Night Out

This is more or less a review of Shallow Side’s show in Madison last Friday, but it is also a personal post. I’ve been absent from the local music scene for a while and it was absolutely wonderful being back.

Unfortunately, I missed most of the opening act, a band called By All Means. What I did see, however, was really good. If you like hard rock/heavy metal, you might want to check them out.

I have been to four or five Shallow Side shows previously. I always enjoy them. An energetic performance coupled with amazing originals–and some odd but very fun covers–makes for one hell of a night. Shallow Side is better than anyone at getting an audience on its feet, except perhaps Almost Kings.

Friday was no different. The band’s set included originals such as “Stand Up,” “Out of Reach,” and “My Addiction.” I have to admit, though, that one of my favorite parts was their version of Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk,” with which they concluded their show. Front man Eric Boatright definitely did the track justice. It was just…magnificent. 🙂

20fyio0From left to right: drummer Heath Fields, vocalist Eric Boatright, guitarist Seth Trimble, and bassist Cody Hampton.

33xvgojBunny ears, courtesy of Seth…

2rr49l3Seth got me twice. Lol.

153ogv62zgge3nLooks like Seth tried to get me three times.

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Concert Review: Black Jacket Symphony Does Pink Floyd

Last Saturday night, I went to see The Black Jacket Symphony perform Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon with my parents and cousin. The BJS has made a name for itself by recreating entire albums as exact as possible. Their past performances include Prince’s Purple Rain and Led Zeppelin’s IV.

The musicians in The Black Jacket Symphony rotate; that is to say, the band is not always made up of the same group of artists. For this performance, the band included Huntsville’s own Dave Anderson (guitar/vocals), as well as Aaron Branson on bass, Allen Barlow on guitar, Blair Breitreiter handling both keyboards and saxophone, Brad Wolfe on guitar, Mark Lanter on drums, Jackie Roche on vocals, and Peyton Grant on keys and backing vocals.

The Black Jacket Symphony did not disappoint. Pink Floyd is one of my all-time favorite bands, so believe me when I say I held them to a high standard. The musicians were superb, but it was the vocal talent on that stage that blew me away. Jackie Roche absolutely nailed “The Great Gig in the Sky” (see below). She received a much deserved standing ovation.

After the conclusion of Dark Side of the Moon, there was an intermission then the band returned to play a few of Pink Floyd’s greatest hits. They started with “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and ended with “Comfortably Numb.” There were the obvious ones, such as “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II” and “Wish You Were Here.” I was surprised and very pleased when they included both “Empty Spaces” and “Young Lust.”

It was a spectacular night, filled with so much talent and an enthusiastic audience who clearly appreciated that talent. I would highly recommend attending a Black Jacket Symphony show if the chance ever presents itself.

“The Great Gig in the Sky”

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Me with Dave Anderson and Jackie Roche

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A Couple of Tour Announcements

I’ve already mentioned the Davey Suicide/Deadstar Assembly tour on one of my weekly focus posts, but there are a few other tours kicking off soon that you might be interested in.

Before hitting the road with Deadstar Assembly, Davey Suicide is playing in April and May alongside Twiztid.

Juggalo Invasion Tour 2016

April 09 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA

April 10 – Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR

April 12 – Revolution Hall – Garden City, ID

April 13 – The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT

April 14 – Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO

April 15 – The Roxy – Denver, CO

April 16 – The Roxy – Denver, CO

April 17 – Riot Room – Kansas City, MO

April 18 – Bada Brew – Crest Hill, IL **DS Only**

April 20 – Crofoot – Ponrtiac, MI

April 22 – Magic City – Binghampton, NY

April 23 – Reverb – Reading, PA

April 24 – Fete – Providence, RI

Immediately following is the aforementioned tour with DSA and The Funeral Portrait.

Anti-System Revolution Tour 2016

April 25 – Studio at Webster – New York, NY

April 26 – The Cove – Worcester, MA

April 27 – The Agora Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

April 28 – The Waiting Room – Buffalo, NY

April 29 – Fishhead Cantina – Baltimore, MD

May 02 – 89th St. Collective – Oklahoma City, OK

May 03 – Scout Bar – Houston, TX

May 04 – Rail Club – Fort Worth, TX

May 06 – Dirty Dog – Austin, TX

May 07 – Korova – San Antonio, TX

May 09 – Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO

May 11 – TBA, Tucson, AZ

May 12 – Pub Rock – Phoenix, AZ

May 13 – Chain Reaction – Anaheim, CA

May 14 – Bar Sinister – Hollywood, CA **DS Only**

Also trekking the US this year is Dope!!! They have finally reunited and are coming to a city near you, starting in September!

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Lynam, Labor Day, and the Tiny Human

I saw Lynam this past Friday and I couldn’t have been happier. It had been about six months since my last show. They were awesome, as always, and after the show David let me listen to three songs–the final mixes–from the upcoming album, Bombshell. I am now even more excited for October than I already was.

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Jacob

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Some things never change…

Moving on…

My Labor Day was great, to be honest. I got to spend it with almost all of my favorite people: my brother Rick, my BFF Tiffany, her husband Jerimy, and my adorable niece Ivy. We had a cookout and Rick made grilled chicken that had been marinated in 151, lime, and sriracha sauce, as well as hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, etc. The best part of the night had to be dancing around the living room with the tiny human…or watching her amusement when all of the adults started playing on an exercise ball. Lol.

