Hard to believe another year is almost in the books. 2013 had its share of ups and downs like any year, but there were far more positives than negatives for me. I had a lot of great experiences at work, made a ton of new friends, got to enjoy a couple of ballgames, bought a new place of my own, and met and am continuing to deepen a friendship with a wonderful woman with the most amazing smile that I have a lot in common with.
I also got to hear some great live music, and some great new rock albums too. With that in mind, here's a list of my favorite discs of 2013, listed alphabetically by artist. Enjoy!
Alice in Chains, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here
The group's 2nd post-Layne Staley release is another solid outing by the Seattle rock pioneers. Their sound isn't the same as it was in their heyday, but it's just as enjoyable. If you liked Black Gives Way to Blue, you'll enjoy this disc as well.
Recommended Tracks: "Hollow," "Stone," "Scalpel"
Alter Bridge, Fortress
Alter Bridge's newest disc picks up with the same energy that ABIII left off with. I'm always amazed by the dual guitar layers of Myles Kennedy and Mark Tremonti. This is one disc I've had on repeat many times over the last few months, because there's always some unique sound or vocal that perks my ears right up.
Recommended Tracks: "Cry of Achilles," "Addicted to Pain," "Cry A River"
Candlelight Red, Reclamation
The second full-length disc by this group is also worth repeated listens. Produced by Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose, the disc has plenty of stadium rockers and softer ballads for anyone to enjoy. They are also a great band to hear live, I've been fortunate enough to catch them open for Sevendust three times in the last few years.
Recommended Tracks: "Feel the Same," "Requiem," "Demons"
Clint Lowery's Hello Demons Meet Skeletons, Choices
The last of four EP's by Sevendust guitarist/singer Clint Lowery is probably the most electric, energetic disc of the group. A perfect finale to this project. Stay tuned after the last song for some bonus music that will definitely put a smile on your face!
Recommended Tracks: "I Give Up," "Caved In," "The Curtain Burns"
Devour the Day, Time and Pressure
Another band that I've seen open for Sevendust and was pleasantly surprised by this disc. Good driving rhythms that any Sevendust or hard rock/metal fan can enjoy. They are also pretty cool dudes once you meet them too!
Recommended Tracks: "Good Man," "Get Out Of My Way," "Handshakes and Fist Fights"
Five Finger Death Punch, The Wrong Side of Heaven and The Righteous Side of Hell, Parts 1 & 2
Another one of those "bucket list" bands that I want to see live someday, 5FDP does a great job on both releases this year of balancing their heavy rocking songs with their Steelheart type-ballads, and even throw in some good, unexpected covers on each disc. I can't really say that either disc is better than the other. Great companion discs to listen to side by side.
Recommended Tracks: "Lift Me Up," "Mama Said Knock You Out (LL Cool J cover)," "Dot My Eyes," "Battle Born," "Cold," "House of the Rising Sun"
The Infinite Staircase, No Amends
I've been singing the Cerzosie brothers' praises quite a bit on social media this year, but that praise is certainly justified. I first heard the song "The Things We've Done" on a DirecTV music channel, and loved the anthemic way the song flows. Along with guest performances by members of Sevendust, Savatage, Candlebox, Black Label Society and others, this seven-song disc has quickly become one of my favorites. Another Morgan Rose-produced album (he also does all the drums on the disc), so you know it's got to be good. A very catchy, yet diverse album.
Recommended Tracks: "Just To Meet You There," "The Things We've Done," "The Pride"
Jimi Hendrix, People, Hell and Angels
The supposed last album of studio recordings from the guitar legends is also one of his finest. Good mix of unreleased songs and alternate takes on songs you've never heard before. A fitting end to the lengthly recording career of one of the best left-handed guitarists ever.
Recommended Tracks: "Earth Blues," "Let Me Move You," "Inside Out"
Megadeth, Supercollider
I've heard mixed reviews for this disc, but I have to say it's a solid effort. Always good to hear Dave Mustaine and Co. taking new musical directions. It was also great to hear a couple of these tracks live in Minnesota last month.
Recommended Tracks: "Kingmaker," "Built For War," "Cold Sweat"
Metallica, Through The Never
The soundtrack to Metallica's concert film may be better than the movie. I don't know because the film never made it to my area for very long, but I have to say I like this double disc release. Great for any Metallica fan new or old.
Recommended Tracks: "Creeping Death," "For Whom The Bell Tolls," "Orion"
Monster Truck, Furiosity
These new Canadian rockers have a great classic rock sound on their full length debut. A friend of mine raved about them when he saw them open for Alice in Chains this summer, and I'm echoing their praises after seeing them open for Sevendust this September. Highly recommended to anyone who loves hearing "new" classic rock songs!
Recommended Tracks: "The Lion," "Sweet Mountain River," "For The Sun"
Otherwise, Enjoy the Pain EP
A free 5-song acoustic-based EP by the Vegas natives that you can download off their website. I enjoyed hearing these guys open for Sevendust this summer and meeting most of them after the show, so I was glad to hear they put out more music before working on their second studio album. Give this one a listen if you enjoyed their debut disc!
Recommended Tracks: "60 MPH," "Enjoy The Pain," "Once in My Dreams"
Queensryche, Queensryche
One of two new Queensryche discs to come out this year (the other was by former frontman Geoff Tate's version of the band), this is the first studio album with new lead singer Todd LaTorre. Having witnessed their debut with LaTorre last summer, I'm pleased with this effort. While not perfect, they are certainly heading in the right direction with this effort.
Recommended Tracks: "Spore," "A World Without," "Open Road"
Sevendust, Black Out The Sun
I posted a full review of this album earlier in the year, but it's still one of my favorites of the year. Another very solid outing by my friends in Sevendust, guys who work hard and aren't afraid to try new musical directions. Great combination of harder-edge songs alongside some of the more thought-provoking songs of the year. Looking forward to hearing these guys live in concert again in 2014!
Recommended Tracks: "Till Death," "Decay," "Got A Feeling"
Sick Puppies, Connect
The first disc by the Australian trio in about 5 years, but it's a good mix of pop/rock hits. They've always seemed to be one of these bands that wears their heart on their sleeves, and that really comes across on this album. Glad to see them getting more recognition in the States too.
Recommended Tracks: "There's No Going Back," "Telling Lies," "Under A Very Black Sky"
Stone Sour, House of Gold & Bones Part 2
Picking up where last year's Part 1 left us fans hanging. Corey Taylor, Jim Root and the gang did another masterful rendition of some very powerful songs that leave you wondering and wanting more after every listen. Also worth listening to these 2 discs back to back. I also learned on That Metal Show that you can put the CD packaging for these discs together to build your own "House of Gold and Bones." That's unique!
Recommended Tracks: "Red City," "Peckinpah," "'82"
Tom Kiefer, The Way Life Goes
The first solo disc by Cinderella's frontman in quite some time was something I wasn't expecting. Kiefer and his band are still touring, but this is a labor of love that he's been working on for a while now. He's got a great natural singing voice on this disc, and it's a welcome change of pace.
Recommended Tracks: "Solid Ground," "It's Not Enough," "The Way Life Goes"
Various Artists, Real to Reel
The soundtrack album to Dave Grohl's Sound City film has a great all-star cast. Dave assembled some of his friends in the music industry to put out a great companion to the film. Will have to see the film sometime (another one that missed my area completely) to see how well it meshes with the soundtrack.
Recommended Tracks: "You Can't Fix This," "From Can to Can't," "A Trick With No Sleeve"
Well that's all for now, so until next time - Happy Holidays, and I'll be back blogging in 2014!
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Megadeth at the Myth
Megadeth's been one of those "bucket list" kind of bands - I've been a fan of theirs since the mid-Nineties, but it never worked out in my schedule to see them live until this past Saturday at the Myth in Maplewood, MN. Although the band's lineup has changed a few times in recent years, frontman and former Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine has remained true to his rock roots.
The show began with a brief half-hour set by the metal band Nonpoint. A friend of mine that I'd met at a few Sevendust shows highly recommended them, and I have to admit I was impressed how quickly they engaged the audience from the first riff. Frontman Elias Soriano kept the crowd's energy up through a blistering seven song set.
Soon after followed the speed metal group Fear Factory. I liked the quick guitar pace and the vocals from frontman Burton Bell. They kept the audience warmed up after standing outside on a cold, blustery Minnesota evening. The group finished with the classic "Replica," leaving everyone wanting more music!
As the roadies assembled and moved instruments around between sets, I wondered what the large boards on either side of the drum kit were for. I soon found out as Megadeth took the stage. The large square boards were video boards, just like the rectangular one behind the drum riser. Megadeth used the video boards to their full effect as they dug into the archive to kick off their set with the track "Hangar 18."
Mustaine, Minnesota native Dave Ellefson on bass guitar, guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Grover plowed their way through an impressive hour-plus set. They played a couple of selections from the new disc Supercollider, although the set was chock-full of fan favorites like "Sweating Bullets," "Symphony of Destruction," "Trust," "A Tout Le Monde" and more. The band finished their set with the all-too-familiar bass-heavy "Peace Sells" (the intro was used for the opening to MTV News for years).
Megadeth returned to the stage for a music and video-filled rendition of "Holy Wars" before calling it a night. I enjoyed hearing all three bands for the first time, and I also enjoyed the video interludes as we were entertained by Megadeth references in movies like "Wayne's World 2" and "Silver Linings Playbook" between some of their hits.
I went into the day not knowing what to expect, but ended up having a blast. Despite the cold temperatures, it was still a fantastic day. I ran around town buying things for my new place in the morning, caught up with a very special lady friend of mine, and got to hear more amazing live music. What more could a guy want in a day, right?
Until next time, have a great night, everyone!
