Bucky's Best Rock Albums of 2014

Hard to believe 2014 will be over in a few short days. Here's my look back at my favorite albums of the year. To keep things simple, I've only included albums that were actually released this year, and listed them alphabetically by artist. Here we go!

Stuck by Adelita's Way

While not my favorite album by this group, Stuck is still a solid effort. Longtime fans will enjoy the band's third major label album. Plenty of rock radio friendly rhythms keep this album in my playlist.

Recommended Tracks: "Dog on a Leash," "Stuck," "Not Thinking About Me."

Let The Ocean Take Me by Amity Affliction

I just started listening to this band a few months ago after a friend recommended them, and I have to say I've really grown to enjoy this album! It takes a little while to get used to the screaming vocals in the beginning of the opening track "Pittsburgh," but vocalists Joel Birch and Ahren Stringer complement each other nicely throughout the album. A very solid rhythm rock album!

Recommended Tracks: "Pittsburgh," "The Weigh Down," "My Father's Son."

Between Far and Away by As Everyone

This 5-song EP isn't the type of music I normally listen to, it has a kind of Talking Heads vibe. There are some very cool lyrics, guitar riffs and effects that catch your ear right away. A very solid debut by two young and talented musicians!

Recommended Tracks: "Even The Odds," "Born to Suffer," "Misuse."

Catacombs of the Vatican by Black Label Society

The newest disc by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde's band was also the first BLS disc I ever bought. I was pleasantly surprised by Zakk's customary heavy guitar riffs mixed with some lighter songs. I wasn't a big fan of Zakk's vocals at first, but I have to admit that this album won me over! I'd recommend this album for longtime Black Label Society fans as well as people like me who are relatively new to his music and want to give this group a try. 

Recommended Tracks: "My Dying Time," "Angel of Mercy," "Empty Promises."

Magic Mountain by Black Stone Cherry

The fourth album by these relatively new Southern rockers is about what you'd expect from this four-piece band: catchy hooks, steady drum beats and tangy lyrics. Not a hall of fame worthy album, but still a solid effort by a hardworking group who put on very heavy, energetic shows every time out. 

Recommended Tracks: "Me and Mary Jane," "Magic Mountain," "Remember Me."

The Fuck EP by Buckcherry

As you can probably guess, there's one word that's in the title of all of the songs on this disc. (If you purchased this album at Best Buy, the exception to the rule is a good cover of Aerosmith's "Mama Kin.") The concept works well for their style of music, a tongue-in-cheek recording that will tide Buckcherry fans over until their next full-length album.

Recommended Tracks: "Somebody Fucked With Me," "Say Fuck It," "I Don't Give a Fuck."

Sonic Highways by Foo Fighters

The band's highly anticipated eighth studio album is somewhat of a concept album, using guest artists and different music styles on each song. The album also coincides with their recent HBO series. I'm looking forward to hearing how some of these songs are played live next year!

Recommended Tracks: "Something From Nothing," "Outside," "I Am A River."

Puppet Strings by Fuel

It's been a while since I've heard anything from this group, but they surprised me with a solid album. Frontman Brett Scallions doesn't sound like his old self, but he leads fans on a musical journey of a new, more refined Fuel sound on this album. I for one am glad that any former tensions within this band are resolved and that they're back to making quality music again!

Recommended Tracks: "Soul to Preach To," "Hey Mama," "Puppet Strings."

Black Widow by In This Moment

A very solid followup to 2012's Blood, an album that fans will easily enjoy. It seems to pick right up where the last disc left off. I'm looking forward to hearing some of these songs and finally getting to witness their live show in 2015!

Recommended Tracks: "Sex Metal Barbie," "Big Bad Wolf," "Sick Like Me."

Broken Crown Halo by Lacuna Coil

These Italian rockers quietly released an album that I feel has largely gone under the radar in the rock community. Singers Andrea Ferro and Cristina Scabbia's combined harmonies anchor a great release, one that deserved more fanfare when it was released. Even after a couple of band members left shortly after this album's release, the band soldiered on for a blistering tour this year. Check them out if you haven't already, this disc is a great starting point for new fans!

Recommended Tracks: "Nothing Stands in our Way," "Zombies" "I Forgive (But I Don't Forget)."

Quatre by Le Projet

For only $1.29 on CD Baby, I couldn't pass up this download by Kevin Martin (lead vocals) and Adam Kury (bass guitar) of Candlebox, Lenny Cerzosie Jr. (guitar) of the Infinite Staircase and Morgan Rose (drums and production) of Sevendust. A very solid four-song debut by this supergroup, if you're a fan of any of the bands mentioned above, you definitely need to have these songs in your music library!

Recommended Tracks: "Head Down," "Save Yourself," "Little Shits."

Letters From the Fire EP by Letters From the Fire

I picked up this five-song EP after hearing these songs played live at a Nonpoint concert in September. This was the first I'd heard of this band, but these San Francisco rockers have grown on me ever since. Looking forward to hearing more new music from them next year!

Recommended Tracks: "Zombies In the Sun," "Waiting," "Eleanor Rigby (Beatles cover)."

The Return by Nonpoint

Another band I've grown to enjoy more and more after first seeing them open for Megadeth last year. A great album that fits well in the Nonpoint catalog, something that any hard rock/metal fan can easily enjoy from the very first listen. The new songs I've heard in concert sound great live too!

Recommended Tracks: "Breaking Skin," "Razors," "Never Cared Before."

Peace at all Costs by Otherwise

Peace At All Costs by Vegas natives Otherwise is a great sophomore album. I really enjoy the double-guitar tandem of Ryan Patrick and Andrew Pugh in each song. This combo really works well with frontman Adrian Patrick's vocals every song. Looking forward to hearing some of the standout tracks from this album live in concert next year!

Recommended Tracks: "Love and War," "Darker Side of the Moon," "All the Pretty Things." 

Lite Roast by Sammy Hagar and Vic Johnson

This album sounds like it could have easily been completed in one take in the studio. A very simple yet effective concept: Hagar and Johnson on acoustic guitars and vocals (with some accordion thrown in on a couple of songs), this is a great low-key album, perfect for unwinding after a busy, stressful day. There's a few of the Red Rocker's Van Halen-era songs here redone acoustically, with plenty of other enjoyable tracks.

Recommended Tracks: "Red Voodoo," "Eagles Fly," "Who Has the Right?"

Isolate and Medicate by Seether

Another different yet good album by one of those bands that's been on my concert bucket list for quite some time. Seether always takes their listeners down different musical roads, but the journey on this album is just as enjoyable as their previous efforts. Glad they can reinvent themselves without sounding stale. 

Recommended Tracks: "Same Damn Life," "Words as Weapons," "Weak."

Time Travelers and Bonfires by Sevendust

Probably my favorite album of the year, it's been my wake-up music on my phone every workday morning. With six new songs and six reworkings of classic Sevendust songs, it's hard not to like this album. There's even a little electric guitar mixed in too for you Sevendust diehards! These songs also sounded great acoustically live this year too! Great music from a great hardworking bunch of musicians! 

Recommended Tracks: "Bonfire," "Gone," "Trust."

World on Fire by Slash

Former Guns N' Roses axe-slinger Slash's third solo album (and second full album with Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators) is what you'd expect from one of rock's greatest guitarists: plenty of groovy guitar licks, solid vocals from the Alter Bridge frontman, and quick, energy-infused songs. If you liked any of Slash's previous efforts, this album needs to be added to your collection!

Recommended Tracks: "World on Fire," "Wicked Stone," "Safari Inn." 

Savages by Theory of a Deadman

The fifth album by Canadian pop/rockers Theory of A Deadman is another enjoyable tongue-in-cheek release, full of driving anthems, a few sappy ballads and even a guest appearance by the one and only Alice Cooper on the title track. From the opening song "Drown" to the closing Richard Marx "Children of the Night" sounding singalong song "The Sun Has Set On Me," Theory has put out another satisfying release that fans will definitely appreciate and enjoy.

Recommended Tracks: "Drown," "Salt In the Wound," "World War Me."

Well that's all for this year, be back blogging in 2015! Happy Holidays and Happy New Year, everyone!

Bucky's Concert Year in Review 2014 - I've Been Everywhere, Man!

Hard to believe that 2014 is almost history! It's been a busy year for me as usual. It's also been one of the most musical years of my life, having seen 32 bands play at 11 concerts across three states this year.

My concert year began in March with a show featuring MN natives American Head Charge at Bubba's Bar in Sauk Rapids, MN on a surprisingly cold day. I arrived in time to get a ticket to the show and chat a bit with AHC guitarist Ted Hallows before their soundcheck. I also got to meet fellow AHC fans from the Twin Cities and sit through about six hours of music from eight bands that night. I picked up discs from opening acts Reaping Asomodea and Righteous Vendetta at the show, just the start of this year's collection.

