Cinderella Concert Review - Pacific Amphitheatre - Costa Mesa, CA - 8/3/12

I never make apologies for the music I loved as a teenager. In fact, if you looked at my music collection you would still see most of the metal CD's that I've had since the introduction of the CD back in the 80's. On my recent trip home to St. Louis I came across a stack of my old Twisted Sister and Ratt vinyl. It was like finding a hidden treasure in a buried time capsule. It almost brought a tear to my eye when my brother lifted them out of the box that my dad had labeled "Jody's Junk." 

So now you understand my excitement about last night's Cinderella show at the Pacific Amphitheatre. I'll admit, it's part nostalgia but it's mostly about listening to some great rock n' roll and having fun. Fun is something that seems to be missing from music the past 20 years or so. There is a lot of great music being released but no one seems to be having any fun. Metal was always fun.

Tonight's show featured the "classic" Cinderella line up of Tom Keifer on vocals, Eric Brittingham on bass, Jeff LaBar on guitar and Fred Coury on drums. Cinderella is an interesting band since they have only released a total of four studio albums over the past 25 years and nothing since 1994's Still Climbing. Most of tonight's set list focused on their first three albums which was to the delight of the 5,000 or so fans in attendance.

Vocalist Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittigham

The band ripped through most of their classic early songs including "Night Songs," "Shake Me," Nobody's Fool," and "Somebody Save Me" all from their excellent debut album Night Songs. The album is considered by many to be one of the true classics of the early glam metal era.

After the release of the first album Cinderella moved away from the their glam metal roots to focus more on a blues-based rock style that really made their musicianship shine. Both the Long Cold Winter and Heartbreak Station albums are perfect examples of this stripped down sound which brought the band closer to the classic rock sounds of the Rolling Stones and Bad Company.

From Long Cold Winter they played "Gypsy Road" and "Second Wind." Their most well know song "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)," was a real crowd pleaser complete with vocalist Tom Keifer's unforgettable piano playing.  But the highlight of the entire evening was the song "Coming Home." The southern rock styled song had the entire crowd singing along with Keifer while the rest of the band's musicianship proved to be top notch.

The band came out for an encore and went into the blues heavy "Long Cold Winter" and finished the evening with "Shelter Me" with Keifer and the band channelling early 70's Aerosmith.

After several years of uncertainty about the band's future they seem to be back and ready to rock. They have a new found enthusiasm now that Keifer's vocal issues seem to be resolved. The band thanked the fans several times for their support through the years and promised they would see everyone again very soon. After this incredible night of music we can only hope that this is the case.

Cinderella saying goodnight to the fans

Girl In A Coma Concert Review- Alex's Bar- Long Beach, CA-4/28/12

At the sold out show on Saturday night we were blown away by the power and intensity of the Girl In a Coma trio. With searing vocals and just 3 instruments, these ladies from San Antonio, Texas can really rock. Their Smiths-inspired sound is a unique combination of punk and indie rock with a few ballads mixed in for good measure.

The band formed when drummer, Phanie Diaz and bassist, Jenn Alva met in a Jr. High art class. The lineup was complete when Phanie's little sister Nina joined as the lead guitarist and vocalist. Their mutual love of The Smiths was taken to the next level when they decided that the name of their band would be an homage to the song "Girlfriend in a Coma."

Tonight's Long Beach show at Alex's Bar was the sixth stop on their west coast headlining tour which lasts through May 10th. They are touring in support of their November 2011 release Exits & All the Rest which is out on Joan Jett's Blackheart Records.

 The crowd was electrified when the band took the stage and opened the show with the dynamic "One Eyed Fool."  From the first note we were both in awe of singer Nina Diaz's unbelievably powerful voice. She has a sultry, seductive quality to her vocals which draws the listener into her very personal lyrics.

One of the highlights of the evening was the song "El Monte." We were convinced that singer Nina Diaz was channeling the ghost of Patsy Cline. The song encompasses everything that is great about the band. The atmospheric tone and the incredible melody sticks in your head well after the song ends. Here's the video for the song.