The show began with a brief half-hour set by the metal band Nonpoint. A friend of mine that I'd met at a few Sevendust shows highly recommended them, and I have to admit I was impressed how quickly they engaged the audience from the first riff. Frontman Elias Soriano kept the crowd's energy up through a blistering seven song set.
Soon after followed the speed metal group Fear Factory. I liked the quick guitar pace and the vocals from frontman Burton Bell. They kept the audience warmed up after standing outside on a cold, blustery Minnesota evening. The group finished with the classic "Replica," leaving everyone wanting more music!
As the roadies assembled and moved instruments around between sets, I wondered what the large boards on either side of the drum kit were for. I soon found out as Megadeth took the stage. The large square boards were video boards, just like the rectangular one behind the drum riser. Megadeth used the video boards to their full effect as they dug into the archive to kick off their set with the track "Hangar 18."
Mustaine, Minnesota native Dave Ellefson on bass guitar, guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Grover plowed their way through an impressive hour-plus set. They played a couple of selections from the new disc Supercollider, although the set was chock-full of fan favorites like "Sweating Bullets," "Symphony of Destruction," "Trust," "A Tout Le Monde" and more. The band finished their set with the all-too-familiar bass-heavy "Peace Sells" (the intro was used for the opening to MTV News for years).
Megadeth returned to the stage for a music and video-filled rendition of "Holy Wars" before calling it a night. I enjoyed hearing all three bands for the first time, and I also enjoyed the video interludes as we were entertained by Megadeth references in movies like "Wayne's World 2" and "Silver Linings Playbook" between some of their hits.
I went into the day not knowing what to expect, but ended up having a blast. Despite the cold temperatures, it was still a fantastic day. I ran around town buying things for my new place in the morning, caught up with a very special lady friend of mine, and got to hear more amazing live music. What more could a guy want in a day, right?
Until next time, have a great night, everyone!
Saturday, October 26, 2013
SIngle in St. Cloud
Well, it's not exactly St. Cloud, but if all goes well, I will be moving closer to St. Cloud before the year's out, anyway. I'm excited to have this major goal that I set for myself this year move closer and closer to reality with each passing day.
It's going to be a lot of work and probably rather spendy the first year in a new place, but I'm not worried because I know that all the hard work I've put into achieving this goal will pay off. Now I can dedicate more of my time and effort into my next goal: having a great woman in my life to care about that cares about me.
Until recently, I hadn't allowed myself the time to really focus on making great connections with other people. I'd been too wrapped up in work, responsibilities and expectations to focus on myself. It wasn't until I turned 40 that I realized how important it was to really appreciate and take care of myself.
This summer was one of the best of my entire life, probably one of my favorite summers since I was a kid. I was able to take some time off and do a little traveling, enjoy sports and music, hang out with a few rock stars and rock fans, and befriend some incredible people. Some of these people are fantastic women that I've quickly become good friends with. For now we're just friends, but the intense connections and conversations could lead to something more in time.
Whenever there's been a woman I've been interested in romantically, I've always gotten to know her on a deeper level as a friend first. I've been a little disappointed lately in one such connection because I haven't seen her in a while, but I know she has a busy personal and family life and that it's definitely nothing personal. It just frustrates me because when I get to know someone so well on such an intimate level that I can't help wanting to see her more and continue to get to know her better.
I've also ventured into the world of online dating, but so far I've been less than pleased with the results. I've had a few women reach out to me, but there's always been something about them that I'm not interested in from the start. Maybe my recent friendships with some amazing women have clouded my judgment.
Whatever happens, I know that "the one" great woman is out there for me. For now, I just need to give it time, and continue to make and expand my connections. I've been patient enough for this long, I guess I can wait a little longer.
Well, that's all I can think of to write about for now. I've been listening to a lot of great new music this month, most of which I'll cover in my annual best-of review at the end of the year. For now, have a great weekend, everyone!
It's going to be a lot of work and probably rather spendy the first year in a new place, but I'm not worried because I know that all the hard work I've put into achieving this goal will pay off. Now I can dedicate more of my time and effort into my next goal: having a great woman in my life to care about that cares about me.
Until recently, I hadn't allowed myself the time to really focus on making great connections with other people. I'd been too wrapped up in work, responsibilities and expectations to focus on myself. It wasn't until I turned 40 that I realized how important it was to really appreciate and take care of myself.
This summer was one of the best of my entire life, probably one of my favorite summers since I was a kid. I was able to take some time off and do a little traveling, enjoy sports and music, hang out with a few rock stars and rock fans, and befriend some incredible people. Some of these people are fantastic women that I've quickly become good friends with. For now we're just friends, but the intense connections and conversations could lead to something more in time.
Whenever there's been a woman I've been interested in romantically, I've always gotten to know her on a deeper level as a friend first. I've been a little disappointed lately in one such connection because I haven't seen her in a while, but I know she has a busy personal and family life and that it's definitely nothing personal. It just frustrates me because when I get to know someone so well on such an intimate level that I can't help wanting to see her more and continue to get to know her better.
I've also ventured into the world of online dating, but so far I've been less than pleased with the results. I've had a few women reach out to me, but there's always been something about them that I'm not interested in from the start. Maybe my recent friendships with some amazing women have clouded my judgment.
Whatever happens, I know that "the one" great woman is out there for me. For now, I just need to give it time, and continue to make and expand my connections. I've been patient enough for this long, I guess I can wait a little longer.
Well, that's all I can think of to write about for now. I've been listening to a lot of great new music this month, most of which I'll cover in my annual best-of review at the end of the year. For now, have a great weekend, everyone!
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Best of Live in Concert Vol. IV: Dynamic Drummers
I'm going to finish this series for the year today with one of the at times underrated but yet also one of the most important components of a good rock band: the drummer. Despite the stereotype portrayed in the movie "Spinal Tap," most drummers are the anchor to a great sound. With that in mind, here are the five best drummers I've heard live in concert in alphabetical order:
Michael Bland, Soul Asylum
I find it hard to believe that Bland has been playing drums for Soul Asylum for over a decade now. Previously known as a session drummer for different acts, Bland has come into his own in Soul Asylum. Last summer when I saw the band play in St. Cloud, I was amazed at how he helped the band move seamlessly from song to song.
Bun. E. Carlos, Cheap Trick
Although back problems have stopped Carlos from touring nowadays, I remember how his drumming a Cheap Trick show at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud really kept the balance for the rest of the musicians on stage. I was impressed by his even demeanor throughout the entire show too.
Paul Crosby, Saliva
I remember a couple of great solos from Crosby at the band's 2008 concert at the now-defunct Trobec's Entertainment Center in St. Joseph. His energy and enthusiasm were a big part of the crowd's fevered reaction during their show.
Barry Kerch, Shinedown
One of the original Shinedown members and probably one of the most underrated guys in the band. Kerch can switch tempos quickly and really helps his bandmates get in the flow of a song. This is especially important when they feed off the crowd's energy during fast and slow songs.
Morgan Rose, Sevendust
Morgan's quite simply one of the best rock drummers in the business. I always enjoy watching him play different Sevendust songs onstage, because he takes a different approach to each one. He even plays the same songs a little differently at each show, which is a tribute to an artist who's always working on perfecting his craft. I also like to give him a little good-natured grief after shows for being such a diehard New York Yankess fan. I have to respect him though, not only for his work in Sevendust but also for keeping busy in his downtime, producing albums for Candlelight Red, playing in the side project Call Me No One and filling in behind the drum kit for Eye Empire and Korn at times.
Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this series - it took longer than I thought to complete, but that's what happens when life gets in the way, I guess. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!
Michael Bland, Soul Asylum
I find it hard to believe that Bland has been playing drums for Soul Asylum for over a decade now. Previously known as a session drummer for different acts, Bland has come into his own in Soul Asylum. Last summer when I saw the band play in St. Cloud, I was amazed at how he helped the band move seamlessly from song to song.
Bun. E. Carlos, Cheap Trick
Although back problems have stopped Carlos from touring nowadays, I remember how his drumming a Cheap Trick show at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud really kept the balance for the rest of the musicians on stage. I was impressed by his even demeanor throughout the entire show too.
Paul Crosby, Saliva
I remember a couple of great solos from Crosby at the band's 2008 concert at the now-defunct Trobec's Entertainment Center in St. Joseph. His energy and enthusiasm were a big part of the crowd's fevered reaction during their show.
Barry Kerch, Shinedown
One of the original Shinedown members and probably one of the most underrated guys in the band. Kerch can switch tempos quickly and really helps his bandmates get in the flow of a song. This is especially important when they feed off the crowd's energy during fast and slow songs.
Morgan Rose, Sevendust
Morgan's quite simply one of the best rock drummers in the business. I always enjoy watching him play different Sevendust songs onstage, because he takes a different approach to each one. He even plays the same songs a little differently at each show, which is a tribute to an artist who's always working on perfecting his craft. I also like to give him a little good-natured grief after shows for being such a diehard New York Yankess fan. I have to respect him though, not only for his work in Sevendust but also for keeping busy in his downtime, producing albums for Candlelight Red, playing in the side project Call Me No One and filling in behind the drum kit for Eye Empire and Korn at times.
Well, that's all for now. I hope you enjoyed this series - it took longer than I thought to complete, but that's what happens when life gets in the way, I guess. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
2013 Minnesota Twins Year in Review
Well, a third consecutive disappointing Minnesota Twins season has come to an end. This year was the first time in a long time where I couldn't wait for the season to end, just so the misery would finally be over.
I feel bad for any fans who went to the team's final homestand this year. They were swept and outscored by a total of 28-13, and looked rather awful from what I've heard. I can't say for sure myself, because I tuned the team out after they traded former MVP first baseman Justin Morneau to the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Pirates for another fourth outfielder and another pitching prospect.
I went to a couple of games again this year, and the results were again predictable: I attended a 7-1 loss to Justin Masterson and the wild card Cleveland Indians and a 3-2 win over the morose Houston Astros, a team that lost its last 15 games of the year en route to a 51-111 record.