The next show was actually the first one I'd planned for - a roadtrip to meet friends at the Orpheum Theatre in downtown Madison, WI for an acoustic Sevendust performance. I was able to gather my friends for dinner at the Tipsy Cow restaurant before the show. About two dozen of us traveled from five states to join in good food and conversation before the show. The show itself was incredible - the guys really translated the new  and newly reworked songs from their new album Time Travelers and Bonfires into acoustic masterpieces! Although the evening was filled with memorable moments, my favorite has to be at the end of my conversation with frontman Lajon Witherspoon, who looked at me, put his hand on my shoulder and said "You're family, bro!" That was one of the highest compliments I've ever received! I walked away from that show with one of Clint Lowery's guitar picks and deepened friendships with some amazing people.

Show #3 was at a tiny venue called Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN. I'd gotten to be friends with members of the Wichita, Kansas-based rock group KingShifter. I promised I'd catch their show whenever they made it to Minnesota, and sure enough they made it here in May! I got to the venue in time to help the guys in KingShifter load some of their gear into the building, so I kinda felt like a roadie for a day, which is pretty cool! The band was sandwiched between local groups Smiling Politely and Matrekis, which made for a fun show despite the low turnout on a Wednesday evening. I left for home that night with a couple of guitar picks, a KingShifter info card, sticker and album download card, ready for more live music!

The next show was back at Pov's for Sevendust's only Minnesota date on their acoustic tour. I got to the venue early again, in time to be interviewed by the band's videographer and chat with guitarist/singer John Connolly, bassist Vince "The Boss" Hornsby, former Sevendust manager "Big Red" and touring keyboardist/Architekt Studios co-founder Kurt Wubbenhorst before the show. The show was another great experience with friends. I walked away with a couple more guitar picks, one of the drumsticks used during the show that drummer Morgan Rose personally handed to me after the show (one of my friends I met at the show got the other drumstick), and of course lots of great photos and memories!

I didn't get to another show until August, when I was offered free tickets for the Buckcherry concert at Mill City Nights in downtown Minneapolis. I got to the show on a warm Thursday evening in time to catch the pair of opening acts and plenty of new and classic Buckcherry tracks. I didn't stick around long after the show, knowing I was going back to Pov's the next night to see 10 Years headline what was another great show! I got to chat with guitarist "Tater" Johnson and lead singer Jesse Hasek before the show. It was another impressive evening of five bands for not a lot of money. I was able to chat with openers Crobot after the show, get a photo with Hasek and have him sign one of their older discs before heading home to relax and recuperate before my next concert.

The following Monday, I made the drive to The Venue in Fargo, ND for an electric Sevendust show. I'd gotten an email saying the VIP experience was going to be in the afternoon before the show, so I made it there in time to chat with the guys and have pizza with them, have them sign a few items and even get a Sevendust sharpie from Vinny and take a selfie with John. I went back to my hotel room to unwind and then returned to The Venue in time to hear of Robin Williams' passing. Lajon mentioned the band had met Robin when entertaining the troops overseas several years back and dedicated the song "Karma" to him. I walked away from that show with more of John and Vinny's guitar picks, another one of Morgan's drumsticks, an autographed ticket from Gemini Syndrome's bassist AP Paveri, a Gemini Syndrome stamp on my arm from their drummer Brian Steele Medina and of course some good memories of a night spent rocking with friends.

My first September show was at the Myth in Maplewood, MN. Right off the freeway near St. Paul, it's a venue I've been to shows at every first weekend in September for the last three years. I splurged on the VIP experience and got to meet and get autographs from openers Black Stone Cherry and headliners Theory of a Deadman. I also received a Theory can koozie, vinyl copy of their new album Savages and got to connect with a friend who was photographing the show.

The next weekend, I left during the Vikings game in time to make it to the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis for the Nonpoint concert. Another small venue, I stood in front of their bassist Adam Woloszyn the entire night and had a great time enjoying the music and meeting friends and fellow Nonpoint fans. I grabbed a drumstick during Righteous Vendetta's set that rolled right to me and Adam put one of his guitar picks in my hand at the end of their set. Although their new album The Return wasn't out yet, I did buy an older album in time to turn around and have drummer Robb Rivera and lead singer Elias Soriano sign it for me. I also bought an EP from openers Letters From the Fire, and got a couple of signatures on it too before calling it a night.

I didn't get to another show until the annual Floydian Slip show at the Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud. Local cover band The Fabulous Armadillos put on a theatrical concert in two acts: the first half is Dark Side of the Moon played from beginning to end, and the second half features selections from The Wall and other Floyd classics. I was able to grab a few Armadillos' play dollar bills during the song "Money" and congratulated guitarist Paul "Stretch" Diethelm, a local axe legend, on another great show on my way out.

Winter and work kept me busy until last night, when I was able to get back to the Red Carpet Nightclub after several years for the Melismatics and Soul Asylum. This was my first time in the front row of a Soul Asylum show, and I was glad to see frontman Dave Pirner still has the same energy and humor that I've seen at their shows since 2002. I grabbed a setlist that was right in front of me and bought a Melismatics CD (with a bumper sticker) thrown in before saying hello to friends on my way home.

I haven't been to this many shows in a year in a long time - it's pretty amazing that I was able to see 32 bands this year and talk to members of at least half of them at the shows. Looking forward to at least three more shows on the calendar in 2015. Hope to see some of you enjoying live music with me next year!

Back Where It All Began

12 years ago, I celebrated the start of a new job by going to see Minnesota natives Soul Asylum play at the locally well-known venue the Red Carpet in downtown St. Cloud. The band made it big on the national market with songs like "Somebody to Shove," "Black Gold" and "Runaway Train" in the early '90's. Though their popularity has waned from that high point, they are always a treat to see live in concert. Last night I went to my fifth Soul Asylum concert at that same venue, back where my real love for live music really began.

The night began with a baker's dozen alternative rock songs from the Minneapolis group The Melismatics. Although the crowd didn't know too much about them, I thought they did a good job of warming up the audience on a typically chilly December day in Central Minnesota. I later bought a copy of the band's 2013 release Rising Tide and got to congratulate singer/guitarist Ryan Smith on a good performance.

Shortly before 11 p.m. Soul Asylum took to the small Red Carpet stage, launching into one of the songs from my college years' soundtrack, "Somebody to Shove." Even though singer/guitarist Dave Pirner is the only original member still in the band, the group's cohesive sound shone throughout their set. Original guitarist Dan Murphy left the band in 2012, but his replacement Justin Sharbono was quite capable on lead and rhythm guitar. He also plays guitar lefthanded, so he gets a thumbs-up in my book as a fellow lefty just for that! It's not easy to fill original bassist Karl Mueller's shoes, but I have to say Winston Roye is the best and most energetic person to fill that role since Mueller lost his battle with throat cancer in 2006. Gone but not forgotten, Pirner dedicated the song "Without a Trace" to his longtime bandmate and friend during the show.

This was the first time I've been front row center for a Soul Asylum show, and it was cool getting to interact with Pirner - he commented on the Minnesota Twins sweatshirt I was wearing and I got to shake hands with him after the song "The Game." I always marvel at his stage presence and guitar performances - he's been using the same "Holiday Inn" Fender electric guitar (it has a well-faded sticker of TV channel listings from a Holiday Inn hotel) and black Gibson acoustic guitar at every show. Just like the songs I grew to love, some things just never change!

The band whipped through 18 songs before taking a break. Although it wasn't on the setlist I grabbed at the end of the show, Pirner began an abbreviated performance of their hit cover song "Summer of Drugs" while the technical crew helped drummer Michael Bland adjust his drum kit a bit.

The band ended the evening with the Grave Dancers Union singles "Runaway Train" and "April Fool" before calling it a night. This was my 11th rock show of the year, and it was great to end the 2014 concert season with a bang! The show was an exclamation point on a great day connecting with friends and enjoying live music. That's all I have for now - still have a couple blogs for you this year though: my concert year in review and my favorite albums of 2014. Until then, have a great week, everyone!

Soul Asylum setlist - Red Carpet Nightclub Fri. 12/19/14
1. Somebody to Shove
2. Misery
3. Lately
4. All is Well
5. Can't Even Tell
6. Bus Named Desire
7. Can't Help It
8. Black Gold
9. Without A Trace
10. Never Really Been
11. New York Blackout
12. Gravity
13. Spinnin'
14. Shut Down
15. The Game
16. Morgan's Dog
17. Nice Guys
18. Oxygen
Encore:
1. Summer of Drugs (abbreviated)
2. No Time for Waiting
3. Runaway Train
4. April Fool

Living on the Edge

Hello everyone,

I haven't written anything in a while, but after seeing some of the news coverage of the reaction to the court verdict in Ferguson, Missouri. I felt like I had to say something.

My first reaction to the news after hearing about it was hoping that friends of mine in St. Louis were safe. As I heard news reports of theft, vandalism and looting I began to worry for their safety. It boggles my mind to think that people resort to outright violence in a situation like this. It reminds me of the O.J. Simpson court case aftermath in California years ago. It also put the opening of Aerosmith's song "Livin' on the Edge" in my head, because there's something really wrong with the world today.

I'll admit that I haven't been paying too close attention to the details of the case, because I've never been a big news junkie. There seems to be a bit of overkill in the news reporting industry, and negative campaign ads and aggressive campaign reporting has soured me on the news industry lately. 

