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!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
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!
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