The band played a 17-song, 2 hour career-spanning set. In addition to all the bands originals, they also covered Selena's "Si Una Vez" and ended the show with an amazing cover of the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" both from their 2010 album "Adventures in Coverland." This was our first time seeing the band and we were blown away by the unbelievable musicianship of the trio. They have a confidence and stage presence of a band that has been playing together for 20 years. It was also obvious that the band has a real connection with their audience. Nina's lyrics seem to speak directly to many of their rabid fans.

The future is bright for the band. They've already toured with Morrissey, The Pogues and the Go-Go's just to name a few. It wouldn't surprise us a bit if Girl in a Coma were headlining their own arena shows soon.

Set List:
One Eyed Fool
Adjust
Control
Si Una Vez
BB
Their Cell
Pleasure and Pain
She Had A Plan
Knocking at Your Door
El Monte
Sly
Smart
Pink Lemonade
Static Mind
Ven Cerca
Encore:
Simple Man
Femme Fatale

Because it's our blog and we can do whatever we want, here's another cool video from Girl In a Coma for the song "Smart." You can hear The Smiths influence in this song.

Allah-Las Concert Review-Fingerprints Record Store-Long Beach, CA 4/18/12

Randy Leasure once said about the band The Posies, "They wear their influences on their sleeve, but what a great shirt." The same can be said about the Allah-Las. Their psychedelic sound has a direct lineage to some of the great garage bands of the 60's. The obvious comparison would be the early Stones but listen closely and you'll also hear a little of The Beach Boys, Love and for those that like to dig a little deeper, The 13th Floor Elevators.

The band was playing at Fingerprints Record Store tonight to celebrate the Innovative Leisure Records' release of their new 7" single "Tell Me (What's On Your Mind)" with the flip side "Sacred Sands." The A side being a an excellent representation of the band's atmospheric sound and the B-side being an instrumental reminiscent of many of the great California surf bands of the past. Click below to view their recently released video for the new single to get a taste of what this band is all about.

I got the sense from the sizable crowd that was assembled at Fingerprints tonight that this band already has a large local following. The store was packed with several hundred eager fans. I had heard (and loved) a few of the band's songs before the show, but the real test is if a band can deliver the goods live. Once they stepped on stage any doubt that I had was put to rest. To be frank, I was completely mesmerized by the Allah-Las. Individually they are all excellent musicians but collectively the music that they produce is otherworldly. You can not help but be drawn in by the hypnotic sound of this band.

Drummer Matt Correia, Singer Miles Michaud, Bassist Spencer Dunham-Allah-Las at Fingerprints Records

Lead singer Miles Michaud has a vocal style that reminds me of a young Eric Burdon when he was a member of The Animals. It's laid back but intense in just the right spots. He has an undeniable charisma that hooked the crowd throughout the show. Lead guitarist Pedrum Siadatian's Byrd's inspired jangly riffs complemented Michaud's vocals perfectly. The back beat provided by bassist Spencer Dunham and drummer Matt Correia completed the retro-cool sound.

Gutarist Pedrum Siadatian and drummer Matt Correia - Allah-Las at Fingerprints Records

The band played a 13 song, hour long set which included the infectious new single "Tell Me (What's on Your Mind)" as well as the B-side instrumental  "Sacred Sands." They also played their 2011 single "Catamaran" and the B-side "Long Journey," a Roots cover with drummer Matt Correia taking over the vocals while lead singer Miles took over the drumming duties. Another cover the band performed was an obscure Ariel Pink song called "I Don't Need Enemies" which fit perfectly into their set.

View from backstage

 After watching the show tonight my faith in the power of music was renewed. I had just seen something magical that I would remember for a long time. I have seen a lot of great bands over the years but the Allah-Las are by far one of the best. If you have a chance to see one of their shows or buy one of their records don't hesitate. Trust me you won't regret it.