I feel bad for all parties involved in this case. However, violence and destroying local businesses run by community members isn't a viable solution. I wish that the rioters and protesters would take their frustration to the courthouse and have a civil dialogue with the judge and attorneys handling the case, so that their voices are properly heard. Violence and looting just seems to bring a community down, and the opportunistic news reporters seem to have exploited that fact in the name of television ratings.

I understand the racial divide in this case, but we're all humans when you look at it. I'm very fortunate to have grown up in a family with relatives of different races and religions, because I learned as a child to accept people for who they are as people. We're all different and unique, and I still don't understand why anyone would have the nerve to have hatred or prejudice against anyone because their skin color is different than theirs. One of my favorite cousins growing up is biracial - when he was adopted as a baby, the birth parents insisted that he be adopted by another biracial couple. He, his biracial sister, and his parents accepted me into their family early on, and have always been some of my favorite people. As far as I'm concerned, no one is better or worse than anyone else in this world. We're all people with our own stories and imprints to leave on this world.

Hoping that my friends in St. Louis stay safe and that a peaceful, rational solution is found for this situation in a community that needs to heal right now. 

Well, that's all I have to say for now. Upcoming blogs will be about my year in concerts and some of my favorite new albums of 2014. Until next time, have a great holiday weekend, everyone!

Hello (again) Wisconsin!

I just got back yesterday afternoon from a family wedding in Marshfield, Wisconsin, about a four hour drive from home. I hadn't been to my neighboring state since meeting up with a bunch of friends for a terrifice Sevendust concert experience in Madison in late April. Both trips have been very memorable!

I decided to play it safe and took last Friday off so I could take my time driving on a nice day. I joked with friends and family the next day about getting behind every semi truck and trailer imaginable on my way to the hotel, but it was a scenic drive, and I got to enjoy the fall colors while cranking some of my favorite rock songs on the way.

I decided to take a rest stop before checking into the hotel, so I pulled into the nearest Shopko for a bathroom break and to stretch my legs a bit. It soon became evident that I was in Green Bay Packers territory. Realizing I'd forgotten to pack my electric shaver, I shopped for some disposable razors and shaving cream when I turned the corner of an aisle and saw tissue dispensers shaped like cardboard cheeseheads!

Grabbing a quick dinner after checking into the hotel, I kicked off my shoes to relax a bit, taking in the World Series before unpacking and eventually calling it a night. I got up the next morning a little earlier than expected, but was still able to freshen up and enjoy a good breakfast before driving around the city a bit more.

I took a lunch break at a Subway inside the local Wal-Mart, perusing the shelves idly before going to the church for the wedding ceremony. I'd driven past the church on my way into town, so I knew it wouldn't take long to get there. I arrived in enough time to visit with my aunt and uncle, my cousin's siblings and a few of their friends from my hometown before the wedding.

My cousin's fiancee was obviously nervous beforehand, but it turned out to be a very nice ceremony, officiated by a pastor from my cousin's church. Afterwards I congratulated the new couple and caught up on the score of the Gophers football game before returning to the hotel to relax for a few hours before the reception at the nearby Elks club.

I got back to the hotel and struck up a conversation with a couple from Chicago on the groom's side of the family. I learned from them that he also had friends from Spain in the next room who traveled to Marshfield for the wedding.

Before I knew it, it was time to head over to the wedding reception. When I arrived, I noticed that each table had pictures of the happy couple from different locations. They had a nice slideshow of family photos before the meal, where I found myself seated next to people from my hometown as well as a few couples from northern Wisconsin.

As a single guy who's not much of a dancer, I tend not to participate in wedding dances. I was still able to enjoy myself by having good conversations with wedding guests and my cousin's family throughout the night. I get a little nostalgic at weddings at times, because they remind me of other family and friends' weddings I've attended over the years. No one at the reception asked me when I'm getting married yet, but I know it'll happen to me eventually when the right woman is in my life.

By the time my relatives and I left the Elks club at midnight, we were all happy but tired. I quickly undressed and crashed on the comfy hotel bed when I got back to my room, eager to give my aching feet a rest.

The next morning, I took my time getting packed and ready to go. Thankfully the traffic was much lighter, but I still found a little congestion when I stopped in the Twin Cities for lunch. I rolled home late yesterday afternoon, amazed by the wonderfully warm fall weather that continued all weekend. It was a great weekend that went by too fast, but was probably my longest road trip until next year. It was another great weekend in Wisconsin with great people - what more could I want?

That's all for now - have a Happy Halloween weekend, everyone!

All in All, It was...Another Floydian Slip at the Paramount Theatre

My tenth rock concert of 2014 last night was my first show at the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown St. Cloud, MN. Several years ago, when I worked for a local non-profit arts magazine and website, I went to many shows at this classic venue. It seems like I've been in almost every corner of this building. Last night's show was my annual trek to see local favorites the Fabulous Armadillos perform their Pink Floyd tribute.

I also saw this show at the Paramount in August of 2013, and the setlist from last year's show remainded the same. I was surprised when I went to get a ticket last week how quickly the seats were being sold. I also remembered that the group packed Lake George for an annual summer concert in August with over 16,000 people estimated in attendance!

The show began shortly after 7:30 p.m. as the house lights went down and the familiar strains of "Welcome to the Machine" began playing. This was followed by a delightfully campy rendition of "Have a Cigar." The tune was highlighted by an amazing guitar performance by local guitar legend Paul "Stretch" Diethelm. Stretch and a couple other bandmates are also in the local group Slip Twister, hence the Floydian Slip show title.

The Armadillos then led into their full rendition of the classic album Dark Side of the Moon. At one point, during the song "Money," hundreds of play dollar bills floated down from the rafters. I grabbed a couple of them at the end of the set, and snagged three more before the night was over. I already had my show souvenirs before the night was halfway over!

The second half of the show featured choice cuts from the Pink Floyd classic "The Wall." Singer/actor/local coffee shop owner Jeff Engholm showcased his vocal and theatric abilities during this set. It was also nice to see local schoolchildren singing and marching onstage to the beat of "Another Brick in the Wall."

The show ended with the Floyd hits "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" and "Comfortably Numb," which featured another one of Diethelm's impressive guitar solos. I'm glad I was able to chat with Stretch a bit after the show as the crowd exited to congratulate him on another great show!

If you've never seen the Fabulous Armadillos live in concert before, you don't know what you're missing! They have one more Pink Floyd show at the Paramount, but they also have a string of other concert series coming up at Pioneer Place on Fifth. Grab your tickets before they're gone - they have a tendency to sell out quickly!

Minnesota Twins 2014 Season in Review

Well, another Minnesota Twins season is in the books, and for those of us diehard fans, it was largely one to forget. I was a little surprised with today's news that the entire coaching staff was dismissed today, but not that manager Ron Gardenhire himself was let go. After four consecutive 90-loss seasons, enough was enough.

This year's team actually won 70 games for the first time since Target Field's inaugural campaign in 2010, but they still have a lot of holes to patch up. Here's my view of the positives and negatives from this season:

Positives:
1. The Twins had a pair of 20 home run hitters in 2B Brian Dozier (.245 AVG, 23 HR, 71 RBI, 21 SB in 156 games) and OF Oswaldo Arcia (.231, 20 HR, 57 RBI in 103 games) for the first time in several seasons.

2. I was impressed by the play of rookies Kennys Vargas (.274, 9 HR, 38 RBI in 53 games at first base & designated hitter) and centerfielder/shortstop Danny Santana (.319, 7 HR, 40 RBI, 20 SB in 101 games). I went to a pair of games this year, and Santana tripled in each of those games! He has good range in the infield and outfield as well.

3. Shaky as it was, the Twins' starting rotation was led by former Yankee Phil Hughes (16-10, 3.52 ERA in 32 starts) and Kyle Gibson in his first full season in the majors (13-12, 4.47 ERA in 31 starts).

Negatives:
1. The rest of the pitching staff was atrocious at times, highlighted by Kevin Correia (5-13, 4.94 ERA in 23 starts before being traded to the Dodgers), free agent newcomer Ricky Nolasco (6-12, 5.38 ERA in 27 starts), former Oakland Athletic Tommy Milone (0-1, 7.06 ERA in 6 games) and highly touted rookie Trevor May (3-6, 7.88 ERA in 10 games). The Twins pitchers had the 2nd worst staff only to the Houston Astros in the American League this year, not something to be proud of!

2. Joe Mauer's first full season in the infield was OK (.277 AVG, 4 HR, 55 RBI and 96 strikeouts in 120 games), but not up to the caliber we're used to seeing, especially for a corner infield position we've traditionally seen players like Justin Morneau and Kent Hrbek among others man with more power in their bats. Third baseman Trevor Plouffe had a decent year (.258,14 HR, 80 RBI and 40 doubles in 136 games with 14 errors in the field), but again not the kind of year we Twins fans are used to seeing, especially with memories of veterans like power hitting third basemen Harmon Killebrew, Gary Gaetti and Corey Koskie floating in our heads.

