumed in a “beer garden” located on the second floor…nothing like being crammed into an adult version of a play-pen to enjoy your adult refreshments.  No, I know, it was the beer being poured out of warm cans by three – that’s right three total bar tenders serving the entire crowd, none of whom understood the physics of carbonation.  Now that I think about it, it could’ve also been that the “beer garden” was a considerable distance from, and had zero view of the stage.  So, no chance I’d even accidentally enjoy the show and a beer at the same time.  At Monmouth University MAC you have to choose…band, or Bud.  (Actually it was Yuengling and Coors, but who’s keeping track?)  BTW Monmouth University…if you’re going to have a “beer garden”, it’s tradition to have the beer served from kegs – refrigerated kegs that, you know, keep the beer cold, and served by someone who knows how to pour beers…as opposed to the setup you went with…some jack-ass pouring beers out of warm cans, blatantly ignoring the consumers of said beverages when they complain about getting half a cup of foam instead of the beer they ordered.  WTF?!!Concession stand tomfoolery aside, there was an overabundance of security.  Now, I’m not opposed to security, and I do believe that when people gather in public to watch events like concerts, there is a tendency for some folks to get out of hand, so I’m all for a security presence at shows.  What I am diametrically opposed to is a Goldberg wannabe sporting aviator shades (inside a darkened venue) crisscrossing his way through the crowd OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN throughout the night, cutting through the sea of barely bobbing heads like a Great White’s dorsal fin.  This guy alone made the concert NOT FUN, but unfortunately he wasn’t alone.  A serious scrawny lackey followed him with each pass, and even he had a look of, “What the hell are we doing?” on his face the whole night.  Couple that with the crowd that was for most part sober (with no relief in sight) and you had something more resembling an oil painting watching Alice In Chains, rather than the crowd I’m sure they were expecting.  I counted myself among the 10 other people throughout the entire place who were really rocking out and head banging along with classics like “Damn That River” and “Them Bones”.  It was, to say the least, pathetic.  Before we actually headed out for the show, I happened to be on TicketMaster’s website and noticed that AIC is playing at Madison Square Garden in September.  Something tells me that show will be more like what this show should’ve been.

In the end, the band is still amazing, sad as it is to know that an era has passed and will never be repeated.  May Layne Staley rest in peace knowing that his brothers-in-arms are still fighting the good fight, rocking us until our heads rattle with the ringing in our ears.  The most unfortunate aspect, as I look back, is that the shortcomings of the naïve, new venue reflected badly on a performance that should’ve left me enraptured.  (Grow up, Monmouth University MAC!)  I have a feeling any of my fellow Alice In Chains diehards that catch them in New York this fall will be less disappointed, even if the set list left a few cherished classics on the cutting room floor.

 

Recoil @ Le Poisson Rouge, May 18. 2010 June 8, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 6:31 PM
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To the vast majority of the United States, Recoil is known more as a definition in the dictionary than as a musical entity.  But to fans of Depeche Mode, and a small but dedicated following, Recoil is known as former member and sound architect Alan Wilder, who took up his side-project full-time after his departure from DM in 1995.  Surprisingly, during its entire 20+ year existence, Recoil has never toured or performed live in any manner, due to Alan Wilder’s assertion that Recoil is essentially a studio project[1].  And yet, through either good fortune or the advent of greater audio technologies, Alan Wilder has chosen to take his project on the road for the first time with A Strange Hour: Recoil Selected Events, a mini-world tour in support of his latest release, Selected.

Needless to say, it was quite the momentous occasion for myself and fans alike walking into Le Poisson Rogue on May 18th for the long-awaited chance to see Alan Wilder in action.  The show began on a subtle note with two plus hours of  DJ’s Alex English and Shred spinning underground Electro and New Wave tunes that one would certainly associate with Depeche Mode and Recoil.  Although there were some good selections, the sets were really nothing to write home about.  I couldn’t even tell when one DJ transitioned to the other, although several lone dancers around me seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Rating for DJ’s Alex English and Shred: Ok.

As far as I was concerned, the true opener of the show was a finely tuned Texas bluesmen by the name of Joe Richardson, who is also one of Recoil’s most recent collaborators (on the 2007 release SubHuman).  Admittedly, it did seem like a quite peculiar choice to have such a genre open the show for a sonically complex electronic musician, but when you think about how complex blues itself is as a sonic art-form, it made perfect sense.  Led by a trusty electric guitar and harmonica, Richardson eased his way into a roaring and crowd rocking set, filled with his original Recoil demos and two original songs with the charm that could only come from a seasoned and experienced pro.  It was the perfect set-up for things to come.

Rating for Joe Richardson: One of the reasons blues has survived this long.

And after another irritatingly long DJ break, Alan Wilder and his current studio/live collaborator Paul Kendall finally took the stage, led by a loop of machine-like dissonance and frenetic chants of “Recoil”.  What unfolded before the packed crowd was a 90 minute multi-media live DJ experience; a continuous mix that both outlined the track listing of the current release Selected, and ran through the majority of Recoil’s past releases.  The set included an appearance by past collaborator Nicole Blackman, who writhed her way through a seductive spoken word set (and who in my opinion, is one of the sexiest vocalists that I have ever seen work a mic), and the re-appearance of Joe Richardson.
All synchronized against a backdrop of surreal, often nightmarish mini-films (filled with nameless G-men, sleazy strippers, ghostly apparitions, shadows and double negative effects) that acted as a silent navigator through the similarly themed sonic spectrum.  The exceedingly surreal journey also contained the expected references to former band Depeche Mode, as he subtly slipped in segments of “Never Let Me Down Again” late in the set, and even a nod to Recoil’s label head Daniel Miller (of Mute Records), with segments of “Warm Leatherette”, from Miller’s former musical alter-ego The Normal.