I've been a Twins fan for almost three decades now, but I can't remember the last time I've been this apathetic about them. My brother is a season ticket holder, and I know at times he's felt the same way. It's pretty hard to root for a team that set a team record for strikeouts by their batters and has had continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position all season long.
This team has also looked pretty raw in the starting pitching department at times this year. I'm surprised to see that the team's best starting pitcher was Samuel Deduno (8-8, 3.83 ERA in 18 starts). Former Pirate Kevin Correia (9-13, 4.18 ERA in 31 starts) was the veteran leader of the staff, but disappointing years by Scott Diamond (6-13, 5.43 ERA in 24 starts) and former Met Mike Pelfrey (5-13, 5.19 ERA in 29 starts) did little to ease fans this year. Relief pitching was a strong point, anchored by LHP Glenn Perkins (2-0, 2.30 ERA and 36 saves) in his first full year as Twins closer.
The offense, with the absence of Morneau via trade and C/1B/DH Joe Mauer via concussion to end the season, did little to inspire fans this year. One bright spot was the emergence of Brian Dozier (.244 BA with a career high 18 HR and 66 RBI) at second base. C/DH Ryan Doumit (.247, 14 HR and 55 RBI) and LF Josh Willingham (.208, 14 HR and 48 RBI) gave some offensive sparks but struck out more than expected this year.
Another disappointment was the trial of CF Aaron Hicks (.192, 8 HR and 27 RBI, 84 K in 81 games), who had never played about Double-A until this year. The play of Hicks and journeyman Clete Thomas in center field did little to make fans miss the traded Denard Span and Ben Revere.
My brother and fans like myself will probably go to Twins games again next year, primarily because the team is hosting the All-Star Game. Target Field is a great place to see a ballgame, although the fans are growing impatient with three straight losing seasons. I was surprised to see manager Ron Gardenhire get a two-year contract extension this week. I thought for sure he'd be gone. After all, no other MLB manager with three consecutive 90-loss seasons had ever kept their job.
The failures of this team don't rest entirely on Gardenhire's shoulders. The front office and coaching staff also shoulder some of the blame. I seriously think that unless they want to see their attendance finally start to sag, the management staff really needs to look at spending some of the money that went into building this beautiful stadium on players that will improve this team. Otherwise, it may be a Houston Astros type of future for this once proud franchise.
I feel bad for any fans who went to the team's final homestand this year. They were swept and outscored by a total of 28-13, and looked rather awful from what I've heard. I can't say for sure myself, because I tuned the team out after they traded former MVP first baseman Justin Morneau to the playoff-bound Pittsburgh Pirates for another fourth outfielder and another pitching prospect.
I went to a couple of games again this year, and the results were again predictable: I attended a 7-1 loss to Justin Masterson and the wild card Cleveland Indians and a 3-2 win over the morose Houston Astros, a team that lost its last 15 games of the year en route to a 51-111 record.
I've been a Twins fan for almost three decades now, but I can't remember the last time I've been this apathetic about them. My brother is a season ticket holder, and I know at times he's felt the same way. It's pretty hard to root for a team that set a team record for strikeouts by their batters and has had continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position all season long.
This team has also looked pretty raw in the starting pitching department at times this year. I'm surprised to see that the team's best starting pitcher was Samuel Deduno (8-8, 3.83 ERA in 18 starts). Former Pirate Kevin Correia (9-13, 4.18 ERA in 31 starts) was the veteran leader of the staff, but disappointing years by Scott Diamond (6-13, 5.43 ERA in 24 starts) and former Met Mike Pelfrey (5-13, 5.19 ERA in 29 starts) did little to ease fans this year. Relief pitching was a strong point, anchored by LHP Glenn Perkins (2-0, 2.30 ERA and 36 saves) in his first full year as Twins closer.
The offense, with the absence of Morneau via trade and C/1B/DH Joe Mauer via concussion to end the season, did little to inspire fans this year. One bright spot was the emergence of Brian Dozier (.244 BA with a career high 18 HR and 66 RBI) at second base. C/DH Ryan Doumit (.247, 14 HR and 55 RBI) and LF Josh Willingham (.208, 14 HR and 48 RBI) gave some offensive sparks but struck out more than expected this year.
Another disappointment was the trial of CF Aaron Hicks (.192, 8 HR and 27 RBI, 84 K in 81 games), who had never played about Double-A until this year. The play of Hicks and journeyman Clete Thomas in center field did little to make fans miss the traded Denard Span and Ben Revere.
My brother and fans like myself will probably go to Twins games again next year, primarily because the team is hosting the All-Star Game. Target Field is a great place to see a ballgame, although the fans are growing impatient with three straight losing seasons. I was surprised to see manager Ron Gardenhire get a two-year contract extension this week. I thought for sure he'd be gone. After all, no other MLB manager with three consecutive 90-loss seasons had ever kept their job.
The failures of this team don't rest entirely on Gardenhire's shoulders. The front office and coaching staff also shoulder some of the blame. I seriously think that unless they want to see their attendance finally start to sag, the management staff really needs to look at spending some of the money that went into building this beautiful stadium on players that will improve this team. Otherwise, it may be a Houston Astros type of future for this once proud franchise.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Best of Live in Concert Vol. III: Brilliant Bassists
Well, after a brief serious interlude, I'm back to write about some of the best bass guitarists I've seen live in concert over the years. I have to point out that I purposely exclude my friends and classmates who are musicians so there's no conflict of interest. And now, here's my list of the best bass guitarists in alphabetical order:
Emma Anzai, Sick Puppies
Her bass sound is kind of different, as it's more of a "slap bass" style of play. However, it's one that works well. I was impressed by her playing as the Sick Puppies opened for Shinedown in Walker MN four years ago. She's also probably the first female on my best of list, and for good reason. Her playing and vocals really make a seamless contribution to the rest of the band's songs on stage. It's not until a solo that you can enjoy their individual elements.
Johnny April, Staind
He plays the bass line to one of Staind's biggest songs, "Mudshovel." I always thought April was kind of underrated being in the shadow of bandmates Aaron Lewis and guitarist Mike Mushok. I'm glad I was able to see Staind perform at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN a few years back to really appreciate his playing.
Dean DeLeo, Stone Temple Pilots
Although I have mixed feelings about the current lineup of Stone Temple Pilots, I have to say I was impressed how well DeLeo played at the Myth last year. He's also a gifted songwriter, having a hand in some of the band's greatest hits, several of which my brother and I were able to hear live last year at the Myth in Maplewood, MN for what was billed as the 20th anniversary tour of their debut album Core.
Vince "Vinny" Hornsby, Sevendust/Projected
He may sling his bass guitar lower than any performer I've ever seen, but he still knows how to expertly play his instrument while simultaneously entertaining a crowd. Without his bass guitar, I'd think that there are crucial parts of songs like "Denial," "Waffle" and "Decay" that just wouldn't sound as good. Vinny's also a very humble, self-deprecating guy that I've gotten to chat with and share a few good stories and laughs with several times after Sevendust shows.
Corey Lowery, Eye Empire/Stereomud
A good bass guitarist really lays the foundation for a great song. I've had the opportunity to see Corey (Sevendust guitarist Clint's brother) do this on two occasions, once for the band Eye Empire at the Myth in Maplewood and also at the former Del-Win Entertainment Center in St. Joseph, MN for his former band Stereomud. I'm glad I was able to catch up with Corey after a Sevendust concert a few years ago and compliment him on his performance.
Well, that's all for now. The last installment of the Best of Series for this year will be on drummers sometime before the year is out. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!
Emma Anzai, Sick Puppies
Her bass sound is kind of different, as it's more of a "slap bass" style of play. However, it's one that works well. I was impressed by her playing as the Sick Puppies opened for Shinedown in Walker MN four years ago. She's also probably the first female on my best of list, and for good reason. Her playing and vocals really make a seamless contribution to the rest of the band's songs on stage. It's not until a solo that you can enjoy their individual elements.
Johnny April, Staind
He plays the bass line to one of Staind's biggest songs, "Mudshovel." I always thought April was kind of underrated being in the shadow of bandmates Aaron Lewis and guitarist Mike Mushok. I'm glad I was able to see Staind perform at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN a few years back to really appreciate his playing.
Dean DeLeo, Stone Temple Pilots
Although I have mixed feelings about the current lineup of Stone Temple Pilots, I have to say I was impressed how well DeLeo played at the Myth last year. He's also a gifted songwriter, having a hand in some of the band's greatest hits, several of which my brother and I were able to hear live last year at the Myth in Maplewood, MN for what was billed as the 20th anniversary tour of their debut album Core.
Vince "Vinny" Hornsby, Sevendust/Projected
He may sling his bass guitar lower than any performer I've ever seen, but he still knows how to expertly play his instrument while simultaneously entertaining a crowd. Without his bass guitar, I'd think that there are crucial parts of songs like "Denial," "Waffle" and "Decay" that just wouldn't sound as good. Vinny's also a very humble, self-deprecating guy that I've gotten to chat with and share a few good stories and laughs with several times after Sevendust shows.
Corey Lowery, Eye Empire/Stereomud
A good bass guitarist really lays the foundation for a great song. I've had the opportunity to see Corey (Sevendust guitarist Clint's brother) do this on two occasions, once for the band Eye Empire at the Myth in Maplewood and also at the former Del-Win Entertainment Center in St. Joseph, MN for his former band Stereomud. I'm glad I was able to catch up with Corey after a Sevendust concert a few years ago and compliment him on his performance.
Well, that's all for now. The last installment of the Best of Series for this year will be on drummers sometime before the year is out. Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Ten Years Gone
I was planning on continuing my Best Of Live in Concert series today, until I was reminded about an event that happened a decade ago in my hometown. I felt compelled to write about that event today, so the Best Of series will have to wait for a little while.