3. The Twins brought in former teammates Jason Bartlett (infield), Jason Kubel (outfield) and relief pitcher Matt Guerrier to try and generate more fan interest while also mentoring the younger players on the team. Sadly, none of these players lasted with the team into August, nor were any of them on a major league roster at the end of the year. Other veterans like DH/1B Kendry Morales (.234, 1 HR, 18 RBI in 39 games before being traded to Seattle) and fan favorite OF/DH Josh Willingham (.210, 12 HR, 34 RBI in 68 games before being traded to Kansas City) clearly showed diminished skills for the Twins this year.

Gardenhire and his pitching coach Rick Anderson caught a lot of flack the last few years. Gardenhire was a Tom Kelly disciple, but in the last few seasons the "pitch to contact" philosophy and Gardy's loyalty to scrappy utility infielders like Nick Punto and Alexi Casilla were just some of the many reasons why attendance at the beautiful Target Field has lagged recently.

Hosting the All-Star Game this year was a big draw of course, but I'm hoping the coaching shakeup will wake up the players, young and old. Otherwise, if things continue on this pace, the Twins' marketing department will have to come up with some very clever and effective campaigns to keep the fan base interested. I've been a Twins fan since 1986, but even the most loyal, diehard fans get tired of losing constantly.

Well, that's all for now, folks. My next post will be after the Fabulous Armadillos' Pink Floyd tribute show this weekend, my 10th rock concert of 2014! Until then, have a great week, everyone!

Nonpoint Live at the Fine Line

Feeling a little tired but happy today after another great rock show last night! My ninth rock show of 2014 featured Nonpoint and 4 opening bands at the tiny venue the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis on a serene Sunday night. This was my first time seeing Nonpoint as a headliner, and they're quickly becoming a band I'm really enjoying getting to know more and more about lately.

I got down to the Cities in time to walk around outside an empty Target Field (the Minnesota Twins were on the road in Chicago) and snap a few photos of statues around the stadium before stopping in the nearby Hubert's Sports Bar and Grill for a burger and fries. I saw several people in the bar sporting Vikings and Packers jerseys as I settled down for my supper in front of a large flatscreen TV showing the Packers-Jets football game. I knew the Vikings had lost earlier, so I tuned into the Green Bay game, also watching the play of Jets receiver Eric Decker, a kid from my hometown.

Not long after the Jets lost the lead and Decker was sidelined by a hamstring injury, I decided to head over the concert venue, which was just three blocks down. Shortly after 7 p.m. the doors opened, and I made my way to the front of the stage, where I met a few fellow metalheads and my buddy Jeff, who I'd hung out with at a couple of Sevendust acoustic shows earlier this year.

At 7:30 p.m. locals Cold Kingdom took the stage to begin the show. I thought they did a good job of entertaining the crowd, playing well for what was only their third gig ever. The lead singer, a sly blue-haired gal, kept the crowd with her antics during the night as well.

The next act, MN natives Smiling Politely was one I'd seen before in May at Pov's in Spring Lake Park. They had a shorter set than Cold Kingdom, but they kept the energy going. Third opener, California based Letters From the Fire, brought the energy level up, despite having a few technical problems early in their set. By the time they finished their set with a metal cover of the Beatles' hit "Eleanor Rigby," the growing crowd was eagerly anticipating more rock!

The final opening act, Cody, Wyoming natives Righteous Vendetta was another band I was familiar with, having seen them open for American Head Charge in March. I'd also bought their full-length album and had the guys in the band sign it at the show, so I knew to expect some good energy on stage. I got to interact with the lead singer a bit during their songs, and caught a drumstick that rolled my way.

At about 10:30 p.m., Nonpoint hit the stage, launching into their new single "Breaking Skin" from their upcoming studio album The Return. Being at the front of the stage, I saw a copy of their set list before they entered, so I knew we were in for over a dozen great heavy songs!

I didn't know a lot about Nonpoint before seeing them live for the first time with Megadeth and Fear Factory at the Myth in Maplewood last November, but thanks to social media and recommendations from friends, I've been learning and getting to enjoy their music as time has gone on. It was great hearing classics like "What a Day," "Left for You" and their great cover of Phil Collins' "In The Air Tonight." Drummer Robb "El Martillo" Rivera, vocalist Elias Soriano and guitarists Rasheed Thomas and BC Kochmit kept the momentum going all night, never stopping for a rest, except to switch out guitars briefly. I was standing in front of their bass guitarist Adam Woloszyn the entire time Nonpoint was onstage, and he put one of his guitar picks in my hand after they ended their blistering set with the fan favorite "Bullet With a Name."

After the show, I caught up with my friends, and wandered over to the merch tables. I bought an EP by Letters From the Fire, and turned to the next table to buy a Nonpoint CD when I found Elias standing right next to me! I chatted with him a bit and got him to sign my CD. After talking to Elias, I soon found Robb behind me as well! I talked with him about his playful gestures while drumming and got to thank him for a great show as he also signed my CD.

I got home in the wee hours of the morning today, tired of course but feeling energetic after another terrific show. I posted my photo of the setlist in a Nonpoint group on Facebook, and it ended up being posted on Nonpoint's Facebook page, where over 2,100 people have liked it so far! That made me feel very happy and humbled simultaneously. Nonpoint reminds me a lot of Sevendust: they're great bands that make great music and are very accessible and generous to their fans. This was just the 2nd date of their tour, so if they're going to be in your area, I'd definitely recommend checking them out. I'd also recommend picking up a copy of their new album The Return when it hits stores on September 30th.

Well, that's all for now. Think it's time for me to take a rest and think about what my 10th concert this year might be. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!

September Songs at the Myth

Well, it's the first weekend in September, which lately has meant that I've been to the Myth in Maplewood, MN for another great rock concert! Yesterday's show featured Black Stone Cherry and Theory of a Deadman for rock station 93X's X-Girls promotion kickoff.

I got to Maplewood on a perfect Saturday afternoon in time to peruse the local Half Price Books store and have a bite to eat before heading over to the concert venue. Noticing the parking lot was starting to fill up, I parked and found a spot in line where I ended up chatting with a couple of fellow concertgoers who live not far from me. I'd splurged on the VIP package for the show, so when they called for VIP'ers, I walked to the front of the line to collect my Theory can koozie and vinyl album, where I ran into an old friend who was there photographing the show.

Shortly after 7pm, us VIP'ers were led up to the third floor of the Myth Nightclub, where the X-Girls were finishing their questionnaires. Soon the guys in Theory of a Deadman and Black Stone Cherry entered the room from a side door to sign autographs, chat with us a bit and pose for group photos taken by a 93X photographer. I had fun chatting with the guys, and was even surprised that Theory guitarist Dave Brenner correctly knew how to spell my last name and how thankful BSC drummer John Fred Young was for everyone coming out to the show. 

By the time we got back downstairs, the concert floor was pretty full. I wandered over to the right-hand side of the stage. I was able to get a clear view of the first opening acts, MN natives Sin City Escape and local favorites 3 Pill Morning. Both bands did a good job of warming up the festive audience who were ready and raring to rock!

The only disappointment of the evening was the suddenly obstructed view of the stage as 93X staff and X-Girls started filling up the area in front of the right-hand rail. I took as many photos as I could for the rest of the evening, and had to lean over a bit the rest of the night to see the bands, but the music was great! Black Stone Cherry took the stage launching into the title cut from their new album Magic Mountain. This was my third time seeing these southern rockers live, and they put on another awe-inspiring perfgormance! By the time they closed with their first hit single "Lonely Train," everyone in the arena was thoroughly pumped up!

After the obligatory X-Girl introductions, Theory of a Deadman soon took the stage, starting their set with the hit song "So Happy." It was good to see these guys again for the second time, as well as hearing deeper cuts like "Nothing Could Come Between Us" and "Hurricane" live for the first time.

Midway through the set, frontman Tyler Connolly, Brenner and bassist Dean Back took out stools and acoustic guitars for a short unplugged set. Kicking off with a snippet of "Sweet Home Alabama" (which Connolly turned into "Sweet Home Minnesota," after remembering the band's first MN appearance at the old Quest Nightclub in Minneapolis in 2002), they launched into a cool cover of Stone Temple Pilots' "Interstate Love Song," (a song my brother and I heard STP play live on that same stage two years earlier), "Angel" from the new album Savages, and "No Surprise."

Theory ended their regular set with the fan favorite "Hate My Life," soon ending the night with the encore song "Bad Girlfriend." It had been three years since I last saw Theory and Black Stone Cherry at the MN State Fair, so it was good to hear familiar classics along with songs from their new CDs. Another great night of great music with friends, what more could I ask for? Well that's all until next week when I blog about the Nonpoint concert at the Fine Line in Minneapolis. Have a great week, everyone!

The Loss of a Legend

Last Monday night while I was waiting inline outside of the Venue in Fargo before the Sevendust concert, I heard the news that comedian Robin Williams had passed away. At first, it seemed like just a rumor but as the minutes went by, more and more sources were confirming that he had taken his own life.

I was saddened, because I remembered enjoying his off-the-wall antics on the sitcom "Mork and Mindy," not knowing at the time that Williams was in the throes of drug addiction. I also remembered begging my mom to take me to see Wiliams in the live-action Popeye movie in 1980.

