Concerts 

Blackout

Weather can have an effect on shows. You know it because those outdoor shows have “RAIN OR SHINE” printed on them, but for lightning they will stop. If you told me tonight that the show at the Nile would have a delay because of a blackout for a couple blocks, I wouldn’t have believed you. However, that was just what happened as we lost power during a rain storm. The good news was that after an hour, the power came back and the bands played on until the end. The…

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Concerts 

A Snapshot of the Indie 500

The Indie 500 is a special event. The first one took place on the Trunk Space’s tenth anniversary, and, if memory serves correct, a joint celebration of a new air conditioning unit that was public funded. However, that isn’t what makes it special. It is that it brings together a bunch of different musicians and genres that I don’t always get to make it to. Plus you can jump in and out of it, like I did last year, and catch a bunch of music at any time of the…

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Concerts 

A Fund-Rager

What do you think of when you think of Cinco de Mayo? You’re saying Punk Rock, obviously. Oh wait, you mean Mexico celebrating a victory over a French army when things looked dire. Actually, I’m sure it is actually more of the alcoholic variety in most people’s thoughts. Tonight was an example of a group of great musicians and artists that came together to help Punk Forefront produce our zine. Another example in the past week and a half of how fantastic the music scene and beyond is. Opening up…

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Concerts 

Taking In Some Horror Punk

Discovery is one of the special ingredients of life. Tonight I was familiar with one of the bands, but didn’t do any research on what to expect from the other two. What I discovered was two more bands with personality. You can add Cadaver Dabba Doos and Redneck Nosferatu to that list alongside Creepsville 666 already on it. All three of them combined for a great middle of the week show. First on the bill was the Cadaver Dabba Doos. They have been playing a bit these days, but this was…

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Concerts 

Rallying For Riley

Cancer is a disease that is tragic for anyone to have. It is worse when it happens to a kid, who has to then grow up quickly when they should be enjoying their lack of responsibilities and dreaming about their future. You have seen me attend and bring it up on here before, when we had a benefit show for Hunter Keener. However, another family of a friend has had it strike for a nephew who is only eleven and now diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma Cancer. I tend to avoid…

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Concerts 

A New Perspective

Some of the best things you do can do in life are seeing other people’s takes on the things you love. This could be how they play a sport, or a different political stance. In the case of tonight, that is a new perspective on a genre of music from the Russian group, the Svetlanas. Adding to my intrigue about the band, they are currently banned from reentering their home country. I don’t think I knew what I was going to see until I saw it, but wow, what a…

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Concerts 

I Still Love You

If punk is my number one love in music, then Ska is a close number two. Punk was my gateway to it, discovering it when Craven Moorehead would play the Ska Punk Show song mix weekly on the FM airwaves. Started with Less than Jake and wondering what these horns are doing in there making it a little more danceable. I went down that rabbit hole and years later find me in love with the genre. That includes the Slackers being one of my top loves within it. The lineup…

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Concerts 

Big Eyes for CJ Ramone

Nostalgia holds a strong grip on a lot of humanity. When you bring in nostalgia for a band that helped usher in the punk genre, you’re going to attract a lot of people looking for that original sound. While I enjoy watching CJ Ramone play some covers of The Ramones, what I enjoy more is watching him do his original stuff. He brought along Big Eyes for the tour, plus one of my local favorites, No Gimmick, opened up the Phoenix stop. Despite No Gimmick being a band for about…

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Concerts 

What’s R and R When There’s Music Nearby?

Living closer to one of my favorite venues to visit is a luxury. Although when you go to it after your first day of moving things, may not always be the best for your energy. Regardless, I was going to take in some music after being deprived of it while I was busy packing most of the prior week. I mean, it was a quick trip from the new place. It entailed hearing three genres of music in one night too, with the Phenomenauts being a mix of a couple…

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Concerts 

A Dreamcar With An Exxxtra Element

A great musician is a great musician no matter the genre. In this case, we have what most people have labeled a “super band.” Dreamcar is made up of Davey Havok, of A.F.I., and Tony, Tom, and Adrian of No Doubt. The magic is that they aren’t playing any genre most adoring fans are familiar with, and it comes together in magnificent form. Before we get to Dreamcar, however, there were the guys in Dear Boy opening up the show. They were the perfect complement to open. I would best…

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