After the show the band stuck around to sign some autographs and take some pictures. Here's a picture of me meeting my favorite new band.

Me (Jody) with singer Miles Michaud

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts Concert Review- Long Beach Grand Prix-Long Beach, CA 4/14/12

I always believed that if you looked up the definition of rock n' roll in the dictionary there would be a picture of Joan Jett. No one embodies the spirit of rock more than Jett. I've seen her perform several times over the past 25 years and she just seems to get better with age. This year she was playing as part of the Long Beach Grand Prix's Saturday festivities.

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts at the Long Beach Grand Prix

The outdoor venue was packed to capacity with several thousand fans. She took the stage with the Blackhearts and ripped right into "Bad Reputation" and "Cherry Bomb" which sent the crowd into a frenzy. Jett's vocals and guitar playing were superb. After 30 plus years in the biz she is a seasoned pro. Her 20 song, 2 hour set covered all the phases of her career. She went as far back as "You Drive Me Wild" which is the first song she ever wrote while a member of the seminal all girl group, The Runaways.

She dedicated the song "Victim of Circumstance" to all the cops that that used to hang around outside the Licorice Pizza Record Store, (for all of us old enough to remember that place). She played several of her biggest hits including "Do You Wanna Touch," "Light of Day," "Crimson and Clover" and "I Hate Myself for Loving You." The highlight of the show was without a doubt "I Love Rock n' Roll," her huge hit from 1982 that spent over a month at number 1 on the Billboard charts . The crowd went absolutely nuts and everyone was singing along at the top of their lungs, while many played along on air guitar. After 30 years it was easy to see that the song still strikes a chord with multiple generations of fans.The band finished the show with a three song encore which included "Little Liar," "AC/DC" and a cover of Sly & the Family Stones' "Everyday People."

Jett's band, The Blackhearts, deserve a lot of credit for their musicianship and well as their backing harmonies which added a nice layer of texture to many of the songs. The Blackhearts are Thommy Price on drums, AC Slade on bass, Dougie Needles on guitar and Joan's longtime collaborator, Kenny Laguna on keyboards.

Joan Jett proves time and time again that she is a true original. She never caters to current trends but also never comes across as a nostalgia act either. Her straight forward, no-frills rock n' roll is still as kick-ass today as it was 30 years ago. Ask any of the thousands of fans that watched the show tonight.

Set List

1. Bad Reputation
2. Cherry Bomb
3. Light of Day
4. Do You Wanna Touch Me
5. Go Home
6. You Drive Me Wild
7. The French Song
8. Love is Pain
9. T.M.I.
10. Hard To Grow Up
11. Victim of Circumstance 
12. Naked
13. Fake Friends
14. Reality Mentality
15. I Love Rock 'n' Roll
16. Crimson and Clover
17. I Hate Myself For Loving You
18. Little Liar
19. AC/DC
20. Everyday People

Skinny Lister Concert Review-Fingerprints Record Store-Long Beach, CA-4/9/12

Riding a wave of positive buzz from their recent South by Southwest appearance, Skinny Lister stopped into Fingerprints Records for an in-store show before their gig at Alex's Bar in Long Beach. The five piece band from London plays their own infectious brand of English pub rock. Much of their press to date has penned them as a cross between Mumford & Sons and The Pogues. This is a fair comparison but make no mistake they have their own distinct sound. They played songs from both their Grand Union (2010) and Home Made Tour (2010) EP's and also previewed songs from their new album Forge & Flagon due to be released June 4th. Below is a link to their video for "If The Gaff Don't Let Us Down" the B-Side of their single "Plough & Orion."

The band consist of Daniel Heptinstall (vocals/guitar), Lorna Thomas (vocals/ukulele), Sam Brace (vocals/guitar/concertina), Maxwell Thomas (vocals/melodeon/mandolin) and Dan Gray (double bass/vocals). The band played a high energy show which featured a mix of pub, folk and a dash of punk thrown in for good measure. Their musicianship and vocals really shined this evening. They all form a tight unit and they really seem to enjoy playing together. Vocalist Lorna Thomas is the band's ring leader and came into the crowd on several occasions to incite the concert goers with her dancing and singing. 