As the years went on, I grew to enjoy Robin's comedic and dramatic movie roles. He seemed like such a jovial, happy person that it was devastating to learn that he was going through depression in his final days.

If anything, Robin's tragic loss brought depression to the forefront of America's media. It's just as real an illness as cancer, heart disease, or any addiction. We all go through periods of depression or unhappiness, but how we deal with it and the help we get from others always varies.

If you know someone's who's been going through a hard time or you think may be suffering from depression, don't hesitate to help them or get them referred to a qualified professional. You never know when you might be saving a life!

Well, that's all for now, my friends - until next time, have a great week, everyone!

Lucky Sevendust Concert #13

Hey everyone,
I just got back home from my trek to Fargo, North Dakota for last night's Sevendust concert at the Venue. This was my third Sevendust concert in three different states so far this year. This was also my third concert in the last five days, and as far I'm concerned, the shows kept getting better and better!

I woke up yesterday morning and checked my email to find that the VIP meet and greet would be at 3 p.m. CST at the Venue. Good thing I had Monday and Tuesday off, I said to myself. That gave me plenty of time to make the two-plus hour drive to Fargo, have a nice lunch at the local Green Mill and drive around a bit before checking in at my hotel.

Shortly after 3 p.m., the handful of us VIP'ers were led to a side room inside the arena where the members of Sevendust soon arrived to chat, sign some items, take a few photos and have pizza with us. I was happy that I got to chat with all of the guys, and even got a Sevendust Sharpie from bass guitarist Vince Hornsby after I told him I liked the pen. I've talked to the guys enough times to be really comfortable with them, so it made for a good experience. My day was made before the show even began!

I got back to the hotel to relax for a couple of hours, noshing on a few slices of leftover pizza from  the meet and greet before returning to the Venue for the evening's show. Shortly before 7 p.m., the first opening act, Crash Midnight, took the stage to begin the concert. The Boston-based quintet ran through about five original songs and a cover of the Rolling Stones' classic "Jumping Jack Flash." They had a raw sound, and seemed like a group just starting out. One of the guitarists broke a guitar string early in the set, but played on anyway, apparently not having another guitar as a replacement.

About a half-hour later, Gemini Syndrome took the stage, launching into songs from their new album Lux. I enjoyed the energy and enthusiasm they brought to the audience, and loved frontman Aaron Nordstrom's interactions with the crowd. After their set, drummer Brian Steele Medina went through the front row stamping everyone he met with a stamp of a Gemini symbol. I'd heard nothing but good things about this band, so I was glad to finally hear them live.

I'd heard how Sevendust had a run of bad luck on Saturday, with their bus breaking down and later getting pulled over by the authorities and then later getting rained out and having some of guitarist/singer Clint's Lowery equipment damaged during a sudden rainstorm in Sturgis, South Dakota. It didn't seem to faze the band too much, however, as they launched into their electric set with the song "Pieces." Having seen the band play acoustically at their last two concerts, it was good to see them return to form with a powerful opening song.

Surprisingly, the next words I heard were drummer Morgan Rose's opening chorus to the traditional encore song "Face to Face." When these guys wanted an electric, heavy show, they weren't kidding! This song really pumped up the audience!

As I was waiting outside the Venue for the doors to open, a local rock radio station was broadcasting the news about comedian Robin Williams' passing. Frontman Lajon Witherspoon mentioned the news before the song "Karma," saying that the band had the fortune to meet Robin several years ago and commented on the good person that he was. I later found myself saying a silent prayer to Robin during the ballad "Angel's Son."

It was good to finally hear "Karma" performed electrically, and I liked how the band mixed up the set again. I loved the performances of "Strong Arm Broken" and a bruising rendition of "Decay" before they closed with the Cold Day Memory song "Splinter." After the song as the band was saying their farewells for the evening, guitarist/singer John Connolly put a couple of his guitar picks in my hands. I thanked him graciously, flashing back to the great chats I'd just had with him during the meet and greet a few hours earlier.

The only blemish on the evening was what I'd call a bit of miscommunication during the post-show VIP arrangement. Otherwise, it was another great night of great music with great friends. I'm glad I was able to share another enjoyable Sevendust concert with my friend Frank. Even though he didn't get off work in time to join in the pre-show VIP gathering, I know he enjoyed the show and we both got to talk to Lajon before heading out.

Well that's all for now friends, until next time, have a great week!

Sevendust set list:
1. Pieces
2. Face to Face
3. Till Death
4. Denial
5. Praise
6. Karma
7. Enemy
8. Got A Feeling
9. Angel's Son
10. Trust
11. Strong Arm Broken
12. Decay
Encore:
1. Splinter

10 Years and more at Pov's in Spring Lake Park

For blog post #100, I have yet another concert review: this time it's from last night's show at Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN featuring Crobot and 10 Years.

I got down to the Cities yesterday on a gorgeous Friday afternoon. I drove by Pov's and seeing the cars already parked outside, decided to grab a quick bite to eat before heading to the show. The ticket I bought said that doors were opening at 7pm with music starting at 8pm. However, when I got in the venue, I was able to walk around a bit and even say hello to Jesse Hasek and guitarist "Tater" Johnson from the headlining band 10 Years before the first opener, Whither the Tide, began the show at a quarter to 7pm.

Mixing in pre-recorded sounds and visual images on a couple of flatscreen monitors, Whither the Tide reminded me of the band Live in their heyday. The local artists ran through a half-dozen songs before another local group, Fifth Hour, took to the small stage at Pov's. I laughed when the lead singer acknowledged that most of the group's formal attire was probably a mistake, especially on a warm August Minnesota night. They did a good job of entertaining the crowd, and I even noticed a few fans sporting their T-shirts in the audience.

The next group, Saint Ridley, was a Detroit-based harder edge metal band. They ran through seven songs before departing. It would have been nice to have chatted with them after the show, but they were heading back to Michigan for the outdoor Dirtfest event the next day.

The next act Crobot reminded me a lot of Monster Truck. Part of a resurgence of "new" classic rock, this quartet enthralled the crowd with their dozen songs of varying, unique subject matter. I was drawn to watching the lead singer seemingly hypnotize his microphone stand  that was adorned with dreamcatchers. I was also able to talk a couple of the guys after the show and congratulate them on a good show.

Shortly before 10:30 pm, 10 Years took the stage, revving up the eager audience. Frontman Jesse Hasek is a firm believer in audience participation, as he jumped into the crowd several times during their set. At one point, he jumped from the stage to the front rail barrier right next to me, sharing his microphone with the crowd, and gave me a hearty pat on the shoulder before jumping back to the stage.

I had seen 10 Years open for Sevendust at the legendary First Avenue in downtown Minneapolis a couple of years ago, and I was glad to hear some of my favorite songs like "Fix Me" and "Shoot It Out" performed last night from their 2010 album Feeding the Wolves. They even launched into a couple of impromptu cover songs during the night, feeding off the vibe from the crowd.

After the show, I got to talk to Jesse again a few times, got a photo with him and bought an older album for him to sign. No wonder these guys toured with Sevendust I thought, they're just as down to earth and humble as they are! I left Pov's last night with another happy face, glad I got to hear five great bands for not a lot of money.

Well that's all for now - next blog will be after the Gemini Syndrome/Sevendust concert in Fargo on Monday. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Buckcherry at Mill City Nights

Hey blog fans, I'm back!

Been busy with work, vacation and enjoying another great Minnesota summer, so I haven't had time or content to blog about until now. Last week while I was having cable TV installed at home, I got an email from the Mill City Nights ticket service offering me free tickets to Thursday's Buckcherry concert. I didn't know about the concert until then, but it turned out to be a great kickoff to what's already been a fun weekend so far.

I got to downtown Minneapolis on Thursday night just in time to walk around a bit before the show. Shortly after 8 p.m. I made my way to the venue, finding a good vantage point on the corner of the railing closest to the stage. At 9 p.m. local rockers VIA hit the stage. They blasted through a half-dozen originals from their latest EP.

I enjoyed the sounds of VIA, but before I could try to remember all the song titles, the next group Pinwheel began their set. This group was kind of a mashup between classic rockers like Tom Petty and Bob Dylan with newer metal sounds harkening back to bands like Tool and early Alice in Chains. It was a good combination, one that left the crowd eagerly awaiting the headliner.

Before long, alternative rockers Buckcherry took the stage, starting off with the song "Lit Up" from their debut album. The group is releasing a new EP titled Fuck later this summer, so they also debuted several songs from that album - if you know the band's attitude, you can guess some of the song titles had to do with the EP's name.

I'd seen Buckcherry perform a few years ago at a casino in Walker, MN so I knew to expect an energetic, crowd-pleasing set and I was not disappointed. Before I knew it, an hour had elapsed and the band played an extended version of one of their biggest hits "Crazy Bitch." They came back for a two-song encore, capped off by the song "Too Drunk..." It was kind of amusing to see lead singer Josh Todd amble around the stage in mock drunkenness, knowing according to online articles that he's been clean and sober for several years now.

I was part of the crowd en masse departing the arena that night, happy I decided  to go to the show. For a free show, I definitely got my money's worth!

Sevendust Acoustic = Best Friday the 13th Ever!