I was walking out of work tonight when a coworker and fellow classmate of mine asked me where I was ten years ago today. She was referring to the tragic shooting at our old high school ROCORI, an event that suddenly put the small town of Cold Spring, MN in the national spotlight.
At the time news broke of the shooting, I was working in downtown St. Cloud. Upon hearing the news, my first call was to my family. My mother was still working as an early childhood education teacher at the nearby elementary school, and a cousin was still a student at the high school. Thankfully they were both okay. As word got out, my coworker friends and I drew our attention to the news as it unfolded throughout the day.
Although the families of Aaron Rollins and Seth Bartell will never be fully healed, neither will the family of the shooter, who it was revealed may have been motivated by bullying by Bartell. While I don't think any of us in the general public will ever really know the full story, I find it sad to think that the whole incident could have been avoided just by cracking down on bullying. I admit I was bullied a bit in elementary school and I had friends who were bullied but gratefully it's something that most of us grow out of.
While it's important for the community to remember this day, it's also important to learn from this tragic event so that it doesn't happen again. Sadly, I hear more events like this happening every year, even though I watch the news less and less nowadays.
Events like this are important to remember, and I'm glad that I can realize the reality of this incident. I"m also thankful that I can appreciate how much greater my life and the lives of people close to me have been since this terrible day. I think that's the greatest lesson I've learned from this.
Well, until next time, have a safe and happy week everyone!
I was walking out of work tonight when a coworker and fellow classmate of mine asked me where I was ten years ago today. She was referring to the tragic shooting at our old high school ROCORI, an event that suddenly put the small town of Cold Spring, MN in the national spotlight.
At the time news broke of the shooting, I was working in downtown St. Cloud. Upon hearing the news, my first call was to my family. My mother was still working as an early childhood education teacher at the nearby elementary school, and a cousin was still a student at the high school. Thankfully they were both okay. As word got out, my coworker friends and I drew our attention to the news as it unfolded throughout the day.
Although the families of Aaron Rollins and Seth Bartell will never be fully healed, neither will the family of the shooter, who it was revealed may have been motivated by bullying by Bartell. While I don't think any of us in the general public will ever really know the full story, I find it sad to think that the whole incident could have been avoided just by cracking down on bullying. I admit I was bullied a bit in elementary school and I had friends who were bullied but gratefully it's something that most of us grow out of.
While it's important for the community to remember this day, it's also important to learn from this tragic event so that it doesn't happen again. Sadly, I hear more events like this happening every year, even though I watch the news less and less nowadays.
Events like this are important to remember, and I'm glad that I can realize the reality of this incident. I"m also thankful that I can appreciate how much greater my life and the lives of people close to me have been since this terrible day. I think that's the greatest lesson I've learned from this.
Well, until next time, have a safe and happy week everyone!
Monday, September 9, 2013
10 Sevendust Shows in 10 Years
A few weeks ago on my way home, I drove through nearby St. Joseph, MN. While waiting at a stoplight, I glanced over to my left, peering at the spot where the former Del-Win/Lighthouse/Trobec's Event center once stood. I remembered that was the first place I saw one of my favorite bands, Sevendust, perform way back in November 2002.
I remember that concert fondly. A friend of mine asked me to write a press release for a local website, so I did my research. I scoured the Internet for articles and listened to their albums. The more I listened to their songs, the more interested I became in their music. As the concert date grew nearer, I found myself more and more eagerly anticipating the show.
At that show, there was a bit longer break than usual following the last opening act 30 Seconds to Mars' set. The crowd was informed that there had been a death in the family, which we later learned was the tragic loss of Sevendust lead singer Lajon Witherspoon's brother. The band still honored their commitment and played a powerful but abbreviated set during a time when their heads were probably and understandably elsewhere that day. The band promised to return, which they did a year and a half later for an amazing show.
This past Saturday, I went to see Sevendust for the 10th time in a little over ten years, not to mention it being my 3rd Sevendust show this year. As the years have gone on, they've grown to become one of my favorite bands. I enjoy their albums, their concert tickets are always affordable (usually around $20-$30 apiece with 2-4 opening acts at each show), and the concerts themselves are always a great experience. I'd also had the good fortune to meet all of the band members several times, and they are truly some of the nicest people you'd ever meet. No overinflated rock star egos in this group!
I'm glad I left home plenty early, because unanticipated road construction detours in the Twin Cities added another hour to the drive. I still got to Maplewood, a St. Paul suburb, in plenty of time to do a little shopping and grab a bite to eat before the show at the Myth.
When I got in the venue, I picked up my VIP sticker and looked for a good place to watch the show. I settled on standing by a railing on the right-hand side of the arena just above the pit. There I met a couple of fellow Sevendust fans, and got to know another Sevendust fan whom I'd met at their show in Rochester MN a few months earlier.
At 7:30 p.m. local rockers Aeous took the stage. My new friends had warned me that they were a little rough around the edges, but it seemed like they were a lot more polished this time around. I thought they did a good job of entertaining the crowds that were still beginning to trickle in.
Soon, the next act, Houston-based rockers American Fangs took the stage. One friend suggested that they kind of sounded like rock/punk artists like Rancid, which I'd say is a fair assessment. Lead singer Gabriel Cavazos decided to jump from the stage into the pit for a while, and I had to compliment him on what turned out to be a good performance after the show.
An old coworker friend of mine had recommended the next act, Canadian rockers Monster Truck, after having seen them open for Alice in Chains in July. I'd heard their album before the show, so I knew to expect a classic rock sound from them, and I was not disappointed. Their enthusiastic rocking set kept the crowd enthralled, even more than some of 93X's X-Girls that followed them on stage.
After 93X's much-promoted X-Girls preview, it was finally time for Sevendust to arrive! The band took the stage about 10:30 p.m. launching into the fan favorite "Pieces." The energy continued as the band rolled through the new song "Till Death" from Black Out The Sun, "Denial" and "Praise." At one point during the song "Praise," lead singer Lajon Witherspoon walked over to the side of the stage where my friends and I were standing. I had to smile as LJ shook hands with the crowd, saw his eyes grow wide as he recognized me and took my hand to shake it!
I found a YouTube video of the band's Rochester, MN show from July a few weeks ago, and during one break between songs on that video, Lajon commented on how it doesn't feel like the band has fans but rather friends and family that come out to see them at their shows. I've felt like that for a while now, I guess, especially when the band slows down to relect during songs like "Got a Feeling" and "Angel's Son." I've always liked the song "Angel's Son" ever since that first Sevendust concert, and I took a moment during the song to remember a friend's brother who would have had a birthday a few days ago, a gentle soul who was gone way too soon.
The tempo increased greatly with the song "Black," the first track on Sevendust's self-titled debut and another favorite of mine. Lajon, guitarist/singer Clint Lowery, drummer/"Alien Freak" Morgan Rose, guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby finished their regular set with the single "Decay" leaving the riled-up spectators wanting even more!
A few minutes later, LJ returned to the stage crooning lyrics from the Marilyn Manson version of the Eurythmics' hit "Sweet Dreams" before launching into their encore songs "Splinter" and "Face to Face." I was amazed during the last song how Morgan was able to not only throw a few drumsticks into the crowd but also catch a couple of them that were thrown right back to him!
After the crowd dissipated, it was time for the folks like myself who'd purchased the VIP passes to gather at the merchandise table. Remembering that a pushy fan had spilled their beer on my back during Sevendust's set, I bought a concert T-shirt and caught up with a few people who were waiting to meet the group.
We were soon led up to the 3rd floor where the band soon arrived. The person arranging the VIP meet and greet was kind enough to make sure everyone had an item for the band to sign and even get a group photo with the band. I was happy to catch up with all the guys, and even though I didn't get the drumstick Vinny owed me after bouncing one off my upper lip during the Rochester, MN show, I was still happy because I got to chat a bit with all the guys in the group and get the group shot with the guys that I'd wanted.
Well gang, that's all for now, so until next time, have a great week, everyone!
Sevendust set list:
1. Pieces
2. Till Death
3. Denial
4. Praise
5. Waffle
6. Got A Feeling
7. Angel's Son
8. Black
9. Bitch
10. Strong Arm Broken
11. Decay
Encore:
1. Splinter
2. Face to Face
I remember that concert fondly. A friend of mine asked me to write a press release for a local website, so I did my research. I scoured the Internet for articles and listened to their albums. The more I listened to their songs, the more interested I became in their music. As the concert date grew nearer, I found myself more and more eagerly anticipating the show.
At that show, there was a bit longer break than usual following the last opening act 30 Seconds to Mars' set. The crowd was informed that there had been a death in the family, which we later learned was the tragic loss of Sevendust lead singer Lajon Witherspoon's brother. The band still honored their commitment and played a powerful but abbreviated set during a time when their heads were probably and understandably elsewhere that day. The band promised to return, which they did a year and a half later for an amazing show.
This past Saturday, I went to see Sevendust for the 10th time in a little over ten years, not to mention it being my 3rd Sevendust show this year. As the years have gone on, they've grown to become one of my favorite bands. I enjoy their albums, their concert tickets are always affordable (usually around $20-$30 apiece with 2-4 opening acts at each show), and the concerts themselves are always a great experience. I'd also had the good fortune to meet all of the band members several times, and they are truly some of the nicest people you'd ever meet. No overinflated rock star egos in this group!
I'm glad I left home plenty early, because unanticipated road construction detours in the Twin Cities added another hour to the drive. I still got to Maplewood, a St. Paul suburb, in plenty of time to do a little shopping and grab a bite to eat before the show at the Myth.
When I got in the venue, I picked up my VIP sticker and looked for a good place to watch the show. I settled on standing by a railing on the right-hand side of the arena just above the pit. There I met a couple of fellow Sevendust fans, and got to know another Sevendust fan whom I'd met at their show in Rochester MN a few months earlier.