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Ivy gave us those ducks so that we could dance with them ❤

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Hope everyone else had a great holiday weekend!

Shaman’s Harvest, Tremonti, and Black Stone Cherry — A Night to Remember

Last Thursday, I went to see Shaman’s Harvest, Tremonti, and Black Stone Cherry in Birmingham. I’m not even going to try to explain how amazing the show was. Just…if you ever get the chance to see any of these bands, GO!!!!!!!!

After their set, Tremonti did a meet & greet at their merch table. Unfortunately, they were supposed to be out when Black Stone Cherry took the stage. They didn’t leave at the appointed time; however, we were ONE person away from them when security told them they had to go to the bus. No lie, I almost burst into tears. I love Mark Tremonti and I’ve wanted to meet him for a while and I was SO close…

While I was still struggling not to cry, a guy we’d been talking to before the show walked up. His name was Wade and he had tweeted Mark earlier in the week, asking if he would play his PRS at the show–and Mark said yes. He played the guy’s guitar for one song and announced to the crowd that it was Wade’s. (Legit, right?????) So Wade looks at me and asks if I got to meet Mark. I replied no and explained what happened. “Well,” Wade says, “you’d probably have luck if you went to the buses. They’re right around the corner. If Mark sees you out there, he’ll definitely talk to you. He’s a really cool guy.”

Second chances, for the win!!!!!!!!

My brother decided to stay inside and watch Black Stone Cherry because A) he’d never seen them before, and B) he didn’t believe that I’d have any luck outside.

I went out there. I found the buses. I froze my ass off for about twenty minutes, jumping every time a door opened. Finally, finally, the door to the venue opens and I glance up and I see him. Mark fucking Tremonti, carrying a guitar and looking like the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. I very softly called “Mark?” He looked straight at me and I waved and he waved back and I said “Can I…? Can I climb over the barrier?” And he said “Yeah. Come on.”

*DEAD*

I trampled some flowers to get to him. Lol. He tried to shake my hand and I threw my arms around his middle and hugged him and it was so glorious. I lamented the fact that there was no one there to take a picture and he goes “It’s okay. We can selfie it.”

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Sorry it’s so blurry, but the only lighting back there were the streetlamps.

We talked for about twenty minutes, then I asked for another picture, closer to the light this time. Instead, we grabbed some guy who was beside Black Stone Cherry’s bus and we got these.

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I joked we were going to have about twenty pictures together and he assured me it was fine and waited for me to make sure I was happy with them. ❤

My brother came outside after that, because I texted him and told him that Mark Tremonti said hello (which he did), but Mark was already on the bus and he never came back off. We did meet three members of Black Stone Cherry and two more members of Tremonti, though.

Black Stone Cherry

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Eric [Tremonti]

Eric

Tanner [Tremonti]

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These Self-Proclaimed Princes

Last Thursday, I went to see Almost Kings in Madison. Insert everything I’ve ever said about them into this post and you will be able to almost imagine how epic my night was.

I will never get over this band. I’m impressed by the fact that these four men give 200% at every show, both on and off the stage. They are the kindest, most wonderful and talented people, and I hope they know how much happiness they have brought to my life. Seriously, I can’t say it enough: if you ever have a chance to see them, take it! You won’t regret it!

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Ryan and Danny

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Boze

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Kevin

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Jude and Boze

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Kyle

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Birthday Blog!

I am going to take a break from reviews, videos, etc., and do a post about my birthday. The topic will still be music, however, considering that the way I celebrated was back-to-back Almost Kings/Super bob shows.

My actual birthday is August 10th. As you know, that was Sunday. There is nothing to do on a Sunday. Therefore, we decided to celebrate early. August 7th, we saw Almost Kings and Super bob in Huntsville. August 8th, we saw the dynamic pairing in Birmingham.

Almost Kings killed it, as always. I don’t think I could ever be disappointed by one of their performances. There is never a dull moment. And, you know, this happened.

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Adding to the excitement was the fact that these were my first two Super bob shows. I had not even heard them before this, except one song. I can’t think of anything to say about them other than OH, MY GOD! They were so great! Very high energy and more rock-oriented than Almost Kings, it didn’t take them very long to pump up the crowds. In Birmingham, I stood on one of Almost Kings’ equipment cases to see better and just let it go! I will undoubtedly be posting another blog about Super bob soon. They definitely fall into the category of “Bands You Should Know.”

I’m going to end this blog with a few pictures. Enjoy!

Me with Ryan Yunker

Me with Ryan Yunker

Jude Buckingham and AK's Bryan Bozeman

Jude Buckingham and AK’s Bryan Bozeman

Almost Kings bassist Danny Helms

Almost Kings bassist Danny Helms

Almost Kings guitarist Ryan Yunker

Almost Kings guitarist Ryan Yunker

Super bob front man Matt Santoro

Super bob front man Matt Santoro

Me with Danny and Almost Kings drummer Kevin Compton

Me with Danny and Almost Kings drummer Kevin Compton

Ryan Yunker

Ryan Yunker

Me with Matt Santoro

Me with Matt Santoro

Me with Super bob bassist Drew Recny (left) and drummer Chris Faircloth (right)

Me with Super bob bassist Drew Recny (left) and drummer Chris Faircloth (right)