I've gotta admit, I've never been very superstitious. I have certain rituals, like wearing my lucky Minnesota Twins hat to concerts and ballgames, and staying with certain routines, but that's more out of habit than superstition. Friday the 13th has never been that big a deal to me. This time around, I was going to my 12th Sevendust show, so I knew the day was going to be great no matter what!

I took the morning off work to rest, clean out my car for the first time in too long, and get ready for the show. I left home on a gorgeous June afternoon and made it to the venue Pov's in Spring Lake Park, MN just before the evening rush hour. When I got there, I saw Sevendust's tour bus and got to say a quick hello to guitarist/singer John Connolly. I also met a couple of other Sevendust fans and even was approached by their videographer to be interviewed for a segment that might be on the band's upcoming live DVD!

I later got to have a lengthy conversation with touring keyboardist Kurt Wubbenhorst. I asked him how the coffee run was the other day with Clint and a friend of mine, and Kurt then brought out his phone to show me the coffee house searches he'd made recently. I also got to chat with him about Architekt Studios which he co-owns and learned a lot from him about the business side of the industry.

After that I was getting hungry, so I ran to the nearest Dairy Queen for a quick supper before returning to meet up with friends before the show. I ran into one friend who was at the Madison, WI show with me and got back in line with another friend who wanted to get as close to the stage as possible.

When we got in the venue, I met another friend I'd seen at a couple of Sevendust shows in Minnesota last year. I bought my customary concert T-shirt and rejoined my friends at the front row. Right about 9:30 p.m., Sevendust arrived on stage with a grooving version of "Trust." Having been to Pov's in May to see my friends in the band KingShifter, I knew that this was a small venue, so when I heard that 700-800 tickets had been sold for this show, I wondered how they could accomodate so many people in a small venue with a small stage.

For an acoustic show, the energy from the band and the audience was electric the entire evening. I've been to so many Sevendust shows that the band members recognize me, and I had to smile when I caught the eyes of guitarist/singer Clint Lowery and bassist Vince "The Boss" Hornsby and exchanged glances, nods and thumbs-up with them early in the set. I also got to shake hands with lead singer Lajon Witherspoon during the songs "Skeleton Song" and "Got A Feeling."

Even with the heavy songs, there were still some emotional moments. During the song "The Wait," written about John's father who passed away last year, Lajon had the tears flowing as the meaning behind the song caught up to him. I had a bit of a lump in my throat too, as it reminded me of  family and friends I've lost in recent years, especially a  great-uncle who had passed away in Europe the day before.

The band ran through ten songs in an hour, closing the first set with "Gone," one of my favorite re-recorded songs from thir new album Time Travelers & Bonfires. Half an hour later, they returned with the upbeat tempo song "Come Down." It was the first time I'd felt a mosh pit swarm behind me at an acoustic show.

Before the next song, their cover of Johnny Cash's take on the Nine Inch Nails' song "Hurt," LJ shared his memories of growing up in Nashville, Tennessee seeing Cash's home and lavish car and dreaming about those same ideals one day. This was followed by a rousing rendition of "Karma," another great newly re-recorded song.

During the second set, Lajon said that he considered the show a Sevendust family reunion, a sentiment I whole-heartedly agree with. The audience was rolling along with the songs "Got A Feeling" and "Angel's Son" before the band closed with a raucous version of the classic song "Black." I had a broad smile on my face as I was not only able to snag guitar picks from Lajon and Vinny, but also had drummer Morgan Rose personally hand me one of his drumsticks at the end of the show! Vinny had owed me a drumstick after bouncing one off my lip during last July's show at the Wicked Moose in Rochester, MN, so now I guess that debt is paid in full.

Sometime after midnight, my friends and I who had bought the VIP upgrade were herded in line to have items signed. I brought a CD booklet from the new album to have signed for my brother who couldn't make the show, and of course had Morgan sign my new drumstick. We were then turned around to get back in line to have a group photo. I had brought a poster from a Facebook fan group to present to the group, but my phone battery was dying. Fortunately, a friend of mine stepped to the rescue to take the photo that I wanted to share with the group members.

Hard to believe after six-plus weeks of waiting for the show that it's already over! Another great night of music and memories, one of the best Friday the 13th's I've ever had. Now I just have to figure out when my lucky Sevendust concert number 13 will be...

Until next time, have a great weekend, everyone!

Set list:
1. Trust
2. Prayer
3. Crucified
4. Xmas Day
5. Under It All
6. Skeleton Song
7. The Wait
8. Denial
9. Disgrace
10. Rumblefish
11. Gone
12. Come Down
13. Hurt
14. Karma
15. Got a Feeling
16. Angel's Son
17. Black

True Friends

Hello again everyone!

I've been taking a bit of a break from social media lately - I was feeling a little burned out. I was also bothered by an incident created by someone I once considered a friend. It wasn't a major issue and I understood this person's perspective, but it put a damper on what was otherwise a positive day. The way the issue was communicated rubbed me the wrong way, because it put another person who is still a friend in the middle of the discussion unnecessarily.

As I've taken the time away from constant connectivity, it's allowed me to reprioritize and look at who and what are the most important people and things to me in my life. I'm very thankful to have some great family and friends that I've had fantastic conversations with in person recently, because they've helped me bring the focus and positive energy back into my life.

With that in mind, I thought I'd share my insight as to what makes a true friend. Enjoy!

True friends...
- are those that you feel most comforable with.
- give you unconditional love and support (including pets, our four-legged "furry friends").
- are people who you can talk to after months just like it was yesterday, and pick up right where you left off.
- don't care about your status in your life...they care about you, period.
- are your biggest fans.
- are often closer to you than some family members.
- can always make you laugh and smile when you need it the most.
- always have your back - in your moments of triumph and in your darkest hours.
- aren't the ones who always ask "can you do this for me?" Instead, they're the ones who ask "what can I do for you?"
- never take a single moment spent with you for granted.
- always make a lasting, positive impact on your life, no matter how often or how long you spend time with them.

Bucky's Favorite Sci-Fi Series

Hi there,
it's been a while since I've had the creative urge to write in this space. Been thinking about doing another best of list - this time it's my favorite science fiction series. Here ya go!

1. Star Wars (original trilogy) - I became a huge Star Wars geek in 1980 - I probably had about 50 of the classic Kenner action figures and have seen the original trilogy more times than I can remember. The story is what first got me into reading and enjoying a good narrative in the first place. While there are some interesting parts of the prequel trilogy and even the digitally animated Clone Wars cartoon series, but to me they pale in comparison to the original series that first captivated me when I was 8 years old.

2. Star Trek (original cast) - I first started watching this show in re-runs when I was a kid. I remember movie parties at elementary school for the first couple of films, and seeing Star Trek III and IV with a cousin in the Twin Cities. The series made me think that space travel might be a lot like the Federation starships when I grew up.
Fun fact: when I worked for a Central Minnesota arts magazine, my coworkers and I were once invited to attend a play at St. Cloud State University - the professor who contacted us and supervised the production was Bruce Hyde, who played Lt. Kevin Reilly in two episodes of the first season of the original Star Trek series. It's pretty cool that I got to meet someone who was in my favorite sci-fi television series!

3. The Twilight Zone (original series) - one of the first real science fiction/fantasy series on network television, and still one of the best. My favorite episodes are "Time Enough At Last," where a bookworm (Burgess Meredith) survives an atomic bomb burst and has all the time to read to his heart's desire (until his glasses break, at least) and "Terror at 20,000 Feet" where a man recovering from a nervous breakdown (played by a pre-Star Trek William Shatner) sees a monster on the wing of an airplane on a flight he is on. Great storytelling that has inspired generations of artists!

4. ROM Spaceknight - a Marvel comic book series inspired by a Parker Brothers toy. The writing of Bill Mantlo and vivid artwork of Sal Buscema captivated me, as the silver spaceknight from the distant planet of Galador fought a crusade on Earth to rid it from his mortal enemies, the dreaded Dire Wraiths. The first 25-30 issues of this series that spanned 75 issues and 4 annuals are some of the best comics I've ever read.

5. Battlestar Galactica (1978) - just watched this entire series for the first time recently. It was an interesting concept about a group of humans fleeing the tyranny of the dreaded Cylon robots trying to find the lost colony of Earth. Campy but fun, this show inspired a successful reimagining a decade ago.
Fun fact: in the original series, the robot dog "Muffey" was played by a chimpanzee!

6. V (1980's) - this show was a little creepy for me growing up, about alien visitors who supposedly came to Earth in peace, but were really looking to rob the planet of its resources and capture its people as food. The mini-series were great, and I enjoyed the one season of the series that followed. The recent reboot was fun, if for nothing else than to revisit those vivid memories of the early 80's.
Fun fact: the peaceful alien Willie was played by Robert Englund, who came to fame playing the vicious Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare on Elm Street films.

7. Buck Rogers in the 25th Century - another sci-fi show I enjoyed from my youth. The first season was great fun, although the 2nd season's retooling made me wonder why the changes that were made were deemed necessary.
Fun fact: The robot Twiki was voiced by legendary cartoon voice talent Mel Blanc. The actor inside the suit (Felix Silla) also played Cousin It on the classic Addams Family sitcom.