Skinny Lister Live at Fingerprints

The band has an uncanny ability to play to the entire room and draw everyone into their performance. I got the sense that the band didn't care if they were playing in front of a few hundred people or a few thousand people. They have a sound and energy that you can't ignore. They also don't hide the fact that this is drinking music. The entire time I was watching the show I was wishing that I had a drink in my hand. In fact, the band mentioned that they usually have a jug of liquor that they pass around and into the crowd during their shows. Sadly they left the jug at the El Rey Theatre the night before.

Skinny Lister has just a few more shows left in the US before they head back home to England. They have a full slate of festivals scheduled for this summer to coincide the release of their full length album. If you have an opportunity to see them play live don't pass it up. Trust us, you won't regret it.

Wilco Concert Review-Copley Symphony Hall-San Diego, CA-1/22/2012

I've always felt a certain pride from the fact that Jeff Tweedy was from right outside of my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. I secretly thought that we may have shared some common experiences growing up near the same area. The first time I heard "Heavy Metal Drummer" it literally gave me the chills. I knew exactly what he was referring to when he said " I sincerely miss those heavy metal bands I used to go see on the landing in the summer." In fact, any teenage rock fan that grew up in St. Louis in the 80's knows what he was talking about. No one ever wrote a song about what it was like being a teenager in the Midwest. Jeff Tweedy always seemed like he was one of us.

1985- On the Landing- That's me on the right hanging with out
one of the many heavy metal bands that I used to go see.

Copley Symphony Hall was a perfect venue for a band like Wilco. The art deco hall was built in the late 20's and the acoustics were top notch.The band White Denim opened the show and took the stage to a half full theatre. They played a 35 minute set of "jam band" tunes and the crowd seemed appreciative of their musicianship.

By the time Wilco took the stage the entire 2,200 seat theatre was packed to capacity. Not an empty seat in the house. The band opened with "One Sunday Morning"from The Whole Love the album that they are currently supporting on tour. The 23 song, 2 hour career spanning set had a little something for everyone. From the country stylings of "Box Full of Letters" from A.M. through the more experimental "Poor Places" from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

 Jeff Tweedy has one of the best voices in rock n' roll and he was really on top of his game this evening. He has the ability to draw a listener in with a sweet melancholy whisper one minute and a powerful scream the next. He was confident and seemed very comfortable in his skin. After many lineup changes over the years there is is no doubt that this is his band.

There were a few highlights of the evening. Guitarist Nels Cline played one of the most incredible guitar solos that I've ever heard during "Impossible Germany". He was recently named to Rolling Stones' list of the top 100 guitarist of all time. This is an honor he definitely deserves.

Another highlight was the performance of "California Stars" a song Wilco originally recorded for the Woody Guthrie tribute Mermaid Avenue. The vocals, lyrics, musicianship and unbelievable light show were all top notch. The band is tight and seem to really enjoy playing with each other.

The three song encore included "The Whole Love", "Outtasite (Outta Mind)" and of course "Heavy Metal Drummer" complete with flashback chills.

setlist

• 01 - One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)
• 02 - Poor Places
• 03 - Art of Almost
• 04 - I Might
• 05 - Muzzle Of Bees
• 06 - Misunderstood
• 07 - Bull Black Nova
• 08 - At Least That's What You Said
• 09 - Rising Red Lung
• 10 - Impossible Germany
• 11 - Open Mind
• 12 - California Stars
• 13 - Handshake Drugs
• 14 - Box Full of Letters
• 15 - Born Alone
• 16 - Jesus, Etc.
• 17 - Pot Kettle Black
• 18 - Dawned On Me
• 19 - Hummingbird
• 20 - Shot in the Arm
• Encore:
• 21 - Whole Love
• 22 - Heavy Metal Drummer
• 23 - Outtasite (Outta Mind)