And at the end, Alan did a proper meet and great with the fans, thus bringing a perfect evening to a close.  Here’s hoping for a return visit from Recoil in the near future.

Rating for Recoil: Fucking fantastic.  Please come back soon.

Nicole Blackman: Again… incredibly Sexy.  I think I have a mini-crush.

www.recoil.co.uk
www.myspace.com/recoil

-Mark B.

[1] From the interview section on http://www.recoil.co.uk

 

Fyfe Dangerfield May 23, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews,New Music — NVMP @ 4:22 PM
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This past Wednesday I checked out Fyfe Dangerfield at Joe’s Pub in NYC.  Founding member of UK band The Guillemots and playing only a handful of dates in our area, Dangerfield’s performance was a rare and enticing treat to hear.  He sang, tickled the ivories, and played guitar while being accompanied by two talented violinist, setting the tranquil and euphoric atmosphere of the night.  His debut solo album is called Fly Yellow Moon and was released in January 2010 and is now available on iTunes in the US.  Songs like “Barricades” and “Livewire” gave me the chills while the upbeat, rhythmical hits like “She Needs Me” and “When You Walk In The Room” made me fall in love with his music immediately; these are my favorite tracks and I highly recommend you check them out.
I am looking forward to listening to the album in its entirety.  Fyfe Dangerfield is a phenomenal singer/songwriter and I think Fly Yellow Moon is only the beginning of a long and prosperous solo career.

Website
MySpace

 

Who Said Punk Was Dead? May 22, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews — NVMP @ 10:27 PM
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By Angela Blasi

On May 13th 2010 I had the distinct honor of visiting the Fillmore at Irving Plaza in anticipation of witnessing living legends the Buzzcocks.  Billed with the solid musical trio The Dollyrots, this gig held the promise of delivering amazing music while simultaneously kicking my ass.

Upon arrival, I made my way upstairs into the lower level of the show room to find The Dollyrots had taken the stage and were already a song or two into their set.  Watching inconspicuously from the side, I took note of the trio’s more reserved nature since the last time I had seen them with Bowling For Soup.  Being on a bigger bill, I couldn’t blame them for feeling more serious about this gig than the last.  Despite the magnitude of touring with The Buzzcocks, Kelly Ogden maintained true front woman status, leading the band through each high energy number with her humor and charisma while keeping a much older crowd attentive.  Backed by the salient vocals of guitarist Luis Cabezas, the pair created the powerhouse of a voice that drove the band through each number.  Throughout the night her quiet confidence bore through every moment, poignantly illustrating the origins of a song like “Because I’m Awesome.”  Never taking themselves too seriously but always giving the crowd a blistering set devoid of imperfections or stumbling like classically trained musicians, The Dollyrots have yet to disappoint me.  Not only do I appreciate the fun atmosphere they bring to a show, but also how in doing so they embody that true, ‘Music is amazing so let’s just play and fuck the details’ attitude.  Playing highlights such as “Jackie Chan,” “Bad Reputation”(originally performed by Joan Jett and The Black Hearts) and the title track off their upcoming album “California Beach Boy,” the band commanded the stage and let the older fan base of the Buzzcocks know that just because they’re from a newer generation doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten how to rock from their roots.

After a brief intermission and set change the standing room only crowd was buzzing with excitement.  Although the fan base was older than myself one could still feel the enthusiasm in the air, no different from that generated by the youthful crowds of punk’s start.  For this North American tour, the band promised to play both their classic albums Another Music In a Different Kitchen and Love Bites in their entirety.  Never a group to disappoint, they did just that.  Seamlessly charging full throttle into each song, the Buzzcocks stood and delivered.  The group wasted no time with mindless banter between songs but rather gave the crowd exactly what they came for: a feverish night of non-stop music.  As they plowed into song after song with no break, it became clear that time has had no bearing on the output of this group.  Each note played was executed with seasoned professionalism and just enough arrogance to make the audience take notice of the greatness sweating before them.  The set was complete with individual moments for each band member, showcasing their musical prowess separately and eventually flowing back together to form the high energy sound that is the Buzzcocks.  Even today, the snot-nosed lyrics, decreeing boredom, and the need for sex, drugs, and drink still keep up their edgy, youthful charm.  Brilliant in their lyrical simplicity and tight with their full-bodied musical deliverance, one can see why this is truly the stuff legends are made of.

 

Take the Clean Concert Pledge! April 29, 2010

Filed under: Concert Reviews,Music Festivals,Too Cool for a Category — NVMP @ 5:17 AM
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I took the Clean Concert pledge. CleanConcert.org

Finally!  Thank you Ben Coe and the Artist Farm for officially creating the Clean Concert Pledge!

If you’ve ever been to a concert or musical festival and care about our environment or are a half-way decent human being, at some point, you must have felt guilty from all the garbage and plastic bottles left behind.  Think back to when you stayed until the end of a show.  A mass of bodies are walking away from a sea of garbage.

Please click here and take the pledge, and by taking the pledge, I mean actually obeying it.  Spread the word, help keep the scene clean!

Do YOU recycle?

I took the Clean Concert pledge. CleanConcert.org