8. Logan's Run - another interesting concept, about a futuristic world where life was supposed to end at age 30. The movie is interesting to watch, and I have seen the spinoff television series that had a short season run.

Well that's all for now - I'll be back blogging again after next Friday's Sevendust concert in the Twin Cities. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Working Class Musicians

For every rock band that's made it big, there's hundreds of others who are still paying their dues: playing smaller clubs, driving their own vans and hauling their own equipment to shows that don't always have a lot of support or revenue. They're usually often working day jobs to support their families and their passions for music. This Wednesday I went to see three bands who epitomize this concept, great people that I call working class musicians.

I left work in St. Cloud and made it down to Pov's on 65 in Spring Lake Park in the Twin Cities suburbs, making it to the venue just in time to see one of the bands starting to unload their equipment. I walked over, and found that it was the band KingShifter. I introduced myself to the guys and offered my assistance. They welcomed the help, and I brought in a couple of guitar cases and pieces of the drum kit inside. I'd become Facebook friends with the drummer, David Steinbach, and I promised him I'd catch them live if they were ever in the Twin Cities area. I didn't know that I'd be helping them unload their gear, but I was glad to pitch in and they appreciated the help.

After the gear was unloaded, I ended up sitting down next to their lead singer Sprout (at over 6 feet tall, his nickname has nothing to do with his stature) and a few locals as the first band Smiling Politely was getting ready to open the show. A Minnesota band, Smiling Politely reminded me of newer alternative rock bands like Alter Bridge and Three Days Grace, and they performed a few originals and covers of Lynyrd Skynrd and Shinedown classics. I thought they did a good job warming up the sparse crowd. I grabbed a guitar pick that was thrown at the end of their set, and even helped them a little bit with their gear after their set.

Not wanting to stand around and just be a spectator, I helped the guys in KingShifter a bit in moving their gear on stage. Their set was full of energy, and it was great finally getting to hear some of the tracks I'd heard online live in concert. I only wished there were more people there to experience it, especially considering the fact that it was a free show.

After they finished their impressive set with a funky cover of Black Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky," I helped the guys move a couple pieces of David's drum kit off the stage, and soon found myself at the merchandise table in the back, where I started a good conversation with guitarist Kevin "Kink" Kinkelaar and bass guitarist Derek Ludewick. I wanted to buy their debut full-length disc 26 Tons, but they were out of the physical CDs. I settled on a digital download card of the album with bonus tracks and Kink gave me a KingShifter sticker and one of his guitar picks as well.

We chatted some more and then I went over to talk with David and some of his friends from the Twin Cities before the final group Matrekis took the stage. I learned that these were the guys I'd been sitting next to and chatting with a bit before the show began! I liked their original songs and classic metal covers. They even invited Sprout on stage to help with vocals on an Iron Maiden cover tune.

Matrekis ended their set abruptly at 11:30 p.m. I think the crowd wanted to hear a little more music, but I still had a fun time nonetheless. I said my goodbyes to my new friends in KingShifter and ventured home for the evening, reflecting on the memories of a great evening. I got to hear some great new music for free, make some new friends, and even got to be a roadie for a day - how cool is that?

Check out these bands on Facebook for more information. You can also find KingShifter's music on Spotify and SoundCloud. Until next time, have a great week, everyone!

Sevendust and Friends

Earlier this year, Sevendust announced the first dates of their acoustic tour. At first I wasn't sure if I'd be seeing them anytime soon as the closest location was in Madison, Wisconsin. After taking another look, I decided that I could make the trip. At the time, I didn't know if there were going to be any other tour dates closer to my home. I started talking more and more with some of my friends that I've gotten to know in a Sevendust fan group on Facebook about the tour and the Madison date turned out to be a common meeting point for several of us. As the weeks, days and hours grew closer to the show, we all got more and more excited about the concert.

I got to Madison on Friday afternoon, taking a day off to enjoy the drive and explore the city a little before the big event. The day of the show, I drove downtown to familiarize myself with the city, which is one I'd never been to before. A couple of coworkers recommended the Tipsy Cow restaurant, so I checked out that location, since it's where I told my friends to gather to meet before the show. Little did I know that there was a 5 mile run that morning that was starting at the capitol building when I arrived. After that commotion was over, I walked through the capital building and then wandered down a small side steet to find the Orpheum where the concert would be. It was a quaint nostalgic theater, kind of like one near my hometown.

After a lunch and rest break, it was soon time to get ready for the show! I met a few friends at the Tipsy Cow, not realizing how small the building was or how many people (about two dozen) actually planned on meeting for dinner. After a short wait in the crowded bar area, we were led down the hall to a table that we were able to squeeze a dozen people around while we waited for the rest of the group to arrive. One friend brought a Sevendust poster that had been sent to fan group members across the country to sign. It just needed the signatures of me and several others at the dinner table to be complete.

It was great getting to meet people and get to know them better, as we shared stories and Sevendust concert experiences. After paying for our dinners and drinks, it was time for some of us to collect the VIP sticker for the after show festivities. My friends and I picked up our satin stickers, got to the line outside and waited briefly for the traditional venue opening. We were even entertained outside by some college students and an somewhat unintentionally amusing street performer.

I bought my usual concert T-shirt after the doors opened and quickly made my way to the stage. I got to meet more Sevendust fans before the concert began, and admire the historic building at the same time. The concert began shortly after 9 p.m. with a performance of "Trust" from the new album Time Travelers and Bonfires. This was one of six Sevendust classics re-recorded for the new disc, and its relaxed pace set the tone perfectly for the intimate evening.

The evening got a little emotional during songs like "Xmas Day," "Prayer" and "The Wait," which was a new song written about the loss of guitarist/singer John Connolly's father who passed away last year. It was hard not to notice the tears welling in lead singer Lajon Witherspoon's eyes during the song. It was also difficult for my friends and I to keep our composure after emotional songs like that.

Sevendust ran through about a dozen tracks before a brief intermission, ending their first set with a heavy acoustic version of "Gone," one of my favorite re-recorded classics on Time Travelers. They returned to the stage about fifteen minutes later with a boisterous rendition of "Come Down," the first song on the new album. They put a lot of energy and fun into this track and the ones that followed, including a cover of Johnny Cash's version of the Nine Inch Nails classic "Hurt" and the more familiar songs "Karma," (which the band never played in concert until rerecording it for the new disc) "Got A Feeling" and my top two favorite Sevendust songs "Angel's Son" and "Black." I was grooving to "Black" when I spied one of guitarist/singer Clint Lowery's picks in the pit between the stage and front rail. I got the attention of one of the security crew members who kindly picked it up and dropped it into my waiting hand - another souvenir for my collection!

For us VIP'ers, we were gathered into line 20 minutes after the show to have the guys sign an item for each of us. I brought an enlarged group photo that I got at their last MN show in September, a collector's piece that I'm going to frame and display proudly at home. I enjoyed getting to chat with all of the guys, including bassist Vinny "The Boss" Hornsby and tour keyboardist Kurt Wubbenhorst, who is also an owner of Architekt Studios where the band recorded their last two albums. I was surprised by Lajon, who commented after I showed him the jewelry pieces his wife Ashley had made for me that I was family. I was simultaneously shocked and humbled by this stament, which just proved how he views fans as family and friends, especially diehards like my friends and I who have seen and talked to all of them multiple times.

We were also invited to each get a group photo with the band (another item for me to have printed and framed). I was able to chat with John about the YouTube videos for his side project Projected and examine drummer Morgan Rose's new "battle scar" up close from a show a couple of nights earlier. At the end, our group members were able to present the band with the traveling poster. We could see from their expressions that they were definitely impressed. They even insisted on getting a group photo with us and the poster! Not many groups would do that, so I think we were all honored by that gesture. That was a moment my friends and I will not forget any time soon.

I got home today with a lasting smile on my face, and lots of great photos and memories. It was a fantastic evening that I just don't want to forget. A perfect evening of good music in the company of good friends. I honestly couldn't have asked for a better day! I'm glad so many friends were able to join me in this unique experience. I'm already looking forward to joining some of them at Sevendust's acoustic tour stop in Minnesota in June. If you're a Sevendust fan or just want to have a great time with friends both on and off-stage, be sure to attend this tour in a city near you. It'll be an experience that will last in your mind for years to come!

Until next time, have a great week everyone, and keep on rockin'!

Set list: (not including cover song medleys)
1. Trust
2. Prayer
3. Crucified
4. Xmas Day
5. Under It All
6. Skeleton Song
7. The Wait
8. Denial
9. Disgrace
10. Rumblefish
11. Gone
12. Come Down
13. Hurt
14. Karma
15. Got a Feeling
16. Angel's Son
17. Black

Bucky's CD Review: Time Travelers & Bonfires by Sevendust

There have been some great acoustic rock records in recent years. Live offerings by Seether, Nirvana, Alice in Chains and Sevendust come to mind. Sevendust's 2004 live CD/DVD Southside Doublewide Acoustic Live comes to mind for me because I was lucky enough to go to the Minneapolis date on that brief tour. When I first heard guitarist/vocalist Clint Lowery talk about the possibility of an acoustic studio record after a Sevendust show last July, I was intrigued by the possibility.