At 7:30 p.m. local rockers Aeous took the stage. My new friends had warned me that they were a little rough around the edges, but it seemed like they were a lot more polished this time around. I thought they did a good job of entertaining the crowds that were still beginning to trickle in.
Soon, the next act, Houston-based rockers American Fangs took the stage. One friend suggested that they kind of sounded like rock/punk artists like Rancid, which I'd say is a fair assessment. Lead singer Gabriel Cavazos decided to jump from the stage into the pit for a while, and I had to compliment him on what turned out to be a good performance after the show.
An old coworker friend of mine had recommended the next act, Canadian rockers Monster Truck, after having seen them open for Alice in Chains in July. I'd heard their album before the show, so I knew to expect a classic rock sound from them, and I was not disappointed. Their enthusiastic rocking set kept the crowd enthralled, even more than some of 93X's X-Girls that followed them on stage.
After 93X's much-promoted X-Girls preview, it was finally time for Sevendust to arrive! The band took the stage about 10:30 p.m. launching into the fan favorite "Pieces." The energy continued as the band rolled through the new song "Till Death" from Black Out The Sun, "Denial" and "Praise." At one point during the song "Praise," lead singer Lajon Witherspoon walked over to the side of the stage where my friends and I were standing. I had to smile as LJ shook hands with the crowd, saw his eyes grow wide as he recognized me and took my hand to shake it!
I found a YouTube video of the band's Rochester, MN show from July a few weeks ago, and during one break between songs on that video, Lajon commented on how it doesn't feel like the band has fans but rather friends and family that come out to see them at their shows. I've felt like that for a while now, I guess, especially when the band slows down to relect during songs like "Got a Feeling" and "Angel's Son." I've always liked the song "Angel's Son" ever since that first Sevendust concert, and I took a moment during the song to remember a friend's brother who would have had a birthday a few days ago, a gentle soul who was gone way too soon.
The tempo increased greatly with the song "Black," the first track on Sevendust's self-titled debut and another favorite of mine. Lajon, guitarist/singer Clint Lowery, drummer/"Alien Freak" Morgan Rose, guitarist John Connolly and bassist Vince Hornsby finished their regular set with the single "Decay" leaving the riled-up spectators wanting even more!
A few minutes later, LJ returned to the stage crooning lyrics from the Marilyn Manson version of the Eurythmics' hit "Sweet Dreams" before launching into their encore songs "Splinter" and "Face to Face." I was amazed during the last song how Morgan was able to not only throw a few drumsticks into the crowd but also catch a couple of them that were thrown right back to him!
After the crowd dissipated, it was time for the folks like myself who'd purchased the VIP passes to gather at the merchandise table. Remembering that a pushy fan had spilled their beer on my back during Sevendust's set, I bought a concert T-shirt and caught up with a few people who were waiting to meet the group.
We were soon led up to the 3rd floor where the band soon arrived. The person arranging the VIP meet and greet was kind enough to make sure everyone had an item for the band to sign and even get a group photo with the band. I was happy to catch up with all the guys, and even though I didn't get the drumstick Vinny owed me after bouncing one off my upper lip during the Rochester, MN show, I was still happy because I got to chat a bit with all the guys in the group and get the group shot with the guys that I'd wanted.
The rest of the night went by like a blur - I caught up with some fellow Sevendust admirers and got to hear some good stories from some of the band members before people started trickling out. I arrived home early Sunday morning weary but with a broad smile on my face. I'd just gotten to witness an outstanding concert and even make a few new friends at the show. I'm already looking forward to my 11th Sevendust show, which will probably be the next time the group returns to Minnesota. Well gang, that's all for now, so until next time, have a great week, everyone!
Sevendust set list:
1. Pieces
2. Till Death
3. Denial
4. Praise
5. Waffle
6. Got A Feeling
7. Angel's Son
8. Black
9. Bitch
10. Strong Arm Broken
11. Decay
Encore:
1. Splinter
2. Face to Face
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Best of Live in Concert Vol. II: Fearless Frontmen
It's been a long time since I've gotten back to this series, so here's my list in alphabetical order of the best rock frontment I've seen live in concert:
Brynn Arens, Flipp/The Oddfathers
Having seen Flipp play live three times and the debut show of the Oddfathers in St. Cloud, I have to give Arens some respect. Although his trademark spiked hair is whiter than before, he still knows how to play a great guitar, simultaneously sing and sneer and keep crowds entertained.
Tom Kiefer, Cinderella
I was impressed by Kiefer during Cinderella's set at Halfway Jam a couple of years ago because he really went all out. Not only did he sing all the songs of their set, but he also played guitar on about a half-dozen guitars, keyboards on "Don't Know What You've Got ('Till It's Gone)," and even saxophone on the closing song "Shelter Me." He looked thoroughly exhausted by the end of the show, acknowledging that Central Minnesota had "kicked his ass again."
Aaron Lewis, Staind
My first Staind concert a few years ago was memorable, mainly for one reason. That reason was the powerful voice of lead singer Aaron Lewis. At the end of the show, he decided to do a solo acoustic song "Intro." Lewis took his guitar and decided he didn't need a microphone as he moved to the right corner of the stage. His powerful singing voice reverberated across the arena loud enough for everyone to hear, something I've never seen another singer do before at a rock show.
Brent Smith, Shinedown
I saw Shinedown perform at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN four years ago during their tour for their breakthrough album Sound of Madness. The band put on a great show, and Smith did everything he could to keep the audience's energy level up. He even walked all the way around the outside of the concert area singing and making contact with fans who were duly impressed.
Lajon Witherspoon, Sevendust
As I've probably said before, Sevendust never disappoints. Lajon keeps the fans thoroughly entertained with his soulful and energetic voice, and shares his insights with the crowds during every show. As he's said before at Sevendust concerts, the people in the crowd aren't really fans, but are considered friends and family. He and the rest of his bandmates are also some of the coolest, most humble people you'd ever meet.
Well that's all for now. Until next time, stay cool and have a great weekend everyone!
Brynn Arens, Flipp/The Oddfathers
Having seen Flipp play live three times and the debut show of the Oddfathers in St. Cloud, I have to give Arens some respect. Although his trademark spiked hair is whiter than before, he still knows how to play a great guitar, simultaneously sing and sneer and keep crowds entertained.
Tom Kiefer, Cinderella
I was impressed by Kiefer during Cinderella's set at Halfway Jam a couple of years ago because he really went all out. Not only did he sing all the songs of their set, but he also played guitar on about a half-dozen guitars, keyboards on "Don't Know What You've Got ('Till It's Gone)," and even saxophone on the closing song "Shelter Me." He looked thoroughly exhausted by the end of the show, acknowledging that Central Minnesota had "kicked his ass again."
Aaron Lewis, Staind
My first Staind concert a few years ago was memorable, mainly for one reason. That reason was the powerful voice of lead singer Aaron Lewis. At the end of the show, he decided to do a solo acoustic song "Intro." Lewis took his guitar and decided he didn't need a microphone as he moved to the right corner of the stage. His powerful singing voice reverberated across the arena loud enough for everyone to hear, something I've never seen another singer do before at a rock show.
Brent Smith, Shinedown
I saw Shinedown perform at Northern Lights Casino in Walker, MN four years ago during their tour for their breakthrough album Sound of Madness. The band put on a great show, and Smith did everything he could to keep the audience's energy level up. He even walked all the way around the outside of the concert area singing and making contact with fans who were duly impressed.
Lajon Witherspoon, Sevendust
As I've probably said before, Sevendust never disappoints. Lajon keeps the fans thoroughly entertained with his soulful and energetic voice, and shares his insights with the crowds during every show. As he's said before at Sevendust concerts, the people in the crowd aren't really fans, but are considered friends and family. He and the rest of his bandmates are also some of the coolest, most humble people you'd ever meet.
Well that's all for now. Until next time, stay cool and have a great weekend everyone!
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
A Floydian Slip by the Fabulous Armadillos
Well gang, I had another great weekend, and it started with the Fabulous Armadillos' Pink Floyd tribute show at the Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud last Saturday night.
I'd heard nothing but good things about the show from friends online, and I had seen the group do a variety of classic rock covers at a work event last fall, so I knew it was going to be a good night. The show started with the Floyd classics "Welcome To The Machine" and guitarist Paul "Stretch" Diethelm shredding the signature riff during "Have A Cigar."
The group then announced they were playing the 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. With a psychedelic light show around them, the dozen musicians performed a very faithful rendition of the album in its 40th anniversary year. Singer Pamela McNeill's soulful solo during the middle of the set triggered the first of a half-dozen standing ovations during the show.
After that masterpiece, the band took a brief intermission before resuming the show, starting with an appropriate set for several songs from the classic double album The Wall. Singer Jeff Engholm really got into the theatrics of the songs, especially when he chased a dozen local kids across the stage during "Another Brick in the Wall."
The band closed the night with the Floyd favorites "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" before bidding the audience a fond farewell. The crowd on the main floor and balcony were on their feet, gleefully applauding a magnificent performance.
This was my first concert at the Paramount this year, and I have nothing but tons of praise and respect for this show. I was glad to see some friends there enjoying the show and even earned a little envy from other friends during the weekend. If this show comes back to town again, it's one you simply can't miss!
I'd heard nothing but good things about the show from friends online, and I had seen the group do a variety of classic rock covers at a work event last fall, so I knew it was going to be a good night. The show started with the Floyd classics "Welcome To The Machine" and guitarist Paul "Stretch" Diethelm shredding the signature riff during "Have A Cigar."
The group then announced they were playing the 1973 album Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. With a psychedelic light show around them, the dozen musicians performed a very faithful rendition of the album in its 40th anniversary year. Singer Pamela McNeill's soulful solo during the middle of the set triggered the first of a half-dozen standing ovations during the show.