Jay Buchanan Concert Review - Alex's Bar-Long Beach, CA-12/30/11

 

Jay Buchanan at Alex's Bar

Jody and I first spotted Jay Buchanan at the Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest, Ca. circa 1999. We would frequent this club to catch local acts. I'm not sure who we were there to see initially, but when Jay got on stage, played the first few chords and opened his mouth, I remember thinking, Holy Shit! Who is this guy?! In 99' his sound was already flawless. I never imagined that a musician of his caliber could improve on perfection, but he has. This is what makes his performances transcendental. He masterfully combines the essences of  soulful blues, folk and rock. He also uses them at will. Diametrically opposed is the word that comes to mind when you consider his collaboration project with Rival Sons and his solo work.

Jay is not a typical rock guy. He's not pretentious. He doesn't require a big stage production or a plethora of equipment. In fact each time I've seen him play solo he usually takes the stage with just a guitar and his seraphic voice. The show at Alex's tonight was no different. Stepping to the stage with a red Gibson guitar he played an eight song, hour long set of incredible ethereal music. Jay's lyrics are introspective and often paint pictures of love and loss. He seems to be a keen observer on the human condition and has the ability to draw you into the picture that he is trying to paint. His incredible whisper to a scream vocals are often times jaw dropping.

Fresh off the road with Rival Sons, Jay gave his fans a treat at this show playing a retrospective set list. He kicked off the night with "Post Coital Kiss" which is Jody's personal favorite. He went all the way back to the 1999 album Violence for "Satan is a Woman," which he freely admitted to not playing in a "long, long time." He closed the evening with my favorite, "Internal Dialogue," where in the chorus he belts out "there is beauty everywhere." When it comes to Jay's music, I couldn't agree more.

Spotted in the crowd at the Jay Buchanan show was writer/performer/poet Derrick Brown. We have been fans of Derrick since his days as lead singer of The John Wilkes Kissing Booth. If you've never checked them out you should. They rock.

Jody with poet Derrick Brown

Chris Isaak at The Grove, Concert Review, November 27, 2011 Anaheim, CA

Chris Isaak's rockabilly sound comes straight out of the heyday of 50's Rock and Roll. His vocal style and stage presence are directly linked to Jerry Lee Lewis whom Isaak proclaims as the "King of Rock and Roll." Chris is a well rounded entertainer that has fine tuned his craft over the last 25 years. His first album, "Silvertone," was recorded in 1984. I began attending his shows around 1987. I had the good fortune to see him play often at "The Coach House" in San Juan Capistrano, CA. Over the course of the first 10 years of his career, his audience changed drastically. In the mid 80's Chris Isaak had a hard-core rockabilly fan following.  Lots of Pompadours, tight skirts and classic cars in the parking lot. After airplay and popularity of the song "Wicked Game," in 1991 the majority of the Chris Isaak crowd were no longer rockabilly kids but middle-aged yuppies.

His stage show also changed, evolving from his early beginnings as a formidable musician who would give each member of his band a break, while he took over playing each instrument. He'd rotate from guitar to bass to the drums, then back again to center stage. This was such an impactful experience that 20 years later I remember that show like it was yesterday. Since then he has evolved into more of an entertainer that involves the crowd by poking fun at his band members and dishing out 1 liners. He also makes a habit of running out into the crowd to connect with the audience.

Isaak's current tour is in support of the Beyond the Sun record that released in October. On the album he covers classic Sun Records' songs by Johnny Cash, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis. His 28 song, 2 hour set included several tracks from the album including "It's Now or Never," "Ring of Fire" and "Great Balls of Fire" complete with a smoking piano and  fake flames.

With no opening act, Chris gave the crowd their money's worth. He opened the show with "Beautiful Homes" from San Francisco Days and from that point on played a career spanning retrospective which also included several songs from his 2004 Christmas album. Even though Isaak continues to make records you can tell he feels most comfortable in front of a live audience. His witty banter and silly jokes are styled after the great showmen of the 1950's. He is a true entertainer and knows how to work the crowd.

