So anyone who's ever ridden as a passenger in my car has seen this sticker on my dash:


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9 shows for July.

Getting closer to cracking that double digit barrier.

There was always something about "Christmas in July" that never made sense.  Sure, I understood that a bunch of merchants, retailers and advertisers got together to come up with a campaign to kick start some shopping during the Summer.  But the thing that didn't make sense was why July?  If you really think about it, the halfway point of the year ( Read more... )

For almost 20 years now, Dan and I have been going to see Rush.  It was one of the first things we found out we had in common (way back in high school) and as the years have gone by, it is something we always do together.  And as far as I'm concerned, it'll be something we'll continue to do as long as Rush keeps on touring.  Now here's the thing.  ( Read more... )

So another day, another mall and another band.  I'll admit that I wasn't really looking forward to watching a band play at a mall in Buford, GA on a Sunday afternoon, but I imagine that the band probably felt the same way.  I can understand when a band or artist that no one has ever heard of (aka Kate Voegele) decides to play a show at a mall.  But ( Read more... )

At some point in the 80's, some music industry exec came up with the brilliant idea of having new bands perform at malls.  With the idea that if the audience is too young to get into the show, you bring the show to them.  Or more likely, have them play to a captive audience where their music can easily be bought at the record store next to the Gap ( Read more... )

This was the show I was looking forward to seeing the most this month, as Grupo Fantasma is one of my favorite live bands.  They put on such an amazing performance and you just can't deny those Latin rhythms.  Well apparently the word is out about Grupo, because the show sold out.  Think about that for a moment, a salsa band sold out the Earl.  ( Read more... )

For the past six or seven years, I've successfully been able to avoid going to the Warped Tour.  Not that I dislike the bands on the tour per se, as I went every year for about five or six years in a row.  But I've had it with the overall atmosphere of the all day, outdoor concert festival.  From Warped Tour to Ozzfest to Lollapalooza (when it used ( Read more... )

Generally, I like to pride myself in having really good "concert timing," i.e. - knowing exactly when to show up to see the band you want to see.  I had it honed to the point where I could figure out my arrival just by knowing the band and the venue.  Which has saved me from seeing countless sub par opening acts or standing around for hours looking ( Read more... )

I believe in some circles, I'm known as a music aficionado.  In the rest, I think I'm more than likely known as a music snob.  Either way, I'll admit that I am particular with what I like and listen to.  And even I find it a bit odd that I'm not really into Tom Waits, because on paper I should be.  An eccentric iconoclast who seems to be a man out ( Read more... )