After that masterpiece, the band took a brief intermission before resuming the show, starting with an appropriate set for several songs from the classic double album The Wall. Singer Jeff Engholm really got into the theatrics of the songs, especially when he chased a dozen local kids across the stage during "Another Brick in the Wall."
The band closed the night with the Floyd favorites "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Wish You Were Here" before bidding the audience a fond farewell. The crowd on the main floor and balcony were on their feet, gleefully applauding a magnificent performance.
This was my first concert at the Paramount this year, and I have nothing but tons of praise and respect for this show. I was glad to see some friends there enjoying the show and even earned a little envy from other friends during the weekend. If this show comes back to town again, it's one you simply can't miss!
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Got A Feeling
OK gang, this blog post is going to deviate from the norm, so be warned! Normally, I write about music, sports, current events or my opinion on a topic making news headlines. This is going to be a more personal entry, more personal than any entry I've had in this blog to date.
Summer is usually a good time for me to reflect on what I've done in the last few months and where I'm headed looking ahead to the rest of the year. I've gotten a lot accomplished professionally this year, so now it's time for me to focus on my personal goals and growth.
I set two major goals for myself that I plan to achieve this year: one is to find a nice place closer to work. That one I'm working diligently on, and I'm confident things will fall into place sooner rather than later. The other goal is going to be a bit more difficult to attain, and that is to have a relationship with a great woman.
I've passed up some opportunities in the past for relationships because I either wasn't ready for a relationship or I felt like I wasn't in that person's league. Fortunately I've been able to remain friends with most of these women, and I'm glad they've found lasting relationships in their lives. I couldn't be happier for them.
I've had a few short-term relationships in my life, but nothing that's really been lasting beyond a friendship level. Because of that, I've had only a few breakups, nothing too major. I think the worst one was from a woman who broke up with me via email. I knew that the relationship wasn't really going further than where it was (she was a vegetarian, and one of my grandfathers was a butcher in St. Paul for many years, so that was a sticking point from the get-go), but I was bothered by the fact that she didn't respect me enough to tell me how she really felt in person or over the phone.
I've also resisted online dating, because I've heard enough horror stories and seen enough of MTV's show "Catfish" to know that people aren't always who they seem to be online. If I ever do start online dating, you'd better believe that I will use Google's image search to check out profile photos, though!
A few weeks ago, I had a deep conversation with a woman I'd never met before. She is a very talented, independent and beautiful woman my age. We share some of the same interests in music, sports, spending free time and the importance of living in the moment. She also has one of the most amazing smiles I've ever seen! I learned more about her in the space of a couple of hours than I've learned about some of my friends that I've known for years. We just clicked right off the bat. I'm not exactly sure what this connection is just yet, but I know that it's one that I definitely don't want to give up. I haven't talked to her since, but I intend to connect with her again sometime soon, as soon as our schedules don't conflict. If we become more than good friends, that's just fine with me, but if not, I can feel good just knowing I've made an intimate connection with someone I can see being lifelong friends with.
Well, that's all I can share for now, so I appreciate your taking the time to read this and I welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.
That's all for now - the next blogs I plan to write are a review of tonight's Fabulous Armadillos Pink Floyd show, and I may squeeze in a best of artists in concert blog or two before the next Sevendust show in September. Until then, thanks and have a great weekend!
Summer is usually a good time for me to reflect on what I've done in the last few months and where I'm headed looking ahead to the rest of the year. I've gotten a lot accomplished professionally this year, so now it's time for me to focus on my personal goals and growth.
I set two major goals for myself that I plan to achieve this year: one is to find a nice place closer to work. That one I'm working diligently on, and I'm confident things will fall into place sooner rather than later. The other goal is going to be a bit more difficult to attain, and that is to have a relationship with a great woman.
I've passed up some opportunities in the past for relationships because I either wasn't ready for a relationship or I felt like I wasn't in that person's league. Fortunately I've been able to remain friends with most of these women, and I'm glad they've found lasting relationships in their lives. I couldn't be happier for them.
I've had a few short-term relationships in my life, but nothing that's really been lasting beyond a friendship level. Because of that, I've had only a few breakups, nothing too major. I think the worst one was from a woman who broke up with me via email. I knew that the relationship wasn't really going further than where it was (she was a vegetarian, and one of my grandfathers was a butcher in St. Paul for many years, so that was a sticking point from the get-go), but I was bothered by the fact that she didn't respect me enough to tell me how she really felt in person or over the phone.
I've also resisted online dating, because I've heard enough horror stories and seen enough of MTV's show "Catfish" to know that people aren't always who they seem to be online. If I ever do start online dating, you'd better believe that I will use Google's image search to check out profile photos, though!
A few weeks ago, I had a deep conversation with a woman I'd never met before. She is a very talented, independent and beautiful woman my age. We share some of the same interests in music, sports, spending free time and the importance of living in the moment. She also has one of the most amazing smiles I've ever seen! I learned more about her in the space of a couple of hours than I've learned about some of my friends that I've known for years. We just clicked right off the bat. I'm not exactly sure what this connection is just yet, but I know that it's one that I definitely don't want to give up. I haven't talked to her since, but I intend to connect with her again sometime soon, as soon as our schedules don't conflict. If we become more than good friends, that's just fine with me, but if not, I can feel good just knowing I've made an intimate connection with someone I can see being lifelong friends with.
Well, that's all I can share for now, so I appreciate your taking the time to read this and I welcome any comments or suggestions you may have.
That's all for now - the next blogs I plan to write are a review of tonight's Fabulous Armadillos Pink Floyd show, and I may squeeze in a best of artists in concert blog or two before the next Sevendust show in September. Until then, thanks and have a great weekend!
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Halfway Jam X Observations
Since I only went to part of day 2 of this year's Halfway Jam in Royalton, MN, I'm not going to post a full review here. Instead, here's a few observations:
1. This year the venue charged $10 for parking, each of the last 2 years parking's been free.
2. The general admission and VIP areas are still segregated.
3. I kind of felt like a bag of groceries being jostled around by concertgoers who'd obviously had a few alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco products during Tesla's set. My clothes reeked of cigarettes (I don't and have never smoked) after the concert.
4. 80's pop/rock band Survivor still has fans young and old singing their hits "Eye of the Tiger," "Burning Heart," "High on You," "The Search is Over" and others along with them live in concert.
5. Tesla has a new disc in the works!
6. Tesla still draws a good crowd some 20-plus years after their biggest hits were new to rock radio.
7. Halfway Jam is still a fun way to spend a night!
That's all for now - have a great week, everyone!
1. This year the venue charged $10 for parking, each of the last 2 years parking's been free.
2. The general admission and VIP areas are still segregated.
3. I kind of felt like a bag of groceries being jostled around by concertgoers who'd obviously had a few alcoholic beverages and/or tobacco products during Tesla's set. My clothes reeked of cigarettes (I don't and have never smoked) after the concert.
4. 80's pop/rock band Survivor still has fans young and old singing their hits "Eye of the Tiger," "Burning Heart," "High on You," "The Search is Over" and others along with them live in concert.
5. Tesla has a new disc in the works!
6. Tesla still draws a good crowd some 20-plus years after their biggest hits were new to rock radio.
7. Halfway Jam is still a fun way to spend a night!
That's all for now - have a great week, everyone!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Sevendust at the Wicked Moose - Rochester, MN
Some concert diehards like me don't think twice about traveling long distances to see their favorite bands. I drove three hours south to Rochester on Saturday to attend my ninth Sevendust concert, this time at the Wicked Moose Bar & Grill.
I braved the sometimes tricky Twin Cities traffic and checked into my hotel in Rochester Saturday afternoon, only to run into a couple of guys who were also attending the show. One guy was going to his 23rd Sevendust concert, and this would be his friend's 2nd Sevendust show.
After taking a rest, I went to the venue, remembering that I'd get 10% off my dinner when I presented my concert ticket. Once in the bar & grill, I had just sat down to place my supper order when a buddy of mine that I met at Sevendust's show at First Avenue last summer stopped to say hello and catch up.
After the meal, I spent more time with my friend and other fans who had splurged on the VIP experience. Before long, we were all allowed into the stage area. I sat down with a couple who had come from Lacrosse, Wisconsin just for the show. As we were talking, I told them how I'd noticed that Candlelight Red, a band from Kentucky who I'd just seen open for Sevendust at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis back in April, was a late addition to the opening acts for the show.
Shortly after 7 p.m., Candlelight Red took the stage. We later found out that the band had an off day that day and called their friends in Sevendust to ask if they could play at the show. I was happy because I hadn't heard any of the new music from their latest album Reclamation yet, and hearing free music is always great in my book!
After talking to the guys in the band, buying their new CD and getting their autographs on the CD booklet and a free poster, it was soon time for the Memphis, Tennessee-based band Devour the Day to take the stage. I enjoyed their heavier songs like "Good Man", and made a note to buy their CD after the show.
Before long the final opening act, the Las Vegas-based quintet Otherwise, started with songs from their debut album True Love Never Dies. I knew their radio singles "I Don't Apologize" and "Soldiers," and enjoyed getting to hear more songs from the CD during their brief set. I also had a nice chat with lead singer Adrian Patrick after the show.
Finally, Sevendust arrived, amping up the crowd with their first song "Pieces." My buddy held up his handmade sign for the new song "Till Death," and sure enough that was the next song that we heard.
During the third song "Denial," bassist Vince Hornsby tossed one of drummer Morgan Rose's drumsticks into the crowd. I put out my left hand in an attempt to grab it, until I realized too late that it was coming right for me! The drumstick tip bounced off of my upper lip, dropping to the floor where my buddy that I ran into before the show snatched it up. My lip was a little sore for a while, but by the end of the show I was feeling just fine. I even gave Hornsby a little good-natured grief for the incident after the show.