Drummer Kenney Johnson, guitarist Hershel Yatovitz and bassist Rowland Salley are all excellent musicians that form a tight unit with Isaak. You can tell these guys are road warriors  and are all seasoned pros that enjoy playing with each other.

The six song encore was highlighted by a cover of Roy Orbison's "Pretty Women" complete with a large pin up girl that was hoisted behind the band during the song. For the show closer, Isaak was alone on the stage playing an acoustic version of "Forever Blue" which ended the show intimately.

The near capacity crowd was mellow but appreciative. At one point during the show Isaak thanked the crowd for supporting live music which I thought was a nice touch. Spotted in the audience was local rockabilly legend Big Sandy who was showing his own support for live music.

Our Niece Natalie with Rockabilly Legend Big Sandy

Rival Sons at Fingerprints Records, Concert Review, September 27th, 2011, Long Beach, CA

Before they rocked the stage in front of rock legends the likes of Queen and The Who at the Classic Rock Awards in London, Rival Sons killed it at one of the coolest and last surviving independent record stores in the heart of downtown Long Beach, Ca.  As I stood in front of the stage at Fingerprints I felt like a kid that had just heard the first Guns and Roses record. To put it bluntly, Rival Sons kick ass. They play a blues based brand of hard rock that you don't hear much these days. I think it's because most bands today don't have the musicianship to pull it off. You can hear the influences from Led Zeppelin to Bad Company but make no mistake, these guys have their own sound.

Jay Buchanan, whom I've come across often in the last 15 years of addictive show attendance, is the lyricist and voice of Rival Sons; And an impressive voice he is. He has the capability and range like those of his classic rock forefathers.  His lyrics are so descriptive and relatable you feel as though you've lived it and he's writing a song about your life. Isn't that what a great rock song is all about? The opening track to Pressure & Time "All Over the Road," has a lyrical feel reminiscent of the Eagles', " Life in the Fast Lane." Although, the lyrics are not so much negative as they are entertaining. The rhythm and chord progression are much more rockin', too. In fact, I know I have taken this road trip, I just don't remember Jay being in the car with us. That one factor, alone; RELATABILITY, is the distinction between a great song and a legendary one. A song that changes the face of rock and becomes a part of the soundtrack to your life.

 The hour plus set included a mix of songs from the recently released "Pressure & Time" as well as a few tracks from their debut EP. Some of the standouts included "Only One" which paints a picture of life on the road. In the song Jay sings, "Another night spent alone, while I'm up on the stage, in some Midwest town refusing to act my age." This is easily my favorite track on the new record. The band also played "Burn Down Los Angeles" and "Pressure and Time." The latter is the lead single which they played recently on the George Lopez Show.

Before the Fingerprints show Rival Sons had just returned from a European tour with Judas Priest and Queensryche. With their blazing guitars, searing vocals and feverish drumming they can easily hold their own in a room full of rock vets. This gives you a clue to the caliber of talent you are witnessing when watching Rival Sons. If you yearn for the days when musicianship was the driving force behind getting your ass to a show...then do yourself a favor and look these guys up.

Album Review - Last of the Honky Tonks - Michael and the Lonesome Playboys

Orange County, California based singer/songwriter Michael Ubalidini has always been somewhat of a musical chameleon. From punk to rockabilly to folk, he has never been afraid to show his musical versatility and talent. This latest release, Last of the Honky Tonks, finds him exploring new territory with more of a traditional country twang than his previous albums. The titles on some of the key tracks reveal the tongue-in-cheek theme of the lyrics. For example, "My Liver's Bad, My Life's a Mess-(And I blame you Sweetheart)" and "Married by the Gospel/ Divorced by the Law." Witty lyrics and an introspective look at relationships and self, make for a very relatable and memorable collection of songs. His latest musical venture appears in the #6 spot of Mojo Magazines in-house top ten and the record is holding at #1 on the CMP charts.