The Bouncing Souls @ The Stone Pony 12.27.11
Although it was The Bouncing Souls’ Fifth Annual Home for the Holidays Event in Asbury Park, NJ, this concert was my first time experiencing the band live. And, as it turns out, I shouldn’t have waited five years. There is something very satisfying about seeing a band in concert and finding that they sound just as good live as on their albums, if not better. Three opening acts supported the headliner: Title… continue reading
Band of Horses @ Paradise 12.12.11
I’m fairly certain the first time I heard “The Funeral” was during an episode of One Tree Hill back in 2006. The song captured my attention, so I memorized some of the lyrics, looked up the song and consequently discovered Band of Horses. I immediately added them to my list of bands that I must see live after hearing their other songs. I’ve been patiently waiting for them to stop… continue reading
Calling All Crows 4th Annual Benefit Show @ Paradise 12.10.11
Some might think that seeing the same musician perform live for the eighth time would get repetitive. However, that was not the case for me when Chadwick Stokes took the stage at the 4th Annual Calling All Crows Benefit Show on December 10th. I had previously seen Stokes with his other bands, State Radio and Dispatch. But I had never seen him perform with his new band, The Pintos, with… continue reading
Good Old War @ Brighton Music Hall 12.10.11
Good Old War played Brighton Music Hall on December 10th to a sold-out house and, as expected, they brought it down. The opener, Val Emmich (better known as Jamie the coffee guy from 30 Rock – “I’m totally gay for Jamie!”), was a last minute addition to the tour, and played with only his own acoustic guitar and a second guitarist instead of his band, The Veeries. His songs were… continue reading
The Devil Wears Prada @ The Fillmore Silver Spring 12.9.11
American rockers, The Devil Wears Prada, have taken North America by storm on their 2011 Dead Throne Tour, in support of their recent album of the same name. The tour, which includes support from Whitechapel, Enter Shikari, and For Today, hit The Fillmore in Silver Spring, Maryland on December 9th and left the crowd begging for more. After a successful summer headlining the Vans Warped Tour, a top 10 Billboard… continue reading
Puscifer with Carina Round @ The Orpheum Theatre 11.22.11
Few artists can actually control their craft so fully. Maynard James Keenan is the writer, producer, director and star actor of the multimedia production known as “Puscifer.” As Keenan stated before the band closed out the show, Puscifer is truly an independent production. “It’s just us and you,” he said. With absolutely no middlemen (i.e., labels and show promoters) Puscifer is able to command every aspect of your concert experience…. continue reading
Taylor Swift @ Madison Square Garden 11.21.11
Taylor Swift. The mere mention of her name will result in the dismissal of this article for many of you. And for that, I am extremely disappointed. Of course, I’m sure you all have valid arguments. She’s absolutely awful! The girl can’t even sing! She looks like a mouse! And honestly, once upon a time, I believed in many said ideas myself. However, after an enchanted night at the Garden… continue reading
John Coltrane Memorial Concert @ Blackman Auditorium 10.22.11
While mustachioed men in skinny jeans were jiving to Matt and Kim in the basement of a Cambridge apartment, I was searching for the lost soul in music at the Blackman Auditorium. I found a showcase remembering John Coltrane, an important figure in the jazz world. Yes, I said jazz, America’s best invention besides deep fried candy bars. People don’t realize that jazz musicians are masters of their instrument, able… continue reading
The Kooks @ House of Blues 11.19.11
The Kooks are one of those bands whose style and charisma harkens back to the best of the British invasion. Front man Luke Pritchard and company arrived on stage greeting a drunkenly dynamic crowd at The House of Blues and dug into their first song, “Is It Me?” Pritchard’s voice was as beautifully cockney’d as it is in the recordings. One of the defining elements of watching The Kooks perform… continue reading
Phantogram w/ EXITMUSIC @ Royale 11.19.11
The leaves have fallen and autumn is settling into our bones. The perfect accompaniment to that chill in the air is the unique electro-rock stylings of Phantogram. Full of seductive beats and soothing vocals, they’re a middle ground to beckon the forthcoming frigid Boston winter. The duo, comprised of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter (with Tim Oakley on drums during shows) are touring in support of their new EP Nightlife…. continue reading
Lydia @ Middle East Upstairs 10.21.11
When Lydia announced in March 2010 that their forthcoming album, Assailants, and subsequent tour would be their last, I cried for a week. When frontman Leighton Antelman announced this past May that they would be returning from hiatus, I cried for two weeks. At just 17, I had not been old enough to see them play at the Middle East Downstairs during their “Goodbye & Farewell Tour.” To hear that… continue reading