I was glad to hear new songs like "Got A Feeling," which is a kind of autobiographical song about the band. That led into two of my favorite Sevendust songs, the ballad "Angel's Son" and the rocking anthem "Black." Sevendust finished their set with the now-standard encore songs "Splinter" and "Face to Face" with the crowd chanting their name at the end of the night.
I spent some time buying a few souvenirs at the merchandise table and chatting with some of the friends I'd made during the show before the meet and greet. I got to talk to the guys in Sevendust, had them sign my booklet for their outstanding album Animosity and had photo ops with each of the guys too.
I made it to the hotel shortly before 1 a.m., too amped from the experience to sleep right away. I also made plans the next day to attend my tenth Sevendust show (and third this year) at the Myth in Maplewood in September. I'd have to say this was one great way to start my birthday/vacation week!
Sevendust set list:
1. Pieces
2. Till Death
3. Denial
4. Praise
5. Waffle
6. Got a Feeling
7. Angel's Son
8. Black
9. Strong Arm Broken
10. Decay
11. Alpha
12. Bitch
Encore:
1. Splinter
2. Face to Face
I braved the sometimes tricky Twin Cities traffic and checked into my hotel in Rochester Saturday afternoon, only to run into a couple of guys who were also attending the show. One guy was going to his 23rd Sevendust concert, and this would be his friend's 2nd Sevendust show.
After taking a rest, I went to the venue, remembering that I'd get 10% off my dinner when I presented my concert ticket. Once in the bar & grill, I had just sat down to place my supper order when a buddy of mine that I met at Sevendust's show at First Avenue last summer stopped to say hello and catch up.
After the meal, I spent more time with my friend and other fans who had splurged on the VIP experience. Before long, we were all allowed into the stage area. I sat down with a couple who had come from Lacrosse, Wisconsin just for the show. As we were talking, I told them how I'd noticed that Candlelight Red, a band from Kentucky who I'd just seen open for Sevendust at Mill City Nights in Minneapolis back in April, was a late addition to the opening acts for the show.
Shortly after 7 p.m., Candlelight Red took the stage. We later found out that the band had an off day that day and called their friends in Sevendust to ask if they could play at the show. I was happy because I hadn't heard any of the new music from their latest album Reclamation yet, and hearing free music is always great in my book!
After talking to the guys in the band, buying their new CD and getting their autographs on the CD booklet and a free poster, it was soon time for the Memphis, Tennessee-based band Devour the Day to take the stage. I enjoyed their heavier songs like "Good Man", and made a note to buy their CD after the show.
Before long the final opening act, the Las Vegas-based quintet Otherwise, started with songs from their debut album True Love Never Dies. I knew their radio singles "I Don't Apologize" and "Soldiers," and enjoyed getting to hear more songs from the CD during their brief set. I also had a nice chat with lead singer Adrian Patrick after the show.
Finally, Sevendust arrived, amping up the crowd with their first song "Pieces." My buddy held up his handmade sign for the new song "Till Death," and sure enough that was the next song that we heard.
During the third song "Denial," bassist Vince Hornsby tossed one of drummer Morgan Rose's drumsticks into the crowd. I put out my left hand in an attempt to grab it, until I realized too late that it was coming right for me! The drumstick tip bounced off of my upper lip, dropping to the floor where my buddy that I ran into before the show snatched it up. My lip was a little sore for a while, but by the end of the show I was feeling just fine. I even gave Hornsby a little good-natured grief for the incident after the show.
I was glad to hear new songs like "Got A Feeling," which is a kind of autobiographical song about the band. That led into two of my favorite Sevendust songs, the ballad "Angel's Son" and the rocking anthem "Black." Sevendust finished their set with the now-standard encore songs "Splinter" and "Face to Face" with the crowd chanting their name at the end of the night.
I spent some time buying a few souvenirs at the merchandise table and chatting with some of the friends I'd made during the show before the meet and greet. I got to talk to the guys in Sevendust, had them sign my booklet for their outstanding album Animosity and had photo ops with each of the guys too.
I made it to the hotel shortly before 1 a.m., too amped from the experience to sleep right away. I also made plans the next day to attend my tenth Sevendust show (and third this year) at the Myth in Maplewood in September. I'd have to say this was one great way to start my birthday/vacation week!
Sevendust set list:
1. Pieces
2. Till Death
3. Denial
4. Praise
5. Waffle
6. Got a Feeling
7. Angel's Son
8. Black
9. Strong Arm Broken
10. Decay
11. Alpha
12. Bitch
Encore:
1. Splinter
2. Face to Face
Saturday, June 29, 2013
The Paula Deen Implosion
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard at least something about Paula Deen's fall from grace. Sponsors are dropping her daily and her popularity is sinking faster than a lead balloon.
I understand the backlash, and while some pundits and sponsors may be overreacting a bit to save face, at the same time I can't feel too bad for Deen. I used to jokingly give my mom a hard time for watching her shows on the Food Network, especially watching her make all those food items laden with butter. I thought Deen was a bit of a hypocrite for announcing she has Type II diabetes at the same time that she was announced as the spokesperson for a diabetes medication brand.
If anything is to be learned from the Deen debacle, it's that you never can be too careful in watching what you say in the media, even if it's something that happened years before you were famous. Today's current instant media status tends to favor the stars of the moment, and it can take a while, if ever, for fallen stars to regain the populace's favor again.
Well, that's all I'm going to say on this issue. Have a great week everyone!
I understand the backlash, and while some pundits and sponsors may be overreacting a bit to save face, at the same time I can't feel too bad for Deen. I used to jokingly give my mom a hard time for watching her shows on the Food Network, especially watching her make all those food items laden with butter. I thought Deen was a bit of a hypocrite for announcing she has Type II diabetes at the same time that she was announced as the spokesperson for a diabetes medication brand.
If anything is to be learned from the Deen debacle, it's that you never can be too careful in watching what you say in the media, even if it's something that happened years before you were famous. Today's current instant media status tends to favor the stars of the moment, and it can take a while, if ever, for fallen stars to regain the populace's favor again.
Well, that's all I'm going to say on this issue. Have a great week everyone!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Steps in the Right Direction
History was made in Minnesota this week with the legalization of gay marriage. As a single, straight Catholic male, I have to say that this was definitely a step in the right direction.
I don't look at the gay marriage debate as a religious issue. Instead, I look at it as a human issue. In my opinion, denying someone the right to marry because of their sexual orientation is discrimination, and I'm against discrimination in any form. Some may say it destroys the mother and father roles, but I know some families that are lucky enough to have one parent as a role model in their children's lives. The fact that two loving, committed people are willing to devote their lives to themselves and their family is what really should matter, anyway, regardless of who's considered "dad" and who's considered "mom."
I certainly don't see allowing gay marriage as destroying the "sanctity" of marriage, especially when about half of marriages in America end up in divorce. I mean, this is a country where air-head "celebrities" like Kim Kardashian are given millions of dollars to telecast her wedding to Kris Humphries, and now she's plastered all over the media annoucing that she's pregnant by her boyfriend Kanye West while still legally married to Humphries! Give me a break!
It wasn't that long ago that my mom wasn't allowed to attend one of her sister's weddings - her dad forbade it because my aunt was marrying a black man. My, how times have changed. I'm happy that my gay friends and relatives who would like to marry their partner are finally allowed to do so.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!
I don't look at the gay marriage debate as a religious issue. Instead, I look at it as a human issue. In my opinion, denying someone the right to marry because of their sexual orientation is discrimination, and I'm against discrimination in any form. Some may say it destroys the mother and father roles, but I know some families that are lucky enough to have one parent as a role model in their children's lives. The fact that two loving, committed people are willing to devote their lives to themselves and their family is what really should matter, anyway, regardless of who's considered "dad" and who's considered "mom."
I certainly don't see allowing gay marriage as destroying the "sanctity" of marriage, especially when about half of marriages in America end up in divorce. I mean, this is a country where air-head "celebrities" like Kim Kardashian are given millions of dollars to telecast her wedding to Kris Humphries, and now she's plastered all over the media annoucing that she's pregnant by her boyfriend Kanye West while still legally married to Humphries! Give me a break!
It wasn't that long ago that my mom wasn't allowed to attend one of her sister's weddings - her dad forbade it because my aunt was marrying a black man. My, how times have changed. I'm happy that my gay friends and relatives who would like to marry their partner are finally allowed to do so.
Well, that's all for now. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Sevendust at Mill City Nights: What a Way to Start a Week!
I made plans in January to attend this show, which was my eighth Sevendust concert. I've been a fan of the band since 2002. They make great albums, their concerts are always affordable (usually about $20-30 per ticket) with 2-4 opening bands, so you get more bang for your buck, which is important in these economic times. I've also had the fortune to meet the guys in the band several times, and they are all very welcoming and grateful to all of their fans, whether it's a first-time attendee in the back of a concert venue or a longtime fan.
After working in the morning, I took a nice relaxed lunch at the Boulder Taphouse in St. Cloud before making my way down to Minneapolis. I arrived at my hotel room in time to explore downtown Minneapolis, making sure I knew where the concert venue was located since it was a place I'd never been to before.
After a hearty supper at the Loon Cafe a door down from Mill City, I was ready to rock! The crowd began to congregate downstairs in the Nether Bar before being herded upstairs to the concert hall. I racked my brain trying to figure out what this venue might have been named before, since it seemed to be a rather new establishment. Before I could figure that out though, the evening's first band, Candlelight Red hit the stage. They played seven melodic rock songs including the fan favorites "Cutter" and the title song "Demons" from their recent four-song EP.
The next band, Italian rocker Lacuna Coil, hit the stage with a double-vocal punch from lead singers Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro (Andrea is a male). The group did a great job of bringing up the crowd's energy level, running through nine songs including several from their recent disc Dark Adrenaline.