This past Tuesday, the guys just released Time Travelers & Bonfires, their 10th studio album and first acoustic-based studio disc. The album was funded by a Pledgemusic campaign online. Within 48 hours of the project being announced via Pledgemusic, the band topped their funding goal! I pledged for a signed copy of the album, but pledge items ranged from signed guitar picks to getting your name in the liner notes to dinners and exclusive intimate shows with the band.

The album kicks off with the catchy song "Come Down." The jangly guitars and backing keyboards hook you into the song. This leads into the song "Under It All," a softer ballad that is instantly singable. The third song "The Wait" was written about guitarist/singer John Connolly's dad passing away, and is a good ballad that reminded me of good friends and family who are no longer with us.

The remaining new songs "Upbeat Sugar," "One Life" and "Bonfire" are all incredibly catchy songs. I like the fact that this isn't a 100% acoustic album, and that the guys brought in a little electric guitar into some of these new tracks. "Bonfire" is a great jam that leads in to the second half of the album.

Before the recording began, the band asked fans which older songs they'd like to hear re-recorded acoustically. While the first half of Time Travelers is new songs, the second half is a half-dozen Sevendust classics re-recorded for this album. The second half kicks off with "Gone." A lesser known track from the album Seasons, this quickly became a favorite of mine. I prefer this version over the original one.

Following up is a slowed down version of "Denial," a great song on its own that I've heard live in concert several times. Slowing down songs like this one and "Crucified" were great ideas, because you can really take the time to understand the lyrics and the musical layers of each one.

"Trust" sounds a lot like the Southside Doublewide version, but that's a good thing. It's a great song that I found myself singing along to right away, a song that just grabs you from the first note and doesn't let go until the very end. I also enjoyed the newer stripped down versions of "Crucified" and "Karma."

The closing song is an all-acoustic version of "Black," the first song from Sevendust's debut album. Although they've played this songs thousands of times before, this version puts a refreshing, relaxing spin on a timeless classic. Great way to close out an admirable album!

I'd recommend this discc to anyone who's a Sevendust or hard rock/metal fan, as well as to those who enjoy a good acoustic rock album. That's all for now, next week I'll let you know how some of these songs sound live in concert after I see the guys in concert in Madison, WI. Until next time, have a good holiday weekend everyone!

To Hire or Not to Hire...That is the Question

I've been following the news lately regarding the hiring (or rather not) hiring of a new police chief in my hometown. The latest actions have me a bit puzzled.

After the previous chief left and moved out of state, a search for a new chief was formed, and narrowed down to one candidate. The winning candidate was police chief for another small town, and was told after he'd been selected that he could go ahead and quit his current job, which he did.

Recently, the city council had a 2-2 split vote on the hiring. (One city council member who was a finalist for the job abstained from voting, but was allowed to be involved in the closed door meeting.) Last week, the city council had a special meeting on Monday, to much excitement. The council wants to form a new search committee and remove the person initially selected from this process.

Apparently there was a cause for concern with the person selected. I've heard some rumors that it had to do with a couple of certifications being lapsed, which he reported to the media that he'd renewed. I've heard other rumblings that some don't want him as the chief because he's an outsider. I watched the news reports in amazement, but also with the realization from past experience that this can be a difficult council to work with at times.

The original candidate that was hired is fighting the current decision, and I have to give him credit for standing up for himself like that. I don't know what will happen in the end, but it certainly does make my hometown look rather bad. Whatever happens, I just hope that all involved can come to a reasonable solution that benefits all of the residents involved.

Until next time, have a great week, everyone!

A Metal Marathon with American Head Charge and Friends

Last Saturday night I attended my first rock show of 2014 just minutes from home, my first time seeing Minnesota natives American Head Charge in concert. The show was at Bubba's Bar and Grill in Sauk Rapids. I hadn't been there in over a decade, so I thought it would be a great way to start a new month with some great music. I would not be disappointed!

When I saw the event on Facebook, it listed the duration from 7-10 p.m. Opening acts Cathercist and Righteous Vendetta were on the tour for AHC's "Shoot" EP which was wrapping up at Bubba's. I got to the venue just before 7pm in time to find a good parking place. I happened to meet my Facebook friend, Head Charge guitarist Ted Hallows and chat with him a bit before their soundcheck.

A half hour later, local band Straight Line Johnny began their short set. I wasn't expecting their set but they did a good job of getting the growing crowd interested in their music. The singer announced this was his last night with the band, and I thought they went out on top with a flourish.

I ended up sharing a table with some dedicated AHC fans. Some of them told me the last time they saw the band at First Avenue in Minneapolis there were 8 bands on stage that night. That bit of news came in handy as waves of bands ended up taking their spots on stage, moving equipment in front of AHC's set up.

I came into this show not knowing much about any of the bands that played, but that was OK in this case. It gave me a better appreciation of the hard work all the musicians put into their efforts on yet another brutally cold winter's night in Minnesota.

When it came time for AHC to hit the stage, some of my friends made their way to the front of the stage. A few of us like myself were a little sager, and enjoyed the industrial rock from the comfort of our table across from the bar. One friend even got up on stage with the band for part of  one song. He lost his shoe somewhere along the way, but we all had a fun time nonetheless.

After the show, I bought a 3-song EP from thrash metallers Raising Asomedea and also bought a CD from Righteous Vendettta which the guys generously offered to sign for me right there.

I got home, plopping into bed shortly before 3pm, having experienced a kind of "metal marathon." I got to hear a bunch of music that was new to my ears, and meet some new friends in the process. Great way to start March!

That's all for now - I'm gonna go enjoy Sevendust's new rendition of their classic song "Black" from the upcoming release Time Travelers and Bonfires. Have a great week everyone!

Seperate but (Un)Equal

Last Thursday night, I attended a performance by the Mixed Blood Theater from the Twin Cities called "The Daughters of Africa." The one-woman show performed by Thomasina Petrus took the audience on a flight through history, as she played the roles of several important African American women in history.

Although I'd seen the show before a few years ago when they were last at the Cold Spring Library, I thought Petrus did an outsanding job of portraying the characters in former Star Tribune writer Syl Jones' play. From the first slaves to reach the shores of the United States to rapper/actor Queen Latifah, Thomasina played them all with flair and enthusiasm.

The show was entertaining as well as informative. It made me realize how different we were as Americans not that long ago, especially when my parents and grandparents were growing up. Just a few generations ago blacks and whites in this country were seperate but very unequal.

It was a small crowd (only about two dozen people or so), but the comments afterwards were glowing. It was also fun to talk with Thomasina after the show, as I knew from the last show that she was a friend of a cousin of mine who also sings in the Cities.

I'd recommend seeing this show if you get a chance. You'll enjoy the music and the historical facts, and you'll probably also learn something in the process.

Well that's all for now. Probably won't be blogging again until after the American Head Charge show at Bubba's in Sauk Rapids next month. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!

Artificial Garbage

Yesterday during another great conversation with a good friend, we started talking about some of the unneccessary distractions in life that people put a good deal of time and effort into. We put our heads together and came up with the term "artificial garbage" to describe this phenomenon. I was so intrigued by this idea that I thought it would be a good topic for my next blog post. Thank you my friend for the inspiration - you know who you are!

Besides the plastic packaging and other items that are quickly clogging our landfills, to me artifical garbage is all of the background nonsense that we get so absorbed in sometimes in our daily lives. Things like instant message chats, the constant barrages of social media updates, reality television "celebrities" and sensationalized news stories are just some of the contributors to this problem. We as humans also sometimes get so caught up in what others are doing and what they think we should be doing in our lives that we lose sight of what's important to ourselves and who we want to be as people.

After looking at the important things and ideas and my life, and the good advice of a few choice family members and friends, here's some tips I came up with to help reduce this "artificial garbage" in our daily lives:

1. Don't let anyone, including yourself, limit your successes.
2. Be true to yourself. Only you know the type of person you want to be.
3. Don't get caught up in other people's drama. Understand and emphathize when it's necessary, but give yourself time and space to be you.
4. Don't worry what other people think about you. What you think about yourself is what really matters. People do pick up on and admire the confidence you have in yourself.
5. Don't be afraid to dream big and set big goals. You may achieve them all and you may not, but at least you had the courage and conviction to try new things, and learned from them in the process.
6. Family isn't always blood relatives. Often times, the friends who you feel the most comfortable talking to and sharing your experiences with while enjoying each other's company are much closer to you.
7. Do something nice for someone each week. Whether it's a small thing like giving a dollar to a homeless person or calling a friend to wish them well, or something big like organizing a clothing drive or donating to a local charity, your efforts are always well worth it in the end, because you made a difference in someone's life.
8. Just because someone you care about isn't always there when you need them, doesn't mean they don't care about you. It just means they are just as busy at making the world a better place as you are.
9. I'm paraphrasing this one from a quote on Facebook: it doesn't matter how much money, how many cars, expensive gadgets or big fancy houses we have in life. Our graves are all the same size. Stay humble.

That's all I have for now. Until next time, have a great Super Bowl Sunday - GO BRONCOS!!!