When Coal Chamber lead singer Dez Farara and his band started their set next, I found myself not knowing any of their songs...at least, not until their last song, anyway. They played a dozen thrash-metal songs that were foreign to me. Then they got to their hit "Sway (The Roof is on Fire)," a song that I think I last heard in Michael Moore's documentary film "Fahrenheit 9/11." The mosh pit was extremely busy during their set, making me glad I decided to stand against the far railing and enjoy the action.
Finally, Sevendust had arrived, launching into their great single "Decay" from their new album Black Out the Sun. Complete with smoke cannons, the band kept the crowd's attention from note one. With guitarist/singer Clint Lowery not set to rejoin the band for a while following the birth of his second child, band friend Troy McLawhorn stepped in and played Clint's part admirably.
I was hoping to hear more songs from the new album, but the evening was heavy on some of their bigger hits like "Waffle," "Denial," "Rumblefish," and "Praise." Their set was full of songs that I've heard several times before live and they sounded just as good as ever. Before the band closed their set with "Black," the first song off of their 1997 self-titled debut, the crowd was eagerly chanting for more. Not disappointing their fans, the band returned for a two song encore, finishing with the traditional encore finale "Face to Face" just before the clock struck midnight in Minneapolis.
I'd splurged for the VIP pass months ago, and found myself milling around with other VIP guests before the band members made their way into the Nether bar with us. Although I didn't get any good pictures during the after-show festivities, I did enjoy getting to chat with the guys in the group, had them sign my Black Out the Sun CD booklet, and learned a few things about some of the guys' upcoming plans.
Before I knew it, the evening drew to a close at 2 a.m. I made it back to my hotel room safe and sound, although the energy and enthusiasm from the 41 songs I'd just heard live made sleep difficult to attain. I'm back home now a little weary, but glad I was able to attend my eighth great Sevendust concert since 2002. My only question now is...when will Sevendust show #9 be?
Sevendust set list
Mill City Nights
April 8, 2013
1. Decay
2. Praise
3. Denial
4. Alpha
5. Waffle
6. Strong Arm Broken
7. Rumblefish
8. Bitch
9. Pieces
10. Black
Encore:
1. Splinter
2. Face to Face
Saturday, March 30, 2013
CD Review: Black Out The Sun by Sevendust
Three months ago, I first heard Sevendust's new single "Decay." The persuasive vocals, bass guitar bursts from Vince Hornsby and the staccato bursts of guitar and drums left me anxiously waiting for the new album Black Out The Sun, the band's first studio recording in three years.
The album starts off with the instrumental "Moment," a short balanced instrumental song that leads into the heavy guitar riffs of the next song "Faithless." Clint Lowery and John Connolly's balanced guitar work work well throughout the album, and don't overpower frontman Lajon Witherspoon's vocals at all.
Since his return to the band, Clint seems to have found renewed life in his guitar playing and his vocals. He sings in both his normal singing voice that was showcased in the albums Animosity and Seasons, as well as a new death-metal growl that at times competes with drummer Morgan Rose's screaming vocals. Clint's gutural utterances are at times unexpected but work well in songs, especially on tracks like "Faithless" and "Murder Bar," where they banter back and forth with Morgan's vocals.
The album has plenty of heavy songs like "Faithless," "Till Death" and "Murder Bar." The first single "Decay" should rank among Sevendust's biggest hits, and is bound to get the crowds riled up during their live shows. They also display some of Lajon's more melodic vocals on songs like "Dark A.M." and "Picture Perfect."
An unexpected surprise was the acoustic-driven song "Got A Feeling," which perfectly captures the harmonies of Clint and Lajon's singing voices. The song harkens back to similar ballads like "Xmas Day" and "Angel's Son" from Animosity.
After giving this disc about a half-dozen spins, I still find more nuances to enjoy on this album. I'd recommend it for any metal or Sevendust fan. Looking forward to hearing some of these songs live in concert soon too!
The album starts off with the instrumental "Moment," a short balanced instrumental song that leads into the heavy guitar riffs of the next song "Faithless." Clint Lowery and John Connolly's balanced guitar work work well throughout the album, and don't overpower frontman Lajon Witherspoon's vocals at all.
Since his return to the band, Clint seems to have found renewed life in his guitar playing and his vocals. He sings in both his normal singing voice that was showcased in the albums Animosity and Seasons, as well as a new death-metal growl that at times competes with drummer Morgan Rose's screaming vocals. Clint's gutural utterances are at times unexpected but work well in songs, especially on tracks like "Faithless" and "Murder Bar," where they banter back and forth with Morgan's vocals.
The album has plenty of heavy songs like "Faithless," "Till Death" and "Murder Bar." The first single "Decay" should rank among Sevendust's biggest hits, and is bound to get the crowds riled up during their live shows. They also display some of Lajon's more melodic vocals on songs like "Dark A.M." and "Picture Perfect."
An unexpected surprise was the acoustic-driven song "Got A Feeling," which perfectly captures the harmonies of Clint and Lajon's singing voices. The song harkens back to similar ballads like "Xmas Day" and "Angel's Son" from Animosity.
After giving this disc about a half-dozen spins, I still find more nuances to enjoy on this album. I'd recommend it for any metal or Sevendust fan. Looking forward to hearing some of these songs live in concert soon too!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Best of Live in Concert Vol. I: Best Rock Guitarists
Hello bloggers!
Been a little wrapped up in work and life in general, so I haven't had the time to post anything until now. I've been thinking lately about some of the best performers I've seen live so far. The hard part is coming up with categories, so I'll do this "best of " list in pieces in probably a monthly or bi-monthly basis, depending on when inspiration strikes me. With that said, I'll start this best of list with the best rock guitarists I've seen live, listed in alphabetical order:
1. John Connolly, Sevendust
I've been to seven Sevendust shows so far (and looking forward to concert number eight this April) so I know their music very well. John is always able to shred a killer riff one moment and then slide into backing guitars the next. He's not a bad singer, either, as evidenced on Sevendust albums and his side project band Projected's album Human.
2. Clint Lowery, Sevendust
John and Clint balance guitar harmonies in Sevendust very well. Clint does have some great solos on classic tracks like "Black" and "Angel's Son." He's also a versatile lyricist and vocalist. He's one busy guy. When he's not playing with Sevendust, he has a few side projects going like Hello Demons Meet Skeletons, Dark New Day, and last year's effort Last Parade by Call Me No One with Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose.
3. Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick
It's been a decade since I first saw this legendary band play the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. Rick stood out as the backbone of the band. Rocking one, two and even five-neck guitars, he is a great performer and showman. It's worth the price of admission to see Rick weave his way around a complex guitar solo.
4. Slash
Most people can identify Slash by his trademark top hat atop a black curly mess of hair and sunglasses, but rock fans can identify his solos in their sleep. I remember watching Slash play guitar on an old Slash's Snakepit song so quickly it looked like his hand was just a blur for a few moments. Very classy performer in whatever band he's in.
5. Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen
What can I say about Eddie that hasn't already been said? I was fortunate to see the classic lineup (with Eddie's son Wolfgang replacing Michael Anthony on bass, of course) last year in concert. All the accolades in his long career are definitely appropriate. If you call yourself a rock fan, Eddie is one of the guitarists you have to see play live sometime in your life, at least so you can tell your grandkids someday.
Honorable Mention: George Lynch, Lynch Mob
Well, that wraps up this best of list. Some themes I have in mind for this series are Best Comedians, Best Showman, and Best Overall Groups. If you have some ideas, feel free to float them my way. Until next time, keep on rockin'!
Been a little wrapped up in work and life in general, so I haven't had the time to post anything until now. I've been thinking lately about some of the best performers I've seen live so far. The hard part is coming up with categories, so I'll do this "best of " list in pieces in probably a monthly or bi-monthly basis, depending on when inspiration strikes me. With that said, I'll start this best of list with the best rock guitarists I've seen live, listed in alphabetical order:
1. John Connolly, Sevendust
I've been to seven Sevendust shows so far (and looking forward to concert number eight this April) so I know their music very well. John is always able to shred a killer riff one moment and then slide into backing guitars the next. He's not a bad singer, either, as evidenced on Sevendust albums and his side project band Projected's album Human.
2. Clint Lowery, Sevendust
John and Clint balance guitar harmonies in Sevendust very well. Clint does have some great solos on classic tracks like "Black" and "Angel's Son." He's also a versatile lyricist and vocalist. He's one busy guy. When he's not playing with Sevendust, he has a few side projects going like Hello Demons Meet Skeletons, Dark New Day, and last year's effort Last Parade by Call Me No One with Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose.
3. Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick
It's been a decade since I first saw this legendary band play the Paramount Theatre in St. Cloud. Rick stood out as the backbone of the band. Rocking one, two and even five-neck guitars, he is a great performer and showman. It's worth the price of admission to see Rick weave his way around a complex guitar solo.
4. Slash
Most people can identify Slash by his trademark top hat atop a black curly mess of hair and sunglasses, but rock fans can identify his solos in their sleep. I remember watching Slash play guitar on an old Slash's Snakepit song so quickly it looked like his hand was just a blur for a few moments. Very classy performer in whatever band he's in.
5. Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen
What can I say about Eddie that hasn't already been said? I was fortunate to see the classic lineup (with Eddie's son Wolfgang replacing Michael Anthony on bass, of course) last year in concert. All the accolades in his long career are definitely appropriate. If you call yourself a rock fan, Eddie is one of the guitarists you have to see play live sometime in your life, at least so you can tell your grandkids someday.
Honorable Mention: George Lynch, Lynch Mob
Well, that wraps up this best of list. Some themes I have in mind for this series are Best Comedians, Best Showman, and Best Overall Groups. If you have some ideas, feel free to float them my way. Until next time, keep on rockin'!
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